tip when you're bored

EMAIL’s not working. Our server from UK, unfortunately, is currently down that's why we cannot send nor receive emails to and from our customers. I don’t know what to feel. I am actually bored that’s why I am looking for some things to do in here to keep myself busy. I am done calling my customers to follow up their orders and I am done updating my tracker as well. This is just so boring. Having 6 people inside a room with nothing to do at all, oh no, please Lord, have mercy on us.

To put a temporary antidote to this boredom, I’ve decided to look for some tips on how to deal with this tediousness.

Here’s what I got:

worth trying, right?

hahaha!

JUST FOR LAUGHS!

WHAT'S SPECIAL WITH FEB 29?

It’s Mark’s burp-day today!

It’s our first time to celebrate his real birthday. Haha! February 29 only happens every 4 years so I am very excited on how we’re going to celebrate this day. He has work today and so do I, so I think we’ll find some time to catch up later this evening.

I asked my mom to cook some food for his mini party. Original plan was to go outside for dinner together with my family and his friends; but that will not be possible because we just sent money for his brother’s tuition fee. It’s actually fine. Knowing Mark, well, he’s a family guy.

Speaking of him being a family guy, I think that’s one of the million reasons why I adore him. He would do everything for his family. Ever since his dad died, he became fully aware of his responsibilities being the eldest son of his parents. He would drive a public motorcycle every morning just to have some allowance for school back in high school; he was a working student when he reached college; and he started working full time when he officially turned 18. How’s that? Would I be out of line if I say he’s qualified for an “ulirang anak” award?

Well, that’s just a foretaste of his past. If I would elaborate everything, I might as well write to Ate Charo because I am pretty sure his story will hit box office.

With all these things, circumstances and differences, I am still in awe every time I would think of how God made our ways crossed back in 2009. It’s just wonderful how He fixed everything between us. Being 9-hours away from each other and 326 kilometers apart; it’s pretty amazing how we have coped up with distance. All glory to God who made all things beautiful and exciting for both Mark and I.

Much has been said. I hope this blog would suffice everything I want to say to him and about him.

To my Mark, God knows how much I love you. I am looking forward to spend the next hundred years of my life with you. Thank you for being my wonderful. and yeah, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

ITS MORE FUN IN PINAS??

PHOTOGRAPHY by Cherrie Lutrania
LAYOUT by Mark Perlado

Now i wonder if our new tourism tagline, IT'S MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES, perfectly justify this picture.

I think this image gives no justice to that phrase; or do i need to say it the other way around?

My dream is that corruption will totally be eradicated from our political institutions here in the Philippines. My heart is breaking seeing these people starving to death, while our corrupt politicians and leaders feed their wallets and bank accounts with money they're robbing from people.

I still have a spark of hope for our dear nation though. Whenever i see churches being mobilized to reach out to these people and whenever i see missionaries spending time in sharing God's love to them; my hope is being awaken inside.

My sole prayer for the PHILIPPINES: "oh FATHER heal our land."

HI THAI!

Ever since I came back from a mission trip in Baguio and Mindanao, I told myself, “Ok Cherrie, it’s time to face the reality of life.” That’s when I started hunting for job and fortunately got hired after a month. I worked in an IT distributor company and was blessed to have an Account Executive position. I did my work well, but because of some circumstances, I was forced to move out and transfer to a different company.

I am currently employed on this company. I am getting paid HIGHER. I got a MORE wonderful boss. I got myself a bunch of beautiful people and friends in here. (well minus the fact that we have to do a lot of reporting and updating stuffs to keep in track of everything).

While walking one morning, a thought of something suddenly hit me. “Is this what I was made for, to go to office everyday and do reports and manage my accounts? To stay 8-10 hours a day trying to run this renewal business that was assigned to me and to my team? Those questions swirled inside my head for how many days. Uncomfortable of the thought, I began praying about it. One Sunday afternoon, I was given a chance to talk with one of the most wonderful couples I’ve ever met in our church. They’re both YWAM volunteers/ missionaries in Smokey Mountain, Tondo, Manila. Originally, my plan was to conduct a regular meeting with our Missions Department Committee, but unfortunately, most of our leaders were not available; so I was left with this couple and we ended up sharing things out about our personal experience in missions. I cried as I listen to their testimonies and story. These people, having no work at all, doing missions FULL TIME and raising 4 kids, well; I can’t imagine how they manage to cope up with all the challenges of living in the city. 

Their story is not just inspiring, it’s actually ENCOURAGING. My faith was challenged. My calling was rekindled. Our conversation somehow gave me a vague answer to my question “What’s my purpose in this life?” God gave me a verse from ACTS 20:22-24. Verse 22 blown me away. “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.” 

Memories flooded my thoughts. It’s like my brain traveled back in time and remember the first Missionary prayer I uttered to God back when I was in Grade 3 while watching at some YWAM performers: “Lord when I grow up, I want to be like them.” God also made me remember the time when He revealed all His plans to me and to my parents and church as well. Tears fell off my eyes as I reminisced those moments, revelations and confirmations from God.

From that Sunday on, I began praying about Missions and continue to meditate on Acts 20:22-24. I began searching for some Missions Organizations and began reading some blogs about missionaries and their endeavors. While searching one day, I bumped into one of YWAM’s website in Thailand. I started browsing the site and I must admit that I fell in love with it. I’ve never thought of Thailand before, maybe because I really don’t have any plans of going off the Philippines to do missions. But there is something in there, something that seems right, something that would complete the emptiness I am feeling inside. It’s like I found a piece that would complete the puzzle of my life.

I realized, I was made for something bigger than my office space. I was made to stand and walk for Jesus instead of sitting in front of my office computer. I was made to speak about the love of God and not just to speak about our company products and benefits. I was made for a greater task: the task of testifying the Gospel of Grace to the people.

I think I will be leaving for Thailand next year. I don’t know where specifically there, I don’t know the exact date yet; all I know right now is that the Holy Spirit is compelling me to go there and just be amazed with what God will do to me and through me.

Will i start counting the days? I am excited!

AWESTRUCK

Sunset. a glimpse from the LRT 2

This sunset was just taken from my Iphone. i know this picture wasn't able to depict the real beauty of the actual sunset my eyes has seen at this very moment.

Just so you know, i have deep enthrallment with sky. Sky never fails to mesmerize me. The velvet whitish sky is just so amazing. The way colors are blended and being put together, it's just so awesome. The way clouds are perfectly scattered up there, it's breathtaking; well not to mention how wonderful the Sun when he says hello and bids goodbye to earthlings.

These creations are alluring, but more than that, i am captivated with how beautiful it's Creator is. The beauty of the sunset is just a tinge if we're gonna compare that to the splendor of the Creator.

I cannot think of any word that would perfectly describe Him. "Glorious" doesn't seem enough. "Magnificent" seems so inadequate. "Amazing" doesn't seem sufficient. 

All i know is that this Creator who made all the heavens and earth; this God who made all things beautiful; He that commands the Sun to rise and to set; He that put the stars in their places; is the same GOD who called me His own.

Thank you God. I am so overwhelmed with Your love.