Back to Baking

No, I have not been on hiatus. I have been inconsistent in updating this blog.

I still desire to finish that #35weekslist blog. I will continue next week. Meanwhile, let me share my recent ‘pick-me-upper’: Baking!

Yes! Believe it or not, I know how to bake. Haha! I learned baking in High school. It was part of our Home Economics class and one could never graduate without learning how to bake a cake and decorate it. I still  have the index card recipes that our teacher told us to copy and keep.

Last summer, my cousin gave me her unused electric oven. Just in time, the mango season came and the overflow of mangoes perked up my creativity. So I made mango jams to preserve them and baked mango muffins and pie tarts just so we wont have to throw out overriped mangoes. That rekindled my love affair with baking. I discovered, it relaxes me and gives me a sense of satisfaction when I hit the bed at night feeling very tired from it. It is also a joy watching people eat the sweets.

Homemade Mango Jams

Mango and Chocolate Chip muffins

Chocolate Chip and Oatmeal Cookies

Carrot Cake. I am glad I tried baking it.
Carrot cake is my favorite cake :D

One of my favorite bible stories is that of the widow of Zarephath who fed Elijah during the time of famine.When Elijah came and asked if she could bake him some bread,  this is what she said:

“As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.” 1 kings 17:12

But she did anyway. And we know what happened next. The flour never ran out and the oil kept on pouring.

I love this story not only because the story book showed a picture of a woman kneading flour to make bread, but also because it tells us of the joy and blessing of obedience. 

I count it a privilege to meet the need of a man of God. The rewards are endless.

Love is...( A DIY Country-Themed Wedding)

On Easter Sunday, while the sun was slowly retiring, my friends Peter and Kay were married in a small chapel in Cadiz City. It was a beautiful afternoon. Friends and family gathered to celebrate their union, one that was written by God, as evidenced by their lovestory.

Kay and Peter grew up in the same small city, went to the same church, made many common friends but fell in love only later in life. Born a few years apart from each other, Peter being the senior, they developed different interests that amazingly makes them perfect for each other. Like how Kay had always wanted a ranch-like wedding - laid back, raw and cozy, and Peter, long before falling in love with Kay, has planted so many trees, a necessity in this country-themed wedding. Those trees are what they cut off to enclose a clearing that made the venue look like a barn. Perfect! That, and many more, they just go well together, bringing out the best in each other.

So, here are a few pictures from that wedding. Pinterest-worthy, I must say!

The very beautiful bride, Kristine Anne Yee

The Wedding Ceremony at the Chapel

The equally beautiful Maid of Honor, Kathrine Rose Yee
This amazing lady conceptualized the Dessert Table and made all the desserts. 

Cocktails ala Country

The Bride's Maids and Matron

Oh, the unmatched Dessert Buffet!

The tiered cake was made by the bride's sister Mae Anne, of Cakes4You

The Bridesmaids.
Photo by the bride's brother in law, Josiah of Team Fotograpia

With my Sisters Jemima and Jezrel

My sister, together with Coleen was the WEdding Singer.

With Pastors who are also my classmates in the Masteral class

Centerpiece

What's a country wedding without apple pies? Yum!

The backdrop at night

Party! 

And here's the Wedding Video snippet

This video was also shot and made by our church friend Rene Kristian. 

A DIY Wedding is really a labor of love. It is tedious, and sometimes frustrating, but it is a testament to how much the couple is loved by people around them. I wrote on my facebook page that when Artistry is fueld by Love, expect a masterpiece. This wedding is a masterpiece. Indeed, True love brings out the beauty in everything. 

Congratulations, Peter and Kay! Keep love alive!

1 Corinthians 13: 4-13

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails."

Note: Photos were grabbed with permission from Aisa Alladin, Ian Karos, Jezrel Oberes and Josiah Caare

Week 4: What is in my Bag?

Photo not mine

Week 4 of #35WeeksOfLists is "What is in your Bag?" I used to carry 2 bags on a normal day. And it had all that I "thought" I would need for the day. I was scared that if I needed something, I would not have it in my bag. However, as I grew older, I realized, I don't need much to get through the day, and that most of the weight I carry with me are unnecesary.

I live in the campus I work in, so even if I just carry a toothbrush to work, that would do. Well, I don't even have to bring my toothbrush. I can literally run to the bathroom anytime. So, here's what's in my bag.

1. Food Supplement
2. Make-up bag
3. Charger
4. Dexa lotion for my allergy scars
5. Gray nail polish
6. Lip balm
7. CoffeeMate
8. Earrings
9. Body spray
10. Mentos gum
11. Planner (yellow)
12. Bead necklace
13. Keys
14. Phone
15. Markers
16. Coin purse
17. Wallet

What? Seventeen items for someone who can 'literally run to the bathroom anytime'? Oh well, I don't really like running. Hahahaha! Some of the items here are there because I forgot to unload them from my bag. Also, I have not included the trash that is in my bag (papers, leaflets, candy wrappers, etc.) If anyone does not have trash in their bags, they're littering them anywhere. I am pro-environment. Haaaaa!

Matthew 6:34

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

A grocery list, a tough week and a sweet God

Its time to update the #35WeeksofLists again. This week is "Grocery List". 

This week was really tough. As a college registrar with no staff under me, this is one of my busiest weeks of the year. I was always asking for joy to never leave my side. The Lord has graciously provided what I needed. 

We graduated 20 students who are ready to serve as full-time pastors and church workers. While it is a joy to see them graduate, a certain pang of sadness fills my heart. I lived with these young people day in and out and one cannot evade the unhappy feeling of separation. And i have to deal with this scenario every year. 

I am looking forward to many good things in April - the celebration of the Holy week, my closest friends' wedding, and the family reunion in Manila. More than that, I am excited to turn 34! Some don't like the idea of getting old. I say there is so mcuh to look forward to when you have a God who grows sweeter everyday. 

"Oh taste and see that the Lord is good. How blessed is the person who trusts in Him." Psalm 34:8

#35WeeksofLists: Week 2 - Speeches

I dont know the category but the prompt from A Beautiful Life  told me that the list for this week 2 is Speeches.( I am a week behind, by the way.) So, I wrote down my list of the speeches that are significant for me.

1. Efren Peñaflorida's acceptance speech when he was awarded as CNN Hero of the year in 2009. I like his speech because it has all the elements of a good speech (Opening, Body, Conclusion) despite it being a very short one. I use it in most of my lectures on Public Speaking.

2. President Aquino's speech during the Global Discipleship Congress in 2013 at CCF Manila. It was a very humble speech. He talked about why there is a need to constantly pray for him. Now, I am not a fan of politics and seldom do I give comments about it, but after that speech, I grew a deeper commitment to support our leaders in the community.

3. "Single, Satisfied and Sexy". This is the speech I delivered in Davao  in 2009 during the national Humorous Speech Contest of the Toastmasters International. I won the championship trophy and my life was changed since.

Delivering the "Single, Satisfied and Sexy" Humorous Speech
at Marco Polo, Davao City in 2009.

Writing and delivering speeches are very much a part of me. I am committed to training others to be effective public speakers. Many leaders with a a good cause are misunderstood because they can not convey their messages in a way that is convincing and memorable. Words are powerful. And when you employ it to your advantage, it can usher you into so many posibilities.

Ravi Zacharias, one of my favorite authors and speaker once said, "There is a massive difference between the use of fine words and the fine use of words." 

"A word fitly spoken  is like apples of gold in a setting of silver." 

Proverbs 25:11

I am doing the #35WeeksofList

I am resurrecting this blog by doing the #35WeeksofList that my friend Emmy is also doing on her site A Beautiful Life. My hands have been full lately (excuses, excuses!) but I thought this one should at least spark my writing energy.

So, here goes WEEK 1: Books Read the Past 2 Months

These books are not newly acquired except for the last one. 

1. David and Goliath, by Malcolm Gladwell. Status: Unfinished. 

This is a book I gave my father last year. The joy about giving books as gifts is, it benefits the recipient and the giver. hahaha!

2. The Practice of Godliness, by Jerry Bridges. Status: Unfinished. 

I started reading this book in January, about five years after it was given to me as a birthday gift by my friend Jaja. 

3. The Jesus I Never Knew, by Philip Yancey. Status: Second Reading.

 I finished this years ago and I started rereading it last Christmas. This has to be one of my favorite books. 

4. Brothers, We are still Not Professionals, A compilation from Desiring God.org. Status: Unfinished. 

I downloaded this free e-book from Desiring God last month. I am halfway into the book and I find it a good read for ministers. There is one article though that I don't completely agree about - one which talks about why women should not be allowed in the pulpit. My disagreement does not stem on the fact that I am a woman. I just think that the Biblical basis the writer mentioned was taken out of context. That, or it was not extensively explained. 

Having written that, I am thankful for the ability to read, the eyes that has not failed me yet, and the love for reading that has grown in me since childhood. 

I am hoping this #35WeeksofList will not only compel me to write but will develop in me a habit of remembering God's faithfulness in my life. 

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Proverbs 7:3

Grateful Enough To Trust

My Grateful Spirit Sings

In all thy works I see thy glory 

In mighty wonders; in small and simple things 

My heart rejoices in the bounty set before me 

And my grateful spirit sings 

Each rising sun tells of thy goodness 

The rain proclaims thee in the life it brings 

All creation bears thee sure and silent witness 

And my grateful spirit sings 

The stars that crown the realms of space 

Reflect the image of thy grace 

The rolling seas, the earth and sky 

Declare thy pow'r, thy majesty and might 

I see thy hand in man's compassion 

Thou art the font of kindness whence it springs 

Thy boundless charity hath wrought my soul's salvation 

And my grateful spirit sings 

For changeless love and endless mercy 

For countless blessings beyond the wealth of kings 

For every perfect gift thou sendest, Lord, I praise thee 

And my grateful spirit sings

-------------------

I don’t think my vocabulary is enough to put into words how thankful I am of God’s love for me. The least I can do is live out a life that honors that love.

Since I joined the Bible College as a staff more than 2 years ago, I have had many experiences that always leave me in awe. There was a time when our finances were on the red and we have been praying for a person to remember the amount she pledged to give to the college just so our resources would be augmented. It took more than 2 months of praying. One day this woman came to the office and was alittle apologetic because according to her, she has long prepared the check but forgot to deliver it. True enough, the check was dated more than a month ago.

That experience taught me one more thing about God. He desires that we trust him with everything. Sometimes, he has already answered our requests he just delays the delivery for us to trust him enough with it.

Each day that I am here in the College, I realize how blessed I am. I live in the campus, I do what I am best at, I am positioned to bless others ( be a parent to the students), and most of all, I learn to trust him with every detail of my life.

Gratefulness is my bedrock of Trust. The more grateful I become, the easier it is to trust God.