Celebrate joy!

One of the questions I get asked most often in working in full time ministry is: "Do you get paid?" The person who asked me recently works in the insurance industry and is raking in millions a year so it's not surprising that was her top-of-mind query. I am not sure if I should be offended but I just remembered  smiling and answering "yes, it's actually a lot like a company." And it really is, guys! I am not sure what goes on in their minds after that but another question we get asked too often is "When is your off?" -- knowing full well that church is in full swing during weekends.

There are days when I just really feel tired. Sundays are our busiest at church and last Sunday, while I was figuring out what's wrong with our ID system, and I was eyeing the laptop and asking it what's wrong with you in my mind -- a woman approached me. She asked me what type of Christian church is our church. I smiled with whatever smile I could muster and said that it's born again. This is me that day.

It was my first time to attend a prophetic presbytery event last Thursday and it was so encouraging to witness how God empowers His people to tell you things that you need to hear... Prayers that were uttered in secret, your thoughts and worries that only God knows, even forgotten dreams and desires.. It's right there in the open, being spoken by someone whom you just met for the very first time. Remember my last post and how I was asking for your prayers because this is a time of stretching for me in the ministry? Well here's the first half of what was said to me during the event and you'll see what I mean when I say just how amazing our God is. :)

With more than 10,000 leaders and interns, the 2016 Discipleship Conference took place at MOA Arena last Saturday.

I have to say that it's different when people open their homes to you. The other night, the Facio family opened their lovely home to us Kids Core team and everything was home-cooked! From the spinach artichoke dip to the pork belly, to the salmon, to the pasta --- we were digging our forks and helping ourselves to hearty servings of these delicious treats over random conversations! The amount of effort and energy to put together everything was greatly appreciated! Even though we lost the Yes-No game (kelangan talaga sabihin haha! ), we had fun playing! And of course the cutie Facio kids were there too spreading the lovely cheer around! :) Kids Core team with Verapie and Peppa pig! haha! :D #KasaliDinSila

Yesterday was quite an eventful Sunday for us at church. A storm hit the Metro so it was pouring early in the morning which made roads unpassable. This means 1 thing: Church and volunteers attendance will be low. We had to holler at our social media groups to make sure everyone's safe (that's top priority) and to fill in the gaps to make sure that our services won't be affected. Our senior pastor's wife was about to give birth so he had to assign another pastor to lead the 3 services in less than 12 hours' time.... we also have a guest speaker and his family from KL whom we need to make sure arrives in time for the afternoon services and is well taken care of all throughout the day... Needless to say, our staff viber group was brimming with updates yesterday! :P  And just as we were winding down on our 7pm service, there was a brownout! Odiba! Haha! I imagined there was a momentary shriek from the crowd tapos sakto, Holy Spirit pa yung topic, ang series  title ...

Being part of a full-time ministry really opens your eyes to a lot of things around you because it gives you a front row seat into the hearts of the people you work with. During my "tambay " mode aka hanging around at the reg table with the volunteers, I learned the following: - one walks 45 minutes every Sunday just to volunteer for our 9am service - one waits patiently to those he is discipling, just in case they decided to come; when I asked this guy "what if they don't come?" he replied ever-so-casually "it's okay, ganun naman po talaga. Basta hintayin ko nalang po sila, okay lang yun." - one openly asks for feedback the first time he preached so he can apply it on the next service - one gives out an immediate and resounding yes EVERY time I ask him to lead or participate in one of our activities at Kids Church (and I tell you, we have many activities :P) ...and it's not because they are just that good of people. This passio...

SURPRISE!!! So I will now work at church as a full time staff starting next week! Geeez! Who would've thought, right? Paano nangyari yun? Haha! :P Hope you'd indulge me with this post, because it was quite a journey for me and if you're on a crossroad right now, hope this helps you :) It started when I was volunteering for the summer activities of Kids Church, that I just really and passionately wanted to help out... I was on fire from the Kids Teachers Summit that whatever I can do to help out, I would! I just resigned from a corporate job, and although I didn't know exactly what I would take as the next step, I know I am going to be fine... Not because I am such an amazing, sought-after employee of the year, but I know that since God led me to make that decision, He will lead me through the next steps :) So during this time of waiting and seeking, I explored different opportunities: Go back to corporate, check!  Be a part time financial advisor, chec...

The 3-day Teachers' Summit has been such an amazing experience... With 500+ volunteers of Victory Kids Ministry across the Philippines, a great revival has come upon each and every one of us. The moment that He provided for the summit's registration fee of the summit, I knew that He wanted me to be at the event -- maybe it's to tell me something, or to ease my worries, or just to jolt me with energy and excitement as I peel myself away from the routine-like way of worshiping Him... Whatever it was, I knew I was growing in anticipation as the summit drew closer :)  "Edi Wow!" - Victory Greenshills reprezent!

Just a quickie update! :) It's our 4th day of fasting and it's amazing how I can still type this without fainting from hunger... hehe! Yesterday, I even had the audacity to go to the mall to score the perfect birthday gift for my friend... I really didn't want to spend so much energy but the gift nerd in me won  in the end that there I was, trying on shoes after shoes (because she specifically requested for wedge! Hi Loy! Haha!) that I was beet red from exhaustion when I got home :P It was probably not a smart move during fasting but I got ready for work on time today (I really thought I was going to be late!) and am breathing normally so it's amazing how God has strengthened me for the past 4 days. I like that there are more opportunities coming my way these days and yes, I am gaining clarity on some things but I am still seeking God on most things. I would've wanted for everything to be in black and white by tomorrow night but but I think I will come out o...

Just sneaking in a post to share how God has been good to me all my life :) Somehow, no matter how much I try or anyone tries, I haven't felt loved and I couldn't love the way God loves me. When I talk to people and I try to describe God's love, every analogy falls short... simply because His love is just so much more intense and it's unconditional. For this post, I want to share the role that love plays in allowing God to be the Lord of my life. :) When we talk about Lordship, it usually entails a sharp intake of breath and begrudgingly opening our hands to release something that we have held on for too long... but Lordship can also be a natural response to what is already made complete in us. Lordship, at its best, is an expression of love. :)

Good morning! I was off social media for a good 5 days and now I am back :) Did you miss me? Haha! #feeling 5-day fasting is done for the start of the year, so I can eat solids again. Yipee! It was real funny actually, because out of the 5 days, I had to attend 3 birthday gatherings, so bye bye Greenwich, Amber's and Buddy's foodie feast :( I cringed a little when my office mates were happily munching on the pansit habhab at Buddy's because it looked really good... but it's okay, I know it's going to be worth it and a commitment is a commitment. Liquid fast for five days. No turning back.

I am 5 days late, but hey, happy New Year!!! *fireworks! clapping!* I thought of giving an ode to 2013 to properly end the year, but I thought I'll just dive right into 2014 :P A friend asked me at the tail end of the year how has 2013 been for me, and it took me awhile to answer.  Gather thoughts, quick!

... And we're already more than halway thru the year! :) July 31! Oh, July was a busy, busy month but it was a "God, you are good!" month for us at church and at work. Last Saturday, the Singles ministry of Victory GH held "Absolute - a heart to heart talk on purity". Speakers were couple, Pastor Dennis and Thammie Sy:

Saturdays are fast becoming what my Fridays used to be... and what is that? My favorite day of the week! Last Saturday, I went home with sore muscles and a little headache from the heat, but with a happy smile on my face -- happy-tired. Gym Gym din pag may time For the second half of the year, I wanted to try out new things, as well as go back to what I like doing. So last Saturday, I went back to the gym after 3 years!!! WhoohoooO! Parang bulkan lang na pinatulog nang pagkatagal at sumabog ulit. So buhay pa pala yan nh?!? haha!