I almost, well yeah, I already forgot to celebrate the anniversary of this site.. 4 days and a year ago, i started this blogsite out of sadness and inspiration..though i seldom update it, it still is ongoing and I have no plans of abondoning it..ehe, lucky for you, sharietot!..
So there. To the blogchief and to this blogsite, ‘Belated’ Happy 1 year blogging! =)
Hope I could blog more often…
I just came back from a vacation grande. I’ve got tons of ‘pasalubongs’ in my head (good memories) to share during our 22-day stay in my birthplace, Cagayan de Oro City..
FIRST It was good to see again the church that nurtured me with bible stories during my super early childhood. Some faces are so familiar, but I would pretend that I remember their names and smile back every time someone will gesture a handshake or ask “Eto na ba si Sharie?”..hehe. We were given a chance to attend their service twice. On the first time, I was blessed with the preaching about “Overcoming worries”. The second time I was blessed with the Praise and Worship.
SECOND We went swimming with everyone on the Omlang side in Laundelle Resort (hope the spelling’s right) on the upper part of CDO. The second time we went night swimming to Basamanggas Resort in Jasaan, outside CDO with Kuya Jong’s family (mum’s nephew). Those times were packed with laughters and chibogs.
THIRD Though late, I was glad we were able to visit Tatay Simeon’s grave a day after our arrival and on his birthday. Also I was delighted to see Lolo and Lola, and was able to celebrate Lola’s bday with the rest of the clan..hehe . It was our first time to be present on such ocassions. Thank God!
FOURTH Of course, nothing is better and more precious than having every faces of my kamaganak engraved in my mind. I will carry these pictures in my head for as long as I get to see them again.
Memories to be treasured. 
It took me so long to write here again..mainly because I was busy struggling to finish the numerous requirements in school to qualify for Graduation. And even when I already knew that I’ll be graduating 2 weeks before March 28, 2009 which also meant that my schedule was breathing normal then and actually have all the reasons to share the world how happy and inspired I was for finishing my college race, I still found excuses for not blogging. One is very reasonable but can be solved, and the second is one thing I’m afraid to admit (or didn’t want to admit because it’s actually my first and hidden reason). The first was because, we had no internet connection for like a month.. And I was so paralyzed! See! Reasonable, though can be solved! Trying to make excuse, only to fool myself!
So much of the fooling stuff! I planned before for my comeback on blogging about how thankful I am to God and to my parents for sending me to school; and that I was extremely joyous that I had no failing grades, which qualified me for graduation; and that the 16 years I spent studying is worth the joy I had. But there was a fear in me at the back of my mind, a big question of: NOW WHAT? (my hidden reason) I’ve been avoiding the feeling of being bugged by my own mind while blogging or answering replies. Though I really can’t escape (yes, fooling myself again), but at least to lessen man lang the uneasiness of thinking and thinking.
It was hard dealing with the things that would affect and define my future. I’ve got only two hands, which I’m sure can’t serve two masters; two feet, which can’t go separate ways; a heart and a mind that never meet. But I also know that if I entrust my life to God and submit to His will (that is perfect and pleasing) I know I can never go wrong. But, how can I know His will? Before, I admit that I was really afraid to know, that’s why I’ve been avoiding it, I didn’t even try seeking for it because I know that you won’t find answers if you don’t seek. It was really hard juggling these questions in my mind:
1. Am I just assuming or making up things on what could be God’s will is for me?
2. What if I assumed it right and I didn’t follow it?
3. What if I assumed it right, and decided to follow it? How will I tell my parents? How are my responsibilities in church? How’s the promising IT Career that could possibly await me?
4. How long does it take to find out His will? Can I work while waiting for His answer?
5. Who can give me answers? How can I hear God? How?
6. And the lists goes on and on..
Now, I’ve resoluted to find for answers because these questions have kept me from organizing my resume. Instead of letting my own mind pester me, I’ll now lay to God the big question I’ve been crazily asking myself: LORD, tell me, now what will I do?
Anointed – the official name of our Youth Ministry ; ASWCC Youth
Prayer Walk – an event / activity wherein a group of people will roam around a certain place observing and praying with a mission of conquering that place and winning the lost souls for the Lord. (similar to what happened to the fall of the Jericho Wall)
Our theme:
Our Ultimate Goal: to do what God has commissioned all Christians to do.
My other personal goal: to let this be a training ground for the youth in our church …so that ma-break namin ung mga walls in our hearts that hinder us to to go out, take part of the God’s commssion, to shout our faith and be proud of Him who is at work within us.
We have already planned this outdoor mission before, adpating what I have experienced with the YWAM people in Malate.. We had it scheduled last Sunday, but it seems that the enemy is really up, working very hard to not allow this mission happen. I found out from Chelle, Sunday morning, that mukha daw di makakasama ung majority of our youth, at mukhang apat lang kaming sure. So I thought kung ipagpaliban na lang kaya namin since the place we were suppose to ‘Jericho’ is unknown to us and onti lang kami at yung mga youth pa na familiar sa place ang di makakasama. But God impressed something in me “In my mission, I am sending you to a place where you are a total stranger.” Then I was sure, deep in my heart that we will continue this no matter how unfamiliar we are to the place or how many we are. God reminded me to hold on to His power, not on our weakness; that this mission is not about us, it’s about Him – what He can show and do!
Then, lo and behold nakumpleto pa rin kami. We all went to Camachile (guessed the spelling’s right). We were divided into pairs and each pair carried out the mission to pray and observe the place. after 15 minutes nagkikita ulit kami, and Chelle told us that meron daw silang nakausap that’s willing to accomodate us and hear God’s message for them. Instant cell group..hehe. And so there, the rest is a mighty history written and directed by God. I know that di pa tapos si Lord sa place na yun and He also doesn’t want us stop until we have totally conquered the place for Him. He has yet a lot of great things to demonstrate! All the glory and honor to God! Amen!
I thank God for the whole “crazy” year that passed. I could have not learned some realizations and grown deeper in Him if it wasn’t a “crazy” and difficult year for me and for some people around me. God has taught me so many things. I have learned to thank God in face of all what, (name all the synonyms of TRIAL)?
But despite all unhappy things this year has brought, I consider 2008 as the most fruitful year for my spiritual life. He taught me the worth of waiting patiently on the answers to my prayers by “being still and knowing that He is God.” He strengthened my faith for allowing everything that had happened to come about. He taught me to always put my trust and leave everything to Him. He is bigger than any problems one could ever be drawn against. With the paucity my family experienced, he taught me the value of humility and importance of money (spending it wisely and being resourceful). He not only made my prayer life stronger, he also taught me the power of praying with faith and knowing what to claim from His Word. God restored me, forgave, blessed, and loved me. How will I not be forever grateful then? Are words enough to thank the only One, who, not even once, become unfaithful to His promises? I am forever grateful to Him who remains true to His promise of “I will never leave nor forsake you.”
The Lord is my only source of strength. In prosperity or poverty, in sickness or in health, God is my joy and my stronghold.
With all the financial distress my family and I went through, I was able to discover and witness the richness of God and the abundance of His grace.
For the New Year to come the Lord tells us something, found in Isaiah 43:18-19. And it says
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”
One more thing: I also want to thank God, that if not because of the problems I expereinced earlier this year, I wouldn’t be blogging right now. I would not find the inspiration to start this blogsite. No sharietots.wordpress.com. =)
Just thought to share my answers to our assignment in SRM(System Resource Management) last Saturday. Some of the questions are the ones that are so difficult for me to answer. Hard in a sense that, I don’t know if I’m thinking like the way He thinks for my future.. (am I dreaming the wrong dream?)
What is your ultimate goal in life?
If I would have to follow my own gratification my ultimate goal is to be a successful businesswoman someday. It doesn’t mean that to be successful I would be famous or renowned; I only want a simple and humble life, a life away from shortage and deprivation. I would like to tour the world with a faithful husband and 3 loving kids with me. But those are my own dreams, if God has other plans for me I wouldn’t hesitate to do what He wants.
What will be your plan to achieve your goal?
After I graduate, I plan to ask my Dad to give me a small amount of money that I could use as my starting capital for a small business. I would ask some of my friends (those who are willing) to partner with me. And hopefully if that business will bloom I would like to start putting up other branches out of it.
Who has the most significant influence in your life?
The one person who has influenced me significantly is my dad’s sister, Auntie Kit. My tita graduated with a bachelor course 10 years ago. But a few months right after graduation, she accepted God’s calling for her to be a missionary. She left all her dreams and the potential career she could have tasted if she had only pursue her college degree. Her parents didn’t understand at first her decision, a normal reaction I guess. She didn’t get her parents’ approval and support. I couldn’t imagine how hard it was for her. But now, as I see how my tita surpassed those times of condemnation, I can’t help but admire her. For me, she is a living example of a person who’s living by faith. I have a high regard for her submission to God.
Who do you think is the most inspiring political leader / historical leader?
I have been very inspired by women who had an exceptional role in history and whose contribution has evidently affected our world today. One of those female leaders I’m inspired with is Indira Gandhi. My stock knowledge tells me that she was a Prime Minister of India, the first and only female who held the position, I guess. The only reason why I considered her to have inspired me is because she has proven not only to her countrymen but as well as the whole world that feminine figures can lead a country despite its state of instability and chaos. It was no easy job. One has to have deep courage to do so. She made friends and enemies too, that’s why, undoubtedly she was assassinated just like the other well-known male leaders of our history.
<!–[endif]–> If you were to open your own business, what type of business will it be?
It’s my dream to create (or co-create) a restaurant. Food is a necessity for all people, so if there’s a business that I’m sure will not go wasted, it’s a food business. If it’s not a restaurant I will be managing, then I think it would be a catering service business. Just anything related to food. Also, since I have a deep passion to read books and write anything under the sun, I have two other dream businesses, those are to own a bookstore and have a publishing house of my own. Nice!
They said..