~ MARIANA'S TALES ~

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

MY CHRISTIAN FAMILY

Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

I am attending the CFC-Singles for Christ Christian Life Program weekly every Saturday for the past 2 months now, its a 3 month (12 weeks) program with different topic every session. I joined because I was looking for a community where I can share my love for God and his son Jesus. I'm not a newbie in this community as a matter of fact at age 4 I was already a CFC-Kids for Christ member and was singing praises and worship at that early age, when I turned 15 that was the time I joined CFC-Youth for Christ and everything in my life changed. My view for life and love changed not because I learned many things while serving but I experienced a tragic unimaginable event, something I shouldn't have done in the first place. I fell hard and broke myself to pieces. It don't matter to me now not even a bit. Learning is way far from experiencing! Learning gives you knowledge but Experiencing gives you wisdom and a lesson. I left the community without saying my farewell and promised to myself not to ever return again! Oh yes I didn't, it took me 9 years to return, it first started last year when my cousin keeps on bugging me from a text message, calls, private messages to join the community, And yes for 1 year she received a BIG NO from me. Good thing my cousin didn't give up on me and just last September I agreed on attending.

Last week our session was about Christian Family and how important family is in the society, In the sharing it was stressed out that world peace should start in the family. The basic unit of the society, a place for teaching and training of children, a place for training leaders of the church, and a domestic church. Sad to enumerate but today the world is becoming more materialistic that God's plan for the family is not happening. God has lost His central place in the family, The family itself is losing its importance and little did we know that our family is under attack by evil forces.

As a christian we are called to be as followers of Jesus, who came to the world to die for us. We are called to make a decision that we want God's plan to happen in our family. Take time and give attention to the task of building a strong Christian family. PRAY together as a family - THE FAMILY THAT PRAYS TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER. Fathers should take steps to assume full responsibility for the spiritual and material needs of the family. Fathers alongside the mothers should provide all the needs of their children and teach them how to be close to God - Start them young.

After the session, we gathered around and had a discussion as a group. My leader handed over 2 letters. I asked from whom but from the back of my mind I knew it was from my parents. I was hesitant to read it in front of them because I know completely myself, I am a crying baby, emotional, OA and I fell so unguarded that time and wasn't ready for any emotional leak! When I opened my mother's letter tears fell and I couldn't stop myself so I told everyone in the group that I'm so moved by my mother's letter, it was really full of emotions and gratitude. On the other hand my unexpressive father told me he loves me and always remember that even though I can't hear him say I love you but his actions speaks louder than words.

My mom's letter encourages me more to be true to God, I am stronger now though still in-progress. But I know now where I am going and I'm going to the path God has prepared for me. She also stressed out to put God first in everything and that's what I'm doing now. Trust me I'm having a hard time giving God selflessly. But I'm getting there. I am making new plans in life and serving God and His people is now on TOP PRIORITY. Please pray for me on this! Also in the talk we were reminded that FAMILY starts from 2 individuals bounded by love and marriage and as early as now, we should be praying to God a suitable person that can bring you closer to God. This is noted I said to myself, I've been praying to God that whoever that person is, let him come and stay forever and never leave because I don't like break-ups it's so depressing, maybe God is really listening to me because He gave me a lot of time to think for certain guys, they stick around for awhile but they don't endure the test of time. After all Timing is everything. I sometimes ask myself is there something wrong with me? Then the answer is NO, there's nothing wrong with me, it's just that he is not what God prepared for me. The Lord knows that whoever that guy will be, he will have the very BEST of me. - so no pressure!

Ephesians 6:1-4 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

What you are in the family extends to what you are as a friend, as a friend I am very sensitive and I really make sure to make them feel special, because that's what I learned from my family to treat people with IMPORTANCE.

Saturday, September 20, 2014

CHEERS TO 3 YEARS!

Woah! Let me welcome myself in blogging again! It's really been awhile. I read somewhere that it's hard to spot change everyday but when you look back everything is not the same, everything is different, there are things you might want to do the other way. But of course NO REGRETS to the choices you've made! I keep on asking God what is really my purpose? How can I do things differently? until now I'm at my own quest for searching my relevance in this world. There are desires of mine that I find it so hard to reach no matter how hard I try and as a human it's normal for me to cry out to the Lord. All of us have battles in our lives that we are silently fighting, hoping that someday we can overcome it. All what is happening to me is what God's plan for me. He is the engineer of my life, so I lift it all to him. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways" declares the Lord "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9.

No matter how many crosses we carry there is always a reason to be grateful. Nowadays finding a decent job is hard and here I am celebrating my 3 years in my job.

I celebrated my 3rd year "employment" anniversary last week. I got hired by Accenture last September 19, 2011. This is not my first job but this is where I found genuine happiness. Happiness in working with people that are understanding, caring and kind.

Accenture hired employees by batch, so in my case we were 11 when hired and yes we are still alive and kicking in the company except for Alvin who is now in Australia. Before our anniversary celebration typhoon Mario hit Cebu and paralyzed the workers in coming to the office on time due to heavy flood in the city. Jake was trapped in his place and was absent during this year's celebration.

We celebrated it at Duz grill (click the link for their website) at 33A Fourth Street, San Antonio Village, Apas, Lahug, 6000 Cebu City.

The food was great and the personnels were very accommodating.

Food photos grabbed from Cha Lato. We enjoyed our lunch as batch mates. Let me show you our throwback celebrations over the years :)

2012

2013

I just didn't celebrate my anniversary in 1 day but I spent the whole week last week celebrating it with the people I love and treasure.

I really love to spend time with these guys. My respect and love for them are high as the highest mountains. They are very transparent and real. I really find sincerity in them. Thank you for coming along and saying yes to me when I said I was craving for La Marea's salted caramel brownie cup. Sorry gays for the craving blame it on the hormones! hahaha...

That night after I spent it with my high school best friends, Mel and Iyes. We are 4 in the group but Des is still in Australia and very focus in her studies I supposed. Can't hide it but I am waiting for December to arrive for Des to be back home for Christmas. :)

We ate at Brique (click the link for the website). A place good for dates.

Lucky us! We didn't have any reservations made that day but we were accommodated right away.

After having dinner we decided to look for somewhere to talk so I brought them to Fujinoya.

Since I said my goodbye to coffees last July, my recent obsessions are teas and fruit juices (not powder).

Last Friday I wrapped up the week with my officemates over a not-so-pricey dinner. But it was so full of laughs, jokes and chitchats. Chowabunnga offers yummy food at a very affordable price, when I say affordable it means that my dinner was only for 100 pesos and it was already a Katsudon.