A Virtuous Woman Should Love Virtuously

I've always loved the idea of being a virtuous woman. There were times when I stumbled but I've always came back to my senses to strive to be virtuous. Proverbs 31:10-31 has always been in the bosom of my heart.

Proverbs 31:10-31

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁰ Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

¹¹ The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

¹² She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

¹³ She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

¹⁴ She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

¹⁵ She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

¹⁶ She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

¹⁷ She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

¹⁸ She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

¹⁹ She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

²⁰ She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

²¹ She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

²² She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

²³ Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

²⁴ She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

²⁵ Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

²⁶ She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

²⁷ She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

²⁸ Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

²⁹ Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

³⁰ Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

³¹ Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

With these things in mind, I had very high expectations of what perfect "eros" love meant. I thought it was waiting for the "perfect man" that God prepared for me. Believe me, I have a very long list of what my ideal man should possess. Some of which are: a God-fearing man who would draw me closer to God; someone who has a clean slate. 

I had a chat with a spiritually mature friend who has been through so many struggles. (Never imagined this time would come when we'd talk about deep spiritual issues. Nonetheless, I'm so amazed with the transformation in his life.) 

He reminded me that "Jesus risked everything and suffered much for us because "TRUE LOVE COMES WITH THE RISK OF PAIN." 

These made me realize how selfish I have been all throughout my life. I thought true love was waiting for the "right one" & to never settle for mediocrity to spare myself from unnecessary possible hurts & pains. I look back & realize how many chances I've let pass to show & experience love just because of fear of pain; but ironically, I still ended up hurting because of regrets. I realized that being afraid of risking to be hurt meant I wasn't ready to love truly.

Thinking of how Jesus loves us reminds me that true love is unconditional. No matter how many times we hurt Him, He still loves us so dearly. The pain & hurt that we repeatedly make Him feel do not make Him love us lesser. In His eyes, there are no ideals, but pure acceptance despite who & what we are. He risked all He had even when it meant getting nothing in return. 

"A suppressed heart, cannot know what love is. The idealist is an imitator and therefore he cannot know love. He cannot be generous, give himself over completely without the thought of himself. Only when the mind and heart are unburdened of fear, of the routine of sensational habits, when there is generosity and compassion, there is love. Such love is chaste." (quoted; can't find the source)

A virtuous woman is worthy of praise; but a virtuous woman who virtuously loves is what it means to be 

Christ-like. We will always be disappointed, frustrated & hurt unless we learn to love virtuously. Tonight, I let go of my fears & selfishness because to truly love unconditionally, (be it our family, friends or special someone), just as Christ loves us, is what my life should be about.

BORA ESCAPADE 2011

I've had so many travels which aren't vividly remembered now. I regret not being able to blog about those travels. I'm glad my close friend, Wella, is such a pro in blogging. Reading memories like this never tire or bore me. Thank you Wella gurl for blogging about our superb & terrific Boracay experience.

Here are the links to our Boracay escapade back in July 2011.
They're creatively written but very informative at the same time. Wella is a professional blogger so don't wonder why her blogs are very well written. The photos in her blogs are entertaining too. ENJOY!

***Click on the links below.

Day 1: Cebu to Iloilo

Day 2 Part I: Boracay

Day 2 Part II: Morning to Morning

Day 3 Part I: Sand, Sea & Air

Day 3 Part II: Leaving Paradise

Day 4: The Surprise Mla to CDO Route

Some favorite candid shots

WHAT MATTERS MOST

So, I've been ranting so much on FB lately & it isn't healthy. I guess I'll just have to expose the main reason here. I know it's too personal but I'm sure that this would be something I can look back to whenever I'd have regrets later on. Hopefully this would cure my "EMO-ness." hehehe

For almost 3 years now, I've been earnestly praying where God would put me. I've extended my stay here from the supposed to be 1 year, then 2, and now, it's 2 years & 5 months already. I'm blessed by being here. I've learned so much about life & I'm pretty sure I've accomplished what God wanted me to do here. In those 3 years of waiting, I looked for signs & answers. 

Previously, my prayer was to be where my family wanted me to be--USA, with my Brother, Grandma, and all Aunts, Uncles & cousins from my Dad's side. But then, with the current status of Filipinos not being able to take NCLEX right away because of the need to go to school again, & my papers taking forever (almost 3 years now) to be processed, I'm pretty sure USA isn't meant for me after all.

As a daughter & as the youngest, I have a responsibility to care for my parents & my sister. They would soon be going home to Tupi where our house is. As much as possible, I don't want to be far from them. Although Kuya wants me in the US, I have stronger reasons of choosing not to. I hope he'll understand. I terribly miss him though!

I can still push my way to the U.S. if things change, but since I was young, I knew what I wanted. I wanted a simple life. People tell me I don't value the opportunity I have to be able to pursue the "American Dream" because all my life my parents have provided me a comfortable life. Maybe so! But my heart just wants a simple life. I've been reading E.G. White books since I was a kid. I've been trying to live my life in accordance to Biblical principles to please my Lord. 

I've been raised in MVC with strict SDA parents who showed & emphasized what an Adventist home should be. We used our hands to work. We were trained to till the ground, to plant and to harvest. I can still remember the planting & harvesting contests between me and Kuya. I would never forget mingling with garland & flower vendors outside the Alumni Church during graduations because I had my Mom's bouquets & corsages to sell. People wouldn't believe we were trained in manual labor but that's the truth. My Mom followed E.G. White's counsels on raising kids. We were always preoccupied with improving our musical, mental & physical gifts. TV shows & movies were screened. We were always outdated with fashion & gadgets. We had less but we were happy, complete & contented. 

Things changed when we moved out of MVC. I've experienced luxury & glamour. As the youngest with a spoiler older Brother, I've had it all, even those that I didn't ask for. I've seen & experienced how it is to live extravagantly. I loved it for awhile but I still long for what I ideally wanted--a simple Adventist home. I thank my parents for that. I want my own family to be like that, to be even better. Honestly, I would be happy being a plain housewife. I know some would think it's such a waste being one. Mind you, being a mother is a sacred task entrusted by God. It shouldn't be taken lightly. I look up to Godly mothers who give up everything to raise their children properly. If I couldn't be able to have that ideal family, there's no point in having one. 

If ever I'm destined to bear the gift of singleness, then, I'd surely go wherever I can utilize everything I have. That's when I would want riches, power, achievements & degrees. 

This post marks the decision I would be making a few months from now. I have been having sleepless nights thinking & praying if the choice I would be making is worth it. Well, for now, plans are set. I'm going home to the Philippines. If ever there would be blaming & regrets in the future, I'd go back & read this blog which I've made public hoping that there might be some out there who would understand me. 

KLEMENT JUMP SHOTS

Ready...set...jump!!!

Who doesn't love jump shots? The fun & entertainment conveyed in a jump shot photo surely captures the moment in its best natural way. Diverse facial and body reactions that aren't staged  are amusing and fascinating. Here are a few of Klement's jump shot photos through the years:

(I didn't capture some of these photos. To whoever did, I give credit to you. Thank you for sharing your photos...hehehe)

INTERN YEARS (2007-2009)

   

GRADUATION ( March 2009)



Jump shot in our gala uniform, cap & heels

POST GRADUATION (2009-2010)

Inhibited jump shot because of the heels, rain &...it's Sabbath! =)

3 YEARS AFTER GRADUATION (JULY 2012)

WE ARE HAPPY PEOPLE!!!