Win- Brian Mcknight

The first time I heard this song was when Ate Daisy sang it at the Christmas party/graduation of the older Yd Leaders back in 2008. It was really encouraging. I love the theme of this song, about the desire not to give up, to never say die even though you've been through the "same old" things over and over again.

The message of this song is so timely for me right now. As there have been several things arising once again that have been oh so familiar. Yet when I reflect back on those times. God has brought me through it. I won't question, I won't doubt that yet again in my present circumstances my God will be there and will see me through.

Many times I often think, it's just so much easier to quit, to give up on certain things, goals, dreams and people. BUT then I realise, where is the challenge in that? How can one grow without any challenges? So I've come to accept that life for me will always present certain challenges I'm meant to overcome together with Him. I've just got to keep my head up and press on toward the goal. I won't pretend that it'll be easy. But at least I know that at the end God won't fail me. He know's the result at the end. Because He has seen the bigger picture.

*SONG LYRICS*

Dark is the night
I can weather the storm
Never say die
I've been down this road before

I'll never quit
I'll never lay down
See I promised myself I would never let me down

(chorus)
So I'll never give up
Never give in
Never let a ray of doubt slip in
And if I fall
I'll never fade
I'll just get up and try again
Never lose hope
Never lose faith
There's much too much at stake
Upon myself I must depend
I'm not looking for a place ashore
I'm gonna win

Won't stop me now
There's still a ways to go
Some way somehow
Whatever it takes I know

I'll never quit
I'll never go down
I'll make sure they remember my name 100 years from now

(chorus)

When it's all said and done
My once in a lifetime won't be back again
Now is the time, for me to stand
Here is my chance, that's why i

(chorus)

Dear Lola

May 01, 2009


Hi. I'm Joyce Ann, my dad is Bernardo the 7th child out of 11 children from my grandmother (lola). I'm the eldest of two and I am turning 22 this year.

The other night I couldn’t sleep I felt like I needed to write what I was feeling on paper. And so I did. I wrote a letter that I want to share with you all and that I’ve asked my dad to either read out or get one of my cousins to read on my behalf at the funeral.

Lola, I want to thank you for raising up such wonderful children and grandchildren. I especially want to thank you for my dad. Without you I wouldn’t have a dad. A dad that I observe as a good man, a good friend, a good husband to my mom, a good father to both my sister and I, a good brother to his siblings and I believe that he was also a good son to you and lolo when you were both alive. I know that a lot of what you’ve taught him and my other aunts and uncles will remain in them forever and will be passed onto us grandchildren. I’m encouraged by my dads love for you and the rest of the family shown by his generosity and eagerness to get everyone from your family here on this day.

I’m sorry that I didn’t get to visit you often. You were the only grandparent that I remember seeing when I was young. I really wish I could have spoken to you more and got to know you more when you were alive. I respect you and my other lola from my moms side for having such big families. I take pride in telling my friends that I come from a really big family. I want to thank you for the happiness, love, disciplines, wisdom and knowledge that you have passed onto your children because I know in many ways they have passed it onto your grandchildren as well.


I love you lola, you will be greatly missed by us all,


From your grand daughter in Australia,

Joyce Ann Balongoy

s m e l l e m s

Curling up into a ball and hiding under the covers works for a few seconds...
Blowing amazing smelling tropical punch bubbles works for a few minutes...
Trying to distract oneself from a particular issue works for a couple of hours...
Avoiding the issue works a couple of days...
Denying the need to fix the issue works a couple of months...
Bitterness and resentment can last years...
But trusting in God especially when it comes down to His timing lasts a lifetime...

IN THE END WAITING ON GOD HAS TO BE WORTH IT....