Holiday Gift Ideas: Shop Early!

Hello, lovely readers! 

Bells are ringing, children are singing.

Oh wait, did I hear that Christmas is coming?

BER months are indeed fast approaching. 

Now, what are we buying?

Buying for gifts, you’re asking.

Never worry about anything because here is a little something. 

So there went my futile attempt to be a poet.  😀

Seriously though, holidays meant a lot of things but it is synonymous to this word as well – rush. Everything is in a rush. How do we avoid this so-called “rush” ? The answer is this – prepare and shop early.

Buying Christmas presents in advance and scratching them off your long list is such a life saver. I usually do this often during the holidays.

But first, who are our recipients of these awesome gifts? On top of the list is our families of course, followed by relatives, friends and coworkers or bless someone randomly.

Then again, another dilemma is this question – “What will I buy for each of them?”  

Honestly, thinking about choosing the right holiday gift ideas can be cumbersome and overwhelming. But allow me to make choosing a lot easier for the lady recipient: How about a tote bag?

Very simple, eh? BUT this isn’t your ordinary tote bag. These are custom-made from photographs of anything and everything by yours truly. I love to share so I am sharing these for you to have for keeps. No art is ever called art without the artist’s individuality showcased in it, as they say. These printed tote bags carry each in itself a particular story – a memory so to speak. So, I am sharing to you a bit of my life’s journey in each item. Do bring me along in your journeys too – wherever they may be and whatever it may be. 😉

This one tote bag for example illustrates a photo during our first summer vacation as a couple in Zambales, Philippines. If you were enamored by the pristine waters and pure, white sand, you can actually plan a trip and head on over there to see the beauty for real. You don’t just have a photo as memorabilia, but also a bag which will remind you always of the beauty of the place for as long as you often use it.

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Another in the memory lane is this precious red rose (which I preserved for sentimental reasons) symbolizing an everlasting love – the first I received when hubby and I were still dating. Thought about editing it to make it look more rustic and not look like your typical red rose because it’s a special one for a special you.

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These are also some of the bags featured in this recently created collection which is a variety of different kinds of themes and concepts from black and whites to macros and landscapes:

If you want to browse for more tote bag designs, you can check out more of the collection in this website:

http://shopvida.com/collections/christine-lailani-ginete-rome

Oh, and if bags aren’t that alluring, the other collection I am starting might capture your interest like these awesome sleeveless tops:

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Happy shopping and wishing you all a VERY advance happy holidays! 😉

P.S.

I’d like to thank VIDA for this one great and wonderful opportunity and most of all to God for bringing in people to share what they can share and help the community. This is also in support of the Literacy Programs that VIDA offers to their makers to learn to read, write and do basic Math skills.

Stay tuned for more upcoming designs, my dear readers. Let’s continue sharing our God-given blessings and bless others too! ❤

Much love,

Tin

Lordship: The Life After

Tin Ginete

The Road

Imagine yourself on a highway which has a blind curve and you don’t see what’s behind it or if there is an incoming vehicle. You just don’t have any idea.

That was the feeling I always used to have. I was just cruising down this lane which we call “life” based on how this world defines it – complicated, troubled, dirty, rough, broken, pain, and suffering. They are but just some of the words that I could use to describe what life meant for me before. For I never knew who God and Jesus Christ really were back then.

Failed relationships.

They defined most of my past. It was always the search for that right love with the right person. It came to a point that I begged for it, and I sacrificed a lot to have it including my career, my studies, my family’s respect – all because of that enigma which we call “love.”

Love is all-encompassing. I can use all the words in the dictionary but not a single one will define it alone. Its definition varies. And yet it exists.

Yes, it does.

And the greatest example of this was through the son of our God, Jesus Christ – THE CROSS.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16

I got to know this kind of love when I got saved. It was that moment of surrendering everything to Him, simply because everything was too much to bear and I was lost. Not even my family nor my friends could help me from the dark abyss that I was in. I was helpless, depressed, hopeless, and desperate. Shame, guilt, and anger were creeping within me fast that I decided to reach out and ask for help before it was too late. And so I did ask for help – from Him.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 6:23

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:33

It was my brother who introduced me to the faith. I was apprehensive to say “yes” when he invited me to go to church at Victory Fort. But after attending the first service, revelations after revelations happened. Miracles and signs began appearing that not even my brother have the words to explain them.

It was then that I believed that indeed, we have a God. And He listens and sees everything.

But it wasn’t as easy as that. There were times when I was called back to who I was, and I was not consistent in going to church because it’s far from our place. I also had a hard time having fellowship with other believers. I still felt incomplete. The faith was there, but not really there.

Until finally, an incident wherein my life itself was put at stake made me do a 180-degree turn. It was then that I have decided to search for a Victory church in QC and found one at GT Toyota Asian Center (Victory QC) inside my alma mater in UP Diliman. After attending a couple of church services, I finally had the courage to approach the concierge and inquire about a Victory Group. A few days later, I was assigned to one group led by Sheryl San Diego, who became both my friend and my spiritual mentor. She offered if I’d like to undergo a One-to-One Discipleship with her to which I said, “Yes.”

That was how my spiritual journey begun. It was a slow but sure process of a series of transformations – an old self being peeled off inch by inch, layer by layer until came the Victory Weekend. Victory Weekend was the most unforgettable moment that highlighted my newfound love for Christ and God – the beginning of my spiritual journey and the day I committed to have a personal relationship with the Lord. This was indeed Lordship and the life after.

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Victory Weekend 3/3/13 (Photo credit: Charls de los Reyes)

Tin Ginete

Water baptism with Sheryl San Diego and Maj Yu (Photo credit: Joyce Tan)

I was nothing more but GRATEFUL, RENEWED, and READY to face the future. Even as I type this article down, I could not help but shed tears. It is not because of the past, but because I could not imagine living my life right now if it wasn’t for the GRACE – the gift of SALVATION.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17

It’s been two years since I got saved. My salvation and walk with God did not promise a storm-free life, but it promised a storm-proof life through the “Armor of God.”

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” – Ephesians 6:11

Because now, I can confidently stand and say that by the love, grace and mercy of God, every heartbreak and headache will be just that. For your every loss, God will replace each of them with what you really need. You will be given new opportunities and relationships that will help you grow and nourish your faith. A new life so to speak.

And though I may fall sometimes, I know who to turn to and I know who to plead for help. Because I have a God who HEALS, a God who PROVIDES, a God who PROTECTS and a God who SAVES.

“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:31

“I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13

I have nothing to fear. Not even death. For I know now that everything I have is not mine. I have learned to let go and let God take control of my life. I have learned to trust Him with my whole life.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” – 2 Timothy 1:7

I may leave this world anytime soon and yet until eternity I carry with me this verse that I hold dear in my heart:

“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” – 1 Timothy 6:12

And I will praise His Name forever and ever come what may. GLORY BE TO GOD!

Tin Ginete

Victory Weekend 3/3/13 (Photo credit: Charls de los Reyes)

http://victory.org.ph/

#radicalsince1984 #myVictoryStory #JESUSperiod