From within

St. Joseph and Mama Mary, pray for us.

March 20, 2023 | est. 12:25 AM | 711 Pag-asa

Thank you for all that you are and do @BTS_twt @bts_bighit! Borahae 💜

#FESTABTS2022 #MyYouByJungkook #BTSARMY #SongForARMY

bangtan.tistory.com/414

The time stamp 00:00. This song was my saving grace 8 months ago when I was at my most tired self. It gave me hope and reminded me that after everything that's happening "you're gonna be happy".

The colors and patterns used. Pink, blue, and yellow are my favorites while green was my mom's. Clouds and stars always remind me of my mom who passed away 17 yrs ago. Every time I see beautiful cloud formations and a sky full of stars, I am reminded that my mom is there, watching over me.

Jeon Jungkook. He is my ultimate bias, yes. But before that, I first saw myself in him. I saw someone who can understand what it means to grow up early. Just like him, I had to grow up early to prioritize things that matter to us. To him, his dreams. To me, my family. My mom died when I was 11 and since then, I had to stand up for our family. It wasn't easy. I'm not sure if what I'm doing is right. Like his lines in his song "My time", I feel like time is running so fast. Sometimes I feel like I'm being left behind. I, too, have said "can I someday find my time?"

My YOU. It's like the ribbon of this precious gift from a gem. No, from someone GOLDEN. Each line speaks right to my heart. I know that this is a song FOR US, ARMYs. But given the context of the word, and just this time, listening to this song and seeing all these details so personal to me, "MY YOU" felt like it was written especially FOR ME. 😭

This is my 1st FESTA and I can definitely say that "THIS IS NEVER GONNA BE" the last. 💜🥰

I don't know if all of this makes sense but I guess all I wanted to say is that I have never felt so loved and special like this ever!

Forever grateful of you, BANGTAN!

#SongForARMY

I just realized through my usaps and pagpags na we all live each day trying. Tapos alam nyo yun, ang galing kasi the people I spoke with still show up with a big smile on their faces. Kala mo all well and good but when you ask them "kamusta ka?", then you get to know what's inside. Oh the power of that question! 💛

I guess we really all have our own silent battles and we're all being brave in our own simple ways, every day. Sabi sakin ng counselor ko "Clah, I'm proud of you!". Jusko para akong niyakap ni Lord ng malala. Hahaha! *happy kilig tears*

And so allow me to share this simple write-up with you:

To you who keeps on trying

To you who shows up and stands tall no matter what

To you who still believes in the good and continues to be one, "Nakaka-proud ka!"

Thank you, tvN drama for giving us Hometown Cha Cha Cha. This is the kind of show we needed.

Thank you for showing us that grief is part of healing, pain has to be faced and has to be felt.

Thank you for reminding us to appreciate the precious things we have at the moment.

Thank you for making us recognize our own “Gongjin” people who are there for us even if we dont ask. People who knock at our door and patiently wait until we open it.

This show gave us healing and hope.

I hope everyone of us will find our own Gongjin.

Weekends will never be the same. 😭😭😭

“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.

There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part

and it will not be taken from her.”

The story of Mary and Martha never fails to remind me how I have chosen to carry my burdens alone and be drowned with my worries and anxieties.

In a generation of "productivity" wherein, our value is equal to what we do and how much effort we put in what we do, we have become too focused on "DOING". We have become human doing, not human beings.

But should we stop what we are doing and just keep on praying?

Unless we are monks, we should. But even monks have work to do, too.

Jesus told Martha, "Mary has chosen the better part"

He did not tell Martha that she's wrong.

ORA ET LABORA. Pray and work.

We work because we have bills to pay, responsibilities to carry out, dreams to achieve, and missions to fulfill. But while we strive every day to do our best, let us not forget that we need God's grace to fulfill all of the above.

God is inviting us to welcome Him in our journey. He wants us to grow in character, become a better person - a human being not a human doing.

Yes, YOU.

Ever since I've known you, you have always been that constant reminder of "be the man or woman that God created you to be". You are a man of passion, vision, perseverance and grit.

You have always been unapologetically you and I thank the Lord because I am blessed to witness that closely in you. By simply being YOU, you help me get back on track. I can be stubborn and hard on myself sometimes. But without you knowing, just through our conversations, you help me realign myself to the things that's important - saving up, working on my dreams, having discipline, taking care of my health and many more. You remind me that every person is of value and that there's nothing wrong with being a work in progress. I hope you realize how big of a blessing you are to the people around you, because you really are!

I pray for the day to see your dreams come true. It will come soon, I know that for sure! While you're not there yet, allow me to be your cheerleader and your prayer warrior. I may not be in the position to say that I'll journey with you, but at least, allow us, your friends, to support you every step of the way.

"I like you not just as a woman but as a person. You are my bestfriend."

How beautiful is that?! 💛