Sundown Worship

This Saturday we just had our normal programs except we had this grand sundown worship into life once again. This morning, as soon as I woke up, I took a bath, got dressed, ate my breakfast then got prepared to go to church. In there, the sabbath school program was led by the visitors from Baesa, Caloocan City. Then after the lesson, we preceded with the divine service. And as usual, our choir sang for the response and for the special number as well. Then after the speaker was done doing the sermon, we went home and had our lunch.

As a member of the choir, I am obligated to attend all of the meetings and practices we will be having. So at about 1:00 pm, I went back to church and attended our choir's practice. Then we did some vocalizations and practiced the song we will be singing for the doxology in celebration of the Maragondon day on this coming September 7.

We even practiced the national anthem in case we will also be asked to sing that as well. After that, I already noticed a change in my voice, I think I'm starting to have sore throat once again(haiz, I just had my cough and cold treated a few weeks ago and here it goes again...).

After that, when everyone was gathered inside the church, we started the A.Y. program. It was once again led by the visitors. We had activities done and we had someone to share their testimonies in life. The activities sure were fun and exciting. Everyone enjoyed it and learned something. After that, one of the teachers there had her testimony which strengthen our faith in God. He sure still makes miracles up to these days.

Then after that, we started our grand sundown worship. We started it off with singing songs of praises to God. Then we had the prayer and started off with the activity. We were grouped into 6 groups and were given a certain amount of money. With that amount, we started an auction of things in accordance to our priorities in life.

Then after that, our group got a great deal, we got a laptop, trip around the world and the citizenship in heaven( if ever it can be bought). We explained the purpose of each items we bought and the same goes for other the groups. Through this activity, we were reminded of the things we must prioritize before anything else and to maintain a balance life, refraining from loving money so much which represents the root of all evil.

Nothing So Special

These past few days has been very good ones. Even though nothing special happened, I was able to enjoy the luxury of resting and enjoying my high school life without worries. As soon as the PT days were over, I was able to rest a lot and not worry about anything for awhile.

But the most crucial part has come. It is now time to check our papers to know if we did well in our exams. I went to school early in the morning last Tuesday since we will be having our flag ceremony which was led by the Kabayani club officers and members. Then after that, we had our normal classes. In some subjects, we only checked our testpapers, as what I said earlier is the part I am anxious about.

I got bad results with the other subjects which I already expected, since few people from our class got a passing mark. But as soon as we checked other subjects, I was relieved to know that I got passing grades in the major ones and science related subjects like Physics. It feels good knowing that my hard work and studying with my full effort paid off with those marks. I'm glad I can report this to my parents with confidence and relief.

Then for the other days, we had our activities and we also had an L.T. in Research. I am glad that I only got a couple of mistakes though I feel a bit disappointed since it took me one night to study all those, yet not even half of what I studied was included in the test...oh well.

Other than that, I was able to participate well in the oral participation at class. After class, I always do my assignments and give some of my spare time to practice my violin. What a wonderful week! All was perfect as what I always wanted it to.I had a lot of time to rest, read and play music!

Then after the classes last Friday, we had an hour of free time. I stayed in the room since I don't have any club meetings to attend to. I feel so relaxed after that day of stress and everything. Then after that, we went to the court and had our flag retreat.After that, it is now time to go. I waved and bid goodbye to my classmates and friends with a smile imprinted on my face.

A Busy Day

This Wednesday sure was a busy day for me. Today was also the 2nd day of our 2nd periodic test for the first grading. We had our tests in Chemistry, Physics, Araling Panlipunan, Filipino and our chosen elective(Zoology). The questions sure are hard. Then after that, we had our lunch break. I went out with my classmates and we ate together.

We had fun chatting and everything. Then after eating we had a few minutes of rest and we preceded with our chores. We are assigned to clean in the cactus garden. Since the grasses are already tall, we are asked to cut them.

As I was suppose to go outside, I realized that all of my groupmates are not around and that I'll be cleaning alone. The others are busy with their clubs while the others are just trying to run away from their responsibilities. So, I walked for awhile trying to look for them.

As I stopped by at the front of the guidance, I saw my other classmates who are cleaning. I asked for their help as soon as they were done and they were willing to do so. We went to our part and then we started cleaning and cutting the grasses. It took us a while before my other groupmates arrived and helped me out.

Then, when I looked at my watch, I saw that it was already time for me to attend the Tagisan ng Talino held by the Filipino club. I hurriedly went to the TRC room where it will be held and found out that the other contestants were already there. After about 10 minutes, the quiz started. They dictated the questions and we had 10 items each for the easy, medium and hard part.

Then as soon as we finished I went back to the room and got some cleaning materials and went to the new guidance center with my other classmate to clean there as a part of our project. We wiped all of the toys and even the mats. Then after that, we went back once again to the room and I asked some of my close friends to accompany me in the LRC to search for my research.

Fortunately I made it in time before it closes and I was also able to finish copying the data as well. When I went back to the room I saw everyone cleaning so I tried to help them out. We were not able to attend the flag retreat because of that.

Today sure was a busy day for me. Good thing I can rest for five days due to the town fiesta and another holiday. I just can think of these free days as a present for my hard work for today.

Everyone's Talented

Today, I can never forget these words from someone, "everyone's talented so don't be afraid to show them what you got". Because of this, I became inspired to use my talent in sharing my faith through music.

This Saturday afternoon, we are invited to sing in Naic Seventh Day Adventist Church. As soon as we arrived there, we were warmly welcomed by everyone and we felt their heartfelt appreciation for seeing us there. We were ushered to the backstage for some preparations while the little children in there are singing praises to God. I realized that age must not be a hindrance for us to worship our God.

Then introductions were made and we made our way to the stage. There was quite a large number of people and our performance will be recorded, so overall, it really makes me nervous!During the first part, all the songs were accompanied by the piano and we sang a total of 8 songs. It was alright and we were very happy to be able to finish that part well.

Then after resting for awhile we were back for the second part composing of acapella pieces so this time, it is harder. It is pleasant to see that everyone is enjoying our performance so it's worth it. Then after another 5 songs, we went backstage and changed our uniforms. We were followed by the younger kids who are playing their flutes. But during their instrumental number, a shocking occurrnce took place. One of the children collapsed in fron of the stage while playing. They said that it is because he just came from the hospital and the intense heat triggered it all. It caused a big commotion among the people so the last part was delayed.

After everything was cleared and medical assistance was given to him, we were back once again. We had the VOP part wherein all of us will have our solos. I was very nervous that time thinking that maybe I will suddenly forget the lines and mess it all up. But thankfully, it all ended up well. We sang our last song, "Good Old Gosple Singing" and it was followed by the church pastor's prayer.

A Space For Improvement

This Saturday is another blessed day for me. Ever since we joined the choir in our church, it is a fact that we have accepted our responsibilites as part of the group. It is a matter of sacrifices for serving the Lord through music. And now, we have to gladly accept it.

Today, we were once again assigned to sing in the church. It is for the Sabbath school program and everyone are bound to attend. as a result of sleeping late last night beacuse of our practice, I woke up late. as soon as I woke up, I hurriedly took a bath, change to our uniform, ate breakfast and did any preparations before going to church. When i went to the church, the program has already started. everyone were on the pulpit, singing praises to God. After their song, I went on stage and sang together with them. Thank god I still made it to participate even not for the whole time.

After that, we went to the other room and prayed to God. After that, we preceded having our lesson study led by one of the elders in the church. After that, questions were raised and added information from other members were given and shared to everyone. Then we had the preparations for the divine service followed by the choir's response. Then introudctions were done and we sang a song in commemoration of one of a close member's death anniversary. After the pastor's sermon, we went home and had our lunch.

At about 2 o'clock, I went back to church to attend the A.Y. program. Then after that, all of the choir members were gathered. Then the expected visitor to come is about to arrive in a few minutes. We started of with few vocalizations and later on, brother Danny Uy was there, listening to us while we were singing. We sang 3 songs for him to be able to evaluate our capabilities.

After hearing us sing, he started giving us advises regarding the right posture when singing, the right way of opening your mouth to be able to pronounce the words distinctively and clearly and the right way of breathing. He also gave us some advises regarding vocalizations to improve our tones and to condition our vocal chords. Then after doing what he taught us we were asked to sing once again and we noticed the great difference with the tones we formed. They were more smooth and connected. Then later on, after our hard work, we ended it up with a prayer.

There is always a space for improvement no matter how good you are. You must always aim for perfection and do your best. These are the sentences that kept lingering in my mind as I walked home.