After almost 4 years of use, I said goodbye to my old Carlo Robelli cutaway and said hello to a new Yamaha APX5A guitar. That guitar and I have been through a lot. I first led praise and worship, wrote my first song with it, among other things. I still can’t afford my dream guitar which is a Taylor but in time, when I’m responsible enough (meaning when I have the dinero) to have a Taylor then I’ll probably get one.

I started off the search to a new guitar by setting my eyes on an ovation guitar. It was ok at first but I had a hard time positioning because of it’s dome shaped back *coughs* *it slips because I have a big belly and I really need to work out*. After trying it out for a day I decided to return it and replace it with the Yamaha ?.the reason why? Because marchesa liked it. He he he.

Earlier today I bought a plastic molded hard case for Yammy (Yamaha <--> Yammy). All in all, considering all the discounts I got from the guitar center at Plymouth Meeting, thanks mike, I’m gonna end up paying 40 bucks a month for 12 months ? no interest and that makes both me and my guitar happy ? because he has his case, and I have mine ;-).

I just want to greet my brother, Benex a very happy birthday! He won’t see this blog until it’s too late anyway so I’m posting a picture of him and his girl.

i really praise God for the things He’s done in my life…for what He’s given me, for those He’s given me, for the things He’s let me endure, even for teaching me to cry. He’s really raised my life from a little girl. I used to look at everyone older than me, everyone who could sing a lot better, play a lot nicer, teach and preach, and lead, and i wondered why God gave me a desire bigger than what my hands can carry. But along the way, I remember verses that i clung to when there was too much unfairness, or discouragement…He told me to wait, and i know He’s still telling me to wait. I still feel like a little girl trying to grow into the shoes i want to wear for His glory. I sometimes fool myself and others by showing them, pointing down to the shoes that are still a little big for me.

i think God is trying to teach me to walk in my own shoes. to walk what He has given me for now. to be patient. to be content with what i can do.

sometimes it’s hard being a young christian these days. you always end up comparing yourself to those around you. “can i serve like him?” “can i be as eloquent as her?” “can i be as intillegent with the Word?” “will people listen to me as they do to him?”

sometimes even praise and worship gets competitive between praise teams, churches, leaders…and leaders can’t get along with other leaders. the youth believe that they don’t measure up because of their age and ability.

i guess it’s just a human tendency to want….then to want more…to have more than others, to compare…to have the best…to be the best…

so i just want to stop here and thank God for the shoes He’s allowed me to fill so far, and for the life that’s a perfect fit. For even all this, all i have, is by His grace. It is something i have not earned, nor something i deserve.

i like the new icons, but since perze believes he looks like an alien in his profile pic, i’m gonna make some alternative ones, just so he can choose…

what do you guys think?
a) new icons
b) new marchesa icon
c) new perze icon
d) make them normal color
e) make them black and white

also, i have a twelvesixteen email account that i would want to use since i have more space than my hotmail, but i’m afraid that it’ll be all erased like before…hmmm….i do hate losing sentimental words over email. we’ll wait a while til i completely switch…but for now, to those who are reading…i have a second email: marchesa@twelvesixteen.net

perze, that reminds me too…i have to set up my teaching plans for the retreat…hmmmmmm…

as you may have noticed, the category icons are back! thank you marchesa for a great job.

I’m such a dork when it comes to the artsy stuff. For some reason, I can’t even give justice to stick figures. I’m beginning to think that the problem is too much exposure to instant stuff. When things get too convenient, patience tend to be reversely proportional to your level of convenience. I think I am unable to perform certain functions because I am too impatient to make one of my own. That is why google, is my friend.

I just want to say goodbye to the category icons until marchesa creates better ones. I want to consider other enhancements but for some reason, I just don’t have anymore time in my hands to do that stuff.

stories from the homefront

On a different note, I got the chance to txt with my mom last night. Everything seems pretty cool with the homefront. Both my younger brothers are now enrolled at Mindano State University. Benex is doing OK with his studies, Joshua had excellent grades so far, he is averaging a 1.5 GPA (equivalent to 3.5 here in the US) in his subjects through the first prelims. Milfe is teaching at the university now and is currently taking masters in Environmental Sciences, My Dad retired and is doing full time ministry while managing the business on the side. My mom is still teaching and is pretty happy about it.

What I’m really proud of is the time they spend involving themselves in the ministry. Both Benex and Joshua are with the worship ministry. They both play the guitar, Benex plays the Drums and Joshua plays the Bass as well. Milfe is discipling 4 college kids … I still can’t imagine my little sister discipling this kids. makes me happy and sad at the same time. Happy because they are investing in the real treasures, treasures that no thief can steal nor no moth can destroy … heavenly treasures. Sad because I’m not there to help out.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m very happy where I am. I’m still in the point of re-defining my roles as to how I could be more effective with the ministries that I am in at SJBCI. It’s been 9 months since I’ve decided to join the church, everyone has really given me a warm welcome. I work with a great bunch of people (mainly marchesa, teya, rogie and sometimes jake) and I’m very excited at how God will use me as time passes by.

sorry, the link to the pictures didn’t work before, but i fixed it…should be good to go! :-)…
for pictures on ofoto, click on this link: Peking Buffet

the service for Kuya Bing’s year death anniv. was really sweet. I really didn’t want to cry, so at the times when a thought entered my mind, esp. scenes when he’d care so much for the youth, i tried not to ponder too much on it…cuz it would only make me miss him. But i know the event was a celebration…cuz kuya bing is in a much grander place. I know there is where he always longed to be.