"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...?

Add caption

 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

Add caption

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.

Add caption

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.