When you plant a coffee tree, it will take three years before it grows and bears fruits. Beginning from the seed, planting and taking care of a coffee tree is a serious task. A coffee farmer must wait for a few months before transplanting a coffee seedling into its permanent location. After the transplant, several processes are done to make sure that no insect (borer) will destroy the fruits. I must be describing it shortly here, but in real life, three years is a long wait.
If a farmer intends to plant coffee to make a living, he has to be sure that he also plants other short-term crops so that he will still have food on the table while waiting for his coffee to grow.
Waiting for a coffee tree to grow, while making all necessary (and not very easy) tasks to take care of a coffee tree, without the assurance that it will bear good fruits, requires a lot of PATIENCE.
In real life, patience, as they say it, is a virtue. It takes patience, as a child, to wait slowly as you grow and gain knowledge and experience. It takes patience to wait as you slowly work your way up to earning a college degree. It takes patience for one to wait for his/her dreams to come true. It takes patience in waiting for your prayers to be answered. It takes patience as God unfolds His will for you - day-to-day, and He only requires you to wait.
Patience.
Patience.
Patience.
See. Waiting is not easy. But the Prophet Isaiah clearly explains the essence of waiting in Isaiah 40:31:
"But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint."
These coffee trees are about one-year old. Two more years and a good harvest
of coffee is much-awaited. If only the coffee farmers would wait patiently.
Okay, so the Countdown to 22 ended already. But to be fair, I wanted to just update you on what really happened on my 22nd birthday. I told you it would be an "ORDINARY" day. But I realized now that it was full of extraordinary fun and laughter!
MAY 12, 2012- SATURDAY
I woke up rather late, because I slept early in the morning. My parents left home early for a retreat with the church members of the church that my dad is pastoring. I preferred to stay at home, because I promised the youth at church that I would teach them how to make chocolates that we would be giving away to the mothers for "Mother's Day" celebration the following day. My eldest sister also stayed at home with me.
My best friend, Rio, came in early while I was still busy cleaning the house and preparing for the chocolate-making day which was just really an ordinary task for me. Eben and Kim were both in the Province of Pangasinan for a meeting, so they weren't there.
My niece, Thea, the daughter of my cousin who passed away last February (which I talked about in the 10 Challenges of my life #8: death), came with her mom. They visited my cousin's grave, and every time they do that, they would pass by our home. They didn't know it was my birthday, but that surprise visit was remarkable. I got to spend a few hours with my one and only niece! They just stayed for a few hours and I gave them a ride to the nearest stop where they could get a ride home.
So, here is Jonna (Thea's mom), Thea, and me. Thea was playing with our cute little puppies here :)
Afterwards, I fetched my new friend, Kuya Brian, which I came to know only recently. He is a very gifted and talented musician, and it was a joy to have him visit me for a few hours on my birthday!
The young boys at church, whom my brother is discipling, also came to visit and help with the chocolate-making. One of them actually didn't know it was my birthday, and he was the one surprised! haha... So, silly and funny as they are, they made up a scripted "Surprise greeting!" for me! Here is a video of that silly moment, but I would always treasure these young boys who are turning out to be promising leaders. These are Archie, Mark, and Randy! :)
So the three boys were so energetic and funny the whole day, which made me laugh a thousand times! Later, more young people from church arrived. Ate Fely Ann, one of my trusted sisters and friends at church came to help with the chocolate-making. Soon, Jely, Glydel, Ian, and Kezia also came to help. The children at church (our Sunday School students) also dropped by for a while. We all shared some spaghetti that my mom cooked for the day. It was almost evening when one of the young pastors, Kuya Jun2x, who was also a good friend of mine, came to greet me and we had a lot of fun together. Making jokes, stories, and taking photos! Alongside making chocolates for the mothers.
Mark, Archie, Randy, me, Rio, and Kuya Brian (the serious-looking guy) LOL
After we wrapped the chocolates, they had to leave for church to practice for the Sunday Worship singing. I stayed at home to wash all the dishes that we used, and to clean the house.
That's me, Mark, and Archie.
Back row: The kids, Jely, Rio, and Ate Fely Ann
Here we are showing off the Red Chocolates that we made for the mothers.
Ian, Kuya Jun2x, ate Fely Ann, and Me!
Front: Randy, Archie
Back: Ian, Glydel, Kuya Jun, Mark, Ate Fely Ann, Me, Jely, and Kezia
The Red-rose looking chocolates that we made for the entire day! :)
Later, my brother Eben called to greet me a happy birthday. My best friend Kim also talked to me. I was supposed to be with them on that trip to Hundred Islands in Pangasinan, but it didn't happen, so these two naughty boys were teasing me and trying to make me envy them for their adventure.
Later in the evening, the church musicians - Emman, Romnick, and Toto passed by our house to greet me. It was very touching!
Aside from the personal greetings and phone calls, I also received more than a hundred greetings on Facebook! I was touched not by the number of people who greeted me, but for the heart-warming messages that I received from some of them.
The highlight of the FB greetings were the twovideos created by the Peacebuilders Community, Inc. (PBCI) staff that I happened to work with during my last few months with PBCI. It was very touching and moving. There is something about them and the video they created, that made me cry. Yeah, I badly miss them and the work that we used to do together. But like Angie said, they know that I am happy right now. Knowing that I have them in my heart and that they have me in their hearts, is enough to make my 22nd birthday happy.
So, right! My 22nd birthday was just an ordinary day. It was busy and tiring, and we didn't have much food, but this day I was reminded that I am very rich. My treasures are these people who have become a part of my 22 years of existence on earth. The people who greeted me and gave me touching messages... they are my treasures! Probably you, you who are constantly reading my blog posts. You are my treasure! :)
"Ordinary day. No party, no special treat. No special someone to visit me. No adventure, no special activity. It is, like the rest of the year, an ordinary day. Later, I would be left home alone. I will be busy with things I would normally do. But today, is the day I was born 22 years ago. And for 22 years, my life has been filled with overflowing blessings. Today is an ordinary day, just like the past 8030 days of my life...B L E S S E D."
The countdown series was my effort to release a part of me. It was my way of letting go of so many things, of wrapping up all my experiences and challenges so far, of recognizing people who have been important to my life, and valuing things that I love doing the most. It was my way of simply letting you know me better, as much as I make an effort to know my inner self more and more. The countdown to 22 ends now. But, as the days pass, and as the will of the Father unfolds before me, I will keep you updated!
There is nothing really special being a 22-year old, but this is a period in my life when I finally start to embrace what I am called to do. This is the time I finally tell myself that my childhood days are over, teenage years are but a memory, and adulthood begins. I am not in a hurry to get old. In fact, I struggled a lot for the past years of how I have always been given responsibilities that I thought were bigger than my age. I badly wanted to stay young, to do things I used to do when I was young, and be with people I have always been with since I was young.
Today is the day I accept and embrace my calling. I am slowly embracing the responsibilities that I forcefully accepted before. I am embracing the responsibilities that are being given to me, understanding better why I was the one doing it and for Whom. I am accepting the challenges that life still has to offer. I welcome my 23rd year with a smile, having no regrets with my past decisions, and with inner peace and joy.
I am now 22. I am ready to face the new challenges set before me. I am ready to shed more tears, share more smiles, burst a thousand more laughters, and touch more hearts and lives of people. I am ready to make new friends, fall in love, and exhaust myself with more fun and adventure!
I am now 22. And like the past years, I offer this day to the only reason why my heart is beating. I offer this day and my years to my Creator, my Father, my Protector, Provider, Healer, Comforter, and Friend - to my Savior, Jesus Christ!
Welcome to my Radical Journey as a 22-year old!
I open my arms and my heart to the promise of the Lord in Jeremiah 29:11:
"For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord.
'Plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future."
1 more day and it's THE DAY! I will have no party, no special treat, no place to go, to special someone to meet. It is an ordinary day like the rest of the year. But tomorrow, I'm turning 22. And tomorrow, I am embracing something big! So now, I want to share you one of the many answered prayers in my life. And I want to encourage you to pray and let God lead the way, because He really answers prayers!
1 Published
Yes. One of my childhood dreams was to get published even at a local newspaper. And then, growing up, I prayed that I would be able to write about the History of the Mennonites in the Philippines. I had no idea how to do it and when that would be. I just had that desire in my heart.
With my first job, I was assigned to become the National Coordinator of the Mennonite Church in the Philippines. I eagerly accepted the responsibility and committed to God and to the church that I will serve with all my heart. I am doing it for the Lord, expecting nothing in return.
As the National Coordinator, I was asked to write the Philippine chapter for the Mennonite World Conference (MWC)- Global Anabaptist History Book Series. I was surprised and delighted to accept the task even if I was given only a short period to finish it. After two months of prayer and hard work, I finally sent the chapter to the editors. I received positive feedbacks from the editors and only waited for the day that the book will be published. On November 2011, the Asia Volume of the Global Mennonite History Series was launched. And...
...
Chapter 6 is about the Mennonites in the Philippines authored by "yours truly"...
So this it! I am published at age 21! It is only a short chapter, but it IS an answered prayer!
Today, I still dream of becoming a published writer. I should have included this in my article yesterday,haha... but I dream of writing books, essays, and inspirational thoughts for children, young people, women, and everyone! I dream of using this gift that God has entrusted me, so that I could be able to share my story of salvation to people around the world!
More to go! :)
Tomorrow, I'm turning 22....
There will be more stories I will write about in the future... :)And more prayers to be answered!
Me and the book... :) The FIRST published work of mine...
I have been religiously posting bits and pieces of information about myself, people related to me, food, experiences, and everything else I have done and wanted to do. Only two more days to go and it's my 22nd birthday!
Today, I want to tell you about two of my greatest dreams. Two of my greatest. Yes, I have so many dreams, and all of them are great (why not?). But here are two greatest dreams that I want to share you because I guess, among all my dreams, these are the nearest to reality and coming true.
1 To be a world traveler
Traveling is my passion. It is something I just naturally love. I have written so many articles about traveling and about the places I visited. In fact, I have written about my Top 9 Favorite Places in this countdown to 22 series. I have been to three countries outside the Philippines, and I feel like my radical journey is just about to begin soon. My dream is to travel the world. My dream is to travel the world and not just take pictures or eat at some famous restaurants.
My dream is to travel the world and leave a mark in those countries I visit.
I dream of visiting the 7 continents and go to as much country as I could, and do something there. Inspire someone, share a story to one person, or make friends with another. Anything simple.
I dream of traveling the world to generously offer a sweet smile that can change the mood of one person for an entire day.
I dream of traveling the world to inspire even a few children to grow up dreaming big.
I dream of traveling the world to pray for someone sick, someone with a broken heart, someone without a family, or someone who has lost hopes in life.
I dream of traveling the world to touch people's lives. I dream of traveling the world and share my own simple story - of being a sinner, saved and blessed by the grace of the Creator.
I dream of traveling the world - to see the awesome creation of the Creator.
I dream of traveling the world - to hear the thousands of languages of different tribes and people.
I dream of traveling the world - to see the colors of our skin; that are so uniquely created according to our race.
I dream of traveling the world to share the beat of my heart; from one heart to another. If I could transfer my energies to every person I would meet, I would.
I dream of traveling the world. The world in which everything that is in it, belongs to my Father in Heaven. I dream of traveling the world. I dream to travel it - to fulfill my purpose.
2 To have a simple family
Most women dream of becoming a good wife and a mother. Mine is to only be a simple one. With my dream of traveling the world and becoming a good leader someday, I do not know how I could also become only a simple wife and a simple mother, to a very simple family that is dedicated to the Creator.
I dream of being that perfect wife for that perfect husband; to be a perfect partner in all of life's struggles and challenges, to be the best friend and best companion in every situation - good or bad.
I dream of becoming a perfect mother to the best children in the world. I dream of becoming a simple, loving, caring, smart mother to the future great leaders of the next generation. I dream of having a simple family that is always complete and loving.
I dream of raising children that will continue to lead the change that my generation is starting today. I dream of raising godly children. I dream of one simple, happy family!
We're down to three! Today, I want to talk about three people who, I believe I influenced, and in so many ways influenced me too. We grew up together at church and we had to be together because we had no choice. We were bound to be together. It was fate. It was destiny. Remember one of the challenges I talked about in the 10 Challenges of my life? #5: Church leadership. It was a period at our church when everyone who were before us suddenly seemed scattered and left us behind. The four of us! So, I was young then and they were younger than me. They were at the same grade level, and I was two years ahead of them. I was the older sister "ate" among us. I was challenged to lead them, to encourage them, to share visions together, and to simply be friends with them. It wasn't easy. But now, 11 years after our friendship started, we began to realize that we are best friends. Not because we chose to, but because we were tried and tested by life's struggles and challenges. Get to know the people I grew up with, and the people I envision growing old together with. :)
The four of us recently...
me, Kim, Rio, and Eben ;)
1 Rio
The musician.
When we were younger...She was that little girl I used to scold. She dislikes a lot of things, but easily likes simple things -very simple things. I found her exaggerated and emotional. She didn't have confidence and I had to push her for that. She wasn't confident about her talent and I had to show her that she has. She is a creative writer, but I am a technical writer, so sometimes I don't read her hearty and emotional novels! (haha)
Today...She is a very dear sister. She has bloomed into becoming one beautiful woman of God who uses her gifts to worship the Creator. A gifted musician. Beautiful voice. Most importantly, she has a gorgeous heart! She is one young woman who dreams of having her efforts appreciated - even in the smallest way possible. She cries over simple things, but dreams about big things! Her joy is to eat her heart out. Her happiness is to laugh with friends!
One petite woman with a giant passion for music. One small person with one great purpose!
Pretty ladies :)
There is so much reserved stories behind those beautiful smiles.
2 Kim
The versatile artist.
When we were younger...He was this taller-than-me-boy who was always sweet and friendly to everybody. He was branded "the backslider". He goes to church at summer and Christmas break, then doesn't show his face at all during the rest of the year. He is a brilliant actor, singer, and dancer! He became my accountability partner. His presence creates a difference wherever he is.
Today...He is still taller than me. He is still the same talented person. A versatile actor that can also sing and dance. His tears flowed when he heard his calling..but unlike before, he has grown into a dedicated man. He was my successor as the youth leader. A tall man with big dreams, and big efforts to reach those dreams. He is a very promising leader, with a very promising future as a man of God. He sings through the storms of life and dances through the challenges of leadership.
One bright person with a truly bright future. One dynamic guy with one clear vision: to serve the Lord.
A "friend" one will always be proud of...
3 Eben
The director.
When we were younger...he was the bullied boy. One who was always laughed at because of his new and fairly intriguing ideas. As my brother, he was sometimes annoying for me. Annoying because I had to look after him, and he was a very notorious debater, so I struggle with my leadership with him. He was a gifted artist, director, painter, and singer.
Today...I was surprised how time swiftly passed by. He is now the leader at church. With his leadership, I am reminded that my leadership was successful. With his new and promising plans for the future, I remember the days when those ideas were laughed at. His passion reminds me of my own. His dedication reflects my own dedication.
He is one artistic person that has artistic and radical vision. One great leader with a hope of mentoring more great leaders to rise.
Best friend and brother...
So, all of them are artists! All of them are talented! I am not an artist, not a musician, not a singer, nor a dancer. I can act a bit, but not much. Among the four of us, I am the least artistically inclined person, but I will always be proud of how great these three younger friends have been. Every time I see them and their achievements, my heart leap for joy. Every time I see them cry and get hurt, my heart bleeds for them. Every time they dream big dreams for the future, I jump and cheer for them! I may not be as talented as they are, but I guess, my purpose was to simply let them know... how great people they are! And for me, that purpose... is more than enough!
1 Dried fish (Tuyo)
My all-time favorite, unique Filipino dish that I really love and am proud of! My lovely "tuyo!"haha... I don't know what's with this stuff that I love the most, but I definitely just can't resist eating it!haha... When I eat tuyo, I eat the most cups of rice ever! It's salty, meaty taste is what I love the most! Not that it is healthy, but you can actually cook it in various ways! Cook it with soupy vegetables, saute with vegetables or noodles, and whatever else you want to try it with! It is the best protein substitute when you go on a survival area, and it is also a best partner of a Filipino favorite - champorado!
Tuyo is best served with fried rice and tomatoes...hmmmm!!!
2 Coffee
Best for breakfast, snacks, lunch, and even after dinner. I grew up learning to love the smell of coffee and enjoying drinking it almost any time of the day! It was a special privilege when I had the chance to have a coffee research study in a coffee farm. I even wrote a comic book for coffee farmers about the basics of coffee from seed to cup. It was then that I realized that coffee takes a tedious process before it gets into my cup. Coffee is a precious drink. It was precious to me before, but now I treat coffee as gold. I have learned a lot working with Coffee for Peace, Inc. in Davao City, and since then, Arabica coffee has been my favorite! I enjoy Arabica brewed and black, but I also love the variety when it is served to me in different ways at coffee shops :)
I love coffee for what it is...
and I love all the coffee farmers behind one precious cup of coffee...
3 Egg (Scrambled, Sunny side-up, boiled, or whatever)
"An egg a day is OK" says a slogan in one of the restaurants near my university when I was in college. I loved it! Every time I pass by that restaurant, I smile! The reason behind me liking the slogan is that, in fact, I love egg! I like it boiled, scrambled, sunny side-up. I eat it with rice, bread, or porridge. I love egg when it is cooked into "leche flan" or egg pie. I love that most pastries are made with dozens of eggs. And I love that my favorite recipe, cream puffs, also require dozens of eggs! So, I love the egg for what it is and whatever you can make of it. I even like it raw, mixed with my favorite soda! (haha..try it too!) Also, I love that eggs are produced and handled in a very delicate way before it gets into my refrigerator. So, egg is definitely ok!!!
Sunny side-up! :) is okay!
4 Buko Salad
I have a special taste bud for sweets. I just love them! But I don't know what is there with buko salad (coconut salad), but it is my favorite! I love that you can mix it with anything and enjoy it's awesome taste! I love that you can eat it frozen or just cold. I love that you can put it in a small plate, cup, or even in a plastic bag! I love the coconut in it...plus the cheese... the milky taste,.. the other ingredients you mix with it... Bottomline is, I love coconut! And whatever else you mix with it to make it into a salad! :)
