Of Doughnuts & Relationships

Have you watched the movie where in the man professed his feelings for a woman by telling her "You complete me"? I think most of us did. That's one of the most romantic movies of all time or so I thought. But is it really true in reality? The mind-set that another person can actually completes us - that is. Honestly, I used to believe that maybe someone out there could make me complete and vice-versa.

Kilig part of Jerry Maguire Movie

Back then, I thought that having someone special in my life could fill up the empty void in me. Void??? What void??? This is the feeling of emptiness that I cannot seem to fathom. Eto yung feeling na "parang may kulang sa buhay ko" na hindi ko mawari kung ano. I wanted so much to quest for the "missing part" that's why it led me to enter (dating) relationships. I thought that being in a (dating)  relationship could be the one I've been searching for, but I was mistaken. When the magic / spark has gone and the kilig and sweetness overload moments were over, the empty void would still be there. The worst part was that "the void" had become even bigger after the relationship ended.

Don't you just love doughnuts?!

The void in me was like a big doughnut hole that no munchkins (smaller doughnuts) could ever fill up. Sorry for the illustration, I was craving for doughnuts while writing this post.haha Seriously though, I am the big doughnut and the munchkins represents other people.
These munchkins regardless of its flavor just couldn't make the doughnut with a hole whole. It just wouldn't exactly fit. I think the same goes with relationships, even if I'd chose to be with the handsomest, the smartest or even the richest guy still he won't be able to complete me. I didn't realize that what I'm seeking for is something that I couldn't get from other people, until that moment came when I've encountered the love of God.

One of my faves! Bavarian!!!

I was looking all over for that missing piece when all I ever needed was God's love to complete me. He is the only one who can provide me with the love, joy, peace, security, confidence, validation,  acceptance and everything else that I'm longing for. He was the one who placed that void in me and He was the only one who could fill it up. The love of God has made me whole - turned me,  a doughnut with a hole into a Bavarian.



Does it mean that I don't have the desire for a committed relationship? No, of course not! Just like you, it's in my core to create relationship with others. I think, we are design to be relational in nature. We need a suitable partner just as it says in God's word. I'd still want to have someone who I could spend my lifetime with. It's just that now my reasons for entering a (dating) relationship have become deeper and mature. As much as I want to share these reasons with you now, I think this blog post is already long enough. Maybe on my future post. ;)


What's more, the relationship I am focusing right now is not like any other relationship. I'm certain that this is the best and the most important relationship that I can have in my lifetime - the one I have with God. The kind of relationship that's worth pursuing and developing. A relationship that continually gives me a vibrant, exciting, victorious and complete life. A complete life that I can share with others as well.

Financial Breakthrough 2014

New Year has always been something that I look forward to maybe because it gives me a new hope for greater things to come and a new chance to become better. For some people, it became a tradition to have new year's resolution. I think there's nothing wrong in making resolutions, themes or lists every new year. It can serve as our guide as we journey through the year. So as I welcome 2014, I also made a list of  the things that I'm believing for this new year.

 

I am believing God for so many breakthroughs this year, one of which is in financial aspect.  Yes,  I am in faith that God will bless the work of my hands and will increase my sources of income this year. But I've realized that I have to do my part too. It says in the bible "When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required". This means that we are held responsible / accountable for the abundance that God will provide. I believe that as I'm claiming my financial breakthrough this year, I should seek wisdom & knowledge on how to properly manage my finances. I must admit that I have to break wrong mindset & habit in terms of handling finances and make self-control, practicality & discipline a lifestyle. So this year, it's just not enough to be expectant of God's blessings and provisions, I must also be committed to live below my means, to take control of my finances, to have a financial plan, to save and invest more & to offer it generously back to God.

I'd like to quote financial expert/blogger Marvin Germo "It is my greatest desire that each one of us would start and end this year strong. This year is unlike any other. Our country is growing and moving forward, its time for all of us to also take our place and move forward. The Grace and Favor of God is with us and for us. We can do all things because He is our strength! With that, its time to dream dreams and turn those dreams into a reality!".

I indeed want to start and finish strong financially this year. I hope you do too. May 2014 bring financial breakthroughs to all of us! 

A Message of faith, hope & love.

Courtesy of Google images

Last November 8, 2013, the Philippines was struck by a super typhoon Yolanda (international name:Haiyan). It has a maximum 315km winds per hour. Visayas region was badly hit including the provinces of Leyte, Samar, Cebu, Roxas, Iloilo, and Bacolod.. The fatalities were at least 3,631 people. More than 500,000 were left homeless. As I'm writing this post, it's still counting! Buildings and Infrastructures were massively wiped out by the Storm surge. An estimated of 4 million  people were affected. Victims were in need of safety water, food, shelter, medicines, clothes etc. Scattered cadavers still awaiting for proper burial. While the affected areas will require a massive reconstruction and rehabilitation.

To say that it's a devastating moment is an understatement. It was just heartbreaking to know that the victims have been experiencing loss, grief, hunger, thirst, pain, trauma and more. Maybe you too have asked why this has happened? Some people say this was caused by climate change. Others have a conspiracy theory that it was actually man-made. It may or may not be true. I guess  no one could really give a definite answer. No one really knows but God.

Amidst this catastrophe, God is still in control. We may not understand why, but God is a good God! He will deliver us from any storms or calamities that may come our way. All we need to do is to believe and to trust in Him. In these trying times, instead of being fearful, let's all act and respond in faith! Lets pray for the typhoon victims and help them in any way so that we can extend to them God's message of faith, hope and love.


With that, here are the links of some Yolanda relief operations you can volunteer or donate to.

In the Philippines:

Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org.ph/
Gawad Kalinga: http://gk1world.com/typhoon-yolanda
Abs-cbn/sagip kapamilya: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/tulongph 
Victory: http://victory.org.ph/article/yolanda-relief/
Unicef: http://www.unicef.org/philippines/

Overseas:
                                                                                                     

www.help.ph.com

For mobile phone subscribers overseas

Sorsogon : A Place Like No Other

I've been blessed to travel different places locally and abroad but there's this one place that I would definitely go back to again and again. A place that I've been traveling to since I was a kid. A place full of my childhood memories. Located in the southeastern part of Bicol region, it takes 12 hours drive from Manila to get to this hidden paradise called Sorsogon. It's a long drive but thankfully, flights are available nowadays for shorter travel time. I'm used to travel by land though, it can be tiring but the scenery and stopover make the journey worthwhile.

Being at the tip of Bicol peninsula, Sorsogon is completely surrounded by water. Beaches are practically everywhere! In fact, my grandparents house was just across the beach coastline. Ah, I can caught a glimpse of the beach from the veranda of our house anytime. What a sight! Thus, the beaches in Sorsogon are what they called "virgin beaches" still raw and untouched.

Aside from the beach, there are also rivers and waterfalls. I remember there used to be a "non-stop shower" at the backside of our house, which flows through a "kawayan" (bamboo) connected to the falls situated in the mountains. Locals and even tourists frequently come by to make use of the water for taking baths or doing laundry for free. Ang saya libreng tubig! Also, the vast rice fields / farmlands, lush trees and beautiful mountain sprawls makes this place very idyllic. Very picturesque!

Another thing I  love about this place is the food. Masiramon!!! That means delicious in the local dialect. For those of you who don't know, Bicol is known for its spicy and gata or coconut milk based delicacies. I'm going to take this chance to brag that my family's recipes of Bicol express and Laing are the best in this side of Bicol. FTW!hehe Moreover, the staple food is anything seafoods! I'm in a food coma everytime I get to visit this place. Sarap kumain!!!

There's a lot to love about this place. The views. The food. The people. Climbing trees and mountains, swimming and frolicking in the beach, hanging out at the seawall, non-stop eating, and building relationships with loved ones were some of the good 'ol memories I have of this place. A place that is very close to my heart. A place like no other.

A Life Of Service

Service, we all have experienced that in life either we are giving or receiving them. At work, we give our service to the company because we are paid to do so. In restaurants, service crews will served us food because that's what we're paying them for and what their job requires them to do. I guess that's just how the world works. We give service because we get something out of it. But what if we are asked to serve for free? I don't know with you but I'll definitely say NO to that! Whuuuut??? Serving without pay??? Are you kidding me??? Hey, my time is precious y'know, I should be getting something in return! Those were the  thoughts that ran through my head when the church  I'm attending at had a series break about volunteering. I didn't sign up right away. Why would I? No way! It was not compulsory anyway so I'm free to do what I want.hehehe

Well, I must admit that the message of the series has a good intention so to speak. We all should live a life of service. A life for others. Wow! Good for those who can live up with that. That person must have a servant's heart! As for me? Na-ah!!! I'm cool with helping in my own little way but volunteering was just too much for me. I was really close minded about it. But then again, God has His own plans for me. He was patiently working in me, orchestrating circumstances and even people to help me see my selfishness and self-centeredness. Until finally it dawned on me that my life here on earth is not for my own satisfaction but it is actually loaned to me by my creator to serve it's purpose. That is to live a life of service to others.

P.S. I am currently a volunteer teacher at Kids ministry. It's a Sunday school for children. I'll blog more about it next time. :)