SpeCIAL THANKS...

to my hubby, my bf (char) and my sisters for coordinating a surprise 33rd birthday party for me last sat.

can't imagine what my hubby and my bf went through just to pull it off =) aww! they love me =0

... thanks to my God for giving me another year of His great plans for my life. the Lord never fails to amaze me i tell yah! so Lord once again, i give you my life. MAY YOUR WILL BE DONE!

here's a few pics to share to you: (just lovin' my family and friends) - too bad some didn't make it =( next time maybe? hehehe



gotta get myself ready for a wedding and my gf's (girlie) birthday tomorrow... a long day, but i'm sure it'll be all worth it, by God's grace =)

blessings to all and continue to be a blessing to others =) to God be all the glory!

Happy 4th Bday in Heaven Mama!

On our way to my brother's place to celebrate my dearest mom's bday in heaven. Praying for a good weather though =)

Anyway, just wanted to remind everyone that although the storm "pepeng"did turn to a different direction, that we shouldn't stop praying for them. I told you prayer works! God hears us!

Have a blessed day!
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New Storm "Pepeng" Coming

Per my cousin's email here's an update re: the new storm "pepeng":

Right now what we need to do is to PRAY that BAGYO PEPENG change i'ts path, PAGASA categorized it as a SUPER TYPHOON, like KATRINA which did a lot of damage in New Orleans, USA. Right now it's direction or path is towards Central Luzon. We're praying that it changes it's direction. According to PAGASA it would hit Central Luzon tomorrow (saturday) late morning or afternoon. Let's all pray and hope that BAGYO PEPENG slow down and decrease it's strength. Always take care and GOD BLESS... Regards to all!
-Kuya Michael

Friends, this is a call for a mass prayer. No matter how much funds or goods we collect for the victims, prayer is still the #1 source of help. These are the times we shouldn't let go of the hope and faith we have in God. Only by God's grace we can get through this.

Thanks to all who sincerely takes their time to pray and for the ones who were so kind to share their blessings.

To God be all the glory!
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Indonesia & Samoa Quake

Indonesia quake toll rises to 531 dead while Samoa rises to 150. We are working with World Vision to send as much help as we can to the people of Padang, Indonesia & Samoa islands. Friends, I ask that you sincerely look around you and see how blessed we all are with the things we have, some we don't necessarily need, but we get it anyway coz of our wants... the desire of the flesh.

I encourage you to use your resources wisely and extend any help you can to these people who by no means have nothing anymore.

As we end the fundraising for the people in the Philippines, we, the Project HOPE Team start a pledge for another disaster relief for the people struck by the tsunami in Indonesia and Samoa.

We know we can't help everyone, but what better way to deal with this, but to come together in unity to pray and put our small/big resources together and take the opportunity laid before us to make a difference in the lives of these hopeless people. Saying we feel sorry for them doesn't make any difference... we need to take action!

SPREAD THE WORD MY FRIENDS AND LET'S WORK TOGETHER! Our distance shouldn't be a reason why we can't help... we have the resources to bring help to them. But what do you do from here?

Project HOPE Donation Update

I'm currently stuck in traffic on my way to work, but would like to keep you all posted as to where we are with the donations to be sent to the people in the Philippines affected by the storm.

As of 8:30am today, we have collected $805. I would like to challenge everyone who hasn't taken the pledge, to donate ANY amount your heart is telling you. There's another Typhoon coming anytime soon. Let's push for the $1000 mark. I know we can do this. Please listen to your heart and grab the opportunity to make a difference. God bless us all!

In Service for Christ,
Project HOPE Team
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Does God exist?

A MUST SEE - AN EYE OPENER!

Donation update

I've been feeling under the weather since yesterday and I think my lack of sleep coz of thinking too much about the situation in the Philippines added more to my worries and now it's taking its toll on me. It's ok though, this is nothing compare to what they're going through.

I'm on my way to grab some meds for me and my kids, who are also not feeling well and while I sit in traffic, thought I'd update you all with the donations we've received so far.

I know I suggested to start w/ $5 or whatever amount tugs your heart and I'm happy to inform you that as of 5:50pm today, we have collected $350 to send to Sagip Kapamilya. I will wait 'till Thursday afternoon to send it since there are some who are planning to give when they get their pay check tomorrow.

We will also be conducting a collection of goods and necessities to send to the people greatly affected by this tragic calamity. I will keep you all posted on this next action item.

Your continued support is one of the reasons we continue to do what we do. These types of organizations are not easy, but because God continues to use you and I to be His hands and feet to the needy, we, the Project HOPE Team have no reason to give up.

Thank you so much for everything!

In Service for Christ,
Lovely
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Update re: Flood in the Philippines

246 people are now known to have died in severe flooding caused when Tropical Storm Ketsana struck on Saturday.

The country has appealed for foreign aid to deal with the disaster, which has displaced 450,000 people and left 380,000 living in makeshift shelters.

Public buildings including schools, universities and the presidential palace have become relief centres.

The storm has now hit Vietnam, where at least 22 people are said to have died.


Friends, let's take action! Any help counts! It's not enough that we feel sorry for these people, IT'S TIME TO DO SOMETHING. no help will reach them if we just sit and continue to feel sorry for them. what's holding you back? IF WE ALL WORK TOGETHER, ANY AMOUNT WILL ADD UP AND HELP THE LESS FORTUNATE. have you forgotten how blessed you are? again, i am desperately asking for your help - let's stop the talk and just walk the walk! i challenge YOU who's reading this. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!


For Donations please go to: www.walk2remember.com/phupdates.html

100% of the proceeds will be donated to ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya focusing on this cause.

Typhoon in the Philippines

The Project HOPE Team are working diligently in gathering our resources to extend a help to the people affected by this flash flood. We are in need of YOUR HELP! ALL proceeds will be donated to ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya Foundation directly for this need. Your continued monetary support and prayers will make a huge difference in the lives of this hard hit poor people. We will focus on helping the poorest of the poor. Please include them in your prayers as well as this simple fund raising action we are doing to help save lives as much as we can. Please, let us come together to do what we can to help.

For donations please click this link: http://www.walk2remember.com/projecthope.html

Sincerely,
Lovely Miranda
Project HOPE Team

Philippines flood death toll rises to 140

People swim through flood water Sunday in the east area of Manila, after a tropical storm tore through the northern Philippines. The death toll in the massive flooding that swept the Philippine capital of Manila and nearby provinces has reached 140 - Written by Sevencam Monday, 28 September 2009

The worst flooding in the Philippines in more than 40 years has left at least 140 dead and affected almost half a million people.

It is feared the death toll is likely to rise as rescue teams continue search and rescue efforts in the capital Manila and 25 nearby provinces, some of which are still under water.

Tropical storm Ketsana unleashed a month's worth of rain within 12 hours on Saturday. Up to 80 per cent of Manila was submerged, displacing around 450,000 residents.

Around 115,000 displaced people are now sheltered in makeshift camps but Philippine health authorities have warned of possible outbreaks of disease. The head of the country's National Disaster Co-ordinating Council said rescue teams were "overwhelmed" by the scale of the disaster.

The floods are estimated to have cost the country 30 million US dollars in damaged crops, roads and bridges.

5 Reasons Why God Uses Problems

The problems you face will either defeat you or develop you - depending on how you respond to them.

Unfortunately, most of us fail to see how God wants to use problems for good in our lives. We react foolishly and resent problems rather than pausing to consider what benefit they might bring.

Here are five ways God wants to use the problems in our lives:
 
1. God uses problems to DIRECT us.
Sometimes God must light a fire under us to get us moving. Problems often point us in a new direction and motivate us to change. Is God trying to get your attention? "Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways." -Proverbs 20:30
 
2. God uses problems to INSPECT us.
People are like tea bags... if you want to know what's inside them, just drop them into hot ever water! Has God tested your faith with a problem? What do problems reveal about
you? "When you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience." -James 1:2-3
 
3. God uses problems to CORRECT us.
Some lessons we learn only through pain and failure. It's likely that as a child your parents told you not to touch a hot stove. But you probably learned by being burned. Sometimes we only learn the value of something... health,
money, a relationship... by losing it. "It was the best thing that could have happened to me, for it taught me to pay attention to your laws." -Psalm 119:71-72
 
4. God uses problems to PROTECT us.
A problem can be a blessing in disguise if it prevents you from being harmed by something more serious. Last year a friend was fired for refusing to do something unethical that his boss had asked him to do. His unemployment was a problem - but it saved him from being convicted and sent to prison a year later when management's actions were eventually discovered. "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good... -Genesis 50:20
 
5. God uses problems to PERFECT us.
Problems, when responded to correctly, are character builders. God is far more interested in our character than our comfort. Our relationship to God and our character are the only two things we're going to take with us into eternity. "We can rejoice when we run into problems... they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady.". -Romans 5:3-4
   
Here's the point:
God is at work in your life - even when you do not recognize it or understand it. But it's much easier and profitable when you cooperate with Him. "Success can be measured not only in achievements, but in lessons learned,
lives touched and moments shared along the way"
 
LIFE IS AN ECHO. What you send out, you get back. What you give, you receive. WHEN YOU BRING OUT THE BEST IN OTHERS, YOU BRING OUT THE BEST IN YOURSELF.

Have a blessed day!
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Forgiveness, how important is it?

I'm on my way to my sister's house from work to visit my dad who's recovering from a procedure done to his kidney. I know it's been days since my last blog so I thought I'd blog while sitting in traffic. (Constructions everywhere, ugh!)

Oh! Happy Friday by the way =)

Anyway, praise God that for the past few weeks now, everything's back to normal at home. How? Well, forgiveness had to take place in order for peace and new beginning to come back in our home. My husband and I were determined not to give up on our children no matter what, even if of course there are times when it feels like that's the only way to go. I mean, if the Lord never gave up on me and still gives me chances up to now, what right do I have not to give the same grace God gives me to others esp. to our kids? Home is a place where I want my children to always find grace, love and forgiveness. Although I know that there are more adventures just sitting in the corner, I'm ready to face them with the help of my Savior.

It also helps to know that I have a friend who's going through the same thing. it gives us the opportunity to share our pains and struggles and of course encouragement and wise/sometimes silly ideas on dealing with it.

Of course, the consequences of the wrong decisions my daughter made have been addressed and has definitely caught her attention... well at least at the present time. It is natural for us parents to desire and be hopeful for our children to never turn wayward again, but only God knows their future. And as parents, whether our children are going or seem to be going in the right direction, we cannot and should not give up praying for them.

There's no formula in racing a perfect child, but there is LOVE which brings them safely back home.

God knows! coz His love was the reason I got saved.

Let's not give up on our loved ones. They need us more when they're lost.

Blessings!
Love
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