NEW THING

Finally! After 2 months of not blogging...I decided to share something with you in writing, things that I've been doing months after my graduation. Actually I've been busy doing things here at home (and I'm really enjoying it). I have decided not to teach yet or look for a job but instead, focus on reviewing for the Licensure Examination for Teachers this coming September 27,2015. And also participate in the workshops of Transforming Prayer and Spiritual Direction facilitated by Dr. Rey Taniajura, the representative of Odyssey in Christ here in the Philippines.

Since most of the time, I am here at home, I have all the time to clean,cook,laundry and do the things that I want to do. In fact, I tried something new, I found an old set of watercolor paint and couple of paint brushes. And tadaaaaaaaah...the artistic side of me was activated! Imagine,I painted 11 simple paintings?! (Haha!) here is one of my favorite paintings:

I am very thankful to my mama and papa for allowing me to attend 2 christian concerts, Hillsong Worship live in MOA Arena last April and Planetshakers live in Areneta Coliseum 2 weeks ago (my sister Jana wasn't able join us because of her classes). I will never forget this because they even filed a leave just to travel and attend the worship concerts with me. I am forever grateful for their love for me and providing, not only the things that I need but sometimes, also the things that I want. I love you FOREVER!

There are still a lot of activities that are yet to come...

Everybody's excited for the annual GCI Worship Festival 2015 of our church happening on September 23-27, Teacher's Camp, Baguio City with the theme: "Celebrating Kingdom Life Now!". Preparations are in full swing,for our local church,we have started to practice as a music team because will be leading the opening night service and we will be performing in the Unified 2 concert! Yay!

Here are some of the activities that I am looking forward to:

-OIC Deeper Walk and Spiritual Direction in Leadership Seminar (September 15-17 in CDC,Tagaytay City)

-OIC Experiencing The Trinity Retreat (September 19-22 in Ating Tahanan,GSP,Baguio City)

-Bethel Music Live in Manila Concert (October 17 in Araneta Coliseum,Manila)

PS.May I ask you all to pray for me as I continue to review and prepare myself for the LET this September. Shalom!

LIVE THE LIFE

It's been 4 months of not blogging but...I think this one is worth blogging!

Right after the Summer Enrichment Camp (SEP) Luzon 2014 of last year, Ptr Aron Tolentino (camp director of this cool youth camp) has been constantly asking me to serve as an assistant counselor again next year (referring to this year) but all my answers were neutral, knowing that I might not be able to serve again because of some post-graduation considerations like applying for a job. I prayed for God's leading because I would really would want to serve and be part of this annual summer camp knowing that this will make an impact in the lives of the young people since I have experienced and attended SEP for 7 consecutive years. My heart and my passion is really for the youth ministry. I must say that, every year, there were a lot of new learnings,friendships and experiences with God. 

April, the month of applying for staffhood, I finally took the leap of faith in applying for the assistant counselor. It was my second time if ever to serve in this position. My application was accepted! With great joy and expectation, I was excited. My first year of serving as an assistant counselor (summer of 2014) was very memorable, having the opportunity to be mentored by kuya Al Santillian...I will be forever grateful for the things you have taught me!(one of the things that I did with kuya Al was to pray for each of the campers intentionally). This is one of the reasons why I am encouraged to serve again. Weeks passed by and I received a text informing me that my counselor to whomI will be working with,is kuya Adriel Garcia. We started planning via sms and facebook chats, a lot of idea-storming! Finally we decided to stick with the identity of our dorm 2B, to be "DUGONG BUGHAW" (royal blood). Choosing this dorm identity in relation that this is who we are in Christ - our King and this is the life/reality that we should live. We also had the idea of looking for neckties to match this theme. We were blessed that We have found some neckties in an affordable price (we gave each of our 14 campers each upon thier arrival). 

This year, the camp was held in a new site in Matabungkay Beach Resort,Lian Batangas last May 25-30. With beautiful dormitories and facilities. A new kind of SEP because it is by the beach. The first day of camp finally came! Excitement to the maximum level was felt! As I have been meeting the campers that was assigned to our dorm, I tried to know them right away and to start the hype to keep them going! What's unique this year was that almost majority of the campers were first timers. During the first few hours and days, kuya Adriel and I were amazed that our campers were easily got along with each other. I specially would like to thank my veteran campers (Erickson,Mann,Julian,Erby,Marthy and Exekiel) for taking the lead in knowing your fellow firstimer dormates and being a "big brother" to them. I super appreciate that!

In our very first meeting as the dorm 2B, we took the time to break the ice, know each other, discuss some dorm rules to guide them and also to assign their buddies for the rest of the camp. The camp was formally opened with a camp worship and a n opening devotional by our camp chaplain, Ptr. Rex. Days were running fast as we enjoyed doing the classes: Basketball,Volleyball,Christian Living,Ballroom,Community Service,Team Building, Swimming (the activity that our dorm was awarded as the "Best Male Dorm in Swimming), Sports Fest (staff vs. campers - staff won of course) and Boating/Snorkling (this is the newest activity in SEP, and I think this is the most enjoyed activity). We had this night of reflection and worship when Ptr. Rex shared the spiritual discipline call the "EXAMEN" - it was a time of refreshing for me. Of course, the Camp won't be complete without the dance night, where all where dressed beautifully and ready to dance with their partners. 

If there is one thing that is very memorable for me this year is the Sunset Worship we had every day in the shore facing the beautiful view of God's creation. It gave me an exceeding joy in reflecting and singing songs of worship with your brothers and sisters during those precious times.

There will always be a time during the camp for the campers to believe and receive God's love in thier lives through water baptism and be witnessed by the SEP community. 16 campers made the decision and was baptized. Hallelujah!

The theme for this year is "LIVE THE LIFE". We have decided to have this tagline for our dorm: "2B, Dugong Bughaw, Everyday Okay!" Knowing that in Christ, the life we should be living is the reality that we are sons and daughters of the King of kings and live as royal bloods (dugong bughaw). And God wants us to live this "life" for ourselves,for God and for others in L-ove,I-inclusion,F-reedom,E-njoyment!

Dearest, pinaka mamahal kong mga brothers,

Halos mag three weeks na tayong di magkakasama! Tuwing Monday, naiisip ko yung alas dos na pumipila kayo to register at pumunta kayo sa dorm assignment niyo (pero alam niyo ba na habang nakapila pa lang kayo, alam ko na na kayo ay dorm 2B? Hehe) Well, trinatry kong alalahanin kung sino sa inyo ang unang dumating sina Jericho, Paolo at Marthy ata kung di ako nagkakamali?? Hehe! Basta yun, nung nasa dorm na tayo unti-unti na tayong nabubuo...ang nakakatawa pa nun eh nagkaroon pa tayo ng ghost dormate...remember "Kenshin" dahil akala natin sa dorm natin siya? Haha. At nung unang pagkikita natin na yun...ang galing! Madaling kayong nagka palagayan ng loob! Salamat kay Mann sa pagtulong saakin sa pag turo na mag tali ng necktie, hey, dapat alam nyo na lahat ah! Kung di niyo pa alam, magpaturo ulit kay Mann! LOL. 

Gusto ko lang magpasalamat sainyo for sharing your stories sa maikling 6 days na yun (ituloy sa txt or chat)...alam ko marami tayong tawa sa mga bagay bagay during cheer practices natin. Ako ay grateful dahil nakita ko sa dorm natin na very talented, may potential, unique, pogi, funny, gentleman at everyday okay! Gusto ko lang kayong isa-isahin at i-affirm kayo:

-Marthy: Pang all star ka talaga brother! Alam mo nung 2013 pa lang nakita ko na yung interest mo sa basketball! Go and enjoyin mo yang hilig na yan, si God ang nagbigay nyan...Tahimik ka nung pagdating mo sa dorm, pero ang appreciate ko sayo ay you shared your ideas sa cheers natin at ang galing mong gumawa nung dialogues nung variety show at wala kang hesitation in doing the things na kailangan mong gawin! Alam ko na one day, you wll be completely healed sa skin asthma mo :) God bless you brother!

-Jericho: Isa ka sa mga nagpapatawa sa ating dorm at nagkwekwento. Appreciate ko sayo na hanggang ngayon nangungumusta ka pa din thru chat and text. Marunong kang makisama sa drom brothers mo. Do your best sa lahat ng bagay kasi dahil dun, makikita nila ang love ni God sayo. Andito lang kami ni kuya Adriel, txt at chat lang brother!

- Nathan: Ang galing at ang astig mo sa bag bebeatbox! Yan ang talent! Thank you sa pagshare mo saakin ng talent na yan...talagang prinapractice mo po ang pagbebeatbox ng gabi! Bigay din ni God yan sayo:) naalala ko, ikaw yung isa sa mga natatawa sa practices na kasabayan ko! Hehe. Na-touch ako nung personal kayong nag sorry saamin ni kuya Adriel sa nagawa niyo na something, you have a good heart! See you soon brother!

-Travis: Brother, tahimik ka ka nung una pero buti na lang at meron si Kenneth na naging best friend mo nung camp. Salamat sa pagshare mo saakin ny life story mo...hayaan mo lang ang mga sinasabi ng tao around you, ang importante ay kung ano ang reality na ikaw ay loved,accepted and valued by God. Smile! And let that smile brighten other's lives.

-Kenneth: Ikaw ang charm ng dorm natin and you are generous sa pag share ng food sa amin. In fact diba twice tayong bumili sa store? Hehe. Noong naguusap tayo habang papunta sa store, I'm asking you kung nageenjoy ka sa camp sabi mo "syempre naman kuya"...kaso medyo nalungkot ka nung baka hindi ka na makaattend next year...wag kang magalala, God will provide ulit and by faith, I know makakattend ka ulit! 

-Darren: Tinatawag mo ako ng "sir" palagi..hehe! Ikaw ang example sa dorm na nakita ko na if time na para mabilisang kailagan nang lumabas for our class, yun. Ikaw yung isa sa mga nauuna. Basta alam ko na basta tahimik, malulupet sila! Be excited sa mga prinipare ng God for your life!

-Cristan: Naaliw ang buong dorm sa mga memes na shinishare mo saamin...hehe! Alam kong in real life, you will also bring joy to the people around you. Nabusog din ang dormates mo dahil sa gabi-gabing pag kain nyo sa baon mo - thanks sa pagshare. Ikaw ay ang pang limang Umlas na naging ka-dorm ko. Astig ka bro!

-Paolo: Brother, alam kong isa sa mga rason kung bakit tayo naging best male dorm sa swimming dahil sayo. Ang galing mo sa swimming! Ipagpatuloy mo yan, malay mo ikaw na pala ang isa sa mga swimmers ng Pilipinas! Be remimded always na God is always for you and not against you!

-Noel: Una tayong nagkakilala nung feast last year ng youth activity. Kaya I thank God dahil nagkita ulit tayo at magkadorm pa. Natutuwa ako kasi very open ka sa pagshare saamin ng mga life experiences and lessons mo. Hindi ka nauubusan ng kwento for us. Thank you sa generous heart mo nung dance night! Kita kits ulit tayo sa feast na ukit siguro?

-Erby: Bro, excited talaga akong maka dorm ka! Alam mo kung bakit? Nung nasa Baguio pa kayo, ikaw kaya yung isa sa mga estudyante namin sa sunday school. Very active ka and you love to play with your fellow kids after service. You have grown up na. Ang bilis ng panahon! Sa dorm natin, na bless ako kasi you harlp being one of the kuya sa mga first timers. Thanks sa merienda nung isang gabi. Hehe! Magiging successful ka sa chosen carrer mo soon. Like you dad! God bless you more brother!

-Julian: Ikaw lang ata ang nagtatawag saakin ng Justine sa dorm? Haha. Well, magkakilala na kasi tayo at mag nakilala pa kita nung camp. Ikaw yung isa sa mga naging kuya ng dorm 2B. You are a great help saamin maslalo na nung variety show. Continue to serve God sa local church niyo, maslalo na alam ko active ka sa music ministry. Honor God with that passion for music and as you play outside the church, shine your light and let the whole world see that Chirst is in you!

-Mann: You're the man! Alam ko na na magiging blessing ka sa dorm with your cool ideas! Di na ako nahirapan to teach sa dorm natin sa pag tataoi ng necktie, tinulungan mo ako. Ikaw ang inassign namin ni kuya Adriel sa narration dahil alam namin na dun ka magaling at syempre mas magaling pa sa pag sasayaw! Identity ng Santillian brothers yan eh! Continue to sustain the bond ng dorm natin maslalo na sa chatbox and syempre for life. Thanks brother! See you so soon.

-Exekiel: 3 times dormate na kita! Tadhana na ba? Hehe. Appreciate ko yung, palagi kang nagvovolunteer maslalo na sa dorm cheers and sa variety show natin. God blessed you din with the gift of music, gamitin mo yun for God's glory. Medyo a lot of effort ang kailangan mo sa college. Do your best in everything and continue to bless others with your natural vibes ng pagpapatawa! Apir!

-Erickson: Ang  best camper ng 2B! You know why? Nakakitaan ka namin ng "kuya instinct" sa mga ka brothers mo. Ikaw ang isa sa mga maagang nagigising at nang gigising using your speaker at nagpapatugtog ng "lalalabmilykeyoudolalalabmilykeyoydo..." Haha! Sabi nga namin ni kuya Adriel, blessing ka kasi you helped us in crafting our cheers at sa variety show...maslalo na yung malupet ming sound effects! You are a good kuya! Affirm ko yan at ang leadership skills mo. Continue to love your hilig sa basketball. Alam kong medyo madrama ang nangyari sayo coming sa campsite...pero I know that was with you along the way. Marami ka sigurong iniisip, just pray and ask God to guide you sa decisions. God bless you brother!

Last but not the least: to our kuya head counselor Adriel, thank you! Thank you kasi God gave us the opportunity to work togather for our dorm! Andami nating advance plans and it all turned to be good at naging talagang "Everyday Okay" ang 6 amazing days natin with the campers! Alam ko kinakabahan ka kasi it is your first time as a counselor, pero for me, meron nang natural na kuyang pagaaruga for our dorm kaya di na tayo nahirapan to lead our dorm. Appreciate ko yung evealuation time natin every now and then if there is a need. Thank you for giving us some advices and life lessons during our devotional and sa dorm chats natin. I will always remember not to worry ng sobra maslalo na sa cheers natin everyday...dapat chill lang para everyday okay!!! See you soon kuya Adriel!

Brothers! Thank you for being part of my life, you will always be my brothers for life ang I will be your kuya forever. Continue to Live the Life! The life that is in our Father,Jesus and Holy Spirit! I will see you guys soon! I miss and love you all!

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20 NIV)

And together we say...

"2B,DUGONG BUGHAW, EVERYDAY,OKAY!"

Your 2B Assistant Counselor,

Kuya Jep Parcasio

EXPERIENCING THE TRINITY

The first time that I have heard about this retreat through Dr. Rey Taniajura (I am very grateful to God for being used by Him), my spirit just got excited despite the possibility of not attending but, my heart's desire was answered! My supervising instructor excused me from my internship duties to attend this retreat.

Retreat? Yes a retreat that is to be brought to the Philippines for the first time. This retreat is organized by one of the ministries of our denomination which is the Odyssey In Christ founded by Dr. Larry Hinkle. This retreat's theme is - "Experiencing The Trinity". With the theme itself, I just felt ecstatic!!! The retreat was held in Christian Development Centre, Tagaytay last February 19-22.

The international facilitators were Dr. Larry Hinkle (Founder and Director), Dr. Charles and Carmen Fleming, Gracie Johnson, Donna Rae and Bill Wells, and Lorilee Imee.

We arrived an hour early before the orientation starts. As the other participants arrived, reunion and fellowship with our brethen from Bicol,Manila,Laguna was enjoyed! We had the orientation and introduction of the retreat the whole morning and in the afternoon, the facilitators gave us time rest in preparation for the dinner meeting in the evening. It was a unique experience for all of use when they asked us to be silent (no conversations) until the 1st chapel service in the following morning - that was really hard! Haha! The reason behind this exercise was to learn how to develop a soliture and silence before God for us to hear His voice and see His revelations.

The chapel services was one of the highlights of this retreat experience. Chapel services are celebrated solemnly before an altar of the communion elements,cross and candles. We partook the broken body and blood of Jesus each day of the retreat. This was just memorable and sacred.

The retreat sessions are not just informational (left brain) but altogether transformational (right brain) working together. Their were "real plays" not "role plays". On the first day, we devoted it in knowing,experiencing and having a journey of knowing God the Father better. We just basked on His love and God being our dad,tatay,papa,dada and tang. It was in the first session that I got an "imagery" of God spending time with me in the shoreline - if I could just paint that imagery!

The second day is for our brother,Lord and Savior Jesus, knowing and reaffirming His passion and redemptive work for all humanity. We all just enjoyed the time to just listen and talk to Jesus. In one of the sessions, Lorilee assigned us to be with our small groups to ask Jesus about things that He would want us to tell or encourage our brothers and sisters in the group. This time was very encouraging for me because I got a lot of word of arrifmations from my groupmates and yes, those "words" spoken are really from Jesus.

In the last night of being together, in our room, we enjoyed hearing each other's personal experiences during the retreat day 3. I am grateful that I have older brothers to give advices and even speak blessings to my life that night.

Early in the morning of our last day in the retreat, I decided to wake up early and have my solitude and silence with the Lord before our chapel time. My prayer is that Jesus will let me feel his tangilble presence (all my senses - hearing,tasting,touching, seeing and smelling) during that last day. Surely, Jesus heared and answered my prayer! Upon entering the chapel and sitting down in silence, I began to smell something...something fragrant, lke the scent of different flowers. I just ignored it at first thinking that it was just a perfume of somebody in the room. I tried to ask my aunt (who is beside me) if she could also smell that scent and she said yes...but again we ignored it. The smell became stronger as we approached the Table of The Lord during communion. I just enjoyed smelling that scent...ohhh that scent! Before we ended the chapel service, Ptr. Larry said that they will be anointing us with oil,be praying for us and commissioning us. I think I felt like my heart stopped beating that time because of surprise...a surprise because I have been asking God to affirm His presence in me through laying of hands for a long time! My tears kept flowing as I received the impartation and anointing through Donna Rae. To my surprise, the scent I was smelling was the actual smell I have been smelling even from the beginning of the chapel service. The scent became even more fragrant and stronger. I savored the presence of God. This was an affirmation of God's tangible presence in my sense of smell. I will never ever forget this encounter.

We returned home overflowing and if I may describe it this way, it was "a mountain-top experience" with Abba,Jesus and Holy Spirit. Now that I am aware that His presence is always with me,in me,for me and working through me, I am very expectant and excited of more of God's manifestation and encounter with Him.

Let is enjoy the presence of Abba,Jesus and Holy Spirit in our lives!

ARE YOU LISTENING?

Have you ever heard God's voice?

Did you listen attentively to what He's saying?

What can be hindering  us to hear God's voice?

Let us look at Samuel's story..

SAMUEL [1 Samuel 3]

Samuel is the son of Hannah - her answered prayer. For so long Hannah's been praying and pouring out her soul to the Lord to give her a son. And yes, the Lord granted her desire - the Lord gave him a son named Samuel.

(Let us be reminded that He is a "prayer-answering-God" and he hear all our prayers)

In response to God's faithfulness to Hannah's answered prayer, She then dedicated Samuel to the Lord by letting him serve in the tabernacle.

One night while Samuel is about to sleep, he heard a voice calling his name saying "Samuel,Samuel..." Immediately he got up and went to Eli's room knowing that He is the one who called him...

For the second time, this happened, still Eli told Him that He was not the one calling Him, but this time Eli told him that it must have been God who is calling He...Eli told Samuel to return sleeping but this time, when someone will be calling his name, his response will be...

Speak Lord for your servant is listening...

And yes, it was the Lord who has been calling Samuel...

Reflections:

How many times has the Lord been calling us or speaking to us?

Can we discern His voice?

Will we be obedient to what He's calling us to do?

What can be hindering us from listening to his voice? 

*There are a lot of distractions that may be hindering us from hearing God's voice this may be our being busy at school and work, we might not give time...a special time for God to speak to us through his Word- the bible? we may not be giving enough time for our prayer life? 

Do we set aside time to listen to him despite our busy lives?

Conclusion:

Let the Lord clear our ears for us to listen to him attentively - We ask the Holy Spirit to open our ears to hear, to hear his voice...

May our prayer be, 

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.

ONE POINT ZERO

      Well, since Field Study 5 (in-campus practice teaching) is one of my highest grade this semester, let me share you my reflection:

     This whole journey of my in-campus practice teaching have been very memorable to me, because I have learned and experienced a lot of things about teaching. At first, I was so anxious about the whole idea especially when our supervising instructor, Prof. Rosita B. Kudan started to fix our schedules, room assignments and cooperating teacher. We had the privilege to choose. I personally chose Teacher Emill M. Kisim as my cooperating teacher for the reason that I want to be mentored and trained by him since I want to observe the things that a male teacher does in terms of classroom management, strategies and creative ideas. Our cooperating teacher was assisted by Teacher Lorabeth Ambel, his assistant teacher. I was paired to be with Kinder 1 - Opal with my classmate, Haidie N. Otinguey, whom I worked well with. All were finished and finalized that is why the following day, we immediately visited the classroom and met our cooperating teacher right after our classes. I appreciated the warm welcome of our cooperating teachers that moment. I first introduced myself and after that, teacher Emill then gave his orientation about our practice teaching.

     The following week, we took the challenge to teach right away but with no lesson plans yet. The mere focus of this teaching is to be acquainted with the pupils, their characteristics, the classroom and even came up with an assessment period. The first encounter with the pupils went well. Haidie and I prepared and helped each other in presenting the lesson. Every after classes, our cooperating teacher make it a point to have a 30-minute "mentoring time" wherein he gives his comments, observations and "things-to-improves". These mentoring times gave us the opportunity to learn and be mentored. Aside from that, he also shared the learning resources that we need that is why Haidie and are very grateful.

     After the practice teaching try out, the next focus that we had was in applying classroom management through the use of different strategies and approaches. I came to learn that for you to be an effective classroom manager, you should know how to blend and apply different strategies depending on the personality types and situations that are manifested at that moment or encounter. After several meetings of experimenting and testing, I somehow was able to know the strategies that are effective for the class like the business approach, and others. Classroom management is really a skill that can be learned.

     The mentoring in the area of lesson planning came after "mastering" the classroom management. We learned to do lesson planning from the detailed to semi-detailed lesson plan. I made it sure that I always let my lesson plans be checked a day before my teaching schedule so that my teaching will become effective and appropriate for the learners. It was challenging really to think of activities and assessment tools that are developmentally appropriate for the pupils. A teacher really need to be creative enough to present the lesson, that is enjoyable yet understandable and ready to be absorbed by the pupils. 

     One of my teaching philosophy regarding the instructional materials is that,  I believe that as a teacher, you don't need to "print,cut,laminate and paste" pictures if the things you would want to show them are tangible and can be brought to classroom as real objects. That is why in my almost 2 months of teaching, I seldom use cutouts, only if it is necessary and needed. The learners  are always amazed because I always have with me my large eco bags filled with toys, kitchen wares, figurines, fruits, vegetables and other objects. I give them the opportunity to touch and see my instructional materials.I believe that learning  takes place when pupils see the connection of each lesson with the real life. 

     In the making of assessment tools, one of the common things I've done is the paper, pencil and color. But sometimes, I let them do "hands-on" activities and some group works to strengthen team work and cooperation. One thing that I've learned in assessing kinder 1 pupils, you need to be patient enough to explain the instruction. There are also times where you need to go around per table to check if they are doing their exercises right.

     I got to assist in the Nutrition Month Celebration of the pupils. I enjoyed preparing and serving my pupils with fruit salad. While they were eating, we got the opportunity of sharing the importance of eating these nutritious foods. Aside from nutrition month, I also had the chance of being in their practices though I was not able to be in their actual presentations due to the annual church conference that I have attended. These extra curricular activities are so much enjoyed by the pupils, teachers and even parents. They learn things that are not usually learned inside the four corners of the classroom.

     In our last day in ECDC, I felt the appreciation of parents when they expressed their thanks to me for being one of the teachers of their children. I will surely miss the heavenly voices of my pupils calling me "Teacher Paolo" every now and then. 

     I am confident that God - Abba, Jesus and Holy Spirit will finish everything that He has started in my journey as a teacher.

Our God be praised!

Prayer Request: May I ask you to pray for me as I prepare myself for my off-campus practice teaching (on the job training). Join me in praying for God's leading to where I'll be deployed. Thank you!