Did you notice?
posted on 01/13/2008
Oh, did you notice?
I went to www.babyangelpics.com and had Briar's picture re-touched. The picture was of him with his curly hair showing. I think they did a very good job.
This service is free. Read it on their website - don't have time to explain right now, got to go get ready...
Comments (1)Peace
posted on 01/07/2008
I've known this for a long time but it took me a while to go back, I have found that every time I go to church (and afterwards) I feel a sense of inner peace. So it makes one wonder why it took me months or a few years to go back to church. I know it's mostly laziness and wrong/misplaced priority.
Looking back, aside from inner peace, I felt I am stronger (far greater inner strength) and able to face trials without breaking down or being affected too much. Although, I've never lost a child before so I guess it's like comparing apples to oranges? As I mentioned in the beginning of this detour in our journey, my faith in God is partly/mostly what's kept me sane and strong (the other part is Keith and other family members).
Well, my thoughts rolled off faster than my hands can type, so I can't remember the additional point I have relating to the above thoughts. But a thought popped up and I'll type it now before it goes away...
Years ago, I met and been with people who laugh at those who believe in God. They consider themselves as intellectuals, and they think that those who believe in God are fools - fools who detach themselves from reality so that they can make themselves feel good. I'm not even going to go into proving that there is God, that is not the point I'm trying to make - and I already believe in God, so I don't need to prove it to myself. But I look at their lives and compare it with those the call "fools" and I see that they are not as happy as the "fools". Mind you this is anecdotal conclusion, based on the people I've met, so I'm not trying to generalize (not much ;oD). These are my observations:
| Believer | Unbeliever |
|---|
| 1. Generally happy people. They pray for answers to their problems, they lift their problems to God. Thinks that these are trials and things will soon be better again with God's help and in His time. | 1. Mostly happy because they generally don't care what happens to other people just themselves. |
| 2. Care about other people, and give what they have to help out. It doesn't matter if the person in need has hurt or used them before - he is also a son of God and he needs help, it's Christian duty to care for him. | 2. At times care about other people, and thinks that those who have should help the needy one. Will tell those who have to give what they have for the needy. Either that or, heck,I'm poor too, I don't have to give you what little I have. |
| 3. When sad or down, will sing gospel or inspirational songs or will read the Bible or inspirational book. Will reach out to friends/family/church members and socialize with them to lift up their spirits. | 3. When sad or down, thinks they are depressed and will take anti-depressant pills. |
Well, more again later. I got distracted by formatting my entry, I lost my train of thought.
(Looking at the above, the contrast is very clear/big/strong. There may be "unbelievers" whose values are closer to the "Believer column" above but unfortunately, those I met have shown mostly the values/stances under the "Unbeliever" column. On the other hand, there may be "believers" who do not show much of the values under the "Believer" column.)
Comments (0)Found some NewYear's Eve pics
posted on 01/04/2008
I was reminiscing about Christmas and NewYear celebration some time ago. I browsed through pictures I brought with me and found some pics.
Here's me, my siblings, and some of my cousins waiting for 12MN. This is just 1/16th of the "family".
Here's more from the same night.
My youngest sister and a few cousins and friends.
This one's from New Year's eve 2007.
Comments (1)Did you make a New Year's resolution?
posted on 01/01/2008
Last night I was thinking I'd rather not make a resolution because after a while I'll forget and I won't be doing it anyway - whatever it is. But something I heard being discussed on the radio makes sense - it's better to start something than nothing at all. (Better to make them and break them than nothing at all).
So, I will spend the day thinking about what I will do less, do more, or do something else this year. I know one thing - I need to exercise more to lose the weight I gained during pregnancy, and maybe try attending yoga classes for its meditative/relaxing effect.
Comments (0)Happy New Year!
posted on 12/31/2007
Happy new year everyone.
I hope the next year brings good things - good news, better life to us all. May our wishes, hopes and prayers come true.
===
We had a great Christmas celebration/observance/week.
Comments (0)Merry Christmas!!
posted on 12/24/2007
Well, it's Christmas eve. I would like to greet everyone a very merry, holy and meaningful Christmas.
"For unto us a child is born", ah, here's the full text :
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
Isaiah 9:6
Comments (0)
Great to have family for Christmas
posted on 12/17/2007
It's great to have family for Christmas.
Growing up with a large family/clan, Christmas was loud and fun. Back then there were many families who have been living in the block/street for years, so they all knew each other. They have grown up, got married, and had kids there. At that time there were a lot of kids around my age (some a little bit older than me). And out of 7 siblings, my mom and 4 more brothers' families still lived in the street. Imagine how many cousins were there at that time, we were the largest family there - 17 cousins plus 5 - my mom's cousins who were in the same age group as us. (Note: There are more than 17 grandchildren in the family, but some were born after that period or were too young to join us at that time or were much older than us that they were in college/other place during that time.)
For years, and I can't recall how many years we have done that, there was block/street "party" on Christmas eve (and New Year's eve). As soon as December hits, block homeowners contribute for banderitas (I can't find translation for that as of now but it looks like this: ) 
and games (props and prizes for games). In the morning of Dec 24th, boys old enough, will trek up the mountains to gather bamboo - enough to use as posts for a temporary structure. We use this to block off a portion of the street. It's decorated with more banderitas and Christmas lights. At night, after attending the midnight mass, and after having Christmas dinner, we all gather in this structure that we have created - from kids to adult. We have music and dancing, and games for kids and for adults as well. There's program/presentations where kids perform group dance or sing or whatever talent they have.
For us kids, when we get hungry during all this, we'll go visit somebody's house and eat whatever is left of dinner, we visit two or three houses that night - grandma's, a cousin's, or a neighbor's. Everybody's house is open to everyone, well, until two in the morning when parents go to bed. The older kids (teenagers) stay up till four in the morning to cleanup and remove the structure so vehicles can pass through again.
Christmas day is fun. It is tradition that kids visit their Godparents on Christmas day. So after the early morning mass, you'll see a parent with 4 or 5 kids in tow walking to each child's Godparent. Girls will have purses with them or wear dresses with big pockets and boys wear pants with big pockets. Godparents will give either money or presents. It's somewhat similar to Halloween without the costumes.
I don't recall doing that though. I don't know where my godparents were. But Aunts and Uncles give us gifts and/or money. I recall that as early as 12years old, I already have a Godchild, so at age 20, I already have probably 10 Godchildren. (Their parents probably saw a very good future for me that they wanted me to be one of their children's 2nd parent)
All day long we'll have visitors, one after another. If not for my mom, it's for my nana, or for me or my sister.
Fun times, although, I don't think my description give it justice.
We were there last Christmas but it's not the same as before. A little, though. Old neighbors has moved out or like me their parents are there but friends got married and now live elsewhere - some spend Christmas eve with their spouse's family. My youngest sister was the "leader" of the "committee" that organizes block events for Christmas (if any), fiesta, and New year's eve. They skipped the music/dance/games event on Christmas eve and just had one on New Year's eve. That's another story for next week. Christmas day was fun though. My cousins from San Diego were there as well, and has saved up for the trip, so they had changed their money to the smallest monetary and asked the kids (younger cousins, nephews, nieces, neighbor's kids, and even kids we don't know!) to line up. It's like Santa, but instead of giving gifts, my cousin was giving away money. The kids loved it! There was a long line and those who were done, I think, went out on the street and started spreading the news so more went in to get in line. It was fun, loud, and overwhelming. And of course, there's food all day long, and visitors coming in and out.
Comments (0)Pray for us
posted on 12/11/2007
I believe prayer is powerful.
I know I have strayed for a while from my relationship with God - not that I don't believe in Him anymore, just that I don't have a set prayer time like I used to do, that I try to solve my problems instead of lifting it up to Him and that I don't give as much thanksgiving and praise like I used to.
I am ashamed to say that it took "bad" things to happen before I turn to Him again.
There were more things I was thinking of writing earlier but I got distracted.
Please pray for us to get through this. Please pray for us for strength, guidance, and courage. Please pray for a miracle and healing. Deep in my heart I believe things are going to be well again (I wish, hope, pray and beg God for things to be well again), but sometimes it is hard to see that when one is emotional.
God bless.
Comments (0)
