The Birth Of Venus: June 2014

When my churchmates and I found out that Hillsong tickets were sold out, we all curled up in the corner as we cry "WHYYYYY??!!" (jk) Then we got over it, until we found out a day after June 11 concert that tickets for June 13 are still for sale! With no hesitation, we pulled some strings and went to the concert. And Hillsong United never failed my expectation since their first concert in Manila in 2011.

It was AWESOMAZING! Beyond words! Their songs speak through your heart, soul and your whole being. You would just find yourself taking in all the words as the tune lifts you up. And it would just fill your heart up with God's love and grace. Even if you can't dance, YOU WILL dance! Even if you can't sing, YOU WILL sing at the top of your lungs.

So I'll stand With arms high and heart abandoned, In awe of the One who gave it all. So I'll stand My soul Lord to You surrendered... ALL I AM IS YOURS.

Photo Credit: Lady Arvie Magararu

This year's theme is tenen... "Beyond Our Boundaries." I, for one, must say have went beyond my boundary in this camp. ~~Besides the fact that it's my first time to travel outside Luzon without adult supervision, heeeheee wooooo freedom!~~ Eight years ago, I was that 11-year old camper who cried at the first three nights of camp 'cause of homesickness. I was the youngest camper who has very few words. After 7 camps in a row, I am now one of the ATEs in camp. Oh, how the time flies. I'm an assistant counselor to dorm 1G, and I couldn't be any happier.

DAY1

Let me first point out that the place was.. ugggghhh ganda! It was by far the best camp venue I've been to. As I gaze around and watch the horizon, I thought "Aaaah. This is it. This is the laaayf!" Okay, moving on. Heehee. Dandan, my head counselor, and I entered our dorm, settled down and fixed everything that needs fixing. I fetched my campers from the hall, made a small talk, waited for other campers, played some getting-to-know game.. and then there was awkward silence for a moment. *kroo kroo* But then, 1G overcame it when we thought of dorm yells! Our dorm was filled with different girls' voices, and it was a music to my ears.

That's just 3% of Lalimar's beauty

Pre-camp (literally 20 minutes before the camp begins)

Getting the papeles from Ate Izzy with Ate Niki and Ayin

All smiles with my lovely head counselor, Dandan

As I wait for my campers, kuya Andoi gave me company

And heeere we are! 1G!

First cheer as we sing to the tune of 'Counting Stars'

Giving the birthday boy the birthday dance he deserves

DAY 2

After CL class

Singing our hearts out during morning devo

Wrapping up dance class with a prayer

Yay lunch date with 1B!

CL class with kuya Andrew

My girls attentively listening. Oh hi, Janey!

Survival skills lecture with Tito Niel

Heading to the pool

Yay swimming lesson

DAY 3

Morning cheer!

While our girls play, we make these faces teehee

Frisbeeee with kuya Kittyyy and ate Keriiiii

That obligatory jump shot

Ann and Lovely writing letters to their "THE ONE"

Deeply amused and kilig with ate Debi and kuya Anin's lecture

Confessing sins during the encounter night

This station taught us to love ourselves for what we are because we are made wonderfully

Lead us to the cross

DAY 4

Luzoners was bluuuue on day four

Prayer before Frisbee championship

Go girls!

Our cheering team!

Talent night judges

Dorm 1's Bea Binene and Jake Vargas kalokalike

2B dancing to the tune of "Oooh, I love you so..."

Shanina San Miguel!

Smiles brought by talented campers

DAY 5

Gulong Ng Palad station

1G puzzle

ARE YOU READY TO CA... I'M FALLING!!!

Beat the heat!

Gatorade, every staff's best friend

Spider web

That crawly thingy station

Go STAAAAAFFFF!!!

Campers vs. Staff

Dance night brings the dancer in you!

YESSSS! Cha and Maki

Pharaoh and his slaves

Putting the swing skills to test

Guess who's Robin dancing with...

MEEEEE! Hahaha feel na feel

DAY 6

Last day. It went by sooo fast. Everyday of the camp was a blessing. There was a lot of going on each day. There was fun, excitement, learning new things, meeting people, witnessing a miracle, sharing life stories, learning to listen and be heard at the same time, understanding differences, and having a deeper relationship with God. ALL THAT IN 6 DAYS. It was crazy. It was good crazy. I loved every second of it. Yes, it was challenging to handle 10 girls, but Dandan and I got it through with God's grace. There were handful of staff and campers from different places with different dialects and we never let that a hindrance for us to connect with one another. I love how my girls would speak in Cebuano and they realize I'm in the room and they would translate it to Tagalog and speak entirely Tagalog na. I love how my campers would say "Thank you, ate" for just because. I love how the whole camp exchange banat cheers over breakfast. I love how the youths express their praise and worship. I love the energy of each dorm for their dorm yells. I love how they exhibit friendly competition for sports activities. I love how the staff made our stay so comfortable and how they organized everything for the camp.

Yea. Go figure. I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THE CAMP. And I'm not even a camper! Haha. It was my first time to serve as a staff and I opted to serve outside Luzon. It was a huge leap that I had to take a plane heeheee. It was worth it! I ditched 4 job interviews for this and I'm soooo happy I did.