Last minute shopping for WA

Spent the whole afternoon going from Nordstrom Rack to Payless to Ross looking for bargains. Y'know me, doesnt matter how much I can spend. I'll always look for deals! Blame it on my grandmother (bless her soul) who I remember, taking me on her Mang Romy- driven Mercedez while reading the latest gossip magazines 2 hour traffic pilgrimage to Divisoria. I watched as my fave grandma use to haggle and bargain annoyed saleswomen matching their screaming just to get one peso off the already very cheap prices.

And the winner is......ROSS! Still the cheapest and widest selection of hip fashion! I bought Tommy Hilfiger mid cut dark brown boots for only $26. A nice d.brown leather jacket to match for $30 and IZOD leather jacket for my hubby (of course to match my ensemble) for $109 (reg. $350). I also bought me knee high black boots made in brazil for all of $25. And that ends my fall shopping.

I passed by my fave Christian bookstore, Lighthouse, where I spent around 3 hours. They have so many odds and ends, and interesting materials, I can spend the whole entire day there. Its so refreshing to shop at that store! Of course, spent another hundred buying the soon to be newlyweds books about Christian marriages. And of course, I picked up a few books for myself and Mikey. A few cd's as well since I'm singing at the wedding and at our Seattle church on Sun.

Then went grocery shopping to make sure the kids have sustenance for the next few days. Thank God for Tita Toti who makes me feel safe that the kids are taken cared of! And Im ready to fly!

I guess, I'm excited to go. I absoluterly LOVE travelling and getting away (though, there's really nothing Im getting away from since my life right now is pretty mellow, quiet and just the way I like it)! Its true the Lord gives you your heart's desires if you delight in Him but you need to fully understand what "delighting in the Lord means" that means, no stepping out of His bounds to do hanky-panky! No doing things your way!

My love and I are going to catch up on some movies like Corpse Bride, Just Like Heaven, The Man and Nick Cage's Lord of War. I want to have a romantic dinner at the Seattle Space Needle. I cant wait to see Mikey in the leather jacket I got him. I love men that know how to wear their leather. Vavavoom!

Im really much more excited about NY though. I haven't been there in around 4 years. Ive never been able to appreciate the city. Always just passing through. The first time was to see the 10th Anniversary gala of Miss Saigon with Lea Salonga coming back to the stage in '99. The other time was to watch the Duke Championship game sometime in the year 2000 at the Madison Square Garden. Its crazy becaus both occasions, I only caught glimpses of the twin towers not knowing that would be the last times that I would ever get a look at it. I regret not being able to tour them!

Of course, I'm not going to forget to eat at Peter Lueger's, the best Steak in the whole of NY! In fact, the whole of America! And this is going to be the start of our travels. Mikey is being booked for a 19 city book tour next year to promote his first book slated to hit the store in Jan 06. I guess I'll have to start another travel blog real soon. I cant wait!

So let the adventure of a lifetime begin! Thank You Lord!

The Lord moves...

Just when I thought that I was called only as a spectator, I am in the battlefield once more. Sis. Marlyn was at my dining table again yesterday, with paperwork and schedules of the praise team. I am getting to know her more, impressed by her leadership, vision and perseverance for the praise team's growth. I am also observing her very strong nature but how she carries herself with grace and serenity. I love the fact she strives for excellence in the ministry and she is never content with what we can do for the Lord. We are very much on the same page when it comes to work ethic and high standards. And these qualities make it easier for me to respect and submit to the leadership knowing that I can trust my time and talents to an organization that has it together (or striving towards it).

Well, I have already been thrown in the fire pit. I guess this is what I so long desired in my heart, to be used in the Kingdom. October is anniversary month for the church. Funny because Im so used to being busy my whole PTP life on October because of San Miguel's yearly OKtoberfest in Pamapanga. Is it coincidence that the month still has significance in my schedule but for a different purpose? ALthough, I'm working for the other side now, the rightside and this is redemption time for my soul.

It starts with Oct 2, the kids are leading praise and worship. Can you believe that? I think that is going to be such a memorable service! Its going to be an awesome experience!

BTW, Im flying to WA this thursday to be maid of honor (i refuse to be called "matron" hahaha) for Mariton and Lance. And of course, spending much needed rest and relaxation with my hubby who owes me ten thousand backrubs and a trip to the space needle. Hopefully he'll be able to fly down with me already. Im sure we'll have a blast! Being apart is no fun but then again, I always find myself in long distance relationships for some unknown reason. Don't ask me why. It's my curse, I guess. Hopefully, Im at the tailend of my curse.

Mikey and I will finally (hopefully with no more postponements) fly to NY from Oct 17th -19th to "seal the MEGA deal" with Simon and Schuster. We'll be wined and dined, of course with business meetings re: the book deals. Then we have to be back right away for the Praise and Worship Seminar on Oct 21-22. And then a culminating concert on Oct. 30 to end the anniversary month. Whew!

Then my birthday bash with U2 on Nov. 1 where we are getting VIP passes for me and 23 of my dearest friends to see them at the Staples Center, thanks to Mikey (again!) . Bono said he was gonna wine and dine us in his limo and seranade me. Isn't that a bit crazy? We'll see if that ever happens. I'll just be happy to see their concert. Im sure I'll be in tears.

I think this has been my best year ever since I moved '99. Not that its the BEST I'm ever going to have. My 'luck' started to change last year. I've been on an emotional rollercoaster the first 4 years but holding on to God's promises trully pays off in the end and now I am reaping in the rewards of my hard work and sacrifices. Of course, it's all the Lord's doing because it was last year when I trully walked by faith and let him be the driver of my life. And because I continue to allow him to work my destiny, I know this is only the tip of the iceberg. This is just a glimpse of things to come. A preview of how the Lord will shine His glory through me and my family. And so the Lord moves....as I move with His direction.

My Life is my message--My message is my life...

Haven't written in a while. As I told my hubby, Mikey...I am not like him that can write like its bathing or brushing your teeth. I have mood swings when it comes to my writing. And I write when I feel like it. Its not like making a song. I can do that on the spot when the need calls for it. I dont have to go up a mountain or have a quiet moment to put a song together. I just start composing like its brushing my teeth!

I am back at my mother church. I was serving in the San Fernando Valley church for sometime and it has been two weeks that I have been back. I am home. Its very interesting to see how my walk as a Christian has grown tremendously again since my coming back to the church even though its been only two weeks! I just feel more Holy Spirit presence and burning at the mother church. I feel a rejuvenation in my soul. A reconnection to the source. I know that this is where the Lord wants me to be.

Its only been two Sundays that Ive been back and alreadly He is putting me to work. He doesnt waste any time. The head of the Praise team was already at my house early yesterday morning, breaking me into the routine. Getting to know me and what direction I want to take with my life. It is very exciting to me. I think I have never been more ready to start serving the Lord.
Of course this means I need to look at myself and empty it of all the trash (again and again and again)...as usual. Whats new? hehehe

The sermon last Sunday of our guest speaker, Pastor Babes Paulate- head of the international organization, hit home with a bolt of lightning that brought me tears of revelation.

My life is my message...my message is my life...

So simple yet so profound. So softly spoken yet brutally frank that it felt like a dagger piercing through my heart. Have my day to day choices reflected a life that would be pleasing to the Father? Can my actions speak for what I stand for, my beliefs, my convictions? I would say, NOT!!! Not at all....Ouch! That ONE sentence made me think hard and deep---another paradigm shift for me. My life has NOT been a good example for others. If I were to look at my life as my message, Im DEFINITELY sending the WRONG message to the world!!! A message of compromise. A message that its okay to waver between right and wrong. A message that seesaws between good and eveil. A message that plays on the fence. A message--- THAT WILL CAUSE OTHERS TO STUMBLE. Double ouch!! I think my responsiblity in God's kingdom is more difficult than other xtians. I have been planted in the secular world. I know that my work will be mostly with unbelievers, winning them over to the kingdom side. I need to be strong in my faith and convictions if I want to succeed. I need my armour and battle gear.

Thank God for restoration. Thank God, for His Grace and Mercy and His Son Jesus Christ! Because even though I am weak, I am strong (in Him)...I am poor but I am rich (in Him)...because of what He has done for me and in me!

Every Thursday now is Praise and Worship fellowship. And every Saturday morning is practice at the church. This will definitely keep me in the line of fire all weekwith the proper armory to wage the war. It will keep me grounded and thats what I need because Im such a free spirit. Im looking forward to our sessions and relationship building! Im looking forward to getting to know Him more and His will in my life. I know that this was the missing link for him to start pouring the uncontainable blessings that He has waiting for me already! I can't wait to get them! I know in my heart that once I've emptied myself of the spirit of compromise, He will start blessing me and my family....you just watch! I'll keep you posted! Amen to that!