Hey Halloween, I Have Something to Tell About You!

I plead in cry tonight.. that the spirits I know who are just around me and wandering everywhere, wouldn't bother to waste even a short second of their time getting fond of me in this hour of reflection. XD

Dear invisible-but-sometimes-visible-dead-people,

I am with all my sincerest sympathy aware that times like these, your noticeable presence is seemingly acceptable to the living and the goosebumps and spine-tingling motions to hit us anytime are all part of your spooky occasion. But again, I plead in cry tonight, may you doze off in your graves just for the meantime or if you don't want to, you might as well merry go round maybe with the one beside me and never ever come back for me again lol. May you rest in peace at this very moment so it would be possible for me to actually write a blog, hehe.

Looohuhahooove,
Jona-the-not-so-ghosts-fan

Life is full charm, and just like as it is, life is also full of creepy creatures. If you would realize, I wouldn't be considering this topic as a beauty I appreciate in this world because honestly, I don't really appreciate ghosts and horrors. Sure as the earth revolves around the sun, they give me evil bats in the stomach. But since the All Soul's Day is coming and also to give way to the commemoration of our loved ones death, I would just willingly let myself to give it a whirl this time. Haha?

The world is being hampered with beliefs and initial perception of mainly ghosts and other scary stuff when November 1st is soon to undertake people's lives. Gruesome TV shows, movies and such true-to-life stories become the center point of the talking and divulging of everyone regarding the 'Halloween Season' as what we commonly know. Nations' traditions give rise to some practices like doing the 'trick or treat' fun and going to the cemetery. Some even throw fancy costume parties, ghost hunting and candle lighting. We all have different customs and doings that show how we give importance to the remembering of those souls who had just passed away.

During the month, we visit our Great Grandfathers and Grandmothers at the cemetery usually not during the peak hours when the place is as almost crowded and the population is visibly thick. We come there as a family and we bring flowers and candles as what every family does. Sometimes when the mood strikes, we do ghost hunting hoping that we would see or feel the you-know-what-I-mean thing. But do you know how predictable everything as usually it is? We always scream together even before we will start the seeking that ends up everyone got scared and wanting to stop whatever is going on(if there is), so our pursue would be discontinued and we will start laughing again. Funny it is when we gain courage to tell horror stories based on each other's experiences and at the end, everybody will run to the nearest adult with the little children almost crying while the older ones are tolerating the terror. I admit I am one of those, oftentimes. Oh sorry dearest ones, I won't ever do that again. I love you! :) While there are hair-raising and chilling cracks, the entire occasion also serves as a time to bond and mingle with each other, a moment of joy and keeping in touch when the world seems to clasp in the horrible side of it.

So what about you? :)

We may not enjoy the present days they are not together with us, we may not even see and hear or talk to them physically in this life and dispensation, but there is one thing we are all sure of-- and that is the promise of our Heavenly Father that we will see each other again when the time comes, together forever as a family. :)

The Mormonads

Are you experiencing spiritual hunger? Why don't you take a look at these pictures! :)

P.S. I Love You

Love is incredibly strong and beautiful. Love makes a person see even the entire existence like it goes up in the most subtle of all the clouds above, and suddenly everything down seems to get no trouble. When one is being caught amid the most dominant thing ever created by the human emotion, it protrudes a heavenly feeling that puts puzzle pieces back into the frame to where they belong, and you own it. That is how love works, it is like a criss-cross pattern of an unexpected magic that brings two souls into everlasting joy and happiness.

When you are in love, things are ten times a lot funnier than with what they were just like before; inspires you no matter how hard the struggle would be like; gives you a glow and a bloom into apparent rosy blushes; sometimes inexpressible in words because it is only by how you feel, that has the right and ability to tell the whole universe how good it is when a person started to love someone. This is my-your-our so-called love. It destroys yet it heals. It can be painful but it can also be a relief. Brings sick glances to those who do not know how to deal with it and endearment to those who believe in the power of it. It is a feeling like no other, a four-letter word that created history.

Do you wonder what made me push through with this topic? If you will see, I am not much being a love analyst nor that kind who is fond of daydreaming of having a boyfriend nowadays. Little did you know, it was all because of the fiction novel I read just a few days ago entitled 'My Name is Memory' which struck me. The story was about the two lovers who had crossed each other's path during the early centuries that brought an unpredictable twist when they met again in the modern days. I don't say that once you read it, you are going to like it too. We all have different tastes in love stories like that, we all know. It just happened that I was somehow indulged in that story. But anyway you can just look for the summary of the book in the internet if you want to know more about it, and just in case I wasn't able to tell you exactly a little background of the story as I mentioned above. So I was inspired(even before then) to write a blog about-- how it feels to love and be loved by a special someone, what it conquers and how it changes a person in this sometimes love-hate  relationship that has been going on between people who are no more no less, in love with each other.

When you truly love someone, it is true that you disregard all the bad characteristics and you look for his positive traits. You accept him for who he really is as a person, no matter how rich or poor he stands in life, and even how he looks in his superficial appearance-- because you simply have understood how the inside outshines the outside. You will do whatever it takes to make the one you love happy, you will want to prove that person he made the right choice when he chose to love you and will show him how important he really is in your life. You treasure your moments together and there is not a time when you would want to be apart from each other even for a short period of time.

Love changes the way you see things. Like have you ever had a change in a manner of yours when you actually acted like a little child before but now you seem to gather more olden years because maturity suddenly boomed into you? Or have you ever thought of  having a total make-over in yourself or doing your best in every single little thing like improving your character, enhancing your talents and studying hard simply because you want to become that better person who is deserving enough for the one you love? Yes, because it gives you motivation to change. Love really has the ability to change the way you sit and talk and eat and groom yourself and more! How powerful it is, isn't?

They say true love waits and comes in due time. They say it is a destiny. Others tell love can be found everywhere and anytime, it may not be today or tomorrow but in God's right time. It will come unexpectedly and surprisingly in an instance when it is exactly just right for you to encounter. Likewise, true love and infatuation are usually being interchanged by people. I say, when there is an infatuation, it is only intended for the mean time and is temporary. You might be wrong in being in love once you feel it, it is in other words just a physical admiration or a crush as what we call it. I am not judging or much going ahead of what is the difference between the two because still, there are cases when infatuation leads to real love. But generally speaking when you infatuate, you are just having an intense fondness and is somewhat transitory. Unlike when you really love, it is unconditional and permanent to a person whom you can wholeheartedly call the reason why you still want to live for the rest of your life. The attractiveness lies in the overall character. And no matter what happens, either he develops a contagious disease or whether he loses his job that could lead to the corruption of all his riches, you still love him. :)

"Love is kind and wholesome. To love is to give, not to take. To love is to serve, not to exploit." -- Pres. Spencer W. Kimball

Love conquers everything, you will come to know it once you get to that lasting part. Oh what a heartache it would be when love is just one-sided, when the one you love doesn't love you back. It is like a single block being pulled out from the middle stack and the rest collided. However, there is nothing more good than being with the person whom you have chosen to share eternity with. Whom you wished to see before you go to sleep and when you wake up. Who gives you hundreds of reasons to cry, yet millions of reasons to smile. Indeed, priceless.

To what love means, to sacrifice. To what love means, to sometimes let go. To what love means, is to be with that only person whom you share the same feelings with, the feeling that only the heart can tell. To what love means, is to say "I Love You."

♥

Part II (It was a birthday blast)

I got the privilege. More opportunities are way to come. There are still coming couple of years, and I should be ready. I know this is just the start, yet the exciting part. 

My 18th was the most different and unique of all the previous birthdays I ever had. The whole event wasn't like the typical one that is usually celebrated with invited relatives and friends but rather a simple day out in the temple and a plain celebration with my family, by choice. Everything went good and amazing. I simply couldn't ask for more than the blessings of good health, family ties and spiritual learning I have gained throughout the years. Those fairly ones I consider the greatest presents I've received, for they can be treasured in this time and beyond.

October 12th, 2011. 6 AM.

The day that we were looking forward to had come. I woke up in the midst of a beautiful sunrise and on the dot settled all the needed stuff for the day. That was also our final examination week. Badly, I wasn't able to take the exam in our major subject because.. aha! Let's say, the melodramatic term just entered the scene. And because I knew I would not be capable of holding the time pressure, it resulted to a good definition. Lol. But thank goodness the morning wasn't totally ruined in a perfect mishap, I was able to take the minors. Sooner, Shiela and I will be meeting at twelve noon.

While waiting for Shie to come, I was standing at the corner way of the mall entrance when I saw some street children lying on the pavement, which took me to apprehend looking at them that I was really blessed with the enough supplies and necessities provided daily. That I shouldn't anymore complain with anything else seeing the less-fortunate people in all those years sleeping on the cold floor, when I have a home to rest at the end of the day. And to what really tugged my heart was the fact that I was so blessed to be part of a bonded family, whom I can throughout count on when they, have nothing to call upon. Everything I saw, showed me how hard some circumstances could be in the perspective of some people from different walks of life. Again, it made me realize to always be grateful and contented for what I have.

Shiela finally arrived and to my surprise, she gave me a gift-- a delicacy from Red Ribbon and a cute little vial glued with the word "DOC" on the front label, joined with a rolled brown paper inside. Aww. :")

Traveled by bus. Traffic. Chitchat. Walked and ran. Dusty. Eyes on the clock. Chitchat..

At not exactly 4 PM we arrived at the temple safely. We first went to the PBO and bought some items. Shain was there too, waiting for us. She was with her older sister, baby niece and brother-in-law. We talked for about half an hour before we proceeded.

The white patriarchal blessing envelope was the main purpose of our trip. I read mine while sitting on a bench. Oh how life-changing it could be! The Lord really loves me, I really know. The day was so fulfilling and memorable. We went back home.

Ask me and I will tell you what best friends are for. :)

Back home, there it was my family waiting who later on sang me a happy birthday song. Here's what the cake looked like:

Happy Birthday!

Oh-huh to alleviate the tiredness brought by a real productive day, I brushed my teeth and washed my face then went upstairs after blowing the candles. I didn't mean to but I was just supposed to take a nap for a little while that led to a sounding sleep until the next morning! When I woke up, that was when I realized what happened. Maybe my Mama didn't mind to wake me up for she knew I was already tired that time. And yeah, there's one thing more I could have been eating a lot that night if it wasn't all because of my fault. I regret. :)

October's Special Part I

Dear October,

It has been like.. I am feeling you this way.

There is nothing much I could barely feel in this month that would bring out spice and a true incomparable moment, except from me clinging to the fact that my birthday is undeniably fast coming, which I tell with all honesty I would rather reset if would have been possible, or make a jump out of the date because I believe I am not yet ready to face the next ginormous sojourn of this existence. While I am not wholly ditching off the run the mere idea of espousing legality-- and as a matter of fact, I look upon my 18th as a time when I will be more accountable of my everyday decisions whether good or bad; a time when I am about to take responsibility of my every action more certain than with what I had only done during the years that passed; with my Heavenly Father's help, to envision and do for real the sowing and reaping of the greatest opportunities that would shape up my future; and most importantly, to stick to the goal of accomplishing the precious treasures I should deal with in this probationary state: To prepare for a temple marriage and motherly role. To go on a mission, even so.

But do you know what makes everything even more exciting? The story goes like this.

The long wait is over. Remember the 5th of September, in the year 2010? We(Shain and Shie) decided to go to the Patriarch to ask for a blessing. Last Sunday(October 2), we were so blessed to have the printed paper then. From that exceptional day, the feeling was fervent. I almost burst  into tears realizing that after a year and a month it was finally handed over to us. That day I would never forget.

Before anything else to come up with, we were eager to open our envelopes and read it afterwards. And as we were about to leave, a brother perhaps 20's of age came along our way. He was smiling at us, and he seemed to know what was the reason of our visit. It wasn't until when he told us something, that made the day's excitement to fade away. Whatever the feeling was, to wait just for at least less than two weeks until we finally get to that only place where it is best, I know will be something very special and of extraordinary spiritual experience. Definitely will be the highlight of the year. So I really thank that brother's sudden presence on our way. I am looking forward on that day, when things are going to change for the better.

So the story goes like this-- On the 12th comes into a two-part event. A birthday celebration and my patriarchal blessing reading at the temple. The latter is what will make the day more special, I guess.

Since soon enough I will be leaving Young Womanhood, here is a message video I pondered upon from Sister Elaine S. Dalton, The Young Women General President. I want to share this because it gives a lot of encouragement and motivation that will help me as I go through thick and thin in years to come. It also reminds me that I am a beloved daughter of God, a woman of great worth sent here on earth for a divine purpose and mission. So blessed to become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!

And by the way, Happy Birthday to all October Celebrants out there! :D

                                                                                   
Sincerely Yours,
Jona(Who promises to always stay young at heart) ♥