God's Coffee

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A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life. 
 
Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some 
expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the coffee. 
 
When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: 
 
"If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. 
 
Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. 
 
What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups... And then you began eyeing each other's cups. 
 
Now consider this: Life is the coffee; the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of Life we live. 
 
Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us." 
 
God brews the coffee, not the cups.......... Enjoy your coffee!  
 
"The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything." 
 
 
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.

Author unknown

Life is a gift

LIVING LIGHTLY

"Tsk tsk my electricity bill increased this month."

"Hmmp! My water consumption increased, too."

"Ouch! My ulcer attacks again."

"Hey, turn the TV off. There's nothing good in the news. It's the same PNOY attacked."

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The common scenario in Filipino households. Never ending WORRIES over the ever increasing price in commodities, utilities and other daily expenses while salary is stagnant and no hope to get increase. There's nothing new and if one will just think of it in everyday of their busy lives, they will never enjoy living.

One fine Sunday, I happened to attend an Eagle's Connection activity hosted by the Alumni officers. In the course of the discussion, we were asked to listen and to share our life experiences which I did sincerely. A day after, I received a FB message from one of fellow alumni, she said, "Mabait ka ate, sana ako bumait na tsaka ang warm mong kausap." (You are kind sis. I hope me too become kind. and you are warm talking to.) I was touched by her message. It's just an almost two hour non-voice/voice conversation with her. Which means we've just spent some minutes in sharing and listening then most of our time were spent smiling to each other (The usual scenario for first time meet-ups) Yet, she was able to perceive me as such. I was glad leaving such impression by the way. 

However, I also asked myself. Why despite of my real life situations I decided and chose to live lightly: 

1. If you must know, I have a rheumatic heart disease. The 2D echo showed that for a normal opening of 3mm, mine is just 0.92mm (way back year 2011, today, I didn't know yet and I chose not to follow-up. Knowing will just speed up my death.) If only for myself, this disease won't matter but having 2 kids whom I loved so much and who depend on me, it's a different story. 

2. Last 2012, not recovering yet from depression of knowing my sickness, my father died, then year after, my mother followed. Both due to sickness. I missed them. Very much. The thought of having parents even if seeing them once a year is far different than seeing them no more in flesh. My regret is trusting their belief of "Kung hindi ukol, hindi bubukol."(If not meant to be, it will never be.) I didn't try hard enough to encourage my father to bring him in the urban hospital because of his fear of travelling far. And I let my mother do her usual activity in the province despite of her old age which caused her sudden death due to high blood pressure. 

3. We're not well-off. Hubby and I are working on a regular employment and expecting 15/30 payroll. Then working hard on a freelance online projects. If we stop working, then, we will also stop eating and no more buying of daily needs then no more extra penny to satisfy some wants. Life it is.

The question now is WHY SHOULD I NOT LIVE LIGHTLY?

First, I have two kids who are the reasons of my smiles from the morning I wake up then sending me off to work with their numbers of kisses on my face plus their flying kisses  and hugs till I come home and giving me kisses again. Telling me their stories for the day, filling my ear with their cute voices of the songs they learned, praying with me and giving me their hugs and kisses before going to sleep. 

Second, I have a partner in life who is always behind me. Who backs me up in my decisions and give 100% support in my active participation in Alumni works. I am blessed indeed. Added to it, is having an understanding mother-in-law. 

Third, I have friends, real friends. We may be living miles away from each other, but the concern and love for each other never ends. 

Fourth, I have an alumni family. My #solid99ers family. The family I've gained from our Home away from Home, The Sisters of Mary School. It's a unique family where love exists even if we're born from different parents, raised from various ethnicities, grew from far away places in Luzon. We're siblings in Christ, united by our Venerable Fr. Al and taken cared of by our Mother Sisters who till now, their love and care never ceased. 

Lastly, I am working in an environment where the Center is Christ. I have a very kind, understanding and supportive boss who in my entire 7 years of service to the company, never reprimanded me. He listens to my voice, consider my suggestions and never criticized me for my failure or job undone. 

To sum it all, I can live lightly because:

• I see things positively. Yes, I am human, too. There are times I also freak out, cry and show my disappointment over matters that are not favorable but I don't sit into it that much. I find solutions over problems, work closely into it till it is solved. I am not fun of blaming but I see to it that lessons are learned.

• I live in the present time. As much as possible, I worry less about tomorrow. God is with me along the way and He never disappoint me. He show me the reasons for the whys and the answers to my never ending questions. I TRUST Him. From the morning I wake up till the time I sleep, I TRUST Him. Talking to God in every minute will do much than talking to your neighbor about the lives of other people. Talk to Him when you ride in a tricycle or in a jeep or in bus or even when you drive your own car. One time, my kids and I rode in a jeep. My younger daughter noticed a photo of the Driving Jesus displayed near the steering wheel. She asked me, "Mama, why Jesus is driving?" I told her, it means He is with us while travelling. So after we rode off the jeep and took a van, she told me, "Mama, Jesus is with us now, right?" Let us not forget, Jesus never leave us wherever we go, don't forget to greet Him on your next ride. To make sense, let Jesus be your Driver in your journey to life and you'll never go astray. 

• Most of all, bring with you spirit of gratitude. A grateful heart is a happy heart. Whether over simple things or big things, learn how to say Thank you. When you start saying thank you, you realize, everything becomes reason to be grateful. 

~~~~~~~~~xoxo~~~~~~~~~

Feb 22, God's sign

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I was in a hurry. After a half-day in the office 8:30-12:00 work, I have a Freelancer Career Kick-Off to attend at 1pm. My officemate advised me to just take a Van routing FTI-SM Makati. Thanks to her idea. I don't have to experience the hassle of riding an overcrowded bus as well as climbing the stairs in the overpass. I always avoid such scenario because I will for sure have breathing difficulty or will be getting tired easily. My husband actually never let me go alone when traveling because of my rheumatic heart. He decided to accompany me in the event it so happened that my two nieces have their scheduled classes so no one to take care of our two daughters. I have no choice then but to go by myself.

Immediately after office, I went to the terminal to catch a van going to Makati. I was a little hesitant because there's only one passenger. We need to wait for another 10 passengers so the van can leave. Checking my wristwatch every now and then, I can tell, I'll be late in the event because no other passengers willing to wait and they were riding the bus instead. What to do then; to wait for more 10 passengers which will take another 30minutes perhaps, or to ride in the bus?  Confused, I talk to Jesus. “Lord, if there's even a single passenger to ride in this van at this moment, I'll take this ride and not the bus.” As soon as I've finished praying, there's a lady approaching the van. She talked to the driver.

Lady: “How many more passengers to wait so we can leave?”

Driver: “We need to wait even for 8 passengers.”

Lady: “Ok, I'll pay for 8 passengers.”

Wow! I exclaimed. You're so good Lord. You answered so fast. Thank you!

God's blessing didn't end with that. In the event, I wasn't lucky enough to be drawn in the raffle for t-shirt or with the Ipad Mini. I really like the shirt. A participant next to me was lucky. He has the shirt and he was kind. He gave me the shirt. It's another blessing sitting beside a very considerate man. He even accompanied me in the way to terminal since I wasn't so familiar with the place. I just realized that he was actually supposed to stay to meet a certain group of attendees after the event. He just didn't say no to me. I was a little bit shy upon knowing that. But, I just prayed for him. May he be blessed, too; because that day, he's a blessing to me.

God Answers

It's a regular thing for us the whole family:  me, my hubby, our 2 kids and our two nieces living with us, to prepare ourselves on Sunday mornings to attend a Holy Mass at St. Martin de Porres Church in Parañaque. It started just an ordinary Sunday. We proceeded in the near front since my older daughter liked sitting near the front so she could see the priest during the whole mass. I knelt down and started praying. I have a lots of things to thank and to ask for to God. I already have had the things I've prayed for way back then: a not so perfect but happy family, a fulfilling job, treasured friends (I've just had dinner with two of them last Friday night.), a healthy mind and many other blessings...However, I still have so much to pray for: healing for my rheumatic heart, for the healing of a high school batch who has leukemia, for the strength of a high school spiritual brother and friend as he walks the way of the Lord in pursuing priesthood, for the health of the whole family and many other things which I believe God knows even before I pray. As I fervently praying, a member of MBG approached our bench. She talked to my husband. She requested us to be part of offertory where our family will be the one to bring the bread and wine. Wow! Yes, it's a Wow for me. Why? It's a sign God heard me and He recognized my prayers. It's a Family Sunday Mass schedule and many families out there like us attending the same mass. It's His blessing. I believe in signs.

My belief in signs started when I was still in high school in The Sisters of Mary. It was 12:00pm and the morning class has ended. My dormitory was in Bldg 4 while my class was in Bldg 2. I was assigned as food server. As food server, my duty was to get the food from the food cart and prepare the dining hall so I have to hurry so my doormates won't be late and could eat on time. Unfortunately, it was raining hard. The sky was dark and the rain kept on pouring. To run under the rain was an option but I won't do that since I could get really wet and the worst, I might get sick. Getting sick was a no, no. I'll be confined in the clinic or in the isolation room and miss my class. I hate the idea. I was in section A and missing my lessons would matter a lot. What to do? I closed my eyes and started praying, "Jesus, love mo ako diba? Patigilin mo na ulan please? Mama Mary please? All of a sudden, the rain stopped! Wow! Thank You Jesus! Thank you Mama Mary! I exclaimed then ran. All of the other students also ran fast. But, I was sorry for the other students because as soon as I reached the lobby of the building, the rain started to pour again. (naughty)

Another remarkable experience was when we attended the church a month after giving birth to my older daughter. I prayed for God's blessing for my daughter and for my family. Just what like happened yesterday, my hubby and I were chosen to serve in offertory. I took it as a sign since there were lots of family attending the mass together and we were chosen then.
In getting a job, I also trusted signs. Before I work in Allegro Philippines as Sales & Mktg. Assistant, I also requested for a sign. My 3 years work experience was in BPO so the chance of being hired as a Sales staff was little since I didn't have any experience on that field. Fortunately, I was considered. Visiting their plant for the interview, I requested for God sign if I should accept the job. During lunch time, I ate with the HR supervisor. In the canteen, I saw a rosary on her hand out of her pocket. I took it as a sign. I accepted the job. I loved my work there. I've learned so much and I gave my effort so much too. However, it's just far from my place. I have to take 3 tricycle rides before I reach the office. So, when an opportunity knocked near the house (walking distance) I left Allegro. By the way, only the HR, the President and few employees we're Roman Catholic in Allegro, the rest they were Iglesia ni Kristo. Religion didn't matter anyway. I love them. It's just that it's too far that even when the VP and the President urged me not to leave, I'd say sorry but No.

I considered a sign also before I started in my present work. During my interview, a sales staff was playing You are my Hiding Place and other religious songs on here PC, so I grabbed the job. Till now, I'm working here and I love being here. My boss is awesomely kind and considerate, my officemates too. For sure, there'll be no other work like it here. 

Dear Lord, Take me Out of the Dark

A REBLOG...

It was April 2011 when I learned I have severe mitral stenosis or commonly known as Rheumatic heart disease. According to the doctor, it is due to untreated Rheumatic fever related with Tonsilitis during my younger age. I don't know how it happened and now, I don't know how to handle it.

My 1/4- my passes for ballooning

My PHC White Card

Everytime I think about of my heart disease, tears filling my eyes. Not because I'm worrying much but because I know deep in my heart, God is healing me. I will undergo 2D echo again on Monday 8/29 to check the status of my heart and to help the doctor decide what medical procedure is appropriate in my case. Hence, I asked God to be my doctor. My faith and my trust never ceases, in His Mercy and power, HE will heal me.That's why I have nothing to say but THANK YOU LORD! I just wanna thank you LORD.Thanks to my ASMSI fellow. Thanks for your prayers! Thanks to my E-Wha Family for your overwhelming support and understanding! God bless us All!It was the same scenario 4 months ago. I was sitting in front of my computer with teary eyes. I was trying to appear normal but I can't stop the liquid flowing out from my eyes. It was the time when I finally learned the status of my heart which according to the doctor, I have severe mitral stenosis. I didn't know what this medical term meant but if I'll base on the explanation of the 2d echo technician and of the cardiologist who read the result, it was something I must be fearing of. Fear not for myself but for my very still young, 2 daughters. It was almost 2 weeks before I overcome that fear. Thanks to my officemates and thanks to MR Shin, my boss, who never failed to remind me of the goodness of the Lord. Mr Shin once said only God who knows your body. How it will function. Therefore, only God can heal it. Thanks to his powerful words. It enlightened me. 

JESUS, MY HEALER through His Ways

It's still fresh in my mind how my boss consoled me during the saddest realization of my cross. He said, "God made you, so He can only heal you".

I believe it so.
God knows every flesh, every vein, every beat of my heart, every cell of my body. That belief was strengthened more when I attended what I call, "A Healing Seminar", in Don Bosco Kalentong. For me, it's a healing seminar since I've heard many testimonies on how the patients were healed from mostly very hard to cure diseases such as Stage 4 Cancer, Kidney Stones, Heart Problems, Goiters, Cysts, Tumors and many other diseases. A Catholic Priest, who is also a Chemist, who doesn't want to be famous and only want to help others through his discovery, shared his knowledge about the power of Sea Salt & Water and of his banana enzyme. He said, "We are created to live long so take good care of your body and don't take away any part of it because God has purpose for it". His words are right as well as the vital information he shared with us.

It's been a week since I've started taking a glass of water with 3 drops of enzyme (given for free), 30 minutes before every meal. I can say, I can feel the health effect. Before, I suffered so much from GERD (acid reflux)  adding so much pain aside from the fatigue and easy tiredness I am experiencing due to my Rheumatic Heart Disease.  Miraculously, now, I can do my normal work without feeling tired and fatigue. And just today, I find out, the blurry eyes are also healed. I can now read the schedule on the white board 4 meters away from my table CLEARLY, yes clearly without the use of my eyeglasses! Last March, I've bought a pair of eyeglasses to ease me with my blurry eyes. Now, I'm not needing them anymore and my headache is also gone.

It's Gods way of telling me that the idea is right. He created me and so through His gift of nature, I can also be healed. 'm more confident now.

To those who are suffering like me, and want to know more about it, just message me. The priest shared his knowledge for free and 'm willing to tell you about him for free also. WHAT WE NEED? virtue of PATIENT. Just like the other patients do.

A Letter for my 2 year Old Daughter

Dear My Baby Butch,

     As the days passed, your papa and I can tell you're really naughty. Last Saturday, you intentionally peed on our Acer Notebook. You know for sure how important that to me, to your papa and to your ate and of course, for you, too. Your papa loved playing Plants and Zombies on that gadget. Once in a while, you saw me having my online seminar on that notebook and sometimes, checking online orders. You and your ate used to watch Cinderella or sing along with nursery rhymes on Youtube videos. I cannot comprehend why you did such thing. However, since I love you, I composed myself and avoided hurting you. I stopped your papa too even though he wanted to hit you to give you lesson. I just asked you to kiss and hug your papa and say sorry so that he will be angry no more which you did. Thus, your papa gave in to your sweet actuation.

    You're such a sweet daughter but most of the time you're really difficult to understand.

Last night, I was having a home service massage from your Lola Minda. You started crying without reason. Since I cannot hug and comfort you, you threw a toy on my face which hit my lips that pained me and left a bruise. Your attitude is really hard to comprehend my dear daughter. You often hurt us, your lola, your cousins, your ates, your papa and I, despite that we love you.

   I can't tell why you're having that tantrums. You know we love you. From the moment you wake up till you sleep, I am surely there to give you a warm hug and kiss as well as your papa and your ate. We oftentimes give you what you desire to see you not to cry.

    I know, you're still too young to understand right from wrong. That's why, I will be more patient to you. We will be more patient to you. We know, when you reach your proper age, you'll learn to understand.

Make It From Scratch: To Make Syrup

Make It From Scratch: To Make Syrup

God's Own Miracle will happen, IN HIS TIME

Last March 18 2011, we held our company annual check-up through Caritas Health Shield. I have no worries that time. I'M VERY MUCH HEALTHY...but that's what I thought...

March 23, 2011- The doctor read the test result. Everything was normal: blood, urine, stool. Hmm...tsk tsk...you  see I was right. I'm healthy I told myself. But wait, there's the xray result. There was a problem. The doctor said. I was afraid. I didn't know what to think and say.

I was required by the doctor to undergo 2D echo. She said my left atrium is prominent. It's bigger than normal. There must be problem with my heart. Troubled, I went to the Caritas staff to request for LOA. I requested for schedule too. The staff said I must have it asap.

April 1 - I went to Caritas for 2D Echo. The schedule was not relayed. I was not in the list for that test. I just said, if I'll not undergo that today, then perhaps by next year. Upon hearing that, the staff who do such method requested me to follow her. She thought that since I'm still young, the test would take not that long. However, she was wrong. She almost spent 2 hours just for that test. The usual 1 hour was extended to 2 hours. Why? Because my case was not usual according to her.

May 2011 - January 2012 - I was a regular patient of Philippine Heart Center. I followed the procedures. I've undergone series of tests. I never failed to go there in every schedule. January 23, the day of my procedure. It was remarkable. My boss has asked his driver to bring me in the hospital. My husband and I went there bringing everything, cash, vouchers, documents, pillows and everything I'll be needing in the confinement. I've readied myself but...I went back home.

I underwent 2D Echo again and 3 doctors said, my case was for open heart surgery. What??? Open Heart.
I was not ready.
I was afraid for my life.
I was afraid for my kids.
I was afraid for my future...
What my life would be?

The doctors said the Balloon Mitral Valvotomy which was recommended to me was not anymore applicable. What? How come? I didn't decide it. The doctors have decided it. They advised it to me. They said it's the method applicable. Were they wrong? I really didn't know.

All the difficulties I've encountered along the way just to make it happen rushed into my mind. After all the long lines I've went through with PCSO to ask for assistance. After long stressful and worrisome months, my case need open heart.

I went home confused. The only thing that register in my mind GOD HAS REASON FOR THIS! I remembered what Fr. Suarez - The Healing Priest has said on the healing mass I attended last January 18, "Nde na matutuloy yang procedures na yan." It happened. In God's own time, HE will give me the reason. HE will heal me.

I will patiently wait for it. For HIS healing hand. For HIS merciful hands to touch me. I fervently pray.

Here I am Again, troubled with ISO

Pile of papers need to update...
Customer drawings waiting to be filed...
Procedures calling for reviews and revisions...
Departmental forms I need to revise...
I've got so much to do...paperworks. Quotations. Sales Orders...Hmmm...Don't know where to start. Audit date fast approaching. I need sometime to refresh then sit down on this multitude of tasks so I could meet what expected of me from the start.
Being a sales staff and a Document Controller is really not an easy task. Every now and then, the phone rings. Inquiries, requests of quotations, taking orders, following-up deliveries, follow-up production schedule, entertaining walk -in clients these are just part of my daily activities from Mondays-Saturday 12:00 noon. I loved my job anyway. I have no complain...what complicates these daily task is my another job description, being a document controller. What a document controller ought to do, I'll share it to you on my next post!

You Took My Sickness and Heal all the Pain...Thank You LORD!

Today, here I am again in front of my computer. Tears filling my eyes. Not because I'm worrying much but because I know deep in my heart, God is healing me. I will undergo 2D echo again on Monday 8/29 to check the status of my heart and to help the doctor decide what medical procedure is appropriate in my case. Hence, I asked God to be my doctor. My faith and my trust never ceases, in His Mercy and power, HE will heal me.That's why I have nothing to say but THANK YOU LORD! I just wanna thank you LORD.Thanks to my ASMSI fellow. Thanks for your prayers! Thanks to my E-Wha Family for your overwhelming support and understanding! God bless us All!It was the same scenario 4 months ago. I was sitting in front of my computer with teary eyes. I was trying to appear normal but I can't stop the liquid flowing out from my eyes. It was the time when I finally learned the status of my heart which according to the doctor, I have severe mitral stenosis. I didn't know what this medical term meant but if I'll base on the explanation of the 2d echo technician and of the cardiologist who read the result, it was something I must be fearing of. Fear not for myself but for my very still young, 2 daughters. It was almost 2 weeks before I overcome that fear. Thanks to my officemates and thanks to MR Shin, my boss, who never failed to remind me of the goodness of the Lord. Mr Shin once said only God who knows your body. How it will function. Therefore, only God can heal it. Thanks to his powerful words. It enlightened me. 

Manila Ocean Park

'm a little bit excited for Manila Ocean Park trip today. It's our last day in the office for this year and we'll welcome another year of life, work, friendship, etc tomorrow midnight. Hope everything will be fine for me. I won't worry much yet. I want to enjoy whatever we will have after office. To meet different fish species in the oceanarium and many other things. I'll post some photos tonight.

my sweetie's fave

My little Gwyneth never say "no" when it comes to ice cream. She loves it very much. The local ice cream vendor knows it that's why he never let a day passed without passing to our vicinity and he will stay in front of our gate, sounding his bell to call my daughter's attention. One day, while I was busy cleaning up after my daughter's bath, I heard this same bell then I noticed my daughter was out of my sight. I heard from group of men that my little girl was out of the gate, crossed the street and ran towards the ice cream vendor. I ran outside and there she was with 25 cents on her hand trying to buy one cone of ice cream. What 25 cents can buy these days? We'll after that incident, good thing happen. Her uncle never fails to bring her 1 gallon of ice cream twice a month. Good, indeed!

Need scholarship?

Third World Country, it is how Philippines is being identified. Poorest of the poor dominates the populations. Rich people are getting richer while poor have nothing but hope that one day their way of life will change. Although some resort to making their hopes and dreams come true in non-Christian way: stealing, snatching, hold-up, gambling, killing, drug trafficking etc., there are still some who do it righteously and fairly. Parents strive hard so they may be able to send their children to school, believing that education will free them from poverty. However, most of our youth can only afford until secondary education due to high financial obligations a college degree requires. Therefore, scholarships offer by generous individual, groups, organizations, companies, philanthropists etc., do a lot. Scholarships serve as the lighting path which will lead them to brighter future.

As I browse the internet, I found out some of these:

FUJITSU Philippines College Scholarship 
METROBANK College Scholarship

JAPANESE Government Scholarship
FULBRIGHT
Technological University of the Philippines (TUP)
University of the Philippines Los Baños
New Zealand Scholarship
Lyceum of the Philippines-Manila
University of the Philippines
Megaworld Foundation Inc.
University of the Philippines-Cebu
ASEAN Foundation Research Scholarships
De La Salle College of St. Benilde
Peace Corps Alumni Foundation for Development

Hope this helps.

Additional list is coming soon....

Fear not...

A pregnant mother always worry for the child in her womb...and for her life.

It was my 2nd pregnancy. After 3 times of having checked-up in a private clinic near our residence, I decided to transfer to another ob-gyne. I was not satisfied with my first OB. All pregnancy related pain I've consulted with her ended up in laboratory tests. My officemates encouraged me to have my check-up in Chinese General Hospital since they knew the quality of service at low cost in the said hospital. However, it's too far from my place. I decided to look for a better ob-gyne and I found one. She's serving in different hospitals and clinics so I knew her experiences will serve me well. I was correct. She's dutiful and caring towards her patients. She asked me to choose which hospital I want to deliver my baby. It's between private and public hospitals. She informed me that in private, I must prepare 50-70K for caesarian operation while in public, 30-40K would be enough. I chose the latter since it's what our savings could afford.

Month before I gave birth to my second child, I worried about a lot of things. I felt the moment I give birth would be my last breath. I didn't want that to happen. I want to raise my children. I want to see them grow, study, work and marry. I fought my fears and I asked God for another chance to live but the feeling just kept stronger when my delivery was at hand.
As I laid on the operating table, a crucifix caught my eye hanging on the wall of the operating room. There I stared at HIM and I asked again for my life. My fears subsided and while the operation was going on I repeated Our Father & Hail Mary many times. I didn't sleep eventhough the doctor gave me a doze until I heard my baby crying. At last I successfully gave birth. I even saw her while the nurses were cleaning her up. It's another life for me. HE gave me this chance...I was really happy that time. I have to continue my purpose...become a good mother to my 2 daughters, Helen Gwyneth & Brianna Callie (their names were chosen based on meaning)...

Ephesians 2:1-10

Today is the first monday of the month. It's a remarkable day. We have our first Monday monthly orientation. By the way, it's not typical orientation a company is usually doing. Here we sing some song of praise followed by a sharing by a pastor or sometimes our president himself.

The sharing we heard today is significantly related to the natural disasters happening in the world. Just recently we were shocked by thousands of death in Haiti then now the 8.8 intensity earthquake which shakened Chile. We might ask ourselves, is this just a natural thing or it's God's reminder of His near Coming. We are still blessed that we are given another day to live, another time to realize who we are and for whom shall our life be.

The pastor who shared emphasized what is written in Ephesians 2:1-10:

Made Alive in Christ

1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Death is life's reality. We don't know when it will come. Let's just be ready. As stated in the above verses, 10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Sewing Flavors

I learned sewing during my high school days. This is one of the vocational courses I freely got from studying in the Sisters of Mary, my Alma Mater.

My mother-in-law, as supported as ever, has her sewing machine fixed for me. This machine was bought more than a decade already. It's a Fantasia model from SINGER, a well-known manufacturer of sewing machines. Although it's an ordinary machine run through pedal, it is efficient still. You can adjust sewing pattern to zigzag, straight or combination if you want.

Here are some of the photos of my 2 year old daughter wearing the dress and the ruffled hat I

sewn for her.

I adapted the patterns from Sacred Spiral while the dress, I patterned to her dress with Dora applique. I just made some revision on the shoulder strap. Instead of having it closed, I just used ribbon. Then I attached pink ribbon on the waist line to accentuate.

For mothers like me who wants to give their daughter dress with personal touch, there are free pattern designs available in the web. Try browsing Free Needle and you'll find lots of them...

Goodluck!!!