I pray that we, parents, may love, nurture and prepare our children to have the necessary tools to make good decisions in life. Because if we don’t teach them how to be equipped in the future, life will. And more often than not, life will not be as kind.

God, thank You for helping us raise such a wonderful, intelligent, beautiful and confident little girl. My amazement and wonder with her life and development is only a small portion of my amazement and wonder in Your Glory. Thank you for giving us the gift to be able to partake in Your Creation and allowing us to nurture and love her the best way we know how to. Continue to guide us in trying times and bless those who need Your Light and guidance in their homes. We cannot continue to do anything good without You. Amen

Olivia had her first set of shots today. She was fussy all afternoon, crying and whining in pain. But I also noticed that she had random bursts of laughter and would sneak a smile or two in between her discomfort.

I wish I were like her sometimes. I wish I knew how to freely feel, not hold back and move on. I’ve been so unhappy and unsettled with myself and my surroundings lately. I miss being around friends. I miss city lights and the sun.

*breathe* What the heck am I going through?!?

A Reflection for the Restless

Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

Matthew 11: 28-30

When we consciously work hard in avoiding distractions, we soon realize what really makes us feel uneasy and are all of a sudden vulnerable. Because we cannot mask our burdens with things that we usually indulge in to temporarily forget the issues that need to be addressed, we realize that we need to face the essentials we’ve been trying to avoid.

Lord, I am weak and restless. Disturb me and walk with me in my path of preparing for Your coming. Send Your Spirit that I may be guided in my Lenten journey. Open my heart to Your love and protect me and my loved ones from harm. Amen.

The Itch

I haven’t left Oregon since August of last year… And I am seriously beginning to feel lethargic, passive and EXTREMELY BORED with life even if there are so many wonderful things in front of me to marvel at.

I need to BE somewhere new, different and fresh. This is driving me crazy!

I need a getaway. Fast.

This person’s response, reflection and discernment reminded me to let go of my disappointment and let God work the magic in my life.

findonesway:

READ: Even now

John 11:17-22 Even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.

What disappointment are you wrestling with today?
Not exactly disappointment, but I am on the verge of seeing a dream come true. I have been praying for it for several years now. The situation that I am in right now is the closest I have been to that dream, and I realize that this is an important point in my spiritual journey.. To continue having faith and hope in God’s answers even if He says yes or no.

How has it affected your fellowship with Jesus?
I’ve been praying about this thing for years now, and honestly, there are times when I ask Him questions. God, you know how much I want this. You know how this will do me a lot of good. It’s not something bad — why are you still withholding it from me? But then, God would speak to me with comforting words. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” He is teaching me to wait some more, to hold on to Him, no matter what. I feel more at ease when telling Him about how I honestly feel, whether I am happy or sad or impatient, because He comforts me with His words, whatever it is that I’m feeling or struggling with.

What can you do to strengthen your faith in Him?
If couples getting married can promise to be with each other in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, why can’t we do it with God, too? Humans can break promises, but God can’t. No matter what the situation is, whether it’s a reason for celebration or something to grieve at, I will tell Him how I feel about it. I will not question Him, for His ways are wiser than mine, but I will hold on to Him tightly, trusting that He loves me enough to know how I feel, and what is best for me.

Prayer: Father, many times I do not understand your ways. I wish for things to be the way I want them to: easy and instant. However, this is not the way you want me to be. Give me the strength to hold on to you, to continue trusting you, whatever situation I am in. Help me not to focus on my disappointments, but to focus in your promise, that You will never cause me harm. I pray this in Jesus name, Amen.

fuckyeahgiantpanda:

quoteskine:

Japan

I’ve seen the “Pray for Japan” graphic popping up all over my dashboard today. But I’ve never been religious at all. So, this is my version of that graphic, because when you don’t believe in praying the best thing to do is hope.

I know this isn’t panda related, but I did want to post this.

As far as I know (I’m not sure though) the pandas living in Japanese zoos (in Wakayama and Hyōgo) don’t live near the affected area (Sendai), but there are more important things right now. All the people living in Japan are in my thoughts.

My little doll

I’m so cute, I know!

See You Later, Indulgence

I don’t really quite remember the last time I fast for Lent. It most probably was when I was living with my lola during college. I did not really have a problem with fish or vegetables (except for ampalaya) so not having meat was perfectly fine for my diet. 

Now that I am nursing a beautiful and wonderful 7 week old baby, I know that I am exempted from the stricter fasting guidelines the Church has laid out to follow. That does not mean though that I cannot find alternatives to give up for Lent as I do want to be able to take this time to to reflect and cut back on things that I indulge in.

So here is a list of things I know I indulge in but do not need on a daily basis:

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"I think the person you are when you become a parent is kind of the most important version of yourself and the version that you stick to."

-Gwyneth Paltrow, Harper’s Bazaar April 08

I find it extremely flattering that that even with an adorable 7 week old, I STILL got it. ;)

Cheesy Conversation

Me: Though O may look like you, she most likely might have MY personality. Maybe if we have a boy next and he looks like me, he'll have your personality instead.
Him: He would be a very pretty boy.
Me: Huh? I don't get it.
Him: If he looks anything like you, he'll be a pretty boy.
I love cheese. Oh and him ;)