India’s 50,000 Missing Children

I miss you all too!

And yes from time to time I pause and think of you and pray for you my dear blog friends.

The heart strings were not cut. They were turned into lovely friendship bows.

The times that were used to be spent online were added to more hugs, kisses, sharing stories, crafting, smiling, walking around, counting blessings, and smelling the armpits of my kiddos.

It was all good. Soooo good. Very very very good.

It is such a blessing to be a mom. Just one kid brings so much joy. And I have four!

And today I read that around 50,000 children go missing yearly in India. That is 14 children missing everyday — infinite heartaches each second.

(Photos from the News)

The kids are missing due to human trafficking. And this surely is not happening in India alone. We have our own numbers in our own backyard. It makes my heart ache as a mom and as human. What happened to our own kind, the adults? What happened to their hearts?

I pray that each one will hear God’s word. And feel God’s heart. Then feel their own. And know that God is in the heart business. He cleans, He restores, He makes new, and He loves.

Let us all give tight hugs, real tight hugs to all the children of the world.

Let us whisper that they are loved so much by God. Some might not believe it, like most of us do at some point in our lives, but still let us whisper. One day that whisper will be heard — loud and clear.

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All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children. – Isaiah 54:13

 

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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!

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‘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.

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

🙂

Umbrella Of Grace

For Bluebell Books: Short Story Slam Week 18

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“Lovely daisies,” said the woman beside Dee.

“This is for my best friend, to cheer her up. But she’ll have this later, the rain won’t stop,” replied Dee.

“Oh, I have an extra umbrella here. Please use it,” offered the woman.

“Are you sure? You’re an angel!” remarked Dee thankfully.

“I am very sure! That is not an ordinary umbrella though. It’s an umbrella of grace,” revealed the woman.

Dee can’t believe her luck. She can’t get off her mind too what the woman said:

“Remember that an umbrella of grace is available for you to use each time there is rain of challenges. All you have to do is accept it, open it, and use it.”

“When you are forced to walk in the rain, allow your senses to be awakened by each drop of cold rain that you may understand how much others need as well the umbrella of grace.  No, you need not pray that it will be provided to them. Pray that they accept it, open it, and use it because it is readily available — for free.”

“And hey, don’t be surprised if wings show up and take you to miracles. Faith moves impossibilities.”

 

I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. – Psalm 61:4

🙂

Cinderella’s Christmas Tea

Cinderella on Her Tea Break from Bluebell Books: Short Story Slam Week 17

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“Surely the shoe will fit me. It’s mine.”

“And I’m a princess now?”

“But what if there’s no fairy godmother?”

“And I wasn’t able to attend the ball?”

“And what if the glass shoe didn’t slip from my foot?”

“Oh, why do I need to analyze everything? Time for tea!”

There’s jasmine, chamomile, lemon, ginger, green tea…

What caught her eye though is the Christmas tea.

“Yes, I’ll have Christmas tea! Christmas is for miracles and I had just one!”

As Cinderella sipped the spirit of Christmas, she felt calm and her mind restored.

“Great things will be poured upon us for reason that we know nothing of. We need not figure out why but simply take it in with deep thanks.”

And Cinderella decided to live happy thereafter.

But not without sharing how to prepare Christmas tea!

Directions:

1. Pour faith over bag of events in a cup of grace.

2. Let it steep with prayers.

3. Add a sweetener such as trusting smile.

4. Sip with gratitude.

5. For best partea, serve others.

 

“‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. – Acts 2:17

🙂

That Smile

looked beyond the lens

confident of devotion

effortless smile

looked beyond the truth

convinced oneself it’s unreal

bittersweet smile

looked beyond what’s seen

trusting the One who sees all

reassured smile

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For Gooseberry Garden on Photos, Nostalgia, Memories, and Families

 

Life goes on. Despite several endings. Life goes on. Despite several deaths.

Life goes on. Because there are endings. Life goes on. Because there are deaths.

If you are beside me now you’ll know that I am actually babbling.

I am not even sure if I am dazed or tired or both or anything else.

But I am so sure that I am sincerely grateful for all of you.

You who brought love, hope, blessings, prayers, and all good things in here.

Would you bring some too for BAYLIS?

He is a good man with epilepsy, aphasia and Parkinson’s.

He had brain tumor removed and will have a cataract surgery on both eyes next month. Thank you for your prayers.

He was a University Professor and a Pastor (if I’m not mistaken) and so much more — maybe Baylis can tell us.

When I think of Baylis, I can’t help but remember Job —  Job who was challenged with difficult circumstances and still kept his faith in God.

Baylis, despite his difficult circumstances, still managed to appreciate and encourage others — like me. Thank you so much!

And I am sure he has a very special smile – maybe he can tell us about that too!

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“I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” – Job 42:2

🙂

Thank You For Your Prayers

 

Yes thank you so much for your prayers that you will be saying in a little while.

I opened my email today and read this…

Please pray for my baby. 

 She had seizures last Saturday 3 times, once last Friday. She would stare blankly to her right then her hands would jerk for about 40 seconds. The pediatrician advised that we observe her further — if it persists, we’ll schedule an EEG for her. 

 From Sunday until now, there were no jerky movements on her hands and feet, except for the blank stares of around 5 seconds each. This usually happens when she’s being breastfed. I am scared…

My blog friend Maricel is scared. She’s a first time mom — even nth time mom would be scared.  Let’s join her pray for the baby. Let’s pray for this mom too.

Aloud, in whisper, in silence — God hears them all, right?

 

 

And I read too a number of emails these past few weeks all with warm message of, “I have been thinking of you and praying for you. I hope all is well…”

And all I can say to God is, “Thank you so much for blessing me with these wonderful people in my life. Please bless them more.”

Aloud, in whisper, in silence – God hears them all, right?

 

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. ²⁰ For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” – Matthew 18:19-20

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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 29: Give Thanks For Small Luxuries

 

Comfortable bed, blanket and a pillow

Not everyone have them blessed fellow

Warm cup of coffee any time of the day

Thousands don’t have a cup, much more a coffee

Daily shower, soap, and shampoo

To some, this would be heaven sent – heaven scent

 

Please click for other days.

 

It’s Day 29 of Feeling Good! You know those small luxuries which sometimes go unnoticed, those we may not even consider at all as luxury, IS NOT SMALL TO SOME.

 

Those are not small to some.

Those are big, a dream, a miracle for them.

Those are not small to some.

And why should it be to us?

 

Feel good for the miracles you have now.

Feel good for the miracles you can share.

Feel good for the awesome smiles those miracles could bring back to you.

 

Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

– Ephesians 5:20

🙂

Day 27: Read Your Way Up

Image from Bluebell Books: Short Story Slam Week 13

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“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 21: Remember You Are The Spell The Universe Has Cast

 

Abracadabra

You don’t have to be a witch

To cast a spell.

Just be humane

Wish everything shall be well

And everyone shall heal.

 

Please click for other days.

 

It’s Day 21 of Feeling Good! No we do not need to boil the spit of 12 mosquitoes or pound the 123^rd foot of the millipede to feel good. What we need is 1 billion and four understanding and 1 billion and five of forgiveness.

Now close your eyes and get in touch with your soul. When you find her, smile to her and chant this:

God loves you. He really loves you. Really really loves you.

He will heal you and turn your scars into stars. Really really heal you.

Heal my soul and cast a spell of blessings to the world. Really really cast them.

And all shall be well. All shall be well. Really really well.

 

Feel good for God is good!

 

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. – 1Peter 5:7

🙂

Day 7: Be Considerate To Yourself

Would you abuse others?

Would you belittle others?

Would you be so hard on others?

Would you be unforgiving of others?

Would you expect others to always get it right?

No. No. No. No. No.

But why do some of us can’t answer the same when it comes to treating our own selves? It could be me to myself. It could be you to yourself.

Be considerate to yourself.

On days that you feel your light is not so bright, where you just blend in the surroundings, allow yourself some time to be still, knowing that you will eventually recharge.

Treat yourself as you would treat your friend – nicely, lovingly and encouragingly; with respect, compassion and understanding.

Be good to yourself, that self who is good to others. Be good to yourself because when that self is treated well it will disperse happiness.

Please click for other days.

It’s Day 7 of Feeling Good! My eyes are half close after days of insufficient sleep. My back is tired and screaming to touch the bed. If I am my friend, I will tell myself, “Get yourself some rest. Sleep in God’s grace.”

Surprisingly I listened! I am now giving myself a permission to close my eyes fully for the night. It feels good!

How about you? What would you want to do for your friend self?

After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church.

– Ephesians 5:29

🙂

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

🙂

Don’t Hide

Image from Bluebell Books Short Story Slam Week 6

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“You don’t have to hide behind my back. It will be alright,” Digna the dog appeased her new found friend Emphie the elephant.

“What if they laugh at me because of my enormous nose? My huge legs? And my jumbo butt?”

“What if they like you because of your awesome nose? Your strong legs? And your…your jumbo butt?”

As they come near to the meadow, Emphie could see Digna’s playmates dancing, laughing, and having a good time.

“Hello everyone! Sorry I’m late,” Digna apologized.

“You’re late and you’re dead! There’s an elephant behind you! Run! Everybody runnnnnnn!”

“Wait! You don’t have to be scared with Emphie. Please stay.”

“What if that beast hit us with her enormous nose? Kick us with her huge legs?”

“And what about her jumbo…jumbo butt?” As soon as the words were out, the dogs can’t control their laughter, “Bowwowwahahahaha!”

“Digna, I told you…,” Emphie sadly whispered.

“Please stop it! You’re hurting Emphie. She actually doesn’t want to come here because you might laugh at her and she’s right. Just because she’s big doesn’t mean we should be scared of her or laugh at her. Doesn’t it occur to you to you that she could actually be the scared one? The shy one?”

“She is?!”

Swoosh swoosh swoosh…

“This is so much fun Emphie! I love swinging in your awesome nose!”

“And running around your strong legs!”

“And how I wish I have your jumbo butt and paint it with rainbow and put a smile on everybody’s lips!”

Emphie smiled. Her heart smiled. She knew it’s one of her loveliest smiles.

“You don’t have to hide behind my back. It will be alright,” Emphie appeased her new found friend Digna. “There’s no ghost but magic under the stars.”

🙂

Why would I be nervous when it’s all for God…?

“Why would I be nervous when it’s all for God…?”

That’s from Maricor, when asked if she was ever nervous performing at church during worship.  She’s a sponsored child of Kat through Compassion. There were tears…

But I guess that’s how it is when the soft spot in our heart isn’t hardened yet with bitterness.

When we acknowledge that we are capable of loving.

When we actually love.

Thank you to everyone who loves beyond themselves.

If you feel that what you are giving is just a little portion, know that it could be the biggest break that one could ever get.

If you feel that what you are giving is a big portion that eats your budget, know that the seed could grow into tree that will bear fruits and more seeds and more trees… The blessing will come around to you more than treefold — really fruitful!

Looking for smiles? Want to smile? Maybe this is it…

Thank you and yes, why would we be nervous when it’s all for God?

Why would we be nervous when we could be grateful instead?

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I am thankful for…

warning signs

good catch

the opportunity to reach the stars

a time to rest

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How about you, what are you thankful for today?

Please share some, don’t be nervous.

🙂

I Believe You Are Amazing!

Yes you!

You who shared your thoughts in your blog.

You who journal your blessings.

You who cooked that meal with love.

You who said ‘Thank You’ to everyone who exerted an effort for you.

You who brushed that little girl’s hair.

You who treated yourself to a real good sleep after working so hard.

You who put your palms together and believe in God’s promises.

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Want to check other amazing people? Watch the video shared by an amazing woman, Judy, in her blog Creativity to the Max. Watch it and want to remain amazing.

The dance video is a tribute by an amazing woman to another amazing woman who died of colon cancer at age 31. Everyone is amazing in here —  http://www.ibelieveshesamazing.com/ 

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And here’s more from amazing Judy for me!

Green doggie for me! And the note reads -- Congratulations! Every day in every way you are a winner!

Green doggie no longer mine. An amazing girl took ownership!

Green doggie clone. An amazing boy drew it for his little sister!

How can I not be grateful with that? Thank you, thank you, thank you Judy!

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Stay amazing everyone because you are created as such!

🙂

X is for Xanthippe

Why can’t you love me like you love that couch?!!! You two are inseparable for hours!!!!! KaBOOM!

I thought you are tired of reading my mind and here you are reading newspaper while my eyebrows sweat watching your every move?!!!  What an ideal partner you are!!!! KaBLAM!

XANTHIPPE is a woman with a bad temper! A quarrelsome woman! You better remember that!

Xanthippe was the wife of Socrates, yes the wise Socrates. But his tongue was no match with his wife — he was beaten in a discussion with her. He surrendered!

You think blahblah was enough? She said to have emptied a chamber pot on Socrates’ head after a quarrel to which he remarked, “After thunder generally falls rain.” Harhar!

You think a bad temper only means a sharp tongue — an explosion? Bad temper is a proud silence too — an implosion. It’s when we practice the silent treatment that even the hot soup gets cold in discomfort.

I realized that Xanthippe is within me for several occasions. Each time I am silent and hold a grudge. Each time I roar in anger.

We have to strive to tame our thoughts and the tongue. We have to because we make the lives of those around us so difficult. So difficult that we want to explode! Again! And again!

It’s not easy. It won’t work by simply refusing the false power in bad temper. We have to accept God’s gift of wisdom and tolerance instead — and  use it.

Yes, use it! What part of USE can’t you understand?

UUUU!

🙂

R is for Retaliate!

When life is unfair to you,
retaliate and be very unfair!

When people treat you so bad,
shoot them with prayer!

When surrounded with negativity,
hurl them with positivity!

When somebody puts you down,
kick them higher!

When attacked by depression,
Punch it and say, “You can’t get me!”

Who wants life to be fair?
Surely not you! RETALIATE!

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Whew! That feels good!

How was it when you were a thorn and somebody turned you into a crown?

Did you wish life should be fair?
🙂

K is for Knock Knock

Knock Knock
Who’s there?
King
King who?
Stop asKing and open the door!

Now that I am in, let me tell you about the K word KVETCH which means a chronic, whining complainer; a nagging complaint.

Get it? Now let me tell you about how annoying my neighbor is blahblahblah. And yes my officemates too who are not using their brain blahblahblah. And my spouse who can’t cook as good as my mother blahblahblah. And here’s another one…

Does it feel good? Do we feel more important and smart? Does it help?

Can it be done in love? Can it be said once? Can we check ourselves as well?

Knock Knock
Who’s there?
God
God who?
Is there any other God?
Oh it’s you! Today is not a good day as usual, blah blah blah…What should I do?
For God’s sake human! Let me in first!

Can we whisper “Blessings to you” to whoever can potentially turn us into Kvetch today?

How about tomorrow?
🙂

I Know You Are Praying

I know you put your trust in the Lord.

When calamities strike and we can’t trust the natural world,

we can trust the Lord.

I know you care for those who are lamenting and in fear.

When others are losing hope and we can’t be there,

we can say a prayer.

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I am praying with you.

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