________ New Year!

          Happy, awesome, cool, fun-filled, prosperous, bonggacious, enthusiastic New Year! That's how I'm going to put my New Year. It may not be what you think how I celebrated it. You may be thinking we bought fireworks, had a big party, had a lot of shoe shopping (for that party) and had friends invited. No. We had a really simple family New Year celebration. My cousin, my uncle and my grandma's sisters were with us this New Year. We had singing and dancing for awhile as we waited for 12 o' clock. :)
          So, it's the first time I spent a New Year on a Sunday. It's awesome-er on a Sunday. ><
          January 2012! Isn't this cool. I wonder what God has in store for me this year. I'm excited for that.
Christmas break is almost over. I don't want it to end! But hehehe... I guess it has to. So my New Year was great. We had the BIBA and everyone enjoyed the money and the candies. It was fun. And my New Year became more complete because the pastor in our church declared blessings to all the families bringing them back to God. That was a really good way to start the New Year!
          So I'm going to end it like this: Thank God for EVERYTHING. As in, EVERYTHING. His favors, His  love, kindness, mercy, blessings and provisions he has given last year or YESTERDAY. ><

AWESOME NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

My NY Teaser

         NY is New Year. >< Not New York.
          It's like 30 minutes before January 1, 2012! It's another month but a different year. :)
          I have to get used to writing 2012 in my school notes. Just like how I got used to writing 2011 when we got back from Christmas break. And right now, I'm thinking all about ending my year right. >< First, I want to have my hair cut like neck-length. But (hehehe), I'm not confident. And second, I want to smooth out a conflict with a friend but I'm not sure if he is willing. :( So much for ending my year right. I'm going to try though!
          Right now, we're "chilling" in the living room waiting for 12 o' clock.
          Every year we have this tradition where we toss coins below where people are as well waiting to grab them. :)) Okay, I don't know how to explain it in english. But we call it BIBA here in Bugo or in Cagayan de Oro or in the Philippines. Nyahahaha...
           Hoping that this will still be an awesome New Year for the Sendong Victims. It's a week since Sendong hit Cagayan de Oro. And the affected areas are still full of mud. Thick mud. But by the grace of God, they will survive and God will sustain their strengths.

   Go, CDeO!

I'm gonna tell you how tell you how my new year'll go later! January 1, 2012, HERE I COME! Yehey!

My mom and my sisters "chilling".  Nyahahah ..

In the Eye of the Storm

Yes, it has been years since I've blogged. No, not really... It's actually just months. Life offers a lot of activities to do. In other words, I was kept busy, busy, busy. But it's Christmas Break, so now I'm free, free, free! A lot has been going around lately and I have tons of things to share:

First of all, Bagyong Sendong visited the Philippines 3 days ago. And it was really devastating. So far, the worst storm that hit the Philippines affecting thousands of people. The most affected areas in Cagayan de Oro were Balulang, Macanhan, Kala-Kala, Macasandig, Consolacion and other areas. The flood washed out most of the houses in the affected areas. Hundreds of people were found missing and hundreds of people were found dead as well. The water level reached its highest point: it reached the rooftops of the residences of the affected areas. I saw cars in a pile and in canals in Balulang. Mud was everywhere. Everyone was busy cleaning their houses. And every time they go out of their house, they are covered with mud. What was unfortunate in the affected areas was that they didn't have enough supply of water and food. Other people slept in the streets and others fled to evacuation centers.

Churches, families, organizations and institutions donated what they could donate. The whole Country was in the atmosphere of love helping one another.

Faith was tested during this calamity. And there is no trial that God allows to happen in our lives that we can't handle. This goes to show that there is nothing and I mean nothing greater than our GOD. In our life there are (once again) trials and obstacles we may face. But we should remember that God will never leave us alone nor forsake us. Yes, disappointments in our life is inevitable but discouragement is a choice. If we fall, it is our choice to get up, dust ourselves off and start anew, or stay in the ground and feel discouraged, and trampled all your life. Everyday, we make choices. We make wise ones and foolish ones. And right ones come from God, to lead us to the right path where we are kept safe in his arms.
Despite all these trials we face, let us thank God for Everything he has done in our lives. EVERYTHING means no exception. Yes, even the calamities, we have to thank HIM. Because this is a leap of faith. And through this, we will stay strong in Him.

Conferences, Boring??

          The first time I heard the words, “Myles, you’re going to Cebu for a student conference,” from my mom I was super excited. I was like, Wow, I’m finally travelling and going out of town. And I totally forgot that I was going to a conference - not malls, hotels, and restaurants. But still I kept thinking of malls and all.

          Two weeks before the conference, we were reminded and followed up with our requirements then I got more excited. When I hear the word conference, I think BORING. But I gave it a chance anyway.

          So, there I was, waking up early in the morning preparing for the flight and waiting for my schoolmates. I was excited! I looked forward to the plane ride. And I brought all I had to bring – especially my camera.

          We arrived early in Cebu at around 7:30 am. The conference was to start by 3:30 pm.

          The conference was so far good. Then when the sessions, devotionals, and the debriefings began, it all came to me. God sent me there for His purpose, for a good reason. I have learned a lot more about Him and His words for us – as leaders in the school. The conference was a Christian conference. And I really loved it. I enjoyed listening to the word of God and feeling His presence there with me. I enjoyed the Christian environment and I enjoyed the bonding moments with my schoolmates. I got to know them better too!

          I have learned the importance of sharing the word of God and using your position as a President or even as a high school student to influence people around you. As leaders, we should be open to our members’ ideas and opinions. And that all our plans will be of success if we offer them all to God. And I believe I have changed since that conference. I look at leadership differently now. I believe I won as a secretary because God wants to use me mightily for His Glory.

          So, I thank God for sending me to Cebu for the best conference ever. And I thank my parents and my grandparents for supporting me. I thank Ms. Romina for her patience and for being there with us and for being a good influence to us! That was the best 3 days of my life, I’ll never forget.

Children's Vacation Bible School Summer 2011

          Last May  23, 2011, the Blessed Hope Christian Community Church International lighthouses held Vacation Bible Schools for children. It was held at Suntingon, Bugo, Cagayan de Oro City. This was held everyday for one week. My sisters and I with Ate Grace were assigned in Barangay Bugo. So we were A.K.A. teachers!
          I enjoyed the teaching experience with my co-teachers. We told stories about Jesus and His disciples.  We also taught them Bible verses and other lessons. We made them color and do other arts and craft activities. The kids were cooperative and were good listeners, too. And after all the discussions, and the arts and crafts, we give the children snacks like juices and bread.
          Another thing I enjoyed with the children was when I drove them to their homes. It was like the first time I did serious driving. Heheh... The children enjoyed the mule ride with me too! I was blessed when they prayed the sinner's with Ate Grace. And I thank God for giving us the patience and blessing us with more children. Because we started at thirteen kids and then we ended with 23. To God be all the glory!

Conray, Patrick, Domenic, Kherren, and Renami smile for the camera!

The children's 2nd day arts and crafts.

The children with the lighthouse minister (AKA, My dad!)

To the Beach!

          Last Saturday, April 23, 2011, my uncle and his fiance with our family went to Duka Bay Beach Resort. We left our house by 7 o' clock and prepared for a long trip ahead. We passed Tagoloan, Villanueva, Jasaan, Sugbongcogon and a lot of other barangays.
          My sisters and I were so happy to be out of the house for a day since it has been a long time since we visited a beach. So anyways, it was like a 3 hour drive to Duka Bay Beach Resort. But it was worth it because when we arrived at our destination safely (THANK GOD!), we finally get to ride the BANANA BOAT.

 Tita Queennie positioned at the back of the boat.

          The boat was tied at the back of a jetski. It was really fun because we went really fast. We went as far as we could go. Then somewhere, in the middle of the sea, my Tita Queennie, always the adventurous one, asked the jetski driver to tip the boat over. And we didn't even know! So when the jetski went as fast as it could go, the boat tipped over and all of us fell into the water! I thought I was going down very deep already because I tried to swim back up. Good thing there was a life vest! But yes, it was really awesome!!!!! All of us enjoyed it a lot. We were like smiling the whole time!

          When we finally went back to shore, everyone started talking about the awesome Banana Boat ride. It was soooo cool. Then I tried the kayak. It was my first time and I guess I did well. I paddled and paddled through the water. The dark shapes underneath scared me a little but I eventually overcame it. 

          The day was long and we get to eat a lot after a lot of swimming! Then we went home with a lot to talk about.

Me on the kayak.

Another Blessing...

        This net book was given to us by our cousin. They were so cool to give it to us. I also thank God. We always wanted a laptop!