If you met me 15 years ago and asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, my answer would probably be – a teacher!

As far as I can remember I don’t have any particular reason why I liked that profession but just by seeing my teachers in primary and elementary school - who are so passionate in teaching us and sharing stories with us, I think I acquired that spark in their eyes and in that instant I knew I want to be a teacher.

Fast forward 15 years after, a child approached me and said “Teacher, I wanna pee.” And that’s one of the cutest thing that I heard in my entire life! Can you imagine a cute little baby boy approaching you saying those four words? Isn’t that the cutest? *aaaaahhhhh* He was the cutest but I just had my most embarrassing moment with the cute boy! HAHAHAHAHAHA He doesn’t know how to unbutton his pants so he screamed “Teacher I don’t know hooooooow!” The absent minded Camille went inside (HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAH whyyyyyyyy) and unbuttons his pants unfortunately a guy entered the washroom (good thing he’s also from kid’s church so he understands, but it’s embarrassing though!!!!) So I immediately went outside thinking “Camille why did you enter a men’s washroom?!”  HAHAHA

So yes, you heard it right! Today marks my first day in Kid’s church with my sister! Actually I don’t have any idea with the program flow in Kid’s church, I am literally new here unlike my sister who has experience attending when she was younger.

We were with kids of ages 5-6 and I love everyone in there that I want to meet all of them personally! I was actually overwhelmed with the huge number of kids inside the room which made me so happy!

On crafts time, I remember what Pastor Paolo said in one service “As an usher, when you go and place envelopes on each chair, pray for the person who will be sitting in there.” And as I was giving craft materials to the kids, I made sure that I prayed for each kids I was handing the materials to. I love it! I love it so much! 

After that the kids had their praise and worship. Again, IT WAS MY FIRST TIME TO SEE CUTIEPIES WORSHIPPING JESUS TOGETHER! Such a good view to look at every Sunday! I love how excited the kids are to go at the center of the room, eager to sing, energized to dance, happy to praise! I love how their voices sing together to give praise to one God. I love how each jump and each clap is their cutest way of saying “Thank you Jesus!” But of course not all kids respond the same, there are kids at the corner of the room, reluctant to join the group. And with them, I see myself when I was still starting with my walk with God. In them I see my hesitation to participate with the crowd. In them I see Camille almost four years ago, but in them I see a great God. A great God who transformed me. A great God who made a better Camille. A passionate Father who loves his children so much. An awesome Father who has great plans for his children – plans which are perfected before the birth of time.  I can’t help but smile and say “I can’t wait to see Father transform you and use you for the advancement of His Kingdom!”

The last part is my favorite part of all! Snack time! Ooops HAHAHAH kidding. Each teacher was assigned to each group of kids to huddle and pray for them. I was placed with a group of three boys and three girls. If you know me, I have a weird way of saying “okay” or “Good job!” it’s with two thumbs up moving (HAHAHAHA stop Camille, they won’t get it. Anyways I’ll let you see when we meet!) So there, I was asking the kids how the service went and are they okay (with the weird thumbs up movement) but they laughed! HAHAHAHAH then they did the same! Awwwwwwieee cutiepies!!!!!

In my group, there were two kids who are new to kids church but doesn’t look like new kids though – they are so hyper! I asked them and they said they’ll come back next week because they really had fun!

If there are couple of things that makes me smile, one of them would probably be seeing children pray. Praying is very important, it is our way of communicating with God. And when I asked these kids what they want me to pray for them, for me, it shows their heart <3 awwww

Well as I asked them and their answers are the following, (And I hope you pray for them too!)

Daniel and Hailey (siblings): our tita (why?) because she’s sick.

Kaye: mama (why?) because she’s also sick

Nehza: my family (why?) because I want them safe every time.

Kurt: my papa to have a lot of money (why?) because he’s hardworking (where is papa?) he’s in Singapore.

Marco: Jesus (why?) because I care for him.

See how cute these kids are? Aaaaahhhh!!! I can spend my whole life talking to them if I can! Can you see their hearts? They are selfless kids! As far as I can remember when I was in their age, I’d probably say “Lord I want to have a new toy.” HAHAHAHAH but these kids, they are the most thoughtful persons!

I went on a clockwise direction as I was praying with the kids. I stretched my hands to Daniel because he was on the other corner of the table, my eyes were closed, hands stretched and I was praying when all of a sudden he held my hand (ahhhhhhhh!!!!! Lord! Ang cute!!!!!) I opened one of my eyes to see all the kids with heads bowed and eyes closed but Daniel was smiling hahaha cutie! I did the same to everyone.  

Now when you ask me, “Why did you chose Kid’s church?” My answer is – It’s a way of serving and honoring God for what He has done to me with a privilege of experiencing my childhood dream.

What I love when I see kids is their cuteness of course, but over the physical I love to see hope of the future in them. I love to see the greatness of God in them. I love to see how things will turn out years after and how God will nurture the seeds we are planting in them.

Right now, I am the happiest person. Thank you Father for this great privilege to touch your children. It is of great joy to serve you and had fun at the same time! I love you Father!

3 John 1:4

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

Happy Valentine’s Day, my love. It’s the 3^rd year we’ll be celebrating this day together. I love you and I will always be thankful for everything you’ve done for me!

 And that was start of OUR extraordinary story.

I remember asking you how you knew my name and you told me that you knew everything about me.

How can I not be in love with someone like that?

With someone like You?... 

Jesus.

About 23 weeks ago, I posted this photo on my Instagram account scared of what’s going to happen in the coming semester. Why was I scared? It’s because I got a 19-unit load of PURE major classes for my first semester. So? Okay dear… that was not the only reason.

“Fear focuses on how big the problem is, but FAITH focuses on how big God is!” – Ptr. Paolo Punzalan

 “Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.” - 2 Chronicles 20:3

December 22, my sister came home from Canada without anyone knowing it! And yes, she succeeded in surprising everyone in the compound! Even our neighbors and relatives from different places were shocked! Hahahahaha who wouldn’t be shocked? She just moved out a year ago and she’s back now! Ate naman, I know I am missable! HAHAHAHAHAH Guess who’s the happiest by the way? (Raises both my hand, so I’m typing using my foot right now! Hahaha)

If there’s such thing as an “ate’s girl” that would probably describe my whole being! Hahahaha Seriously, as far as I can remember my sister’s been my forever partner, even though we’re 6 years apart. She used to be my mama every bahay-bahayan, the only store keeper I know every tinda-tindahan, the doctor I run to every doctor-doctoran, my teacher in all subjects every teacher-teacheran and the only person I know who can be a mother, store keeper, doctor and teacher in a span of 5 mins! HAHAHAHAHAH Growing up is so easy with her beside me. But last year, she moved to Canada to be with Kuya TJ, her husband. Yes, that was one of the hardest things that happened to my life last year. It’s like I’m removing my arms, or my legs; it’s like removing a part of me that’s been there for a long time. (uy kuya wag ka magtampo hahahahaha) I know, it’s inevitable! Hey, all of us must grow up. All of us must face that someday. We need to move out to be with someone God gave us as our real life partners!

 Last year, I know it took me weeks before my eyes run out of tears to cry. It was really painful and scary because I am not used to being the eldest. I’ve been ate’s assistant but I am never the one who decides on things. All the other things that ate’s responsible of started to crept into my mind which made me scared of what’s gonna happen that year. Also the thought of ate being far from me is just too vast for me to accept. I can’t. I JUST CAN’T, until I am forced to, since she’s already in Canada.

When she arrived last December, I cried hugging her. TEARS OF JOY! 2015’s ending that time and I’ve been stretched and pulled in all directions that year and her hug fixed every single part of my ripped body. My sem just ended the night before they arrived that’s why I was also on hangover with acads that time. It’s just that every time she’s there I know I am safe. The assurance that someone is there, someone will catch you no matter what. Kuya and ate’s 3 week stay here means a lot to me! Away from acads, breathing fresh air outside and just talking personally not through skype or messenger!

And last Saturday, they both headed back to Canada since it’s just a short trip for Christmas and New Year. Days before their flight, I cried myself to sleep and on the day of their flight I said to myself “No crying, camille.” I am also hesitant to give my gift to ate because I know that will make us both cry! “No crying, Camille” became my mantra that day! I manage not to cry a lot on the airport unlike ate’s first trip, but little did I know I will burst when we arrive home! I don’t know. Tears kept on falling.

I thought it will be easier to let go of her this time. I thought it’s only hard during firsts, but it’s not. Maybe sending you off back to Canada is not like wearing new shoes where you’ll have blisters which will hurt so bad the first time you wear that shoes but you’ll get used to it as you wear it again. Maybe sending you off to Canada is something I’ll never get used to. But know that no matter what I only wish and pray for you and kuya’s happiness! Love you both!    

Hi ate, I didn’t mean to make you cry and I didn’t mean to make you miss us more but ang duga mo kase e, you made me cry tonight. Yes I just wrote it tonight after you sent me that long message! Thousand words run through my mind and I feel like I’m going to burst any time, so I wrote it down crying again. Hahahaha I love you always and I miss you so much! 

1.       I admire your passion. I know it’s not always that I see you but whenever you’re there, every key being pressed reflects your burning passion. I just want to say that I appreciate it and that I know other people see it too.

2.       I’ve been hearing things about you (more like reading) which makes me want to meet you personally. Thanks to your mom and dad who use their personal experiences and adventures in their blogs..

3.       I think you’re an awesome brother! Yes, I follow you on Instagram; The pictures of your younger sibs over your feed make me want to be your sibling too! I love your appreciation posts for your sibs like your “My sunshine on a cloudy day” caption for your sister’s picture and even a simple “Cutiepie! OMG” for your brother’s!

4.       I admire your leadership. Who am I to say this, right? But as I can see, you, being the eldest among your siblings, have set a very good example to them. Your relationship with them inspires me to apply your leadership in my life too!

5.       I think you love adventures; I think we would get along with each other!

6.       I like how crazy you are! I remember seeing a thread of comments you posted over your sister’s picture: “Do you need a mather’s day gift? Call-a-friend for cheap bredz,” “mis u,” “luv u,” “pls don’t delete my comments,” and “you deleted one!!!” HAHAHAHAHA you two are cute!

7.       I admire your faith! The way you worship God is so contagious! I think I can hear your voice even if the music is so loud.

8.       You make me believe that there are still other guys out there who can do a lot more than what they think they can, and I thank you for that.

9.       I want to thank you for being you and for being an inspiration to others (I know it’s not only me). I know you’re just being who you are but you stressed a lot of important points that we probably are taking for granted or missing every day, especially with our families.

10.      I prayed for you. I hope you have a good day!

Guess what? I'm turning 20 next yeeeeeeear!!!! Goodbye teen years! :( And with this additional number on my age, are more responsibilities I need to place over my shoulder. Decision making is a big NO to me! I suck at it because I don’t know which logic I should base my choices. Whether I'll choose this over that or that over this?

But everything changed after that service days before 2015 started.

We attended a year-end service at our local church Victory Fort, when Pastor Paolo, the head pastor of our church, asked us to write on a piece of paper the people or things which will be placed on our “Priority List.” All I need to do is think of the things which I prioritize. It’s so easy! But before the service ended, Pastor Pao asked us to rank them and believe me, I had a hard time!

Let me share my list to you.

1. GOD

I placed God first on my list because He is the ruler of my life. After the day I surrendered my life to God, all I ever wanted is to keep this relationship and make it grow deeper. All my life I never experienced such love until I met Him. I never knew how blessed I am having His love; the One who wakes me up early in the morning, walks me to school every single day, stays with me until I got home, listens to whatever I’m saying and cares for me more than anyone does. He’s on my top list because I don’t know where I’ll be without Him.

2. FAMILY

I value my family so much; I mean I can sacrifice everything just for my family! I grew up exercising a very Pinoy characteristic – close family ties. I grew up with my cousins and other relatives with our house on the same area so we often spend the after school time together and even though we’re now living in different cities and countries, we manage to see each other once in a while.

I am so blessed growing up with my supportive titas and titos who are always there on every important event in my life (I am telling you, every single event! Even random walk at the malls. Hahaha that’s how we roll!). And even spoiling us with whatever we want as long as all the cousins are together! (SHOUT OUT TO ALL MY SUPPORTIVE TITAS AND TITOS!!! We love you so much!) Mama, papa and my two sisters mean the world to me and I put them over myself!

I placed my family as my 2^nd priority because I LOVE THEM and they are one of the most important blessings from God! All I want to do with my life is to spoil them and give back everything just like how they showed me when I was little up until today!

3. ACADS

As much as I want to give everything to my family when I got my salary, of course I need to finish my studies first! Academics is on my priority list because education is a thing we should value in life. I know not everything in this world revolves around graduating and having the diploma, but you know what I realized in school, who you are at school is who you are in the real world. Students may think that we are caged at our universities or schools but actually they are training us on how we should response when we are already on our battleground or our workplace. (Yes, I only realized it when I was in college). 

4. FRIENDS

I love my friends so much and placing them on the last place of my priority list doesn’t mean that I don’t value them. All the four on my list are cut above the rest. Most of my teen years – discovering and knowing myself - were spent together with my oh-so-awesome friends. And I’m glad that even if college is taking most of my time (even time for sleep), we all remained friends!

I made this list almost a year ago, and 2015 came with all the things I need to decide on. BIG DECISIONS. But I am thankful and glad that I made this list just before all these “I need to decide” moments came!

Just a month ago, my cousin passed the board exam (yaay! Congratulations kuya!). My tita asked me to join them in surprising my cousin at his dormitory. Unfortunately, that’s a weekday and I have a problem set due the next day. I was about to say no when I got reminded of my “Priority List” that I placed my family over acads, and so I just went. And that decision I will never regret! Celebrating moments like passing the board exam happens once in a lifetime. Although academics is important as I said, there are moments in life which will come just once and we shouldn’t let these moments pass. (I finished my problem set btw haha)

Another very simple example is what we used to see on Values test papers at school when a friend asks you to be with her in a party but you have an exam the next day. What will you do? Again, all you need to do is check your priority list. Since for me I placed my acads over my friends, I will say no to my friend and choose to study first. I know that it is a simple logic-based question but think of it like a mathematics principle. It’s easy to solve simple arithmetic, like 2+3 = 5. Now if I give a more difficult problem, what you need to do is to break it down to simpler arithmetic and proceed in solving. What I mean is, if you set a solution to simple problems in your life, this solution can also be a solution of more difficult problems.

In our life, we are faced with a lot of choices every single day. We need to make decisions upon waking up. Decision whether to get up or sleep again, to drink coffee or milk, to eat breakfast or not, even to take a bath or not (hahahahhaha). Some choices are easy since they’re trivial but other choices may cause serious effect on us when we're mistaken. Decision-making is simpler with a guide – your priorities in life and when values are clear. Be reminded of

In the end, it all boils down to 2 choices and YOU ALWAYS HAVE A CHOICE!

PS. Hello there reader! I challenge you to write your own priority list and share it to other people or you can share it to me! :) 

Let’s make this less formal as possible because I feel like I’m making school stuff when everything’s on formal mode! Hahahaha

Camille Grace Mapili Bacister. Well hello there, I am 19 years old and I love eating! Hahahaha I know it sounds weird saying that two facts together, but hey I am weird as I said in my bio from the home page! I am a middle child (without middle child syndrome) and all three of us are girls!

I am now in college studying Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at the University of the Philippines Diliman and yes my course requires us to take a lot of caffeine every single day (and more during hell weeks! Which makes my heart beat for you hahahah more like palpitate) Yes, I am a member of “All-Nighter Club” during deadlines of code or during exams or when I feel like scrolling social media feed. I am also a member of “11:59pm Buzzer Beater Club” because I am not a hard coder person and deadlines inspire me to finish my code every time, so I am a certified member of the 11:59 buzzer beater as I pass my code just before it hits 12 midnight with a fast beating heart!

I think I am an introvert person, or I am just shy to other people. Hahahahahha They find me talkative but I found out that my voice only sounds louder than others that’s why they thought I am a talkative person but I am not (or am I? hahahah)

I love stitch, he’s in my collector’s item! Yiiiiiiiie! He’s so cuuuuute right? And Peter Pan’s my childhood and ultimate crush, until today! I also love Gregorio del Pilar like Goyong himself! (weirdo alert!)

I play table tennis since I was 10 years old up until today and until I can’t stand anymore!

I eat, a lot! I eat everything except bitter gourd (ampalaya) and okra and bitter gourd and okra and bitter gourd and … okay I don’t eat everything! I eat most of the food that I know! Hahahahah I even eat exotic foods, balut is my favorite (I eat it piece by piece every time), saang from Cebu is my next favorite (best with spicy vinegar), tamilok from Palawan is good (deep fried is better than fresh), sea urchin is fine (it’s salty tho) and exploring for more! I am allergic to chicken skin before but I think not anymore these days … hopefully because I am eating it again. I like everything when it’s spicy!!!!! It gives me thrill in eating it! Hahahahah

I dance – cheerdance and hiphop during my high school days at Makati Science High School.  And I appreciate music too, unfortunately I am not blessed with a golden voice (except when I am inside the bathroom! Ahahah Or singing worship songs haha)

I LOOOOOOOOOOOVE BOOKS! I started reading books when I was in high school due to peer pressure! Hahaha I love written letters way waaaaay back but then I started to appreciate books because I put myself on the story making myself one of the characters in there and then realizing that the author is really talking to me!

I am a youth volunteer at the YMCA Sampiro Makati. And I volunteer to help the next generation leaders!

I am more of writing things than saying it (see I am an introvert. Ahhaha) that’s why I made this blog to let you hear the thousand words that my brain is saying that I can’t say in person! Hahahaha

Did I mention that I love written letters? Well I love receiving letters, more if it’s hand written. I think because every letter and word means so much when you’re writing it.

I am a child of God, a princess – daughter of the Kings of Kings, purchased by the blood of Jesus, forgiven, free and loved!