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.