Today, I got my answer

"Be strong and of good  courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One that goes with you. He will not leave nor forsake you."

- Deuteronomy 31:6

Courage

"God places the heaviest burden on those who can carry its weight."

- Reggie White 

Owmaygad, iPad!

It is now official, iPad exists and is going to capture every gadget-savy's interest. Gosh. 

 Steve Jobs rocks!

A wife of noble character

A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her

and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm,

all the days of her life.

She selects wool and flax

and works with eager hands.

She is like the merchant ships,

bringing her food from afar.

She gets up while it is still dark;

she provides food for her family

and portions for her servant girls.

She considers a field and buys it;

out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She sets about her work vigorously;

her arms are strong for her tasks.

She sees that her trading is profitable,

and her lamp does not go out at night.

In her hand she holds the distaff

and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

She opens her arms to the poor

and extends her hands to the needy.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household;

for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

She makes coverings for her bed;

she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

Her husband is respected at the city gate,

where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them,

and supplies the merchants with sashes.

She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom,

and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:

“Many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all.”

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Give her the reward she has earned,

and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

- Proverbs 31:10-31

Buzz

"The most rewarding things that you do in life

are often the ones that look like they cannot be done."

- Arnold Palmer

Prayer

Disturb us, O Lord,

when we are too pleased with ourselves;

When our dreams have come true,

because we dreamed too little.

We arrived safely,

because we sailed too close to shore.

And in our efforts to build a new earth,

we have allowed our vision of the new Heaven to dim.

Victories and Sins

"Remember that our sins do not remove our victories.

Our victories do not remove our sins."

Best and Worst Times

Since late last year, this girl has learned to tackle her issues in silence – even when she is about to burst in frustration, she would still try her darn best to keep herself afloat. She resolved into this “obsession” because that was expected from her – to keep her mouth shut.

More often than not, she would usually hear dear people say that her ranting always connotes to complaining. That sometimes, she felt like no one near wants to listen - only those who are far. Or maybe, they have their own things going on that to pause and take time to listen even for a while is history. Another observation is that – people make assumptions already without even bothering to listen to the whole darn story. Solutions are presented even before she could even ask for those.

A week before Christmas 2009, some little “things” in her body started to act strangely yet again and she had to take medications to “normalize” things and pray for His grace. Most of the time she was so weak, sluggish and did she say, physical pain has been her constant company for 4 weeks straight? The pain will leave her only for awhile and then would hit her back again – driving her to tolerate such pain in ways never known to her. Yet, people closest to her – very, very seldom heard her “rant" about these things. She would hide her pain and tears in the darkness and cloak in work, writing and reading.

She showed everyone that she is courageous. Brave enough to tackle things on her own – without even asking for help, counsel or anything outside her own little world. Her “warrior” stance was (and still is) unshaken in front of people but she would collapse on her knees when she is having her personal time with Him. She did not rebel nor show any signs of rebellion.

Although she would often think of all the worst-case scenarios known to her, she hopes abundantly. Her heart cries to her Maker, knowing that things happen because He allowed things to happen. She has learned to look at the brighter side of things – always. 

Living for the moment and looking forward are wonderful reminders of things she needed to do at the time when she’s in complete pain. To let go and give up sound very tempting but she did not give in. She knew that there is no glamor in giving up. There is no dramatic and fabulous ending  in it. And it is just not nice for those who will read her life’s portfolio with notes like “In the end, she gave up the fight.”

This agonizing pain that haunted her for weeks are now saved for history. It was only this week when experts pronounced that these “strange things” are finally out of her system. This came after she resolved that there is nothing on earth that could ever make these things ever go away if not for His grace.

Through all those moments when she would be wheeled, take series of tests – with all those painful shots, she realized that despite her being this never-the-cowboy-type-of-a-girl stance – she is a warrior, too and can outdo any man when it comes to inner strength.

A woman can be physically weak and bruises easily but she has an inner strength not quite known to a man.

Who says that the worst of times cannot be the best of times, too? Well, this girl begs to differ. 

Para sa Eleksyon

 Para po sa Pilipinas!  




 

Ode to Hon

Of my most recent bouts and triumphs,

I am thankful for you. 

Your quite steady presence

in my life, 

gives me a full grasp

of how truly blessed I am. 

Our arguments are for the books

but we always, always

bounce back and untangle the knots.

With all that I am - 

I can say, that we are indeed -

a team to beat.

I am glad to be your Beb. 

You can thank all your stars but, 
I'll always be the lucky one.

Antukin

I love, love this song. Mabuhay ka, Rico!

Kung ayaw may dahilan, kung gusto palaging mayroong paraan.

Gumawa na lang tayo ng paraan.

Thank you, 2009.

- HIM. His stubborn love has always been constant. 2009 was a year of challenges and there were many triumphant moments, too. I experienced God's sovereign love through all those times when I was in between.

- Family. I will always be grateful that I was entrusted to this group of people who showered me with so much love and warmth. I owe much of me to them.

- My Hon. You are indeed the other half that makes me whole. 2010 is our year!

- Friends (Old and New). My sanity remains quite intact because of you. When the loonies get the best of me, good friends always grab my hand and bring me back to "normalcy".

- Office buddies. Work load becomes bearable with such wacky office buddies who never ceased to brighten up my days. I am blessed to have them with me 5 days a week.

- Schoolmates, classmates and learning instructors. For "there is always fun in learning."

- Corporate world. For the wonderful opportunity to make an impact - so that others may also benefit.

- Readers of this humble space. You always make me feel that someone "out there" is listening. It feels good to be heard. 

 

It was indeed a roller coaster ride 2009 for me, super thanks to each and every soul who walked with me and those who watched my back while I walk. 

2010 will rock.