Simply Icee

Hi there! I will not be posting here anymore. Rather, I've created a new blog as I start on a new journey :). Feel free to visit Simply Icee. :)

Thanks and God bless!

After all that has happened to me in the past several months, I just praise and thank the Lord. I'm grateful for my family, best friend, friends, my graduation, achievements, Kids' Day Camp, my ministry, my job and the Christian company I'm working at, good co-workers, and realizations and teachings from God every devotion. So many events happened and I just want to thank God for guiding me, protecting me, strengthening me, and teaching me in every situation that I face and every decision that I make.

Thank You Father for everything.

MORE THAN LIFE

Here's a song by Hillsong United. This is one of my favorite songs in their album More than Life (the very first album I bought 5 years ago!!)

Stand by everything You said
Stand by the promises we made
Let go of everything I 've done
I'll run into Your open arms
And all I know

[Chorus:]
I love You more than life
I love You more than life

Fall back on everything You've done
Fall back on everlasting arms
When all the world is swept away
You are all the things I need
You're the air I breathe

How can it be
You were the one on the cross
Lifted for all our shame?
How can it be
The scars in Your hands are for me?
You are the king of all

ALL DREAMS ARE POSSIBLE

I DREAM OF having a great job. My dream job's a cabin crew (actually, architecture was the original one hehe) but I also wanted to experience some other jobs in the industry until I could manage to start up my own business. I DREAM OF helping my family (FINANCIALLY, which is the current issue that makes us all suffer the headaches and all, lol). I DREAM OF traveling with my family, with friends, with best friend, alone, around the world. I DREAM OF visiting Paris, Rome, North Carolina, Hawaii, Singapore, London, etc. I DREAM OF taking long rides/road trip leading to some other place with nothing to do, well, just enjoy the sceneries. I DREAM OF visiting, and, owning a lighthouse. I always remember a scene from the movie Casper when they were sitting at the top of a lighthouse. The lighthouse itself sends me a deeper message. Well, I love its purpose, and, it reminds me of God guiding me through the dark. Seeing a lighthouse makes me feel nostalgic hehe. I DREAM OF spending weekends in a beach, watch the sunrise and sunset. I DREAM OF buying a car. I DREAM OF taking dance lessons, jazz or hiphop, or anything, as long as I can improve my skills. I DREAM OF buying and reading new books. I DREAM OF having a beach wedding. I love seascapes. I love looking at the sea. I DREAM OF making my family happy by buying them whatever they need. I DREAM OF buying him his dream guitar, plus guitar effects. I DREAM OF buying our church equipments for music and kids. I DREAM OF having twins, one girl and one boy. I DREAM OF teaching them Christian values, English, Filipino, some Spanish that I know, some French that I know, how to count 1 to 10 in Nihongo because that's all I could remember, lol, etc. I DREAM OF building a home near or overlooking a sea but to avoid a tsunami, building a home overlooking a cityscape would do, lol. I love looking at the city at night. 

I have lots of dreams. And I know, all of these are possible. I DREAM OF making all my dreams come true. Nothing is impossible with Him. :)

THIS IS FOR YOU

Last Friday, 01 April 2011, was the Solemn Investiture of UST-CTHM, the college where I belonged. It was a very memorable day for me because aside from us graduating students being the Quadricentennial Batch, I also received an award, one that made the whole family and friends very proud of me and of course, I wouldn't have received it without the help of the Lord. He is the ONLY reason behind this achievement. 

After taking the four-year course filled with fear in meeting new friends and professors, with joy in different moments I've shared with the people, with difficulty in accomplishing lots of schoolworks which I was really serious and addicted to, etc, finally, I made it. I made it with the help of the Lord. I was happy to have achieved such good recognition, but I was mostly happy for my family, especially for my mother who sacrificed all her efforts just to provide for my studies. I could still feel her joy...she even cried when she read the letter from the office saying their congratulations to the parents of graduates with honors. I was really happy for her. If she was happy for what I've achieved, I was much happier because I made her happy. That's one of the things I wanted for my family especially for my mother, for her to be happy all the time. And this achievement became a way to bring joy to her and to our family. That's why I praise and thank the Lord for this great accomplishment. 

My partner's also very happy for me because he was a witness to my hardships in my studies. He even helped me in lots of different ways. Thanks to him. He once told me when I was very tired that I already wanted to stop studying, that I should give my best at school because it was the thing that he failed to do, as he spent and focused most of his time on other things. That's why this achievement was also for him. Even though he didn't finish his college with a reward, he helped me finish with a reward though. I share this achievement with him, too. Thanks be to God for everything. :)

GREAT MINDS WITH GREAT FAITH

26 March 2011. Saturday. 

Finally, the project of my partner and his ex-officemate/business partner was dedicated. The dedication was held at The Legend Villas lead by his ex-officemates pastor. His wife, while introducing the two, even shared to us how some incidents happened as if trying to stop the success of this project. But still, the Lord is their partner in this project and He knows the desires of these two workers. Although both of them got sick and had difficulty in finding time to meetup for their project, still the dedication was successful. 

They presented their project in front of young professionals. The project and its whole concept was highly appreciated by every one of us in the room. Aside from the objectives of the project, its main purpose was the highlight of this activity, which is to glorify the Lord. I also appreciated the part of the discussion where the young professionals even gave their comments and suggestions to better improve the whole site.

I admire these two men with great faith in God and with the desire of their hearts to serve the Lord through this project, I believe that this will be a success. I personally became a witness to their longness in pursuing this project and I saw their faith. They begin and end each meeting with a prayer and in the middle of discussions, share each other's views on spiritual maturity. I felt that the Lord was really with them from the very start of this activity. I, together with the few people who witnessed the presentation of the project, am praying for the fulfillment of all their plans for this project, that it may be a blessing to other people, and that it may serve its main purpose, to glorify our God.

A SIGNIFICANT WOMAN

- an excerpt from the book "The 10 Best Decisions a Woman Can Make" by Pam Farrel

A significant woman bases her identity on who God says she is, and she is committed to do nothing more and nothing less than what her identity demands. In other words, as I line up my thoughts to God's thoughts about me, I will become a woman He can use. When I see myself through His eyes, I realize my value. I am nothing more than a woman saved by His grace, but I am nothing less than a new creation.
When I see myself through God's eyes, I realize His plan for me is found only in obedience. I am nothing more than a servant and am nothing less than an ambassador. I'm not the ,aster, so I don't make up the rules. There is one God, and it's not me! All that He requires from a servant is obedience-there is nothing more I can add. Being an ambassador opens up opportunities. The more God can trust me, the more He will entrust to me. So anything less than obedience means I risk missing out on precious pieces of His plan for me.
When I see myself through God's eyes, I realize my calling and that He has a unique place for me. If I am driven to do more than my calling, then I'm not being the me God designed. If I am so busy trying to be someone else, then who is being me? If in fear I do less than my calling, I miss out on the adventure of being me. Nothing more and nothing less will gain God's applause for me. Decide to make the decision: God, I will be whom You created me to be. Nothing more, nothing less, than being the best possible unique me! I am deciding to line my life up with Your view of me. I choose a connection with You so I can connect to what You have for me.
Today, decide that you will decide. Don't let life happen-make life happen! Decisions move you forward by a series of wise choices. Decide to choose. Victorian novelist George Eliot wad ahead of her time when she wrote, "It is never too late to be what you might have been." Decide to be different. Decide to make things different.

ANOTHER PROOF OF GOD'S FAITHFULNESS

THE LORD IS FAITHFUL TO HIS PROMISES - Psalm 145:13

Today's activity was the releasing of clearance for graduating students at school. It was the moment every one was waiting for because we would know if we would all be cleared for graduating (which would definitely lessen the tension while waiting for graduation), plus, we would be informed through the small clearance slip if we would be graduating with or without honors.

I and my family have been praying for this achievement. However, if I failed to have this, it's still all right. Ever since I was a child I learned to value accomplishing my studies with honors. I didn't want to "just" accomplish things, I wanted to achieve something, something that would be an evidence of His faithfulness to me that I would definitely give all the praises and glory back to the Lord, the One who has been my partner in these chapters of my life. During my four years of study in college, He has been my guide and He knew all the hardships, challenges, and experiences I've undergone. I really thank Him for everything.

At the receiving room, I got nervous as there were only four students left before me on the queue. I was very glad for my two closest friends (the two students before me) when they received their clearance slips together with the announcement of the tourism chairperson "cum laude". 

Then, it was my turn. Confirmation of my full name, Isabelle Cruz Cortes. Yes Sir, Cortes with the S. You attended the graduation briefing? Yes, Sir. Done with Student Satisfaction Survey? Yes, Sir. He wrote my name on the clearance slip, stamped "CLEARED" on it, and gave it to me with these following words.."cum laude".

I JUST PRAISE AND THANK GOD FOR THIS WONDERFUL BLESSING. THIS IS ANOTHER TESTIMONY OF HOW FAITHFUL HE IS TO HIS PROMISES (PSALM 145:13). HE KNOWS THE DESIRES OF MY HEART AND I KNOW THAT IF I CONTINUE TO REMAIN A FAITHFUL AND COMMITTED SERVANT, HE WILL BLESS ME MORE AND MORE.

NO WORDS CAN DESCRIBE MY FEELINGS RIGHT NOW. I AM JUST SPEECHLESS OF THIS ANOTHER BLESSING FROM THE LORD. HE HAS PROVEN A LOT TO ME AND THIS TIME IT IS MY MOMENT TO GIVE BACK ALL THE PRAISES AND THANKSGIVING UNTO HIM ALONE. HE DESERVES ALL THE PRAISES!!

I couldn't wait to tell it to my parents! Yey! 

RANDOM THOUGHTS

It's already past one in the morning and yet I couldn't sleep. I wanted to rest but thoughts kept running through my restless mind..

Late Wednesday morning as I prepared myself for school for the consultation/giving out grades of our practicum supervisor, I noticed an LBC delivery item on the center table. I studied it carefully and confirmed that it was the Life Builder Series that I've ordered from CSM Publishing. I was already late for school but when I received the books, I couldn't help but open the package and browse the lessons inside. I was glad and thought that once I arrive from school, I'd inform the one who assisted me with my inquiry that I already received my orders and thank her for the assistance.

At school, good news awaited me. Though I was late for the consultation (it was only twenty minutes before 1400, the end of the first batch, but I didn't make it, so I'd have to wait for the next batch) which made me disoriented that moment, still I tried to maintain my composure. As I hurried towards our building, I spotted my two blockmates with their practicum reports. I entered the building and headed straight to our practicum supervisor's office. Waley! She's not there. I found my other blockmates seated near the photocopying center and stayed with them. I was quiet the whole time as I felt out of place with their group. I texted my other friend and later on spotted her. I stayed with the group but felt uneasy so I left the company. She spotted me standing in front of the administration's office, near the office of the practicum supervisor, and invited me to join them, telling me as if I wasn't a part of our section. Maybe I was just not in the mood to stay with them. My close friends were not around so until now it was still difficult for me to be with groups I didn't became close to.

Anyway, I thank God for the answered prayer of a good grade for this semester. I was able to see my grade, even though I haven't had the opportunity to talk with our practicum supervisor regarding some matters as I what I've expected the consultation would be, and I had my practicum report back..with its bottom part bitten by our supervisor's dog. Apologies accepted :). I also thank Him for healing me yesterday as I got sick for the third time this semester. I supposed it was caused by overwork or..lack of proper sleep and rest..just like tonight that I must be taking a rest already.

Still got lots of thoughts in mind but better share them in some other time. Gotta sleep now or else I'll prbably get sick...again.

Goodnight and God bless us all. :)

HE HAS GREAT PLANS, I KNOW

So far, my resume's seventy percent done, lol...still had to do a couple of edits and I could already have it printed. But, I got lazy this late afternoon. I couldn't stand long hours in front of the laptop, always thinking aside of how much energy I'd consume just surfing the internet.

I visited my Yahoo mail and surprised myself with a huge number of e-mails from JobsDB. I got hundreds of notifications regarding job hiring related to my field. I browsed IPAMS website again, trying if there would be any job hiring for cabin crew position. And yeah! There was one. Qatar Airways would be having a Female Open-Day Cabin Crew Recruitment Campaign on the 19th of March 2011. Unfortunately, it would be held in Cebu. And to add to this bad news for me, their minimum age requirement is 23 years old. 

Emirates Airlines, too, have their Open Days and Global Assessment Days. Unfortunately, Philippines was not included in their venues.

Seems that these announcements were not for me yet. Sometimes,  I get frustrated because we knew some of our friends would be landing a job after our graduation. One of my classmates got accepted and currently undergoing training as a flight attendant in Cebu Pacific. Another friend of mine was absorbed in a private air transport company she attended to for her OJT. What about me? Hmmm..They always tell me not to be in a hurry. Yes. I'm not. I was just preparing myself. While finishing my training at the airport, I just spend some of my time preparing my CV, browsing the internet for job hiring, etc. I also think about other options for work. Almost everyone knew that I wanted to work at once to be able to support my family. I have many plans for them.

However, there are many "what ifs" in my head as I ponder over this matter. What if no company would accept me? What if I got accepted in the position I long for, and failed to reach the expectations? The second "what if" bothers me because it speaks of my career path. Even though I long for the position of a cabin crew, at this moment I still consider finding a job that I would gain experience first. Probably, an office job basically..so that I would get myself familiar with the workplace first. I'm not really ready to work yet like going to different places..and I still can't imagine living independently, far away from my family. Of course, I'll undergo several trainings if ever God gave me that wonderful opportunity, but somehow I have a fear of getting out of my comfort zone. I mean, I'm not yet ready for these things.

Despite these fears, I know God has great plans for me. It's not just my time yet if . I wanted to work for my family. I wanted to have a good career. And I believe God prepared me the perfect career path. I'm just excited at the next thing God will do in my life. I'm waiting for His blessings. :)