Disclaimer: Though I have another blog for my Friday Night Out I prefer to write all my JAG events happening on a Friday under "JAGship".
It's another Friday. August 8, 2008. While the world's eye was on the Beijing Olympics, my JAG and I were celebrating Maureen's 24th birthday @ 2724 (that's my apartment number).
Everyone agreed to call a double celebration because Sasah got promoted in KPMG as Assistant Manager. Congratulations chum! Fly higher!
I have to be honest, I was having a tough week and I really didn't know what to do with the many things going on in my life. Arrows, swords and even bullets kept coming toward me and the loads were becoming heavier and heavier. If only I could just disappear for a while or tell the ground to open and swallow me. But no matter how we try to avoid those circumstances, we have to endure, fight back and take hold of the victories that belong to us in Christ. Despite of all odds I still wanted to become a blessing...and besides it's Mau's birthday!
On my way home I dropped by the mall, bought a gift for Mau--yeah pink blouse, and I grabbed some pink balloons though Jfer was supposed to do that for me but
I knew she couldn't so I did it anyway (I needed to decorate my place with anything pink.) I also bought some bite-size cookies and chips for our "session". When I got to my place, Mau and Tin were there already and the food too. So how would you decorate the place if the birthday girl came earlier than the host. We were all laughing. Mau decided to go down and bought some beverages. That gave me enough time to do her Pinky-Happy-Birthday-Poster. Klaire, Pia and Jai came after Mau left. And so did Gail and finally Sasah.
How can a JAG celebration be possible with out some photo op. After Mau and the girls had a number of shots, we decided to eat. So Jai led the prayer for her bestfriend and Tin gave thanks for Sasah's promotion. And I prayed for the food. We had a bunch of pizza and pasta, cake and ice cream, and orange juice and soda. Sarap! We all understood Jfer's commentary, " I love 2724!"
The JAG session started after everyone was full. While I had to isolate myself in the room to prepare for my sharing in the CparforJESUS event the following day, I was listening to my precious JAG unloading their burdens and revealing their hearts to one another. Hearing them, I became more confident that they can actually manage without me. Praise the Lord!
But as the shepherd couldn't resist the sheep, I couldn't help it...so I went out and listened. And rather than as an exception, it's a rule that the AGL (accountability group leader), that's me, has to share her heart. And so the floodgates were opened. I shared how my week started out and what went on after that. I told them what the Lord was allowing me to go through and how He continues to make His grace abound in my life. And the more that I get deeper in my relationship with Him the challenges are becoming even more difficult. I was breaking inside but I found comfort being with my dear girls. They gave their encouragements and Mau just preached on me. The birthday girl was in the Spirit. And she was literally crying. We were all silenced by what she was telling me. Those words where from the Lord. She told me that God has carried that cross for me and I am already set free and the enemy just so wants to kill, steal and destroy me. She reminded me of what I once told her, "the enemy will always hit you at your weakest point". And I exclaimed, "come on you girls, tell me what I've been telling you. It's time to return the favor."
After our time of prayer (and it was already August 9), we hugged each other and we felt assured. Sah didn't say much, but she held me and hugged me for a long time...and I felt better. I once again saw in them the glory of my King.
I was so glad that we always get more from what we usually expect from JAG. And God has been faithful in doing that. Our relationship becomes sweeter and sweeter. We remembered all the JAG in the world. We continue to uphold them in our prayers and we are certain that they also keep us in theirs.
I know that in my most trying times, my JAG will be there for me. You know why I'm so confident of this, because they know that I will always be there for them.
It's another Friday. August 8, 2008. While the world's eye was on the Beijing Olympics, my JAG and I were celebrating Maureen's 24th birthday @ 2724 (that's my apartment number).Everyone agreed to call a double celebration because Sasah got promoted in KPMG as Assistant Manager. Congratulations chum! Fly higher!
I have to be honest, I was having a tough week and I really didn't know what to do with the many things going on in my life. Arrows, swords and even bullets kept coming toward me and the loads were becoming heavier and heavier. If only I could just disappear for a while or tell the ground to open and swallow me. But no matter how we try to avoid those circumstances, we have to endure, fight back and take hold of the victories that belong to us in Christ. Despite of all odds I still wanted to become a blessing...and besides it's Mau's birthday!
On my way home I dropped by the mall, bought a gift for Mau--yeah pink blouse, and I grabbed some pink balloons though Jfer was supposed to do that for me but
I knew she couldn't so I did it anyway (I needed to decorate my place with anything pink.) I also bought some bite-size cookies and chips for our "session". When I got to my place, Mau and Tin were there already and the food too. So how would you decorate the place if the birthday girl came earlier than the host. We were all laughing. Mau decided to go down and bought some beverages. That gave me enough time to do her Pinky-Happy-Birthday-Poster. Klaire, Pia and Jai came after Mau left. And so did Gail and finally Sasah.
How can a JAG celebration be possible with out some photo op. After Mau and the girls had a number of shots, we decided to eat. So Jai led the prayer for her bestfriend and Tin gave thanks for Sasah's promotion. And I prayed for the food. We had a bunch of pizza and pasta, cake and ice cream, and orange juice and soda. Sarap! We all understood Jfer's commentary, " I love 2724!"The JAG session started after everyone was full. While I had to isolate myself in the room to prepare for my sharing in the CparforJESUS event the following day, I was listening to my precious JAG unloading their burdens and revealing their hearts to one another. Hearing them, I became more confident that they can actually manage without me. Praise the Lord!
But as the shepherd couldn't resist the sheep, I couldn't help it...so I went out and listened. And rather than as an exception, it's a rule that the AGL (accountability group leader), that's me, has to share her heart. And so the floodgates were opened. I shared how my week started out and what went on after that. I told them what the Lord was allowing me to go through and how He continues to make His grace abound in my life. And the more that I get deeper in my relationship with Him the challenges are becoming even more difficult. I was breaking inside but I found comfort being with my dear girls. They gave their encouragements and Mau just preached on me. The birthday girl was in the Spirit. And she was literally crying. We were all silenced by what she was telling me. Those words where from the Lord. She told me that God has carried that cross for me and I am already set free and the enemy just so wants to kill, steal and destroy me. She reminded me of what I once told her, "the enemy will always hit you at your weakest point". And I exclaimed, "come on you girls, tell me what I've been telling you. It's time to return the favor."
After our time of prayer (and it was already August 9), we hugged each other and we felt assured. Sah didn't say much, but she held me and hugged me for a long time...and I felt better. I once again saw in them the glory of my King.
I was so glad that we always get more from what we usually expect from JAG. And God has been faithful in doing that. Our relationship becomes sweeter and sweeter. We remembered all the JAG in the world. We continue to uphold them in our prayers and we are certain that they also keep us in theirs.
I know that in my most trying times, my JAG will be there for me. You know why I'm so confident of this, because they know that I will always be there for them.
