How have you been doing guys?

The past week has been so much fun and busy in our home. Have I told you before that we’ve opened our house to missionaries and pastors from our home church in Japan? Yup, so every couple of months we’ve got friendly visitors staying with us and every single time we’ve got new lessons and  stories to share.



I’m not gonna say entertaining pastors is easy-peasy (‘Cause you have to be excellent in cooking and cleaning and all that. LOL) but it’s sooooo much fun and there’s so much joy in your heart, it overflows! And the wisdom and the friendship we gain from the loving, caring wise men of God we entertain in our house is priceless! I guess I’ve learned really important lessons of faith and love from little chats with my Dad’s pastor friends and it's really a humbling experience everytime.




I’m also learning so much from my parents during these times of “entertaining”, as they open our home to men of God. I learned that opening your house also means opening your heart. Serving. Following and obeying God. Being Christ-like. It’s our family’s part in serving and I’m humbled and honored to do such thing.


Last Sunday, in church, our guest pastor asked, “What do you have in your house (that you can offer to God)?”. It’s funny to think my parents would say “Oh, our whole house…You can stay in our house”. And I remembered the Shulamite woman who offered Elijah a room and  who offered him something to eat.


Sometimes, I think we don’t live a normal life (LOL), but at the end of the day, the things that you learn and the greater opportunities to love and care and serve are few of the best things a person can have in this life. I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to love and serve great men of God. Because when I serve them, I’m also serving Jesus.

How about you? What do you have in your house that you can offer to God?

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...

It’s drizzling outside and the sparrows are flying around, maybe looking for a place to find shelter. Feels cool and calming. I hear the birds chirping. Pretty afternoon. ;)

I am thinking...

how nice it would be to walk under the rain, with an umbrella. It’s summer here so cool rain is something to cherish! *wink*

 

I am thankful...

that the meeting tonight was cancelled. I was rushing to finish some paperwork but I can slow down now since the meeting might be moved till next week.

 

In the kitchen...

Green beans and beef. My favorite! ;) But I’m craving for ice cream. It’s a little warm even though it’s raining. A little cool too. I don’t understand! haha

I am wearing...

Orange flowery shorts. Summery around the house! LOL

I am creating...

Tshirt designs and brochures. Summer camp is also one month away so I’ll also be making camp promo materials and the program too!

 

I am going...

to take a short nap later when I post this. Lazy afternoon because of the rain!

I am wondering...

why lately I’m loving old songs. Well, not really “old” but songs that were popular a few years back, like Brooke Fraser’s “Faithful”, Lenny LeBlanc’s. I haven’t been hearing new songs that speak to my heart these days.

 

Photo Source:

1, 2, 3

{My sister and churchfriend in Angono, yesterday}

 

For many people, Mondays are the beginning of the week, but it’s actually rest day for me! Sundays are really super busy. I’m usually dead tired by the time I get home. So I usually sleep the whole day on Mondays. Like today, I just woke up. I’ts 2pm. lol

 

How have you been doing lately, guys? I feel so bad I don’t get to post as much as I should. I missed Valentines day and the first day of summer (here in Manila)… there were so many things to write about, so many things to share. I’m excited to see you here on the blog more in the coming weeks.

 

{Plates, plates!}

 

Anyway, I’m sharing a few photos from my phone taken yesterday. We have a new church plant in a Angono, Rizal…that’s two hours away from home. So every Sunday, after church and after lunch, we drive to Angono to meet with our awesome friends there (Hi Ate Sherry!).

 

Yesterday, we had a lot of free time so we dropped by this Japanese store which looked really cute.  I had a great time at the plates section! LOL I was joking the whole time that maybe I’m growing older that’s why my interest is changing. But little Japanese ceramic tea cups and plates are really cute, right? ^^

 

 

 

 

 

Hope you had a great time yesterday. Enjoy today!

Happy Monday!

 

Oh, how sweet the light of day,

and how wonderful to live in the sunshine!

Even if you live a long time, don't take a single day for granted.

Take delight in each light-filled hour...

Ecclessiastes 11:7-8

For Today

Outside my window

It’s dark outside!  I was surprised ‘cause I just woke up and thought it’s Monday morning already. But it’s Saturday afternoon. haha I slept at around 8am this morning because we got home from Laguna at 7am. Still groggy!

 

I am thinking

of everything that has happened last night on our way home. Our tire got flat twice! Poor driver! But God has protected us. We were not on a busy street or on the express way when it happened.

 

 

I am thankful for

protection, and family and nice bonding time with my friends from church last night. I saw Oliver, too, after many months! He’s grow so much now and he still remembers me!

 

From the learning rooms

I’m badly missing my Korean lessons! I’m many lessons late. I hope I can study this week! But I’ve learned how to make GIFs. lol  I wonder why I haven’t learned this before.

{I made a lot of blinkies the day I learned this. My sisters would laugh at me if  they see all the blinky icons on my desktop.}

 

From the kitchen

Papa went to the supermarket while I was asleep and came home with ingredients for Nilaga.

 

I am creating

To tell you honestly, I’m not in “creating mode” today. Still have this little headache and pillows are calling me!

 

I am reading

on Incourage. Tomorrow’s the day! My post will be up on the site. So excited!

 

I am hoping

to finish everything that needs to get done tonight. Need to send messages to Jessica for Kids Church and also to Sam for Multimedia. Busy girl eh?

 

I am hearing

TV. Papa is watching  a game show. I haven’t seen this before. Must be a new show.

 

Around the house

Ava is cleaning and Viola is preparing to sleep. She wasn’t with us last night and just got home. She was on a conference hosted by the Phil. Council of Evangelical Churches.

 

One of my favorite things

Travelling with friends and stop-overs. When our tire got flat twice, we were able to talk more and take pictures under a tree…and the second time it happened, we had coffee in a nearby friend’s house. So fun! But I feel so sorry for the driver and his friends!

 

A few plans for the rest of the week

Go to the bank again {Verifying my account is taking longer than I expected}, fill up my school application papers, send my CV, and pray about making greeting cards (An opportunity opened for me to design greeting cards for a company but I’m not sure if this is what God wants me to do.)

 

Here is a picture thought I am sharing

I lay down under a tree last night, while the tire was getting fixed. So tired. I used my backpack as pillow. That’s my view while lying down. The streetlight was so bright!

 

 

Photo credits: click photo

Sometimes, I browse through my archives and I can`t help but feel so blessed {and funny!} keeping a lot of wacky pics taken with my laptop`s webcam during those pre-DSLR days. I miss those times. People don`t pose in front of their computers nowadays when they`re bored, do they?

 

Looking back, I think I`ve really enjoyed my webcam to the fullest. I spent my 21st year taking a lot of fun moments with friends! I really don`t remember having boring times back then. Could it be because we took  a little too much photograph?

 

Whoa! Although that was two years ago, it feels very yesterday!

 

 

We had more than 200 taken on this day alone!

 

 

I just couldn`t believe it!

 

 

 

I actually have more {the real wacky pics} but I`m afraid to upload them because I might lose my best buds. They`d hate me for it! lol

 

Actually, four of them are on their way to become pastors now. Two are worship leaders.  One is a missionary. While the rest are being used by the Lord mightily in different ministries. I`m a proud friend!

 

When I look at these photos, I can`t help but really be amazed where the Lord has brought us now. We were once wacky kids taking a lot of photographs after youth service and every time we get the chance! God is really amazing, so choose to serve Him! He brings you to places you`ve never imagined! And everyday He makes you more and more like Him!

 

Anyway, do you happen to keep photos like these in your computer? How do they look like? I wish I can see too! If you would upload, please leave me a link!

FOR TODAY

 

Outside my window

There`s this little stall selling snacks in front of our house. The street looks really still and quiet because it just stopped raining. Even the leaves are not moving. But people are lining up in that little stall. I find it cute.

 

I am thinking...
of hurrying up to go back working on the design project due this week. Feeling a bit pressured because of the client`s wishes. Client likes the designs so far but asked me to do a tough detail revision of her hang tags.

I am thankful... 
For rest and time to relax.

 

In the kitchen...
is Turon. For my non-Filipino readers, it`s a Filipino afternoon snack made with saba bananas (cooking bananas) sliced into thin lengthwise pieces, rolled in sugar, and wrapped in spring roll wrappers. The bananas are rolled again in brown sugar and deep fried. I love the crisp wrapper and melted brown sugar covering it!

I am wearing...
A shirt that has a big black print that reads Funky at the front and Girl at the back. This used to be Viola`s. I don`t know where she got this. I just put Ava`s tiara down.

I am creating...
Flyers and stationery and hang tags. {I`m thinking of giving design freebies here on the blog once in a while…}

 

I am going...

to take a short nap if time permits me today.

 

I am wondering...

when will I receive the scholarship results in my email.

 

I am reading...

The Book of Joshua. I am amazed at what I`ve been learning so far.

 

I am hoping...

to start a business with my sisters in the near future. We haven`t agreed on anything yet. I was thinking of designing. Or starting a gift shop (it`s my dream). Ava said it would be wise to start a food business.

 

I am looking forward to... 
going back to the bank and getting my new card. I broke my card last time.

 

I am hearing...

Piano on TV. Lovely piece from a Korean drama.

 

Around the house...

Mama is watching TV. Ava is watching TV on another room. They just had lunch. I`m waiting for my food to cool down though.

 

One of my favorite things...

Free party printables! I love those beautiful paper cup designs! I might start a paper cup designing business someday!

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Get a new pair of flats, go to the dentist, get a basket of produce from the supermarket and make a salad, do my laundry, and finish writing my 100 Before 100 List!

 

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Do you think I still smile the same? haha

~FOR TODAY~

Outside My Window...

It`s 2am. I`m afraid to look outside. haha Last night, it was raining and the ground is wet, the plants look hydrated and healthy like ladies when they get a good night sleep. It`s really like June now. Oh, it started to rain so hard again!

I am thinking

about going to be after this to get my own beauty rest. 

I am thankful for

Dreams and very encouraging parents and sisters. They push me well and hard, I`m going for my secret dreams now!

Outside my window.....

It`s starting to get dark. Daylight lasts a bit longer now that it`s summer. Mom`s bougainvilleas still have baby sprouts. I wonder if it`ll take them till May to bloom. But I love the sun and how bright it is outside.

 

I am thinking.....

Of how faithful God is. Flowers are blooming in my heart.

 

I am thankful for.....

A delightful opportunity to cook for my cousins. The guys were here at home just a while ago. We`ve been planning for the Grand Family Reunion on monday.

 

From the kitchen.....

We finished everything already! What remains is a fridge full of chicken waiting to be cooked…and a lot of coffee.

 

I am wearing.....

A dotted-blue mini-skirt, black hooded tee and my favorite hotel room slippers! I feel like the girls in Korean movies.

I am going....

to write for the Faith Barista Jam today.

 

I am hearing....

plates from the kitchen. My sister Ava is washing a lot of `em!

 

Around the house.....

Mom has fallen asleep on the sofa. Guitar and Ava`s chord charts still on the couch. Snacks still everywhere. The dogs, I think, are asleep. ;)

 

I am reading.....

A sample chapter of Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge. I`ve really been wanting to read that but they`re always sold out on bookstores every time. Makes me cry! And Korean lessons.

I am hoping.....

to have an awesome time at the reunion next week. I wish everyone will be able to come. This is our first grand reunion ever. To see more flowers bloom. To have many day trips and enjoy summer outdoors. To have ice cream over the weekend!

 

Quote I like today:

“How many of us get kicked out of pulpits, street corners or church meetings for our preaching? The cross is offensive, Jesus was a revolutionary, he was either loved or hated.”-Jaeson Ma

 

Photos I loved today:

     

 

Photo credits: Akenisa on Flickr

and via –peachrose on Tumblr.