Instant Entry #1: This Weekend
This weekend was one of the most exhausting weekends I’ve ever had in my life. But it was all worth it because it was during this weekend that I was able to witness the various forms of God’s love and grace. It felt as though I was being attacked on all sides, not by the enemy, but by God’s blessed assurance that I can’t do anything to escape His love.
And I want to take this time to share and thank the very people that made this weekend quite an experience I won’t forget:
FRIDAY
1. Planning a wedding (or two, for this matter). For this, I want to thank the two brides-to-be, Anj and Mons, for allowing me to be with them as they take their time to plan their weddings this year. I am grateful not only because I’m learning but also because, to watch them plan these out with such attention to detail, I was able to somehow get a glimpse of their love for their fiancees. I can’t help but come out of that sleepover feeling like there is so much love in this world. [Yiheee! KILIGZ.]
SATURDAY
2. The jogging surprise. As tough as it was to plan out a surprise, it’s tougher when you don’t have a plan B. But I thank God for my LG who really made such an effort to surprise the lovely Chato. Ja, you were so hilarious! Pasimple ka pa. Mga para-paraan mo just to get Chats to go first to West Gate, then to Cafe Breton. Mons, thank you for jogging for the rest us. (hahahahaha! Pagod na pagod na kami, hindi pa tayo nagsisimula.) Anj, for organizing everything! Dwight, it’s official, ka LG ka na namin! :)) Dianne and Jhoms for taking your time to celebrate and be part of honoring Chats! And lastly, the birthday girl, Chato! We were worried you wouldn’t come, pero you were already there all along. You are such a blessing to us and we really want to let you know that. :)
3. The Las Pinas Traffic. Oh traffic, how I loathe you. But going through your 3 hour stationary madness, God allowed me to endure, all the more reassuring me that God is a God who enables.
4. Meeting someone I haven’t seen for 14 years. At the FX, on my way back to Festi, I met an old classmate of mine from grade school. And I thank God for that opportunity to reestablish and restore relationships.
5. The Switchfoot Concert. I’ve said this before and I’ll say this again, it blew me away. Watching them perform live made me realize that all these years, they have been singing just one song, written and re-written “over and over and over again.” A love song for the Redeemer.
6. But apart from the band, what made this concert extra special was the company. I’d like to thank Ria, who endured the whole challenging trip to Ultra with me. And Cring for making this happen (buying tickets for us, etc) and for being your hilarious, kwela self. It’s always a joy being with the both of you. I was also blessed by the new people I’ve met: Madz, Kix, Cat, RA, Emer, and Ayrish. Such lovely couples, I am grateful for how welcome you made me feel and for your thoughtfulness.
SUNDAY
7. Surprise! Surprise! Hi Tita Ruthie. You caught me by surprise when you came up to me and told me how blessed you are by me and my siblings. Hearing those words, my heart just welled inside me and I can’t help but praise God and give Him back all the glory. I praise God for you, not just for your encouragement but also for sharing your heart as a mother. I may not fully grasp it till the day I become one but I am grateful to God for allowing me to get a glimpse of it from you. :)
8. Leading a Victory Group. It was my first time to lead without using a material but just sharing the Lord’s revelation to me. The thought of it was quite worrysome but, indeed, it was God’s way of (again) reassuring me that He is a God who pens my paths and perfects that which I lack.
9. Answered prayer a.k.a the KC Team 2 meeting. I was surprised by how many the teachers were and their desire to serve. I joined this team last year were there were only a handful of volunteers. We were so few that there were instances we had to handle a service by ourselves (kulang na lang kami na rin mag preach). To watch this team flourish is God proving His faithfulness.
10. Paul Barker’s preaching on The Passion for the Great Commission. To break down every verse like that and to connect it to grace, WOWOWOW. My takeaway: the encounter with radical grace produces such radical faith. One that moves us to raise our hands in surrender and say, “Here am I Lord. Send me.”
WHAT-A-WEEKEND! Thank you Lord for giving me the privilege of experiencing such a weekend such as this one. :D
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This was originally posted as a FB note. Sharing this here as well. :)
- Tagged
- Weekend
- Love and Grace
