Happy...

God's timing is truly impeccable! I don't know how else to illustrate how perfect His timing and His ways are. He is beyond words! He creates the perfect situation on how His perfect plan has to happen. The result? Absolutely flawless!

For years, He made me go through things I didn't understand why. I really felt like He totally forgot about me already. I was wrong! All these years He was equipping me emotionally, mentally and physically for that time which I never thought would still happen. When it did happen, I was prepared. Boy, was I prepared! You have no idea!

My God! Why are there times that I still doubt You? Why do I still doubt your Words? Forgive me for my unbelief! 

On a different note, last Saturday was Sun Life's August Championship Kick-off at the World Trade Center. I'm excited on how God will make things happen for me again! Thank you, Lord, in advance!

Lastly, today is my Mom's birthday.  

There are so many things to be happy about... These are just a few... God, thank you for everything!

Post Summer Fun

Last June 27, Red Spruce had our yearly outing this time at Tagaytay Highlands. We get together once a year, out of town to have fun! No work, just pure FUN!

Thank you, Lord, for my Sun Life family!

I wonder where our next destination is next year...

PS: Sorry for the poor quality photos. I will try to get the original photos emailed to me so I can replace these with better ones.

Christmas 2013

I can't believe it's almost Christmas.  How time flies!  I just celebrated my birthday, then we were just preparing for our Christmas party... And now it's almost Christmas.

Before I share some photos with you, let me just share the beautiful message we had at our service.  I was again reminded that God moves beyond the natural. Oftentimes, we tend to focus on what we can see in the natural.  Oftentimes, we get discouraged by them. The link between the natural and the supernatural is called a miracle and God still performs miracles!

If you are facing impossibilities in your life today - maybe you received a bad report from your doctor, maybe you're facing a mountain of debt or maybe you need restoration in your relationship... Whatever it is you're facing today that looks impossible in the natural, let me encourage you...  God can make the impossible situations possible.  God works miracles for His promises to be fulfilled ON TIME.

I was very encouraged with these messages I got from church last night. I hope you are too.

Now the photos...

 Red Willow Unit

Betty Boop & Princess Belle / Betty and the Men in Black

(✿◠‿◠) Merry Christmas!!! (✿◠‿◠)

Hello Summer!

It's officially summer!

I don't particularly like the summer season because it's too humid here, but what I do like are the get-togethers and the outings. Oh, and the food too!  Haha!

I did go to two outings this summer.  I have to limit it to two because of my condition.  Nonetheless, those two spelled F-U-N.  I thank God that I wasn't in pain during those times I was out of town. In fact, I feel much better now.  I hope and pray that there would be less no more flares now and in the future. Lupus be gone!

Last April 8, my Sun Life family went to Anvaya Cove again.  Well, I wasn't able to do much outdoors, but I did enjoy the get together.  My bosses were very protective of me.  I'm so blessed to have them around.

In case you're wondering where I am in this photo, I'm in front, left side.  The one seated next to the guy in white. Hehe... I understand.  I gained a lot of weight. 

I also went out of town to Bay, Laguna with my NTC (National Telecommunications Commission) family last April 12-14. We stayed at the rest house of one of our senators.

With Rizza Fortes, the wife of my former boss, Deputy Commissioner Jaime Fortes, Jr.

We also went to Mr. Francisco Magsaysay's farm where farm fresh cow's milk is being produced. Yum!

L-R: me, Rizza, Muray, Director Vicky, Alice & Carlos

Behind me is Dr. Jake Borja, the one who oversees the entire operation, including the well-being of the cows.

The farm

L-R: Carlos, Atty. Ven Canta, Alice, DC Jaime Fortes, me & Eddie

Before heading home, we stopped by Calamba, Laguna where our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, once lived.

 Clockwise: The main house, kitchen & library

 From top left clockwise: One of the bedrooms, dining area & play house

Dr. Jose Rizal's doodles & handwriting

I learned that this house is a replica of the original house which was destroyed during WWII.

That's about it.  Brought home bottles of farm fresh cow's milk, the only milk I can take for now.  God's timing is really impeccable!

Hot Hat Party and the Hobbit

We had our office's Hot Hat Christmas Party last Tuesday, December 11. Fun games, good food, gifts... Happiness!

Red Spruce (Click photo to enlarge)

Red Willow

Then my friends and I watched The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey last Thursday, December 13, at the Mall of Asia. Wasn't really a fan of the movie... never liked The Lord of the Rings to begin with, but I did enjoy the food served before the movie started.  Hmm... no wonder I'm gaining so much weight. Hehe...

With Alma, Zenda and Ino at MOA

I had such a busy week again, but nonetheless, my week spelled F-U-N.

Now, it's back to work for me.  Have to finish my deliveries and errands this week. Oh, and there's another Christmas party this weekend.

It's almost Christmas!  Yey!  My favorite time of the year.  It'll be bittersweet for my family because we'll be celebrating Christmas without Dad for the first time. We miss him so much!

Thank You for the Blessings

I'm very happy that Mom spent two nights in my house this week.  We went to watch a movie last Saturday and ate out.  We also did the grocery shopping together.  Early this morning, before leaving, she cooked for me again.  I thank God for Mom.  I'm really excited for Mom's new condo unit.  Construction is starting on October 1.  Hopefully it'll be ready for Mom to move in before Christmas.

Last Tuesday, I attended another award's ceremony.  I thank God for this award I got for the second consecutive year.  Here are some photos from the event.

The Philippine Star

Cross Pens for second year Macaulay qualifiers

 Me!  Thank you, Lord!

 Red Spruce

Red Spruce

On a different note, I think grief over Dad's passing is catching up with me now. There are nights when I would just cry because I miss Dad very much.  When I hear songs that I know Dad really liked, the water works will just start automatically.  I know Dad is with Jesus now, but I just miss him very much.  Next month I would be celebrating my birthday for the first time without Dad.  Sigh...

Proud to be a Sun Lifer

When I was introduced to Sun Life three years ago, I was a bit skeptical because of all the dreadful stories I heard from people who had lousy experiences with the other insurance companies in the past.  Like most, I viewed insurance differently, and its agents as desperate people.

That all changed when I was in such a despondent situation three years ago and God used Sun Life to change my life forever.  In spite of my doubts, I kept an open mind believing that if God was the one leading then I'll be fine.  There must be a purpose for this, I thought.  Little did I know that three years after, I'd be debt free.

I'm glad to be part of Red Spruce NBO and proud to be a Sun Lifer.

Here's another first from Sun Life, introducing Sun Shorts.



Here's the first of the five digital short films produced by Sun Life Financial.

Life's brighter under the SUN

For more information about Sun Life and financial planning, please leave me a comment or send me a private message by clicking here.

Awesome God!

The weather is bad today, but my day was filled with laughter.  My colleagues who played practical jokes on each other were simply hilarious.  We had a seminar today after passing our licensure exam. As usual we all felt it was information overload because of all the charges, privileges and rules that we have to remember and follow.  Thank goodness it was just a one-day seminar.

Anyhoo, I really love, love, love this verse in Romans 8.

28"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." 

What the enemy meant for my harm, God meant it for my good.  Awesome God! Though there were a few minor bumps along the way, everything looks pretty much promising.  Thank you, Lord!

Thank You, Lord!

Today is such a beautiful and peaceful day.  Thank you, Lord!  I watched Twilight (for nth time) this morning with Mom.  Obviously, she wasn't too engrossed with the movie as I was because I saw her yawn too many times.  But she did finish the entire movie just sitting beside me quietly.  Yeah, I have a very supportive Mom.  Haha!

Anyway, I had my licensure exam last Thursday.  I will find out how I fared either tomorrow or Tuesday.  I really hope I did okay because I don't want to go through the ordeal all over again. I studied real hard for that exam.

I got an email from our head office that the list of medallion qualifiers for last February's Love Month contest was finally out in the newspaper which was released last June 18.  Woot!  Yours truly hit the Gold medallion for the second time.  Thank you, Lord!  I hope this coming August Champ, I'd be a Platinum medallion qualifier.  Why not?  Nothing is impossible with God.

Last week my boat was rocked a bit because of doubts creeping in again.  But you know what?  God was fast to remind me of what He revealed to me years back during my quiet time.  He reminded me of how faithful He is even when I was faithless.  He remained faithful.  What a great God we serve!  I felt an overflowing peace in my spirit.  All I can say is... Thank you, Lord.

"Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled." Joshua 21:45

Hmmm...

Peace... What a nice feeling that no one is pestering me this time.  I thank God that one by one, He's showing me who to keep as friends and who I should x-out. It's a good thing because you get to keep the good ones and throw out the bad. Once bitten, twice shy.

Moving on, Sun Life had a grand celebration last May 29 at World Trade Center, Manila for officially being the No. 1 insurance company in the Philippines.  Woohoo!

It was a night of good music and dancing.  Absolutely love the New Wave songs of the 80's.

With Karen, May, Nini, Rose and Luciamar

With Nini

With Nini, Karen, May and Enoch

Almost a week after the Sun Life event, I went to watch the NKOTBSB concert with my friend at the Mall of Asia. It definitely brought back good memories. I was a little bit disappointed though with the sound system. Nonetheless, I had fun.  

I'm looking forward to Father's Day because we get to go back to Dad and I get to light the candle in this cute tiny pail I bought last week for him.  

Lastly, I thank the Lord for all the blessings He has been showering me with.  God is really faithful. When He said that He will fight for me against my enemies and give me victory,  He meant it.  Praise God!  Talk is cheap, but God sees the heart.  

All glory to you, Lord!

Remembering Dad and Getting Back On Track

Hi.  I've been MIA lately and I would like to apologize for that.  I've been crazy busy with work and other stuff. There are still a lot of things left to do, but I decided to take a break and do some blogging.

Dad just passed away recently, as you all know.  All of us in the family are still grieving, but the manner of grieving is different for each of us. I do miss him a lot. I miss his voice, his laughter, his presence. However, I don't wear a long face maybe because I have peace.  Sure, I feel sad sometimes, but I know that Dad is in Heaven now.

Moving on, we visited Dad again last Sunday, May 20th.  Here are some photos.

My nephews

 Michael and Mom at Little Asia 

Mel and Andre

Mom playing Tap Tap Revenge on iPad. Cool, huh?

The following day, May 21st, my officemates and I went to Anvaya Cove for a much needed break from work.  

Red Spruce

 Red Willow Unit

It was super fun!!!  I even got myself a henna tattoo.

The food served were mostly Filipino dishes.  I loved it!

I haven't been out of town in a while, so the trip to Anvaya definitely recharged my batteries! Going back to nature is a welcome respite from life in the concrete jungle.

I still have so much more to tell you, but I guess I'll save it for my next post. Perhaps, I'll talk about the jungle and its inhabitants next time. For now, I thank the Lord for the grace and love He showered on my family; that enabled us to still enjoy life even without Dad.