When Times Were "Still Good"

What's good about having little or no income and your third child is about to be born via c-section? It is that God sees to it that everything will still be alright. These were really trying times, a faith shaker... what else is good? it's that feeling when you see your children, your family still together in the toughest times. it's when you learn to make use of pure breastmilk for the little one, and 4 members of the family share a piece of chicken leg. I can't complain. I still have my family, when i look at the kids play with mud, i remember how my childhood was. My kids didn't have playstations nor any gadgets to keep them amused. They made use of the outdoors. i learned that we really don't need to spoil them with expensive toys. That's what's good during tough times.

My family recovered from financial difficulty and more blessings came to us. As the children grow, things just come when it is needed.

I don't have to elaborate again as to why, who, and whats... i hope you see the picture how tough it was, but in the end, there is still light.

We are now experiencing tough times again, maybe because we are being prepared for our move to the States... yes my kids still like the simple life, playing outdoors and paying a lot of attention to their pet shih tzu. Haha, even my shih tzu have to cut down on food expense, he is now fed purely on home made meals. Yes, I am just being reminded of how we should live... simple, not extravagant. And yes, it had somehow shaken my faith, but, now I am back on the right path, I will stay still and know that God is in control.

When Times Were Easier

I will bring you back in time for a while so you will see how God is ever present in our lives...

I resigned from my job when I found out I was pregnant with my first child. My husband was working in a post production studio, putting together TV and Radio commercials, composing jingles and scores. When my first daughter was born, she only had the best! It was only after she turned one year old that I decided to do something that I really wanted to try, to teach ballet to children. My husband agreed to put up a ballet studio inside our home, that way our daughter will still be with me even when I "work". From a small ballet studio, a nearby school offered me a teaching opportunity, which I accepted since it was a two hour once a week schedule. So perfect! I was hands-on mom and still having a career. I taught in other schools after that, making my Fridays and Saturdays dedicated to teaching. The rest of my days were for the home.

Two and a half years after my eldest was born, another bundle of joy arrived, and this is a different story. Catch you all later!

How God Changed My Heart 2 (After One Year)

This is the second part of the series, How God Changed My Heart...

We just couldn't start on the petition process because the budget just won't allow. Until my husband's aunt sent an email telling my husband to go ahead and send the petition papers to her and she will take care of the fees. We sent it in July 2007 when the fee was $157. By August of the same year they adjusted the fee to $355! This is what you call "God's timing is always perfect".

There were other fees after filing the petition, and thanks to my brother for taking care of the $400 visa application fee, and my husband's sister for the $70 Affidavit of Support Fee. Although we have to pay them back, it was still a blessing that my husband and I never had to be stressed thinking of all these fees when we had to make ends meet each month... feeding, clothing, educating three children??? That's how God provides for us, never short, never too much, and still always at the right time.

At the moment we are in the waiting process, we sent all the needed documents and my next step would be the medical exams and the interview. I am hoping that while I'm at this series blogging, we will be able to hear from the National Visa Center so that I could complete the story which the Lord actually authored. This whole thing happening right now never was my plan...stay tuned...

How God Changed My Heart

Introduction: This will be a series of blogs since the whole story might take so much of your time if I do it all in one sitting. I hope you guys follow the series, and hoping that our God touches your hearts as you read on.

How It All Began...

I never dreamt of going abroad. Being raised in a close knit family, the thought of leaving home gives me cold feet. Having an American Citizen husband did not change that at all. He just had to stay with me for twelve years in the Philippines even when it was so easy to petition me. He just can't convince me to go.

Then kids came, three of them. They started going to school... growing up... English was their first language, and the only language they spoke before school. I did not expect it to be a disadvantage, but contrary to my belief, the kids had to adjust quickly, due to Filipino subjects, and more, Filipino speaking classmates and teachers, which became the struggle for at least one of my kids...

Knowing that she can't adapt, she requested if she could study in the States. She, being only 7 years old at that time, opened my eyes to the needs of others, and made me forget about my own comfort zones. This is how God showed me His plan.

Our First Step

We registered the three children to the US Embassy in 1996, and they were recognized US Citizens. They were given a Certificate of Birth Abroad and a US Passport. Of course there were fees to pay, so the petition (for me) did not happen soon after the children's paperwork...

In the next few days, you will see God's work becoming a reality in my life. Stay tuned... and thanks for reading to the end...

Mikko is Growing Up!

These past few days I can't help but notice my 2nd daughter, Mikko. She's just given me much joy lately... here's why...

Started noticing her actions when she had a stiff neck and she wasn't able to attend her saturday class in school. her classmate wrote a note for her saying, she has to choose between classmate "a" and classmate "b" because the one who wrote isn't friends with one of them. that bothered Mikko because it will be uncomfortable for her when she goes back to school knowing that her friends are not in good terms. she kept saying "what am I gonna do??" Monday came and when I picked her up that afternoon, she told me how she handled it. She was able to fix things by being mediator to "reconcile". She didn't take sides instead made everyone friends again. Definitely not a childish thing.

Of being "OC"... I might have to think she's becoming one. she noticed her books plastic covers starting to get torn up. she started asking me to change the cover of her school diary. oh sure, i gladly did... then after a day, she asked me again to change "some" of her books plastic covers, and i asked her to take them out of her bag so i can do it after my chores. i was overwhelmed when she took all her books out!!! i was tired, sleepy, lazy (haha)... but i felt that it was so important for her to have them changed, so i asked her to help me cut up some adhesive tape so at least il just stick it. she gladly helped out. and she was happy to have "new" books again. aside from this, she also prepares her bag way ahead. during weekends, she checks and fixes her things sunday mornings. OC???

Mikko, the helpful... just after dinner a while ago, as I was feeding my dogs outside, she yelled, "mom, should I keep the leftover food in the ref?", I said yes. this is the second time she did this on her own initiative. when i came back to clean up the table, she had already cleared everything up, water container refilled, chairs in its proper place, plates and all in the sink. all i had to do was wash them! I really appreciate her helpfulness.

Aside from all mentioned, she's been a responsible sister to our youngest, Robinn. She could give her a bath, she could keep her busy while I'm busy, she constantly watches her in school and after school.

Mikko is only 8 years old. Isn't she so amazing? During her terrible twos, I thought it will never change!

The school called me this morning and...

it just terrified me. it was robinn's teacher saying they have to bring robinn to binan doctor's hospital because her classmate accidentally hit her eye. i just felt so in a rush to get to my baby that i didn't bother asking what hit her eye, who did it and all... all i asked was if she was crying. it was so scary. all i could think of was, how bad could it be for her to be brought to a hospital??? ric and i followed at the hospital and couldn't find them right away. then finally we traced them on the 2nd floor where the eye center is. the doctor was late. robinn isn't crying and she was accompanied by her teacher. there is a red spot in her left eye, and swollen. i asked her who did it, and told me that it was her classmate who has ADHD. he was spinning his towel too hard and hit robinn's eye. yes she cried because it hurts. DOCTOR'S FINDINGS: the cornea was scratched, but her vision is still clear. she needs to apply antibiotic and soothing gel. i just thank god it wasn't anything like a pencil that hit her eye.

SM LITTLE STAR ROBINN

My dad was the one who convinced her to join. She wouldn't have pushed thru with it if my dad wouldn't come along for the screening.

So today she underwent the first screening at SM Sta Rosa. She was the 48th participant. We were there at 12:15pm and they resumed the screening at 1pm. They started with #18. Each child has 5 minutes to do her thing, interview, and talent. We really had no idea what's going to happen, we thought it was just going to be a submission of requirements and a little interview. So Robinn wasn't really prepared for the talent part (costume wise). But she delivered anyway, I came from the ballet class so I still had all the music cd's in my bag, so i asked her what she wants to show for her talent and she decided she's going to dance to the Cinderella tune BIPPITTI BOPPITTI BOO.

I was amazed that as soon as she was asked to sit with the other participants, she started talking to her seatmate, very patiently waiting for her turn, dances and sings to any tune of whoever was performing. Back in school when she has performances, she would always cling to me until its her turn, and even shy to perform. But today!!! wow, she showed confidence, a lot of excitement...

here's the secret... its how my dad convinced her to do it. My dad promised her to keep the aircon running for her in my dad's room if she joins. she said YES right away... it's that simple.