ASSOCIATE OF THE YEAR

When I came to Marriott Manila for my first interview, I already had three goals in mind:

1. Pass the 6-month probationary period

2. Build a good working relationship with my boss (because I heard a lot that she's a difficult one)

3. Be on the wall of outstanding associates of the quarter and year

These maybe simple goals, but trust me, it was tough to achieve. By God's grace alone, I accomplished those three one by one in my 1 year and a half in the hotel. Just recently, I got my photo on that wall by being awarded the Associate of the 4th Quarter 2015. As if that award was not enough, God continued to show me His favor by hailing me as the Associate of the Year - Heart of the House (heart of the house or back of the house). 

Fact: the award is from the Lord. Period.

How do I say so?

Since I accepted Christ in my  life last 2014, this job was the first answered prayer. I knew that this is where God wanted me to be at. I held onto that promise through the stressful and challenging times. That 3rd goal isn't something I was desperate about, I never laid it to Him. But God knows us, more importantly, He knows better than our desires. 

I got the nomination letter for the award during the first day of church-wide prayer and fasting week on the 2nd week of January. It really came as a huge surprise because that morning I was so depressed for a work disappointment. My major prayer item then is seeking the Lord's guidance that I can specific moves to glorify Him at work. I know I haven't been a good servant for being passive Christian at work. Knowing that whatever I do and wherever I am, by God's appointment, I am expected to shine for His glory. While waiting for the results (the awarding happened a week later), it left me confused by the early blessing. All I prayed for, with regards to the award, was for Him to humble me in the process. 

Sitting at the front row of the ballroom, everyone's cheering, suspense music arises, but I on the other hand, was surprisingly calm with a normal heartbeat. I was at peace that God is in control and whoever wins is from His approval. 

So yes, I am beyond blessed to get it. My initial reaction was great praises for God and then I felt bashful for an undeserved favor. I knew that this moment was a chance for me to glorify Him - the chance I have been praying for. It gave me the opportunity to share His amazing work in me on social media with many of my friends and colleagues were able to see. I was able to share this short testimony to my sales & marketing team. And, it continues to humble me whenever people congratulate me, then I give the credit to Him. 

Still not recovered from the first award, the annual recognition awards already happened few weeks later. The annual awardee is chosen from the winners of the four quarters. I am not HOPEFUL for it because the attention and responsibility scared me. I really felt undeserving for the quarterly recognition, what more would the annual award would do. Negative reactions from people that I am not deserving pulled my spirits down. During the recognition day, I woke up feeling so anxious because there are 3 of us in the department nominated for different categories. I know the other two are sure winners. Seriously, my self-esteem is that low. As I sat down on my chair,  I invited my seatmate to pray with me. Prayers are powerful! I thought I saw a slide with a picture of the winner, whom wasn't me. I felt relaxed and texted my friend that I didn't get it. So, when they called my name, I was completely stunned! I was hesitant to even stand up in disbelief. Felt like the infamous funny Ms.Universe 2015 moment. 

This humbling experience is a proof of God's faithfulness if we follow His command in Colossians 3:23-24, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." The verse speaks about us making God the boss of our work. We are working for Him and He pays us for the hard work. However, our performance should be excellent - giving all our heart. Being excellent for Him doesn't require to be the most efficient one, but doing every task with integrity, keeping His commands as our standard. This kept me sane whenever I feel unmotivated, it draws me back to keep pushing because it is the Lord I am working for. The One who only wants the best for me, whose rewards are greater than trophies, and who is faithful forever. 

I completely agree to this: "You are only good as your last achievement." People may only remember that I received the award but not the reason behind it. So, the pursuit for excellence for God continues. 



All for Him, All from Him. 

2 0 1 5

This is more than a month late. I know, shame on me! 2015 was an eventful year and it flew by so fast that on its last day, I was still in denial that it was over. For the first time in many years, I ended a year without any regrets and hunger for a new chances. My heart was filled with gratefulness, contentment and love. All because I have accepted God's love. It's true that with Him, my life had meaning and direction. (John 10:10 the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life and have it abundantly)

I made a long list of goals for 2015, which I am glad to achieve most of it. But, what I am really happy about are the unexpected achievements and blessings. Indeed, I can only plan ahead, albeit God establishes my steps. Here's a brief list of the last year's highlights:

1. Baptized! During our Singles' ministry retreat last June 2015. Definitely, the best decision and commitment I ever made in my life! More of it here. 

2. Discipleship - so unexpected but praise God for tugging my heart to take courage to follow life's great commission. It gave my spiritual walk a clearer direction and purpose. I am blessed to have 2 wonderful ladies under my care. 

3. Better relationship with parents. My renewed faith changed to a better daughter. I'm still working on it but I am hopeful.

4. Traveled solo Saigon, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap! My first solo trip was in Baler earlier this year but little did I know it was a preparation for the most unexpected, yet most fulfilling experience! True enough, once tried, you'll surely do more of it. I will definitely do more of it!

5. Outreach Activity! had a taste of my philanthropist dreams. Had an evangelistc outreach at Ospital ng Muntinlupa with my accountability partner and CCF B1G South family. More of it here 

6. Read 12 books this year when my goal is 10. My top picks are Lolita by V. Nabokov and I Feel Bad About My Neck by N.Ephron.

7. Short trips here and there - two surf trips in Baler, hiking at Mt.Batulao and Boracay with HS friends

8. Launched the Marriott Grand Ballroom - the biggest ballroom in the country! A career highlight and learning experience I am proud to be part of. 

9. Decent Savings - reached my target but I still feeling guilty because I know I could've saved more. 

10. Updated blog. I had 21 posts this year!!! Aren't you glad, dear blog?  :)

If there is one goal I am sad not to do is DRIVING. 

There's so much I want to share and I hope the 21 posts last 2015 captured it all. To end this post, I used to write about the lessons I learned, but this time, I'll just answer this: What is God's biggest revelation to you this year?

Everything is from Him, through Him and for Him! I learned a lot about His love and that my life is meant to love Him back. I couldn't have gone through those written above without Him. And, I went through all those for His glory. (Deuteronomy 6:5 Love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength)

Thank you 2015 for being packed with awesomeness! I did fall in love this year. 

All from Him, All for Him. 

NEVER FORGET: DECEMBER 20 OUTREACH

A week has passed since we did, my first as well, evangelical outreach at the Ospital ng Muntinlupa. I don't know how to perfectly share the experience without giving due credit to the man behind all of it, noone else but, our Lord Jesus Christ. All from Him, through Him and for Him. 

One of my dream jobs, probably the top, is to become a philanthropist who dedicates her time in making the world a better place to live in (if only my height allowed me to be a Ms. Universe!). Volunteering for humanitarian organizations has remained a frustrated dream because I lived in a discontented life. That's the contradiction: I want to help but I feel like I can't. This 24-year old frustrated dream suddenly had meaning when I accepted Christ who showed me my purpose by the gift of eternal life. He loved me (us) too much to die on the cross for our mistakes, and up to this day, continues to love despite our sinful lives. 

As Christ commanded us in Matthew 22:37–40 to: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important commandment. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments” That LOVE became the sole reason for this charity. 

Isn't it appropriate to say that the more you fall in love with someone, you grow to loving what He loves? I love Him who loves you, so I am to love you as well, right? Another emphasis here is that we are not given only one commandment, rather two that are inseparable. 

I am so blessed to have a close friend/spiritual accountability partner, Richel, who shares the same heart in helping others. We've been discussing this long before but the actual planning just started a month and a half before the event. There are too many options on how we can reach out because there A LOT of people are in need. But we agreed that in whatever form it may be, our main objective remains the same: to share the gospel. Giving donations is only secondary because undisputedly the GOOD NEWS is the best gift we can ever give someone. 

Here are two of the many learnings from this outreach activity:

1. God's grace is abounding because of His faithfulness. (2 Corinthians 9:8, And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.)

When God confirmed to us that we are doing it in Ospital ng Muntinlupa (affirming it from the management's approval to the clear vision of how are staging it), He equipped us all throughout the process. We set our target to 40 beneficiaries and made a modest list of what we are giving: bible, gospel tracts, afternoon snacks, and noche buena gift packs. We are well aware that we both can't do it alone, so we designed the outreach as a fundraising activity by seeking sponsors for the gift packs and fully involving the Singles Ministry of our church. Only with His grace, we achieved these amazing results:

a. Almost 40 patients + their relatives heard the Gospel! Our prayer continues that their acceptance were truthful and/or allowing the God to transform their lives. 

b. Raised 47,000+ (we are still waiting for some) which is more than twice of our target! 
c. There were 30 passionate volunteers who sacrificed their Sunday family day to be part of this.
d. Got the bibles for a discounted price of Php 116 from Php 145.
e. Couple of people sponsored the snacks, water, and paper bags.
f. Excess monetary donations will be used for the next project(s)! 

2. It's not about us. As I said above, Rich and I are not taking any credit for this, because we clearly didn't do this alone. God made His presence felt through the people who joyfully served with us. We became the fuel of the vessels in people whom God called to take part in His great work. I am forever humbled by that. 

The wisdom, time and being hands-on of the Offsite Cluster of the CCF Ministry smoothen the preparations. Their spiritual maturity kept us aligned to the main objective. The 30 volunteers who shared the gospel completed the objective. I can't imagine how we could've finished the day without their compassion and passion to serve. The generous hearts of the sponsors who shared their overflowing blessings in private motivated the project to do more for others. Our DGroup Upline and kind hearts who helped in the packing, loading of the goods and those we may have failed to see - you are a huge of this. 

I can go on sharing the wonderful stories before, during and after this activity. My heart is full of praises to the Lord for this opportunity to serve Him through serving others. On a personal note, I am scared (scared is an understatement because I can seriously die!) of hospitals or anything medical/blood-related. Looking how I was able to do it, there's indeed a superficial power who carried me through. I am speechless on how God placed me in this situation to improve myself still for His glory. 

As the year closes, I am writing this to remind myself or anyone who might stumble upon this post, of the work done and to be done. We have kept a directory of the patients so we can keep in touch with them and hopefully meet and minister to them again. Also, to continually pray for their healing and spiritual growth. Lastly, that this activity will not become a Christmas or seasonal project, rather the start of many projects next year. Projects that are "outward" because the lost are outside of our comfort zones. All we need is to step out and up for LOVE.

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These past months, I have been cynical on posting stuff on social media as I find it as a trap for self-righteousness. I am struggling on being intentional in everything I do, trying to avoid doing things just for the sake of it. This outreach activity has been full of praise reports, however, I was to reluctant to share it online making it like a "publicity stint" or making it about me no matter how I give the glory to the Lord. Then, a friend told me to not overthink because social media will be useful on the next projects by making people aware of what has been done and we commit to do. I couldn't agree more, thus this blog post :)

All Him, all for Him.