tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27417537532522048302024-03-13T11:17:58.072-07:00MOM x 4Nothing is too trivial in life. It is through our experiences of things, people, and places that make all these sufficiently important.Roseofsharonjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12299650281666793294noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2741753753252204830.post-38327831789958481602014-04-11T02:20:00.000-07:002014-04-11T02:20:39.096-07:00When Angels Shed Their Wings<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e9/Sanzio,_Raffaello_-_Putti_(Madonna_Sistina)_-_1512-1513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e9/Sanzio,_Raffaello_-_Putti_(Madonna_Sistina)_-_1512-1513.jpg" height="276" title="" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The two cherubs as details of Raphael's painting <br />The Sistine Madonna</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A mother's encounter with an angel is an indelible snapshot. Mine appears in thumbnails or animated clips and kept safely archived. I have been blessed to remember the times I have brought my 4 children in this world and all of them were through normal childbirth. The moment I saw them I was convinced that they are not the closest things to angels but they ARE angels. Life looks different now : good and conquerable. I am different now: better and determined. I've become an advocate of Drs. Spock and Dobson, avid reader of parenting books and magazines only to realize there is no one good handbook. That parenting strategies are not like Ikea bought furnitures that you just assemble with wrenches or screw drivers and you have a table 20 minutes later. Personally, at times it was rocket science for me and my husband. (Yes, the "Houston we have a problem" kind a thing)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As days, months, and years pass my angels go through what I call a reverse metamorphosis - they shed their wings into adulthood instead of growing them. They throw tantrums, become stubborn, cuss, and could sometimes physically hurt other kids or people. The moment they say "I Hate You" never failed to break my heart. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I also have experiences wherein people tell me the horrors they've had with my kids such as: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"That was the first time I have seen so much hate from a child!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Where did he learn to say that?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"They are so violent!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"Bring them with you when you </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">go, I cannot handle them."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My kids have solicited various reactions as well.</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">stares from people</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">people talking behind them or us (The pleasure we give them when they look at our kids and say "At least my kid's not like that) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">violent </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">head shakes of disapproval or disappointment</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">embarrassed me, and</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Through the years of adding one child after another until we decided to stop counting at 4, we are learning to raise our children that will comfort them during times when they are scrutinized under people's lenses. We are learning to:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1. Adjust our perspective. Love comes with an open mind. Criticisms can either be true or false. Open the mind even if the heart resists at first. Sometimes as parents, we get offended and hurt by such comments mainly because we know our kids beyond those monstrosities other people see in them. How we know them should also be our leverage of understanding them. We understand them better than others. The monster in them is not the entirety of them. <i><b>You know the good in them because it is the same good in you. </b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3. Change our approach, if the undesirable behavior poses as a challenge to correct. As they say, "There's more than one way to skin a cat." Cat ok...not your kids! Even if we invest our time in reading books yet fail to read our kids' (totally unique) personality, we'll end up frustrated. <b><i>Our "cardio" workout as parents was to constantly look for better options for them. </i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4. Allow them to assimilate in an environment of adherence and conformity. Kids can learn both good and bad behavior in socializing with people. <i><b>The key here is our consistency as parents in promoting, emphasizing, and rewarding the good behavior as they see them practiced by friends, family, and groups.</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5. Set and enforce rules. One time when my second son was trying to win an argument with me he retorted "This is a free country." "It is." </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Mom x 4 responds.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> "As much as it is a responsible one." </span><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Rules don't delimit kids, it is a tool for pruning them</i></b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">6. Help them express themselves through meaningful words. Cussing seem to give kids (and even adults) an easy way to demand for prompt results or it can be the quickest word/s to say when we are upset. Since I am with them most of the time (dad's looking for that bacon to bring home), I play referee between sibling arguments and tempers. When one is verbally offensive we try to "rephra</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">se" the argument through non offensive words. It is a process really (like this labyrinth of flow charts!) We are trying to learn to express why we are frustrated, what vexed us, how do we feel when we disagreed. <i><b>As we help them express, we help them communicate and understand each views with respect. </b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">7. Hold them. <b><i>There is no other powerful tool of affirming a good behavior but a hug or a tap</i></b>. No words needed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">8. Seek help. Husbands and wives are always tag teams in rearing kids. We talk to family, friends, teachers, and church mates on how they can help us on some of our kids' behavior issues. <i><b>Most of the time, they respond to your kids in a more patient and understanding way thus making them another friend or ally. </b></i> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">9. Enhance their spirituality. <b><i>As Christian parents we do not only teach our children to be right with men but more importantly to be right with Go</i></b><i><b>d</b></i>. Spirituality elevates our actions enabling us to conquer our erring ways as humans and to depend on a God who is the source of all good. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Parenting is not just a job but a calling. It may last for a lifetime but it's all worth that time. So even when our angels shed their wings, we love them just the same. In their frailties and inadequacies they remain to be our heritage and reward from the Lord (Psalms 127:3). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One documentary I love is <u>Freakonomics </u>as a portion of it discussed what a good parent is and I agree that a </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">good parent is the one who tries to be one. </span><br />
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Roseofsharonjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12299650281666793294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2741753753252204830.post-86933319039825031612014-02-14T21:47:00.001-08:002014-02-14T21:47:51.940-08:00Sa Araw Ng Mga Baga (lungs)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ilang hakbang pa lang ako sa pintuan ng Publix, sumisigaw na ng pula ang buong grocery store. Maniniwala ka ba na kahit "Rose" ang pangalan ko hindi roses ang magpapablush sa 'kin? Sa tulips, hydrangeas, carnation, at bonsai ako mapapatigil sa paglalakad at sila ang tatawag ng pangalan ko. Habang aliw na aliw akong tingnan sila, ganito ang nakasulat sa thought bubble ko: "Kelan kaya ako bibigyan ulit ng asawa ko ng gaya niyo?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Mama, we need to buy those Valentine cards for my classmates tomorrow!" Bigla akong bumalik sa realidad sa lakas ng boses ng anak ko. Paalam thought bubble. Singhaba ng buhay mo ang mga pangarap ko. Nagmadali na akong tapusin ang pag grocery dahil kapag nagtagal pa kami dito mapupuno ang cart ng Doritos and mini donuts. Pero sa isip ko kinakausap ko ang mga bulaklak sa aisle "Ang gaganda niyo para iwan. Sana girls night out tayo bukas." Sana...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Rose!" Excited na tinawag ako ng asawa ko paguwi namin sa bahay. Excited din akong lumapit..."Yeis?" Alam mo naman ang mga babae gusto nila parang Long Island Medium psychic ang asawa nila - kayang bumasa ng isip. Thought bubble #2: "Baka may something something siya sa akin!!!" Thought bubble #2 gaya ng #1 muling pumutok. "Dumating na yung accessory ng kotse ko. Tulungan mo ko, ikabit natin!" Thought bubble #3 "Natin? Magisa ka!" Ako na rin ang pumutok ng huling thought bubble. Lumapit ako tinulungan ko siya. Hindi siya sumisipol habang gumagawa pero sa saya niya I swear naririnig ko siyang sumisipol sa galak. Konting buwelo, hingang malalim sabay tanong, "Pa, anong gift mo sa akin?" Simpleng tanong sinagot ng simpleng sagot, "Rose, ano ka ba naman."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sabi ko nga sa dati kong blog, 4th year college kami ng huling binigyan niya ako ng boquet ng mga roses. Matagal ng panahon 'yun. That was 4 kids ago. Taun taon naghihintay ako ng bulaklak sa mesa o sa kama o di kaya i-deliver sa tapat ng pintuan. Taun taon nangangarap ako. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Mag momoment pa sana ako pero wala ng time. Kailangan nang magluto ng hapunan ang nanay. Lumapit ulit ang asaw ko, "Rose, luto luto tayo." Kapag sinasabi niya yan, ibig sabihin magluluto kaming pareho. Isang bagay na hindi namin madalas gawin dahil ako ang madalas "nagluluto luto" mag isa para pag uwi niya galing trabaho "kakain kain" na lang siya. Nabusog kami sa tapa at ginisang toge. Yan na ang date namin. Sulit naman at hindi mapapantayan ng kahit anong restaurant kasi kung paano kami sabay nagluto, sabay din kaming naglinis ng pinagkainan. </span></div>
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<a href="http://faithchurchdoersoftheword.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/love-never-fails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://faithchurchdoersoftheword.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/love-never-fails.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hindi niya laging nababasa ang isip ko ni hindi niya nararamdaman palagi ang nararamdaman ko. Pero may mga panahong napapahanga niya ako. Ito ang mga pagkakataong mahalaga sa akin, mahalaga sa aming dalawa. Sinasamahan niya ako sa mga "moments" na akala kong nagiisa ako. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Na-admit ang nanay ko sa hospital a few days ago - Pneumonia sabi ng doctor. Instead na maging araw ng mga puso ang i-celebrate namin, nag-alala kami sa baga ni Nanay! Nagiisa akong anak na babae pero sa layo naming mag ina, hindi ko siya maaalagaan. Ang isang damsel in distress na gaya ko kailangan ng isang valiant knight. Hindi nga lang siya ang knight in shining armor ko dahil naka-scrubs siya. "Rose, magpadala tayo kay nanay." Hindi sila humingi ng tulong sa amin pero hindi rin kailangan ng asawa ko na hingan siya ng tulong para dumamay. Hindi ko siya kailangang sabihan sa mga bagay na gagawin niya para maramdaman ko na mahal niya ko. Ang pag ibig kahit hindi hingin kahit hindi sabihin, nagbibigay. Kung kaya niyang mahalin ang mga tao at mga bagay na mahal mo at mahalaga sa iyo paano mo pa idedefine ang pagibig sa mga bulaklak o sa ibang bagay na lumilipas o di kaya nalalanta? Kapag nabigay niya na sa yo ang puso niya, wala ng hihigit pa doon. Wala ka na ring dapat hingin pa sa kanya. If he loves you, that love never fails. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bago matulog, we said our "I Love You's". Walang mga flowers, chocolates, cards or dinner na nakapost sa Facebook. Hindi kayang ma-upload sa wall ko ang puso mo, Rad. Ok na walang roses. Ako naman ang nagiisang Rose sa buhay mo. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Para sa mga umiibig enjoy this clip...thanks to Rheese who found it in YouTube. Magmahal ng walang hinihinging kapalit. </span><br />
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Roseofsharonjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12299650281666793294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2741753753252204830.post-25348410583261427402014-01-30T10:41:00.002-08:002014-01-30T20:41:19.754-08:00Let Us Start Rebuilding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLNiqwZzdPgW4TbNh4nw3oc4WiP4QZIbfPx-SJZsVp1xmjsa57MTQZYy1f4CVEYaXSY60JL-Vx8Lxc1qoO0QtRRVdn6QzgM5q_9MhI1Pco00IJaZ48yMARP21AT6chehnQ3kjKAgquWA/s1600/Nehemiah+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLNiqwZzdPgW4TbNh4nw3oc4WiP4QZIbfPx-SJZsVp1xmjsa57MTQZYy1f4CVEYaXSY60JL-Vx8Lxc1qoO0QtRRVdn6QzgM5q_9MhI1Pco00IJaZ48yMARP21AT6chehnQ3kjKAgquWA/s1600/Nehemiah+1.png" height="220" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While struggling to come up with something new to start 2014, I was lead to read the book of Nehemiah. This was actually the second time that I've read the story of this great leader who rallied the people of Israel in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem while they were held captive by the Persians under King Artaxerxes. It was only in my second reading that the traits of this royal cupbearer and man of God resounded with such impact that I tarried on reading a verse which will serve as my mantra this new year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The story opens and presents to us Nehemiah receiving news from his brother that the remnants of the exile returned to the provinces but the walls of Jerusalem remain in ruins and its gates burned. Such news struck Nehemiah with grief for his people and for his nation whom God has established as His own. The very thing that created his identity and convictions as an Israelite is now in ruble and ashes. Instead of being immobilized by this hapless situation, Nehemiah found solace in prayer and fasting. The first response was to immediately take a lowly stance in the presence of God which clearly showed his heart and faith; two things that remained standing loftily in the midst of a dispersed nation and crumbled walls. Chapter 1 ends, <i>"</i><i><span style="background-color: white;">Lord, let your ear be attentive</span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-12308S" title="See cross-reference S">S</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white;"> to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today..."</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nehemiah planned his next move and that is to find favor in the eyes of king Artaxerxes who was crucial in mechanizing each cog of Nehemiah's plan to turn. Nehemiah's countenance in the king's presence ignited a query from someone who can provide the necessary resources for the rebuilding of the walls: <i>"</i><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.” </i>Even in fear, Nehemiah knew his position in the presence of the king and presented the authenticity of his heart. Things fell perfectly in its place when the king replied </span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;">“What is it you want?”</span><span style="background-color: white;"><i> </i>God's hand orchestrated the spontaneity of the succeeding events. Nehemiah was allowed to go back to Jerusalem to build the walls and was even provided the resources to make things happen. There, while inspecting the walls he did not utter any word to the priests, nobles and officials who were with him until such time that he saw and surveyed the situation in its entirety. More than anyone who could give </span>him the right counsel at that time, h<span style="background-color: white;">e drenched himself in what God gave him in his heart. It was what he needed most to start a gargantuan task. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">With all the blueprint laid out in his mind he faces his people <i>"</i></span><i><span class="text Neh-2-17" id="en-NIV-12325">Come, let us rebuild the wall<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-12325U" title="See cross-reference U">U</a>)"></span> of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.</span><span class="text Neh-2-18" id="en-NIV-12326">I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-12326W" title="See cross-reference W">W</a>)"></span> and what the king had said to me.</span><span style="background-color: white;">They replied, <span style="color: red;">'Let us start rebuilding.' </span>So they began this good work."</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Each day gives us the opportunity to start rebuilding. Let me say it again - <i>rebuilding</i>. How is the new year new for most of us? It doesn't have to take us a minute to realize that we are still in the presence of the same group of people whom we either love or loathe. You get a few hundreds (or pennies) more from doing a job you held for years or even decades but still captivated by the thought of that dream position in Utopia Inc. There are still relationships that you've sewn countless times with all the stitches you could ever think of that it now looks like a ball of gnarled thread than a tapestry of love. The word "quit" is just a vague urge and you convinced yourself that sobriety is the antonym of "Lindsay Lohan". Your image in the mirror shows you the same features that you tried to enhance or get rid of but gravity and time engages you to a lifelong battle over aesthetics. Again, you look at yourself in the mirror and what's more tormenting are not the things you immediately see with your eyes but what you see with your heart. The same brokenness ails you, the same weaknesses debilitate you, the same needs and wants clamor inside your heart. Is there anything new in these? You could only wish that they will leave your back door just as 2013 did. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The concept of a fresh start as we learned from Nehemiah is to rebuild using what's left of the rubble and finding the resources to rebuild the newness of things again. His success was attributed to these:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. <b>His full reliance in God set the stage and lead them to the completion of the task. </b> From the characters (whether hero or villain), to the setting, and the plot, God directed each act. Nehemiah did not overlook the power of his God. To show this he prayed, he fasted, and again he prayed. Nehemiah knew from the very beginning there was nothing he can do without God - not his position as a cupbearer to the king, not his ancestry, not his skills, neither his personality.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When he was troubled and told God his desires he prayed: </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;">Lord, let your ear be attentive</span><i><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-12308S" title="See cross-reference S">S</a>)"></span></i><span style="background-color: white;"><i> to the prayer of this your servant</i><i>."</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When he feared the possibility of failure he prayed: </span><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">The king said to me, “What is it you want?” "</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Then I prayed to the God of heaven,</span></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">and I answered the king,"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the time of ridicule from the opposition Nehemiah uttered: <i>"</i></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i>Hear us, our God, for we are despised..."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">When danger lurked as they build the walls, Nehemiah recollects <i>"</i></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"><i>But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the event when fear made a detour and struck Nehemiah's companions instead, Nehemiah prayed <i>"</i></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i>Now strengthen my hands.”</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. <b>Nehemiah took out his sticky notes and made sure all items in his To Do list are ticked off done! </b>A man of faith is a man of work. The kind of work ethics displayed by Nehemiah was exceptional. He planned, kept track of time, resourceful, motivated the people, and anticipated calculated risks as the work progressed. He kept moving and doing and gave us a picture that in the equation of productivity and success, you have to be one of the values. You cannot be asking God and you are absent from the formula. There is no doubt in what the power of God can do but an instrument such as us must be there so that it will be manifested. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. <b>Be aware of threats and oppositions. Lead them and not the other way around. </b>Like us, Nehemiah encountered set backs. They are there to remind us that while we are rebuilding our aspirations, we should be attentive of our surroundings. There are so much threat to our dreams that we cannot afford these threats to creep into the gaps of our walls. While workers and builders were doing their tasks, Nehemiah stationed families under the lowest points of the wall to guard it against the enemies. As one hand held a tool to build, the other holds a spear to defend. Build and protect. Execute and do not compromise. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> If there is one thing new that you need to start your year, it is a new disposition under God's power. Let us rebuild our dreams, our lives, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">relationships,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">priorities out of what we have seeking God's grace so that we will not remain exile among the ruins of our past mistakes and weaknesses. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An allergy attack sends me to the ER. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An intravenous injection of 50 milligrams of Benadryl jet propels me to Lala Land.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nobody wants to be held down by sickness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Especially a mom. A mom with 4 kids.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I woke up the next day with a little of yesterday's gray cloud still hovering above me. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The phone rings with my doctor's name displayed on the screen.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Dr. '------' read your lab works already." Physician assistant tells me. I had a wellness check up a week ago and now I'm about to hear the results. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">T'was a brief conversation but it surely shook off my drowsiness from yesterday's Benadryl shot. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was given a clean bill of health!</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To be blessed with a big family calls for a healthy well being in all aspects of motherhood. If one is sick in the family, the regimen does not only call for medication, rest, and nourishment. You have to complete the equation by placing "mom" into it. Childhood was rough on me because I grew up with asthma and allergies but whenever the worst brings us those ghastly trips to the emergency room, I would always find comfort from my mom. Always.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now that my hands are pretty full with 4 children, a husband, and a home, my health matters to me and to my family who I take care of. If you are the family's care provider put more importance to health. Exude and live a robust life because motherhood is synonymous to selflessness therefore it will shake you, throw punches at you, and keep you standing on the tips of your toes. A mother is most beautiful when she has learned to balance what nature can offer and what she does to respond to it's goodness. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A healthy mother is <b>able</b>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Able to comfort, assist, encourage,and inspire.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When she is able, there is warm food on the table, her angels coast through dreamland while tightly tucked in bed, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">her </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">refrigerator door is decked with children's stars and ribbons brought from school, her hands equally tough as her husband's and yield productive labor all lavished in love and hard work.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If she is able, she is as strong as breakwater rocks taking on the sea's blows head on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If she is able, she will unceasingly give back to the Giver of life because He makes her able in all circumstances. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><i>"Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well." 3 John 1:2</i></span></div>
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Roseofsharonjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12299650281666793294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2741753753252204830.post-63575254450301715452013-02-06T23:50:00.001-08:002013-02-25T23:22:10.559-08:00"You Don't Bring Me Flowers... <div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...anymore", as the song of Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond goes. Seventeen years of togetherness and the only memory I have of him giving me flowers was when he came to see me after class on an ordinary day on my 4th year in college. They were the loveliest blooms... if only he took them out - from his duffel bag! Two dozens of roses all wrapped and ribboned...stems pointing out - from his duffel bag! And to add more insult to such gore (Who stashes roses upside down, anyway?!...in a duffel bag!), a classmate exclaims, "Is that for Rose?" I swear, he looked like wanting to zap his way out of the scene more than giving me that bouquet. It was too life changing for both of us that I end up wanting to relive the memory and him not bringing me flowers...anymore.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are not a typical couple. We adhere to one another because our relationship is like those magnets that you could only put together on opposite polarities. Do you remember the scene in Shrek 1 where Fiona asks "What kind of knight are you?", my husband knows the next line by heart and replies in unison with the ogre, "One of a kind." Yes he is, because beyond my surreal perceptions, my "man" has lived life's grand and grotesque ways with me all within the sphere of reality.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Looking past the flowers, my marriage rewarded me with a garden whose blooms were ever constant like the love I received everyday. The means and ways of affection were not glaring as if you could single out one incident and call that "love" in its entirety. It was rather the bits and pieces of what initially I am incognizant of, the times of testing which tarried on like forever, and our personal irregularities that we work on smoothing out to fit each other. We constantly helped each other, moved in one direction yet we never lost the importance of our individuality. We made an identity as a couple and as separate beings. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Looking past the man, I see a soul made wise by his Creator. He is not a mere provider of what's tangible and passing because he knows that no bag or ring or flower can ever adorn the wife he loves. His children will look at his legacy by living the same righteous life he has, not measured by things that are inheritable. I respect his decisions without any tint of doubt in his capacity because his love transcends his concern for himself. It embraced me and our children. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So much for that song. The couple conversing through the lyrics "drifted apart" anyway. Looking past myself, I have the loveliest memories of the flowers I wanted, married the man who attempted to give them in the most special way he can, and he never stops giving me the best he could offer...himself. </span></div>
Roseofsharonjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12299650281666793294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2741753753252204830.post-53608459783120629482013-01-13T23:35:00.000-08:002013-01-16T07:50:26.912-08:00Fresh Songs, Fresh Voices To Jumpstart The Year<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I grew up listening and singing church hymns played only with the accompaniment of an organ. At that young age I struggled understanding how the hymns were written and the only thing my mind (and heart) remembers is the melody of each song. Nevertheless, they are timeless as their message which I treasure to this day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thirty years in retrospect, my music appreciation included the likes of Maranatha!, Carman, Steven Curtis Chapman, Papuri Singers (local singers from the Philippines), Trisha Amper (another local fave), Amy Grant, Don Moen, Hillsong, various Christian rock bands, and contemporary pop singers. The list can go on with new genres spreading like wildfire to satisfy the ever music-hungry Christian groups. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Songs are essential for worship. King David was not only noted as the "boy who had a lethal stone throwing ability" but he was a musician and poet. His music genius did not only top the commoners' billboard chart but it captivated the ear of a king - King Saul. The book of first Samuel, chapter 16 verse 23 writes: </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">"<b style="font-style: italic;">Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit<sup class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-7619AH" title="See cross-reference AH">AH</a>)"></sup> would leave him."</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Songs prepare our hearts and minds to worship God. They also soothe our tormented souls from the worries and anxieties of this life. On the countless times we've opened our bibles to find comfort and answers, Christian and gospel songs have made indelible marks of God's words with melodies that resound in our hearts. This uplifts the soul and enables it to commune with its Creator.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As much as I like the traditional, new songs and voices have made me literally "sing a new song" (Ps. 96:1) . I would always cling on to a song that has the following:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1. relevant biblical message (a line which you could easily associate with a favorite verse in the bible)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2. how the lyrics initiate and enjoy a conversation with your inner self</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3. tune recall (Next gen's LSS)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yesterday, while browsing over New Release Tuesday.com, Jason Castro was featured as Artist of the Month. The new funky vibe of Castro's "Only A Mountain" inflated a thought balloon over me: "Dreadlocks and singing go well together." The words were simple yet it was anchored on Matthew 17:20 emphasizing on our faith.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="text-align: center;">You don’t have to find your way around it</span><br style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><span style="text-align: center;">Tell it to move, it’ll move</span><br style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><span style="text-align: center;">Tell it to fall, it’ll fall</span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Over the radio a few weeks ago, a local Christian station played Jamie Grace' "Hold Me" which I heard the first time. The words are so simple that I got transported into my own timeline when I just got a pen and started scribbling free flowing thoughts into words. I just had regrets why I didn't gave myself a chance on the guitar. Jamie Grace sure looked and sounded good in one. By the way, it was a feat with TobyMac who intros with a reggae feel to the song. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i style="background-color: white;"><span style="text-align: center;">I love you more than the words in my brain can express</span><br style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><span style="text-align: center;">I can't imagine even loving you less</span><br style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><br style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><span style="text-align: center;">Lord, I love the way you hold me</span><br style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><span style="text-align: center;">Whoa, oh, I love the way you hold me</span><br style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><span style="text-align: center;">Whoa, oh</span><br style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" /><span style="text-align: center;">Oh, I love</span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They're young and they sing in the expression of both vocals and musical instrument. These songs and fresh voices have proven that Christian songs can be "cool" in this time of age. Besides, when you have experienced the love of a saving God, nothing can ever stop your heart from singing. One can never get out of tune!</span></div>
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<i><u><span class="text Ps-13-6" id="en-NIV-14081" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; position: relative; text-align: -webkit-auto;">I will sing<span style="font-size: 0.65em;"><sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-14081A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup></span> the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>’s praise, </span><span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="text Ps-13-6" style="position: relative;">for he has been good to me. Ps. 13:6</span></span></u></i></div>
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Roseofsharonjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12299650281666793294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2741753753252204830.post-45353711718064171442013-01-04T01:19:00.001-08:002013-01-04T10:31:55.522-08:00New Year, Old Friends<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was made to face a table lined with well missed native food: sisig, fried molo, adobong kangkong laced with pork lechon, silvanas, and lychee shake (was it Lychee...I think). I also got a panoramic view of Tiyo's restaurant thanks to the brilliance of the late Steve Jobs (iPhone rocks!). The ladies are in the house and the roll call yielded absentees. It's 12:40 am from my side of the world and I'm having a lunch date with my high school friends. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What they looked like more than 20 years ago remains vivid in memory. The once geniuses, artists, comics, and girl next door faces are now entrepreneurs, overseas professionals, wives, and mothers. I could still spot some of the childish mannerisms interrupt their now womanly dispositions which for me are no flaws at all but remnants of a past we all want to cling on for the rest of our lives. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">High school days were indeed "high" days. It was a time of self discovery, building friendships, dreaming, failing, and anticipation of a future that seems conquerable in a minute. The people and events that made us laugh before still makes us laugh now. The only thing is we sound like our moms now and have completely lost our ability to giggle. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two decades after, we have metamorphosed into adults each of whom defines and views life in different ways. We have been separated by the choices we made but today we visit a common ground where the exchanges of journeys made were all worth the time and attention. I never saw an underachiever among us. No one deserved to be quantified according to how much she earns or receives. Everyone remembers how we all had humble beginnings but have taken the challenge to step up one day at a time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I learned and laughed a lot with you, ladies. It was a privilege sharing that hearty meal with everyone. By the way, tell JM (that awesome waiter) he made one of the shots I love most. The new year feels so "new" with old friends. I'll see you all soon and on that day make sure I get a seat!</span></div>
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<i><u><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">"Be devoted to one another in love.</span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28256A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> Honor one another above yourselves." Romans 12:10</span></u></i></div>
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Roseofsharonjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12299650281666793294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2741753753252204830.post-247033639451985212012-12-15T23:52:00.001-08:002012-12-15T23:54:57.250-08:00On The Sandy Hook Shooting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A horrendous incident such that of the mass killing at Sandy Hook Elementary shook the nation and the world in wide scale proportion. How can it not when it bereaved the basic core of our society which is the family. People testified how the outpouring of emotions were similar to that of 9/11's. This week has been laden with death done in the most heinous ways and worse it claimed the lives of innocent children. Three days before the Sandy Hook shooting, Portland, Oregon had their own blow of a mall shooting that claimed three lives. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a parent, this is more than a wake up call. This is so life changing that it moves us to reinforce and fortify our family structure and dynamics even in the stand point of a bystander or for most of us as television viewers witnessing all these unfold. The places deemed enriching for our children are now target points for people brooding evil intent. The word safe and child-friendly takes on a different meaning now. It somehow puts us on a stand still that is physically and emotionally exhausting. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A week ago, I received a call from my eldest son's school that they were in lockdown under code yellow. The hardest part to it of course is one's inability to provide help on the most troubling time especially if the ones involved are your loved ones. On that experience I have drawn out the most crucial levels of responses which my children can be involved in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. <i><u>The school's crisis response and intervention procedures</u>.</i> It was all worth the time to know from my son and from the school what procedures were in place to protect the kids when a threat of this kind occurs. Where there drills done to familiarize children? How were the kids handled? Are the teachers trained to effectively respond and lead the students? How does the school and our local police work together on such emergencies? As to this experience, my son's school and all the other local law enforcing groups have commendably done their duties for the safety and interest of students, their families, and school personnel. The chain of communication to parents was established so as to keep us informed of what's transpiring and are yet to be done. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. <i><u>Our children's preparedness on these incidents</u>. </i> Our homes must not cease in becoming a place to educate our kids. It is not enough that we ask them how their day was but every member in the family must be educated and involved on the affairs and safety issues we may encounter. We do not hold our academic institutions solely responsible for the training of our kids. They must learn "self-preservation" primarily in our own household with the parents constantly helping the children to process the events that will keep them uphold their values and safety. Show them the path they </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. <i><u>Our children's dependence on God</u>. </i>I was comforted and moved by my pastor's blog about the need to hold family devotions. We get tangled with all of life's struggles and diversions that we fail to unite our families through intimate spiritual efforts. Most if not all of us will say that we pray for our kids but should it end there? Let us teach them to pray and to build their faith in God who may be unseen but is our unfaltering help in time of need. Pray for them and with them (1 Thes. 5:17)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every new morning gives us another perspective to see our children lovingly. Yes, hold our kids tight but ensure all measures to educate, be involved, and pray. </span></div>
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Roseofsharonjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12299650281666793294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2741753753252204830.post-73017699062512339962012-12-11T22:57:00.000-08:002012-12-11T23:18:09.789-08:00A Burlap Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">As a kid, I remember falling in love with crafting specially when the materials to be used give one a natural or organic feel. It just appeals to me that in its simplest form, I find the endless ways of transforming it into something rustic yet elegant. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">A few months ago, I found this interesting utility fabric called "burlap" under DIY projects in Pinterest. Made from the jute, flax, or hemp plant, it is a fibrous and sturdy woven material that has reached its versatility from being a potato or apple bag to a decorative favorite made into curtains, table runners and other home or event accents. I tried finding them at my local JoAnn store with the consolation that it is priced cheap. Though some may not like its rough texture and smell, burlap is gold to a shabby chic Momx4. It's modest beginnings have now been catapulted to sophistication by artisans whose creativity harmonized cost efficiency with art. Since burlap gives me that childhood excitement, I tried doing this year's Christmas decors using the material.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">I made a bubble textured wreath to accentuate the front door, topiaries seated on our dining area's mantle, and using the leftovers to wrap around a vase as table centerpiece .</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Added some glittery Christmas balls and plaid bow. </span></td></tr>
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Create or venture into something that will get you renewed and excited about life. Do it with all your imprints lavished on it. Give yourself some slack by ignoring criticisms because those people who throw such on you were not privileged enough to be given the enthusiasm, time, and contentment which you have now. <br />
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><i>"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom." (Ecclesiastes 9:10 NIV84)</i></span></span><br />
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Roseofsharonjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12299650281666793294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2741753753252204830.post-54229886350271245912012-12-08T07:53:00.003-08:002012-12-11T23:24:36.250-08:00Everyday Is Thanksgiving<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's been almost a month since I last had my entry. It didn't feel that long because until now I'm still feeling feverish from the hustle and bustle of Thanksgiving. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A week before that my table was already brimming with the kids' Thanksgiving artwork from school. From turkeys painted out of hand prints to their stories about how the first Thanksgiving of 1621 was celebrated by the pilgrims of Plymouth, Massachusetts for a bountiful harvest. Times, people, and legislation have all played their influence on this celebration that made it America's great family tradition. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Thanksgiving was wonderful! This was our first in our new home and the family celebrated the festivity with our friends in church. Both physical and spiritual appetites were fed in </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: justify;">abundance. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> With the help of my ever supportive and overly critical children, I made turkey for the first time. I remember my dad preparing this most celebrated bird during New Year's Eve back in the Philippines. I have never seen the relevance of the bird for another country or culture, if my dad hadn't made it on another similarly celebrated family gathering in the Philippines. All this nostalgia told me I can brave doing one because someone from this brown race of mine did it. The apprehensions slowly ebbed as the aroma of my country's very own lemon grass diffused in harmony with Rosemary and lemons. Four hours are agonizingly long as you wait while smelling this. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We all have an endless list of things to be grateful for. As we continue to go on with life, the items in that list evolve and metamorphose depending on circumstances that we could control and those that could only be orchestrated by someone greater than us. We have experienced that no matter how man strives to be the "master of his fate and the captain of his soul", tomorrow will be shrouded. With this uncertainty, we need a balance point, a walking stick to aid us trek unfamiliar grounds. In the book of Hebrews 11:1 it says, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>"<span style="background-color: white;">Now faith is confidence in what we hope for</span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30174A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white;"> and assurance about what we do not see." (I Thes. 11:1)</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This confidence called "faith" makes our thanksgiving a constant way of life regardless of bounty, success, loss, and suffering. Apostle Paul saw it in this light,</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;">"...give thanks in all circumstances;</span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29640AG" title="See cross-reference AG">AG</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."</span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">(1 Thes. 5:18)</span></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtxoD2ts-kHebsCjon5ez0vIMT5cTzSfZ5ex6331Xt1ToMYo_vK9HVQNVqKC0wgtX5OQtSQR2geK1KVSGU_-hlpOswVexcrTS7tjwQKJ4w2bc1glDbDSD-GQvhnePVxwxA-mN2My0l2GWu/s1600/RAD_5182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtxoD2ts-kHebsCjon5ez0vIMT5cTzSfZ5ex6331Xt1ToMYo_vK9HVQNVqKC0wgtX5OQtSQR2geK1KVSGU_-hlpOswVexcrTS7tjwQKJ4w2bc1glDbDSD-GQvhnePVxwxA-mN2My0l2GWu/s400/RAD_5182.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yes, give thanks in all things! Not just during Thanksgiving but even on those days when the feasting ceases and all the noise and laughter of the festivities have faded. Though the future is unseen, thank God for the things that are yet to come and couple it with faith in His promises. Thank God for a family who in it's imperfections are constantly in pursuit of building and growing things that are good and loving for each other's sake. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Thank God for grateful kids who in their naive understanding of the world develop an eye for appreciation of what they have and the people who make an important role in their lives. Nice turkey artwork, Marcus! </span></div>
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Roseofsharonjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12299650281666793294noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2741753753252204830.post-34958445194422540072012-11-10T06:57:00.000-08:002012-11-10T08:47:50.565-08:00Call Me THRIF(T)FANY<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As early as 7:30 am, cars begin to fill the cul-de-sac adjacent to our house two Saturdays ago. Good thing that during this year's second community sale, my husband's not using the car for work and my church friend's driving us (Because I brought along with me my four kids. I got excess baggage as always but they're pretty fun to be with that time!). Time and convenience is on my side then.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just the idea of community, garage, and estate sales excite me! If you are a bargain hunter and curious George as I am, these events are the perfect haven for all things old and new. The thrill is not just about how "cheap" you can get stuff but it is in the haggling skills you develop and the opportunity to discover how to repurpose things. With the things people dispose or sell, you also get to have a glimpse on what families patronize or consume similar to yours.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Going on community sales takes planning. You don't just storm through it without knowing what you really need. Remember, these trips should save you money not make you spend on things that will eventually turn to dust collectors on your shelves and storage areas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mom x 4 has learned the following ways to make sure you go home with savings not useless spendings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Be informed about upcoming community, garage, or estate sales. You could see a calendar of these from your Sunday ads, city and community websites, and Craigslist. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Go through your house. Make a list of the things you need to buy. This would give you the considerable "purchasing perimeter" you need so as not to overspend. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">3. Set a budget. Since you know what to buy, an estimation of how much to spend can be drawn from there. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Duck Bathroom Coordinates (11 pcs)<br />$7</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">6. Early-bird-catches-early-worm principle applies! Aside from the bargain enthusiasts, there are also those whom I call "wholesalers". These people have their own thrift stores or join flea markets who can buy a truckload of the seller's items by "bundling". If you take too much time enjoying window shopping mood, you could end up eating their dust and the only things left for you are their trail marks. Make a quick scan of things you need and do your purchase promptly. Of course, this takes practice and skill but you will definitely learn it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">7. There may be items for sale which are not on your list but are such good deals. Haggle the prices by "bundling" the items then make your offer. For example, my son saw this gaming chair while a rubber duck bathroom coordinate priced individually caught my attention. We bought everything for $17 and saved us $5 when bundled, not priced per item. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYw9JaREztnpUpfFfthnDa9hGe1j9kYQnuJvYNGTVzK0n3eg3ux7mTw07SVC18UhXLEWZgCQaZiCZHbWEkZXNv5H7BBLgCVI-9rffmuWrEX8Owbxhe2lX0oWGpP2QBzphbi9ZrihkAj9w/s1600/photo-9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYw9JaREztnpUpfFfthnDa9hGe1j9kYQnuJvYNGTVzK0n3eg3ux7mTw07SVC18UhXLEWZgCQaZiCZHbWEkZXNv5H7BBLgCVI-9rffmuWrEX8Owbxhe2lX0oWGpP2QBzphbi9ZrihkAj9w/s200/photo-9.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paid a two-drawer steel cabinet and pull up bar for $10 and saved me another $5. Even a quarter dollar savings is good because it could buy you a nice book for your kid already. The joy of saving!!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8. Allow and trust "gut feel". The first house I went to, sold the two-drawer filing cabinet for $25. Told myself to shop around before purchasing it and true enough I bought mine from another seller for $5. Remember though, time is still the element and don't window shop aimlessly. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Canny "frugalistas" swarm the place.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9. Haggle down prices but do not throw unreasonable offers. There are lots of elbow room on events like these.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10. If your community or another holds periodic sales, take note of the type of items a seller (which in case are homeowners) sell. A family with kids would usually have anything from furnitures, books, toys, and clothing. While others who are hobbyists or activity oriented people have personal collections, exercise equipments, baking and cooking gadgets, and DVDs. Retirees or elderly couples can surprise you with their vintage or antique collections from fine china to cuckoo clocks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Take note of these trends and patterns by jotting house numbers so that on the next sale, you know which places to go first.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8WnJ9h43VraWsg3eXTqULmCtAwJ2k7Kc6HhncD-2gKWyLggTP_z0udTh7UaDb6bwNT3ZzZ7zmgYn9vHjJzb4UbES0QqjzfnihQzCdsCG3IAcSw1yxJV0H4EcVNIkn1PZqwvf-KhwMtde/s1600/photo-5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8WnJ9h43VraWsg3eXTqULmCtAwJ2k7Kc6HhncD-2gKWyLggTP_z0udTh7UaDb6bwNT3ZzZ7zmgYn9vHjJzb4UbES0QqjzfnihQzCdsCG3IAcSw1yxJV0H4EcVNIkn1PZqwvf-KhwMtde/s200/photo-5.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pull Up Bars<br />$5</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">11. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Community sales have specific time durations and a </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">lot of sellers will give you greater markdowns when a sale is about to end. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So how was it going with the kids? Though it is a challenge to bring them during these events, a sale can be a priceless learning experience. <i><u>We do want the best for them and living a life of thoughtful restraint specially with how we use our resources is a kind of life we could impart to them. </u></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A day before the community sale, the kids and I were in Barnes and Noble to find some books. We didn't find any good deals like the Buy 2 get 1 free they used to have so I told them it's just a few hours more 'til the sale starts so we could exercise our patience a little. True enough, I got the early reader books for Marcus and Rheese at $.25 each. We went home with 13 books but the smile we had on our faces was priceless.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmkqH6cN1MdcGHDFI_7z6TtOEDfMADemDtir4fJqcMGfISi_zis_t8Pg294njaXokPKVNNHRGvkmaHE-v4Zvn_I5uHXj0NTk5CEUrCiCTefIuf3u7L23HTf9RAcbUCwyoscKxa7mBzLDU/s1600/photo-8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmkqH6cN1MdcGHDFI_7z6TtOEDfMADemDtir4fJqcMGfISi_zis_t8Pg294njaXokPKVNNHRGvkmaHE-v4Zvn_I5uHXj0NTk5CEUrCiCTefIuf3u7L23HTf9RAcbUCwyoscKxa7mBzLDU/s200/photo-8.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kids' books<br />$.25</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My eldest son Sebastian asked us for a gaming chair for months. When he found a $10 one during the sale he held on to it like Nicholas Cage when he got the declaration of independence in National Treasure. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In Walmart, a similar gaming chair is almost $30.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are frugal not just because we have 4 kids. Though that is one motivation, wise spending comes from a realization that there is a future worth preparing for and this future is for the 6 of us. The bible encourages us to be wise in our affairs and be the stewards God calls us to be. If we live otherwise, how can we be entrusted with heavenly wealth? These words hold dear:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">"So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth,</span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-25632A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> who will trust you with true riches?" Luke 16:11</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><u>Every opportunity to save is a reward in itself.</u></i> Enjoy being simple, live with a content heart. If you have an upcoming community sale to go to, tell me...Tell THRIF(T)fany.</span></div>
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Roseofsharonjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12299650281666793294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2741753753252204830.post-29129664296292181322012-10-21T19:28:00.001-07:002012-11-09T04:06:53.168-08:00HAVE YOU SEEN ME?<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I was ensnared by my own words. Trying to "power talk" a close friend to pursue what she loved doing most, she agrees with me on one condition - I must do the same by pursuing my writing flair. This could mean:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> A. "Blackmail?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> B. "Where into this together. If the boat sinks, you go with me."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> C. "Instead of rotting over Facebook, smell like your sauteed dish, or earn a PhD on diaper dynamics...better write!</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: justify;">D. "Let's do something for the human race.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> E. Stay alive!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She wouldn't be my friend of 24 years if there were missing choices from the above.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: justify;">As far as I remember, I stopped writing during that period when I had my first child. Being a parent is overwhelming no matter how much you prepare for it. When I attempted to live the life ahead of me, I lost that "expressive" part of me. I identify myself now with those missing people you see on the "HAVE YOU SEEN ME" ads on milk cartons. Lucky for those who were found but for those who remain missing and lost, it is a struggle for the hopeful.</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I miss writing. Although at this point, having 4 kids to attend to day after day, </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">expressing myself again through written words would fall last on the list. If there was anything I've exercised for all these stay-at-home mom years, it's my mouth! The idea of pen and paper, and even a laptop keyboard's clicking made me feel alive again. I should do this. Let me do it again. Maybe I can do this. It's like relearning to ride your bike; you take balance, make the first push on the pedal, second foot follows through, and then you take on a wobbly ride. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A mom will speak her views in the most natural way she can through these blogs. Her everyday musings, triumphs and stories may be mundane but it is an effort to appreciate life and glorify her Creator. She is blessed for the gift given her and this time it is not to be kept but shared. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My missing self has been found thanks to a friend who still holds clear memories of who I am and where I am good at. Ecclesiastes 4:10 says:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!" </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A friend found me.</span><br />
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