Beyond the Silver and the Gold - A Filipino Family's Homeschool Journey

Book Review: Gabby, God’s Little Angel by Sheila Walsh

2013-01-12T14:35:00.001+08:00

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

This first book in a delightful new series offers a comforting message for young readers—God loves you very much and is always watching over you!

What little girl wouldn’t love her very own guardian angel? Parents and children alike will be won over by this humorous tale of Gabby, a guardian angel in training who has much to learn about taking care of God’s little ones. Her new assignment is to protect a young girl named Sophie, but Gabby soon realizes that watching after Sophie is a bigger challenge than she had expected! After a close call while riding her pony, Sophie learns what the Bible says about guardian angels: “He will put his angels in charge of you. They will watch over you wherever you go” (Psalm 91:11 ICB).

MY REVIEW:

What a wonderful book to teach our children about God’s protection by His angels! This book is not only very creatively told, it is also illustrated beautifully. It captures the attention of children as soon as the book is opened.

This cute little story of an angel-in-training sent to watch over another little girl on earth effectively proves the love of God for His children. My little children enjoyed the story immensely. But it also did its work with me as I read the story to my children. It brought home the truth of God’s angels watching over us constantly that we never need to fear.

This book is highly recommended for parents and grandparents to get for the children in their lives.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Celebrating Advent and Creating Christmas Traditions

2012-12-20T02:37:00.001+08:00

Last Nov. 17, I had the privilege of attending the Christmas Traditons, Christmas Crafts Workshop by Quetti Azurin of Fancy Momma at the Fully Booked in Bonifacio High Street.

Aside from the Christmas crafts that she taught us, she also talked about the Christmas traditions that we have in our families. One of the things that really struck a chord in me was when she said - if a traditions was causing you too much stress, it's okay to just do away with it.

This had surprised me because I have already accepted it that Christmas is really a time when I am so stressed with all the activities and demands of the family. For the past several years, all I remember about Christmas is that I was so tired. In fact, the last two years, I wasn't happy anymore when December comes. All I could think of was how tiring and expensive this season is.

I had obviously forgotten who this season is about.

So in celebration of this Christmas, I've decided to start a new tradition in our family - the lighting of the Advent wreath and having daily devotions about Advent.

This year, I'd like to do something different for us.

I'd like for our family to focus more on the reason we can celebrate Christmas yearly.

The birth of Jesus Christ.

We have been faithfully having our Advent devotions and those are truly the sweetest moments in our family. We did start a week late so we've been reading two devotions per day. I am always thankful that I went to Quetti's workshop. Not only did my kids and I have fun creating the Christmas crafts she taught, it inspired me to create a new tradition in our family.

For your own daily Advent devotions, download a free copy by Ann Voscamp. You'll have to subscribe first before you can download.

Get to know Quetti Azurin of Fancy Momma better through her Facebook page and her website - Quetti Borromeo-Azurin.

The Rhythm of Our Life

2012-12-01T04:24:00.002+08:00

I am very, very sorry... for leaving you for a very long time.

At first, it was because I had already given birth.

Then my Zac died.

So my family and I took time to grieve... to rest... to find our way again.

We took enough time to just be with each other... for comfort... and assurance that we are still okay... and that we will be okay.

Even if we miss... no yearn... sometimes even desperately... for the son, the brother, that we lost.

I have to admit... I was very angry at God.

I had such a hard time accepting... understanding was there... but accepting took longer.

I couldn't write... as much as I used to before... because writing meant focusing my thoughts... and those thoughts inevitably returned to my loss.

In the last three months, I became very, very busy.

I started working...still from home... and still teaching the children. I couldn't find the time to read my beloved books and write on this long-ignored blog.

But I take a deep breath now... and feel my peace. Yes, I lost my son. A part of me died when he died. But I think I found my better self.

I've had many times of talking to the Lord... crying out to Him...venting my anger... expressing my hurt.... but through it all, I felt the Lord's comforting peace cover me fully.

We are not yet over our grieving, not even close. But we have found a new rhythm to our lives and know that we will keep on living.

And I will keep on writing.

Buying a Term Paper

2012-11-08T01:05:00.000+08:00

When I was still a very young student, sometime in the later elementary years, my classmates noticed that I was able to submit my reports or essays way ahead of everybody. They also noticed that I get very good grades with my essays. Thus began my love of writing.

Being an avid book-reader, I also love to see my own words put to paper. I always had a journal or a diary, as some may call it, all these years. Even as a very busy mother, I still found the time to sit down and write my thoughts. It lessened just a bit when I started blogging because I was able to express myself more in my blogs. I still kept my prayer journal, though, because those held most of my private prayers and thoughts about my life and family.

One of the funny things that resulted from all the writing I do is that I always get asked to write a paper for somebody. I remember in Grade 6, my classmates would ask me to write their essays for them. I never did, though. I would always tell them to write it themselves and I'll just help in the grammar after they wrote it. I did this all through high school and then college. I didn't want to be writing their papers for them, I just helped in the correction of grammars and sentence construction. I don't know now if what I do can be called editing because I know that professional editors use a guide to edit. Correcting grammars and the writing style itself became something like a sideline for me, but without any pay.

When my husband and I were just dating, he came to me one day asking for help with their group's paper. He gave me a yellow pad filled with a classmate's writing. When I started checking it, I found I almost had to write the whole thing over. Nothing in it made sense! It was as if the writer was just wanting to get the words out there but had no skills in writing.

I just wish I had known then what I do know now - people actually charged a fee for writing or editing their papers. This is such a shocker to me because I had been doing the service for free! With the advent of internet, now any student can just go online and look for a paper-writing services. As long as the student has the money to pay, she can engage someone to write her paper.

One site I found is www.advancedwriters.com/write-my-paper/write-my-term-paper.html . This site guarantees that buyers will get a professionally- written, original term paper. If a student should decide to buy now , a high-school level term paper can be had for $13.00/ page. $13.00?!? I could have gotten rich in high school if I wrote my classmates' term papers and charged for it.

Well, that time has passed now. As a homeschool mom, I still hold true to my integrity. I still don't write my children's assignments for them. They will have to learn it themselves. Maybe someday, they may want to earn from their own writing skills in a legitimate manner as I do now.

REDESIGNED LIFE, REDESIGNED BLOG

2012-11-05T10:30:00.000+08:00

I have not been posting as much as before. Nor have I been writing my usual reviews. But I'd like to tell you all what I've been up to for the last two months.

Well, I've been working, from home, that is. After Zac died last June, our family incurred a huge debt. Zac had been delivered via caesarian section and I had to have a complete hysterectomy. Add to that Zac's one month stay in the NICU. That alone was already quite a lot of money spent.

Then Zac was confined in the Pediatric ICU for five days before he finally succumbed to death, and that's another big expense.

That time, the Lord provided us so much already through the financial help of family and friends. A lot gave generously, but we still had a huge bill to pay which resulted into debt.

So after that, I decided to look for an online job. Not long after Zac died, an online friend posted on Facebook that she was looking for a Social Media Strategist and that this is a home-based position. Even though I was not at all experienced in Social Media, I went ahead and wrote to her. We met in real life for the interview, then I had an online interview with our American boss and after a week or so, someone from the office called me with a job offer!

I've been working full time from home for the last two months, getting to know my job better, acclimating myself to the WAHM life, homeschooling my kids, and managing the home. The blogging is the first to go, at this point. It was a choice between blogging and homeschooling, so I chose to homeschool first.

In the meanwhile, ideas for blog posts are swimming around in my head and these need to be released. I'd like to expand my blog to write more about the lessons I've been learning as a wife and mother and even as a grieving mother.

Well, these will come soon. A blog redesign is also in the plan and I am excited to unveil these. Hopefully, I can launch my new and exciting blog by the New Year 2013! I hope that all my current followers will still follow my new blog and that I gain more followers.

God bless us all!

Psalm 73

2012-10-21T14:16:00.000+08:00

Psalm 73

New Living Translation (NLT)

Book Three (Psalms 73–89)

Psalm 73

A psalm of Asaph.

¹Truly God is good to Israel,
    to those whose hearts are pure.
²But as for me, I almost lost my footing.
    My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.
³For I envied the proud
    when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.
⁴They seem to live such painless lives;
    their bodies are so healthy and strong.
⁵They don’t have troubles like other people;
    they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else.
⁶They wear pride like a jeweled necklace
    and clothe themselves with cruelty.
⁷These fat cats have everything
    their hearts could ever wish for!
⁸They scoff and speak only evil;
    in their pride they seek to crush others.
⁹They boast against the very heavens,
    and their words strut throughout the earth.
¹⁰And so the people are dismayed and confused,
    drinking in all their words.
¹¹“What does God know?” they ask.
    “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?”
¹²Look at these wicked people—
    enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply.

¹³Did I keep my heart pure for nothing?
Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?
¹⁴I get nothing but trouble all day long;
every morning brings me pain.

¹⁵If I had really spoken this way to others,
    I would have been a traitor to your people.
¹⁶So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper.
    But what a difficult task it is!
¹⁷Then I went into your sanctuary, O God,
    and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.
¹⁸Truly, you put them on a slippery path
    and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.
¹⁹In an instant they are destroyed,
    completely swept away by terrors.
²⁰When you arise, O Lord,
    you will laugh at their silly ideas
    as a person laughs at dreams in the morning.

²¹Then I realized that my heart was bitter,
    and I was all torn up inside.
²²I was so foolish and ignorant—
    I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.
²³Yet I still belong to you;
    you hold my right hand.
²⁴You guide me with your counsel,
    leading me to a glorious destiny.
²⁵Whom have I in heaven but you?
    I desire you more than anything on earth.
²⁶My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
    but God remains the strength of my heart;
    he is mine forever.

²⁷Those who desert him will perish,
    for you destroy those who abandon you.
²⁸But as for me, how good it is to be near God!
    I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter,
    and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.

The WAHM and Her Homeschoolers

2012-10-09T00:15:00.001+08:00

www.eduboard.com

I have been working full time from home since a month and a half ago. It has been a real challenge balancing work, home management and homeschooling four kiddos. The eight hour workday is already a given, I can't let up on that. So something has to give - either the homeschool or the home management. Well, I've tried as much as I can not to let either one go, but I've had to prioritize my children's education over keeping the house clean or doing the laundry. Nowadays, as long as my children are fed, dressed in clean clothes, and studying, that's about fine with me. Our family needs the income I make from my job so I simply cannot give up on that.

It's certainly a blessing that my eldest two are old enough to study their lessons independently. They still come to me if they have questions. I also schedule one-on-one time with them during the day to teach. For my 1st grader, it only takes about an hour to an hour and a half to finish up all her lessons. For my two high schoolers, they have about two hours a day with me every other day, then they study by themselves the rest of the time. Sometimes, I wish that I can hire a tutor for them. But with the high hourly rates of tutors, it's just not possible for us to do it. I have done some research for online tutors and I have seen one that looks good. It's www.eduboard.com.

The things I like about having an online tutor like www.eduboard.com is that they also give one-on-one teaching. Furthermore, the student can choose which tutor she likes to teach her, how many minutes of study she needs to do, and choose the rate to pay. I had a look at their testimonials and the students were happy. Most of the comments say that their tutors worked diligently with them until they learned their lesson.

I think having an online tutor available for my children would be an advantage. They would get the benefit their tutors availability and expertise in their subjects.

Homeschool Family IN FOCUS–The M Family Part 2

2012-08-28T00:30:00.000+08:00

Last week, I featured our very first homeschool family IN FOCUS. The M Family have two children, a daughter and a son, both are now in college. Read the first part of this interview here.

Part 1

BSG: Please tell us more about the program you used to homeschool your high school child.

MD: Saxon Math 6-5 to 12, I think and the REPSCI BEC Secondary curriculum. We did not use a specific program for the other subjects but my son read. The seminary has a good library which he used intensively.

BSG: What are the challenges you faced in homeschooling your high school child. Were you able to overcome them?

MD: Telling others what is homeschooling, that is really a great challenge. I knew I would be misunderstood in the first place but after my son passed the UPCAT, there was that sense of elation that I have been proven right. It was all by God' s grace. My father, at first, thought it was intellectual suicide - another of my contrived mischiefs, and my mother worried to no end. They wanted my kids to be in UP so they expected my kids to be in really good schools. My neighbors not knowing what homeschooling was, snickered and called us nuts. But we were really challenged and we prayed.

BSG: Please give encouragement to other families about homeschooling their child through high school.

MD: To fellow home-schoolers out there. Continue on.

Remember the task set before us is to train up a child in the way that he should go. And that is God's way.

Think of homeschooling as a better option, an adventure of liberating your kid towards a life of life-long learning. This is an adventure of making your kids set boundaries for him to use in life, for helping him decide. Boundaries preset by precept coming from the Word.

Home schoolers you now have it easier, the government has a K+12 program, making it easy for people to understand why we have to make our kids go through K-12. 6 years of HS. Suddenly people are now beginning to talk that 6 years of HS is even too short! What about 2 years more?
Through the years I was homeschooling, when I told people that my son is spending 6 years in high school, all I got was a quixotic stare with a question that implied, "so, he is that dunce head really?!"

As you face that adventure of educating your child think of the personal life investment incarnated in you as you teach your child.

It was an adventure.

Homeschool Family In Focus: The M Family–Part 1

Thank you very much, M Daddy, for sharing with us your story. I’m sure those who read this will be very encouraged to shoulder on with homeschooling their children.
Watch out for the very first Homeschool Graduate IN FOCUS as he talks about his own homeschool experience.

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Remembering Zac–2nd Month Death Anniversary

2012-08-27T07:02:00.000+08:00

Zac’s hand in mine just before he died

Last Sunday, Aug. 19, 2012, we remembered our baby Zac. It was his second month death anniversary. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think of him and think of our loss. I lost so much on that fateful day of June 19. A piece of my heart and life went away with Zac when the doctor announced that his heartbeat has finally stopped.

Though I have come to accept this, I still ask God daily “Why?” Why did Zac have to die? Why my child? Why me? Why do my children have to suffer grief? Why did God plan that Gary D. and I should have to go through so much pain and heartache? Why did we have to lose our child? So many unending questions with hardly any answers.

One day as I was reading my Bible, I found this verse and it held an answer for me. It did not answer my questions specifically, but the answer from God is enough.

John 16:33 was the chapter when Jesus Christ was preparing his disciples for his coming death. This is what He tells them to encourage them. He told them the truth: that there will be trouble, trials and sorrows in this world. Then He gave an assurance, they must take heart, He has overcome the world.

I felt peace after that. Jesus knew that his death will not be lightly taken by his disciples. He was the Beloved. Though He knew that He will suffer and that He will die soon, He took time to prepare and encourage His disciples. He gave them hope.

The answer, then, to all of my “why’s” is “why not?” Sorrow, grief and suffering is a part of this world. The wonderful news is: God has overcome the world! When Zac died on that night, he went into the loving arms of God in Heaven. Zac is alive in Heaven. The time will come when we will join him there to worship the Lord together. In the meanwhile, despite my grieving heart, I choose to keep moving on, always grateful for every day that He gives us.

Hymn to a Good Wife - Proverbs 31-10-31 (The Message)

2012-08-26T07:00:00.000+08:00

A good woman is hard to find,
   and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve,
   and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously
   all her life long.

She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
   and enjoys knitting and sewing.
She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
   and brings back exotic surprises.
She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast
   for her family and organizing her day.
She looks over a field and buys it,
   then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.

First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
   rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work,
   is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
   diligent in homemaking.
She's quick to assist anyone in need,
   reaches out to help the poor.

She doesn't worry about her family when it snows;
   their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
She makes her own clothing,
   and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
Her husband is greatly respected
   when he deliberates with the city fathers.
She designs gowns and sells them,
   brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.

Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
   and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
   and she always says it kindly.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
   and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect and bless her;
   her husband joins in with words of praise:

"Many women have done wonderful things,
   but you've outclassed them all!"
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
   The woman to be admired and praised
   is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
Give her everything she deserves!
   Festoon her life with praises!

Source

Happy 17th Guitar Babe!

2012-08-24T02:21:00.001+08:00

Has it been that long already since I gave birth to her?

It’s absolutely unbelievable!

It’s a WAHMderful Life! A Look at Moms (& Dads) Who Work At Home

2012-08-23T21:46:00.001+08:00

If you are a WAHM (Work-at-home Mom) or considering to be one, you are invited to attend this seminar organized by The Dainty Mom. The Dainty Mom or Martine de Luna is a friend I met online who is also a homeschool mommy.

I, for one, am very excited for this seminar. This is a first look at the WAHM life that is very ideal for homeschool moms and dads. See the flyer below for details.

Workshop Rate: P1,300.00

Early Bird Rate on or before Sept. 20: P1,000.00

Group Rate: Groups of 3 is P1,000.00 each

Homeschool Family In Focus: The M Family–Part 1

2012-08-21T18:04:00.000+08:00

IN FOCUS is a new section of Beyond The Silver and The Gold where I will feature homeschooling families, homeschool students and homeschool graduates. I hope that they will be able to encourage all of you in your own homeschool journey.

My first guest is The M Family. I ‘met’ the daddy online when he shared about putting his homeschooled son through high school via the Rizal Experimental Station and Pilot School of Cottage Industries while also using their own materials. They have asked to remain anonymous so I will only refer to them as MD for MDaddy and MS for MSon. I am BSG for Beyond The Silver and The Gold.

BSG: Tell us about your family - how many children, your work, your wife's work, the ages and school grades/year of each child.

MD: I have two children, MS is now 21 and MD(daughter) is 20 (talk about RH bill and not knowing to compute!) I am a seminary teacher (college) and a pastor as well. My wife teaches too, in the elementary level in the same school that I teach at. Both of my kids are now in UP Los Banos. My son is an irregular senior and my daughter is an irregular sophomore in the said school.

BSG: Are all your children homeschooled? Why or why not?

MD: All my kids were for a time home-schooled. My son was purely home-schooled from Grade 7-8 then First Year to Fourth Year, a total of 6 years. After finishing Grade 8, we decided to look for a HS (high school) that would be basically a home study program. We figured that it should be one that will allow him to finish his home school program as well as allow him to have credentials that will allow him to get into the UP. REPSCI fitted in nicely.

With my daughter we took another tack.Our school (seminary) opened a secondary program, so we decided to enroll her there. It is just right where we live. We live on the campus. I would have home-schooled her purely if our school did not open a secondary program although admittedly it would have been a harder task. My daughter has another gifting. They are both creative so think of schedules when two kids schedule out.

The boy loves schedules and lives by the clock, sleeps by the bell, the girl when she was younger was a free spirit that is before her UP days.

BSG: What made you decide to homeschool your child up to his high school years?

MD: Our school did not have a secondary program at that time. Think of the hassle and expense of sending kids to high school. Baon, projects and contribution. You see the "education is expensive, try ignorance thing" sang all the way on my mind, when we began high school.

Aside from the issue about finances, one big issue was the quality of education issue. I was always asking, “Are schools better now than they were before? Can my son or daughter have a better education than the one I had before?” Big deal for my father because my siblings and I attended the Science High School. I felt that if a school is not as good as the science high then I must look for one or make one. I made one. It was easier, initially there was only one student and it was not limited to the sciences. It offered the whole of life.

The consciousness that we as parents hold their lives in a balance is a motivator enough to make as teachers do well as teachers of our kids.

Above all, there was that issue on bullying. My son was bullied when he was in the elementary grades. This was not present in a home school. I thought that he needed to be more mature, intellectually, emotionally and physically. A four year HS program I thought was not enough for such a tall order. So I began with a two year home school junior program. When he was through with it, I thought it would be nice if he finished a full four year home school for the secondary grades.

Another issue addressed was boredom. Modesty aside, he performed well in class but as a fast learner he felt bored when he had to wait for others. So he often made a mess out of himself because of boredom. When he had to compete with himself - it was another story.

Peer pressure issues also made us decide that home schooling is (a) better alternative. I thought that if my kids' lives will be decided by other kids then it would be the end of our story. I felt there just had to be a better alternative.

Another issue usually not present with homeschooling families is Communication. Usually communications between parents and kids during their delicate high school years are reduced to grunts and yawns on the dinner table. What better it is to have a son and daughter who can tell you their stories when they were in high school over the dinner table.

Socialization has been an oft mentioned issue as we home schooled our son. That probably is not a challenge for my kids. My son and daughter have so many cousins that they don't feel awkward with others. We also live in a campus. When my kids (specifically my son) were in home school, he would sit in classes either in high school or in college. He thought it was cool to be with older guys

When he was bored, he would just pack up and play his violin and guitar.
I could not do that in regular school, drop out, sleep and rest.

Sounding good so far? MD really thought about what was best for their children and gave them what they needed. Stay tuned for the second part of this interview with MD. MS will also have his own interview as a homeschool high school graduate.

If you want to know more about Rizal Experimental Station and Pilot School of Cottage Industries, please click here.

Don’t miss the coming posts about The M Family. Subscribe to my blog by entering your email below.

Homeschool Domination

2012-08-18T09:30:00.000+08:00

Someone shared this graphic with me. Tell me what you think!

Created by: CollegeAtHome.com

Birthdays and Going to College

2012-08-17T01:14:00.001+08:00

My eldest child, Guitar Babe, is turning 17 in a week. Sigh, how time flies by so fast. I said to her, “I don’t want you to turn 17, because then you’ll be 18, and a few years later,you’ll be 21. Next thing I know, you’ll ask to leave home or get married! No! No! No!”

But I digress. What I really wanted to write about is getting a college education. She is entering college by next school year, hopefully. I had purposely set her back so that she would be more mature when she leaves the home to study. I don’t believe in sending children at the young age of 15 or 16 to college to fend for themselves. We wanted her to be emotionally and psychologically ready for her life ahead.

After all, what is college if not to prepare our children for their future lives? For most children and even parents, college is just another phase in their lives that a child should go through and finish, and earning a college degree is a necessity for the student to graduate to real life.

One of the major goals we had for our homeschooled children is to prepare them to become good, productive citizens of this country. People that we can be proud of who will lead lives that are not only God-pleasing but pleasing to their community as well.

In this light, I would like my children to view their college education as more than just a phase in their student lives. I would like for my Guitar Babe to choose which course she believes would be what she would really like to do for her future. Of course, this will not be easy for someone as young as her to do. This is the reason parents are there for their children – to give them guidance.

I’m also prepared for any possibility that college may not be the way to prepare her for her future. There are so many other courses she can take such as entrepreneurial courses, vocational courses and the like. Or she can go into an apprenticeship first to see if that is something she would really like to do for the rest of her life. Earning her degree online is also another possibility. Homeschool college? Yes, a very big possibility!

After all, many of us adults and parents have proven that our college degrees have not always led us to the careers or professions that we have now. I’m proof of that. I have a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management but I only worked in a restaurant for about three months. I’ve never worked in a hotel. I now work from home as blogger/writer/virtual assistant while homeschooling the children.

My husband who finished Respiratory Therapy has a very good and fulfilling career in the hotel industry. I know someone who did not earn his college degree but is now a very successful manager in a recruitment firm. Today, there are countless nursing graduates who already have their license to practice that work in other areas far from nursing. Some children have not finished their college degrees because they have no interest in their chosen studies.

What I’m saying is that we should try our best to lead our children to be educated in the way that would lead them to live their best lives. It is their future, not ours, and they should be free to choose for themselves. Guitar Babe would like to pursue a career in the music industry. I would like for her to be in business for herself. While I believe I’m wiser, I wouldn’t want to force her into something against her will. But, her dad and I will continue to guide her till she finds out what God’s will is for her.

The Woodcarver: A Family Movie DVD Review

2012-08-15T23:23:00.000+08:00

About the Movie:

Matthew Stevenson is a troubled kid from a broken home. When he vandalizes the local church to get back at his parents, Matthew has to repair the damage to the church to avoid criminal charges. While working at the church, he meets Ernest (John Ratzenberger), an accomplished wood carver who created the intricate woodwork decoration that Matthew destroyed. Ernest has become something of a hermit, but reluctantly comes out of reclusion to help repair the church. Now Ernest and Matthew must work together to preserve the church's beautiful antiquity, and along the way, they also manage to restore their faith in God and in life.

My Review:

There are many good things that I love about this movie. While the plot – that of a troubled boy taken in by a willing mentor - has been rehashed by many movies in the past, it is still a nice movie to watch for the whole family.

Parents who are going through divorce or separation can see here what their children may be going through because of their problems. More than the attention and love that he needed from his parents, he really needed the security of belonging to his parents. This was showed clearly in one of the scenes where the parents argue over the phone as to who will be with their son while both are busy working.

Another point taken by this movie is the potential in a child that has already been labeled or deemed a troublemaker. Ernest, the woodcarver, sees the potential in Matthew and helps him by taking him in and teaching him to carve wood. In the process, Ernest helps to build Matthew’s self-confidence.

Integrity is another interesting point here as Matthew’s father and mother are faced with a major decision. Will they sacrifice their careers for a job that will not pay them any money but will mean their stand for integrity?

I particularly appreciated the scene where the church pastor challenges both parents about their church life and how they think it affected their family life.

I really love the contrast between the homes of Matthew’s parents and Ernest’s log cabin. While Ernest’s cabin is full of warmth, the home that Matthew’s father built for them is very modern but also cold.

All in all, a great movie to watch for the whole family.

Tropical Storm “Helen” Threatens Floods in Northern Luzon

2012-08-14T13:03:00.001+08:00

It has only been four days since most of Metro Manila and Luzon was flooded by habagat – this flood with no name. In fact, some parts of Taguig, Marikina, Navotas and Valenzuela are still submerged. Most are undergoing some major cleanups.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Unfortunately, another storm is brewing and threatening more floods for the Philippines. Tropical Storm Helen or Kai-Tak (international name) is threatening Northern Luzon while we are still in such a vulnerable state. Read about this here.

He will cover you with his feathers and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day.

In the meanwhile, what are we to do as we listen and read about this news? Life has to continue and we have to keep moving on. We go about our days as usual and we keep on trusting in the Lord for the things that we cannot control.

A thousand may fall at your side,ten thousand at your right hand,but it will not come near you.You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.

The Lord is faithful and full of mercy. As we go through these trials in life, we can count on Him to see us through.

If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.

We should also read up and get ready for anything that may happen. Here’s a link to National Geographic’s Flood Safety Tips.

Verses are taken from Psalm 91.

Life Lessons from Habagat - This Flood With No Name

2012-08-11T07:00:00.000+08:00

It was only in 2009 when Metro Manila looked like a big ocean brought about by the storm Ondoy. Everyone was blindsided. Although Marikina and Navotas were always the first ones to experience flooding, the waters brought by Ondoy was too much and flooded most of Metro Manila.

Now, after only three years, our country is besieged again by another flooding. This time, it is not even brought about by a storm, but only by “habagat” – rains brought on by the southwest monsoon from the storm Haikui that was raging over China.

As I watched for updates on TV and over the internet, one thing was apparent – the government and LGU’s are more prepared this time. During Ondoy, the heroism of ordinary citizens shined as they tried to rescue friends and neighbors. This time, the municipalities went immediately into action and thousands were rescued.

As with any trial in life, there are many lessons to be learned. Here are mine:

1. If the government issues a warning to evacuate, it will be best for us to do so. They do not issue warnings like this without basis. People were told to evacuate their homes early, but because they did not listen, they had to endure waiting up on their roofs for rescue. Their placed their own lives at risk for the sake of safeguarding their things at home. See my blog post about this.

2. When water starts to come in to your home and you cannot leave, go up to the higher levels of your house. If possible, bring with you as many necessities as you can such as food, water, flashlight, candles, arinola (funny but true if you don’t have a toilet up there), baby’s milk if needed. There were several people trapped on the second floor of their homes without water or food.

During Ondoy, our two daughters, then aged 14 and 11, were over at their grandparents house. That day, they were only with the yaya at home. When water started to come in, my daughters immediately brought upstairs what they thought they needed: some food, water, and the arinola. All of them benefitted from their quick thinking because they were trapped on the second floor from about 3:00PM to 6:00AM the next day. They did not go hungry or thirsty and were able to pee.

3. Finally, when you are able to go back to your homes and see the devastation that the flood brought, thank the Lord that you are still alive to see it. I know it is very hard, after having gone through so much. I saw this picture on Facebook and can only imagine how the owners felt like.

Source

But the truth is, even though you and your family have been through this tragic time, you are still alive. Focus now on this life that the Lord allowed you to have. There is pain, there is devastation, but the Lord has a purpose. Now you may not understand it, but with eyes set on the Lord, you will soon see the blessing of God’s will for your life.

Look at this promise of God in Psalm 91:14-16

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

Safeguarding Your Home and Things During a Calamity–Habagat Flood

2012-08-10T12:52:00.001+08:00

As I watched the updates of the flood brought by “Habagat” on TV and online, there was one thing apparent to me: People who were told to evacuate their homes because of the rising water level did not leave their homes because they wanted to safeguard their stuff.

During the Ondoy flood of 2009, I acted the same way. I did not want to leave my house because of the things I had there. My sister, who was by then quite insistent that we leave, asked me “Is there anything you can do about your things when the water comes inside your house?” After some thought, I made the decision to go.

Why do we feel this need to safeguard our things? Why did people prioritize their things over their lives? Probably because we worked hard to buy all that stuff. But if we were able to purchase them before because of our hard work, then we can still work hard again and replace those things, if they become damaged by the flood.

I heard a rescue worker lamenting on TV that some people who were already rescued went back to their homes when the rains stopped for awhile. When the water started rising again, they had to be rescued all over again. The reason they went back was because of their things at home. “Baka manakawan” (Someone might steal), they say.

Well, let’s say some lowlife might still take advantage of an empty, flooded house, can he actually run away with your things? When he gets out of the house, he’s still faced with the flood.

During emergencies, we should prioritize the saving of our lives over our things. We lock our windows and our doors, secure our important documents, jewelries and others, bring our stuff to higher levels of our homes and that’s it. If we have to leave, then we should go.

Metro Manila Flooded by Habagat, Not a Storm

2012-08-08T11:39:00.003+08:00

Yesterday, the Philippines experienced yet another tragic calamity that will go down the books of history. The continuous pouring of rain has flooded most of Metro Manila and some parts of Luzon. Amidst the flood reports, newscasters keep saying that there is no storm. According to PAGASA or Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical & Astronomical Service Administration, flooding is caused by HABAGAT or monsoon rains. Tropical storm HAIKUI has been over Taiwan for several days and strong winds are pushing the monsoon rains to the Philippines. We are warned that today until Thursday rains will continue though it is starting to recede.

My Facebook page is deluged with pictures of flooded areas, flood reports, prayers and even funny pictures and quotes that only Filipinos can conjure.

On a personal note, I woke up with the news that my parents' house in Quezon City is already beginning to flood. They left immediately but with floods all over, was unable to reach my cousin who had a three story building. Immediately I felt anxious and scared for my parents. Both are in their 70's but are still strong and independent. When they stopped for food near our church, I immediately called up our church pastor and he came to pick them up.

My anxiety did not stop there, though. Our house is located very near a creek and during the Ondoy storm in 2009, our house's exterior area became flooded. Though the flood waters never reached the inside of our home, it was disconcerting to see the waters go higher outside our house. It felt like being on an island.

We were undecided about going because we don't have a vehicle. That would mean taking the children to walk the flooded streets.It's a good thing my sister offered to pick us up so off we went to their house.

Our family is safe now, thank God, but thousands of families in Metro Manila are still suffering, especially those that have lost their homes. Here's a video I found on YouTube that may give you an idea of what happened here and what is still happening right now. Any help will be appreciated.

This is a series of videos that will show a little bit of what it was like yesterday. Thanks for watching.

Thousands are affected by this flood. Homes are totally damaged. People are left without anything but the clothes on their backs. Children are getting sick in evacuation centers. Help is badly needed. They are asking for clothes, blankets, food – the kind that doesn’t need cooking, and water, toiletries, diapers, milk.

Help can be sent through Philippine Red Cross or GMA Kapuso Foundation Hotline at (+632)9811950.

Google Crisis Response published a site for people who needs emergency contact numbers for rescue. If you know anyone who needs rescue, if you need to find a family member, the numbers and links are here.

Generosity Encouraged

2 Corinthians 9:6-15 New International Version (NIV)

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
their righteousness endures forever.”

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

About Moving On

2012-08-01T02:18:00.002+08:00

I have been trying like a crazy woman to start writing again. It hasn't even been two months since my sweet, precious baby died and our family is still settling down. One of the reasons I have not updated here is that I mostly think about my baby and I'm not sure if any of you will appreciate me sharing about my grief.

These days though, I have come to a decision that since you have been reading about me and my family in the past, maybe you will also not be surprised if I share what grief has been doing to me.

So what has grief been doing to me?

Well, first of all, I wish people would stop asking me or my children if we have moved on. It hurts. Like I said, it has not been two months since Zac died.

What is moving on? Trying to forget our boy? Trying to forget the pain? Trying to forget that it even happened to us? How does one move on from something so painful as this?

For our family, the tears still come freely. My 5 year old Flash Boy bids his brother's picture good night and kisses it good morning constantly. My 3 girls cry when they remember their brother. My husband pauses and gets a faraway look every time thoughts of his son comes to mind. As for me, I still cry almost everyday remembering my baby.

I am very thankful that we have God and thankful that this came at a time in our lives when I knew Him very well. I know that I can count on Him to see us through. I know that His promises are true and that He makes the best plans for us (Jer. 29:11). I know that He will work things out for good for us (Rom. 8:28). Most of all I know that God took Zac to be with Him because He loved him so much (Isa. 57:1,2). Finally, I know that God still has more to reveal to us.

When I began this blog, one of my purposes was to be an encouragement to other homeschool families.Thankfully, I have met so many people who knew me because of my blog and so many did say how inspired they were to homeschool.

Now, I have to confess that I don't know how much encouragement I am to all of you at this point. I
just pray that as I continue to write and share about this, some of you who might also be grieving can relate and know that you are not alone in this grief.

Have we moved on? No, not at all and probably not for a very long time. But everyday is a new day full of God's mercies. For that, we can always find joy in each day and still live our lives as best as we can while carrying this burden of grief.

Still,I am thankful to those who ask. It's not easy to share in another's grief. Nor is it easy to find words enough to express how much one cares.

Thanks for taking time to share our grief.

Stand By Me by Neta Jackson - A Book Review

2012-07-25T00:26:00.001+08:00

Stand By Me

A SouledOut Sisters Novel

Sometimes the person you most need is the one least like you.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Kathryn Davies is a bright young woman from a prominent Phoenix family. But after making a leap of faith at a Christian music fest, dropping out of med school, and moving to inner city Chicago, her family all but disowns her.

When Kat discovers SouledOut Community Church, she longs to become a part of the multicultural church family. But her tendency to immediately say whatever she's thinking steps on the toes of nearly everyone she meets-especially Avis Douglass.

Avis has a strong faith, is the principal of one of Chicago's highest performing elementary schools, and is a founding member of SouledOut. But the country's economic downturn has thrown both her and her husband's jobs in question. And Avis hasn't heard from her youngest daughter in months-an estrangement that gnaws at her every day. Where is God in this?

Kat's flamboyant zeal for living a "radical" Christian life is a stark contrast to Avis's more reserved faith. But in God's timing, the two women discover they need each other in ways neither of them expected.

MY REVIEW:

Kat is a young woman who discovers her faith and somewhat impulsively decides to leave the path that was expected of her by her parents. This character shows what new Christians can go through as they start getting to know God in their lives.

Avis is a mature Christian who is also a Worship Leader in SouledOut Church. She enjoys a deep relationship with the Lord and makes time for personal meditation and praise. Avis also leads the Yada Yada group. This is a group of women who meet every other week to pray for each other.

Avis and Kat's paths cross in SouledOut Church. Kat is perenially curious about the older woman while Avis considers Kat a niusance that keeps getting in her way. As Avis struggles with the estrangement from her daughter and grandson, Kat also struggles with the almost non-existent contact with her parents.

I enjoyed reading Stand By Me. This is a book that is meant to stand alone but there are several references to previous books in the Yada Yada books series that I wish I had read them all. Neta Jackson writes about cultural diversity in a church and how we can all worship together. It is written with humour and drama at the same time. I really appreciate how the books showed how a Christian woman who is mature in her faith can continue to struggle but keep trusting the Lord. I love the Yada Yada prayer group and wish that I'm part of one. Kat's struggles shows the things that new Christians struggle with. This book will appeal to many women, young and mature.

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Zac - April 22, 2012 - June 19, 2012

2012-07-14T13:38:00.000+08:00

Last April 22, our son Zachary Daniel was born premature by 30 weeks. I shared that with you here. Since giving birth, I have not written much because I became very focused on just caring for my baby who needed much care.

Last June 19, 2012, our precious son went to his heavenly home with our Father in Heaven.

We were able to care for him a little over eight weeks, then he became very sick with sepsis. He struggled for his life in the pediatric ICU for 5 days. So many, many people and churches in many nations struggled and prayed for our little boy. On that last day, we faced the Sovereignty of the Lord - He is not only the Giver of life, but also the Taker of life.

To be truthful, I did not want to write about this part of our life. In fact, I did not want to write at all... because writing will make me face my thoughts... but I decided to write this today or else I may not be able to write anything anymore.

My heart grieves everyday for the loss of our son. Daily, I give myself time to cry it out. I have had and still have so many questions for this loss. Some questions, I found answers to. Some, I probably never will have any answer. But as I and my family grieve daily, I also know this truth: we can grieve because we still have life. And if we have this life, then we have God's amazing mercy and grace, and then we can keep on hoping. I'd like to share with you my status on Facebook last July 11:

I often ask God, since Zac died, "Lord, why have you given me and my family this sorrow?" I found my answer here:

" I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” 16:33 NLT

I realized after reading this, the Lord's answer must be "Why not?" But how good the Lord is! He has prepared us for these sorrows and we have the assurance that God has already overcome this world!

I am greatly touched by a friends response:

Judy Steidl The Lord teaches us how to bear sorrow like we also bear joy. It isn't easy, but being "Zak's mom" is an honor that He wanted you to have forever. That kind of love and sacrifice, gain and loss is something that Jesus also knew. In this way, Zak fulfilled such an incredible and powerful truth....and he was able to do so because he was loved so much by you all. Amazing grace.

The prayers of everyone, the encouragement and the presence, the financial help has left our family in awe of God's great work in us! Thank you to all of you who continue to pray and encourage our family.

ZACHARY DANIEL LIM PADRELANAN

You brought us so much joy!

Your short and sweet life is not in vain.

You will be missed.

We'll see you in Heaven baby.

TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY!

AZKALS-Global Football School Offers Lessons to Homeschoolers

2012-07-07T15:51:00.001+08:00

Hear, Hear!!!

Azkals-Global Football Academy will conduct a free orientation and training primer for the homeschool community onMonday, July 9, 2012 at Corinthian Gardens Football Field, 3:00 P.M. (Don Vicente Rufino Ave. corner Susuna Paterno St. and Don Vicente Madrigal Ave.)

Everyone is invited to join this special event and get to know more about football (even if you won't be joining the homeschool module, we would like to encourage you to attend this free orientation).

You may enter via EDSA gate or the Ortigas Ave. gate (across Robinsons Galleria). If commuting, please get off Ortigas Ilalim, take the footbridge (if coming from the North) and walk along Ortigas Ave. The subdivision gate is right before Meralco. Please tell the guard that you're going to the football field for Azkal's training. It's around 7-minute walk from the guardhouse.

For inquiries or confirmation of attendance, please contact Ms. Irma Chua at bihadjaj@yahoo.com or cellphone number 0921-7127640.

The Forgive Duke by Jamie Carie: Book Review and Giveaway

2012-05-24T22:48:00.000+08:00

About the Book:

Tethered by her impulsive promise to marry Lord John Lemon - the path of least resistance - Alexandria Featherstone sets off toward Iceland in search of her parents with a leaden heart. A glimpse of her guardian, the Duke of St. Easton - the path less traveled by - on Dublin’s shore still haunts her.

Will he come after her? Will he drag her back to London, quelling her mission to rescue her treasure-seeking parents, or might he decide to throw caution to the wind and choose Foy Pour Devoir: “Faith for Duty,” the St. Easton motto. The Featherstone motto Valens et Volens: “Willing and Able,” beats in her heart and thrums through her veins. She will find her parents and find their love, no matter the cost.

The powerful yet wing-clipped Duke of St. Easton has never known the challenge that has become his life since hearing his ward’s name. Alexandria Featherstone will be the life or the death of him. Only time and God’s plan will reveal just how much this man can endure for the prize of love.

About the Author:

When she was six, Jamie’s parents met Jesus and soon after started a church. It changed everything.

Road trips with her dad—to and from Bible studies across Indiana—were filled with talks of things beyond earth’s bounds – creation and the fall, God and Jesus and the rapture, the earthly walk compared to the spiritual walk, and how we are born for more than what we can see or touch.

The highlight of those nights was stopping at a truck stop in the middle of the night where her dad would spend a little of the offering basket on two slices of pie and a couple of Cokes. Nothing ever felt so special as a middle of the night slice of pie with her dad. And nothing could stop the writing pouring out of her.

As Jamie’s relationship with God grew, she discovered her heart was filled with songs and poetry. During high school she wrote lyrics for her brother’s band. (And she sang them too!) After college, Jamie married, had two sons and decided to stay home with them. While she homeschooled she wrote skits, poems, plays and short stories for school and church.

When her eldest son turned five she dove into the world of novels. She’d read romance novels for years, but couldn’t relate to the flawless, saintly heroines in Christian romance novels. So she decided to write her own.

Snow Angel was born on a frosty night in an old farmhouse in Fishers, Indiana, where the cold floor gave plenty of motivation for the snow scene. Jamie loves to write late at night when the house is quiet and the darkness seems alive. Elizabeth and Noah had been playacting in herhead for a long time, so the story went fast.

Ten years later Snow Angel was published and won the ForeWord magazine Romance Book of the Year winner, was a National “Best Books 2007” Awards winner, and a 2008 RITA Awards® Best First Book finalist. It was the beginning of her dream career.

Jamie and her husband Tony have been married for twenty-one years and live in Indianapolis with their three sons and a giant of a dog named Leo.

If she could only say one thing to her readers it would be, “Live the dreams God has destined you for!”

MY REVIEW:

If you have read my review of The Guardian Duke, the first book in this Forgotten Castles series, you would know that I didn't like that book as much. The Forgiven Duke, the second book in this series, is much better. I like this one better and finished reading it in just three days. I thought that Alexandria Featherstone is very brave and courageous, going to places she's never been to, to find her beloved parents. I appreciate that the author wrote this very realistically. This is a story about a young woman who love the Lord, who had her own struggles, who can make unwise decisions, but in the end will find the path that the Lord set out for her.

What I really liked about this book is its very different setting. The author's description of the places made it all very real to me. While I was reading it, I kept thinking that if Lara Croft were a Christian woman, Alexandria Featherstone would be it. Of course, minus the black, tight-fitting costume and the guns and knives. I suppose I just enjoyed this book very much. I hope I get to read and review the last book in this series.

GIVEAWAY!

This is for Philippines resident only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."