PDL Update

As always, my busy schedule caused me to forget about blogging. Fortunately, it did not cause me to miss the PDL sessions.

I do not want to go into details but there were some realizations that I just want to share…

• I was/am really down in my spiritual life. Ever since I went to the US last year, I’ve found it harder to let go and let God. There was something about living there that makes one feel that everything is within reach and one starts to make up the idea that we do not need Him
• The craziness that happened to our community (CFC, FLL…) affected me a lot. So much so that I was still nurturing some ill feelings towards fellow members whom I felt left us.

At least now that I’ve brought this out in the open… I can start taking actions to fix ‘em.

God bless!

PDL Journey has began

First of all, thanks to Lei for letting me have her PDL book. =)

Unfortunately, I missed one day so I will need to read two chapters in one day contrary to what is recommended by the author.

Day 1 simply reiterated that “It all starts with God.” Now, this idea has been with me for the longest time. It was the same teaching that we passed on in Singles For Christ and even way back when we were in Youth For Christ. First day always talked about God’s Love and his plan for us.

Given this, it would be natural to expect that it would be a breeze for me to accept the teaching. Unfortunately, I realized that this time around I had more questions. There were things that I accepted before, maybe even blindly, that were not so easy to accept. Although this worries me, I decided to continue on this journey and see where it leads me. I hope that He will help me find a way to overcome my doubts and lead me back to him.

God bless!

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For those interested to try out this journey, please feel free to get in touch with me…

Purpose Driven Life

Earlier we had the orientation for a workshop that we will have for the next seven Mondays. As expected, it will be based on Rick Warren’s best-seller, The Purpose Driven Life.

Nicky has actually been trying to convince me for the longest time to join him in this since he took part in the workshop last year. Of course, I always had the craziest excuses to avoid it. Anyway, to make a long story short, I started to feel spiritually drained and, after a chat session, Nicky initiated another workshop and invited people from the old SFC chapter.

The orientation went pretty well although it did get a little intense (at least for me) because the topic being discussed was something that has been bothering me for awhile… the EAST A1E chapter, our chapter.

I miss the good ol’ days when we had a good vibrant chapter. The time when we actually trusted each other with our deepest secrets because we trusted and cared for another.

Anyway, I think I have finally come to the realization tonight that those days are over and there’s just no way to go back. A lot of the leaders and members have left and it’s now up to the few of us. We either quit on the chapter too or find a way to start over again.

I choose to start over again. 

What’s so funny?

Last Saturday was the “Big Night” for the Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition 2. Although I am not really a big fan of this edition (I watched each show of the first edition), I keep myself up-to-date through my mom as well as Alaine’s grandma.

The final outcome, with Ruben coming out as the Big Winner, did not really come as a surprise. Filipinos usually had the soft heart for the underdogs or those with humble beginnings. I still remember Hero Angeles’ video during the Star Circle Quest (yeah, I watched the finals of that show too… only the finals ha!).

What I noticed about that “Big Night” though was the spoof that they did on the Big Four. Although some parts were funny, most of it was bland and you come out with the feeling that the script was not well prepared. Then again, it might just be me.

But that’s not what I was referring to. I am referring to the spoof made about Riza admitting her virginity. First, let me just say that even though I was a leader in YFC and SFC, I have always been open-minded about sex. Still, I do not find it funny when people tease others about their virginity. I just believe that those who are virgin-by-choice were the ones who chose the road less traveled, and were strong enough to stand by their decision.

While we are on the subject, I just want to share this image I found on the PostSecret blog. The message was pretty close to what I told a friend a couple of years back.

Just to be clear, I am not saying that you need to sleep with your boyfriend to know his REAL character. But if you are, then this is one crazy way to find out.

A Special Banquet in Austin

I read a post by one of my brothers in the SFC family (Nicky) and was humbled that he was able to go ahead with his fasting while I failed miserably.

On what was supposedly going to be my first day, I woke up late and immediately went on my routine of filling a bowl with cereal and drowning it in milk. I then realized my mistake and and tried to make it up by not eating the rest of the day. I simply took in water. Lots and lots of water. I was successful the rest of the working day but again slipped at night because I was simply too hungry having had only water. Not to mention the fact that it was Jeremy’s birthday and he treated us for some TexMex food. And today, I ended up finishing the rest of that TexMex food for lunch since there servings were huge.

I am not blaming Jeremy. I know that I have no one to blame but myself. I should have known myself better and not underestimated the effort needed to be successful in fasting, especially a water-only fast. But now, I know better and I will try to give it one more go. I’m not going to to do another water-only fast but decided to take it slow this time and try a bread and water/fresh milk fast until Easter Sunday.

To my SFC family, please pray for me that I may have enough strength to get through this.

To my housemates here in Austin, please do not cook any yummy meals, and I hope you can finish off that beef by April 6 all by yourselves.

May God be praised…

For more pictures from Austin, check out Dan’s album.