My Life Coaches… I thank God for you!

Today I was led to thank God for all the TEACHERS in my life. I’d just like to honor some of them: MS. BELMES, my grade one teacher who taught me the value of obedience and confidence. MRS. LANZUELA, my grade three adviser who taught me to be studious and patient. MS. BULANADI, my grade five adviser and English teacher who encouraged me to overcome timidity and participate in class. MRS. LYDIA CRISTOBAL, my 2nd year high school adviser, the one who believed in me and saw the potential beyond my pasaway behavior. She boosted my self-esteem through her appreciation of my work and positive reinforcement. MR. GEORGE ARELLANO, my religious education professor in college, is undoubtedly my inspiration. His wit impressed me and enthuse me to keep on believing and achieving. My cousin ARNEL GEDANG who taught me to share my time and talent with the church and community and thereby showed me how serving others can be both fun and fulfilling! Mrs. LOURDES SOLINAP, my co-counselor in my first job who taught me about the practical side of life, accepting realities, simple living, and the value of personal integrity and truthfulness. DR. GABRIEL URIARTE, my graduate school professor who thoroughly changed my views on learning. He removed the stiffness/stringency and ease my tiring effort to always prove something. I was led to appreciate learning in the absence of pressure. BO SANCHEZ who taught me marvelous things about God’s manifestation of Love. He encourages me to follow God and deepen my personal relationship with him. Truly a great relationship guru who made me value my relationships most especially with my husband. MARIA PAZ MAGSALIN, one of my life coaches who taught me about strength of character, passion towards work, generosity and the cool harmony of being sweet and strong! PAPA, MAMA & GRANNY, who taught me about life, hardwork, and sacrifice. Through them our home became my source of comfort, strength, happiness and consolation. My husband BILLIE who taught me how great love can be. He led me to appreciate myself more and keep a positive disposition. He was my number one coach who never fails to support me in pursuing my God-given dreams and mission.

These people are God’s voice in my life. The voices that keep reminding me that God is ever present and His love is constant!

I THANK GOD FOR YOU ALL!

T W O

It’s the first day of October! It’s Abbie’s 2nd birthday! I now have a “terrible two” – my darling abbietot! As a mom, i find this day a lot more special than my own birthday. I think that makes sense for all moms out there... it’s just that giving is essentially greater than receiving! I am grateful for receiving the opportunity to live but I am deeply and most grateful for the opportunity to give life to another. I actually find it challenging to express how I truly appreciate my being a mom to abbie. But more or less this is how I feel right now. Amidst the crisis that most of the Filipino families are going through right now because of the aftermath of typhoon Ondoy, we decided to celebrate abbie’s birthday in a special way. Yes, bil and i decided to splurge a bit... but with a cause! We have invited a lot of kids to join abbie this coming Saturday. We will give them food, gifts, prizes and lots of fun and excitement! As a mom, i just can’t let abbie’s birthday pass without a celebration! Life indeed offers a lot of reasons to celebrate! For all the joys she has brought to our life, she so deserves the best! I will be writing my birthday wish for abbie for her second birthday! I am so amazed day by day as i watch her grow and develop.

All is set and planned. I pray for a good weather so the children can freely play and Have fun!

I said a special prayer for abbie! As i recall my experiences 2 years ago, I can’t help but become a little teary and sentimental. What i went through is really intense and I thank God I had the courage to go through it all. But looking back, i would have not wanted it any other way. I am a proud mom of a super kulit, wonderful little girl who keeps telling me “mommy love you”, and who embraces me tightly and kisses me! My little abbietot is so sweet and adorable!

it's high time to cast off hesitation & revive confidence

Life offers opportunities and it’s truly up to us if we grab or let go of them. I may have a lot of anxieties that make me doubt my own potentials. I was forced to think that i have lost my confidence for some reasons. I am not the person I used to be... someone who is brave, risk taker, esteemed and so sure of oneself.

Now I am given another chance to show my potential. I don’t want to fail. I am determined to give my best and prepare for the event. This is a time to shine. I should grab it and just be thankful for the trust and opportunity given to me. I am taking the role with a light heart. I want to be prepared physically, mentally and emotionally.

There are people who believe I can do it. These people are those who are dearest to me – my family, mentors and friends. Their support will help me make it through.
I know I can do it. I just need to revive my confidence and make myself realize how blessed I am. And that I ought to hone my God given talents and share it with others.

I can hardly believe I have somehow excelled in public speaking. I was terribly bad in declamations and oral recitations way back in grade school and high school. I tried my best to learn. With the help of my professors and mentors, I was able to acquire skills and develop confidence.

Now is my time to shine. I am taking this chance. With the help of Jesus, I know I can make it. I will carry myself in a poised manner. I won’t let negative nor self-defeating thoughts get in the way. This can be a gateway to more opportunities. This can be one of the biggest pipelines for God’s blessings.

Jesus, please help me. I will give my best, please do the rest for me. I trust in you!

Our Comfy Love

Prayer for a Happy Married Life… as I recite this prayer every night before I sleep, I feel so certain that every wife or husband really needs God’s grace to be able to maintain “happiness” in their relationship. I’ve been married for two years and six months, such a short period of time as most people would say. Though such, I believe I already possess some authority to talk about “loving relationship” and how comfortable it can get.

Just like any other relationship, ours has its own share of ups and downs. There are the good days and the not so good days. One can be sweet today then be soooo annoying the next day! I welcome all these unique experiences, complexities of situations, clashing of attitudes, disagreements, as well as our individual craziness, sumpong at topak!


While we have our own right to our individual craziness, we make sure we put a little more patience and understanding each day in dealing with each other. This is not easy! This is something we strive to learn and relearn and something we really work hard for. For me, this means being sensitive to his needs, being watchful of my words, feeling what he feels, and respecting his views.


But apart from all these – we have fun, shared interests, selflessness, and great communication. And I can confidently say that we enjoy simply being together! If I have to decide on something, I make sure we talk things out first. I give him the respect he deserves. We talk about everything and make sure that we don’t argue about finances. The amount of time and attention we give to each other is our greatest investment in life. Our marriage is our priority and believe me there are no tradeoffs when it comes to time spent with the family.


Truly after the wedding, it’s all about the marriage. Having known each other for the past nine years prior to marriage, I can say that there were few adjustments made. They said that marriage does not change a person and will even magnify what is already there. True enough… my husband being a kind person as he used to be, is now even kinder and more caring than ever. His goodness has been magnified in so many ways.


I just make sure I do my part. If there is one goal I want to achieve in this life, it would be this – “to make my husband a happy man”. Yes I say this with a lot of conviction and I will direct my actions and decisions toward this and even go out of my way to make sure this happens.


Our love has never been so comfortable!

My Weekly Time with God

THANK YOU LIST - Things to be grateful for from the past week:

1. My cough which allowed me to take extra rest periods physically and mentally
2. I had a wonderful time with my college best friends. Though it was our despidida dinner for yhen, it also served as an opportunity to manifest care for one another. I would love to read fatty’s text message after our dinner… “And then there were 3. Life is truly full of surprises and twists. Shy, Tonet, may we find strength and inspiration to move on and still keep our sisterhood alive, love u. nyt.” My reply is an affirmation, I said "yes let’s get together more often and keep this alive!"
3. Pentecost – I heard a very meaningful homily from Fr. Mario Sobrejuanite. He said a lot of good things and few of them really hit me. Worries don’t do anything with the problem but they take away my strength. Worry ends where faith begins. I admit I have been harboring a lot of worries for a long time now. I don’t want to be neurotic but the anxiety keeps growing everyday. Yes, the answer is so simple… I lack faith where I am right now, I need to be redirected back to Jesus, in a true way! As I attended the mass yesterday, I made a decision to receive the Holy Spirit, acknowledged my weaknesses and my tendency to fall to sin and fail Jesus. I am opening my heart and my mind. I am allowing my God to take over, to make me a person inspired by His spirit – gentle, kind, loving, forgiving, patient and joyful!
4. We finally find time and urge to clean our house! Getting rid of naparaming kalat, basura, things we no longer need gave me a feeling of relief. Nice to breathe clean air and love to look at my clean dresser.
5. The time spent with abbie and the whole family. There was never a boring moment when abbie is awake! She takes our breath away, makes us laugh our hearts out and amazes us so mmmuuuccch! The way she talks and dances and walks… everything about her is something to be really grateful for!
6. Kuya letting me borrow Teety - of course this always counts as a blessing! Gives me a lot of comfort and ease. I am able to do personal errands and get home early and be with abbie.

SPECIAL NEEDS - Things to ask God for in the coming week:

1. I pray that I may keep this desire to rise above my habitual tardiness.
2. that I receive the fire of the Holy Spirit and keep it burning in my soul. I know my plans need some prodding from the Spirit. There are many things that I like to do and hope for. I know that the only way I can start turning them into reality is by asking for divine guidance so that I can align my plans with God’s greater plans for my life.
3. that little by little I may strive to be the person I intend to be (gentle, kind, loving, forgiving, patient and joyful) and to treat everyone with kindness and respect – keep my lamp burning by putting more oil in it!
4. that I may understand my husband’s work schedule
5. that I may manage well my finances and comply with my list of things to do
6. that I may start my regular exercise, watch what I eat and consistently devote prayer time before sleep
7. I ask for providence for our driveway and plot construction project in Cavite. Praying that we find resources and help so we can finish this project. That papa will not be stressed or pressured. I pray that he just be happy, excited and relaxed. That our workers be physically healthy and strong. That weather would be kind enough to allow the cement to dry.
8. safety and good health for the whole family
9. more contribution in my work and enough motivation to work on my thesis
10. more smile on my face and a positive outlook and a steadfast heart
    

HIDDEN TREASURE - Most important word God told me this week:

Never be afraid! I am with you always and I will not cease loving you! I want you to prosper so I am giving you everything you need. Just look around you, use your gifts and have patience!

My JOY List!

We need to fill our life with much happiness as we can. We need to respect ourselves, love ourselves and meet our needs for joy so we can do the same for others…
MY own JOY LIST!

What makes me happy?

1. Hearing the laughter of my baby! She laughs like her mom – really loud!


2. Clean room, clean bed sheets and soft pillows


3. Dinner and long chat with my friends


4. Long or short vacations with family and friends… as long as we have time off from work and routine and just spend time together talking, laughing and eating.


5. Eating healthy food – more veggies and fruits


6. Kissing my baby’s cheek and saying “love you abbietot”… many times a day.


7. A good warm bath before I sleep. This is different from my morning bath where I am so in a hurry. This bath time allows me to use my bath gel, body scrub and body moisturizers and everything that can make me feel smoother, more beautiful and sweet-scented!


8. Cooking a special, healthy meal for my family


9. Organizing my kikay stuff and making sure I have all my fave things inside like my lip balm, liquid foundation, lip and cheek color, mascara, and oil blotter)


10. Indulging in my cravings – spicy sampaloc, dark chocolate, pitted prunes, kare-kare, crispy pata, beef kaldereta, raisins, minatamis na saba or saging con yelo!


11. Grocery time with the family


12. Our bedroom! My place of prayer, solace and connection with my family. When I kiss bil and abbie goodnight… when I watch them sleeping… I’m just so sure that this is the best place to be!


13. Saying “I love you” to my husband several times a day


14. Buying gifts or pasalubong for my family


15. Watching a kilig movie


16. Waking up in the morning with my baby and husband beside me – makes me feel so blessed in life!


17. Enough sleep (8-10 hours)


18. Shopping for new baby clothes and shoes… my wants become secondary to abbie! Though I feel a lot better buying stuff for both of us… and of course a little something for daddy too!


19. Regular dates with billie – spa, restaurant, movie, out-of-town trips


20. Taking photos, taking photos, taking photos…


21. Uploading photos, organizing photos, posting photos… it relaxes me whenever I deal with photos!


22. Cool breeze touching my face


23. Fuji apples and carrots fresh from my juicer


24. Browsing over photos / photo albums


25. Receiving gifts – it never fails to feel good when I receive presents, makes me feel special and remembered!


26. Hearing Christmas songs being played – this gives an instant feeling of lightness and gladness! A true heart cheerer!


27. Unexpected lunch dates with my husband amid the hustles of a working day


28. Hugs and kisses of abbie


29. Specialties of papa – (beef stew, tenderloin steak, we simply call it lomo, sisig, grilled stuffed squid, bangus and tuna belly!) granny (kare-kare, menudo, lumpiang shanghai, embutido, ube halaya, atchara, maja) and mama’s special torta and sinigang!


30. Kuya’s panlilibre!


31. Praying for my loved ones, praying with my husband before sleeping


32. Unstoppable chika of mama, walang kupas stories! Paulit ulit nga lang hehehe!


33. Singing (magic sing!) with my sister and husband


34. Visiting a bookstore to buy books, notebooks and those really cute, fine pens!


35. Listening to Bo’s inspirational CDs during my morning drive to work


36. Slice of yummy moist chocolate cake


37. Attending Sunday mass with the family


38. An inspiring homily


39. Accompanying my parents in their regular check-up… makes me feel great inside for being able to do something good in return.


40. Reading my daily soulfood and Godwhispers


41. A high place overlooking the beauty of God’s creations


42. Listening to the animated tales and jokes of my friend racqs


43. Baguette bread shared with my papa


44. Playing computer games with my husband… we join forces to combat the computer, minsan di pa namin matalo, kainis!


45. Watching videos of abbie on my celfone during waiting and tensed moments…


46. Blogging my thoughts, reflections and experiences


47. Jesuit music for meditation


48. Reading smart parenting magazines


49. Knowing I have made someone smile


50. Birthday celebrations


51. My Selphy Canon Digital Photo Printer! Great photos! i love the vibrant colors! It has made printing one of my best de-stressing moments!


52. Spa - steam bath and a whole body massage

Sunday's made special!

My day started with a TV mass celebrated by fr. Mario Sobrejuanite. Bil and I listened to a very good and inspiring sermon. I was also successful in motivating myself to workout because i did step on my piece of exercise equipment. And generally I had a wonderful day because i spent it with my little abbietot. It was tiring because i tried to maximize my time by taking care of her while cleaning and organizing our room. I did finish dusting the bookshelf and dresser but the room has lots of kalat pa rin. At least i got things done despite abbie’s kakulitan. The best thing is that we were able to attend mass tonight with kuya, osh and granny. It was a good Sunday and i feel so blessed. Thank you Lord for this day most especially for the time i spent with my baby. She truly is a great source of joy and love! I just want to be with her, take care of her, play with her and talk to her. It’s just so amazing how she gets to communicate clearly. I am super amazed with the way she talks, reacts at certain things, dances and does funny faces and things! A 16th month old baby, toddler na pala, doing all these things and responding in wonderful ways! Thank you Lord!