*This is part of my 52 Saturdays Project
April was made of food cravings, long sleeping hours, short but meaningful get-togethers, and God-encounters. Saturdays (and Sundays) were beautiful, more than the other days of the week, just because I can sleep longer, spend more time with the husband, and not feel bad about being too lazy to wear make-up.
I have to say, getting up from bed in the morning, and being away from bed the whole day has never been more difficult than this past month; so if you see me up and about, doing stuff other than eating and lying down, then you’re witnessing some real, God-given strength and grace right there.
Here are 4 installments to my 52 Saturdays project, while I can still remember them. I’ve taken photographs with our DSLR but since I’m quick-posting this, I thought it’s easier and faster to go the instagram route. And these days, fast and easy are just what I need.
10/52: April 7. Thank God for long weekends.
I woke up this particular Saturday thinking I wanted carrot cupcakes, and went to bed craving for ice cream. It was Holy Week, and while I was having a hard time adjusting to the first trimester, I was thankful for the time of rest. We stayed in bed pretty much the whole Saturday, except for times when my pregnant self needed to satisfy some form of craving.
11/52: April 14. SBCC’S Young Women’s Encounter.
SBCC Encounters are made of two whole days packed with about 2 dozen sessions on understanding and appreciating the message of the cross. It was the young women’s turn this time, ages 14 to 17, and I was assigned to speak in two sessions long before I knew I would be pregnant. Looking back now, it still amazes me how God held me together that weekend. Sure, I had to lie down and take power naps here and there, but during the two sessions I had to stand up in front to speak, I just know that I couldn’t have done it with just my own strength. The red velvet cupcakes that day may have something to do with it, hehe, but ultimately I know it’s God breathing His strength in me.
12/52: April 21. Proud wifey moment.
The following Saturday, it was the young men’s turn to encounter God. My husband was one of the Spiritual Guides, and hearing his stories that weekend made me feel so happy and proud of him. There was that moment that Saturday night, when he was leading worship with the other guys, that made my heart leap for joy. He was doing what he loves most doing, and I couldn’t be any more blessed to witness what God has been doing in his life. When the Young Men’s Encounter was over, we went to that food bazaar in Metro Walk to celebrate with some church friends. What a celebration, indeed!
13/52: April 28. It’s always good to be home.
We spent the last Saturday of the month in our house in Caloocan. It was a meaningful time with my Mom, my sister-in-law, and cute little Isaac. (The brothers were all out, working.) Mom cooked adobo and chopseuy, and then we had halo-halo for dessert. Ate Imy shared stories from when she was still pregnant with Isaac. Husband camped out in front of the TV almost the whole time we were there—he’s been looking forward to this because we don’t have a TV back at home, LOL. Isaac, meanwhile, has developed this fondness for other people’s shoes, and he seemed to have loved wearing mine. :)
Sorry I had to cheat and to rush this month’s 52 Saturdays. First trimester is almost over, and I’ve been reading about how second trimester is supposed to give me my groove back. Hopefully, I get to update this blog more often too. :)
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