Urban Gardening

Ecclesiastes 11:4 - He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.

I am so happy to see these hanging from my little garden. The days of waiting are over, I can finally see the fruit of labor. September is a stormy month (with 2 typhoons in two weeks) and I and my husband fear that our squash will all be gone by the time the storm is over. But thank God they are still hanging in there after the storm (though the biggest one is missing) =)

Urban gardening is a challenge with limited space plus cold weather, I do not expect the fruits to reach maturity since most of the fruits were either eaten by insects or birds or just wilted away due to cold weather. But I am not discourage as long as I can see some fruits. We also have some tomatoes which will bear fruits too in a matter of months. I am planting now so we can have some in the coming months. Some other plants are bearing fruits too like the "Upo" (bottle gourd) and beans. Exciting! Thank God for these=) what a blessing!

Our new Bundle of Joy

Friday afternoon, September 12, I started to feel the pain from my lower back going to my abdomen. I thought to myself, Is this true labor or not? The pain is not that intense (yet) though it is quite painful so I continued doing the things I needed to do at home. I never thought the pain will persist and will intensify as nighttime came. Around 3 in the morning, I could not sleep through it anymore, so I get up and prepare my older son’s things. I was thinking to bring him to the hospital but I know it would not be possible. My grandmother just died and my mother who is supposed to take care of my son when I gave birth went home to our province. So I am now confuse as to what to do until my sister called and told me to leave my eldest son at my brother’s and my mother would pick him up there and bring him to the province. I was relieved. It’s a good thing my son cooperated. I labored for the whole day of Saturday and night time comes still no progress. My cervix would not open. I could no longer bear to go another whole night of laboring and so I and my husband decided for a C Section like before. I gave birth September 13, Saturday night. Oh I wanted so much to have VBAC but I failed. I am glad though for the strength God had given me during those times. Now we are at home and adjustments are around the corner. I never thought it could be this hard taking care of the baby with my eldest son also craving for my attention not to mention my role as a wife. Maybe in his young mind he is wondering why things at home suddenly change. It breaks my heart to see my son cry when mommy cannot be with him at some pointy of time because the baby also needs mommy. He told me "to put the baby down and sleep here in my room mommy". I am exclusively breastfeeding my baby (thinking to do so until he reach 6 months before mixed- feeding with formula) and we all know especially those who have done it before that breastfeeding really requires a lot of time. It is time consuming but I believe it is the best for my baby. No matter how much I explain to my son about our situation, I know he doesn't understand it yet.  I am trying my best to be there for him and the baby at the same time. I told him that when the baby grow up just like him they can play together and I can see the excitement on his face and he added that they will ride a bus and swim in the river=) (Two of his favorite thing - bus and river) My husband told me to just hold my peace because I am still adjusting to the situation. I know “this too shall pass”. I live each day doing the best I can and with a lot of help and grace from my Almighty Father, I will be able to be the mother and wife God wants me to be.

The Earth is The Lord's

The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. Psalm 24:1

Who enables the cock to crow at dawn?

And the sun to rise everyday at morn

The melodious sound of birds when they sing

And the breeze each morning that’s so soothing?

Who paints the extensive clear blue sky?

And the fragrant flowers that you pass by

Who made the canopies of verdant trees?

And all of those spiky cactuses

Do you marvel, wonder, and ponder?

About the things, you see that’s so grandeur

He made it! The One who’s ever present

Coz everywhere you look, God’s finger prints

The face of a baby when he smiles

And the look on a child’s face when she cries

The different races and our uniqueness

That makes this world a very exciting place

Who cause the rain to fall on a thirsty land?

And put oasis in every desert ground

Who restrain the ice over the Atlantic?

And holds the water on the grand pacific

From the mountain slopes down to the valley

For every single cell inside your body

God’s working hands in there you will clearly see

There’s no doubt about it, nothing more to say

Who lift you up every time you are down?

And put smile on your face instead of frown

Who dries the tears you shed when you are hurting?

Strengthens you when the storm’s assailing

Who permits the moon to cast its light?

And give us the chance to star-gazed at night

Who answers prayers from a troubled heart?

It’s God and alone He does with all His might

From the heart of every woman and a man

To the preacher who preaches until he can

And a missionary to a distant land

The marvelous grace of God in them abound.

The Blessings of Being at Home

 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.Proverbs 31:27

It’s been a while since I posted something here. I’ve been very busy since the day I resigned from the office and assume my “stay-at-home-life”. Indeed it’s so great being at home and being able to see to your family’s needs personally. The joy it brings me can never be compared to anything else. I know I am just starting and there are challenging days ahead but for now I am happy and I will enjoy every moment of it. Most of my first few days at home were spent cleaning, reorganizing and rearranging things at home. It’s only now that I realize how much things are needed to be done inside the house. Spending your whole day at the office working somehow drained my energy that some tasks at home were usually put off until they piled up. I need to clean and thoroughly clean, meaning I need to have a general cleaning. My pantry needs reorganizing and some furniture needs some rearranging. Those were the things I badly needed to do before the baby comes out. Though what I can do is being limited by my pregnancy, I still manage to do some things. I thank and praise God for strength and good health. I started with my son’s room and I am so glad with the outcome. (Though it still needs some finishing touches =)) Another great thing about being at home is to be able to prepare meals for your family. Wow, sometimes I run out of ideas what to cook that's why I now plan my menu for the week =)

                As I am doing all these chores, I remember one woman telling me that I will be having a grand vacation when I resign from work. I laughed at the thought of it now. What?! People think that when a woman or mother chooses to stay at home that she will be idle and do nothing but work a little and sleep. I can’t believe such ridiculous thinking. There are a lot of things to do at home. Actually, more work than working in an office but no monetary benefits. People have different views about women being a homemaker. It’s a choice that you have to make on your own. If you have prayed about it and you believe with all your heart that it is what and where God’ wants you to be; then be one of the millions of homemakers around the world. It will be worth it. 

A prayer for my Son

Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

Psalm 127:3

            Three years! Wow! How time flies, I still remember the moment I first held you in my arms. How can I forget? You evoked in me a feeling I have never felt before. I realized that I can be a selfish person when it comes to you, that I can be so protective. Everytime I look at you I realized how blessed I am that God so graciously gives us such a wonderful blessing.  I and your Dad love you so much. We are not perfect parents but you inspire us to be the best that we can be. You remind us of God’s faithfulness and promises.

We pray:

• ·      That you will respond in faith to God’s call and will come to the knowledge of Jesus’ saving grace.

• ·        That you will have that increasing desire to hate sin, to please God and heed His commandments.

• ·        That you will be kept pure and not be unequally yoked in intimate relationship especially marriage.

• ·        That you will respect those who are in authority.

• ·        That when the time comes and God calls you; you will gladly go and give your life generously to the Lord’s work.

Happy Happy Birthday my son! =)

The rules for domestic happiness

The rules for domestic happiness

The rules for domestic happiness are few and simple. He who runs, may read. They are mighty. We can but admire the effects produced in a Christian household by such maxims and precepts as these!

1.  Be humble. "Pride only breeds quarrels." 

2.  "Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit." 

3.  Find your own happiness in trying to make others happy. 

4.  Mind your own business. Do not be meddlesome. 

5.  Beware of a fretful, suspicious, or censorious temper. 

6.  "Overcome evil with good." "Bless and curse not."

7.  "Love one another deeply, from the heart." 

8.  Do not magnify the trials or afflictions of life. 

9.  Beware of sloth. There is no greater enemy of peace and happiness. 

10. Make it your business to serve God. 

11. Keep out of debt. "Owe no man anything." Loans breed bad tempers and harsh dispositions.

12. Keep the ultimate purpose of life in view — to glorify God. This will repress many vain wishes and chasten immoderate desires. 

13. Let your prayers be frequent and fervent. 

14. Never listen to scandal nor backbiting. 

15. Do not grieve or worry over things which cannot be helped. 

16. Set the Lord always before you. Seek His glory. Do and suffer His will with readiness. Let Christ be all and in all. Trust in the Lord forever. 

(William S. Plumer, "Sinners Saved by Unmerited Kindness")

Know Jesus, Know Joy (Part 1)

Our country (Philippines) was once again hit just recently by typhoon. The world still remember typhoon Yolanda which hit the lower part of our country especially Tacloban which was almost wipe out by storm surge and brought great devastation to life and means of livelihood. You can see people suffering from the aftermath of such calamity. Damaged properties, lost lives and no means of livelihood. People are on their knees begging for help. There's a mass exodus of people going to Manila and other places thinking that they will die if they will just stay there. Rebuilding the place and even the lives of people affected by the typhoon will take not just year but years. Some people think that there's no more hope in that place. A question came to my mind, how can anyone find joy in such circumstances? People often mistook happiness from joy and joy from happiness; but the two are different from one another. Happiness is a fleeting emotion which is often the result of an outside factor - it is based on external circumstances while true joy swells up from within - an outcome of something internal. That even in the  midst of difficult circumstancesyou can rejoice because you have that inner sense of peace, hope, strength and contentment.How can you rejoice in such difficult circumstances? How can you be joyful in a chaotic world? The answer is no secret =) If you know Jesus, you can know joy and you can have that true joy. The book of Philippians is a great study of joy. The word joy and rejoicing can be found in the four-chapter of the Apostle Paul's epistle many times. What is more interesting is that Paul wrote the letter while he is in prison in Rome and chained to a Roman soldier. Interesting indeed! What is it that Paul know that rise above his circumstances to be joyful?  (to be continued....)

Motherhood is a Blessing

                

               Motherhood is a Blessing

                 One night before going to bed I asked my almost three-year-old-son what will be his little brother’s second name ( I am 7-month pregnant and we have Josiah as the baby’s first name). My son seems to be thinking and then blurted out “Bear” “Josiah Bear” and laughed out loud. I and my husband could not help joining him in laughing. I can’t help myself from laughing because of the way he said it and the way he laughs. Oh my boy! =)

                That’s one great moment of being a mother. Motherhood is a blessing and really fulfilling. At the end of the day even if I am so tired, a glimpse of my son’s smiling face can wipe away all the tiredness and weariness of the day. I am actually excited and looking forward to the day when I can spend my whole day being at home and just look after my growing family. Right now I am working at a government office but will soon resign (after giving birth) to take care of my “will be two sons”. It will be financially challenging being my husband as the sole provider of the family’s (financial) needs but I believe it will emotionally and spiritually fulfilling. I have been longing for the day where I can just stay home like an old-fashion woman who tends to her family personally. Some women prefer working outside the home and that isn’t bad since they are contributing to the financial needs of the family (I have been doing it ever since) while some women prefer to stay at home to personally look after their family. I have been working for eleven years now since I graduated from college and almost three years of it was spent working while my mother looks after my son. It is difficult especially when my son started talking.

                One day, I am about to go to work I told him, “Bye Joash Paul, Mommy’s going to the office now, see you later”. My son replied, “No, Mommy stay in the house only”. That statement pierced my heart and it made me realized that my son needs me to be there. Really be there for him. Grandma is okay but he needs his mother. I almost cried right there and then at that time. It takes a lot of courage not to give in at that moment. I just told my son, “Soon my son, soon, mommy will not leave for work anymore and will stay here with you”. I went to the office that day thinking about my son, my husband… my family…

                I know I’ll be facing a great challenge ahead but by God’s grace I will be able to fulfill the duty of motherhood that God bestows upon me.

Welcome! =)

Welcome to my blog! I am glad you drop by today. I hope you will find what you are looking for and be blessed. So please sit, stay for a while and join me in this journey =)

This blog is just about anything from my journey as a woman who wants to please the Lord and be after His own heart to being a wife to being a mother. and everything in between those things. 

I do not claim to be expert on anything. The posts you will find here are quotes I found through my readings, from my personal experiences and opinions on matter that matters to me.  I just want to share the joy I have in everything that I do.