More than a month ago, we traveled to Cebu to fulfill the biometrics requirement for our visa application. We opted to stay at the Hop Inn hotel for four days, located at Ayala Business Park, as it was only a five-minute walk from VFS Global where the biometrics were processed. After completing our biometrics in just 15 minutes, we took the opportunity to visit some of the famous tourist destinations in Cebu, including Ocean Park and 10,000 Roses. My daughter, Chesska, who is a fish enthusiast, was thrilled to explore Ocean Park, a fantastic and kid-friendly place. Moreover, it was a perfect time for my children to unwind and de-stress as they had just finished their exams. Kindly have a look at some of our captured moments below.

The following day, we visited 10,000 Roses, a place that I had seen frequently on social media. Although it was quite far from our hotel, we didn't want to miss the chance to see it. The location is near the beach, giving it a lovely ambiance. While the roses are artificial, their sheer number and uniform color make the place captivating. Moreover, this kind of tourist attraction is uncommon in the Philippines, attracting many visitors despite the distance from the city. As first-time visitors to Cebu, we took advantage of the opportunity to explore this place. 

Since she turned 11, I've seen a lot of changes in her, especially the way she dresses up. She loves trendy clothes and is curious about the physical changes she has noticed. It looks like I am not yet ready to embrace the changes in her because for me she's still my baby (hehe).  But I know deep inside my heart that this change will come. I am grateful to God, for giving me an opportunity to raise the kind of girl that He wants her to be. 

Why does time fly so quickly?  I can't believe it's now 2023, and I bet some of you have already a new year resolution or plan or project that you want to achieve this year. But in my case, I won't call it a new year resolution.   Let me call it a commitment to myself. Each year I decided to improve any area of my life and I have been doing this for the past four years already. In the past, I've tried to improve my attitude, particularly on PATIENCE and TRUST.  To be honest with you, it has worked tremendously in my life. I can tell that I am more patient now with my kids, patient with anyone especially those who are difficult to deal with, patient while lining up in the grocery store, patient with my work, and patient with myself.  While practicing patience, I trust God to help me in the process. I could say, it's not easy to form a new habit but if we trust God and lean on Him, He will definitely help us. And this year 2023, I would like to work on my CONFIDENCE. 

But when I seriously study the word of God for years already, thank God it opened a door of truth for me. I realized that God created us according to His image and likeness therefore, we are special, unique, and capable of doing anything. His love for us will give us confidence and security that we can do anything He wants us to be. 

In the book of Psalms, David writes in chapter 139 verses 13 and 14: “for it was You who created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise You because I have been fearfully and wonderfully made”. 

From now on, I will tap into the source of confidence, who is my God, the Father. As I journey toward 2023, I will slowly eliminate these things in me:

SELF-DOUBT

FEAR

ANXIETY

DISCOURAGEMENT

EXCUSES 

I CAN'T ATTITUDE

And work on CONFIDENCE with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in me. I prophesy that this year will be a great year for me no matter what the circumstances may come. I wait expectantly and confidently for the Lord that He will make my dream come true.