oh, the joys of teaching

Whoa!!! this had been a splendid week,,,and oh it's all about my joys, and the joys of the calling and ministry I have. Teaching, again, had been the longeeest relationship I have kept so far aside from being with my family for 27 years now. This calling had made me a better person in soooo many ways, has made me feel like a celebrity in my own right, and has taught me most of life's lessons through the kids I spend time with everyday. But the nice thing about it is that your influence does not just stop inside the four walls of your classroom, it expands, it enlarges even unto the families and especially the parents of your students.

Last Thursday afternoon, I passed by one of my students houses at St. Michael's Village. Her Mom saw me and she instantly invited me in, offered me a very sweet drink and we started chatting. It was a wonderful feeling because it was as if they had already known me for a long time. Also, it was amazing because they  aren't Filipinos but showed me such a genuine hospitality.

Missed calls? I have been getting them lately and every time I check my phone, it is from a parent in school. When I send a message to ask about any concern, the reply I get is, " Oh, it's just my daughter(referring to my student) who wants to say hi because maybe she misses Teacher over the weekend! Awwww! That's really sweet!

StRoNgER

was cleaning up my files, I saw a note I wrote on one of my scratch papers...

Lord, my body is soo tired, 

my bones,  my muscles feel like it's been worn out 

but my heart is smiling, 

my soul still willing, 

to serve, to love, to laugh, and 

to care because of a very simple truth,

 when I'm weak, You are strong.

In my weakness,   

I'm made stronger,

 stronger than yesterday!!!

Rain and Kids

     Today is the 64th day of school and my class is scheduled to go out on an outdoor trip.We are"Visiting a Friend's Garden." It was a gloomy morning but not my spirit. I knew it was going to be just another test of "emotions". Kids all came in with their red shirts. They were all happy and excited. While they were signing-in their names, I was already quietly saying my prayers, "God, come on, stop the rain, stop the rain." I tried to entertain myself and helped the kid's solve some puzzles. It was 8:30 and that was the time we were scheduled to leave. I called the kids and gathered them for our final instructions. I asked them if they were still interested to go to William's house since the rain has not stopped yet. And the answer was a big and loud Yes!. "Are you letting the rain stop you?" Nooooooo!  Working with kids had never been easy but it had always been marvelous. Kids, they don't let anything stop them from having fun. Anything is possible, not only when Mr. Sun is out but even when it rains. Anything is more than possible when it rains! I told them the rain was going to stop. I was not that convinced when I said but we continued the trip anyway. The kids believed what I said. There was rain, heavy rain, then light rain, some drizzles and until there was no more. Our garden activity was still a bang! Kids planted beautiful flowering plants. William's garden was a perfect spot to take pictures. The pool was so tempting but the toy water guns sufficed and quenched their desires of getting wet. Everyone was there to help and enjoy. The gardeners, helpers, parents, guardians, teachers and our Mom and Dad for the day! It was still a wonderful Friday!Thank you Papa God!

Kids Rally for JESUS, August 2011

It's 12 am! and I am still in awe Papa God! I have been praying for this. I have been dreaming about the whole event. You have impressed this idea upon me during my Monday night classes at the Bible school and it finally happened today. Your ways are just so, so splendid! You didn't just use anyone to confirm the vision, you have  the best people in mind, the best people I can surely work with! My aunt, my cousins, my best friend, the Pastor and the church that's really close to my heart.o.o 
Hurray! Whoa! Yipee! To God be the glory! Our first "kids rally for Jesus" happened this afternoon at Cogon, Pardo, Cebu City. My heart is so gratefully overjoyed right now. Though things are not perfect around me, I'm frustrated with work (some parts of it because I'm having fun with my class) and I'm having trouble with forgiving and liking some of the adults around me, God still used me today, so mightily!
The rally was attended by 30 active, energetic and adorable kids, perfect for our place! I felt their enthusiasm and excitement to rally for Jesus! They joyfully sang, danced, listened, prayed and played for three hours without even a hint exhaustion or boredom. The best news? they were reminded that the God of the universe, loves them soooo much and they all willingly and heartily accepted God's gift of salvation! It was the most beautiful scene I have seen for the longest time in my life. Kids raising their hands, crying out to Jesus, asking him to come into their hearts! There was laughing, screaming, crying and laughing again!
In the next few days, I will be working on our first kids rally for Jesus newsletter and will be planning our next big event! God has started this event today. I declare that he will open more places for this movement, will provide for everything we need and will send people to help. You are amazing, God!  Bless all the kids who came today! Thank you for everyone who helped!;)

harassed but peaceful...

Just finished my morning class, another beautifully, wonderfully, fantastically harassing morning in Kindergarten! Whoaaaaaa! I really want to be munching my lunch now but part of me wants to let my heart out! Everyday I'm convinced that "with greater power, there really is greater responsibility." For 38 days now, I have been enjoying the awesome responsibility of taking care of 16 campers. Its' the "taking care" part that's harassing me, well, I can use the word overwhelming, (just to make it a little lighter)
But at the end of every morning, I am still thankful for the decisions I've made,,, I am really sure it could have been worse! Now. I'm smiling!!!! I'm keeping on and hanging on! ;)

sunrise and mornings

we sat beside each other while waiting for Mr. sun to rise
i can feel the soft warm breeze of the new day
that moment felt so perfect
leaning on each other's shoulders
the time felt so right
Then quietly, i asked myself, God is he the one you have promised me?
GRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
suddenly, i heard the growling tiger, I mean thunder
wake up jane, oh, foolish dream!
some part of this short story might be true, but most of it is made up
..it's all because 'm not sleepy yet :P

Waiting Tme

I wrote this letter in December 2009, if I were to write it again, it will be the same letter.:)

Dear Papa God,

Waiting time can be the toughest time in  a woman's life especially at 26, (now I'm 28) (Yes, indeed!) Lord, I might have strayed ( a thousand times) for a while and tripped while waiting but I know I still have a chance to continue to wait for your plans, for my prince and for everything else. Help me to understand that this is a part of the weaning process before I finally reach the things you've promised me. Enable me to remember the life stories of  David and Joseph. Inspire me.
Tonight I recommit myself into the While I'm Waiting Mode, and while I'm waiting , let me serve you, worship you and glorify you more.
Give me the supernatural courage to let go of everything I have to.
So help me, Papa God!