A Time For Everything

The month of March just whizzed by without me even realizing it. March indeed had been a busy month with a flurry of SFC activities and what better way to cap the month of than to attend a chapter Prayer Assembly.

 

Last March 31, we again gathered as one chapter in a prayer assembly anchored on the verse of Ecclesiastes 3:1 which says "everything that happens in this world, happens at the time God chooses".

Indeed we've all had seasons in our lives which are sunny, bright and cheery at best and stormy and full of tribulations at the worst - but we just have to remember that there is always a rainbow after the storm - the sun always peeks and bursts forth with light and warmth from under the dark clouds and new beginnings and endless possibilities abound like flowers budding in the spring.

Here are some of the inspiring phrases from invited speaker Tita Ella Cabungcal:

" don't settle for safety, settle for growth"

"our struggles are tailor-fit for us, just as our blessings are"

"Sa mga may pinagdadaanan, daanan mu lang ang problema, huwag mung tambayan"
          (do not dwell on your problems, weather out the storm, do not linger in it)

It was a night of affirmations as each sharer stood up and told of the many manifestations of God's love and faithfulness thru the many seasons that have passed in their lives...

... there is indeed always a time for everything...

... and for all of this May God Be Praised...

ME. United 2014

We come as one to pray and worship our God with technology bringing us closer together breaking barriers, crossing seas, mountains and desert.

 

Video streaming by Ustream
 
 
... we are one... we are one in you Lord... and for all of this May God Be Praised!!!

Learning to Love One Another

Last February our unit was blessed to organize the Chapter Prayer Assembly. To spice things up out unit leader was inspired to open with a small skit in line with the assembly's theme of Learning to Love One Another.

It was an inspiring night with speakers and sharers drawing from deep within their hearts, stories that pull at the heartstrings.

Another highlight of the evening was the part where we are to give a warm and reassuring hug to a brother or sister - pre selected as per our seats.

I have always felt that hugs are the ultimate expression of care and affection and it was a joy getting one from a close friend that God used as an instrument to send me the warmest of hugs..



... and for all of this May God Be Praised!!!

 

SFC Singolympics 2014

Masaya maging SFC!!!

 

 

It is indeed so much fun to be part of SFC!!! not only do we get to know more about Jesus Christ our Savior but we develop friendships, discover more of ourselves and have fun at the same time.

 

What blessing it is indeed to be part of a community that helps you grow as a person in Christ and the recently concluded SFC Singolympics 2014 is a testament of how fun it is to be part of the SFC Community.

 

Abu Dhabi Music Ministry

Bro Bryant leading the Worship

 

Parade of SFC teams - Abu Dhabi Green Crusaders

 

Dubai Blue Seekers

Abu Dhabi 1  Green Crusaders Mascot

Abu Dhabi 2 - Green Lanterns Mascot

 

 

Cheer Dance champions - Abu Dhabi 1 Green Crusaders

 

Over all champion Abu Dhabi 1 and 1st Place Abu Dhabi 2

... and for all of this May God Be Praised!!!



Say Y E S to the Lord

I really never am one to volunteer to perform in front of an audience but I said yes to being part of SFC Abu Dhabi Cluster A1 Cheer Dance group after being asked and encouraged by my House Hold Leader, Unit Leader and a few other SFC team leaders.

I had an inkling and expected that I was being asked because they needed someone small and light to be carried on the cheer dance pyramid. No problem I though, that seems easy enough as long as there are people who will lift and make sure I don't fall flat on my face. I just didn't expect that I would do the whole dance routine and boy was I wrong!!!

I, who don't have any rhythm at all, I who have difficulty following and memorizing simple dance steps - am part of a cheerdancing group! even I could not believe it!!!

As the dance steps and formations became complicated, I began to feel agitated and inadequate.

Stressed from work and sleep deprived from nightly cheerdance practices, running errands and chores in between, I felt the tension mounting that every time I think about it I get that weird sensation in my stomach.

As I began to question why I said yes in the first place when I very well know my limited dancing skills and how I extremely lack confidence in this particular performing arts area, a friend from SFC sent me this message:

When God Calls, He also Equips. When God Calls, He Enables. When God Calls, He Provides. When God Calls you, He qualifies you. When God calls us, He equips, provides, qualifies & enables us.

Dear Friends, When God calls, He equips! God qualifies those he calls. *Please, don’t ever forget – When God calls us, He equips us!*

He will not call us and then abandon us to figure things out in our own strength. When God calls you, he qualifies you. When God calls you, he equips you. When God calls you, he will provide. May our answer always be – “Here I am, send me!” May we always remember – Whatever God requires, He will provide for. When God calls us to do something, we need not fear – God will always provide the skills, ability, direction and resources we need to carry out His will.

what a timely message it was!!! Sure I still feel the enormous butterflies fluttering in my stomach, I still feel shy and worried I might mess up the routine, but there is this one voice telling me to just enjoy it, do it for God not for the audience, our performance is after all for his great glory...

... and for all of this May God Be  P R A I S E D! Praised!!!

 

Singolympics 2014

... as we count down to the last few days before the final Singolympics event on Friday March 14, I thank God for pushing me out of my comfort zone, giving me opportunities to try and experience different things and pushing me to the fullness of my capabilities as I said 'yes' and signed-up for this year's bowling team and cheerdance group.

Never have I though I would be a 'cheerleader' but here I am twirling, dancing and chanting. I have never been much of a dancer and have no rhythm at all but I decided to just leave it up to the Lord to guide me and give me the confidence that I need come D-day!

 

 

 

Birthday musings

Today is my birthday! Happy birthday to me! Today is my birthday! Happy birthday to me!

 

Another year of my life has passed and as I look back at all the birthday musings I had written the past couple of years it seems like I have the same sentiments each year.

 

It's not so much the age (okay to be completely honest yes the number matters gasp!) and growing old per se that scares me. More that growing a year older, it’s the process of looking back at the years that passed and discovering I have not done, accomplished, changed for the better and gotten wiser as much as I should have is what scares the crap out of me.

A colleague summed it up in not so many words when I asked him yesterday if he feels happy and in the mood to celebrate his birthday - that is to give us a treat har har!!! his answered me back with something to really ponder upon, he said "why should I be happy? when I have lost another year?"

True, I have lost another year but I guess I have gained much more in return. This year a feel somewhat different.

I gained a new perspective in life; I am learning to appreciate everything even more, to count my blessing and give thanks.

I have forged new bonds of friendship, mended the broken and revived the old.

I have a new source and sense of positivity that keeps me sane and calm during the days when all you want to do is burst from all of life's pressures.

I am in the process of slowly building and strengthening my Faith and little by little am starting to give back all the glory and honor to God thru service in the community. Steadily and surely God's hand is carefully guiding me.

Your Guiding Hand

 

I walk thru life just thinking

You are at the sidelines just watching

I live everyday believing

Everything happens only by my own doing

 

When I feel pain, shed tears and cry

I fail to see the reason and just ask “why?”

When I revel in the joys that life brings

I often forget to thank you for all your blessings

 

Your hand in my life I fail to see

Believing less in you and more in me

They say ‘we make our own fate’ you see

What I fail to realize is you silently guiding me

 

Yet you waited for me patiently

With open arms you welcomed me

Slowly opening my heart and eyes to see

That everything is because of you and not me

 

 

If I remember correctly, it was also February of last year that I was invited to join the SFC CLP and now that I think about it, it was God's perfect gift and I am thankful.

So ‘THANK YOU’ to each and everyone who sent their greetings and warm wishes! everyone of you is part of who I am and hopefully what I am is someone you can all be proud of knowing.