Lenten series: Spiritual Thirst

             

 

This verse is one of my favourite songs that we sing in the church. This literally means about a deer thirsts for water which actually translates us humans expresses an intense, desperate longing for God’s presence.

It also signifies a deep spiritual hunger, often trials where the soul realizes only God can provide satisfaction and refreshment.

Today, I am so happy and excited because I just joined the Windsor Half marathon to be held on September. I felt so happy and blessed also since I am not just running for fun but with a cause. For me to join a race here in the UK, you need to be a member in a foundation or a volunteer that supports their advocacies and movement. And I am happy because I supported not just one but two organizations.  The Wellness of Women and the Windsor Christian Action. Wow! I’m starting to be a philanthropist again! So adorable!

I love this kind of charity work, helping organizations in their advocacies while trying to be fit and healthy. In the Philippines, charity foundations organize a fun run to raise funds for their movement. Anyone can join and race starts as early as 3am! I remember I did a lot of fun runs that support a lot of charity foundations. I had a collection of medals in our wall for all the race I joined. It also raise my awareness in supporting a lot of charity foundations. This is just a small step towards a greater cause, my dream to be in a bigger race. To be in the London Marathon!!! Wow ! That is an honor!

Now, I am longing to be in a prestigious race. It’s not bad to dream. A race with a cause. I am blessed actually to be in this country. A greener pasture for my dreams, not only mine but with my husband. One day, my husband will grow his faith. I am always praying that one day he gets an encounter with God. An encounter I know he will always choose God over the worldly things. I’m always longing for God, always asking for Him to give us an encounter. Only a true encounter will test how we are deeply close with God. For a true encounter will also test how strong we are to overcome fear, faith and love for God. 

True peace and satisfaction are found only in God, not external circumstances. I always pray God never abandons us, not persecute us but give us victory for we have won in life.

This charity foundations are instruments to make us be a better person. Supporting their advocacies genuinely and not just because I want to join a race. 

The race is all about charity, love and kindness, selflessness, care and genuine action.

Hope me good luck!

Lenten series: Are you afraid? Scared? Doubting?

   

  

  This verse is so powerful and so comforting. Imagine the Father telling us that it’s okay to doubt, to be afraid. It’s natural to be scared, but it’s so hard for us to trust Him.

This verse was written by King David while in captured by the Philistines in Gath. This highlights choosing faith over fear even during dangerous times. And encourages us to rely to God’s strength. 

I remember last year of July, 2025 I got a job here in the UK as a Guest Services Assistant in one of the biggest hotel brands in the world. It is also known as a “hotel receptionist”, it is not a biggie since this role is my first job here in the UK. People say there are a lot of jobs here, but I struggled to find one. I also recall submitting my CVs to different companies over the internet, it was over a five hundred but none of them succeeded. This role was given by God,  I remember I cried thanking and praising God for all his goodness. Imagine me transitioning from banking to hospitality. Also, communication is really a big challenge for me, because English is not my first language and communicating with guests and colleagues is a bi challenge. Slowly, I try to talk without accent, simple and specific terms. I thank my colleagues for being there for me, supporting my back and encouraging me to be better more everyday. Second, transportation is not a big problem but during late shifts, I need to walk a kilometer long alone in the street going home. But I continuosly thrive at work, I make sure I do and try my best everyday. Hospitality humbled me so much, from welcoming guests, doing kitchen work, learning F&B, communicating everyday in English. Everyday is a new challenge and learning for me. For seven consistent months, I topped the most enrollments. It also gave us bonus points which we can use to stay at any IHG hotels worldwide and incentives of 50GBP throughout the month so praise the Lord! 

 The salary was good but cost of living here in the UK is so extravagant. It was also a struggle for me to adjust especially on my first months living here in the UK. I spent all my savings from the Philippines, I even used my credit cards to pay off bills and expenses. Conversion and border fee killed me. I was crying every night to God, crying to sleep begging to give me a job. I was so eager to find a job to pay off all my debts, my loans, my dues, my daily expenses. God! You knew! T_T

I don’t know why I was so angry at those times when it was actually my fault. I couldn’t ask my husband, bless him he was so naive. It felt to me that he was so ignorant, insensitive and selfish. But it was actually my fault, I didn’t ask any allowance from him. I am so proud and boast. And I was so angry in so many ways. 

Also, my husband booked a holiday with us in Bournemouth. He really loves the seaside. I loved it too. We stayed for 3days and it was a proper holiday for both of us since we did not have our proper honeymoon after our wedding. 

When we got home, I applied a job at Holiday Inn Express -Windsor last July 28, 2025. And right on the spot I was hired. I was so lucky, I am so relieved and really cried. God really hears what I desired. It was not a big position but atleast I finally got a job. A new start, a new career, and a new beginning. I started my first day on my birthday. Really a wish come true, my wish really came true. A wish I really I was begging from God. Oh! Hallelujah! He remembered me.

Few months later, a difficult colleague was arising until this day. Other colleague of mine was telling me I was too sensitive to handle him. And yes! I admit that! I am too weak, I also tell my husband what I was been doing at work. He really is pissed too. 

This current job is what God gave to me, and now I’m complaining. Just because there are difficult colleagues. Am i really grateful? Am I really thankful? Am I too weak? Or am I just afraid of rejections?This reminds me what was in Exodus when Moses led the Israelites to the land of milk and honey. God showered Manna everyday, but people keep complaining. People were so ungrateful and that was I in this difficult time. Sometimes I think God didn’t give me the job I had applied last week(take note it was my dream job), a work from home job. It’s because I don’t deserve it? Or maybe God knows I am going to be more stressful on that job. Who knows? God only knows. 

Anyways, I already doing long in this current job almost 10 months. All my holidays were already approved. Patience, perseverance, and motivation is what I need the most now that I came far enough to quit.

Lord, teach me always to trust you. Why am I always doubting?

I know your plans are far better than mine. If this is what God wants me, I can wait. 

Waiting..

Praying..

Trusting you always..

God is my provider, He is our FATHER. He knows better than we do. His plans are bigger than what we expects. He is making sure we are ready when he gives the perfect gift. He is making sure we are strong enough to handle big responsibilities. 

Breakfast Ideas: Deviled eggs toast

This breakfast toast is so savory and so easy to do. If you love slow mornings, pop your kettle on with your favourite coffee/tea. This is the best toast I did this year! I swear! You will crave this every morning!

    

I will give you a step by step instructions and ingredients you need. It’s super easy! You almost have all the ingredients in your kitchen.

1. Eggs! Eggs! Eggs! This is the main ingredient. Hard boiled eggs. I love boiling my eggs in exact 8 minutes. For me this is the perfect time to boil your eggs. I boiled 2 medium free range brown eggs in this series. After you boil your egg,  it is very important to soak them to ice cold water for 5-8 minutes so it’s easy for you to peel the egg shells.

2. While you are boiling your eggs, start to toast some sourdough. Well, any bread can do but for me sourdough is the perfect pair for this toast because it’s crusty and tangy. I used Jason’s The great white sourdough. Each slice has 107kcal, really a good source of energy to start your day. 

3. After I peeled my eggs, I crushed them to a small bowl with 1 tbsp of Heinz Light Mayonnaise, a dash of Colman’s English Mustard and 1 tsp of smoked paprika. I mixed all the ingredients and topped it to my freshly toasted sourdough. 

4. To add more flavour and savory, I sprinkled a handful of cheddar cheese to the toast and this is an option but I want to melt the cheese over the toast in the preheated oven for 8 minutes. 

Sprinkle some black pepper and a dash of dried parsley and viola!!! You get to have this toast after a short distance run. Together with my Iced Matcha Latte! Huhuhuhu! I loved it so much! I have them for two days already! 

The crisp! The crunch! Wow! Fantastic!