My Wedding Vow

Today marks a very significant day in our lives. Yes, OUR lives. We are now one and can never be taken apart. We have been through some challenges and I am blessed to have a person like you with me. You have saved me for many times and now promise to be with me forever as we would live. The Lord has given me you to see the beauty of life through your love. 

Thank you for loving me as I am and I would do my best to:

provide what is needed to be provided;

understand what is mostly misunderstood;

be there during the times that you thought I would never be;

laugh with you and make life lighter;

be your remote control when the batteries are dead;

fan you when the AC is broken;

warm up your food when we still can't afford a microwave;

wait patiently until you finish your rituals in the bathroom just to make sure you are perfect for me;

buy you things that would make you smile even if I you have it in another color;

drive you around places just for us to be together in long drives;

control my snoring even if I don't know if I snore that much;

listen to every word you say without covering my ears or listening to my iPod;

share the internet connection so that you can update your Facebook page with our sweet pictures;

take time to take pictures with you even if I don't feel like taking my pictures at all;

give you the bigger part of the bed and allow you to have more pillows if you would like;

tell you everyday how much you mean to me;

kiss you a "Good morning" everyday even if we would be miles away because of work;

be the Man that you believe me to be;

and

Love you until eternity.

All this and more, I would do my best to fulfill as your friend, companion, and husband. In front of this beautiful crowd and in front of God, I am telling you all this.

I love you.

<3

I'm still single.

At the age of 23, I still have a lot of dreams. I have graduated from school, got through my first job, made my way until I reached Dubai. Some say that I have somehow reached it. I think so I have. I have a happy family, a great circle of friends and an amazing and supporting God. Yes, I have it all. and I am very thankful and happy for all of them.

At some point, there are times that I would miss a certain feeling. It's hard to explain how this feelings goes but I guess it's the best feeling ever. I am a hopeless romantic. I have written stories of love and ever after but the truth is, I have never made mine. I'm not frustrated at all about how things go with my love life. I'm happy with my life but I'm sure that I would be happier if I would spend it with someone.

Tonight, I was able to watch a short wedding video and I became teary eyed after seeing it. My heart was pounding but i didn't know why. Maybe because I miss the feeling of being with someone that would make me smile for no other reason but love. It has been years and I know that my heart has rested enough. I don't wanna be hurt again but I am willing to take the risk. It's gonna be a hard leap but I'll take the challenge.

Third Sunday of Lent 2012

Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves,as well as the money changers seated there.He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables, and to those who sold doves he said, “Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.” His disciples recalled the words of Scripture, Zeal for your house will consume me. At this the Jews answered and said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body. Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they came to believe the Scripture and the word Jesus had spoken.While he was in Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, many began to believe in his name when they saw the signs he was doing. But Jesus would not trust himself to them because he knew them all, and did not need anyone to testify about human nature. He himself understood it well.

-JN 2: 13-25-

Challenges will always be part of our lives and we can't deny the fact that many times we would feel hopeless and alone in facing them. The Lord is always there and would never leave us. For He knows each of our capacity and how we would deal with each challenge He has for us. He is calling us and is waiting for us to hear that call. Have to responded to any of God's call to you? How did you deal with the challenges that God gave you? How is your relationship with the Lord? Did it make you closer to God?

During the past week, challenges made me feel down and alone. I felt that they overpowered me and i was going down the drain. I became hopeless and was letting it control me. I was flying like a bubble; going to uncertain directions and ready to burst. All of a sudden I remember the angel that I met when I was on the verge of breaking. I met him in the lift and it was very unexpected for me. God sent me an angel and I now remember that God loves me.

It was a week which was the same as this week; challenges were running off the hook and I was breaking down as I would walk to work. I went into the lift to go to my floor but I was not alone. I was with a teenage guy wearing his school uniform. I never said anything nor looked at him. I was looking at the floor contemplating on how things would work. A few floors before mine, the lift stopped and it was for the boy. Right before he stepped out, unexpected words came out of his mouth.

"God bless you Pare! :)"

I smiled but was speechless at the same time. I had goosebumps and I felt God was with me right from the start. Yes! He is with me and I am loved by Him.

Today at church, I felt the same thing. When the priest asked us to spread and share God's peace, someone beside me flashed a very warm and touching smile of peace. I smiled back and it felt very good. I felt I was touched by God. He is calling me and I am very willing to answer His call. I am very willing to serve Him.

My Prayer

"Lord, I am your servant and I am willing to serve you. Grant me the guidance to do so as i am hearing your call. My work may stop me from joining some communities Lord but I know that this won't stop me from serving you with my life and my heart. You have saved me, have been behind me, and loved me from the start. Oh God, you are amazing and all powerful. Continue to guide me Lord as I spend the days of my life praising. Guide me Lord in following your call to serve you in this new world and as I face the challenges you have prepared. Send me your Holy Spirit so that I would be safe, away from injury, abuse, injustice and sickness. Protect me Lord from being sad, feeling depressed and be trapped in the dark. I know Lord that you are behind me and I can do this for your glory. Amen."

Becky Nights - MORE! :)

It was back in July 2011 when I downloaded a Becky Night Podcast. The feeling was mixed as I didn’t understand what the show was all about. If I remember correctly, I downloaded 4 episodes and listened to them before I would go to sleep. The humor and open minded theme of the show gave me a refreshing thing to listen to. It was new to me and I know that I would be hooked.

The show brought laughter to me as the jokes were thrown over the conversations. The hosts were funny, witty and never boring. I didn’t care of I was listening to a “Becky” show. It gave me a good feeling. It gave me a very good impression.

Now that I’m here in Dubai, the interest for the show grew bigger. I was able to get the courage to call the show via Skype and talked to them. The topic: the Oracle for the New Year. I asked the guest Oracle if I can go home for vacation in 2012. Sad to hear, it was a no.

I never realized that doing the first call would give the confidence to call them every week. Even if I was at work, calling them would be part of the routine every Monday. They would make me giggle, smirk a smile and even feel irritated with some problems the callers would tell. Somehow, the show was serotonin to me. It made happy. They made me happy.

To know that the show is nearing its end for the season, a few questions popped in: “Wala na ba talagang Becky Nights? Hindi ba pwedeng may season 3? Paano na ang mga Lunes ko dito sa Dubai? Paano ka kaming mga listeners?”

As a listener, I want them to continue with the show. It does a very magical thing to those who feel down and sad. It elates people and makes them smile to life. They have made a difference with the show and it should continue.

As a correspondent for the show, it is best that we would go on, continue. I myself know that I haven’t brought much for the show but I know that we can still contribute more. A simple update from Dubai is all I do but for me, the pride in giving information is more than what one can imagine. I am not famous and it is not my goal. What drives me to do what I do? – touching lives. The same way the show has touched mine and people all over the world. The show is one crazy pack but it makes sense.

I want to hear more from these guys: Jake Galvez, Matt Gozun, Buern Rodriguez and Divine Lee.

I want to hear more from the beckies all over the world.

I want to hear more from BECKY NIGHTS.

-donitoh-

Second Sunday of Lent

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and led them up a high mountain on their own by themselves. There in their presence he was transfigured: his clothes became brilliantly white, whiter than any earthly bleacher could make them. Elijah appeared to them with Moses; and they were talking to Jesus. Then Peter spoke to Jesus, "Rabbi,' he said, 'it is wonderful for us to be here; so let us make three shelters, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." He did now know what to say; they were so frightened. And a cloud came, covering them in shadow; and from the cloud there came a voice, "This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him." Then suddenly, when they looked around, they saw no one with them anymore but only Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain he warned then to tell no one what they had seen, until after the Son of man had risen from the dead. They observed the warning faithfully, though among hemselves they discussed what 'rising from the dead' could mean.

-MK 9; 2-10-

Many things can happen in a week and we should all be greatful of what the Lord has given us. There are sitations that would lead us to learn, some even would hurt us. Human as we are, we all want to be happy in life. This would mean that we don't want to feel fear, doubt or sadness. It is normal that we seek and long for things that would make us happy and dread the things that would do the opposite. The Lord knows what is best for us and has planned for what we will be in life.

Our prayers can guide us into what he wants us to be. They are our means of communication. It is like talking to him and telling him of the things that happen to you. Prayer is us talking to God. A simple yet neglected act by almost all of us. Many if us ask and say sorry but never say thank you in praying.

Whatever our destinies maybe, the Lord wants us to be with him and be like him. This season of Lent it is our task to begin a life like his. We should all carry our cross and bring them to our own Calvary. We have choices to make each and everyday as we live and all he want us to do is to remember him in making these choices. A life centered in God is a life that he wants us to have. Of course, there are circumstances that our life gets on the other track. He understands, we just have to pray, repent and turn to the right track.

My Prayer

"Lord, you have been with us all throughout and we have neglected to acknowledge your presence.You have guided us to the right road yet we chose to hurt you by doing things on our own. We are asking for your forgiveness Lord and we will repent from sin. Be with us this season and as always for us to be guided to the right road, to your road. Let us be inspired with your life and give us the courage to share it so as to touch others as well. We are weak Lord but with you, we will be strong. Be with us as we repent from sin and turn to your word. Save us from our doings and let us start a new life with you, oh Lord. Be with us as the days continue to unfold this Lenten season. Amen."