REViSED CHRiSTMAS WiSHLiST

These are what I'm hoping to get for Christmas :)

- Giftcards from: Forever 21, Charlotte Russe, American Eagle, Zumiez, and BARNES AND NOBLE!

- Eclipse, and Breaking Down by Stephenie Meyer

- Books by: Francine Rivers and Karen Kingsbury

- The Left Behind Series

- See's Candies

- Vans and flats
- Peacoats, scarves, sweaters

- Movies: Dark Knight, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2

Dedicated to My Dearest Lola Caridad

There you were during my childhood, taking care of my brothers and I. Each day you would buy us a drumstick whenever the ice cream truck came. You cooked lunch and dinner each day and night. Though my brothers and I were indeed rowdy children, you still chose to take care of us each day. You told us stories of what your life was like in the Philippines each night. Stories of your childhood. Stories of your husband, Lolo Momo. Stories of my mom, and my aunts and uncles. Stories of immigrating here to America. All intriguing stories indeed.  

There you were during my junior high and high school years, but this time I was the one helping my mom take care of you. Helping you walk around my house. Making sure you always have something to drink and eat right beside you. Helping you get in and out of the car. Helping you with your walker when we go out. Even though it was us now taking care of you, I still saw strength in your eyes. Strength that is very rare to see these days.

And there you were during my high school and some of my college years. Even though we don't take care of you anymore, whenever I saw you, you still remained strong. Whenever I talked to you, you always asked me if I had a boyfriend and to make sure that I get a handsome one. To make sure that he is good to me. On your birthday, I sang for you, I danced for you, and I played piano for you. That was one of my greatest last memories of you. 

Lola, I will greatly miss you. But, I'm very glad that you saw me grow up. I'm glad you got to see your grand children grow up. I'm glad to see that you got to see your great-grand children. Through your life, I learned how to be strong because you were a very strong woman. You taught your family how to stay close with one another through the gatherings. You always gave us the encouragement we needed. You helped our family grow into who we are now. I love you Lola.. 

RIP Lola Caridad Lagasca

November 1915 - November 2008

SPIRITUAL GROWTH #2

"And yet the people of Israel keep saying, 'The Lord is unjust!' O people of Israel, it is you who are unjust not [the Lord]." 

- Ezekiel 18:29

When life throws something so unexpected at us, we tend to naturally blame God for what's happening. 

"God's not being fair."

We just naturally point our fingers at God. 

But stop and think for a while. Before pointing the finger at God, shouldn't we check ourselves first?

He CREATED this world for us to live in. 

He PROVIDES our daily essentials. 

He's so FAITHFUL that  promised that He would NEVER leave us nor forsake us.

He gave up His VERY OWN SON in order to save us from our eternal punishment, which is hell.

He washes us CLEAN from our sins, giving us the gift of eternal life with Him. 

His UNFAILING love changes us from the inside out, constantly renewing us.

He gives us the STRENGTH and THE DELIVERANCE we need to overcome struggles and trials.

He COMFORTS  and COUNSELS us when the world throws problems at us. 

He PROTECTS us from being harmed.

He HEALS our sicknesses, broken hearts, broken relationships, etc.

He LOVES us unconditionally no matter how many times we've broken His heart.

He WANTS to be involved in our lives by having close relationships with us.

And He does SO MUCH MORE.

What about us?

Do we give God the time that He deserves from us?

Are we tithing faithfully?

Do we serve God the best that we can?

Do we love God by loving others as well?

Do we take the time to know God as intimately as He knows us?

Are we giving God our EVERYTHING?

Let's stop and think for a while..

Eventful Day #1

I watched the High School Musical 3 premiere last night at midnight with Tiffany & Jennifer. I'd say it was worth watching :) WAY better than the first two movies of High School Musical. The storyline was better. The songs were better. The choreography was better. Just everything in general was better. It was worth $10.25 :D

RANDOM THOUGHT #1

When I say, “I am a Christian”

When I say, “I am a Christian,” I’m not shouting “I've been saved!” I’m whispering, “I get lost! That's why I chose this way.”

When I say, “I am a Christian,”I don’t speak with human pride. I’m confessing that I stumble - needing God to be my guide.

When I say, “I am a Christian,” I’m not trying to be strong. I’m professing that I’m weak, and pray for strength to carry on. 

When I say, “I am a Christian,” I’m not bragging of success. I’m admitting that I've failed and cannot ever pay the debt.

When I say, “I am a Christian,” I don't think I know it all. I submit to my confusion, asking humbly to be taught.

When I say, “I am a Christian,” I’m not claiming to be perfect. My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I’m worth it.

When I say, “I am a Christian,” I still feel the sting of pain. I have my share of heartache, which is why I seek His name.

When I say, “I am a Christian,” I do not wish to judge. I have no authority -- I only know I’m loved.

-  Carol Wimmer

SPIRITUAL GROWTH #1

I read this psalm a couple of minutes ago. I read this psalm so many times before, but after flipping through pages earlier, my eyes were laid on these verses. It captured my heart in a great way because it's so beautiful..

O God, you are my God;

I earnestly search for You.

My soul thirsts for You;

my whole body longs for You

in this parched and weary land

where there is no water.

I have seen You in your sanctuary

and gazed upon Your power and glory.

Your unfailing love is better to me than life itself;

how I praise You!

I will honor You as long as I live,

lifting up my hands to You in prayer.

You satisfy me more than the richest of foods.

I will praise you with songs of joy.

I lie awake thinking of you,

meditating on You through the night.

I think how much You have helped me;

I sing for joy in the shadow of Your protecting wings.

I follow close behind You;

your strong right hand holds me securely.

- Psalm 63:1-8

Your love oh Lord is better than life itself. 

No matter what trials we mey go through Your love is what gets us through each situation. You give us comfort. Hope. Renewal. Peace. Counsel. Strength. What other person or god can do that but You? 

Your love is easily accessible. We just need to acknowledge that it's constantly right beside us and keep clinging onto it. 

Your love sets us free from our burdens..

BLOGGER > LIVEJOURNAL

So I've moved to blogger because livejournal was getting too boring for me. I was also influenced by Jon to move onto here as well. 

Well, I'm going to use this blogger for many reasons. To talk about randomness. To tell about what happens during eventful days. To vent. To encourage. To exhort what I have learned. For spiritual growth. And so forth and so on.