goodbye bro. milo....

Days for the Lanuza family have been hard and difficult the last three weeks. It was also for HCJC. Bro. Milo was again admitted into the hospital during this time and is very very ill. Only the Lord knows how long he`ll hold on to life. All his organs have already failed and his body won`t accept treatment anymore. Only his pulse is working, but his heart is rapidly failing. His kidneys, liver and lungs had deteriorated and stopped functioning days ago...

Even with an oxygen tank attached to his nose breathing was a struggle. He fights for dear life... He was restless, i sensed he is in so much pain. Its such an effort not to cry seeing him this way. He seems talking but we cannot make out his words. The voice is gone.

That was 3 days ago yet he continues to hold on. But this time his countenance has change. Looking at him, not moving, eyes close, as if he is only sleeping deeply and peacefully.. There`s a glorious glow written all over his face now. No trace of the sufferings of the past days.. I`m sure that while his body still rest on the hospital bed, his spirit has already set him free from all the pain. I know he is already in the presence of God...

No one knows how long will he continue to lay there clinging onto the little life that`s left, but if finally he would go, we are ready. His loveones are ready......hcjc is ready. Soon he will be with Jesus, his blessed hope, and He will wipe away all the tears in his eyes, will bestow on him everlasting relief.

Last monday, March 23, 2009, on the wee hours at 3:00 o`clock dawn, our house phone rang. Someone from the hospital called informing us that Bro. Milo is gone. Yes gone to be with the Lord... and into his eternal rest. The Lord giveth, the Lord taketh away, Blessed be the Name of the Lord!.

Our life is in His hands, again, Blessed be the Name of the Lord.

"Bro. Milo we will terribly miss you. I remembered the last two sundays you came to church and worshipped God with us. It was during our church thanksgiving sunday last February 8, 2009. The picture of you jumping and dancing while praising God with all the strenght you can muster will fondly remain in our memories. Sickness cannot stop a man like you from declaring and proclaiming the goodness and faithfulness of God. We will always be grateful to God for bringing you into our lives and into HCJC, letting us all be a part of such a pillar of faith as you"....

Bro. Milo had been diagnosed with cancer of the colon a year ago. Since then he has claimed and proclaimed that God is his healer........ But our thoughts are not God`s thoughts, nor our ways His ways. There are lots of things we can`t understand as of the moment. Things we have prayed for that we hoped God would grant the answers. Like how this brother waited for his healing... Yet my friends.....sometimes the Lord chooses to have His own way......because He knows all the "whys". Thru it all, one thing is sure. It is for the good of all that love Him.

sis. gie

thanks..

monday (march 16, 2009) - my birthday went well.

a generous friend took me and treated us ( charis was with us) for lunch by the seaside at the back of the Mall of Asia.. I did`nt know we have nice pinoy restaurants there at ang sarap ng simoy ng hangin... Isang taga-U.S. pa ang naka-diskobre at nagdala sa akin dun. lol. Then we spent the rest of the afternoon at the Market Market pampered ourselves with foot scrub and spa, libre na ang pedicure at manicure...

Kinagabihan, hubby, dave & joy wanted to take and treat me sa favorite nilang grill restaurant. This is known to have delicious grilled chicken menus.....Gusto ko pa sanang sumama kaya lang hatinggabi na.....Pagod na ako at ang gusto ko na lang ay matulog, ZZzzz.....hmmm..

Anyway, thank you sa lahat who greeted me lovingly. Hugs and kisses from hubby and children.... that`s more than enough to make me feel so loved.

And Sis. Gina Lacsamana..... thank you so much! thanks for treating me on my birthday. Such generosity! That`s well appreciated...

my 54th year!

I must say again the years ticked by so fast! I see it in how quickly our children have grown.. and how our physical bodies are showing the test of time much more the wear and tear of life. When i woke up this morning and stared back at my reflection in the mirror I realized the lines under my eyes and lines at the sides of my nose....... are they wrinkles? such unwelcome, frightening word to face....but no, as i observed keenly they are not wrinkles, but laugh lines. They appear when i smile and yes i have plenty of them... In all of my 54 years, despite the struggles and cares of life, there have been so much laughter and joyfulness. It is different when you live a life in Christ. It is always with a purpose and meaning.

Problems are frequent and many. There are bad times. Sometimes lonely days - pero mas maraming masasaya, lalo na kapag iniyak mo na sa Panginoon. i know God allows us to go through phases of life for us to understand his intentions for us and see the blessings that can come if we work through the good and bad times of our life, showing us "how"down the road.

I want to tell God today that i choose to always turn to Him for strenght, to give Him glory in the good and bad, praising Him for many fulfilled promises. Oh how good God is to me...
Now as i celebrate my 54th birthday i want to thank Him for these things i listed below:

l) my family - my husband who is my bestfriend, companion in life. who loves me dearly and letting me feel i am always young and beautiful..

2) my children. Dave & Jhoy, charis, verniel.These boys are the joy of my life, my inspiration, my treasure. I thank God for what they have become. How they love the Lord and live to please Him in all that they do...

3) my church (HCJC). our family in the kingdom of God. Every saint is a testimony of the goodness and faithfulness of God. They are one of the reasons why we determine to live a life of purpose in God.

4) pattsclan. my beloved family. my christian, apostolic heritage. You are far, yet so near. Each one of you is in my heart..I always mention each one of you to God in my prayers.... My mom, i will always love you. papa, i will forever miss and love you dearly.

Its my birthday in four days. I just feel i should write these words. I am always grateful for the strength He constantly give me and my loveones...

Thank you Jesus for letting me live a full life with you and all the people I love. Grant me Lord many more years..........good, fruitful ones...

February - 2009

We celebrated our yearly thanksgiving service or church anniversary during the first week of this month. With the theme, "year of God`s revelation", we are excited for what God is going to do.....as we continue trusting, giving Him the glory, every step, every worship, every praise is a step of revelation about a blessing intended for HCJC. Every step, a blessing, every step a revelation. Each step will lead me nearer to my promised blessings.

As i looked back over the past year, it has been fruitful in many ways.. although some of my expectations did not materialized. Things i`d hope for did not come to pass, i`m sure they are still in the hands of God waiting for the right time and He`s working on it for me...."Patience" is the word that`s clearly written and i am glad i am learning to put it to practice in my life...

We had visitors who came. Most of them are those precious saints from way back that`s been a big part of our pionerring work before... So glad to be re-united with them again. Also, a faithful brother who`s now working in Italy, but a U.S. citizen, Bro. Andy, also came home to be with us...That was a day worth remembering...

The following week was conference for UPC (phil.)...Some of my siblings from U.S.A. and canada came and visited us. loveones and friends from all over the islands came also... We had such wonderful time of fellowship and bonding... The last day of the conference was held in ULTRA. That was a sunday afternoon. Churches in Manila and surrounding areas came but many were later not permitted inside because the building was full to capacity and could not hold anymore people than it could contain. The management were afraid the building would collapse..... Lots of people went home not so happy including me and hubby.....
I hope our organizers will be smart enough not to let something like this would happen in the future conferences that we`ll be having.. They must know better.... Please open your eyes people.......We are growing, growing in number each and every year.....So think big....ok?

In a blink of an eye, february ended that past.. Thank God that in every situations I see His hands guiding me, my family and the church.

Glory to God!!

my sister glo and I

our much needed vacation

three days after dave and joy`s wedding, hubby and me fly to Tagum city to also attend renda`s wedding. It was good and i`m sure an answer to my heart`s desire. I mean, i considered it the "break" that we longed to have but always did not have the opportunity for the longest time. Finally, hubby and me found ourselves on the plane heading south - mindanao!

Dennis and renda`s wedding was beautiful. The preparations for every minute details really paid off. I am glad that these children have made us feel proud knowing how they tried their best just so to have such extraordinary celebrations for a wedding. You just don`t know how amazed we really are!

At this writing, we are in an overnight outing in paradise island, a beautiful resort situated in Samal island. We reach this place by ferryboat. White sand, crystal clear water, we swim at night, sleep and spend the night along the beach.......at buong maghapong nagbabad sa tubig. My nephews, nieces and some friends scuba dived, nag-motorski or jetski, nagkayak ( isang maliit na bangka na kasya sa isa...pasagwan sagwan). Nag-ihaw ng tuna, at iba pang mga pagkaing masarap kainin sa tabingdagat. Nagkamay, ang sarap kumaing naka-kamay, haha... Pati ung dalawang "canadians" na mga bisita naki-kamay na rin kasama namin!! We extremely enjoyed the whole day with all the fellowship and kainan...

I wish i could come back here with dave & joy, charis and verniel with us. Mas kompleto siguro ang "saya". I know, like us, they would really like the experience... at sana "pattsclan"...

I love being in my sister glo`s house. I realize i really miss her. Kahit pareho kaming nasa pinas lang but still taonan kung nagkikita.. Ang cute ng bahay nila...Ang ganda ng CR. Everytime we left the house para mamasyal i always wanted to go home kapag naisip ko ang maganda nilang comfort room... "comfort" nga talaga... I always wanted one like it..

Hubby is invited to preach in Pastor Dangcolos church on Sunday. But he would have to go alone. Glo requested me to sing a duet with her in their church and I said "yes".. Why do we have to sing those old songs again? She has a songbook filled with those songs we sang before at kakantahin namin ung iba, hehehe!

well, am really enjoying this vacation....! Thanks to my sister and Pastor Roger, to Bro. Celso and sis. Bing Agbones. This nice couple who always make things possible for us... Thanks for inviting us over at your house for a very delicious dinner. Everything but the durian. ewan ko, kailan ko kaya matutuhang kainin yan, sobrang sarap daw? well...

God really bless you.... until sa uulitin...By the way, i like your house!!

so long..

The most awaited day!

Finally, dave`s "big day" has come.....

I am still filled with emotion when I think of how perfect it all was..

They were married in Grand Palazzo Royale, a beautiful and ideal venue for a wedding in Angeles City...

Blessy Joy was in her wedding gown with glittering veil and Dave was in his tuxedo. The weather cooperated as there was no downpour that afternoon. It was a perfect day. Cool wind but not a cloud in the sky.

He was elegant, looking completely happy, and i am happy for him too. I am proud and thankful that finally he has found the "right woman" to become his wife and partner for the rest of his life. I know she love him and would take care of him, stand by him through ups and downs, would do him good and not harm...... and my boy will do the same for her! Maybe its pride, joy and awe that i feel inside knowing that this day is another milestone in my son`s life and everytime i had been a witness. This one I saw how God has caused this to pass seeing His hands guiding and leading them to the right situations..... "But we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose"......

As hubby and me were getting ready to march and walk with him (dave) down the aisle, i could sense my hands were trembling. He looked so handsome in his tuxedo suit, and as i tried to control my emotion, he pulled me close, a kiss on the forehead and said, "thank you mom for everything"!, i could not hold back the tears much as i would want to......... Indeed, it was a most memorable day for me!

Walking side by side with him, i remembered another time when i was walking and holding his little hands in mine, from time to time reaching down helping him to stand whenever he stumbles........ those moments i felt the joy of being a mother, but this time i felt as if I am helping him walk for the rest of his life...

son, remember, we don`t cease to be your parents...We`re still around and will continue to be around whenever you needed us... Our prayer continues to follow you.

I would say our parent`s fears are real.... the empty nest..... of becoming old and children leaving, but the joys and celebrations with the everyday events and with the major milestone in our children`s lives make us forever grateful for everyday....

I promise to post some pictures...

The other side of December in Manila..

okey, i know you would want to hear me say that this holiday seasons is just seemingly great! Time with family, foods, gifts, laughter, fun and everything that makes the heart glad..... Me too love December.. . One of the reasons is the weather........ the smell of coffee in the morning, sipping its hot aroma with the cool wind on your face, hehehe! What more can you ask? with your loveones around and lots of happy celebrations coming up..... There is something about this month that seek and touch the "soft spot" of every human being....

But i want to tell about the other side of December here in Manila. I would start by telling, people, people and people in every directions...they are everywhere....You get tired of them. I don`t know where they`re coming from. The roads....... yes, roads! are blocked ..... stores, malls, not mainly with goods but with people. It has been a nightmare experience going back and forth of Divisoria the last couple of days. Of course not to shop, but to follow-up the bridesmaids dresses.......mga give-aways, uhhmm, the dress that i am wearing for the occassion and etc.... Ang hirap makarating sa pupuntahan... grabe ang tao, hindi lang patagilid ang paglalakad minsan pasuot pa!! no choice talaga...... kapag nasa gitna ka na wala kang malalabasan! - - - - - - at eto, only to find out that upon arriving to the dressmaker`s place located sa gitna ng "ilaya"......ay hindi pa tapos ung mga damit..... another schedule na naman na bumalik....

Bumalik nga kami, naka- three times din, this time may dagdag na putik ang daanan dahil umulan... Naglakad kami sa putikan... lahat ng tao ha.... hindi lang kami... AT noong wala pa rin, nagalit na ang beauty ko.....(Kung sabagay hindi ko rin sila masisisi, mahirap talaga magpakasal ng December... Bukod sa amin ang dami nilang "rush" na trabaho.... Sa tingin ko, hindi lang ako ang stress kundi yun ding may-ari ng tindahan at nahalata ko na talagang nagpipigil na rin siyang magalit sa kakulitan ko.......

At last, hinatid kagabi dito sa bahay... ( dahil sabi ko ayaw ko nang bumalik ng divisoria at managinip ulit ng "horror" ). Salamat, nagustuhan naman ni joy ung "traje" niya, magaganda ang gawa para sa mga bridesmaids and flower girls, all of them except mine...
Aba masikip, (one month ago lang yun nang nagpasukat ako), bakit ngaun hindi na kasya, at medyo show off ang leeg at harapan ko.... I don`t know if I would still wear this, kung mag-diet ako ulit hindi na aabot..... 3 more days to go and wedding day na!

as of this writing, can`t decide what to wear..... bibili pa ng sapatos and matching pants ni hubby para dun sa suit niya... Pero isipin ko lang ang mall na naman, sumasakit ang ulo ko, haha! It`s been frantically hectic last week and of course this week..... but mind you, i love the adrenalin it caused me.....

just don`t mind me guys....... this is just my usual rants. I know i would love reading this post in the future.... and remembering how it all was...

Ang tigas ng ubo ko....pray for me please!

thoughts

Saan galing ang dami ng tao? yesterday i was in Divisoria with joy and verniel. Hindi basta ang naranasan namin! Napakaraming tao, pati mga kalsada ay hindi na madaanan. Ang hirap maglakad na patagilid.....Ang sabi nila naghihirap ang pilipinas? Bakit ngayon pa lang eh, nagpa-panic na ang mga tao sa christmas shopping? Nakakalula ang dami ng mga paninda!

sumasabay ang mga nagra-rally ngayon. Ganun din ang mga nagka-carolling ( hindi na sa gabi ginagawa kundi sa araw na).. pati sa mga jeepney na sinasakyan namin...may nag-aabot ng sobre, pagkatapos kakanta ng kaunti, may sumasayaw pa.......at sa jeep yan ginagawa... kaya kapag biglang nag-break ang driver ng jeep, tumba naman ung sumasayaw, sabay tatayo at patuloy ang pagsayaw ng "lambada", hehehe.. yea, para lang sa kaunting mga barya na inaabot sa kanila, minsan walang nag-aabot lalo na kapag sintunado ung kumakanta...

Tungkol naman sa mga nagra-rally, kahapon pag-uwi namin galing sa divisoria, nakatulog na ako lahat-lahat hindi pa rin umuusad ang jeep.. 2 hours na... hanggang sa dumilim na..kaya pagdating
namin sa Isetann bumaba na kami at nilakad namin pauwi sa Malacanang...:-) yun pala sa gitna ng recto may rally pala! Sinarhan nila ang kalsada at sangkatutak na mga pulis ang nagbabantay... Kung itanong nyo kung gaano kalayo ang nilakad namin, namaga lang naman ang mga binti ko at nagka-kalyo kalyo..... sumakit buong katawan ko...

Ngayong umaga, maaga akong nagising kay sa inaasahan.... meron kaming importanting lakad ni hubby.... know what? Hindi kami makalabas ng malacanang gate dahil may malaking grupo ng nag-ra-rally na nakaabang sa labas... ilang trak ng mga sundalo ang nagbabantay sa kanila at nakaharang ang mga container vans sa kalsada namin palabas.... sobrang perhuwisyo. Siguro mga 2 hours pa aantayin namin bago kami pedeng lumabas! Kahit tubig na inumin hindi kami makabili kasi ung delivery hindi makapasok sa gate.... ano ba yan?? Si gloria kasi, ayaw patalo! at ayan pa ang "cha'cha" niya..... Di ba gusto na nga ng tao na "bumaba siya sa trono" may balak pa yatang tatagal!! Hindi ako mahilig sa pulitika pero gustuhin ko mang ayaw pa-apekto, eh naiipit ang tao sa gitna....... yea, despite the fact that people are trying so hard to be just happy this holidays, it`s so evident that our country is walking through a difficult season, sa politics, sa kahirapan globally. I`m not sure how long this will last or all the twist and turns it will take pero sa part ng karamihan , it`s using up a lot of stress and energy! Ang hirap talaga magbiyahe ngaun.......

Nevertheless, ang saya-saya ng December... di ba?

This week has been wildly hectic..... not only my head ached but my body as well... yet something in me is bubbling with excitement. Dave`s another milestone will happen in a couple of days from now. I can`t describe the number of emotions that i am having in my heart. Pero kung may anak kang ikakasal - you will know what i mean..

Joy arrived last Sunday from Norway, and i have the privilege to accompany her to the one who will make her "traje de boda"... I loved and enjoyed being a part in every little details - preparing everything for her "big day"... I was once a bride, and remembering my own 30 plus years ago, I know the feeling is the same with every woman preparing for her wedding day!

Only one thing i know.......God is so good. I will continue to declare His goodness. He continues to supply the means, the resources - for this most awaited event in my son`s life..... I don`t know how we could possibly do it without the LORD!

THANK YOU JESUS!!!

bonding time..

today is holiday....hubby and the boys decided we should take the two- hour drive to dasmarinas, cavite to visit bro. Milo in the hospital. I am excited... it means "bonding" time with them. Dave and charis are both having break from work and verniel has no school today so we could be together for the whole day....

I always enjoyed and treasures such times as this with them. We stopped by the KFC along Macapagal boulevard to eat breakfast and spend sometime talking about just anything we could put our minds into..

we did have a peek at the hospital to see bro. milo and glad to see him fast recovering. More prayers coming your way brother..!!

we decided to proceed to pay dear papa a visit..and happy that we did. His place is clean as usual and grateful to Nini for taking care of him for pattsclan..

We headed home before sundown. Exhausted, tired but happy about our day`s accomplishment..Thank you Lord for my family and having the boys to ourselves this one whole day...

i slept immediately upon reaching home. Woke up at about 12 midnight and got to talk to mother over the internet.. Salamat Panginoon sa makabagong technology... parang nandiyan lang si mama sa malapit...

hayyy, sigh of satisfaction and gratefulness to God for His goodness and blessings..

it`s 15 minutes to 5 oclock in the morning. Pede pa akong matulog bago liliwanag para sa panibagong araw.. Praise God..

not-so-happy times...

i have not been blogging lately. We were into a couple of not-so-welcome things happening the last few days. A dear sister in church ( in fact, our founding member in HCJC) passed away after fighting a battle with her sickness for the past two years. The Lord finally took her home. Looking at it on a lighter side, we were comforted. All the pains she had suffered physically is now over. Her family looked up to us and as best we can we tried to be near them knowing even just our mere presence could help to comfort them during this their time of loss.

Bro. Milo also was very ill and was taken to the hospital and into the ICU..... He looked very very sick and the doctor assured us that he is.... This week we made several trips to visit him and keep praying that God would intervene in restoring his health. We believe that He would! That`s His promise that we are holding on to. Because by His stripes we are healed....

i am suffering from my allergies again... Have been sneezing and blowing my nose for i don`t know how long..... maybe a month and it seems eternity now... The climate suddenly changed and December wind is cold. This allergies comes after each rain, and been raining a lot these past few weeks... yea, that`s how it is....

I lost track of what`s going on lately... in the government.....what has become of our politicians and the newly elected president of USA.....oh, but i know gas price has gone down a bit, haha.... I`ve not been updating myself lately with the local and international news.... i care less these days!

But........holiday mood is very much humming around every street corner.... i could very well feel the spirit.. Still i am not up to it yet. Can`t keep my mind off my son`s upcoming wedding. Maybe we should let the holidays pass without the usual "media noche" celebration with my siblings coming over at our house..... We will extend our meeting at my son`s event the next day after the new year..

btw, to end this post, charis promise to buy me that "shoes" that i will be wearing on the wedding!! :-)

In all these. to God be all the Glory.....

some "things" touches the heart

puno ng mga boxes of different sizes ang living room namin ngaun. Mga gamit nila ni auntie ging2 (elsie) Pestano na pansamantalang inilagay nila habang naghahanap sila ng malilipatan! History and a thing of the past na ang PARC 2 church at ang Genesis school nila.. Sa ngaun naghahanap pa sila ng bahay na malilipatan at church din. Pero ang school ay maiiwan kay "smith". Para sa akin pinadala ng "kaaway" ang taong ito para magbigay ng kaguluhan..... At hindi lang basta kaguluhan........worth fighting back---- ngipin sa ngipin at mata sa mata... Pero sabi ni pastor Rey, ibibigay na lang niya sa Panginoon ang case niya....... ( eto naman ang tanong qu, " kahit na reputasyon niya ang nasira?? paano niya hahayaan na lang?? )".

ok... you might not know the story behind these ... pero malalaman nyo din sa huli. I better not the one to give the full account. But maybe, if i can talk to you in person i won`t hesitate to say i am in their side. Hindi dahil kamag-anak sila, but because i know they are innocent and only victims of wrong accusations and character assassination, ( parang politics noh? meron ding politics among christians, mamamangha ka!! and because of this, i am deeply saddened).... please include them in your prayers guys..

WELL, at last dave`s wedding invitations are out of the printing press today...... we are ready to send them away tomorrow to the respective people....... tuloy na tuloy na ang "kasalan"...

Within this week, maybe on wednesday we will proceed to Angeles City to where the wedding`s venue is and see the place for the first time in broad daylight.... It was already dark when we arrived there the last time and made even darker dahil nag-blackout ang boung Angeles city. Wala kaming nakita... This time I will try to take pictures and post some of them here so you will have an idea regarding the settings of the place. Sabi nila european daw and ambiance and motiff..... so we`ll try to see...
Also, mag-food tasting daw kami. Good for 4 people.... so tikman!! wish us well guys...

Something deeply touched my heart in church this afternoon.....
Our HCJC family, conducted meetings in every department and came up with commitments to help financially in one way or the other for their associate pastor`s wedding... see, mahal nila kami, **yeheyy,** and wanted to ease our burdens kahit papaano. I can`t deny.... medyo hard-up or struggling financially lahat pero i think lahat ay nagagawa sa taong nagmamahal. WOW, praise God! Not much, pero malaking tulong!

I really wanted for the dressmakers to start the bridesmaids dresses this week.... Next month is already december and "mahirap" nang mang-utos sa mga tao kung ano ang dapat gawin. Their minds will be focused on handfuls of holidays coming up..... ayoko na maka-offend ako or ako ang ma-offend, hahaha..

aba, napansin ko yata..... in na in ako with all these preparations! I guess it is because I only want the best for this another milestone in my son`s life...... i know all mothers could very well relate with me...

whatever it is.... whatever will be....

a mom`s emotion...

such a fast life we have!! Lo and behold we`re again at the end of another month, and i felt i have accomplished very little. Heaps of task still needs to be done. This week the sister who does my laundry is sick and her only son who gives me a hand around the house and church have to go home and care for her. Salamat na lang andito si teting para tumulong, but still the house is quiet. He`ll have to go back to school next week and i could just see i would have a more quieter sorrounding and an almost empty house...... it gives me the nuts...

We are still in the preparations over dave`s wedding. I made several trips to divisoria for reasons you all know why, lol. I hope the invitation cards would be completed and be sent away soon to people before december steps in. That month will be a very busy month and people`s activities are focus on the holidays. Some of dave and jhoy`s friends who are abroad are planning to come and attend the wedding and if the thing would reach them on time, they could have ample time in preparing... you know, ticket reservations, schedules, etc.

as a mom i am in a dazed. I dont know if its about the short period of time to prepare for the wedding or my soon coming empty nest with my eldest son, Dave. I am very sure that Jhoy will be a wonderful partner for him, to care, be a suitable helpmeet in his ministry. I could see how supportive she is to him and imagined them with bright future together, i am pre-grieving the departure already. Most days are good but i do get washed over with emotions and memories and i wonder why i had to give up my kids to be adults. I can`t help looking back on their childhood with great fondness and wish they will remain with me forever.... (such selfish thoughts...... but moms could be unreasonable sometimes, hehehe). Can you blame me?

To be honest, there`s sadness everytime i wake up knowing my second child will also soon follow his "kuya" and would have a life of his own outside my nest..... well, i still have "bunso" with me ( long way to go) and hubby - its not that lonely as i thought it will be...

For now, i thank God for always showing me the sunshine on my rainy days. I will continue to count my blessings. Glory to His Name.... He is so, so good!

over the week..

finally my visits to the dentist is completed this week. I managed to get my teeth worked on.
I am ready for my new dentures and the new set of porcelain crowns in my mouth. I couldn`t wait to try it on this coming Monday.....once more i could participate in the singing with my heart`s content with my beloved praise team. Yes, singing to worship the One who all praise is due..

Bro. Victor was again admitted into the hospital because of complications. I can`t believe that a simple cough could give him the hardest time at this moment of his life. I realized that while he has his radiation therapy and chemo sessions treatment going on, his immune system is just so low and weak it can`t fight even the simplest of bacteria for him. He was in an isolation room when we came to visit him yesterday. We were with our mask on and as we pass through the hallway leading to his room, i noticed a sign that says, "no visitors allowed".. but we continued walking on as there was no one on duty to drive us away.. :) When we entered his room my heart simply goes out to him, can`t fight back the tears from flowing. I don`t like seeing him this way. My heart silently prayed that God would soon deliver him from this sickness and extend a soonest possible recovery.....

well...... iba na nga pag-usapan natin!!....... i would like to change the mood into a lighter one.

I started an exercise sessions with our ladies department members. It is real fun. Sweating it out really makes us feel good. I have set my mind in making this thing a habit...Ang sarap sa pakiramdam! Thanks to Sis. Baby Ongka who serves as our instructress... I really enjoyed each session.

This week is verniel`s final exams and final week for this semester. Nice having him in the house for the coming days before school starts again in November..

well, dave gave us the greatest surprise of our lives this week. An announcement that he would soon tie the knot with jhoy this coming december. All preparations would only take place in two months... I felt cold sweats on my forehead....... thinking could we do all in such a very short time, and the finances.......is one big question mark? But I would like to believe God has many great things instore, and it is for us to CLAIM!

tell you more in the coming days.... I am excited over dave finally deciding to marry...He`s not getting any younger and is full of plans concerning the future and his ministry.

mumblings!

hayy naku,

its hard to start...

Ang bilis naman......October na p0h! its first day of this month today and a holiday! I wish i had spend the day on long drives with hubby, just driving to nowhere, a thing i most love doing. kaya lang imposible ngaun... may BAGYO daw, at may mga "infirmities" si victory...lol.

you know i should really start on my diet plans....SOON!!
should have a long time ago. My blood pressure is on the danger zone na naman...
Napahilig ko kasi sa kanin, everything counted "sugar" are just so mouth watering...
kanin, pansit, spaghetti, bake macaroni, macaroni salad, macaroni soup, pansit canton, palabok, etc, etc......hehehe....the list goes on and on.. How to reject them? it`s so hard to do...

Ngayong linggo na t0h ay schedule ko ng pagpapabunot ng mga ngipin, para mapalitan na ng artificials, lol, tapos na sana kaya lang laging "postponed" dahil sa blood pressure na mataas...
This thing called "diet" is easier said than done. It is always hard, harder, hardest to start.. So help me God!

plenty of rains this week.....the frogs keeps on croaking and seems louder everytime. My ears are getting use to it. The typhoons that we counted 18 to come by this year is now down to 5 more and that`s according to the news we heard and read..
Starting November is already cold but dry season......hopefully until February next year.
So much things to look forward to...and this gets me excited. I know God has many things in store. We just have to remain expectant for what He could and will be able to do..

I want this post to just be very very brief.....so, see you guys around...

pictures from jeff`s b-day

I just got hold of this pictures and i am posting it here. Jeff`s b-day and our get-together the night before Bong and Mhel`s flight back home...

Happy birthday jepoy!!

prayer devotion restored..

It`s papa`s birthday........... and i miss you most today pang!

It`s wednesday morning...... somehow i feel light and good. The joy and contentment that only the Holy Ghost could give makes my heart sing... We have restored the early morning devotion and prayer as a family even just once in a week. It is to be on a wednesday morning. I recall we used to have daily prayer with the children when they were younger but as they grew older, got their own schedules, find it hard to insist on one in between. Although i could attest they always have a private devotions themselves before getting out of bed each day. I`m glad they are raised doing that.

But i missed those days when me and hubby would gather the 3 of them, sing a few songs, would read the Bible together, each would give a memorize verse, give out testimonies, share our prayer requests, kneel, and pray together as a family. I thank God for this day. We have bring back this old family practice that we once loved doing.... We feel so much renewed in the spirit.... I could do a lot today, i promise you!

And guess what..... I had a hearty breakfast.. help yourself with the tuyo, daing at danggit na binili namin sa bagong itinayo na SM supermarket dito lang sa malapit sa amin, only a walking distance from Malacanang`s gate.. The ever present breakfast favorite - itlog, kaning sinangag at kape.......hehehe!

Pero excited pa akong mag-diet niyan ha? But how could i with such a tempting breakfast? These are my temptations, lol. Last night, hubby installed an old treadmill equipment in the house and we`re all excited to try it..... Medyo nakakahiya pero puro may mga bulges na kaming lahat dito sa bahay, haha...... :-) kaya kawawang treadmill. Its in for a great job...I will see what will happen.....effective kaya ito sa amin?? will make it sure it will serve its purpose. Wait and see in the coming days, :-)

Hubby has signed up a dealership with the spirulina vegetablet yesterday. And distributors can avail of the products from us at a lower price. I wish i could share the benefits of this amazing thing. Its complete profile of proteins, vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants, and Phytonutrients has but given good results physically wise to those who are taking it. Heard testimonies its doing them good.. Si Bro. Milo patuloy na lumalakas at si Bro. Victor ay hindi na masyadong nahihirapan after each chemo sessions gaya noong umpisa ng mga sessions niya... I would do anything just to be healthy for health is a great wealth that we could ever have in this world.......how about you?

well, `la lang. i just thought of sharing this day to you. I know and feel that something good is going to happen, blessings coming.... overflowing..

Thank you Lord for yet another promise from your Word that has been assured to us this day! Praise God.....

:-) :D

prayer request!

Please pray for Bro. Victor Lanuza. He`s recently diagnosed with Nasal pharyngeal cancer. And is on stage 2 when it was discovered...

My mind has questions - but what would the answers be? : Why these people? They are innocent to evil and did nothing but to serve God and given themselves into helping and supporting His church?

For a week now he`s been undergoing radiation and chemotherapy treatment at the Makati Medical center. His doctors said this will go on for 39 days.....everyday!
Please pray that he could go on and will come out of his treatment free from the desease....In Jesus Name!

The radiation kaya niya, its the chemo thing na medyo nahirapan siya....Our heart goes out to him..

Brother Milo, his father, on the other hand, although the doctor said that the lump in his colon must be operated and taken out. My God, it`s also diagnosed as cancer, choose to just give his case to God in prayer for the meantime. Walang choice mga kapatid. He will need 180 to 200,000 for the thing to be remove via operation. Saan kukunin yun?

We want to support them by our prayers. The Bible says, the prayer of the righeous man availeth much...

We will remain standing upon God`s Word. There`s nothing impossible for our God to do....

Verniel`s 23rd year...

How time flies on its wings....and so fast! My youngest "little boy" is now 23...

Anong magagawa ko? something in my heart will continue yearning na sana palagi nalang siyang maliit, lol, you know a mom will feel that "forever"... But i praise God that we see him grown up into a godly, responsible, and intellegent adult that any parents would be proud of.

ayan nak ha....i`ve given you much space this past days :D.... computer lagi ang kaharap mo, hehehe..... and your writings.. I am truly amazed at how well you write, at putting your thoughts into prints. i greatly admire you nak... (patts ka nga!)

No big deal... sabi mo. Kahit hindi ako magluluto, walang party-party basta may konting "cash", lol. Balak mo pang solohin huh? :-)
segi na nga, luto pa rin ako ng favorite mo. The everlasting spaghetti ni mommy, na sabi mo ang pinakamasarap sa lahat ng natikman mo, (of course, bola na naman :D), at ice cream, isama na ang cake..... yea pwede, basta ikaw!!

All i really wanted to say is: We wish you a happiest birthday today nak.. Kahit tayo-tayo lang mag-celebrate, we`re glad that you are in good health, happy in your service to God, got the peace in the Holy Ghost that passeth all understanding. We continue to wish you good luck in all your dreams to come true at lahat ng nais mong marating na kasama ang Panginoon sa buhay mo!

As always, i could go on and on. Madaldal si mom, hehehe.....at alam ko sasabihin mo na naman na narinig mo na lahat ito.
keep doing what you`re doing, as long as it pleases God foremost, ok?

love you and as the song says, "I will be here", we will always be here for you, Dad, mom, kuia dave and kuia charis..

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

your famous mom :D,
mommy gie

Postscript:

to read my son`s articles pls. visit http://triond.com/users/verniel+cutar

God`s promise is true...

it`s four in the morning.......i`m still wide wide awake! Maybe it`s because of the coffee i drank early in the evening.. I remember, i don`t take coffee on evenings, kaya heto, however i tried just can`t put myself to sleep...Btw, what`s in a coffee that can keep you awake?

i have quiet days lately. During daytime only hubby and me in the house, except if we needed to go somewhere. How lungkot naman! ok, i won`t start this story again...

I am also been in an expectant heart this past months. I am going through my days listening for the sound of a delivery vehicle at my door... a surprise box from a loveone is coming! I don`t know when it`s gonna come. We have such a bad weather this time of the year, and i would like to believe this is the reason why it has taken for my surprise box not to arrive much as I desired it.... hope it will soon. When it will come i know it would be worth the wait!

Just remind me of the promises of God and the answer to my prayers. Often times I thought He has forgotten me. Things I`d hope for hadn`t seen fulfillment, even things i thought He had whispered He would give me. Sometimes i`d almost quit expecting them. yes, unfulfilled expectations.

This delayed gifts is a good example of how we have to learn trusting that God is working on our behalf, even if we don`t yet see it in the meantime, that we should expect God to be working for our heart`s desires.

These times our family is going through a difficult season of our lives and resources are slow in coming..... but i am always reminded that God knows our needs......the desires of my heart. And His gifts aren`t heading to the wrong address. They are sure to come...They just haven`t arrived yet. Because when He gives a promise, we can believe it will happen in His perfect time and will........We just have to claim and thank Him with all of our heart, Praise God.. Eventually my sister and I communicated and told me that she had made follow-up with the courier company and they told her the box is gonna be delayed because of some handling reasons but surely it will come, safe and sound right into my waiting arms, haha...

wow.....it`s almost daybreak. I have to hurry and get breakfast ready for my darling sons...
I could always take that nap in the afternoon, huh?

see yah ol around...

angry and sad...

galit ako......pero hindi masyado, hehe.

hayaan ninyong maibulalas ko ito kaya magtagalog na muna..

3 days ago may naamoy kaming "foul" mabaho talaga sa itaas ng bahay. Pero sa baba ganun din, kahit sa labas. Siguro may namatay lang na daga dahil di ba andami naming alagang mga pusa sa bahay.... Ang problema, hindi ko alam kung saan ko simulang hanapin. Nagwalis na ako lahat-lahat, hindi ko pa rin makita...

ah, saka na lang yan! ang daming lakad ngaun kaya isantabi ko na lang muna ang paghahanap noong mabaho na yan.... nakakahinga pa naman ako..

Bayaran ngaun ng mga utilities na lahat deadline na gaya ng electric, water and telephone bills kaya agahan namin ang pagpunta para magbayad or else maabutan kami ng tigaputol, hehehe! Ang sabi ko kay hubby gamitin na namin ang kotse at didiretso kami sa ospital para dalawin ang mommy ni Imee. So ang beauty punta na sa garahe at ayusin ng kaunti yong sasakyan at isang linggo na rin naming hindi nagagamit dahil sa ulan ng ulan.....alam n`yo hindi yan pedeng gamitin kapag umuulan kasi nga sira yong mga bintana sa harapan at nakakapasok ang ulan doon.

Naku, doon pala galing yong sobrang baho! sa garahe.......este....sa loob ng sasakyan! nakita ko ang daming langaw na malalaki, (bangaw) na nagliparan dun at nang binuksan ko, grabe, hindi ko nakayanan ang amoy...lo and behold, doon mismo sa upuan ko ay may nakapatong na tatlong tumpok ng "tae" lang naman, pati yong driver`s seat ni hubby may tumpok din. "malalaki" at siguradong sa pusa yun kasi sobrang baho nga! Pero hindi yun ang nilalangaw, doon galing sa back seat ang mga nagliliparang mga peste kaya tiningnan ko....

Doon ako nagalit sa panghihinayang! Noong Saturday kasi namili kami ng pang-ulam sa SM kasi kami ang magluluto para ipakain sa saints noong Sunday. Bumili kami ng 15 kilos na chicken, nakalagay na sila sa sealed na styro.... at iba pang mga pangangailangan, so medyo madami dami ding bags ang nakalagay sa backseat.....As usual tuwing umuuwi kami salubong sa amin yong mga kasama namin sa bahay at palagi hindi na ako nag-aabala pa sa mga gamit kasi sila na ang nagdidiskarga....

haayy naku, may isang bag na ang laman ay anim na packs ng chicken ang nakalimutan sa loob, how come hindi nila nakita? o nag-asahan kasi eh! yun ang inuod at bumango ng katakot-takot mga ilang araw din yun... Ang sarap talaga tirisin itong mga kasama ko dito sa bahay.....mga pabaya, hmmmp...

Nasira ang schedules namin for that day.... nag-jeep na lang si hubby sa dapat puntahan, pero sa hapon na nakaalis kasi nilinis pa yong kotse, nag-vacuum lalo na ung mga upuan.....nilagyan ng pabango at nag-spray ng kahit ano-ano mawala lang ang amoy... Hindi kami nakapunta sa ospital at nag-decide na tomorrow na lang.....

Noong gabi bandang alas onse yata yun, i received a text from imee, binalita na wala na ang mommy niya! Ganitong araw din last week noong andodoon kami sa ospital na sinabi sa amin ng doctors that she would only have a week to live.... and it happened. They were right all along. The next days that followed ay hinanda ng Dios ang mga kalooban ng family...causing them to just let go and let the Lord have His way... He knows what is best for His children.. Sabi ni Imee pumanaw ang mommy niya na walang struggle at masaya dahil nakasama niya ang lahat ng mga anak sa huling mga araw niya...... Now we know she is with the Lord!

Naalaala ko tuloy yong feelings ko noon nang mawala din si papa.....`kala ko hindi ko kakayanin... but that`s life. Malungkot dahil hindi na natin sila makikita, visible, physically but glad knowing na tapos na paghihirap nila at nasa Panginoon na sila...Yes, He give and take away......blessed be the Name of the Lord!

well, my story today is kinda weird, haha... Galit sa umpisa at malungkot ang ending... kayo na bahala umintindi..

love, love, love.....

I will greet this day with love in my heart.
And how will I do this? Henceforth will I look on all things with love and I will be born again. I will love the sun for it warms my bones; yet i will love the rain for it cleanses my spirit. I will love the light for it shows me the way; yet I will love the darkness for it shows me the stars. I will welcome happiness for it enlarges my heart; yet I will endure sadness for it opens my soul. I will acknowledge rewards for they are my due; yet I will welcome obstacles for they are my challenge.

I will encourage my friends and they will become brothers. Always I will dig for reasons to applaud; never will I scratch for excuses to gossip. When I am tempted to criticize i will bite on my tongue; when I am moved to praise I will shout from the roofs.

Is it not so that birds, the wind, the sea and all nature speaks with the music of praise for their creator? Cannot I speak with the same music to his children? Henceforth I will remember this secret and it will change my life...

I will love the ambitious for they can inspire me; I will love the failures for they can teach me. I will love the kings for they are but human; I will love the meek for they are divine. I will love the rich for they are yet lonely; I will love the poor for they are so many. I will love the young for the faith they hold; I will love the old for the wisdom they share. I will love the beautiful for their eyes of sadness; I will love the ugly for their souls of peace.

I will love myself. For when I do i will zealously inspect all things which enter my body, my mind, my soul, and my heart. Never will I overindulge the requests of my flesh, rather I will cherish my body with cleanliness and moderation. Never will I allow my mind to be attracted to evil and despair, rather I will uplift it with the knowledge and wisdom of the ages. Never will I allow my soul to become complacent and satisfied, rather I will feed it with meditation and prayer. Never will I allow my heart to become small and bitter, rather I will share it and it will grow and warm the earth.

I will greet this day with love, and i will succeed. ( - Og Mandino )

And most of all, i will love the Lord with all my heart, mind and soul. Because He is worthy of all praise and adoration and all the love in the world....

feeling good :)

the frogs at the vacant lot next to our house won`t stop croaking. It had been for the past 3 days in a row. Hubby said it will go on until there`s still typhoon coming.... one frog`s voice stand out among the rest....parang "baka" ang tunog niya. So loud. If it will continue to croak, its heralding that the worst of typhoons are not over yet. (sabi daw ng matatanda...??)

its been so uncomfortable, with the rains coming almost everyday.. Everything is wet and messy. Much more can`t accomplish much around here. The news said seventeen more typhoons will be passing before this year will end. I pray wala munang lalaking bagyo, haha.

But my world suddenly brightened today! The sun finally came out of its hiding place shedding its warm over us, giving warmth to my heart. Somehow it made me smile. Let it be just for now....Typhoon can come tomorrow. I need this break, can`t you see?

I realized i needed to smile more often....:-) Perhaps it was the chat with my sister that did it!! I just have to smile, with all the things that we`ve talked about....it was an endless "success" topic...

i could do with it over and over again.... hahayyy...

one faithful saint...

If you have visited our church, you probably heard of Bro. Milo. Who doesn`t know him? He`s one faithful saint.
God has given him to us a sort of inspiration, a pillar of strenght not only to every member in particular but the whole congregation.. To HCJC, he is very precious, a priceless gem. I will relate why...

He has invested much of his time for our church. He is a full time worker for a very long time. As far as i could remember, from the time he came and got baptized. He`s a soul-winner, had brought souls into the kingdom of God.

Never missed one single service......except when he was sick and too weak to get out of bed. But he`s seldom sick.. He resides in cavite, a province next to manila. It would take one-hour travel from that place to Manila( kung walang traffic). For most of us, to walk and take a hike that far just to be able to attend church is unthinkable when commuters are just within reach. But not with him. He has done the hiking couple of times whenever his pocket were empty of funds.... limang oras lang naman ang paglalakad para makarating sa church. So if the Bible study service will begin at 8 in the evening, he will start walking at one o`clock in the afternoon and still arrive in church way ahead of everybody. No one has ever done that but him....all for the love of the Lord!

He`s an example of how it is to serve God. His faithfulness brought blessings to his family. Who could think that a man "jobless" in the eyes of the world, could send all three of his children to school and now graduated to be professionals. He has a mass communication graduate for a daughter, an electrical engineer for a son and another teacher daughter... God blessed him with all the things that all parents wishes for their children. He has won all his family members to the Lord who are all faithfully serving God with the best of their capacity.....

He`s one example of a christian who has given his all, i mean "all" and trusting the Lord for his life, tomorrow and future. Are there many of his kind?

Now, as i write this, he is absent for the first time for overnight prayer. He is in a hospital undergoing series of tests. The doctor found a lump in his colon and try to figure out if its a malignant one. He had not been feeling so well the past couple of weeks, but mind you,during these times he is still present in all of our services.... It`s lonely not having him with us now as we gather together for prayer.....Normally, he is always the first man to arrive and the last one to leave in the morning...

We pray that nothing bad and unusual will come out of his test... nothing serious, i should say...

Bro. Milo, we are all with you in prayer. We will whisper your name in our deepest plea.
We still need you, HCJC need you.....you know that, and God does know how much we do!!

happy birthday dave!

anak, 29 years old ka na pero para sa amin ng daddy mo ikaw pa rin yong maliit na batang panganay namin. You will always be that in our hearts... You will always be our little "boy"...

In this your birthday, i just wish that all your dreams will come true. That God will grant all your desires, the blessings that you very much deserve.
I`m speechless anak.....just standing in awe for what you have become in the kingdom of God... He has answered my prayers. You are in our Father`s business.
This is every christian mothers dream. To see their offspring giving and offering his life for the glory of God.

I will continue praying for you anak.... When life gets tough and lonely, hard and oftentimes you find yourself in a crossroad, confused of which path to take....... my prayers will see you through!

We love you nak....always have, always will.

daddy & mommy

our 30th year wedding anniversary...

We celebrated our wedding anniversary one very rainy and stormy day... We just ate out with our dear children at lahat kami sa bahay lumabas para kumain kahit bumabagyo!!

30 long years together. I give God all the glory and praise because He is good to us, remains the center of our relationship..

My, my, ang daming bagyong dumaan sa buhay....all kinds of difficult situations. Some have placed us on shaky grounds wanting to break us free from the solid rock of marriage... Through His grace our bond remained strong kahit sa ano pa mang pagsubok and the love we both feel for each other is stronger and sweeter than ever before.

Thank you Lord for fighting our battles for us. For being there no matter what.

Gusto ko pang makasama ka "hubby" ng matagal pa........ say, another 30 and more years...

Happy anniversary dad....

sigh :->

A storm just passed us by, as usual claiming many lives. Until now the casualties count is still going on. It was unbelievable that a ship as big as "Princess of the stars" could just capsized like it did. It is Sulpicio lines again! This is the fifth ship since l989 (of this same maritime company) that is accountable of the same mishap na pumatay ng napakaraming tao na naman..... I remembered MV Dona Paz couple of years back.... 4,000 people died and buried in the ocean. Many were missing and never found.. Then another......and another.

Ngaun, heto na naman! Ang tigas ng ulo nila. Alam na nila na may bagyong darating still umalis pa rin. When will they learn? Sa gusto nila at sa hindi, dapat na nga sila matuto dahil suspendido na ngaun ang company nila... Teka, bakit ngaun lang? kung kelan ang dami nang namatay?

Aside from that capsized ship, maraming areas sa visayas ang kawawa.... Like Aklan and Kalibo. Tell you, Boracay also!! matagalan pa siguro bago business as usual ang boracay. Maraming nasira...Salamat na lang nakauwi na muna ang mga bakasyonista ng pattsclan before nagka-bagyo!!

That typhoon was fierce. No wonder they called it by a man`s name, Frank. So watch out for storms with a male name and the likes.....remember melenyo?

sigh:->

adjustments....

I thank God for the strenght He supplied and helped us to go through the past week..

Lahat ng "due" sa mga financial obligations ay nagsiksikan sa isang linggo lang...plus enrollment, tuition fees, to top it all, sumabay na naman si victory...bagong battery for her. Ayaw makisama, hehehe!

i`m in a lot of adjustments lately. Everytime relatives come and go, i always get the "blues". Missing them and all - hard to go back to my normal phase of life, haha..

Dave has started his teaching job in a private school last monday. His hands are so full of schedules teaching from elementary to high school level.... On July, bible school starts and he`s in it too. I don`t know how he could handle his already hectic scheds plus the additions. He`s out of the house so early and comes home late - straight to bed, Zzzz.. I miss talking to him.

charis, got two jobs at the moment but will get rid of the former one next week. I hardly see him at home. when i do, he`s in a much needed sleep, preparing for another graveyard shift....

and verniel, he`s back to school. Nakakabingi ang katahimikan sa bahay...

Find it somewhat lonesome being not a full time mom anymore... Am thinking having something to keep me busy during the day just so hubby and me will not just be staring at each other all day long lol. oh, that`s okay. i think we have given each other our space. He`s in his computer most of the time and me trying to keep myself busy over something and anything....
I am thinking that maybe it is best at this time of my life that i would have something.......like a homebased business that i would be indulging myself in. I`m sure it would be a source of outlet and strenght, di ba? (para hindi madaling tatanda...) Pls. give your insights and suggestions....

But i`m still and will always be thankful for the internet...At least i could have the effort to keep in touch.... to all of you. I could handle that.

sorry, if you think this is what venting is all about...

By the way, we`re supposed to meet with our landlady here in the house today. She`s home from the states and wanted to see us before she leaves again. She is already more than an hour`s late!! Walang magawa ang pagiging time conscious mo sa traffic dito sa pinas...... (just an afterthought)...

:-)

loveones visit from San Francisco...

it`s our usual hot day again..... makes me feel weak and old.. hehe.. I thought rainy days has stepped in.... but far way ahead by the look of it. Our rains were merely outcomes of typhoons passing us by the past weeks.

just gotten home from Tagaytay. This day was only planned on visiting papa but our service van came very early as 7 0`clock this morning to fetch us, so after papa, we had plenty of time and decided to proceed to Tagaytay. Lenny said this was her first time to go and jay his second time (it was night time daw on his first visit... hahaha.. wala ring nakita!!) We just went to picnic grove.... settled in one of their paid open cottages with a large table enough to accomodate our "konting baon" na masaya naming pinagsaluhan...... Then the boys went horse back riding, at kaming mga babae ay naiwang nagdal-dalan, hehehe!! ( one of pattsclan`s favorite pastimes when in pinas). I don`t know about everyone, but i enjoyed the day immensely..I slept on the way home, and found out i have swollen gums when i woke up... and a hell of a headache... i can`t find anything to blame but the heat..

so good to have jay`s family and mama for a visit. But my one regret is that i have none to offer.....or should i say, very very little to offer. I just feel so incapable... I wish that time will come when i will have every means to make everyone`s visit worthwhile.....yong ako ang "babangka" (if you know what i mean?)........But this time and age of my life, it`s not just possible, not yet..... no, i don`t feel bad but sad..:(

But here`s the happier side. We asked Jay to preach in our church on their first Sunday here...what a surprise to hear him preach like an evangelist would do....Tuwa talaga ako, teary eyed throughout the service, told him, i am very proud of him.. Because that`s how i really felt.. Here`s another answer to papa`s prayers about all his children becoming servants of God.. i will continue praying that jeff will somehow be convinced to enroll in the Bible school not because i keep on nagging him to do so...... sana it would be because of a real conviction from the Holy Ghost....

well, at this writing, they still have 7 days more to stay before going back to San Francisco.. Sorry Bong, but your condo has an overflow of occupants , guests, whatever.....( ganun kasikat ang mga nakatira dun, hehehe), and of course mama`s grandchildren.. Yong iba hindi humihiwalay sa kanya.....what can i do? andodoon sila while mama`s there. I promise i will keep that place of yours in spic `n span again when they`re gone...

for the meantime, it`s so far, so good...

i`ve more to tell in the coming days..

excited!!

five more days and mama is here..... she`s coming from California with my brother Jay and his family to visit home (pinas).

we`re preparing my brother bong`s place (condo) where they are going to stay during their two-weeks stay here. In the pictures was gingging, hubby`s sister. We brought her to the condo to help me with the cleaning.. She was over at our house for sometime and that was surely a big relief for me. She did all my chores.

Bless her heart! Kung hindi nga lang kelangan niyang umuwi sa Mindanao kasi may mga anak na rin siya - gusto ko dito na lang siya sa akin, hehehehe!

well..... that`s all for now. :-)