I have a confession to make. I sin.  That's hardly a surprise actually. All of us sin. However, the degree upon which we feel the shame and the guilt of sin vary from one person to another. Others feel a guilt so terrible that they condemn themselves while others feel sorry for what they have done but are able to shrug it off at the next moment. Probably for the most of us, we don't even realize that we have sinned.  I have learned nonetheless that there are some sins that you can easily avoid while there are others that make you struggle so hard you almost always want to give up. The sins that can be seen externally most often are the ones that are easy to overcome. But the sins that lurk in your heart -- the ones that other people wouldn't even know that you have (and most often than not you don't even know you have) -- are the ones that would make you think twice about your character. Then, one day, a thing or a person or a circumstance, causes that sin hi...

The most difficult time of my life thus far is probably not a secret. Most people who are close to me know about it though only very few are familiar with all the details. I didn't necessarily broadcast it and I didn't keep it a secret either. It's just that, people were not asking.  At that time, my plan was to write a blog about it. Even when I was still in the hospital, in my mind I was already planning how I would write it and when I would write it. When I finally reached the chosen time of writing what I was planning, I really couldn't do anything other than stare at my laptop with an open Word Document which remained blank for several hours. I tried to write many times because I knew that I didn't go through what I went through just to keep things to myself. There is always a greater reason for every circumstance, I thought. But despite trying so many times, I really couldn't get myself to write. Hours became days, days became weeks, weeks became mon...

So, it's been a long time. Yes, it has really been a long time :-) I have just made four blog posts (including this one) in four years -- one in each year. I do not really know what prompted me to blog again. I guess, I've just really missed doing this. I have finally decided to get back to my computer and write again. Hopefully, this would not be the last time you would hear from me this year.  With the decision to revive this old blog of mine is also the radical resolution to revamp this not only in look but also in content. For those of you who have followed this blog for the past eight years (if there's anyone following at all.. LOL!), you might have noticed the change in title. Fantasies and Realities -- as I have named it before -- no longer exists as you have known it. Though, you could still find some of its contents here. The contents of Fantasies and Realities was more on the things that I used to love, opinions and reflections of things that don't re...

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father's care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numberd. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. - Matthew 10:29-31" Every birthday is a celebration. But Elisha's is not just a celebration. It's a remembrance and a reminder. A reminder of God's goodness, His power, His love. Even until today, I can't help but get emotional whenever I remember the events of 2011. It's not just because of Elisha's birth but also because of the events leading up to it and those that came after it. It was hard to grasp at that time. It still is hard to grasp now. But one thing is for sure, when God gives us something, it is not so we would suffer. It is because He loves us so much that He wants us to grow in our faith and be a blessing to others. True, I get reminded of God's goodness whenever I see Elisha. But events of...

My Dearest Elisha, I promised myself that I would write about this day since the very first time I saw your cute tiny face at the Intensive Care Unit in the hospital where I delivered you. I told myself that I would chronicle the events so you would understand how great God is in your life and how you have come to be a miracle in your father and I's lives. However, I cannot tell you everything now for the story of how you came to be is too long for you to understand at the moment and too difficult for me to explain in writing. But, I'm going to try nonetheless, soon, little by little, and hopefully, the chronicles would be complete when you are old enough to comprehend. For now, let me just remember the sweetest yet the most difficult day of my life.  Your father and I did not expect you to come at that point in our lives. I, especially, wanted to achieve a lot of things and did not even think about settling down anytime soon. When I found out that I was pre...

I stumbled into this beautiful song by Brooke Fraser and instantly became addicted to it. Certainly a song that echoes the cry of my heart.  Lead Me to the Cross Savior I come Quiet my soul remember Redemptions hill Where Your blood was spilled For my ransom Everything I once held dear I count it all as lost Lead me to the cross Where Your love poured out Bring me to my knees Lord I lay me down Rid me of myself I belong to You Lead me, lead me to the cross You were as I Tempted and trialed You are Te word became flesh Bore my sin and death Now you're risen To your heart To your heart Lead me to your heart Lead me to your heart

I wouldn't have guessed it. I doubt if she would have. But we have come a long, long way and shared too many memories for our friendship to be broken by time, distance, or even personal differences. People who had known us about nine years back wouldn't have expected us to grow close. For one, both of us were too quiet to even say "hi" to each other. I was the silent rebel and she was the overprotected. But things along the way made us click. Just like that, in a second, when we started talking, we knew we would be friends for life. Today is her birthday. And I wish I could be there to celebrate with her. Unfortunately, right now, all I can do is fill myself with memories of my best friend with whom I used to eat, drink, cry, laugh with.... etcetera... recuerdas de mi mejora amiga. 21 Fun Memories with Naomi Through Pictures Foolin' around right after church service One of the rare serious shots of the day Historic Day.  The day NCC's youth ministry ...