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And God continues to be great.

Today, I was troubled when I found out that the SGV Foundation has not sent the official list of scholars yet. That left us with two choices: (1) Pay the whole tuition and wait for reimbursement; (2) Apply for a student loan, pay only 25% of the tuition and wait for reimbursement from SGV. Now, the problem is that my mother did not set aside any amount for my tuition because we relied on the fact that I am now a scholar. So I prayed that I will be able to enroll without paying the tuition and that my dilemma would not disrupt my focus in studying as I prepare for the removal exam on Monday. God answered my prayer so soon.

One thing I realized is that you can’t just pray and wait. You have to do what you can and God will do the rest. You just have to believe.

If I hadn’t sent that text message to Sir Noy, he wouldn’t have found out that the college has not received that official list yet. Good thing, I did and he told me they sent it last night and we just have to follow up on it with the college. And, maybe they will have to resend it. Which means Kim, Marc, Chrislee, Ate Karen, Haide and I are now official SGV scholars.

I thanked my mother for telling me to contact Sir Noy. She taught me how to take action. That’s one of the many things she does best. And I thank God for giving her to me.

Pee Why See

Saturday, May 26

Tonight, I heard Tin2x speak about her family. She proved herself to be a woman of faith. And Kuya Renj is finally going to training to be a full-time pastoral worker. Praise God!

Sunday, May 27

I just got back here in Tacloban City from the Provincial Youth Conference in Visca, Baybay City, Leyte. It was an awesome experience. It made me want to serve God more. I’m on fire! Just burning with passion.

This morning, Kuya Julius, the speaker in Session 4, told us to reflect on the greatness of God in our lives. I couldn’t stop my tears from falling. I realized God has been so good to me. He has blessed me so much. What struck me most was the thought of how He has blessed me of a happy family once and how that would remain only as a memory now.

Then it occurred to me that that’s what’s happening to many families these days.  God was telling me it doesn’t have to be like this – broken. He made me feel what it is like to be part of a happy family and what it is like to have it fall apart. I can feel how blessed I am because He pulled me closer when I lost what made me happy. He does it all the time, actually, not just to me. He is close to the broken-hearted. But only a few find their way to Him. And I did. Thank God. I did. But what would happen to those who lose their way?

This is my conviction: to stop families on the verge of being broken from falling apart; to set a good example for children from broken homes; and to continue to be hopeful in the Lord – hopeful for my family and for other broken families.

Kuya Julius also made us “Speak with the heart”. It was an activity wherein we shouldn’t say anything but just go directly to our brothers and sisters who have been an instrument in bringing us closer to God and tap them on the shoulder or give them a hug and I did. Then later on, I thought of these people:

Tin2x

Mimi

Ate Francess

Ate Marj

Ate Cied

Ate Mel

Kuya Renj

Gab

Kuya Clint

Kuya Bhadz

Rowel

Ate Jaja

I may not have tapped all their shoulders nor given them all a hug today but someday, I will. They are my brothers and sisters who have been really good to me.

As Youth for Christ, we celebrate God’s greatness. We are 100% free. We build lasting friendships. We are happy with our life with Christ.

I’m sleepy, yet I still want to write some more. Maybe tomorrow. See how I’m on fire?

NEXT UP: What I love about the North Sector.

Happiness

Happiness...
   
          ... is when you are at peace with yourself and with others


          ... is when you can sleep soundly at night


          ... is the absence of all negative feelings


          ... is when you are thankful for what you have


          ... is when you are fulfilled with your work or your studies, your service to the Lord, with your present life


         ... is when you feel you have contributed something good to the world or touched the lives of other people especially those whom you love.

That's happiness for me. Ikaw, what's happiness for you? Have you tried achieving that happiness? 

This is me

I'm back in Tacloban City and not quite ready for my fourth year in college. I still have to take a removal exam in one subject I had last sem wherein out of the 30 students in the class, only five got a numerical grade and the rest had an INC (short for incomplete). I was somehow expecting that for my grade but not for all 25 of us. Well, what can I say? Misery loves company. Knowing that I wasn't the only one having a hard time is kinda comforting. So now, we have to take the removal exam on June 4 (I hope you include us in your prayers). We can still enroll, though, by applying for a waiver. 

Summer hasn't ended yet, but I'm already back in Tacloban City. By the way, I'm from Tandag City, Surigao del Sur. Pretty far, huh? Well, I'd like to explain but it's quite a long story. 

Or maybe not. 

I'm here to pursue a degree in BS in Accountancy. UPVTC (University of the Philippines in the Visayas Tacloban College) is the nearest campus of the University of the Philippines which offers this course and since my mother's friends (the Abarca twins) went to this college and topped the CPA board exam (top 1 and top 12), they suggested I go to the same college. Feel the pressure?

I didn't like it here at first. There are just so many cockroaches and rats. People don't speak softly (sorry Taclobanons but it's true) and I didn't know how to speak Waray Waray then. But I learned to live with it. I've got friends now and a mosquito net aroung my bed to protect me from the cockroaches (the rats aren't as troublesome as the cockroaches). Ngan makarit na ak mag-Waray Waray (char) nayakan hira diri sabot it akon accent. Oh diba?

GrandPaPaternity

 Awesome surprise party for my 18th birthday 

made possible by Mama, Mau, YFCs and GrandPaPaternity

My bed

It's only been a day since I got here and I'm already homesick. I miss the comforts of my home and these pretty ladies. 

 Mau (sister) and Alma (mother)

Pretty, aren't they?

This is me with my beloved grandmother 

(Mama Menen)

I come from a broken family. It's been broken for almost 3 years now. But I'm trying my best to be a living example of children from broken homes. I want to show the world that

despite this brokenness, we can be whole

We can live without bitterness because we know how to forgive

We can live our teenage life without being rebellious

And we can grow closer and closer to God as He lifts us up from this brokenness

Well, I think that's it for now. I just thought you ought to know something about me.