Blogaversary, Et Al.

It has been one whole year of fun blogging. Thank you all for sharing it with me. I'm looking forward to having more blogaversary to come. Love y'all!

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Something happened this week that required me to hold on strong in my faith in God. It was made clear to me that everything happens for a reason. Whether good or bad, there's a purpose why things happen. I may not totally comprehend why, but with my faith that God is in control, somehow, in the midst of all the fuss, I have peace. I feel so sorry, though, for someone very close to my heart. I pray that God will move in this person's life soon.

I would like to thank Bonnie for all the prayers and the encouragement she sent my way this morning. God bless her.

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Try this too. It's fun!

Which Hamtaro character are you?
Take this quiz at Sparrow's Song

Whatever Happened To My Template

I tried posting since the start of this week, but I couldn't think of anything to write. I have been sitting in front of my computer for almost three hours now and I still couldn't figure out what to post. I feel so frustrated because I think I have so many things to share and to write about, but words are failing me. To add insult to injury, my bamboo template vanished! My background became all white and some pictures just wouldn't show up. I didn't know what went wrong. I thought it was just my computer that's making it look so plain, but I viewed it on another computer and it still looked the same --- PLAIN. Geez... I intend to use this new template temporarily until I find myself a better looking one. Anyone knows where I could find one for free? HELP!

Oh no! My music isn't playing too. What is happening?!

Tagged Again

MC over at Tags and Other Forms of Mischief... has tagged me. Here goes:

10 years ago: I was working in a bank and was addicted to buying and selling stocks (it was a phase). I was constantly out on dinner dates.
5 years ago: My life was a mess. I had a big fight with my dad, went to live on my own and was jobless.
1 year ago: I had my first miscarriage. Had a bout with depression, been through an emotional roller coaster. Good thing I had strong support coming from friends, family and especially my hubby.
Yesterday: I was on the phone with my hubby without minding how much it would cost me. I got a very good deal using VoIP. Updated my blog and edited some CSS codes in my friendster account. Did some reports too.
5 snacks I enjoy: Lays Potato Chips, Green Salad, Fresh Fruits, Fresh Fruit Juice, Chocolates
5 songs I know all the words to: Somebody by Depeche Mode, Ask Me Jon by The Ocean Blue, Looking Through Patient Eyes by PM Dawn, You're Still the One by Shania Twain, As I Lay Me Down by Sophie B. Hawkins
5 things I'd do with $100 million: Donate to Christian Organizations, outreach programs and my church, Open an account for each of my family members, Tour the world, Go shopping!!!, Save the rest of the money
5 places I'd run away to: The Spa, Boracay, Amanpulo, Bahamas, Italy, Greece
5 things I'd never wear: Tatoos, Belly ring, False eye lashes, Gold tooth, Platform shoes
5 favorite TV shows: The Bold and the Beautiful, Charmed, Friends (Reruns), 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter, Spongebob Cartoons
5 biggest joys: Jesus, My hubby, My nephews, Shopping, Blogging
5 favorite toys: Computer, DVD/Mp3 Player, Mobile Phone, iPod, Digital Camera
What is cool in my place: Our bathroom c",)

God Smiles

From the book I'm currently reading, there are a number ways we can make God smile. But the one that struck me most is this -- "we make God smile when we put our trust in Him completely". What does it really mean to trust God? It's so easy to give God praise when everything is up and well. But what if , as they say, all hell broke loose, would you still be able to praise God? Trusting Him means having faith in Him. Having faith in Him means living in peace and joy knowing that "... in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)

When we are faced with problems in relationships, health, finances or something that seems impossible to solve in the natural, what do we do? God wants us to TRUST Him, to put our FAITH in Him. He desires to help us. God's help is not something we take notice of after we have exhausted all our efforts in trying to solve a problem. God's help is something we look on to first before anything else.

"Father, it is my desire to make you smile down at me. Help me to do the right thing. I trust You and I have faith in You. May your name be glorified. In Jesus' name, Amen."

If you have a secret sorrow
A burden or a loss
An aching need for healing...
Hang it on the cross.

If worry steals your sleep,
And makes you turn and toss
If your heart is feeling heavy...
Hang it on the cross.

Every obstacle to faith,
Or doubt you come across,
Every prayer unanswered...
Hang it on the cross.

For Christ has borne our brokeness
And dearly paid the cost
To turn our trials to triumph...
Hanging on the cross.

Author Unknown

Birthday Thank You's

Last Friday was a blast! Celebrated my birthday with friends. Had some cake slices with my officemates; had dinner at Capisce, an Italian restaurant at Metrowalk; then went straight to Aruba to continue the celebration. My friends, Dennis and Mel, insisted that they treat me out. So instead of having just a small get together with family, it became a PARTY at Aruba.

I

enjoyed the company of all my dear friends who were with me last week. I'd like to let them know that I appreciated what they did - going out of their way to do something so special for me. I have a lot of things to thank God for. To list a few, I thank God for:

• Adding another year in my life here on earth
• Giving me a husband who is so caring and thoughtful
• My mom, dad, siblings and nephews
• Giving me friends I could truly count on
• Our Tita Jojo and Tito Oscar
• A cell group that helps me grow more in the Lord
• Cyber friends who are always there to give encouragement
• The promises He gave me and my hubby
• Being my Comfort, my Savior, my Lord and my Heavenly Father

I wished my DH was here to have celebrated my birthday with me. I could have been happier. Well, maybe next time my family will be completed to celebrate with me not just my birthday but all the holidays to come. Until then, to all my well-wishers --- THANK YOU.

Happy Birthday... To Me!!!

Happy Birthday to me. Happy Birthday to me. Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday. Happy Birthday to me...

Our Beloved Tita Jojo

Tita (Aunt) Jojo, my hubby's aunt, left already for San Francisco last Thursday. She has to leave ahead of her schedule because a close relative of theirs from LA passed away.

I had a brief but fond memories of Tita Jojo and her husband, Tito (Uncle) Oscar, when I met them for the first time almost three years ago. They welcomed me to their family with open arms. Jec and I were only a few months married back then.

Two years after that first meeting, Tita Jojo came back for a short visit and stayed in our house for about two weeks. I got to know how such an angel she really is. She's the nicest person I've ever known. I've seen how she enjoyed giving a piece of herself to others without any trace of selfishness in her. She loves to give and she gives with a cheerful heart. She once said that she simply wants to share her blessings to others. I'm pretty sure God is so pleased with her.

After she left, she has already called me thrice just to check on how I was doing and to tell me how much she loves me and my hubby. Isn't she the sweetest?

Tita, you have already given and done so much for us and we'd like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We thank God for having you as our Tita.

God bless you and we love you!

The Purpose Driven Life

What on Earth am I here for?

This book will show us our purpose, why we are created and it'll also show us God's amazing plan for us. I've just started reading this book the other day and I'm taking it to heart. A chapter a day for 40 days.

"The Purpose-Driven Life is a blueprint for a lifestyle based on God's eternal purposes, not cultural values. Well-grounded in Scripture, it offers fresh insights on worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and evangelism."

As they say, many people have had their lives changed by this book. I'd say this'll aid us to stay focus on what is really important and to remind us that it's all about GOD.

I've Been Tagged

Ok, Bonnie over at God's Most Wanted, has so kindly tagged me with the following meme:

1. Go into your archives.
2. Find your 23rd post.
3. Post the fifth sentence (or closest to it).
4. Post the text of the sentence in your blog along with these instructions.
5. Tag five other people to do the same thing.

My 23rd post was from my June 30, 2005 entry:
"Love Moves in Mysterious Ways" (Song by Julia Fordham)
The 5th sentence was:
"You and I wouldn't even try making sense of it."

Now it's my turn to tag five people:

1. Darlyn from My Very Own, My Family
2. Andrea from Adventures of an Ordinary Christian
3. Cindy-lou from The Song in My Heart
4. Gina from Refreshment in Refuge
5. Becky from The Faith Expedition

Just for fun. God bless!

God Knows

When you are tired and discouraged from fruitless effort...
God knows how hard you've tried.

When you’ve cried so long and your heart is in anguish...
God has counted your tears.

If you feel that your life is on hold and time has passed you by...
God is waiting with you.

When you’re lonely and your friends are too busy even for a phone call...
God is by your side.

When you think you’ve tried everything and don’t know where to turn...
God has a solution.

When nothing makes sense and you are confused or frustrated...
God has the answer.

If suddenly your outlook is brighter and out find traces of hope...
God has whispered to you.

When things are going well and you have much to be thankful for...
God has blessed you.

When something joyful happens and you are filled with awe...
God has smiled upon you.

When you have a purpose to fulfill and a dream to follow...
God has opened your eyes and called you by name.

Remember that wherever you are or whatever you are facing...
GOD KNOWS