MM # 7-Look at the mess!

This is Zane's expression after eating ube ice cream and Oh my!look at that mess.

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Kids Stuff

If my family plan to go somewhere else, I always bring with me a bag for the kids stuff.When I already had two kids I bring along a travelling bag to fit all their stuff. Some people were wondering why I bother to bring such a heavy load. My mom was the one who usually complains about it, but later on she was able to understand the importance of bringing all those stuff. It doesn't matter to me if I always carry a big bag as long as I don't forget those necessary stuff that my kids might need. Even other people can also benefit from it. If they forgot something for their kids, they run to me for they know that I have all of it in my bag. Some would jokingly label me as "Girl Scout" because I am always prepared for my kid's needs.

Have you ever wondered why I need to bring a big bag? Here are the lists of the stuff I placed inside my bag:

For My Boy:

• Extra shirts- He is so playful,he usually gets messy and sweat a lot.
• Blankies-Used for wiping and if he plays around I placed it on his back when he sweats. It's a Filipino thing you know.
• Baby Bench popsicle colonge-If aunties and uncles will kiss and cuddle at least he always smells good. In fact some ate's and kuya's are now using the same cologne for they like the scent too..
• J &J warming oil-Z sometimes complain of heart burn.It's really effective cause a few minutes after applying,unwanted air will surely comes out. In short he will fart.
• Alcohol-If he touches dirty things and we are in the middle of a meeting or service I just take it out and wash his hands with it.Very useful and convenient.
• Snacks-If he gets hungry no need to go and buy.
• Caps and shades -For sun's protection.
• Rain coat or sweater-If in case it would rain.

For My Girl:

• Baby wipes-For po2 in case water is out of reach.
• J & J baby wash-For I prefer to wash her when she poops with soap and water.
• Comb and hair clips-To match her clothes if ever she will change.
• Sweater with hood-If in case it would rain.
• Disposable nappies.
• Powdered milk and feeding bottle.

Now that Z is 4 years old I let him bring his own stuff using his own superman sling bag.While his Dad bring Zane's baby bag and I bring my own big shoulder bag which of course another long list of contents.

If you are interested to buy kids stuff, you can find everything including car seats, baby carriers and more at Shopwiki. You will surely enjoy shopping for your kids because you can find anything and everything in here including your stuff too.

WFW#9-I'm Free

John 8:36"Whoever the son has set free is free indeed!"

God's Protection

Hebrews 4:16 - "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy and grace to help in time of need."

Looking back, when Manny and I were not married yet, I remember that there were Chinese Missionaries who came here in Cagayan de Oro City. We were so busy facilitating them to a series of crusades in different places here.

In the crusades our tasked was to intercede. We were supposed to pray inside the jeepney but there were children from our church playing inside so one of my partner exclaimed to her child, "please be quite because we are going to pray, whom do you want us to pray?" The child replied "kuya Manny" (my husband). We just ignored her but I was wondering why she remembered Manny since they were not that close. But then, I realized that Manny was traveling at that time, so I just uttered to myself, "God protect Manny." Then we proceded to our prayer regarding the crusades.

Later that evening, Manny called and reported that they met an accident. The truck they were driving ran through a child, in fact the truck fell down the cliff, that they even got out from the window. Miraculously Manny and kuya Nante were okey. The child was admitted to the hospital and was discharged few days after for he was okey then.

What was amazing about the incident was that when I asked what time the accident happened, it was the same time when the child from our church asked us to pray for Manny.

The lesson I learned from that incident is that, if God lead us to pray for somebody, we should not hesitate to PRAY RIGHT AWAY.

Photo taken from Google Images

Yummy Sunday # 1

This is my very first entry for Yummy Sunday. This is a grilled pork I often eat at Butcher's Best Barbeque. My hubby like this one too, and my son Zboy finds the sauce very yummy. So, whenever you come to visit Cagayan de Oro City, try this one at Butcher's Best. You will surely love this.

For more Yummy Sunday entries please click the Yummy Sunday badge above or just click here.

Pizza Lovers

My family loves Pizza so much. We have a saying that "you are not a Caballero ( our family name) if you don't love pizza." True enough even our sons and daughters are absolutely crazy for pizzas and now, even our in-laws learned to love pizza too.

We grew up with Shakey's pizza. I could remember back then when we were still small we would go to Shakey's restaurant almost every weekend. Some of our birthday celebrations were even held there as Jollibee or Mcdonals are non existent at that time yet. I could still remember that they give us, the children a styrofoam hat as party hat. And Oh! there was also a live Rondalla Band at that time. I could not forget that we all run to the glass window of the kitchen to watch with amusement how the chef worked on the dough- tossing it to and fro. It was sure fun sight to watch.

Then, during my high school and college days, we often ordered pizza to be delivered in our house as midnight snack. It was sort of our bonding moments as a family. Every now and then we still go to pizza parlors like Shakey's, Pizza Hut and lately the Yellow cab especially if my brother or sister's family comes home from abroad. We never missed to go to these establishments. Pizza has never been so good if eaten together with the whole family

This is my son, Z and for the past days Z was craving for pizza.

So,off we go to Yellow Cab .

"Yummy!I want more please..."

Shoes from Ate Rinnah

The Family of my older brother arrived from Vietnam last July 20, 2009. I am so glad because they brought a lot of shoes for my Zane girl. Actually, it was from her Ate Rinna's shoe collection. Now that she has outgrown all of these shoes, she then gave some to my little girl. Her Ate Rhina has different kinds of shoes and sneakers. My brother told me that shoes in Vitenam are very cheap especially running shoes in different brands. No wonder they can buy any shoes they like becuase it's very affordable. How I wish I could visit Vietnam to buy shoes for myself.

Anyway, the shoes from her Ate Rhina is truly a great blessing becuase I don't buy shoes for my toddler that often. For me it's not quiet practical. For if I buy shoes for her now, after a month it won't fit her anymore and you can seldom find cheap shoes here. Not unless if you have extra money or you have somebody to pass it on.

It's really a blessing for me that God uses somebody to supply Zane girl's dresses and shoes. God is truly my provider.

MM #6- FIRST STEPS

Since I already posted Zane's First steps in one of my previous posts entitled, My Toddler, I will instead post her latest pictures here where she can already stand and walk quite well. Here they are..

Zane with Ate Rinnah.This picture was taken 3 days ago.My brother's Birth Day Bash .The dress she was wearing was given by her Ate Rinnah.Thanks Ate!

WFW #8 - ANGEL

Z At 2 years old.

Psalm 91:11"He shall give his Angels charge over you,to keep you in all your ways."

No one is more secure than those who are in God's hands.

Zamboanga City

Last May 24, 2oo7 my hubby and I with our son, Z boy went to Zamboanga City. It was actually my hubby's birthday treat for me. Zamboanga City is quite far from our Cagayan de Oro City and we just traveled by car to go there.

Before reaching Zamboanga City we have to pass by several cities;

Cagayan de Oro City to Iligan City(2.5hrs)
Iligan City( part of the Province of Lanao del Norte)
to Pagadian City (part of the Province of Zamboanga del Sur) (2.5 hrs)
Pagadian City to Ipil town (part of the Province of Zamboanga Sibutay )( 2 .5hrs)
Ipil town to Zamboanga City -(2.5 hours)

So we had travelled for more than 8 -10hours on that day. But as far as I could remember, several years earlier it could take more than 16 hours to travel by car to Zamboanga because of the road condition. Praise God that the government has already improved the road condition now.

Sad to say that those precious memories during our trip was not captured by the camera because honestly I was not fond of taking pictures until I am into blogging.... But it's different now because I never miss to capture a shot so that I'll be able to share in the blogsphere. Even my son noticed this change in me. There was one time when Z boy and my Mom went to eat in a restaurant and my son seemed to have told my mom that, "If Mom May was here she must have taken pictures of our food before we eat." lol!

But back to my topic about Zamboanga pictures, last week my hubby had an opportunity to be in Zamboanga City. So,I ask him to take pictures for me to be able to of course share it with you through my blog.

So here are some of the nice places to go if you happen to visit in Zamboanga city.

1.NATIONAL MUSEUM

Located at Fort of Pillar.

2.ZAMBOANGA CITY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

You will be amazed of it's unique architectural designThis airport is considered one of the oldest airport in the Philippines.

3.Zamboanga Public Market.

Tuna are big and fresh catch.

4.SAYAWAN RESTUARANT.

It's actually a fish pond with a restaurant.So the fish are so fresh.

4.TRADE CENTER.

Most of the product are from Malaysia since its just an overnight trip by ship from Zamboanga to Sandakan.Oh my!!The goods are so cheap.

SANTOL JUICE

Santol(sandoricum koetjape). Santol is called wild mangosteen in English and Faux mangoustainer in French.

We have 2 big santol trees in our compound .Since its the Santol season, there are many fruits that are already ripe and just falls on the ground. The kids in our neighborhood on the other hand, are so keen in taking the fruits and the ones whose taking advantage to it the most.

I could remember there was one time that my sister was able to make a santol jam out of it .It really taste good.It taste like a strawberry jam but now she is in Malaysia . Though I want to learn how to make it but the problem is that I don't have time to do it. So, every time I pass by the trees I noticed that the fruits are all over the ground. And I remembered my father who used to make santol juice. So, during the time when the kids climb the trees and pick some fruits, I asked some and tried to make my Santol juice. just like how my father did.

It was really delicious. It tastes like ice tea. It's actually very easy to make and very cheap too. Since the santol fruit is free all we have to buy is the brown sugar.

In fact we served the santol juice to about 50 kids,youth and mothers during our activity here in the neighborhood during saturday.They love it and never thought that it was made out of santol.

Here is how we made it:

1) peel the fruit and soak the seeds and skin.
2)Put it inside the ref for at least 30 minutes.
3)Add brown sugar to taste and...

Enjoy!!!!

MM # 5- PLAYING TIME

Playing time in school.

Playing time in church. Playing time in the rain with cousins.Z boy was so excited when he saw his cousins outside that he forgot to change.He is the one wearing pants.

CREATIVITY

I believe that we are all creative because our creator is a creative God. He has given us creativity in various forms like through our talents in singing, dancing, acting, arts and crafts and etc.

I realized all this when I was given an opportunity before as the chairperson of Theater and Arts Ministry in our Church. This was my first leadership that I handled in our Church. At first I thought that I do not have enough talent to be able to do my task. But then I thought to myself that God was the one who placed me in this position and I know that He will give me the anointing for my Father in heaven is a creative God. I prayed so hard that our team will be able to convey God's message through motion. True enough it never ceases to amaze me how God use the music in a powerful way.

Though I am no longer the Chairperson of Theater and Arts but there times that our Church or school asked me to choreograph dances for special numbers during special occasion.

So, I really love to browse Music Videos from different sites to be able to get some ideas. A while ago I was able to stumble upon this great site Kerchoonz. I found some great videos from this site and great artist too. The artists are very talented as well as very creative in their craft. I even registered to their site because I am also interested with the other aspect of the site. What's also good about this website is that, you can download free music legally. I don't have to worry anymore about downloading issues because I can do it in this site for free. This site will truly help me become more creative and use all my talents for God's glory.

By the way, why don't you visit their site and sign up an account now.

WFW # 7- THE HARVEST

I took this picture during our trip to Del Monte Philippines and I knew it then that there is an appropriate verse for it.

Mathew 9:37-38 "Then he said to his disciples,"The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.Ask the Lord of the harvest,therefore,to send out workers into his harvest field."

Many people are ready to give their lives to Christ if someone would show them how.

Are you willing to do your part?

Crushes

Though Z boy is only 4 years old but already has a couple of crushes. Joy is one of them. He calls her "ate Joy" (big sister). Joy is actually the girl friend of our close relative, Bimbo. One time, Joy and Bimbo were sitting beside each other when suddenly, Z boy called his "kuya" (big brother) Bimbo and wanted to tell him something. Bimbo went near him and Zboy whispered
"Kuya, why are you always sitting beside Ate Joy and always talking?... You know what? I feel jealous! Can you please go somewhere else so that I could sit with Ate Joy?" Bimbo was so amused with he has said and in fact he was laughing so hard when he heard this. But of course he gave Zboy a chance to talk to Joy while he watched and observed them from afar. And Whooh! he seems to be enjoying talking to Joy too. Lol!

After this story was related to me by Bimbo, I can't help but be amused but I also asked my hubby ife we need to be alarmed about Zboy, because I think it is too early for him to have crushes. I am afraid he might become a ' playboy' in the future. But I was relieved with my hubby's reply. He said, "You don't need to be alarmed because this is just a kid thing. What he is feeling is only admiration to the girls and nothing malicious. Somehow it's also a good thing that he will be used to be open to us even in this area." With that statement, indeed I felt relief, my hubby has a point and I also remember my lesson in our Early Childhood Education subject that children love beautiful things and that includes beautiful girls for Z, I guess. LOL!

Z boy with Deborah.His crush in church.

The twins Grace and Faith.Z 's crush among the twins is Grace.

So,does Z have a taste?Lol!

Is There Hope?

My heart is overwhelmed with grief for my cousin's son just passed away. He was already a sickly boy and his condition was worsened after he fell down the stairs ( 2 days before he died) last week. The mother did not bring him to the hospital right away for her money is just P350.00. When the mother has finally informed one of her daughters over the phone, my niecem Bogie overheard it their converstation and offered to fetch them from Bukidnon and bring the to the City. So, that was the only the time the patient was brought to the Public Hospital after the fall.

What was more disturbing about the incident was that when they arrived in the Provincial Hospital, they were not attended immediately. My Cousin's condition was already so bad that he needed to be admitted at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). But sadly, it was said that all the ICUs are already fully occupied so they were asked to ( indefinitely) wait for all the other patients to be transferred to a private room or ward first and then there will be vacant units. But, when they looked at the list, my cousin's son was only at the llth place in the waiting list!

Oh my... I can't imagine what will happen to those dying patients who are still on the waiting list and don't have any other choice but to wait for their turn since they don't have the capacity to go to a private hospital? It was a good thing though, that my brother in law, Ptr. Raul facilitated my cousin's son to be admitted in a private hospital but still he was not able to make it and passed away. It was so sad but only assurance that we have now is that he is with the Lord now because before he died he was able to accept the Lord as his Lord and personal Saviour.

I was indeed saddened by his death and also of seeing the reality of the poverty and health condition of this country. I believe that we are experiencing all these as a result of the corruption in this country. The free or cheap medicine that are meant to be given to the people, now a days are in the hands of the politicians. They are using this to control people to vote for them. Congressman and Senators can partially finance hospital bills, but why is it that these funds are not visibly seen in the appropriate institutions? Again to control the people to vote for them. We can not deny the fact that this country is known to be 3rd corrupt country in Asia.

Is there still hope for our country? 2 Chronicle 7:14 said, "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

Right now, I am making an appeal to all who happens to read this post to please pray for the Philippines.

And to those Filipinos out there please don't loose hope. Others don't bother to vote because they think that no matter who they vote, the country will still be the same- hopeless. So many Presidents have come and gone but still our did not change for the better and nstead is becoming worse.

Please cast your vote this coming 2010 elections. I can not forget last 2004 election when my father who was in 4th stage cancer found the strength and still went out to cast his vote. He was not ashamed even he was already so weak and with Nasogastric Tubing (NGT) attached, because he knew that there was a cause.

I can not help being so emotional in writing this post. Folks! this time let us vote wisely. Let us not be conveyed by popularity, personal gain and even to the point of selling our votes. So many officials have started right but if they do not have the right heart and right relationship with God ,in the long run they will be allured with power, greed and wealth. That is why we need to place a God fearing person in this corrupt country.

I even make an appeal to all Filipino Christians that this time we should be united. (Sob!) We all know that God has a prophetic destiny in this country, a missionary sending nation but we need to do our part. And our part is to do the right thing. Please vote a Godly person, for this country deserve one. I know God will bless this nation for our hope is in HIM.

MM #4- POUTING FACE

This picture was taken at MK Restaurant,Hatyai,Thailand when he was 3 years old.

His playing with the chopsticks using it as a drumsticks.he!he!

This picture was taken just yesterday.It is easy for Zane to make a pouting face.All we have to do is ask her to make a pig face and tsada!

WFW#6 - BIBLE

Isaiah 40:8
"The grass withers the flowers fades but the word of God stands forever"

God's word is constant.

Only in God's eternal word we will find lasting solutions to our problems and needs.

Love Thy Neighbors

James 2:8 "If you really keep the royal law found in scripture, love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing it right."
Matt. 5:44 "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

Sorry, I hate to break it to you but I don't like my neighbor. The first blunder that they made is that they tapped on our electricity without asking our permission. We only discovered it months later after seeing it ourselves. Next, we suspected their son to have trespassed our house. He/ they destroyed and went through our window and stole our coin bank which was intended for our missions offering. If I'm not mistaken, the total amount of those coins would have almost reached to P1,500.00 . On that same incident, some food from our refrigerator were also missing. And surprisingly our jewelries and valuables were still intact. That is why we suspected that it was really a kid/kids who did it. And on the day of the incident someone already saw them in front of our house. Actually, our neighbors' kids were already noted to have done some petty thefts around the neighborhood.

I guess the reason for this is because of their addiction to video games where you put money to play the video and another game they play where they toss coins and win. We've seen that the mother is also into gambling where she will be playing cards "tong-its" with other neighbors and to think they are a poor family.

What's more annoying to us is the noise from their house at night. The couple fight almost every night. They would scream at each other at the top of their voices and you can also hear the sound of broken glasses. All these can be fully heard from our house because our houses are so close. Maybe they think they are the only people living in the whole compound. Honestly, I never witness my parents quarreling in front of us that is why it really makes me a bit nervous hearing their fights for I'm not used to be in such kind of environment.

Not only that, there were times that they had drinking sessionsa, loud karaoke singing with boisterous laughter all night long. If I remember it right, there were two incidents that their drinking sessions lasted till the next day.

So can you blame me if I don't like my neighbor?

But then something happened that changed all these....

Last February 2009, my family went out of town trip. We headed home quite late afternoon already so during the entire trip, I was just sleeping. Then, I had a dream. This is what happened in my dream...

We arrived late at the house and my Hubby was parking the car facing our neighbor's house. I was just sitting at the back and I was curious to see what was happening outside our neighbor's house for there was so much commotion. There I saw 2 people holding the husband's arms from both sides and there was a quack doctor doing his 'healing' rituals for him. After that, the wife poured something red into his mouth and suddenly the quack doctor was about to slash his throat!!.. And then that I woke up.

I thought it was real because when I woke up, I was inside the car and the car was parked in front of the house facing the neighbor's house just like the start of my dream. Then I came into my senses that it was really just a dream because I looked at the neighbor's house it was dark and my hubby came as he was unloading our things. After that dream, God gave me the burden to pray intensively for our neighbor, now I feel pity for what will happen to them if they will not see the Light. That dream indeed gave me a clear picture of the spiritual darkness in their house.

God really changed my heart, now I love them with God's love and I pray for them as often as possible to once my annoying neighbor is now my beloved neighbor.

My Kids my Major Ministry

It was not long before that I got so busy taking care of my baby that I got exhausted at the same time felt ineffective and unproductive in my life as a minister for I got so busy taking care of my children and doing household chores. I even did not have time to myself, ministry and my work in school. At that time, I got to the point of becoming irritable and I easily get irritated especially to my son.

Honestly, there was one time that I went to attend sunday service and felt so spiritually dry. During the Praise and Worship I just sat down while watching the tambourine dancers danced gracefully. And while watching them, God used that moment to reveal to me something remarkable. It was as if God was asking me, "How would you feel if you see Zane girl (my daughter) dancing and worshiping before Me and Zboy (my son) playing drums like his dad or leading the worship when they grow up?" Then I was able to recall that when I was single, I used to be a tambourine dancer with my first leadership position in church as the Theater and Arts ministry Head. As I thought of all that, the truth stepped in like a bolt of lightning. I realized that for now my main ministry is ministering to the needs of my children. If I will be able to disciple and nurture them well then my greatest desire which is for our whole family to serve the Lord, would be granted.

What's more amazing with experience of my realization was that God confirmed it in His word because the message in that Sunday is on Ecclesiates 3:6, " there is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven.. and Verse 9-10 what people really set for all there hard work I have thought abore this in connection with the various kinds of work God has given people to do. God has made everything beautiful for its own time. "

So, to all stay at home moms out there being a mother to our children is a major part of our ministry. Truly our labor will not be in vain. Even if it takes all our strength and energies we should give out our best to disciple our children. We should make them feel that we love them so much, teach them to walk according to God's work and follow His will and then be able to tap their God given talents and giftings. We do not know what God has prepared them for whether they maybe future tambourine dancers or drummer in the church or a Pastor or minister.