Journey with my Jesus

During the summer of 2015, circumstances led me to take on a full time management role in Lamblight Catholic School. To say that I was overwhelmed by the responsibilities was an understatement.  I was constantly stressed and it even manifested physically when I had thyroid problems.  So when I was invited to a Prayer and Life Workshop, I knew God was calling me to spend more time with Him.

I attended the orientation and felt overwhelmed by the commitment that was being asked.  Sixteen weekly meetings was difficult to commit to, although we were told to take it one week at a time.  I was assured that I could stop attending anytime if I felt that it wasn't for me.  So with that ready escape plan, and with a strong sense that God was calling me to this, I decided to go on to the next session.

God's Fatherhood is that of immense
love and this photo perfectly captures 
my experience of the first session. 
It has been the wallpaper on my phone.

My experience of the first session was that of a profound sense of peace and an overwhelming feeling of being loved by God as Father.  It took only this session for me to decide that I would finish the whole program.

Week after week I found myself looking forward to the sessions and our assigned tasks.  I felt that I was getting to know Jesus more and more as I spent time in prayer.  There was nothing extraordinary about the program.  There were no lavish preparations, deep theology nor emotional activities.  It was in fact, very simple, which I think was what appealed to me.  It was just me and my God, and the practice of giving Him my undivided attention.

I also love the way that the program was true to its philosophy of love and respect.  People were not forced to share nor do anything that they did not feel comfortable doing.  Each one had his own journey to enjoy and I appreciated that.

Through the course of the program, I saw the different facets of God's personality which made me appreciate Him like I never did before.  I just felt so loved and complete, even if nothing about my circumstances changed.  Happiness and peace is truly a state of mind, a choice that we deliberately make every day, every moment.

This was my favorite prayer spot at Nabulao Resort, Hinobaan,
Negros Occidental during one of our family trips. 

My breath taking view at Nabulao Resort, Hinobaan, Negros Occidental.
I would wake up ahead of everyone else just to have this peaceful, 
beautiful moment of prayer with the Lord.

During the last session, which is called the Desert Day, we were given the time to be with the Lord in a beautiful nature setting.  I never thought that I could stay still "doing nothing" for hours.  But during that time, I couldn't believe how I was able to enjoy every minute of that prolonged time of prayer.  I was in complete awe and gratitude for how how my life has become more meaningful, how my faith has grown and how I have become more sensitive to God's love.

This was my spot during our Desert Day where I spent 4 hours of amazing time with
the Lord.  In this spot, I read His word, absorbed the beauty of nature, 
wrote on my journal, prayed and just basked in His presence.

It has been months since I finished the workshop and I feel that I am still growing closer to the Lord. Every morning when I wake up, I look forward to my prayer time which has become the most important part of my day.

Months after PLW, I still regularly spend at least 30 - 45 minutes of daily prayer.
I look forward to the weekends because I can spend longer time in prayer time 
in our garden.  As I do this, I also enjoy getting Vitamin D from the sun.

The Prayer and Life Workshop has changed my life.  Through a close relationship with the Lord, I feel that I am truly complete in Christ and there is nothing else I need.

For those living in Bacolod, there is a new cycle of PLW workshops that's about to start this February.  Like me, just go ahead and attend the orientation and take it from there.

PLW Orientation Days:

Feb 1, Monday, 6PM - Redemptorist (Admin Building)
Feb 2, Tuesday, 6PM - La Salle Faculty Lounge
Feb 3, Wednesday, 6PM - BCBP Center (Hilado-Manalo Streets)
Feb 5, Friday, 6PM - CICM Talisay (Across Nature's Village, behind Impress)
Feb 6, Saturday, 10AM - Queen of Peace Parish Office hall
3PM - Saint John the Baptist Parish, Bago City
5PM - Our Mother of Perpetual Help Chaplaincy, Lasalleville, Brgy. Mansilingan

Ohsmile emoticon

Oh, this program is for FREE.  You will only need to purchase a prayer and song book if you decide to go through with it.  If you would like to get more information regarding this, you may visit The Prayer & Life Workshop website.

Living a lifestyle of prayer is not only for the desperate.  It is for those who seek to live lives that are filled with meaning, peace, joy and love, and I believe that's all of us.