Today's Teacher: A Tiny Pink Flower

Written March 13, 2018

Yesterday morning, there were two of these. By afternoon, they were both gone. This morning, this one greeted me with a brighter pink and healthier petals than yesterday's blooms.

The lesson, I believe, is hope and faith in a God who sees what's in tomorrow and in all the tomorrows after it.

Yesterday was a beautiful time to wait---for answers, for inspiration, for the right time, for miracles. I worried, true. But I also learned to wait, and to work while I waited. Because He is faithful who has promised.

And today came answers: in the restoration of something I had almost given up on, in promises, in privileges, in work finished, in new ideas, in gifts, in loving support, in the joy of working with those who are passionate about their work, in hellos, in healing, and not at all the least in the bright pink of a teeny tiny flower that probably only has today, but is bright anyway.

#learningfromcreation #lessonsfromtheCreator

How to Make a "Teambuilding" Activity Super Fun

A rundown of tips to have a fun (ehem!) teambuilding activity with the youth, like we had yesterday at the beach:

1. If someone suggests that you hold a recreation/get-together/teambuilding activity somewhere special, agree with all your heart. Our getaway plan was Elleyse's idea, and we love it.

2. Set a date. For best results, set the date to tomorrow.

3. Plan, but not too much. Just agree on two things: (1) assembly time, and (2) to text one another.

4. Invite people. If they don't come, see Tip #10.

5. On the agreed date, meet up and head to your fun destination. If the said destination doesn't turn out to be as nice as you thought...

6. Go somewhere else. More fun if you don't know exactly where that "somewhere else" is so you have the opportunity to take "lost" photos of yourselves. Important: Don't forget to update late participants about your current and still-changing locations.

7. While lost, keep your eyes out for potential venues. For example, an old, rusty gate, with a view of the beach and a sign that says "Inquire." 

8. Set up food and drinks. These are things that you didn't actually plan on bringing (because Tip #3), but you're hoping at least one of you thought about it. :D

9. Play charades. Especially about the people who were supposed to be there but aren't. (haha. don't worry guys, we were nice... mostly.)

10. Take lots of pictures. For documentation and to make people from Tip #4 jealous so that next time they'll know better and join you.

11. Play games that make you look silly. No photo example of this in action. We were too busy holding our tummies in painful laughter. :D

and final tip...

12. On your way home, laugh a lot and excitedly talk about next week's "teambuilding" activity. And this time, do better than Tip #3.

Highland Getaway: Epol Spring Resort

You know how sometimes you have to get yourself really tired just so you could relax? That was exactly what happened to us when we decided to take a break from work and drive up to the mountainside to enjoy nature.

Epol Spring Resort is about an hour and a half drive away from our suburban home in Davao City. On the way we decided to pick our friend Sam up from his home. And we found him high up on a tree, pruning its leaves!

Many minutes later, we arrived at the entrance excited and found out that the spring and waterfall was still a 300-meter hike down the hillside. We paid the entrance fee of Php 7.00 per person, plus Php 30.00 for the cottage, and a parking fee of Php 10.00 for the motorcycle and Php 20.00 for the car.

The hike was muddy and steep, and for a moment there, all we could think of was the hike back up. 
 
Now it turns out that it’s actually free to enjoy the spring and waterfall, and the seven-peso fee was for the use of the path which cut across private property. About halfway through the hike, the path crossed another person’s property, so we had to pay another Php 7.00. That makes a total of Php 14.00 per person.

There was also a safe-to-drink, flowing, all natural water spout right by the path.


And then, finally, a view of the waterfall, which was gorgeous and very very inviting.


We had a quick lunch and dove into the ice-cold water. And by “dove in,” I mean literally “dove in." 

I hurt the soles of my feet the first time I jumped into the water. But the experience was so worth it I jumped in twice more.

I also wrapped my phone in plastic to bring under the waterfall so I could take pictures and show everyone at home what it looked like.


And the view from above the falls…

Jade almost didn't get these photos right. Her hands were shaking from the cold.

Nature is always beautiful. Now, to hike back up. haha


On the way home, we stopped by Golden Gate Adventure Resort, which offers mountain treks, a zipline, and a hanging bridge experience.


We weren't budget-prepared for the zipline though, which costs Php 300 for a ride to the other end and back, so we’re skipping it for (much) later.

I arrived home tired and happy, reviewed the photos, went to bed, and slept till morning.
My feet still hurt as of writing this post, but I am rested and prepared for this week’s work, which is a lot.

Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.  Psalms 40:5