Mount Pulag

It was not too long ago when I first trek a mountain in Anwangin, Zambales. With my gasping, mood swings and scarcely talking temper close to summit because of an irritating tiredness of a supposed stroll, I never thought I would ever trek again.

But then here I am, almost fresh from a straight nine hours flight from Dubai (from a manic duty at work and barely had sleep), prepared my bag and went straight to Baguio with my good friend, Rose eight hours from landing to catch the famous sea of clouds in Mount Pulag.

We reached Baguio at 6am then transferred to a jeepney to bring us to Benguet- where Pulag is. We passed by Ambuklad Dam before heading to DENR office for some protocol briefing. Apparently, station 2 was full that day from earlier campers, hence, we can no longer pitch our tent at night and gaze at the stars while we wait dawn and start the trek. While I loved the stars, I am a thankful though to past the night on a local house because one, they have comfortable beds to get good four hours sleep, second, the warmth is way greater than what an open space camp has to offer and lastly, you can make new friends with your little time with your group mates in the house.

The cold was extreme when we were about to begin the trek at midnight and being stationary will not help at all. With our gears and minions look (head lamp on), we started the trek via Ambangeg trail from the Ranger Station. We are 24 people in the group excluding our three local guides sited in the head, middle and tail to make sure no one will be left behind.

The initial trail was easy but the next ones are easier said than done. They were steep and at times, slippery. The gasping and spasms had started and thoughts of quitting were being entertained several times. I was left behind. Many times. Even found myself alone at times into the woods. The trail were narrow and are cliffs most of the time, if not all. Plus they are rocky. Any wrong pace can lead you to danger (twisted foot or falling off the cliff)

I had to stop multiple times to catch my breath as was not forcing thyself too much- taking care of my glucose level. I’m sure passing out is the last thing you want to end up on cliffs. Lol. I enjoyed the solitary moments though for they were also the times I had my conversations with God. Boasting the strength I have in Christ Jesus and the hope in my heart to finish the race, even despite the several stops and doubts.

But His grace is indeed sufficient. I reached the summit an hour or so later than my friend, which concludes all the more the number of my stop overs. Haha! Nevertheless, I still reached and finished the race. And still even a little early for the sunrise and sea of clouds. 

The cold was more apparent on the summit that we have to hide ourselves on the tall grasses. My fingers were numb hardly clicking my shutter. Haha. They said, it was only 10 degrees at that time but the wind were strong making it colder. I really thought it was freezing point. Lol! (Friendly advice though- do not underestimate the cold in Pulag!)

The view on the summit is Pulag’s crowning glory and reward. It was breathtaking and magnificent. Staring at the beauty of endless mountains panorama and the jaw dropping sea of clouds- It was beyond words. I just know in my heart that it is only God who can create such perfection. What a joy to see all these.

But as any journey would end, so is this experience. We went down using the same trail but with a more joyful heart after reaching the summit and seeing the sea of clouds. In fact more grateful with the bright of sun highlighting the beauty of the trail you once went. Just in complete awe wherever side I turn.

After all, I still want to go back and trek maybe through a more complicated trail. Maybe when I am engaged. They say, you can see the character of your partner when on Akiki Trail. The hardest of all- maybe because cursing is more tempting there. Lol.

Until the next trek and/or new summit. Gracias.

Shukran, 2014!

It seems it was only yesterday when we hit Al Ain road to watch the fireworks at the Burj Khalifa on New Year’s Eve and today, marks another new year. How time flies.

The grace of the Lord has been evident throughout the 2014. I must say, I had my share of ups and downs and His grace sustained me in every way. His peace became my shield and His promises became my back bone.

This year I learned that I am weak. I knew I am but I had this sort of pride in my heart which has deceived me and made me believe that I am strong. Apparently, love has struck me. But to a wrong guy because he do not loved Jesus. But because it was a good feeling, I chose to brush off the signs, exposed my heart and just indulged myself on those shivery, fuzzy feeling of infatuation. Next thing I know, I fell. Problem. Ugh!

I had this convictions in my heart and felt no complete joy. I knew I had to stop. I had to revisit my heart and ask myself what it is I really wanted and if I see any future on this. Glad God has kept my sanity. I filled my spirit and seek for godly people to be accountable of me when I made that decision and chose His way. People, who out of love will tell me on my face that I’m wrong and will stand with me every step of the way until victory. I cried. Many times. Even found myself bargaining numerous times if it can instead work out. Apparently, He is just and when He says “do not”- He means every word of it.

How many of you know that God is a god of challenges too. He builds you to be this strong person you never thought you could be apart from His grace. Literally almost every day I have to see this man and those every days I also have to decide that no, it will never work out. There was even this point when I begged Him to get me out of this man as I'm already hurting. And guess what? He instead asked for my compassion. Jaw dropped. Can you please teach me how to separate emotions from compassion, Lord?- Well He did. He taught me that compassion can work from a distance. You can forgive, pray and still bless that man from afar. There are so many other challenges along the healing process like discoveries of infidelity and to even expose you to the other woman who is a friend. How she will always share to me how they exchanges texts and seeing her falling too right before my eyes. And maybe him to her. And then I thanked God that His plans are always to prosper me and not to harm me (to saved me just in time)- even if there are tears along the way.

In all fairness with the Lord, when you cast all your worries to Him, He will indeed sustain you and not let you shaken. You just need to take your position (decision), stand firm and see His deliverance. Glad it is not my battle but His.

There are so many other highlights this year like promotion- be it work or spiritually (I had additional two disciples which completed my group and started serving in a ministry I love- to intercede); vacation in the Philippines last May and having been able to carry the whole family to Boracay for three days with Abe's successful engagement proposal to Norii while sailing on a glorious beach sunset; started doing what I love- events management and stage design on the side of work; new friends; generosity and supernatural provisions to me and the people I love throughout the year.

New Year has come but the Lord is the same yesterday, today and forever. Say hello to 2015 with an expectant heart.

God is good. All the time.

A New Year Poem

by: Arris Padernal

2013 is now part of past

Who knows 2014 will run just as fast?

I am in awe how You command the dawn to set

While I always find morning hi’s the best

Like how the leaves lean itself to the sun

I, too will lean myself to the Son

I will not trade salvation for riches

Nor will I ever trade peace for temporary happiness

Troubles will come, I know

What are they? that I wouldn’t know

But Your hope is my wall

In Your grace, I will never fall

Always keep my paths straight

As the evil uses all sort of bait

Belt me with the Truth

And please increase my faith

Open and examine my heart always

Let me trust nothing but Your ways

When I’m becoming self righteous

Be quick! Your discipline, I will sure to choose

For I am nothing and in You I sure have nothing to boast

In the end, I do not want this race to lost

Keep me tight! hold me tight!

I know my battle You will fight

May I desire for Your coming with a confident heart

You are faithful, I know in Your grace, I will never short

Blessed 2013

I remember praying to the Lord numerous times about patience and forgiveness last 2013. Many times, I will find myself locked on the bathroom weeping because of an offense or being a victim of an unreasonable judgment at work. I even remembered praying of a new opportunity as I feel growth is far and I'm already becoming a person I am not i.e. lying and pleaser at the expense of others feelings, but the Lord is dealing things on His timeline. Numerous times, I found myself being denied by the Lord on my cries, asking me to stay as He has great things in store for me. I obeyed- rejoicing on the hope of His faithfulness.

Indeed, the reward is great for those who wait. Later of last year, my boss has to go back to the UK and I'll be left behind. I know from then that it is a blessing in disguise. I know that when he leave, I can deal with my conscience whilst getting an opportunity to show my knack with the company.  And yes, the Lord has given me the desire of my heart, which is to sell print.

True enough that the yoke of the Lord is light, I never called new clients apart from the people I built rapport with and I've dealt with during Jon's time, but the Lord has been faithful giving me deals  from everywhere, hence, resulting to good figures to wrap the year up. The people around me has been very supportive as if the Lord has touched their hearts. Even the management whom I thought never acknowledged the works of their people expressed their joy upon learning how I performed over the last three months since Jon left.

Recalling all this, I was overwhelmed with the faithfulness of the Lord. When I asked for justice, He fought my battle. When I asked Him to grant the desires He has put in my heart, He is never too selfish in awarding them according to His will. When I asked for increase and provisions, He has another way of answering them- through sales commission.

I have learned that God's ways are not our ways. He has His own timeline and we must submit to the joy that He has something big in store for us. He does things when He will most be glorified. I know that if all these happened not on the way they did, I could have not acknowledged His great love as much.

True enough that if we let God be the God of our lives, He is sure to deal with every matter of our hearts.

My forever verses are from Philippians 4:4- Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! and 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.

2013 has left and a new year has come, yet, it is the same God yesterday, today and forever. Let us dwell on His grace and love forever.

Throwback

Recalling the time God has picked me up. From then on, life has never been the same.

Worship in Hardship

If you will read Acts 16: 16-34, it is the story when Paul and Silas heal a woman possessed  of bad spirit in Philipi. Yet because that spirit bring her owners money being able to foretell future, they aren't happy and drag Paul and Silas to authorities resulting to being stripped and beaten by the authorities and are thrown into prison. Yet instead of asking God why all these happened despite doing His will, they chose to worship the Lord and ²⁵began praying and singing hymns to God. Suddenly, there was a violent earthquake that prison were shaken. ²⁶At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose- suddenly is such a big word there. It means that when we choose to worship God in our hardship, sudden miracle/s will be released by Him. Usually, when earthquake strikes, it often traps people, but at this time, God is able to shake the foundation not to trap them but to release them.

Similarly, whatever bad situation we are in right now, if we worry too much about it, it will soon become our chains, but the good news is, the scripture would like to impart that the way out of it is through worship. Whatever circumstances, God is more than able to shake its foundation and set us free.

In addition, when we are experiencing hardship, the people around us can also be affected direct or indirectly. Same thing happened with Paul and Silas, ²⁷ The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped- In reality, giving up is always the easiest way out of our bad situation but when we choose to worship God in all our circumstances, it will not only release miracles and breakthroughs but will also reveal His glory through salvation of others- ²⁸ But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” ²⁹ The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. ³⁰ He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household. ³² Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. ³³ At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. ³⁴ The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.

No matter who we are, we have experienced, experiencing and will experience hardship in our lives. If we do the will of God, it will not exempt us, but if we are not, the more we will go through these situations. I encourage everyone to fix our eyes on Jesus and just experience the full power of His amazing grace.

One of my favorite verses in the Bible is in Galatians 5:22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law- the Spirit that worked in Apostle Paul and in me will be the same Spirit that will work in you. Make a decision today and choose to worship God midst your situation.

Thoughts

Like how the trees are exposed to seasons and processes of nature, we too should find joy in walking through the seasons of life. It is through these processes in which our roots will dug deep and our fiber becomes strong on the inside enabling us to mature and get stable. When the storm comes, we can stand tall. We might lose few leaves or perhaps break some of our branches on the process but at the end of the day, we will stand firm.