Living Up to My Name

Someone just updated her blog banner and layout..hehe

I finally had good use of the picture of that wonderful sunset that I took when I joined a medical mission in Palawan. I don't know how to take great pictures, but such beauty, thankfully, did not require any special skill to be captured.

I'm almost at the end of my shortest semestral break yet (two weeks lang!!!) and going back to writing has been on my agenda when I planned how I wanted to spend this short break meaningfully.

Yesterday was about enrollment and a few errands. The day before that was catch up and accountability time with my growth group leader Kat and wrapping some Christmas gifts. Last week was about helping our classmates and batchmates pass their exams by providing rationale for the past exam questions with some baking and buying of school books on the side.

It's funny how I somehow get to do more when the break is shorter. I once again proved to myself that the lack of time is not the issue...that I should not be asking for more of it because we have all been given the same 24 hours a day. What I need help with from the Lord is on gaining the awareness of how short the time given to me is...to number my days aright, that I may gain a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12).

As I hope that I could write and process my thoughts more often from now on, here's one to document a milestone I reached in this short break...

         More than ever, I am proud of myself for taking the biggest leap in overcoming my personal issues - and that is by confessing them to an accountability partner. I thank the Lord for the life of my growth group leader Kat and for the spiritual sisterhood and community that we have. To have someone check on you on sensitive stuff can be scary and shameful for most people, but of the concrete steps I've taken in the past to overcome my pet sins, this has been the most difficult to do. I had no doubt that Kat would minister to me with truth and grace, and that I can come to her as I can come to Jesus, freely and without fear; but the biggest obstacle that I had to overcome was myself, and my pride I guess, because for a long time I've been convincing myself that I can deal with it on my own. But I can't explain how freeing it was when I finally shared things with her. Now, when I have to battle with my thoughts, I am reminded that I have an extra filter, and that I am not alone in the fight not only spiritually but also physically.

In the present time, perhaps people would say that I'm being too hard on myself with these issues that I have. But they are big deal for me. My name Katrina means "purity", and it has always been my prayer to the Lord that He help me live up to my name, not only in the eyes of other people but even in the most secret portion of my heart and mind that only He and I am aware of. I want to be holy as He is holy. I know I can never be perfectly pure, but I intend to do my part in my desire to be "set apart" for His glory, foremost by committing in my heart to obey His will. This is also part of my personal preparation for the partner I am praying to have in the future as the Lord wills it:) Not that I'm feeling that the time is near; on the contrary, I feel that my current season cannot include a significant other yet; but regardless of whether I'm bound to meet him soon or not, I intend to be the best version of myself.

I know this would be a lifetime battle until I get to be with Him in heaven. But I intend to do my best, with the motivation from God's Word - "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." (Matthew 5:8). And for me, to see You Lord is the greatest reward :)

Thank you Lord for your sufficient grace.

And of course, this part of my journey would not be complete without my theme songs..hehe..Thank you Lord for Spotify:)
Masterpiece by Tori Kelly ft. Lecrae
Just As Sure by Tori Kelly and Jonathan McReynolds
Whole by Jonathan McReynolds feat. India Arie
Maintain by Jonathan McReynolds feat. Chantae Cann

P.S. Can I just say how much I love Tori Kelly and the entire Hiding Place album! And learning about Jonathan McReynolds' music was a bonus!

Another of my No Classes Thoughts

I was already feeling happy yesterday night because my 8a-10a class today was cancelled, and I could peacefully doze off despite not finishing reading The Medical Act of 1959 knowing that I can continue doing so early morning today.

But even better, I woke up to the news that classes were cancelled in all levels because of the inclement weather. When the same thing happened last Wednesday, the first thing I said was 'Thank you Lord' because I was down with flu and barely had an audible speaking voice. I got the rest that I needed and I thought I got my voice back, until a few hours in school yesterday when I started coughing really bad again. So I say another Thank you Lord:) I have much catching up to do with my readings and I'm gonna use the time tick some of them off today, but I am more grateful for the opportunity to rest anytime I need to.

You know my needs Lord. I know this is not about me, and I do not like the heavy rains either...but I praise and thank you for knowing my needs better than I do most of the time, and for generously granting them according to your will. I pray for the families affected by the typhoon, may they also experience you and know you as you supply their needs.

Thank you Lord!


Love,

Katy

First Time in Boracay!

The Lord has allowed our family to go on a purely vacation trip for the first time in no less than Boracay! It was a work benefit for Ate and even though we could not go out for the last few days of the trip because it coincided with a typhoon, we were staying in a beautiful and relaxing place (I'm talking about Fairways and Bluewater Newcoast Boracay) so we could not complain. Here are some of the pictures (which do not do the sights justice but I hope would show how much we enjoyed)

Note: All photos are raw so most of them are dark because of the gloomy weather:)

I woke up to this for three mornings

Papa dreams of having a similar view outside our home

Micah and I went to the pool nearest to our villa despite the rain...it was too convenient to miss

We also went to the resort's private beach and had a swim despite the rain:)

Port Fashion..haha

2017

2017 has been a fruitful and challenging year for me..though my life right now mostly revolves around school, it hasn't been without its share of difficulties, triumphs and new experiences.

January 2017 marked the beginning of 1st year, 2nd semester, and as I write this, I'm just waiting for the complete upload of my grades so I can proceed with the enrollment in time for the first day of classes of 2nd year, 2nd semester on Monday, January 8th. How time flies, especially now that I'm in school, when every day is about catching up, and juggling a lot of things at once. I'm actually not yet mentally ready to go back to the grind again, with still so many things I'd like to do in other areas of my life, but we do what we have to do, so here I am, trying to tick one off my to-do-list by trying to come up with my mandatory year-end post:)

My unforgettable milestones/achievements/challenges this year are...
(to be truthful to 'unforgettable' I'm purposefully avoiding looking at my planner and journal..haha)
- academic achievement (i'm the first year outstanding student..yay)
- my fainting incident and head injury
- our first family trip in Boracay (a separate post on that after this)
- 2nd year, 1st sem (all of it)
- my CPC and Quiz bee experience

I'm looking at my list now and I realize that those experiences that I found really difficult for me were the ones that made it to the list (except for the family trip in Boracay..haha). They all ended in triumph, only by the grace of my Lord Jesus, but they weren't easy victories, and maybe that's why they left their mark. Looking at my list now also made me realize that 2017 was about struggling with a lot of things with myself. Because 2nd year was difficult, striking the balance to maintain the other areas of my life also became more difficult. One or the other has to suffer, and it is just now that I remember not including Papa's 60th birthday in my list...maybe because I've been trying to forget that I wasn't there because I had to prioritize an exam.

I have also not been a faithful servant. My daily devotion and prayer time was still there..but just still there. I grieve about how the time had to be cut short, and how the quality also suffered because I was distracted with a lot of things. My failure to fully give up my sinful habits did not help, and to sum it all up I don't think I've become a better version of myself this year.

But I'm still here, and the Lord has given me another year. And for each day that I get to try again, I am grateful. I'm even more grateful that my Lord doesn't look at me the way I look at myself. Each time I pray, I look into His eyes and His heart through His Word and all I see is love..His love giving me hope, peace, and gently nudging me to press on, because even though I can't do it on my own, He assures me that I won't be alone. He's always with me, always going before me, and always helping me get back up each time I fall.

This 2018 Lord, I want to be better for your glory. And so let me begin by resolving to seek joy and satisfaction in being in your presence. Would you help me simplify my mind once again, investing time and energy on the things that truly matter, with less of the distractions? You think I should go back to journaling? I'll do that too:) I also resolve to make use of my time wisely, and to make myself more accountable to you and to the people you surround me with.

I'm anticipating it will be difficult, but your joy is my strength. So in advance, thank you for a victorious 2018! 

Love,

Katy