What This Coronavirus Pandemic Has Done So Far...

Dear All,

I hope this message finds you safe, well and still full of hope. I don't know about you, but this our 4th week, since I started working from home and there has been a lot of mixed emotions for me. Besides journaling, I thought why not resurrect my blogging to release some of my thoughts during this very difficult time we're all in.

I'm not here to share things you already heard in the news or even add to your uncertainties, but I'm here to just honestly share what this pandemic has done to me so far.

• It sure has brought me to my knees.
• It has opened more doors of compassion for others.
• It has helped me understand different ways of coping.
• It has brought me to tears almost every day just grieving with and for the people who have already been affected by this virus firsthand, their families, the people who lost their income, the people who are alone at home or facilities, the victims of abuse, the homeless, the unprivileged, etc. 
• It has tested my patience.
• It pushed me to work even longer hours every day, just to avoid being bored.
• It has brought me more reasons to be grateful.
• It has challenged my capabilities (sewing masks, making face shields, painting rocks like there's no tomorrow, draw some fun and encouraging messages on the sidewalk for walkers and even cooking) 😉
• It has challenged my tolerance for negativity. Sometimes, we think just by knowing something and saying it justifies our feelings and excuses us from doing the right thing, but what we really lack is confidence of just doing it. Sometimes, it's out of fear (fear of hurting others, fear of being judged, fear of being talked about, fear of being wrong, or even just fear of change). I learned that there are times when you need to choose to remove yourself from too much negativity in this world, whether that's from the fake news from every media there is, people who just can't seem to find anything to be grateful for, and of course too much bad news. I had my days when I didn't realize that I was just being fed with too much bad news in one day by watching the news and reading about the devastation that this COVID-19 has done all over the world and continuous to do so, that I started feeling tension in my body, headaches, lack of sleep, I mean just name everything that stress can do to you, I was already having it, so I requested for my family to just watch enough news for the day (if we really need to) and do other things that will either uplift our soul or keep us from thinking too much. I have to say, it has been helping us one day at a time.
• It is teaching me the true meaning of being still and knowing that God is still in full control.
• It has made me appreciate the sun as I don't like being out in the sun too much, since I get discoloration on my skin so easily, but this time, that's the least of my worries - I try to work outside my patio as soon as I see the sun come out 😉
• It has given me time to go through things I've set aside for months even probably years. 
• It continues to make me realize what matters most in life. No material, no money, or bigger/better stuff can ever amount to spreading love and seeing people the way God sees each of us. 
• It has allowed me to spend more time with my Creator. 
• It has given me more understanding of how loving, merciful and powerful God truly is. 🙏
• It has made me watch more movies, shows, YouTube videos, DIY's and look at memes like never  before 😅
• It has disrupted my sleeping patterns and I've been sleeping at 4am and waking up at 8am 😳
• Last, but not the least, it has made me consume calories after calories each time “I get up” 😁 and can't imagine the rate we’re having to replenish our stock of food 😏 I'm grateful for the provision Lord, but OMG! I will be rolling out of the house once all of this is over 😬
• It has proven that NO VIRUS CAN STOP A HUMAN HEART'S COMPASSION FOR OTHERS. LOVE lives on. 💓

I'm sure there's more I will be discovering while we're in these dark/heavy days. I look forward to celebrating God's goodness and praising God each day I wake up - as it is a great gift to have.

I sure hope you are all taking care of yourselves, staying as healthy and safe as possible. I encourage you to find ways to bless others as you are able - it sure helps to keep your hearts healthy 💗

I do want to end this by giving a HUUUUUGE PRAISE AND THANK YOU TO ALL OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, HEALTHCARE WORKERS, HUMAN SERVICE WORKERS, AND ALL THE BUSINESSES AND WORKERS who continue to work and stay open for all of us. 👏👏👏👏👏💓💓💓💓 YOU ALL ARE AWESOME!!! May the Lord bless you all with His abundance. 😘

Till next time friends! Blessing always 💋

Bless YOU!

sometimes, you would know if a friend truly means the message they send you if it was personally addressed to you and not just a mass email. well, this is what i felt when my dear friend, jenny, sent me this movie and i was so touched that it brought tears to my eyes. i'm grateful that through her and through this "simple truths" i was reminded of God's faithfulness in our lives.

friends, because you all are so dear to me... i would like to share the simple truths of this message: www.blessyoumovie.com

God is awesome!!!

have a blessed weekend everyone! know that God never fails to keep His promises =)

Do you have a need?

Hello All! Hope this email finds you well. I'm glad I have this opportunity to share my testimony to you once again. But before I do, I'd like to ask you ... Do you have a need that you don't know how to meet? You may have tried to solve the problem on your own, but just couldn't. Maybe you turned to some self-help books or consulted the advice of friends and family, though it sorta helped ease the pain at the moment, at the end of the day you found yourself back to square one. Or maybe you've prayed, but never really felt assured that God heard. You tried enough to trust Him, believing that if only you had enough faith, your need(s) would be met. Yet up to this moment this anxiety you're in still won't go away.

Well, did you know that the Bible is full of stories about people just like you and I? Just like us, their deepest needs could be understood and met ONLY by God. Let's admit it, we're needy people. Some are successful in their careers, but yearn for someone to love them. Some are financially stable, while their household is a mess! Some are physically fit, but mentally and emotionally drained. All this and more and of course vise-versa. But see, my point is we don't have to face our need(s) alone. There's ONE who comes to us to make us whole.

Two Fridays ago, I had a job interview. I had my hopes that this time there would be better results instead of just another resume to fill another space on their database. Well, it turned out just like the rest of my interviews who said, "Well your experience are definitely outstanding. However, we have other candidates lined up for an interview, but you will hear from us once we've made a decision." So, just like others... it's either I'll receive a letter of regret from some companies who do respond or you won't hear from them at all.

And so as I left the building that afternoon, I can honestly say, I felt so down. While driving, I took the opportunity to talk to God. I knew He understood what I was feeling and He was ready to listen and comfort me. I know He understands that it's okay to feel that way from time to time. And so I made it known to Him. I said, "Lord, I know You have never failed to provide for our needs and I'm grateful that You allow me to be transparent with You when times of difficulties just brings me down. Lord, can I just cry this out for 5 mins?" And so I did. I know many people think that crying about a problem is a sign of weakness or surrender... for me... it's true and it's okay! Especially if you want to be transparent with God. WEAKNESS, because you acknowledge that you cannot do things on your own and SURRENDER coz you know that ONLY God can help you. Someone once said, God helps those who help themselves... see you got it all wrong... coz God helps those who CANNOT help themselves. It's surrendering what's impossible in our eyes, but possible with our Savior.

You're probably wondering if I stopped crying after 5 mins. =) Yes, I did. That's my deal with the Lord when I need to release my feelings to Him. He lets me and He understands. And once again, I felt relief, especially when I told my husband what I was feeling that day, the Lord was so quick to use my husband to confirm that He was there in the car listening to me. My husband said, "Everything will be okay. This is not the time to give up, after all God has done for us. God is bigger than this. He knows. Just be patient."

And as an added bonus that He really does provide for our needs and as a proof that God is full of humor; just last Friday, exactly a week after that moment with God, I received a letter from the IDES regarding a raise to my unemployment benefits. A $40 raise I never expected to receive. Who would think that I, who only collects unemployment still gets a raise? C'mon now, that's the work of God! Friends, believe what is unseen coz He works behind it all.

And to this I close. Friends, whatever your need, God has an answer. Know that He is not slow about keeping His promise to us. We're just really impatient. And no matter how you and others understand your situation, giving excuses to justify that yours is different, as human that's expected, but I want you to know that God's timing is perfect in meeting our needs. And in fact, waiting for His answer actually ensures greater blessing.

God's love for you and me is eternal. Great is His faithfulness and His mercies are new every morning. Therefore, you can lay your needs before Him and He will see you through this difficult time in your life. He will never turn His back on you nor will He ever shut the doors of blessings. What He has for you is love acceptance and hope. Allow Him to be this for you today and always.

Friends, you will not find satisfaction elsewhere... God is available and your personal relationship with Him will only be the one that is needed to help you get through this. Look to Him for HOPE, salvation is FREE through Christ, our ONLY Savior.

If you are in need of a prayer, please feel free to send your request (anonymously or not) in the comment sections. It will be my pleasure to pray for you.

Have a JOYFUL day! God Speed!
love

CHANGE has come to AMERICA!

I decided to turn today's ODB to the topic of yesterday's historical win due to a phone call I just received about a couple crying, out of disappointment for McCain's loss over Obama.

Yesterday, if you think about it, millions of people casted their votes for their choice of political leaders, and more importantly for President. After many months of campaigning each one of us, voters, had the opportunity to choose, however, we must understand and accept that not everyone’s choice will win.

Yes, we all have our differences... we have proposals we agree and disagree on. But even if the turn out was different, we, of all different walks of life should remain in prayer everyday for those who are in authority to make the right decisions. I tell yah, living in this land of great opportunities should bring us hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel... ALWAYS.

I must confess, I voted for Republicans. I have my reasons... like most of us do. There are things I agree and disagree with both parties, but like many others I stand for the hope, the right direction, and the great opportunities ahead for us.However, watching America unite for change and hope yesterday was definitely historically breath taking. As my kids and I direct our very eyes watching this historic triumph unfold before us, I felt JOY in my heart. No major incidents were reported, instead unity as one nation took its place under the provision of our glorious King. Yes, I truly believe that Barack Obama was appointed by God to be the next President of the United States. Did I know that then or was I leaning towards that? I can honestly say, no, but as a child of God, I trust and embrace the Lord's plan. Whether McCain won, we all serve ONE GOD who is our eternal President, the One who has our best interest... the Creator of McCain and Obama... so I choose God's leading.

On another note, I salute McCain's gracious message yesterday. There's no doubt how much he loves his country and how willing he was to bring about unity and change, but such time as this has to happen. I do not regret voting for him, instead, like him i embrace the new chapter of America's story and Obama cannot fulfill any of those changes we want to see if we just sit and watch, we all have a role to play and if we want to see those changes then we all need to help and better get moving!

So now what? Do we just let yesterday's triumph become a one day history? Do we continue to dwell on McCain's loss? Or do we stand together to work for the greater good and prayerfully support our next leader?

Friends, let's pray that the Lord will guide Obama's steps, his decisions, his choices, and his presidency. That the Lord will use him and his members to really bring about change in America. That the hope we all hold on to will finally be revealed and experienced through the touch of God in Obama's leadership. I pray that Obama will put God first in everything he does, to live in the foundation of Joshua 24:15, so that all will be well even in the midst of trials and tough decisions.

AMERICA, I celebrate with you! God bless us all!

p.s. my weekend was so exhausting. i finished painting my brother's bathrooms... ugh! it was so dangerous coz i didn't have the proper ladder to use, but someone had to do it and i wasn't about to buy a ladder just for a small portion i couldn't reach. so i managed to get myself up there and yes, by the grace of God i'm still ALIVE! whew!

we finished my daughter's election 2008 scrapbook - stayed up till 3am monday night. oh gosh! out of all the things i had to do and finish over the weekend, i was so drained yesterday all i wanted to do was sleep, but i only succeeded 30 mins of nap time coz my lil' one kept calling me... ayayay! well, i'm off to study for my last test this sat. i hope and pray for a celebration soon!

enjoy the beautiful weather and a blessed wednesday!