Would you believe that I'm still partly speechless about the camp? Well, in some ways I am. I can't help but smile when I remember the entire thing. Ah. God, You are awesome.

It was actually a normal camp...and I've been to a lot of camps already, I've lost count. I've been serving in YFC for 6 years (5, if you don't count the one year inactivity), but by far, this has been the best camp I've ever been in. From the start of the planning up to its very last minute -- every second of the "camp period" was an amazing display of God's power. Who wouldn't be driven speechless by that? All I could say about the camp was, "Astig. Ang galing." I can't provide any explanation or whatsoever that could probably elaborate how it became so.

On the personal level, God told me a lot of things during the camp. Firstly, I know that my energy for the three days was all from Him and nothing from me -- if I got the strength from myself I wouldn't have been able to stay awake. Second, He reminded me that I'm still His. It's kind of hard to explain here, but during the tongues workshop and the night worship, His message to me was I'm His, and that He is the only one I could live for. Which is what I really needed to know. He showed me how He provides and that I shouldn't worry about money matters. I've spent a lot more than I wanted to spend in the camp, and most of it wasn't for me but for the camp expenses. I didn't feel bad afterwards, though. God bless the timing of the Reuben Morgan ticket selling commission arriving. And though things are still pretty tight with me, I know it's gonna be alright. And finally, He made me realize that He doesn't forget the promises we made with Him. Kind of like in Bruce Almighty, when Bruce told God that he'd meet him on 7:00 on the 7th. He made me realize that He remembers everything we promise Him.

I also realized that I'm getting older, YFC-wise. I hung out with Tuesday and Engel during the second day, and we talked about..."oldie" stuff. Haha. Technically, I'm old in YFC years, but I'm still young in age, but reading Arven's letter told me I act like an "ate" to all of them. Which I would have detested immediately (I don't like being called "ate" because I wasn't used to it), but now I've accepted the fact that, well, I'm getting "older". Haha. Like what I heard from someone when I was still in high school based -- being called an "ate" means you are respected. And I know it entails a lot more responsibility, but I believe God put me here for a reason.

There are a lot more things I could say about the camp, but I'm seriously running out of words. Can I just say? I love it when God leaves me speechless. Weird for someone like me, especially since I love to talk, but somehow, not being able to utter a word seems a lot better than being able to describe every detail. :D

Before I finish this entry, let me do one last honoring to the people who were at the camp. I've been doing honorings since last Saturday, but one more wouldn't hurt. (Though I don't know if they're going to read this. ^^; )

To all the new YFC members: WELCOME TO YFC! I honor you guys for taking the risk of coming to the camp, even if you have absolutely no idea what is going to happen there. I am proud of you all, for committing to Christ and committing to YFC as well. Seeing all of you there in the camp is already a miracle, and seeing you all sing and praise God is even more overwhelming. I hope that you all will see what a wonderful life God has to offer you, and remember that we will all just be here for you, as your new second family. Looking forward to knowing all of you. :D

To all service team: It's been an honor serving with you all. It would not have been the same without you guys. I saw God in each and every one of you, and I am truly blessed to be a part of this family. Like what Rocky said -- this is just the start! We still have a long way to go, and it's not going to be easy, but we're all in this together. I love you all!

To the Docu team: Of course, special mention! Niki, Steph, James, Jay T., Gigie, Prince -- you guys made me proud. I'm blessed to have you all. I'll save the rest of my honorings during our household.

And last, but not the least, To God: Everything starts and ends with You. You're the BEST. You're AWESOME. You're WONDERFUL. I could use all the adjectives I know but I still won't be able to describe You. I don't deserve whatever You bless me with, but still You make me worthy. You love me without conditions, and I can only do so much to return that love. Basta, Lord, MAHAL KITA!

Would you believe I wrote this entry for the entire day? Haha. I did. Now that camp is over...I'm back to normal programming. Not much to look forward to, except for households, but I'm okay. God makes everyday beautiful. :D Yeahbah!

One hour till quitting time here. Haha. God's day everyone, hope you're all fine. :D

I just got home from the 12th Youth for Christ International Leader’s Conference and even if I barely had any sleep, the heat was annoying, the place was dusty and I have no more voice…it’s still okay! Why? Because GOD IS ENOUGH! SOLO DIOS BASTA!

I’m really, really glad I got to go this year. Not only were there a lot of surprises for me there, I got to bond with the people I’m going to be serving God with next year, and I got to experience God’s love in the most amazing way possible. It didn’t matter if we finished at 1:00 am and our wake up call is at 3:30 am the next day, nor if the heat was totally unbearable. Everything was all for Him.

So blessed, I can’t contain it, so much I gotta give it away, Your love has taught me to live now…You are more than enough for me.

One thing the weekend has taught me is that I am so blessed to be where I am now. So blessed that it’s just impossible not to share it with other people. That’s why hearing all about the plans in Gawad Kalinga for the next year is exciting me more than ever. There’s Kalinga Luzon DLSU version next week (April 18-21), the adaption of Gawad Kalinga as a project of DLSU’s Student Council next year (this really sends me the shivers), GK Youth and SO MUCH MORE. I’d have to admit that GK wasn’t really my thing when it started, but now I can’t wait for it to begin! It’s gonna be one heck of a year ahead! I can’t wait to share His love to the people who needs it the most.

And I can’t wait for the day when everyone in the entire world will kneel down to Christ. That’s surely something to look forward to. 

Though I walk through valleys low, I fear no evil. By the waters still my soul, My heart will trust in You.

Of course, I could not stop thinking about our thesis again. The second talk in the conference helped me there – that no matter what happens, He is there for me and He will see us through. This is just a valley of shadows I have to pass through…but rest assured, He is there, and He will never leave me. “Alhough I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for You are beside me.” - Psalm 23:4. I just need to trust Him.

O God is enough for me, nothing else will ever be, and I am satisfied, for I have found my peace.

And it was repeated to me again: GOD IS ENOUGH. Always and forever, He alone will suffice. Though somehow, I am sort of past my personal struggle, I can’t stop thinking about it (especially because of the “surprise” I had during the weekend), and I have to keep on reminding myself that God would still be the only one who can complete me. And I’ll be offering myself up to Him. 

Till the end of my days I’d give my all…

I remember during my early years in YFC, I was talking about being able to go on stage during the ILC. I don’t know where, when and what I will do, but I wanted to be there even just for a while. And what do you know? I actually got to be on stage this year! Saturday night was the launch of the 100% PURE ministry of YFC, and they needed 100 virgins with conviction to stay 100% Pure to dance onstage. And I was actually a part of it! It was so fun dancing on stage – sobrang hyper! Really memorable.

And yes, I am daring to be 100% Pure. Pure in body, mind and spirit. It’s the way to go!

Plug! 100% PURE magazine will be out soon, only P50!

And I would give the world to tell Your story, because I know that You called me…Jesus I believe in You, and I would go to the ends of the earth for You alone are the Son of God, and all the world will see that You are God.

In 10 years, the world will kneel down to Christ. This was prophesied last 2003, and the target year is 2013. Every knee shall bend before Him. This is a big vision and it’s not a joke. And for this to happen, we must all be missionaries. It’s a scary world out there, and I am actually scared about it, but I know He will be there. ALL FOR HIM. I don’t know how I will do that, but I’m listening to Him.

SOLO DIOS BASTA! GOD ALONE IS ENOUGH!

AND NEXT YEAR! The ILC will be in DAVAO! AT LONG LAST! Haha…Rocky, our incoming EVP, was jumping up an down earlier because it’s his hometown. The Davao ILC has been preempted for two years already…and I pray this one pushes through (and that my schedule permits me to go!).

I’m really, really glad I got to go there. I missed this! As in! But now I am back to reality, and I have to study for LINALGE now. But first I’d have to take a bath. Godsday everyone!

They weren't the first Christian band I got to know. Their song wasn't the first Christian song I downloaded, nor listened to. But they were the first one I loved.


Jars of Clay-- Steve Mason, Dan Haseltine, Charlie Lowell and Matt Odmark

I first got to listen to them through Ate Grace. I was letting her listen to Hanging By A Moment by Lifehouse, when she said, "They sound like Jars of Clay." I knew then that Jars of Clay was a Christian band, but I don't know any of their songs.

The first song I got to download from them was Like A Child, and the moment I heard it, I fell in love. I was singing that song over and over again in school, and then I downloaded the second song, Love Song for a Savior and I listed them as one of my favorite bands.

A few months later, my friend let me borrow the cassette tape of their first album. That was when I first heard Worlds Apart and the first time I heard it clearly (as in understood the lyrics and all), I cried. I bawled my eyes out, because I was truly humbled by their song. I listened to their album over and over again and downloaded song after song until I almost memorized all of them.

There was some kind of lull in my love for Jars of Clay, when I discovered other Christian bands. But they were always there in the top list whenever I was asked who my favorite was.

I always thought that the only time I'd get to see them perform live was when I visit another country, until I saw the issue of FiSH magazine last December, with Jars of Clay on its cover. I saw that they will visit on February, but it wasn't sure yet, until news came and it WAS sure.

I could not believe it. This was my chance to see them live, and I made sure that I will watch it, no matter what.

Now it's two days before the BIG day, and I really can't wait. I pray that this will be like my Stephen Speaks experience, where I actually got to meet them, but it's okay that I am given a chance to watch them live, because it's really what I want to do. And I thank God for letting me be able to watch them.

I love them for their music, and I admit that I am crushing on Dan Haseltine big time, but most especially, I love them because of the way they show their faith. Out of all their 10 years in the music industry, they never went with the flow, but they went against it. They set an example, which a lot of other bands followed now. Their songs are sincere and it touches the hearts of those who really and truly listen to them. They used media to bring God to the people and even if they won a lot of awards already, they still acknowledged that it's all God's work, not theirs.

And again, let me say this: I will be able to watch them live on Wednesday.

Thank YOU, Lord.

"However, we carry this treasure in jars of clay, so that this all-surpassing power may not be seen as ours but God's."
- 2 Corinthians 4:7

Valentine's Day came and passed, and thankfully, it wasn't so bad. No repercussions of my past, which is a lot better than last year. In fact, the only time I saw him (my "past") was last night, and I wasn't fazed at all. I pray that this will start the normalcy between us. :D

Something nice and unexpected happened yesterday, though it wasn't really a big thing, and the only time I realized that it was worthy of being called nice was last night, when I learned what really happened.

*insert really big grin here*

That, and the little things that are happening now. Or earlier. Haha. I'm not saying anything (yet), but as of now, it's really, really nice.

Anyway...here's a thought for Valentine's Day, even if it's late. :D

"This is love: not that we loved God but He first loved us...so let us love one another since He loved us first." - 1 John 4:10,19

Belated Happy Heart's Day.