I forgot to blog about this the other day but on TK's birthday, we had some awesome surprise guests: the NieceS! My cousin's (whom I share my birthday with) daughters came over for some fun Aunt-Niece time and I actually enjoyed having two ball of energy rolling around the house (and they're always hungry. Haha. Got to keep them fed!) that they had too much fun so they stayed in for the night and just went home the next day.

Anyway, we had fun doing photo booth so here's a collage!

P.S. Excuse the messy room behind us, the two children just enjoyed bringing havoc in our sanctuary!

With two sets of twins. HAHAHA. TK and I, Kleng and Tammy

Babysat this little munchkin the entire day

Tammy eating my head. HAHA

My personal favorite photo of the day.

August is fast approaching with July left with its two days. And with another batch of participants for Victory Weekend finally rounded up Sundays ago, I can't help myself from reminiscing the time I logged my name and that orange booklet with the receipt hot in my hands. Yes, and let me tell you how comical it was, I was singing the Hallelujah Chorus when the lady assisting us handed me the two items, they can't help but laugh with that victorious grin streaked on my face plus the chorus. With that, let me share my trip down the Victory Weekend lane with you and how God found me once again in my own built Dark Forest.

 I was a month away from my thirteenth birthday when it all happened. Our family went with the church community in this resort located in Bulacan as church outing and water baptism of the members in one. Hitting two events with one stone, I sat on the edge of the pool watching my dad and the other pastors baptize members one by one. I remember wondering how it felt like being submerged in the water and hearing my name in the middle of my deep thoughts. It was my dad who called me for three times already before I got back to reality and told me to get in the water. I never thought that I would be part of those who'll get baptized along with my older sisters, which by then were aged 14 and 18. It was sudden and I felt like I was not ready. They prayed for us and then I watched as the waters swallow me and got back up after seconds to breath new air. I am nearly thirteen and I am baptized. It's amazing and at a bit unsure at the same time. I felt I was not ready.

It all became clearer to me when I got older. Then, I started to realize that I really felt unsure that time because I admit that I haven't fully grasped the idea of why we are baptized and that I felt that my relationship with God's not yet deeper than that I would want to and that I felt like I still have a lot of things to learn about God and the Bible.

Also, the idea that my Dichi just went through Victory Weekend helped me realize it more, with her undergoing lessons and counseling, she highly encouraged me to go through it, too. She mentioned that issues were also discussed and that you'll have a real good talk about your life with the people you trusted.

I am decided. I want to go through one2one and be part of Victory Weekend.

I approached a trusted friend, Khrist Joy, and asked her if she could or would want to do one2one with me. She was surprised as I was dropping this punch line before I mentioned it to her, she thought I'm still joking. And with prayers and numerous meetings, I finished the sessions and was all set for Victory Weekend. I started to feel better and nervous at the same time.

Waking up early on that big day, I've been praying and talking to God, still asking for guidance and protection as I've encountered a lot of hindrance just two weeks before the big event in my life. I admit that most of it's unusual but God did not let me go through it alone. He stood beside me the entire time. I came inside the main hall all set and ready for what I'm about to face for the next days.

The next hours had been a grueling process, dealing with the skeletons inside my closet and a bunch more distractions from the enemy but I stood my ground in wanting to face all of these so nothing could hinder my relationship with our maker. Buckets of tears, hoodie that served as hiding place for my face drenched in tears, loads of secrets, people to forgive, memories to forget, thoughts packed and ready for disposal, I found myself so unworthy of God's love. Like how can a sinner like me, a person who's living a life in her own, selfish way and way too far from his good character and straight-As report card be ever loved by someone like Him? Like, who am I that he's willing to let his only son die for my sins? Totally crushed, feeling totally ugly, unworthy, unclean, I put my hands up with a big white flag waving over my head. And in those minutes, hours, moment of total surrender, I felt him. I felt his hands envelope me into a tight embrace telling me that everything's going to be okay and it's time to let go of things I've been keeping inside of me. I felt him surrounding me, telling me that it's totally okay to let go because he will never let me fall, that he has me in His strong arms. And that I should never feel alone and afraid because he's there tightly holding my hand, fighting and going through everything with me.

And the next day made it more official for me. They say that love is sweeter the second time around and I got baptized the second time around! (I prayed that it may be sweeter this time. Hehe.) I was shaking with excitement, seeing the first batch submerged in water and rising up with smiles on their faces. I admit that I've known what it feels like but I am more excited with their stories since most of my Victory Weekend mates lived a life different from what I had (growing up in a Christian family, etc.), I am excited with all the changes, blessings, and this new relationship with God that they've accepted. Yey! Exciting things are coming! And just like what 2 Corinthians 5:17 says:

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

New life, new start with Christ. More awesome chapters to fill in the coming days of our lives. Can you even fathom the idea that God allowed his own son to suffer and die on the cross? All of this is due to this one thing. It is because of us. It's because he treasures us extremely that he had to allow it to happen so we'll be able to reach him even in our undeserving ways.

I know people including friends who'll undergo Victory Weekend this coming August 31-September 1 and I can't help but share to them the joy that it brought in my life and how I felt His love during those times. So, if you're reading this post and you've grown curious with this free freedom that I've been talking about, I'll be glad to share more to you.

So, want to One2One?

 Here's some Baptism photos!

Hello po, Ptr. Nixon! *enthusiastic wave*

Here's an evident photo that Khrist is a bully. (Kidding! She's a real good one)

And my signature chipmunk face!

Prayer, prayer, prayer before we get soaked.

Hooray, time to be submerged. I'm too light, I floated. Swimming 101?

Women of God living a new God-centered life

Look at those humongous smiles!

By the way, my baptism shirt says, "The next time the devil reminds you of your past, remind him of his future". Have a great day, God bless you, dear reader. :)

P.S.
Accepting Him as your Lord and Savior is absolutely free! Worth the choice of being sure where you go when you die and starting a life, a God-centered awesome life, starting anew and full of blessings! *wink*

I've always been connected with you whether it be the clothes we wear, the school we've been, the room we use, and the mischiefs, and silly moments we've done, given that we only had a year gap with our birth dates and that we're always seen as twins rather than older-younger sisters. And indeed, I've never been closer to anyone with that level of closeness I have with you. Throughout the years, I've seen you change (of course, in the way our parents have always wished), from the silent picky-eater to a goofy, wonderful person that you are right now. Words will also fail on how thankful I really am to God for allowing me to have a challenging sister like you.

Happy Birthday, TK! 73 years of more awesome, blessing-filled days for you. Here's to more memories, secrets, midnight talks, random photo booth moments, etc. together! God bless you, Hamutaro!

P.S. At last, my theory crush of yours's finally proven right. HAHAHA
P.P.S. And as the tradition continues, it's raining on your birthday. Terey, Blessings!

Lots of love and Sunflower Seeds,
Snoozer/Oxnard

I admit that for the past years, I've always had the post about my mother on Mother's Day and I wouldn't deny the fact that we're closer than that relationship I have with my dad. I grew up feeling that my dad is distant with me that whatever I try to do, it feels like it's never enough. But through the years, an amazing thing has been happening without me having any clue about it. And it's amazing how God did it in secret that he just brought it up recently with one of the biggest smile on his face. I didn't know that He's been working on both of us the past years and I admit that God made it possible for us to be closer, that level which we've never been into before. Just like how I've been praying for the past years.

And with Father's Day spent last Sunday, I would like to dedicate this post to the man I discovered this relationship with. The man I've been praying to be close with, my daddy Leo.

My dad, for me, is one of the best dads (aside from my #1, Father God!) in the world for me. Him, along with my grandfathers and some more admired relatives of us. And with that, I would enumerate some facts and reasons why I enlisted him under that list.

• He's my inspiration in learning how to draw properly. Dad loves drawing and he's the one who's always drawing our school projects before. 
• He taught us to be street smart. He exposed us in different modes of transportation and possible routes that we could take when we plan to go somewhere. This sure is proven really helpful. It cultivated the adventurous side of me and the confidence whenever put in a new environment.
• Dad fed my adventurous side when I was still young by bringing me along with him whenever he travels out of town. He's my first travel buddy!
• He's my number one nemesis in computer, PSP, playstation games.
• He's the number one guy I could be my own self whenever I'm around him. Who would've thought that I'm into computer games such as Starcraft, Warcraft, Red Alert, God of War, Tekken, Street Fighter, etc.? That I could be the girly girly or the tomboy version of me without worrying that I might be labeled something.
• He taught us to be the type of girls who would be game with challenging jobs (for the girly types!) such as carpentry, mechanic works, etc.
• He helped us deal with our fears. No wonder, he, along with mom, raised three daredevil girls in their home. From roller coasters to jumping in the middle of the sea to swim. Yes, we got the daredevil side from him, braving the Six Flags roller coaster, swimming towards the deeper area of the sea when we go to the beach, etc.
• He taught us how to love music. I believe I know most of the old school ones (lyrics absorbed by ze brain, I believe!) because I remember him turning the radio on whenever we get our afternoon naps way back when we're still babies. And I remember him singing most of the time while playing his Fresher guitar.
• The love of sports also came from him along with mom. Hehe. Basketball, to be counted one of the earliest I learned to love. From Chicago Bulls, Alaska, Ginebra, Lakers, and Spurs!
• I believe I got the talent to engage people from him. His ability to strike up a conversation with someone he just met still amazes me.
• He taught us a lot about the Bible - The characters, situations, instances, and he's even willing to explain to us whenever we don't understand anything from it. It really helped me a lot whenever I needed to prepare for my lessons or message.
• He taught me to explore.  That I should not fear exploring and it gains you new ideas.
• He taught me how to fly a kite! I flew my first one just recently. I remember that's sometime at the beginning of June.
• And the list goes on and on and on and on...