Life's changes - God wants me to take charge

I have been trying to write for the past two weeks, however, I've never succeeded to finish anything. Perhaps my mind couldn't find something to focus on (just like anybody here in the office or should I say, most of us). We are having mixed feelings, mostly negative - as what I described in my previous post. We shall be bidding goodbye to our Executive Director for 5 years, unless all our angels will whisper to DOST Secretary's ears to retain him. We will be changing our agency name (PCASTRD will always be in our lips and in our heart even if we are told that we must forget our old identity). Sad as it may seem, yet we have to face these changes.

I am the first to be reassigned. After a few sleepless nights, I've conquered all my fears. I've told them what I am worried about and what I've planned to do. My angel worked for me, everything turns out so well. So here I am, after 2 years of working as support staff for two different divisions, 4 years of being an IT staff, I'm in the new world again(only 1 division has been left for me to conquer with, hahaha!). I'm a bouncing baby as Lanie has described, but I hope this would be my home to stay with. Even if it means working differently from my career ladder, it dawned to me that it means a more secure future. If it will lead to the achievement of my dream, then I'm willing to learn new things again.

I'm inspired with the talk last Sunday from the South Feast, "Protection" - the 5th from the Series "Awaken the Healer in you". Bro. Arun Gogna's opening words are "Your eyes can only see the problem, what we cannot see is behind the scene, God is at work already, preparing your victory, working  towards the attainment of your dream". All the talks of the series are revolving into one message - God wants you to take charge of your health!

There are 3 practical prescriptions:
1. Clean Living

• Quarantine contagious diseases
• Toilet training
• Take a bath / clean yourself
• Sexual purity - God's law on sex is also God's law on health.

2. Natural Eating

• If man made it, do not eat it.

3. Hollistic Healing

• A study from the National Institute of Health shows that 35-40% of all hospital patients are there because of wrong medical care.

In summary, God wants us to take charge of our health and our life. There are only two seats in a vehicle - the driver and the rider. Are you the driver or the rider? Here is a powerful statement:  "The amount of blessings you receive is directly proportional to the amount of responsibility you are willing to take". We should stop complaining, we should take charge.  When we hold the steering wheel of our life and take responsibility, God will be the fuel of our vehicle, the roadmap, the destination and guide us all the way.

Nourishment - You Are What You Eat

Yesterday, Daddy went with us to the mass, thank God for making him realize the importance of his presence with the kids. However, he needs some sleep because of his graveyard duty so he went home alone after the mass.  The kids has enjoyed the children's ministry at the South Feast; they are looking forward to attending it every Sunday.

Gold and Twin (my cousin's daughter) met us at the Bicutan interchange. Gold is regularly attending the feast now and I'm praying for a miraculous healing from her mysterious lung problem.

Here are some interesting facts I've learned from the fourth talk "Nourishment" of the Series "Awaken". (I've copied some of the notes from the Feast bulletin.) There are three (3) important prescriptions for a healthier body:

1. EAT PLANTS
Genesis 1:29 

I have provided all kinds of grain and all kinds of fruit for you to eat.

Both from the Bible and Science, your body are created to eat fruits and vegetables. Your teeth are the teeth of a herbivores or plant-eating animals. Your intestines are long, necessary to digest vegetables. If you want to be healthy, increase the intake of fruits and raw vegetables and minimize your meat. Here's what  happens when you do this:

• you increase your fiber intake, which is necessary to cleanse your digestive system, making you avoid  colon cancer and other diseases.
• you increase vital nutrients and vitamins your body needs (fact: vitamins is only a supplement, not a replacement)
• if you eat fruits and vegetables raw everyday, you eat enzymes necessary for absorbing the nutrients.
• Bacteria love an acidic environment. By eating vegetables and fruits - without mixing the with other food one hour before and after - you make your body alkaline, and thus resistant to many diseases. 

2. EAT CLEAN / AVOID UNCLEAN FOOD
Leviticus 11:1-3
The Lord gave Moses and Aaron the following regulations for the people of Israel. You may eat any land animal that has divided hoofs and that also chews the cud.

• Science is now discovering that animals labeled as "unclean" by the Bible carry more toxins. For example, pigs eat anything and thus have more toxins in their meat.

Leviticus 11:9-10
You may eat any kind of fish that has fins and scales, but anything living in the water that does not have fins and scales must not be eaten.

• What sea creatures are without scales or fins? Oysters, mussels, clams, crab, lobsters, shrimps, and squid are the scavengers of the sea. They store a concentration of toxins in their tissues. It will be wise to avoid eating too much of these scavengers. Somehow, the Bible knew this already a long time ago.

Leviticus 7:23-24
For the people of Israel. No fat of cattle, sheep or goats shall be eaten.

• A high fat diet has been linked to heart attacks, strokes, and some forms of cancer. But some 3,000 years ago, the Bible already warning us of its health dangers.

3. EAT OTHER FOOD

• Oxygen
• This may surprise you, but many persons don't breathe well. They breathe in a shallow way, also called lazy breathing. Their body is starved of oxygen. Most diseases are linked to the lack of oxygen in the our cells. A lot of persons will get healed by simply breathing slow, deep breaths many times during each day. If you do this many times a day, you'll awaken the healer in you.

• Movement /Exercise
• Taking walks is one of the best exercises you can do. It's simple, requires no fancy equipment, exposes you to fresh air(Note: Avoid air polluted areas when you walk.), gives an emotional lift because you're outdoors, provides you with sunlight and  cleanses your lymphatic system. Moderate exercise will strengthen you inner healer. 

• Sunlight
• Filipina mothers expose their newborn infants to the sunlight. They have the right idea! But adults aren't exempt. You still need sunlight at least 30mins a day, preferably in the morning. Sunlight heals! God created lots of it for your use. Because of sunlight, you body produces Vitamin D, which is crucial for your health and healing. Health experts believe Vitamin D prevents osteoporosis, depression, prostate cancer, breast cancer and even affects diabetes and obesity.

• Sleep
• Get enough sleep every night. If people get enough sleep every night, many sicknesses will be cured. Many persons are so sleep-deprived; their entire system has gone berserk. Vegetarians need less sleep than those who eat meat, because of the large amounts of energy needed to digest meat. So it is recommended that you listen to your body. Your body will tell you how much sleep you need. 
• One last message. Real restful sleep cannot come from sleeping pills. Nor from an expensive mattress. Real restful sleep can only come when you trust God fully.

If you want a healthy body, here's what I've learned: Let food be your medicine. If we eat right, we don't need the medicines we take in today. By eating right, we open ourselves to God's healing power.

Supermom is waiting for the good things to come...

The agony of waiting is over...the rationalization plan has been approved yet I feel sad and confused. Perhaps I expected too much. I have been waiting for this in 5 long years. Here it is now...but where should I go. I am confused, I thought I am ready when this time will arrived. Some people will go, and many more will come.

More than 6 years of being a contractual employee, I still am hoping for some good things to happen. Even if it means doing other work assignments. I pray that I'll be enlightened to choose wisely where to apply (and my big hope to be accepted to the position). Or else...I might end up looking outside, worst being unemployed.

I have this mixed feelings now- sad, confused, frightened ...yet hopeful. May God showers His unending blessings to me and PCASTRD!

Shocking truth - 85% of our diseases are rooted in our emotions

It was a blessed Sunday for me, Joy and her sister went with us to the Feast after going to mass at Lower Bicutan. The kids were excited to play in the children's ministry. I was so amused and surprised that the thanksgiving prayer I wrote last Sunday in my Love Offering envelope was published in the feast bulletin. At least my gratitude has gone that far, hehehe. I really thank God for all the small and big blessings I received everyday.

The title of the talk is EMOTIONS. It was the 2nd talk of the Awaken Series. Bro. Arun stated the fact that 85% of all diseases are rooted in our emotions. Diseases are messages from the soul. When we are sick, our soul tells us something. Often times, we do not listen to our soul, we turn to medicine/pill as our savior from our sickness. That's why we are not naturally healing. What you feel, you can heal - that's the important lesson in Emotions.

There are 2 ways Emotions make you sick:

1. Too much negative emotions

•  Stress - most heart attacks / strokes happen during Mondays. Most people are so stressed during Mondays since it's the start of the work week, 1st day of school, etc. Since we cannot get rid of Mondays in our week, we must have a positive attitude towards Monday... :) I pray I could change my mind about Mondays too.
• Anger - angry people die early. Hmmm... It is advised that do not pretend to be always ok, that nothing is happening to you. Don't escape negative emotions. Go out to God and pour out your heart to him.

2. Too little positive emotions

• Proverbs 17:22 - Being cheerful keeps you healthy. It is slow death to be gloomy all the time.
• Laugh often with people you love.

Lastly, Bro. Arun reminded everyone to take the pill of Gratitude (to have more) and Trust (less worries). And always be cheerful.

I pray that more people will be blessed in the feast, more family and friends come with me and be blessed as I am.

Life lessons from the South Feast

As the last talk on the series "A life of No Regrets..." has been delivered by Bro. Arun (with the celebration of his birthday) the other Sunday at the South Feast, I have realized many things. Sometimes, like Esau, we are offered a soup bowl in exchange for a big part of ourselves. That is the test of life. According to him, our answers to the test in life will determine our destiny. Will we exchange our family, our career, our faith, our dignity for a soup bowl?
He also shared things we will never regret in life...

10 Things You'll Never Regret
1. Serving others
2. Developing your core gift
3. Asking forgiveness
4. Forgiving a person who hurt you
5. Helping others grow
6. Spending time with love ones
7. Refraining from gossip when others around you delight it
8. Refusing to do something wrong
9. Going out of your comfort zone
10. Sacrificing your life for your life mission.


In summary, we have to LIVE DELIBERATELY!

Happy birthday Bro. Arun!

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Last Sunday, Gold went with me to the South Feast, together with the kids. The two of them attended the children's ministry, although at first Asher doesn't want to attend, Ate Angela persuaded him telling him that they will ride the racing car after.

It was the beginning of a new Series (6 talks), the AWAKEN Series. It's about health and healing. Session 1 is HEALER. God has given us the power to heal ourselves. We just have to awaken the healer in us. As most of us expects that we'll we sickly and weak when we grow up, so our body will follow what our mind tells. According to Bro. Arun, that is called the Power of Expectation.

"Don't expect that you'll be sickly when you grow old. Expect that you'll be healthy!" And since we expect that are healthy, we can still play with our great grandchildren and at the same time we'll not be a burden to our children and our family. Starting today, I won't think that all old people will get sick and are weak...I'll be stronger and will live longer without getting sick... :)

South Feast - June 6, 2010

I attended the 3pm South Feast at Festival Mall, Alabang, yesterday. It is one of the happiest place on earth. Bro. Arun Gogna is in a mission trip in Japan so Bro. Jon Escoto took over. The sharing of Sam, a 19 year old smart girl, who survived a lupus disease is so touching. She shared how her illness became a blessing instead of a burden. She miraculously was diagnosed last yr that she is negative of lupus after struggling for 4 years of the different complications of her illness and after all worldly materials was taken away from them to finance her medications. Now she's totally cured, which she says the greatest miracle in her life. She is now facing life with a great mission, that she's living more than herself.

I was so inspired to listen to such wonderful stories of life. And I also noted some great points of the talk - "NO SMALL LIVING" of the Series "A Life of No Regrets - The Joy of Intentional Living"

1. Everything that God made is a solution to a problem. - hmmm...i will reflect on this more. If I live this teaching, I'll be more appreciative of all God's creation.

2. When you divide joy, IT MULTIPLIES.

Next Sunday, it will be that last talk of the series. I pray that I could bring along any relative or friend with me.

Supermom adventure in Northern Mindanao - 2nd Part - Iligan City (Tinago Falls)

(This is the 2nd part of the travel adventure...you can read the 1st part here > http://supermomadventuremanila.blogspot.com/2010/05/supermom-travels-in-northern-mindanao.html )


From CDO, it takes around 1 1/2 hrs - 2 hrs going to Iligan City. Past 7 in the evening, we were fetched by Fram's friend Ann Maris and her husband Roy from the bus terminal. Ann was Fram's pen pal - way back 20+ years ago - we couldn't believe that it's their first time to see each other. A rare story, I thought it's only in the movies and novels, but theirs is true, up close and personal; established through letters and founded by trust ( I wish I'm a writer, I'll write a book about their friendship).

A sumptuous dinner has been prepared for us - a simple reflection of how hospitable this family is. We were gladly accepted in a beautiful home of an amazing family. The night was full of stories (most of them I couldn't relate to - hahaha!) but I had a wonderful time listening to them. The next morning, we attended the mass at the Redemptorist Chapel, a few blocks away from the Trinidad residence. Then we prepared ourselves for the trip to Tinago and Maria Cristina Falls. Roy was our driver, tour guide and camera man. 

After another long and winding rough road in Linamon, Lanao del Norte, we arrived at a "forest-like" place and trekked approximately 500 descending steps called the winding staircase. And there it is, another nature's beauty...wow - my jaw literally dropped upon the sight of the Tinago falls. My first time to see a real falls.

        Janet, Tita Miles, me, Fram and Ann --still looking fresh - just starting to go down

                                               and down...

                                              and there we are...

                         A marvelous scenery in the background...

Tinago falls is literally hidden in a deep ravine, the falls cascading beautifully into a basin-like pool (appears like a blue colored lagoon), clean, and icy cold. Under the falls is a small cave where people can enter and listen to the rumbling waters. Just being there seemed to calm my soul and to be thankful for such wonderful creation.

Ann found a friend there at the foot of the falls, and couldn't say no when we were invited for lunch. The food was great, we were all full and had fun eating with their baon. Janet, Tita Miles and I, swam or rather took a bath in the clear, cold and running waters, it was so much fun swimming with the current. Despite the limited time, we still were very fulfilled having experienced the waters of Tinago Falls.  

Going up was a true challenge, the air passage in my nose seemed to be narrower for all the oxygen and carbon dioxide to go through, thus I have to breath through my mouth, my heart seemed to pump the hardest. The first time ever to engage in such a super physical activity, I feared that I might faint or fall. We have to stop from time to time, I couldn't distinguish my wet clothes if it was still from the water or it was already my perspiration. With my best effort, I'm proud to say I made it to the top. Hahaha! Now I realize, I lacked exercise.

With a little rest, we proceeded to another falls - the Maria Cristina Falls. I have seen its pictures in my daughter's textbook, but it's more beautiful seeing it and just being there.

                            The beautiful Maria Cristina Falls...

                                         with the equally beautiful visitors...:)
Well-known for its natural beauty and grandeur, Maria Cristina Falls powers the Agus VI Hydroelectric Plant which is the primary source of electric power for the city and 70% of Mindanao's electricity. A little picture taking, then we went home to clean up, take a snack and off we go the market to buy pasalubongs. Then I made a night trip to Cagayan de Oro, left the three at Iligan, to be with my Tita and her family. The next day was our trip back to Manila.

It was such a memorable weekend for me, I'll be back to all these places soon!

(Special credit for Ate Fram and Roy for the beautiful shots, thanks.)