Would You Believe?

Yes, we went back to the hospital... third time this year! This time, my daughter ST was stricken with Pneumonia which strain was not covered by her vaccine, and ZT with Bronchitis and Primary Complex. God provided for our needs, as usual, and He healed my kids gradually during our 8 day stay at the hospital. Click the title of this post "Would You Believe" to view their photos during their last day of confinement.

God bless you, my dear friends, who took the time to visit my site and prayed. The last post here before I was out for a really long while was ZT's second confinement. I sure felt your prayers then and even during their recent confinement. Well, the hospital bill hurt this time even with my husband's Health Card and PhilHealth. Nonetheless, we are grateful that the cards covered 95% of the whole amount in 5 digits.

My kids are now up and well. The three of them (my hubby, ST and ZT) celebrated their birthday last Saturday, October 4 two days after the kids were discharged from the hospital. God was so generous to use our family and church friends to sponsor this event. In fact we only spent for their costumes, some prizes for the games and the cake minus the upgrade. Who would have thought that after what we went through we could still celebrate this grand? Only God can do wonders indeed. Thus, we made sure He was properly honored during this event. Click here to view their Super Heroes birthday celebration.

I missed blogging. But, God required that I take care of my kids and experience Him during these trying times. Right now, I am preparing for our trip to my mom's mountainous hometown Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, somewhere in the South of the Philippines. This is my kids' opportunity to recuperate from the hazards of Manila pollution. My mom offered her service to help me care for the kids since the three of us will be away from the nannies and my hubby MP. Hopefully, after 6 weeks, they have gained weight and are stronger to be in Quezon City.

As to my blogging life, I am still not sure if I could resume my regular visits to all my blog-sis at WMO. I will try to update soon as I find internet connection in the province. I truly miss you, my sisters Michelle, Denise, Nancie, Joy, Laurie and all the hosts At The Well. I really feel connected to the body of Christ in a global sense because of you. I can not thank you enough for your love, concern and prayers. Lord willing, I shall be back to visit you.

Let us keep praying for one another. Leave me your prayer requests if you ever visit here. I love you too! Be strong in the Lord, ya'll lovely ladies and women of faith!

"...from glory to glory, He's changing me..."

Back To The Hospital

My hubby and I decided to admit our 10 month old son ZT to the hospital last Monday due to Loose Bowel Movement, a condition any parent would not take lightly. It was just two weeks ago when we brought our daughter ST to the hospital due to her famous fall from our 8step stairs. I think we are getting better in attending to the health needs of our children. That I have to thank God for.

I missed my regular memes this week. When I say "missed", I really mean "to regret my absence". I missed you, girlfriends here at CLAY. Anyway, may I ask for your continued prayers as we press on in the ministries we are called to do this weekend. We noticed that the attacks we are experiencing before major assignments are getting more personal. Of course, how else would the enemy hurt more but through the people we love? "But greater is He that is in me [us] than he that is in the world." Praise God for His promises and the Word that affirm our calling. We will not face challenges alone... especially now that you, girlfriends, are around. I will see you soon. For now, would you please join us in praying?

Prayer Requests:
1) Speedy recovery of Zeph from Viral infection and diaper rashes
2) Financial provision for the amount not covered in our medical card
3) For me and my husband to be able to attend the Young Adults conference tomorrow
4) To discharge our son before going to the conference
5) To bless YAs during the conference
6) To have a blessed weekend with my family for the dedication of our nephew Ronan
7) To be able to return online for my blogging ministry

Thank you for bearing with me through prayers. God bless us always! Shalom!

LP: MITHI (Wish)


My wish, you ask? Simple.
For the bliss in being together...


For the joy in learning new things together...




For the being together...


...to be ... FOREVER.

But, I have to accept that what we have shall come to pass.
I might as well live the most while we are together...
Appreciate the things God allows for us to enjoy together...
Create more beautiful memories together to remember...
And cherish my hubby, daughter and son as long as I live.

-o0o-

Ano ang minimithi ko ikamo? Simple lang.
Na ang ligaya kapagkami ay magkakasama...
Na ang tuwa sa pag-aaral ng mga bagong bagay ng magkakasama...
Na kami'y magkakasama...
...Ng habangbuhay.

Ngunit, kailangan kong tanggapin na ito man ay lilipas din.
Mabuti pang gawin ang lahat sa abot ng aking makakaya ang lahat ng bagay habang kami ay magkakasama pa...
Pahalagahan ang mga bagay ng Dios na nagpapasaya sa aming habang kami ay magkakasama pa...
Gumawa pa ng maraming ala-ala habang kami ay magkakasama pa...
At ibigin ang aking pamilya habang ako'y nabubuhay.

Thankful Thursday: Shalom, Pacem, Peace!


"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

Our dear TT host, Iris, quoted Peace's definition as freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions. Peace is a treasure to a restless soul. This is why I made it a habit to bless people with a word of Shalom. My mom, hubby and some girlfriends know how much help I draw from it especially when I turn fearful and panicky. Today, I would like to thank God for that life-saving Peace, too.

  • Peace can be a state of harmony or the absence of hostility. It can describe calmness, serenity, and silence. It can also be a non-violent way of life.
Thank You, Lord, for the safety and quietness of our neighborhood. A war in the Southern part of the Philippines [Lanao del Sur] broke out again, and many muslims and christians mostly men and children, were killed brutally in the middle of the night. Many houses and schools were burned, and the families evacuated to schools, mosques and barangay halls. They were really traumatized. I am not thanlkful for their plight, but I thank You for the opportunity to pray for them. Please bring peace, not just between the MILF (faction of muslims) rebels and the government, but moreso, between You and them.

  • Peace can also describe a relationship between any people characterized by respect, justice, and goodwill.
Thank You, Lord, for the relationships You blessed me with, free from abuse, rudeness, quarrel and dissension. Misunderstandings are blessed with healers like patience, acceptance and tolerance. There are so many people who are being maltreated in their own homes, gearing them to criminalism, a great deal of violence and mental problems. I am not thankful for the pitiful situations of these women and children, but I thank You that many people now are responding for their rescue. Please continue to bless the peacemakers.

  • "Peace" is used to describe the end of a violent conflict.
Thank You, Lord, for the Peace that enabled me to let go of the grudges I kept in the past, and for continually enabling me to let go of the sins that people do against me. Sometimes, those I love the most are the ones I find more difficult to forgive. Thank You for the Holy Spirit's prompt conviction and Your living Word that is ever-ready for reproof unto righteousness. I am so grateful for the many times You save me from me - when I stand between doing what You want and doing what I want. That really gets violent within!

  • Peace can mean a state of quiet or tranquility — an absence of disturbance or agitation. It can also pertain to an individual's sense of himself or herself, as to be "at peace" with one's own mind.
Thank You, Lord, for freeing me from unbearable stress and anxiety - usually after I cry them out. I really see Your hand turn the circumstances immediately when I pray. You bring me to a higher plain where I could see the light. Everything in my life makes perfect sense whenever I put you in the center of the picture. Where You are, there is peace, there is love, there is joy. You make my mind-squeezing mechanism take rest in the thought that "everything's gonna be alright in Christ!"
Thank You. Thank You... from me to You. Amen!


If you have time, please do share how Jehovah Shalom worked in your life today. I would love to know your thankful list, too. God bless you! Shalom!


To read more blessings and thankful lists, visit Iris at Sting My Heart.
*Definition from Wikipedia

My Ezekiel Time

I scanned through my Bible this morning as I breathed out a prayer. I asked that He would lead me to what He wanted me to read from His Word . I decided to park my REALITY devotional guide for a while to have the Spirit a free time with me. My fingers were led to the exciting book of Ezekiel, a prophet whose name means "God strengthens", who saw God through the rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day and the radiance around it. (1;28) This is such a timely revelation for a rainy day like ours here in Quezon City. My pre-nursery daughter tried to wake up early for her first day in school, after her long vacation due to her accident, just to find out that her class was suspended. Poor excited girl.

Going back to my morning cup with Apo Dios (Abba Father), we had a swell time going through chapter 18. The Devotional Study Bible entitled it The Soul Who Sins Will Die. This reminded me of our Care group's lesson in Experiencing God about how we almost always refer our difficulties and sufferings as trials from the Lord, discounting the possibility that they are also sent for the purpose of discipline or Fatherly chastisement.

I appreciate the justice of our Holy God when He said [and Ezekiel wrote],
"For every living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son - both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die.

...but suppose this [wicked] son has a son who sees all the sins his father commits, and though he sees them, he does not do such things... he will not die for his father's sin; he will surely live.

...the son will not share the guilt of his father, nor will the father share the guilt of his son. The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him.

...But if a wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he will not die. NONE of his offenses will be remembered against him.

...But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked man does, will he live? NONE of the righteous things he has done will be remembered... he will die.

...
For I take NO PLEASURE in the death of anyone [wicked or righteous turned wicked], declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live."
How wonderful to be reminded of God's attribute of righteousness. He is faithful to forgive and to bless life those who walk in the path of righteousness and who repents from wickedness. This is also a good warning for those who think they will be rewarded a life in eternity for the faith of their parents, siblings or forefathers. God clearly states that the soul of those who sins will die, and the souls of those who are righteous will have life. There is no big or small sin in the eyes of the Holy One, thus making us all destined for sin. Our righteousness only comes by His grace in Jesus Christ.
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heavens given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12

"For as many as received Him to them gave him the power to become the children of God." John 1:12
What a promise we have in Jesus, that in Him lies our salvation. We do not deserve it, but He gave it anyway. No one can accuse God as unjust even when a person is said to be "predisposed" unto sin for his environment. God will judge us according to the light He reveals us. The Word is the light. He will definitely judge. But, what makes Him different from what most people know about God's judgment is that He does not only judge out of wrath for sin. He judges man with love. Let us pray for the wicked men around us that they will respond to the Spirit's nudging unto repentance. God is faithful and able to forgive. He is ready to save!

Word Filled Wednesday: 2 Corinthians 6:18


MY ABBA'S CHILD with ABBA FATHER

You are my Abba, my heavenly Father
You know my tears, and my smiles.
You are my Abba, my heavenly Father...
And I am my Abba's child.
Yes, I am my Abba's child.

Abba Father, Abba Father,
Deep within my soul I cry.
Father, Father, Jehovah Shammah, You are my King
My Jehovah Rophei, You are my Healer
Yahweh, my God

Abba Father, Abba Father,
I will never cease to love You.
I will never cease to love You.

In the photo are my beloved hubby MP and son ZT. This was taken last Monday when we went out for a family picnic at the nearest park, the Quezon City Memorial Circle. I missed you gals AT THE WELL, but still blessed just to have a fun-time with the kids. We are thankful for the national holiday that made it possible for an extended family day. That day we celebrated the 25th year of Commemorating Benigno Aquino's death, the man who has become the father of our freedom from the Marcos dictatorship.

The song featured in this post is from Experiencing God The Musical album. This is my favorite song in this album. And, this album is a must-have for every Christian library. Hope you grab a copy.

May we enjoy our spiritual sonship all the days of our life. But, in the light of eternity, I 'd rather not dare wish you well for we will surely be more than well there!

To view more WFW entries, please click the photo above.
Oops, you might want to leave a comment first? *wink ;)
Thanks!

Then Sings My Soul Saturdays: BLESS MY SON



This is the prayer song I sang for my son during his Dedication Day. I could have sung it like Rita Baloche, but I got carried away by the sniffing and teary-eyed girlfriends of mine during the event. I praise God for the singer, Nancy Gordon and Martin J. Nystrom for creating this music. We never get tired listening to all the music in the album Bless My Little Boy. I recommend this a must-have to all mom's library. Have a blessed time listening.

Click here to listen to the music.


BLESS MY SON
Nancy Gordon & Martin J. Nystrom

May he have the faith of Abraham
may he have the boldness of Paul
May he have a heart like David
Always seeking God,
Always seeking God.
Chorus:
Father God, bless my son
May he grow to be a man of God.
May he have the wisdom of Solomon
May he have the patience of Job
May he be a leader like Joshua
Always full of hope,
Always full of hope.
May he have the courage of Daniel
May he have the love of John
May he know Your voice like Samuel
Always obey God,
Always obey God.


For more inspirational entries, visit Amy Wyatt of Signs, Miracles and Wonders.

LP: Liwaliw

This is a picture taken during our church family outing, a way of celebrating the love of God for the families in the 49th year of our church's existence. We do not really go out often as a family, but since this is an event paid by the church, we took the big O. My hubby MP, who is shown in this picture, had a great time with the waves of Bulacan's Paradise Island wave pool. I just love looking at everybody. We truly enjoyed the fellowship, the food, and the swimming "f"ool! LOL!


Liwaliw [Going out]

Ang litratong ito ay kinuha noong family outing ng aming simbahan bilang pag-alala sa pag-ibig ng Dios sa mga pamilya ng aming simbahan sa loob ng 49 na taong. Hindi kami madalas na nakakalabas bilang pamilya, ngunit dahil bayad ng aming simbahan ang naturang gawain, ay minbuti na naming kunin ang oportunidad. Ang asawa kong si MP, ang nasa litratong ito, ay aliw na aliw sa "waves" ng Paradise Island wave pool sa Bulacan. Ang sarap pagmasdan ng bawat isa. Labis akong natuwa sa pagkakasama-sama, sa mga pagkain, at sa paliligo sa "pool"!

Then Sings My Soul: Lord, Have Mercy

LATE ENTRY
Click the title of the song to view the YouTube video.

I do not know Charles Billingsley and his song , Lord, Have Mercy, but this phrase was what I uttered again and again when I picked up my daughter from the foot of our 7step stairs. Have mercy, Lord, have mercy!

ST and her nanny were still singing past midnight when I passed by the nanny's room. Jessa explained that our girl would not like to drink her milk or sleep without her mama beside her. My hubby slept ahead beside our little boy, while I opted to work overtime on the video presentation for ZT's dedication that Sunday. I was instructing Jessa from the sala to convince ST to drink her milk, but before I finished, ST sneaked out and ran towards the dark staircase. She got thrilled when the door opened and ran away from Jessa who was then holding the can of Gain and a water-filled, feeding bottle. I remember her calling my name before her frail body tumbled down like a rag doll. The vintage point from where I was seated was directly facing the stairs. I could have picked her up before she landed the marble floor, but my knees buckled and was unmoved by denial and fear. It was a face to face with possible unrepairable damages, or worse, a permanent loss. And, I was very afraid.

Is this really happening? Aaaaaaaahhh... Jessa screamed; I screamed; my husband who heard the commotion screamed. We were all screaming as if the house was on fire! ST, who finally landed with her head first, screamed the loudest. God was so good to have given me the strength to pick her up at once, but to see the blood oozing from her mouth scared out the remaining strength in me. I saw how her head bounced from step to step, dragging her arms from the side. It was difficult to let go of the memory. The awful fall caused two, huge lumps on her forehead, and one at the left, and another one at the back. I was distraught at the sight of her swollen face. My little darling cried out in pain while I applied on the 3 ice cubes which my right hand held tightly until we reached the ER. My husband prayed for a taxi on his way to the Subdivision's gate, and we were blessed with the best driver who drove really fast and safely to the hospital. He even went against the flow in his hazard lights until we reached the closest U-turn towards the hospital's avenue.

The whole time we were in the taxi, MP and I were praying aloud. Lord, have mercy on our daughter! I tried to calm down, to ask her if she's ok, but when she said "painful... I'm sorry", I broke down again. I remember not feeling anything with my right palm while holding the ice cubes. My eyes were filled with tears; my mind was filled with prayers. Oh Lord, have mercy!

A comic relief came to the rescue though. Still on the road to the hospital, I asked...
"Can you see me?"
"I cannot see! I cannot see, Mama!"
"Are you sure? Look at me, baby. "
"I cannot look! Aaah, painful!"
"Baby, look at Mama. Be brave! Be brave!"
"I cannot brave! I cannot brave!"
I felt like laughing, but I embraced her instead. I praised God that her eyesight was fine, but I praised Him more that her thoughts were coherent. She answered the way she would under ordinary circumstance.

We felt the Lord's favor following us. The CT scan and the chest xray's initial results were negative for fracture. The doctor recommended that she stays in the hospital for observation, but there was no room available yet. After a few minutes, MP returned with a good news that a suite is vacant, and apparently, it was the same room where ST and ZT spent last April when they were stricken with Pneumonia. Our medical card can only subsidize the first 24 hours of the suite, after which, we have to transfer to the maximum allowable room rate which is a regular private. We were lined 7th in the private room reservation, and had a vacancy only in the late afternoon of Monday. We were grateful. We expected to pay for the excess of the remaining hours plus the additional xray for ST's forehead when the doctor felt a dent on both wounds. But, to our surprise, the card covered everything except for the nebulizer kit, cold pack and hot bag. All in all we only paid Php190 out of the Php18,000 total hospital bill. Jehovah Jireh & Rophei did it again! God answers the cries of His children. God's mercy endures forever!

Time and time again, we experience the hand of God carrying us through inevitable trials, proving to us that the only way to go is through letting go and letting God. ST's life is so precious to me and my hubby, but we have to remind ourselves that she is God's precious one, too. She is safest in the hallow of His hands.

For more inspirational entries, visit Amy Wyatt of Signs, Miracles and Wonders.

What a mighty God we serve!


P/S
Charles Billingsley really ministered to me with his soothing and beckoning voice.
Take time to listen to Kyrie: Lord, Have Mercy.


Word-Filled Wednesday: Luke 11:1

I missed my three memes and regular visits to my favorite blogs last weekend. It's a long story. But, before I dive in to that... or should I say those, because it's going to be a series of stories, I would like to post my WFW first, before I miss another meme. These two, lovely, praying angels were given to my daughter ST and son ZT by ST's godmother, Malis. There is this recorded goodnight prayer in it which plays when their tummies are pressed. My daughter memorized it already, and she is so cute trying to sound like the voice of the American girl who recorded it.


Since I enrolled myself in the school of prayer and intercession, God actively situated me and my family in circumstances that will force me to exercise my faith-lessons. It was like signing up my entire family for inevitable problems. Good thing I and my hubby have the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us in all truth. We are learning to discern how to pray and what to pray for in times of trials. To pray that God, the author of prayer, would teach us how to pray is really a wise thing to do. Testings, tribulations, troubles and temptations are typical times when we need wisdom in our prayers. When one of the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray like John the Baptist, He did not hesitate to instruct them. They were even told to ask, seek and knock, and promised that the Father will give the Holy Spirit to them who ask of Him. Writing these things down from the Bible is just so affirming!

For more inspiring pictures and Bible verses, visit The 160 Acre Woods.

Wordless Wednesday: Better Together


BETTER TOGETHER
Just like me and my hubby.
I am definitely the circle, and he has always been the square.


TODAY'S MY BIRTHDAY!!!


B I G T H A N K S
!
...to all who remembered to greet me!

And for those who did not know, or just happened to forget,
no problem...

You can still greet me. Come on, post a comment.
heee heee heee...
I would love to know you prayed for me.
In fact, I'd love it most if you'll post your prayer down there!
Thanks.

God bless our blogging friendship in the Lord!

God Stop Friday: God's Princes & Princess

This is my family. God made His love known to me through His Word and my relationships. And my little Atienza circle tops my list in relationship category. I never knew I am capable of loving this much until I had them in my life. God gave them to me, but never left me alone in this huge wifey and mommy responsibility. He enables me to be the wife and mom that I ought to be. This is my God stop Friday. And I am in awe of His mighty work in my life through His princes and princess. Praise God for the high calling of parenting... and housewife, too.


God's Prince and Princess: My hubby MP and our daughter ST

God's Little Prince: our son ZT

These pictures were taken last May during the Daily Vacation Bible School: SIDEKICKS graduation day in our church. This is the reason why ST is now in school. She had a great deal of fun learning new things, and missed it so much. A week after, we went hunting for her Pre-Nursery school. My son, on the other hand, was a happy guest of his sister. He had a swell time too being crowned a Sidekick of her ate. May they both become the Sidekicks of God, relying on His power and strength. Hiya!


Thankful Thursday: Hope and Others

Psalm 121:1-3
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?

2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber
This is an amazing week so far. I am showered with love by God through my family, my sisters in the Lord from different places, and through the Word. Today, I am tempted to be frantic with my preparations for the dedication of my son, but God nudged me to pause for awhile for my Thankful Thursday. After reading Iris' post today, I heard my sister sing in my mind --

I will lift mine eyes to the hills from whence my help shall come,
I will trust my Lord to heal and take me home.
Lord, I never felt this way before, You promised to see me through.
I could only trust you more and more, Lord, I lift mine eyes to you.

Hope floats in the hearts of those who trusted Jesus as their Savior and Lord. There is no hope in the eyes of those who have not known or heard that there is life eternal. And because of my salvation ---
  • I thank God for the blessed hope that is in me, and for His ever present help in time of trouble.
  • I thank God for giving me the courage to slow down when everything in me says speed up, and neglect my time with Him.
  • I thank God for my children; they keep me sane and less self-centered.
  • I thank God for my husband who rejoices with me in my successes, and empathizes with me in my frustrations.
  • I thank God I am healed from LBM which was really painful last night until I fell asleep.
  • I thank God for sleep. I am naturally a late sleeper with occasional insomia.
  • I thank God for continually healing my coughing housemates: my kids and their nannies.
  • I thank God for the willing hands from our church's Young Adults Ministry that will help us in putting the dedication event together.
  • Thank God for those who prayed and are continually praying for that, too.
  • I thank God for the future we are looking forward to. I am excited to be trained in the Bible school in preparation for the mission-work. But, right now, my assignment is to be here with the kids. I feel it will come very soon. God knows when I am ready.
  • I thank God for Thursdays. I always thank Him, but knowing someone will thank God with me is just awe-inspiring.
  • Lastly, though I won't cease to thank God today, I thank God for you. Your comments will surely inspire me. I can't wait to read your ThTh post, too. I'll be visiting you, Lord willing.

My Bumble Bee's Dedication Day

Luke 2:21-22
21And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child,
his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before
he was conceived in the womb. 22 And when the days of her
purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished,
they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord...


Presenting... Mama's Invitation for her bumble bee's Dedication Day.
If I can only invite you all... sigh.

And here is my tarp design.

How do you find my simple art work?

I am prayerfully getting busy, scribbling down the program with the Lord's guidance. It is my prayer that in this event, we will not just bless our guests, but that God will find our (mine and my hubby MP's) hearts pure when we "officially" dedicate our bumblee bee to Him. Of course we already dedicated him to God long before His birth. This is just a matter of publicly declaring our vow to God that we will raise him up to be a godly man after His heart. Ah, talking/writing/ typing about it makes me cry.

Help from all places are coming in! Jehovah Jireh is affirming us in our solemn desire to give back to Him our beloved son. May he have the favor of our great Abba. He knows what's best for him.