Matthew West Performs "The Heart of Christmas"

May you guys be ushered with this song beautifully rendered by Matthew West & his band. I was actually torn with what version & video image I should be sharing but I believe this performance captures his soul for the heart of Christmas. I have a great knack for acoustic guitar, keyboard
esp. the soft strokes of the violin. 

Merry Merry Christmas. May your heart be filled with the lyrics of this song. "Pause for a moment: Cherish the moment with the ones that you love"


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Here are my cherished Christmas moments with the ones close to my heart--with my Family & a lovely, kindred mentor.

My two beloved sons...both home for Christmas. Thank you Lord Jesus.

"More than a genetic profile..."

The one thing I know for sure is that my mom is the best mom for me.,to all of us nine siblings anyway.She may be older now but we're all getting older anyway. Now I see her hair thinning, her back slightly curved, her teeth all gone except for two on mid-top & two on the lower mid point of her mouth. Oh, how he hates wearing dentures. Understandable. I would be doing the same thing.

I'm 5'4 1/2 and my mom is only 4'11. Who would have thought she'll have me this tall because for a Filipino female or woman, 5'2 is the common height. I remember when I was in high school, I was one of the tallest girls in class. Whenever we have assembly, I was always the second to the last person in line. To tell you the truth I didn't appreciate that much until I came to the U.S. in 1985. It was liberating to see many tall or taller women than me. It felt like the taller you are the wavelength of your brain is, too. What a concept, huh?

When I'm with my mom, I see to it that I'm not missing the moment of every aspect of affectionate gestures and the flow of words that connect. I make sure that she hears every word that I want her to hear. But oftentimes, holding her hand to let her know that it's okay that she doesn't have to catch on every word I say. 

I thank God for my mom...and I love the way she championed the longevity of being an amazing mother. To have an affinity to good genes is an advantage but not as greater than when your genes are covered with "the blood of the Lamb." That's all it takes to get through life's detours & setbacks.My mom is all that--the pillar & the anchor of what is keeping  me                                    smile & hope. And I love her so much...

What Random Moments Could Be...?

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 Today I was over the pie section at the Commissary exchange @ Ft. Hood. I admit, I joined the crowd of those who wait on the last minute to buy their Thanksgiving turkey and all its trimmings & pecan pies. 

Dairy whipped toppings are a necessity when eating a piece of pie especially pumpkin pie. After I got one, this sweet lady asked me if I wanted to sample an apple pie. By the way, her name is Pam. This time I asked candidly before this random moment took place. So, I could post her name here; for I take pleasure and joy snapping pictures spontaneously. I just thought that it is fitting to catch people doing a generous act and taking pride in what they do to serve people.

That did give me powerful insight: To be in the moment of sheer random moments could be more meaningful than those moments filled with do's & don't's... meaning planned, calculated & mundane. 
I wish sometimes that we take time to gravitate to the inherent quality of a person and to something that never ceases its value--a smile that Ms. Pam possesses. A smile that hinges hope.

Make it happen...on your way Home.

Mark's Post-Birthday Celebration

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Me...reading the card with Mark for his 7th birthday in mom's house. Seeing my nephew so excited reading his cards, opening his gifts and taking pictures is transcendent. His real birthday is actually Nov. 14 but since we couldn't celebrate it with him then, it's worth waiting to have this with his family, the Degano family.. You can't deny a child to have 2 birthdays now. That is, if he can, and he is...

"Keeping Up With My Favorite Lab." This Afternoon.

 If you have a dog/s, you'll surely understand how having one could alter a big part of your social life (if you have one) As for me, my social life revolves around doing things outdoor/indoor with my dog/s.They keep me stay balance with my weight and downright positively busy. It's such a good heartwarming revelation how a dog can help you see things in a higher scale. Their sense of loyalty and love for you is one that you need when you're tired. We should learn more from them--forgetting the little stuff that sometimes suffocates our joy to be in real moments like these--just snuggling with my best pet friend.            
              

It Could Possibly A Song For Us All...

I wouldn't do any justice putting any kind of caption regarding of how he emoted his emotions while singing this song. All I know is that he captures my spirit to worship & praise as he always does in all of his songs.
Certainly my favorites are amazing grace and this one ...Plus acoustic guitar never sounds better when it's played the way he stroke the strings. And I also know that he was raised and grew up here in Texas.

Shouldn't we all proclaim His love for us even when the winds are in their strongest strike on our lives? And we should remain steadfast in our faith --that Jesus loves me, you and every soul. That truth should embed our hearts.

"What November Brings..."

What To Make Out Of These...Images

Call it unorthodox or eccentricity or mode of thinking, my favorite month is November...It's the month we exclusively give our thanks to what we have internally & externally perpetuated by who we are in the eyes of God. We should know by now that we're worth more than the most expensive worldly treasure in this world. We are bought by the blood of the purest lamb so we may have eternal life. By the utterance of His Holy name Jesus, the devil flees and your enemies scattered. That's the faith each of us should/must cling as our fortress & rock of our salvation. Remember, the miracle itself begins in our mouth...

How I Set Out My First Day Of This Month...
(in this Order)

With The Morning Prayer of Faith & Thankfulness & Expectancy
Fed  Cocoa & Tootsie and give them their vitamins and their monthly heartworm pill
Cooked Bacon & Eggs with a fresh-brewed "pilon" coffee for breakfast
Took a shower, put on my jogging suit; brought Cocoa with me...
Put Chevron gas to my car on our way to the park
Cocoa had a grind nail-clipped to Petsmart
Gave my son a ride to Work
Quick drop to HEB groc. store  and bought lasagna to bake later for my brother-in-law's b-day
Writing this blog on a Saturday afternoon with just me & my dogs in the house
Changed my profile picture to the most recent one taken in our school last month
It's a beautiful day. I'll pause with that unencumbered thought... more to come.

God Bless

Happy First Day Of NOVEMBER

"The Unveiling Of Grace.."

Scripture of the Day:
Isaiah 42:16
And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known; I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.

Having "the good friend" whose heart, mind, soul & entire psyche is aligned with the Holy Word, one might say is "too good to be true." However, Zeny is all that in delighting herself in the Lord. She's my one & only friend that knows where I am spiritually. Also, a teacher--her greatest gauge & barometer in weighing in the issues of life derive from her faith in God's promises.

Although we each go to a different church but with the same  Core Christian beliefs, transparency & truthfulness have never been more blissful. I was at her church for a two-day "Unveiled singles conference (Friday night- Saturday) this weekend. It was a good turn-out on a Friday night where home folks usually prefer to stay home. Well, their Praise & Worship songs were very powerful & uplifting. I wasn't familiar with the songs but it didn't matter.The lyrics are heart-piercing and raw. The spirit of the Lord was in that place...And the best part, I was praising/worshiping the Lord with my good friend, Zenaida.

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Today, (Saturday) is Breakout Sessions. I & Zeny  registered for classes entitled, The Space Between being Single & Content and Healing After Divorce & Breakups.Such impartition & bestowing of related-topic Scriptures had made me realized that I still have stronghold thinking--that kind of subtle rationalization over a few heart-issues. But thank God that this stronghold can never have that power on me anymore. "There is nothing too big for God for His mighty deliverance." I Know my "Boaz" will come when God sends him forth in His perfect time. That goes for you, too, Zeny and to all women of Faith who remain single & devoted to God's works. And you can never be single in the eyes of the Lord. Let your hearts' desires be known and serve Him while waiting. Just like Roxanne Smith said and I'm paraphrasing...your future Boaz is worth the wait...Amen

Thank you Zeny for the gift of friendship. I look forward to December's out-of-town women's activity. The long drive will be worth journalling, taking scenic pictures along the way and laughing out loud with other Christian women on board. That's God's grace... unveiled!

 We serve a living Savior.

Mom, Sis, Nephew & Myself...Edifying One Another

 Every third week of  each month, my mom gets to enforce her legal grandparent right to take her grandson; my nephew to come stay with her from Friday @ 6 pm -- 6 pm Sunday. Mark is my late brother Romeo's only child/son . We made a promise to take good care of Mark and make every way to be a part of his life. We get to take him to church, to the movies, to the park and to the Golden Arch or KFC/Chic-fil-A. I also get a moment to assess his educational grade level and has always surpasses my expectations.And you know how kids are these days...Every child owns a tablet. You can't talk to them without their eyes and fingers pressed or tapped on keys. You feel like yanking that object from them to get their full attention. However, my nephew isn't that much fixated yet. He would stop when told to do so. 
All in all--we had a wonderful time.   

 

Love this photo--endearing & sweet. It's that time again to say...love you Mark.

"Timing" Is Everything..."

"Timing" certainly is an eloquent essence to everything. It does, though equates to having the right heart & head knowledge to know when to pursue something or somebody. To us, Christians, whose steps are adhered, perpetuated,inspired and guided by the Word of God take more in the  urgency of Faith & Praying. And it just that...Being active in believing God's promises.

Three weeks ago, my sister gave me a small bag of pears (from her own backyard) I'm more of a peach kind person. So, I just laid them down on the kitchen counter for a couple of days. One afternoon, I randomly picked one to give it a try for my taste. (the last time I took a bite on one of them was the beginning of summer and it tasted sour to me) To my great surprise, they didn't only taste succinctly crunchy but deliciously sweet. I maybe using redundant adjectives and qualifying adverbs to get my point across but that's how I really tasted them this time. And my sister said that her pears off her tree do take awhile to get fully ripened. I know this is common logic; however, even fruits take due time to get their sweet juice enamored to those who patiently wait...

Even in the greater scheme of things, "timing" requires our patience in waiting; the joy of just watching how things unfolds to grandiosity. How we approach and attack towards good opportunities always lies on where we are --heart & soul. Do we tend to grab every opportunity according to how we feel or do we take time to take it to the Lord and receive His will? Taking the latter never lets you down.

We all notice that as we go through Autumn/Fall; the "falling" leaves' pigmentation go deeper as they sparkle as gifts of nature on the ground. That also takes time...They are never perceived as desolate leaves but a festival of the season's heaven's exquisite marker/ whisper.

Even when the world has almost lost its grip, I am here to tell you that the only true assurance we have to anchor ourselves from vexation is in the presence of the Holy Spirit. For if we're called to leave this earth unprepared--without warning, what can you take with you when it's your time to leave this earth? Even our faith has its own way of strengthening it...I'm just excited and in awe of how God has delivered me from the things I should have not chased and His redemption plan for my life that is undeserving. That, too, took many railroads of crossroads before getting it right. God Bless

Happy Sabbath

"My Keen- Relish Writing Muse This Afternoon..."

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                               Sometimes true inspiration comes & presents itself when you least expect it. This beautiful, tangible expression of grace --and profoundly, much more than serendipity. Just look at this precious "little muse" staring at me while I'm flipping pages of Artful Blogging magazine. I wish I knew how to make her understand that she's just so cute and a real gem to my sight. She must have just turned a year old. I tried to entice her to a  conversation as she stood in front of me but remained a stellar sight. 
Then...I just took a snapshot of her just like that with my iPhone. Never even ask her mom which I'm sure  was just a few yards away. Didn't even get the baby's name. Mom finally showed up. She was elated to have seen her baby trying to make a point, with her own body language. 
To tell you the truth, wherever I go (be it in grocery stores, bookstores, recreation parks, etc.), little children and grade-school children do throw me that confident/ glowing smile  many countless occasions. They even say "hello" to me  without qualms that I am a stranger just passing by. 
Does it transcend to them that my first love has always been  around teaching children? And that I still take pride doing it? 

 By the way, that was the highlight of my afternoon "me time."  One of the things I know for sure is not to be hesitant of wanting to capture, engage and be fully present in what's worth captivating. Your heart tells you that. It is still your greatest barometer to making things happen. We should never cease to see elements of gratitude and zest.

Goodnight.

"What A Difference A Day Makes..."

Saturday Blessings:




So, the weather forecast for Saturday didn't elude us; didn't come as a surprise either. Something in the air cues you in that you may not need your AC turned on. I just did that. Gladly opened all my windows for the crisp air to seep through... Oh, that feels so fresh, organic and just so welcoming. 


Though I didn't go for a walk/jog in the park today, I was content staying --putting summer clothes away and started  hanging clusters of "fall" outfits; also taking out blankets within my reach. It's really beginning to smell, look, and feel like Autumn is here. It may take another few weeks more before I see an array of enchanting amber, gold leaves scattered beautifully on the ground and that's just fine with me. It gives me more time to cling to anticipation...what it brings may be just what my heart beats. 

Thank God. "Let everything that has breathe, Praise The Lord."

When "All Suppositions" Become As That...

At one point or may be too many for too long in our lives have we wished our "would/could have been" in our wildest dreams be more than a pigment of our imagination? It's wishful thinking that has eroded clarity; wisdom demented. 
It does take a journey of fervent prayers and walking that faith. Only God knows why things happen and trusting Him for the highest purpose in all circumstances is our only answer that makes sense.
Moving forward as leaving suppositions behind is a colossal step for every soul that wants to make things right. Joy comes to those who unburden themselves with the facade, the orchestra and the masks of this world.
Only the spiritual wisdom that comes from reading His Word, hearing His Word and the Spirit of the living God can change the heart of the Lost. Such illumination of truth can never be found in the mouth  and actions of secular men.
Be thankful that you've been touched by His grace, His immovable power.

"Today's Continuing Portals...

Taking Care of Yourself...
    

  I have been waking up with chronic pains on my left shoulders. I could enumerate what perpetuated the pain. One obvious reason is the constraints of what aging means physically & mentally. How you transpire its essence is spiritual. 

My dose of faith and how I allocate it depends on what measure I should take. Typically, I take Advil for any kind of inflammation my body has developed. And taking one mere tablet with food feels like a silver lining to me. Motrin, Tylenol & etc. do't go well in my system. I don't run to pay a doctor's visit if I think the symptoms will creep away. So, this morning I soaked myself in the bathtub even just to alleviate the pain.While enjoying the semi-hot water that seems penetrating the swollen area, my source of healing comes from what I believe to be true; that God provides for healing of all kinds of wounds & pains & sufferings...Soaking is just a remedy but your faith in what he fulfilled at Calvary Cross where He laid everything for Humanity is the only answer. It did to a comfortable degree that I was able to take that special Saturday walk/jog at the park with Cocoa. And I'm okay with that.

At the park, they were having a "Barktoberfest" for all kennels from 10 am to 2pm Today. It would have been a good socialization for Cocoa (especially the swimming in the pool and dogs are allowed  running around without their leash in their designated areas according to their sizes) but for some reason I wasn't up to it. Call it overprotectiveness. I don't know how the other dogs really behave so I & Cocoa proceeded to have that usual delightful walk--which is to me an early Autumn daze. Even at 10 am, the air feels cozy/breezy. It's almost a demise not get out. With the Fall colors which are just beginning to emerge and shaping the tracks, may be such pigments of true imagination, my physical pain wouldn't be in the way. "

Cocoa as she waits patiently for me to fill my gas tank.

Cocoa just enjoying her freedom walking with me in stride--the path is all hers!

God's grace is lookin' deep into nature."

      I'm also going to watch "Left Behind" movie with the whole family late this afternoon. Let's see if it defies the recent reviews I've read this morning in the Yahoo page. I'll be writing about my personal take on it--Later 

On This First Day Of October...

October homecoming is one that builds the beginning  of autumn splendor of colors to my senses so deeply that my dreams at night include an array of leaves falling to the ground. For what it is this season brings, I only know what it does to my soul...the gathering, unveiling of innermost joy hemmed in the beauty of beholding.

As a writer of my own disposition of words, I live for the anticipation of what's changing in my surroundings. Sometimes my outbursts are tucked, to a degree, they correspond to profundity and purpose of my own life? Eloquent gratitude.

May your October be a festival of portals--opportunities to love deeply in Autumn.

Unleashing "Heart-Fall" Intentions

Myself chillin' with one of my Labradors @ about 7:30 in the morning. Tootsie, a Border-Collie Lab loves to be petted. She'll leave her bowl of food for a cuddle moment. My chocolate Lab on the other hand can't wait to devour her bowl of food.

This weekend has been favorable. My energy spirit is high, meaning--I did more household chores than usual. I put up my harvest tree and embellished the deep-rich hues of Fall in places where my heart veers for a snap captivity of the season--in the house.
If I have to rely on what my physical eyes, ears, mouth, heart & mind, the verdict is in question. I am still a human being with the natural sin, so imperfect, and the litany of flaws is immensely a long list. However, knowing who to go to in response to human susceptibility, vulnerability that attacks our core senses is the only testament of faith we all can have for true/perfect assurance. That would be Jesus who will give us spiritual eyes on His divine wisdom on every facet of life.

Whenever I hear ill-fated news that comes from all over the world, my ears immediately receive negative vibe and may even affect how my day goes. But thank God for His grace that are new every morning. I am okay with the fact that my physical faculties are inconsistent but the Holy Spirit promptings intercede and overrule.

Having the right perspective to live simply and still have that intensity of doing things with unquenchable ember in your heart like appreciating the value of good moments, requitable incidences, and in-between pauses are everyday lessons for me.. Just ask,"Lord, what would you want me to learn from this experience or event?" With the right asking, I know the dispensation of the "how" will come in no time, to your rescue. It's a great opportunity when we believe infallibly on God's manifestation of His omniscience, omnipresence, & omnipotence Power. It's been a colossal challenge to make it my journey to know & understand His redemptive plan for humanity but the reward is astonishing...I see things magnified in His way not how I wish things to be different, my way. And our ways are greedy, selfish and one-sided...Let's be true to ourselves. If it's not God's will, don't fight it. Let it go.

Hope & pray that your walk points to what He has finished at Calvary Cross more than 2000 years ago. Don't find yourself living with deplorable regrets when you can begin your spiritual race to your eternal address--Heaven.

               Have A Blessed Sunday Everyone!

"Wishing You All Many Autumn Blessings..."

Two weeks of not posting or blogging had left a gaping hole in my heart. Once again, I was experiencing writer's block--felt isolated with writing words that felt scrambled, disconnected and 
void. How can I claim that writing is my passion when I had gone awry with words? I tell you, feeling inadequate and prolonged procrastination with writing is a very sad place to be. But then again-- this plight of withdrawal from what I love to do with words is not permanent. This, too shall pass.

2 Corinthians 4: 17-18 “For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long.  Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever.  So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen.  For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”

So here I am thanking you for reading my blog even though they sometimes carry condescending 
cordiality. I do appreciate the new visits of clicks...here. I hope to ameliorate things as my favorite season is due in less than 48 hours. 

Happy Saturday & God Bless You All

  

Today's Providential Blessing: Sister's Birthday Celebration

It's not just an ordinary day; another birthday is a pivotal and meaningful celebration. And celebrating it with your immediate family and love ones hit the mark of your life. I really do believe that we are such a blessed family and I have the good Lord to thank for. May I never cease to remember that all the glory belongs to God.
Today I count my blessing for having my baby sister celebrated her birthday with us. After all, it's cultivating & nurturing the great love for family that we should strive to pursue at all cost. And putting our faith first in what Jesus finished at Calvary Cross is what makes a family worth living for...

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