For my Mommy Blogger and Reader friends, look what I`ve found today!
I think I`m already a fan of the super cute girly dresses on Etsy! Too bad my younger sisters are all grown up now and they would want a Mac or new cellphone instead of these lovely finds. ;)
Head over to SushiBelle where this article is published today!
Good day!
$38.00 USD
$38.00 USD
$29.50 USD
Jump to SushiBelle now!
A child who walks barefoot because his family cannot afford to buy him slippers—I see stories like that on TV all time. But It really gives you a different feeling when you see it right before your eyes.
After breakfast on Monday, we heard a knock on the door. Quite unusual because it was still early and visitors don`t usually come early in the morning. My Mom got the door and said it was the child “who was working to earn money”. I could sense the compassion in her voice so I was curious to see the child. She invited him in and held the dogs as the child walked to our backyard. Mom said the kid is asking to collect the garbage for free. Perhaps to find something he could sell to a junkshop.
I was stunned when I saw him. He was neat and his clothes weren`t dirty at all. His hair was neatly trimmed and it seems like his mom is really taking care of him well. But he was so small for an 8-year old and he had no shoes or slippers to cover his feet. He was walking our garden barefoot. And the grass had died last summer and he was really walking on earth! And of course, he walked on the streets barefoot to get to our house. He would even walk to the junk shop a kilometers away after that.
Viola and I looked at each other without saying a word. I don`t live in a rich community but I`ve never seen a kid walk around here barefoot all my life. In the Philippines, you can get a decent pair of rubber slippers for $.75 or P30. But the kid! He can`t even afford a pair! And our hearts melted right there.
And I thought about how far a little money could go. Sometimes, we think we don`t have much. We think we don`t have the capacity to help others. But in reality, what we`ve got is enough to cover a child`s bare foot. We think a dollar or our P40 wouldn`t go anywhere but that is enough to keep an 8-year old kid from working for a day.
And I think of all the money I`ve spent for things I like but which I really don`t need at all. I sometimes splurge on non-necessities while people around me don`t even have enough for their meals or even just to walk with shoes on.
Defining Generosity
Dad said on breakfast today that being generous isn`t giving out of abundance, when you`ve got more than enough; but giving out of what you have right now…with what you can give today.
In my heart, I`m really dreaming of “saving” that kid. I even wished to get rich so I could send him to school and help his family. But Dad is right. I don`t need to wait to have more than enough for myself to help.
We can help with what we have right now.
God is Going to Use You
Viola was saying, also this morning, that God wants His children to have everything they need. It`s true, isn`t it? And I thought that if I`m feeling this way for the kid, of course,the God who created him would be even more concerned. But God couldn`t let money rain on their backyard. He would use people to bless the child and his family. And that would be possible if the person God speaks with would obey. If I would obey. If you would obey.
That little kid is not the only one in the world. There are many children, many elderly, many sick, homeless people around you. And they too need help.
We are God`s hands and feet in this broken world. And God intends to bless the nations and the people through us. But that would happen if we would open our eyes and our hearts and respond as He speaks to us.
I hope you would listen to Him as He speaks to you.
I hope we would all do.
Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor! The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble. The Lord protects them and keeps them alive. He gives them prosperity in the land and rescues them from their enemies. The Lord nurses them when they are sick and restores them to health. Psalms 41: 1-3
Photo Credit: –fallingstars and jajaalovestumblr on Tumblr,
Adwriter and Yanyin on Flickr,
and redrubble.com
FOR TODAY
Outside my window
No trace of the big storm last week. Pretty much enjoying sunshine!
I am thinking
about last night`s sweet victory. Ava won in the pageant! So happy!
Proud `cause you really don`t have to show skin to win.
I am thankful for
love, hope and happiness.
From the learning rooms
Korean! I printed my lessons before the storm came so that`s what kept me busy when the electricity was gone last week. Language-learning is really challenging, but I`m enjoying the difficulty.
From the kitchen
Ava made embotido {Filipino-style meatloaf that`s steamed before fried, made with ground pork, raisins, carrots and onions}
I am wearing
Pyjamas! 
I am going
to go to sleep again in a while.
I am reading
articles on Incourage. I`ll be featured there next month! Yey! I`ll let you know when the post is up!
I am hoping
to have time to go to the dentist this week. It`s been a while since my last visit.
I am hearing
a program on the local Christian radio program. {Hey, did you know LJ Salceda is leaving FEBC `cause she`s gonna get married in the US? So sad to hear. She`s been doing broadcast for years. I was listening to her since High School…}
Around the house
Our house is pretty cluttered. Everyone`s so tired and sleepy.
One of my favorite things
is herb toasted bread! Yummy!
A few plans for the rest of the week
Go to the bank `cause they`re asking me a penalty for my dormant account (the one I had back in high school and college). They`re charging P200 every month until I get it active again. Too much!
From My Picture Journal
My Nursery Graduation picture. Look at my classmates! I wonder why we`re all confused in these photos! I`m the one in front with short hair and pink headband.
Photo Credits: yanilavigne
and chloefranch on Tumblr
For a week, I`ve been feeding on Palabok for breakfast. There`s this sweet little panciteria which recently opened in our street (for my non-Filipino friends, panciteria is like a pizzeria but selling pancit or Chinese stir-fried noodles instead of pizza :), and since my Dad found out about it, we`ve been buying palabok, which is a pancit variety, for breakfast ever since. Plus, there are a couple of bakeries in our street too, so Pan de Sal (salt bread) which is a Filipino breakfast staple (always baked fresh every morning) is always easily accessible.
I love palabok but I`m not really so fond of Pan De Sal. It`s hard to eat it lying down because the crumbs covering it always finds its way to my eyes. And those crumbs are like sand! Now, why do I eat it lying down, anyway? haha My Mom just loves waking us up in the morning, carrying breakfast to bed. But it doesn`t happen now since I wake up earlier than her and my sisters do jump out of bed at the smell of pancit. ;)
Aside from palabok, I have a few favorites for breakfast.
This is on my list because I`m really craving for it! Mmmm…. I wish I could have this everyday, but that`d be too bad for my health.
I feel healthy drinking a glass of milk in the morning. Hot chocolate makes feel like a kid again. I love, love, love mallows!
This is common in Filipino households for breakfast, when Moms are in the mood for some cooking and a lot of chopping early in the morning. My Mom even makes prawn dishes when she feels like it. haha But I never stopped loving creamy macaroni soup no matter what yummy dishes Mama ever came up with for breakfast.
I could just have an apple in the morning and I`m ready to go {But it would be good if there`d be cheese slices. haha}. Seriously, I could feed on fruits and vegetables alone for a week or month… I`m in love with any fruit that grows on trees. The other week, I’ve been eating kiwi everyday until we ran out it. I ate everything on my own. ;)
Well, this is my ideal breakfast. It’s hard to cook in the morning… haha and because I usually don’t want anything heavy like rice, but I do love fried rice with Spanish sausage and all.
But since I`m missing tuna fritters and eggs, I’m gonna go to supermarket and make a breakfast menu for a week. If there’s really one house chore I love doing for the family, that’s cooking and seeing them happily eating is my joy!
How about you?
What’s your breakfast staple? Favorites?
Hit that comment button and why not share a picture too?
Good morning!
This week has been pretty exciting! And has been a little busy because of work. But that`s exactly what`s making me smile and look forward to the future with hope and excitement.
I actually got my first paycheck today and I`m like Yey! I`ve been repeating it over and over around the house, to my sisters and Mom and Dad and I wonder why I don`t get tired doing that. haha I think I can shout and jump and all. This is, actually, not my first job and definitely not my dream job {I want to work for Disney (lolz) or write movies or for magazines someday} but I found out you could be happy and thankful and joyful even if you`re not yet there. Even if you don`t live the live the life you`ve been imagining. Even if your dreams are far away.
On Youth Bible Study last week, we talked about being “blessed”. Usually, we think the only people who are blessed are those who`s got a mall under their roof. Those who work their dream jobs, those who`s got money, those who can get anything they want. We think the blessed people are those who can travel and get a Louis Vuitton as easy as buying a potato from the supermarket. Our culture says the blessed are the healthy, wealthy, beautiful.
But check out what the Bible says:
You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.
You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.
You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.
You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.
Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.
Matthew 5:3-12
So what do you think?
This verse hit it home for me today.
You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
You know, if people would see me happy like this, they could laugh because in the world`s point of view, I have not achieved anything.
But what can make one more happy than seeing God`s will for her life unfolding right before her eyes? I don`t have a lot of money, but I`ve got everything all the money in the world cannot buy.
Yes, even if His will is far from what I have ever dreamed of. Even if I do have to lay down my dreams and He could not give it back. I know His will is always perfect and good and always out of love.
I feel blessed even for the little things I have now. And for the things I don`t have. And also for the hard things I have instead of the comfortable. And I feel even more blessed because even when I`ve got nothing, even in heartbroken times and crying times, God still calls me blessed.
And I am really blessed because I have Him no matter the circumstance.
How about you? Do you believe you`re always blessed no matter your circumstance?
God says you are.
You have Him and you have the greatest thing all the riches in the world cannot buy.
Blessings!
Photo credits: twinkle- on Tumblr.
I realized I`ve been staying indoors most of the time since June began. Aaay, it`s been raining really hard. Like today there`s a tropical depression and there`s another storm coming this week. And would you believe, last week, classes have been suspended on the 2nd day of school?
But I really love rainy days. I love staying indoors wearing my cutest pair of socks, drinking hot chocolate and chatting with my sisters. And today, I`m really enjoying and not missing summer days. ;)
Reading has been so fun, too… and I`ve been reading a lot when there`s nothing to do. And there are more things I`m enjoying now than just that.
1. Fixing rainy day snacks {milk, chocolate crackers, etc.}
2. Sleeping haha
3. Drawing and writing on my journal
4. Tidying up my room
5. Making hot steamy soups
6. Working { I`m a freelance designer and my office is at home so I can enjoy most of these things while I happily work with designs…}
Now, so much of my stories… Here are the links!
My Prodigal Daughter by Kara
Holy Tempering by Caryin Poling {I love the chocolate illustration!}
Night-Light Fight by Morgan {My sisters and I can relate!}
Sinfulness Isn`t Unique To Other People by Anna
5 Refreshing Summer Recipes on Sushibelle
{if it`s summer over at your place}
How about you?
What do you enjoy doing during rainy days?
Photo credits: {click photo}
I was stunned to find these oh, so gorgeous and yummy looking soaps on Etsy. Why, they look like real food and if you`ve got kids in the house, you have to make sure to keep them away because they look so real—and tasty!
These soaps are quite expensive but I doubt that you would use them up quite fast. Aaahk! So cute!
Strawberry Cake Soap
by Saberlowe
Pink Sugar Cupcake
Watermelon Water Ice Soap
This is my favorite but I cannot find the linkie!
Orange Cupcake
I hope my sister Viola doesn`t read this. Ah, she`ll laugh at me forever.
*****
This morning she joked that my heart was racing and my hands were shaking, like how I tease her all the time. And I laughed at her, because she`s so good in imitating my joke and throwing it back at me. She really made me laugh with her hands trembling like an internet freak having withdrawal symptoms. ;) But laughing, to be honest, was a bit hard because…yeah, it was true. My heart was really racing… and numb. And tears could fall down down my cheeks anytime. And at times I even feel like birds {Did you their hearts stop beating when they get extremely lonely and heartbroken?} And my alibi that it was all because I lack sleep… that was lame, isn`t it?
You wouldn`t believe how many times I talked to myself the whole day, reminding myself to trust God and not take back the worries I have already surrendered to Him. And if there`s one thing I`m learning in this, it is the persistence and determination to stay encouraged in trembling, heart-numbing times. One`s really got to learn to tell his heart to beat again..and trust again. And if speaking doesn`t work, one has to learn something else. And to be really good in it, at that. We must learn how to do a little cheerleading! 
The Self-Pitying Girl
I used to be the girl who wallows in self-pity when discouraging times come. I sigh. I cry. And then I sleep. And I feel like a bird. A heartbroken bird. {My sister really shouldn`t read this!!! haha } But today, I found out that God is in the process of making me stronger. And I`m surprised I`ve been a bit stronger than before. Glad that I`ve been… even just a bit.
He taught me how to look at the sky to pray whenever this little heart of mine feels like a cold, bubbling, nervous softdrink. To look unto Him and trust that He can and will do something. And He also made me learn…a little cheerleading. I`ve learned one`s really got to encourage himself to keep on fighting--but in a different way. Fighting by trusting.
And you know, the bubbling, nervous kind of thing in my heart fades like a bubble when I learn to trust and let go—so He could do the mending and the “working”. The numbness unbelievably fades away. And I don`t feel like a trembling internet freak with shaking hands anymore.
How about you?
Do you also need some encouragement today?
Then go on and cheer your heart to keep believing that God is ACTIVELY working in your life. Stand from where you are sitting, clench your fist and shout “Fighting!”.
And maybe we can do a little cheerleading together. Numb hearts, fantastically, are really good in encouraging other numb hearts, even if they themselves need encouragement.
So, I shall be cheering for you and you really have to do that for me too, okay!
Let`s keep FIGHTING a good fight of faith, guys and girls!
God is alive and working!
Photo credits: {Click photo}
But we are blessed because in times like these…
God proves Himself more powerful. He comes to grab us and catch us…
If there`s one thing I love being at the end of the rope, it is learning surrender and falling towards His unending, overflowing love.
Today, if you`re like me… at the end of your rope, remind yourself that you are blessed because God will surely come along. There is more of Him when we are weak.
And in case you didn`t realize what that meant…
It means victory.
Did I already tell you our house is closer and closer to becoming a zoo?
Aside from our two dogs, Twinkle and Star, we`ve also got this little cat. She doesn`t have a name…or maybe I should just ask Viola who loves naming everything—dogs, cats, birds… and she comes up with funny names.
And this morning, she introduced me to the three little kittens the cat recently gave birth to. And I was surprised.
Look at how she named them!
And she really had an explanation why she named the kitties as such.
To be honest, I am impressed. She named them opposite of their personalities… like a positive declaration.
I love their names and my funny sister.
♥♥♥
Now we`ve got Twinkle, Star, Faith, Hope and Love…
and a nameless cat. I wonder how Viola calls her.
Aaah, that lovely cat who cuddles with the dogs.
Pets are funny—and lovely—after all.
And I think God brought them to our lives to remind us to shine our light, always have faith, never lose hope…
and to always, always show and give LOVE.
♥♥♥
I`m so in love with cool, pretty pastels! They`re like summer and rainy days combined into one, like sunshine and rain coming together. Ah, they`re as sweet as candy!
Old Rose Scoopneck Dress, Kamiseta, P1699
Dotted Mini Cotton Wallet, Cotton Mania, $16
Blonde Beige Crochet Flower Handbag, Mojospastyle, $68
Blossoms Hair Clips, SewSweet Stiches, $18
Crelise Top, Kamiseta, P1199
Mint Green Flats, SM Dept. Stores
Love Candy Poster, MadebyGirl, $35
My cousins and I went for a short break at the park on Sunday. And it brought back a lot of little girl memories! Don`t you miss playing with your cousins under the sun? Or dressing up your dolls with them?
{on the photo: Ate Glaiza, Gladys, My sister Ava…
and Viola on the swing.}
I missed that very much!
Sometimes, we make mistakes with the words that come out of our mouth, and even with the words that flow out of our pen. And one of the greatest tragedies is when we choose the wrong words so what comes out is actually different from what our heart really says. And we hurt somebody.
