Count it All Joy - I Love My Mom

April 26, 2019
11:11 PM
Home

Today is a very special day. My precious Felicia delivered a very touching speech at the Mother's Day Tea that her teacher hosted for their class. The speech was about, "Why do you love your Mom?" She stood up in front of the stage with boldness and confidence. There was never a hint of shyness. While most of the kids just say a line or two, Felicia's was the longest and the most touching one. She actually asked permission from her teacher beforehand if she can make her speech longer 😂 She got her wish and did as she planned to. She makes me so proud. I cannot believe I raised such an amazing child. I asked what did I do to deserve her? But no, it's not what I did or will do, it's the goodness of my Father God to me. My Abba is so, so, good to me. She gave me this extraordinary girl.

The kids in her class performed poems and songs for the moms. One of my favorite speeches from a kid is, "I love my Mom because she makes a lot of money!" That was a good laugh for everyone in the room 😂 This is one of the days I will hold dear in my lifetime.

 

Count it All Joy - Happy Birthday Dad

April 13, 2019
Saturday, 11:08 PM
Home

My father-in-law turned sixty-eight today. The family gathered at his place for dinner and dessert to celebrate his birthday. The girls made him birthday cards (I forgot to take pictures). I am very blessed to have a father-in-law who is very loving, supportive, and funny. He is all I could ask for as his daughter-in-law. He is fun to be with and I can be me around him. There are no pretensions. I appreciate everything he does for us, always ready to extend his helping hands when needed. I pray that God will give him many more years to enjoy this life with us, especially his grandkids whom he adores so much.

F requested her Grampa for a donut with ice cream on top for dessert. Of course, Grampa doesn't say no.

Count it All Joy - Heaven on Earth

April 12, 2019
Friday, 11:25 PM
Home

On our way to the girls' karate class, the beauty of the sky overwhelmed me. The hues of gray and blue mixed together was so beautiful, and the rays of the sun shining through the thick clouds was so stunning. The sky was filled with clouds above us. Half of it were different shades of gray, the other half was white and sky blue. There are no words to describe the beauty of the sky today. All I felt and all I could say was, "heaven." That moment I experienced heaven on earth. Made me wonder if other people around saw it too. Simply amazing. I knew in my heart that was a treat from my Father God. So beautiful.

Crazy Hair Friday

Today's theme for Spirit Week is crazy hair! F had dinosaurs all over her hair and E decided to have a bird's nest. Crazy hair day is one of the school events I look forward to because I get to style their hair. F was very proud and excited that she gets to carry dinosaurs with her, while E thought she needed five birds 😂

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." - James 1:2-5

The Reason of the Gospel

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek."
Romans 1:16 (NKJV)

Image by rawpixel from Pixabay

What is the Gospel? What is in the Good News that the souls of the lost world desperately cry for it?

The Father's love and the gift of salvation tied with it is the Gospel. The unconditional love of the Father God is easily accessed to each and every child of His.' And you, dear friend, is His child. You are not exempted, you are not excluded. 

The famous Bible verse, John 3:16 sums it all—"Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life." (ERV)

One doesn't have to be perfect to be accepted by His Creator. To become perfect is totally impossible! If you wait for that time to come, you will leave this world in despair. The way to eternal life is easy. In fact, it's too good to be true that many people doubt it. Why? Because you don't have to do anything but only believe and accept. Believe in your heart that Jesus is the Son of God sent by Him to redeem you from sin and receive Him as your Lord and Savior. That's all you need. You do not have to do good things first and then present yourself to God so He will approve of you. You don't have to cleanse yourself from bad habits, attitude, character, or addiction beforehand so you can enter into His presence. God's love is not limited by what you do. It does not depend on whether you do good or bad. You were already loved even before the foundation of the earth. And that love was decided to have no condition attached to it. It's fixed and therefore cannot be changed. Whether you live your life in darkness or in the light, the love of your Father God hasn't changed a thing. It is the kind of love that the finite mind cannot fully understand.

Come as you are into His loving arms. Be bold in doing so for you are His beloved child after all. He has been patiently waiting for your homecoming. Cannot you feel it? Cannot you see it? See and feel it in your heart, then you will know. His arms wide outstretched, longing to wrap you in it. You are loved. You are treasured by the Creator of the universe who happens to be your Abba, Father. Once you were lost, but now you're found. Once you were blind, but now you see. You are a new creation. Rejoice child of God! The kingdom of God is at hand, freely given, all because of His enduring love for you!

Count it All Joy - Loved

April 9, 2019

Tuesday, 9:32 PM

Home

Disconnected

How are you self? I just realized today that I have not been connecting as much as I should with the Holy Spirit. I told Him about it. I told Him that I don't like it when I don't push myself on being mindful to stay connected to Him. He never condemned me despite of my weakness. Instead, I felt a gentle tap on my back telling me He's got me. I am loved after all. So loved. 

Blast from the Past

The girls' Spirit Week theme for the day is "Time Travel." E dressed up as the Doctor Who 11th Doctor and F is dressed in the rad 80s fashion look. It's funny how they owned their roles today. The teachers from their school were quite amused of F's look 😁 I told her that my favorite era for music is the 80s. It's the best of all time!

Dinosaur Shopping

I started shopping online for F's birthday. She wants a dinosaur birthday theme (of course). We thought of just doing it at home with few of F's friends from school and church. We used to hold birthday parties at home when they were little. It's exhausting but fun. I tend to overdo birthday theme decor. I guess if our house is bigger, I'd fill it with decoration 😂 I am glad I have the luxury of time to make decorations. We will for sure come up with games to play and maybe a dinosaur piñata. I got dino shaped balloons and a very cute set of dino cupcake wrappers. F is very excited about her birthday. As her mom, my heart's joy is to see her happy. She deserves all the happiness this world can give.

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." - James 1:2-5

Count it All Joy - Revival

April 7, 2019

Sunday, 11:11 PM

Home

Quite a busy weekend for my family! We had the HSK Junior Leadership Kick-off Party yesterday! 14 kids (4th & 5th graders) came and a few parents stayed to find out what the program is about. We had lunch, desserts, worship, games, prizes, and an inspirational talk from my husband who leads the program. It's amazing to see these kids wanting to become junior leaders and work alongside the kids' ministry leaders! I heard that there were two more who submitted their application this morning. We're growing!

Today, I trained two of our new junior leaders how to support running an early childhood room. I can't praise enough how the kids were on top of their game. I gave them directions on what to do and they were awesome. I talked to the parents of one of them and reported how their son was owning his new title. I love seeing their joyful faces so full of pride for their child!

My E was there to help me train them and she did just a great job. I told my husband that I want to train the kids at the most four weeks, and by that time, they will have the confidence and know on how to play their role as junior leaders.

Our weekend was a win-win! Praise be to God who supplies us everything!

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." - James 1:2-5

Count it All Joy - Open Doors

April 5, 2019

Friday, 10:01 PM

Home

The girls are asleep on our bed. Ryan is at the monthly HSK Team Leader's Sloppy Friday. Here I am about to write the highlights of my day.

1. Ryan and I spent our breakfast with our HSK service leader K at First Watch. It's our monthly get-together, just the three of us. Every first of the month (depending on schedule changes), we find a place to share breakfast and mostly talk about where we are at HSK as servant leaders. Today, K talked to me about a new role that she wanted me to fill in. A role that allows me to step up from where I am right now as a leader of our Pre-K room. She sees potential in me that she believes other leaders will benefit and at the same time allows my God-given gifts to thrive and flourish. She asked if I would be fine with it.
   
   I told her before that I normally just want to support, not lead. When I took charge of the Pre-K room, it was new to me. I am leading, not supporting. My husband was with me the whole time I served the kids' ministry. I always let him lead. I was in the background to support. But it's a kind of support where I tell him 'do this, do that" (ha ha).
   
   Last Sunday, how I lead my room was tested. We doubled our number, and I had a new volunteer shadowing me. The new volunteer was there to learn from me and if I could not lead the room well, what is it that she can learn? Nothing. She'd probably get scared or discouraged. But God's.  grace was with me (and always is). I just have to ask for it and receive it in faith. All throughout, the Holy Spirit was there to guide me, teach me, and help me. I couldn't do it on my own effort. I need divine intervention.
   
   Because of how I lead that room, the feedback I got from the new volunteer opened a door for me and the ministry. K saw it and she wanted to utilize that potential.
   Am I ready? Honestly, there was no hesitation in my heart when she told me about it. I feel that confidence that I can do it. Not with my own effort, but because I know that God will equip me whatever I need for the glory of His name. I am excited! I am pump! This is a new season that my Abba, Father unfolds right before my eyes and the people He brought to my life at this time of sowing and reaping. All I can say is, His will be done. So help me, LORD.
   
2. Well, well, well. Felicia surprised us all today. Her tooth FINALLY fell out!!!! It's funny how a simple thing like this makes the family SO excited that you feel like you're in cloud 9!
   
   She told us that while biting into her pizza at lunchtime, she felt something weird. Yup! Because her tooth fell off! High fives and hallelujah to that!!!
   
   "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." - James 1:2-5

Count it All Joy - Sad Sophie

April 4, 2019

Thursday, 10:31 PM

Home

1. Spent most of my day making Pokemon theme goody bags. I had to make 60 of them with 60 matching tags. I am so happy that I do not have to worry about fulfilling them later as I am done for now. Tomorrow is a new day. Another set of things to do.
2. I just got a forwarded email from my FIL about a happy customer. It's a joy to hear customers happy with the service rendered to them. All because of His grace.
3. My F drew a very sad looking cat. It's a cat with teary eyes and tears all over the floor. I told my Ry about it. He said that F drew what she was feeling tonight. She was feeling alone because she was all by herself doing her homework while E and I were watching Oak Island, and Dada was finishing work. F wanted the family to spend time together. But since everyone was doing their own thing, it made her sad. She later told me about her drawing, and how she expressed her feelings through it. I told her that what she did is actually one of the great ways to let her feelings out. F is actually good in expressing her feelings. She is honest about it and lets us know how she feels. That is what I want for her. Whatever she feels, positive or negative, I want her to tell us about it whether in verbal, writing, drawing, singing, or any other healthy means.

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." - James 1:2-5

Count it All Joy - He Hates God

April 3, 2019

Wednesday, 11:21 PM

Home

While getting ready for school this morning, F mentioned to me about a friend at school who told her that her friend at church said he hates God. I don't know what made him say that, but I told F that some kids don't really know what they're talking about or even mean it from their heart.

I explained that having a personal relationship with God is what makes us fall in love with God. The more we know Him, receive His love fully, experience His goodness and presence, spend time talking to Him are the ways that teach our hearts to love Him. I added that Mommy and Daddy or church can share things (information) about God, but those are all just knowledge based. It's all in the head. But when we experience Him in a deep, personal way, that's when our love for Him develops.

Growing up in a religious family, I was never taught about having a personal relationship with my Abba, Father. So I grew up having this thought of God so far away, up in heaven, sitting on the clouds, so high, I cannot reach. There was so much distance between me and Him.

May I teach my girls the truth about who God really is, that they will develop a deep, intimate relationship with Him as they grow up.

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." - James 1:2-5

Count it All Joy - Big Heart

April 2, 2019

Tuesday, 9:57 PM

Home

My daughter E showed deep concern about one of her classmates at school. She said he was crying after being in the watch of one of the school staff while taking his AZMerit testing. He's one of the kids who need help in their academics. She's not happy as she described the staff's attitude towards students. She thinks she's a little too strict. She didn't know what happened with her classmate and the reason why he came back to class crying. I told her that maybe next time, he can talk to him. He probably needs someone to talk to.
E has a big heart. Issues such as this bother her and make her upset. She gets too concerned with other people that she takes it like she's involved in it. Sometimes she'd cry about it. She is very empathetic to people's plight. 

I pray that she will continue to show empathy to people and that she will always be willing to help those around her.

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." - James 1:2-5

Count it All Joy - Full Sink

April 1, 2019

Monday, 9:42 PM

Home

One of my pet peeves is sink full of dirty dishes. I don't like it. I hate it. I have been training my girls to rinse their plate and put it away on the drying tray after they ate. Sometimes they remember, sometimes they don't. My job is to remind them each time they forget.

My husband knows I don't like our sink full of dirty dishes. I want them rinsed (if not washed) and set them aside on the sink counter, the drying tray, the stove top, as long as not in the middle of the sink. I don't know why this makes my mind crazy, but it does.

My husband is in charge of the dishes on weekends but didn't wash them on Sunday night. So, they were piling up. Got home today and most of the dishes were washed. Several of them were still on the sides and in the sink (as usual). I was fine for a few hours. But later before dinner, it started to annoy me. I didn't eat with them. Instead, I started washing dishes. My husband told me to eat but I said I was not hungry. But he knew what's going on. I am so glad that he didn't make my not eating an issue, otherwise, there will be an argument. Rather, he ate with the girls (who were almost done when he got to the table). When he was done, he got up and washed the rest of the dishes.

I appreciate him. There may still be unwashed dishes, but the fact that he knew what I was into and he did something to alleviate it, made me feel loved. I can get nasty and irritable sometimes. But it's something I do not enjoy doing. It's something that tears me inside. When I give someone an "attitude," a big part of me is shattered. I don't enjoy it, yet, there are times I listen to the cravings of my flesh.

But thanks be to God, I am forgiven. I no longer drown myself in condemnation as I used to. Rather, I thank my Father God that despite the mistakes I made, He forgives me and always loves me even if a sink full of dirty dishes turns my smile into a frown.

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." - James 1:2-5