iamjhosel

[iamjhosel]

For the longest time, my mother has been asking me to apply for Permanent Residency here in Singapore but I have been putting it off just because I couldn't find time and the urge to do it.

I have forgotten about it until early Covid days, in one of the pre-service prayer, Ate Gi shared about how nurses were favored during the SARS time. I thought, maybe, now is the time to do it.

But also, with a number of friends going to the US, and the American dream being my original goal (Singapore was supposed to be just a detour my 24-year old self once thought), plus a family friend offering help should I decide to proceed with my US application, I was torn.

For some time, I was wrestling with God, asking Him what's His plan for my life and where would He want me to be. He didn't give me an exact answer but He told me to just keep obeying Him and step by step, He will lead me.

Months passed and every time I have a thought of going in another country, He kept on reminding me to be still. Besides, He will tell me to go when its time to go. For now, stay still.

So in Sep 27 last year, I applied for PR. Whatever the result may be, I had nothing to lose anyway.

They said, it will only take a few months for the results to come out since they are favoring nurses nowadays. However, the fourth month came, and it was still pending.

5th month came, my mom was asking me if I still wanted to go to US because Tita Luvic's offer still stands, and my PR application was still pending.

Every time they declare for PR approval during Revival Prayer, I will always claim it, and check when I get home, but it was still pending.

Every month of waiting was a cycle of me being anxious of wanting to know His plans and God rebuking my anxiety and asking me to wait patiently.

Just before my application hit its first year, ICA asked me for my family's CV. It gave me hope but as I read about it on forums, quite a number were still rejected after that, the more my anxiety grew.

It has been a battle of waiting on God vs "what if I just take the US offer or go to another country?" But at the end of the day, the fear of God not being with me if I take the latter still prevailed. Going to a "greener pasture" is useless if God is not with me.

Today, as we were on the way to church, I randomly checked, and behold, after 1 year and 2 weeks, my application is finally approved! Praise God! Truly, He is faithful to His promises!

I pray that whatever you are praying for and waiting for right now, wait patiently to the Lord. Be still and know that He is the God who knows the beginning and the end. We might not know His plans, but He has already predestined us according to His will and purpose. I pray that as you wait, may you continue to trust in His perfect time and will. As He has favored me, may He favor you with double portion of His blessings and breakthrough, in Jesus' name!🙌

"Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." ~Psalm 27:14

"He has made everything beautiful in its time." ~Ecclesiastes 3:11a

(From my FB post, 17 Oct 2022)

#permanent residency #singapore #ofw #faith #waiting

[iamjhosel]

BAGONG YUGTO. New Chapter. This is Hope SG Filipino's 24th Anniversary theme. And while I just marked my 7th year with Hope this January, and now I am on my journey to 8 years, which is also the number for "new beginnings", I have been asking myself, what does this mean to me personally? What is my Bagong Yugto? "Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." ~Isaiah 43:19 BAGONG YUGTO: A NEW FIRE Early this year, my core team member lost her job and had to go back to the Philippines. And so all the more I had to stretch myself, empower the life group and lean more on His leading - not mine but by His Spirit. This is still a work in progress but I claim new wineskin, new core team members, who would be on fire for God, and then eventually as we enlarge ourselves, fruitfulness will follow.

I pray that God continue to work in us, individually and as a life group, so that all the more we can experience how good, how loving and how faithful our God is! In the same way, the Lord has been stretching us in the ministry for the past year amidst this pandemic. He has done great things in the ministry and in how He is using social media as His platform. Day by day, we are learning and exploring new things on how we can make Him known all over the globe with this ministry He has blessed us with. I am just blessed and humbled to serve Him with all my heart, mind and soul, both in the ministry and in the life group. He is my fire! And all these is by Him and for Him! BAGONG YUGTO: A NEW PERSPECTIVE The past few weeks before the conference, I've been thinking a lot. I've been asking God what's His plan for my life. What's next for me? Should I move to the States too, when one by one my ward friends are leaving for US and a family friend's actually offering to help me should I decide to move. Besides, US was the original plan. Singapore was supposed to be just a detour. Almost 10 years after, I am still here. Plus that infamous question: Will I ever have my own family too? So, I was really praying that in the conference, I will receive a word from God or a clear direction where He wants me to go. The answer came fast. On the first day during worship, I heard it loud and clear:

And all throughout the conference, I was just reminded over and over again. God is faithful, so be faithful. Keep sowing. Keep planting. Keep reaching out. Keep loving. And He will take care of the rest. Besides, He never told me to move. It was just me. You see, comparison triggers jealousy and so never compare your life to others because God has His own story for you and me. Look unto Jesus. Fix your gaze and thoughts upon Him. “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." ~Matthew 6:25-34 BAGONG YUGTO: A NEW HEART The first half of the year has been very painful for our family. I praise God that He has blessed me with a very loving and closely knitted family, and so the sudden loss of two of my Uncles in Papa's side, both I am close with, has left us bewildered, broken and very hurt. Early in April, Tito Erick, Papa's youngest brother, was hospitalized for COVID. In just a few days, he was transferred to the ICU because his oxygen level wasn't picking up and his biomarkers were all deranged. His wife, Tita Mitch, was then quarantined on another facility. Everyday we would all do video calls to check on Tita Mitch and get updates on Tito Erick. We would always encourage everyone in the family to keep on pressing on in prayer and keep believing that these too shall pass. That we've been through so much in the family before and we would be able to withstand all of these. I knew that God is a good God and He will never forsake us. I was anticipating that this will be our family's testimony of healing. But then one night, as if in a movie, there was a plot twist. Uncle Ahwee, Tita Shei's husband had a heart attack. He was pronounced dead on arrival. We were dumbfounded. I couldn't understand why all of these is happening, all together, at the same time. It felt like a dejavu. It felt like we were in 2014 all over again when Papa had an accident and he needed to go for a surgery and the next day Lolo Ama, Papa's father, passed away because of cancer. I questioned God why do our family had to experience all these pain again. Did I not pray enough for Him to hear my prayers? There were so many thoughts running on my head but we had to press on for Tito Erick. To still believe and keep praying that he will be healed. We kept Uncle Awhee's passing from Tito Erick. We even blocked him on Facebook so he won't see any post on Uncle Awhee's sudden death. During Uncle Awhee's wake, we were just amazed on how God poured out His love and provision through the help of the many people who loved Uncle Ahwee. Tito Erick's condition then was getting better. He regained some strength, enough to reply to us in our family's group chat. Every morning he would send some selfies to us to let us know that he is getting better. He found out about Uncle Awhee's passing when he saw a post from his high school batch mate but thank God during that time he was already able to take all the news in.

He then had a reswab and we were hoping that if it turned out to be negative, he will be transferred to a regular room. But the next day before dawn, on Lolo Ama's birthday, Tito Erick's oxygen levels dropped which then required him to be intubated. After two hours of being in critical condition, his heart stopped beating. The doctors tried to revive him but to no avail. It was so painful seeing his body lifeless through a video call. The whole day we were on iyak-tulala-iyak-tulala mode. We were so devastated. It felt like the enemy knew exactly where to attack me, that it found my Achilles heel, and it is succeeding. I already had thoughts of giving up and turning away from serving Him. He must have been punishing me for not being bold enough to do more for Him. But then I never heard my family questioned God. Yes, they couldn't understand why all these are happening, but they never once turned away from God. I thought I have the strongest faith, but theirs were stronger. God is still good, because despite of all what happened, He has made everyone in the family stronger in faith. He has reminded us how He has blessed us with a family that is so full of love, and that we are loved not just by Him but by the people that He has surrounded us with. I praise God for my spiritual family, ministry and friends who have helped me to stand when I couldn't, reminded me that I am not alone, and that God sees our pain and He is the only one who can turn it to joy. This wasn't the testimony I was hoping to share but God's thoughts are higher than mine. He has a different healing testimony He wanted me to share, not just for me, but for the whole family. Healing does not come in an instant. And until now, we are all still healing, slowly, taking it day by day. There are days that I still find myself dazed as if everything was just a dream. And same goes for them in the Philippines, in and out of loneliness and what ifs. But praise God we have each other to constantly remind ourselves that God is a good God and in Him, our broken hearts can be made whole again. As God promised in Revelations 21:5, "Behold, I make all things new," He is giving us a new heart. He is renewing our spirits day by day. He is making us lean more on Him, trust Him that all these are for our good, and draw closer and closer unto Him. He is our refuge and strength. At the end of day, He is a sovereign God. I may not have control on everything but He has. And He has me and my family on the palm of His hands. Here's a spontaneous song when I was pouring and crying myself out to God. It is only in His presence that we can find healing.

THERE IS MORE. Every year, I would always have a bible verse declaration for myself and just before 2021 entered, instead of a verse, He gave me a whole chapter, Ezekiel 47. And it dawned on me, how it is unfolding before my eyes, that all these things that has happened on the first half of the year is teaching me and molding me to lean more and more on Him so I could go deeper and deeper into my relationship with Him. I look forward that after everything, I will receive my inheritance! That all these is for my good and a preparation for what is ahead. This is a beginning of a new chapter of my life and my walk with Him! What a great and loving God He is and I will forever praise Him with my life! Oh praise and glory be upon Him, the King of kings, Lord of lords, Lover of my Soul, my Lord and Saviour, Jesus! "As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and then led me through water that was ankle-deep. He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through water that was knee-deep. He measured off another thousand and led me through water that was up to the waist. He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in—a river that no one could cross. He asked me, “Son of man, do you see this?” "Then He led me back to the bank of the river. When I arrived there, I saw a great number of trees on each side of the river. He said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, where it enters the Dead Sea. When it empties into the sea, the salty water there becomes fresh. Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live. Fishermen will stand along the shore; from En Gedi to En Eglaim there will be places for spreading nets. The fish will be of many kinds—like the fish of the Mediterranean Sea. But the swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt. Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.” ~Ezekiel 47:3-12

#bagongyugto #newbeginnings #healing #newheart #newfire #new perspective

[iamjhosel]

Wandering in Wonder in Melaka: Day 1

So I guess hitting 30 would really make you sentimental. Out of the blue, a few days before my birthday week, I had the urge to go on a solo travel. Then and there I booked a 2 days and 1 night trip to Melaka. With no itinerary or plans whatsoever (I only read through some blogs where to go and what to eat in Melaka), I told myself to just go wherever my feet leads me. It will be two days of spontaneity, wandering and just fun.

I took the 730 Starmart Express bus to Melaka. There were only four of us on the trip so the whole ride was rather ‘silent’. I slept through almost the entire ride.

Sunrise at Kallang River.

The whole trip took longer than I expected. We reached Melaka Sentral at around 1230, almost five hours, with one stop over at the 3rd hour. Melaka Sentral is still few kilometers away from the main tourist spots so I grabbed a quick lunch before heading to Gate 17 for another 15-20 minutes bus ride.

Bus ride from Melaka Sentral to Dutch Square costs RM2.

There were already a few tourists in Dutch Square when we arrived even amidst the scorching sun. When I got off the bus, I instantaneously loved Melaka. The red bricks and the red buildings were just sooo enchanting. It exudes a homey vibe. It felt like I was in Naga. Maybe because of its rich heritage just like Naga’s. I wouldn’t mind visiting Melaka over and over again sometime in the future.

Victoria Fountain at the heart of Dutch Square.

Christ Church, the oldest Protestant church in Malaysia.

Stadthuys, a replica of the former town hall.

Just across the street, you can see Melaka River already and just across the bridge would be the infamous Jonker Street. Jonker Street also known as Jonker Walk is where you can find souvenir shops, boutiques, quirky cafes, artsy buildings, temples and mosque.

Melaka River.

Jonker Street Entrance

Found a Sangkaya stall while strolling Jonker Street. I read about it in one blog so I gotta try their ice cream.

Sangkaya Signature Coconut Ice cream. It was delish, plus you can add on your toppings yourself so you could put as much as you want!

After strolling around Jonker Walk, I then headed to Rucksack Caratel to check in. It was just a few minutes walk from Dutch Square. Rucksack is a small hotel but OMG I could definitely live there. It’s so artsy fartsy. The interior of the entire hotel was so enchanting. I totally loved the garden view. Although their breakfast menu was so-so, all in all, I definitely enjoyed my stay at Rucksack. It was ranked #2 in Specialty Lodging by Tripadvisor.

Rucksack Caratel 

 Caravan Rooms at Rucksack Caratel

Common Area at  Rucksack Caratel

Pool, Rucksack Caratel 

I got a Deluxe King Garden View room. Its complete with everything, hair dryer, room slippers, small safe and all! I even loved the scent of their shampoo and bath gel!    

After freshening up a bit, I headed out to St. Paul’s Hill, Dutch Graveyard, and A’Famosa.

St. Paul Church Ruins at the top of St. Paul Hill.

View on top of St. Paul’s Hill.

Selling pastel paintings inside St. Paul.

Also on the hill is Dutch Graveyard where some Dutch officers and British officials during the 17th century were buried. I didn’t dare go further in coz nobody went inside actually, I only got enchanted by a cat at the path walk. Haha.  

Going down St Paul’s Hill.

A’Famosa, "The Famous" in Portuguese, is a Portuguese fortress during the 15th Century.

I didn’t know where I was heading to but I just walked and walked until I found these arrays of museums, train exhibits.

Train Exhibit at the middle of nowhere.

Muzium UMNO (United Malays National Organisation), a museum on history and Malaysian politics.

A few steps away is the Menara Taming Sari, the 360-view tower which I earlier saw at the top of St. Paul’s Hill. I wanted to go up but then my ringgit wasn’t enough coz I didn’t expect that Rucksack will ask for RM100 deposit (which of course they’ll give you back when you check out). I have only exchanged 50sgd which is equivalent to RM150 for this trip coz I intend to enjoy and soak more in the beauty of Melaka rather than shopping. There were no money changer in the building so I asked a kind lady where was the nearest money changer in the area. She told me to go to some place.

I tried to follow her directions but I couldn’t find any money changer until I found myself at the Melaka River Cruise port. This was so spontaneous indeed and since I was already there so why not take it! Ticket was only at RM15. The cruise was around 45minutes with a voice over explaining the history of the places. I loved how the walls were all painted with artsy murals.

The river cruise will take you around the Heritage City. 

More murals along the river banks!

I so love this area called Kampung Morten. It doesn’t show much in this pic but its a village of traditional Malay houses. They were able to preserve the village through time. It looks like small houses on stilts, reminds of my great grandmother, Lola Minang’s house. We used to play there when I was very very little, like it’s one of my oldest memories.

I had just to take a snap of this old man on a bike. I was smiling to myself when I saw him. I know I am weird but even from afar he speaks to me loudly of contentment. He’s prolly on the way home or maybe just out for an afternoon exercise or what-have-yous. I could even imagine him whistling a song while cycling. To be content, joyful in what you have and have not, and have a peaceful heart, that’s what I pray, at the end of the day. 

Even the birds speaks to me of never giving up and never leaving the people who’s dear to you! I thought she’d be flying away, but she just changed position. I know I am still a work in progress on this. As much as I am faithful, and even the enneagram categorized me as ‘The Loyalist’, I struggle on keeping my long distance relationships. (With the exception of my family of course, whose I am in contact with every single day). I am guilty of not being intentional in contacting my far far away friends. I miss them and I pray I’d be a better friend. Sorry na Ate Ace, Jek, Zaza, Zyra, Bhing, Ruth, Laopos JITS.

After the cruise I took a stroll in the river bank near Jonker area, discovering artsy alleys and snapping everything that amuses me.

Kota Melaka, The Malacca Port, remains of the gateway to the city.

Walkin’ round the river bank!

Kiehls Heritage Wall which looks like Hadji Lane the environmentalist version.

I love these trees, they’re all over Melaka! I saw it before at Boss Hotel after church. They are the literal representation of the bible verse ‘Set your minds on things above’. Hehe. I am always fascinated how all its branches are all facing up. Beautiful reminder! 

I then went to Calanthe Art Café. This was one of the must go to cafes I read in one blog. Surely enough, the place was awesome. They served coffees named after the 13 states of Malaysia. I had Malacca coffee and Penang Laksa. It was soooo delicious, I totally dig it!

Calanthe Art Cafe, home of Malaysia’s 13 States’ Coffee 

13 States’ Coffee, Calanthe Art Cafe

Artsy installations at Calanthe Art Cafe

And more installations! How innovative! Calanthe Art Cafe

Calanthe Laksa, their signature dish, this was suggested by their friendly waiter and OMG its the bomb! I so loved how its spicyness and thickness are just right, the flavor was on point and the curry wasn’t overpowering. I give it a five-stars! Oh the chili was good too!

Since I’m in Melaka of course I chose Melaka coffee. It was a bit weak for me tho, I want my coffee a bit stronger, but I enjoyed it still. Would love to try the rest of the states’ coffee on my next visit.

I walked around the area one last round, and then I headed to the mall to buy some chips and water. I was planning to watch movies that night but they were showing Insidious 3 on HBO so I just slept it off instead. Hahaha.

Oh so comfy bed!

Day 1 was fun. I was initially scared that I would get lost because I was navigating without a map so I was actually proud of myself that I was able to get to the hotel without wifi or map. Hahaha. I realized too that no matter how you want to go solo or isolate yourself, you hafta interact with others. Since in the morning I was able to interact with everyone in the bus including the driver. Hehe. Its okay to talk to strangers, of course you have to be on your guard, but its actually fun to interact with random strangers. You get to know different kinds of people. One local I talked to even ask for a picture after our small talks. 

Spontaneity is good too. Sometimes you don’t need plans, you just hafta go along where your feet leads you. Its God’s reminder that at the end of the day, its not our plans or our will that could be the best for us. But surely when we follow His leading, we could expect for the best!

P.S. Oh yeah, I found the money changer in Jonker Street. Tip: Have enough cash going around, it took me a while finding for the money changer. Hehe.

#solotravel #travel #wander #wonder #melaka #birthdaytrip #30yrsloved

[iamjhosel]

When Kingdom Beyond 5 was just starting as a lifegroup, I was really asking God to give me courage to lead His people because although I have said yes to God and I know I could give more, part of me was still apprehensive and fearful. I was praying for God to lead me as I lead people. Then one day, the news about what happened to you broke out in our lifegroup. I was on duty so I checked through the Bed Management System to find which ward were you on. Diagnosis: Post Amputation and Replantation. Just reading through your diagnosis already broke my heart so I told the group I would be checking on you that day. On the way to your ward, I was praying that, one, you were already awake after your very long procedure; two, to give me the courage to approach you as I am a complete stranger to you (I was rehearsing on my mind how to introduce myself, a friend/churchmate of the nephew of the boss of your sister); three, I would be able to minister to you. And there you were, looking exhausted and grim after hours and hours of your operation, replanted arm still in “incubation”. But despite all that I saw how strong you are. The way you handled what happened to you and your presence of mind were unbelievable. I knew, then, you could endure. Learning that you weren’t really based on Singapore and your ship just so happened to be in the area when the accident happened, I could only imagine how you might be feeling being all alone in a hospital of a foreign country. From that moment when you said that you’ve accepted that no family members or friend might be able to come since you don’t know anyone here or maybe only one would be allowed by your company, it was clear to me that God was using me and the lifegroup to let you know and feel that you are never alone. God sees you, God cares for you, and more importantly, God loves you. Weeks after weeks of visiting you and praying for you together with Mae, Marion, Kuya John and the rest of the group, I saw how God moved through your life and your family’s. Favors and favors came. See, not just one but almost all of your sisters came, your girlfriend and even more strangers came to see you. Every day, there is miracle! Every day, there is healing! That grim look from Day 1 became cheerful and playful even. Your family’s strength and faith is remarkable too. We’ve cried buckets reading Ate Marilen's letter for you. Seeing all them staying strong for you was just so inspiring. You are beyond blessed with them. So when you were discharged after two months, we rejoiced with you and praise God that indeed He never fails! Your story has taught me a lot and has inspired the whole lifegroup to really press on in faith. The Word says if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can move mountains. Nothing will be impossible for you. Continue holding on to Him, walk with Him and seek Him and in His time, I believe you will be fully restored. Take every day as a blessing. As you continue in your therapies, believe that miracle is happening. The best is yet to come for your life! More so, my prayer was answered. God made me realize that more than courage, what I needed in this calling is to have a heart like Jesus, to genuinely love, care and minister to people even strangers. So today, on your birthday, let me pray for you once again: Father God, we praise You for the life of Erwin. Thank You for the strength and courage You are giving Him every day. Lord I believe that You are doing Your work in Him each day. You have beautiful plans for His life, Lord, let him see it, feel it and live it. May Your presence be with Him every day and that he may tangibly feel You in every scene of His life. Lord, I declare healing and restoration be upon him, physically, emotionally, spiritually. May He always feel Your love Lord and may He always be reminded that You will never leave Him or forsake Him. Lord use Him to be a vessel of your goodness and faithfulness. Lord I extend this prayer to his family and even for Shauna. May your love continue to bind all of them together in harmony. Lord, thank You. Indeed You are the author of our life! You are a great and loving God! May you continually be glorified in his life. We praise You, we worship You, in Jesus’ mighty name, we pray! Blessed Birthday, Inggo! Jesus loves you! ~From Kingdom Beyond 5

[iamjhosel]

A Father's Love

I was asked by my colleague to take her patient's vital signs in one of our single room. I haven't seen this particular patient but I knew that it was a male patient. And so when I entered the room and found two women sleeping soundly in the bed instead, I was a bit confused. It was six in the morning and it was still dark with the lights off. "I'm here", the patient said. Indeed, there he was at the far corner of the room sitting on the chair, drips and all. Apparently, he woke up and saw his wife and daughter sleeping on the chair. He insisted that they sleep in the bed instead since he has been lying down the whole day. They heeded after the patient persisted. I was amazed and reminded once again of how great a father's love is. Despite of his condition, despite of what he is feeling and despite of everything, he was still so caring to his wife and daughter. He willingly sacrificed his own comfort for the comfort of his loved ones. He did not think about himself but thought of his family instead. Truly a father's love is unconditional; in the same way that our Father in heaven lavishes His love on us. He so graciously loves us that while we are still sinners and deserves none of this love, He sacrificed His own Son to die for our sins and even calls us His children. I could not fathom how great is His love for us! It is immeasurable, overflowing and goes beyond what we can ever imagine! Beautiful reminder this morning. I am more than blessed to be His daughter! I praise you Father with my life! For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. ~John 3:16 Sleeping with a happy heart. Hello, break. Thank you Lord for this rest. #buhaynars #postgraveyardshiftthoughts

[iamjhosel]

Dress up Saturday just because.. #ootd #metime #monthlydate

#monthlydate #metime #ootd

[iamjhosel]

And so its time for my annual birthday tribute project! *drum rolls* My 29th goes to KA4 Family! From KA11 to KA4, they were the ones who really pushed me to come out of my shell and make my star shine bright. Paulit ulit, pero I can never thank God enough for giving me this beautiful family. We've all been through a lot as a group and individually but I am just so blessed to witness how God works in each of our lives. Each has a story to tell, beautiful stories that I am blessed to hear and be part of. Salamat ng madami. I know there is more to come and I declare this kainos year will really be the best time of all our lives! I love you all but God loves us the most!<3 Full list of the birthday project is at bit.ly/1PqrQf0 If you read this all, you'll practically know almost of my whole life story. Hehe.

[iamjhosel]

BISITA

Ngumiti ka Sige ngiti pa Ibigay mo ang ngiti ng isang taong buo ng isang taong puno Tandaan mo sanay ka nang wala siya Kaya sige ngitian mo siya Wag mong pansinin ang mga lubid na nag bubuhol buhol sa sikmura mo Hindi ka dapat bumigay sa gulat ng makita siyang muli Matatag ka na Hindi ka mayayanig nito Hindi ka na dapat mayanig nito Bakit hindi mo siya alukin ng mauupuan? Bakit hindi mo siya ipagtimpla ng kape? At wag mong ipapahahalata na kabisado mo pa rin ang timpla nya na ayaw nya ng gatas at ang asukal  dapat isa lang na kutsarita At habang hinahalo mo ito, wag mong bibilangin ang dami ng beses na ginawa mo ito At maraming pang bagay para sa kanya Para sa kanya Hindi ito ang oras para maging mahina Susubukan nyang kausapin ka Pakinggan mo Ipagpaliban ang mga libu libong tanong na nakapila sa isipan mo Matatag ka na hindi ba? At kapag ngumiti siya, ibaling mo ang tingin mo sa iba Tumingin ka sa kisame, sa sahig, sa mga linya sa kanyang mga mukha na dati’y wala naman doon ‘Wag mong sasabihin na noon, noong nawala siya Ilang beses kang naging haliging asin dahil sa iyong paglingon Na hanggang ngayon ay may mga galos ka pa rin sa iyong mga kamay sa kasusubok na hilahin siyang pabalik Na ang kanyang mga halik ay bumibisita pa rin sa iyong panaginip Tatanungin niya kung kamusta ka na Sabihin mo mabuti ako Wag mong sasabihin na heto gumuguho nanaman ako dahil sa pagbabalik mo Na mas kilala ko pa rin ang kung sino ako nang na sa tabi mo Ako ay isang lihim na tanging ikaw lang ang may alam At anong silbi ng isang sekretong nalimutan? Wag kang madudurog sa harap niya Pero ngitian mo siya Ngitian mo siya Kumapit ka sa kasalukuyan hanggat sa may makakapitan ka pa Ngitian mo siya At kapag nagpaalam na siya Wag mong ibagsak ang pinto Marahan mo itong isara Sana matagpuan mong malinis pa rin ang silid At kung anumang bahagi mo ang napilas at nabaklas Sana tinangay na niya Siya naman ang magdala

~Juan Miguel Severo, Spoken Poetry, OTWOL 14.1.16

#juan miguel severo #spoken word poetry #poem #otwol #love

[iamjhosel]

[iamjhosel]

8 LIFE RULES TO LIVE BY

During our LTS Caravan Days, we would usually start our session by laying down these Ground Rules for the participants and facis to abide. Late last year, I was reminded again of these rules. I was asked to complete this prase: In this holiday season, I will.. and I said I will be in the moment. I will be here, be now.

And so for 2016 (and the coming years), I’d like to go back to my LTS days again and follow these eight rules to live by.

Rule #1 BE SAFE. In anything and in everything, always be safe. You can try new adventures, explore, take risks but know when to stop and when it will compromise your safety. Health is wealth so just take John Lloyd’s advice: Ingat.

Rule #2 BE HERE. BE NOW. In the age of smartphones, do not be a robot. Know when to keep your phone and enjoy the moment. Be engaged. Establish real and meaningful relationships by being there and giving your full attention to whatever you are doing. Be now. Do not worry of tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself.

Rule #3 NO ZINGER. Think before you speak. Your words can make or break someone so don’t give unnecessary and unsolicited remarks. Also, do not be a killjoy.

Rule #4 LISTEN. Learn to listen. Listen with your ear, with your mind, with your heart and with your hands.

Rule #5 HOT COMMUNICATION. Always be honest, open and truthful. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Always have healthy and meaningful conversations.

Rule #6 BE RESPONSIBLE. And be accountable.

Rule #7 OBSERVE CONFIDENTIALITY. Be trustworthy.

Rule #8 TOYS - Take Off Your Shoes. Treat everyone equally and fairly, regardless of profession, race or religion. Also, stay grounded and be humble.

#liferules #lts #camprules

#lts #liferules #1 #camprules #3 #2 #5 #4 #7 #6 #8 #rules #life #leadership

[iamjhosel]

10 RANDOM THOUGHTS FROM TODAY’S CYCLING AT CHANGI BEACH PARK

1. You can’t get everything in an instant. Sometimes you hafta wait. It may be for a minute, hours, days, months or years. Be patient. Your turn will come.

2. To each is his own gift. You may lack a skill or two but your weakness might be someone else’s strength. They may be your family, friends, colleagues or even strangers. Be humble enough to ask help from them.

3. Sometimes you gotta adjust your pace depending on the road you’re taking. There are times you hafta run fast, slow down a lil or even take a U-turn. Learn to be flexible.

4. Be motivated. It’s okay to give yourself lil rewards everytime you accomplish something. It doesn’t need to be extravagant, it can be as simple as a hefty meal or an extra sleep. 10 pedals = 1 lechon kawali.

5. There are times you just can’t keep going forward. You hafta take a break. Rest. Reflect. Appreciate. Then you can get back on track all pumped up!

6. Stay on track. Always remember your goal and why you are doing what you’re doing in the first place. Focus.

7. Explore. Discover new places. But take in mind that not all paths you see should be taken, you also hafta know when to stop, turn back and let it go.

8. Savour every minute. Learn to enjoy and love what you do.

9. “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine| You make me happy when skies are grey| You never know, dear, how much I love you| Please don’t take my sunshine away.” Sing. Dance. Giggle. Clap, even. Even when it rains, always have a sunshiny attitude.😊

10. A journey is more fun when shared with people you love. Treasure friendships. Value your family. Keep relationships. They are God’s tangible manifestation of His love!

– Praise God for a fun January 1st!

#random #thoughts #changibeachpark #cycling

[iamjhosel]

The year that was. A year of healing and restoration, of persistence and resiliency, of rising up and growing, of exploring and discovering, of dreaming and making it into reality, of making mistakes and learning, of building frienships and making memories, of favors and breakthroughs, of faithfulness and God's faithfulness. Thank you, 2015. Hello, 2016. The year that is. #happynewyear #kainos (at Singapore)

#kainos #happynewyear

[iamjhosel]

It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing. It doesn’t interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive. It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring your moon. I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life’s betrayals or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain!I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it, or fix it. I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own, if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, to be realistic, to remember the limitations of being human. It doesn’t interest me if the story you are telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself; if you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul; if you can be faithless and therefore trustworthy. I want to know if you can see beauty even when it’s not pretty, every day,and if you can source your own life from its presence. I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand on the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, “Yes!” It doesn’t interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up, after the night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done to feed the children. It doesn’t interest me who you know or how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back. It doesn’t interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you, from the inside, when all else falls away. I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.

Oriah Mountain Dreamer, The Invitation

[iamjhosel]

The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it.

[iamjhosel]

[iamjhosel]

[iamjhosel]