Looking Back...

A day ago, an old friend of mine decided to share his blog to me (jamesbv34.wordpress.com, if you want to check it out!). When I finished reading it, I was brought back to the time when I had my own blog. The time I wrote posts almost twice a week or twice a day, even!

Looking back and reading my old posts made me laugh at myself. I was just thirteen then and I wrote stuff like that. My choice of words, my titles, the photos I posted... all I could say or do is HAHAHAHAH! I showed the blog to my older sister and made her check it out. She and I laughed at my old posts. I realized I haven't even shared it to her, to my family, and to my friends before. Maybe I just wanted a place where I could vent out my weird ideas and thoughts aside from my personal diary. Such shameless posts. But on the bright side, my mom remarked, "So nice, Myles.  I can actually hear you say the written words. It was well written. Keep blogging then." 

I never thought she would say that. Well, maybe I'm being too negative about this. But I kind of expected her to laugh like my sister [and I, myself] did. Her comment actually encouraged me. It got me thinking, "Oh yeah. Why don't I write again and bring the blog back to life? I started this already. Why not continue?" Also, I was inspired by this teen blog "TheRebelution.com" (I recommend you to check it out, also) at some point. They have reached to millions of young people around the globe. And I'm hoping I may be able to bless people through my blog as they come upon it. I've learned so much from different people and teens from around the world through that blog. So I may be posting some of my reflections about the things I've read there soon. Godwilling! 

It's not such a bad idea, is it?

Don't worry, I'm going to try hard to make sense in my posts this time. [I was thirteen, then! Give me a break.] Now I'm 17. I'm a music major at a very good school. Praise God! I am currently learning (and trying hard to improve on my techniques on) the cello. Why the cello? Maybe I'll write about that soon also. :)

My perspectives have changed over the years. With the new experiences I went through, whose views wouldn't be turned upside down? I'm going to write when I can. And I tell you, it won't be frequent. Maybe squeezing a post here and there wouldn't hurt as I continue to meet deadlines, school requirements, and as I continue to be faithful with my practice time. 

So, this is me, writing again. This is me posting once and for all in this old, cobwebbed and abandoned (once-abandoned!) blog. I'm giving it (the blog) and myself a chance. I hope that in my future posts, this blog may impact  anyone who stumbles upon it. May God use this blog to encourage you... or to just make you smile, at least. 

Til' next post. :)

XOXO, Myles

WHAT A SUMMER!

It's once again been so long since I posted an article. My summer has been so packed that's why! But packed summer days means NOT MUCH TV, NOT MUCH SITTING AROUND, NOT MUCH ME-TIME, NOT MUCH BLOGGING TIME, NOT MUCH PROCRASTINATING TIME. I find this awesome. I mean, I don't have to waste my time with TV, SITTING AROUND  & ME-TIME... Blogging is not a waste of time though. I actually learn a lot from writing posts. I get more conscious with my grammar. But enough of that!
This is how my summer went...

I teach piano to 6 to 14 year olds. And they made my summer packed! I teach 7 to 8 kids a day. One hour each. And it is exhausting at some point but I actually learned a lot! I learned to be patient and that kids don't get things easily. I learned how to manage my time and learn to talk to parents professionally. XP One parent actually thought I was 21 years old (but I'm only 15, shh!). That was cool though. Hahah!
But my piano teaching wasn't the only thing that completed my summer:

BOOT CAMP 2012 was like the best ever. Last May 15-19, 2012 was the BHCCCI BOOT CAMP held at Kaamulan, Bukidnon. We had 210 delegates from Cagayan de Oro. I woke up at around 5am excitement overwhelming me. I did last minute packing and my sisters and I were ready to go. We dropped by at Puerto for awhile to fetch our friends from Jasaan. And then we drove to the Rotonda (Paseo del Rio, CDO), where we and the delegates were to meet. We rode a jeepney the church rented for the camp. I saw familiar and unfamiliar faces in the public vehicle that we rode on (but not really public at that time because it was used for SUMMER CAMP transpo only.) As we drove through Manolo Fortich, we passed through the Mangima Canyon as well. I don't really know how to describe Mangima but I have heard that that place was a very accident prone area. Several buses have had accidents there already. Okay, anyway, my point is, we were one of the cars who have had an accident at the canyon. I really thought that never in my life would I get into an accident. But I did. With my sisters and my friends.

My older sister scraped her cheek because she wasn't able to hold on to anything when the vehicle tumbled. What was really fortunate for all of us was that the vehicle didn't fly through the canyon and past the railing. All of us were survivors and all of us remained calm. I was able to hold on to a post at the side of the vehicle. And when it started to fall, everything went slow motion. I saw my leg slowly slide down the floor. And according to the driver, the car tilted 2 times and in the 3rd time, we fell. God was there with us. Battling the evil schemes of the devil. The devil didn't want a BOOT CAMP to happen at all because he knew God would move in the lives of the young people participating in the camp.

After the wounded and injured were sent to the hospital, the others continued on to Kaamulan with hope and prayers with them. The staff who heard about the accident prayed for all the passengers as well. That was the time of faith and trial. God tested us all. And you know what? That accident made my faith grow stronger. And I learned to love God more and more and more because He let me continue on with the camp. I soon realized as I sat in the ambulance still stunned, that God didn't want me to die yet. He still has a plan for me. I cried and watched everyone in the ambulance. God moves in ways we cannot even see. I praise Him for that.

God was the center or the star of my summer! I actually think my summer was super sulit! I don't even think I needed more vacay days to complete it. :)

School year 2012-2013... HERE I COME!

________ 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!)