Goodbye, Jeff...

I didn't get much sleep last night because of a phone call I got from my hubby's friend, Bob. My skin went cold after hearing what Bob had to say. It just dawned on me how short life really is, that no matter what social standing you have in life, death is no respecter of wealth.

I received a text message from Bob's wife asking for my landline number and she said it's urgent. I wondered what that could be all about. My phone rang. Cherrie's voice didn't sound as bubbly as it used to. Before I could even ask what was wrong, Bob came on the line and said Jeff died. Jeff is a close friend of my husband. I couldn't believe what I just heard and asked if that was some kind of a joke. Of course, it wasn't, he wouldn't pull a sick joke like that on me. Jeff and his four year old daughter were burned when their house went on fire last December 8. His wife, Kit, a flight attendant, wasn't with them when it happened. Jec cried when I told him about it last night. He was astonished just like the rest of us. No one expected or wanted anything like this to happen to anyone, but it did.

I couldn't fathom the grief Kit must be feeling now. I don't even know what to say to her when I see her later. Please pray for Kit.

It's Beginning To Feel A Lot Like Christmas

How time flies. It's December once again and soon it'll be the start of another year. I wonder how the new year would be like for us. Hmm... I can only hope for the best. Mom and dad are spending white Christmas with my brother's family in Newark. My SIL and nephew, Andre, are spending Christmas with me which I think is a very good idea because if not, I'll be spending Christmas alone. Bad idea? I think so too. Well, my tree is up since October, I always put mine up right after my birthday. You'd say it's early? Well, when I was a kid, my mom would put up the tree as soon as the "ber" month starts and that'll be around September 15. Ha! Now that's early!

Anyway, I'm so looking forward to December 26 because my hubby's coming home! Yipee! Although we won't be able to celebrate our 4th anniversary and spend Noche Buena together this year, we will during the Media Noche and all the special occasions in the years to come. Yup, my hubby's coming home to stay.

At the service last night, I got so encouraged with the message our pastor shared that what God has promised, it will come to pass. So for all those who feel hopeless, don't be. We serve a faithful and mighty God who can do even the impossible. Our job is to BELIEVE. Have you ever heard the saying that God helps those who help themselves? Well, uh, yeah, but I think it's more correct to say that God helps those who are helpless. I hope you too will be encouraged today as we remember who God really is.

Happy weekend!

The Fern & The Bamboo

Do you feel tired of living and you simply want to give up? Is the urge too strong for you to quit? Here's a short story that I got in my mail this morning. I hope this will give you encouragement to hang in there.


One day I decided to quit... I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality... I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God. "God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"

His answer surprised me. "Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"

"Yes", I replied.

"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

In the second year the fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. The same in year four.

Then in the fifth year, a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern, it was seemingly small and insignificant. But just six months later, the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive."

"I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."

"Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots? I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you."

"Don't compare yourself to others." He said. "The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful."

"Your time will come", God said to me. "You will rise high."

"How high should I rise?" I asked.

"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.

"As high as it can?" I questioned.

"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."

I left the forest, realizing that God will never give up on me. And He will never give up on you. Never regret a day in your life.


Good days give you happiness; bad days give you experiences; both are essential to life.

What Will Your Answer Be?

What are you hoping God to do in your life? If God asks you at this very moment, "What do you want me to do?" What would you say? What's on the top of your list?

I asked myself that question and my mind suddenly went from zero activity to gazillion thoughts swarming my head like crazy! What do I want God to do in my life? There's a lot of things I want Him to do for me. In fact, this page here wouldn't be enough to list everything. But on top of my list there's one thing I really want Him to do. If God would ask me, "Daughter, what do you want me to do in your life?" I'd say,"Father, I want to be healed. From the crown of my head to the soles of my feet. I want to be made whole. I want to be set free."

What do you want God to do in your life?

Back For Good

It was one lazy afternoon at my parent's house. Andre, my three year old nephew, was watching Tom and Jerry cartoons when my dad asked him, "Would you like to go with us to the states?"

"States? Yes!" Andre answered back, completely ignoring the show he was watching, as if he understood what my dad just asked him.

"Pero paano ka sasama sa amin ni Gwama, wala ka pang visa? (But how will you go with me and Grandma, you don't have a visa yet?)", my dad asked him again.

"Visa?" I just love the way he had this puzzled look.

"Ah, alam ko na, ikakahon nalang kita para makasama ka. (Oh, I know, I'll just put you in a box so we can bring you with us.)" My dad chuckled.

"No!!! Kuha mo ako visa! (Get me a visa!) This time all of us were already laughing. My nephew didn't understand what a visa was, but would rather have one than being plunked into a box.

I asked him, "Why do you want to go to the states?"

"Because I'd like to ride an airplane," he snapped back.

"Why is that?" I asked him again.

"I'll look for daddy sa (in the) airplane," he said.

Even when he got it all mixed up, we all found him so cute! The afternoon turned out not so lazy after all. We all had a hearty laugh and it felt real good.

I'm so glad to be back!!!