My Own Serendipity Story

THIS IS ANOTHER SERENDIPITOUS EVENT. There are two beautiful things I want to do in my entire life, and that’s to be a lifestyle worshipper and a wedding/kiddie event organizer/singer/host. 

Last March 1^st, Feast Bay Area Music Min Vocals were gathered to attend Bro George’s Worship Leading Meeting/Coaching. I wholeheartedly, undividedly listened on his words. I took down notes. I grinded the words he shared in my mind. I basked in his spirit and energy. And I must say, I felt anointed and empowered yet humbled.

Looking back, I remembered that I took a Strengths Finder exam in the office and I found out the Connectedness is my first strength.

According to the test, I can sense that every event is somehow the consequence of a series of actions, reactions, or lack of actions. I can accept that which cannot be fully explained using logic. I can say there are no accidents. I’m confident that things are linked together for a purpose that may or may not be revealed to me. It’s very likely that I hold tightly to my core values. Instinctively, I conclude that my life is more meaningful and I’m happier when I dedicate myself to something of importance to humankind. 

It can be something simple rather than something grand. I can sense my acts of kindness influence individuals to perform good deeds. I’m likely to inspire generosity in many people. By nature, I’m often the instrument in helping my teammates discover how they are linked to one another. I regularly remind them that their successes and failures are a direct result of their ability to work together.

My next strength is a Maximizer.

It defines me as I naturally figure out what makes most people unique or special. By nature, I exhibit a heightened awareness of my talents. One of my top priorities is building upon these natural abilities to create strengths. Instinctively, I realize I can determine what distinguishes each person from every other human being. 

I honor the special, the wondrous, and the rare qualities of people. I intentionally position them to attain ever higher levels of excellence. I can easily view things from someone else’s perspective even when I do not share their opinion. I deal with each individual on a personal level. I instinctively know what someone is feeling, based on the person’s words, deeds, silence, or body gestures.

The third one is being an Arranger.

It’s very likely that I’m acutely aware of how my teammates perceive my abilities. I can sense what they think of me as a person. These insights many times allow me to earn their confidence so I can contribute even more to the group’s success. Because of my strengths, I have been most productive in the past when someone in authority really took an interest in me. I likely to recall instances when they created opportunities for me to use my talents, knowledge, and skills. I often played the role of a teacher, coach, or mentor even when that was not my official title. Having a plan and knowing exactly what are required to do increases my chances of being successful. 

Understandably, I feel quite uncomfortable being assigned to a group that only manages crises, deals with the unexpected, or figures out tactics in the midst of chaos. Driven by my talents, I have a gift for recruiting people to work on tasks and special assignments. I probably know how to match talents to tasks, coordinate activities, and create schedules. Chances are good that I have a strong sense of commitment. It motivates me to make sure that things are carried through to completion even when difficulties arise.

Yes, I’m happy to know that those are my Top 3 strengths.

And I owe it to God who is absolutely faithful on His plan, surprisingly on the following day, March 2^nd, I received a text from my friend asking me to coordinate her wedding soon. 

I picked up my planner and started writing the date of her wedding. I know that it will be filled with details on the succeeding months.

I realized that God really likes me despite of my weaknesses, frailties, and limitations; knows me so well, even though I sometimes don’t understand His plan, and looks undoubtedly on my strengths even if there were discouragement in the past.

He’s my ultimate connector, maximizer, and arranger! He connects my every struggles and pain to reach my dreams. He maximizes every intricate and eccentric personality that I have to match with my skills and talents. He arranges my schedule, timing, and preparedness towards my life purpose. 

He asked me to fly! =)

His promise in Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose,” was revealed to me again!

And I praise His Name now and forever, for I can maximize the use of my 
Pen and Planner! :)

Surprise! Be functional! :)

--30--

First, Sour Notes… Then Sweet Music

LOVE IS what makes the world go round. True.

But for me, at times, what makes the world go round is music—from its melody, to its high and low notes, especially in its harmony.

 I distinctly remember the talk series: 3Ts (Time, Treasure and Talent) which, in a gist, advised that we serve God, using our time, treasure, and talent. I’ve been blessed with a good voice. Since I was 8 years old, I’d been a Glee club member in my elementary school, a choir member in highschool, a band singer and member of the Music Ministry of the Youth for Christ in Adamson University. I’ve been invited to be a wedding or birthday singer. Plus I had joined various singing contests. attempted to write songs, too.

So following the 3T teaching, I auditioned to be a member of the Feast PICC Choir in 2010. Simon Santos, the chorus pianist, told me to go to 8^th Note studios on Quezon Avenue in Quezon City for the audition. Unfortunately, I couldn’t go because I had work on the day of the audtion. 

A few months after, I heard the Media Ministry was calling for volunteers.  I love to write, so I joined the Ministry.

I love my co-servants who have become my extended family and true friends. I enjoyed my Media work—covering Feast events and writing stories for The Feast bulletin. Yet deep inside me, I still yearned to join the Feast Choir. One time, in one of its Lobby gimmicks, the Creative and Events Group set up a big Wish Ko Lord board and invited Feast attendees to draw a specific dream on the board. I drew my dream of singing for the Lord.

Three years after, Bro. Pong Jimenez, The Feast Choir master, asked me several times to join the Choir. But I told him I already had some obligations in the Media Ministry.

Then, last February, the Music Ministry opened an audition again for singers and instrumentalists. All the music genres played both in my head and my heart as I wondered whether to take another chance to join the Choir. 

The only thing that urged me to go was one word: Believe! I took a leap of faith and auditioned.

But I encountered series of obstacles, like sour notes playing, starting on the day before the audition day. There was blackout in our place, so I spent a sleepless night. The following day, because I didn’t have enough sleep, I felt my voice cracking. I was like, “Oh, God, not this day!”

Still I proceeded to the 8^th Note studios on Panay Avenue, Quezon City, for the audition which was scheduled at 7:30 p.m. On the way, I encountered more troubles.  There was a heavy traffic so I decided to take the MRT. But alas, the MRT was not issuing tickets because the trains were delayed.

 I decided to take a bus. But when the time came for me to pay my fare, I realized my coin ourse was missing. It was snatched from my bag! My heart thumped as I told the conductor I was robbed.

I was supposed to meet up with my friend, Candice on Quezon Avenue. She would accompany me to the audition.  So I attempted to call her to let her know my predicament. But whoa, I ran out of load. Good thing my mobile phone had this amenity where you could communicate with someone via your Facebook account—even if you didn’t have enough load. So I was able to get in touch with Candice. She told me to pray ask Mother Mary to intercede for me.  I did. And would you believe, right after I said my Hail Mary, my phone rang. Another friend, Apple, who knew I was going for the audition, was calling me just to say “Goodluck.”

I told her I was running out of load. And Apple, bless her, went to 7-11 store and sent me a P100 worth of load. 

Then when I was about to get off the bus, the conductor did not demand for my fare. He gave me P20 instead. A young woman who heard that I’d been robbed handed me a crisp P50-bill! 

It was already 8p.m when I finally met up with Candice.  I was already 30 minutes late for the audition. Hurriedly we took a tricycle to 8^th Note Studios. As I entered the room, I saw the Choir members were there already. And the moment they saw me, they applauded. I never felt so welcomed, so loved! I then auditioned and by God’s grace, I was taken in. Suddenly the sour notes were gone, as sweet music played around me.

It was a rhythm divine as my dreams started to align with my time, my work schedule and my family and friend’s support. I praise the Lord because I’m able to sing for Him at the Feast every Sunday. And the moment I sing with the Choir, I feel the angels above are singing with us—all for God’s glory.

Big chorus team praising our Big God

--30--

Praising hands

A tall English man was swaying his body while lifting both his hands on the air as the music played with a combination of the singers melting voices and full band. If someone may look at him behind, others may think that he’s crazy. For crying out loud, who would do it? What adds up to a funny thing is that this man was doing it along with his wife. Oh come on! Both of them look crazy. Indeed, crazy and rocking in worshipping the one who’s crazy for them too. So, the next time you would look at them, for sure you’d do the same. Or perhaps you’d do more than what they do and give.