These Little Wonders

Currently sorting my files and found something worth sharing:  *Cluster 4 Household Topic (May 2014) On the road to Emmaus Jesus restores hope to saddened people, replaces the overpowering sense of loss and frustration with renewed hope, and the two disciples return to Jerusalem, the house of God, with an invigorated faith.  Christ comes unrecognized among people. There are a few signs, in the form of prophets, pointing to him but he chooses to reveal himself at his time and in his way.  Incognito, Jesus walk with his faithful discussing these signs that point to him as the Messiah. Discussing the prophets first, Jesus later reveals himself as their fulfillment.  When he finally reveals his identity, it calls for a change. Yet this change becomes unifying or segregating.  Photo Credit: Decolores At Nazareth, Joseph's and Mary's lives were changed through angelic messengers; the wise men began their journey when the stars foretold ...

*Cluster 4 Household Topic "But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear." (Matthew 13:16) A mother and a baby camel were lying around, and suddenly the baby camel asked, "Mom, may I ask you some questions?" Mother said, "Sure, son! Is something bothering you?" Baby said, "Why do camels have humps?" Mother said, "Well son, we are desert animals. We need the humps to store water for our survival." Baby said, "Okay, then why are our legs long?" Mother replied, "Son, obviously they are meant for walking in the desert."  "Okay, then why are our eyelashes long?" the baby continued. With pride, Mother answered, "My son, our long, thick eyelashes protect our eyes from sandstorms." Baby stopped to think then said, "I see. So if the hump is to store water, the legs are for walking through the desert, and these eyelashes protect our eyes, then what in heav...

I recently subscribed to Lighthouse's Divine Mercy Daily . For 50 days, I will be receiving reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska. I thought it would be a great tool as I journey towards the great call we all share: the call to holiness.  After my conversation with Sr. Leah last Saturday, I was all the more convicted that the pursuit of happiness begins with the pursuit of holiness . The Carmelite nun inspired me to develop a deeper and more intimate relationship with the Lord that I may be able to truly live the life that He meant for me. As Bishop De Leon said in His homily also last Saturday, we need to know  Christ and not just know about Him . And to know Him is to encounter Him every single day.  Photo Credit: Pinterest And so, beginning today, I will journey with St. Faustina as I discover the unfathomable mercy, grace, and love that only comes from the Ultimate Source - my One True Love, my God, my All. ♥

"If your dreams don't scare you, they're not big enough!" -Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, This Child Will Be Great: Memoir of a Remarkable Life by Africa's First Woman President This poem was posted on Yahoo Voices by Frostgiant almost two years ago. Saw it this afternoon and thought  it would be a good inspiration as I start another workweek. :) I don't dream of fancy cars or a diamond ring I dream of laughter and hearing the birds sing   I don't dream of a mansion or other fancy abode   I dream of my freedom, something that can't be sold I don't dream of trinkets or baubles and the lot I dream of a just cause, something worthy to be fought I don't dream of designer clothes or a closet full of shoes I dream of living lightly and the way I choose I don't dream of a wealthy man, the one my husband shall be I dream of a loving soul, where two turns into we I don't dream of revenge, two wrongs don't make a rig...

July 11 is the Feast Day of St. Benedict . Aside from his famous medal  (I bought one at the Trappist Monastery in Guimaras), he is also known for his little book called " The Rule of St. Benedict " which serves as the "manual" for most monasteries until now.  I had the chance to browse through the chapters and was hooked at Chapter 4: The Instrument of Good Works . It's a long list (72 items) of do's and don't's for people who pursue holiness and would want to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord. I believe we are all called to live that kind of life. So, as we journey towards sainthood and ultimately towards heaven, let this be our "bucket list": In the first place, to love the Lord God with the whole heart, the whole soul, the whole strength. Then, one's neighbor as oneself. Then not to murder. Not to commit adultery. Not to steal. Not to covet. Not to bear false witness. To honor all (1 Peter 2:17). And not to ...

Even in our waiting, God has a plan. Earlier this year, I told God that I was willing to wait . While I can really get impatient at times (or most of the time :D) I eventually learned and embraced the beauty of waiting. I have come to realize that waiting is actually a good thing because it gives you enough time to think, discern, and prepare for what's next. The key to a "happy" waiting is joyful anticipation, and still an attitude of gratitude even if it already seems forever. After all, faith in God includes faith in His timing !   :) I also get encouragement from these words by Eric Speir : "We may not always understand why we have to wait, but the good news is that God never asks us to wait without Him." And because I'm not done with my "wait training" yet, God continues to inspire me with messages like Rissa's latest article ( Just Wait )  and this beautifully-written poem by Russell Kelfer:  Wait by Russell Kelfer De...

Not for granted. ♥ Taken by God.   I belong to Him. I am His.  I was surprised to hear Casting Crown's Who Am I being played on the "patok" jeepney that I rode this morning on the way to the GMC. If you are a commuter, you would know what music genre is usually played on patok jeepneys and it's nothing close to Christian. But that was my first miracle for the day: going to work with the reminder that I am the Lord's . While listening to it, I couldn't help but smile and try to remember how we (SFC Chorale) sang it in a Madz Concert many years ago. But more than that, I was comforted by the assurance that God hears my every call, catches me every time I fall, and tells me "I love you, you are Mine" every moment of my life. ♥ Taken care of.   God provides! My parents need quite a big sum of money. While I already have part of Papa's retirement fee, it's still not enough. And even if I send them all of my salary this pay period...

“Let’s forgive the past and who we were then. Let’s embrace the present and who we’re capable of becoming. Let’s surrender the future and watch miracles unfold.” ― Marianne Williamson Prayer from Roy Lessin's Meet Me In The Meadow

You can run, you can hide but you can't escape God's love... and His plans. :)  Unfortunate? Not really. It's even more beneficial for us, because we know for a fact that God's plans are always better and grander than ours. And He won't stop until that plan is fulfilled. Truth is,  God pursues us  and will continue to do so until He has finished what He started in us! ♥ Photo Credit: Design of Providence Remember Jonah ? :) Here's probably the cutest way to deliver that story:  Thanks to Tito George who asked for my help to download a copy of this video. :) So instead of trying and actually doing things on my own, I'll leave them in Your hands. I'll let You be You. I surrender, Lord. I won't do it my way  anymore. I'll let You be God and have Your way in me. Your will, Your plan, not mine. ♥

Hearing the Gospel and the exhortation during this morning's worship at the GMC, I couldn't stop playing this song in my head:  How many times did I pray You'd find me How many wishes on a star Gazing off into the dark Dreaming I'd see Your face Safe at home unafraid Captured in Your embrace So many times When my heart was broken Visions of You Would keep me strong You were with me all along Guiding my every step You are all that I am And I'll never forget It was You who first believed In all that I was made to be It was You looking in my eyes You held my hand And showed me life And I've never been the same Since You first believed There were times When I'd thought I'd lost You Fearing forever was a dream But it wasn't what it seemed Placing Your hand in mine You could see in the dark You were guiding my heart It was You who first believed In all that I was made to be It was ...