Our first office bible study
Mood:  a-ok
The first bible study we had went very well. Jocy told me ahead of time that Jaja is such an anointed girl. All of 24 years, single, a CPA and working with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, she conducts bible studies for groups -- FOR FREE. Jocy met with her Monday night supposedly for dinner, but Jaja didn't even eat. They spent the time getting to know each other, and finding the perfect time for Jaja to squeeze us into her already hectic schedule. Would you believe she has a regular group on Thursdays that she moved to Fridays so that she can accommodate us? Definitely God's plan! Amen!

It's really all about studying the Word of God through the Bible. Anyone can come. She was just a bit surprised that we were an all-girls group for this particular meeting. Well, maybe not for long. Soon, the big conference room would be too full to accommodate the attendees. I, for one, was already teary-eyed from the enlightenment that I received from hearing the Word. Happens everytime. There's always something new that you learn when the Word of God is shared. I must admit that at the start, it seemed like it was turning out to be sort of a very "elementary" type of bible study. One which was typical for beginners. I thought to myself, it's alright, it's just the first meeting anyway. But, as we went along, she was interjecting questions, asking us what the particular situation in the passage meant for us, and then later on revealing an answer that only about one or two of us had thought about. Revelations that we ought to have known, especially if we say we know and believe in God.

It's all about making a choice -- do we really believe in Him? How much of His life, His character and His provisions do we know? I was reminded when she said, it's not only about doing good, but knowing Christ and obeying Him. The reading that we shared about today was in Luke 18: 35-43 about the blind beggar who received his sight. When Christ heard the beggar cry out to him amidst the crowd, He asked the beggar what He can do for him. Jaja then asked us why Christ was asking the beggar this question. In my mind, I knew that Christ already knows our needs even before we ask for them. She asked almost everyone of us, and there were about 2 who came close to the answer she was looking for. Then she finally said, Christ already knows our needs long before we even ask Him, but because we have many, many requests, He wants us to ask of Him what we REALLY need. The beggar may have said he needed money, food, shelter, but instead he asked for what is more important -- his sight. In summary, it was about making us realize what our priorities are and what is the attitude of our heart. As we come to Him with our petitions, our relationship with Him is developed.

I look forward to the next one :)

Mood:  blue
Now Playing: The Snatching Incident
My mom asked me to go with her to see a trade exhibit at the Megatrade of Megamall last Saturday, September 3rd, and i was only too delighted to go, even though i had just returned from attending Ladies Breakfast Fellowship in Church that morning when she asked me. We have just alighted the bus that took us there from Fairview, and began to climb the first few steps of the overpass to cross over to Megamall. She was at my right side, holding onto my right wrist, while i held onto our umbrella to keep us cool under the hot noontime sun. It was around 12:20pm already.

Suddenly, from behind us, I heard a man's voice mumbling incoherent words, and right between us, reached his hands out for my right forearm, and held it tight. In an instant, he pulled-off my white-gold flat bracelet and ran back downstairs faster than I could have even looked at him. I let out a scream, basically because of fear that someone has inflicted harm upon me. My mom had let go of her hold on me and was leaning against the stairs' metal railing when she also managed to scream "magnanakaw, tulungan nyo kami..." in a fearful, trembling voice, one that was all too familiar to me, a tone of voice we only hear when she's crying out of desperation. When i saw that the snatcher had immediately fled downstairs, all I ever thought about was our safety. My mom's already 68, and, there were just the two of us then. It was a good thing i was the one who was assaulted, i dare not think of what would happen if someone hurt my mom. And that time, i don't think i'd be able to protect the 2 of us from anyone who'd try to physically harm us.

After i looked behind me to see where the snatcher had fled, i realized that i had let go of the umbrella i was holding, so after reaching for it, i calmed my mom and said, "hayaan mo na, Ma..." and began to help her up the rest of the way to the top of the stairs. She asked me what the man got from me and told her he got my bracelet. While i referred to my arm, i looked at where my bracelet was and saw that the area was beginning to turn red where he held me. When we got to the top of the overpass, on the last step, i then realized that i was trembling. Instead of dwelling on it, i remembered to tell my mom that she should not use that route ever again, especially if she was alone. We then saw a security guard standing there, and my mom began to report to him that a snatcher took my bracelet. When i showed my arm to him, the area that was beginning to turn red had gotten bigger and the color became a brighter red. It was as if the man's hands have left an imprint where he held me. The part where he pulled at my bracelet showed a lump that later on became a bruise, and underneath it showed a cut, which hurt even more when we got inside Megamall because the temperature inside, especially at the Megatrade hall was very cold. The guard at the overpass only managed to say, "kararating ko lang po kasi eh..." but i wondered what he would have done if he had witnessed the snatching. Noel later on said he could fire a warning shot to caution the snatcher from proceeding, but then i don't think that would make me feel any better. I had actually thought that the best that could be done at that time was if someone from behind us who saw what happened would trip the snatcher while he was running, and then we'd have a better edge in catching the guy without him making any further harm. However, one of those who were behind us said he would have helped us if he wasn't carrying a suitcase. He said he even saw the man get on a bus. But i doubt that he would have helped us even without a suitcase. In those kinds of situations, it was difficult to help out if you're not armed with a weapon, or trained in self-defense, or street-smart and gutsy enough to try to even stop and help out.

Until now whenever i look at my 5mm long cut, i still hurt especially when it's washed, bumped or pressed. I've learned though to lift up the man to God.

Closer & closer...
Mood:  happy
I was just telling you earlier that I'd be able to get a response on Friday, right? Well, my friends called me just after lunch to ask me to visit them in the office on Friday!!! Though my friend won't be there when i visit, it's alright. At least i'd already get a feel of what's about to come :) We'll see each other after that...

The Confirmation
Mood:  happy
Last Friday, June 3rd I received confirmation from my Ninong on what we've been praying for the past week. I told him that in my heart, I'm ready for the new challenge :)

I didn't waste any more time so I sent a text message to my friend to ask when we can talk. They advised me to call the next day, Saturday. At first, I didn't know how to start the conversation, but I managed to say "okay na ko" with a big smile on my face. My friend was glad that to hear the news. He said he'll discuss it in their meeting today(!) and will need to see me again sometime this week, most probably, on Friday. Told them I'll wait till then. Since then, I've been interceding for it. I'm sure God has prepared this for me.

I've actually finished doing the most important document I need and I'm glad about the result. I was able to find a good sample and some tips that helped me express what I wanted to say. I'm keeping it till the right time.

Lazy Day
Mood:  not sure
Tama ba naman yan... Lazy day eh nasa trabaho ako? hehehe. Well, i just finished my boss' presentation so that basically wraps up my month-end tasks.

Truth is, my day started out as sluggish. I woke up with a pain in my throat. Uh-oh, i hope i don't get sick. I'm not in the mood for one these days (yup, i sometimes look forward to being sick, just to stay at home and be pampered, hehehe). Then a little later on, i started to feel feverish.

Just when i didn't bring my umbrella, it rains on my way to work. Good thing my seatmate got off where i did, shared her umbrella with me and we both went to the same direction! When we got to Petron at Makati Ave. where i usually get my jeep/fx ride to ZPC, an empty fx had just arrived. That's definitely God --perfect timing! :)

I'm at a crossroads today because i'm awaiting word from my Ninong Joe on the result of our prayers for my request. Sheila & Loret, on the other hand, are awaiting my response. In my heart, i'm looking forward to the new challenge. During lunchbreak, I just finished reading 2 articles in MSN where one, about health, discusses about keeping our mind sharp, and the other one, on 8 signs your job is doomed. The one about health says that a exercising the mind, specifically, a "mentally stimulating job" can help maintain memory longer as we age. Other challenges we can try to keep a sharp mind included "switching careers or starting a new one", among other physical activities.

Ang bigat naman sa dibdib nun isang article so i had to postpone reading it till i had mustered the guts, hehe. The first two signs were, "you've been cut out of the loop", and, "you're losing responsibilities". Ohhh... These things aren't something i didn't know yet. They are true. They are happening. And i'm going through them everyday. God is good, He's been my strength and my guide.

Meanwhile, i wait on Him.