The Alchemist

It’s my birthday and I was not expecting a gift. Well, my birth date just doesn’t fall on a day near pay dates. That means I get more Christmas presents than birthday presents. And most of those birthday gifts are given to me either in advance (last week of May) or late (2nd week of June). It’s very rare that someone would hand me a gift on the day itself. Haha.

But this year, specifically today, a good friend handed me something. She bought the book a month ago and plans to read it in between her calls (she’s on an inbound account). However, right after buying the book, she was temporarily transferred to an outbound account, which makes it impossible for her to read the book. For a month now, I have been bugging her to lend me the book but she won’t give in as she has not read it yet.

Then today, since pay day is still a week out of reach, she apologized for not being able to buy me the tumbler she promised. Haha. Then, she suddenly thought of the book, decided to give it to me. She said she’ll just buy another copy for herself. I’m really touched. I want to refuse but she insisted and I remembered an old saying, ‘never refuse a gift given from the heart.” I know, more than the material thing (be it the tumbler or this book), she really wanted to give me a present. And oh, of course, I love books so I accepted it. =D

To Farrah: Thanks a million. As in, million thank yousssss. God bless you heart, dear! I love you too! ^_^

Birthday Prayer: Let Me Have This

I turned 21 fully awake and I dwell on the birthday wish I want to receive. Just one gift is enough.

Worshiping the One & Only God who orchestrated the Universe and everything in it is HUGE. It ought to be huge, big, and enormous. Loving back the One & Only Savior who conquered a cruel death to cleanse me from within is life changing. And it’s sweet. Being filled with the Holy Spirit puts me back to perspective. Praying in the Spirit allows me to find grace in the most unexpected places.

As I enter another year of this life conceived in Heaven even before time, I ask to be brought by the Lord to that place of desperation for Him.

I am weak and I always fall short of God’s glory. But with a heart desperate for the Consuming Fire, His grace will always be there to sustain. I have plans of my own. But with a heart desperate to move His heart, His plans shall prevail. I lose sight at times. But with a heart desperate to see its Savior face to face, His glory will shine.

As every Christian is, I am called to spread His saving love to the ends of the earth. I know that without reaching that point of desperation, I will find it easy to just say ‘no’. And I don’t want that to happen. I don’t want to break my Savior’s heart again. And so I pray (and ask for payers) that God would just break every inch of my own, old self. Bring me to that place, be it wilderness or green pasture. And continue to take my heart deeper into Your boundless love.

Earth may shake in all its terror and my future may be so uncertain but I will rest in the assurance that God is with me. Everything can be stripped away from me but I will ask the Lord to leave me a heart that beats for Him. For such heart can withstand and even find strength in pain. It won’t grow weary in waiting but will draw wisdom from it. When it loses its way, His love will lead it back.

There is no better birthday gift than that.

Sweet (^_^)

If there's one thing you'd love about the company I'm working with, they are very good in giving out simple things. Our management is thoughtful enough to remember special occasions. I am really looking forward to receive my favorite cake this coming Saturday from our HR. Weeee!! One whole cake for FREE. Whaaaaa. Like, last year, I'd definitely bring that home. (Selfish-ness again) =p
So, on my way to work last night, I thought of that Black Forest cake. I recalled to mind the last time my taste buds succumbed to its tempting sweetness. And yadah! I didn’t know one of our newbies is celebrating her birthday today. And she was given the same cake I love --- Black Forest!! AND she’s not a selfish child like me who’d rather take the cake home. Wuhoooooo!! I had a slice today just when I was craving for it.

My Jesus could be really sweet! I need not wait for the weekend. I had my fill.

Oh, but of course, I’m still looking forward to that one sweet box I’d sit with at the bus on my ride home this Saturday. =D

Change

When
I
cannot
change
the
changes
around
me
I
ask
Thee
to
change
my
heart.

Bday Wishes: Batang Excited ^_^

If and only if I’d be given lots of extra cash AND vacation with pay this coming weekend, I’d gladly spend it doing the following:


-I’ll go to Enchanted Kingdom, exhilarate myself with the rides I so miss and watch their breath-taking fireworks

-I’ll take a tour at the Ocean Park (or Ocean Theme Park?) at Pasay (Pasay nga ba yun?) Haha.

-I’ll go ice skating.

-I’ll go to Tagaytay, ride a horse, eat lots of Pizza and stimulate myself with my favorite Starbucks’ Chocolate Cream Chip

-I’ll take a long, slow walk and watch the sunset. And I’ll make sure to bring my handy notebook so I can jot down reflections

-I’ll treat myself with lots of potatoes. Baked, mashed, fried, processed, etc, etc.

-I’ll go to Baguio.

-And of course, I’ll be sure to capture the moments. I’ll take lots of pictures and oh, videos, too.


Hmmmmm… Just noticed, I haven’t included who I want to be with on those escapades (I love to be alone but not all the time, though)


-EK: Probably, the youth ministry workers (ang dami nila). So, I wish to have a van, the huge one like those of rich people para may sasakyan na kami. ^_^

-Ocean Park: My family. Papa, Mama, AJ, and Tita Bessy

-Ice Skating: My very few trusted friends at Incoho

-Tagaytay: My Chowking buddies =p

-Long walk: God --- alone =D

-Potato treat: myself (haha! Selfish!)

-Baguio: the 8 who attended Jrev (oh, no, anong year nga ba yun??)

-Capturing moments: Hmmm… whoever has a camera na pang-professional photographer =D

Praying...

Oceans Will Part
Hillsong

If my heart has grown cold
There Your love will unfold
As You open my eyes to the work of Your hand
When I’m blind to my way
There Your Spirit will pray
As You open my eyes to the work of Your hand
As You open my eyes to the work of Your hand


Oceans will part
Nations come
At the whisper of Your call
Hope will rise
Glory shown
In my life Your will be done


Present suffering may pass
Lord Your mercy will last
As You open my eyes to the work of Your hand
And my heart will find praise
I’ll delight in Your way
As You open my eyes to the work of Your hand
As You open my eyes to the work of Your hand


Oceans will part
Nations come
At the whisper of Your call
Hope will rise
Glory shown
In my life Your will be done

Jesus, open my eyes to the work of Your hand