Me loving jazz

Went for the event as a 'surprise birthday gift' *widest smile* by a friend:) Finally the unexpected opportunity to be in the jazz festival :) Although we could only go for the first day, I'll appreciate the experience all my life:)

I guess God's really creative when it comes to surprises:)

The birthday gifts continues

I just came back from a 'Transform!' youth camp, and from a safety and health convention. It has been a loooooooong week :) But a very fruitful one :)

I celebrated my birthday at a youth camp, and then with some close friends. This year, I got 3 cakes (though I didnt get to eat one of them...haha! That's a long story). And I got the chance to be with almost all my closest friends, and with all my family members (everyone's home!!). So what more can I expect? I'm still thanking God for such gifts *wink*

One of the things I re-discovered, with a deeper sense of understanding, at 30, is that people love you. They sincerely do! And it's a humbling experience to accept that undoubtfully. It's great to have people remember your 'existence' and to make you realize how special you are. Kinda like a first-hand experience of what God would want me to feel. I know all this may sound cliche, but at this age, I really believe in that, without a doubt. And when I'm happy when people wish me a happy birthday, I am truly happy-no fake, polite, respond :) It's liberating.

My greatest gift this year is to have those whom I love around me. I am glad of their existence in my life. Love is always the best gift ever. Why did we ever wanted anything else? (I'm still wondering.)

An early birthday gift

Two days ago I received a package from South Africa (can you imagine my excitement??). My long-awaited book is here!!! 'Life of the Beloved' by my favourite author, Henri Nouwen. *can't stop smiling*

So here's the story. I joined a facebook group of Henry Nouwen's book lovers, and posted a question on what people think about his book, Life of the Beloved, since I've never read it. Then someone from South Africa told me it was a good book and asked for my address and told me she'll 'see what she can do'. I think all she knew was I've been trying for a while, to find the book locally. We didn't share much, perfect strangers, having one thing in common-we love Henri Nouwen's books.

The book arrived about a month after our short messages through facebook. Amazing. With the excitement of receiving the book, I 'unashamedly' turned into this 8 year-old, excited, kid who was just given a candy. I thanked her (let's just say...'insanely' happily) thru facebook. She said she was glad that I was joyful for just a small thing she did, that she wanted to cry. That, I'm sure, is a beginning of a friendship made from above :)

My birthday is in another 4 days. So far, in addition to having a really good week, I gained a new friend from afar, and a book I've searched for years. How much better can it get? I'm so full of joy. Thank you God!

Blogging ain't easy

Today I just noticed I had 11 comments to be 'moderated'. And I just remembered I changed the settings for comments moderation (I know...). So it was cool reading all your comments. I'm also glad a 'friend' from primary school found me here *wink* (eventhough that wasn't so pleasant).

And with that also, I realized blogging is not so easy. It's especially difficult when you have to spend that much time thinking of stuff to blog about! To you regular bloggers (Tity, Being maneesa, danielson, Fr francis, Lifejuicer..semualah!) -Respect! And I bet you've had your share of 'blog-haters' *lol* How DO you deal with that?? I wonder...

Amazing how people have so much time reading other people's life story, and blog about theirs (I'm amazed at me!). How we want to be heard :) And how we love to respond.

Hm...I'm not sure where I'm going with this. So here's another one of my 'nonsense' post ahaha!!! Have a nice day yawl!

Loving a friend

"Love one another as I love you". (Today's Gospel reading & this Sunday's).

He said that. And He said we are not His servants, but His friends. So I was thinking...if what He wants is for us to treat others as 'friends' and to love these friends the way He did, then that's not easy.

I just 'saw' a little bit of what it means to 'lay down our lives for a friend'. It means to die to our own needs, even when it makes no sense, and even when it hurts and when it seems unfair. All because we do it for the good and growth of a friend. All because of the mercy we have for this friend. I also find that more love is involved when it is done in silence, knowing our own needs will never be acknowledged, and our sufferings not known.

Having said that, I also believe that it's only when we are sure that this 'Friend' we have in Jesus will be providing all our needs, are we able to lay down our life for another friend.

I pray for my team, that Jesus will be our Friend and help us to be good friends to each other.

Renewal of your mind

"Do not be conformed by this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you may discern what is good, and acceptable and perfect." - Romans 12:2

That's our selected scripture verse for the camp. Lately, all other scripture verses seem to bring me back to this one. It's about the openness and the decision to want to 'be transformed'. It is about a desire to be renewed, that's strengthened by love. It's about increasing humility in order for any transformation to happen.

So far, it has been an experience of knowing more about a Friend: Jesus. And knowing more about him tells me more about myself. That, in itself, for me, is already a process of renewal of the mind.

Praise God for that.

Transform!

Here's a camp I know will change lives. Do me a favor, and spread the word to all your family, relatives, friends and collegues who have teenage kids. I'm in the organizing team, so for more info, contact me :) Thanks!