My Daddy

"I will be a Father to you, and you will be my son's and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."
- 2 Corinthians 6:18

Several years ago during my retreat in High School, we were assigned to draw the style of the road of our lives. I remember drawing straight then curvy, then there were intersections and overpass. For me it represents the straight happy life I have because I still have both of my parents then I have friends and I am studying in a private school. But it also contains the usual problems of a high school teenager about physical change, peer pressure, misunderstanding between parents and I, then the deep mixed sadness and anger with my father because he never attended a single birthday celebration in my life. He's always away then when he comes home he hits us with his belt whenever we did wrong, he's bossy and mostly because I missed the times we can spend together to build a harmonious father and daughter relationship.

Although today, I already have a good relationship with my father, reading the verse above reminded me of the experience I had on my retreat. You see, it is so precious that I have a daddy and you have a daddy. God is our Father and He loves us more than we could ever know!

Today, my prayer is that you, whose reading this post will know just how much our Heavenly Father loves you. He's crazy about you and excited to spend this time with you. Trust God, He's got so much to share with you.

Let's Pray
Dear God, I am trusting You today. I am so thankful that You are my heavenly Father who loves me unconditionally, cares for me unceasingly, and provides for me unreservedly.
In Jesus Name, Amen.

Let's all share love to the world!

Love,
Ayra

*some context taken from Bible Gateway

My Happy Meal

Basically things I love to eat that makes me happy. :)

A happy new way

A new way how I can share God's word.

Living Like a Candle

Last week, the bulb on our bathroom died so we are forced to lit up a candle whenever we'll use the toilet. Its such an annoying thing to do especially for me because I love going to the bathroom, enjoys my time cleaning up myself, all in all, I love STAYING there. And this lighting up a candle makes it hard for me to stay longer than I'm supposed to be on the bathroom!

One time, as I was peeing (well, this part is quite embarrassing to tell) I looked at the candle and its light and I relate it to my relationship to God.

This candle is no ordinary candle, its a scented candle. You see, for a candle to spread its scent, it must be lit up by a person; same in my life. Before I be able to do great things, I must go through hardships. And along the way, how can I be sure that I won't breakdown, give up, or even succeed?

Well, let me share to you the secret. Its me accepting Jesus as my personal God and Savior. I trusted Him to be my guide or the lighter of my wick. I accepted that I am a sinner and I am nothing without Him just like a candle on display.

You see, a candle is worthless if it won't be used, stay the same, and won't melt. I compare my life to a candle. I wanted my life to be used by my Creator to lit up a dark harmful world. I wanted my life to spend on doing good things in the name of Jesus. I wanted myself to be remembered as the light and scent giver that everyone will be pleased to be with. I want to share what I have, especially what I earned, I want to use my time with my fellow youth celebrating the goodness of the Lord, and I want to smile at the end of the day saying "I enjoyed this day because its meaningful." I don't want my life to be wasted by being stuck on the norm of the society. I want to make a change, to be a role model, and to be a life changer. 

Let's all share our light to the world! 

Living like a Candle,
Ayra

Call Me...

UMAY!

Yes, I'm so inu-UMAY to write anything to this blog when in fact, I do have a lot of things I should share! I even failed to do what I promised before to put at least one article every month! boohoohoo! T.T

Oh well, its a brand new day to correct yesterday's mistakes so lets get it on!

Do you remember (well, this question is mostly for girls) when you were in Elementary/ High School and you will fill up the autographs of your classmates when they ask your nicknames? I remember writing Ayra, Pot-pot, Ate-te, Karen, Joyce, and other-names-that I will describe later. Teeheehee :P

Oh well, now that I'm adult, I do have another perception on this name thingy. I do feel that the names given to us by the people around us shows their affection towards us.

Let me share some names given to me and the story behind it.

Pot-pot - Oh yeah! End of Story. Tugsh! Haha! What's with me?? Obviously, I don't like this name. Well, among the names given to me, this is the ugliest of them all! (at least for me). It was given to me by my uncles and lolos who loves to make fun of me. You see, I have a very sensitive stomach and when I do get "cold-tummy" (derived from cold feet) I tend to fart a lot. As in Pooot! Pooot-Pooot-Pooot-Pooot-Pooot-never ending-Pooot! So that's it, "Pot-pot" was born.

Kikiam - This is the second ugliest for me. "How can I be a street food?!? And not even French Fries with a French Flair but a Kikiam?!" -- This is in my head when I was baptized as teh Kikiam girl. You see, this was given to me by my highschool classmate Bernard. He likes to do high-five-ing (which I also adopt because I like to do it too; and the embarrassing part about it? whenever I see an open palm, I do high-five it though it was not for meeee!).

Anyway, one day, he did high-five me and he noticed that I do have chubby little fingers in a soft with dimples hand. It only took 3 seconds for him to show his smirky smile and say "Kikiam ah!". Ugh! The nerve! I still can't forget he did that and called me Kikiam for a week! Worst part? My friends started calling me that too! Imagine that torture on my part!!!

Ma'am Ayra - I kinda like this one; I worked for it anyway so I think I do deserve to be called one. You may notice that its just a simple name that can be called by any saleslady in a mall but its another story when You were called "Ma'am Ayra" in a stand straight position with a salute. Oh yeah! I know I'm bragging already but bear with me on this one puhleeeeesssss? *puppy eyes*.

Yes, I'm a CAT officer. I'm not just an ordinary one, I am legendary! Bwahahahaha! Bwahahahaha! Bwahahahaha! Oops, that was over isn't it? Sorry, my bad.

Karen - This is from the Mcdo commercial "Ang paborito kong apo, si Karen". I'm the favorite grand child of my Lola so being called Karen (mostly by my Tito's) is annoying but sweet. Yeee!

Ate-te - I was called by my only Sister, Ivy when she was young in this name. Such a sweet little one -- and I mean little one. Now that she's taller than me, things really do change. That's all I can say :|

Joyce - My first name is Joanna. When I met two Chinese friends named Jovelyn and Jocelyn one Saturday morning when I was 7 years old, they gave me this name because according to them, the Chinese of Joanna is Joyce. Oh well, I'm full of JOY because I'm JOYCE ;)

JA - The name given by my friend Ked that stands for Joanna Ayra. She doesn't feel the Ayra so JA it is.

Fairy - I got this one in one of my recitation in History class. Me being silly, answered my Professor that I am a FAIRY and not a SPIRIT on his question "What kind of spirit are you?" (referring to the spirits in Mt. Banahaw). Honestly, for me its a silly question so I answered back in a silly manner. So technically, I gave this name to myself.

But seriously, among all my names, this one is the dearest for me. I guess it really describes me. Boys and Girls in my class calls me this because it fits my personality and its a name that breaks the walls around me and my classmates. It seems like when someone calls me this, it makes the atmosphere lighter, no pressure and just full bonding. Can I call that the FAIRY AURA? 

Overcomer - This one is the most special. Its the name of my life, my destiny and how God wants me to be. I am destined to have this name. I really can feel it. Overcoming trials and being victorious after the challenges, well, that was one tough ayra cookie. Oh I became hungry.

But honestly, the name we carry and the names we get, Its the only thing we can left in this world when we die that describes our life. But most importantly, it is the name that should be in the book of life as a sign that we will all be in the paradise with our Creator.

Let's all share love to the world! 

Love,
Ayra

Actually, Its my birthdate

Actually, it's my birthdate today so my weekend is quite special. :) 

I did not realize it until Ked reminded me. For me, the 21st of every month is something I should look up to because I will receive a beautiful and special gift. For this month, its a warm hug from Jesus with a special treat from Krispy Kreme.

During our Worship, I jumped first as praises to God then it came later on that I was crying already because I can feel his presence. He is longing for our strong bonding because I always talk to Him before I sleep but lately I am not doing that so I really felt that He misses me. I also saw the vision of Jesus hanging on the cross to save me so it really touches my heart. Actually, I can't make my tears stop until Ate Vivs started the lecture. 

Then for the celebration of our renewed bonding, I bought one New York Cheesecake doughnut from Krispy Kreme to be disappointed. I don't like the taste at all! But I still enjoyed eating it; not tasting it. It smells so good and big and soft. :D

Actually, today is the last day of women's encounter and I had the privileged to be a part of it. Thanks to my ministry I feel like its a re-encounter.

I just pray that on my next Birthdate, I will be able to share it to the people I love. :)

Distressed Head

Sometimes, the devil can get into our heads and talk us down. He tells us that we are not good enough, we messed up again, and we'll never do anything right.

And you know what? He's right.

Its the truth! What are we without Jesus? Nothing. We can't do this on our own. We are dirty, rotten sinners.

But you know what, we have a big God who doesn't want this state for His children. Remember, the Old Testament is there to show us that we can't do it on our own. That's why Jesus came!

So the next time the devil is trying to tell you whatever, instead of letting it get you down, let it point to Jesus.

If he's telling you that you are not good enough, then be like, "Yes! I am not good enough! But thank you Jesus that by your sacrifice You have made perfect forever those who being made holy!" (Hebrews 10:14)

If he's reminding you that you messed up again, be like, "Yes, I did! But thank you Jesus that your grace is sufficient and your power is made perfect in my weakness!" (2 Corinthians 12:9)

If he's telling you that you'll never do anything right, be like, "Yes, I won't! But thank you Jesus that by grace I am saved through faith, and not through works!" (Ephesians 2:8-9)

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. --Philippians 4:13