This is How We Love

                  Relationship-- it is something that most people wanted to be in, to talk about and while many stay in it longer, stronger and get more mature, some struggle to fight for it, keep it and along the way loses the purpose why we enter into it and so it shatters. The eerie ways of being brokenhearted are way long list to go--different circumstances in different places at different times but same outcome--we are all left behind. You are left alone on your own.

                Today, I will be sharing to you a relationship that isn't perfect and will never be, but founded on the rock that can't be shaken, in a Person that makes our relationship this far who centers everything that we do. This relationship started fourteen years ago with tension because of academic rivalry-a good and healthy competition. So I guess, even when we were just friends back then, unconsciously we challenged each other already as students.

                Along that fourteen years of getting to know each other more day by day, there were hardships and struggles but not painful memories. For we took these circumstances as rooms for growth, maturity and discipline. While I would never forget how we became much closer like sisters, I am much amazed with God's Word that is a hundred percent assured and fulfilled when He said, I will be the one to speak in your behalf so go and share my good news, unashamed and with boldness. So, Elaine, thank you for trusting our Father and for gladly obeying Him with all of your heart, mind and soul. I couldn't be more grateful. You are worth a thousand gift to me from Above.

            On July 5th, 2016, I and Elaine have decided to celebrate in advance her upcoming birthday and our fourteen years of infrangible friendship. Just like any relationship does, we have a bucket list full of #bffgoals too--food and delicacies we want to eat together, places we want to unwind and hang out together, and a lot more. We have checked off some from our bucket list. I will not prolonged it anymore and here how our day went!

             I always come by at PUP Sta. Mesa to visit Elaine because this is where my best friend takes her undergraduate degree. I went to her dorm at 10:20 in the morning to meet her and we went right away to LRT V. Mapa Station. From there, we got off to Araneta Cubao Station. This time, we took MRT Line 3 so we could go quick to Shaw Boulevard. Since we haven't been to our destination, from this point, we have no direction. And I tell you, with all the streets we have walked to that we're lost, there's so much reflections and if I could put it in more explicit word, "hugots". Yes, we got lost but we found our way still. Hoooray! Around 12 noon, we reached Lee Hak BBQ Buffet  Restaurant. 

              Emotions rushed in us and it served a great reminder for both of us that having a goal, putting your mindset into something that you really want to do and go to is a decision that you make accomplished with desperation and passion. Lee Hak is a must-add on your bucket list, dear! Take a look at some of our photos and videos right here! :)

Crying my heart out because HUHU, I really really love korean food!
 And evertyhing else about South Korea!~

                  After satisfying our hearts and making our tummies full of korean delicacies, we checked out and with God's overflowing grace, we bumped into this wonderful promise of His (see picture on the left)! What a great afternoon to continue our day out!

                       



                Now, on to our next stop--no other than SM Mega Mall which is in fact a walking distance from where Lee Hak is! I really recommend you to walk by foot especially when you ate too much! It helps you digest all the food faster, just don't rush walking because it might get harmful for your body and health! :D

            I'm gonna tell you a secret, I've never tried Ice Skating in my entire life! I'm doing it first time with Elaine (and we did a lot of first times together) so it isn't new anymore to us and I really don't mind because she's my bff. You get it, right? I know you have one too, and even maybe more. One thing is for sure, the aftermath being in the rink will be painful and I'm ready for it! First step on the rink and it felt like I'm literally gonna fall down right away! It was so slippery (and what did I expect? :P)

          An hour after, we got tired. Who won't? It's not our field! I even had a moment of thinking that my mom should have sent me to learn ice skating during my childhood days. And again, I was reminded of the verse 1 Timothy 4:12 that says, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." How could I not be reminded of this when every child in the rink rolls their skates like crazy--like they're just on the plain ground. And I, on the other hand can't seem to move on from where I was standing. It will take nth minutes before I could go a round in it. Woaah! Each child's fearlessness brought me the lesson I once learned from a podcast of having a child-like faith. This faith that believes the impossible without a blink, fearlessly living and enjoying their lives through playing and trying things out of their comfort zones and leagues. This faith that confidently asks stuffs their heart's desire to their fathers, boldly asking questions even in its weirdest forms and answerable ones. Yeah, I had a lot to think about again because of what I saw and where I've been today and it's not the end of the day yet. :)

I bet you are curious about our skating moments! I specifically put the picture above because I guess, we're now Selfie Princesses! And, we really laughed so hard, and a lot because of our photos! Isn't it hilarious to think? And see? Especially this one below!

I pray I made you laugh today or at least this very moment! HIHI. 
Credit goes back to me, the ever expert photographer! :D

                But, there's more! I made a video out of our pictures on the scene! I know, each one of us has unique ways of spending time with our true friends and closest ones. I wanna share mine to you. Hope you'll enjoy watching it!

                    Around 6PM, we have decided to exit from the rink (and for the reason that our feet felt numb but so heavy already that when we put our shoes on, it felt so restful!). Afterwards, we went to Robinsons Galleria but sadly, the rain poured heavily. Thank God we have one umbrella with us! Despite the rain, we moved ahead but after some time decided to stop. While waiting for the rain to drizzle, of course, we talked and talked again. It was a special moment because we had our thoughts out like "what will happen to me if I'll pursue my dream of dancing--joining competitions etc after finishing my civil engineering course?" And the most I am curious about is, "Will I still be in the very will of God if I push through being a dancer instead?" Even when I'm a licensed engineer at that time. I wonder. And honestly, there are still days that ideas like these cross my mind. But whenever I think that God will not be in the very center of my life if I pick that choice, I can't imagine.. I can't imagine a life without Him. I'm not only scared but for the most part, it will be regret. Regret of losing Someone who knows me more than I know myself, loves me so unique without conditions and accepts despite my flaws without second thought and most importantly saved me when His Son's blood ran red on the Cross which became my Cross as well when I made the decision to follow Christ for the rest of my life. I know, and I realized that I have a lot of things to figure out for myself but I know that in my confusion trying to choose and do the right thing, there will be His Hands holding me tight, saying I will carry you through it and I have figure it out already for you. Everything has been planned out, you just need to keep doing what you know and what you are sure of, let me handle the bigger parts not what's left. And yes Lord, You are sovereign, all-powerful and now, I declare You take control even in my wondering hours.

                   And where were we, again? Sorry, my hands kept on typing the truth. :)
*water splashing* Nothing can ever stop us from going to Ha Neul Mart because our affection towards South Korea does not stop here. So, why don't we proceed to our resting-place and last stop for the day?

              Ha Neul, here we come! *shows cute facial expressions just like Koreans*

                  Ha Neul Mart doesn't have chairs and tables to seat on and it makes sense because it's a Mart! Haha. Gladly, Seven Eleven is right across Ha Neul so we were able to sit and eat our korean ice bars and drink Milkis (my favorite drink!). As you can see in the photo, we're kind of wet especially me because we passed by under narrow walking lanes and waiting sheds with a lot of people passing by too. Our shoes were all wet even our socks so it's kind of irritating but we managed.

              Going back home was easier and less hassle  but more patience was needed because all the buses were full to the point you can't get out of it. It really is mind blowing how Filipinos keep to that pace, and if I mind the commuters experience that everyday, I salute you Pinoys for your remarkable endurance there! :) I just hope that the government will do something about it, like propose a system so Filipinos be able to rest going home, knowing that they're too tired already from work. And I pray that we, Filipinos will have the discipline, or I say the character to follow regulations and rules, and the laws. After all, we all want the same thing--a better country, right? :) 

Because I believe that if governments from other nationalities are able to run their jurisdiction so well, we can too! We already know how to follow governing laws and protocols whenever we go abroad, isn't it time to apply it also right here in our Motherland? :)

This is how we love: 
We remember how great is the love God has lavished on us so we can give to each other,
to others the overflow of that priceless and everlasting love. 
CHEERS TO OUR 14 YEARS AND COUNTING! <3

                     This post will end now.. but the friendship we have and still continue to fight for will go on, like the love of Christ given to us, the Holy Spirit enabling us to accept each other's mistakes from time to time, to forgive just like how God has forgiven us, to correct and rebuke each other when needed, to challenge each other more in our walk with the Lord, to encourage when one is downcast or is heartbroken, to support one another in our dreams and careers, to love because He loved us first and spread that love to every person that we will meet wherever we are, and to let others experienced what we already have experienced and are experiencing still--that is, the gift of Salvation from the One who has saved the humanity and who offers a life that is full no matter what background you're coming from, no matter your past.

I hope that you won't let this opportunity slip out of your hands and sight today. The God who gave us a second chance is the same God who is wide arms open to you now to receive you as His child. You just need to receive Him in your life as your Lord and Savior. Let Him cleanse your past and make you anew. Let Him wash your sins as white as snow and give you a fresh start. It's not too late, my dear. The relationship you've been trying to hold on or been wanting to give up is nothing compared to the relationship He is willing to give to you. With Him, you can let go and give up; you don't have to always hold on because rest assured, He will hold on to you, always, without reservation. This is how He loves, and when you encounter Him, there's no turning back. As time passes by, this is how you will learn to love; this is how you should love. :)

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. -John 3:16

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. -Romans 5:8