Happy New Year!

After Christmas day was over, I went back to finish some pending work in the office and attended to some personal stuff that needed to be done before the year ends.  I am happy because I was able to finish them all. 

• Do everything on my list of things to do ---   ✔
• Update my Social Security and Philhealth (Philippine Health Insurance) records in preparation for my 2012 contributions (not anymore as an employee, but with a self-employed/voluntary status this time) ---   ✔
• Meet with my friend M for real estate briefing ---   ✔
  (I am loyal to being a Sun Life advisor, but I'm sure being a real estate agent on the side wouldn't hurt for as long as I know how to prioritize and that I can bring home the bacon. I gotta do what I gotta do you know.)

This week was a good week.  I'm happy and that's something I am thanking God for.  

Anyway, today is the last day of 2011.  It had been a challenging year for me and my family, but God saw to it that we pulled through.  He's simply awesome!  My prayer is that the year 2012 be THE year we'll see the manifestation of our breakthroughs.  May 2012 be far better than the previous years.  

A Blessed and Prosperous New Year to us all!

From Me to You

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 My family

Lunch at Kao Chi Restaurant at Amoranto St., Quezon City

Dinner at my sister's house

Lord, thank you for my wonderful family.  

Happy birthday, Lord Jesus!!!

Please Pray for Mom

***UPDATE***

Mom is now home, but still coughing. Dad said this should be thoroughly checked because she's not supposed to be coughing anymore.  

Dad, on the other hand, is sick-er.  He's also coughing.  It could be due to fatigue or stress.  I hope this has nothing to do with cancer. 

Oh, Lord Jesus, heal my parents. 

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I used to ask questions like "why me?" or "why us?", but when you are hit hard and hit often, you just stop asking. You just do what you can and pray that God will help you pull it together.  

Mom was admitted to the hospital... again, last December 18 at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute. She was rushed to the hospital because she had difficulty breathing due to congested lungs. I lost count how many times she was rushed to the hospital because of this.  All these were results of complications brought about by her diabetes.  My Mom had a total of four heart attacks and three mild strokes since 1989.  The doctor said it hit her again so that will be a total of four mild strokes all in all.  Not to mention that she's also having dialysis three times a week.  

I believe that God is sustaining her all these years.  

When I went to the hospital, I saw Mom looking like this.  I just couldn't do anything for her.  I prayed. And when I didn't know what else to pray for, I prayed in the Spirit. It's just heartbreaking to see Mom in this state.  

Mom in the Hemodialysis unit

Mom in her private room looking and feeling a lot better

Mom's Pulse Oximeter

The doctor said the number on the left should be between 95 to 100. Mom's is 98 so that's good.  Thank God that Mom is feeling a lot better now.  She eats pretty well, although still on a soft food diet.  She might be discharged by Thursday.  

Please remember Mom in prayer.  We are all hoping and praying for complete healing not just for Mom, but for Dad, too.  When God said that nothing is impossible with Him, I take that to heart and believe that God is bigger than any of these sicknesses and diseases.  

What a Week!

Huff... Puff...

Just got back from climbing the stairs from ground to 17th floor... twice! That's for my legs and cardio work out.  I do that often as a form of exercise.  It helps a lot listening to my fave radio station Magic 89.9 Saturday Slam which takes me back to the 90's.  

What a week!  

My friends and I had a feeding program last Wednesday, December 14, at the Hospicio de San Jose, a hospice, in Manila. Zenda and Maui were the ones behind all these.  I volunteered to help out every time they have an event like this.  It's not always about money.  It's fulfilling when you serve others like doing it for the Lord.  These elders and handicapped children were mostly abandoned and didn't have families anymore. Can you just imagine how happy they were when we visited them, handed them food and gifts? The smiles on their faces were simply priceless. Here are some of the photos taken during the event. 

 Please click on the photo to enlarge image

Double Happiness volunteers 

L-R: Pia M, Rita, Alma, Zenda, Maui and me, Pia O

The following day was a very special day for me.  So, for now... I went to celebrate it with my friend Babette over dinner at Cibo, an Italian restaurant, at Shangri-la mall.   

Insalata di Manzo, Spinaci Zola and Penne al Telefono

Last night, I went to watch Mission Impossible-Ghost Protocol with my friend, Zenda.  Can't believe Tom Cruise is turning 50.  He looks so fit!  I've been a fan since his Top Gun days. 

I praise God for the opportunity to bless others and for being blessed in return as well. 

TSMSS - Angels We Have Heard on High-Gloria

For more great music, link up with Amy over at Signs, Miracles and Wonders.

It's Beginning to Feel a Lot Like Christmas

I'm starting off with an update on Dad.  He finished his radiation therapy last December 8, after 37 sessions.  Starting January 2 next year, he will start brain prophylaxis just to make sure any potential cancer cells in the area will be eliminated. Dad said he might have 10 sessions of this.  Then a month after the treatment he will have another CT scan. He was excited because he said his taste buds are slowly getting back to normal.  For months his food tasted all the same - metal.  I'm glad Dad is lively again.  Thank you, Jesus!  I'm praying and hoping that everything goes well and that the CT scan will show promising results. 

Had my first Christmas party for the year last Friday.  It was Pastor Nuel's and his wife Iris' group's party. Everybody had so much fun.  The food was yummy and everybody took home prizes and giveaways.  Many volunteered to help out that made the work a lot easier.  Here are some of the photos.

At the registration with Pastor Nuel and Cecille

With my small group 

L-R: Jenn, Lheyn, Cecille, me and Jennie

At the parking lot with Babette

Next week will be full of other Christmas activities.  I sure am looking forward to them.  It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

TSMSS - Where's the Line to See Jesus

I remembered hearing this song for the first time last year.  I instantly loved it simply because it's true.  I chose this song for my TSMSS this week and to my surprise, when I started singing these lines --- Where's the line to see Jesus? │He was born for me │Santa Claus brought me presents │But Christ gave His life for me.--- I burst into tears uncontrollably.

I hope we'll not get so wrapped up with the season's busyness, but let's take time to remember why we are celebrating Christmas.  

Christmas time was approaching

Snow was starting to fall 

Shoppers choosing their presents 

People filling the mall 

Children waiting for Santa 

With excitement and glee 

A little boy tugged my sweater 

Looked up and asked me 

Where's the line to see Jesus? 

Is He here at the store? 

If Christmas time is His birthday 

Why don't we see Him more? 

As I stood in amazement 

At this message profound 

I looked down to thank him 

He was no where around 

The little boy at the mall 

Might as well have had wings 

As the tears filled my eyes 

Thought I heard him sing 

Where's the line to see Jesus? 

Is He here at the store? 

If Christmas time is His birthday 

Why don't we see Him more? 

Where's the line to see Jesus? 

He was born for me 

Santa Claus brought me presents 

But Christ gave His life for me 

In the blink of an eye 

At the sound of His trump 

We'll all stand in line at His throne 

Every knee shall bow down 

Every tongue will confess 

That Jesus Christ is Lord 

(Repeat Chorus) 

Where's the line? 

Where's the line? 

Where's the line for the Lord?

For more great music, link up with Amy over at Signs, Miracles and Wonders.

Just Letting Off Steam...

What is courtesy?

Dictionary.com defines courtesy as excellence of manners or social conduct; polite behavior.  I like Merriam-Webster dictionary's definition. It says "behavior marked by polished manners or respect for others".  Wow... polished manners... respect for others...

In this modern world where short cuts are prevalent and technology is upgrading faster than my hair is growing, I strongly believe that basic manners do not go out of style.  

Since I am in sales, I encounter people of all sorts.  Some are very professional even without having a diploma to brag about,  and yet, they possess such an admirable trait. For others, I wonder if, because of their very high level of educational attainment, courtesy got bumped off their systems.  If these people are barbaric, uncivilized or primitive in nature, I would understand if they don't know how to spell the word COURTESY, let alone practice it. Wouldn't you? But professionals in their respective fields... and Christians?  Seriously???

I know this is not a usual theme here in my blog, but will you just allow me to let off steam today?  I am just so irked at people who I know claim to be followers of Jesus, raise their hands during praise and worship at church, but do not possess an inkling of courtesy in their bodies.  

Here's my point.  Nobody's perfect.  We all know that. But PLEASE have the decency to practice courtesy.  If you need to cancel meetings, if you couldn't make it on time, the list goes on... Call... Text...  You see, MY TIME is also IMPORTANT.  If you can not send one single text message or make a single call from that hi-tech phone of yours, I suggest that you might as well dump that useless thing. Or better yet, ask yourself this --- Would you act the same way, with the lack or absence of courtesy, when you are to have a meeting with Jesus?


Think about it!

For Those Who Wait

Hi standers! It's Monday once again. Here's another devotional written by Ruth from Iniana. Read on and stay encouraged!

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I believe that for those walking in obedience to Christ, waiting is perhaps one of the most difficult things. We wait on God for so many things... praying in faith that He will come through for us, yet not seeing answers for days, weeks, months... and in many cases, even years. Has God not heard us? Does He not care? Is He not capable of doing that which we ask?

I came across an interesting passage of Scripture that speaks to this very issue. Jesus' friend Lazarus has become gravely ill and his sisters, Mary and Martha, have sent word to Jesus, so that He might come and heal Lazarus.

When he [Jesus] heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, and then he said to his disciples, "Let us go back to Judea." John 11:4-7

If you've never read this story before, you might expect that last sentence to read somewhat differently... maybe more like this: "Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he rushed to be with them so that he might heal Lazarus as quickly as possible." But that's not what the verse says. This word "so" could also be translated, "therefore.""Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. Therefore, when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days." He waited because He loved them.

There are countless examples in Scripture of God choosing to wait before He intervenes: Goliath tormented the Israelite soldiers for 40 days before God brought a young boy named David to show that God is greater than any giant. The Israelites were in Egypt for 400 years before God brought them out of slavery. Abraham waited for 25 years before God gave him the son that He had promised. Daniel could have been rescued from the king BEFORE he got thrown into the den of lions, instead God waited until Daniel was actually IN the lion's den before He rescued him; and the same with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who were thrown into the fiery furnace. There is story after story after story in the Bible of God choosing to wait before He acts.

God often waits so that His power may be shown in a more spectacular way. This is certainly the case in all of the above examples, and even in the story of Lazarus. God chose to wait long enough so that no one could dispute the intervention of the divine: no one but God could use a young boy to defeat a giant; no one but God could rescue a people enslaved by the most powerful country in the world; no one but God could cause a 90 year-old-woman to give birth; no one but God could shut the mouths of hungry lions, or cause three men to walk about in a fire unscathed. No one but God could cause a man who had been dead for four days to come back to life again.

God loves us enough to want to teach us, to change us into the people that He desires us to be. What if a parent tells their children that they cannot eat their dessert until they had their dinner? Are they trying to punish their kids? Probably not. We want children to eat nutritious food before they have their special dessert. If they had their dessert first, they might not eat the nutritious food. Parents delay dessert because they love their kids. God loves us far more than any earthly parent will ever love their child. He tarries in answering our requests because He loves us enough to want us to change, to learn to trust Him, to truly believe in Him. He wants to give us the nutritious sustenance that our faith needs to grow strong.

Ultimately, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead.

"Take away the stone," he said. "But Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days." Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me." When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth wrapped around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go." John 11:39-44

I am thankful that God does hear. And I choose to be thankful that often He waits to answer so that His power may be made known, that we may marvel at His awesome might... and believe.

I'm thankful that He loves me enough to wait to answer my prayers in His timetable, and not mine.

TSMSS - Always

I kept humming this song this whole week so I decided to feature this song as my TSMSS entry for this week.

Here's giving God all the glory and honor as I praise and worship Him.  

For more great music, link up with Amy over at Signs, Miracles and Wonders.