Straight from the Heart by Mommy Elvz: May 2008

Blog Award

I'm happy to receive another blog award, thank you TRICIA for sharing this award to me.

I'm passing this award to my friends.... ZRIZ, GEL and LIS

I have an online friend, she's Ruby and today her blog post is about her marriage problem. I felt the pain in her heart after reading her story maybe because I'm a wife and a mother too. In times like this whenever i experience the same one thing i do is to browse on my favorite Christian sites and read encouraging stories that will lift my spirit up.

And today i want to share what I've searched at CBN. I share this not just to Ruby but to all women who are in the same situation.

Marriage Troubles? Don't Give Up!
By Belinda Elliott
CBN.com Daily Life Producer

CBN.com – Dr. Gary Rosberg and his wife, Barbara, are familiar with the troubles that can plague a marriage. As marriage coaches who host a call-in radio show, the Rosbergs take calls every day from people who are experiencing marital problems.

Regardless of what the problem is in the relationship, the Rosbergs said, the true issue is usually a matter of the heart.

“The question may be:

'Why did my husband commit adultery?'
'Why does my wife pay more attention to the kids than me?'
'Why is somebody using the internet inappropriately?'
'Why does somebody hide money?' or
'Why has somebody given up on spiritual intimacy in our marriage?'"

"But all of those issues ultimately draw down to the condition of the heart," Gary said.

When spouses harden their heart against their mate, they begin to disconnect or push each other away, the marriage coaches said. When this continues for months or years, often the couple decides that the relationship will no longer work.

But the Rosbergs encourage couples: don’t be so quick to throw in the towel.

They offer several steps that are essential to repairing a broken marriage.

#1- Don’t Give Up!

It is never easy to face marital problems and deal with the pain and wounds that have been inflicted. But if couples are willing to stay and tough it out, Gary said, research has shown that they can usually restore the marriage and be happier than before.

“Those kind of hurts, those fears, those betrayals, those conflicts -- whatever those things are -- they are all valid, and they break our hearts,” he said. “I’ve done 25,000 hours of marriage counseling, so I’m very tuned in to the reality of that pain. Yet here is what you find. When people stay, invariably they get to the other side of it and become happy in their marriages.”

He points to research where couples were surveyed about the happiness of their marriage over five years. Eighty-five percent of the couples who reported being in either an "unhappy marriage" or a "very unhappy marriage," that stayed in the relationship, five years later reported being either "happy" or "very happy".

“Now that is secular research,” Gary said. “Imagine the power of the Holy Spirit in the midst of that.”

#2- Surrender the relationship to God.

The first step to improving the relationship is for the couple to surrender themselves and their marriage to God.

“We have to choose to humble ourselves first before God, and then secondly, seek a restorative plan in the marriage that honors God, honors our mate, and puts the relationship above whatever issue we are going through in the marriage,” Barbara said.

#3-Offer forgiveness to your spouse.

Often there are offenses that both spouses need to be willing to forgive, the couple said.

They identify four steps of forgiveness that include confession, sorrow, repentance, and ultimately the restoration of the relationship.

The process, which they refer to as “closing the loop,” is not always easy.

It can be easy to say, “I forgive you,” Gary said, but there needs to be more discussion if the couple intends to really put the issue behind them.

What did the person do? How did it affect his or her spouse? Is the person truly sorry? Does he or she want to restore the relationship?

“When those four parts are there, the relationships begin to heal,” Gary said.

If these issues are not addressed, the result can be an “open” or unresolved conflict that can eventually evolve into anger and resentment that one spouse harbors against the other.

Since every spouse will eventually hurt his or her partner in some way, it is important that couples master these steps of forgiving love. When forgiving love is exercised these loops, or opportunities for bitterness to grow, are closed and the relationship becomes more secure.

#4-Connect spiritually with your spouse.

Another important step to improving a troubled marriage is for the couple to pursue spiritual intimacy together.

“Spiritual intimacy connects two hearts as well as two spirits,” Gary said. “Often when the horizontal relationship is clogged, it is reflecting that the vertical relationship is messed up. So what we coach people on is when a husband is walking with Christ, when a wife is walking with Christ, it is out of the overflow of that spiritual intimacy with Jesus that the horizontal relationship will connect.”

The best way to connect spiritually is to pray together, he said. Many times couples feel insecure about praying with each other so they avoid it.

“We coach guys to go home and take your wife’s hand, sit down, tell her, ‘I’m not really good at this, but I love you. I’m committed to you. Let’s just do this,’” Gary said.

#5-Seek help and support as you work through marital problems.

Scripture warns, “Pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!” (Ecc. 4:10). This idea applies to marriages too, Gary said. Often, they see marriages end because couples have no one to support and encourage them as they work through problems.

The support of a marriage counselor, or another married couple serving as their mentors, can help a couple repair the relationship.

“Imagine if a guy falls down and another guy picks him up,” Gary said, “and another gal picks up his wife, and they say, ‘We’ll fight for your marriage with you.’ That’s what Barb and I have given our lives to.”

In addition to pursuing counseling, couples can find principles to repair their marriage in one of the Rosbergs’ books, Healing the Hurt in Your Marriage.

#6-Pray for your spouse.

The Rosbergs encourage couples to take their 30-day challenge.

At the same time each day, find a place where you can be alone and pray for your spouse.

“Tell God how frustrated you are,” Barbara said. “Tell God your hurts. If you’re angry, He knows it. Get it out of your system. Just get it off your chest. Talk to the Lord and then ask, ‘Father, how do I pray for my spouse? How do I understand where we are at?’”

The important thing, she said, is giving God the marriage and seeking His ways to restore the relationship.

“Pray in such a fashion for the next 30 days,” she said, “and watch God begin to restore your heart, restore your marriage, and set you both on your feet and walking places you thought you’d never walk together again.”

“We believe that if you just stay and then you open up your heart to the restorative work of the Holy Spirit of God, that relationship has got great hope,” Gary said. “The biggest mistake is that people cut and run. The culture says cut and run. What we want to say is stay.”

Arte Y Pico Award

I'm so happy i got my very first blog award. Thank you Gel for giving me this award, i really appreciate it :)

The rules of this tag are as follows:

1) You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also for contributing to the blogging community, no matter what language.

2) Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.

3) Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.

4) Award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of "Arte y Pico" blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award. http://arteypico.blogspot.com/. Make sure you visit the link above.

The award will be given to those who are creative and have penchant for art. I am giving this to the following great bloggers:

Daily inspirational messages

I have a churchmate who sends daily inspirational messages to me through text. My inbox is always full because I just can't delete her messages. So I thought of posting them here before emptying my inbox.

PART I

"...give thanks in all circumstances..." --1Thes.5:18

The strongest tree in the forest is not the one that is protected from storm and hidden from the sun. It is the one that stands in the open where it is compelled to struggle for it's existence against the winds, rains and the scorching sun. Be THANKFUL for any circumstances we have... GOD allows it to make us better and stronger.

"It is more blessed to give than to receive"- Acts 20:35

When God takes something away from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely emptying your hand for you to receive something better.

"...and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." - Hebrew 12:1

Everyday a deer awakens knowing it must outrun the fastest lion or be hunted to death. Everyday too, a lion awakens knowing it must outrun the slowest deer or starve to death. In this lifetime, it does not matter whether we are a deer or a lion. When the sun arises we should be running at our best.

"We love Him because He first loved us."- 1John4:19

God brings us into this world from NOTHING, but to Him we mean SOMETHING, so He wants to share with us EVERYTHING, because He loves us more than ANYTHING!

Is there something you've been praying about for a long time? Never give up! With God all things are possible. --FAITH is the atmosphere in which hope and joy fluorish. If God has promised to do certain thing, it will be done because,

"He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it."--1Thes.5:24

God stooped down from heavens to rescue us from sin, and He continues to extend His hand to you each day to soothe your damaged emotions, your frayed nerves, your broken dreams, your heartaches. "But He seems so distant, so remote, so detached at times" you say. You may feel that way, it isn't the truth! God said..

"Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you." --Heb13:5

Do you believe you can change God's mind in praying earnestly? -Then you must know two important things about Him. Read and find out men of God who experienced how they changed the mind of God through faith and prayer. His CHARACTER-Exodus 32-34 and His WILL-James 5:17-18

"For nothing is impossible with God"--Luke 1:37

Tips to Organize Mom's Morning

Whether you’re a working mom or a stay at home mom these organizational tips may help you to get a fresh start to your day. Here are some ideas that should make it easier -- especially if there are school-age children in your family.

· Ask your kids to choose the next day’s clothes the night before and lay them out ready to go. Don't forget the shoes and socks.

· Post all reminder lists in the bathroom, this room never gets missed even during the most hurried days you'll be sure to see them each morning.

· Kids need help to jog their memories. If they need to bring an item in school, tie something in their bag as an easy reminder.

· Have each child place his or her bag by the door the night before. If you’re a working mom organize your briefcase the night before and place it by the front door or in the car.

· Television is the great family-time killer. Limiting both your own and your children's television viewing will greatly increase the amount of time you have available to spend with each other.

· Place a clipboard near the door for permission slips, letters to be mailed, or prescriptions. You might want a clip for each member of your family.

· Put your coffeemaker on a timer so your wake-up brew is already made when you wake up.

· Put a large basket somewhere near the door. It can be used for all items that need to go somewhere. That makes it easy to grab the whole basket and throw it in the car as you leave.

· If you need to take a perishable item with you, place your home or car keys along with the item. When you grab your keys, you will remember to take the item along.

Classes in schools will start two weeks from now, my world will be rattled again each morning, good thing I have these simple tips to help me organize and start my morning light and easy!

Daddy's Corner

I got another tag from aeirin and i want to thank her for sharing this with me.

I will not brag about my hubby, rather I just want to share with you who and what he is to us.

My hubby is a simple man who loves to play basketball, he doesn’t smoke though he drinks alcohol occasionally. He may not be a perfect husband and a perfect father, he may have shortcomings sometimes still I’m happy to have him.

He is better in doing all household chores than me and that’s because he is a househusband. Yes, he stays at home doing everything for me and my two kids.

Why he chose to stay at home? He did it as a sacrifice. There are lots of things I can no longer do or is hard for me to do when I became partially disabled due to an accident. Instead of hiring other people to do it for me, he decided to quit his job and takes care of everything. Now I have a hubby, a father to my two kids, a house help, and a driver :) Others may look down on him for of what he is right now, but for me doing such thing is something to admire.

We’ve been married for almost 13 years, we went through tough times and yet we remain holding on to each other. We are not soul mates, I guess we are just destined for each other.

{Start Copy Here}

Started by Mitchteryosa

Rules:

1) Copy from {Start Copy Here} to {End Copy Here}.

2) Blog Brag about your husband - yes, the father of your child/ren. As I’ve said singles may also join by bragging about their own fathers, or even grandfathers. It doesn’t matter! Of course, Daddy bloggers themselves may also join, but you have to blog about your fathers and not about yourselves, deal? Okay. Good.

3) Add your blog in the masterlist below linking to the post that you just made. Or if you wish, do it as how I’ve done it in my other blog by adding a new page.

4) Leave some love here. Yup. Here. Thanks!

5) Let’s not forget Peppermint Creative for the corner border I used for the badge.

6) Lastly, let’s help each other by copying and updating the list of participants in your post. Come and visit once in a while for the benefit of the late comers who have also joined this meme.

Masterlist:
When Silence Speaks | Everything About Deye | Etc Atbp |

{End Copy Here}

Now, I am tagging mari, nova and YOU...

What Love means to a 4-8 year old . . ?

I received this email today and I thought of sharing this heart warming answers from kids ages 4-8 years old when a group of professional posed this question "What does love mean?" to them.

The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think:

'When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love.'

Rebecca- age 8

'When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different.
You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.'

Billy - age 4

'Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.'

Karl - age 5

'Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.'

Chrissy - age 6

'Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.'

Terri - age 4

'Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.'

Danny - age 7

'Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that.

They look gross when they kiss'

Emily - age 8

'Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents

and listen.'

Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)

'If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate,'

Nikka - age 6
(we need a few million more Nikka's on this planet)

'Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday.'

Noelle - age 7

'Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.'

Tommy - age 6

'During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling.

He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore.'

Cindy - age 8

'My mommy loves me more than anybody
You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.'

Clare - age 6

'Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.'

Elaine-age 5

'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford.'

Chris - age 7

'Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.'

Mary Ann - age 4

'I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.'

Lauren - age 4

'When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.' (what an image)

Karen - age 7

'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross.'

Mark - age 6

'You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.'

Jessica - age 8

And the final one

The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife.

Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.

When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said,

'Nothing, I just helped him cry'

First tag

Things to Do This Year

1. Work on my new blog
2. Learn more about blogging
3. Increase page rank
4. Meet new friends online
5. Earn money online
6. Be a better wife, mom, daughter, sister, friend
7. Be involve in church ministry
8. Improve my daily devotion
9. Improve writing skills
10.Be more productive

Thanks Aeirin for tagging me, I really appreciate it. Let's spread the tags in blogosphere.

::Start Copy Here::

Rule:
1. Copy from ::Start Copy Here:: through ::End Copy Here::.
2. Add your blog to the list. Feel free to add all your other blogs. Just make sure to post this to each of the blog you added in the list.
3. Tag other online friends you know.You don’t need to be tag in order to join. If you want to join just post this one in your blog.
4. Let me know your blog’s name and url by leaving me a comment HERE. I will add you to the master list.That way, everyone is happy and can meet new friends too!
5. Come back once in a while to get the master list! Let’s see how this makes our Technorati and PR goes up!
6. DO NOT REMOVE THIS: scrap page made by Yen. Using alphas and tapes from Kate H., flowers from Ida,paper by Catrine.

1. Me and Mine 2.Creative In Me 3.Little Peanut 4. Pea in a Pod 5. Sugar Magnolias 6. Chez Francine 7. Le bric à brac de Cherie 8. La Place de Cherie 9. SuperNova and SweetPain 10. Avee's Adventures 11. Fil-Am Stories 12. Air Sick 13. Essay of Life 14. All About Reviews 15. From PI With Love 16. Gelestrada 17. Aeirin's Collections 18. Straight from the Heart
19. You're next

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I am tagging:

ann

fel
gwen
mhiann
hulagirl
nova
lis
lainee

Quilled creations

Just want to share what i found at Quilled Creations

Connecting With Your Teen

My daughter Alyana is turning 12 this June, she's in her early stage of being a teenager, and I would like to prepare myself as a mother to a teenager. I know i'll have to make some adjustments in my parenting ways and style. So in preparation i do some research and readings to get some guide and tips on how i should handle my teenage daughter from now on.

In one of my readings i found an article that give helpful tips so i'm posting it here. This is excerpted from the book How to Speak Alien by Michael Ross.

Nine Keys to Connecting With Your Teen

1. Trust earns you the right to be heard. Isn't "your right" already guaranteed simply because you're a parent? It should be, but in the real world it isn't. Your teens are focused on the here and now. They're probably not thinking about all the sacrifices you've made for them through the years or even how much you love them. But they will, almost instantaneously, recall the "injustices" you've caused: your "countless" broken promises, the times you blamed them for things they insisted they didn't do, days when you were "too busy." While perfect parenthood should never be your goal, it is important to build trust by earning the right to be heard.

2. Your attention builds trust. Teens know that love shown by parents says, "Your life is important, daughter (or son), and I'm going to give you my time." Spend time with them, show them you will listen and talk and work things out together. Invade their world ... and let them invade yours.

3. Breathing room = trust. Invading their world should be balanced with plenty of space. Invading their world doesn't mean you continually nose into their business. Teens need room to grow, to make their own decisions. This is crucial for their development into responsible adults.

4. Watch what you say and how you say it. The best intentions in the world can backfire if you use the wrong words. Phrases like "You never," "You always," "You don't ever" sound accusing and can cause your teen to become defensive and ultimately to shut down. When you speak, stress your particular wants and feelings by using "I." For example, saying, "I want" or "I feel" are effective places to begin.

5. Take interest in what your teen has to say. A few years back, a TV talk show on parent-teen relations confirmed the need for parents to take a stronger interest in their kids. Teen after teen shared stories of heartache about life at home with parents who were out of touch with their kids. As the show ended, the host asked the audience for their comments. A 14-year-old boy stood with his mother and shared these words with a national TV audience: "This is my mom. She knows me." You can close the gap by taking a genuine interest in your teen and his or her world. Tune into feelings and try to look at events at home or at school from your teen's point of view, as well as your own. If your teen senses that you don't really understand or care, he or she will stop listening to you. But when you're clearly doing your best to understand, the chances are much greater that your teen will tune in to you.

6. Learn to listen. One of the biggest complaints I've heard from teenagers is that their parents just don't listen. "My parents don't understand me." "We can't seem to communicate." "Things could be better if they'd just give me a chance - and listen!".

7. Control your anger. Many parents fail to acknowledge the extent of their anger. What's more, the parents expect their teenager to exhibit a maturity level that he or she has not yet attained. A father may harshly command his teen, "You will not speak to me that way. That is disrespectful, and I won't put up with it." The teen walks away and the father has "won" the argument. Yet the father has exhibited the very behavior that he does not allow his teen to show.
Listening is the only constructive way to process anger. As you become a better listener, your teen will begin to feel understood. He or she may not agree with you but will respect you because you have treated him or her as a person. Your teen will be more inclined to follow your leadership.

8. Be flexible. It's easy to approach your teens with tunnel vision. You know what you want and that's all you see. Unfortunately, tunnel vision will make you completely unaware of the needs of your teen. And that's how many family arguments get started - with people screaming demands at each other, blind to the needs of the others involved.

9. Make "shared meaning" your goal. If you're tired of pointless arguments with your teenager that never seem to accomplish anything - except maybe your blood pressure rising and him or her being grounded - try a communication style called shared meaning. The goal of shared meaning is to be heard accurately. And once you've had a chance to state your case and listen to your teen's perspective, the foundation is set for communication - and for a fair solution to what's bugging you.

Desperate blogger

It’s really a tough week for me because it’s school enrollment once again! My budget for the tuition fees and other school expenses is really not enough for my two kids. I even get more disappointed because in the past years our company is giving us incentive for our children’s school supplies. But yesterday, we learned that our president decided to abolish that incentive effective this year. Ouch!

Prices of commodities, especially gasoline increases every week! When I became partially disabled, I was forced to get our own car as my service. And since I don’t have gasoline allowance from our office, I have to shoulder my gasoline expenses. Imagine almost half of my salary goes to my gasoline expense! It’s really depressing and stressful.

When I learned that there’s a way to earn online specifically through blogging, I thought of giving it a try even though I’m not good in writing or I really don’t have writing skills. And so, after doing some research and reading a lot of blogs, i was able to create my own :)

Now here I am, a desperate blogger, hoping to find space and fortune? in the world wide web!

Pimple solutions...anyone?

Alyana is having problem with her pimples she said they keep coming back. I advised her just to keep her face clean all the time. Wash her face with soap and water as often as she can. Since she’s too young I don’t want her to put anything on her face because it might worsen her pimple problem. Actually I don’t know if my advice is enough because during my teenage years this is not much of a problem to me. I just had simple ‘butligs’ in my forehead.

So today, my task aside from blog hopping is to research for some DIY pimple treatment. I hope to find something that will work for my daughter. I opt for natural remedies because they are more gentle and safe.

How about you, have you found an effective pimple remedy? I hope you can share it with me. Please feel free to leave your suggestions, your help will be highly appreciated.

We will miss you Aileen

A friend of ours passed away last night. For us it is not really a surprise because for over 3 years Aileen has been battling with the killer disease. She had ovarian cancer, at first after a series of chemotherapy we thought she'll be ok. We witness how she regained her hair after loosing all of them..from bandana to new curly hairs. We were happy then with the healing progress.

Until last year the cancer cells went active again. She had to undergo chemotherapy treatment all over again. This time it's different, she had other complications. Last March she complained of severe stomach pain which eventually led to an operation. Since then her recovery is too slow and most of the time she's confined in the hospital.

Just 2 weeks ago, they celebrated their silver wedding anniversary. It's one of the most unforgettable wedding ceremony i have attended. Most of the visitors cried upon seeing Aileen and Adlai. Aileen is still confined in the hospital at that time. She has to be brought in the wedding venue using an ambulance and a wheelchair to carry her inside. As they enter the reception hall, tears begun to fall in Aileen's eyes and so are we. Later during her speech she told us that it was the first time she was not involved in the preparation for a special occasion. We learned it was actually a surprised from her husband and 3 kids. She said all she was asking was a simple celebration, after all of the millions of pesos they have already incurred for her treatment. Her family really did a great job because the occasion was well planned. Guests were able to come even if they came from as far as bicol and bataan.

I remember Adlai during his speech, he talks about his fears, we thought it was because Aileen might not make it that day, but being a person with a good sense of humor this is what he said, "Today I have to two fears, first is that the visitors might not come and the second is, Aileen might say "no" to the priest when she's ask to renew her marriage vow with him. Everybody of course just laugh which makes the mood a little bit lighter.

Since we've known them only for 4 years, I was all ears at the ceremony's trivia portion. Their friends shared their stories about how Aileen and Adlai met 25 years ago. The celebration was indeed unforgettable not just to the couple and his family but also to all of us who witnessed how great is their love for each other. That in sickness and in health they are one, and as a family they will try survive.

But our life is not ours..it's time to let go. She already suffered enough just to stay longer and be with her loved ones.. now it's time to rest with her Creator. Though Aileen is gone, her memories will remain in our hearts.

Goodbye Aileen.. we will miss you...

Adlai and Aileen's silver wedding anniversary

(too bad i wasn't able to take better shots)

Aileen in wheelchair

Taking a sip of air from an oxygen tank. She wears a nice wig chosen by her son.

Do we really have rice shortage?

I think the rice problem is not as serious as the government would overstate it. Even if there is food crisis all over the world, I believe that Philippines is not as hardly hit as the other developing and really starving countries. Rice crisis is just created by the administration to divert attention from the real problem of the nation. Our country's problem is not rice shortage but the appalling shortage of sincerity and honesty in the government. Have you noticed? When the administration raised the news about the rice problem, public interest has died down on the ZTE contract and its protected “Greedy People”? Rice problem valid or not, has proved the expertise of this administration in manipulating public opinion to suppress further exposés of government venalities.

Unique gift for Mothers

It's not too late to give gifts for moms this mother's day, and if you haven't found one why not try this one! I spotted the cutest digital photo frames for mom over at Gearlog today, and I have to say, I'm thinking about getting one. Digital frames all do pretty much the same thing, so why not get mom one that has interchangeable faceplates?

Memorex will be releasing two digital photo frames next month with a 7-inch LCD screen that can display photos at a 480 x 234 resolution. Images can be uploaded to the frame via USB, and it has extra card slots so you can also view photos stored on your memory cards.

Memorex says mothers and grandmothers will love the Special Occasions Digital Photo Frame which includes four interchangeable inserts: one with a silver metallic finish and three with wedding, baby boy and baby girl motifs. Those who want a more casual look might like the Floral Digital Photo Frame which has a trendy blue silkscreen floral design that pops out on a brown frame.

Tribute to Mothers

Today is a time of commemoration and celebration for Moms.

To all mothers in the world..

To my mother thank you for everything that you have done for me and my family, you truly are God's gift to us. I love so much! :)

A Mother's Influence

Direct your children onto the right path.
Proverbs 22:6 NLT

When Harry and Ada Mae Day brought their first child Sandra home from the hospital, it was to a tiny ranch house without running water, electricity, or a school within driving distance. But they refused to let their surroundings limit them. His father's death had kept Harry from attending Stanford University, but he never lost hope that his daughter would study there. Ada Mae subscribed to educational newspapers and magazines, home-schooled her daughter and later sent her to the best boarding schools in America. One summer the entire family climbed to the dome of every state capitol west of the Mississippi! Sandra did attend Stanford, then law school, and eventually became the first woman Supreme Court justice in America. The day she was sworn in she donned her robes and took her place among the other justices. Then she locked eyes with her family, and the tears began.

Solomon said, "Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it" (Proverbs 22:6 NLT). What made Sandra Day O'Connor successful? Intelligence and ambition undoubtedly played a part. But much of the credit goes to a determined little woman sitting in a four-room clay house reading to her daughter for hour upon hour, and to parents who climbed the stairways of capitol domes alongside their children.

Chuck Swindoll says, "As significant as political, military, educational or religious figures may be, none compare to the impact made by mothers. Their words are never fully forgotten, their touch leaves an indelible impression… the memory of their presence lasts a lifetime. I ask you, who else has that kind of influence?"

The Word for Today from The Vine

Knowing And Doing God's Will

I have an email subscription of The Word for Today from The Vine. It's a daily devotional mail which I'm truly grateful to receive everyday because it's really a great source of spiritual strength for me. Today I was inspired by the story of a woman who willingly followed God's will and purpose in her life. It is about knowing and doing God's will. Here it goes:

"I am sending you." -- John 20:21 NIV

Gladys Aylward was just a simple woman who did what she believed God called her to do. During the 1930s she left her home in England and sailed to China. Here she opened a home for orphaned children who'd been left to starve or wander the streets until the government placed them in wretched warehouses. She'd read the Scripture, "If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed… The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs" (Isaiah 58:10-11 NIV). When the Japanese invaded China, Gladys was forced to flee. She ended up trekking through the Chinese countryside for 12 days with 100 children in her care. In the face of extreme difficulty and danger she devoted her life to becoming a mother to each of them. Years later when she was publicly honoured, she explained her amazing work like this: "I did not choose this. I was led into it by God. I'm not really more interested in children than I am in other people. But God gave me to understand that this is what He wanted me to do - so I did it!"

Jesus said, "As the Father has sent Me, I am sending you" (John 20:21 NIV). The mission Jesus had while on earth, is now our mission. "All of us must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the One who sent Me, for there is little time left" (John 9:4 TLB).

William James said, "The best use of life is to spend it for something that outlasts it." Only the Kingdom of God is going to last; everything else will eventually perish. To fulfill your kingdom-purpose here on earth is to have lived well, and lived successfully!

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When I escaped death after the vehicular accident, I believe in myself that I still have unfinished business here on earth and that God has something for me to do. Whatever it may be I pray to God for His guidance and wisdom for me to know His will and have the courage and ability to do His will for His glory.

Mom's 60th birthday

Last Saturday May 3, was my mother's 60th birthday. We had a simple celebration in their home. She said she just want to celebrate her birthday simply with her children and grandchildren and decided not to invite so many guests. She only called her sister who's just nearby her house. The party food was just enough for us, I made some macaroni salad and my mom cooked pancit canton. My sister and sister-in-law brought the cakes. My brother and his family who's in charge of the ice cream was not able to come, they had to rush his father-in-law to a hospital due to a minor accident.

I can't explain the feeling but you see, ice cream is always a part of birthday parties, and without ice cream birthday is not complete! But anyway it's just me hehe.. the kids still had fun eating cakes. The cake bought from Goldilocks is rocky road flavor and another chocolate flavored from Red Ribbon.

We also missed our two bothers, one is in Dubai and our youngest is in a hospital duty. I know my mother would have been happier if we are complete, good thing all of her apos were there and their presence made her happy enough on her special day. Since most of her apos are of the same age the day was full of kulitan. There are times they quarrel on some petty things that's why sometimes meron ding iyakan.hehe..

I know my mother deserves more than what we had prepared for her after all the hardships she went through intaking care of us. If only I had the financial means I would like to treat her to a first class spa and massage center. I know she's really overworked and she'll surely love the experience of full body scrub and massage. I hope on her next birthday I can finally give it to her.

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Summer fun

Here are my two kids, Alyana and Marco. They really love to swim. When they learned that we have a reunion in a resort they were so excited. My son always count the days and asked me, "Mommy how many sleeps away before we go to the resort?" Sometimes I get tired of answering the same question everyday but seeing my son's twinkling eyes and the great smile in his face makes me feel excited just as they are. Even if it means that I just have to watch them while swimming and splashing in the cool waters of the pool.

Ever since my right foot was amputated, I just make myself contented in watching my family swim and having fun. Even if I can just stand or sit in the pool side, I still opted not to go because I know people will look at me and I don't like the feeling. "Sigh" I hope someday I can have my own resort..

Well who knows.. my dream might come true.. life is full of surprises!

Cheers! :)

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