Letter from a Friend

I stumbled a beautiful love letter full of love and compassion coming from Jesus when a friend of Ate Esther gave her a Christmas present with a short note on it. I do really love the message that's why I asked her friend about it and was glad when she lent me the book where she got it.  Every time I'm feeling down and alone, I read it to lift up my spirit. What a wonderful message from Above!

I just had to write to tell you how much I love you and care for you. Yesterday, I saw you walking and laughing with your friends; I hoped that soon you'd want Me to walk along with you, too. So, I painted you a sunset to close your day and whispered a cool breeze to refresh you. I waited - you never called - I just kept on loving you.

As I watched you fall asleep last night, I wanted so much to touch you. I spilled moonlight onto your face - trickling down your cheeks as so many tears have. You didn't even think of Me; I wanted so much to comfort you.

The next day I exploded a brilliant sunrise into glorious morning for you. But you woke up late and rushed off to work - you didn't even notice. My sky became cloudy and My tears were the rain.

I love you. Oh, if you'd only listen. I really love you. I try to say it in the quiet of the green meadow and in the blue sky. The wind whispers My love throughout the treetops and spills it into the vibrant colors of all the flowers. I shout it to you in the thunder of the great waterfalls and compose love songs for birds to sing for you. I warm you with the clothing of My sunshine and perfume the air with nature's sweet scent. My love for you is deeper than any ocean and greater than any need in your heart. If you'd only realize how I care.

My Dad sends His love. I want you to meet Him - He cares, too. Fathers are just that way. So, please call on Me soon. No matter how long it takes, I'll wait - because I love you.

Your Friend,

Jesus

Let Us Put on the Armor of Light

As we begin a new liturgical year with the season of Advent, we wish one another a spiritually fruitful New Year. It is unfortunate that many of us seems to give little important to the liturgical year whose main purpose is to bring about our sanctification, which is the most important undertaking in our life. 

This Advent is, for all of us, an opportunity to rediscover the richness of this well-planned series of liturgical events, even as we start our remote preparation for Christmas. St. Paul's exhortation to get rid of the "deeds of darkness" and to clothe ourselves with the splendor of Christ's grace should motivate us to begin this holy season with a clear plan of action and the determination to carry it out faithfully. 

It is worth sharing this Eucharistic Message to all. Today is the 1st Sunday of Advent. ADVENT is the first "season" of the liturgical year. It comprises four weeks. It reminds us of the Lord's coming as our judge and we need to be always ready to welcome him; and to help prepare ourselves for the commemoration of Christ's birth.  What we should do is to cast off the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

St. Padre Pio on Rated K

I heard about St. Padre Pio from a work colleague only last year. Then I was informed that it was featured on TV show "Rated K". Out of curiosity and because I missed the said featured story I look for it and I found it on YouTube.

It was September 23, 2010, death anniversary of St. Pio, when I first visited the St. Padre Pio Chapel in Libis, Quezon City after office hour. We were invited by Tita Mila to be with them. The chapel was packed with many devotees when we arrived. There were no more seats available inside and outside of the chapel so we were standing throughout the Mass. I didn't go inside the chapel because of the long queue and I'm a bit late on my appointment with my former work colleagues in Cainta, Rizal. But I promised to go back there on ordinary day so that I could get inside and feel the solitary peace of the place. This promise has already been fulfilled.

A Bundle of Joy si Coming!

I was overwhelmed with great joy when my sister Arlene who got married last September 18, 2010 informed me yesterday that she had an appointment with obstetrician/gynecologist and was informed that she's now two months pregnant. I'm sure our parents will be exultantly happy and excited for their first grandchild.

It was a great blessing that a bundle of joy is coming. It would be the first baby in the family. Indeed, we rejoiced for such good news. My father who is really longing for a granchild would be more keen in the coming of the baby. I'm certain on it.

My pregnant friend Yhaz has given me her excess folic acid tablets that she bought. My sister needs it. Getting enough folic acid every day especially before conception and during early pregnancy is one of the most important things to do that can help prevent serious birth defects in the baby. I thanked my friend for being generous and kind for giving me some to be given to my pregnant sister.

Holiday Greetings

Holiday season is finally here. Almost everywhere, I see a lot of people decorating anything that symbolizes Christmas, making lists and buying gifts, preparing for Christmas party and so many others. We give importance to the true meaning of Christmas - the gift of love. 

In today's modern world, sending season's greetings is just a click away. Sending cards is one way of reaching out with our family, friends and loved ones especially those far from us. There is a lot of online greeting cards  or seasons ecards available in the world of internet. And speaking of Christmas card, if you want simplicity but full of love and uniqueness check out Grace's Christmas Card Entry for Sulit's Christmas Card Making Contest.

Celebrate Christmas 2010 with Sulit.com.ph, the leading online classified ads and buy and sell website in the Philippines.

It is my viral post for supporting Grace's entry. As a viral poster, you get chance to win a Blackberry Curve at Sulit. Goodluck to us!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

Looking on the Bright Side!

I woke up this morning feeling refreshed and  restored. I look forward on the days ahead  and view life through rose-colored glasses. Being optimistic and looking on the bright side of life make me inspired each day. I couldn't fathom the peacefulness and serenity I felt. I said to myself I am now ready to unfold another chapter of my life. It is true that life is uncertain and sometimes our laid plans go astray. But there is also certain  thing that we should hold on to. Jeremiah 29:11 tells me, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Faith and prayer are always the best weapon we could have in order for us to walk into right direction wherein God will lead us.

Last night, before I went to bed I said a prayer and gently close my eyes and sleep. When I woke up, a renewal of physical strength and spiritually at peace enveloped my whole being. I told myself that I will embrace what God wants to happen in my life. Then I prepared and went off to work enthusiastically.  When I googled some information about something I need to know, I'm glad I found a lot. I don't know but there is uncertain feeling I can't explain. It feels like God is guiding and showing me the way so that I would understand what's ahead of me. I have a feeling that great thing will be coming on my way soon and He wants me to be ready on it. And thinking of such blessing, I could not find enough words to utter. But of course, I will always be thankful for everything.

Occurrence of Sunset

It's been a joyous day for me that I was able to capture the beautiful occurrence of the sunset when we're having an exciting moment at the beach of Aringay, La Union one sunny day of September 2010. Gazing at the blue sky while dipping my toes on the seawater urged me to take some photos. And here it goes...

The blue ocean meets the bluish sky.

And then the colors fade...

One glimmer of light left....

And time changes...... and welcome night.

I greatly enjoyed the moment of capturing such occurrence of sunset. I thanked God for the wonderful creation and all the beauty of nature which He has given us. It reminds us that He greatly loves us all!!!

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Wanna join? Just visit SkyWatch Friday and Looking at the sky on Friday.

House and Lot Purchase

front view of Bianca unit

back view

As mentioned in my previous post, getting my own house and lot was granted last 13th of August 2010. That's when I've decided to pursue my decision in purchasing a house and lot thru  Pag-IBIG Home Development Mutual Fund financing.  And with final thought, I paid P10,000.00 for reservation fee. I was informed by an agent that there is another  interested person who reserved the lot I've chosen but the reservation fee is still unpaid. Luckily, I'm the one who got it. 

I would like to experience the good life. That's why I choose Eastwood Residences in Rodriguez, Rizal developed by Verdantpoint Development Corporation. It's my home, my very own. A home where I can find solace from the hustles and bustles of life. It provides a safe, comfortable, beautiful and suitable living environment for everyone. Looking through the available units and its prices, I preferred the Bianca Unit  with  a 63 square meter lot area because its monthly amortization is within my budget range.

 

 click photos for a larger view

Photos above are the floor plan of typical bianca unit and its general specification. Because the said unit is a bare type, you can customize your space according to your own taste and style. During our house tripping in the subdivision, I have seen a lot of renovated bianca unit and I was enthralled of how it looks like. It's nice to see in the future that my house will be renovated to a unique style and beauty of my choice.

Right now, I'm still paying the total equity of P41,605.50 payable for 10 months. I was also informed that my application for housing loan in Pag-IBIG has been approved. Such a great news! Isn't it?

A Dream to Own a House

One of my dreams in life is to own a house. I was just a kid when we, as complete family living in our own house in San Pablo, Laguna. But when some unavoidable circumstance occurred in the family, my parents decided to sell our house in Laguna and settle for good in the province of Aklan,  my mother's hometown. Since then, we stay in the house nestled at barangay San Isidro. The said house was built by our grandfather, Lolo Polen. I heard from a relative that my mom is sending money during the construction of the house. For short, my mom helped financially in the home construction. That's why Lolo Polen really wanted us to stay there and even told everyone that my mother would inherit the house and lot property. But this thing has never been put into legal writing before our grandparents died. It only means nothing is legally inherited the property. Until now, we still don't know who among the siblings will take over on the land property. Two years ago, bad things happened. Mom and my sister were being forced to leave the house because of filthy mouth of my uncle every time he's drunk and he's into bad vices. They opted to stay for a while in my aunt's house. Later on, they'd moved out and presently, they're renting a house. I felt a sting of disappointment on what had happened. But after pondering the situation, I came up with the possibility of getting my own house and lot at the right time if my budget permits. I ask God a sign of approval when is the best time of getting a house and lot. It was granted last Friday of August 13, 2010.