The March 11, 2012 Story

No, there was no bombing event on March 11, 2012. This particular date is just so memorable to me.

“Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast array, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” This is what is written in 2 Chronicles 20:15. This was what I read on March 11, 2012 upon opening my devotional book very early in the morning.

This verse is about the story of King Jehoshaphat, one of my favorite Bible characters, facing the Moabites and the Ammonites. 2 Chronicles chapter 20 begins the story, “the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to make war on Jehoshaphat.” Now this was trouble for King Jehoshaphat! A vast army was coming to attack his people and territory! Do you know what he did? “Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah (verse 3).” His immediate response was to seek the Lord. He led the people to seek help from the Lord for he knew that his forces could not withstand the army that was about to attack. King Jehoshaphat prayed, and he ended his prayer with this statement, which is one of my favorite Bible verses: “(O Lord) We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you (verse 12).” This is a statement of total surrender and dependence on God. What happened next? The Lord responded to their inquiry! The answer was: “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast array, for the battle is not yours, but God’s (verse 15)… You will not have to fight this battle… Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them (the enemies) tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you (verse 17).” Wow, what a relieving response! If you were Jehoshphat, will you believe this? Will you trust God? This wise and faith-filled king did. Early in the morning, they marched to the place the Lord told them to go. Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendour of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army (verse 21). And the ending was victory for King Jehoshaphat and his people! How? Indeed, they did not have to fight! Literally! The enemies destroyed one another! When the men of Judah arrived at the place where God led them, they saw only dead bodies! Those were the remains of their enemies! Truly, it was God’s battle. God promised. Jehoshaphat believed, trusted, and obeyed. God did exactly what he promised. Jehoshaphat worshipped God. “…The battle is not yours, but God’s.”

from http://www.redshirtfridays.org/images/Touching_Emails/soldier_kneeling.jpg 

March 11, 2012 was the day scheduled for the Licensure Examination for Teachers. That was the day I took the examination that I believed would confirm my calling as a teacher. That day, I held on to the same promise King Jehoshaphat held on to. I believed that taking the exam was not my battle, but God’s. Even before I finally decided to take the exam, I knew God was doing something far beyond my expectations and imagination. He had been telling and reminding me of his promises. At first I felt afraid. Afraid to take the exam because I was unprepared. But in December 2011, God gave me the courage (and resources) to go to the PRC Office to apply to take the examination on March 11, 2012. And the story did not end there.

Explore Pangasinan

Traveling to Dasol and Pangasinan was my first out-of-town trip with friends after finishing college. Enjoying my "freedom" from school work and my bum life as unemployed, I, together with my friends, planned a trip that was sulit on May 20-21, 2011.


We left Tarlac after lunch May 20 and went our way to an unknown place. I just printed directions I got from blogs and thanks to Google maps as well. Thank God we arrived safely at Tambobong White Beach right after the sun had set. Travel time was 4-5 hours.

It’s a Child Thing: A Collection of Anecdotes about Children

Collection 1: My First Eight Months as a Toddler Teacher

Do not underestimate the power of a toddler. ;) Laugh and learn as you read the following anecdotes involving my toddler pupils!

Teacher Lei to Pupil: Ask permission first before you get biscuits from your classmate.
Pupil to Classmate: Ask permission...
Classmate: *nod*

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During Snack Time...

Child 1: May baon akong chocolates!
Child 2: Bigyan mo ako ha?
Child 1: Ayaw ko. Di kita bibigyan.
Child 2: Ayaw mo???... Sige.

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Talking about pets during Meeting Time...

Me: What pets do you have at home?
Child: Monkey! (May pet monkey daw talaga sila. :D)
Me: What else?
Child: Wolf!
Me: What?
Child: Wolf!

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I am always amazed when I hear the conversations among my TWO-YEAR-OLD PUPILS...

While playing and running...
Child 1: (Shouts the name of Child 2 because she was accidentally hurt.)
Child 2: Hindi ko sinasadya... Hindi ko sinasadya 'yun...
(Child 1 looks at Child 2 as if saying, "Okay, I accept your explanation.")
At naglaro na sila ulit. :D

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Christmas in our Hearts: Featuring the Talented TLFA Students :)

Watching children as young as two years old perform onstage, with spotlights, and in front of a large audience is just heart-melting (in Tagalog: nakaka-kilig). I was such a proud teacher last December 16, 2011 as my pupils sang and danced as part of the school's Christmas play entitled Christmas in our Hearts, featuring performances from all the students of Tarlac Living Faith Academy.


The story that the preschool department presented was so simple yet very meaningful; it was about the birth of Jesus Christ, the real Christmas story. It started with a narration of what happened in the beginning: how God created everything including man, life in the Garden of Eden, and how sin entered the world. Two Preparatory pupils were the narrators. I admire those two bright children because they memorized their lengthy lines! The voices were all recorded but all of the characters memorized their lines and mouthed exact words. Amazing!

One of the narrators

Then, the birth of Jesus Christ was portrayed. Several Preparatory pupils acted as Mary, Joseph, Angel Gabriel, the shepherds, and the wise men. They were all good actors!

The shepherds, Angel Gabriel, Joseph, and Mary

Aside from acting, dance numbers were also given by the preschool children. The Prep pupils danced Christmas Praise is in the Air, showing the joyful celebration of the coming birth of Jesus Christ.

Preparatory Pupils: Christmas Praise is in the Air

Look at the skirts of the girls and the boys' costumes! The preschool teachers were the ones who made them! They were made of metallic foil. I salute the Prep teachers' creativity!

What Happened in 2011

Today is the last day of year 2011. Tomorrow will be the start of a new year, 2012. So before this year ends, I thought of recalling the most remarkable events that happened this year.


This year, Blanch and I finished our college thesis! :)

With Blanch and Teacher Eva (our thesis adviser),
and one copy of our thesis and a bag for our dear adviser!

This year, I finished my college degree! Hooray!

Finally! :D

This year, I got a job! Thankfully, a school accepted and trusted an inexperienced, fresh grad to handle the youngest children in the preschool department! ;)

The babies entrusted to me :)

What happened in 2011? God kept me. His grace sustained me... once again. :)

" To him who is able to keep me from stumbling and to present me before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—  to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore!"