Overflowing Learnings

Before anything else, I want to greet my TEN BIGGEST FANS a Merry, Merry Christmas!
Alam nyo na, they are all so BIG in numbers eh baka magtampo, tsk, mahirap na baka bigla pa silang mabawasan. Nyahahahaha!

Honestly, I can't sleep tonight that's why I'm writing this post. Hey, don't try to tease me with "thinking of your special someone," its really inappropriate with what I'm thinking. Actually, I expected myself to really hit the bed--facedown, and fall asleep easily because I woke up early doing a lot of chores and even ranting in my head for the continuous work I did today. But something happen that made me feel a big explosive gratefulness in my heart for everything I have.

Let's start by how reklamadora I've been. "I'm only 21 years old, but I do have TEN GOD CHILDRENS! Waaaaa! Pasko! Dudumugin ako ng mga 'toooooooo!!! Lalo na ngayon may trabaho na ko! Waaaaa! But I only had work for two months! How would I budget all my money with this little splurgers! With the additional DEMANDS of my Mama for our food! Waaaa! My brain's gonna explode!"

This has been what's running in my head for quite a while. Then I have read this Bible verse in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 that says:

But would you believe more reklamos has been formed in my head! "Talagang ALWAYS Paul? How can I give thanks if my money is only enough and almost gonna be less? Seriously? Plus Ivy is sooooo demanding, is that something I should be thanking for? really? And Tatay is so bossy and Mama Expects a lot as in capital E!" But the Lord has been very patient and faithful in teaching me.

You see, I got sick. As in headache-cough-cold-fever-combo. And in this state, I was forced to be in bed--resting. "Which is good right?" you might possibly think, but no. RESTING is waaaaayyyy too far from RELAXING. And so while on bed, I took that chance to talk to Jesus once again. I thank Him for giving me a good job which allows me to take my leave during the holidays because if not for that, I would be going in one office being so sick. And from that one item, I also thanked Him for giving me a chance to go to Rizal province to visit Aikie and to spend the whole day with other friends since High School.

On that talk I had with Him, it made me realize that my problem is actually my money is just enough. I'm just thinking waaaayyyy too far that it will be less. Plus, I have not been thankful for what I have! All I did was to rant and rant and rant! I asked sorry for the attitude I have been showing that I have not been appreciative of what I have. I did not even think that just few days ago we made a collection for the people of Cagayan de Oro because they have lost everything they have. This Christmas, their hearts are really down because they have lost their livelihood, their homes, and the most hurtful of all, their families.

Actually, this is the reason why I'm writing this post. I have read one blog in which they visited CDO to help our fellow Filipinos. On her post, it says food, water and clothes are already enough to supply the needs of the people but it still needs more slippers, blankets, and fresh underwares to change into. She also showed some photos in which one bridge in CDO is a favorite place of tourists stop to take a photo of the beautiful river and sky, and now that place is where people stop to looked at the washed up riverbanks. According to what she wrote, during the typhoon the flood was so huge it rose up till above that bridge--over three stories high. It sounds unbelievable, but true.

Actually, that post she made is a wake up call for me to Rejoice and be Thankful everyday for everything I have. I have a complete family, with extended Church families, friends who supports me--always stays by my side, I have a great job with very kind employers, I have a secured home where I sleep and I am in a place not even one person who faced the typhoon Sendong experience where I am.

Tonight, my prayer is that I will never forget what I learned. When the daily routine of my life will continue, I pray that I will practice to be more thankful up to the smallest blessing I have. I pray that what I felt seeing the photos of those Cagayanons will continue to teach me to stay my feet on the ground, always be humble, and don't rant. And the most wonderful lesson? the hopeful smiles of those people in spite of the tragedy they experienced just like the real meaning of the birth of Jesus. To give hope and bring Salvation. My Dear Lord, thank you for showing all these things to me. I pray that whatever You have let me post on this blog, a lot of people will also pick up the lesson I have learned.

Love,
Ayra