the healing words..

i was going through my piled stuff this morning (my books and some readable and writable ones) and i came across the scrapbook that my cousin/sister/bestfriend Ating gave me on my 20th birthday.. so, i opened it again and as i re-read the things that she wrote in there, i just couldn't help but cry.. i immediately grabbed my phone and texted her saying how i miss and love her..

i decided to blog and share the things that she wrote for me in that scrapbook.. and i hope it'll inspire you to go on with life no matter how hard it gets, as much as it inspired me.. here it is..

FIRST PAGE:

April 22, 2009 (40 days after my father's death)

Right now, it might be difficult for you to see where this chapter of your life is heading to.. But rest assured that our God is a God of HAPPY Endings... and NEW Beginnings.

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know what my plans for you are, plans to SAVE you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and to give you HOPE." :)

GOD LOVES YOU

SECOND PAGE:

Dearest Apyang,

Happy 20th Birthday! :) Babaeng bente na ka! Twins na pud ta! Haha

I love you bata :) and I miss you. Pyang if ako lang jud ang magbuot sa Ozamiz jud ko mag stay after sa kato Holy Week sa Cebu... pero saon ta man clearance and med school and all. But my heart and prayers have always been with you and your family. You're my sister, bata. Your loss is my loss and your joy is my joy. At times i miss your daddy so much that i need to stop and let the pain pass over. Then i think of all of you and i am reminded to be strong. Pyang, this journal is still empty. And i know that's how you've been feeling for the past 40 days... empty. Writing has always been your passion. And also, writing can be therapeutic. I give you this book to write in when you feel sad (which sadly is often), happy (which i hope to be MORE often), empty, full, irritated, patient... EVERYTHING! If you miss your daddy, write it down... If you recall a moment with him, you can write it down. And as you fill these pages, I pray that Papa God will also fill the emptiness in your heart. Give yourself time. "The Lord remembered us in our misery, God's love endures forever." (Psalm 136:23). He sees and He KNOWS how you feel. And He is telling you that, "Pyang, I am here for you and i love you." In our weakness Pyang, His strength is made perfect. If you feel that everything is too much and you can no longer bear the burden, then lean on Him. And when, not if, you get through that moment you'll realize that He carried you... footprints in the sand, remember? :) Bata, I love you. I believe in you :) I believe in Papa God :) I believe that He is working in you and your family. I thank God for the day you were born.

Always,

Ating

... and now i'm crying again! hehe.. Ating has been with me in everything that I go through since we were kids, along with Jedan. Life really becomes easier when you have people like Ating..

Ting, I love you so much!! I can't wait to see you this Christmas.. :)