Thankful Thursday

It's thankful Thursday once again!!

Thank you Lynn for hosting, for the ladies who wants to join you may visit her site and see more thankful souls there also.

For this week, I am thankful for the following :)

1. My mom and dad is already here in Manila, Praise God they arrived safe and sound.

2. For the physical strength -I am tied again with so many responsibilities, a wedding and a birthday party next week and I still have much to do but Praise God for the WISDOM to know my priorities and finish tasks one at a time.

3. I thank God for the conviction of the Holy Spirit. He loves me so much he doesn't want me to be away from His love.

4. I am also grateful for our worship team, May the Lord keeps on using us to bless souls, we have heard so many nice words for this team, prophecies that we will not only sing here in the Philippines but other countries as well and we believe it is God's promise to us. Our team is a bunch of guys who did not even go to any music school nor anyone had a formal training for a certain instrument but God blessed us with His mighty presence. It is very uplifting to hear people say that the very distinction of this worship team is the presence of the Lord, the flow of the Holy Spirit as we sing praises to HIM.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!

When someone you love lets you down - again

From : A better life
February 14, 2006 - by Dr. John Townsend

Have you ever been disappointed by someone in your life - your spouse, loved one, or friend - not just once, but several times? It could be something as small as them forgetting to bring home a quart of milk. Or it could be as massive as them breaking a vow of faithfulness to you.
However it happens, when we are let down in a loving relationship, it can be a very painful experience. This is because it works against an essential ingredient of life that we all need - hope.

All relationships need hope or the positive anticipation that our connection to this person will be safe, fulfilling, and growth-producing. We envision a bright and loving future with that person. But when there is a pattern of let-downs, the result is that hope deferred makes the heart sick (Prov. 13:12). And over time through many disappointments, hope - and love - can be seriously injured inside us.

One positive aspect of this sort of hurt is that it is a sign that your relationship is still alive. Your care and investment in the person causes you to be vulnerable to their behavior. Though they cause you pain, if you felt nothing it would mean that something has died. So that sort of hurt is a signal to you that this person still matters deeply to you.

If you have experienced being let down in a significant relationship, there are steps you can take that can go a long way to help you and the other person redeem the time and heal the wounds. Let's take a look at them:

Take the beam out of your eye. First, make sure that what you are concerned about is reality. Sometimes we mistake someone's directness for unkindness, or someone's forgetfulness for a lack of love for us. We can also be oversensitive to the imperfections of others or even judge others.

Pray about it and talk to safe and honest friends to make sure you have truly been hurt by an infraction. Ask, "What is my contribution to this?" "Am I seeing things in the light of reality?" Let them see your heart. Talk to the person about what they did that let you down. Don't blame or nag; rather, speak from your hurt and from your vulnerability. Let them see how they affect you when they let you down.

Often this brings out compassion and remorse inside the other person that helps them change. It takes humility and love to have this sort of dialogue instead of anger and fingerpointing. But it has a far better chance of reaching the other person.

Talk about patterns, not single events. Don't let the conversation get sidetracked into an argument about what happened on a particular date. Talk instead about patterns. For example: "It would be no big deal if you yelled at me once, everyone makes mistakes. But this is the third time, and that is a pattern. It's not OK, and I need to have things change." Patterns are a sign of character, so stay focused on patterns.

Ask for specific change. Let the person know in a loving but direct way that you need for something to happen: a promise to call beforehand if they will be late; to take responsibility for gossiping about you and apologize to the parties involved; a commitment to involving you in the family finances so that there is no impropriety. Specific requests get specific responses, and vague requests get nothing, so be clear with your person.

Determine your next move based on their response. After this, if your person responds positively and changes, celebrate and be grateful! You are seeing progress! If not, still keep persevering on the issue. But ultimately, if they refuse to change, you may need to put some limits on the relationship, depending on how severe the situation is.

Forgive. Regardless of how severe the situation and of the person's response, always take the path of forgiveness or canceling the debt they owe you. Forgive each other just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. (Eph. 4:32) Forgiveness frees you, allows you to move on if you need to, and helps you accept realities that are difficult in grace and in love.

When someone lets you down, though it hurts, it is a signal to get to work on the relationship. Be a redemptive force, and take the first steps to reconciliation.

God bless you.

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Hope you are all blessed by this article I found in my file a while ago.Have a good day everyone! I'm off to search some liporexall review and then later make a birthday card for our missionary friend who is celebrating her birthday today, we will give her a surprise party tonight. I know how lonely it can be when you are away from your lovedones especially on occasions like this so we want to make her feel she is loved.

Randomness

1. What are you looking forward to in the next month?
Church Anniversary, fund raising event for our scholars, hubs going to school

2. Where’s the last place you went besides home?
Market

3. Would you ever change for a boy/girl?
Nope. I am happy with who and what I am.

4. Is there anyone that you wish was out of your life?
None. I believe that all the people I met along the way of my life's journey are included in God's sovereign plan for me.They're on the blueprint of my life.

5. Were you happy when you woke up today?
Yes, who wouldn't? when you are awaken with your love ones' kiss :)

6. Happiest moment of 2009 so far?
The many outings with friends, family gatherings.

7. Have you ever asked a boy for advice?
Yes i did.

8. Do you have a gay friend?
Yes, and he's the one insisting on this weightloss pills

9. Do you lie about your age?
No.

10. Describe your life for the past month in one word?
It's not as peaceful as the sea, not as perfect as the painting on the wall but it is always GREAT. To live with the Lord at your side..such a great and wonderful life! Trials,hardships are there but of course we are conquerors right?

Story of strength and faith

How can you handle 11 miscarriages? I don’t know if you can but this lady endures such pain and agony and yet she speaks of God’s faithfulness and still trust in the Lord. What a beautiful heart she has.

I am blessed, encouraged, humbled as I read her blog today. Please visit MY CHRISTIAN DIARY for a story of a mothers’ strength and faith.

I hope and pray I’ll be as strong as she is.

I have yet to be pregnant; I don’t know if I’ll ever be but if I do I hope we can carry on full term. To be pregnant and lose it soon is more painful than being not pregnant at all I guess.

I still dream of having my own child someday, I dream of having this child with us when we go to church, when we go to parks, when we attend gatherings and family reunions, I dream of buying gifts for my child, giving her the best I could.

I dream of being a mom. And I hope I will become one soon.

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Well, for those who are already moms, here’s a site you can visit, you can find lots of baby stuff here from safety and babyproofing your home, to blankets and strollers. I love their Bob stroller and the hand woven sling.

Worried?

I just want to praise God for giving us this promise. When everything seems not right, when your life seems a failure, when you seems to have made the wrong decision, when you think you can no longer put food on the table. Just go back to this promise our Father has given us. It is very re-assuring, very encouraging, very uplifting. In this trying times, there is GOD up there who knows whats BEST for us. He has already laid out His good plans for us. We just have to trust HIM.

So don't you worry with the high insurance rates, high cost of needs such food and shelter. Our father has something BIG for our future!!

Praise HIM!

Office outing

Last month, hubby left me alone for 3 days for the youth camp, now it's my turn. I am leaving him alone only it's not for 3 days, just for the night, I'll be back tomorrow. I am going to our office outing, It has been 2 years since I last join an office outing , I did not have any plan of attending now but because my friend which I also recommended is administering the team building I am obliged to go.

So he's going to the ministry site (feeding) without me tomorrow and that's very rare. I am supposed to be the teacher, good thing someone will take over to teach while I am away.

We are actually leaving in a while, we are just waiting for the bus. Thank God I managed to sneak in and post while waiting. I'll also am going to check this organic weight loss pills that my friend is selling. She said it is good but I am still hesitant though it is pure organic. I still have to study and check it.

Bye for now and thanks for dropping by.

Thankful Thursday -Mother

Today, the thankful ladies are talking about Mothers, of course this is because it's mother's day on Sunday and It is but fitting to have one dedicated thankful topic for them. Thank you Lynn for hosting again this month.

I am not a mom yet as you all know, we are still praying and hoping for that. But I want to share with you how thankful I am for my mom, here in my side of the world we call her "NANAY".

NANAY is turning 70 this October and I'm hoping we can give her a beautiful birthday party,she never had parties before but since she is reaching 70 I think we should have a big celebration for that. After all..very few are blessed to have reach such age.

Being the youngest in the family, I had a hard time separating from my NANAY, I remember still sleeping besides them when I was already like 12 years old. And even when I was in college and I had to stay in a boarding house, I would often go home on weekdays because I just can't live apart from my parents.

She's so hardworking, she worked really hard to give us good life. She worked harder to send us to school. And even now at her old age, she take care of her grandchild and loved to help us.

She instilled in me moral values that I would also love to instill to my future children, My parents taught us to respect people,she taught us to love and support the family whatever situation we maybe into.

I hope I can be with her this sunday but even If I can't, I'm sure she knows how important she is to me and to my siblings. I used to give her cakes on Mothers day but this year I wish I could bring her somewhere, I would want to give her a vacation before maybe I can't afford an out of the country trip like an Outer Banks vacation right now (but I'm praying for that too and I know there is no impossible with our God) I wish I could bring her to the beautiful places in our country too. She love the beach, i remember we used to spend a summer outing as family when we were still kids.

I love you Nanay! and I miss you so much!

Picture taken during the renewal of their vows (5oth wedding anniversary)

My thoughts

I just want to thank all the beautiful ladies from Thankful Thursday meme, Thankful Thursday have been an outlet for me, not only with what I am thankful for but also with what I am praying for. And I never fail to get an encouragement every time I participate in the said meme.

Last week I talked about husband’s sister and the current problem we are having with her right now. We are bringing her to the health center this afternoon to have her first pre-natal.

I guess life will not stop but we have to make changes and adjustments.

One good thing this trial has brought us was that it caused us to draw more nearer to the Lord as He is the only source of our strength.

I already talked to a friend with regards to how I feel about this and I am feeling a lot better now. I understand that I don’t have to feel guilty about her, yes, she’s lived with us but I can not control her actions and her thoughts, we can only give her advice and our prayers. There’s no point in making my self guilty.

With regards to our ministries,

Hubby is still leading the worship team of our church and I think he has a renewed passion for it. I want to praise God for that. The LJBC worship team will be leading a Pastors & Christian Leaders Conference on Wednesday and it’s a privilege.

We will be having another “hygiene day” outside Metro Manila and we are all excited with that. Please be with us in praying for a van (those rv vans are nice!) as we need it badly for the ministry, especially if we will push trough with the mobile hygiene.

We will be accepting applicants for the scholarship soon and I pray for God's wisdom in selecting the deserving students. Please pray also for the provision and for more supporters of this ministry.

Thanks again for praying and being with us in our ministries.

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!!

Thankful Thursday-Courage

Courage in your moment of grief. Courage in your moment of pain. Courage in your moment of sickness. Courage in your moment of stress. Courage in your moment of despair. Courage.

Today I praise God as I visit Laurie's site for the weekly Thankful Thursday meme because the theme is what I exactly need right now. I am reminded of Joshua when they are about to cross the Jordan river, God told them so many times to be courageous.

Joshua 1:9 (New International Version)
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

I know that is what God has been telling me. We need to be courageous as we face difficulties in life and I thank HIM for reminding me this today.

Hubby's family had a meeting last week because their youngest sister which is only 16 is pregnant. We were all shocked, disappointed, hurt and somewhat confuse on what to do to her. We pray she'll find courage to stand up again too. This will have a big impact in our married life because she lives with us.

Thank God for the humble and gentle heart of my husband. I know he is also hurt but he deals with this problem with gentleness.

I still and will always believe that GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME.

For more thankful and encouraging post, visit Laurie of Woman taking a stand.

Hygiene Day

These are photos from "HYGIENE DAY" last Saturday. This was part of the "Operation Luke" ministry under FISHNETS.Vital signs being checked

Dental check-up with the dentist

We gave them free hair cut
Wound being treated

We also treated those who have hair lice

Nail clipping section

Ear cleaning section

We also gave them healthy sancks, banana, egg and a chocolate drink! The kids loved it!

And of course they brought home a hygiene kit which contains;

1. toothbrush
2. toothpaste
3. cotton buds
4. band aids
5. shampoo
6. a comb
7. a face towel
8. and a bath soap

We're coming up of a hygiene mobile van project, which will cater to kids who live on the streets, we also would like to give and teach them basic hygiene, we hope to tie up with NGO's or Orphanage so they could be taken out of the streets and be able to live a decent life. This is a big big project so we need all your prayers and support.

Thank you for praying for us.