Will You?

Will you understand me?

It’s okay if you don’t — at all times.

Because I do not understand myself as well — at all times.

Sometimes I go crazy. Sometimes crazier.

What I don’t understand is I sometimes prefer the crazier me.

Maybe my Creator prefers the same too. Who knows.

He knows.

Will you marry me?

It’s okay if you don’t — I’m married already.

That is not actually a question. It’s the topic in today’s Sunday service.

Well maybe it’s a question.

The important foundations of marriage were discussed — 5 C’s.

Covenant. Communication. Chemistry. Character. Christ.

I would say that if you only take Christ — He is the strongest foundation there is.

Will you?

I take this question with me.

Will you now do that chairs stacked in the garage? Is that my conscience whispering?

Got to move then! And so out the messy chairs — red leather seats torn and removed.

 

 

These chairs have been repainted and reupholstered twice. That’s a different story.

What I’ll share today is I need to do this fast because my conscience might not make me sleep. Lol!

And so no more reupholstering. I just grabbed the spray paint, brush, and poster paints.

And quickly here it is.

 

 

Just like that. It’s done!

Oh the other chair? It has a different question of course.

I will post it next time because I have yet to decide if I’ll include a marriage story with it. Lol!

 

 

Will you please share what’s your “WILL YOU?”

No you may not direct the question to me.

You want to ask God, “Will you…?”?

Go ahead please.

.

 ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ – Jeremiah 33:3

🙂

 

Will you please  join me in the fab furni party here?

Miss Mustard Seed Furniture Feature Friday

Jennifer Rizzo Fabulously Creative Friday

Redoux Link Party

Linked

Between sipping tea and shelling pistachios for breakfast I watched my cute daughter draw. It is a good day, a very good day, a very God day.

I just had a very full and tiring week at work and I see the next coming 18 months that way. I am afraid not of the loads of work but of the time I could be further missing my kiddos. We hardly began the focused works on the overhaul of systems and processes brought by the transition to our new company when I was identified as the potential weakest link in our team because I had pushed through with the holiday vacations with my family. They scheduled meetings on later part of 2012 and first week of 2013 but I declined. I appreciated I was chosen to be part of the team but it doesn’t mean I am giving up my most valuable team, my family.

I have assessed how I did in all the teams I was involved and holy mama I was strong! And I know that the very person who made the forecast was not able to realize his projects on time. Armed with that fact, I offered that they may take me out of the team because I was never ever a yes person. I believe in firm NO — NO to pulling down.

That is the reason why I only had tea and pistachios for breakfast this weekend — otherwise, I’ll have a heap of everything in the table, lol! But it felt good to slowly sip the tea and play with pistachio shells. It is very good to watch my daughter draw while she smiles to me from time to time. It is very good to smile for what God has for me.

 

 

It is a very God day! He reminded me once more that I am loved and I am on His team — linked strongly!

Yes, I am still on the working team.

Yes, I am the missing link — missing you!

.

The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.

– Habakkuk 3:19

🙂

Billboards As Breathing Spaces

BUY, PICK, LUST!

Every day I am confronted in the road by screaming billboards. Reminding me that I have yet to own the latest in fashion and technology; that I have yet to achieve the silkiest skin and society’s dream body; that their cake is chocolatier and the chicken is crispier.

It made me breathe less or shall I say that my breathing is heavier, harder  — “Chocolate cake or dream body? Latest in fashion or crispy chicken?” It’s hard to satisfy advertisers at the same time — more so if you are not at all interested but somehow compelled to want it.

I dream of regular road travels that will leave me breathless of nature’s beauty and abundance. And today I want to thank Artist Stephen Glassman for his dream of putting a crack in the urban skyline and allow us to take a breath despite the traffic.

Urban Air will transform existing old urban billboards to breathing spaces with suspended bamboo gardens.

 

To make this come true at least $100,000.00 pledges is needed — and then the project will be funded. Please check the team behind the project in their  KickStarter page.

I can’t wait to see similar project here in the Philippines.

I can’t wait to see a whispering billboard reminding me to BREATHE, PRAISE, LOVE.

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Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD. – Psalm 150:6

🙂

DIY: Made with love, for love, to be loved

I thank God that I can create things on times when I felt dwarfed by challenges and can’t seem to hear the singing birds.

 

scrap wood to decor to table

 

I meant to make a table out of this scrap wood but for now it will serve as a reminder that I do not need to wait for that future time to serve a purpose – that right now, in whatever state I am, I can serve a purpose, that I have a purpose, that I may be the purpose.

And so while mommy was busy painting seeds of hope, my little girl joined me. She painted her Snow White in the tray. Wouldn’t the dwarfs be happy with that – even Grumpy?

 

scrap wood to tray

 

I may be the purpose. To make me understand that if the seven dwarfs had Snow White, I have Jesus – who will wash me whiter than snow. This is true. Not a fairy tale.

But that is not to say that I don’t believe in fairy tale – especially if the fairy is my daughter peeking through the gate made of scrap wood 🙂

Wish now and it will come true!

Fairy Beatrice

 

Do I hear you wishing for more fabulous repurposed scrap wood? Close your eyes…wishy, wishy, wishy, wonderful you – your wish now come true! Now open your eyes in Funky Junk Interiors world!

–

If scrap woods can be made for different purposes, ever wonder why we are made? Let’s hear it and not forget that we are loved!

 

Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

– Psalm 73:25

🙂

ONE OF THE FINEST MOMENTS IN MARRIAGE

Giving thanks when things are going well in marriage is easy

but giving thanks when things are not going well in marriage is very challenging

but it could be one of the finest moments.

It leads one to the inner recesses of the soul to intentionally look for something good

and see God’s child whom He dearly love and wants us to love as well.

Today it’s easy to give thanks for my hubby 🙂

1.For the love 2. For taking care of me when I am sick 3. For working hard for the family 4. For the fishballs, squid balls, kikiams 19 years ago 5.  For praying for me 6.  For kiddos basketball ring 7. For waiting patiently 8. For the almond nuts 9. For the times you are happy being with me 10. For the friendship 11. For the precious kingdom 12. For the wristwatches 13. For the moments you are in love with me 14. For the sandwiches 15. For the hurts that pulled me closer to God 16. For the black Chanel bag 17. For holding my hands 18. For singing in the church 19. For the struggles that taught me how to let go 20. For sharing your fishing accessories for my crafts 21. For repairing the chairs 22. For the morning kisses 23. For the diamond ring 24. For fixing the lights 25. For playing with the kids 26. For bargain hunting with me 27. For sharing your thoughts on church service message 28. For the body massage 29. For lot hunting 30. For your beautiful smile 31. For the mini delivery vans 32. For dreaming happy times with me 33. For attending marriage encounter 34. For family vacations 35. For time for just the two of us 36. For coming home 37. For coming to God.

My dearest that’s only 37 reasons because it’s your 37^th birthday!

If you want to hear a hundred, then grow old with me!

One day the heart may not forget the wonderful feeling of being loved

but it might forget the details and so I record them.

I have several journals and it’s a golden one for my hubby

— just because it’s easier to dream for a happy golden anniversary with it!

Truly one of the finest moments in marriage is giving thanks.

For this moment, can you think of at least 5 reasons why you’re thankful for your partner? You may or may not share it with me but you must ensure that you share it with your partner. They will surely love to hear it direct from you!

 

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds

– Hebrews 10:24

🙂

Love Falls

Him:    I love you!

Me:    I love you so much!

Him:    I love you so much more!   *kiss*

Me:    Thank you! I have a big smile 🙂 😉   *kiss*

Him:    I’m so happy that I made you smile 🙂

Sweet, huh?

That is not always the case because there was a time when the exchanges were, “I hate you!” and “I HATE YOU!”

Bitter, yeah.

Most of us might have tasted how bittersweet love can be. It will be the case as long as we are humans. And humans expect. And humans fall short of each other’s expectations.

Since human falls, love falls.

It falls…

…

But it can be picked up

And put altogether

But no, the pieces cannot be put all together

There will be cracks and holes and deformities

The question is, “What do you do with it?”

Glue it with insincere repentance?

Fill it with temporary pleasures?

Straighten things up to our satisfaction?

or

Let God seep through every crack.

Let God fill in the holes.

Let God show us that there is really no deformity

But something special.

And what do you do with something special?

Love it!

🙂

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. – Psalm 147:3

🙂

A Very Special Offer

For Bluebell Books: Short Story Slam Week 20.

See their special offer and join — A story in 55 words!

*

‘I SING, YOU SMILE’ – written on a cardboard beside him.

I smiled and the passers-by who read it.

“Why are you doing this? You can’t even see them?” I asked the singing blind man on the sidewalk.

“Because I want to be the reason for a smile,” he said.

What a very special offer.

*

When I smiled at them, they scarcely believed it; the light of my face was precious to them. – Job 29:24

🙂

I Am A Heartist

I am now declaring that I am an artist!

I am an artist because I see extraordinary in an ordinary.

I am an artist because I see beyond the defined purpose of things.

I am an artist because I appreciate each supply chain — tracing back to the Ultimate Source.

I am an artist because I am in love each time I create things — my heart actually giggles!

I am an artist because my kiddos are artists – see some of their lovely works! Hmm it runs in the blood!

Self-portrait of my 13-year old daughter. She got her Dad's blood.

My precious daughter. Don't tell me she's not as cute as the portrait.

'Mom & Dad' by my 4-year old daughter. She got her Mom's blood.

I am an artist because my hubby is a great sculpture – my kiddos love his clay dinosaurs! And I love our dining chairs because he repaired and painted them! Hmm it runs in the heart!

I am an artist because I am a child of the Master Artist who created the sky – with changing hues!

Extraordinary wire heart by me! Extraordinary child by God!

I understand that most of us are not comfortable to call ourselves an artist just because our creations are not at par with other artists but does it not matter that God, The Master Artist, is delighted with the beauty that we have created?

The good news is, God is not only an artist — He is also an evaluator and curator – and a Master at those! He appreciates beyond what is seen and heard. He knows genuine Art of Forgiveness, Art of Caring, Art of Giving and all art of the hearts.

I don’t have a shop.

I don’t have a gallery.

Maybe you too.

But we have a home where we showcase kiddos art or table setting or organized chaos.

We have a heart where we showcase love, forgiveness, faith, and much more.

Not comfortable being called an artist? Oh well, let’s call ourselves HEARTIST!

 

He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as craftsmen, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers–all of them master craftsmen and designers. – Exodus 35:35

🙂

Day 31: Remember Your Death Experiences

 

Less than a month ago I discovered a lump in my breast. What immediately came to mind is the possibility of breast cancer and of near-death. It made me pause and check myself.

There was no fear. There was no worry. How could it be?

I realized that I have been prepared for this – with my death experiences.

Death of dreams.

Death of trust.

Death of happiness.

Death of confidence.

Death of enthusiasm.

Death of hope.

Death of courage.

Death of spirit.

With those deaths I never asked, “Why? Why? Why?”  But nevertheless I am now given an answer if ever I ask, “WHY?!”

I was being prepared to give birth to my faith.

I gave birth to 4 living babies and my 1 unborn was taken from inside. Pure labor and pain before the release of lives from within me – very much like the birth of faith.

Please click for other days.

 

It’s Day 31 of Feeling Good! And I’m talking about death? Surely death is painful if we focus on the loss. But if we shift our focus to what it gave birth to – it has beauty on its own.

I never thought that faith alone could give birth to so many wonderful things.

Birth of dreams.

Birth of trust.

Birth of happiness.

Birth of confidence.

Birth of enthusiasm.

Birth of hope.

Birth of courage.

Birth of spirit.

Yes, what were lost are best lost. Now I have new ones — better ones plus so much more.

And oh, the lump in my breast is possibly not cancerous. The doctor told me to go back after a month to confirm if I need an operation but as of now, it subsided already. Death of lump?

Now tell me, how can I not feel good? Sometimes feeling good is not about feelings but about trust. That we are better off with it; how others are better off with it – with what is given or taken away.

This is the end of my 31 Days of Feeling Good series – but not the end of feeling good!

 

‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” – Revelation 21:4

🙂

Day 27: Read Your Way Up

Image from Bluebell Books: Short Story Slam Week 13

*

“Reading again? You are so lazy to do nothing but read!”

How could she make him understand that she is not just reading?

Her ears were deaf with mockery thus she savors the lines that say she is special.

Her heart was crushed, bleeding non-stop, thus she needs healing with the words.

Her spirit suffered that it wanted to escape thus she needs the pages to stop it.

 

“Reading again? You are so lazy to do nothing but read!”

Oh how he made her felt so small because she was looked down.

Oh how he made her felt so sad because she can no longer see love in his eyes.

And so she ran outside together with her book of comfort and climbed a tree.

She timed her tears from the moment it leaped out till it reached the ground.

 

“Reading again? You are so l…”

“Oh no he found me!”

“Reading again? You are so lovely up there!”

He learned how to care and not look down – because he looked up.

 

Please click for other days.

It’s Day 27 of Feeling Good! READ!

 

R-edeem your spirit

E-mbrace its value

A-llow it to soak the Word

D-ay and night

 

Feel good up in the tree, up in the sky, up to the Highest!

 

Let this book of the law be ever on your lips and in your thoughts day and night, so that you may keep with care everything in it; then a blessing will be on all your way, and you will do well. – Joshua 1:8

🙂

Day 11: Don’t Jump To Conclusion

It looks like

I bet

I suspected

I assume

It’s possible.

It seems

I supposed

I concluded

For sure.

Please click for other days.

It’s Day 11 of Feeling Good! Head first. Oops I do not mean that we jump head first but let reason and facts guide us. Jumping to conclusion is a pointless activity. It will make us fall without arriving at all to the truth – stressful and could be painful.

Walk in truth, to the truth, and feel good!

These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace. – Zechariah 8:16

🙂

Day 4: Don’t Take Yourself So Seriously

Seriously

Don’t take yourself so seriously

Don’t walk around as if you are carrying the whole world

That it will tilt when you smile

That it will shake when you giggle

That it will fall when you chuckle.

Don’t be afraid

To be funny

To be tad silly

To express yourself freely.

Some people actually wish

That you don’t take yourself so seriously

Because your frown lines aren’t lovely!

–

It’s Day 4 of Feeling Good! And I have a question for you!

Being the First Lady, what would you do to make the whole nation smile?

Please click for other days.

Now don’t take the question seriously if your husband isn’t the President, okay?

But hey, you can convince him to run.

Seriously, think about it — to not be afraid to loosen up.

A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones.

– Proverbs 17:22

🙂

Day 3: Stop Being A Victim

I was pushed toward the darkness

But just because I was in the dark

I have to stay in the dark

But just because I see no light

I have to believe that there is no light

If the smallest seed

Can push through the ground

To live in the light,

So can I.

Please click for other days.

It’s Day 3 of Feeling Good!  Whatever has befallen you, like being covered with a mop head, just shake it off and fly!

But before you take off please say this to yourself —  “I refuse to be a victim. I am a victor!”

High heat, high pressure

Carbon atoms re-arranged

See how it shines now!

Thank you so much! My pleasure to pass the brilliance to ZQ’s Runaway Child.

I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me.

– Psalm 118:13

🙂

Day 2: Have A Little Sweetness

Yes, even a little please.

A little sweetness from everyone could dilute

the bitterness

the sourness

the blandness

in somebody else’s life.

Have a little sweetness please.

Promise, you won’t get a toothache

but a sweeter life instead.

Please click for other days.

 

It’s Day 2 of Feeling Good! Wishing you have a sweet beautiful day ahead of you.

But before you go please be sweet enough to say a thoughtful prayer to Aj, a brave 8 year-old boy, whose face has distorted and the doctor couldn’t normalize it yet. Prayer could heal and let yours count.

Thank you soooo much sweetest!

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth.

– Psalm 119:103

🙂

Blop Blop Blop Blop

Image from Bluebell Books Short Story Slam Week 11

*

Blop blop blop blop.

One by one Riva’s bubbles popped. This made her sad.

Earlier she was full of joy, “Blowing bubbles is so much fun! Bubbles are my small wishes! My big dreams! My rainbow future!”

She chased each of her wishes, her dreams, her future and when she thought she reached it — it burst!

“I don’t like blowing bubbles anymore!”

But there is something irresistible about bubbles. It seems to hypnotize her, tease her, challenges her.

BLOP! Riva suddenly had a shift of thought –as if her mind was awakened by the bursting of the biggest bubble there is.

“Where is my bubble wand? I want to blow bubbles!”

Blop blop blop blop.

One by one Riva’s bubbles popped. This made her smile.

She was full of joy, “Blowing bubbles are so much fun! Bubbles are my small worries! My big pains! My psychedelic fear!”

She watched each of her worries, her pains, her fears and when she thought it will keep on floating jubilantly — it burst!

“I like blowing bubbles no matter what age I am!”

Blop blop blop blop.

🙂

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Just the other day I shared Nesat (Typhoon Pedring), the 16th typhoon that lashed our country for this year. We have not recovered yet but Nalgae (Typhoon Quiel) has already announced its eagerness to be our 17th typhoon in two or three days time.

This regular typhoon honed our skills in rebuilding — properties, dreams, hope, faith, lives…

I believe that one cannot successfully do it without feeling good. Yes, I don’t want to face this regular typhoon news with resignation nor I want to be defeated by each emotional typhoon that will hit me.

From October 1 to 31, please join me in feeling good or do your own 31 days. How to? Please check Nesting Place’s 31 Days of Change — I took the challenge from this beautiful place.

If you like my 31 Days logo, I can make one for you if you want to. On one condition though, you got to smile at least 3x a day.

🙂

See What You Love

Image from Bluebell Books: Short Story Slam Week 10.

–

“Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy , what a lovely day! I will go out and capture all the beauties I see!”

And so Donald excitedly grabbed his camera, smiled, and do the duck walk.

“Goooood morning Donald! Why the grrrrrrr on the face?” Dale greeted Donald.

“Because I see you two! I am sure you will spoil my day!”

“Oh-h-h-kay! Why don’t you take my picture while I stay on top of your wise head?” Chip teased.

“Aw phooey! Chip and Dale, the chips on my shoulder!”

While Donald grumbled and decided that his day is already ruined, the butterfly whispered in his ear, “See what you love.”

“Uh-oh, looks like an inside job.”

And so Donald took shot of the mushroom house, sparkling rainbow, lovely flowers, workaholic ant, Bambi and friends, giving cow, everything – especially the wise butterfly!

“Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy , what a lovely day! I have captured all the beauties I see!”

🙂

Owl Right!

There is a wise owl perching on a tree

Sharing nuggets of wisdom for you and me.

 

When you try to know another fellow

You’ll actually learn more about you

So don’t hesitate to say Whooo!

Whooo are you?

When you lift one another

Your reach will be farther

So don’t hesitate to say Wooot!

Woot! For someone else’s triumph.

There is a wise owl perching on a tree

Its twooo big eyes staring at you and me

It knows a secret — we are blessed today

Of owlsome moments to make us yipee!

 

There is a wise owl perching on a tree

It made me say, “Thank you everybody!”

🙂

Oh Yeah!

You know that feeling of bursting happiness, unstoppable energy, and overflowing excitement?

I don’t feel like it right now.

You know how you want to spread those feelings, hug everyone around you, and bless them with no end?

I seem too weak to do it right now.

You know whatever you give will come back to you which may not be from the direct recipient of your blessing nor in the same form?

I know but I don’t seem to care right now.

Right now I am disappointed. I am hurt. I am grrrrrrr.

But I am not letting these feelings defeat me. I am not. I AM NOT.

I will rise above this negativity. And when I emerge I will not only exist just because there is breathe left in me. I will breathe because I emerge to exist in victory.

I could use Star Wars “May the force be with you.”

But I prefer “May the Lord be with you.”

He is the most powerful. The only force I need right now.

He is the most loving. The only love that is not changing.

And so despite how I am feeling, here I am to worship.

 

The Lord is all knowing. My daughter gave me this…

Please smile Mommy

 

How can I doubt that it will be all good?

Please don’t doubt as well. It will be all good with you. With the Lord.

Hugggggs!

🙂

History Telling

Lost sheep, Prodigal son

Workers in the vineyard, Rich man

Shrewd manager, Good Samaritan

Some of the parables told to men.

 

Profound and divine truths

Told in parables by Jesus

A lesson for willing ears

A blessing for open hearts.

*

For Jingle Poetry in History and stories.

–

 

For us. We have the opportunity to make good marks.

–

Each moment I breath

History is being made

What then shall I leave?

For pondering.

🙂

Home Run

Hubby

Play more than fair

Run towards home

Catch responsibility

Pitch love!

 

Wifey

Count not the strikes

Cheer with love

Let the wild pitch go

Hope for grand slam!

 

In the home field

Play your best in each inning

Follow the rules of the game

Heed the Umpire

Be the winning team!

🙂