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50 Days of Amazing Grace: Days 25 and 26: You are Mine, Be Not Afraid

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Hello, hello everyone! :) I’m making this quick as we don’t have Internet access yet at the new apartment (thanks again, everyone, for all your prayers and support!)! We’re about 90% done unpacking and I am SO AMAZED at how God is really putting everything into place! :) (You know we ALMOST weren’t able to move on May 1 as we had originally intended — more on that in another post!)

Anyhow, I am just bursting with gratitude at God’s amazing grace! I realize now that when He planted the seed in my heart to do this Amazing Grace thing on the blog to celebrate the 50 Days of Easter, I had no idea how He would show His grace in my personal life as well! :) He’s been answering prayer after prayer after prayer and I am so thankful! :)

Sharing with you today two of my all-time favorite songs — both of which reflect God’s great love for you and me. :) Be amazed by His amazing grace and love, dear friends! :) There is no need to fear, God is near! ALL IS WELL, ALL IS WELL! :)

P.S. Stay tuned for more Amazing Grace giveaways and Amazing Grace for Moms posts! :) Please pray we get Internet access at home soon! LOL! :)

50 Days of Amazing Grace: Days 17 and 18 – What Happened Yesterday {All is Well} + 11 Ways to Be an Inspirational Mom (Free Printable!)

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I wasn’t able to post again yesterday because I had a hectic day and it wasn’t even as I had planned it out to be! *sighs* You see, I was supposed to attend this:

I was also supposed to meet up with Mommy Sherrie of Baby Depot (aka Baby Smiths) to get the Wonderworld wooden toys she so generously is planning to provide for another giveaway this blessed Easter season.

But God had other things in store for me/us.


Little Therese got sick. She’s been having a fever since Monday evening. (Her pedia told me if she still has a fever until later tonight, I need to bring her for a check-up tomorrow. Please pray she is healed completely!)

Anyway, despite this and my planned day not pushing through, I would like to share what the daily dose of amazing grace for yesterday was supposed to be about. You see, on Sunday, I was feeling a bit down and trying hard not to wallow in self-pity because we had decided that we wouldn’t be moving to the apartment we had been looking at and praying for in Cubao anymore (which is much closer to my and hubby’s offices and right across from my in-laws’ – close enough for me to go home for lunch with the kids during my reporting days at the office!).

Our reason for not moving? We couldn’t afford the rent, which the landlady had raised from its original price.

I was kinda bummed about it. OK, I was A LOT bummed. So I posted this on my Facebook profile:

Oh Lord, remove all the worries and concerns in my heart and head and help me to see that You indeed are enough, MORE THAN ENOUGH, and that You have already given us ALL THAT WE NEED. All is well. Let me say it again, with all my heart, ALL IS WELL IN YOU, LORD. ♥




I felt much better after that. And I made peace with our decision (which was intricately linked to another major decision / thing we have been praying about – more on that in another post!). I let go and let God and let Him comfort me.

But then, yesterday, my mother-in-law called and said the landlady of the said apartment wanted to talk to me. So I called her and GUESS WHAT?! She had decided to relent and let us rent the apartment for the price that we had wanted (and can barely afford, LOL!). PRAISE BE JESUS! Thank you, Mama Mary! :) ALL IS WELL INDEED!

I’m sharing this with you, dear friends, because you may be facing the same situation: you may be feeling hopeless, wallowing in self-pity, searching for answers, questioning God’s plan, etc. I’ve learned (a lot of thanks to Bo Sanchez!) that when we declare something to the universe, God will really respond to us through it! :) So today, whatever you may be feeling or facing, declare with me:

Image source here.



Believe that ALL IS WELL IN THE LORD! :)


Needless to say, we’ll be moving to Cubao very soon – pray for me/us as I need to take care of packing, etc, since hubby will be only back from the Conference he’s serving at on April 30, the day of our intended move! We will miss living in Cainta and being one tricycle ride away from my parents, but, at this point, hubby and I believe that living in Cubao is part of God’s will and plan for us. (Thanks to everyone who joined us in prayer for this, by the way! You guys rock! :)

Anyway, that was what I wanted to post for yesterday. :)

For today’s amazing grace post, here’s an awesome FREE printable from IMom.com: (Click on the link)
11 Ways to be an Inspirational Mom  (We all need reminders like these, don’t you think?! I wish we had our own printer though, so I could take advantage of all these lovely printables! LOL! Another thing to pray for!)

Have an awesome, amazing grace-filled day ahead, everyone! :) Don’t forget to join our giveaways! :)

Amazing Grace Giveaway: Perfect for SUMMER! Get Hatch and Latch’s NEWEST Product – UV SunSense Wristbands!

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As in previous giveaways, let me share something briefly with you before I go to the actual giveaway details. :)

When I came up with the idea for how to celebrate Easter on this blog (or, to be more exact, I was “divinely inspired” to do so, tee hee!), I initially had NO idea where I would get prizes for the Amazing Grace giveaways I wanted to hold. But, like most things in my life, God’s amazing grace shone through, and most of my current blog sponsors (and upcoming ones, too! Thank You, LORD!), mostly fabulous mompreneurs, had no qualms about generously giving some of their products as prizes for the giveaways! (Special thanks to the current giveaway sponsors, Mommies Abi and Lei!)
Anyway, what I’m trying to point out is (and I should remind myself about this every minute!) God provides for our needs with His amazing grace. Even in something as “silly” as a blog giveaway! :)
So here’s the next giveaway, care of one of my current blog sponsors, Hatch and Latch! :) Helen, the super-mompreneur behind it, says that they’re coming out with new products and I am so psyched that she is letting Truly Rich Mom give away not just one but THREE packs of one of their latest products, ! Check out the images below for more details about them (or go to Hatch and Latch’s Facebook page ) — perfect for SUMMER fun in the sun!
ONE blessed reader of Truly Rich Mom can win THREE packs of these uber-useful wristbands just by entering the giveaway! :)

ELIGIBILITY AND CONTEST PERIOD

Eligibility: This contest is open to Philippine residents only.
Contest period: Contest will run from April 23 to May 16, 2012. The winner will be announced by May 20, 2012.

MECHANICS

Just follow the Rafflecopter instructions below. :) Good luck and God bless, everyone! :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway<a href=”http://rafl.es/enable-js”>You need javascript enabled to see this giveaway</a>.

Amazing Grace for Moms:The Gift of Simple Living

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On Easter Sunday, I said that aside from the 50 Days of Amazing Grace series and the Amazing Grace giveaways, I would be featuring guest posts from inspiring mom bloggers in a series of posts titled, “Amazing Grace for Moms.” I am so overwhelmed and grateful for the positive responses of the mommy bloggers who have agreed to be part of this series so far. :)


Here’s the first post in the series. May you be inspired by God’s amazing grace through it! :) Special thanks to Toni of Wifely Steps for taking the time to write this beautiful piece!

The Gift of Simple Living

Image source here.

It’s easy to use money as a measure of how much you’re worth. It’s easy to use it as a measure of your standard of living. It’s easy to see why. The more you have, the more you’ll be able to satisfy cravings – from a cone of ice cream to a pair of designer shoes. The more you have, the easier it is to choose things that you think will make you happy – from an impulse buy of a candy bar at the grocery counter to the shiny gadget you reward yourself with after a successful client meeting.

It was difficult for me to adjust when I left full-time work to be a stay-at-home mom. While my heart was in the right place, my brain kept forcing me to look at my pockets. For how long can you sustain the lifestyle you’re accustomed to?, my brain would ask. I ignored the questioning of logic for many months. I had faith in God that I would make it through the difficulty of adjusting to being a single-income household.



While my husband was very supportive of my decision to be a stay-at-home mother, I still wanted to contribute to our family’s coffers. True enough I would be blessed with some projects that would help augment our budget. But I can’t lie — it was a very difficult transition period. With the significant cut in cash flow, our budgets had to be revisited many times. There were a lot of fights. There was a lot of downgrading. There was a lot of refining in the grocery list. I was miserable at first. While I wanted to sustain the lifestyle we were accustomed to, I knew it wasn’t possible with our new family budget. After many months, I finally answered my brain’s question with conviction.



The nagging question: For how long can you sustain the lifestyle you’re accustomed to?



The final answer: I don’t.



Huh? That’s not even grammatically correct, I think. But that was what my heart whispered, and that what was what my logic understood. You don’t sustain. You modify. You adjust.



You simplify.



I became more conscious about what kind of products I bought. I surveyed the brands I used and sought out their competition. From shampoos to baby wipes to toothpaste to feminine aids, I became more meticulous about quality and value for money. Some brands I stuck to no matter what prices they had, others I let go of as I did find something better.



You simplify.



I stopped random trips to milk tea and coffee shops. I stopped going to malls unless needed. I stopped browsing online stores (and gained more free time at that too!).



While I know this isn’t rocket science for a lot of people, it was a jolt of inspiration for me. My lifestyle isn’t as comfortable as it used to be, but I feel richer, happier, and more peaceful.



It’s easy to use money as a measure of how much you’re worth. It’s easy to use it as a measure of your standard of living. But it won’t buy me the smile my son gives me when I sit on the floor with him and make animals out of clay. It won’t buy the laughter my son and I burst out as we jump out of bed together in the morning. These little treasures are far more precious to me than any gold nugget in the world.



Don’t get me wrong, I do still need the money. I work my heart out every day to help keep the family budget afloat. The difference is I know better how to manage the money. I know better how to prioritize. I still have my weaknesses though – a pack of chocolate at the grocery’s counter, a good meal at a fine dining restaurant on special days. What’s different is I have a much higher appreciation for these fine things. They’re not to be taken for granted.



You simplify.



Sometimes it hits me negatively though. I’d be checking news feeds online and see my peers writing about their latest travels or latest shoes. I’d feel a spark of envy. I’d look at the pair of shoes I’m wearing and realize that aside from that pair, I only had one other pair in the closet. I’d read about their family vacations to other countries and I’d sigh, knowing that we can’t afford that. I’d wallow for awhile. Hey, I’m only human.



Then my son would wake up from his nap looking for me. I’d drop my things and rush to his side, cradling him till he falls asleep again. Then it hits me, this time, positively. If it were the old life, I wouldn’t be with my son in the middle of the afternoon lulling him to sleep. I’d be stuck in some meeting wishing I were home lulling him to sleep.



You simplify.



How do you measure your life’s riches?



My son’s eyes that light up when he wakes up to me in the morning. My husband’s happy mood as I run him through what our son did for the day. My son’s laughter as he learns his alphabet and animals with me. My family and I snuggled in bed on a lazy afternoon, each of us reading a book. My son surprising me with a big, tight hug from behind while I’m on my knees picking up his toys. My son happily riding in the grocery cart as my husband and I debate on what stuff to cross off our grocery list.



You simplify and you feel richer. Much, much richer.



That’s darn better than a whole closet of shoes.

Toni Tiu feels that the gift of simple living is God’s greatest blessing to her as a work-from-home-mom. It took a while to adjust to and even a longer time to embrace, but with the support of her family she feels her journey as a mother has been made even richer. Toni regularly blogs about home and living on Wifelysteps.com.

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

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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!

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