Our Son's Dedication Day

Oh wow, it's been a year since I last opened and wrote something on this page. So what transpired for the last twelve months?

Well, we had Judah. A baby boy who turned my big world upside down and tickled my heart with just one little smile. It was a year of sleepless nights and happy days and heart-wrenching cries and heart-melting giggles and thousand peek-a-boos and wet nappies and face scratches and painful needle pricks. It was a tough but a beautiful journey, and the journey's not over yet. This is just the beginning. It's a bit scary but what a great comfort knowing that God is with us and will sustain and help us in this journey called parenthood.

Judah means praise. All we desire is for him to grow and know and believe and live for God and praise Him with all his heart and all his might. We acknowledge that Judah is God's, entrusted to us to love and cherish. That is why last January 7, we dedicated Judah to the Lord. We let go and let God fulfill his highest will for our son's life. It was a joyous day, indeed a celebration of God's goodness and faithfulness.

And I'm so glad we were able to pull off an almost-rustic-themed party. I've always wanted this!

Bagong Gising: A Sound of Awakening

My husband is a songwriter. He has been writing and recording his songs for some years now in his small home recording studio. From a pool of dozens of songs, he nitpicked 10 songs for a full album. And finally, here it is! With the album title "Bagong Gising", the songs carry themes about reachability of joy, realities and realizations of life. The sounds from this album explores somewhere between passionate folk and rock. There is just this gist of western folk with the feel of OPM rock.

The album is available for streaming and downloading on his websites. Feel free to check it out on the following links and he would appreciate it if you shoot him a message for any thoughts, comments, suggestions and questions regarding the album.

Physical CD copies of the album are also available for only Php100.  If you want to grab a copy, you are welcome to contact us through email or Facebook. The proceeds of this album will be used in the restoration of the only Christian radio station in Baguio City and Benguet Province, which was badly damaged when the city was hit by Typhoon Lando (Typhoon Koppu) last October of 2015.

Website           divinorivera.com
YouTube           https://www.youtube.com/user/divz220
Facebook          https://www.facebook.com/divinoriveramusic
Email                 divino.rivera@gmail.com

Thanks for listening and God bless!

This life is about waking up each day with a choice to live through possibilities and impossibilities, needs and struggles, fears and dreams and to what we live for. More to that, we have a choice to believe the reachability of joy through the realities of earthly pain. Today and tomorrow, should we all wake up through all of these over again, lo, we can take heart with the strength God gives through each day.

-Divino Rivera

Coming Soon

They say a baby will change your life. And I say, indeed. Our little one hasn't been born yet, but he's already done a lot of changing in my life. He changed my wardrobe! On some lazy days, I wear my husband's clothes (I always feel lazy). Eating, sleeping, entertainment, work...it's definitely changed. 

You see, having a baby breathing inside me has taught me to breathe life in a different way. It's reminded me how precious every breath is, that every breath is a gift, that every breath is a second chance. His sudden, little movements, despite the dark and limited space he has, taught me to keep moving and learning and growing. And his silence also reminded me to slow down, pause and rest in God's arms.

Soon, we will welcome our little one. It will be a new world for him, and definitely a new world for me and my husband. More changes will take place for sure. But I'm really thrilled...and nervous, too. But thank God for the peace and comfort that He unfailing gives.

So, see you soon my little one :)

A big bear hug to my sister, Lovee, for the lovely photographs. I love you to bits and congratulations! You're gonna be an aunt!

Merry Christmas

It's almost Christmas (yay!) but nah, these are not Christmas stockings. I realized these baby socks have been hanging for exactly a year now in the room and I remember I got them December of last year in a Christmas bazaar while searching for stuff to give to friends and family for Christmas. I remember being attracted to these baby socks and bought two pairs, one for my friend's son and the other pair I just thought would be cute to hang around the house. Little did we know that this year, we will be expecting a little one and be a part of the family. It just feels odd that the very first item that I shopped for our baby is a pair of socks.

Today, seeing these cute little socks simply reminded me that very soon, we'll be welcoming our little one. It was a challenging journey but fulfilling at the same time knowing that I'm carrying a precious life inside me. And I just can't wait to see him wearing these cute little socks :)

Anyways, I'm so excited for Christmas. I just finished creating my Christmas playlist and I'm loving it! So dear folks, have yourself a merry Christmas! God bless!

The Sea and the Mountains

Last week, a friend of mine from the UK came to Baguio for a quick visit. I know she's been waiting for this moment to be able to travel now that she's officially an adult.

So our first destination was San Juan, La Union, the Surfing Capital of the North, because April and Divino really wanted to try surfing. I, too, was so excited to see the ocean again, not on the surfing part though. You see, a month ago, I found out that I am pregnant :) Since I'm in my first trimester, I know that I have to be extra, extra careful. So nope, thank you! I'd rather stay on the shore and take delight in watching the sun set and listening to the sound of the ocean waves, with my little one inside my tummy :)

VIGAN CITY

To end our week-long so-called summer break, we had the opportunity to quickly visit Vigan City in  Ilocos Sur.  It's one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Northern part of the country and  recently, it was chosen as one of the New 7 Wonder Cities of the world, together with Beirut, Doha, Durban, Havana, Kuala Lumpur, and La Paz.

It was freaking hot when we arrived, making me just wanna stay inside the hotel.  But of course, I forcefully dragged myself out of the hotel. I've always wanted to visit this historic city and now that I'm finally here, to hide inside the hotel is an unacceptable choice. So for a couple of hours, we strolled along the cobbled streets and checked every souvenir shop hoping to find some stuff we could bring home. I bought a sun hat for myself and Vigan's food products, the addictive chichacorn and the famous sukang Iloko.

Having a glimpse of this city was a great way to end our short break. Now, I'm back in Baguio City, back to the embrace of its cool summer breeze, which also means I'm back on my computer and back to work. Sigh.

See you again, Vigan!

SEPTEMBER MIXTAPE

Here's another mixtape of songs I've been listening to for this month. The first song, How Deep the Father's Love For Us (originally written by Stuart Townend,1995) holds a very, very, very special place in my heart. I loved it since the first time I heard it eight years ago, and even though thousands of good worship songs are being released nowadays, I think this will always be on top of my list.

1. How Deep the  Father's Love For Us - Adam Wheatley Listen
2. The Earth is Yours - Gungor Listen
3. The Proof of Your Love - King & Country Listen
4. But For You Who Fear My Name - The Welcome Wagon Listen
5. Death in His Grave - John Mark McMillan Listen
6. White as Snow - Jon Foreman Listen
7. Run Wild (In My Soul) - John Tibbs Listen
8. Before the Throne of God Above - Sojourn Listen
9. Posters - Strahan Listen
10. Burning Up the Sky - The Parson Red Heads Listen
11. All My Days - Alexi Murdoch Listen

Suddenly Nostalgic

I adore the outdoors. I've always been an outdoor girl since childhood. Growing up, I remember most of the time being with other kids climbing up the mountains, sneaking to the river for a swim, and even exploring dark caves located in dangerous spots. Thank God for an adventure-filled childhood!

For the past days, I haven't really been outdoors.  Like hiding somewhere quiet and breezy and fresh with minimal movement going on, and the only movement you'd see is the movement of the clouds and the only noise you'd hear is the whistling breeze and the sound of your careful breath.

Today, suddenly, a wave of nostalgia swept over me. My lungs suddenly thirsted for real fresh air. I suddenly wanted to go back to this place, this mountain where we had our prenup video shoot a year ago. It's located in Windy Hill in La Trinidad, Benguet. Yup, it's quite a windy place. My sisters and I used to hike to the top where you get to enjoy the amazing panoramic view of the strawberry farms on one side and the beautiful Benguet mountains on the other, and of course the yellowish-orangish-pinkish-purplish sunset sky. It was really a breath of fresh air! Oh yeah, and I clearly remember, it is where I finally said yes to Divino to be his girlfriend :)

You can watch the prenup video here. Thanks to Sir Mike and Jer and my dear friend, Ella. It was a tiring but wonderful day we had. And a big hug to Divino for creating this really sweet, sweet song. Yay!

I love these screenshots...

AUGUST MIXTAPE

Jon Foreman's Your Love is Strong has been my number 1 track these past days. It's just so comforting to know that in our weakness and worry and doubt and insufficiency, God's love is strong. August is almost over and I just thought of creating and sharing a mixtape of songs that became a safe haven for me for the past days and weeks.

1. Your Love is Strong - Jon Foreman Listen

2. More Heart, Less Attack - NEEDTOBREATHE Listen

3. Hesitate - Judah and the Lion Listen

4. Farther Along - Josh Garrels Listen

5. Simplicity - Rend Collective Listen

6. Beautiful Things - Gungor Listen

7. Your Glory/Nothing But the Blood - All Sons and Daughters Listen

8. You're Beautiful - Phil Wickham Listen

9. Safe Place - Enter the Worship Circle Listen

10. Be Thou My Vision - Ascend the Hill Listen

11. Oh How I Need You - All Sons and Daughters Listen

12. We Will All Be Changed - Seryn Listen

13. House of God Forever - Jon Foreman Listen

14. Anchor - John Tibbs Listen
15. Satisfied in You - The Sing Team Listen
16. You Are Mine - Enter the Worship Circle Listen

A Peaceful Disturbance

It's the rainy season, and the rain and cold Baguio breeze had been keeping me under my sweater and my blanket all week. During this time of the year, the bed becomes the strongest magnet in the whole universe. Oh yeah, and for others, the fridge. Today, the morning rain and my rumbling tummy woke me up early. Perfect morning to have a nice hot cup of coffee and read something good. So I jumped on the couch, cup on my hand, book on my lap. Aaah, what a comfort...

But it wasn't relaxing at all. I ended up being disturbed. But you know what, it was a good, peaceful disturbance, a comforting discomfort. I was reminded of what I was made for, what my life is all about - to worship. To worship God with all my being, in my thoughts and words, actions and reactions, relationships, dreams - in everything. Many times, our life's purpose gets clouded by the beautiful-but-not-really-beautiful things that this life offers. They're like powerful magnets, pulling us away from God and sucking all our desire for Him. Worshiping God becomes so uninviting, like a cold cup of coffee on a rainy and cold morning. Worshiping becomes "it's all about me" instead of "it's all about God." Worshiping becomes a Sunday-only activity instead of a 24/7 lifestyle. Worship becomes so focused on the music, the lights, the new curtains, and so on rather than being focused on Christ.

As I felt the coffee making my body warm, I felt God's love and words making the whole of me warmer. Aaah, what a comfort...