thanksgiving

My nephew who was my age could not at first understand why I asked the question, "What do you do on Thanksgiving?" I was only later that he realized that it is my first time in the US and that we do not celebrate Thanksgiving in the Philippines. Sure, we know about the Pilgrims coming to their country and sharing their blessings with the local people. But how does a Filipino-American family, whose kids totally grew up in the US and never been back home (or only been there once when they were really young), celebrate this holiday?

Apparently, it's like Christmas - with lots of food to be shared with family and prayer for the things we are grateful for. For me, I am grateful for the warm welcome of family and the chance to visit the US. I am grateful for my job, for well timed chances, for our good health, for our safety, the laughter shared with friends and family, for supportive family, for the love of everyone around you, and most of all, for the ever present relationship with the Lord for whom with Him, everything is possible.

the children in the family being busy setting up the Christmas tree after our Thanksgiving dinner

Thank You Brownies

I tried baking the Ghinardelli Brownie Mix that I bought from S&R last Thursday. I have promised not to bake anything before my thesis defense but I couldn't help it. I wanted to do something for my friends who helped me raised funds for the needy in our city right now, so I am baking them some brownies.

The one pack of brownie mix requires only a third of water, vegetable oil (which I substituted with butter), and water, and one egg. The mix came together very well and I baked it for about thirty, thirty-five minutes under a 325C pre-heated oven.

I made two batches: one with walnut on top and the other, plain. It turned out to be chewy, perfectly done brownies. How I love it! I hope my office friends will like them.

picnic party

Heaven!

Spent a special day out on a picnic. So happy I can do it. So happy my family and friends were there to share it. Happiness comes in all forms: family, friends, food, cakes, green grass, trees, wind, sun, fresh air, new life.

Thank you, Lord.

Thank you, Lord, for a new year to accomplish all the things I need to do. Thank you for my family and friends who are there to support and love me all the way. Please also bless them as you have blessed me. Amen.

thanks on my birthday

Dearest Lord,

Thank you for the year that was - the promises fulfilled. This year I have seen and felt firsthand, your loving embrace, your faithfulness, your grace. Thank you, Lord, for providing me with everything I need and the things that I want, the things that really mattered. Thank you, Lord.

Thank you, Lord, for giving me the strength that enabled me to do what I set out to do this year.

Thank you, Lord, for my parents who have always been there, supporting me in all my endeavours, in all my dreams. Thank you, Lord, for keeping them safe and healthy.

Thank you, Lord, for my brother (and his family) and my sister. They are my best fan :)

Thank you, Lord, for all the my friends who made my day a special one - old and new. Thank you, Lord, for friends who took time to remember and wish me well on my birthday. Give them the same love that they have shown me. Bless them with all your grace. Thank you, Lord.

Thank you, Lord, for this new day, this new year.

Forgive me, Lord, for the things that I have not done that I should have. Please give me strength and courage to fulfill what you have sent me out to do. May my actions this coming year bring you glory.

Amen.

dreams made reality

it's almost a week since i've been home. it's a great feeling. but what is greater is knowing that i was finally able to do one of my dreams - travel europe. i realize that i have only seen a small part of it but still i am very grateful for the opportunity that God has given me for i recognize that without His "permission," i won't be able to do it. i guess this is one manifestation that He truly does keep His promise -- even though it takes a long while.

however, it is not only the travel that is the main dream that has been fulfilled but my attendance to the world youth day in madrid. for a while, i thought that i might not be able to go because i have no one to go with me. fortunately, God had answered my prayers and gave me two great companions in madrid - mary and gustavo. i may not have pictures with groups of different nationalities carrying different flags but i do have pictures (and memories) of them that i will treasure as long as i live. i wish that the bond fostered in that one week will last. as gustavo had said, 'keep in touch and if ever you're in south america, let me know coz if you don't, i'll get mad.'

other dreams made reality was to see the places that i have dreamed about for a long time -- neuschwanstein castle in bavaria (germany), giants causeway in belfast (and an extra trip to st. patrick's tomb and the marble arch caves), wicked the musical in london, and the white cliffs of dover. how could i ask for more now that what i experienced was beyond what i expected?

more important though is the realization that family and good friends is the best gift that God could give one person. in belfast, i am so happy to be in a home environment with my kinakapatids and their kids. in kent, i am so grateful to have good friends that are very welcoming. they gave me a warm house, a warm bed, a warm welcome (and hugs), warm food, warm everything.  i guess the british weather was the only thing that wasn't warm! they even drove me around. so how can i not be so grateful?

truly, the trip had been dreams made into reality and even more. more than i expected. for this, i thank the Lord for the chance and for my parents and true friends who encouraged me to pursue what i want.

blessing

Amidst all the joy and wonder that we have seen today, it is still a great source of awe, joy and thanksgiving to encounter God's providence above all else -- He did not let the house burn down today.

It seems that we had forgotten to turn off the burner before we left the house before lunch today and there was a pan with oil sitting atop the burner. When Ate arrived at the house around three in the afternoon, she smelled something burning and ran straight to the kitchen. And there it was, the burner was still turned on. We have been blessed that the house did not burn down!

Ate was concerned that if the house burned down, I'd lose my passport and won't be able to go home! As for me, I'm just thankful that the house did not burn down!