December 2011
44 posts
1 tag
A few years ago...
A few years ago, while my face was tear streaked and my eyes resembled raccoon eyes, I said Lord, thank you for loving me…I promise to love you with everything I had, everything I currently possess and all those things that are coming.
A few years ago, with my feet wet and my heart humbled with a loving act of service, I said, Lord I want you to have all my life again, all my desires,...
It's been a great week!
You know that feeling when you’re around the people that you’ve grown with through the years?
I’ve had that feeling this whole week. I missed the Reolas from New Jersey and two days was not enough with them. I also realized how much I miss my friends from church back home, thanks to Najee who spent two days with me. Of course, happy with my cousin-in-law who’s my shopping...
“Prayer brings humility to the one praying. It admits dependence on God. If we...”
– (via littlethingsaboutgod
)
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who...
“Our greatest fear should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life...”
– Francis Chan (via littlethingsaboutgod
)
1 tag
When People are not up to Par
Have you ever looked at someone and thought, “wow, that person has a bad attitude” or better yet, “That person is SO odd”. Somehow, that impedes our attempts at friendship or even with conversation. Somehow, we would have failed. In our efforts to preach acceptance and tolerance, we have sold out. We now think that true acceptance is being with people who are very similar...
There is nothing more powerful than the act of forgiveness. Forgiveness is the only path to freedom. Without forgiveness, this world can be a very bitter and cold place to live in. Life is unfair, people can be mean, pain can be unbearable and injustice is pure evil. But we need to understand humanity is broken and the effect of sin is inevitable. We can’t control our circumstance, our...
Book Review: Dual Citizens
Book Title: Dual Citizens: Worship between the Already and the Not Yet
Author: Jason Stellman
Dual Citizens, written by Jason Stellman, is a beautifully written book on the pilgrim experience. In fact, he refers to the Christian life as that of a pilgrimage. He discusses one topic that becomes of increasing relevance in our world today, the correlation between life and worship and as to what the...
Quotes from Facing the Giants
Just finished watching it and I must say, awesome movie. :)
“Lord Jesus, would you help me? I need you. Lord, I feel that there are giants of fear and failure staring down at me, waiting to crush me. And I don’t know how to beat ‘em, Lord. I’m tired of being afraid. Lord, if you want me to do something else, show me. If you don’t want me to have children, so be...
1 tag
Noche Buena Menu
Noche Buena is the traditional feast we celebrate during Christmas Eve (yes at midnight!) right about Simbang Gabi (which is Evening Mass). To preserve my Filipino culture, we decided to do it here with family and friends.
So far, I have a very simple menu and I would still have to raid my pantry to figure out the rest later.
1. Penne with Italian Sausages in Vodka Sauce. It will be topped by...
1 tag
Book Review: Begin
Book Title: Begin: A Journey through scriptures for seekers and new believers
Authors: Ken Ham and Bodie Hodge
This book introduces itself as a supplementary tool for a new believer or seeker with the goal to understand God’s word, the Bible, deeper and fully. It can be a bit intimidating for readers to approach all 66 books in the Old and New Testament; however, this book shows the value...
“People aren’t problems to be fixed. People are people, for us to walk alongside...”
– Brooke Fraser (via deebella123
)
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His Princess: Love Letters from Your King
Author: Sheri Rose Shepherd
Publishing: Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers
This book, written by Sheri Rose Shepherd, is a collection of love stories written by a King to His Princess. It is filled with encouragement, promises and advice on how to love Him, yourself and others. Each page is decorated with a lovely colorful background, a short love letter and a scriptural passage. The book is very...
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Repost: The Man who almost Missed Christmas
The Man Who Almost Missed Christmas Rachel Olsen
“His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.” Matthew 1:18b-19(NIV)
In the Bible there is a man who almost...
1 tag
Soap for Hope
Ever think about using your hobbies, passions or talents to help out others or a cause?
There is this girl named Adelaide Ehlis from NJ who did exactly that. She met 2 year old, Tom Hanrahan who had a genetic order called Angelman Syndrome.
She decided to launch the Soap for Hope Project with her friends in order to raise money for Angelman Syndrome research. It was all done with the use of...
1 tag
What's the good in opening up those windows?
In the Dicken’s book, A Christmas Carol, the author tries to describe Scrooge and his environment in the beginning. It’s always struck out at me at how Scrooge wanted his room dark, private and not accessible to light and people from outside. His face was always serious and unsmiling and he just spoke with a ‘grating’ voice to people around him. He disliked everything...
“Let me ask you something. If someone prays for patience, you think God gives...”
– God, as played by Morgan Freeman, in Evan Almighty (2007)
One of my favorite quotes up to this day! I am a big fan of ‘sensitive’ Steve Carell movies. Dan in Real Life is one of my favorite movies!
I’m bouncing up and down with happiness! One of my close sisters in Christ is flying to California for the holiday season and I shall be spending time with her. God is really great!! =)
And one of the families that I grew up with in the Middle East is flying over to spend time with our family too. I’m excited to see the kids, I’ve seen them grow up and can’t wait to drive...
“Here I am waiting
Abide in me I pray
Here I am longing
For You
Hide me in...”
– Eagle’s Wings, Hillsong
“Teacher, You look beautiful today!”
“Thank you! That’s really...”
– A day at preschool. :)
I am really happy that the Lord led me here.
Title: Serious Play, Careless Work
Author: Elisabeth Elliot (as taken from her devotional)
When I was a kid we rushed home every afternoon from school, burst into the house to make sure Mother was there where we wanted her to be (she was), and then collected the kids on the block to play Kick the Can or to build playhouses out of wooden greenhouse boxes. Equipment didn’t cost us a...
“But who can say what’s best? That’s why you need to grab whatever chance you...”
– Haruki Murakami (via roscoe-
)
Holiday Snail Mail
The US Postal Service announced that it will be cutting costs so snail mail will be slower by a few days. At least we have to hope that it doesn’t rival the delivery of the Pony Express right?
Christmas is one of my favorite holidays and yes, I am aware that we have Facebook, Twitter, E-greeting Cards and E-mail. I am also quite adept at using those modes of communication as well....
1 tag
Powerful illustration by Albert Lewis
a sermon by albert lewis, 1975
“A man seeks employment on a farm. He hands his letter of recommendation to his new employer. It reads simply, ‘He sleeps in a storm.” “The owner is desperate for help, so he hires the man. “Serveral weeks pass, and suddenly, in the middle of the night, a powerful storm rips through the valley. “Awakened by the swirling rain...
Precious Lord, reveal Your heart to me. You are...
1 tag
Book Review: Nearing Home (Billy Graham)
At first I admit that I was a little hesitant in picking up this book. However, Billy Graham reeled me in with his reflections on purpose, legacies, discipline and planning. He asks, “Why is aging a young person’s issue?” and the book talks about the importance of learning from others. It is full of wisdom and hope to readers of different ages. As a twenty-something year old adult, I find it a...
4 tags
Turkey Cannellonis in Shallots, Fontina/Asiago...
For thanksgiving, I made turkey stuffed cannellonis! I was a bit scared to try the whole turkey for thanksgiving (maybe next year), but I decided to add some turkey to the menu nonetheless.
Filling:
1 white onion, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
ground turkey, 1 pack
1 cup of spinach leaves, chopped roughly
4 pieces of roasted bell peppers, chopped
1 small tub of ricotta cheese
1 cup...
2 tags
Short reflection on Intimacy with Christ
At the moment, I just got out of History class. It’s amazing how much knowledge is out there, waiting to be accessed and researched and read. Our professor shared something in class and he said,
“California history is something that is so great in scope and time in this semester is limited. Even after two semesters of this course, it will continue to change and you will have to chase...
Psalm 90:12 in Three Versions
New American Standard Bible (©1995) So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.
New International Version (©1984) Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.) So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
2 tags
Speed reading can be beneficial
It’s crunch time! I’m a full time student this semester and a part-time teacher assistant. I prefer to do things early and plan them horribly but there are days where one must be able to do papers quick and efficiently!Two weeks more until my beloved winter break and I am cramming some things.
Voila! The art of speed reading. Some people get books and go to classes for this but it is...
3 tags
Blessed are the Peacemakers, and yes, even during...
It’s that most wonderful time of the year! Or is it? It’s that time of the year when the holidays are all clumped up all together, schedules are filled to the brim and families decide to have all their reunions, dinners and family get-togethers.
It can easily become a war zone, especially when there are difference in personalities or temperaments, in culture, preferences, and just...
1 tag
Beef Bourguignon
This thanksgiving, one of the dishes I decided to cook was Beef Bourguignon. I referred to Ina Garten’s recipe on the food network site and just tweaked it a little bit. First time making the dish so I was a bit nervous.
Ingredients:
8 ounces of smoked bacon
2 1/2 pounds of beef chuck
Salt and Pepper
Baby carrots
2 yellow onions sliced
2 cloves of garlic, sliced
1/2 cup...
1 tag
Lunch Dates and Girl-talk
AstroJ (blogspot image)
I had the opportunity and free time to go on a long-due lunch date with my cousin in law. It was just one of those weekends that despite having due dates, I just had to get out and get a little air and walk around.
We ended up getting some Italian food, lasagna, margherita pizza (my favorite kind!) and freshly baked bread with balsamic vinegar and olive oil, pesto.
...
Anonymous asked: what to do with leftover pansit?
2 tags
I decided to include this article I read yesterday on my blog roll. Family is something that I hold to my heart very dearly, no matter what. But this article written by Casey Hobbs brings new perspective to a truth in life..So read on, and enjoy!
About a year ago now my dad stumbled upon a song by the Avett Brothers called “Murder in the City.” We took a vote, my mom, brothers and I, and we...
2 tags
Growing Pains
Growing Pains is a medical term used to describe rapid growth among adolescents that is often described as ‘painful’ growth.
In our life, this may represent moments or situations which are greatly uncomfortable, grievous, and bone-jarring moments. These are moments which stretch us and try us as we’ve never been tried before. Oh, how easy would it be to just wish all of it...
1 tag
We are not as strong as we think we are
Image: “Strength” by Jon Palma (flickr)
By Rich Mullins
Well, it took the hand of God Almighty To part the waters of the sea But it only took one little lie To separate you and me Oh, we are not as strong as we think we are
And they say that one day Joshua Made the sun stand still in the sky But I can’t even keep these thoughts Of you from passing by Oh, we are not...
2 tags
Windy days and old hymns
Today was a very windy day, and it was a challenge to set up the outside yards for the preschool. I, however, tried to rediscover my child-like qualities today by playing with a wagon. We have one of those old, red wooden wagons that the kids use to play in and I dragged it to make my switching toys in the outside yard to the shed much faster and much easier on my back. How’s that for...
3 tags
Being Single means Relying on His Timing
I know, I know. It sounds crazy. Why would I even think of surrendering my singlehood and dating life to Christ? The answer is a bit simple in theory and a bit more challenging in application: I surrendered my life to Christ, this means my past, present and future life. At current, I am a twenty-something single woman who loves Christ a lot. Don’t get me wrong, I have a desire to get married...
