My Birthing Story

Breathe.. Breathe.. Push.. Breathe.. Push..

I can still remember every detail of my birth story. The pain and joy that I felt for the very first time. :)

November 8, Sunday..

Today marks my 36th week of pregnancy. Since day 1, we have been preparing, emotionally, physically and spiritually. We've been reading a lot of articles, books and blogs on how we can understand or maybe estimate the things will happen on our delivery day. If you know me personally, you would know that I always want to be prepared ;)

We started our day finishing our laundry, I help my husband and decided to seat in a squat position using a stool. I've read in many articles that squat position will help you prepare your hips and will open wide space for the baby to come out easier. After doing the laundry, I felt a little bit of tiredness and decided to take a nap.

We went on our day not expecting that the D-day is coming too soon. After attending church, I went to the wash room (Pregnant ladies! we pee almost every hour, right? Oh ako lang ba naka-experience nun? Lol) and to my shock there is BLOOD! in my underwear. I hurriedly went back to my husband and told him about the CR moment. We, then, decided to text Ate Lornie our trusted midwife (Yes! You read it right! Midwife! I will have a different blog about our birth choices). She asked me a couple of questions then advise me to rest and do not be pressured. By that time, there is a little bit of pain in my lower tummy (puson in tagalog) but not intense so I just keep calm.

November 9, Monday..

Alarm is at 6 am but I usually get out of bed at 6;30 am. I asked my husband if I should go to the office and he asked me about how am I feeling. There is pain but not too intense. We continually time every contraction and update Ate Lornie from time to time. We continue with our daily routine by taking a bath, cooking and eating breakfast. By time I went to bath, the pain is starting to show off! It's getting more intense when I cooked our breakfast to the point I can't finish cooking anymore.

Ate Lornie advise me to eat, drink plenty of water and reserve energy, Rest as much as you can! There are a lot funny moments during my labor day :) Because, this is really unexpected I had to turn over or inform my employer very quick before I got consumed by the pain and while I am still in my sanity lol

Rolyn had to call me and ask few questions about work. During our call, I can't help but moan and shout for pain. She's very encouraging! And I feel like, she can also feel what I am going through lol

We decided it's time to go to Shiphrah Birthing Home in Taytay. The rain is starting to fall and we better be get moving to avoid the traffic. Thank God the cab driver is very understanding of our situation. He drives really fast! :)

During our ride, I am asking myself if this is the right decision maybe I can still change my mind and the driver to bring me in the nearest hospital. The pain is superrrrr intense!!!! I kept changing position and moving in the tiny space I have. I honestly want to shout but decided to sing a worship song instead. I keep reminding myself that my strength comes from the Lord and He will deliver me from this situation.

Before 12nn we reached Shiprah and welcomed by Ate Lornie. She POLITELY (caps lock para intense! lol) asked me if she can perform an Internal Exam. I bet you! Ate Lornie is highly recommended! She will respect your privacy, decision and listen to your needs. :) She found out that I am 7cm dilated. OMG! That is too fast! Miggy is cooperating and listening to Mommy very well.

At 1:30pm the kiddie pool is now ready and I decided to jump in. The warm water ease the pain! I felt calm and relax. But then again, the pain started to shoot up and my water bag broke! Ate Lornie is keeping me up to date. Every update I just keep saying "Praise God! Thank you, Jesus!'

At 3pm.. Poooooop!!! And there is Miguel Isaiah Alfonso!!!!

First phrase I uttered.. Praise God! :)

Then, we cried and whispered a prayer. That very moment, I have dedicated Miguel to God.

My prayer goes like this..

God, I dedicate Miguel to you. He came from you and He is your son. Use him mightily and according to your will.

Serene, Peaceful and Comfort. :)
Me, Husband, Ate Lornie and Kiddie Pool

Miguel Isaiah dela Paz Alfonso
Nov 9, 2015. 3:00pm.4.2kg

To my future self

Today, you might have made a big mistake but you learned from it. Love and take care yourself. No one will care about you more than yourself. Don't give your all. Have something for yourself. Treat yourself as special and one of a kind. Continue to dream high. Believe that by His blood you have been saved. No one can condemn you.

A Choice

Been a while..
Some of my thoughts and feelings will be burried forever. Bug possibility those memories will linger for day, weeks and maybe years. No one knows how to move on and when will it happen. Letting go and moving on is a choice. Who has a choice? Well, all of us. Everyday we make different choices - what to wear? To eat? Where to go? Who are your friends? Where you work? Who you worship? Who you love?


....

Happy ByeBye Gee!

Well spent Sunday with these ladies :)

From surprising Gee to attending service. Preparing our ihaw parteeeeyyyyy!!! Eating and watching Suits!!!!!

Oh Gee!!! We hate to say goodbye but we're so proud of you! Kudos to your new endeavor. Til we see you again. We will definitely miss you :)

Victory Weekend at Victory Makati 2014

Can you believe it? It's already April, first quarter of the year comes to an end. It's summer time!!! Well, lemme share with you what we did before the end of March. Well, we said goodbye to first quarter with a bang.

Last March 28-29, victory weekend was held at Makati Sports Club. This is an event hosted by our church for people who wants to experience the true freedom in Christ. The best event and experience that I will share to my next generation and even to people I will meet in the future. Because I had a great experience I also encourage others to attend this one. Two girls whose part of our victory group decided to be there and were expectant to hear from God.

Rolyn and Joyce were there to hear from God. They ask for Him and God did fail to show Himself to His people. They receive the true freedom God had promised to us when He sent His one and only Son to suffer on that cross. The redemption of sin, identity in Christ and the inheritance of His Kingdom. They have been baptize by the Holy Spirit and proclaimed their faith in water baptism. For sure, the heaven rejoices as one sinner repents come what more if there are many of them. Praise to the living God for allowing me to walk in this great journey together with these ladies.

John 8:36

 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Happy BORNday to ME! :)

Today is very special, it is my 4th spiritual birthday. This day is the second most important day for me:) It's been 4 years since I accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior and announce to the world by water baptism that I am a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Lemme say that I never regret my decision to follow Him all my life. For 4 years, it there had been ups and downs BUT He never leave nor forsake me. Until now, His work is not yet done in my life.

Let me thank people who stand by me and who were used by God for me to reach this moment.

Ate Rye, Kuya Nono, Ate Joei. Until now I look to them as my mentor and to their lives. They showed me how to follow and worship God. Though I haven't seen them for a while I kept their words hidden in my heart. Forever grateful to this people :)

Ate Hanna, Ate Gem. First people who let me who God is. Thank you for being an awesome example to me. Both of you are being used by God mightily. Hope to see you soon girls. :)

Kieven, Marbs, Mica, Lauds. Should I forget? Of course not, sila ang mga una kong kasama sa Victory QC. At ang kasama ko sa small group. They see me start walking in God's path.

Kuya Andy and EJ. Ushermates!!! My first ministry in church. I miss them and hope to catch up.

Joy, Ecka. Can you still remember where we do our small group? Our super small group then eventually iniwan tayo ni Ecka, diba Joy? Haha. But I'm so happy where is Ecka in her relationship with God. I have been always proud of you girls. I know that God will be using you both for greater purpose in expanding His kingdom.

B :) Thank you for trusting me and opening your heart to me. You have this eager heart to know more and to get closer to God. He will bring you to places that will bring glory to His name. Wag naman once a year lang tayo mag-catch up. Hehe.

Cindy. Never natin inexpect that we will be this close. Haha. God brought us together. Friendship that is anchored in God's guidance. Forever I'll stand by your side :)

Lea, Mores. Oh yeah!!! Hahaha. Nakilala ko kayo dahil kay Cindy and since then you let me know you guys more. Thank you! :D

Chai and Joy. I will never forget you babies :D Grabe! You've seen worst of me pero love na love nyo parin ako. Haha. Grabe!  Minsan mas matanda pa kayo saken pero mas madalas na ako talaga. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much :) Thank you for trusting me.

Ate Rose. Thank you for mentoring me to be a good leader and encouraging me. Thank you for believing in me. :)

Ate Nic. Thank you for challenging me to be excellent in everything that I do for Christ. I super duper adore your commitment in His ministry for the kids. Thank you for leading me. :D

Gladys, Jemma, Crisha, Napz, Joyce, Zion. I am so blessed to know you guys and part of your lives. Haha. Lagi nyo sinasakyan ang mga kalokohan at kabaliwan ko. Super thankful ako that I have friends that will last for a life time. Super looking forward for more moments with you guys.

Ate Cathy, Jaime, Mommy Glo, Ate Rona, Mama Beth. Oh yeahhh!!! Thank you for listening to all my sentiments and believing that God will use me for His greater purpose. Thank you for all the impartations.

Tita Elen and Tito Rogelio. Thank you for laying hands on me and you stand beside me believing for healing :) Thank you for accepting as almost part of the family. I am forever grateful to your goodness to me.

Ate Bham, Noeme, Alan, Kuya Jobert, Kuya Ute, Dave. Ehhhh mahal na mahal ko kayo. Super duper! Alam na! :D

Riri, Bea, Rolyn, Joyce, MJ, Julie, Russ and Elaine. I am blessed to be part of your lives. Blessed to help you in this journey. Thank you for you never judge me though you know my iniquities. I'm so excited for what God is in store for us. Many more Monday night and Tuesday gimik! :)

Benjamin. How can I forget the person who first invited me to church? Hehe. You have a different approach in everything and through that approach I started asking questions and seeing God in your life. Thank you for remembering this day for the past 4 years. Hihi. Thank you for celebrating life with me. I am believing that greater things are yet to come in your life.

To my Savior, my Lord, my redeemer, provider, strong tower, strength, security, the person who first love me. :) I cannot wait to see you face to face. In your presence my life is awesome and wonderful. I live by your grace. You are enough in my life. Thank you for accepting me. Thank you for believing in me. Lahat man ng bagay o tao sa mundo ay mawala, alam kong ikaw never mo ko iiwan at never mababawasan ang pagmamahal mo saken. Salamat kase you don't look at me the way people see me, you look beyond. I am so excited for your promises to be fulfilled. In your love I am free. :))))

Ephesians 2:4-5

New International Version (NIV)

4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

Pursuit of Holiness

What does Holy means? According to merriam webster Holy is defined as exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect goodness and righteousness. Growing up we all have different views and beliefs about Holiness. Personally being raised in a conservative environment this one is being valued so much but I never heard any from the family discussed this topic because we all know that this is a sensitive one. Let me share things that I know about Holiness and how I understand it. I hope in this blog post I can impart to you what is the my conviction to pursuit holiness.

"Be holy, because I am holy."

1 Peter 1:16

Everyone of us is called to be holy. Holiness is something we can never earn, we inherited holiness and righteousness through Jesus Christ. We all fall short to the glory of God and that means we cannot nor can earn goodness even in our works. Being Holy is consecrating yourselves to God (Leviticus 11:14a) - this is just not include physical holiness but also your emotions and how you think.

I am not sharing this to brag that I am holy nor reached the holiness of God but this is a testimony of how His grace transform us. I stumble in this area, there were times and moments that I felt so dirty and not worthy of God's love anymore. I run away from God's presence because I am guilty of sin. I tried pursuing holiness on my own and driven by my own desires instead of turning to God and repent of my sins. In this moments, God still embraced me and showed me how His love works. His grace is overflowing and cannot be measured. The time that I accepted His grace it works in my life and started transforming me.

When you love God you pursue His holiness

God changed my perspective about Holiness and He is now directing me to His Holiness. My life is a work in progress and it's very that this journey will be painful because He will remove anchors in my life that are not helpful in this pursuit of Holiness. I hope that all of us will pursue God personally. Having Him and knowing that you have personal relationship with God is the best thing that happen in your life. He is more than enough in our lives.

The question is, are you ready to pursuit God's Holiness?

Hebrews 12:14

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.