I sighed! I didn’t get the picture here.   Wresting with my emotions droved me crazy.  But, in my imperfections God showed me his power.  In my weakness(es) he uplifted me and gave me new strength.  I was upset of so many things that include (I, me, myself).  Who am I?  I pondered before the Lord.  God brought me to my knees and said, “You are mine”.  I can’t help it but to cry and cry.

I can’t consoled my self.  I felt alone, helpless and abandoned. I cried until the last drop of my tears.  With no one else in the house but me-I had the alone moments to talk to the Lord heart to heart. I heard unknown answer…and, I continue to wrestled again.    I saw myself the picture of  Jacob  when he was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day (Genesis 32).  As the man, told Jacob to let him go…Jacob pleaded to bless him; to empower him before they separated ways.  And, the man asked-what’s your name?  I’m Jacob, he replied.  I saw the picture of “humility” before the Lord. 

By saying his name…as a signed of submission.  I am Jacob, worthless before the Lord.  Jacob was powerless but only God  sustaining him.  With this picture it revived my spirit and uplifted my soul.  I should put room for the Lord to speak in Silence… I will not depend in my own strength, ability, talents and so on which temporary but letting him to guide me in all my ways.   An absolutely, not me but Him! So allowing God to speak in Silence makes a big different change in my life.

Yes, I got another surprised birthday party this year.  It was too different from lastyear because this year was planned by my beloved husband as what I’d mentioned in my previous post.  I also said, that I found out the plan last friday evening when my mother-in-law called and informing us the funeral schedule of our great uncle that fall yesterday.  My husband said his plan was busted so I was expecting from that night that the surprise party cancelled.

I got surprised after service yesterday my hubby announced that there’s a birthday party in the kitchen for me.  I was little shocked and our friends were  laughing at me because of my reaction.  Lol, I was thinking how my hubby prepare the party since he was a busy man and I was always around him.  Besides, I checked our account all the time I never seen suspecious expenses there, lol. Well, he negotiates his bestfriend wife to take care everything and he will pay her a check. hehehe! It was a great party, he ordered the 96 serving cake and 2 bucket of neopolitan ice cream.  It was a perfect day since the AWANA kids were having their PIZZA party at the same time.  I thank the Lord for a loving, responsible, sweet and handsome husband.  Indeed, God is faithful!

As my husband said my birthday celebration begins tonight.  He brought home my favorite “German Chocolate” cake, my favorite cherry vanilla ice cream and favorite soda “Dr. Pepper”.  When he was at work this afternoon he asked me what cake I want White or chocolate?  I simply said I won’t accept anything if not “German chocolate” cake.  I was curious why he asked me.  He only said a “surprise”.  I was thinking it might be somebody are trying to know what cake I want.

Before 5pm this afternoon he left in his office and after 20 minutes he called me and informed he was stuck from the traffic jam.  I said okay, I will go out for a walk while waiting for you.  When I get back to the house he wasn’t home yet and finally the phone rang it was my hubby.  He said he was in the neighborhood already, he had to swingby at O’Reilley to buy the car parts but I was kinda wondering something already.  He finally home after we talked on the phone and I saw him carrying a store plastic bag.  He brought my favorite cake and ice cream, Yehey! 

That was the time he said, we gonna start celebrate your birthday tonight.  I am happy of course.  That means I have a week to celebrate my birthday because my parents-in-law promised me that they will come up next weekend and we will celebrate my birthday.  Isn’t that nice?  After we ate some of the cake and Ice cream we went out for me to practice  my driving.  Yeah, I am seriously doing my driving practice at this time I am ready to get my liscense soon.  By the way, I’m learning both automatic and standard car. 

When we got home, I was whining and  acted like a little kid asking my hubby to get out and order a take out chinese food.  Oh yeah, he can’t help it but to give what I want,lol.  Driving home my mother-in-law called.  She told us the schedule of the funeral of our uncle and that will be on Sunday afternoon.  Lance was surprised and said what?  That’s mimi’s birthday party!  I said, huh? I have a birthday party?  He said, oh well it’s not a secret anymore.  She now found out about my birthday party plan for her.  Whew! I felt flattered of course, my hubby  planned a birthday party- I was really surprised!. I knew he told me that tonight is only the beginning of my birthday celebration.  I am sorry that his birthday party plan  for me is busted!  I’m alright  though it will not happen this Sunday anymore at least I knew my hubby had a plan to make my special day special.  I am blessed to have a loving and wonderful husband.

Yehey! I’m turning old again in 3 days, lol. Months, days, hours, minutes, seconds flies so fast and again it’s my birthday. It seems like yesterday. Whew! As the song says ” Rise and Shine”. Lol, what’s the connection of that song in my birthday? Dunno! yikes…! be proud of getting old? Stand up and shine as the brightest star ever. Proud to have another year with the Lord. As my hubby said, don’t worry getting old, what matter most is you are breathing and you know that God give you that life. That’s it, that’s really, really it! He was right!

 Trick or treat? That’s the question a friend of mine asked this morning.  I was thinking why so many people trick or treat and make hallowen so special.  I am anti-halloween but I love to have fun.  Our church and other Christian churches celebrate a Fall festival instead.  We prepare a lot of food and games for the kids.  It is a time for the kids to wear cool costumes Just for fun! 

Lastnight, I was waiting for Lance to come home when our Pastor’s wife called me and said that if I could possibly wear a cowboy outfit for the party, that would be great.  Hmmmm!  I was thinking about what I have: blue jeans, straw hat and Lisa lent me 2 red scarfs.  I said I think I can do it.  I could’t decide which pair of boots to wear.  I have two (2) different pairs of boots but they are not exactly like what the cowboys used to wear.  I couldn’t  find any shirts that matched my blue jeans so I could have the cowboy’s look.  I dug through my clothes and finally found my white long sleeve shirt.  That was what I needed to make myself look cool—:-).  Yea,  I got the look that I wanted to have.  Lance dressed up as Inspector Gadget,lol.  He carried his brown briefcase full of candies for the kids.

We had so much fun tonight at our church.  We played some of the  games too. After the kids enjoyed the maze, we(the  staff) went around in it and had lots of fun.  When the party in our church was over, Lance said that he heard on Radio that the Assembly of God church was having a very cool promotion named “The Candy Factory”.  We were both curious to what that was all about.  So we decided to go over there and enjoyed so much candy.  They had various live shows for the public: The Lemon Head Brothers, The Nerd Show, Walter the Illusionist shows and a Rap Concert featuring Skittles (a white guy that was dressed like and african american).  They talked about who is JESUS.  It was fun for the kids and for us as well.  Everyone dressed up as the character they wanted.  Of course, no one dressed like a devil,lol.  Some came from different planets,lol.  Some are those we yelled “My Hero!”.

Tonight, I was totally overwhelmed and had a great 1st fall festival.  Tomorrow, Lance and I will go down to Arkansas City to his parents place to spend a long weekend.  I’m so excited!  Hopelly we can go fishing or deer hunting?,sigh! 

Well folks, you have  a great, great evening and enjoy your long weekend too.  See yah next time!

 Obviously I’m not getting younger.  I celebrate another year of God’s goodness and faithfulness in my life.  Last friday, 21st of September I turned 18,lol!  That’s way back, (10) years ago.  We’ll our friends tease me here like that.

I had a long birthday celebration and I enjoyed it.  A week before the 21st my parents in-laws along with Grandma Watson come up to visit us.  I didn’t have any idea that we going to celebrate my birthday early.  Mom baked me a cake and brought it with her.  I didn’t see it when they came in the house.  When were at the store they asked me what flavor of ice cream I wanted, I picked cookies and cream. But had no idea about the birthday celebration until we finished eating that evening and were ready for dessert.

Lance had to call me because I was busy playing my video games and chatting with some of you that night.  I was asked him what he needed but he didn’t answer me.  When I went into the dining room, where they were at the table, they greeted me then with a happy birthday.  I was so surprised to see the birthday cake Mom baked for me.  It was very early but I was so happy to receive the gifts from our two (2) grandmas.  Especially the gift that I really wanted on my birthday, “CC” or Card with Cash inside,lol.  Dad and Mom said I’ll receive my gift by tomorrow.  I was not in a hurry, because I had a week to wait to collect my birthday presents.  Anyway, the next day I was surprised again.  We, the whole family, went to Sports Academy. I was expecting that Dad just wanted to go there because it is one of his favorite stores.  Everytime they come up here, he will never miss going to the Sports Academy store.  I told Lance let’s go see my bike.  I wanted to have a bicycle.  A couple of months before we, the whole family, went to see the new bridge in Little Rock.  It looks like it is pretty fun for biking.  Then,  Lisa and I began to desire to having our own bike.  Dad, Mom and Lance said they have their own bicycle.  How we wished we could go biking there one day.  So, we started looking and picking out the bicycles we wanted.  I told Lisa that I know when the perfect time for me to get a bike will be.  I will make a wish list for my birthday.  Yep!  I got my bike as a birthday presents from my parents in-law.  That was the reason why we went to Sports Academy that day.  And, Lance and I ride our bikes sometimes at night when he comes home from work.  Well, my birthday was not over yet after I got my bike.  It was my first time to taste buffalo steak, yum, yum,that’s all I can say.

Here we go…21st of September came.  This was the real date of my birthday.  Lance told me he was going to take off early that day and pick me up to meet Lisa at the University mall.  But, he was working for deadlines so he could not leave work until 3pm.

At exactly 3pm he called and said he was about to leave his office.  I was expecting him to be home in 20 to 30 minutes after we talked.  Then he called me and said that he will be home later than what I was expecting, he needed to fill his car with gas at Wal-mart.  Well after an hour he finally got home.  Of course, I was expecting him to come home with surprises.  I was waiting for red roses the kind he always gave me.  Oh yes, I was surprised with the peach roses.  Well I was very thankful for it.  It turned out to be really beautiful inside our home.  And, he bought me a pc video game cd that made us crazy(Virtual Villagers).  We both are gamers.  He is spoiling me with so many games now. 

To continue my birthday story,  Lance was asking me if we could hang out at the house that evening.  He wanted to clean his office at home and the rest of the house for my birthday.  I knew he was tired and I agreed.  I was waiting for him to ask me where I wanted to eat or celebrate my birthday, but he never did.  I said to myself it was okay because we were saving money at the time.  While he was busy cleaning the house, he came in to the office and said he thought he heard somebody knocking at our door.  I said that I hadn’t heard anything, I was the only one making noise here.  Suddenly our doorbell rang, he asked me to open the door.  To my surprise, Monica (Lance’s bestfriend’s wife) and their 1 year old daughter Emma was standing outside our door holding a balloon and a gift for me.  I invited them to come in and I played with Emma a little bit.  Monica was very thoughtful and she greeted that morning.  I felt normal since they come and hang out with us sometimes since we’ve moved here in Sherwood.  Monica went out for a second  and said she’s going to get Emma’s food in the car but suddenly our doorbell rang again.  When I opened it I saw our Pastor’s grandson David, who is 4 years old, smiling and greeting me with a “Happy Birthday”. I wondered how this boy got here.  Thinking that his mom and other brother was still in the car.  Few seconds after David came in it the doorbell rang again, and yes I saw Daniel, David’s 2 year old brother, smiling and singing a birthday song with his Mommy following behind him along with “Oma” our Pastor’s mother.  They were followed by our Pastor’s wife Nancy who was bringing some food and drinks.  I began to wonder what was going here.  Is there a party going to happen.  They only said one thing, “We heard somebody was having a birthday party here.”  And I said, “I’m ready to rock it”.

So everytime the doorbell rang, I knew it was for me so I opened it and more people were coming for my party.  They all brought food and drinks.  Lisa was hiding some of it in her car.  I wondered why that afternoon Lisa changed her plan instead of going to the mall. She called Lance and said she’s coming home but she’s stopping to buy some groceries.  Lance had a hard time answering all Lisa’s question since I was with him in the car while they were talking.  Then Lisa came up with the idea to get a movie for the night.  We have a projector at home so we can watch movies on the big screen.  Lisa asked Lance what we wanted to eat while watching the movie. I said that we still had some popcorn at the house.   Lance said, it’s your birthday let’s get something else.  I said, okay!  So instead of meeting Lisa that afternoon it came to my mind to go to the Old Mill instead.  This was built in the 18th century. Oh yeah, we hung out there for many minutes and Lance wanted to go home.  But he took some pictures of the beautiful old mill before we left. 

I was having a happy, happy bithday with all those surprises.  I had been desiring that one day somebody would give me a surprise birthday party and I finally got it this year!!!  I’m so thankful for Monica’s idea and that she coordinated everything to make my 28th birthday remarkable.  They asked me on Sunday what I could say about my party.  Yes, I loved it and I look forward to more surprise birthday parties in the future.  Our Pastor’s grandsons were enjoying it and they kept telling their mom and dad how fun my party was.  But, Monica forgot one thing, she didn’t get her camera to work.  She didn’t bring a battery for it.  Lol, Lance took me some pictures and that’s fine.  I’ll posted more next time. Have fun!  I’m enjoying God’s goodness and faithfulness this year.  God bless you all.

 Hey guys, just got back from a trip to Texas.  Though the hurricane tried to bother us along the way, she never stopped us. We arrived in Houston, Texas and came home safe and sound. 

It was going to be a family trip but, turned out to be a ladies trip, because Dad and Lance didn’t go with us.  They had to work…we pittied to them, because they felt so lonely!

We  attended our cousin’s wedding and went early to help them on prepare; you know how difficult it is to have a wedding.  I’m so glad on our 2nd & 3rd wedding our family and friends did all the work…Thank You!!!

After the wedding, we went to Galveston for me to see the “Gulf of Mexico”. Yea, I was so happy, I’d only seen it on the map or on a globe. But now I’ve seen it in reality.  Then we went to eat some seafood- Doesn’t that make my trip cool? 

It was a long drive, but we had a great time seeing our relatives out there. Though we had to rush home before the another hurricane hit South Texas(Where we were!).  We had a great time!

We crossed Lousiana to reach Texas.  I tell you what, so many people thought I was a kid. Poor me!  It started when we stopped to use the restroom in Lousiana.  Lisa and I went into the store and to complement Lisa  wanted to buy some gum but the owner of the store said he only gave gum to the kids and pointed at me.    Then Lisa said we will take it, but the man said asked her to give it to you. hahaha!  I don’t eat candy or gum that often.  I was a little disappointed, but I told myself to enjoy being cute and looking young.  I can’t help but be thankful at how the Lord blessed me; Psalm 139.

When I called my family in Philippines last week they asked,” Are you cold over there?” Huh! No, I’m burning!  It’s summer time here right now.  That means, my beautiful skin is not excused from burning (lol, ayaw palag, akin ‘to!).  I always forget to put on sunscreen lotion before going out into the sun.  To be honest, I’m just too lazy to put it on.  I only put on lotion after I shower.

I go swimming almost everyday at the pool in our apartment complex, though that is not as good as some of you do. Our apartment manager wants Lance & me to enjoy the swimming pool before moving to our house in the near future.  Shhh! I am one of Ms. Becky’s favorite residents. (kase naiiba-only Filipino)

Last Sunday after Church Lisa took us to Hot Spring, AR, the hometown of former Pres. Bill Clinton.  She covered a story about a ministry down there for SBC newspaper.  We went around the city and visited the Hot Springs National Park located within the city. The water flows from a non-active volcano down to a concrete pool in the park. Lisa, Lance and I dipped our feet in the pool very quickly, too hot!!!  We took pictures drinking from the fountain and went in to an old Bathhouse from the 1920’s that was converted into a museum.  Later that afternoon we proceeded to Lake  Catherine, near Hot Springs, where Lisa interviewed the people in the ministry for her story.  While Lisa was doing her interview, Lance and I went down to see the Lake.  It was very beautiful; but there were so many people camping that weekend.  Children were enjoying biking, swimming, and running inside the campsite.  Policemen were at their post too.

Lance and I get tired of walking around the campsite and saw an available dock, so we decided to rest for a bit and lie down for awhile.  It felt so nice relaxing with the breeze coming off of the lake and while we were surrounded by beautiful trees.  Then, when on the way back to Lisa’s direction one of the Elders said there was waterfalls down the trail about 20 minutes walk from there.  So Lance and I went to see the waterfall.  We enjoyed crossing a small hanging bridge and the coolness of the forest.  Oh, what a blessed trip!

Hot Springs is an old but pretty city; everything there is expensive too! This is one of the most beautiful sights here in Arkansas.

  What’s up??? I’m just dropping you all a note.  On last Saturday on June 30th, Arkansas Baptist Church hosted a wedding shower for Lance and me (huh? wedding events not over yet).  Yep, we received more gifts!!!  We are so thankful to the Lord for His blessings. We got exactly what we needed for our new home. We are counting the days till we move into our own house. That’s next month- our family and friends here are excited as well.

July 4th was my first independence day here in the U.S.  Lance and I stayed home, here in Little Rock, during the day and went out to see the fireworks that night at the River Market (one of the state’s attractions that is only open from the month of May to October).  We had a blast! After the 4th of July, Lance took me out to watch the Transformer movie.  That was our first time to watch a movie by ourselves.   We watched Spiderman-3 with Lisa and her friend Kenita and the whole family watched the Pirates of Carribean-3.  All are good movies but transformer is better.

see you all again next time….!

I was so excited when Lance and I spent the weekend in Arkansas City; the place where his parents and relatives live and where he grew up.  Arkansas City is a small town with a small population, but the out lying places are very large. It is a town where everyone knows their neighbor and recognizes each other’s cars.  For them it is pretty normal, but for me it’s a very exciting and interesting place. 

On Saturday, June 16, during Father’s Day weekend, we went down to Arkansas City to take a present for Dad (Lance’s Dad).  Earlier that week, I asked Lance when he was going to teach me how to shoot a gun?  I have always wanted to go hunting and I’d like to go in the future with our family in Arkansas City. So Lance called his Mom and Dad and asked if they could get the stuff ready for me to learn to shoot that weekend.  I tell you what… everything was ready before we even left home to go down there!

That Saturday morning, Lance held a shotgun and instructed me how to hold it, load it and unload the bullets. He also told me to hold the shotgun tight on my shoulder and pay attention to the safety switch of the shotgun.  Those were the most important things I needed to know to use the shotgun safely.

After he had shown me how to use the shotgun, I felt like backing out.  I was so scared even thinking about holding the gun, but saw all the stuff my parents-in-law bought just so I could shoot.  So, I said to myself that I have to try. Anyway, you have to start sometime if you are going to do it.  They were very patient and kind to teach me anything I wanted to learn.   Then, I fired the gun for the first time trying to hit the clay pigeons, skeet is the name, but I didn’t hit any.  Dad had the idea to put a wooden steak in the ground and sit a plastic cup on top of it.  I aimed at the target very carefully and bravely fired the gun… And gues what??? I hit the plastic cup.  I was so happy that I didn’t want to give Lance a turn because it was so fun.

Lance hadn’t shot a gun in a couple of years and had trouble hitting the target. Dad was really good. He never missed the target whether it was flying or was stationary. He was showing us how to hit the targets and then finally Lance and I started hitting the skeet (flying clay disks).  We really had fun that weekend and were glad we got to spend a lot of time with Dad. 

Well, after the shooting my right arm was pretty sore.  I got bruised when I fired the 12 gauge shotgun because it kicked back so hard on my arm.  The shotgun was too big for me. Lol, I’m just saying I am really too small.  I learned that the smaller the number of gauge of shotgun kicks harder than higher gauges do. The other gun we used shot was a 20 gauge.  My in-laws were worried about the bruise on my right arm, but I told them  don’t. “No pain, no gain!”.