Arrival of the Promised Visa
December 17, 2008 was the day of the arrival of the promised visa. At last, after a long wait, it now came to an end.
I wonder if I stopped praying. I wonder if I blamed God for everything terrible that happened to me few months ago. Then maybe I’m not as thankful as now, and maybe my spirit did not grow like this. I’m one of the most joyful and most thankful persons in the world. The moment I spoke to God that “Lord, I need my visa no more. I don’t need my visa now. I need You!”, you know what, He’s such a lover. I heard Him saying, “Child, because you said that, I’m giving you my promised visa. It won’t take very long! It’s my promise, remember?” He’s the most faithful I have known! I really love Him and I can’t help, but, you know, to fall to my knees. I really can’t imagine how I will fight the battle of life without Him. He’s truly my greatest lover and with that, I’m giving my greatest offering—my life.
I know I will meet more sufferings in the future that will make me even stronger, godlier and more wonderful in the eyes of God. But I shall always remember too that midst the darkness, the Lord provides light and if He has already rescued me in the past, then He’s gonna save me until the end. Always will I remember how He met all my needs so again, there’s no reason for me not to trust Him.
Because of all these tests of faith, God and I were closer and more intimate. I pray that God will give me a humble heart the moment I receive His promised success in my life. Thanks, Jesus! 
Macbook!!!!!
6th week and the visa has not yet arrived. Well, I wouldn’t care! hahahaha… Today, I was just thinking that I need my visa no more (but it doesn’t mean I’m losing hope… I’m still praying so hard). I mean, there is something greater I need now. And I need God more than anything. I wouldn’t care what other people will say about me. I wouldn’t mind about my schooling. So what if I missed the first sem? I’m still enjoying my stay here at home. This is part of God’s plan, I know. I don’t have an evidence that there will be great things that God will do in my life, and I don’t have anything to show now to prove that God will bring me to wonderful places and He will make me something extraordinary and influential (and famous! hahaha…), but I have here my only evidence—my faith.
And today, God reawaken my desire for a macbook by saying “Ask and you will receive.” Some time in our Sunday school, our pastor told us not to be ashamed to ask God of anything. After all, He is our Father and as a child, I can ask anything from Him! So now, Lord, Awesome Daddy, I know this will be very civil… I’m asking for a macbook. Hahahaha… Give it to me whenever I am truly ready. And I’ll keep on praying that I wouldn’t put my heart to everything you will give to me because anytime, You can take it from me. Instead, I’ll put my heart to You and anytime You will ask me to surrender it (the mac book), then I will be ready to give it someone that Your Spirit will lead.
Macbook, Lord! hahahaha…
Wait… Serve… Deliver…
(Tuesday, November 10, 2008, at 11:30 pm. Si Imay, natutulog na at ginising ni Barbie)
Barbie: May! Nagtext na sa akin ang Delbros Deliveries. Ipapadala na daw nila ang visa ko kasi na-forward na sa kanila ng US embassy.
Imay: (naantok pa pero biglang nagising sa sinabi ng kapatid) Talaga? (lumabas ng kwarto at nakipag-usap sa mga ateng gising pa. Biglang may naramdamang takot sa puso.)
Barbie: Bakit sa’yo wala pa?
Imay: Di ko alam, Barbs…
(Saka itong si demonyo, biglang nang-asar sa kanya, ginamit pa si Manang Mac nya)
Manang Mac: (kay Barbie) Barbs, stay ka lang dito sa bahay ok. (kay Imay) Eh yung visa mo, May, nasaan? (pa-sarcastic na pagsabi)
Imay: May reason ang lahat. (kay demonyo) Hoy, demonyo, umalis ka nga sa tabi ng ate ko. (nagtungo sa kwarto at kinausap ang Diyos)
(Napahiga sya at nawala ang kanyang antok. Biglang naiyak…)
Imay: (kausap si Lord) Lord, ano pong problema? Ano po ang gusto nyong matutunan ko? Ano po ang reasons why You still want me to stay any longer? Parang mas mauuna pa po sa akin si Barbie ah. (iyak) Magde-December na po, Daddy… huhuhu… yung promise nyo po sa akin… huhuhu…
Jesus: I know, my princess. Just wait me…
Imay: Thank you, but, how long, my Lord?
Jesus: Just serve me… I let you experience all these things for your spiritual growth. I know the plans I have for you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)
Imay: I’m afraid.
Jesus: Fear not, my beloved princess, for I am with you. Your reward shall be very great. (Genesis 15:1) Tama na… heto na ang panyo… mahal kita…
Imay: Salamat, huh? I must not be afraid. “All things work together for good for those who love you”, sabi mo nga sa Romans 8:28. Lahat ng failures na nararanasan ko ngayon is a part of Your great plans. Mahal din kita. (sabay kuha ng panyo at inilabas ang uhog 
)
Jesus: Just wait and serve me… and I will soon deliver you from all these troubles. Basta I love you child. Patience lang… Sige, tulog ka na. Maaga pa tayong mag-uusap bukas.
Imay: (nagpunas ulit ng panyo kasi dumugo ang ilong dahil sa pag-i-Inggles ni Jesus… hehehehe lol)
(Si Imay, nakatulog nang nakangiti… )
Imay Blooms
It’s nice to hear from some people I meet and old friends that I am blooming. Thank you very much! The truth is, I have a lot of problems, and yet I am still happy despite of all. I guess that’s one of the secrets on becoming beautiful. I mean, this is far from boasting. I just feel beautiful. That is all. I feel good of myself. I can still wear a smile as I go to church even without money on my pockets. I can still have the time to meet my friends despite my loaded household chores. I can still obey what my family members say even sometimes they don’t appreciate the things I do for them (kasi po madalas pumapalpak ako..pero ayos lang yun! heheh) Well, it’s just the beauty that comes from within. The peace of mind. The glow just comes out automatically, giving an it-must-be-in-love effect. (laughs )
Sabi nga sa akin ng iba kong church mates, “Aba, Maymay, siguro may boyfriend ka ngayon noh?” Isa lang po ang sagot ko: “Kay Lord muna tayo!” (sabay turo sa itaas). Bakit, sya lang naman ang naman ang nagbibigay ng overall beauty sa atin, di’ba? So my secret is just about trusting Him… He could make me smile despite my teary eyes. Happy!
Maiba pala ako… Finally, dumating na yung kulang na requirement for my visa and my sister’s US interview schedule. Ngayon nakikita ko na ang isa sa mga reasons kung bakit medyo na-delay ang pag-alis ko. Baka mag-sabay na kami ni Barbie. Please pray for us. Sana by two to three weeks ok na talaga. Trust and patience lang talaga. Thank you, Lord!
My Christmas and Birthday Wish list
Well, I still have two months and more before my most favorite occasions arrive–Christmas and my 19th birthday! I’m really excited, you know. Because I could feel that I will harvest my “material rewards” from God. I could feel that I’m going to spend my Christmas… with snow and with a roasted turkey on our table! Here’s my wish list. I hope I could have them just as I got my wishes too last year.
1. I want a lot of greetings from all of my friends and family! They could be via phone calls, e-mails, personal, whatever. Hehehe…
2. Hiya! I want a small breed pooch like a Shih Tzu, a Yorkie or a Pug! (I asked mom to buy me when I get there… ahem…) Look! I just gave them names! (laughs)
3. Who doesn’t like an Apple Macbook Air? Every computer manic desires it and so do I. It’s the thinnest notebook ever! I could use this in my ministry, in my writings, in school, at home, anywhere! (ahheem, paging my brother, Jerome Santos! hahahaa)
A pooch and a Macbook… That’s all. This is more than a wish. I hope God will grant me these things.. Yeah, I could feel it! Well, nothing is more important than to spend these special occasions with my family and share and receive love from everybody. By the way, try making your own wish list too (materials or non materials) and tell it to God. If you believe it will be given to you, then He will really give it to you. Just delight in Him and He’ll give you the desires of your heart. Happy Ber Months, everyone! Much love!
