The Joyce Life

just a typical thirty-something human who likes to take pictures and talk about the most mundane things.

[thejoycelife]

I used to think turning 30 meant you had everything figured out — a solid plan, a partner, a sense of direction. Instead, I arrived here with none of that, but with stories, lessons, and a quiet kind of peace. I spent so much of my life caring for others as the eldest daughter, the third parent, the stand-in grown-up when our mom worked abroad. I learned responsibility before I even learned who I was. Maybe that’s why love has always felt complicated for me. I chased it early to fill the gap my dad’s absence left, and when heartbreak and exhaustion came, I just stopped trying.

But even without the “milestones” the world loves to measure, my life hasn’t been still. I learned to play the ukulele during the pandemic, read books for fun, found joy in journaling, and even started drawing again. I found faith in the pages of a Bible I once thought was boring, and in the stillness, I realized I wasn’t behind. I was just growing at my own rhythm.

Thirty isn’t a deadline; it’s a checkpoint. A soft pause before another chapter begins. And honestly, I think I’m exactly where I need to be.

[thejoycelife]

coming out of hibernation

[thejoycelife]

just checking in

[thejoycelife]

the little things

[thejoycelife]

i have been busy

[thejoycelife]

cleaning my camera roll

[thejoycelife]

Quezon 2024

[thejoycelife]

a mother's day post (5.18.2025)

Dear Mama,

As your eldest daughter, I’ve had the privilege of watching you lead our family with strength, faith, and unconditional love. For the past years, you carried the weight of being both mother and father with quiet courage—raising me and my two younger brothers with wisdom and grace. Even before you remarried, you were already the anchor of our home: our constant, our comfort, our warrior in prayer.

If you look up your name in the dictionary, Grace means approval or favor. But in the biblical sense, it holds an even deeper meaning—God’s unmerited favor, kindness, and love extended to humanity. And that’s exactly who you are to us.

G – enerous: You always give your time and love to us and the people around you. R – eliable: We can count on you no matter what. A – ffectionate: Your care makes our home feel warm and safe. C – aring: You always think of others and put us first. E – ncouraging: You lift us up and believe in us every step of the way.

Mama, you are not only our mother—you are our mentor, our prayer warrior, and the living embodiment of the grace you were named after.

Happy mom’s day, egam ng bayan!

[thejoycelife]

1.11.2025

[My eulogy speech during my grandmother's funeral]

Magandang gabi po sa inyong lahat. Salamat po sa pagpunta at paghatid ng mga pakikiramay at simpatya sa aming pamilya. Sa mga hindi po nakakakilala sa akin, ako po si Joyce. Ang panganay na apo nila mame. Ang tatay ko po si Jun panganay na anak nila mame at dade.

The word hallelujah is a Hebrew phrase that appears in the Bible. It means "praise the Lord" Hallelujah is also one of mame’s last words. Buo niya itong binigkas, malakas at walang sinundang “ano” o “‘di maanuhan” Sumagot din siya ng malinaw na “oo” sa tanong ng isa sa kanyang mga kasama sa bible study group na “Masaya ka ba mame?” Umoo siya at pinanghahawakan ko na sa huling mga sandali ni mame… siya ay masaya. Siya ay payapa. Ilan sa mga magandang alaalang iniwan sa akin ni mame ay ang pagiging palangiti niya. Nakangiti siya palagi kapag dumarating ako. Mas abot tenga ang ngiti niya kapag kasama ko si Royce. Inaasar namin siya kapag nagkukwento siya tapos hindi niya maituloy tuloy yong sasabihin niya kasi puro “di maanuhan” or ”yong ano” Nagpapasalamat ako sa Diyos na si mame ang una kong nabahagian ng gospel. Noong 2023, isang gabi yon at binigyan ako ng burden ng Holy Spirit na share-an ko ang lola ko. Kinabukasan ay binisita ko siya at kinausap tungkol kay Jesus. Doon ko rin nalaman na siya pala ako umaattend na ng bible study. Nakakagalak ng puso na sa huling mga taon ni mame dito sa mundo ay nakakarinig siya ng salita ng Diyos. Ang pagkakaalala ko dati, matapang si mame. Malakas ang loob niyang sitahin ang mga maiingay na nagiinuman o tambay dito sa Doña Paz. You can’t blame an old lady trying to get some sleep. May pagka-magagalitin din siya dati. Sa anong dahilan ay hindi ko alam. I don't want to hold that against her. She changed before dying at iyon ang mahalaga.

Nabasa ko sa isa sa mga paborito kong nobela, “Funerals are not for the dead, they’re for the living.” Nandito po ako ngayon sa harap ninyo para magsalita at alalahanin ang buhay ni mame. Hindi na po ako naniniwala na kasakasama natin si mame sa mga oras na ‘to. Wala na pong kaluluwa ang katawang nasa kabaong na ito. Its all flesh and bones. Nabubulok. Nasisira. Naiiwan. I’m saying these facts not to disrespect mame but to share truths na mahirap tanggapin nating mga tao. Sinabi po sa Bible, sa Hebrews 9:27-28 “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” This means that every person is destined to die once, and after death, they will face judgment from God for their lives. lahat po tayo ay haharap sa ating Diyos, whether or not we chose to have a personal relationship with Him. This explains that Jesus died once to take on the sins of humanity. For those who trust in Him and eagerly wait for His return, He will come back again—not to deal with sin (since that’s already done at the cross)—but to bring salvation and eternal life to those who believe in Him, who endured until the end. These verses remind us of life’s inevitabilities: death, judgment, and Christ’s sacrifice for our sins. Believers can find hope in Jesus’ promise of salvation and His second coming.

My prayer for my whole family is to heal. To be restored. For us to be free from the bondage of pride, anger and resentment. I’m a mere imperfect human being, such as you. I can only do so much. But the Holy Spirit can do marvelous and impossible things that our human minds cannot comprehend. And that’s what I believe in.

It is written in Psalm 30‬:5 KJV‬‬ “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Grief and chaos may feel endless, but this verse points to the promise that pain is temporary in light of eternity. The morning brings new mercies and hope. It reminds us that God's timing is perfect, and though sorrow is real and valid, joy will return because God is faithful to heal and restore.

Lastly, ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭17-‭18‬ ‭KJV‬‬ “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” Apostle Paul encourages us to focus on eternal truths rather than temporary pain. This perspective helps us endure because we know that our suffering is producing something far greater than we can imagine-an eternal glory that outweighs every hardship. By fixing our eyes on God's eternal promises, we can find hope and strength to persevere.

These verses show that even in the most chaotic and heartbreaking moments, God is present, offering strength, comfort, and joy. He calls us to trust Him, to bring our pain to Him in prayer, and to remember that His purposes and plans are greater than what we can see now. His joy and peace can renew us, even in grief, as we place our hope in Him and look forward to the eternal restoration He promises.

[thejoycelife]

“Don’t become the monster you’re trying to slay.” Heard this from Joyce Pring in one of her podcast episodes, and it hit deep. I was convicted.

Sometimes, in the heat of conflict or when we’re standing up for what’s right, it’s so easy to start sounding like the very thing we’re fighting against. We react. We clap back. We justify our bitterness, our pride, our harsh words—because we feel we’re on the “right side.”

But Jesus calls us to something different.

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” —Romans 12:21

He didn’t fight darkness with more darkness. He brought light. He was the light.

And we’re called to do the same. As followers of Christ, we’re called to a different kind of strength—not one that mirrors the world’s darkness, but one that reflects Jesus’ light.

This doesn’t mean silence or passivity—it means choosing righteousness over revenge, truth over pride, love over hate.

Let’s not lose who we are in the battle. Let’s fight the right fight, with the right heart.

So no, I don’t want to lose who I am just to prove a point. I don’t want to win the battle and lose my character.

We can stand firm and stay soft. We can tell the truth and still lead with love. We can fight well—and still look like Jesus.

[thejoycelife]

29 things I learned in 29 years

Life is a journey filled with lessons, experiences, and moments of growth. As we navigate the ups and downs, it is essential to embrace wisdom and guidance along the way. The Bible reminds us in Proverbs 4:7 (KJV), “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” With this in mind, here are the 29 valuable lessons I learned over the years that reflect on my life, faith, and personal growth.

1. Be open to change—it’s inevitable. Life constantly shifts, and resisting it will only make the process harder. Embrace it with a flexible mindset.

2. Stay teachable—everything is a learning experience. Whether in success or failure, there’s always something to learn. Being a lifelong student keeps you growing.

3. Practice patience. Most worthwhile things take time. Don’t rush the process—trust it.

4. Hard work pays off. It might not happen overnight, but consistent effort will always yield results, even when you least expect it.

5. Earning money is hard; spending it is easy. Learn to value what you earn, and be intentional with how you spend.

6. Be punctual—respect other people’s time. Time is one of the most valuable things you can give or take from someone. Being on time shows respect.

7. Don’t take everything personally. Often, people’s actions are a reflection of them, not you. Let go of the need to internalize everything.

8. Learn to have fun; not everything needs to be serious. Balance hard work with play—laughter and joy are necessary to enjoy the journey.

9. Read the Bible and meditate on God’s Word. It provides wisdom, direction, and comfort, grounding you in faith.

10. Pray every day. It’s a way to reconnect with God, find peace, and gain clarity in life’s chaos.

11. Always strive to be the better person in the room. Lead by example with kindness, humility, and integrity.

12. Be involved and make time for the important people in your life. Relationships are built on shared moments and presence. Be intentional in fostering those connections.

13. Stay humble. No matter how much you achieve, humility keeps you grounded and approachable.

14. Respect others’ opinions and really listen to them. Everyone has a unique perspective. Listening opens doors to understanding, even when you disagree.

15. Support local businesses. It builds community and uplifts those who pour their hearts into their craft.

16. Make yourself available for the Lord. Prioritize spiritual growth and openness to His plans for your life.

17. Be grateful for everything, big or small. Gratitude shifts your perspective, helping you see blessings even in challenging times.

18. Friendships don’t require constant communication. True friends remain connected even with time and distance in between.

19. Laziness won’t take you anywhere. Success requires consistent effort, and procrastination only delays your progress.

20. There’s a whole world outside your room. Don’t limit yourself—explore, connect with nature, and see new things.

21. You decide what you want to believe in. Your beliefs shape your reality, so choose them wisely, aligning them with your values and truth.

22. Sleep is important. Rest is necessary for mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Don’t sacrifice it for short-term gains.

23. Health is wealth. Without your health, nothing else matters. Take care of your body and mind, as they carry you through life.

24. Having a pet is a step closer to parenting. It teaches responsibility, patience, and unconditional love, preparing you for future responsibilities.

25. You choose who to connect with; people come and go. Relationships ebb and flow. Cherish the ones who stay, and let go of those who drift away.

26. There is joy in chaos. True joy comes from within, not material things. Life’s messiness can still hold beauty. Learn to find joy in small moments and inner peace.

27. Appreciate the help of others. No one achieves success alone. Gratitude towards those who assist you strengthens your bonds and acknowledges their kindness.

28. Be accountable for your past mistakes. Own up to them, learn from them, and move forward without letting them define you.

29. You cannot pour from an empty cup—take care of yourself first. Self-care isn’t selfish. When you prioritize your well-being, you’re better equipped to help others.

As I reflect on these lessons, it’s important to remember that life is a continuous process of learning and seeking God’s will. Philippians 1:6 (KJV) encourages us, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” May we continue to grow in wisdom, faith, and love, always trusting in God’s plan for our lives.

[thejoycelife]

My thoughts on turning 29

"Laon."

"Old maid."

"Tatanda kang dalaga."

"Malungkot ang buhay kapag walang kasamang tumanda."

"Napaglipasan ka na ng panahon."

People in my life have already decided about my future. I laugh at their unwanted comments and opinions because they are funny. They are straightforward, so they are sure that I will be alone in life if I don't get a partner before I turn 30, and worse, if I don't get pregnant before 35. I hear these statements almost at every family get-together or even just casual chats. It makes me wonder: Is a woman more valuable if she's married or in a relationship than those who choose to be single? Are we less of a woman, or a human being, if we are contented with being just single at a certain age that society thinks is appropriate time to settle down? Believe me, this is not coming from a fed-up perspective but really, a curious one. Does it matter if I am not as desperate to get hitched as the next person? Does it really make a difference if you're not rushing to settle down just because everyone else is? The truth is, there's no universal timeline for these things. Some people find love early, others later, and some don't even look for it because they're busy living a fulfilling life on their own terms.

We spend so much time worrying about what society thinks -- about hitting certain milestones like marriage or kids by a specific age. But why should our value as women, or even as people, be measured by whether or not we conform to those expectations? Why can't we be enough just as we are, with or without a partner?

I've realized that being single doesn't make me any less valuable. It just means I'm taking my time to live my life at my own pace. After all, happiness isn't about checking off boxes; it's about being true to yourself and finding contentment in your own journey -- whether or not that includes a relationship.

At the end of the day, what matters most is how we feel about ourselves, not how others see us. And right now, I'm more focused on enjoying life as it comes, without pressure to follow a script that doesn't fit me.

[thejoycelife]

DECEMBER 2021

[thejoycelife]

DECEMBER 2021

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DECEMBER 2021

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NOVEMBER 2021

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NOVEMBER 2021