Family Impromptu Afternoon Tea Party at 1837 TWG Tea, Shangri-La Plaza.

Sunday Family Bonding

My Musings for Today: Faith and God's Perfect Timing

I’d love to reiterate what FAITH and God's perfect timing means to me : that if we stay in faith, if we believe, then God will always answer our prayer within 24 hours, or at least within the week. But we know that’s not reality. God promises He will be true to His word, but He never puts a time frame on it. In fact, He tells us that we need patience to see the promises come to pass. Sure, it would be a lot easier if God tells us when we are going to recover from our illness, when we will meet the right person, or when we get our jobs back or when we get to reclaim our life. But the truth is, that would not take any faith. It takes faith to say, “God, I don’t know when You are going to do it, but I trust You enough to believe that You will do it, that the answer is a big YES and is already in my future.”

Today and every day let this be our prayer: “God, give me the grace to accept Your timing." That means we’re asking for God’s strength, His empowerment to stand strong while we are waiting. Let's choose to keep believing, choose to praise and thank Him, and choose to accept His timing knowing that He is faithful and has boundless blessings in store us! 

Akim's 25th Birthday

You have something special in you - something that makes us proud; something that makes us glad to think that we are your parents ; and something that makes us feel blessed to think that we have you in our family circle. You have another 365 days of your life waiting to give you a roller coaster ride to take you from one destination of happiness and for you to achieve bigger things. May God bless you with everything you desire the most in life .We love you.

Happy 25th Birthday Akim!

Graduation Pics of our youngest son JOSEMARIA (Jombo as he is affectionately known to his family and friends) who will soon earn his BS in Physics from the University of the Philippines-Diliman. These are un-photoshopped shots by the way and i obtained these by stealthy means. I can't wait any longer but gotta post these....sshhh.

Perhaps, one of the most moving events in the life of parents is to witness and watch their children walk across the stage to be handed their college diploma. We feel deep pride for our children when they graduate from college. Indeed, every milestone of a college graduation causes something to come out from our hearts into the throats and into our eyes – tears of joy and happiness.

My husband and I will never forget that one hardest part of parenthood when we experienced the bittersweet emotions as we brought each of our four sons to college - saying goodbye to their childhood days and welcoming them to their adult years We had to remind ourselves over and over again about the love, time, sacrifices and resources we shared out to each one of them for 22 solid years were the best things that we could ever give them in their lifetime. And every graduation event is a celebration of their achievement that marks the beginning of an amazing journey beyond university life and the time to cut the last cord and let them be on their own to make their own choices and spread their wings and fly.

We love you Jombo, and we are truly blessed God chose us to be your parents.

                    Christmas Family Picture  2013

May the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ bring to families endless, prosperity, blessings and peace of mind that they truly deserve

A Blessed Christmas and a  Prosperous Happy New Year to one and all!

My Musings for Today (Dec 18)

My Musings for Today (Dec 18)

Yesterday morning, while engaging a choked stretch of EDSA towards Makati on board an SUV, an eye-catching sticker message on the rear window of a sleek white car in front of us has caught my attention. The message read, “Life is fragile, handle with prayer.”

I thought the wordage was insightful — and I mulled over it for some minutes and figured it out, it’s actually true and sensible! Then, I pulled up my BB phone and gave my calendar the once-over, I saw how full it was, some days have the potential to make me feel exhausted, reminding me of the fragility and intricacy of life. I always take a second look to see if there is anything I can delete; most times all of it is indispensable.

Later that day, I had a meeting with a "balikbayan" friend who knew that I had been very busy with family, social, spiritual and professional obligations. She asked me how I was able to cope with a demanding life , survive with overloaded schedules and to get everything done. I shrugged my shoulders, not really knowing how to react. I finally responded that I get it done by just putting one foot in front of the other. And I added, when one is about to reach the prime of life, one will begin to recognize the difference between what is fruitful to do, what is not; what is obligatory and what is not.

Through the years, one can learn how to do that through the discipline of prayer. With prayer, I’m able to make it through busy times without snapping, with a joyful spirit and a servant’s heart. When my husband and I were then actively immersed in the main stream of a renewal community mixing it with the work with the poor and regular secular jobs, we were both so restless and engrossed. That was an example of how life is fragile. We sometimes take it for granted, but life can change very fleetly.

When I feel beaten and overwhelmed, my first inclination is to pray. Prayer is the way I communicate with God, but it also serves as a breather for me. It gives me time to contemplate and to focus on how I am going to start my day or my week.

Prayer gives me an enlightened, clear head that I need; it settles me down and gives me peace, especially when I read the scriptures passage, “The LORD is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? I know that I don’t have to rely on my own armor or strength; there is a stronger power that will hold me up.

This brings gratification to my heart. It helps me bring contentment to my daily routine. Even though everything is not exactly how I want it to be, I can rest in the knowledge that I am not alone.Just knowing I'm not alone is often enough to kindle hope amid adverse circumstances. I also know that every morning – every day is new. I try not to carry the load of yesterday into my new day. When I lay my head down at night, I call upon the Lord, “Thank You for the day.”

Life is a lifelong journey of facing the struggles of the world and moving forward with hope.Yes, life is fragile and must be handled with prayer. Let’s consider each day a new day , and remember that yesterday no longer exists, but we have today. We cherish and prioritize each new day, and ask God for His strength and guidance. And let's put to use prayer as our timeout. This is what has worked for me and my husband in living a life of serenity and fulfillment.