Living Every Day

I am grateful now that I am learning how to live every day without worrying about the future.  Going through difficult times has made me stronger, and these experiences have led me to see how the God I serve and know is capable of doing miracles.  Still, my everyday life gets so busy; I face greater challenges ahead. However, the difference now is that I am starting to handle every task lightly as I learn to effectively communicate with God and trust Him. 

EJ and I went to his doctor last month, and he's doing great.  I know that in the next visit, his complete blood count will be normal.  Thank you, Lord, for the miracle of healing.

I may still be frightened of different things to come, but instead of focusing on those fears, I now pray for the courage to move forward because I know that nothing will harm me.  I am happy to have accomplished so much that I hope this post and the attached photos will help me remember the highlights of the event.

As usual, my life is busy with teaching and taking care of the kids. Having four children is not easy. Pakner4lyf and I aim to increase our standard of living to support their needs - the needs of the whole family. A part of our everyday life involves working to improve our business. Because of that, I still accept cake orders. - sayang ang kita.

We have also been busy with our church's special event on July 28.  The greatest challenge was leading the congregation in worship. Although I had been away from the team for a year, I appreciate their encouragement and patience. Overall, it was a successful event, and that is due to God's grace.

As I mentioned a while ago, we aim to increase our financial resources, so we decided to start a new business venture.  We couldn't do it on our own due to limited funds (we actually don't have the funds). I'm thankful to have a cooperative that trusted us enough to provide the capital and another business partner contributing to meet the funding needs.  I have a very supportive father who manages the building construction, which made the workload easier.  Another great thing is that the franchiser is not different from us, as they are a family friend.  I can see that this new business is promising given how it has been operating since we opened it on July 4.

Yes, the massage business is very different from our existing bakeshop business, but we will do everything to keep it growing.  It's not easy to be a business owner (entrepreneur), but we don't regret choosing this path.  Pakner4lyf and I will do whatever it takes to be successful entrepreneurs, first for the glory of God and to support the growing needs of the family.  

A vow to remember

We attended Andy and Jessa's wedding (she's my second cousin) this morning.  My daughter was chosen to be one of the flower girls, my younger brother was one of the groomsmen, and my parents were the principal sponsors. The ceremony was held at Cuenca Bible Christian Church, my home church - the same church where I was married. This made me remember my own wedding day.  This April 28, we will be celebrating our sixth wedding anniversary. Today, I was reminded of the vows I had spoken to my partner for life.

I was reminded of the thrill and excitement of that first day with the man I loved most.  Frankly, as the years have passed, these feelings seem to have been neglected.

Maintaining my sanity over this crazy life

Definitely I am a very happy hands on mom to my three children and no doubt about that.  Yet I would be hypocrite saying that everything is perfect and going on smoothly.  Imagine me alone supervising three super children.  This drives me crazy everyday that it felt like almost loosing my sanity.  I have to be sure not to take my eyes off them.  And you know, it's hard to keep them all in one place.  Watching over them is not my sole duty; so to accomplish things I had to be creative and keep them busy so I can do things around with my eyes still fixed on them.  Well of course with me being limited, they would most of the time make a terrible chaos. How do I maintain my sanity?

Only moms can fully understand...

I believe that all people whether young or old, male or female, regardless of status in life at some point sacrifices for a better purpose.

I used to wonder if I would be a good mom to my children. From the time I conceived my first son, my fears started about whether I could nurture and provide for our coming child. Since then, I have started praying that I can raise godly children following biblical principles. This way, I know I can never get it wrong.

My sacrifices as a mother started when I conceived for our firstborn son.

Look at how they grow

Lately I realized that sooner we'll no longer have a baby in the house.  After five years of being married we're blessed to have three lovely and so active children.  It always makes me smile remembering the first time I saw and hold them in my arms.  It brought a different warmth of feeling and such unexplainable joy!  It was one of the most precious moments I'll surely keep.

Given a chance to once more accept a well paid profession;I will no longer have any second thoughts

On facing death...

Negative notions and feelings are often linked with the word death the reason why someone would opt not to discuss anything about it.  Some would say it is a horrible idea to talk about such things.  Others admittedly say they are not yet ready to face it nor talk about it.  We cannot shut our eyes in the reality that everyone will face it at no specific age, place, time and situation.  

Lessons from year 2012

God has been good for the past year and I know He will remain faithful on the coming years ahead!  Year 2012 has taught me more lessons in life.

Nothing is permanent in this world.  "Everything changes except the word change", a line from one of my high school teachers that I won't forget.  Year 2012 reminded me of this fact that things changes and people too.  We can never be assured of the things to come nor of the promises from the people.  This changing world could not offer security; only God does.  With this fact, I learned to accept that people may fail me and material things cannot satisfy my longings.  Everything in this world is temporary be it relationships, but things of above will remain for eternity.

Rate It - Like, Unlike

It sure is a big relief to have someone offering a helping hand.  I'm sure all of us needs help because it's hard to accomplish a task when working alone.  A mom like me would most of the time gets tired and stressed with the whole day's work load.

The time I have announced to have a house helper was a relief.  Finally I have someone to help me doing the chores.  After a week of staying with us, Buena asked me that she needs to go home to attend the funeral of her aunt or uncle I'm not sure.  She promised to be back the next day.  Two days have passed, she's not yet back and we have no news about her.

Buena days - here she comes

"-Ber" months just started!  I'm writing my very first post for this month of September.  I don't know what's going on in your mind and your feelings as the end of the year approaches.  Days ends so fast and soon we're heading on the last quarter of year 2012.  I guess some of you are worried because of the upcoming holidays  and would demand a greater expense.  So we all need to find and create a larger amount of income to be prepared.  Holidays will mean excitement for me even tough it accompanies additional expenses (need to fully stretch the available budget) and stress because of the hectic schedules.