2016: YEAR IN REVIEW

After hours…days and months of being “busy” and not able to blog, hey I’m back!! 

Since it’s Christmas break, I took time to open my almost-tornout-2016-small-black-Starbucks-planner and browse through the pages. For 5 years now, I practiced the discipline of journaling - with the mixed use of words, doodles, partial song lyrics, and sketches. My planner has been a place where my prayers are “spoken” - there are times when it is very hard to focus and verbalize my prayers. I find “journalling” very helpful! I can write my prayers to God in a form of "letter-writing", in this way, I can easily organize my prayer points, my answered prayers and my highlights of my day.

Let me share with you my #HighlightsoftheMonth:

• JANUARY

• I identified my “LifeGoals for 2016”. Guess what? 1 out of 12 was not accomplished! (secret) haha!! But one of my accomplished goal was being employed! tadaaaah! I am now a kindergarten teacher at UCCP - Baguio Educational Center Inc.

• FEBRUARY 

• The GCI Baguio Youth conducted the “PITSTOP: Journey to the Cross” (a.k.a. Stations of the Cross) in commemoration of the Passion Week/Holy Week.

• Attended the “Jesus Festival”. I received an impartation (laying of hands) and experienced the Holy Spirit in a new/different way!

• MARCH

• Had an opportunity to share the gospel to 4 classes of Ma'am Flor at BSU. Praise God!

• Accomplished the level 2 class of Transforming Prayer with Dr. Rey Taniajura.

• Went to MLQES for my demo teaching and interview! - had a chance to pray for the teachers/supervising instructors who interviewed me! whoa.

• Bea’s 18th Birthday.

• APRIL

• Attended the #UsapangWorship conference with Ptrs. Rommel & Susan Guevara.

• OIC Trainings with Dr. Larry Hinkle. (I can’t believe that I was able to go to Tagaytay 2 times this month again!)

• Visited the “Most Beautiful Starbucks in the Philippines” at Batangas with my aunt Auey. Yey!

• MAY

• Mama and papa surprised Jana and I with an Iphone 5s.

• I wasn’t able to make it in the ranking of Deped with the total score of 68.38. 

• 1st fun run of the year with Jana and Bea. It was a colorful run!

• Received a phone call from UCCP - Baguio Educational Center Inc. that I was taken as their teacher and should report to their school the following week.

• JUNE

• Our Church’s 42nd Anniversary celebration at Palm Groove Resort. My nephew Edrem and ading Ardel were baptized. Hallelujah!!

• My first month of work - the school gave me 4 children (Paul,Dave,Aljur and Carl) for their summer tutorials in phonetics.

• Received my 1st ever pay!! Whoot!

• JULY

• Honestly, wasn’t able to journal this month! 

• Jana’s pre-debut shoot with tito Rex and tita Sheila.

• One of the most challenging times this year. My mama got Dengue. - A time to see how faithful God is and stand on His promises. We also experienced God’s love thru our family and friends who prayed with us, visited and helped us.

• Jana’s 18th Birthday celebration at Forest House Bistro.

• AUGUST

• Decorated my “Kingdom” - themed classroom for my Nursery/Prekinder Class.

• Met and gave an orientation to the parents of my kinder class *butterflies* just kept flying on my belly the whole day! whew!

• Wonderful time of fellowship,learning and sharing of insights during the Northern Luzon Pastors’ Conference.

• My papa delivered his sermon at church with the title “FAITH”. Praise God for using you as His mouthpiece papa! You ministered to me.

• I was not feeling well but by God’s grace I was able to do prayer & counseling in Baguio Day’s Medical and Dental Mission.

• ***MANY BLANK PAGES***

• SEPTEMBER

• I preached my first-ever sermon in our local church on “Christians Be Like…”

• Had our “fishball-tuhog-your-own” youth fellowship.

• I was spiritually refreshed with our church annual Worship Festival with the theme - “Spread His Love,Share Your Life”. Ptr. Anthony and wife Elizabeth Mullins being our guest speakers. 

• OCTOBER

• Such a blessing to be given the chance to have a leave from school and attend the “Journey With The Master” Retreat facilitated by Ptr. Anthony Mullins. It was attended by difference youth leaders from GCI Phillipines.

• Uncle Ben went to be with the Lord. (2nd death in our family this year)

• NOVEMBER

• The start of our family’s christmas traditions:

• Set-up our christmas tree and Nativity set.

• attended the annual Starbucks Christmas Party.

• Went shopping at Brent School’s Christmas bazaar.

• Attended “Jesus-Reigns” Benguet for the prayer rally.

• Spent my 13th month pay! hahaha.

• Co-facilitated the Bible Emphasis Month Celebration here in school.

• DECEMBER

• Decorated our first-ever Christmas tree at home. Thanks mama and papa!

• My 22nd Birthday celebration at home with a sumptuous lunch by my aunt Auey. I invited family and friends here at home.

• more Christmas bazaars!!

• We had our Christmas service a day earlier since service at church was cancelled.

• Travelled to Victoria,Tarlac for the Christmas eve dinner and party! It was fun! Uncle-Santa-Willie organized a unique “exchage gift giving” game!

• Decided to go swimmin’ at San Fabian with Team Baguio on the 26th.

• Took down our Christmas decors on the 27th…yeah, that soon!

• Fixed and cleaned my chaotic room!

• Accomplished my activity plan for January! whoot!!

• Year-end getaway with fambam to Bolinao, Pangasinan.

Thank you God for a one-of-a-kind trip around the sun. Goodbye 2016!

This new year, our family had a “prophetic” theme/declaration for 2017 - “YEAR OF GREAT JOY!”. This is taken from Luke 2:10:

But the angel said to them,

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people.”

We believe that Jesus is the “Great Joy” and will continue to reveal Himself as the “Great Joy” in our everything - family, finances, health, plans, work, ministry, etc. especially this year of 2017. May Jesus’ presence and Him being the center of our lives bring an overflow of the true and everlasting “Great Joy” to everyone.

Spread the joy, joy, joy, joy, great joy in the name of the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit!

*Three-fold Amen!*