Fear Not

2 weeks ago, I was depressed, disappointed and sad. I was crying incessantly in the office. I wanted to leave everything and be somewhere else where no one can reach me. There were incidents in the office that for the longest time I have trained my self to ignore and just let it be but worst came when I was absent two consecutive days, first day was because am not feeling well, the second I attended the launching of The Fellowship International. 

That day, my boss called our HR personnel and he checked on all my absences and my tardiness which resulted to cancellation of my flexi time. In fairness to our HR department, they said I am seldom absent and the only problem is my coming late but also compensated because I extend time also whenever I came late. 

That gave me the feeling that I am a bad employee. Made me think of all the services I rendered to my boss, sometimes I go way beyond the call of my duties and responsibilities (even beyond office or sleeping hours) sometimes I do work for him that is too personal and I do all that without complaining-and people around me can attest to that-11 years as his assistant-that speaks a lot right? on the other hand there is this girl who also works for my boss- as much as I don't want to compare and see that she's more favored  but I did that time. I was thinking it was REALLY UNFAIR. I know that doesn't sound right coming from me and I regret it  but honestly speaking, that was what I felt that time.

The following Sunday-at the church, God spoke to me through the message of our speaker. I was encouraged and comforted. God made me realized that I don't have to mope because Jesus is interceding for me (Romans 8:34)  which made me realized even more that things may seem unfavorably on my part now but I don't have to feel bad because HE is fighting for me.

And then, that verse above popped up also sometime last week. God is really good. He sends help whenever we need it. In His perfect timing. Today, I was beginning to feel that "unfair " thing again because well, the flexi time ends today :) but here am I writing about this and reminding my self over and over again.."take heart Raquel..Jesus himself is interceding for you and that He loves you so very much :)"

  

Whatever life (or my boss) throws me- I know I have someone to defend me and He is mighty!

Obedience is better than sacrifice

These photos were taken last Sunday :) our friend Andrew took it and posted on his facebook page with this message : "Thank you Ptr. Rudolf Abadiano for the great and powerful message last sunday! Indeed Obedience is better than Sacrifice. Keep it up bro!"

It's very seldom that Rudolf preach in our church because I believe he is not a preacher but a worship leader. But I am so blessed to see him share the word in the pulpit also once in a while. Often times I get anxious and worried about him speaking in front of our congregation but I let go and let God.

Nevertheless, hearing him speak last Sunday makes me one proud wife. Feels like I have beautiful revlon hair hehe! I praise God for my husband's life, for being available for HIM wherever He needs him, for choosing to obey the Lord and be His servant. It's all worth it.

Glory to God!

Going Natural

Slowly, we’re switching to natural products. As you age you start to feel your body and its complaint. And if we don’t listen, we’re sure to suffer the consequence. I know how health issues can hinder us from doing the ministries and as much as possible we all want to be healthy so we can be ready anytime to do the work.

So as I have said, I am trying to switch to natural products, even with the food and with the way I cook food. I noticed the big difference when I used Human Nature’s shampoo. I have less falling hair now compared to when I used non natural shampoo. Now, am into human nature products na :)  I also am looking for natural cleaning products like laundry soap and others. 

Natural is way much better. Can you imagine all the harmful chemicals we get from the products we use everyday (without us knowing it)? 

Some products might be more expensive but I guess it is more expensive to see a Doctor from time to time :)

Have a healthy life everyone!! Blessings!!

Class/Work suspended

Classes suspended today and so is work. It rained hard last night and been raining the whole day, thus the cancellation, you know how it is here in Manila, continuous hours of rain equals flooding of streets :(

My nephews and nieces are all happy with the class cancellation (am sure a lot of  students feels the same way) I was like that too when I was still a student. Class suspension means fun to me. I wish though I knew about student educational travel back then, I would have probably gone to many beautiful places each and every time the class is suspended..hehe.

But anyway, since there is no work today, we stayed home and I slept. :)

Rudolf read and started his preparation for the upcoming worship camp. This is for the worship team of our church including all the outreaches so he really has to prepare. I am also speaking in one session so I need to prepare too.

Please include this worship camp in your prayer. Thanks!!

Do you understand?

Many times you wish things are easy no? Often times we wish, we could understand things quick and easy but so we could handle them well. But life is not like that, life is not like buying a new phone that comes with a manual that is written in your own language and even if it is not written in your own native language, you can just have the manual translated ( you can even hire a translation company to do that for you)

But life is not like that, though we have our own manual (which is the bible) most of the times there are incidents happening that we don’t understand and even how hard we try we just can’t get a grip of it. Like the recent shooting incident in Connecticut-I don’t think anyone will ever know the lot’s of why behind that tragic occurrence. And I don’t know if a mother can understand why it had to be her daughter or son? When you are in grief, you don’t even have the desire to know why.

I‘m also trying to figure out my father’s sickness that has been causing me lots of tears lately but to no avail. And I know sooner I have to accept the fact that he’ll be taken from us whether I like it or not, whether I understand it or not. Because we don’t and we are not made to understand everything that is happening around us, to us.

I guess what matters most is the acceptance. Hard as it is, it is the only way we can start to move on.

Cool weather

It's been raining since the last weekend here. Today, some classes were suspended again due to heavy rains. Though there is no storm signal, heavy rains can cause flooding in the Metro, thus the suspension of classes.

if  there is one thing I love about this weather, it's the cool breeze of the wind :)  you know how humid it is here in Manila even if it is rainy season. so I welcome  the cool weather sans the rain with open arms. But don't get me wrong though, when I say cool it doesn't mean you need a fireplace and electric fireplace insert at your home because it is not that col. :D 

And so while others are enjoying the sun in their part of the world, I am currently loving the cool weather here.

Have a nice day everyone!

Home alone. sleepy

I'm home alone tonight. I decided not to go with my husband in the recording studio. I need to sleep early because of work tomorrow. I am not really used to being alone here in the house and it feels sad, good thing I have internet (though too slow) and my Tablet to keep me company.

But because I am sleeping early (to think I just woke up 5 hours ago) I'll just make a quick visit to facebook and some friends blog and I'll be off to bed. I don't know but I think i am too sleepy.

It's holiday here today ( Philippine's Independence day) and I spent all day at home sleeping. Sigh. at least I am rested and hopefully ready for days work tomorrow :)

Have a blessed evening everyone!! God loves you!

happy food. happy thought

I am an emotional eater. I admit that. When I am emotionally down (that means sad/grieving/unhappy) I tend to eat more than what I should and when I say more than it really is more. I remember one time when I got mad with my husband, I finish all the dinner food that was supposed to be for the two of us. :) Now that things are bad and I am so down, all I want to do is eat and eat and eat. Hoping that I can eat all the sadness away.

Anyways, I'm trying to look for foods that will make me happy or at least help ( although of course the source of joy and happiness is only our Lord Jesus) they say chocolate is a happy food, my husband and I have been munching on chocolates since last week and I don't know if that helped.

Maybe something different will lift my mood like chocolate covered berries or bananas dipped in chocolate or a taste of my favorite native longganisa and bagoong. Just thinking of it makes me happy na :) Maybe I should have them for dinner later :)

Motorcycle needs

Just today, my husband Rudolf went to Las Pinas in his motorbike to meet a friend and he forgot his jacket, he didn't notice how hot the weather is. Well, he went home with his two arms sun burnt. he actually want a Joe Rocket Jacket and helmets because it is nice and the sun will surely not burn his arms anymore :) Maybe someday when we have no more major expenses and debts to pay, I'll buy him one :) Today our urgent need is a helmet for me because we lost mine few weeks ago. Joe Rocket helmets are nice too :) but nice as they maybe we can't afford them for now.

Rainy Days

June is when the rainy season officially starts here but why is it still so hot? Yes, it rains and it gets cooler but when the rain stops it heat shoots up again. I literally want to soak my self with a fireman's single jacket fire hose..that would be cool! well, if I won't be thrown away :) hehe!


If only things happen right away when you just wish :)

Rudolf my husband said, he wish he is in Alaska now. I wish I am in a nice hotel with good air conditioning system and with lots of food! :)

How about you? what do you wish for now?

Waiting before the Lord

It's middle of the year already. JUNE and we are expecting a lot of change to be happening soon. I am just not so sure on how extensive the changes will take place and no I'm not talking about me wearing those stylish maternity clothes soon, which I hope of course :) but I'm talking about church and ministry here as this our ministry blog.

Currently, we are on rest and waiting (just finished the dinner for a cause event and that would be all for me now).

Psalm 37:7 said "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him" and that is what we are doing.

Waiting for the Lord's instructions and waiting patiently for Him.

I trust that the Lord has GREAT PLANS for us and I am so sure of that. We just have to wait for now

No videos for now

It's been a while since I posted a video song that spoke to me and blessed me because of our internet connection. My husband is actually trying to view a song a while ago but we just can't. Our broadband prepaid internet is so slow that makes video download from youtube a painful task.

But we have to deal with that and be happy for what we have now. I contemplated for having postpaid internet at home but we figure  we can still bear this one now as long as I can post regularly to my three blogs.

So that explains why there are no videos for now maybe someday soon.

April ministries, random thoughts

It's APRIL already...time flies so fast, it feels only yesterday when we were still planning for the whole year and now we're almost in the middle of the year. April will be one of the busiest month for me in the ministry, the Vacation Bible School "The Lost World" will happen on the 11th to 14. My friend is getting married on the 16th. And there is youth camp and other activities lined up for April. But I am promising my self that I will rest from all the ministries after summer. I will just finish all my commitments.

The husband and I are no longer staying in the mission's house, as I have mentioned in my other blog, we've already moved our belongings to the new place and we are still arranging and fixing all the house stuff as of now. I still feel uncomfortable in the new place and haven't adjusted but I'm coping up. I know when all the repairs, the cleaning we are doing is over I'll be alright. I do not wish for a super big house with grand furniture or laminate floor, I only want a place where I could have peace and quiet when I most need it.And I guess the Lord answered that prayer of mine. It's so quiet there especially at night.

It's been 5 days since we're on our own and I praise and thank God for the husband has showed how much he love me and how much he is willing to do a lot of things for me just so I will feel comfortable, if there is something that this moving has done good to me, it's that I am re-assured that  married the right guy, the best that God has chosen for me. And I am falling in love with him over and over again. 

Thank you Lord :)

rest and vitamins

The last thing we need at this point of time is to get sick, that's why Rudolf started taking his vitamins again (he's coughing hard for few days now) and I know I need the best multivitamin for women too because number one, I bleed excessively (have not been taking iron supplement for a month now) second, I always always sleep late, earliest would be 1:00 in the morning and  third, last week I started feeling dizzy for few times in a day so it's time to take supplements. Rest is still at the far end of the line ( I don't see it yet) so it's best to just feed and nourish this body so it can keep up to whatever I am doing now.

But don't worry friends and families..I will take some REST after all these activities of mine.

Antique

I do not have any antique collection and I don’t think I would have one in the future because well antiques are expensive. But I will have antique furniture someday and that is my mom’s pillow cabinet? I do not even know how to call it but it’s where we stack our pillows, and it’s antique as it was formerly owned by my grandparents. I would like to have that piece in my own house someday, it’s like I’m having a piece of our family history and I love it.

Speaking of antique, for those who have them and wants to restore it you can  have antique hardware reproductions and restoration at houseofantiquehardware.com. I visited the site and found very nice door and window antique accessories. 

Occupied or just lazy?

We haven't moved a thing yet to our new place, worst we haven't started painting the walls. We are supposed to do all that last weekend (Saturday and Sunday) but I was requested to work on Saturday, Sunday after church was spent bonding with Jakob (our newest joy-a dear friend's son) and Rudolf was too lazy na to go and work there late Sunday afternoon.

I do not know when are we gonna finish the re-painting and moving of all our stuff. We are both pretty much occupied during the day. Moving is really not a pleasant thing to do. We are both like someone who wear ankle braces and we can't move. Lol. I admit we are too lazy to do this and I guess we are not both excited anymore for whatever reasons I do not know.

I guess we are currently enjoying living in the mission's house :)

Blog talks

I've been blogging since 2005 and yet until now I do not know the fastest and easiest way to increase SEO or search engine optimization, My page rank remains the same for over a year or two but of course am grateful with that because I know a lot of good blogs or websites and yet doesn't even had a PR.

This blog is made for our ministry and my goal is to be able to share whatever we do and also to at least be of help to those who read this.

But landing on the first page of a search engine is quite a hard task and I know I have to work hard for it. Like what I did on my other blog.

I wish I could repeat the same here.

Morning devotion

I guess I need not take hoodia diet pills or any kind of loss weight pills if I can do some work out every morning. Because we are living in our church mission's house, we have to wake up as early as 6:00 for the daily morning devotion and I am thinking of doing a 30 minute walking right after the devotion. Morning rituals that is good for both body and soul. Perfect right?

It's one good benefit we get from living inside the mission's house which we call Center. And my husband and is thankful that for at least a month we will be doing that again. Honestly speaking, when we are out living on our own, we both find it hard to have that fix devotion time.I do it mostly at night before bedtime but often times I find my self spending more hours in front of the PC.

So I will savor this and hope to continue even if we are on our own already.

Sick.Plans.Next year

I was down the whole day yesterday, something I ate the night before made my stomach grumble and I feel ill the whole day, as a matter of fact until today but I am feeling a lot better than yesterday. I thought I was going to rushed to the ER yesterday but that's the last thing in my mind. I was actually screaming (silently) in pain because I don't want my husband to worry. I don't want to be brought in the hospital for so many reasons, I'm afraid the doctors will say I need to stay longer to check what's wrong with me and that they will poke me with needles and all and that I'll spend my Christmas in the hospital..so many thoughts running in my mind..but above all that? the expenses!!! Hospitalization is really not in our budget and I know a day in the hospital will cost me a week's allowance and I don't want to spend the Christmas money with the hospital expenses. Good thing I went against the husband's will. I stayed home and pray and pray that I'll be better.

This event made me think though of seriously having an emergency fund, just in case something bad happens to one of us,at least we will not worry about the money for hospitalization. So that would be one of my definite plan for next year. I am also thinking of investing, will not buy gold coins but I heard that's a good one. I am thinking of just small investment, passive income and I hope to achieve that next year. Although I have yet to write down and see our monthly budget next year.

I'm looking forward to the coming year. I know THE BEST IS YET TO COME for us, for our married life, for our ministry, for our finances :)

I love books

even when I was still in grade school, during my first year in school I already manifested my love for books and reading. I was sent to a reading competition during my first grade. And my love for reading blossomed in college where I will spend sleepless nights just because I wanted to finish the book I am reading. I love fiction then, most especially suspense thriller books. Agatha Christie was one of my favorites.

When I became to know the Lord personally, there was a change in the kind of books I read.

Now, I have two daily devotional books for this coming year and I am still not done with my “simple living for women” devotional book which I bought on a sale two months ago. I hope I’ll be more faithful with my spending time with the Lord with the help of these books.

I am sure you would all agree with me that devotional books help us in our Christian growth. I am so glad to be able to purchase from different Christian bookstore during a book fair. Books on discounted price is such a delight to me :) And am so glad that there is now more Christian bookstores in town, unlike before when there was only one.

I also saw some Homeschool Books available there, which is vey interesting to note because well, I do plan to home school if ever and even now that I do not have a child yet, I’ve subscribed to some home school blogs and been checking Homeschool Curriculum somehow preparing my self in the near future.

One of our Missionary Pastor is homeschooling their first born and I thought if we are to be full time missionaries also, we will definitely be using one of the Christian Homeschooling Curriculum that was being used by our Pastor.

And back to books, I would still love to receive some as gifts this Christmas so If you’ll buy me one, know that I’ll appreciate it very very much.