The Mighty Warriors of God

One circle of strength, founded on faith, joined in love, and keep by God together.

Meet my QICM Small Group Family - The Mighty Warriors of God. 

I am indeed blessed to have all of them. I consider them as my family within the QICM family. They are my comforter when I need shoulders to cry on; they are the one who rejoices with me when victory is at my hand and someone who never get tired of praying with me. 

I am away from my family - my Dad, Mom and siblings but being with this group I found a family away from home, I found love and belongingness.

Happy 2nd Anniversary SGBM - The Mighty Warriors of God! 

More souls this year! More and more of Jesus this 2016. 

God Bless us all

To GOD be the Glory!

Thank You 2014, Hello 2015

At last after almost 9 years working in the Middle East in one company, we were granted a holiday starting December 31, usually the office is only closed on January 1. This year since January 2 is Friday (weekend in the Middle East), I took 3 days off from work. And since I'm the only one who don't have work on December 31 I need to be in charged in cleaning our house and doing some household chores. Thanks to Trish, my cousin's cousin who spent her New Year with us and helped me in preparing some dishes for our New Year's Eve.

To feel that it only few hours and we will bid good bye to 2014, we decided to put this banner morning pa lang of December 31. It's just a DIY, cut and stapled it to ribbon and voila! 

When 6:00 p.m. stepped up, everyone of us became busy. Cooking and preparing for each others' menu. Its been a tradition to our family even way back home in the Philippines to have plenty of food in our table during New Year's Eve not because of any superstitious beliefs but its one way of declaring the goodness of the Lord for the whole year, how He bless us bountifully and how He can bless us more for the New Year.

 Just waiting 12:00 a.m.

Its been my personal devotion before welcoming the new year to have a quiet time with the Lord as He gives me provisions through His word.

And He gave me these verses.

After my quiet time, I headed to the living room where my cousins and a family of my friend which is also my siblings in Christ is waiting.

New Year's Eve

At exactly 12:00 midnight, we had our family prayer. We thanked God for all that He done for us. 2014 has been a very great and blessed years for us though we had tough times as well still He never leave us. The Lord continue to embrace us and assure us that all will be fine.

Far apart from the celebration in the Philippines, welcoming New Year here in Doha is very silent - no "torotot" or fire crackers so just to feel have a "lusis-like" we lighted the fountain candle that we bought for our cake. 

Welcome 2015!

Happy New Year! - from B2F12

Though we are all away from our immediate families, we are blessed to have each other. I'm blessed though I don't have my parents here and my sister in law and nephews, I have my brother with me and my cousins.

New Year selfie with my brother, and another one...

Though most of us are living in one flat, the B2F12 hindi pa rin matapostapos ang kwentuhan, kantahan and kodakan.

The last part of our New Year's Eve party is giving gifts.

Usually I opened all the gifts I received on New Year's Eve but due to excitement I opened one of the gift on Christmas Eve, though it was not posted in any of my social media accounts it really means a lot for me not only the gift itself and even the effort of wrapping but the friendship and love from the person who gave it. Like these gifts from the people who are really close to my heart.

 Hello 2015

And since all of them in the house has work on the first day of the year, only me and Trish were left at home and of course it includes cleaning again all the things we used for the NYE.

I want to start my year right and I started on a date with my Maker.

I attended church service. Its my first time at Anglican Church complex - we have two church services in a week, Thursday night (English service) at Anglican Church complex and every Friday morning (Tagalog service) at our church villa. I regularly attends in Tagalog service but since there will no service on January 2 I really tried my best though I have colds, cough and flu to attend on Anglican.

 I was happy to be seated with my BS Mansoura family (my previous small group) and with my siblings from SG Bin Mahmoud (my present small group). I never expected that I will see them together in church as well.

I am so happy and blessed to end and start the year in God's presence.
As we welcome 2015, we set new goals and plans on how we will spend our 365 days but before anything else  have we ever lift those goals and plans to our Maker?  Proverbs 19:21
Let the Lord lead us in every plans and in every goals that we're going to fulfill this 2015. May the Lord continue to bless us abundantly and may our heart's desire to be a channel of blessing as well to others.

Holidays + People

Its not the presents under the Christmas tree but the people around us that matters.
Just want to share some photos captured in different Christmas - Thanksgiving I've attended, other details and photos to be posted in different posts :)

SG Family
December 11, 2014 our red-green Christmas - Thanksgiving Party

 Super Friends + Friendly Friends
December 12, 2014 The Super Friends joined by Friendly friends - the more the merrier!

 

The Doha Family, The Hausemates 

December 19, 2014 Black / Yellow or Gold Themed Party with the Doha Family.

How about you guys, who are with you during holidays?

Red and Green with SG Family

It will be our first time to have Christmas Party together since our group just started late January of this year. "SG BIN MAHMOUD" is my group or my family within QICM family. Sila ang kasama ko every Thursday night and I really enjoyed having fellowship with them though I missed Thursday night going out with friends and colleagues I know naman na naiintindihan nyo. SG or Small Group is not only our group to conduct bible study with, SG is more than a bible study group, each and everyone of us is a family. We treated each other na talagang magkakapatid not only inside the church or services but even more when we are outside and facing the real world and battle. Like what I'm saying most of the time, I am blessed to have every small group I have and had. I guess I need to make separate post for that :)

Last Thursday after our SG meeting, we had a chance to do our "monita-monito" and look how excited these kids, nakakatuwa talaga.

 

And since we're all busy on the coming days, we make it early to have our holiday get together. Hooray for RED and GREEN theme!

 

Though we meet every Thursday and Friday morning, iba pa rin ang dala ng Christmas spirit.
I'll keep you posted guys.
God bless us all

Don't Rush Things

I don't know if its just hormonal but lately I have so many things in my mind. I have so many things in my mind that I want to do, so many plans but I don't even know where, when and even how to start. All I am sure is GOD is in control of me. I'm talking to myself and assure that the Lord is always working, that despite of His silence He is listening to me, that even sometimes I feel He is not answering some of my prayers, He is there watching over me and moving on me.

Like anyone else I am just a human. I have emotions and heartaches. My body get tired and my mind blown away. Like anyone else, my life sometimes is also a roller coaster, full of ups and suddenly it drop down. I feel sadness too, sometimes I feel empty as well.  I become frustrated too when I didn't achieve something I really want. Like any other I am only human.

Sometimes I think of those people who because of depression and even due to frustration was become mentally ill.It sad to know that because someone doesn't love and care, their life seems to be wasted. 

Everyday is a second chance and those emotions are just only by passers. Don't let them win over you but instead be an over comer, show them how you that despite of the not so good thing that happened into your life, you still have million reasons to smile and be happy. Don't cling on your emotions they are not a part of you, remember when you were still a child, everything seems so red, no black nor blues. Happy moments are destined to be always in our mind and in our heart so whenever loneliness are passing by, those happy memories will become your sword.

God gave us free will to do things but don't be too confident and rely to yourself alone that you can do everything. You need GOD in your life. There will be times that you'll get tired. You'll need a comforter, you'll be needing a counselor, a provider, a healer, a Savior and so much more and you can only find that to JESUS.

 Have you ever say "thank you" from the time you open your eyes today? Have you ever say thank you for unexpected things and circumstances in your life, that you consider miracles?

I can't imagine my life without GOD. Maybe I am one of those people inside psychiatric hospital or maybe I have a wasted life or on the other hand enjoying a lonely luxurious life. No one knows.

My life isn't perfect and it isn't an ideal for some. But for me, I am happy and contented but it doesn't mean that I will stop to be better. From time to time I am reminding myself how blessed I am for having the life I have now. 

I don't need to rush for all of my plans to fulfill. I don't need to pressure myself over things that I want to accomplish. Anything worth having is anything worth waiting for.

For how many times God did a miracle in my life, for how many times He opened my eyes and made me realized that His plans are better than mine, that every "no" I received from people are another "yes" for a bigger and better plan He have for me. 

In my mind and in my heart, I will hold on to His words:

" Many are the plans of a man's heart, but its the Lord's purpose that prevails" - Proverbs 19:21

"For I know the plans I have in you", declared the Lord "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and future" - Jeremiah 29:11

There's Always Something New, 2014 SOJV Staff Party

After a tiring and stressful working days, one of the break that company can offer is to have a party for its employees. Its been a year or two since last held a staff party outside the office. For some of the staffs its their first but for me I don't want drop numbers :-)

Although I've attended many times, I'm always looking forward for something new. And I guess you can find if you will just open your eyes not to criticize but to appreciate why and how the party was organized.

Usually company party was announced ahead of time 2 or 3 weeks before but this year, a memo just popped up in our inbox 2 or 3 days before the event but what its good this year they indicated a dress code and since its "smart casual" its easy for us to decide what to wear.

The venue is still in Radisson Blu Hotel but this year we just occupied a part of the banquet, we have a small crowd this year as few months from now the project will be finished :-)

The call time for the party is 6:30 p.m. Its early for a dinner party right? And voila! this year its not an hour delayed, at around 6;45 the party formally started. And I'm a bit shy when I arrived cos there are already many people although I'm still early for the call time but since I am the emcee I need to be on time or earlier.

 

I always want to have podium everytime I'm hosting, it hides my wobbling knees ^_^

No red carpet where you can see stunning beauties posing over hi-tech cameras. This year beauty out of simplicity was flaunted. I really love to be in a smart casual, you are not conscious on how to move, natural na natural and you can easily move.

The smaller the crowd the more chances to interact with others. That's for me is the essence of staff party to develop camaraderie to each other especially if you seldom talk to them inside the office. You can have a chance to see and know the other side of a person, not only the professional side or the "technical" personality he/ she has. 

  

 

All  staffs had their chance to have a photo with big bosses. And even the managers enjoyed siestas with everyone, how I wish that managers has a pleasant mood like while they are in the party hahaha...

SOJV Project Manager

SOJV Deputy Project Manager

SOJV Procurement Department Manager

 And how I wish someone took a clear and good copy of this, with all the bosses. I'm just passing when our PM called me to have a picture, its a privilege to posed with them. Guys if you have a good copy of this please please share it with me ^__^

 

SOJV Staff last standing as of June 26,2014

 Its been eight years. I spent 8 years of my life in this team, not an ideal years. I have so many sentiments and demands, sometimes I can't help to compare with those people who are working in the other companies but I always end up being grateful and thankful for them. As my mom told me, God put me into this company, into this team cos He has purpose and if the purpose was served already, I'm claiming that this year God will give me new.

I've been to all the staff parties before and of course I have so many comparisons but whatever it is I just keep it with me ^_^, all I know is I enjoyed the night, I enjoyed being with people and I will keep and cherish all the memories. 

There are so many new things to discover and realize in every event, so next time someone or your company invite you to a party, give a "yes".

My Best Critic

I will always be thankful the way I was raised by my parents...

I will always be thankful to those times that my Mom will say "do not do that or this"

I will always be thankful to those days that even I cried hard she will not allow me to go somewhere

I will always be thankful that even it hurts she told me that the clothes, shoes or bag that I have with me doesn't compliment with each other.

I will always be thankful that even she knows someone who can help me to get the job I want yet she just let me to get it on my own

I will always be thankful to those tiring and sleepless night yet she will wake me up at 5:00 in the morning to read the bible and pray.

I will always be thankful for her honesty if my work doesn't seems fine.

I will always be thankful for she's sometimes just silent in giving compliments for my achievements.

I will always be thankful cos in every action she did towards me are for my own good.

If she will only allow me to do whatever I want to do, how can I know the right from the wrong.

If she will allow me to go out with my friends and classmates wherever they go, I will not learn how to value real friendships and even real friends.

If she will let me know that my clothes, shoes or bag doesn't compliment then who will do. I might be able to look like a walking Christmas tree. 

If she will help me in all I need then how can I learn to stand with my feet; how can I know that I can. 

If she will not wake up during our family devotion, I will be lost

If she will not be honest with me even it hurts then how can I know my mistakes and even my weaknesses. 

If she will always give me compliments in everything I may not strive harder to achieve more.

My Mom knows me, she knows when is the right time to talk with me, to give me compliments or to push me a bit. She knows what I want and she knows what I hate. 

I love how she's been the best critic of life because without that constructive criticisms from her I will not be what or who I am today.

I am thankful and blessed to have you in my life Mommy. I love you forever.

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers out there!

Keep spreading the love with your family and nurture them with care.

B2 F12 Boodle Fight

Friday for us is sacred. Sacred in the sense that its the only day for us to do whatever we want to do without minding that there will be work in succeeding hours. 

Living here in middle east where every tick of the clock matters taught me how to value each second, and mostly every moment I'm with people who are dear to me And since Friday lang ang no work day, we're trying to make it special as we spend the day with each other.

While everyone in the Philippines is celebrating holidays - food trips and grand vacation in different places; we tried to at least incorporate some of what we saw on social medias here in Doha....mga feelingeras lang sa sobrang pagka miss sa buhay Pinas.

Its been our plan since then to have our "boodle fight". Sounds your in military right? or your thinking a bloody fight? Nope guys.

Filipino loves to eat, I didn't meet any of my race who doesn't love food.

Boodle Fight as defined in an "urban dictionary" is a military style of eating where long tables are prepared and food are on the top of banana leaves.

Unlike sa Pinas na kahit saan makikita mo ang banana leaves, dito sa Doha yan ang unang challenge to have your boodle fight. We got ours at Food Palace in Al Sadd. And since imported pa rin kung saang bansa, hindi lahat ng leaves is green, some are yellow pa. 

We missed pagkaing Pinoy, although there are lots of Filipino food here, you need to find yung tamang timpla. I am blessed with a family who cooks well.
And since its summer at namimiss na namin ang mga pagkaing Pinoy, we had these foods for our boodle fight.

Every summer kasabay ng mangga season sa Pinas ang pagka-miss din namin ng mangga dito. Thank you sa mga Pilipino stores sa Souq na nag-i-import ng mga fruits directly from Philipines, yun nga lang may kamahalan, pero just to satisfy the cravings ok na rin.

 Iba't ibang klase ng fish at luto ang meron kami :-) may prito at what we called "sinaing" in Batangas. samahan mo pa ng "pajo", sibuyas at kamatis ang patis.

And since we have steamed veggies perfect to match naman ang manamis-anghang na "alamang" or shrimp paste. May soysauce din with onion and chili.
We decided na ilipat muna ang dining table namin sa living room para mas maluwag and since we ate by using our hands mas madaling makagalaw.
Tara, kainan na!

And para kumpleto ang drinks namin malamig na melon juice :-)
Hayysss dagat na nga lang ang kulang talaga parang nasa Pinas na rin...

"Oh ang mga bata tingnan nyo baka mamaya malunod" my cousin Shiella, hahaha feeling talaga nasa beach lang sa Pinas.

Nasaan kaya si "muning" hindi naman kasi kumakain ng ganito ang pusa namin dito na si Bella.

Busog lusog na naman ang B2 F12 family.

Guys try nyo rin aside sa mabubusog kayo sure ako mageenjoy ang bawat family or housemate members nyo from the preparation until sa pagliligpit after.

And another thing, what we love about the boodle fight? konting konti lang ang mga hinugasan naming wares, o di ba tipid na sa tubig tipid pa sa dish washing soap...hahaha

Till next B2 F12 moments!