50 THINGS

For my last blog for 2014, I just want to identify 50 things (though I think, it is not enough) that I'm thankful to God this year:

50. I thank God for the two decades of His faithfulness in my life and counting...

49. I thank God for a healthy year (and the years to come) for me and my family.

48. I thank God for a 1. something grades the last semester.

47. I thank God for the first quarter of our Youth Ministry's Discipleship Groups - Koinonia Groups (K-GROUP).

46. I thank God for pupils,parents and teachers that I encountered in BSU-ECDC where I had my in-campus practice teaching.

45. I thank God for the opportunity to serve as an assistant counselor at SEP 2014 (annual summer camp) in our church.

44. I thank God that my sister has adjusted and finished her first semester as a college student.hank

43. I thank God for a succesful half-day mission trip in our GCI Church in Bokod,Benguet.

42. I thank God for a my mama's fruitful 1st quarter as a college dean.

41. I thank God for a fellowship-filled church annual festival.

40. I thank God for new friends and acquaintances.

39. I thank God for the new books that I have read (many to mention).

38. I thank God for the super heavenly yummy cookies baked by my aunt Auey.

37. I thank God for the meaningful sermons given by our pastors.

36. I thank God for the life lessons taught to me by my papa.

35. I thank God for the chance to visit our relatives in Bugey,Cagayan last April.

34. I thank God for reaching the award of being an academic achiver last semester.

33. I thank God for the successful first-ever youth service conducted in our local church and is organized by our youth ministry.

32. I thank God for opportunity to share the love of God thru the breakfast feeding program hosted by our church in Cabinet Hill-Teacher's Camp Day Care center,over 36 kids and parents were fed.

31. I thank God for giving me the chance to serve as a youth ministry head in our local church.

30. I thank God for the text messages,emails and chats given to me as an encouragement.

29. I thank God for the prophetic words declared over my life.

28. I thank God for the prayer warriors of Bethesda Ministries who laid hands on me and spoke blessings.

27. I thank God for the people I have the chance to affirm God's love for them and prayed over them during the medical-dental mission of the city of Baguio.

26. I thank God for Facebook,Twitter,Blogger and Instagram, these social media sites gave me the privilege to connect with people from all over the world.

25. I thank God for our dogs Xian and Salt, they always gives us joy.

24. I thank God for family gatherings this year filled with love,food,laughter and fun.

23. I thank God for the breakfast,lunch,merienda and dinner dates I had filled with life talks.

22. I thank God for disappointments that bring life lessons.

21. I thank God for the songs that I sung and and have been listening to...those LSSes!

20. I thank God for the unplanned dates.

19. I thank Gof for the worship concerts that ushered me into God's presence.

18. I thank God for my church family - I am looking forward to journeying with you.

17. I thank God for those times when my tears serve as a form of release.

16. I thank God for those pupils who hugged me and called me as "Papa,Daddy and Teacher Paolo."

15. I thank God for my journal/planner - thanks for documenting my 365 days.

14. I thank God for all the patience-testing times of my life.

13. I thank God for photos I've captured and posted them on IG.

12. I thank God for my friends surrounding me with support.

11. I thank God for my facebook,twitter and IG friends and followers.

10. I thank God for all the material blessings I have.

9. I thank God for the daily bread that I eat.

8. I thank God for new mercies and strength everyday.

7. I thank God for all my prayer partners - you strengthen me.

6. I thank God for my amazing fambam - you are the best.

5. I thank God for my sister Jana - my best friend.

4. I thank God for my mama and papa - I LOVE YOU BOTH more than anything.

3. I thank God for you Holy Spirit - for in You...I live, and move and have my being.

2. I thank God for you Jesus - you are my everything.

1. I thank God for you Father - my only response is to worship and give you all the praise.

2014 has been an amazing year for me and my family! I am expectant for new things,adventure,lessons and increase in the supernatural - from glory to glory!

AMEN.

ADVENTUS

"For to us a child is born,

    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
    there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice and righteousness
    from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this." - Isaiah 6-7 (NIV)

Last November 30 (Sunday) - the christendom (including our church - GCI Baguio City/La Trinidad Church) started to celebrate the 1st Sunday of Advent. This is observed by the christian church as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the first 'coming' of Jesus (incarnation - God becoming as flesh) 2,000 years ago at the same time His glorious second 'coming' soon. The term "advent" came from the anglicized version of the latin word "adventus, meaning "coming". This celebration will last for 4 consecutive sundays leading to Christmas eve.

Let our prayer in this season be - "Maranatha! - Come, Lord Jesus"

MY NOVEMBER

Christmas is fast approaching! Yay! But before that, let me just share of the things that happened to me this November. As usual, as part of our family tradition, we celebrated All Souls and All Saints Day in Tarlac where my grandma's graveyard is. We took that time to bond,eat together and of course remember our love one who transitioned into the eternal life. 

I got time to attend some of my "catching-up dates" with some of my friends this month, since I have 3 weeks of semestral break. It was just nice to just talk about the things that are happening in our lives. And yes, we are all,in our last lap of the race - last semester of our college.

INTERNSHIP UPDATE

But most of my time this month was spent attending seminars,trainings and workshops to prepare me for my out-campus practice teaching/internship. During these days, a mixture of nervousness and excitement is what I am feeling. Nervousness because, I will now put into practice all the things that I have learned in my 3 and a half years in college. And excitement because, I will get to care,touch and empower lives of my new pupils.

This first week of December, I am now officially deployed here in my Alma Mater, Shekinah Educational Center Of Benguet Inc. This week was scheduled for observations and being acquinted with the students,teachers, staff and parents. Yesterday, we, the student teachers got surprised when we were officially welcomed here in our internship school. They included us in the celebration of the birthday of T. Divine, baby shower of T. marissa and bridal shower of auntie Judith. They prayed over us and gave us a token. We are blessed.

*the word - "Shekinah" is a hebrew word for God's glory/presence.

Before going home, our cooperating teacher gave our final room assignments. I was assigned to teach in grade 2 - Proverbs under T. Reo. This will be a challenge for me because it will be my first time to teach in this grade level but yes, I wholeheartedly take the challenge. I will start to report on Monday...so help me God!

Being assigned in a christian school is a privilege,to be always reminded that Christ should be the center of everything that I do. Activities like morning devotionals,bible studies, chapel times and christian education classes are the special privileges. This journey will surely be fruitful! Thank you Abba,Jesus and Holy Spirit - I fully depend on your GRACE.