Finally, an S&R Branch (Calasiao, Pangasinan) Closer to Home

 When Mom says we are going - end of discussion, we really have to go (haha). Mom, you know that we love you so much and we will do everything to make you smile. I was about to lose heart when I saw the queue heading to the store. But, Ate and  Mom are so determined to get inside and buy their favorite oversized pizza and the tasty muffins and brownies. I had to thank you both for being so resolute, we all enjoyed the sight-seeing and a little buying.

Thank you, Lord, for another time spent with family. 

Ate Shel's 46th Birthday

 Blessed and Happy 46th Birthday to my dear sister and best ever friend, Ate Shel. I thank God for your life. My prayer for you: long, healthy, and prosperous life. I love you!

Yay, food...food...food! (Jech Restaurant for lunch and Conti's Cakes for dessert). To God be the glory!

A Trip to Sudipen and a Side Trip to Luna, La Union

 We set out to Sudipen to visit the wake of Mama's cousin. It was a sad reunion with relatives but on a lighter note, we got to know our other relatives from the Luzano side. 

On our way home, we had a side trip to Luna, La Union where we got to catch a glimpse of the beautiful beach and the peculiar stones that can only be found in Luna. We also made a visit to the famous Bahay na Bato and marvelled at its intricate architecture. Places that we also visited: Mga Bantayan ng La Union Lighthouse,  Orang's Bibingka (home to yummy bibingka) and Buko Halo-Halo somewhere down the road.

Praise God for the provision and protection and good health. 

Kkei (B.S. Nursing - VMUF) and Neil's (Senior High - SLU Lab) Graduation Day

 Glory to God for He has allowed you to reach another milestone in your education. You did it with flying colors (at least from our point of view, haha). Long before these events happened, we prayed for you and declared that God will bless you abundantly and be with you in your academic battles. Your graduation is also a great opportunity to gather our family for a thanksgiving fellowship and wonderful family bonding. Praise God, too, for the great food - I will say it again, great food! 

Congratulations Neilkkeia Sheryce and Shaun Neil! To God be the glory!

Sim and Shem's 17th Wedding Anniversary

 A beautiful marriage is geared towards the continuous improvement of the husband and wife in every area of their life. The word "beautiful" is never equated to the word "perfect". Ours is definitely an imperfect marriage and yet, we are continually holding on to a perfect God who makes all things beautiful in His own sweet time. God has always been gracious to us in this marriage. Day after day, He allows us to do things better and be better in our partnership especially at home and in the church ministry that He has entrusted to our care. 

I can still get giddy every time Sim looks into my eyes with passion and appreciates every little thing that I do with zest. He is and will always be my FOREVER in this lifetime. As we navigate to a new chapter in our marriage, we are overflowing with hope that God will be with us and will work things out for us - for His glory and honor! Praise the Lord! We are always thankful and grateful!

Blessed 17th, my dearest Sim!

Papa and Mama's 50th Wedding Anniversary

 The secret to a long and lasting marriage is - Christ at the center of it! I praise and thank God for making me a member of the Langbayan family. Papa and Mama's golden wedding anniversary is truly an awe-inspiring example of how a marriage between Christians should be. Without a pinch of doubt, Papa is a good provider and has continually done his role as a good father and husband through the years. In the same way, Mama is the kind of mother and wife who is very close to the description of being ideal. 

Praise the Lord, for your life and marriage, Papa and Mama. Glory to God!

Coming Home to Dad-daay, Alilem, Ilocos Sur

 It's nice to go back to Dad-daay after more than a decade. So many things changed and improvements were evident. One of the most notable improvements is the length of trip that was cut short due to a paved road. And yes, there were unfamiliar and new faces who were introduced to us as relatives. Familiar people went a little older and yet, they are the same in terms of being welcoming and accommodating. We discovered their fishponds teeming with tilapia and Sim got the time of his life catching these swimming creatures (haha). And who would not miss the closer fellowship of the Luzano siblings? It was a touching reunion and improved relationship among the siblings. It was heart-warming to witness their laughter and tears and the love that binds them together. Sim also prayed and declared blessings to the whole Luzano family (his mother's side of the family).

Glory to God for His sustaining grace and abundant blessings!

Visiting Beacon Hill and Polig Farm in Tublay, Benguet

 They say that it's not acceptable to say NO to an Ate's request (haha). Even though we're met by a heavy downpour on our way to Tublay, we never retreated. Expectedly, the places we went to never disappoints: Beacon Hill and Polig Farm - home to the "giant takore", an eye-catching figure when you traverse the Tublay road. We left Beacon Hill with a fully-loaded stomach. And yes, our Ate enjoyed the trip.

Thank you, Lord, for your traveling mercies. Glory to your name!

Beach Getaway with the Balitangs

 It's refreshing to be away from the bustling city for a while and just enjoy the view of the sunset, the sunrise, the beach, and just swim all you want (and all you can...haha). And yes, we enjoyed the fellowship and the food! One of the best places: Heart of Mother Earth (HOME) Resort, with an exclusive pool. Yay, I got to color my book that has been hidden inside the bag for quite sometime. Sidetrip: grapes picking!

Thank you, Lord, for allowing us to enjoy your creation - both places and people. 

Sim's High School Reunion - EPPNHS Batch 1995

 It was my first time to meet Sim's classmates and batchmates in High School. They graduated from Eugenio P. Perez National High School (EPPNHS) in the year 1995. Wow, that's 28 years ago! It was a joy to see and meet with them and their families. They were surprised to learn that Sim is already a church pastor. For me (and I believe for him, too), I would like to highlight more his being a pastor than his being an accountant. 

Glory to God!

True Love Waits Seminar at Baguio Central University

 Sim and I were invited to speak before the college students at Baguio Central University (BCU). Speaking about a topic so close to our heart is another breakthrough in our ministry partnership. As expected, the Question and Answer part enlivened the attendees. We encouraged and prayed for these students. May they truly understand and realize the importance of staying pure as singles.

Glory to God for this opportunity of sharing the biblical principles about the art of waiting for the right time and person and allowing God to stay in the midst of every boy-girl relationship.

Sim's Dedication and Installation as the Pastor of Calunetan Christian Center

 Praise the Lord for this blessed day! After the annual meeting of Memorial of Bible Deliverance Churches, Inc. (MBDC) in Camiling, Tarlac, the MBDC Board went straight to Calunetan Christian Center (CCC) to dedicate and install Sim as the pastor of the church. Our brothers and sisters at CCC waited for hours just so they can witness the important event. Sim grew up in this place and he truly has a heart for the people here. Sharing the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to the people here is a calling, a joy, and an honor for him. As Sim's wife, I also made a commitment to support him in every way - we are partners in the Lord's ministry. To God be the glory!

Welcoming 2023 With a Family Travel

It is always our family declaration that every new year is a year of the Lord's favor! And yes, we praise and thank the Lord for the food on our table as we welcomed another year with our beloved family.

We barely slept and set out to see must-visit places in Pangasinan. We went sight-seeing, picture-taking and eating and sharing delectable foods (Agkapita in Mangatarem, Senshi Kabuto Ramen House in Bayambang, and Kabaleyan Cove Resort in San Carlos City).

Thank you, Lord, for our family - our forever treasure. Thank you, Lord, for the provision, good health, and safety and protection.

TANEPA Youth Camp 2022

 It's our first time to join the TANEPA Youth Camp this year with the theme: "Be TRANSFORMED into the image of Christ" (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Sim was one of the "day speakers" and I also led the morning devotion on my special day! Yes, I just turned 44, to God be all the glory! As a thoughtful gesture, we treated the pastors to a cool and refreshing merienda.

We shared the burden of praying for and encouraging the young people to continue in their faith and be truly transformed into the image of our Lord Jesus Christ. Also, we prayed to the Lord to grant our heart's  desire to bear children who will stand for the truth - the genuineness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and be bold and courageous about their faith.

Praise the Lord!

Christmas Fellowship and Reunion with the Cupasans

 Praise God that we get to celebrate Christmas every year with a family reunion and fellowship with my husband's relatives. Sim and I broached this idea years ago and we are delighted and thankful to the Lord that we get to gather every Christmas and prepare sumptuous food (per family), sharing of God's Word and our personal testimonies. This 2022, things have become even more exciting with our more improved raffle draw. The cheers and laughters are overflowing. When God is at the center of every fellowship and celebration, surely, it will be a huge success. 

By the way, Sim and I also celebrated our birthdays and blew candles on the cake during this time. Praise God for the gift of life - we are more than grateful for another lease on life. Glory to God!

First Trip to Antong Falls with the Kapatirans at CCC

For two decades, I oftentimes heard about Antong Falls but I really do not have the nerve to go. Thanks to our kapatirans at Calunetan Christian Center for inviting us to unwind and bond with us. In fairness, the view is breathtaking! But more than the scenery, it is the fellowship that truly matters. Thank you, Lord, for giving us kapatirans who truly understand how it is to work in Your ministry. We are blessed.

The Start of Our Pastoral Ministry (Calunetan Christian Center)

For the year 2022, a verse came up, Isaiah 6:8 "...Here am I, send me". Little did I know that this word from the Lord will come to fruition in July 2022 when Sim and I were commissioned to lead the kapatirans at Calunetan Christian Center. We believe that the Lord has prepared us for this ministry a long, long time ago. That's how God orchestrates things for His work and ministry. Sim and I accepted the calling from the Lord with faith and courage in our heart. We know that our life will be continually transformed through this new role in the ministry and new place where He has strategically positioned us - to take care of His flock at Sim's barrio where he grew up and started his journey as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. Glory to God!

Sim and Shem's 16th Wedding Anniversary and Family Staycation in Tagaytay City

 All glory to God! Sixteen years is another milestone for our marriage. Praise God for seeing this marriage through every day and every season. We decided to celebrate it with the whole family and have a two-day staycation at Canyon Woods Residences in Tagaytay City. Our family fellowship overflowed with good food, fun games, swimming and we had side trips to Caleruega in Batangas, Acienda in Silang, Cavite, Mall of Asia, and S&R Price Membership Shopping.

Thank you, Lord, for the safe trip, protection, provision, and good health. Thank you, for allowing us to create beautiful memories with our immediate family members. 

Ninong & Ninang at Jason & Mai's Wedding (Bugallon, Pangasinan)

When someone makes a promise that he's going to get you as a principal sponsor to his wedding  - you better believe it and prepare! That's what Jason did, he took that promise to heart. In response, the ninong and the ninang really have to brave the three-hour early morning drive to his hometown. 

Praise God that everything went well and we had a great time with the newly-wed couple and the kapatirans from Baguio Christian Center. 

Dedication of Mendoza Family's New Car - La Virginia Resort, Batangas

 Praise God for making it possible for my sister Hani and her family to have a brand new car that they can use for business purposes and family trips. The road to having a car was never easy, and yet, God's blessings are indeed beyond measure. They asked Sim to dedicate the car and thank God for His goodness and provision. Our travel from Baguio City to Kawit, Cavite to Batangas was challenging, but still, praise God, for this privilege to extend our spiritual support and encouragement. We truly rejoice with them. 

And of course, we went to our favorite stop over - S&R Price Membership Shopping. Thank you, Lord!

Via Von Joy (Itogon, Benguet)

 I have this attitude of being resolute whenever I see a restaurant's good review on social media or recommendations from good friends. This restaurant caught my attention in one of the Facebook postings and I told Sim about it. And voila, after the Sunday church service, we went to enjoy the ride, view and food. 

Papa's 75th Birthday Celebration (Paradiso Resort, Aringay, Elyu)

 It's always great to celebrate birthdays at the beach (for an obvious change and reason). We had a not-so-easy time convincing Papa that we hold the celebration out of town. With much prodding, he gave in and so it made our day. We spent the night at Paradiso Resort. It's a fun and sentimental event. And yes, we have wholeheartedly traded our fair skin tone for a "sun-kissed"one. 

Praise God! Thank you, Lord, for the life of Papa. We went back earlier to our respective churches because it's a Sunday! 

Speaker at TESDA's Women's Month Celebration

 It was such a privilege to be invited as speaker at Technical Education and Skills Development (TESDA) - CAR in their celebration of Women's Month. It's a complete surprise to have both men and women in the audience that paved the way to a more lively interaction and discussion. 

It was indeed a roller-coaster ride as I received a message 18 hours before the event, informing me that I'm going to speak about a meaningful topic on women empowerment. I ended up with this: "Unleash the Empowered Woman in You".

I thank and praise the Lord for the wisdom and strength that He has sustained me with, from the moment I started to outline my topic until the delivery of the message. To God be the glory! 

MBDC Board Visits Isabela District (February 2022)

 It's refreshing to spend the holiday doing ministry works and visiting churches at the Isabela District. Truly, my heart was touched as we went to two newly-established churches in the middle of the rice fields. Sim passionately preached the Word of God to Singson Christian Center and Divisoria Christian Center. As for our side trip, we enjoyed the beautiful scenery at the Bountiful Flower Garden, along with a meaningful conversation with its owner, Ms. Norma Palay. The seven-hour (one way) trip was all worth it. Praise and thank God for His provision and protection!