Who I am - A Call to Grow Beyond

If someone asks you "Who are you?" what will be your answer.

That's the first question we encountered on the Grow Beyond Family Camp Sri Lanka 2017. The question sound so easy to answer. 

Here's the exact answer I wrote on my paper:

I am Jennifer Cleofe Arellano

I am a child of God

I am a daughter of a King

I am the eldest & the only daughter in the family

I am an expectant from the Lord on this camp.

Its common to start by telling our name. Our name is our first identity for others to know us. But sometimes even our name is a duplicate of someone. I tried to search my name in google and voila there are some people holding exactly the same name that I have. How can our identity be our own if someone has it also?

The question is "Who are you?" We usually answered that I am a graduate of this course, I am a manager or employee, etc. or sometimes even stating our possessions and the like. But is that "who are you?" or "what you are?"

Sometimes we see and define ourselves on how others see and define us. We tend to forget that we are unique, we are peculiar and we are created in the image of our Maker. 

"I am not what I think I am and I am not what you think I am. I am what I think that you think I am"

Before, I really avoid looking at the mirror. I am afraid to see the image - the distorted image in front of me. But after the assurance I received from my Maker that I am fearfully and wonderfully made, and that I am created from inmost being and knitted together in my mother's womb, I know I have nothing to fear on the image that I see on the mirror. Through God who strengthens me and give me enough daily dosage of His grace, I can stand and conquer the fear that I have - the fear of rejection, the fear of being outcast, and so on. People may judge us for what or who we are and not, but Jesus will not. He love us for who we are. He is always ready to embrace us, all we need is to surrender ourselves to Him, have faith and give Him our full trust to manage our lives.

Until you do not overcome your earthly identity then you'll never be free and to overcome it, there's only ONE WAY - to accept JESUS as your PERSONAL SAVIOR.

Our God intended us to be who we are for a purpose. By our strength we cannot live on that purpose, only through His grace, only through Him we can do it.

GOD DESIGNED ONE COPY OF YOU, make sure you live on it.

A Call to GROW BEYOND our Earthly Identity

" For this favor I bend my knees before the Father, from whom every fatherhood in heaven and on earth is named, in order that He may grant to you- according to His riches and glory - power to become strong through His Spirit in the Inner Man, for Christ to dwell in your hearts through faith, to become firmly rooted and established in love, in order that you may become strong (enough) to apprehend together with all the saints, what is the breadth, the length, the height, and depth, to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, in order that you may be filled to all the fullness of God" Ephesians 3:14-19

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!

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

December 2013 Sched

Hello December!

Hello happiness and welcome busyness :-)

Almost loaded every week not included side trips like buying gifts for loved ones and not to forget the Sugar and Spice engagements.

And how about the Christmas parties with friends? 

I guess this would really be a super busy holidays but a super fun too!

So let's start it today!

Happy 1st of December!

Have a great blessed month to all of us.

Isang Gabi sa Likod ng Camera :-)

Last Sunday I was informed that I am included to the teaser for the thanksgiving in our church, so I thought its like a teaser without audio or dialogue but after receiving an email and found out the script....OH M GEEE! 

Okay lang sana if it will be delivered in my native language, tagalog so I can deliver it well and I can portray the role natural but its not. 

Yesterday after a tiring day from work this is it na, no preparation I mean not even any make up, kung ang artista super effort sa paglalagay ng make up and concealer para maganda sila kapag natamaan ng ilaw, ako naman walang kaeffort effort, bare with me I'm really tired yesterday and even lack few hours of sleep.  Kaya pag roll ng camera go na, wala ng retouch retouch, loose powder lang solve na.

I love to be in school play when I was in my younger days especially when I was in high school but I don't like much to take the stage, mas gusto ko lagi ang script writer ako or director na sympre walang camera or kapag carry pa ng powers ko props coordinator din ako or sometimes stylist pa ng mga artista. Of course ibang iba ang stage play sa mga movies na ginagamitan ng camera and different kinds of lights and effects.Mahirap  pala talaga bago ka makaalis sa isang scene ilang take ang aabutin, yung bigla mo nalilimutan in the middle of the conversation ang dialogue mo plus ang kaba and consciousness mo kasi nga alam mo na may camera. Akala namin nung matapos na namin ang buong script ok na yon, ayayay...hindi pa rin pala, may closed up scene pa pala and we need to deliver our dialogue again and sympre with facial expressions...kakaloka nga pala ang maging artista! hahaha.

I know hindi satisfy si direk Janix sa acting namin, pero dahil pare-pareho na kaming pagod at may work the next day, nag-pack up na kami :-)

Thank you Janix and Ron for your patience and for the experience na maging artista sa likod ng camera...hehehe.

 

Two photos from the left was from the actual scene, hmmm...at bakit daw ganon ang expression ko sa bottom picture, "Isn't it always???" hahaha

Sa lahat po ng makakapanood ng teaser (if will be approved) bare with us po as you know hindi naman kami mga artista or baka masabi nyo naman "mag-emcee na nga lang kayo"  ^_____^

There's no harm on trying especially in the field that we're not used to, how can we know our gifts kung hindi natin susubukan :-) 

Marami mang takes and bloopers, nakakapagod man at puyat worth trying as we did it for the Lord :-) And if ever there will be next time, one thing is for sure I'll definitely put on make up  ^____^

Thanks to Magadia Family - Ate Mylene and Kuya Roy for the warm welcome sa inyong home sweet home and to PL for driving for us and sa paghawak ng microphone :-) and most especially to the couple - Janix and Ron.

Kahit nakaka-kaba I know like me nag-enjoy din si sis Glo :-)

ECAQ Family Day 2013 and the BIG BANG Announcement

After the RUN-WALK-RUN, we go home to prepare for some activities in the afternoon until evening. I opted to do my laundry while I'm sleeping, o di ba multitasking princess na talaga ako :-)

I left at home around 1:30 p.m. for ECAQ (Evangelical Churches Alliance Qatar) Family Day. Its my first time to attend the family day of ECAQ, for the previous years I wasn't make it due to some reasons and thanks be to God this year I was able to experienced it. 

ECAQ is an alliance of Christian churches here in Qatar. Every year all of the members of ECAQ gather in one place to praise and worship the Lord together and to have fellowship. As in super nakakabless ang dami ng tao and yung pagpasok mo pa lang sa hall halos lahat ng tao nagngingitian sa isa't isa, no awkward feelings, all are welcome.

smile pa rin kahit mejo inaantok pa :-)

 6th ECAQ Family Day, WE ARE ONE

 And since the venue is full, expect not so good photos :-)

Praise and worship then after the message - about "unity" of all Christian churches. Nakakablessed talaga, the next was the flag or banner of each churches carried by their representatives. More than 78 churches joined the ECAQ, and sympre each churches are excited na makita ang kani-kanilang representatives.

 

 "Your sail was of fine embroidered linen from Egypt So that it became your distinguishing mark; Your awning was blue and purple from the coastlands of Elishah." - Ezekiel 27:7

These flags are representing each churches and the yellow which is above all has embroidered name of JESUS.

Pastor Arnel for QICM banner

 All the flags / banners bow and give way when "JESUS" (the yellow flag) passed on them.

We Christians are only a followers of Christ, we are only servant in the church and Jesus our master. 

As I'm watching the "banner ceremony" I can't help to be really thankful I was chosen by God to be a part of His church.

After the banner ceremony, all the workers, leaders were called near the stage to pray for all the pastors representatives who are holding the banner as well as their respective churches.

Its happy to see na kahit na siksikan ang tao sa loob ng hall and nakaupo lang sa floor katulad namin pero hindi mo kakikitaan nang naiinip andenergetic pa rin sa praise and worship..that's the Spirit!

The BIG BANG Announcement

Qatar is a Muslim country but the Lord didn't allow His children not to gather to praise Him and worship Him, we are blessed we can freely worship and praise God inside our worship halls. I know its every Christian desire to have their own worship hall where they can gather and worship without minding that someone on the other building might complain. 

contender pastors of ECAQ as they were introduced one by one

QICM is one of the contender church, Pastor Arnel represents QICM in front. It was also mentioned that our church QICM is the oldest Christian church here in Qatar. Thank you for all the workers, leaders and pastors and most of all to the Lord, QICM is still here and growing with Christ.

 

As I keenly listening to the story on how the Qatar government allowed ECAQ to have a piece of land for us to have our own worship building, super naamazed talaga ako how God moved those people. Truly GOD IS AN AMAZING GOD! Imagine we are living in M country but the government itself allowed us to have our own land.

First Big Bang announcement by Pastor Beda - that the contract for the land was already ready and waiting only for their signature.

There are so many good news that Pastor Beda shared with us, but another BIG BIG BANG announcement..

 

Pastors can't help to jump and shout for joy as well - they were all surprise too

Most of the complaints of expatriates here in the middle east not only in Qatar is the high cost of rent, building and how much more if its land. 

The plan is there will be one common building to be considered as church for every church na member ng ECAQ, imagine sa 70+ churches na member ng ECAQ tapos 120QR lang ang rent per year so magkano lang yon: 1.72QR per year lang ang bawat churches! The favor of the Lord is really on His children. If only I can express how I'm one of them jumping and shouting for joy by that time it was announced. Glory be to God for that Big Bang blessing.

So blessed to be there and hear personally that good news.

Hallelujah! Let's rejoice to the Lord

We didn't take our lunch pa before kami nagpunta ng family day and we need to be back before 7:30 p.m. at QICM church cos we still have "Yugto at Pagtawid" seminar kaya after the Big Bang announcement we left the venue.

I saw Ate Wilda, my officemate outside the venue :-)

And dahil we're in a hurry nga ang plan naming magdrive thru sa Mc Do sa Woqood nauwi, buti na lang may sandwiches and juice sila :-) busog na rin...

Till next ECAQ Family Day!

"Your sail was of fine embroidered linen from Egypt So that it became your distinguishing mark; Your awning was blue and purple from the coastlands of Elishah. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Banners,-Literal-Use#sthash.J4EzbJfK.dpuf

"Your sail was of fine embroidered linen from Egypt So that it became your distinguishing mark; Your awning was blue and purple from the coastlands of Elishah. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Banners,-Literal-Use#sthash.J4EzbJfK.dpuf

Run-Walk-Run 2013

My first day of Eid holiday was really packed, literally loaded with activities - from dawn till night. We were dismissed in the seminar early than the usual, instead of two topics, Rev.Nat discussed only one as he knows we need to go up early for our 1st Eid Holiday activity - the RUN-WALK-RUN!

After seminar, we prepared some stuffs to be used to the activity. Its my first time actually to join the RWR. I always makes excuses not to join because of my migraine especially kapag mainit talaga but this year thanks be to God, no reasons not to come :-) and I really enjoyed it, kahit puyat at pagod, no migraine, galing ni Lord.

Since I'm a part of Program Ministry in our church and the RWR is one of the activity initiated by the min. kelangan talaga present from the preparation. 

Our improvised and impromptu on the making banner :-) Buti na lang laging kumpleto ng supplies ang mga taga library min. :-)

If you are happy for whatever you do kahit pagod ka na you can still able to smile and feel the joy. And sympre hindi pa kami nagdidinner so next stop namin is Jollibee!

malayo ang tingin...hmm siguro natatakap na sya sa nasa kabilang table :-)

nakasmile na sila kasi parating na ang order :-) naserved na ang gravy

ang mga batang Jobeee at ang gutom nang si Daddy Bert :-)

Arrived at the house around 1:00 a.m and get up at 4:00 a.m.
Good morning Doha!

"asan na kayo?"  - "Kuya malapit na po kami, nasa may Doha Port na" :-)

Run Walk Run is one of our way to develop the closeness, camaraderie and most of all fellowship with one another.  I am with QICM (Qatar International Christian Ministries) Church for seven years pero napakadaming bagong mukha (for me) akong nakita. I was talking with one of our church elder Bro. Hermie, nakakatuwa lang marinig yung mga old stories about the church, about the brethren and even activities na ginagawa nila dati.

We started the activity with prayer.
Lets the Run Walk Run 2013 begins!

 

We set the game into categories according to age - we have kids, teens, young adult (men and women), adult (men and women).

The kids and the teens

the future Church leaders, pastors and ministers :-)

"we're read"- supportive dad naman si Kuya :-)

 

Children must be trained while they are still children so they can have habits. Trained them to participate in church activities and to be in the church services, in such way they can start to be involved at their young age. Ito yung age na sabi nila malambot pa ang mga tuhod, minsan madalas nadadapa kasi nga di pa nila alam minsan kung paano magdecide sa sarili nila and most of their decision are depends on their parents. Super energetic and excited talaga sila, nakakatuwa din to see how determined they are to compete with other kids.

texting while walking :-)

I can't help to wish nung makita ko sila how actively they participated na sana ganon rin ako nung bata ako, na I have the eagerness to be with others especially in church activities but hindi pa naman huli ang lahat, I can have my "now" and if given a chance to be a mother I will train my child as well to get involve in church activities and have fellowship not only to few who are in the church but as much as possible to all.

Women - The Young Adults and  The Adults

Women are usually labeled as vulnerable and sensitive and mostly tagged as "iyakin". Mga babae papayag ba kayo to be tagged as that, well I guess not all times, women are just more emotional than men. Women cries when they are happy, when they get surprised, when they are hurt, when they are in pain but it doesn't mean they are weak. Women can compete in a good fight, they can sometimes even excel in field of men. But in the end wala pa ring hihigit sa anumang role nila as ilaw ng tahanan. Iyakin man sa paningin ng iba, they have their own strength in dealing their lives and life of the family.

Ladies, are you ready?

Men - The Young Adults and The Adults

Men are the one who are known to be strong and courageous. They are considered as "tagapag dala ng pamilya" that's why they are called the head of the family. In our society hindi dapat sila nakikitang umiiyak ang mga lalake, imagine mahirap din yon ha e what if your heart is dictating you to cry...hayss well that is society based only. A real man is someone who knows how to be affection as well as show some emotions too, maybe not as emotional as women but they are also human they have emotions and feelings too. Some men are labeled as disciplinarian and some are bossy but to top it all, they are all just concern especially to their family.

posing muna pag may time :-)

Life doesn't mind whatever your gender is, babae ka man or lalake, bata, teenager, mid-lifers ka man or adult ka man or kahit pa nga late adult ka na, as long as you know to manage your life, makakarating ka sa finish line, napagod ka man sa mga pinagdaanan mo, maraming pawis ka mang naipawis at nadapa ka man, for sure pagdating mo sa finish line nakangiti ka.

And the winners....

Adult Men category

Young Adult Men category

Adult Women Category

teens category

Kids category

Special Awards...

Best in Sports Wear - Men

Best in Sports Wear - Women

 We have also for teens and kids but I can't find any picture..

Kuya Warren - Early Bird!!!

And sympre thank you po sa masarap na almusal ng food committee...

Congratulations to all of us PROGRAM MINISTRY!
To God be the glory
Its a SUCCESS!

Life is like a roller coaster as they say, may ups and down but its like a race as well, sometimes you need to run to reach your goal - the finish line, but along your way you'll get tired, hindi naman masamang magpahinga and stop for a while, but do not fully stop baka di mo matapos ang race, pwede ka namang maglakad, take it easy at tska ulit tumakbo kapag kaya mo na. May mga instances na madadapa ka, the decision is yours kung tatayo ka or hahayaan mong matapakan ka na lang ng mga naguunahan mong kalaban. Sometimes we almost want to give up, pero paano ang finish line, malapit na tska ka pa ba susuko?

Till next RUN-WALK-RUN!

GOD BLESS US ALL