Senior Year and Struggles....

It's been a while since I last created a new post...Well, kinda busy lately hehe...A senior highschooler's life...:D Quite difficult for me...Full of activities...and TIGHT SCHEDS...Never thought it would be this hard.I'm really struggling with my math subjects and also trying to fit in in my section.Well, sad to say I belong to the "worst class" among our batch...That is,according to our teachers...Cause we are the noisiest and according to them(teachers) we lack respect and discipline.Upto now,I've really been thinking hard what've God wanted me to do that He placed me in this state...I really hope I could find answers soon...
I joined the art club again this year,but it seems I just couldn't fit it in anymore...My sched's too tight...Since it's our school's 90th year, there's an anniversary presentation coming up this November and the Stephenian Chorale was invited to perform.But not all of us, only the chosen ones.I was one of those in this particular group.We're called the "Anniversary Choir" and I still have the ordinary Stephenian Chorale group.I'm still a part of the CMLI Contest Group.So all in all,I have 3 groups.Full scheds of rehearsals...Lately,I'm stressed out with all the schoolwork plus these things...My grades are already "land-sliding" and I almost cried whenever I get a failing mark.It's probably one of the greatest struggles of my life....that I'm experiencing right now.I'm really lucky to have God with me as my very source of strength.Although sometimes these things seem to draw me away from Him.Whenever I thought of these things...I cry...I feel shameful...I feel that I really didn't deserved to be saved...and yet I still hear God,in my heart,telling me that He'd always be there for me to guide me and give me the strength to stand up.He's really such a wonderful Friend,Counselor,God and Dad...I'm really blessed to have known Him...I really can't give Him anything much cause I'm far from anything near Him...All I know is I'd give my best in everything I'd have to do...For the glory of His name...and only His name...

Rainy Days...

After the news flash that I've been waiting for how many hours...

"Yes!No classes!No swimming!!!Haha!" I ecstatically exclaimed.(almost waking my sibs up becuz of my snickers...:P) I think I was so overjoyed that I won't have any swimming classes.Hehe. :D

Rains were a blessing to me.I consider them breaks from my overly hectic sched.Somehow I enjoyed cool weather and suspending of classes(like most students!) But the only down-part when you don't have classes and with all these rapid raining is "home-boredom"...Anyone who doesn't agree?!?I'm pretty sure everybody does.So here's the picture...

I was watching dvd(Korean series again...they ROCK!:D) till my mom asked me if she could watch t.v. Being the ever-so-nice daughter (nakz...kapal!) I quickly turned-off the player. But deep inside...really I felt bad...Cuz I had nothing to do and ease my boredom...

So I just went out of the room...without saying a word...and just sat by our staircase...looking out the window...watching the rain fall down...After a few moments,found myself smiling like a fool.Maybe it just came to my thoughts how lucky Iam today that I didn't have to go swimming.Later on...things of the past suddenly flashed back...What I've gone through my whole life...

Reminiscing happy moments and ofcourse those that aren't...Realizing how I've comed this far...I felt amazed on how I've grown and changed.Cause little by little I matured and had a different view on life.Reminiscing those hard times when I was crying in pain and greatly confused.

That thought made me wonder about the future days to come...Reminding myself that I still got a long way to go...and also having pretensions on what's gonna happen...What more fearful events would come my way?Would I still be able to overcome those?Just sighed by the thought of that...as I looked at the window again...Realizing that I'm quite happy now compared to before...I just beamed and said: "I can do this...It's all part of life...and with God by my side...nothing's impossible...) :D

Baptismal Day: "I Cried?!?" (Part 2: Song)

And now before I end I would like to share this song. It somehow summarizes my life before and after I met God. It's entitled:
"Journey"
It's a long long journey
Till I know where I'm supposed to beIt's a long long journey
And I don't know if I can believe When shadows fall and block my eyes I am lost and know that I must hide
It's a long long journey
Till I find my way home to you
Many days I've spent
Drifting on through empty shores
Wondering what's my purpose
Wondering how to make me strong
I know I will falter I know I will cry
I know you'll be standing by my side
It's a long long journey
And I need to be close to you
Sometimes it feels no one understands
I don't even know why I do the things I do
When pride builds me up till I can't see my soul
Will You break down these walls and pull me through
Cause It's a long long journey
Till I feel that I am worth the price
You paid for me on Calvary
Beneath those stormy skies
When Satan mocks and friends turn to foes
It feels like everything is out to make me lose control
Cause It's a long long journey
Till I find my way home to you
To You....

Baptismal Day: "I Cried?!?" (Part 1: My Testimony)

My name is Natasha Liezl So
and today I wish to dedicate my life to our Lord and deliver my testimony.
In our family, I'm the eldest of four. I first came to know our Lord when I was 9 yrs. old.That was the same year I first went to church invited by some relatives and also my first time to join summercamp.
Since I studied in a Catholic school before, I had a whole different view of religion.We all know that Catholics pray memorized prayers, take communion as early as Grade One, have many rituals and they even worship Mary and the saints too. So back then, I was really confused with what our church teaches and what I learn in school and things weren't clear for me then. Even from the very start it really felt awkward for me to be talking and praying to a statue and a non - living thing which made me realize that something was wrong. But our gracious God gave way for me to a new Christian school.Now I study in St. Stephen's. I now have a clearer understanding of God's teachings. God even opened more ways for me to understand Him even more. The camps we have here in church really inspired and helped me a lot in growing my spiritual life and at the same time learning many things regarding the aspects of life. Serving Him in choir and also as an officer during our church camps made it even better for me.Knowing I can show my love and appreciation for Him. Glorifying Him with the gifts He had given me.As a teenager, ofcourse I meet challenges in my life. Whenever I felt weak or felt like I'm beginning to cry,
He was my strength, comforter and Father. I'd just pray to Him and then afterwards, I'd be alright.
It really felt like a miracle everytime that happens.
I'm just so glad that He chose me to be one of His children.He gave me the chance to know Him. He sent His Son to die for me and save me from sin so that I may be with Him in heaven someday. Iam a sinner, so undeserving and yet because of His great love and mercy He saved me.
I know I still have a very long journey to take and so many more things to know about Him, but I know I'll get through because He's here with me right by my side. I'd let Him use me, so that I maybe able to serve Him,
share the Gospel to other people out there inorder that they may also experience His great love just like we did.Life is a road, with many turns, dangers and detours where I might get lost, drive myself to the wrong way
and even get myself hurt.So now I let Jesus take the wheel. I let my life be controlled by Him and therefore I'm sure He'd take me to the right path to my Father in Heaven, hand in hand during that journey towards life.

"Piercing the Darkness" FCCF 32nd Nationwide Youth Conference Baguio

May 21-25, 2007 Hotel Supreme, Baguio

We attended the FCCF Nationwide Youth Conference.

We met a lot of new people from different churches all over the Philippines!It was really a great experience...We all had a really great time learning more about God's word while enjoying the cool breeze of Baguio..:p So many experiences hehe...Mixed emotions of happiness, worries, depression and also wacky times...:p Experiencing under time pressured shopping in Strawberry Farms! and Kristelle's first time and ever so memorable jeep ride!!!!!Hahahaha!!:P Ahia Billy got mad because we weren't asleep when it was already way past our lights out time hehe...:p

Just because of getting ready for our special presentation...hahaha!:P The city tour was a blast!:p Going to various places in Baguio and enjoying greeneries of Baguio...We also went to Camp John Hay's Butterfly Garden.It was a super nice experience! You even get to catch and actually touch them! And the care taker can even make them stay put in you for taking pics! hehe...Although we lacked some of our members because many of them got sick and had stomach aches...Such a bad timing tlga...hehe...So many kwentuhan sessions and drinking Gloria Jean's Coffee!Coffee addicts n kmi hahahaha!:P No wonder we never had good night's sleep there!HAHAHA!:p LOLZ!:P Waking up very early and having coffee every breakfast!Hahaha...That was our habit there cause we're all afraid we might drowse off in between messages!Hahaha...GUILTY AS CHARGED!!!wahaha...:p Emotional moments were when we realized so many things during the messages...All about peircing the darkness of the world through Christ...All the messages were very nice and the speakers were so good at delivering them...Inspired a lot of Youth people...:p We all stepped out of the hotel changed and transformed...The power of God's word was indeed evident and I thank Him for giving me such a chance to go to this memorable camp :P

UECM Christmas Musicale

This was our church's special christmas presentation a christmas musicale entitled "Care for Christmas"

A rich family of six children who only dealt about business and parties even during christmas.Only their youngest cared about christmas and she meets an accident waking the whole family back to their senses.

I played the part of "Sandy" the fifth child in the Pilgrim family.

My role there was a teenager who always quarrels with her elder sister Tracy and gets whatever she wanted.So it was really a challenge for me to do the part...Especially the very challenging climax fight scene with Tracy! Although people said that I've done it naturally it really took a lot of work...hehe...

My cuzzin Ahia Elwood played the part of the fourth child Malcolm.Hehe...In the genes ba?haha...Just kidding!!!:p

We had rehearsals every week 3 months before.It was really very tiring for me because I also have so many things lined up in school.Competitions, homeworks,projects, performances...etc...But my hardwork payed off for our performance was really successful.:p

And I enjoyed every rehearsal where I have learned a lot about acting and cooperation while enjoying the company of my fellow actors.:P

I enjoyed every bit of those times and I missed them so much...Although it's not the end thus our performance gave way to the opening of a drama ministry in our church so that we'd be able to hone our talents in glorifying the Lord.:D

Bonding, Water and Food Frenzy Games and Learning More About God :-)

Just came back from our retreat hehe... :-)
It was a blast! We had lotz of "Bonding, Water and Food Frenzy Games and Learning More About God" It was actually
UECMalabon's 13th Family Retreat held in Oxford Hotel Clark,Pampanga.
It was actually exactly 1 in the afternoon when we decided to hitch the car start our trip in going there...The heat was humid and were driving at the bustling streets of EDSA and not long enough were already in the widely-open road of the NLEX Highway.We arrived in Clark exactly 3:30pm.We were actually a day earlier and the retreat would officially begin the next day.We had a pillow fight in the dark in our room that evening!Actually, I wasn't really invovled but my sibs were and they hit me!Unmercifully!hahaha...I had a really great time bonding with my church barkada...We went swimming for 3 straight days!One of the most memorable there was the "Fun Fest" It's like the usual sportsfest we have in our school and we have this every year in our family retreats. But this year was special for me because I got to be one of the facilitators!The best part is...I don't get to play those torturous games! Especially this year's!It was pure torture for those who'd be participating! We had four teams this year namely RED TEAM ,BLUE TEAM ,GREEN TEAM, and YELLOW TEAM. Some of it's highlights were the "Chop-Chop Game" wherein they'd use chopsticks to pass certain food(without hands to catch!) and made the "poor guy" eat all of them!:D Another was the "Top 10 Food Chain" which turned out to be the eating contest in the fest. This was my particular favorite! Why you'd ask? Well let's just say the menu includes raw eggs, ginger, tomato, Gerber(as in baby food!) , Wasabi! and worse, they had to eat them without using their hands!(which only means no spoon and fork!) and only with their mouths! That really made me glad that I was part of the Fun Team...:D
"Water Balloon Relay" was another in which the players have to successfully pass the balloon until the very end without breaking it...How? OVER and UNDER!!! In which they'd really get wet because we see to it that the balloons were highly FRAGILE...hehe...:D
We also had "Water Tug of War" in which was done inside the pool!
and last but not the least "Fish Ball" in which it involves a lot of swimming! Players would have to swim across the other end of the pool and back to gather as many balls of their team color in just 5 minutes!Each was only allowed to bring 2 balls at a time and shoot it in their corresponding boxes. We actually had 400 balls put inside the pool!Imagine how tiring is that for them!:D And they really had to do their best because this game's score is doubled!:D After all, no matter how tiring and challenging the games were...Everyone had fun...Especially the umpires! hehe...:D Everyone really had a great time during the whole retraet while learning more about God.It was another success for the 13th UECMalabon Family Retreat in which is all unto God...:D To Him Be All The Glory...:D