MIRACLES do exist

In my  previous blog, I will not be moved,  I shared with you about  the difficult journey our family is going through. for those who are following my blog , join me in the  continuation of our journey..... 

When I learned that my father was already transferred in the ICU,  I said to myself, this is it.  I need to go home as fast as I could.  Or else  I will regret that I didn't come home,  for the rest of my life. If only I have wings or power to go to one place  I would definitely be on their side immediately.   It broke my heart hearing my mother so helpless. Being  an OFW, one of the hardest and difficult struggle that we have is during this situation, there is no assurance that your employer will understand the situation and will approve your leave without hesitation But I believe God’s miracle is working already in our life during that time.   I immediately asked for permission to go home and just few hours later, I found myself checking in at the airport.  

Albert Einstein said there are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle and the other is as though everything is a miracle. I am a believer of miracle because my life is already  a miracle.  And what He did in my father’s life is a full manifestation that God’s miracles still do exist.  He restored my father’s health at that time, beyond our imagination. Who would ever think that being confined in the ICU for 3 days,  with no sign of waking up again,  that even the doctors already admitted that their  hope were  losing slowly. And advised us  to be brave, accept and expect the worst.  But then our God is a miraculous God, He  works in ways we cannot see, 3 days after He opened my father's eyes. He woke up from his slumber.

What keeps our hope higher and stronger are the presence of everyone who came, comfort and prayed for my father’s wellness during that time. Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts. To everyone  who never stop storming and bombarding the heaven with their prayers.  God heard our prayers audibly and loudly.  Truly prayers really can move mountains. I may not be able to mentioned you by names but known that God sees your heart and good deeds.   May the Lord bless your life thousand fold for all the little things you have done for us.

The love we felt are overwhelming.  Family, relatives, friends, church mates and co-pastors  from different churches  who came and stay with us even until wee hours of night is a true assurance of the unconditional love that comes from God.    Your presence somehow gives light during our darkest days.

Our heart is full of gratitude, of unending praises and overflowing thanksgiving to the One who proves that nothing is impossible in Him.  

We transferred him to the private room and it was so big that it can accommodate the whole clan and visitors as well.  His provision never runs out,  His blessings over poured and His mercies are new every morning.  He settled the payment of our hospital bills that reach up to 6 digits. The 9 days we spent in the hospital are one of best memorable days of my life.  It does not  only bring healing to my father but it also strengthened relationship among each other.   During those difficult times, it brings our family closer, stronger and more together than ever before. And in the top of this one thing remains sure and true.  God is in control of everything and everything will work out for our own good.

Praise Him forever.

I WILL NOT BE MOVED

Yes it is tough.  it is really tough. and the coming days it might be tougher but I am sure it will soon passed.  Victory is waiting at the end.  For I know, we are more than a conqueror.  We are victors and our enemy is already defeated thousands of years ago.  My family is going through one of the hardest trials of our life but I know and I firmly believe that we already claim the victory through Jesus.  We have been through this before when my brother was diagnosed of kidney failure.  We have seen how the hand of God worked on his life.  We surpassed that episode with flying colors that's why I know this time we will are expecting the same.  Not because we are rich and we can afford all the best medication he need. We don't even know how are we going to settled all the medical expenses that are continuously accumulating (But I know we have nothing to worry for our God is rich) But because we have a big God who can sustain us and do miracle in our father’s life.  He has proven His power over him 30 yrs ago when he was diagnosed of having a diabetes.  He healed him completely and miraculously.  From then  on he surrender his life to Him.  The God we have during that time is also the same God that we have right now. Nothing change.  His power to heal before is the same power He has now.  

Though my heart is crushed right now because of the situation but it doesn’t mean that my faith will also be crushed.  My faith is stronger than ever before.  My faith will not be moved by the circumstances but it will be flourish like a tree planted on the running water.  My faith will enable me to believe that miracle is happening right now.  My faith will keep my hopes higher than it should be. My faith will make impossible things become possible.  And my faith will continue to praise God no matter how difficult the situation is. Faith is only that I have right now and nobody will ever take it away from me. 

In light of that,  my heart is full of gratitude to everyone who showed their love, concern and been our prayer warriors since day one and never get tired of  storming the heaven with their petitions.  You somehow ease our pains and worries.  Your uplifting words  makes this battle bearable.  May our God continue to bless your heart.

We will continue to praise you God no matter what this situation will bring us. 

ABOUNDING GRACE

When things seem unclear,  when pain became real

When everything around me seems dimmed

Hold fast my heart

Don’t be hardened, don't be afraid

Because  that’s where Your  grace abound.

When trouble of this life comes back and forth

When chaos and turmoil strike me in front

When I can’t think straight at all

Bring me back to my knees

Where God can hold me dear

Outside of me may look strong

I may be tough , I may be untouched

But in my lonely nights

In my every desperate cries

My faith is falling , My light is fading

But, I know God you were there

And when it feels all my hope is gone

When all of my strength is reaching the ground

That’s where Your grace abound

You hold me as a mother holds a child

Your peace   calms me down

The world   outside   there  maybe dark

My days  may be  lonely

My days may be few

But then  , when  my hope cannot  found

That’s where your grace abound

1 Peter 5:10 (NIV)
¹⁰ And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

HAPPY 39TH ANNIVERSARY

To our Parents,

As children, we often take for granted the many years that

you have done for us.  For all the love and care that we  have received from you. So much memories of childhood that we maybe already forgotten but you all have counted and treasured them one by one.  It’s all precious to you.  Those sleepless nights, the countless times you have sacrificed for us, our first steps, our first words and even our first achievements are all just  like yesterdays to you.  You all remembered them vividly. And will always put a smile in your face whenever you remembered them one by one,   I have so many things I want to tell you, things that  will speaks of my gratitude  and love for you. But since it is your anniversary , I want to take this chance  to thank you or appreciate you.

Thank you for the big things:

• Thank you for always preparing delicious meal for us,  for always providing our table with blessings and that no matter how simple it is, it’s always delicious and delectable.
• Thank you for putting clothes in our back, it may not be the branded and expensive items but still it   brings out the best in us.
• Thank you for teaching us everything we need to know. For teaching us how to walk, how to read, how to write and even how to drive. But mostly thank you for teaching us the way to Jesus.
• Thank you for demonstrating us the greatest and unconditional   love that comes from God.  Thank you for leading us to worship the One True God.
• Thank you sending us to school. For allowing us to sharpen and widen our knowledge and let us pursue our dreams no matter how difficult and hard it will take.
• Thank you for allowing us to fly and spread our wings, allowing us to see the world in its true and amazing colors.
• Thank you for being our biggest fans that you take our pride in our accomplishment no matter how big or small it is.  And even though we lose in some areas you are still very proud of us.

Dy, thank you for doing all the best you can to provide for our needs, thank you for working hard to support our family but most especially thank you for setting us a good example of what a true servant of God is.  Thank you for making our home a safe refuge.

Ma, thank you for being always there for us, thank you protecting us with your wings. Thank you all the countless things you’ve done for us, for always selflessly giving us your life  in order to gain ours, just like Jesus who gave up His life for us.

Thank you for the small things:

• Thank you for understanding us, our moods, our weaknesses and even our flaws, you never get tired of us.
• Thank you listening to us, even though how repetitively and how nonsense our stories are, you attentively listening to us and encouraged us to speak with our minds.
• Thank you for helping us with our home works when are young, for all those nights you spend just to finish our projects and make it ready for submission.
• Thank you for always praying for us every night,  your prayers are our shield against this chaotic world.

Thank you for  loving us:

• Thank you for laughing and rejoicing with us during our happiest days.
• Thank you for crying with us during our hardest days.
• Thank you for taking care of us even though we are already adults.
• Thank you for loving us unconditionally and selflessly  through all our days though sometime we don’t deserve your love because of our hardheadedness, yet you never failed to love us.

 Thank you for  loving each other:

• Thank you for living a real life love story, showing us that true love and forever does exist.
• Thank you for protecting each other, you shown us the  true meaning of friendship
• Thank you for staying strong amidst all the difficulties, trials and problems   our family went through.
• Thank you for staying with each other and keeping the vows both of you promised 39 years ago.
• Thank you for saying “I’m sorry” because of that we learnt that admitting your mistakes will not make you a less person but will develop humility and humbleness in you.
• Thank you for saying “ I love you”, because love is better when spoken. 

Most  of all….

Thank you for instilling us where we came from and who owns us.  Thank you for always reminding us that the greatest love we can ever have is the love of God to us.  That is the greatest and infinite love we can ever have.  Thank you for giving us a true sense of family.  We might have our own differences sometimes but at the end of the day, we are still together and no one can ever break that. What I became now  is because of you and I will be forever grateful for that. If I will be given a chance to redo my life again and decide for my set of family, I will definitely choose you again.  We are so blessed to have you as our parents.

We love you and Happy 39^th anniversary. May God keep on flaming the love you have for each other.  May He gave you more bountiful, beautiful, memorable years of togetherness and may your love continue to  inspire us to believe that there's forever to those who  put God in their life and in their relationship. 

With all hearts,

Your children (Lyn, Paye & Krisma)  

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

Today, the world is celebrating the International Women’s Day.  So many campaigns and protests are going on fighting for gender equality and rights.  Taking every platform to be heard and to be recognized.   To let the world known that women like men have their own place here on earth too.

With all these things happening now, I was reminded that in the 1^st place when God created the earth and created Adam, He knows something is missing.  Something is not right.  He knows that His creations will be more beautiful and satisfying, so He put Adam asleep.

It was only after Eve’s creation that God expressed satisfaction and said not only that all His creation was good but actually, “it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). 

As a woman, I am deeply humbled to think that while all these things are good and perfect in the sight of the Lord, only when He put a woman in the middle of the paradise, that is the only time He realized that everything was extremely good.

Just like any artist,  before he  will be finally  satisfied with his  art, he has to check  every small  details to see if something is missing or something is not right on his masterpiece.  God as our author and finisher, He made woman to complete the world.  She is the glorious end, the finishing touch of a majestic creation.    Woman is God’s last stroke to finish His masterpiece.

Women are not only precious in the eyes of the Lord but we are important also.  We play a vital and important role in this world we live in.  Our existences complete this world and everything that is within here. 

God created us for a divine purpose.  God created, molded and made us perfect for His glory. He created us not only to be an adornment but our purpose is interconnected with the needs of this world.

  

Salute to every women who dedicates their life to the wellness and welfare of many.   Those women who makes this world still   a better place to live in and willing to go far beyond their calling.  Those women who have touched the lives of others and serves as an inspiration to make a difference.  Those women whose love for others cannot be compared, that despite of their brokenness they are willing to love others unconditionally. You are the living proof that God’s creations were extremely   perfect.

So next time you think that being a woman has no place in this world.  Think it again.  Remember that God did not think so.  You are perfectly and wonderfully made by the greatest Creator of all time.  Your life speaks of God’s greatness. You are His perfect masterpiece. 

Proverbs 31:30 (NIV)

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised

MY BIRTHDAY PRAYER

Dear Lord Jesus, I thank You for another year. I thank You for allowing me to see, to hear and experience Your goodness everyday. I’m blessed because I have a forgiving, loving and faithful God. Though sometimes I overlooked  Your goodness upon my life but still You never failed to bless me. You sustain me with everything and you prosper me far beyond my imagination. With you my life is indeed perfect and beautiful.

Help me to start this year with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day; help me to hear more from You Lord, help me to broaden my mind and faith that I can accept all things You have planned for me. Bless me with Your wisdom and knowledge that I can share for Your glory. Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. 

Like a tree planted and deeply rooted by the living water in You, I will not be anxious even in drought. But I will stay green and fruitful, no matter what the situation is. Give me the faith to be bold and courageous. 

Be with me Lord to give the best response when I’m pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can’t pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will. Continue to bless me that I may be also a blessing to others. Bless the works of my hands and extend my territory so that through me ,  people will know that you are my God. That through me it is You that they will see. 

Thank you for my family, friends and every people  who loves me unconditionally.  That despite of my shortcomings they never give up on me. They accept me without hesitations and love me without asking for anything in return. Open the flood gates of heaven and let them received equally a double portion of blessing upon their lives.

Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. Grant me wisdom to make godly decisions that really makes a difference. Use me, let my life make a difference, for You and Your kingdom.

I pray that  I will stand victorious till the very end and that those every eye that will be able to read this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than You, Lord Jesus. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight. 

I give You back all  the glory that You alone deserve, You are most glorious .I am not worthy of everything but still you called my Your Beloved. 

In Jesus name.

Amen!

MY BIRTHDAY PRAYER FOR YOU....

As we rejoice with you  for another year God has given you, allow me to say my  prayer for you.  As you keep on growing each day and being so far from you , there's nothing I can do but to keep on  praying for you.

I pray that you know you are loved,  a love that surpasses any understanding, a love that knows no limit, a love that even the height nor the depth cannot be measured.

I pray that your heart hears the truth and only the truth and it sink in the innermost  core  of your heart, where it will be rooted and flourish.  For nothing else can replace the beautiful truth that you are loved by God, who knows you even before you were born.  For He is the One who knit you beautifully in your mother's womb.  He loves you more than anyone.

I pray that you know how much we love you, we treasure and adore you.  You brought us with so much love and happiness.  You fill our hearts with so much joy and laughters.  I pray that we'll become your safer place , that no matter how violent  and how wild and how dangerous the outside world will be , be known that we are your safe refuge.

I pray that you choose mercy, pour out  compassion, seek honesty and uphold integrity.  I pray that you live with passion  and never forget the miraculous privilege of your calling, that you are a daughter of the King Most High and you are His beloved. You are co- heir of Christ and the vastness and grandeurs  of heaven is yours, my dear.

 

I pray that you know how beautiful you are, not because of your form or your frame but because of the light that is within you. The Lord has created  you and He calls you apple of His eyes.  You are His beloved.

As you grow older and wiser, the world will measure your  worth   by  what  is wrapped up on your body,  your beauty or your brain.  Always keep in mind that you are worthy not because of who you are but because of whom you belong.  You are  for Him  and He has a wonderful and beautiful  plan  for you, long before you were born.  You are beyond anything this world could ever offer.  So, when the world is calling you with all its lie and half truth and tries to steal your joy, please, please, please remember these truth.

I pray you have dreams and aspirations that can't be contained by logic or reasons.  I pray that you won't be afraid to fail or fall and when you make mistakes (certainly you will) I pray that you find forgiveness and grace in the process.  When you tried to reached for the  moon and stars but instead you face flat on the solid ground or you tried to wheeled a bicycle for the very 1st time and you were outbalanced  and wounded yourself, it hurts,  the fall always hurts and when that happens, don't be afraid to cry,  crying will not make you  weak, cried out your pain but then reach out to find the everlasting arms that will  lift you up.

I pray that you never lose your sense of wonders, never cease to see the beauty unfolding around you.  I pray that the mountains steal your breath and the oceans fill your souls, let the sands  buried your little toes , waterfalls wash away your fears and your eyes be awed of God's incredible goodness.   Let your little feet leads you to the very edge of the earth and  may you be amaze on the vastness of  God's creation  that He created for you.  The earth is yours,  conquer and enjoy it.

So many pages lies before you unwritten, so many pages to filled with wonderful memories.  Don't be afraid to enjoy life.  Don't be afraid to reach even the unreachable star.  Life is a gift and you are my dear, are the sweetest gift.

Never doubt my princess,  You are beautiful.  You are treasured. You are loved.

Happiest and blessed birthday Katelyn, we love you from beyond and infinity.