Wednesday, August 30, 2023

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. 

Tuesday, August 29, 2023

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!