themsgdiaries - Tumblr blog

themsgdiaries · 5 years ago

Text

How I feel about the current health crisis is constantly changing from time to time. While I am bottling my security from the word of God, the situation also revealed to me some behaviors which slipped in. The reality is when I haven't felt the impact it can affect on the grounds I am at, maybe I care lesser than any person I know--I was less worried than them. Oblivious of its damage, I was the one behind my computer screen wondering about the crash of my little shares in stock market debating if I will still hold or sell. Glutton and heedless as I can be, I bought a few more shares.

When news ringed to my ears about the outbreak, I was that one grabbing newspapers in the public places and the newspaper shelves at Ocean campus. I was that one stealing hours from my study time to research what is happening in China. I was that instead of maybe folding my hands together.

My Chinese friends experienced discrimination and racism along with the public's fear, so I want to understand things how it shifted from the midst of chaos, people turned to blame and hate. However, I became distant from the news due to the volumes of readings my major classes demand from me because of the coming midterm examinations. The next time I get a sense of what is really happening is from text messages from my family & friends around the globe, but my concerns swell knowing how it has already affected what I have always treated home, The Philippines. That was only the time the lever was pulled and the alarm starts ringing. IT IS HERE. Numbers of cases raise day to day. Then, the impact goes closer under my bootsoles. In the beginning of March, cities & counties around SF were declaring their cases. Trying to be careful between unreliable and reliable news, I became exposed to a plethora of theories, claims, hearsay, and pieces of information. Early March, SF declared its state of emergency not because we have a case but as a preparation to open facilities. Some people did not understand what it means. Other than that, with the muti-cultural and the rich diversity we are in, everyone just became fearful each day. They were all panic buying. Supermarkets and wholesale groceries including Costco were left with empty shelves. Some were fighting over tissue papers and water bottles. Some people who are greedy bought packages of personal hygiene products which they are now selling online tripled its original price.

Is there a coming famine in the land?

The group of friends I am with continually prayed over our lunch at the cafeteria. Some shared how traumatic it is for families living separately in geographic locations, and I know that first hand. Some shared how most people talked with them about the trauma they are experiencing as an international student hearing what is happening in their hometown. Some locked themselves in their rooms. Some called in sick to avoid the outside world. Some relied on and continually meet virtually. Due to this, it encouraged us to seek God more and deeply pray for his loving hands to help us and comfort those people.

I had talked with a coworker about a month ago. I asked her how is she feeling. Instead of telling me how she is feeling, she shared with me what is happening around her and about the news bombarding her. I listened to her interpreting she had these all filled up in her head and claimed this now as her feelings. I asked another coworker and he said if only one of us gets the virus, we will all be infected. But an older coworker answered me differently when I asked her the same question. She told me, "I am not afraid of the virus. If I will get it, God allowed it. If I will die, God knows it". I am not saying her answer is the only correct answer compared to the two, but it conforted me that what she is feeling is mutual as mine, and I think how we look deep down within us is really important even if it screams fear for what or security from who?

Although I am concern, I am not afraid. I know God is bigger than anything in this world and He is always in control . I can always Trust him like how the people of faith from the old and new testament tasted the fulfillment of His promises.

Eventhough, I feel sad about the changes and the news around. I have not buy a can good to stock in my pantry yet. I turned to be this person looking around how most people forget WHO we needed. While some I know figured it out in their lives, most people around were lost, and they are being eaten alive with worries and fear--- and I still give them credit for that. But I just want to say that I hope everyone of us remain calm and cooperate to what authorities are are asking us to do, and if you believe in God, rest in his protection and know that He is almighty! In situations like this, it is easier to see the damages it caused and focus on our own security, let us mourn with those who lost their love ones, and if we can turn it around, let us see that we are so much stronger when we face this all together with the help of our loving and merciful Heavenly Father! Along with that, I made a short list of things we can do to for ourselves while helping the people we love dearly and those around us. (It is on the photos below. 🏞🌅)

As for me, I am continually practicing healthy precautions and I am still trying to inform the public as a student leader. Also, it made me realized how many hours I have for myself right now because of changes, but I am grateful knowing that I can spend those hours nurturing my spiritual needs along with my body and mind, so I had developed my plans already.

Last night at my church, my pastor who is also a full-time registered nurse shared how things are going on in his workplace. While many of them were courageous enough to be at their work, most of these medical staff were driven with fear to be exposed thinking of their families at home; just like many we know. Some of them forget their disaster badges, so they call in sick to not do the work. Thankfully, some of them encouraged one another that this is the time they are truly needed: Compassion, service, and kindness. If only one can speak positivity and hope even though it will not change the situation in a second, we can lighten the burden instantly.

Earlier that night, I meet with a group of Christian leaders and staff with my sister. We talked about how most people in this health crisis, and how we can still continue our ministry. Name & Name developed this article of ideas on how we can still communicate with people we love and how we can still meet them virtually. Ideas on how to still play with your friends. How to make them know you care, and many different things! Feel free to benefit from this. (🔗 is on the comment)

Right now, I am experiencing the transitions and changes the Covid-19 is making in my surroundings' life and in my life. My classes were modified and transitioned online. In short, I will unlikely get the most of this sem. To others, science labs, art classes, and music classes will have to find a way they can do to continue instruction refraining from face-to-face meetings. Most of the faculty & students' plan for the upcoming Spring break was now affected because our Spring break was moved earlier. I know a bunch of people who canceled their trip due to many reasons. However, I do think I needed this break to reflect in life. In a crisis like this, were social distancing is adviced. Ironically, this is also the time where I get to spend (more) time with my family. It made us closer together and apprecaite that families matters for all of us. Moreover, this testing we are facing makes me se how communities come along together in unity, and how peoplw pray for all the world. We will be resilient. We will be prayerful. We can conquer this in God's time and for God's glory.

On the otherside of how I see the silverlining of this crisis, when I received the emails regarding our campus closure and switching into online learning because of the Covid-19 cases happening around us from school to school. I realized how severely critical it is. IT IS HERE. Although there is no case yet at my college, the community is facing it already closer in my proximity. Still, I will chooses to be Calm. Trusting in the plan of the Lord!

This story I am writing is my experience, but it doesn't have to be me or about me. This can be one of the voices of many, this can be one of the feelings of a person in a crowd. This can be a perspective resonating with more than one person in the room, or this can be the realization of "where do I stand" and "what can I do because there is a plague in the land?" or it could be the time where it reveals something important to you when you ask "what do I treasure?", "what am I afraid of?" or a bold statement of "I know God will rescue us."

While I may not be the first one to kneel down and pray in my personal prayer--which I must have done first rather than being concern on my profits and shares-- for the current crisis we are facing, I am so thankful that God warned me the potential of being sef- centered, and he changed me to be compassionate and pray for the world. I am further grateful too because this made me closer to God and realize the potential ministry which can root up from this and how I can develop more into maturity and love for one another. From my experience, I realized a fact that what we are facing right now reveals people's heart's content. It stirred it up and filled it more in so many different ways. That is why I want to pray along with you right now.

Heavenly Father,

There are those families who are worried right now of their family members in their houses and in far places. I pray Lord that you help them not to worry but to understand certain health precautions they needed to do. I pray Lord that you take away the worries in their hearts and that you mercifully replace it with peace that is coming from you. Please grant them security and protection as they do their daily chores and may they always come to you in this time of need.

We also pray for those people who are suffering from the co-vid19 right now; People of different races, rich and poor, young and old. This just shows to as that no one is above any one of us and that we are all equal. Whether we live in the upstate or down in the slums we are out of control in what is happening around us, and we know Lord that you are the only one who is in control of our situation. You alone are above our situation and your name is above this virus. Father, we pray that let everything happen according to your will. May this be an awakening to us to call upon your name and seek your loving hands to guide us on what to do. Also, not only to look back and reflect on how we treated other people or what things we have so far accomplished, but look forward instead for the afterlife we will face most especially after our death. We pray Lord that may this be a turning point to people who haven't know you yet, and may this be an opportunity for your people to give comfort to those who are suffering and ill. May we shed light to those who are in the darkness, confused, and isolated. Use us, Lord, to be a blessing and encouragement to everyone. Give us hands that are helpful and a heart that listens and understands.

We also pray for the families who are bereaved, and for those people who are still in medication. We express our condolences and sympathy to them, and may those people in medication be comforted in their pains. Lord, we ask for your healing hands to grant them the recovery they needed.

We thank you, Lord, for the medical staff, the doctors, the nurses, the aids, and the first responders we have. Thank you, Lord, for their time and the talents and skills you have given them. I pray Lord that you continually give them a strong immune system as they treat and care for patients. Take care of their families, their little ones, their partners, their children as they leave their houses to go into their workplace and give the need of the people infected by the virus. Lord, continually create a compassionate heart like yours to willingly serve along with their disaster badges. Give them strength, wisdom, and understanding as they tend to the needs of everyone. As they look left and right seeing discouraging situations of the reality that we are in a health crisis and they are in a chaotic workplace right now, may they find peace in you Lord. Take away their fears and worries. Grant them security and rest that is coming from you. We thank you for them.

Father, we pray for everyone who is fearful right now. We pray for those people who are transitioning in these changes happening around us. We pray that we become more understanding on the decisions of authorities. Grant us the craft to be creative and find a solution in the changes in our routines. Help us to use our time wisely and productively. Father, we pray for those who are upset for their plans were not able to manifest due to restrictions. For the people who want to meet their families, grant them peace in their hearts so they will not worry as they care for their family. We pray father that you grant disciple and understanding for students who will face a challenging semester of class suspensions and online learning. We pray that you send help for elderly students who will find it difficult to access technology. We also pray for working students and all employees around the world that you would please provide all their needs as they rely on you despite the cuts in their hours at work or the WFH. We pray that you encourage those who are graduating this year and may they realize that their success is important, but it is not everything that matters. Grant them patience Lord and let them be cheerful in their success. I pray for the parents, Lord. Let their big heart trust in you, oh Lord. Grant them strength and let them know that you are taking care of them and it concerns you whatever their concerns are.

We pray for the church, Lord. Help us to be more prayerful and sensitive to the things we can do to help. Grant us Lord peace that is coming from you which surpasses all understanding. Grant us faith to continually minister to the needs of the people. Strengthen us, Lord, and bless us.

Lord, we declare your lordship above us. We rest in your plans and in your will knowing that you are in control of everything. We know Lord that you are a Big God. We believe in you and we ask that you help us have victory over this virus. As you heal the people and the land which are both sick right now, we ask Lord for forgiveness of our sins and that you cleanse us with the holy blood of the sacrificial lamb, our Lord Jesus Christ. Send healing not only in our physiscal body, but in our spiritual life as well that you might be glorified forever.

Thank you, Lord for our security and our faith to trust in you. Thank you for your love and your grace. May you be lifted high as always. In Jesus name we pray.

Amen.

Wishing you good health, safe travels, and may peace be with you,

The Msg Diaries

*Due to many responsibilities on school, work, and private meetings The Msg Diaries has to face. This article did not undergo proofreading, so please please forgive and bear with it. Thank you so much!

1 note · View note

themsgdiaries · 5 years ago

Photo

Hope this sends encouragement & hope to all of you, my fam & friends! 🌿🌷🌾 I finished this embroidery/ burda last Sunday. It took me hours, pero that's my viaje time turned to this! First time ko mag burda sa Piña silk, so it's more of a challenge to me especially na kita yung likod. I am grateful sa result & relaxation. Also, thankful for @kelliseu's comments to improve. How about you? What have you been up to? #TheMsgDiaries #piñaseda #ccsfathome (at California) https://www.instagram.com/p/B97CsBOpEy_g4G5w2BFBxsmhNYKa5aGi6aAIHE0/?igshid=1psbkk2i2pyl9

#themsgdiaries #piñaseda #ccsfathome

1 note · View note

themsgdiaries · 5 years ago

Text

Is there a coming famine in the land?

Heavenly Father,

Thank you, Lord for our security and our faith to trust in you. Thank you for your love and your grace. May you be lifted high as always. In Jesus name we pray.

Amen.

Wishing you good health, safe travels, and may peace be with you,

The Msg Diaries *Due to many responsibilities on school, work, and private meetings The Msg Diaries has to face. This article did not undergo proofreading, so please please forgive and bear with it. Thank you so much!

0 notes

themsgdiaries · 5 years ago

Text

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” ~ 1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:4-13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

‭‭

0 notes

themsgdiaries · 6 years ago

Text

QUAIL SPRINGS

photos courtesy Adam Battaglia @bttags + Ryan Spaulding @threeoten

Quail Springs is an environmental educational nonprofit, and a leading policy advocate to change earthen building codes. They are engaged with local building officials in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties in California, and have been performing seismic and fire testing at their fully off-grid permaculture site in the Los Padres National Forest. They are forming a coalition of building officials, architects, academic researchers, builders, engineers, and activists to change building codes locally, nationally, and internationally. If you’d like to support their efforts, an anon donor is matching donations right now.

to connect with the project and find out more follow @quail_springs + @earthenshelter + @nomadicbuilder

663 notes · View notes

themsgdiaries · 6 years ago

Photo

ohmy! this will be a best gift for Foxy and I.

“I am you, but stronger”

Juniper the Fox

20K notes · View notes

themsgdiaries · 6 years ago

Text

To my backbone, my golden parachute, my Mom.

Beautiful woman, today is your birthday, and in 4 days will be mine.

Thank you, Ma for carrying me in your womb, on your shoulders , and being my backbone since I came into this world. You are Gold and you will forever have a place in my heart. Ma, I know that you will live longer years surpassing fire and ice. You'll forever be happy and you'll witness my siblings on their wedding day as they walk at the aisle. Your descendants will be many, you will have many cute grandchildren--I do not promise if one will be coming from me-- and they will love you.

I thank you for I'm carrying your name. How I wish I have your beautiful face too. Your eyes, your nose, your lips. Thank you for your love, your sacrifices, and all what you taught me. My eyes witnessed how you will undoubtedly do anything for us even if it will kill you or hurt you. One vivid memory I have is when 3-4 yr. old Kelly was across our house and I was standing with you in front of our gate. She ran from the baby sitter's hand the moment she saw you across the street, and when you saw that there was a tricycle coming downhill, you ran. You hold the rails; left hand on the side, right hand on the motorcycle. Then, you turned it in to the opposite side. I don't know how the God or the universe empowered you that day or how your heart pounded million times faster than the average human...on that moment of either a child or a mother's life and death situation, you were a hero. Because of you, Kelly's safe. My jaw dropped. I was terrified. My eyes were filled with worry for you and my younger sister . And though I was only 6 that time, I know those bruises and hematoma hurt, but most of all you showed me what it means to save someone. You modelled and became an example to me of not just what but how to save someone. I am amazed ('til today) how you stopped the tricycle like a real superhero; you are indeed a superwoman risking your life (until now) in protecting the people you love--I am sure I am one of them. ♥️

You're full of surprises. You are soft and generous, yet would go to a muscular 5'9 man's house who's bullying my brother. And I know, if you're given a knife, you can slash a throat that day and willing to k*ll for a loved one to protect them. The man was coward enough that though you only wanted to talk, I think he saw that alpha wolf in you that's why he hid himsef in his house and hid under his wife's skirt asking her to talk to you instead.

You are forgiving and would have patience for anyone who hurt or angered you, but when it comes for us, you're ready to wage war. It maybe too extra but I know that if anybody lays finger on us you can individually vivisect their scrotum or you can take out their ovaries in an instant. (I don't want to be rude,but can say this now coz I'm adult now haha. peace. After all, that's how the olfies say it in The Philippines)

Seriously Ma, thank you for being an example to me not only for the things I must do but also for the things I must not do. You made me learn in your mistakes and you weren't afraid to be vulnerable.

I am blessed to have you

We are blessed to have you.

Our neighborhood knows you're thoughtful and a great cook. A thousand times I heard about that and I couldn't agree more. Also, they know you're full of wisdom too because when they have a problem they would come in our home. When couples in our neighbors fight and the women in our neighborhood were verbally & physically abused, our home became a safe place for them because you welcome them. When wives are being cheated with their husbands, they run to you. Your words of advice healed relationships, and it remained a secret. I don't know how you can do that or if you ever included them in your prayers. But, I want you to know that I am blessed to witness that and I'm proud you are my Mother. Your life was not easy too, but your parents; my grandparents, Nanay and Tatay raised you with all the love they have, and you passed it towards our family. We are both imperfect but you alone is enough for me and we will forever love you.

Ma, I hope I can write a memoir about you one day because I'm very proud of you and I want the world to know about you, but eventhough I might not be. I know that just by you knowing how we're so proud and love you so much is enough. I know that not everybody needs to know the gems we kept and all the memories we made here in our hearts. Our hearts are the safe places only God can look upon and those people we trust and love. ✨

Happy Birthday to you!! You are Gold! 💫 I miss you. It's been 4 years I haven't tasted your good good delicious food and secretly hug you when I am a backrider on your motorcycle ride to drop me to school or do my errands. 🙉

Ma, there's nothing to worry. I became independent being far from you , but I know anytime I needed help you're the golden parachute I can pull up that you attached in me; like what you did to my sisters and my brothers. This golden truth is always remembered. ♥️

To my backbone in life, my golden parachute, my mother, my Mom cheers to more birthdays to come. 🥂

God bless you! 💫

Wishing you all the best and sending you love and peace,

it's me ♥️

2 notes · View notes