happyemk

I wish we could return to old days, Weekends spent in meaningful ways. Time was treasured, gently embraced, But life feels so serious now, what a fast paced. I understand the hardship you bear, Providing for us with constant care. Even if it steals another day, That was meant for us in some way. I know you don’t have a choice, Work demands its steady voice. Years in the Admin office taught, This sacrifice is what life brought. I long for that month to arrive, Where Saturdays keep love alive. A special time, just you and me, With you, my favorite person, my happy. But burden grows, is this love’s test? A sacrifice that steals our rest. Another day, another taken, Our quiet hours left forsaken. Friday comes, oh blessed day, Yet Saturday is swept away. Sunday meetings claim their part, Another absence weighs the heart. What then should I truly feel? Longing for time that won’t heal. With my children, with my boys, With my man, my greatest joy. I sometimes forget ...

My reflection through crochet When God created us, He was glad. Everything He had made was perfect—until sin entered the world.Hi! Before this year ends, I’d like to share something about God’s love for us—through crochet.Wait, what? Crochet?! Yes, through crochet! Let me share my reflection and how the Lord used this craft in my life.This draft began way back in 2019. Let me finally continue and finish it before 2024 ends.The photo above was taken in 2019, when I tried to recreate the turban/headband I bought. It was my favorite hair accessory. Oh, how fascinated I was with wearing turbans—and with crocheting too!As I finish this post, I want to highlight God’s creativity. It amazes me to imagine how He created everything we see and enjoy—all the resources we have—and sadly, how often we fail to care for what He has made. Crocheting became a reflection of His creativity in my life. By the way, I also have a small business called ADMiRe Handmade—you can check it out on Facebook and I...

 Proverbs 18:22 says "The man who finds a wife finds a treasure and he receives favor from the Lord"      When two people get married, they take on many new roles. They become husband and wife. They become lovers. Eventually they may become mother and father, and even grandmother and grandfather. They essentially become partners in life, even in business. Yet, as the years go by, it is easy for that couple to lose sight of the one thing that brought them together in the first place: friendship.     This verse reminds us that marriage is not just some simple agreement between two people. It is a unique blessing from God Himself. While God has given some people the ability to be happily single, He has given others the gift of lifelong companion for that reason, we should never take the friendship of our husband or our wife for granted.         When you trace marriage back to its roots, you see that God brought Adam and Eve together because...

Thank You Father for sending Jesus. Because of Your love, of Jesus' blood - we can experience Your goodness and faithfulness in our lives ❤ You are TRUE and ALIVE! Thank You Jesus for Your promises. Indeed, when You say You are with me, You do not just say it but You allow us to experience it. You allow me to experience Your promises.  All praises to You Jesus! 🙌 I pray that we will not be like the Pharisees who were satisfied with having Your words in mind yet not fully experiencing You. I pray Father to hear Your still small voice everyday. For I believe that when You speak, it is true and it is alive! *****  Hi there! Thank you for spending time browsing this blog. ❤ It's been a while. Let me share something with You about how I experience Jesus and His goodness.  Since the beginning of this quarantine period in our country, I have been anxious and praying "Lord, in what ways can you use me? In what ways can I use my hands you lend me to serve you and glorify You?...

//Okay, let’s get right at it. Why is it so hard to get people to listen to you? For the same reason you don’t like to do it. Listening is an act of surrender--you surrender the agenda to the speaker. You lose control of the conversation. The speaker will probably start telling you what to do (God forbid). You probably know everything the person is going to say (blah, blah, blah; yada, yada, yada). Listening seems weak. Except that it’s good. And godly. And smart. “He who answers before listening--that is his folly and his shame” (Proverbs 18:13). You can’t learn when you’re talking. Listening shows respect to someone else. Listening first helps you avoid revealing that you don’t know what you’re talking about. Listening first gives you time to organize and focus your thoughts, so that when it is your turn, your words will have greater impact. Practicing listening to other people is also excellent training to help you listen better to God.//

Walt Disney knew that children wished animals could talk. And so he gave them a talking mouse, duck, and dog, plus an entire chatty menagerie. Even after seven decades of Disney, however, animals still don’t talk. People alone can do that.  God talks. It was his marvelous decision to share that ability with his children. But with that ability comes serious responsibility. When your mother was comforting you about playground bullies, she encouraged you to shrug off mean words, since “names will never hurt me.” Nice try, Mom, but you know that’s not true.  Words have enormous power. In fact, “The tongue has the power of life and death” (Proverbs 18:21). Words can crush the life and hope out of a person. Words can help a broken heart start beating again. Words are God’s chosen vehicle for sharing the good news of our Savior Jesus Christ.  We could all stand a tongue overhaul in God’s shop. Listen first. "Death and life are in the power of the tongue,and those who lo...

Although we don’t always have the power to change every unpleasant circumstance in our lives, we   do   have the power to change our outlook. Nobody enjoys a troubling or painful circumstance, but I’ve found if we look at it in a hopeful, faith-filled way, we can watch God work all things out for our good (Romans 8:28). Enjoying life begins with the thoughts you choose to think. Yes, it   is   that simple! No matter what is going on in your life today, if you will choose happy, hope-filled thoughts based on God’s Word, you will feel happier. Our thoughts are intricately connected to our feelings, so if we want to feel better, we need to   think   better. Think of the mind like the gas tank in your automobile. Your automobile will run well, or perhaps not even run at all, depending on what kind of fuel you put into it. In the same way, when you choose your thoughts carefully, your quality of life will improve in amazing ways! I used to be an extreme...

It's so easy to become complacent at work, especially if you've been working in a company for many years, and have been passed over for a promotion time and time again. After all, what's the whole point of striving to give your best if your boss doesn't even seem to recognize your efforts, right? Complacency can be very dangerous to Christians. The moment we allow the frustration of past disappointments to get the better of us, we begin to lose our hope and peace. If we're not careful, it can even cause us to doubt and question God.  My friend, God sees all of the hard work you've sown into your career or profession. He is the Big Boss seated in heaven that desires nothing more than for you to live a prosperous and abundant life. It may have taken a while, but in due season, it will come. I challenge you today to keep that spirit of excellence alive while you're at work, regardless of the circumstance. Instead of holding back your skills, talents and ab...

You wouldn’t marry a complete stranger, would you? Well – surprise! – if you’re married, that’s exactly what you’ve done. On our wedding day, we all innocently believe the same myth: that we know and understand the person we’re marrying. But every newlywed eventually discovers that getting to know the depths of someone’s heart takes years. That’s the nature of relationship, especially one as intimate as marriage. So in that sense, we all marry a stranger. We’re in love with what little we know about our spouse, but we don’t know them. Not really. Maybe that’s why Stanley Hauerwas defines a successful marriage as “learning how to love and care for the stranger to whom you find yourself married.” What does he mean? Simply this: In countless ways, the person we commit to on our wedding day will not be the same person five, ten, or twenty years from now. In fact, neither will we. Marriage changes us. So does raising children, careers, the aging process, and other significant events ...

The beautiful exchange that takes place when we give our lives to God is something we can always be grateful for. Salvation means that we offer God what we have, and He gives us what He has. He takes all of our sins, faults, weaknesses, and failures, and gives us His ability, His righteousness, and His strength. He takes our diseases and sicknesses and gives us His healing and health. He takes our messed-up, failure-filled past and gives us hope of a bright future. In ourselves we are nothing; our own righteousness is like filthy rags or a polluted garment (see Isaiah 64:6). But in Christ, we have a future to be thankful for—one worth looking forward to. The term “in Christ” very simply means that we have placed our faith in Him concerning every aspect of our lives. We are in covenant with Almighty God. What an awesome thought! Prayer of Thanks:   Father, when I am feeling inferior or condemned, help me to remember who I am in Christ. Thank You that I’m forgiven, acc...

Have you ever faced a situation and said, “There is no way this can ever be?” Maybe some of these thoughts weigh on your mind: There is no way I can handle the pressure at work. There is no way I can pay my bills. There is no way to save my marriage. There is no way I can go back to college now. With God’s help, there is   always   a way. This is a beautiful truth to be grateful for. It may not be easy; it may not be convenient; it may not come quickly. You may have to go over, under, around, or through difficulty—but if you will simply keep on keeping on, you   will   find a way. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life.” He is the Way, and He will help you find a way even where there doesn’t seem to be one. Prayer of Thanks:   Father, I thank You that You have “made a way in the wilderness.” Help me to focus on You and not on my circumstances. Thank You that You are making a way for me today. (The Power of Being Than...

Receiving is important in our relationship with God. When we receive from God, we actually take into ourselves what He is offering. As we receive His love, we then have love in us. Once we are filled with God’s love, we can begin loving ourselves. We begin giving that love back to God and loving other people. The Bible teaches us that the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. That simply means that when the Lord comes to dwell in our hearts because of our faith in His Son Jesus Christ, He brings love with Him, because God is love (see 1 John 4:8). We all need to ask ourselves what we are doing with the love of God that has been freely given to us. Are we rejecting it because we don’t think we are valuable enough to be loved? Or are we receiving His love with a thankful heart, believing that He is greater than our failures and weaknesses? Prayer of Thanks:   I am grateful, Father, that You love me and that Your love is perfect and unconditional...

You and I have many opportunities to complain on a regular basis. But complaining doesn’t do any good; all complaining does is open the door for the enemy. It doesn’t solve problems; it just creates a breeding ground for greater problems. Instead of complaining, let’s choose to respond to the Lord each day by developing an attitude of gratitude. This is not just an occasional expression of thanks, but a continual lifestyle of thanksgiving. The person who has developed an “attitude of gratitude” is one who is thankful and grateful for every single thing that God is doing in his or her life day by day. Prayer of Thanks:   Father, thank You for the way You provide for every area of my life. Instead of complaining about what I want or about what I don’t have, I choose to be grateful for everything I do have. You have been good to me—thank You for Your goodness.

Hi there!  Hi me!  It's been a while since I last posted my entry. I have been very "busy" these past months. Oh that sad word B-U-S-Y :( Because of being busy, I got disconnected with people I dearly love. I haven't heard news about them. And that's bitterly sad for me since I cannot take back the time I lost with them. And same thing with my prayer life. I always remind myself to stay connected with God whom I recognize as my loving Heavenly Father. Reminding myself to make prayer a natural act from my inner desire of communing with Jesus Christ. However, there were times when I do not pray - that I just shut the door of my heart and go with the flow of my everyday "routine" in life. And so things fall apart, and I do get disappointed on things and on people. Then I would ask "God, why do allow these to happen?" And God would point out to me, "My child, why do you allow these things to happen?" And so I need to get back...

February 25, 2017 Your daddy and I left our house to visit Tito Jerahmeel before he goes to Japan the next day. We didn't bring you with us for the reason that we'll go straight ahead to church to prepare for the camp's fundraising. In fact, we left the church late at night. Your daddy and I were exhausted but Jesus truly sustained us, son. We arrived home and you were sleeping soundly with Nanay Monet. We kissed and cuddled you carefully that we didn't want to wake you up. You seemed so peaceful son. I envy you! :)  February 26, 2017 Church day! Your daddy and I left the house early in the morning to attend the 1st worship service. We needed to prepare for the fundraising after the service.  And while I was selling books outside the church, with my two big eyes, I saw you with Nanay Monet and Ate Tina! Oh what a joy! You three looked great! Then I hurriedly embraced you and carried you! Until the rest of our church mates willingly took care of you while ...

November 27, 2016 google map On my way to meet my husband at Lucky Chinatown mall so we’ll be together going to our Young Couples’ Seminar at GCM located at Stateland building. Given the map on the side was my trail walking towards the place. I was complaining as I felt so exhausted and my feet were tired. It was the best way to reach my destination rather than to take a tricycle. Upon meeting my husband, I rested under the air-conditioner located at the exit door of the mall. And so we’re about to go to Stateland . And my husband was ready to walk. I was complaining and nagging about my exhaustion – that I haven’t regained my strength yet. But I yielded and walked. To cut my story short, as we got back home. I saw my husband’s pair of shoes. It was almost broken. The inner part of his shoes was torn and I can’t imagine how my husband managed to walk using his 3 year old shoes. I felt ashamed. Not because my husband’s shoes was almost near of saying good bye, but because ...

My heart breaks to see people bullying each other, probably a way of making fun of other people? to be entertained? to get attention from others ? I don't know. Right now, my heart is crying. This applies to all -Christians and Non-Christians. I hope and I pray we could learn to respect others; learn how to earn respect from others as well. While browsing the internet, I saw this article. I was rebuked and reminded. We are not perfect. But God called us to be PERFECT in His terms not ours. Respect Others—Even if They Haven't Earned It (How to Respect People Who Don't "Deserve" Respect) Show proper respect to everyone (1 Peter 2:17). Introduction: It can be hard to respect others. When counseling with couples, I often hear one person say something along the lines of, "He (or she) hasn't earned my respect." Parents often say this of their teenage children. Most of us slip into this way of thinking when we talk about politicians. It...

In Matthew 5:48.... "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." "CHRISTIANS AREN'T PERFECT, JUST FORGIVEN." So says the bumper sticker and it may be an accurate description for you at this point.  But that's not an excuse to settle for just being forgiven.  God wants you to strive for perfection,  Jesus said so himself, and Matthew recorded it.  When you read this, you might think something was lost in the translation:  I'll never be perfect.  Perhaps Jesus said to be as close to perfect as you can be or as to be a perfectionist.   No, Jesus said it is possible to be perfect.  Saying otherwise is saying God is unable to make you like His Son.  That's a statement about God as much as it is about you. Biblically speaking, to be perfect means to be complete, lacking in nothing.  To be perfect means to reach spiritual maturity.  It doesn't mean you never make mistakes.  It means the fruit of the Spirit ...

These were the experiences, conversations, I had today with my babies - my pupils :) I WANT TO BE A.... One morning with preparatory pupils, this cute kid told me: Student:  teacher, I want to be a chef Hearing that, he wants to be a chef, not a policeman anymore! Teacher: but why? You don’t want to be a policeman anymore? He couldn’t explain why.  Then I asked the rest of the class the unending question of all time “what do they want to be when they grow up?”  My students wanted to become a “doctor, so I can cure sick people” “a pastor, I want to be like my father” “a teacher, I want to be like…..(while browsing her book looking for her uncle)” “a driver….” I asked, what vehicle do you want to drive? “a tricycle driver” Now, that’s something to ponder on.  I don’t judge tricycle drivers, or even pedicab drivers. They save my time! Instead to laugh at my pupil’s answer and tell him “why a tricyle driver? Why n...

Luke 6:42   How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. image here It's good to help your friends live the life God desires, but your priority should be to make sure your life pleases God.  Be diligent to keep sin out of your life; then you'll be able to see others in the correct perspective.  When you have sin in your life, it distorts everything you see.  If your heart is pure, you won't condemn others for their sin, nor will you jump to conclusions without any evidence.  You'll have the grace to help them without judging them. Father God, thank you for reminding me this truth.  Thank you for reminding me to evaluate myself first before I look on other people's lives. Forgive me whenever I tend to be judgmental to others...