"Making Today Count..."

Life As We Breathe...

Pictures. Photos. Images.Snapshots. They're all the translation of a large scale of moments in time. You just hope that every capture is more than its face value. How they appear is interwoven with what's in the inside. Whatever that is must be transparent enough for it to be fully alive as the lens transpire the subject.

I may not be adept to dimensional, linear, or apex photography but I intend to take snapshots as they are--at a snap. I'm not  thinking or conforming with the rules of how to take pictures in a certain angle especially people's faces. I'm just an ordinary clicker with only one mission: create words that magnify a celebratory pictorials... After all, our life is vested with family traditions that are worth keeping into creating more lasting memories.

So I took enough photos today for my nephew's Mark post celebration for successfully completing Kindergarten. Such pensive thought came over me--if my brother was still alive, Mark would have been happier. My taking of pictures wouldn't be that predictable but that of unassuming gestures of total mindfulness, peace & joy. But I take life for what it is: counting my blessings as I go forward with that grief unleashed...

I could only pray in faith and hope that angels dispatched by the Heavenly Father continue to guard my nephew Mark as he enters first grade in August. We all know how tough it is to be a normal kid in this age of technology. Many bullies are sprawling inside & outside school classrooms. We're living in a world where darkness grips-- And the only best armor we could equip our children is for them to know the Word of God. 

I am believing this year be a good year. A year of jubilee, absolutely. In God we trust.

"When did you last laugh so much it hurt?"

 These images are my guideposts as to when "LOL" had become more than a conveying thought. I have had some hilarious moments recently but one of these pictures which was taken in one of our BFF dinner nights at church (Feb. 2014) was caught on camera. So, there's no sense denying that I, too, could be uncouth when amused by a powerful joke. It didn't seem like I could have helped it--not to laugh boisterously. That would have been a great moment I'll regret if refinement took precedence in my being.

I just said to myself that's what living in the moment means...You lose yourself in a good humor; in a good conversation--be it over the phone or actual conversation. Sometimes you have to let go what stifling you to enjoy the simple pleasures of life and what may others think becomes the least of your concern.

"My Calvin Turns "22" Today..."

I give God all the Glory...

It never occurred to me that I will be a part of society's ever growing "upheaval" in the spiritual sacraments of a traditional family--Divorce. 

Calvin was 9 years old when we all became a sad statistic. However, I made a covenant faith, a life's unaltered decision to be a good steward of single parenting no matter what it will cost me. That means: my choices and decisions will be based on my Christian beliefs and living it has been a constant challenge and an everyday struggle. The beauty of it all is the going through with these seem-like insurmountable dark edges of single parenting and know without a doubt that God's grace overflows when you believe that you're not alone and the Lord is holding you up. Thank also to my family's support especially my mom. Many battles I have fought fiercely & victoriously as a single mom because of God's covering on my life. And that never ceases to amaze me. God is good. He is Love...

Looking at my son, Calvin in these photos and smiling with so much promise and exuding confidence & passion for serving the country makes me a very proud and very grateful mom. And I can't thank our good Lord enough for blessing me a son that incessantly teaches me that our attitude in life's journey of ups & downs determines our altitude...

But without God's amazing grace, we're nothing & powerless. Our gifts and so called talents could never be activated & optimized if we operate on our own making. That should be a clear- cut statement and not a copped-out, sugar-coated, watered opinion.

I love you my son, Calvin & Happy Happy Birthday!

I Want You To Know That You Are Loved. . .

I was originally writing tonight my take on "The Fault in our Stars" but for some unforeseen stupidity, it got deleted. I forgot to save it. I was even almost done with my pitch. Oh well, I guess it wasn't meant to be published tonight. Another lesson learned--avoid being clumsy with your fingers and stick to the very basics first. Press save button before options.

I am loved. You are, too. We all are loved by someone in the past, here & now...It may not be how it ended but what is important is how that love changed your mindset, heartily. Love should leave you markings or imprints that will always  be fun-loving to look back no matter how unsettling it was. Find that in your heart to be your sense of wonder and not heartbreaking. Your capacity to love is a gift even when the recipient of such love had fallen very short. Take the experience not as the "fault in our stars" but your heart's waterfall. 

Anyone out there who's heart is broken and felt no reciprocity and has lost connection to your higher self, the Bible says that God loves you with an everlasting love and that "He is not willing that any should perish." II Peter 3:9 Therefore, when you're feeling defeated, don't wallow yourself in self-pity. Jesus didn't die at the Cross just for you & me to continue to live as victims but as victors through life in Christ Jesus.

As a faith-believing Christian I hope & pray that falling in love is still the most beautiful act one can experience. Jesus has demonstrated that redeeming love at the foot of the Cross. That is and will always be my forever truth: He is Love.

"Tonight's Liberating Message..."

"Stand Up For Others, even if it's the unpopular thing to do.
     --Sometimes you will say something really small and simple, but it will fit right into an empty space in someone's heart. Dare to reach into the darkness, to pull someone else into the light. Remember, strong people stand up for themselves, but stronger people stand up for others too, and lend a hand when they're able." ~Marc and Angel Hack Life on 10 Life Quotes and Tips to Help You Smile

There are times when instead of helping someone in need to see the brighter side of life, we are unable to do it because we're so busy keeping up with the wrong appearances. We failed to see that reaching out to others is what counts and what makes sense. It's a heart thing to do...

It's never too late to make a stand for someone who needs our support. 

"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting," (Psalm 139: 23-24)

"Going Through Others' Words..."

As the rays of sunshine permeate by my window, it beckons my heart to venture today's unspoken desires...I think that the wealth of greater wisdom comes from the earthly beauty of the simplest things in life.

And so this has led my feet to jog & walk for a few miles. Communing with God as I freely pick up my steps does not only give me endorphin but also my way of refueling my energy. That's how I cherish my time alone aside from writing my thoughts before midnight. 

Well, today I stumbled on blogs about practical tips for productive living which is their platform. I don't usually read more than two entries unless it grabbed my attention brilliantly. I ended up reading for two hours and that's a long time without scanning phrases or sentences. There were scattered moments when one of their blogs felt like it was talking to me, addressing & reiterating forceful insights "to fully experience life not just exist."

At first, I was just saturating what I was reading till at one crucial moment when it dawned on me that going through others' words is "fine & dandy but the fact remains for me that: No matter how one's piece of writing has garnered accolades of recognition but just scratching the surface of the truth of the gospel, or its content doesn't derive from Scriptures, reading doesn't go any deeper. It won't stick...Nothing restores except the Word of God. Everything else is entertainment.

Remember, every single problem whether big or small, the solution is found in the Book of Life--The Bible. Experience that for yourself. It is the greatest source of Truth, Joy & Freedom from wrong doctrines & beliefs. Your spiritual miracle is waiting to happen. Only Believe that Jesus is the only Way, the Truth & the Life everlasting.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

"Happy Birthday Sis..."

Of all the random snapshots I've taken tonight, this one melts my heart...
I thought this was the moment of the entire evening of my sister's 45th birthday.
And I'm so happy I was the one who captured my sister & my mom's affection to each other.

                   
                                Also Happy 23rd wedding anniversary to my sister & 
                               brother-in-law 
                              in New York. Celebrating marriage with such longevity 
                              and keeping it
                              for the long haul is a "together" decision.
                              After all, isn't Family the
                             foundation of all relationships?

 Be a good steward of what you have...