Wishes Archives - Truly Rich and Blessed

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!

If you’ve read my “Enriching Sites” page, you’ll probably know that Dainty Mom Martine’s blog is one of my most favorite mom blogs – she’s a Catholic, work-at-home, homeschooled mom who is also a great freelance writer, editor and blogger – and a wonderful, supportive friend as well. We’ve gotten to know each other mostly online but I feel like I can open up to her about anything and everything (yes, she’s THAT nice!)

Anyway, one of her most recent blog posts was a “meme” inspired by Toni (who incidentally is my fellow blogger for Philstar.com’s unBLOGGED Family and Parenting section) – and I don’t usually do memes. (Heck, I didn’t even know what a “meme” was until recently, when I did one for BC Bloggers, nor did I even bother to find out! In case you’re wondering though, there’s a pretty good definition here.)

However, I just couldn’t help answering this one.

So, here goes. Welcome to my second (and maybe last, hehe, we’ll see!) meme (thanks again, Martine, and Toni for the idea!):

IF YOU COULD ONLY HAVE ONE_______ FOR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

1. City to live in…

Photo from here

Even if part of my heart still remains in Timor Leste (we were on mission there for 5 years after all) and even if Brunei will always be what I consider my childhood “home,” I think I would go for Vancouver, BC in Canada. Aside from its lovely scenery and pleasant sights to see, there are many people there whom I also consider family, like my childhood BFF Jodie, and many beloved members from Couples for Christ (CFC) Brunei who migrated to Canada, PLUS cool CFC missionaries from Canada as well.

Also, my dearest cousin Vanessa is there along with her husband Eric (who is also a Catholic lay missionary!) and their lovely kids too. The health care and education in Canada is pretty awesome too I heard (after finishing secondary school in Brunei, my parents gave me the option of going to university in Canada, but I chose to go to the Philippines instead. After reading this article, I do have some regrets, but still, I believe it was all part of God’s plan!) 😉

2. Place to vacation at…

The Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth. Photo from here.

The Holy Land. Yes, I’d LOVE to have a family vacation / pilgrimage to all the places that are of significance in the life of Jesus! (Incidentally, my parents are blessed to be going there this November 20, pls. do pray for them and all the other pilgrims!)

My second choice would be Europe. (To include all the cool Catholic places like Rome, Lourdes, Medjugorje, Fatima and all the other Marian apparition sites!) Wouldn’t it be wonderful for the kids (and us parents too!) to go on a “Catholic Adventure” or something in Europe?!

3. Color to wear…

Photo from my Glam-O-Mamas makeover

White. I don’t own a lot of white pieces of clothing, but I think I would like to. It just seems so clean and fresh and classic. (But I would have to make sure I don’t gain any more pounds, as they would be oh-so-much-harder-to-hide in white clothes! hehe!)

4. Celebrity crush…

I first “fell” for him as an elf…

Photo from here

Then, as a pirate…

Photo from here

And now as a loving, supportive husband to a breastfeeding wife..

Photo from here

AND, he’s a babywearing daddy too!

Photo from here

YOU ROCK, ORLANDO BLOOM! 😉
Love, Tina 😉

(I guess Jenny and I have a LOT more common than breastfeeding and babywearing, LOL!)

5. Dessert to eat…

Blueberry cheesecake! My brother and I used to make this often with my mom when we were still growing up in Brunei. Lots of good, yummy memories! Cream cheese is quite pricey here in the Philippines, and hubby and I certainly are not earning as much as my OFW parents used to so… yeah.. I don’t make this at all now! But whenever I do get to have a slice of this cake, HEAVEN in each bite it is! 😉

6. Book to read…

The Bible. Yeah, it may seem corny to some people, but it’s true. It IS God’s “love letter” to humankind after all! 😉

7. Movie to watch…

The Sound of Music!
I could watch this over and over and over – and I absolutely LOVE that my kids have learned to love it too! 😉 It’s about finding one’s life purpose/vocation; love for country and family; overcoming obstacles and so much more! Plus who doesn’t love its wonderful, timeless song and dance numbers?!
(Incidentally, the Sound of Music – the Musical is showing at Resorts World Manila! Waaahhhh! Please Lord, make a way for us to watch it!)

8. Cartoon character as a roommate (Martine used “Celebrity character, but Tony used “Cartoon character”)

Yes, Mother Teresa was depicted as a cartoon character! Don’t believe me? Check out my post about her Feast Day here for the video! 😉 I would have loved to be her roommate – if only I could be as selfless and caring and thoughtful and wise as she was! 😉

9. Type of food to eat:

Steamed..

Or roasted…

Hainanese (or Singapore) chicken rice would be my best bet! 😉 Again, blame it on my Bruneian childhood!

10. TV show:

Martine and I have this in common! 😉 This show (values aside) never fails to crack me up, and is another common denominator among me and my siblings. I even brought all ten seasons along on our mission to Timor (thanks to hubby who bought all the DVDs!).

I am tagging Jenny, Jen, Mec, Frances (feeling close, haha!) and anyone else who’d like to answer these questions – just for the fun of it! 😉

Happy blessed Sunday to all! 😉