18th Birthday

Birthdays are something we need to treasure. It's a gift and a blessing from above. This evening we attended a friend's 18th birthday. She's a Filipina and we're glad that we met a lot of Filipinos in the Hotel here in Thailand. It's a great celebration especially for Filipinos to be thankful to God for birthdays, moving onward and starting to step on a higher level of maturity. We celebrate, praise and thank HIM for all the blessings. A debut is something we always remember. "The baby is now a lady" as many of us quote. She is cute and sweet in her gown. Many came especially her classmates and teachers in the university. Filipinos and locals came and enjoy the said event.

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I Believe in Miracles

I had many stories about miracles, and I, for one had experienced it. When I was 28 years old I gave birth to our eldest son, Em-em, after few weeks, my brother-in-law saw a big lump at the back of my knees. And he immediately told me and my sister. I don't know what to do at first, but when our mother saw it, everyone in my family was anxious. The next week, they ask me to see the doctor for check up, I was apprehended at first because we don't have that much to pay. I was just gave birth and it seems that everything we need to spend must be in our budget. And visiting a doctor was not included. But it's good that we have a bluecross health insurance, it was helpful. I used it, then my sweetie accompanied me and we found an old physician capable to check my lump. We came inside his clinic, I told him of the case and when he saw the lump, he immediately told me that I need to be operated. I was shocked and I told him if it's okay for him we will go home first and do what we can to prepare for the operation, then he agreed. But deep in my mind, I was asking the Lord to do a miracle. The next day we went back to the doctor but I was not feeling well due to nausea and cough. Then he told me that I need to rest first because I was not physically fit, after a week, he said I will come back and he gave me some medications. I was so happy then. The next week we (me and my sweetie,that's how I call my hubby) attended a conference and there we experienced refreshing of our soul. And on the last day, I was pleading to the Lord and asking HIM again and again for healing. Amazingly, I discovered that the lump was becoming smaller each day after the conference and gradually it was gone, and we did not go back to my doctor anymore. Maybe my doctor was wondering why I was lost and was found no more, was disappeared for a long time until now. God can still do miracles even to this day. We just need to trust in His love and care! Hope you will ponder upon it and seek His help. Blessings to all of you.

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Chinese New Year

Today people all over the world celebrated Chinese New Year. Schools and offices are closed especially in Thailand. Only few cars are passing down the street. Few days ago, we've heard a lot of fireworks even in our village. We have many Chinese neighbors. We went to work and supposedly teach the students but nobody came except for someone who wanted to study one on one. She wanted to learn and practice how to speak well of their foreign language. And she is also Chinese. Until this evening, we could still hear some fireworks, Chinese kids are enjoying everywhere, I think, wearing red shirts, or anything that has a red accent. We love and enjoy this day remembering all our Chinese friends back home doing the same thing. They are our best of friends!

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To be Good Leaders

Last Tuesday was AJ's 6th birthday. I had a phone call from my brother because a day before I was asking him some help. Then I told him that it's AJ's birthday. Then he immediately told me about Obama's inauguration. Then I recalled what I had promised a month ago that during Obama's inauguration I will join with others to pray for the new U.S.President. That I will say a prayer for him for God's wisdom and direction as he leads the country. After the call, I immediately say a prayer for peace and for the newly elected President to lead the country well and to be a good leader. It would be helpful if all believers will whisper a prayer to our leaders instead of saying words that will not edify. Our leaders need us, to pray and intercede on their behalf that as they lead their own country the Lord will direct their steps. Hope we would always remember our leaders on this regard.

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AJ's 6th Birthday

AJ while waiting for his friends to come... His birthday cakes. We're surprised that two of our friends brought a cake for AJ. His friends... The blowing of 6 candles... The food prepared.. Life is a gift from God. And for me, a birthday is something to be treasured. Today, our son AJ turns 6. He was so excited a week past and naming all his friends expecting them to come and surprise him. I was asking him if we will just eat outside just like McDonald's or other known places in Hatyai but still insisting that he wanted his friends to come and visit him on his birthday. When he woke up this morning, he was so happy telling and asking me just to make sure, "Mama, today is my birthday? And he continues; "Look at my face, and my muscles too, it's big now". He's so excited to be a man, oh boy! He's just 6, lol! Anyway, our friends came especially our neighbors before and other friends. AJ was so excited seeing their special friends. And of course, as a child, having gifts make him happy, was so happy with a sweet smile receiving gifts from friends.

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Teachers Day

Teachers' Day in Thai language My two great kids with me...... Early morning we attended a teachers' day celebration here in Hatyai, Thailand. We need to be present because we are required to do so, and we had seen how they give honor to all Thai teachers, giving them gifts and more. However, I felt bored because we (me and my hubby) don't understand their language. Yet their action speaks. Teachers are really given importance by the authorities especially in the government. Right after the ceremony we went home and prepared for a sports' fest. Can you imagine teachers having different squads and dancing while shouting their yells? They look like students with their attire, playing drums and other paraphernalia for their songs and yells. I really love taking photos while they perform. It doesn't matter whether we understand the language or not but the thing is, they are cute and they perform with gusto. Can you imagine the teachers performing with gusto? They are cute. Games for teachers to enjoy Even our kids enjoy while watching teachers playing a lot of games. I was supposed to join in the eating contest which is so different from ours in the Phil. but I wasn't able to join because my students are coming to the center and they wanted to finish the course. So I don't have any choice. Anyway, I'd been there seeing all the teachers in their different-fabulous attire, and playing just like teenagers...lol, it's fun and we enjoy. It's a great day!

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Sunday Affair

Last Sunday we attended a Thai church. It's so amazing how they speak in another language while doing their worship. Although it's hard for us to understand but there is a feeling of comfort and belongingness on our part. We've been to different fellowship but our son would always tell us that he likes that place better and wants to go back. It's really different in the Phil. because after their fellowship, there would always be lunch prepared for everyone. It's nice right? Our lunch is always free on Sundays...lol! Anyway, Thais are friendly, they would always give you a smile.

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Children's Day

This Children's Day Celebration Today is children's day in Thailand. The children are busy and excited to join the games prepared for them. Even parents are looking forward for this day. It is celebrated every first saturday of January. Malls have their own preparations for kids to enjoy especially the giving gifts. Universities, colleges, and other schools are also open for children to join the said event. It's nice to have this kind of activity wherein children were given a chance to participate, enjoy, and receive gifts. For more than 3 years now that our kids joined this awaited event. Parents are enjoying as well, so do we, seeing our kids having lots of gifts and games to enjoy as well. Children went to different places and receive different gifts, enjoy the food and games prepared for each group or organization. It's fun. We don't have like this in the Phil. AJ joined the painting contest He also participated in Robotics control And take a pose And another pause with the persons' in charge. People are busy coming back and forth, everybody I think is involved especially those who are working in the government offices, schools and universities, and even malls, department stores and the like. They joined together for this said event and share what they have for the children.

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Homeschool resumes

Last Monday, the homeschooling program of the kids resumed. Back to normal again for quite sometime because of so many activities last month. It seems that it was just yesterday and here comes another year. The kids are not quite excited anymore of the homeschool because for them especially for my teenager, it's boring. However, he needs to finish and do his homeschool for a better tomorrow. My preschooler, AJ, loves to do it still as long as kuya is there with him. At least they have a little of fight because 'boys are really boys'. AJ has a lot of questions but Em2 (my teenager) has few words unless I will ask him of his crush. Homeschooling is something to remember but not quite interesting especially if there are only few kids learning together. Yet if you give more time to it you will learn a lot!

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The New Year Started

It seems that New Year has just began but the memories of having parties are still fresh. The start of the year, is indeed a blessing from the Lord and keeps on going and moving forward to another step of life. Another opportunity to make things right and doing something for the kingdom. This week we had the opportunity to teach and mingle with our students again. Its also a time to share the experience we have had last year and to encourage them to keep on learning. It's indeed a privilege. Hope this year will be a blessed year to everyone. Though sometimes we may fail, fall and discouraged. Let's keep on moving in reaching our goal for we know that He who promised is Faithful...

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The First Sunday of the Year

Our friends singing, the locals. Today marks the first sunday of the year! I wrote something because I want it special. Many things are happening around the world, things are changing, people sometimes changed even the circumstances and way of life changed. But our Creator never changed, He is always the same yesterday, today and forever. Way of life changed like the Peters family I've read a while ago in the Yahoo news. Her husband died not knowing that he won a $10M in the lottery, leaving his family this much amount without knowing it. This man is 79-year-old, a retired hat factory worker, and he suffered a fatal heart attack while working in his yard in Danbury. Without knowing it he won that big amount of money leaving for his widow, the children and grandchildren. Even the widowed wife is not sure of what she is going to do with her money at the moment. I mean, what life on earth for? Are we made for a purpose? For me, it's better to prepare now - to know where are you going? Is there a life after our life ends? Hope you will ponder upon it and search for it. For us, life is not complete without our Creator and Redeemer! We always hold on to our anchor! A Blessed New Year to all!!!

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The Last Day of the Year 2008

My friend is so cute We're having fun while watching the firecrackers and fireworks waiting for the year to end... What's happening??? Last night, the last day of the year, we went to a friend's house and joined some Filipinos in celebrating the New Year! We really had fun and we went outside near the main road to see the different sounds Thai people are doing. At first, we thought it's just normal for them, because we only heard few sounds like the sound of firecrackers made by children. But when it's about 12 midnight, we heard a lot of noise everywhere, and a lot of people are passing and going back and forth. We just enjoy the sounds and made fun of it. The next few minutes we went back to the house and my sweetie led our sharing time, recalling God's faithfulness all throughout the year. Some shared a few minutes but others spend sometime sharing because of God's faithfulness and lovingkindness to all of us. We thank the Lord for all His blessings showered upon us. Then we prayed together with a BLESS Prayer. BLESS means... B - ountiful Blessings to everyone for the year 2009 L - ove and unity for the family, friends and loved ones E - ndurance to move on S - uccess for the year ahead S - alvation of the lost May this be your prayer too for your family, friends and beyond. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!!!

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