"This Is Amazing Grace..."

As far as joining and finishing the marathon of the writing of my 500 words for 31 days, I feel that I have run the race and it's worth celebrating. I say that because I'm usually pumped at doing something in the beginning but ends up aborting the process of completion. 
This is only a 31 day-writing goal, a small task to discipline the mind but its worth maybe more than I could imagine. It's all good.
For my last entry for 31-day writing, I plan to write what comes to mind as I develop my focal point. It's kind of relief that I don't have to do this every night before I go to bed; that I need to put aside everything for this to happen. 
Writing is a lot of things. It requires a lot of passion, a lot of your sentiments that flows from the heart. You take risks every time you put out something you think it's shareable but not to others. Your personal ideas, opinions, and perceptions of people, things, and God are viewed prematurely according to popular belief. But that doesn't tear me down.
Regardless, writing is creative art and a gift for dispensation. 
Today for my last entry, I want to talk about my brother-in-law who's married to my oldest sister for 40 years. They are a couple who truly have marital bliss. 
This morning my sister who's a registered nurse had taken him to the nearest Army Hospital. He was experiencing symptoms of having a stroke; dizziness, very high blood pressure, wobbly steps and slight numbness in his right hand.
My brother-in-law rigorously follows a workout for himself. For a 64-year-old man, he is in great shape. He goes to the gym almost every day, goes to the park and walk for miles, doesn't smoke, drinks beer moderately on occasions; and travels extensively with my sister across the globe. That's really a good, fulfilled life to me. They enjoy life together.
He never had any major medical issue until today. How much more if a person has a lot of vices, and doesn't exercise? Would his stroke more deadly and vicious? Unequivocably, I say yes. 
But there are some people who would disagree with this and I don't find that despicable because I've known people who have smoked nicotine all their lives, drank alcohol too, and devoid of physical exercise and still some of them got to live in their 80's.
And there are those who were only second-hand smokers and that sent them to their graves in their late 30's, early 40's and 50's. That's messed up. Why would some people who never even smoke die earlier than those who really smoke themselves to their death? 
Well, my brother-in-law is okay, so far. CT Scan came back negative. Glory to God.
However, they kept him overnight to do some more tests on a cardiac enzyme. 
It is also a great advantage that his wife is an RN. She knows preliminary questions to ask and follow-up questions thereafter. I believe that that speed up the process for him to go from the emergency room to a private room with a view. But of course, God's divine power and grace and prayers" all work together for good to those who love God according to his purpose."
I and my youngest son actually went to see him and my sister by his side at the hospital. He was in high spirit and he will just be fine.
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for your unfailing love.
"This is amazing Grace."
Thank You for Reading...
God Bless
Good Night!

"In God, We Trust..."

For sure, I'm one of the more than ten million viewers who watched and listened intently to our President Trump's State Of Union Address.
I could hear them already in my head the negative commentaries of the naysayers coming from the media. I don't pay attention to them anymore. I already know the truth and there's no need to contaminate that truth by listening biased newscasting. 
What I could take away from our President's State Of The Union Address is what it should be: an honest narrative of what he has done for the American people, for this great/powerful country.
I already know what's the counterpart's argument is saying...that he has the lowest rating for a President. 
We all know that when you're doing good and standing tall for the welfare and well-being of people, you immediately make tons of adversaries. You know why? When your mindset is not grounded on the very fundamental of God's Word, you want to be rebellious, combatant and unaccepting. That is how the devil works in our lives. Satan's wiles are very subtle and yet conniving, and deceptive. You should know by now that  He is the father of lies. If you don't have the spiritual discernment, you might as well be his ally in the dark.
By the way, it was a very hearty, powerful speech if you ask me.I was cheering in my living room, maybe my applause can be heard outside but didn't care. Hope and pray that God continues to endow President Trump wisdom, discernment, good health and good people like Vice President Pence by his side. Hope he will always support Israel as a nation for that's one of the reasons why the wrath of God is being withheld. There's just so much moral decay in this country. They have a way of obliterating, twisting the truth claiming it to be their freedom, their right to stretch absolutes for their personal benefits. 
Well, this is it for me tonight. This is not a 500- word entry.Sorry.
It's all I can for tonight. Feeling tired and sleepy.
Good Night
God Loves You.

"Praying For Our President ..."

As I'm writing this entry blog for day 28, I'm listening to President Trump speech during the "March for Life" last week.
For a very successful businessman, President Donald Trump certainly has a way of knocking down barriers and surely building bridges to major chasms brought by people who didn't vote for him.He is a pillar of faith, hope, and compassion, no matter how anyone could ever refute that.
I wasn't surprised at the result of the election. I wanted him to be my President including the hundreds of thousands of Christians like me who believed in the divine intervention of our God.
He was the closest one to resemble the core family Christian values of America.
The gift of life, the right to life of the unborn and the dignity of every soul which is the threshold, the bedrock to which our faith encompassed life itself. To anyone who believes that has a special covering, a hedge of protection from God, for God ordains, decrees Life in us. 
We have a president that knows and reverence the importance of Prayer; who is willing to be used as a vessel to God's kingdom glorification. I know there are multitudes of us who are steadfastly praying for" his enemies to be scattered;" for him to have God's blessing of wisdom so he can better serve the people. Likewise, there may be more people who want to destroy him, impeach him and harm him. They've been trying so hard to blemish his reputation but the more the media and his enemies portray him as incapable and unequipped, more and more people are not believing this lie about him. Instead, he's gaining grounds fortifying our military defenses, our employment growth or economy, and most of all he's keeping us safe from the intrusion of false religious heresies by solidifying the freedom of the fivefold ministries to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
It is our duty to pray for our President, his family, his staff for good health, good wisdom, and for God's grace and mercy to follow him all the days of his life.
God Bless
Good Night

"Today Lends A Good Conversation..."

Today is like any other Sunday except for the phone call from my sister in Florida. Whenever I get a phone call I usually have an inkling and thought of them previously.
Turned out to be a good, candid & respectful conversation. All the elements or components of a good conversation were there.
I hadn't talked to her since she came here in Texas last year in May which was my mom's 81st birthday. We texted cordially, maybe in passing but not really intentional. 
Now I know why...Sometimes, God gives us a long pause, a season to experience a gap so when we get back up, we're ready for a good conversation. That is when you can share so much substance with each other in a conversation.
I have five biological sisters. Of all five sisters, she's the one that I could talk to about curious, unexpected similitudes of life without conjuring mental pictures.She'll get it or dig it not because she wants to please me but because that's how a good conversation should be...elevation & hierarchy of heart's intention, respect, and affection.
She told me that in her recent vacation with her husband and two sons to the Philippines, (the younger son got married there in Iloilo very recently) that this was an eye opener to her. If you go in the metropolitan areas or cities in the Philippines like Manila, you would be waiting and be learning to wear Patience in your sleeves...  We're talking about hours of waiting. Just delight yourself observing why this has become a way of life. And they're not murmuring, they're settled with what they can do which is to wait in the midst of traffic jam, in restaurants, coffee shops, and hotels, etc.
Filipinos are very resilient, hardworking, and responsible/loving people. They have this kind of integrity to work for a living. They have work ethics. They're very driven with hope to better their living condition.
Well, we talked about the importance of good family upbringing and how that is going to be crucial in building future relationships.And most of all, your heart connection to God is one measure that is undoubtedly proven to be the only one that you need traversing in this earthly life.
There are some unusual events in our lives that we sometimes think they should have never happened according to our wishful thinking. Little that we know that those events happened for us to move forward.
God is all about moving forward...If you remember what happened to Lot's wife in the book of Genesis. The angels told them emphatically not to look back to the place they were running from (Sodom & Gomorrah's ultimate destruction)  And disobedience turned her into a pillar of salt. I was thinking it's more than disobedience--her heart was plagued with curiosity and couldn't help looking what's left behind...
Isn't it that's how we are? We don't know how to be still and trust the Lord with all of our heart, mind, and soul!
Good Night
God Bless

"Being In The Moment With My Tootsie..."

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My precious dog, Tootsie was diagnosed with a cancerous lump September 6 of last year. She's a real trooper, an inspiration to me. Just like me, she loves walking. She's notorious about it. Doesn't enjoy walking with other dogs. She's happy just me and her exploring the grounds.
I weighed in all my options on how to go about her lump. Going for the procedure to remove it is not a guarantee she'll be okay after that. She has to go through more tests and meds that may or may not work. So, I'm not subjecting her to any procedure of cuts, pokes and needles.. I give her prescribed pain meds and most of all will share her joy of walking outdoors.
She may be a non-verbal companion but she helps me a lot in catching my breath, slowing down, and taking time to think and reflect how she made my life colorful and healthy.
Walking with her makes me experience what being in the moment really means. We both have that kind of connection that we gravitate being and around Nature that gives us greater appreciation, attentiveness which I believe magical. I know she's a dog but I love her so much.
I prayed a lot and still praying that the Vet was wrong and that her lump will go away. 
I have not noticed her slowing down or showing that she's in pain. But of course, I'm more mindful and taking precautions not to aggravate her condition.
This Saturday morning, I  walked her to our favorite walking trail. It was raining. But she was expecting and very anxious to get in the car. So, we walked under the soft touch of rain. It was marvelous to do something out of the ordinary. Little rain won't stop us from doing what we love.Being in the rain and getting wet but not soaking wet, just right; if you want to call it that way is not going to make us sick. We were more excited about the experience and what an experience!
I ask God to prepare my heart when that time comes to say goodbye to my beloved dog. I just want her to be comfortable until the end and not in any pain at all. And that God will bless her with more healthy, active and happy years with me.
Tootsie is my gentle, beautiful reminder that she has rescued me from the nuances and mundanes of life; that with her loyalty and affection, I reap the benefits beyond my expectations, adopting her 11 years and a half ago.
God Bless and
Good Night!

"The Disappointments I Traded For A Good Lesson..."

I'm almost immune to disappointments. They no longer leave me astounded. I'll take their worth for what they are: lessons learned!
I used to roll my eyes, shrug my shoulders and say to people," Who do you think you are?" at the back of my head. Good thing that I didn't have the audacity to tell it to their faces how disappointing and nasty their behaviors are. Come to think about it, it is I, myself who let myself down.
Experts say on personal relationships that what you despise about somebody else maybe a reflection of an internal lack of which you are critical towards another person or even to a group of people. 
When I was still married to my ex-husband, I and his mom didn't get along. She was so clingy to the point that hanging out in her house whenever we visit was a kind of torture to me. I tried to be civil and courteous when she was around. My ex-husband is a "mama's boy" and don't know boundaries, never had the backbone or a vein to address what was so obvious to be a problem.There was this huge disappointment hovering over my head. 
Fifteen years later, I found myself and my young boys bound for Texas in 2000. In retrospect, for the first few years of being a divorced woman, I was very resentful and unforgiving. I blamed myself for not doing more to have saved our marriage; blamed my ex-mother-in-law for being the intrusion and my ex-husband for committing numerous adultery. And worst, my children will grow up without the love and authority of a father. And I felt like a loser for not keeping my marriage, my vows under God's commandment. I thought that I will be paying retribution for the rest of my life for a failed marriage.For I believe that "What God had joined together, let no man put asunder." Matthew 19:6
Little that I know, that things happen for the best reasons.The lessons I learned from it is that: "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?
To those young  Christian men and women who are dating non-believers, save yourself from a lot of heartaches, and time-consuming legal custody fights and money by committing to the above scripture. 
I used to think that I could convert my ex-husband to become a Christian. I prayed without ceasing till finally, he did accept Christ as his personal Savior and Lord before marrying her third wife. That only tells us that there is no prayer that God does not answer. It may take several years before your prayers come to pass, but he does answer prayers on His perfect timing. "His Word will never return Void..."
I came out stronger as a person, single mother, and as a believer through the years. You must put your faith on His promises which are only yes and Amen. I no longer ask God why things happen. Instead, I ask Him what shall I do now with this situation, Lord? 
Also in Zechariah 4:6 says: The word of the Lord unto Zechariah, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, Not by might, nor by power, but my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.
Good Night
God Bless

"Travel As A Journey..."

Day 25 of the "My 500 Word Writing Challenge" which we would be writing about travel experience or road trip with family or friends.
This might be a challenge for me to expound or share for the reason that I never did any extensive traveling and road trips like how they do it here in America, just pack their bags and go.
For that matter, I would not write it on a physical travel/trip point of view, but rather the spiritual short and long trips to a blessed life.
Each day is a journey of travel for me. I have to decide to make better choices on every single occasion, petty or big.It's more like taking a path that would render me peace and causes me to humble myself. That's hard, really hard. With all the distractions surrounding us, it slowly obliterates the hope, the faith that we have. We can only go so far with our patience and understanding, but these two qualities also can run us down if we keep on hitting hurdles without a few breaks.
My actual travel starts when I get up in the morning. Five in the morning is when I encounter my life travels. I believe in getting on my knees and thank God for I'm alive and well; for his covering, protection, grace, mercy, and blessings over my life and my sons and my entire family. After that, I know I'll be okay knowing God is with me...
I know that I will be teaching with mindfulness and with integrity that my commitment to serve do not rely on what is going on this planet Earth. If you even engage yourself in conversations not worthy to explore because of their content, you begin to compromise your journey to truthfulness. 
It's a walk of faith...
We have the God that loves us so much. The only travel that we should be thinking and be doing is the one with Him. 
One thing remains--His love never fails us!
Good Night
God Bless

'Cut The Fluff..."

Today marks day 24 of the My 500 Words Challenge. It was highly suggested we cut the fluff in our writing. Get rid the use of the words, "that and very." Using them very often don't carry the muscle in your writing. They just tend to cover or hide the nuances in one's writing. I agree with that because I do overuse these words for the sake of lengthening the sentence. I hate to admit but I'm guilty of using these words for words' sake.
I have read in the writers' arsenal of using verbs in the active voice which is all happening in the present tense. It might be easier to grasp the concept, easier to read and doesn't give us various connotations. It would be a clear-cut simple sentence.
However, it doesn't mean that the use of adjectives and adverbs are not as potentially good as action verbs. For me, it depends on what your style of writing is. And subjecting your authenticity to formal rules on grammar which is too many if you ask me, is not my cutting edge.
I still refresh myself with studies on clarity, grammar, punctuation and meahanics of achieving good sentences but there are times I don't adhere to using them so concrete. And I don't think you need to change the tone of your delivery with what kind of audience you're targeting to please.
The old adage, "Be yourself" to me is my mantra not only in writing but in all forms of communication. It's a walk of life.
Looking at this entry, I may have successfully refrained from using "very and that" in this case. That means ... anybody can do it.
Before I sign out for tonight, let me reiterate the most valuable tool I use in my writing is the Bible.
No book of poetry or narratives can compare the succinctness and the freedom the HolyBible holds. It is for me where all these famous writers, novelits, authors, artists and editors have derived their art/passion. They're just unwilling to admit it. When you read Genesis to Revelation for the first time you will be overwhelmed with so much curiosity but after severdal reads of it, you'll find it to be a gift of Love. For you heart be transformed in awe...
Good Night
God Bless 

"In The End,It's US..."

If I were to write a fiction of a love story, I'm going straight to the conclusion where it usually depicts a man and a woman got together after decades of separation surviving seasons of time.It would indicate that those moments in time where you held each other's heart suspended for the time being but deserve second chances to love that has always been there no matter what time and space has brought you together again.
We all fantasize the idea of finding closure to that first love that didn't work or last forever. You want to feel vindicated so in your heart you create your own myth of timeline. Why do you think social media especially Facebook has opened up "cans of worms" to secrecy, that revival of that once dying or fading embers of the past are now carried with hope to reconcile and it is undeniable for all of us to easily fall for trappings, temptations, and illusions of love.
Women are intrinsically ardent about declaring their emotions in multiple pages and in waiting.You will be surprised to know that they hold cherished moments forever in their hearts.It is very remarkable how that love transcends beyond space and time.So any unresolved issue of that will resurface. But understand that too, that no greater love than requited love.
Just in hindsight, that all of these are proponents of my fictionalized ending of my epiphany manuscript.
When I watch a movie in the theater or watch Prime Netflix in the comfort of my own living space, I pay extra attention to what has not been said and the body language of the characters for which they portray and they frustrate me because some of the events/plots that happened don't sometimes make a connection to the very ending of the story. I want a clear-cut ending in my mind even it's established as a fiction.
I would love for the last image of the story to be with no form of dialogue or conversation... Just looking up together to the firmament of God's creation of stars in the sky; too close that you can hear each other's heartbeat, and having the same grandiosity of such majestic hands.
Why did I pick the evening to be the reigning moment of my ending and the setting is on an isolated beach? 
When I was a child growing up in the barrio with not too far away beautiful beaches and bodies of water like rivers and creeks. That was a plus having an atmosphere of wonders. Maybe many of my childhood friends didn't view it as I did but to me, it has always been more than what my eyes can see but what my heart can grasp...feel!
The feel of your feet when they're buried in the sand as I walk with you is ingenious. That is like discovering yourself for the first time with someone you share your discernment on everything.
There will be no need of caption for that imagery.
I love so much the serenity of devotion, of selfless love!
Good Night.
God Bless.

"When I No Longer Fear The Lord..."

What are your deepest fears, concerns, worries?
Is it cancer, or any debilitating disease that may inhabit your body? Is it homelessness, depravity, crime & murder in the nation, Christians getting persecuted or death itself?
All of us have legitimate fears and that's normal. What makes our fears unwarranted is when we begin to let fears subdue us, control us up to a point that our everyday life and moments are ruined by becoming irrational about these fears.
My kind of fears may not be on the top of your list. 
I fear dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Although that doesn't run in my family line, that would make me shiver thinking about it. Nobody would wish to have one's memories erased and not remember anything. That really is to me the definition of tragedy when everything that you worked for, stand for and love and cared for becomes null and void?
I fear that I can't use my legs or feet to go for a Nature walk and my faculties no longer serve me well. I am a very visual as well as an auditory, feely soul. No words can suffice or articulate how I feel if don't see, feel and hear people and things.That's why I love to hear the sound of music, the birds chirping, the babies' cooing, and tall trees swinging their stature. Oh my God, so many things still to engulf in awe...mystical things.
I fear for waiting long...longer and the longest for my two sons to accept the Lord Jesus as their personal Savior and Lord. Every parent/s especially a mother's love for her children only wishes one thing--that they will be serving the Lord faithfully.There is no greater creed and joy other than watching your children give their life to Jesus. 
When that happens that would be my greatest legacy here on earth.
My greatest fear, however, God forbid that I no longer fear the admonition and the Word of God.
Where my heart, soul, and mind now, that fear is just a figment of my imagination. It shouldn't even cross my mind because I know the Lord, love the Lord and have a personal relationship with him. Life here on earth even though we're just passing through is not a life worth living for without the grace of God...
I know that you will agree with me that most of the times our fears are just that--fears that most likely won't happen. We just wasted our energy pampering our fears, feeding them with what we see around us instead of giving and surrendering all our fears to God.
In the book of 2Timothy 1:7 tells us that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 
If and when fears start gripping your peace and joy, close your eyes and say a prayer..."God, I need your Grace and Mercy Today. Help me dethrone this fear that is not from you." Thank You, Lord, Amen.
I love what it tells us in the book of Psalm 23:4 "Even though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
That's God's promise and what a promise!
Our eternal address is Heaven!
Good Night...
God Bless

"Culmination Of Daniel's Fast..."

Two great highlights Today. The first one is our first-morning service to a new location where we will be occupying/renting till our new church is successfully built. We had a great service. I kinda block myself from wishing the same place of comfort. I guess I'm missing the familiarity of what our old church used to be; spacious, padded chairs and nice atmosphere. However, I pray that the long transition of waiting, about two years before our new church will be finished, will not get people weary and then decide to leave. 
The pastor said in his sermon that the church will be experiencing opposition, challenges from outside territories as well as inside the church. That's always been the case when moving forward faithfully and obeying what the Lord has called the church to do. But through incessant and ardent prayers and focussing the goodness of God, departing from the church is not likely to happen. This is a crucial time where the strong and faithful believers stay to keep the faith. And I expect that to be true. For me personally, I'd rather have a few from the flock than a multitude of lukewarm and baby Christians.
The second highlight of Today is our culmination of our corporate Daniel's Fast. Twenty-one days of giving up coffee, social media, sugar, Netflix, shopping and maybe even refraining yourself from gossiping, faultfinding and judging on first impressions towards people are so freeing since all that stops today and go to the usual businesses of life. 
Whereas my family, my three sisters, mom and my nephew decided to eat out in a restaurant and enjoy the "comeback" freedom to eat recklessly. We had a lot of fun talking and discussing the message that was preached--how to go about being bold this year 2018 for Jesus.
First, we need to realize that Satan, our enemy and the king of all lies, is our enemy and that he wants every believer to be silent and timid.
Second, we need to remove the reproach and contempt; the thoughts and scorn put on by the proud and envious people. That taunting regards could even come from your family so beware and be ready with what you're going to say.
Third, we have to recognize the catalyst of your boldness. With that authority that has been given to us, as believers, the power to heal is upon us in the name of Jesus. That would shut the enemies' mouth and nothing they could say against it.
With the last one is what I marvel the most...We need to rise up!
In the book of Acts 4:29 says, "And now, Lord, their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
v30 says that "By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
v31 says that "And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they speak the word of God with Boldness."

"What Will Cause You To Move?"

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One thing Martin Luther King Jr. is not is silent about things that matter. He is fearless. Many of us never know why we're alive and devoid of a purpose. Unlike us, Martin Luther King Jr. knew his purpose in life and was willing to die for the things that he stands for. 
In his speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963, he didn't leave out the phrase, "I have a dream" despite what his advisers told him not to. He was right to ignore their advice and  "lo and behold" this phrase became so famous that you want to explore and respect for what it really holds...the power of a vision, a dream, your wisdom!
One of my favorite quotes from Martin Luther King Jr. is when he said that "Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."  
You can almost tell what he meant by this quote...He wants us to be aware, knowledgeable, and educate ourselves with what is going on in the world, in our country, in our communities and most especially at home. 
What do we do to carry his torch of equality and freedom amongst us? 
We have to take a leap of faith even when we don't see the whole picture. 
Do something. Don't let you dream be stolen by others' precepts. Join in groups supporting causes that you believe and help other people's needs.
Write about it, say it and demonstrate it with good intentions.
Don't compromise what you believe is true.
Develop good instincts.
Pray for courage, strength, wisdom, and His grace.
I know I don't have 500 words tonight Because I'm going to sign off early. 
Feeling tired and sleepy. I want to write more but I'm having a writer's block.
Good night.
God Bless

"The Ultimate, Original & Infallible Writer..."

It's day 19 of the  My 500 Words Challenge. We are asked but not required to write an entry on being creative using the style of our favorite author or novelist.
That would be a conundrum to me. Because I don't have a particular one that has really impacted my style of writing. I've read a lot of books, a few novels authored by famous ones but none of them have captured the very heart of my heart. 
I don't know if that even makes sense. Maybe because I always want to find something that will really stop my heartbeat because of how amazing the work of one's writing is to me... It's a dilemma that I have this kind of impression towards secular artwork.
So I'm not mentioning anybody to be fair.
One thing I know for sure and the only thing I know that is the truth is the Word of God, The Holy Bible. I've read it in the elementary grade just in passing. Then read it again in high school. Finally, when it got more interesting, I found myself reading the Bible twice in college. This time, my reading has become more indelible. Meeting many college students of the same curiosity like what I had has brought me to a place within that this is not going away. But I couldn't fathom its depth and I wasn't ready to understand the surrendering of your life to Jesus. I thought I was too young to curtail the opportunities that were before my eyes. 
I was a lukewarm believer.
But God and only God can supernaturally and divinely put people in every season of your life plus hurdles, roadblocks, and challenges along to get your attention. And if you're still oblivious doing it purposely, God still gives us second chances till we get it.
That is an amazing love from our Abba Father, the One that is for us no matter how bad we get.
It is disconcerting that when I realized and understand what he laid for us at the Cross, I already had adult children. I wasted my time rationalizing, rebelling, and procrastinating.When you do that for almost entirely of your life, you think of yourself as a misfire. 
But God didn't see me as that.
He sees me as a good vessel for His purpose in my life.
I'm starting to believe that now with all of my heart, mind, and soul.
Going back to the original piece of this blog, the only book that has ever made that kind of connection to my soul is the Holy Bible. If and when you read the Word of God, especially the King James Version, it is undeniable that what it says in  2Timothy 3:16 "That all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
From the book of Genesis to the book of Revelation, God's breathed into us the only book that we should all read, share and trust. God is the ultimate, original & infallible writer and author of our lives. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. And my only favorite author.
I don't have any favorite secular writer, author or novelist. When you come to think about it, any of them that are not living for Jesus and don't even believe the Holy Bible is not going to persuade me to buy any of their books or merchandise. Beware also of those who are wearing cloaks to deceive you from the truth. We are urged to read and hear His Word and ask the Holy Spirit to guide us in the interpretation. We have to check what is being preached to us is not watered down and compromised. Read His Word.
Let this be a challenge to us.
God Bless
Good night.

"Life is Full Of Waiting..."

Waiting takes time. But we forget that. We're impulsive, impatient and rushed by the passage of time. The generation of the 21st-century having the "a microwave" sense of time managed to bring influence or impact this way of thinking to all age groups. 
I say this because I find myself anxious and easily frustrated when I have to wait for the stop light to turn green and the driver driving the car in front of me couldn't move any faster. Standing in line going to the bank teller or grocery cashier for my groceries and I have to wait because there so much talking going on between the cashier and the customer and you know that is not the place to get into a longer conversation. That is a place of business where you get what you need, pay for it and go. See what I mean...I got that kind of vibe being around my children for so long and in the workforce and everywhere for that matter. 
However, whenever I get these negative emotions about waiting, they don't reside in my heart. I let it go... 
Although I may have seemed to adopt the fleeting world in which we live I'm sure that I'm mindful not to break God's hedges over me. I know the disadvantages and the advantages of waiting but I'd rather focus on the latter.
In the book of Galatians 6:9, says, "And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary." Also in the book of Isaiah 40:31 tells us that, "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint."
I have things I have been praying for a long time now and had not gotten answers. My petitions to the Lord don't have anything to do with wealth, possessions, fame and extensive traveling around the world. Maybe one day I want to go visit Jerusalem's Western Wall and be rebaptized in Jordan River. 
There are times that I feel that perhaps I'm praying the wrong things or not verbalizing them enough. Whew...here I go again speculating. 
I should know that waiting involves seeking the Lord, resting in God's timing and provision, not my timeline and feeding my ego. 
I know that waiting builds patience in us, straightens and builds character and in doing so, it encourages others and gives greater ability to witness. That's my heart's desire.
I was reading a good article earlier about how "the ability to wait on the Lord stems from being confident and focused on who God is and in what God is doing."
"I am convinced that while we remain tethered to time, God works in and through us within that framework."
So continue to wait patiently knowing and trusting God's principles, promises, purposes, and his power.
When you're waiting to be served in a restaurant or in the bank or any public place where you see a long line, don't just stand there--strike a conversation with a live person not consuming your time texting, or looking at your smartphone checking how many likes did you get that you just posted. 
Just saying...
Good Night
God Bless

" Fight On What You Stand For..."

There is in all of us that flame to fight for a cause, to fight for what you believe to be right whether coming from a minority or majority group of people. What is important is that you didn't stay silent. You didn't get trampled...You echoed your voice. 
I remember in college days when demonstrations with your placards and your shouts get louder and louder because you believe you're doing it for the right reasons. I was one of those university students where I claim to be right and not committing any unlawful acts--just wanted to be heard.
We were at that time demonstrating for rising cost of tuition fees.  I was a sophomore English major student and oh my gosh I was passionate about the ideals of higher standards in education. I wanted to be exemplary in academics, in social and musical activities.
Being the Arts & Sciences student governor, I was exposed to school issues I wasn't equipped to handle or get involved with. I used this lever, my position to help out students who were trying to negotiate with the registrar office for not having the money that didn't arrive on time. Many of them won't be taking the tests to pass the course if they didn't pay.
I did what anybody can do in that given situation. I made a pile of those students who had promissory notes and see to it that they get approved. I also had access together with my Council members to use the president's office for meetings and thinking about it now, those days were glorious. I was given a platform to help students be productive. I used to tell them that there are many ways in which they could pay for most of their school fees. I used to entreat them with resources that are available to help themselves through college. I know that because I was a working student, was an academic scholar, a student leader in most of the school organizations and even working intermittently on the radio station as a public service announcer courtesy of my  English Professor, Maurice Bajada. His name will be forever etched in my mind because he believed in me and gave me my first taste of radio communication experience.
So what does this narrative in college have anything to do with what I stand for. I can't stand people who are oblivious to their wrongdoings. I refuse to believe that they're ignorant of the full extent of what they're doing.We all have a conscience. God gives us that moral compass to use. It's built in us.
And why do many young women keep on getting pregnant and aborting their babies with zero accountability? They will tell you too that they have the right to do whatever they want to do with their bodies because it's their bodies. I am mortified with that reasoning. The Bible says that our body is God's temple. We have to honor our bodies not bring disgrace unto them. If you have a low self-esteem and just allow yourself to be played and abused, you need to think about the consequences of every action you make. And aborting babies can send you straight to hell if there is no true repentance.
We are God's masterpiece. The Lord has divinely put people in our lives to help us with our ordeals and challenges. We have His Word and the Holy Spirit to guide us if we let Him. There is nothing impossible with God. Why do we wait to be inflicted with painful experiences before we could go to him? I believe that if us, women, will take good care of ourselves better, and make better choices and allow ourselves to be loved the right way and maintain our chastity and prayer life, we wouldn't be seeing the breakdown of marriage, family and our dreams.
I'm saying this because I'm so tired of young people destroying their lives and expect the taxpayer's money to pay for their repeated colossal mistakes. My thing is, they don't have to abort their babies. There are many reputable adoption agencies. These babies have the right to live like you and me.
Thank God that we have a pro-life president and Congress. A large number of Planned Parenthood abortion clinics have been forced to close.How did we allow ourselves to fund them with our taxpayers' money? Why can't I pick what not to support with my hard-earned dollars?
Good night.
God Bless

"My Hope Is In You, Lord..."

I'm not going to define Hope according to Webster dictionary. All we have literally is wishful thinking when we equate Hope with worldview.
My blog stands for Hope, Faith, and Love and you guys should know by now that these three core values are my blueprint in life. 
My Hope is in you Lord...
If I had continued putting my trust and hope on how the world views Hope, then I would be operating on my fleshly desires and that would be fatal. Because everything that I do that is not in according to what the Bible says is never going to give me joy which I think synonymous with Hope.
In the book of Jeremiah 29:1, it says that "For I know the plans I have for you declared the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not harm you. Plans to give you Hope and a future." 
The same message echoes in the book of Psalms 147:11 which says, "Tha Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their Hope in his unfailing love."
I've heard these two scriptures preached on the pulpit many times growing up in the Christian faith but each time I hear it preached, its meaning grows an ounce of sense. It also depends on where your heart is and your relationship with the Lord, if you're a baby Christian, a mature Christian or in between infancy and adulthood.
Hope changes your perspective on life. Hope as a virtue help us recognize and determine what is really important. It builds patience in us now that we have a deeper understanding of it. Now we learn how to wait on the Lord.
The greatest example to me to elucidate that your Hope is not in vain is when God has assured us in the book of 1Thessalonians 4:17 which says, "And so we will be with the Lord forever." That we will be safely in God's presence forever. That those who are still alive and are left will be caught up together.
I believe that I'm going to see my late Dad and my late younger brother Romeo again and all my relatives and friends that I didn't have a chance to say goodbye to. 
Hope is what motivates me to keep the faith that soon and very soon, we are going to see the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. I don't know about you guys but that promise gives me real and absolute Hope.
I didn't have a lot growing up and still don't measure up with anyone's accolades, achievements, money, and material possessions that many have. In a way, I'm glad I'm not wealthy or rich or famous or somebody. All I hope for is to be a citizen of Heaven where is no more aches and pain and goodbyes. Oh, I hate saying goodbyes. And all the wonders of the world that I didn't get to see is not important to me now...What matters most now is how can I be a better ambassador of His Word?
Remember, God is not willing that anyone should perish...
There's Hope in Jesus!
Praise God!
Good night!

"Writing With Intention..."

Halfway there for my 30 days writing 500 words this month. It's getting trite. But I will finish what I started.
When I write my 500 words, it is usually my last activity for the night. At times, I just want to throw myself into bed but this writing is hovering above my head. I don't want it to become just to comply and feeling obligated. And it is the best time for me around 10: 15 pm. when I start typing my thoughts on the keyboard.
Our theme today is how are we feeling with our writing today since we've been writing for 15 days now. Well for me, it's more of honing and disciplining my craft to where I want to go. I'm hoping that my words mean something to someone even when my writing is not up to par with others who are probably had already written and authored books. 
But here I am, very much still struggling. I know that my thoughts are redundant and I don't blame anyone of you passes me by. 
As a blogger, you take many chances to be lofty intentional with your writing but it feels you miss the target which is about your readers. Are you really sharing something with them that is helpful, beneficial and worth reading your blog entry with their time?
I do forget about that. All I want to accomplish is stay true to my medium and if I touch a cord into one human being, then the rest of my concerns are not that important.
I was listening to a Christian radio program this morning. They were talking about people who have debilitating and terminal cancers. A pastor said that when one is diagnosed with cancer, that's physical. Our body deteriorates, decays but not our soul. He said that one should be more thinking how to save her soul than saving one's physical body. After all, when the Rapture comes, we will have new heavenly bodies in a twinkling of an eye. The dead will go first and it doesn't matter whether their bodies were unrecognizable, thrown at sea or burned in the fire or killed in the battlefield or at war. They will all have heavenly bodies like we do if we believe and finish our race to Heaven.
I thought to myself that that is true. Sometimes we think that when we have terminal sickness, we give power to the sickness that we go literally around the world to find a cure when in fact that is the real problem. The real problem is not knowing whether we go to hell or heaven. If you know then you should not be afraid to die. We have a promise that if we're a Christian, there should be no fear of death.You know where your soul is going. You're going to see your loved ones again. That should be enough...
By the way, there's no school tomorrow. That was a wise decision. The roads will be treacherous and it's too cold to drive. Even when they didn't declare school closing, I was planning to take off.
So many of the children have been sick already since last week so closing the schools was a right decision. 
Praise God.
Good night.

"What Did I Eat Today?'

Today is Blessed Sunday. 
It's time to Praise and Shout to the lord.
We're still fasting and we have another week left before we could go back to eating what we desire again. However, I didn't go for that kind of fasting. I just pledge to myself that I'm going to eat as usual but everything in moderation.
This morning I had a big scoop of white loose rice with a small cut-size of steak which is my leftover from last night's dinner. And of course a cup of fresh coffee with 2 tablespoons of evaporated milk. I run out of organic whole milk. Who would debate me with giving up just a cup of coffee? I think that's a resounding nobody as a definitive answer! 
This might be viewed as an eccentric choice but I'm living with some funny risks here. You guys should know that Filipinos eat rice three times a day. That's me especially on weekends, holidays, or summer break which is a lot of days "to eat with gusto." 
It was almost 12:30 pm. when I got home from church. I planned not to cook anything. I had to finish sewing my window curtains so I could put them up which are good winter fabrics. This will help me reduce my heating energy. Whenever I have a project to finish on time, cooking is not on my agenda.I will eat a cold sandwich, a chicken/beef or shrimp ramen soup or a tv. dinner; food that can be ready in 7minutes and I'm good.
By the way, the Praise team was leading us to the throne of God. The songs they've chosen to sing were very fitting since tha's the last time that we had to worship in that building. Next Sunday, we will be in a new facility. That is exciting to me to be moving forward.
 Praise God.
Nothing of the aforementioned food I had for lunch or supper. Just had chicken nuggets with soy sauce and a bowl of steamed broccoli. You may be wondering what the soy sauce is for. Well, again, soy sauce is one food ingredients that you find in every Filipino household. Food doesn't taste good without it and we use it to whatever our heart's desire. You should try it sometimes.
So, this is my entry today. Jeff Goins, a good writer that I follow and has led us, his blogger followers into this writing journey for 31 days. He emails us his suggested topic every day and it's up to us if we carry on his chosen topic or go on our own. I just thought that it would be good to follow his advice and I just write freely about it without editing it. I type in my thoughts as I go for my 500 words. It's a good practice but I'm not sure if I'm doing it with substance. 
This New Year I'm also trying to drink more water. Let's see if that would help me get more sleep. 
I'm very positive it will. 
Got to say I went to walk my other dog, Tootsie at 5:00 pm. She is an inspiration. Her lumps are getting bigger but that doesn't slow her down. Her favorite food is ground beef mixed it up with her Science diet dry food. She has a strong hear and body. She motivates me to keep going and staying healthy. I owe both of my dogs that ember that stays burning in my heart--the will to live doing simple things that brings pure joy anytime. They may be just dogs but no one can ever relate to what my heart is saying about dogs' loyalty and affection if you haven't loved one before.
Oh, I think I got sidetracked with my food entry... that's what loving dogs do to you. They take your heart to a place of good remembrance...
I'm done.
Good night!

" Today, I Will Rejoice..."

Saturday is my busiest day. I do 4-5 loads of dirty laundry, walk both of my dogs but separately at different times, clean the house and I just have to do it. Anything or anybody intervenes my routine on Saturdays is going to make me a "crabby apple."
But Today I have had some shiftings of my schedule.
My youngest son asked me at about 9am. if I could sew his 2 pants that have holes in them. I wanted to say no but something has stirred in my spirit... That I should use this situation as my teaching moment and not be bothered by what my time frame for the day.
While I was patching my son's pants, he started cleaning the dishes, sweeping the floor and vacuuming the carpet. I know that he wasn't doing those chores because I was fixing his pants. He just does them to simply recognize my extra effort to get those pants ready for him to wear tonight for indoor volleyball games.
It took me an hour and a half to do it. I was just happy I did. And I know that my son was very grateful.
The sun was ravishingly bright sunny Today. However, the temp. was registering for 37 degrees. Guess what, I still went for a walk with my dog, Cocoa even just for half hour. You can tell people are afraid to come out for an outdoor activity when it's cold. But I think that if you wear layered winter clothes, you would be okay. I can't just be slacking to get exercise when it can be remedied.
It felt that I accomplished something going for a walk even on a cold day.
My ears were intently listening to Air One Radio Station while doing household chores.So many golden nuggets and principles were shared by guests and hosts of the show on topics like on how to preserve your marriage, how to deal with your teenagers and how to minister to atheists; all of which I don't deal anymore except the latter. If I had known all these guidelines when I was still a lot younger, most probably, I will be devoid of any guilt.
By the way, all of the discussions were centered on family moral values. 
At this very moment, while writing this entry, I'm still listening to discussions which are still going on about Iran--how we had ever let our politicians managed to give one  billion or maybe more to our adversary, the country of Iran and all they do in return is murder our soldiers and innocent people. 
Only Pres. Trump has the guts and the wisdom and the heart to freeze it that was given away for reasons that blow our minds. How can they be so callous, and oblivious to dealing with Iran and other countries that are just there to exploit us? This really makes me furious because we're sending our sons and daughters and loved ones, our families to the frontlines, to the battlefield to the wilderness and those people who should honor and protect liberty and the lives of our own are still walking in discord in the Senate and Congress.  That's just appalling if you ask me...
Well, that was the part of my day when I seem to forget that God is still on the throne; that I have to completely cast all my cares on Him but it doesn't mean also that I have to be quiet when my Christian faith is being curtailed. We really have to stand for something honorable and morally right according to His Word.
Good night!

"When "White Lies" Lead To Greater Lies..."

One of God's commandments engraved in a stone is,"Thou shall not lie." It didn't specify or mentioned a lesser connotation of "white lies." I'm sure along the way, "white lies" was coined to look at it like it's okay to make them. They're not too big enough for receiving punishment for disobeying it. Not a mortal sin.

And we all did, believers or not.

We do it consciously. We give ourselves permission to do it for various reasons and lame excuses.

For me, doing so convicts me that is still wrong but it is inevitable. I'm not talking about me confusing with the events that had happened and I can't recall the full length of the details. It is not associated with forgetting with things and then you exaggerate to be believable. 

Making white lies to make yourself believable and making the other person or persons on the receiving end look like fools uncalled for. 

The thing with ignoring the consequence of making it a habit is going to lead you to escalate to doing it skillfully till lying becomes a core in your way of life.

But with God all things are possible. We're no longer under that law but under the grace of God. He knows we can't follow all the ten commandments.

Now with the help of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we are able to bridle our tongues and thoughts. We can now allow The Holy Comforter to guide us on what to say and what not to say. 

Now whenever I find myself leaning to make white lies because it is more convenient and easier to get your point across, I am being reminded that disobedience to the truth of what God says about lying whether white lies or big lies puts me to pause for a moment and ask forgiveness for even entertaining about it.

I find it hard to really understand how God can love us this much, that he sent his son, Jesus to be the sacrificial lamb to redeem us from our sins to have eternal life. There may be still some unanswered questions in my heart about hardened hearts professing other gods and living worldly more than ever before.  

Undoubtedly, to be obedient, repentant and trusting all our cares to Him is all that the Lord is requiring all of us.

The big lie about having many roads or many paths to go to heaven is one pathetic lie that only the father of all lies whose name is Satan can infiltrate that in your mind if your faith is not anchored to what Jesus had finished at Calvary Cross more than two thousand years ago.  

But come on, why do atheists, Buddhists, Muslims and other religions have other gods and idols?

Because they too need to know that Jesus is the only Way, the Truth and the Life. 

Don't they want to experience the pure Joy and the Peace that passes all human understanding that only the love of God can give?  

He is Waiting. 

God Loves You.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

"Holding On To What You Believe..."

There's one thing I know for sure that God is the Healer of all diseases, sicknesses, infirmities; be it be our physical bodies or our spiritual soul...
I don't know why God doesn't heal everybody no matter how much they pray for healing. All that I believe is that He knows what's best for us. And we'll know all the answers when we get to Glory.
I never really understood the message of the Cross until I started listening to SBN. Our faith as believers should focus on what He already finished at the Cross for all entire humanity. 
He died for all of us, sinners. 

In the book of Luke 15:1-7 which is the Parable of the Lost Sheep tells us that if anyone has a hundred sheep and loses one of them that he should leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it. And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. 

There's no doubt in my mind that the teachers and the Pharisees of the law were silenced by the truth of what Jesus just told them. And then again in the book of 2 Peter:3;9 says," The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

So, I'm holding on to what I believe. I am looking forward to that day when Jesus comes to meet us in mid air, in the sky. In the book of Matthew 24:30-31, describes his glorious return. "They will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. And he will send forth his angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the end of the sky to the other."
I'm here to tell you that if you're willing to believe that we're just traversing here on earth. Our eternal address is Heaven. You don't need to carry anything with you; not any of the material possessions you have accumulated including your money in your bank accounts.
Oh, what a glorious, beautiful promise is that!

When you have accepted the Lord Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord, your life is enriched in the things that concern Heaven. You want to share the good news, the safe passage of God; that His second coming is near at hand.We are told to be vigilant and not go weary waiting for His coming.There is a propensity for spiritual battle and we should know our spiritual adversary--the devil if you allow him and if your faith is not solid.
In closing, the kind of healing we should be asking God is spiritual healing. We should pray for Peace that passes all human understanding, for wisdom that comes from His Word, and a compassionate heart to preach the Lost.
How funny we could be sometimes asking God for miracles when in fact the only miracle we need is our eternal salvation, We need to persevere as rampant evil is happening before our eyes. Just remember that God is for us.
Good night.
  

"Writing About Writing As As An Art..."

It happened midway third grade when I started uncovering that there is a seed of passion for words in me. I read all my textbooks which we were allowed to take home for a week at a time except books that deal with physical sciences. I also gravitated to shows and programs that highlight the eloquence of broadcasters, t.v. anchors, commentators. Literally, I was mesmerized and even dreaming that one day I would be doing their craft. Never happened!
What I'm trying to say is that you can't freely write if you're not in tune with reading, listening, watching and experience the thrill of speaking the words.
Started journalling or writing in a personal diary in the fourth grade. I write them as they happened. That's how I started.
When I reminisce my work as a form of art, it delights me enormously, how it makes my childhood and adolescent years a very memorable one.
They say that you write what you know, what you're good at; others say write and share your personal experiences and you can also write somebody else's life story. I say you write impulsively when your emotions are running high and when you're alone at night and every in your household including your dogs have gone asleep. There are also times when I just write when everybody is busy doing their own thing. I could stay on the corner side of the room, watch what they do and write about their countenance. Better yet, I can just write about myself which is a layer upon layer of unpublished books.
What makes me deplore about writing is when you're beset with a writing block. It's not happening. Your thoughts are suspended in the deep recesses of your mind. You can't dispel them into the open and unto a page. Sometimes we need a fresh inspiration. Many writers call it a muse in writing aesthetically.
For whatever it is, I intend to write my personal views and experiences. It may not be tasteful to many but that's okay. I write because I just love words. If they're the only thing I could keep, I'll do. But of course, it's not like that.
However, I can tell you this, writing is really fun. Out of your craft, there will be many naysayers and critics about your work. They will just read your title entry and perhaps the first sentence of your blog and if it didn't grab their attention, you thinking then that you didn't bring it on--what they want to hear.
For me, I write because it gives me altitude on things that are important to me. it gives me pure joy knowing I may have had stirred or encourage one soul to keep going through life. That it is a beautiful life that is lived through by many artists, writers, poets, musicians & actors.
You can, too, have a life full of words that rhyme, dance, and soar within you...
It's time to echo your truth to others.
Start writing even when you're bored and clumsy. Words have a way of positioning themselves.
Create them as they dance to your mind and to your heart...

"Make Your Words Couth & Count..."

One valid speculation that you can draw an inference from regarding the words that you blurt out or speak reflect who you are. Regardless your words were forced to come out or perpetuated by a past event, you and I have the power to think and bridle our tongue if all we have to say is embroidered with criticism, faultfinding and judgmental attitude.
You don't want to be around people like that. 
I had worked with somebody before for years that she couldn't help but cuss or say a bad word in every form of discourse.. It seemed to me that cussing is a part of her psyche. I believe I told her one day not to curse when I'm around because I'm offended by such uncouth behavior. I told her in a nice way. I thought I had to say something with conviction before she lures me to talk like her. Then that woudn't be right. I think she kind of mindful of it but lasted very shortly.
You see, you don't make excuses for people for their bad behavior. You can't just ignore it either or worst, go with the flow. That would be a collossal mistake if I stayed and continued to work with her. I used the most refined words, uplifting words I could with her but her pride had prevented her to change her tone and language.
If something or someone is making your life miserable, pestering you with her/his stupidity and obliviousness, don't be naive and stay quiet. Don't keep all your grudges and deep-seated emotions go unexpressed and unresolved. I always believe strongly in the saying that ,"if there's a wil, there's a way. I'm an advocate for myself: I go for trying and taking second chances. If my good intentions still fail, at least I'm freed with suffocating assumptions. I have to go with my "guts" and "grit" in doing things at the right moments.
The same principle applies when you're trying to negotiate with your credit card debts, hospital bills, insurances, and school loans. Before you consolidate all of your debts, write them a good letter explaining your argument why you believe that you deserve a generous adjustment, or just plain and simple, their financial grace and favor.
I remember two years ago when I incurred a lot of hospital bills despite of having my school district employer's health insurance benefits.And I even found out that I didn't really need those tests, screenings and ultrasound procedures. Most of them anyway.
So I did write the hospital billing department detailing them my financial situation. In short, after reviewing my case in just a few weeks, I got a check in the mail for the amount of money I had already paid into it. They also wrote to me that my remaining balance will be paid in full by them. By the grace and the power of our Almighty God, I know that he has worked it all out for me.
For me and in reference to my experiences of dealing with company managers, I am almost certain that everything in the world of business is negotiable. Be it be a five dollar discount to your dish network/ISP Provider, phone or even to your grocer or pet food supplies, I do them all just to save a little, here and there.
I take pride in living a life that is manifested by God's  favors. I have faith that He gifted me with the right words to say and what not to say at the right moment. After all, He is the God of Provision, our El Shadai.
In closing, I do reiterate the good balance of  words that convey strength, honesty and humility.
How you use your words supported with good tone and good body language  will enormously impact others.
Let God use you for His kingdom...with your words filled with His love!

My Random "To Do List" Today

Having "To Do List" for Today is a necessity. I easily get distracted by the nuances, the noise of busyness of life and the silent ramblings of my daily walk--become too much that I have to have reminders, otherwise, whatever I do next is a trite...
After work, my first on my list is to go grocery shopping at Walmart. I couldn't shove items to the cart that I don't really need. Smart shopping is what I have to adhere. That definitely cut down my expenses more than half of what I used to spend. I almost bought a bag of medium-sized fuji apples but I said no this time. I just picked three apples that I know I will eat and not let half of the bag get rotten. I did buy a fresh pineapple, 4 green, just right avocados, tomatoes, and bananas. 
Since we're doing a corporate Fast at church for 21 days, I stayed away from buying red meats.
I thought I did well for not falling into temptation.
I also make a point to take my cart back to where it should be returned. Just imagine if every customer will just leave the cart anywhere that might cause an accident or can cause people to stumble and get hurt. 
My next stop was to get some gas. My first full tank of the year. I fill up my tank to the same gas station, Chevron. You might say gas is the same everywhere, the same content.I don't think so, though.
My list for Today also included walking my dogs. That didn't happen. I spent too much time putting groceries away and preparing dinner. I also can't watch any Netflix or t.v. programs and to tell you the truth I realized that I was spending way too much time watching dramas & comics. No wonder that it's making me feel like I'm reliving my own dramas. As they say, what you watch, listen, and read say a lot about you...No kidding.
Reading the book of Psalms per chapter a day is a must to do list each day. This is where I want to start my reading and will continue even after 21 days.
However, my favorite time of the day is right now...when I can just write freely without the inundation of editing, I just write what flows in my mind. Not really worried about my thoughts whether or not they're making connections to the rest of the sentences. That is the beauty of writing. If you find ambiguity in free writing, it's fine with me. This is helping me in refining me and my craft.
You may find this "to do list" so minimal and it is. I don't want it to bore me that I lose my intention to write about it...
Today I just want it to be simple. No stressing out about some things that if you think about it, they rarely or never come to pass. So, you just obliterated the rhythm of life which is taking your sweet time to be grateful that you're alive to walk on open doors of opportunities to love and be loved!
So, that's my pitch tonight. Not too revealing and zesty but just my honest and true self!
Good night and God Bless

"What Would My Younger Self Say To Me Today?"

An astronomical number that is not surprising to me including me wishing a "do-over"  given a chance to go back and change things when we were young.
It may even be a fact that all of us do wish that in our humanly imperfect perception of things and people, we get to fix our past and our colossal mistakes.
There is no way that we could have known better if we didn't go through all the refining, purging, experimenting of what we're up and against with.
I tell you what...I could have probably been more honest, open, tenacious and still remain couth on everything that matters most. I could have trimmed down my ideals/principles/ guidelines and just be down to earth on my choosing to whom I'm going to experience a first love relationship with a man. 
You see, when you're young, you operate on your emotions solely. You don't listen to your folks who have already drunk a drum of relatable experiences and wiser... We think that they don't love us because they're opposing our random responses. But that wasn't the case with me. I had an open dialogue with my parents. I remember I told my mom that somebody is coming to visit me at our home and that I asked if I could and she said yes. That was the beginning of an ordeal--me feeling stuck and that carried me in my adult life. I thought I was in a good relationship because we never had arguments on anything. That it would be so uncharacteristic and selfish of me if I ended it. However, I wouldn't minimize the fact that he was my first love. 
God knows what's best for me. I just refused to admit it then.
All of my younger self, I had created this wrong mindset about a love relationship. I didn't have the nerve or the vein to correct my emotions. How do you make them right when you're stuck with a lie and just stayed there for there was nothing better? Or how do I know then that I didn't need to nurture my wrong judgment on men? Having been schooled and educated didn't have a full bearing as to what I should do. Or maybe being young legitimizes some of your wrongdoings.
But not anymore...
I'm pretty much together in all areas of my life except that I'm not wise enough when it comes to building lasting relationships. Or maybe my problem was I settled for second- best not realizing that I'm worthy of the best. Maybe, if I had this personal relationship before with the Lord already, I may have had gone for taking risks on more challenging dreams, not the dreams of chasing someone who couldn't even go near what love is; what real love encompasses!
I hereby say that there will be no more maybe's, and excuses. Only absolutes and reality. 

So, what I have to tell my older self now is thank God that there is a sovereign God who loves me. They could be all gone for all I know including my stupidity in my younger self. One thing I know now and for sure I believe in myself now 100%. I always seek the Lord's guidance in all my circumstances, big or small, or in between spaces, that I am experiencing His manifestation of His grace and sharing His goodness to whosoever listens with an open heart.
My younger self-had gone a very tumultuous longevity of deception and lies brought about by the wrong mindset. And Today is the greatest day of your life if you know the truth about what God says about what you're doing and that's forever freedom and peace that only the Almighty One can provide.\Did not really elucidate on further details but I know you do get my point.
Praise God.

"A Friend In Need Is A Friend Indeed..."

If you have big old pieces of furniture or household items, the utility/water department in your city will pick them up for free of charge. They usually collect and shred them by that monstrous machine they have in their truck, once a year usually in the month of November.

That day that I needed their service was last year. I had a big, bulky, heavy sofa and a couch in my shed. It had been raining for days and everywhere you walk on was puddles of mud and a few mosquitoes roaming outside.

The problem was I needed someone with strong arms to carry the sofa and couch to the curb. Everybody I called at that time was nowhere to be found. They're either out of town or working.

Then I called my friend; not for her to come help me but if she knew somebody who can. She just got home from running errands and of course, tired. Besides the fact that even if she would have had come, there was no way we could move the sofa and the couch to the street together. But guess what, she came without me imposing.
So we had to carry that sofa first one step at a time. We were laughing and giggling how we couldn't find any man on site to help us. We could have just pushed it slowly but it was still drizzling and was dark enough that if we weren't careful with our steps, we would have fallen in the mud.
So God helped us with the instant supernatural strength to finish our goal. What else would it be? After that particular event, I knew then that my friend Senaida is a friend for life. She had shown me that she is my very good friend and my sister in Christ. We've known each other now for eight years.

The only anchor that holds a lasting friendship is God's guidance on your growing friendship. It is very hard these days to build a solid friendship. Our society is full of evil forces that one may easily fall prey to destruction.
I thank God every day for blessing me a friend that makes me want to grow and better myself from learning together on how to look at difficulties and hurdles and challenges in life from the vantage point of God's Word. 
I believe that what sustains our good friendship is that sense of honesty and unselfishness. There should be no disbelief or suspicion in friendship. And that's what we diligently do.

I love the fact that we're both educators. We talked about our kiddos in school not to make judgmental comments but talk about the better strategies on how to facilitate learning better. We each believe that God had divinely appointed us where we are and we make it a big responsibility to be great stewards of what was placed in our hands: that is to teach well.
It also gives me joy that we both love the Lord. Although we both have our own churches to go to, we share the same Christian values and principles. I think that's the pinnacle of friendship is when you both want to be better ambassadors of God's Word. And you do it in Spirit and in Truth.

I am beyond grateful and thankful... 

"Be Good To Yourself..."

I was just done taking down the Christmas tree, garland greeneries and all of the Christmas lights. Halfway done I may say. The rest will be taken good care of tomorrow. 

Decorating my home especially at Christmas gives me pure delight. From changing window curtains to beddings; holiday doormats to tablescapes setting, you name it I do it all. There's something very special and magical about it. I also love sending out Christmas cards to friends and loved ones and wrapping gifts that will mean something to them if they dig it.
This is also the time that I don't mind gaining a few pounds due to eating a lot of finger foods, sweets, appetizers, chocolates and of course more cups of coffee with cream.
I also tend to be on the couch just watching Hallmark movies or Prime Netflix. No delving into outdoor exercise since the weather had been fiercely cold. 
But that's over now...All of my eccentricities and idiosyncracies about how I celebrated it is in the past. I'm learning very hard not to think or become nostalgic of the things in the past. It could easily become your nemesis and you don't want that happening again.

I think what I'm trying to say here is that go back to find what moves you; what makes you more loving, kind and compassionate to yourself...because if you're not then you can't be anything good to anybody. 
They say that we actually teach people how we want us to be treated. So if you're second-guessing your self-worth as a person that God created you as his/her masterpiece, then you're allowing people to treat you undesirably which is contrary to what the Lord sees you as beautiful and perfect in His sight. We do tend to value how others perceive us. That usually is the case if we're  gullible about our moral compass, not knowing how to put up boundaries because we all need to build fences with those people who want to harm us. 
Think about you multi-dimensional gifts that God has blessed you and me. Whatever you're very at doing, take that and use it as your platform to change somebody's life. It doesn't have to be a multitude, one soul is enough to share your nuggets of wisdom and talents. 
To tell you the truth I'm learning how to do that without having second thoughts or reservation. Every day I ask God's grace that I may recognize His gentle voice and will lead me to be a blessing to someone. It could just be lending an ear to someone; praying for someone I had neglected to pray for or uplifting/edifying someone from despair. 
Two days before this New Year, I decided to go out and vacuum my car. I was about to go when an adult man approached me and asked me if I could spare him a couple of dollars. He even mentioned that he and his younger sister had not eaten yet. It was a good thing that I had a five dollar bill in my wallet and gave it to him without preconceived notions.I got to see him through while driving back home; he went inside to a fast food restaurant. I wasn't even looking over my shoulders at that time that he approached me. The vacuum service place was empty at that time I went. Thinking about it now, I know that the God of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob is with me always.
And that is Biblical...He is with us, His hedge of protection and covering over us!

"Focusing On A Higher Ground"

It's the fourth day of January 2018. I prayed that my heart doesn't fall into the temptation of having to look around, behind, down, and what's in front of me. Instead, I need to focus on looking up regardless what my circumstances are!
There is incorruptible vastness up there...
When I was in grade three (in the elementary school) I take joy helping especially my mom to facilitate things in order at home. We see dad twice a month. That's how it was in the Philippine Army. My dad was at that time a Supply Sergeant but retired as a 2nd Lieutenant Although he wasn't always home, he made sure that he spent his time with us in a grand way. We had a family program at night where every sibling had to show his/her craft, artistry, whether in a song, poem, a story reading, a joke, a multiplication table memorized or telling time exhibition.Those were truly what we call now as priceless, the gem of our hearts. 
He loved to garden and his sweat and blood that went to those vines clinging to the fence and to the ground had provided us many fruits and vegetables throughout my college years and even years after that.
He managed his time very effectively; even talking to us individually asking us how we were doing in school and if we were helping mom with household chores. Life back then was so simple. We never had to worry about pedophiles, about bullies, thieves, rampant school shootings or the pangs of divorce. It was a very normal, happy childhood, almost ideal, I believe so. My childhood friends, acquaintances, and the entire community or barrio will support my deep sentiments about it.
I really do miss how it was then. There was a strong sense of order, commitment to do what is right and oh my God, there was so much respect for family traditions, teachers' role in the school, elders and most of all, honoring God in our actions, speech and thoughts. I felt an immense equality of living the right way. We looked at poverty as not craving for material gifts but as great opportunities to be rich in achieving good relationships and maintaining family thresholds.
I believe that it's because of all the cumulative good experiences I have had growing up, my reservoir of those golden memories will always keep me Looking Up to the sky where God put His hand to create the Sun, the Moon, and the Stars. 
In Daniel 12:3 KJV says," And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.
So this is my pitch for tonight. I may have had deviated from my main idea of always to Look Up. I see a promise in the linings of those clouds hovering...
Another glimpse of truth: We're not promised of another day; Only live your life Today in His Grace. 
Thank You Lord Jesus for Today.
Goodnight everyone!