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.

Birthday Wishes 2013 For Our Son Jose Rufino

Today is the perfect day to let you know what a precious gift from God you are to us.
We may not say it often but we have loved you for the little boy you were, for the special man you are now and the precious son you will always be.

Nothing compares to the feeling of being proud when parents see their eldest son grow up so wonderfully into a fine, auspicious, young man. Thank you for that feeling Ino.
Thank you for giving me and your Dad the opportunity to call ourselves your proud parents.

However else you live your life, live it according to God's precepts. Fight for a better future with confidence because God is watching over you. In the end, “it is not the years in your life that count, it is the life in your years.”

We pray that God may continue to bless you with happiness and good health. May He grant you all your aspirations in life. May He fulfill your heart’s desire and make all you plans succeed.

So, on this special occasion, we will raise our glasses and offer a toast to an amazing human being, a kind-hearted, good-natured gentleman and a loving individual who deserves only the best .

We love you very much buddy!

Happy 27th Birthay Ino!

Seeing Thorns as Blessings

I recently received a few comments from my friends expressing their reactions towards my family pictures I posted on my  FB wall. They compared me to a rose - “ the rose among the thorns.” I dig metaphors by the way . And I like being compared to a roseflower. Some did appreciate the beauty and charm of the rose ... others did insist on counting the thorns.   hahaha

What is the significance of a rose among the thorns? Our HS Biology teacher had taught us that thorns have certain protective roles. They are part of the same rosebush – they are like bodyguards protecting the roseflower. The thorns and the flower get their life juice from the same roots. The same plant provides nourishment to both the thorns and the flower. In other words, the thorns and the roseflower are not adversaries but grow together and complement each other.

I want to grasp the precious life God has given me from a different vantage point. And if I want to see the deeper meaning of life and understand its blessedness, its greatness then I will have to look at the rose – its beauty, its fragrance and its value ; and then to regard the thorns not as irritants but as blessing. That’s how i view my husband and my 4 sons – they are the thorns in my life. They love me for what or who i am. They are my staunch defenders who will stand up for me and protect me from harm and danger come hell or high water.

And when we come to learn to appreciate the things that compliment each other without losing sight of their differences then maybe we can experience the harmony creating a beautiful symphony of life.

 — feeling elated

       My four sons may not have everything they want but they have me as their Mom who loves them more than          anything else in this world.

I suddenly miss my Mom

I'm feeling sad and empty at this very moment. Nobody would ever catch/ hear me saying this : but suddenly I'm missing my Mom like crazy. I just really miss my mom right now. I miss her terribly. I really do.

Birthday Message 2013 for Jombo

Our youngest son Josemaria (Jombo) is officially an adult today, he is now 21. He's our unexpected, unplanned baby, but God gave him to us as "bonus"!

Do any of you remember how you looked forward to turning 21? I remember thinking it was the "magic number", the age where I could leave childhood behind me and I would be able to do anything I wanted to, because I was all "full-fledged " person. In some respects, turning 21 is the beginning of growing up. There is so much more to learn, more things to be responsible for, and grown-up choices to be made. Jombo may now be of age, but i will never stop being his mother. He may no longer my baby, but he will always be my cherished son. My hope and prayer that he will continue to grow with charm, dignity and maturity, and that he will be wise in the choices he makes in his life. I trust God with that.

We love you kiddo! Happy Birthday!

Tara's Bone Marrow Transplant Fund.Save two lives. | Medical Expenses - YouCaring.com

I am reposting the link below to reach out to all my friends and relatives for help to respond to the Bone Marrow Transplant Fundraising call for Tara ( she’s a distant relative whom I personally consider fondly as my daughter and part of the family in my heart.) This is to reiterate my appeal to you all to do something for someone who can never repay you. Tara has been diagnosed with AML (Acute Myelogenous Leukemia) and is ready for bone marrow transplant anytime soon. The Fundraising campaign has been extended for another 3 weeks hoping and trusting to find a suitable donor and at the same to achieve the fundraising goal for BMT expenses.

Each of us has something to offer. Each of us has something to give. Some have resources, some have talents, some have time or perhaps some have their matching tissue types to become BONE MARROW DONORS. Whatever gifts we have been given- large or small we’re asked to share these generously with people in need. Sharing gifts is life-giving, hope-filled expression of gratitude to God and love for His children.

Thank you and God bless – Ma. Thelma R. Grana,M.D.

"Gratitude flows from the recognition that who we are and what we have are gifts
to be received and shared" - Henri Nouwen

Tara's Bone Marrow Transplant Fund.Save two lives. | Medical Expenses - YouCaring.com

Tara's Bone Marrow Transplant Fund.Save two lives. | Medical Expenses - YouCaring.com

Hi guys! Here i go again, reposting the link below for the Nth time. For those who haven’t visit the site yet, please take JUST A MINUTE of your precious time to browse and read the site and just ALLOW the spirit of giving, understanding and praying to come into your hearts. I urge you to be part of TARA’s miracle.

Each of us has something to offer. We can give our treasure and our time to people in need. Each of us has something to give. Some have wealth, some have talents, some have time. Whatever gifts we have been given -- large or small -- we should share generously. Be a friend, compassionate and a blessing to others specially strangers who suffer from serious illnesses and go through indescribable physical and emotional pains.These are all ways we show LOVE. When we do, we make the world better for someone else and find true meaning and satisfaction in our own lives.
Thank you and God bless.

p.s. the web fundraising campaign ends this month, fyi.

“For if you give, you will get! Your gift will return to you in full and overflowing measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use to give -- large or small -- will be used to measure what is given back to you." (TLB, Luke 6:38)

“There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” – unknown


Tara's Bone Marrow Transplant Fund.Save two lives. | Medical Expenses - YouCaring.com

Our Love Affair

Our love affair is a wondrous thing

That we'll rejoice in remembering

Our love was born with our first embrace

And a page was torn out of time and space

Our love affair, may it always be

A flame to burn through eternity

So take my hand with a fervent prayer

That we may live and we may share

member - Nat King Cole

Travelling Side by Side

Our domestic and foreign trips are God's blessings. When the opportunity arises for travel, we take it with no qualms. Life on this earth is too short to sit on the sidelines and reason with ourselves that we will do it sometime in the future: next summer...when our children finish out their college degrees...when we retire. NAH --now is the time. The world is filled with many riches and treasures, and if you really want to see them, you need to see them while you can and still in the pink of health! If we wait until retirement to enjoy ourselves, there may not be enough of ourselves left to enjoy it together as a couple. :)

Sydney, Australia

Singapore

Merlion Park, Singapore

Dahilayan Adventure Park, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon

Universal Studios Singapore

Victoria Harbour, Sydney

Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast, Queensland

Avenue of Stars, Victoria Harbour waterfront in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong.

The Ruins of St. Paul's, Macau

Balicasag Island, Bohol

The Manor,Camp John Hay, Baguio

Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia

Baguio Country Club, Baguio

Davao Insular Hotel, Davao

Hongkong Disneyland