For my UST Friends

Last week I went out with my college friends, and I just thought of ‘dedicating’ an entry for them, ahaha. In a couple of months now, it will be one year since our graduation day, one year since we last saw each other in school uniform.

Guys, those four years had been fruitful and fun. Remember our thesis stories? Yun talaga ang unforgettable. We were all waiting for the day we march at PICC because that will mean we actually passed Thesis!

I could still remember the 1^st day of my 1^st year in UST. I think my 1^st class was at 11AM (or is it 1PM), the sun was shining and everyone’s rushing to get to school. I looked like a lost puppy then. ; ) Pawisan, magulo ang hair, di pa sanay mag-heels. I was trying to make new friends, and kept telling myself that I’m starting a ‘new chapter’ in my life and I better make it right (funny how we always use the phrase ‘new chapter’ whenever we’re entering or beginning another phase). So the long day went on, and after a few weeks I found myself crying in my dorm room, wanting to go home. I was sooo lonely - missing my high school friends, my mama and papa, the comfort that my usual surroundings always gave me. It’s time I get out of my comfort zone. Eventually, I gained new friends and I am forever grateful to God that they’re part of my life. We were together almost all the time, eating, studying, chatting, learning, even sleeping together. Yes, it was hard, but I believe we were able to incorporate FUN into WORK. WFOURNK <=== see this.

God has been faithful to us. I failed to acknowledge then, but God was with us during those trying times, comforting us when we thought we couldn’t go on anymore, celebrating with us during triumphant moments that we gained out of passing projects on time, being able to finish a group report, completing requirements...It might not seem big, but to Him, it is because we were appointed to be at that exact place and time. It was our season to study and work hard, and have fun.

Now that we’ve finished school, this is another season that God has called us to be in. It’s time to ENLARGE OUR TERRITORIES! It’s time we use all that we learned to where we are right now. Everyday, I get excited about what this new day will bring, what new surprises God has prepared for me. God has given us a present, and it’s THE PRESENT (as in now, today). Decide whether you’ll unwrap it or not.

I believe that it’s no accident (there are no accidents!) we were brought together. Each of us is connected according to what God has planned. Each of us is God’s project!

I used to love coloring books. Even when I reached high school, I still bought coloring books and...well, color them! I enjoyed bringing life to Snow White and the seven dwarfs but I always missed the lines, though. Don't know if my hands were slanted in the wrong way, or if the borders of Snow White's skirt were too thin.

I used to love checking the text books of my two older brothers. Left-handed since I learned how to write, I always checked them the wrong way. Instead of this ---> / way, I did it this way --> \.
I just knew that I was doing it wrong when I started going to school and saw how teachers checked my notebooks.

It's really funny how things change through time...

Now, I am totally different, but somehow, I know that I'm still the same.

From the time I knew that I can be free from sadness, envy, depression...and all those dirty stuff, I now enjoy my life EVERY SINGLE DAY! Even I could not believe it. When I was in college, I used to wonder how people seem to take things easy and asked myself, 'Why couldn't I live my life like that?'

Now, every waking moment is now a real WAKING MOMENT to me - alive, dynamic, moving, feeling, being.

Why? One Man I have fallen in love with. And I choose to love Him not just by my emotions, not just through good times, but by my will. If that would mean loving Him in times of trouble, in times of difficulties, then I will. Because Jesus has laid down His life for me. He also laid down two choices that I have to make every day. Life or death. Blessing or cursing. And what was Jesus' command? CHOOSE LIFE.

I decide, I choose and I abide.

Jesus' message to me while I was reading the Word was, 'Now, remain in my love.' NOW. Not tomorrow, not next week...NOW.