Afternoon Chill

I spent my entire afternoon yesterday just chilling with very good friends. We had fun talking, eating healthy, laughing and most specially praying and being grateful.

L-R: Bing, Amelyn, Zenda,Nen and me!

Michael Young, the German-Filipino Saxophonist, was also with us. Too bad he didn't have his sax with him to play for us. He promised to do so next time though.

With Michael and Brian

He did give us his signed CD. Thanks, Michael!

It was a pretty relaxing day yesterday. Hope to do this more often. See you guys again soon!

Post Summer Fun

Last June 27, Red Spruce had our yearly outing this time at Tagaytay Highlands. We get together once a year, out of town to have fun! No work, just pure FUN!

Thank you, Lord, for my Sun Life family!

I wonder where our next destination is next year...

PS: Sorry for the poor quality photos. I will try to get the original photos emailed to me so I can replace these with better ones.

Christmas 2013

I can't believe it's almost Christmas.  How time flies!  I just celebrated my birthday, then we were just preparing for our Christmas party... And now it's almost Christmas.

Before I share some photos with you, let me just share the beautiful message we had at our service.  I was again reminded that God moves beyond the natural. Oftentimes, we tend to focus on what we can see in the natural.  Oftentimes, we get discouraged by them. The link between the natural and the supernatural is called a miracle and God still performs miracles!

If you are facing impossibilities in your life today - maybe you received a bad report from your doctor, maybe you're facing a mountain of debt or maybe you need restoration in your relationship... Whatever it is you're facing today that looks impossible in the natural, let me encourage you...  God can make the impossible situations possible.  God works miracles for His promises to be fulfilled ON TIME.

I was very encouraged with these messages I got from church last night. I hope you are too.

Now the photos...

 Red Willow Unit

Betty Boop & Princess Belle / Betty and the Men in Black

(✿◠‿◠) Merry Christmas!!! (✿◠‿◠)

Random Thoughts

I totally lost track of time.  I completely forgot that it's May 1 today.  It's a holiday.

I asked my helper to prepare me lunch which I'd be bringing to the office. I called my health card provider and was wondering why nobody's answering the phone.  I was thinking , it's 8:30 in the morning, they're suppose to be in by now.  I called my client's office.  I went on looking for my client and the operator said, "I'm sorry, our employees do not have work today."  I said, "What?  How come? Is today a holiday?"  "Yes, ma'am, it is." I still didn't get it. I asked, "Huh? What date is today?"  The operator said, "Ma'am, it's May 1."

Oh...

Duh!  What was I thinking?

Anyway,  since I've nothing to do today, I gave my cat a bath.  She loved it. She used to hate baths, but now she loves it. I'm sure it's the weather.

I've a light bulb moment too. I was led to this realization because of what happened to one of my friends this morning.

When somebody goes away or disappears from your life, it's for a reason. It's for your own good. Cry if you want to, be depressed for a season, but get up and get over it.

Now I can see things from a different angle.  This is so liberating.

Let go and let God!

Lupus Struggles

Hi friends.

I guess, my posts will be mostly updates on my health for friends and families overseas.  Forgive me for posting less and less lately.  Honestly, I'd love to post more often, but lately I haven't been feeling too well to do so.  I've been having blood test almost every week to monitor progress or regress/lapses on my current condition.

My doctor was kind enough to get me an eBook about lupus - The Lupus Bible & Norton Protocol.  This will help me understand more on what's happening in my body and how to control flares.

I've been experiencing lupus arthritis every morning for the past three weeks.  It's very painful and would wake me up very early in the morning.  I'm also experiencing muscle stiffness and brain fogs.  I keep forgetting things so I have to list down everything I need to do so I won't miss out on anything as much as possible.  This is very frustrating for somebody like me I tell you.  I also feel very exhausted most of the time to the point of not being able to get up from bed.

Do I like going through all these? NO!

But how would I explain these things to ordinary people who don't even have the slightest idea what lupus is?  I don't look sick, I look like I just gained a lot of weight. Surely, some would think I'm just slacking off, but they don't know the pain I'm going through each day.  How do I explain this to regular people? How will they understand?

Aside from these inconveniences, this illness also gave me lupus nephritis. It affected my kidneys and now I have to constantly watch what I eat and how much I take in.  No fun for somebody who's taking steroids, who's constantly craving for food.

May I ask you to please continue to pray for me.  I really want to get well and yes, I still believe healing is mine.  I'm not doubting that.  I know Jesus will heal me.  When?  Only He knows.

Lord, I humbly submit myself to you.  I know you will give me the grace and the strength to keep going because I know you're not done with me yet.  But should I reach the end of the line, I am most excited to finally meet You.. my Maker, My Lord.

Thankful Thursday

Welcome to Thankful Thursday!

I have so many things to thank God for this week.

• I thank the Lord for the peace of mind I have even if I got a bad report last Friday regarding my health. I believe this was just a minor set back and I'm still on my way to full recovery and healing by God's grace.


• I'm grateful to have such a supportive family.  My siblings told me to upgrade my health card coverage to the second highest there is for a corporate account.  There's a huge jump in the monthly premium with this upgrade.  They told me to pay as is and my siblings agreed among themselves to pay for the difference. Thank you, Lord!


• I'm grateful for my friends here and abroad including bloggy friends. You're my Prayer Warriors!


• I'm grateful for the Lord's faithfulness.  He never failed to provide for my needs especially when it comes to money. There's a couple who are dear to my heart. who I fondly call Mamu and Papu; they sent me financial assistance.  Thank you!  A dear friend of mine and a colleague also handed me some financial assistance to help me with my meds and supplements. God touched these people's hearts to bless others as God Himself blessed them.  

• I thank the Lord that Sushi doesn't have ear infection anymore. Praise God! I can't help sharing her photos again.  She's just oozing with cuteness.  I also thank God for giving her to me because she's my stress reliever.  Hehe... How could she not be, just look at her.

• Oh, and also I thank the Lord for leading me to Pet-a-Holic's veterinary clinic.  I met the owner, Sandra Santos, and she was very nice to personally see to it that Sushi was well taken care of while being attended to by her staff. I also thank God that Sushi has good doctors.  Dr. Glenn Maguad took care of Sushi's ear infection and administered her second shot.

Lord, thank you for all these blessings.  Thank you that you're looking after me.  Thank you for everything!  Giving you all the glory and praise!

What are you thankful for this week?

For more Thankful Thursday, visit Laurie over at Women Taking a Stand.

Guest Post: Proverbs 18:24

There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. In my life, I have had many people who said they were my friends, but, their actions said differently. When hardships came my way, or sad times, those "friends, were no where to be found. I was left standing alone, to face the storms in my life. But, there is a friend, that has always stuck to me like glue, in good times, and bad. His name is Jesus. Always faithful, and true. Thank You Jesus, I love You.

---

Denise Oldham

Denise lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She's a loving wife to Eddie, momma to furbaby Coco, a Prayer Warrior, a blogger and a very dear friend. She inspires people by sharing her life's struggles and how she would battle them in light with God's Word. 

Visit Denise over at Shotybear's Place and The Lighthouse of Prayer.

---

Excited

We just finished our church's annual fasting last week.  I'm excited to see the fulfillment of God's promises to me.  I'm definitely closer now to my promised land than ever.  I'm also grateful for God's revelations to me which He revealed during the fast.  I'm excited for this year!

Anyway, had lunch earlier at Shirleen's at Ferndale Homes.  Guess what? I ate a lot again!  Argh!!! The food was superb! No wonder my weight is like a roller coaster.  I'd lose a little and gain double of how much I lost.  Argh!!! Can't wait to get off steroids!

My Sun Life Family

I'm also seriously thinking of getting myself a pet.  A pet cat.  I saw this adorable cat at Shirleen's and I fell in love with this cute little thing.  I want one for myself, too. Soon! I couldn't get her to face the camera, so this was the best shot I got. Hmm... I'm already thinking of a name for my soon-to-be pet cat.

Isn't she cute?

Anyhoo, I will have a guest writer on my blog soon.  It's a surprise.  I'm excited! 

2012's Last Hurrah!

My cousins from my mom's side finally had a mini reunion for the first time ever.  We were all soooo happy to see each other again.  I hope next time more can come.

While my family and I were at the pool area of Shangri-la Hotel, I saw Tina from Our Phenomenal Life.  Tina and I were schoolmates back in high school and she is also a fellow blogger.  I'm so happy to see her again. It's been ages since we last saw each other.

Thank you, Lord, for all of these.

Goodbye 2012... Welcome 2013!!! 

Hot Hat Party and the Hobbit

We had our office's Hot Hat Christmas Party last Tuesday, December 11. Fun games, good food, gifts... Happiness!

Red Spruce (Click photo to enlarge)

Red Willow

Then my friends and I watched The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey last Thursday, December 13, at the Mall of Asia. Wasn't really a fan of the movie... never liked The Lord of the Rings to begin with, but I did enjoy the food served before the movie started.  Hmm... no wonder I'm gaining so much weight. Hehe...

With Alma, Zenda and Ino at MOA

I had such a busy week again, but nonetheless, my week spelled F-U-N.

Now, it's back to work for me.  Have to finish my deliveries and errands this week. Oh, and there's another Christmas party this weekend.

It's almost Christmas!  Yey!  My favorite time of the year.  It'll be bittersweet for my family because we'll be celebrating Christmas without Dad for the first time. We miss him so much!

Wonderful News!

I had another set of blood tests done this morning and doctor's appointment in the afternoon.  Got the results the same day after 4 hours, in time for my check up.

Praise the Lord for His goodness!

My rheumatologist said that my blood test results were good.  I'm recovering pretty well. She told me to continue Prednisone 60mg and Plaquenil 400mg a day until my next blood test and check up  on November to see if she can already taper the meds down.

Thank you, friends, for standing with me in prayer for my healing.

I'm so grateful to the Lord for this wonderful news. All glory and praise to Him!

Yoyo Weight

My weight is definitely out of whack. You saw how much weight I gained due to the steroids. Then, I shrank overnight. Seriously. I went to sleep wearing a pair jogging pants which fitted me just right with my bloated size. Then when I woke up, I was surprised at how loose it was. It was crazy! My skin felt like there are no muscles in it. I don't understand what's going on with my body.

I decided to buy a weighing scale. I got the analog one so I won't worry about changing the batteries anymore. I have to weigh myself everyday if I had to. My weight, 102 pounds, is still within my preferred range, but right now I look so thin. I wonder why?

Anyway, I attended church service earlier and had dinner at my friend's house. Boy, did I eat a lot!

Jesus My Healer

I am in awe of God!

Today began with a miracle.

October 15, 2012 / October 17, 2012

See that?  My feet are no longer swollen. Praise God!

In my post before this, the doctor said that this condition was kind of scary. The medicines that would be administered to me would be so costly. I wasn't afraid though. So I prayed and humbly submitted myself to the will of God.  I spoke to this mountain of illness to be healed in the mighty name of Jesus.  Sang praise and worship songs then went to sleep.  I believed in my heart that God would heal me as He promised and this greeted me this morning.

Next would be the result of my albumin test.  I went to the lab and got the results.  Praise God!  They all turned out normal.

My pulmonologist cleared me.  All tests were good.

My nephrologist was surprised to see how much I've improved.  He checked my vitals and said all good.  He checked the results of my albumin test and said they're good. I showed him my CBC results and he said good. Then he looked at me and said, "What on Earth did you do? What shall we do now?  You're okay! Just repeat urinalysis 2 weeks from now then see me again."

Those words were music to my ears.  Who else is able to turn things around in an instant? It's only JESUS!  Jesus, my Healer!

I still have to continue the steroids for lupus as prescribed by my rheumatologist until I repeat CBC, also 2 weeks from now.

I'm jumping for joy for this miracle I received from Almighty God. I believe I've already received my complete healing as Jesus has promised.

By the way, this was the song I kept singing last night.



Dear friends, God is true to ALL His promises.  He is faithful! Thank you for praying for me.  Thank you for believing with me.

While I was going through these trials, Mom was always praying for me. I know how much she wanted me to be well again. I know because she often cried while praying for my healing. Thank you, Mom. I love you very, very much.

All praises to God!!!

Lipa, Batangas

So tired.  Just got home from Lipa, Batangas.

My friend Dennie asked me if I wanted to go with him and Mike to Lipa to unwind.  He knew how stressed I was.  I wanted to take advantage of this out of town trip to relax so I said yeah, why not.

You know what I did there most of the time? I ate and slept.  Mike's family was very hospitable.  His family was super nice.

Anyway, while we're there, Dennie and I decided to attend the Sunday service at the newly inaugurated service hall of our branch at Lipa.  Our music team at Victory Ortigas was the ones who led the worship service.

With the music team led by pastor Joel Barrios (the one in maroon shirt), Lipa, Batangas' senior pastor Raymond de Guzman (the one on my left) and pastor Jasper Robles (far right)

Of course, I didn't go home without a souvenir picture.  =)

Awesome God!

The weather is bad today, but my day was filled with laughter.  My colleagues who played practical jokes on each other were simply hilarious.  We had a seminar today after passing our licensure exam. As usual we all felt it was information overload because of all the charges, privileges and rules that we have to remember and follow.  Thank goodness it was just a one-day seminar.

Anyhoo, I really love, love, love this verse in Romans 8.

28"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." 

What the enemy meant for my harm, God meant it for my good.  Awesome God! Though there were a few minor bumps along the way, everything looks pretty much promising.  Thank you, Lord!

Blessings

Mom is listening to her fave radio station which plays music from her and Dad's time.  I miss Dad.  He had a very peculiar laugh.  I got the chance to record this when we had a family outing at Fontana last 2010.  Mom and I listened to it and although we both miss Dad, we end up laughing at the sound of Dad's laughter. I'm glad Mom's with me because I get to feast on crabs and shrimps.  Haha! 

On a different note, I shared this verse with a friend at church because she's going through some tough times right now.

"Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." Joshua 1:8

This powerful verse ministered to me too.  If we meditate on God's Word and carefully obey then blessings are inevitable.  

I have so many things to thank God for this week.  Too bad I wasn't able to join in the Thankful Thursday meme.  Anyway, just the same, I'm grateful to God for allowing me to pass my licensure exam two weeks ago.  I got the result last Monday.  I thank God for my friends including bloggy friends who prayed for me. Thank you, guys!  I passed!  Woohoo!

Another thing I'm thankful for is my latest DVD of the Twilight Saga, Breaking Dawn part 1.  My friend gave it to me two days ago.  Thanks, Dee!

I'm so blessed.  Thank you, Lord!

I'll leave you with this video that Mom is listening to on the radio.  Happy weekend!

Hmmm...

Peace... What a nice feeling that no one is pestering me this time.  I thank God that one by one, He's showing me who to keep as friends and who I should x-out. It's a good thing because you get to keep the good ones and throw out the bad. Once bitten, twice shy.

Moving on, Sun Life had a grand celebration last May 29 at World Trade Center, Manila for officially being the No. 1 insurance company in the Philippines.  Woohoo!

It was a night of good music and dancing.  Absolutely love the New Wave songs of the 80's.

With Karen, May, Nini, Rose and Luciamar

With Nini

With Nini, Karen, May and Enoch

Almost a week after the Sun Life event, I went to watch the NKOTBSB concert with my friend at the Mall of Asia. It definitely brought back good memories. I was a little bit disappointed though with the sound system. Nonetheless, I had fun.  

I'm looking forward to Father's Day because we get to go back to Dad and I get to light the candle in this cute tiny pail I bought last week for him.  

Lastly, I thank the Lord for all the blessings He has been showering me with.  God is really faithful. When He said that He will fight for me against my enemies and give me victory,  He meant it.  Praise God!  Talk is cheap, but God sees the heart.  

All glory to you, Lord!

Broken Trust

Aside from work that's definitely keeping my plate full these days, I've also been contemplating on whether or not I'll write a post about something that I went through these past weeks that I felt like wasted my time and made me very disappointed in the people I thought were my friends.  I remember saying in my last post that perhaps I'll write about the jungle and its inhabitants.  Well, I finally decided that I will.

I have a lot of "friends", but I only have a handful of people I consider true friends.  Respect and trust are two very important ingredients in what I call friendship.  These people I consider true friends don't talk behind my back.  If they see something wrong, they'd tell me directly.   If, for some reason, they tell me one thing, they will not alter their stories regardless of who they are talking to. My true friends know that I hate lies.

Fairly basic expectations from friends, right?

My life became kinda complicated these past weeks because I was dragged into an incident I had nothing to do with in the first place.  Part of my job as a financial/insurance advisor is to ask for referrals. There I was just minding my own business when an irate ex-girlfriend had a dispute with the guy I was asking referrals from.  I didn't know that there was a text war already going on between them. Thus, my involvement in what seems an endless brouhaha. Honestly, with all the stories I heard from both of them, the "he said, she said,"  I don't understand their point of dragging me into their mess.  Really, I don't! Whatever is going on between the two of them is not my business and I have no intention of making it my business.

Forgive me for ranting, but I'm just letting off steam.

With what I have on my plate now, I certainly don't have time for this nonsense. Oh, and by the way, I'm sorry to say that I don't have the cure for insecurities. Lastly, one is not called a Christian by simply KNOWING the Bible and attending church service.  It's LIVING it.

A Wedding to Remember

The date was February 18, 2012.

What a glorious day it was!

I attended a beautiful wedding two Saturdays ago.  Two lives who are fully devoted to God joined together in holy matrimony.  These two are an inspiration to many of us who know them both.  In spite of their jobs (which are very wordly in nature), they remained pure and holy in the eyes of the Lord.  They stood strong in obeying God no matter what.  What a beautiful testimony.

God gave them a promise and He fulfilled it.  All glory to God Almighty!

Alvin Aragon & Charizza "Izzy" Trazona when they guested on the 700 Club Asia

February 8, 2012

Mr. & Mrs. Alvin Aragon

I am honored to be part of this beautiful wedding and to stand as one of the principal sponsors.

With Dr. Jojo Rivera

Jacq, Cecille, me & Katrina

Indeed, a wedding to remember!

"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4

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.