Thirty.

It has been three days since my official birthday and I am overjoyed with how my birthday celebration turned out. Honestly, it was far from how I usually celebrate it BUT I am thankful for the mere fact that I can still celebrate my birthday amid the Pandemic, and thank you for those who made it possible. I was not planning on literally celebrating my 30th birthday due to the quarantine status but there were a lot of people who planned something that made this year extra special.

On the weekend before my birthday, my mom, who is still serving as a front liner, asked me to accompany her to work and I was asked to bring my camera, tripod, and make-up kit. I kept on asking why and she just answered that she wanted me to do her make-up. For those who knew, I have a huge make-up bag and I am seriously bringing everything with me if I am to do someone’s make-up. For the camera and tripod, she asked me to take a video of her and some of her colleagues. When it comes to my mom asking for requests, I really never had the hint of surprise and I never doubted – not a bit. However, I was ‘nearly’ pissed when I started to pick her up from work, and she said we need to make a stop in a hotel for lunch and she wanted me to do her make-up there. I was also supposed to carry everything by myself and take the video at the same time. So, mejo malapit na talaga ako mainis kay mama that time. I was preoccupied thinking how could I possibly carry out the whole day and little did I know, when she rang the doorbell of the hotel room, a surprise was waiting for me. They were laughing at me because I admitted that I was nearly pissed off going there. Lol. There, that’s my early birthday celebration.

Since my Lola and I are both June celebrants, we shared this surprise from everyone. 🙂 I never expected this celebration and I highly appreciate everyone’s efforts to go out of their ways just to be there. I never thought I would miss being physically surrounded by real people. This pandemic is making us realize more of what we have than what we don’t. My Lola and I received a lot of video greetings and I really felt that those people are still close even though I know we are physically apart.

The Best Actress, everyone!
Another year of God’s faithfulness in my life.
“But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.”
Psalms‬ ‭56:3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

That night ended with a Tiktok dance with my cousins. Lol! It was my very first time to so a Tiktok video and now I am planning to continue it. Good News! I have been dancing again! I have been posting my dance videos on Facebook and I just transferred them to Tiktok. It’s the most essential part of my daily workout. I love that I could dance again and I found the courage to share it with everyone. I am used to dancing in a group but now, I felt so happy that I could finally post solo dances, and it seemed like I lost that shyness along the way especially with everyone’s reactions and acceptance. Dancing really gives me that specific happiness and I was wondering why did I ever get shy about it. I have been covering BTS dances and I am not planning to stop until I learn them all. Lol. THEY ARE ‘THAT’ GOOD.

@lyzabenedicto

##MicDrop ##BTS ##bts_official_bighit ##Philippines ##fyp

♬ Mic Drop BTS – Lyza

On the exact date of my birthday, I still went to work. I visited two offices in Laguna and in my surprise, cakes are there waiting for me. Lol. My boss really gave me a good laugh that day. I am grateful for my LICA Land Family, really. I went home just in time for dinner and I appreciate that my mom spent a chill night with us. 🙂 She went back to work afterward.

I also gifted myself with an Apple Watch because I have been eyeing to have one since I started working out.

My DGroup Leader and her family sent me yummy cupcakes as well! I was surprised to receive these and I never imagined eating this special kind of cupcakes. You can follow them at @justbakedbananacakes to order some baked goodies!

And last but not the least, my D12 and DGroup families greeting me via Zoom and a Youtube compilation!

Honestly, being 30 feels right. It seems like I have been waiting for it to happen. I don’t know why I suddenly felt that way but maybe God is telling me something about all those years of grace and more years of looking forward to His promises. My quiet time has been resounding God’s assurance of His promises and Faithfulness. I have been learning a lot from the book of Isaiah and it is really to fully depend on God, seek God first, and do not be afraid. Our God is the God of Abraham and in of the ancient of days, He remains faithful even if we are not. He saves His people even if we turn our backs on Him. He who loves us the most and continues to pursue us even if we kept running away. Our God is a Faithful and Awesome God.

This is an unchartered year inside an unchartered season (with pandemic), I am taking all steps possible, as long as it is aligned with God, without fear and with joy in my heart.

“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”‬‬

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40:31‬ ‭NLT

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