Thursday, July 4, 2019
" For when I am weak, then I am strong" - 2 Corinthians 12:10
God allowed me the privilege of teaching my children many things in 5 years of homeschooling. During these years, however, my children also taught me several important lessons.
First, I learned to savour the joy of life's moment. Reading a story or having a time to talk was far more important than keeping the house perfectly organized and clean. Second, I learned to experience the wonder of God's creation through a child's excited eyes. Everything is fresh and new to a little one, and God desires me to experience each new day in the same way. Perhaps the most important lesson my children taught me was to have an unquestioning faith in God. Even when homeschooling cut the family income in half and then to none. My children's faith challenged me to trust God for every need. He is indeed faithful in everything. It is during these times that we experience God daily. Living by faith, trusting Him with all our needs. It is a daily miracle. Undoubtedly, I was the one who received the better education in our family's homeschool.
God's Word declares that if we choose to follow Christ in this life, we must be prepared to suffer. Showing the love of God to others isn't easy, and many times we may think God is asking too much of us. The blessings God imparts to those who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus, however, far outweigh the sacrificial obedience required in learning lessons in God's schoolroom. Not only does the Holy Spirit intercede for us on our behalf, but He also guides and fills us for each day's tasks. The more we deny ourselves and give through our service to the Lord, the more we experience the sweetness of his fellowship.
Have you experienced God's sustaining power and love in your homeschooling? When the days seem long and you feel like you've given everything you have to give, let the Lord show you a better way. As you allow Him to guide you, you will discover His promises are true and His blessings are far greater than any sacrifice you make. "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." - 2 Corinthians 12:9
Excerpt from - Homechool Mom Bible
Sharing as it is exactly how I feel :)
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Before and After I Do
When I got married, I did not have enough knowledge on God’s design and my role as a wife. All I knew was I am in love and wants to have happiness. Unaware of the challenges that may arise, certain trials and challenges happened.
Gladly, we have this workshop now that can give a glimpse and lessons on married life. This is a marriage starter workshop to help couples learn the principles needed to have a wonderful and lasting marriage. It was four years back when we were able to participate in this workshop and we are still attending yearly because there is so much to learn. There were a lot of aha moments as we listened to each session and hearing it from experienced speakers.
We were indeed so blessed attending this as we have learned to know more about our roles as husband and wives. It was a life changing event.
This workshop is open to engaged couples, newly weds and all married couples. We were already married for 18 years when we attended and still learned tremendously.
I highly recommend this once in a year event and surely you will learn the how to’s and what to do before and after you say I do.
Here are more information about each session and speakers
Before and After I Do Will be on March 16,2019 from 8am to 4pm ( registration starts at 7am)
Mutipurpose Hall CCF Center Fontera Verde Pasig
Early Bird Rate - 2,000 per couple until March 6, 2019
Regular Rate - 2,500 per couple inclusive of buffet lunch, snacks, coffee and activity materials
See you there!
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
Since day 1 that they had their fever we have been praying for healing. Resting in God’s sovereignity we knew we do not need to end up in the hospital. When Kyle was having hallucination on his first day of fever, I was freightened but I know the Lord will see us through. Simone on the other hand was also chilling and having a high grade of fever. We were just really down on our knees praying.
The following day we had them checked in a clinic nearby. The long line for sick patients was unbelievable. Feeling sick and weak they waited until night and finally the doctor was able to check on them and was advised to have some blood tests. Morning came and they had their blood extraction. The results came in late in the afternoon and we were advised to have a dengue test for the kids because of low platelet count and Kyle was having few rashes.
And so we did. We decided to take them to Medical City to get the results faster. After waiting for a couple of hours we were relieved that it was negative. But the doctor advised us to have the kids admitted in the hospital because of low platelet count and they were reddish and dehydrated. They said we cannot be complacent, with a negative dengue test result. Monitoring of their platelet count is best.
I was crying to the Lord because we knew that this is something we cannot afford at the moment. But still His answer to our prayer was different.
With no healthcard, God is teaching us to depend on Him instead. He is our healthcard.
They were waiting in the ER with no bed because of so many patients and was just sitting in a monoblock chair. We decided to obey with the doctors recommendation trusting God that He is in control. My husband then opted for a ward room only since it is the cheapest.
While they were in the ER our third child Sean started to have fever too. We were at home and I was wondering how we will be able to manage taking care of all of them.
It was a sleepless night for us. Our eldest son Ivan hurriedly went home too.
Arnel then told me to go to hospital by morning so we can all be together and help each other in taking care of the kids.
In God’s majestic ways, He surprised us...the hospital advised my husband that they will be given the Presidential suite and Executive Suite as their rooms because of no room availability. This is all worth 40,000 but we were only charged with the amount of a regular room. How amazing! Praise God!
When I entered the room I was amazed beyond words with what God has prepared for us. I can still vividly remember that first moment when we were entering the room, every glimpse of each corner was perfect. I wondered how much more the kingdom He has prepared for all of His children. Opening the door slowly and my eyes peaking inside, I can’t believe we have the best room at the highest floor with all the special assistance. When their pedia came to check on them she can’t believe it too that we were there.
We were beyond grateful that God provided for a comfortable room for us. The Presidential Suite was big enough to accomodate all six of us witnessing the daily sunrise and sunset.
It has a beautiful view where we meet with God. Our favorite spot where we kneel down and pray. It eased our burden. The heaviness in our hearts were lightened and assured by our Creator.
While we were confined I was asking God if we did not trust Him enough that is why we still ended in the hospital. But then He made me realized that His reason is not because of our desire or our prayer of healing but because He wants us to experience His majestic glory just like what He did with the Israelites on their journey to Canaan. God became our pillar of cloud at night and pillar of fire at day. It was a bittersweet journey.
For 5 days in the hospital God gave us the best room. We were never transferred into a regular room. That alone is because of His goodness and graciousness. He orchestrated everything.
But God was not yet done, each day He has something in store for us to experience that He is our God almighty.
What God taught us....
1. He is always in control. We pray for our desires and if the answer is no, He has a better reason and purpose, we may not understand it but we just need to keep on trusting Him.
2. Each situation is not about us. It is about WHO He is.
3. We felt our togetherness as a family that God allowed us to fit in one room and be with each other.
4. We felt so loved by people who graciously prayed for us. We received a lot of messages that they are praying for our family and we felt comfort and joy.
5. It was a humbling experience. From being a proud person swiping our healthcard before, we were left with nothing but God to depend on.
6. Patience and wait on the Lord. We wanted to be out of the hospital on our 3rd day but their pedia discharged us on our 5th day. It was God’s way in giving a treat for my husband to celebrate his birthday on our 5th day in a presidential suite with all of us being together and my kids were well and playing, that alone is one of God’s greatest gift.
7. God taught us that we can always find joy even in our darkest times. We danced, played and laughed. We chose to be joyful! It was a different staycation that God prepared for us but the lessons He taught us matters the most.
8. God comes before us. He already knew what will happen. He knew from the beginning that my kids will be confined. God was thinking about us, he knew that my husband will be celebrating his birthday there thats why he prepared the best room for Him. Amazing!
9. God pursues us. He wants us to know that He would always have that gentle bond to pull us gently close to Him in our trying times. He wants us to find comfort in Him.
10. We felt God’s love through our spiritual family who cared for us, prayed, called and visited us. It was a loving moment to see and talk to someone in times of need. People who went on their way despite of their busy schedule to visit and pray for the kids. We were also so touched when one couple visited us, helped us generously, took us out to eat and reminded us not to be anxious. God used them to remind us to always have faith.
When we were discharged and I was looking at our bill I saw a big amount but did not realize how big our God is.
God lovingly provided, we received help without asking unexpectedly. For me, this is a miracle. God will send people who thinks about you and give wholeheartedly. Someone even went to the cashier to make a partial payment. It was humbling and yet fills our heart with love. We can hear God whispering to us...never will I leave you nor will I forsake you and He just did what He has promised.
My heart is beyond grateful.
I was able to understand why God allowed it to happen...He wants us to experience His presence and His majestic glory. His compassion through our spiritual family, friends, relatives, parents and siblings. He is my God and my Almighty Father.
I am in awe of His goodness and faithfulness.
During our 5 days in the hospital and seeing the vastness of His creation, God keeps on telling me “ Be still and know that I am God” - Psalm 46:10
What I felt was God’s unconditional and unfailing love. His undeserving to a sinner like me. He is beyond compare.
“ Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me." Psalm 50:15
All Praise, Honor and Glory to God!
Friday, January 18, 2019
Since the end of 2018 until the first 2 weeks we have been doing a house clean up. Living in a small space, we needed to free up some area so we can fit in. We checked every area of our house for unused items that can bless others. To be able to accomplish this, my husband and I tried our best to free up our schedule to focus on our priorities. We have noticed that we tend to dump a lot of items in our home and a major clean up is needed so we can have a fresh start.
I am not an expert in organizing our home. My husband is, and he does a better job in doing it. He checks our pantry for expired items and he does an inventory of what we have so we would know what we need...because the more stuff there is in our home, the more I become anxious and the more work that needs to be done. I am grateful that through our situation now, God taught us the simplicity of life by just living on what He blesses us with. If not for this, the more anxious and worried I can be.
But not just in our home, because of the extra load of the holidays I somehow felt overwhelmed. Routines may go by the wayside and clutter slowly takes over. I felt lost and needed some space and time to go back to our routines with life and homeschooling.
The same is true with activities. I have learned to say no to some invites and just choose what fits our family and our schedule. Freeing up some space in my calendar was a big help because the more activities that we have, the more hurried we feel, the more time was taken out from our family, the more possibilities I will not be able to have my quiet time with the Lord, the more our house gets into a mess and the more tired and weary I become.
When I am not at peace, nothing in our home is at peace.
Decluttering is not just for our home but for our soul as well. I have realized that my heart can be the same way —— cluttered with anxiousness, what ifs, worries, responsibilities, duties, concerns about the future, finances, frustrations, disappointments, critical attitudes, and negative mindset. All of these added together can tend to create soul piles and heart clutter. If I don’t take the time to sort them out, my spirit becomes a mess, and my heart becomes overwhelmed and weary.
So is our home, when my heart is a mess our home is a mess too.
It creates tensions, critical and temperamental emotions, misunderstandings, ugly words and unhappiness. A messy heart cannot serve a home joyfully.
This is the time when I allow the thief (Satan) to steal my joy.
At the beginning of the year, I ask God to help me clear my heart trashes. I wanted to start fresh so I can be at my best to all the people I encounter with.
I also made time to review and reflect on the year that was. Goals that I have missed and reasons why I missed it. Routines that I want to change and improve. Habits that we want to teach our children and values we want to impress in their hearts.
I think of things that I also want to improve and strengthen in major areas of my life:
Physical - our diet
Relationship - with husband, children, parents, relatives and friends
Spiritual - quiet time, ministry and discipleship
Growth - books to read, journaling and what to study
Finances - being a faithful steward
There is a long list if I will go through all that I want but I can only focus to 2 to 3 things at a time.
One important thing that I felt I needed to prioritised and thus needed much work is my relationship and intimacy with the Lord. If I wanted to grow deeper in His knowledge I have to work on my spiritual muscle.
This needed a morning routine.
I prayed and asked God for the grace to allow me to wake up early while everyone else is asleep. And He did.
I started waking up at 5am and would go out our balcony or have a morning walk to pray and smell the fragrance of the morning. This soothes my soul. Then I would prepare my hot coffee, play worship songs and will lit a candle, so I can start reading my Bible and devotion and journal my thoughts. It would always give me a good start and would fill my heart with what I needed before I greet my boys in the morning and face the day, but I needed to discipline myself too so I will be able to get up before the whole household does. If I want to be consistent with this routine I also needed to sleep early. We started to have our bedtime at 8:30pm to give us enough time for our bedtime blessing.
God made me understand that a daily quiet time is foundational and it shapes the soul. There were mornings that I still feel hurried but I would always discipline myself to sit down, slow down, worship, pray and read some Bible verses to help me through the day. Otherwise, I will be empty and will not have anything to give.
I felt that it is the most important thing that I need to keep me from giving of what is asked of me. If I missed it, I become temperamental and mood swings would kick in. Thus, the temperature in our home is affected.
After this first 2 weeks of quietness, I found what God needs from me. My heart, my priorities and my time. I would give Him the first hour of my day so He can fuel me for the rest that is to come.
As I was also trying to do my goals for this year, and prayed about what He wants me to do. God answered me in a fascinating way, making me realized that HE IS MY GOAL. If there is anything that I should pursue first, it is Him. Then everything will follow. To focus on what is eternal rather than the temporal.
“ You will seek me and find me if you search for me with all your heart” - Jeremiah 29:13
Establishing a quiet time routine is a positive lifetime habit. The most important habit above all else. Where we meet with God in the quietness of our hearts. It becomes a way of life.
The decluttering that I needed allowed me to know that God is my breakthrough. He cleanse my heart and He listens. I felt closer, loved and more intimate with Him. Just like the first days when I surrendered my life to Jesus. He renewed and recharged my soul.
Though as days past by, weeds may come into my heart again but I will always be reminded that Jesus has overcome everything that I needed and I can always go back at the cross, soaking in His love and listening at His feet. It is like being saved again. Yes, we always need Jesus to save us each time we fall. It is only by His grace alone.
Decluttering is going back to the cross. No one else can clean up the weeds and the trash in our hearts except Jesus. Come and spend some time with Him and receive His fullness and love.
“ Let the morning bring the word of your unfailing love for I have put my trust in you show me the way I should go for to you I entrust my life” Psalm 141:8
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
Being a mom of four boys was not an easy task though their age gaps became helpful.
Our eldest Ivan is now 21 followed by our 2nd son Kyle who is 12 (9 years gap) then our 2 boys Sean and Simone who are 6 and 5 (like twins). Each day we are dealing with different generations of boys which requires different approach.
Few years back, we felt that we had a handful. But now it hit us…they are really growing fast. Sometimes me and my husband would think that we could have had more hahaha :). What we realized with these past few months is CHANGE IS INEVITABLE. As our kids grow, they change. Change in preference, views, character and others.
My eldest Ivan who wants to be called as Elijah now ( this is his second name) is a full grown man. He was asking us for the past 2 years if he can live in a dorm during school days because transportation was really hard for him. This year, we are embracing that change. We agreed that he can live in a dorm weekdays and go home every weekend. It was a tough decision but he started to have evening classes until 9 pm which may lead to a difficult commute. He also wanted to learn more about lifeskills like cooking, cleaning, budgeting his own money which we also think will be helpful for him.
God reminded me that my son is already at the right age of living independently while studying. I was 19 when I lived in a boarding house back then, younger than my son.
And so we agreed with his request. I also had no choice left, I needed to submit to my husband’s decision too.
We felt the changes with the rhythm of our home when his classes started. Oh my and I had a lot of instructions, felt like treating him like a child.
God is teaching me that my children are not my own and as they grow to maturity they will really have independent lives and all they will carry are the values, teachings, memories and love we gave them while they were with us.
Embracing this new rhythmic melody required a lot of changes with our schedule. Protecting our schedule with other commitments and extra activities so we can have our family days during weekends, adjusting our date night from a weekday to Saturday. Saying no to some invites on a weekend to prioritise our family time.
It was not easy but as months past we experience the blessing of this new change. We learned to value time too.
We felt closer to our son. His Dad helped him out in setting up his own place and buying his needs while I helped him out with his financial decisions. But the best lesson that this move gave our son is, he realized that he needed us. When he had problems he would message us and go home to seek help. We praise God for this blessing of finding refuge in our home. Yes, he saw our home as his dwelling place were he finds love, safety and protection.
God would really make something good out of each situation. Each night I would tell God…” Lord, I trust you on this. I know you will protect my son in any and every situation and you allowed this because you know better than I do.” And I am grateful I surrendered and trusted God. I gave all my worries and apprehensions on Him, because I know I do not have control in my son’s life, but He does.
In the recent family thanksgiving we had we asked each of our child..." What are you thankful for from each member of our family?" He answered “ I am thankful for Daddy because he helped me set up, buy stuff and fix my place” “ I am thankful for Mommy for being my financial advisor” We felt joyful that we heard these from our son who seldom speak and say emotional things.
My husband is planning to do passing of rites to each of them as they enter different phases of manhood. I am also grateful that their Dad is intentional in discipling them and would spend time to do so.
Another new season we are having is with our second son Kyle who is hitting his puberty this year, he will be officially a teen soon when he turns 13. There were a lot of physical and character changes in him. He grew taller and his voice is deeper.
Kyle is the opposite of his Kuya. He is outgoing and easily gets bored when doing something that requires a long time. I still see him as a child but when I see his big feet, God reminds me that he is growing up, fast, really fast. I remembered there was this one time when we were in a public place and I told him, “ No, we cannot buy that baby.” He told me…” Mommy don’t call me a baby, I am not a baby anymore. Hahaha. Yes he is not and my heart needs to be reminded of that.
I need to let go of his childhood and embrace his season of becoming a new teen :)
He is more conscious with his clothes, face and appearance. I have to let go of him leaving the palm of my hand half open. God is always reminding me that my grip should not be as tight as before or I might choke and exasperate him.
In the recent homeschooling discussion that we had… God was telling me to say something to him and I did. I told him “ I believe God has big and greater plans for you, son! “ Oh and I suddenly saw tears coming out of his eyes. Oftentimes, our kids need to hear encouraging and powerful positive words from us and I am grateful that God gave me the wisdom to say it. It was a special moment for me and my son and I called his little brothers so we can group hug. He felt encouraged and assured.
I am still an imperfect mom and sometimes I still allow my temper to conquer me VS the love that I have for my children. In times like this, I will ask God to allow me to see my children the way He sees them and not to let my kids see an angry face.
This is a season in our family when we needed to let go and embrace the new changes that God wants us to do. Sometimes when He calls us to do something I always have apprehensions because I worry, not seeing how Big God is. It may require a leap of faith but God taught me that His promises are always true and evident.
We always pass and experience different seasons in life but in each season there is always One Great God who will see us through.
Just like what God told me to tell Kyle. I believe that God has big and greater plans for our family and for your family too. We just need to continue to seek His heart.
“ Now may the God of hope fill you with all the joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” Romans 15:13
All Glory to God!
Thursday, March 22, 2018
Last year when I was searching for our Language Arts and Grammar curriculum, I came across this website Institute of Excellence in Writing and saw their Fix it Grammar sets. I checked the reviews about it and thought of trying it. The first thing that struck me is that I can teach grammar 15 minutes a day. Just what I needed, plus repitition really works for my son. The practice lesson each day will really help in the mastery of the lesson.
I went ahead and purchased The Nose Tree Teacher's Manual and the Student workbook. However I found out later on that a pdf file of the Student workbook can be downloaded for free once you purchased the Teacher's Manual. If you are planning to use this curriculum you just need to have the Teacher's Manual and then print the downloadable pdf file for the Student book, but you can also purchase the book if you wish to have a printed workbook right away.
The student workbook has grammar cards which helped my son to identify and review previous lessons such as indent, articles, nouns, verbs, adjectives and others. He adds each card to his "working collection" whenever a new topic was introduced to him.
Each time we have a lesson for 4 days a week and 15 minutes each day, we learn how such words are being used with a certain part of speech. My son would rewrite the sentence, fix it, write down the parts of speech or how each word was used in a sentence and will do one vocabulary word all for 15 minutes a day!
What are the advantages?
- Grammar is taught in context
- Repetition ensures mastery
- Editing skills transfer better to writing
How does it work?
- Learn it: Explore a grammar concept.
- Fix it: Locate and fix errors in four ahort passages a week.
- Discuss it: Explore how the grammar applies to the passage.
- Copy it: Rewrite the corrected passage into a ynotebook.
What's included?
- 33 weeks of daily passages
- 132 vocabulary words
- Reproducible student pages
- Clear teacher's notes
-Grammar Glossary
It is not a traditional grammar program, so it will not feel as if you are really learning grammar. Instead, you and your child will be internalizing the tools necessary for editing their own compositions, which is the main goal of grammar - Cathy Duffy
This is can be used as early as third grade until high school. However the author Pamela White recommended that each student should start with the 1st book, The Nose Tree and then move progressively since the knowledge, skills, and strategies taught in each book build upon one another. But for higher grade levels, there is a placement test that your child can take to check what level you could start.
Lessons begin on a relatively easy level and gradually progress to a challenging level. The Fix It! Grammar series now includes six courses, each based upon a fictional story in an abridged or rewritten version. The six courses are:
The Nose Tree (Book 1)
Robin Hood (Book 2)
Frog Prince or Just Deserts (Book 3)
Little Mermaid (Book 4)
Chanticleer (Book 5)
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (Book 6)
This also works well with IEWs Teaching Writing with Structure and Style as the concept is related with each other.
Sharing Cathy Duffy's review on this:
Fix It! courses should be more effective than traditional grammar courses because they teach grammar through immediate application—they teach students only what they need to know at the moment. The interesting language of the stories combined with the story lines themselves are also much more likely to engage students’ attention. Even students who have begun to learn grammar using other resources might find Fix It! a welcome change.
We are enjoying using fix it grammar, he fix it and we discuss and ends in 15 minutes a day! I would recommend this curriculum for your grammar lessons.
This book is available for preorder through Books for Wisdom and Journaling :)
I went ahead and purchased The Nose Tree Teacher's Manual and the Student workbook. However I found out later on that a pdf file of the Student workbook can be downloaded for free once you purchased the Teacher's Manual. If you are planning to use this curriculum you just need to have the Teacher's Manual and then print the downloadable pdf file for the Student book, but you can also purchase the book if you wish to have a printed workbook right away.
The student workbook has grammar cards which helped my son to identify and review previous lessons such as indent, articles, nouns, verbs, adjectives and others. He adds each card to his "working collection" whenever a new topic was introduced to him.
Each time we have a lesson for 4 days a week and 15 minutes each day, we learn how such words are being used with a certain part of speech. My son would rewrite the sentence, fix it, write down the parts of speech or how each word was used in a sentence and will do one vocabulary word all for 15 minutes a day!
What are the advantages?
- Grammar is taught in context
- Repetition ensures mastery
- Editing skills transfer better to writing
How does it work?
- Learn it: Explore a grammar concept.
- Fix it: Locate and fix errors in four ahort passages a week.
- Discuss it: Explore how the grammar applies to the passage.
- Copy it: Rewrite the corrected passage into a ynotebook.
What's included?
- 33 weeks of daily passages
- 132 vocabulary words
- Reproducible student pages
- Clear teacher's notes
-Grammar Glossary
It is not a traditional grammar program, so it will not feel as if you are really learning grammar. Instead, you and your child will be internalizing the tools necessary for editing their own compositions, which is the main goal of grammar - Cathy Duffy
This is can be used as early as third grade until high school. However the author Pamela White recommended that each student should start with the 1st book, The Nose Tree and then move progressively since the knowledge, skills, and strategies taught in each book build upon one another. But for higher grade levels, there is a placement test that your child can take to check what level you could start.
Lessons begin on a relatively easy level and gradually progress to a challenging level. The Fix It! Grammar series now includes six courses, each based upon a fictional story in an abridged or rewritten version. The six courses are:
The Nose Tree (Book 1)
Robin Hood (Book 2)
Frog Prince or Just Deserts (Book 3)
Little Mermaid (Book 4)
Chanticleer (Book 5)
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (Book 6)
This also works well with IEWs Teaching Writing with Structure and Style as the concept is related with each other.
Sharing Cathy Duffy's review on this:
Fix It! courses should be more effective than traditional grammar courses because they teach grammar through immediate application—they teach students only what they need to know at the moment. The interesting language of the stories combined with the story lines themselves are also much more likely to engage students’ attention. Even students who have begun to learn grammar using other resources might find Fix It! a welcome change.
We are enjoying using fix it grammar, he fix it and we discuss and ends in 15 minutes a day! I would recommend this curriculum for your grammar lessons.
This book is available for preorder through Books for Wisdom and Journaling :)
Sunday, February 4, 2018
After our family time at the beginning of the year, I needed to refocus and take advantage of the quietness of each day.
I know I have a lot of things that needs to be accomplished, especially that we will be in our 4th quarter of our homeschooling year plus the demand of managing our home, If I am in a mess our whole household is in a mess too. It is contagious and bringing ugly results. I have realized that I needed to prepare my heart so I can be equipped.
We were so grateful for the gifts we received last Christmas. It was overflowing and we realized that our house is full.
Full of memories from our recent family time and full of new things. Yet my heart is still full of the unnecessary. I know it is the best time to declutter, not just with things unused in our home but also with the things that hinders me to be more intimate with my Savior.
I know I needed more time to be still in the quietness of God's embrace. If I have a lot of trash in my heart, God's love will not be able to conquer my heart. And God is telling me that I need to declutter for Him, for my family, so His grace can surpass all of my shortcomings.
By decluttering my soul, I gain more strength to overcome from the One who redeems my soul each time I fall.
It was so timely because it was our praying and fasting week in our church. The devotions that I read and listened to spoke to me and God was so near. I did not have fasting with food but I really focused on my Quiet Times with Him.
Starting with doing our daily devotions in our prayer and fasting booklet and then I started to use my Prayer and Character Journal.
In our prayer and fasting week, we focused on this verse " Be still and know that I am God" - Psalm 46:10
Oh one of my life verses. It speaks to me each time I remember and read it. The topic on my Prayer Journal was about having a Rested Heart, which was so helpful to me as I ask God to declutter my soul. For most of the trash are anxieties ( what ifs and the like) that hinders me from my restedness.
While my Character Journal focuses on having a Grateful Heart. I have realized how God's grace was also sufficient for me each day, enabling me with all that is needed to do.
At the same time, I also started with Bible Journaling which really helped me as I journal and do art on how God speaks to me.
It was also so timely that I was blessed with NIVs Homeschool Mom Bible. The devotions were based from life experiences from a homeschool mom which were all uplifting and encouraging. It reminds me each day that I was called by God to homeschool because this is His purpose for me and He is the source of my strength.
These Bibles and Journals are available online through Books for Wisdom and Journaling. You may check it on Facebook.
With all of these provisions that God gave me and all undeserved favor I really wanted to be faithful with my Quiet time and it soothes my needs when the time requires.
I wanted to declutter but I cannot do it alone. I needed God's presence and grace. I needed to commune with Him daily. I need my spirit to meet God's spirit and be awakened by His presence. I needed to rest my heart in Him. Through this, all of the unnecessaries in my heart will be broken.
And as I go through each day, God gave me the grace to read His Word in the morning and have a short devotion from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.
As half of the day goes by, I have learned to share quiet moments with the Lord as I read my Homeschool Mom Bible after Lunch and start with Bible Journaling.
Before I sleep, I review our day and I write to my Prayer and Character Journal. I was also writing my Love Letters to God that I send thru email to myself to commune with the Lord before I sleep. The instrumental worship songs helps me to feel the quietness as I journal. Each art stroke that I do in the Bible reminds me to pray and meditate with His Word. I felt how God was speaking to me. His voice was clear.
As I was reading through my journals and the book of Corinthians, God helped me to declutter my soul and drew strength from Him, by His assurance from His Words.
The1st three weeks of the year passed by and God revealed to me that with His grace I can be Strong and Brave with the days ahead. It helped me to hear as I removed the distractions from my heart and along came spiritual healing.
" I will never be shaken" - Psalm 62:2
I was encouraged by this verse and felt God's assurance to me. That He is sufficient and I can never be shaken because He is my God and my Savior in anyway that I need.
All of the anxieties, brokenness and fears were overcomed through grace alone.
Brokenness is beautiful because it is how God will work in and through you to find courage and strength drawn from His love.
In His hands I found rest.
It is easy for our hearts to be filled up by things that are not needed in our Christian walk. Time and time again we need to declutter. Alllowing God to remove the unneccesarry so He can fill it with all of His love.
God also prompted me to have a Cleaning Day each month. A major overhaul not just with our home but with my spiritual life.
I am grateful on how my gracious God stitched all of the provisions and abounding grace that I needed to declutter and have a rested heart.
His grace is always sufficient for those who call upon Him and ask for it.
"Some actions like telling half truths, laziness and overindulging in shopping or eating may appear acceptable in your eyes at first, but if unconfessed for too long they may begin to make a total mess of your daily walk with God" - Janet Tatman
Does your spiritual life need a major clean up? Isn't it time to clean up your actions and reorganize your spiritual walk with Bible Study and Prayer?
"Let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness of reverence for God" 2 Corinthians 7:11
All Praise, Honor and Glory to God!
Tuesday, January 30, 2018
Christmas and New Year came in a rush with all the preparation for fellowship, gathering and get together.
Last Christmas we wanted our family to focus on what really matters...Jesus and following his design for our family. We also wanted to spend Quality time with our children as much as we can. We want to enjoy and slow down. Taste the beauty of nature and target the hearts of our children.
We had our yearly family reunion last Christmas day. A yearly tradition that started centuries ago way back when I was still a child.
Then new year came and we were all together as a family in Tagaytay especially that my sister was here to celebrate with us.
We usually attend the Countdown party before but we decided not to do it anymore this year as we want to focus on reckindling the year that was and being thankful for God's faithfulness.
We had some family activities every hour. At 7pm we played farm bingo.
At around 8pm we started having our family discussion and devotion. We reflected on Psalm 23 Bible verses. We also asked each member of the family with the questions below to know our children more and to discuss their answers.
Goodbye 2017
I learned to
My favorite memory
Iam thankful for
My favorite book this year
My favorite time with mom and dad/ family
Something God taught me
My favorite verse in 2017
Hello 2018
I want to learn more how to
I want to be more Christlike in
I want to read a book about
I want to go with mom and dad to
I want to improve on
I believe God can
I got the idea from www.purposefulhomeschooling.com
The questions and the discussion helped us to learn and know our children more. Sharing their thoughts and what is inside their hearts.
We are thankful for this experience with our kids.
Then around 9pm we started playing our family favorite game UNO. This game makes us laugh so hard and at the same time we had an opportunity to teach our children in becoming good sports. We love this game and whenever we play it, it gives us a good quality time with our kids. Plus tons of laugh.
After that we also played chess while waiting for 12am to strike to greet the new year.
We ate together our favorite bread with hot chocolate. We love this tradition during this season and as soon as the clock hits 12am we were all ready to watch the fireworks at the veranda. With a grateful heart for 2017 and hopeful in Christ for 2018.
Words cannot express how we felt God's amazing hands and grace for 2017 and our hearts are really full with his faithfulness allowing us to be joyful and victorious in all circumstances.
We also wanted to start a new tradition. My husband and I decided to spend the first few days together with our children and continue to spend quality time.
And indeed the first few days of the start of the year was well spent together.
My eldest son Ivan even treated us on our first night at the hotel. What a blessing!
I remembered when it was raining in Tagaytay when I woke up and asked God to bless us with a sunny day instead. I told the Lord thay if it is His will for us to have our Family Time He will provide us with a good weather but if not my husband and I knew that God wants us to go home instead.
Alas, after breakfast we saw the sun shining and wind blowing, giving us a cool weather. Perfect to have for a family day!
The kids had a blast playing around and seeing different animals. My husband and I were also intentional in making sure that we also play with them. I am really not an expert in playing around like my childhood days but I followed my husbands lead as he was intentional in teaching and playing sports with our kids.
And of course we also played our favorite game UNO plus we also had movie nights and bonfire. We got hooked in watching Harry Potter. My husband and I also had our quiet moments together during breakfast where we would eat first while the kids are still asleep. Plus we had our date night.
We are not perfect parents and we still have a lot of shortcomings and challenges when it comes to parenthood. Not to mention the things that we need to improve on. But being intentional in nurturing the hearts of our children is our first step.
Just like what Elizabeth George said " The hearts of our children is the most beautiful garden that we can tend."
We want to be the gardeners of their soul.
This 2018 we will be doubling our efforts in tending their hearts. But we can only do this if we will nurture our hearts first. Yes, it should always start with us parents. With all of our flaws and shortcomings we can only tend by God's grace alone, that is why we should nurture our hearts. Hearts that are fully dependent on the Lord and will always choose to be joyful each day. Problems and challengea may still come but I am always being reminded by this verse..." The thief comes to steal and kill, I have come so that you may have life." - John 10:10
Being happy is a choice, you can allow Satan to ruin and give you a bad day but you are always free to choose. We cannot be intentional parents and tend the hearts of our children if we would always allow Satan to steal our joy.
Whenever we spend time with our family there would always something that may arise that will steal your joy but only if you will allow it. Like in our case...my kids arguing, a spilled food, wrong way or bottles that were left at home. But we Praise God that He is in control. We are always being reminded by John 10:10 and if we would allow Satan to steal our joy we will leave bad memories to our children and withdraw precious moments instead of filling their love tank full. This is quite hard to do but that is why we need a lot of GRACE from God.
And he who always ask grace from the Lord, He will provide.
We are grateful to God for the time He granted our family to commune with Him and have a joyful family time at the beginning of the year.
All Praise, Honor and Glory to God!
Tuesday, January 9, 2018
We are grateful for 2017. It was my first full year of being a full time wife and mom. From managing operations at work to becoming a home manager, the latter is the best and fulfilling job for me.
As I look back, we as a family was able to have a fruitful year by the grace of God.
Sharing with you our highlights for 2017.
1. Marriage - my husband and I became closer by God's grace and spent a lot of Quality time together. We had more time to communicate which is important in a marriage. We pray together and share our plans and dreams. Our date nights were also consistent and I felt more loved because as I witnessed him falling in love with Jesus more.
2. Family - I had time to plan, spend time and have quiet moments with my children. When Sean learned to write his name and started read. I was present. When he lost his teeth I was there to share it with him. When at night he is scared and would say "Mommy, hug me." I can cuddle him in my arms and sleep together. Moments I lost when I was working on a night shift but was restored by God.
The first time Simone said Praise God, he shared it with me. When he felt frustrated with writing, I guided him. When he started reading too, I was his biggest fan. I know his favorite food to eat and I am glad that I am able to cook meals and bake for my family.
When Kyle solved a word problem, we threw our high fives together. When we read about a touching Christian story, we cried together. We shared his ups and downs and we were together talking about lifes challenges. He is a growing boy and would be a teenager soon. I feel blessed that we can talk together about his life experiences.
When Ivan has his 1st paying drawing he was able to share it with me. When he bought me a bag, I felt that it was one of my precious gifts I received in my life. He would also share his plans with me and we feel that it is privilege tk be able to give an advice to a growig adult and guide him in his journey.
3. Ministry
My husband and I believes that we were saved to serve and through service our faith grew and the more we experienced God in our lives.
We are servants of Christ and we want to live His purpose and dreams for us.
Chosen Retreat - the biggest work that God has given us. We felt too small and too little to handle the task but we experienced God's amazing hands working. It has always been a privilege serving the Lord and we are in awe of God's faithfulness.
We were also able to serve through different retreats and other ministries.
4. Testimony
By the Grace of God, Arnel and I were able to share our testimony in our church and my husband shared his own testimony too and was also invited to share it at 700 club asia. These were surprising moments for us, but our hearts were blessed as we heard and see people that were blessed by our testimony. More than that, it is God's story in our lives and we are sharing it to be a witnessed of His amazing Grace.
5. God's faithfulness - God is truly faithful when you abide in Him. It is unexplainable how God was able to stitch together every detail that happened in our lives, how He provided for our family and how He allowed us to experience His greatness. We also learned to be completely dependent on Him.
There were also moments when we experienced challenges and hardships eapecially with relationships but these also helped us to call upon the Lord and turn every struggles into blessing for during these times that we have learned to be more prayerful and to depend and trust God's will and defense.
The most important breakthrough that we had as a family for 2017 is when we grew more closer to the Lord, allowing us to always see His hands and trust His heart in all circumstances. We are still imperfect people but we have one big perfect God!
All Praise, Honor and Glory to God!
As I look back, we as a family was able to have a fruitful year by the grace of God.
Sharing with you our highlights for 2017.
1. Marriage - my husband and I became closer by God's grace and spent a lot of Quality time together. We had more time to communicate which is important in a marriage. We pray together and share our plans and dreams. Our date nights were also consistent and I felt more loved because as I witnessed him falling in love with Jesus more.
2. Family - I had time to plan, spend time and have quiet moments with my children. When Sean learned to write his name and started read. I was present. When he lost his teeth I was there to share it with him. When at night he is scared and would say "Mommy, hug me." I can cuddle him in my arms and sleep together. Moments I lost when I was working on a night shift but was restored by God.
The first time Simone said Praise God, he shared it with me. When he felt frustrated with writing, I guided him. When he started reading too, I was his biggest fan. I know his favorite food to eat and I am glad that I am able to cook meals and bake for my family.
When Kyle solved a word problem, we threw our high fives together. When we read about a touching Christian story, we cried together. We shared his ups and downs and we were together talking about lifes challenges. He is a growing boy and would be a teenager soon. I feel blessed that we can talk together about his life experiences.
When Ivan has his 1st paying drawing he was able to share it with me. When he bought me a bag, I felt that it was one of my precious gifts I received in my life. He would also share his plans with me and we feel that it is privilege tk be able to give an advice to a growig adult and guide him in his journey.
3. Ministry
My husband and I believes that we were saved to serve and through service our faith grew and the more we experienced God in our lives.
We are servants of Christ and we want to live His purpose and dreams for us.
Chosen Retreat - the biggest work that God has given us. We felt too small and too little to handle the task but we experienced God's amazing hands working. It has always been a privilege serving the Lord and we are in awe of God's faithfulness.
We were also able to serve through different retreats and other ministries.
4. Testimony
By the Grace of God, Arnel and I were able to share our testimony in our church and my husband shared his own testimony too and was also invited to share it at 700 club asia. These were surprising moments for us, but our hearts were blessed as we heard and see people that were blessed by our testimony. More than that, it is God's story in our lives and we are sharing it to be a witnessed of His amazing Grace.
5. God's faithfulness - God is truly faithful when you abide in Him. It is unexplainable how God was able to stitch together every detail that happened in our lives, how He provided for our family and how He allowed us to experience His greatness. We also learned to be completely dependent on Him.
There were also moments when we experienced challenges and hardships eapecially with relationships but these also helped us to call upon the Lord and turn every struggles into blessing for during these times that we have learned to be more prayerful and to depend and trust God's will and defense.
The most important breakthrough that we had as a family for 2017 is when we grew more closer to the Lord, allowing us to always see His hands and trust His heart in all circumstances. We are still imperfect people but we have one big perfect God!
All Praise, Honor and Glory to God!
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
This is a sponsored post. All opinions are mine
As a homeschool mom with four boys I needed to take care of a lot of stuff. Having said that, I would always loose time in taking care of my hair and make up. Though make up is easy, my real problem is my long curly hair. I feel so ugly whenever my hair is going everywhere and I am experiencing a bad hair day. This would always cost me a lot of time to prepare whenever I needed to dress up. It even makes it harder as my hair is also thin and umanageable.
And there's more...my husband would love me to have a long straight hair, when we had our wedding 2 years ago I wore a thick wavy wig that was really stylish and classy. He likes it and even recommended that i use one. This was my first time to wear a wig and I love the result. It gave me an idea that wearing a wig can be my solution to a bad hair day.
Let me share with you some advantages of wearing a wig:
1. No more bad hair days :)
2. Hides split ends and other hair problems
3. Convenient and Time saver
4. Practical - no need to go to a salon to fix your hair especially on your date nights and other special events.
5. Stylish - you can always mix and match your hair with your outfit and have a beautiful look.
6. Safe to use - there is no harm in using wigs just make sure that it fits your head and wash your hair regularly.
I also came across in this website lace front wig and they have the latest in styles. As I was browsing the pictures I fell in love with the different hair styles that I can get when I invest on their products plus you can order it online
For ladies like me who is also not comfortable in cutting or changing hairstyles, I would recommend using wigs as an alternative.
Say goodbye to bad hair days and say hello to a new stylish hair with these beautiful products from blackspray.com
I am excited to try and use one!
As a homeschool mom with four boys I needed to take care of a lot of stuff. Having said that, I would always loose time in taking care of my hair and make up. Though make up is easy, my real problem is my long curly hair. I feel so ugly whenever my hair is going everywhere and I am experiencing a bad hair day. This would always cost me a lot of time to prepare whenever I needed to dress up. It even makes it harder as my hair is also thin and umanageable.
And there's more...my husband would love me to have a long straight hair, when we had our wedding 2 years ago I wore a thick wavy wig that was really stylish and classy. He likes it and even recommended that i use one. This was my first time to wear a wig and I love the result. It gave me an idea that wearing a wig can be my solution to a bad hair day.
Let me share with you some advantages of wearing a wig:
1. No more bad hair days :)
2. Hides split ends and other hair problems
3. Convenient and Time saver
4. Practical - no need to go to a salon to fix your hair especially on your date nights and other special events.
5. Stylish - you can always mix and match your hair with your outfit and have a beautiful look.
6. Safe to use - there is no harm in using wigs just make sure that it fits your head and wash your hair regularly.
I also came across in this website lace front wig and they have the latest in styles. As I was browsing the pictures I fell in love with the different hair styles that I can get when I invest on their products plus you can order it online
For ladies like me who is also not comfortable in cutting or changing hairstyles, I would recommend using wigs as an alternative.
Say goodbye to bad hair days and say hello to a new stylish hair with these beautiful products from blackspray.com
I am excited to try and use one!
Dear God,
May went by in a bliss, Lord! I got too busy with a lot of things instead of being busy in knowing you...
For some days I felt lost.
But I praise you for never giving up on me. For feeding me and quenching my thirst.
You are the lover of my soul, Jesus!
Today we started good and ended good with our homeschooling however we were not able to strictly follow our time table. But no chaos though. Smooth sailing except for the FB chats that I should have set aside.
Read aloud books for tots and found a good experience in studying Philippine Heroes with Kyle
Thank you Lord for Simone's heart thinking of making a lego heart for me :)
I need to focus on you Lord and guide my kids to learn and know you more before we master any subject. Please guide me Lord!
Thank you for reminding me that Knowing you and having a Love relationship with you cannot be found in the kitchen table.
For the time I started to listen to Having a Mary Heart in this Martha World and helping Arnel in preparing his message in our D12 my heart was full.
Help me oh Lord in building a love relationship with you! I need you to flourish my heart.
Thank you for allowing me to slow down and think about you today.
Thank you for bringing my husband home safely and please sustain him spiritually and physically. Lead him Lord that he may find confidence in you and he may seek you.
Please help me to be a mom after your own heart. Help me to guard my tongue and to prepare for Chosen.
I Love You, Lord!
Tuesday, November 7, 2017
It's been a while since the last time I blogged and posted personal stuff in my social media account and FB page.
I decided to limit my posts and just focus on God and what will be glorifying to Him VS posting a lot about myself and snippets of time that is happening in my life.
Quite a few months that I was able to do social media fasting and I was able to use my time with my most important work...my family.
It made me feel more of a private person and just really share what is happening in my life with my family and the Lord. Instead of blogging about myself in public, I started to write my Love Letters to God and I felt His warm embrace each day.
I felt secured and content.
However few days ago, I had this conversation with my husband about sharing the gospel. Our church - Christ Commission Fellowship has a challenge...to share the gospel to 33 persons until.the end of the year.
My husband achieved the goal in a week's time and even exceeded it, while I was left behind with a zero.
Eversince he started working, it has been his passion to share Jesus to others.
He reminded me that I can use blogging in sharing the gospel...and I prayed and thought about it.
Since I love to write and pour my heart in essays and stories why not really focus on doing it and use this gift for His glory!
Though this was my primary reason when I started my blog few years back however there was no clear direction back then.
I know the Lord will guide me as I do this work for Him...to be discerning and that He alone will be exalted for apart from Him I can do nothing.
And now I am back with a lot of thoughts in my heart to share. My prayer is that my blog will bless others and will see God's grace, goodness and faithfulness in our lives.
Using His gift for His purpose.
After all, it was the unconditional love of Jesus...that came down and rescued me :)
"By His wounds we are healed" - Isaiah 53:5
To the greater things!
All Praise and Glory to God!
I decided to limit my posts and just focus on God and what will be glorifying to Him VS posting a lot about myself and snippets of time that is happening in my life.
Quite a few months that I was able to do social media fasting and I was able to use my time with my most important work...my family.
It made me feel more of a private person and just really share what is happening in my life with my family and the Lord. Instead of blogging about myself in public, I started to write my Love Letters to God and I felt His warm embrace each day.
I felt secured and content.
However few days ago, I had this conversation with my husband about sharing the gospel. Our church - Christ Commission Fellowship has a challenge...to share the gospel to 33 persons until.the end of the year.
My husband achieved the goal in a week's time and even exceeded it, while I was left behind with a zero.
Eversince he started working, it has been his passion to share Jesus to others.
He reminded me that I can use blogging in sharing the gospel...and I prayed and thought about it.
Since I love to write and pour my heart in essays and stories why not really focus on doing it and use this gift for His glory!
Though this was my primary reason when I started my blog few years back however there was no clear direction back then.
I know the Lord will guide me as I do this work for Him...to be discerning and that He alone will be exalted for apart from Him I can do nothing.
And now I am back with a lot of thoughts in my heart to share. My prayer is that my blog will bless others and will see God's grace, goodness and faithfulness in our lives.
Using His gift for His purpose.
After all, it was the unconditional love of Jesus...that came down and rescued me :)
"By His wounds we are healed" - Isaiah 53:5
To the greater things!
All Praise and Glory to God!
Monday, June 12, 2017
One of the books we are reading together in our homeschooling is Trial and Triumph, a book about stories from church history.
My son also told me that this is his favorite book among all the others.
Few week ago, we read about the story of Blandina and some other Christians who were in prison. Blandina faced the snapping jaws of wild beasts rather than renouncing Christ.
Sharing with you some excerpts from the story....
Then the governor summoned Sanctus, a deacon of the church, from the crowd in the arena and asked,
"What is your name?" "I am a Christian," Sanctus answered.
"Where were you born?" asked the governor. "I am a Christian," Sanctus said.
"Are you slave or free?" "I am a Christian," Sanctus answered.
The soldiers started to whip and beat him, but still his answer to every question remained: "I am a Christian." The enraged governor ordered his body crushed between two red-hot copper plates. He died standing firm in his faith.
While reading the heartbreaking story my voice started to break and tears started to flow. After reading few lines again Kyle was also crying with me it touched our hearrs and felt how painful their suffering was. Our eyes were opened that there were early Christians who were persecuted but still stood with their faith and with Christ, while we are here having the freedom to proclaim our faith but we are not diligent in sharing the gospel and in talking about Jesus.
Oftentimes we have people around us that God gave and opened the opportunity to share the gospel but we say no to that privilege of being part of His harvest. We are saying no to God's invitation.
But these early Christians responded boldly and courageously in giving glory to God through their pain and suffering and through their lives.
These stories inspired us and made a mark in our hearts. God protected Blandina from the animals and through her life God was glorified.
When we answered God's call in our family to homeschool we thought we are only building the character of our children.
What we did not know is... it also God's way in allowing us to know The Savior more and more.
All Praise and Glory to God!
My son also told me that this is his favorite book among all the others.
Few week ago, we read about the story of Blandina and some other Christians who were in prison. Blandina faced the snapping jaws of wild beasts rather than renouncing Christ.
Sharing with you some excerpts from the story....
Then the governor summoned Sanctus, a deacon of the church, from the crowd in the arena and asked,
"What is your name?" "I am a Christian," Sanctus answered.
"Where were you born?" asked the governor. "I am a Christian," Sanctus said.
"Are you slave or free?" "I am a Christian," Sanctus answered.
The soldiers started to whip and beat him, but still his answer to every question remained: "I am a Christian." The enraged governor ordered his body crushed between two red-hot copper plates. He died standing firm in his faith.
While reading the heartbreaking story my voice started to break and tears started to flow. After reading few lines again Kyle was also crying with me it touched our hearrs and felt how painful their suffering was. Our eyes were opened that there were early Christians who were persecuted but still stood with their faith and with Christ, while we are here having the freedom to proclaim our faith but we are not diligent in sharing the gospel and in talking about Jesus.
Oftentimes we have people around us that God gave and opened the opportunity to share the gospel but we say no to that privilege of being part of His harvest. We are saying no to God's invitation.
But these early Christians responded boldly and courageously in giving glory to God through their pain and suffering and through their lives.
These stories inspired us and made a mark in our hearts. God protected Blandina from the animals and through her life God was glorified.
When we answered God's call in our family to homeschool we thought we are only building the character of our children.
What we did not know is... it also God's way in allowing us to know The Savior more and more.
All Praise and Glory to God!
Saturday, May 13, 2017
I was blessed to listen to a talk few weeks ago about depending on God and here are some of my learnings.
The Bible says " Blessed are the poor in spirit"
What does having a poor in spirit means?
I humbly depend on God instead of myself.
To be poor in spirit is having humility.
Do we depend on God? At all times?
Yesterday, we took our kids out to celebrate Kyle's birthday. The place we went to was full of fun, activities and it was like having a study tour.
For my kids last activity, I took my 2 kids to have some painting while Kyle was playing basketball and Arnel was watching him.
I asked how long the acitivity will take and the lady said 15 minutes so I said I will just come back.
I left and went to grab Kyle's CD and to take our bags to the ground floor near the basketball stadium.
When I went back to fetch my kids. They were gone.
I panicked instantly and told the girl in a condascending tone...I said I will be back!
Felt like going crazy that time.
I immediately called my husband to inform him that I lost them.
Then I asked one of the workers if they have seen my kids. It was easy to describe them since they were wearing identical clothes.
The worker said...they were taken at the Customer Service.
I ran to fetch them and from afar I saw my kids. In a proud tone, I said...Come on kids, let's go!
My kids ran to me and I asked what happened. They were both telling their version of the story at the same time.
The men in the customer service area approached me and I said " Why would you let them out when their fetcher was not yet around. They apologized and assured me that this will be look into.
While I was talking to them God was telling me...What are you doing? Will they see Christ in you with the way you are acting?
And it hit me...I failed! I was not blesseable :(
It gave me the urge to apologize immediately. My tone changed and I said " I am sorry I know it is not your fault"
I also went back to the lady in the art session to apologize.
It was not their fault. I should have made myself available after thesession. I should have waited. But my mind was clouded with doing other stuff instead of waiting.
My response was also not blesseable I panicked, instead of praying and resting in God's defense.
My husband told me that he did not bother to walk outside the stadium when he heard my call. He continued to watch Kyle. It was not because he does not care but he rested in God. He said that they cannot go out on their own and they cannot be taken because they have a security bracelet. I was convicted.
I heard God's voice asking me, What would Jesus do? What should you do?
And how I realized that I was not responding the way Jesus would do.
I did not have a blesseable heart. The way I acted did not bless others.
I was controlled by the circumstances not by the One who controls the circumstance.
I was not poor in spirit, despite of my failure I had a proud heart when I picked up my kids at the customer service. I should have been thankful because my kids were safe and they took care of them.
I could have depended on our ultimate Savior! But instead I allowed my emotion to control me.
To depend on our mountain mover versus the mountain.
I praise God that He is full of amazing grace. When I fail at times his mercies are new each morning and He allowed me to apologize and realized my mistakes.
This taught me that whenever we look or ask for blessings I need to look at my heart first and ask myself...Do you have a blesseable heart?
Psalm 146:5 " The Lord blesses everyone who trusts Him and depends on Him"
The Bible says " Blessed are the poor in spirit"
What does having a poor in spirit means?
I humbly depend on God instead of myself.
To be poor in spirit is having humility.
Do we depend on God? At all times?
Yesterday, we took our kids out to celebrate Kyle's birthday. The place we went to was full of fun, activities and it was like having a study tour.
For my kids last activity, I took my 2 kids to have some painting while Kyle was playing basketball and Arnel was watching him.
I asked how long the acitivity will take and the lady said 15 minutes so I said I will just come back.
I left and went to grab Kyle's CD and to take our bags to the ground floor near the basketball stadium.
When I went back to fetch my kids. They were gone.
I panicked instantly and told the girl in a condascending tone...I said I will be back!
Felt like going crazy that time.
I immediately called my husband to inform him that I lost them.
Then I asked one of the workers if they have seen my kids. It was easy to describe them since they were wearing identical clothes.
The worker said...they were taken at the Customer Service.
I ran to fetch them and from afar I saw my kids. In a proud tone, I said...Come on kids, let's go!
My kids ran to me and I asked what happened. They were both telling their version of the story at the same time.
The men in the customer service area approached me and I said " Why would you let them out when their fetcher was not yet around. They apologized and assured me that this will be look into.
While I was talking to them God was telling me...What are you doing? Will they see Christ in you with the way you are acting?
And it hit me...I failed! I was not blesseable :(
It gave me the urge to apologize immediately. My tone changed and I said " I am sorry I know it is not your fault"
I also went back to the lady in the art session to apologize.
It was not their fault. I should have made myself available after thesession. I should have waited. But my mind was clouded with doing other stuff instead of waiting.
My response was also not blesseable I panicked, instead of praying and resting in God's defense.
My husband told me that he did not bother to walk outside the stadium when he heard my call. He continued to watch Kyle. It was not because he does not care but he rested in God. He said that they cannot go out on their own and they cannot be taken because they have a security bracelet. I was convicted.
I heard God's voice asking me, What would Jesus do? What should you do?
And how I realized that I was not responding the way Jesus would do.
I did not have a blesseable heart. The way I acted did not bless others.
I was controlled by the circumstances not by the One who controls the circumstance.
I was not poor in spirit, despite of my failure I had a proud heart when I picked up my kids at the customer service. I should have been thankful because my kids were safe and they took care of them.
I could have depended on our ultimate Savior! But instead I allowed my emotion to control me.
To depend on our mountain mover versus the mountain.
I praise God that He is full of amazing grace. When I fail at times his mercies are new each morning and He allowed me to apologize and realized my mistakes.
This taught me that whenever we look or ask for blessings I need to look at my heart first and ask myself...Do you have a blesseable heart?
Psalm 146:5 " The Lord blesses everyone who trusts Him and depends on Him"
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
When I was a child, I remembered how we would go out in our farm to see and observe the growth of the rice that our farmer planted. I was even so scared to cross the bamboo bridge back then but the challenge was worth it. It was a beautiful scene to see the rice field. The plant sways as the wind blows.
For decades now I have not seen that rice field anymore. My parents turned it to a fishing pond and had it rented.
Living in the city limits me to see this kind of scenery. Only when we go out of town that I have the opportunity to see a rice field again.
How I would like my children to see this beauty of nature and God's creation. To run and play in the field.
It is also a wonder to witness how it was planted and until the day of it's harvest time.
In our season of life, Arnel and I has a different harvest field.
And God would like us to start with our family.
Our children is our first harvest and mission field.
It will take a while to see them bloom and to make a harvest of their own but in their growing years they need a lot of wisdom and understanding. We, as their parents need to be God dependent farmers of the seed that was planted in the hearts of our children.
So God can use us to allow these seeds to grow into Christlikeness.
Sometimes I am thinking what if they are already grown ups and can decide on their own. When our influence becomes lesser and lesser to them. Will they grow fullfilling God's mission?
We do not know. Only God knows. P
Praying pervently for them is our main weapon.
Just like what our Pastor would say: We cannot pass on our Faith to our children. Faith is experiential. They need to have a personal encounter with Jesus.
Letting them know how God is teaching them in their daily experiences and what the Bible says about their situation would help them run the race. Reminding them too to fix their eyes on the price which is Jesus.
Our harvest field starts with our family then with others. It may take a while to win some souls for Jesus but praying for them will help a lot.
I somehow felt like giving up sometimes when I experience rejection in sharing Christ. But I realized that whenever I do, it's like I am nailing Jesus again from cross. He never gave up on me despite of my insuffiency. He allowed me to serve Him even if I do not deserve it.
How about you? Where is your Harvest Field?
"And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." - Luke 10:2
For decades now I have not seen that rice field anymore. My parents turned it to a fishing pond and had it rented.
Living in the city limits me to see this kind of scenery. Only when we go out of town that I have the opportunity to see a rice field again.
How I would like my children to see this beauty of nature and God's creation. To run and play in the field.
It is also a wonder to witness how it was planted and until the day of it's harvest time.
In our season of life, Arnel and I has a different harvest field.
And God would like us to start with our family.
Our children is our first harvest and mission field.
It will take a while to see them bloom and to make a harvest of their own but in their growing years they need a lot of wisdom and understanding. We, as their parents need to be God dependent farmers of the seed that was planted in the hearts of our children.
So God can use us to allow these seeds to grow into Christlikeness.
Sometimes I am thinking what if they are already grown ups and can decide on their own. When our influence becomes lesser and lesser to them. Will they grow fullfilling God's mission?
We do not know. Only God knows. P
Praying pervently for them is our main weapon.
Just like what our Pastor would say: We cannot pass on our Faith to our children. Faith is experiential. They need to have a personal encounter with Jesus.
Letting them know how God is teaching them in their daily experiences and what the Bible says about their situation would help them run the race. Reminding them too to fix their eyes on the price which is Jesus.
Our harvest field starts with our family then with others. It may take a while to win some souls for Jesus but praying for them will help a lot.
I somehow felt like giving up sometimes when I experience rejection in sharing Christ. But I realized that whenever I do, it's like I am nailing Jesus again from cross. He never gave up on me despite of my insuffiency. He allowed me to serve Him even if I do not deserve it.
How about you? Where is your Harvest Field?
"And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." - Luke 10:2
Monday, April 3, 2017
There we were looking at the city lights while enjoying the company of each other.
My husband knows whenever I need a break. He takes me to places that he knew would give us positive thoughts.
Sometimes I feel discouraged and somehow feels not doing enough, not capable enough and not KNOWING Him enough.
When we entered the place it was our theme song playing. Wow, what a great plan you have for me Lord, I told myself. There was a cold breeze. A perfect time for a relaxing night.
As Arnel and I talked, we thought about our plans for us, our children, home and our service to the Lord. It was so joyful to dream Big and talk about what else can we do.
Our desire as parents, is for our children to grow in the grace of God and we continue to pray that they will be followers of Christ, and love Him with all their hearts.
When my child Simone fell off the stairs a month ago, I was awakened.
I had daily plans listed, my calendar is filled with my plans for the month, for the week and for the day. We planned on going for my son's theater arts that day but we ended up going to the ER to have my son checked.
I was reminded that it is His plan and not my plan.
And I remembered and shared to my husband how we can have a long list of our plans and desires, personal appetites...but have we tried to ponder and ask God....Lord, what is your plan for me? How can I bring glory to you?
Regardless how long our list is, how rigid we are in planning and how we persevere to achieve our plans. I realized that it is still the desire of the Lord that will prevail. His desires and not ours.
Then, I looked at the millions of city lights and remembered the Harvest.
There is so much to do and so many people we can draw closer to the Lord. Multiplying efforts in winning souls for Christ.
Adding more passion in presenting Christ to others.
"Being extra on fire to bear witness for Christ is not a request, but a command that needs obedience from those who claim that Jesus is their Lord and Savior."
I remembered the Apostle Paul, how intentional he was in sharing and encouraging the Philippians despite of him being in jail.
"If there's anyone who should strive to multiply the people that God is rescuing, it is none other than we who know Christ. If there is anyone who should proclaim the glory of Christ, it is none other than we who are followers of Christ." - Joey Umali
The wind became chilly as the moon moved deep into the night. It is so lovely to watch the glimmering lights and smell the cold breeze.
I felt refreshed and we ended with some plans we thought that whenever we have any plan, we pray about it and we should always say Lord willing...because it is only through His will that it can happen.
To seek Him and to KNOW Him who died and gave His life for us.
" To Live is Christ, To Die is Gain" - Philippians 1:21
My husband knows whenever I need a break. He takes me to places that he knew would give us positive thoughts.
Sometimes I feel discouraged and somehow feels not doing enough, not capable enough and not KNOWING Him enough.
When we entered the place it was our theme song playing. Wow, what a great plan you have for me Lord, I told myself. There was a cold breeze. A perfect time for a relaxing night.
As Arnel and I talked, we thought about our plans for us, our children, home and our service to the Lord. It was so joyful to dream Big and talk about what else can we do.
Our desire as parents, is for our children to grow in the grace of God and we continue to pray that they will be followers of Christ, and love Him with all their hearts.
When my child Simone fell off the stairs a month ago, I was awakened.
I had daily plans listed, my calendar is filled with my plans for the month, for the week and for the day. We planned on going for my son's theater arts that day but we ended up going to the ER to have my son checked.
I was reminded that it is His plan and not my plan.
And I remembered and shared to my husband how we can have a long list of our plans and desires, personal appetites...but have we tried to ponder and ask God....Lord, what is your plan for me? How can I bring glory to you?
Regardless how long our list is, how rigid we are in planning and how we persevere to achieve our plans. I realized that it is still the desire of the Lord that will prevail. His desires and not ours.
Then, I looked at the millions of city lights and remembered the Harvest.
There is so much to do and so many people we can draw closer to the Lord. Multiplying efforts in winning souls for Christ.
Adding more passion in presenting Christ to others.
"Being extra on fire to bear witness for Christ is not a request, but a command that needs obedience from those who claim that Jesus is their Lord and Savior."
I remembered the Apostle Paul, how intentional he was in sharing and encouraging the Philippians despite of him being in jail.
"If there's anyone who should strive to multiply the people that God is rescuing, it is none other than we who know Christ. If there is anyone who should proclaim the glory of Christ, it is none other than we who are followers of Christ." - Joey Umali
The wind became chilly as the moon moved deep into the night. It is so lovely to watch the glimmering lights and smell the cold breeze.
I felt refreshed and we ended with some plans we thought that whenever we have any plan, we pray about it and we should always say Lord willing...because it is only through His will that it can happen.
To seek Him and to KNOW Him who died and gave His life for us.
" To Live is Christ, To Die is Gain" - Philippians 1:21
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Few weeks ago my youngest son Simone fell off the stairs.
He was rushing to go down and was not minding my husband's call until he slipped and fell for like 4 steps.
"Come Here" my husband keeps on calling him. But there was no answer and all that Simone was aiming is to go down.
I was shocked with the scream of my husband seeing Simone with a big "bukol" on his forehead. All I can do is pray. We rushed him to the ER and requested for prayers from our spiritual family. By God's grace he was active and was not complaining of anything.
After the doctor examined him and waited for few hours while they observed, we were released. I felt and saw how Arnel was devastated with the incident. I know I was to blame because as a mom I am primarily responsible of taking care of my children.
When we arrived home, we had a family meeting and thought of how can we prevent something like this. I told my husband that I will make sure they will hold on me while they are going down.
I have realized that no matter what plan we have only God knows what is really in store for us. And I praise God for He was in control.
Few days after the fall he was showing me his drawing he said that the black ones are the bad guys and the others are the good guys.
He was able to hold my son while he was falling.
Many times we call our children "Come Here" but they do not listen.
I am also like them with our Heavenly Father.
He calls on me..."Come Here"
But sometimes I ignore Him and would still go on my way.
Coming on their way is sometimes difficult for our children and so with us.
Just like Jonah, God asked him to come to Nineveh for a big job but instead he went away, sailed in a ship and went on a different way.
And whenever we do not come and respond to His call there will always be a consequence in not abiding to His will.
"God is the same way with me. When He calls, He wants me to respond because of who He is, not for what He might give me.
He calls in quiet moments, when I’m awed by a sunrise. He calls in the chaos of a busy day.
He calls me at the crossroads of decision.At sunrise He reminds me that He’s the Creator God.
In chaos, He tells me He’s the Prince of Peace. At the crossroads, He extends His strength as I make a choice.“Come here!” He calls.
But too often I rush to the phone instead of the throne. Rather than going to the Bread of Life, I race to the world’s empty pantry.
Instead of talking it over with Him in prayer or seeking His will in His Word, I consult other sources for worldly wisdom." - Rachel Carman
"Come Here" the Lord says I want to show you and make you feel how much I love you.
He was rushing to go down and was not minding my husband's call until he slipped and fell for like 4 steps.
"Come Here" my husband keeps on calling him. But there was no answer and all that Simone was aiming is to go down.
I was shocked with the scream of my husband seeing Simone with a big "bukol" on his forehead. All I can do is pray. We rushed him to the ER and requested for prayers from our spiritual family. By God's grace he was active and was not complaining of anything.
After the doctor examined him and waited for few hours while they observed, we were released. I felt and saw how Arnel was devastated with the incident. I know I was to blame because as a mom I am primarily responsible of taking care of my children.
When we arrived home, we had a family meeting and thought of how can we prevent something like this. I told my husband that I will make sure they will hold on me while they are going down.
I have realized that no matter what plan we have only God knows what is really in store for us. And I praise God for He was in control.
Few days after the fall he was showing me his drawing he said that the black ones are the bad guys and the others are the good guys.
He was able to hold my son while he was falling.
Many times we call our children "Come Here" but they do not listen.
I am also like them with our Heavenly Father.
He calls on me..."Come Here"
But sometimes I ignore Him and would still go on my way.
Coming on their way is sometimes difficult for our children and so with us.
Just like Jonah, God asked him to come to Nineveh for a big job but instead he went away, sailed in a ship and went on a different way.
And whenever we do not come and respond to His call there will always be a consequence in not abiding to His will.
"God is the same way with me. When He calls, He wants me to respond because of who He is, not for what He might give me.
He calls in quiet moments, when I’m awed by a sunrise. He calls in the chaos of a busy day.
He calls me at the crossroads of decision.At sunrise He reminds me that He’s the Creator God.
In chaos, He tells me He’s the Prince of Peace. At the crossroads, He extends His strength as I make a choice.“Come here!” He calls.
But too often I rush to the phone instead of the throne. Rather than going to the Bread of Life, I race to the world’s empty pantry.
Instead of talking it over with Him in prayer or seeking His will in His Word, I consult other sources for worldly wisdom." - Rachel Carman
"Come Here" the Lord says I want to show you and make you feel how much I love you.
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