Enjoying our post-holiday weekend!!

Since we celebrate Hanukkah, we've already wrapped and unwrapped all our presents by Dec. 19th this year. As everyone is still shopping and preparing for Christmas. We are relaxing and enjoying our week.

As the end-of-year approaches, I am reflecting on how far God has brought us. The kids have grown a little bigger, we've grown to know how little we are comparing the Creator of the Universe and yet He cares so much about us.

I have always been a dreamer, but not until recent years that I have begun to write down most all my dreams as well as my children's dreams. Last week, I dreamed that a friend of mine told me she thought she was pregnant. After waking up from my dream, I found that interesting since she just got married and came back not long from her honeymoon. I called her later and shared my dream with her. To my surprise, she responded, "I think I may be with child." Then, this morning, I got a text from her saying, "I am pregnant!!!" I am amazed how the Lord still speaks to us through dreams and visions. I am amazed He chose to reveal that joyous news with me first, as if I had some part to play in this. And, of course, I joined my dear friend in thanksgiving and prayers for this precious life God is creating in her.

I am always in awe of God's GOODNESS, it does endure FOREVER!

My Swimming Babies

 

So cool to see our kids enjoying the water so well, since I was never a swimmer.

Circus Fun 2009 Review

We went to the Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus a few nights ago. It's one of annual events that our family looks forward to. Last year's theme was "Bello-bration". The character, Bello, was so full of life and there seemed to be a lot of excitement as you'd expect for a circus. This year's theme is "Over the Top", and the main character (clown) is Tom and through the show, he follows the ringmaster to get his hat. There was a few moments that the skit dragged out a little too long. But there are the usual favorites, the parading elephants, tamed tigers, adorable ponies, the acrobats, .... .

Tom the main clown, at one point went into the audience and picked out a random man and sang him "Happy Birthday". Then, he turned around finding a young lady on the phone in search for her seat. He teased her since it was 30 minutes after the show had started. He took her phone and tried to lure her out onto the circus ring. She was so embarrassed. Then the whole act lasted about 15 minutes, we all felt so bad for the lady, "give her back the phone already!" we were thinking. But, my husband said that it couldn've been an act. Whether it was or not, it was not an entertaining filler of the show. Anyhow...

The most impressive part I feel was the 7 motorcycles went into a sphere-cage, one by one, forming a circle inside the sphere, then they started the engine at full speed. They were defying gravity by running full speed going around and around the internal parameter of the sphere. We were looking with amazement, as if something impossible just has been achieved.

The trapaze artists worked their magic, flying while doing flips in mid-air.

We did miss the Human Canons this year that were missing in the final act, but overall, we enjoyed a fun time as a family and was able to walk away without paying $20.00 for a piece of plastic toy that is valued at $1.00 elsewhere. That was empowering!

The writing juice is flowing...keep flowing!

I just attended the most amazing Writers Conference hosted by Roaring Lambs Ministries this weekend. I am super-energized and feel the writing juice flowing...

There were several dynamic speakers who talked about their experiences as writers, their journeys, their struggles with God's grace weaving through all of that. They are genuine and have such passion to see others writing gifts manifested to change the world for the Kingdom. They are sincere and want to get to know each person they meet. I am so inspired by their love for God and people.

One of the keynote speakers was Dr. Gene Getz, a 77-year-old godly man who has authored over 50 books, and has pastored and taught at bible colleges. His current project is a "Principles to Live By" Study Bible, each page with principles and cross-references with other parts of the bible, questions to ponder on that is cross-cultural and ready to be translated without bias. He said he starting publishing books before anyone knew what "an agent" was while discussing the topic of whether a writer needs an agent. During lunch, after walking away for a few minutes and returned to our table, Dr. Getz and another speaker were at our table. I was thinking to myself, "What are they doing sitting at our table?" Well, I joined the conversation along with my friends there. We were in awe that we were dining with 2 of the speakers and one of them being Dr. Getz. As we were sharing, they listened just as intently to us as we were to them. They were interested in the little projects we involved in compared to the gigantic, world-changing ones they are charging over. Dr. Getz has been to Hong Kong to speak to pastors at churches three times, and I quickly interjected, "I'm from there." He then expressed his interest to go back there again and we saw his love to share the Word of God with the Chinese people.

My favorite radio program is "Point Of View" on Christian radio 5 days a week. Two of the hosts were there, Kerby Anderson and Penna Dexter. They are as down-to-earth as anyone can be. I had the opportunity to talk to Penna extensively which was amazing, she kept asking questions about me and my writing and home-schooling. I was surprised that she really wanted to know. She was even delaying lunch just so I would finish telling her about me.

I saw the love of Christ transcended in people at this little conference like no other. Everyone walked away inspired, with fear dissipated and ready to pen down words straight from Father's heart, doing our little parts and not feel little as the world would have us think. Questions like "How can I possibly make a difference?", "Who would even care what I have to say?" or "How my life experience would be relevant to them?" are no longer relevant. I LOVE THAT! Like my friend, Sacha said, that day was a total divine appointment.


There's been a desire in me to write a book for sometime. It was my dear husband, who first approached me about it 3 years ago. He gave me an idea and said, "now get started!" I said, "HOOOOOOLD ON, Mr.! I am not sure about this. I have to pray about it." Then, my sweet God-father said to me once prophetically, "Oh, I know you are a writer, you'll be writing a book alright, I know you'll write 3 books." WOW, okay, Lord, I am listening.

I believe there's no coincidence. I have been distracted for sometime by different things in life, interesting and fun projects. But, I was drawn to go to this writers conference, and feel that "The time to write is now."

At the conference, I was inspired by some veteran writers, the most sincere people and genuinely desiring to see other believers succeed and fulfill God-given purposes for us with our writing gifts.

Writing takes discipline, it takes prayers,diligence and sensitive observation. I find myself energized, refocused, organizing, prioritizing and strategizing, by God's grace!

I have slowly started the process to write, and look forward to all that God is downloading in me to write,and to express what's on His heart for His beloved.

So, read on... I will keep everyone posted.

YOU'RE THE BEST THING...

I just had this song on my mind the other day and here it is on my Playlist if you go to #42-- You're The Best Thing (Ever Happened to Me). When I thought about God, our Lord, He truly is the best thing ever happened to me while I hear this song, it brings tears to my eye...

Let me know what you think ;)


I've had my share of life's ups and downs
But fate's been kind, the downs have been few
I guess you could say that I've been lucky
Well, I guess you could say that it's all because of you

If anyone should ever write my life story
For whatever reason there might be
Ooo, you'll be there between each line of pain and glory
'Cause you're the best thing that ever happened to me
Ah, you're the best thing that ever happened to me

Oh, there have been times when times were hard
But always somehow I made it, I made it through
'Cause for every moment that I've spent hurting
There was a moment that I spent, ah, just loving you

If anyone should ever write my life story
For whatever reason there might be
Oh, you'll be there between each line of pain and glory
'Cause you're the best thing that ever happened to me
Oh, you're the best thing that ever happened to me
I know, you're the best thing, oh, that ever happened to me

Library Summer Reading Program Kickoff Party!!

Yesterday, we went to the library for the Summer Reading Program kickoff party. As fun as it was, it was also stressful around a couple of hundred kids and to wait in line for various things.

What's hilarious was that they had a balloon lady that makes a rodeo-looking balloon which you child could wear it, she made the same thing for each kid. It took her about 15 minutes to make one and after waiting 40 minutes in line, we gave up.

Then, there was a line for face-painting. Immediately, I pushed my husband to take the kids over to that line. He did not move with disinterest and said, "Have you seen the kids with face-painting here?" Then I turned and saw a few kids with red large dots on their faces with a few black lines, supposedly to look like clowns. Clearly they were done by "Very Amateur Face-painters". My husband added, "we're going somewhere after this party, I don't think we need to have to kids with faces painted like that. It was the worst face-painting job I've ever seen.

We did get some Chick-Fil-A coupons! I love Chick-Fil-A coupons. They had a prize-wheel for us to turn and win whichever prize the pin lands on. My children won coupons for a cup of coffee and a cup of iced tea...go figure. At least, I got us some free chicken minis, Hooray!

Needless to say, we were exhausted after the 1-hour-party...the things we do for our precious children!

Blessed to be born a woman!!!

The other day, while shopping with my mom and my 4-year-old daughter, I commented to my baby girl, "How wonderful that God made us women that we get to wear pretty shoes and clothes!" She said, "Yes!"

I just read an article by Rebecca Walker, daughter of Alice Walker who authored the infamous book .

To my surprise, Rececca Walker has a complete opposite viewpoint from her feminist mother. She talks about how opposing her mother's ideology costs their mother-daughter relationship.

Feminists have us believe that staying at home to raise our children is a sign of weakness and that we should be out in the world achieving and accomplishing something instead of being belittled and doing the mindless things like cooking and cleaning...serving our familiies. How the world has perverted and distorted what motherhood God had intended!!

I believe that God's calling for each woman is different. Some are called to be perhaps someday President of the United States, some are called to be teachers and many of us are called to be mothers, the biggest job in the world... raising our children to fulfill their God-given purposes! (...which we simply cannot do on our own strength and wisdom).

Once we accept the incredible assignment of motherhood, understand the enormity of the task and realize that only our Creator can enable us to achieve the assignment, joy of motherhood begins.

I am extremely blessed to be home to raise our children while my husband provides for us financially; by no means I feel I contribute any less than he, and fortunately, he feels the same way.

Every moment with our children can be teachable moments, both for them and for me.

I am often touched by my children's little sayings confessing their faith, signs of their precious relationship with our Creator, and praises of thanksgiving of life's special moments--happy or sad.

I am blessed to have a mother that shows me what motherly love looks like.


Every day, I am thankful that I am a stay-at-home wife and mother; most of all, I am thankful for having a Father in heaven that makes His love known to me in a personal way.