Truly Rich and Blessed

Truly Rich Reflections: Water Into Wine

by

My family and I came home on Sunday night from Baguio, where we attended an inspiring (though at times, tiring) weekend retreat organized by , our Catholic community. Since then, my mind and heart have been overflowing!

I tried to “capture” some of our Baguio moments through this photo collage, but I don’t think it does justice!
Which means I really MUST write a post, yes? 🙂

There is SO much I want to blog about — so many lessons learned especially during the first month of the year! So many blessings to share, so many wonderful homeschool experiences and “a-ha!” moments! So many people I want to give a “shout out” to, so many answered prayers!

So.many.things.to.write.about. 

The problem is I don’t know where to start. I don’t know how to begin.

So… while I try to organize my thoughts into a post (or series of posts, maybe?)… And before I write an article for one of my “sideline” writing projects… I just want to share with you one of, if not THE biggest, blessings we’ve received since 2013 started, via a screenshot of my post on Facebook:

For those of you who may not be aware of our initial fears, doubts, worries concerns about the little one in my womb, you might want to read this post on the truth about my pregnancy.

After making that “confession,” I felt as if a huge burden had been lifted off my shoulders. Because I knew that we were no longer “alone” in our journey. I knew that people from all over the world were lifting us up, especially our baby, in their prayers. And for that, I am/we are forever grateful.

You have shown us how powerful the gift of prayer can be. You have helped us see how Jesus turns water into wine, and creates miracles, every single day.

So, dear friends, please forgive the lack of any other updates / detailed posts for now. I just want to leave you with this song by Chris Tomlin, which I have personally dubbed as our “theme song” for our baby (Tim’s is “On Eagle’s Wings,” while Rysse’s is “Still.” Why? 🙂 Oooh… more topics for future blog posts!):

Whatever you may be facing right now, believe that Jesus, our Miracle-maker, is near. Through the powerful intercession of His Blessed Mother, who is our own mother, too, He will fill your “empty jars.” He will turn your “water” into “wine.” He will make all things work together, for the good of those who love Him. (Romans 8:28)

My mom, my dad, me, Tim, Rysse and Anthony
We were surprised to be asked to be “models” during one of the sessions at the retreat, and my dad was asked to proclaim how we would witness to Christ’s love and mission as a family. I had tears in my eyes listening to him speak. (I think my mom did, too!) We are not a perfect family, and have our own struggles and sins and failures, but we are truly blessed to have God and one another.
(Photo credit: Tito Arthur del Rio)

Celebrating My "Return" to Blogging with an Amazing Grace Giveaway by Moringana! :)

by

*Gasp* January is almost over and I have written only FIVE posts for the whole month! My, how the time has whizzed by, bringing the first month of the New Year almost to a close!

Ever since my self-declared blogcation-of-sorts last month, I’ve been having trouble getting back on the “blog bandwagon.”

This blog has been on “vacation” of sorts! 🙂
Photo by Sura Nualpridad on FreeDigitalPhotos.net

January started out with lots of blessings — work-wise and personal-wise — and with me setting out to spend more time just “being” with my family, taking more time to rest (especially for our Baby), and being busy with more projects at work and on the side, not to mention SO many learning events (which I know I MUST blog about soon! *Gasp* again!)

If you’ve been following me on and/or , you’ll probably know what’s been keeping me busy. (If not, you can take a look at one of my recent posts on Philstar.com to find out — only if you want to, of course.)

To be honest, I’ve actually enjoyed not blogging so often, in a way. I’ve enjoyed not being “pressured” to keep up with other mom bloggers, who have been posting much more regularly than I have. (Oh, yes, I’ve spent more time reading other people’s posts, too, than writing my own! Ha, ha!) I’ve also enjoyed reading more to my kids, focusing more on our goals for homeschooling. And spending more time with the hubby, too.

However, I know, too, that God called me to blog for a reason. (Yes, as cheesy as that may sound to some of you! Ha, ha!) He’s got a purpose for this little ol’ blog of mine, and I just pray that I live up to it! 🙂 (I talked about this a bit during my interview today for one of the shows on Family Rosary Crusade. Watch out for it this Sunday, Feb. 3, 6 a.m. on Studio 23! Teehee! {Shameless plugging!})

So yes… I’m officially back to blogging, and I hope to post more regularly starting today — at least two to three posts a week! (Ambitious, huh?! Pray that I’ll be able to do so! He, he!)

And to celebrate my “return” to blogging, let’s have an Amazing Grace giveaway — the first for the year, and the first in a weekly series — until my generous blog partner, MORINGANA, says “stop”! Heehee!

Aside from Moringana, I’ve got other giveaways coming up, so I do hope you’ll stay tuned to the blog, and follow my updates on and , too, so you won’t miss out on them! 🙂

Anyway, yes yes… back to the giveaway! 🙂 Here it is!

Moringana Amazing Grace Giveaway No. 1 {2013}

FYI: I love Moringana’s malunggay capsules! 🙂 I’ve been using them as a supplement for my pregnancy. 🙂
They came in really handy when I came down with a bad cough and cold last December!

One winner will receive ONE (1) box of Moringana Malunggay capsules. 🙂 The giveaway will run for one week and is open to anyone with a Philippine shipping address. The winner shall be notified via e-mail and also announced on my Facebook page and Twitter. 🙂

To join, please use the Rafflecopter widget below. 🙂 Thanks and God bless, everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

On Taking Time to Honor Our Spouses

by

I know I said my next post here would be all about my goals for the year, and my “One Word” for 2013. I already have it drafted but I’m just waiting for the graphic to go with it. (I’m SO excited about this, really! I hope you’ll stick around so I can share the post with you once it’s ready!)

In the meantime, allow me to take this time to honor my husband. We celebrated our seventh wedding anniversary on Monday, January 7, and I got all mushy and decided to dedicate my post for the week on Philstar.com to him and our love story. I realized that, when it comes to having a healthy marriage, it’s the little things that matter. 
Our latest couple photo 😉
I hope you’ll take the time to read that post, if you haven’t already. Just hop on over here. I’d love to know how you honor your own spouse, too, so feel free to leave a comment below. 
Leaving you with these beautiful words about marriage from EWTN for now (emphasis mine):
A sacrament is a visible sign of an invisible reality. Matrimony is a sacrament and as such it is a sign to the world of the invisible God living in our midst – the living God who bears fruit in the lives of two people. They are a continual sign of His Power in the world. There is special grace and power within every couple God has joined together. Everything they do singly or together, is a living out of their sacrament. Simple things like washing dishes, running a sweeper, driving to work, struggling to make a living, budgeting a small salary to meet big expenses – yes, these and al I the other facets of life together, have power hidden within them to make them holy. Married life is the ground of holiness, love is the seed planted by God. Life together with its agonies and joys, pain and sacrifices, frustrations and tensions, moments of exultation and despair, all act as the rain and sun, thunder and lightning on a young sprout.

The faults and weaknesses of each one are compensated for by each other’s virtues. Each possesses what the other lacks. This results in a loving dependence on each other for spiritual growth and transformation. If a married couple can form a habit of looking at each other in a sacramental way – seeing the beauty of God in each other’s souls – seeking to enhance that beauty by upbuilding each other- mutually growing in the image of Jesus – then that Sacrament of Matrimony bears the stamp of the living God.

If you’re married, I highly encourage you to take the extra time this year to honor your spouses. Take the time to see the little things they do for you and your family, and let them know how much you appreciate them. Believe me, it will make a difference somehow.

Of course, relationships, especially marriages, that have God at the center, will be even more blessed! I know it’s a struggle to do this — to be in a “love triangle” with God and your spouse — but I’ve learned that, despite the challenges, you’ll find that married life will become so much easier.

Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good;

10

love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor.

11

Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.

12

Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.

How We’ve Been Celebrating Christmas & the New Year So Far

by

I can’t believe it’s almost been a week since my last post here. Time has flown by really fast and it’s already the sixth day of 2013, already the Feast of the Epiphany, the twelfth day of Christmas. (Yes, it’s STILL Christmas, folks!)

I’d been meaning to write several posts this week, but, well, life happened. In case you’re curious (and even if you’re not, teehee!), here’s a rundown of what we did on Christmas Eve and the days after: (Please forgive me for the extra-looong post and for bombarding you with photos! 😉 I promise it won’t happen again!)

Christmas Eve was spent with my parents and youngest brother here in our humble apartment. My eldest sister and her family are based in Brunei, and weren’t able to come home, while my older brother and his family spent Christmas in Valenzuela. (I wrote a post describing some of the things we did, and what I believe Christmas is all about on Philstar.com, which you can read here.)

Rysse loved dancing with her Lolo while we prepared for Christmas Eve dinner. 🙂
She loved playing blocks with him too! 🙂 Thanks, Papa! 😉
The kids LOVE having their Tito Jay around! 🙂
Christmas Eve Dinner time! 🙂 Our fare was very simple.
We didn’t have Noche Buena at midnight anymore. 🙂 
After dinner, we lit our Christ candle and said our family prayers and sang “O Come All Ye Faithful.”
We let the kids open a few of their gifts. The rest we saved for after Christmas Day Mass. 
Then we put up our simple Happy Birthday Jesus  / Christmas decor. 
The kids were TOO excited and so they placed the Baby Jesus in each of our Nativity sets even before it struck midnight. 🙂 It’s a good thing too, because Rysse fell asleep!
So at midnight, it was only Tim who was awake to sing “Happy Birthday” for Jesus with us. 🙂
On Christmas Day, before going to Mass with my parents, who slept over at our place, the kids got to check out what St. Nicholas had left in their stockings. After Mass, my parents left for Malolos, while we headed home, opened the rest of our gifts and prepared to go to my in-laws’ place.
Happy faces! 🙂 
I St. Nicholas made sure to include these notes for the kids. 🙂
After Mass, Rysse got her chance to blow out the candle on Jesus’ birthday cake.

We spent the afternoon at my in-laws’ and had dinner with other family members from my mother-in-laws’ side. We went home early though, so we could play a few “birthday party games” to celebrate Jesus’ birthday. This is me and Tim playing “St. Cecilia‘s Musical Chairs.” (Rysse was too busy with her new tricycle! 😉

On the second day of Christmas, the Feast of St. Stephen, December 26, we just stayed at home. I read the story of St. Stephen to the kids from their children’s Bible, and we spent the day just enjoying one another’s presence. I had to report to the office on December 27 and 28.

On the fifth day of Christmas, December 29, Tim went bowling for the first time ever, as part of his cousin’s birthday celebration. He had SO much fun! 🙂 And was pretty good for a first-timer! 🙂

The bowling “coach” and his “student” 🙂 
Rysse had lots of fun playing with her “best cuz”! while the older kids were bowling. 🙂

We went to Mass on the Feast of the Holy Family (December 30) and bought a few things for the apartment; mostly stuff to help us be more organized — and to help me work from home better! 😉

The kids posing with the Baby Jesus (at our parish)

New Year’s Eve was spent re-arranging and de-cluttering our bedroom (we’re STILL not done yet though — Lord, help us!). I am SOOO happy with the work space my husband came up with for both of us (thank you, Honey!) — one of the BEST gifts ever for the New Year!

The kids had a blast blowing their trumpets and watching the fireworks displays happening all around our apartment at midnight. (I, on the other hand, wanted sooo much to sleep! Ha, ha!) Before midnight, we said a prayer of blessing for the New Year. Prior to that, we had dinner at my in-laws’ place.

New Year’s Day (the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God), found us going to morning Mass and the boys (Anthony and Tim) going for a check-up, as Tim had had intermittent bouts of slight fever, starting the night of December 29. He had also developed a bad cough, and Anthony had had a cough for quite some time. After their check-up and buying the medicine they needed, they joined Rysse and me on a trip to visit our relatives in Malolos, along with my parents and siblings, nephews and nieces.

Fast forward to today, the Feast of the Epiphany.

Work officially started for all of us earlier this week, and I’m already swamped with stuff to proofread, write and edit! Not to mention all the pending blogs posts I’m supposed to write!

Rysse is now sick, too. Our all-around helper will only be arriving next week, so Anthony and I have been busy with work and the kids, etc. (Thank God, though, for our parents, who have been helping us take care of the kids when we can’t do so!)

And, as I mentioned in my New Year post on Philstar.com, we’re still not done de-cluttering / cleaning / reorganizing the apartment. We’ve been doing it in between all the other stuff we need to do so… this is what the other room looks like (please don’t judge me, ha, ha!):

DISASTER AREA! Yikes! I hope to finish fixing this room before Monday!

In fairness to me (ha, ha!), at least I FINALLY was able to finish arranging most of the kids’ books in this new bookshelf we bought. I plan to label each shelf according to the “genres” of books it holds — e.g. faith-themed books, Caldecott Medal winners, Social Studies-themed books, etc. (Yes, I am attempting to be more organized this year!)

I wasn’t able to take a picture of the whole shelf — just the top three layers. 🙂
Thank You, God, for the chance to buy this!
You all know that part of our Advent traditions is unwrapping one (or more) books a day. Well, I was a bit “OC” and wanted to continue that activity at least until Epiphany. 🙂 So far, so good! The kids have thoroughly enjoyed looking for the “book for today” and reading more Christmas and faith-themed stories! 🙂 We’re also still listening to Christmas songs and hymns (we didn’t or avoided doing so as much as possible during Advent) and love greeting one another “Merry Christmas” every morning! 🙂
They’ve also enjoyed moving the Three Wise Men from our nativity set, starting last week.
Yes, our Christmas decorations are still up! 🙂 I plan to take them down on February 2, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, which, , is also when the Vatican puts down their Christmas tree and nativity. Cool, huh? 🙂 That’s 40 days for celebrating Christmas! 🙂 I LOVE IT!  
Waiting for the Three Kings. 🙂
(This is a pop-up nativity paper doll play set/book I got from Booksale.)
Also waiting for the Three Kings. 😉
What a journey it has been for our Three Wise Men / Kings! 🙂
Tim helped place the numbers 7 to 1 so the Kings / Wise Men would know where to go per day. 🙂
“We’re almost there!” said the Three Kings.
Meanwhile the Kings for our other nativity set (shown here) are patiently waiting behind some books. 🙂

I’m so excited for tomorrow later, when the kids see their Epiphany “gifts” under our Christmas display. I chose the Epiphany to be our first day of “school” for 2013. 🙂

As “gifts” for Epiphany, the kids will be getting these books — Federico and the Magi’s Gift (from Booksale) and The Legend of Old Befana from . 🙂

We’ll be starting with some activities centered on (what else) the Epiphany, and will “row” The Legend of Old Befana for this week. Of course, Tim will also continue his Math, Language Arts and Religion lessons this coming week — we’ll just pick up from where we left off the week before Christmas.

So that’s how we’ve been celebrating Christmas and how our New Year has been so far. Actually, there’s still A LOT more to tell you guys, but I’m getting sleepy and Baby has been moving around a lot in my tummy — probably trying to say, “MAMA! It’s time to rest!”

Anyway, THANK YOU so much again for taking the time to read this post. My latest post on unBLOGGED actually has a few more details, especially about our patron saints / saint companions for this year, and God’s words for me, which I hope will encourage and inspire you somehow, too. Please do read it here if and when you can! 🙂

Oh, and do stay tuned for my next post(s) — My “One Word” for 2013 + My 2013 Blogging Goals + My Life List! 😉 I hope to get these done soonest, plus the other posts I’m supposed to write! 🙂 Wish me luck Pray for me as I pray for you! 🙂 Remember, 2013 is the year for BIGGER, BETTER, BRIGHTER things! 🙂

Onward to 2013 and Bigger, Better, Brighter Things to Come!

by

I know I said in my last post that I’m on a blog-cation, but I just couldn’t let the New Year come without writing at least one teeny, tiny post. (Does this mean I’m addicted to blogging?! Ha, ha! You tell me!)

It has been an AMAZING year for me personally — and for my family and this little ol’ blog, too! I remember posting earlier this year on Facebook about being excited for the year ahead, especially for the new job/ministry the Lord had called me to.

Can you spot me and Tim in the picture? 🙂 Of course, you can see Bro. Bo Sanchez, right? 🙂
So blessed to be part of the Shepherd’s Voice Publications family!

I remember posting that maybe God would grant us a new baby too — and He did! And despite the uncertainty surrounding our precious little one, we are SO grateful for ALL OF YOU, who have been praying with and for us all throughout this journey!

I also recall how He answered two of our most crucial prayers this year in one go — whether or not to continue homeschooling, and whether or not we could move into an apartment closer to work. He amazed us with His answer and really reminded us that, with Him, all is well!

He blessed this blog through my fabulous , giveaway sponsors and by inspiring me to start a 50 Days of Amazing Grace blog post series last Easter — something that opened so many doors and windows for me as a blogger and as a person!

Later on in the year, He revealed to us even clearer plans for our homeschooling, and led us to enroll our eldest in Kolbe Academy. He even led me to spread the “gospel of homeschooling” on TV, and through different events.

He also led my husband to leave fulltime pastoral work (after 11 years!) and move on to another ministry/job, also with one of Bro. Bo’s ministries. Another great blessing!

Yes, despite the many setbacks and challenges of this year, WE HAVE BEEN AND ARE STILL TRULY RICH AND BLESSED. 🙂

And I know 2013 will be an even more beautifully blessed year! I can feel it in my bones. We’ll be welcoming a new baby for starters. 😉 That’s one HUGE blessing for sure!

I pray that it will be the same for you, dear friends and readers. Whatever challenges you faced this year, whatever setbacks, whatever problems and failures that may have come your way, let’s move forward, embracing 2013 with God at our side, and claiming, declaring with all our hearts:

“Yes, Lord, we accept all the bigger, better, brighter things You have in store for us this year and beyond! Thank You in advance for them!”

And just like I wrote at the beginning of this year, let’s welcome the New Year with an attitude of gratitude — probably one of the BEST things we could ever do! 🙂

Happy, Holy New Year, everyone!

P.S. We’re spending New Year’s Eve quietly at our apartment this year, and will be using the Catholic prayers here before we go to bed and blessing our home with holy water. No Media Noche for us, but I hope it will be a spiritual feast instead! 🙂 Perhaps these prayers will be of help to you and your family too, so please feel free to use them! 🙂 God bless, everyone!

Subscribe to my posts

Recognitions


PHILIPPINE HOMESCHOOL CONFERENCE 2017 SPONSORS

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM

PROUD TO BE A MEMBER OF