Fresh Start Daily

Sana’y natutuhan kong mag-gitara,
Nang mapurihan at maawitan Kita.
Tinig man ay sintunado,
Magpupuri ng lubos sa Iyo.
Hahayaan ang puso at panulat
Na marilag na awiti’y maisulat.
Sana’y natutuhan kong mag-piyano;
Ang mga daliri ay luluwalhati sa iyo.
Sana’y natutuhan kong mag-tambol;
Sasambahin Ka sa bawat hampas ng panambol.
Ibubuhos ang nadarama sa mga lirika,
Magpapasalamat sa pamamagitan ng musika.

#latenightpoetry

I did not attend the IDC (Intentional Discipleship Conference) today. Lelan’s mood yesterday affected me so I didn’t want to go out today at all. However, my sister persuaded me to ask Lelan out today because we hadn’t had time alone since they got here. There was no chance for us to really talk. I, of course, hesitated. I had never asked a guy out. For me that is too bold and disgraceful for ladies to initiate. Anyway, despite my opposition, I yielded because my sister made a good point. So, I messaged Lelan last night and asked him if he wanted to go get ice cream, just the two of us. He agreed but he suggested that we go to the Manila American Cemetery instead. He really wanted to go there because he wanted to see the grave of his grandfather’s best friend who died after the Bataan Death March.

So today, Lelan and I went to the Manila American Cemetery. On my way to BGC, I was prompted by the Holy Spirit to buy bottled water for us. I was in a hurry and I didn’t want to buy but I heeded and got two bottles of water. We went to the information center when we got to MAC to inquire about the people buried there. The guide, Mr. Vicente Lim, walked us to the grave of Paul Skow. We were surprised to see it there! Wow! However, they didn’t have the special sand mix that they provide the visitors to put in the engraved names. So I hinted Lelan to make a mud paste by giving him the bottled water. I also pointed to the sand peeking from the grass. He made a mud paste and put it in the engraved names. I’m glad that we were able to find Mr. Paul Skow’s grave. It seems like it means a lot to Lelan.

Anyway, when we were walking to Serendra, he bashfully asked me if I wanted to be his girlfriend. I didn’t answer his question right away. I first explained to him about courtship in the Philippines because I wanted to clarify that topic. I looked at him and his face looked sad, so I stopped delaying and told him that my answer to his question is “Yes”. His face lit up when he heard it. 😊 He also held my hand while we were walking.

We found a tea shop and stayed there for a while. He took out his notebook and Bible and shared with me the things that were discussed in the IDC this morning. We talked some more and then we went home. (He stays with a Christian missionary in Antipolo with his friends, James and John.)

I can’t believe I already have a boyfriend–after sooooo many years! I’m just grateful. 🥹

This is not related to the chapter I read today but I just thought, while talking to God and telling Him that I am in awe of the things He allows in my life, that this verse fits.

He allows beautiful things to happen in my life not because I am good but because God is good. I cannot boast about anything I’ve done. I’ve made a lot of mistakes.

I remember the song that goes, “Jesus, You don’t owe me anything…” God doesn’t owe any of us. We have no right to demand anything from Him because we are not “good”.

God blesses us for His glory–because He deserves it.

“Not for your sake do I do this,” says the Lord God, “let it be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel.” Ezekiel 36:32

This is also connected to what is mentioned in the Bible that God doesn’t share His glory.

“I am the Lord, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to carved images.” Isaiah 42:8

Nadaanan namin ni mama ang mga gumamelang ito habang naglalakad sa daan kanina. Naalala ko yung sinabi ng isang pastor sa sermon niya recently. Sabi niya, kung ang mga short-lived na bagay daw tulad ng bulaklak ay ginawang napakaganda ng Diyos, paano pa kaya tayong mga tao? ❤️

I went to the market this morning to get the ingredients I need for tonight’s dinner. I also bought a sunflower to offset the rainy and gloomy weather. 😉

I cooked early because I planned to rest tonight. We all agreed not to wait until 12 midnight before we have our Christmas dinner. We finished eating around 9 tonight. We all prepared something and my contributions are shrimp with asparagus, garlic butter mushroom, and apple broccoli salad with vinaigrette. Aprub naman sa diet ni papa. 😊

Shrimp with asparagus

• Sautee asparagus in olive oil and butter
• Add ground black pepper
• Sautee the shrimp in the same pan
• Add garlic, onion, and parsley
• Add salt
• Add some lemon juice
• Sprinkle with parsley

Garlic butter mushroom

• Put olive oil and butter in a pan
• Add the mushrooms
• Add garlic, onion, and parsley
• Add salt
• Add apple cider vinegar (substitute for dry white wine)
• Reduce
• Sprinkle with parsley

Apple broccoli salad

Combine the following:

• apples
• blanched broccoli with stem
• raisins
• walnut

Vinaigrette

Combine the following:

• olive oil
• apple cider vinegar
• maple syrup
• salt
• ground black pepper
• onion
• garlic

I am so grateful to God for everything. I am nothing without the Lord. My strength, hope, and joy come from Him. I fail Him daily, yet He continues to love me. He is so so so so good.

I had been wanting to make samgyetang but I couldn’t find jujube or ginseng. It is a traditional Korean dish that Koreans like to eat in summer. Yesterday after the church service, my mother and I decided to go to a Korean store. I saw this herb mix for samgyetang and I was elated!

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken
• spring onion
• rice
• garlic
• jujube
• ginseng (/herbal mix – milkvetch root, angelica root, mulberry bark, Siberian ginseng, jujube)
• 1/2 tbsp salt (You don’t have to add salt because the dip is already salty but I just didn’t want it to be bland.)

I put the washed rice, garlic, and some of the herbs in the chicken’s cavity. The rest of the mix, I put in the soup/broth.

Ingredients:

• soy sauce
• apple cider vinegar
• sugar
• sesame oil
• onion

Recipe source: Maangchi

Samgyetang has a clean taste. It’s perfect the rainy day. It has been raining nonstop here in Naga since yesterday morning.

Day 2