Hello 2015!

It is the last day of December, and the last day of the year! As we all know, when a year ends, another one begins. Around this time, people usually make lists of things they want to change about them and be resolved about really doing them in the New Year. 

This our first New Year celebration together as hubby and wifey, and we've decided to start a tradition of making list of things-to-accomplish in the next twelve months, only that they arrive at something quite different. Instead of resolutions, these lists draw less focus on ourselves and aim to magnify the goodness and faithfulness of God in our lives. 

We thought of a lot, but we only jotted down those which are really important. To guarantee that, we prayed so that we will produce a list that is borne out of the Spirit’s leading, and not by our own unguarded and deceitful heart, and limited mind.

So here’s a temporary list I made for 2015 in no particular order. :)

God has planned out the best for us, and we don’t want to trade that in for our own petty requests. But in order to really understand this, one must always start by asking Jesus to come into his/her heart. As Proverbs 3:5-6 says:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." 

Go and do that today and believe for an encounter with Him. Who knows, this might just be your best year yet.

Happy New Year Everybody!!!

Expecting Great Things From God,

 

Our First Merry Christmas

Why was this Christmas extra special? 

Because it’s our FIRST as husband and wife! Yey! :)

Since our families are both tight-knit, Percy and I had to plan which part of the Christmas holidays should be spent with his family and which should be with mine. We decided to be with his family on Christmas eve for Noche Buena which was celebrated in our house, and Christmas Day was with my family.

Christmas is such a joyous time of year. It's a time filled with wonder and excitement. In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the holidays, we should keep our focus on the true meaning of the season - the celebration of Jesus' birth.

"For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." - Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)

Happy Holidays, everyone! :)

Cheers,

 

Welcome Back Sister Joyce!

Joyce was one of the closest friends I have. I met her during HGHF at Word of Hope through Percy. They have known each other because they were schoolmates during their High School days. Since then she was always with me on my journey of being a Born Again Christian; we’re always together attending Church services and fellowship in our ministry, the Young Professionals Circle. We became very close as days goes by thus, I was so sad when she told me that she will be working abroad.

And I can still remember the day she left, I was like a child crying a lot. Haha! It really hurts knowing that I will not see and be with her for 2 years. :(

Our last bonding before she left

It’s almost 2 years have passed, and now she’s back. I’m so happy! :) Knowing she’s home now, I am so excited to see her and bond with her again. I missed her so much and praise God He gave us time to be with each other after those lonely years of mine. Hehe! The first thing we did? Bonding with hubby before he goes to work and we attended our Midweek service in Church.

Hope to have more and longer bonding time together soon after her errands and busy days. So happy to see you again sister!!! :)

Xoxo,

My 29th Birthday

It was my 29^th birthday, and it’s the first time we’re celebrating it together as husband and wife, and like we agreed, he took charge and planned the things he wanted us to do. 

As early as 1 am in the morning, he went home from work so that he’ll be the first person to greet me happy birthday.. (Yieeehhh.. Kilig!) I was still sleeping when he arrived and when I woke up, he gave me his surprise birthday cake and greeted me a sweetest happy happy birthday! :)

Hubby's Surprise Birthday Cake

We went to Eastwood Richmonde Hotel Café for lunch. Eastwood Richmonde Hotel was very memorable to us.. The last time we were here was the night before our wedding, and now that we got to step foot here once again as a married couple and all we can say was “it’s nice to be back!”.  It was probably my most favorite restaurant he has ever brought me to.  The ambiance was cozy, and the food was delectable. This place will always be memorable. 

 

Before we end the day, we also watched movie at Trinoma Cinema, our favorite movie house. Hehe! ;p We have so much fun. It’s been a long time we haven’t watch movie in cinema.

And that's the roundup of my 29^th! Nothing grand, just pure quality time, just the way we always like things to be. :)

Very Blessed,

 

Our Heart's Desire

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” 
~ Psalm 37:4

Percy and I have been married for 4 months now, and we have been actively trying and praying for me to conceive. When there was no sign of a baby the month after we started trying, and much to my frustration, my monthly period still hasn't missed a visit; I’ve felt sad. But we eventually know that it's way too early to be worried and our friends and my office mates told exactly the same thing. 

You know what gives me peace in times like this when I am starting to get frustrated?

It's my FAITH in GOD. God knows the desires of our hearts and God knows how much Percy and I wanted to become parents. And we believe that He is not a selfish God. He is a very generous God. That's why I am very certain that He will bless Percy and me with children. That's what we keep holding on to. When? We don't know. But our faith in Him includes faith in His timing.

We need to wait on the Lord and trust that His perfect timing is the best. Because there is a right time for everything. A right time to do everything, a right time to have a baby! :) Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time.”

GOD'S TIMING IS ALWAYS PERFECT, it's never early, never late. God's answer to our prayers, maybe to wait for a time before He gives us our desires. Because every gift that comes from God is worth waiting for! :)

When our little baby arrives, we know that His time can never be more perfect. We may not understand why, but the Lord always has His purpose. For now, we will just keep on trying, and we will never stop praying and believing! :)

Remember, God has plans for our life and wants the best for us. He allowed His Son to die so that our sins could be forgiven. In Jeremiah 29:11 it says, 

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

P.S. I believe that the Lord is sending our Little Angel to my womb SOON... :) That's our makulet prayer every night. And we're keep on claiming this greatest blessing in Jesus' name! :)

Excited about God's gift,

Putting God First

It is important to ask God to show you what He would have you do each day. Start the day with Jesus.

"Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. (Proverbs 16:3)

It is during the busy times that I am reminded of the story of Mary and Martha in the Bible. I often feel that I am like Martha wanting to organize and sort everything. But God doesn't want us to be so busy that we don't spend time with him.

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me! Martha, Martha, the Lord answered, You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.' (Luke 10:38-42)

Mary had chosen the better option of spending time with Jesus. Yes like Martha we might have work commitments and things that we must do, but it is more important to know what God would have us do. Our time on earth is short and so I encourage you to seriously think about how you are spending your time.

'So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.' (2 Corinthians 4:18)

There are so many things that can occupy our time and lots of these things we need to do, but the most important is spending time with God. I am often challenged about my spare time and whether I am giving God the best times of my day. Is it really important that I spend time on facebook, shopping for new clothes or watching that soap opera on the TV? Ask yourself the question: How would God want me to spend my spare time?

The most important church meeting we can attend is the one where we spend time with God.

In conclusion I want to encourage you to put God first in your life. In Psalm 55:17 it says ...

'Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.'

God hears us when we cry out to Him. He wants us to spend time with Him. God loves you and wants the very best for you. I encourage you to set aside some time to pray to God and ask Him to show you how you can best manage your own time. Is there a job that God wants you to do for Him or is there an activity He wants you to give up? Place your life in His hands and ask God to rule in your heart. I pray that as you do this, God will give you His peace and encourage you in your Christian walk.

Very Blessed,

 

Making Time for God

Do you ever feel that you are so busy coping with the pressures of life that it is a struggle to make time to spend with God? A woman's work is never done. It can be hard juggling everything that needs to be done, spending time with your husband/family, catching up with friends, cleaning the house, doing the shopping, ironing, pressures at work etc. I've tried to be organized and write a list of jobs that I need to do, and I take great delight in crossing them off when they are completed. But often it seems that just as one list is finished, I need to write another even longer one! It can be very discouraging! 

Many times, we can feel that there isn't enough time in the day to get everything done. Time. It is something we all treasure, something we wish we had more of, but it just seems to slip so quickly through our fingers. I find myself thinking sometimes if only I had time I would.... spend more time in prayer and reading the Bible, helping people etc. 

It is at these times that I find I need to assess my priorities. What should my focus be each day? My main aim as a Christian should be serving God and putting him first no matter what I am doing. Jesus said there are two important commandments ...

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbour as yourself." (Matthew 22:37-38)

How can we do this? I believe the most important way to do this is by remembering these commandments in all we do. Firstly, we need to love God with all our heart, soul and mind. If we love God with all our heart then we will want to spend time with Him and give Him the best times of our day. 

Start the day committing it to God in prayer and asking for his help and guidance throughout the day.

Very Blessed,

 

3 Ways to Build Better Communication in Marriage

I smile as I remember our stories when Percy and I were in our dating years. We rarely got to see each other and we sent handwritten letters whenever we want. Hihi! :P 

Just a generation later, we have hundreds of ways to communicate. Call/text. Facebook. Facetime, Skype. The list could go on and on… As technology increases, you would think communication would become easier. But it’s really not. If anything, I believe that effective communication in marriage is becoming MORE difficult. 

Notice I said effective communication in marriage. I believe there’s a big difference between talking and communicating. And I’ve learned that effective communication in marriage is essential. Let me share with you what I have learned:

1. Pick one night a week to have a no-technology evening. Turn your phone and computer off, and let your spouse know you are making time for them. Don’t expect them to do the same; just show that you are there

2. If your spouse is talking to you about something, set aside any distractions. Look at them, listen, and say something relevant in response.

3. Ask your spouse how you can be a better listener and communicator. By humbly approaching them and asking how you’re doing in this area, you’ll show that you care about them enough to make a change. Be prepared to respond with grace instead of arguing back if they tell you something that you can work on. 

Above all, I believe that the key to effective communication in marriage is prayer. The truth is, much more important than a three-step plan for better communication in marriage is to take time to communicate with the Creator of marriage. Ask God to guide you as you build better communication in marriage.

Xoxo,

 

Two Months Down

It has been 61 beautiful days since the kickoff of our “happily ever after”, and every time I bump into people, I get the question “How’s married life?” My answer is always the same..
I’m happy, very happy and blessed! There have been major adjustments, yes, but they’re all worth it. My husband is worth it. Being married to Percy is just wonderful, and I wouldn't want it any other way.

Happy 2nd month, ney! I looooove you! :)

Cheers,

 

Why Read the Bible?

(Photo credits to the owner)

One time, I saw this on the net. How true it is! Yes problems may come in our lives and we may feel like giving up, but as Christians we have hope. God has given us a manual for life; His word: the Bible.

God's word is powerful

"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."Hebrews 4:12

God's word is the 'living word'. God speaks to us through His word the Bible and helps us to live our lives. God's word penetrates to dividing soul and makes us realize who we are before God.

God's word is essential

In Ephesians we read about the armor of God and how our battle is, 'against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.' (verse 12). The word of God equips us against the devil.

"Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:17

The word of God gives life

Jesus answered... "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4

The Bible gives us spiritual life and provides encouragement. So don't delay. Read it today.

"Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." Psalm 119:5 

Very Blessed,