Japanese Origami - Kusudama Flower

Kusudama (translated as "medicine ball") were traditionally used as incense and poutpurri, from real flowers or herbs. Decorative kusudama are made by using folded paper origami units glued together.

My sister is a GOD-gifted. She has been the sole artist of my kid and niece's school projects whenever I won't be able to do it. We usually watch a UK TV program "Art Attack" where my sister gets ideas in doing the school projects. Recently, she is into crafting a Japanese Origami,which is made of paper. The photos above are her master piece. 

How to make Kusudama Flower Origami

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Kusudama-Flower

Words To Live By 1

Your identity is found in your heart. Not your job, your status, your name, what your major is, how much money you have. Your heart has been the same the entire time. So, be who you have always been. <3 

The heart of those we love is the most beautiful house. 

[not my photo] 

Don't give up in the middle just because the situation failed you. Smile, GOD has something better :) 

                                                  Can you read this? ^____^

I have a lot of these (Transmit/Receive) because a big portion of JESUS' love rains on me.. hehe, I.T.

[not my photo] 

Everyone must know how to fix a light bulb but it is so sad that not all are trying.. :(

[not my photo] 

Even if you will lost all the good and happy things in life, continue to scatter KINDNESS because a priceless reward is surely waiting in Heaven. :)

"Forever"

No copyright infringement intended. 

"Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use."

LORD JESUS, let me say my deepest prayer here. There will be a said to be a "catastrophic" ice storm to hit the Southeastern part of the USA tomorrow (February 13, 2014). Please protect all of them there. GA to be specific, please be safe.. dear friends, be all safe.

                 

                  Pitcher project :) 

             

              Her tree house .. it is so cute ^___^

  

    

The Philippines Says "THANK YOU"

It has been exactly three months after the devastating super typhoon “Haiyan” or “Yolanda” hit and severely affected the lives of some of my fellow countrymen here in the Philippines. I can still remember that it was our IELTS examination day. It was a day where we were thinking if the examination will be cancelled or not since the typhoon made its extra-ordinary land fall in the Visayas region around 4:40am (November 8, 2013).

The city of Manila was not hit that much since the battered regions are many kilometers away. The Philippines is an archipelago of 7,107 islands and it is very known that water is everywhere. The country is so used to welcoming 20-22 typhoons every year but the mother earth was a little unprecedented that day. It made the Visayas region braced so hard because it was going to smashed the areas real hard.

At 2040 GMT on Friday, exactly three months after the typhoon struck, the #PHthankyou billboard signs went up in New York's Times Square, London's Piccadilly Circus and six other locations. Posts from Hollywood artists, international musicians and sportsmen also appeared on social media. (Courtesy: International celebrities express sympathy for Yolanda victims)

In its #PHthankyou campaign, the DOT said: “We are Filipinos. We are resilient, grateful, and fun-loving people. And that's why even as we are still recovering, we already want to show our thanks."

Three Months after Haiyan - #PHthankyou

Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez said that at Saturday midnight, the country also had ad billboards simultaneously go up in other countries for #PHthankyou:

• Times Square in New York

• Galeries Lafayette in Paris

• Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo

• Piccadilly Circus in London

• Ion on Orchard Road, Singapore

• Sydney, Australia

• Berlin, Germany

• Toronto, Canada

• Seoul, South Korea

A super typhoon thought to be the most powerful ever to hit land battered the central Philippines, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate the affected areas and it left around 6,000 dead and with 1,800 still missing.

More people were made homeless than by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. A total of 14 million people were affected, six million workers lost their sources of income, 30,000 boats were destroyed and millions of coconut trees were damaged or flattened.

"The Philippines wants to say a big thank you to everyone who are helping us rebuild after Typhoon Haiyan," the tourism ministry said in a statement to mark its #PHthankyou campaign.

"The world has been one with the Philippines in helping rebuild the nation."

This is a sincere way of the Filipino people in thanking all the NATIONS and ORGANIZATIONS, and even the smallest of kind of people who have extended their support, prayer, love, and care for the typhoon victims. They have helped a lot and are still continuously reaching out to the affected. We all know from the Philippines that saying thank you is not enough to extend our gratitude but it is only GOD who can return the favor to everyone for helping the needy. 

May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” - Ruth 2:12 

THANK YOU in different languages

                            @1:31 - We are lifted (our spirits are lifted) because of your kindness.

                            @1:38 - We are really grateful 

                            @1:46 - We will rise 

                            @1:51 - Because of your support

                            @1:54 - We are going to rebuild our nation

a one-minute video showing how grateful the Filipino people are.. :) 

Times Square, New York, USA 

Piccadilly Circus, London,UK

Tokyo, Japan

Toronto, Canada

 Galeries Lafayette, Paris, France

What Should We Pray.. for A Future Spouse

[Quote en Quote]

So then came my question: how exactly DO I pray for my future husband? This man that I have never met or have already met but have no clue that he’s “the one”. When my friends ask me to pray for them I know exactly what to pray for, what they are struggling with… but how do I pray for someone when I don’t even really know what is going on in his life at this time? hmm.. 

I decided that it was time to do what I had to do in order to get answers: talk to God about it, find a good book on that topic, or the typical one… just Google it. So of course, I did all three.

After praying about it I decided that what I needed to do was come up with… “the list”. I know if you’re a guy… those two words just made you very happy. This list though is a little different than the one girls typically create. It has nothing to do with his physical appearance, what his resume looks like, or how exciting his life is at the moment (although those things matter too) but it was more along the lines of what kind of qualities does this man need to have to be a good future husband, father and leader of the home based on God’s Word and what does he need to do to get those qualities if he doesn’t have them already. Then I have to pray for God to work on those things in his life every day.

Of course, it’s not fair to create “the list” for my future husband and have no list for myself. I’m far from perfect (and lucky me) I actually know the things I need to work on daily. I created my own list of qualities that a wife, mother, and “helper” should have and what I need to do to “get there”… and asked God to help me work on those areas in my life too.

As for the book… there are quite a few books out there written for wives who want to pray for their husbands, but not too many written for singles praying for their future husbands. But, I did find a book that is specifically written for this exact topic and they are really encouraging. 

And it made me wonder… what’s the point of praying for your future husband before you even meet him? Why can’t you just start praying for him after you have already met him and are planning your wedding?

Before we answer that question we should take a good look at what men are in our world. Men are called to be our spiritual and earthly leaders. They are the backbone of the family, the nation, the body of Christ because God has a special calling upon each one of them and that is to lead the way with their God-given authority. It is men who take leading roles in determining how our nation should be run, how our children should be raised, what our churches should be grounded on. And Satan knows this very well, which is why from a very early age he bombards young boys with things that will stunt their growth in becoming the godly men and role models God created them to be. His plan is to take down these men before they can even rise to be who they are called to be because by making sure these men never rise to be truly God-fearing leaders that they need to be our families, churches, society will be weak along with their leaders.

This isn’t in any way to undermine the role of women in the world, in the church, and in the family. Women also play a significant role in all of these areas. And they also play a significant role in encouraging or discouraging the men in their lives in becoming the godly leaders they are called to be. Satan has his own attacks and schemes against women as well, but he knows that the best way to get to women is to first get to the men in their lives because it is the men in our lives that are our leaders and authority figures.Currently there seems to be a global problem for our present generation of Christian women and it is the unbalanced ratio between God-honoring woman and the males in their lives who aren’t as quick to become the men God called them to be. This leaves many young Christian women asking the question: what are we supposed to do? Sit back and worry about when these men will magically have an epiphany which will make them realize they need to step it up a little? Eat ice-cream while watching chick flicks and waiting for an un-realistic version of Prince Charming to appear in our lives? No. There is something we can do for our future (and present) husbands today and that is to enter into the war zone and fight for them in the one way that we can: pray for them.

Now… what should you pray for exactly? 

-His heart

-He will be a God lover

-Patience

-Understanding

-Trust

-Loyalty and faithfulness

-Strength

-Protection

-Intimacy

-“The list”

-Contentment

-Commitment

Whether you’re single or married it’s important to remember the power and importance of praying for the men in our lives. It’s never too early or too late to start and by doing so we will play a vital role in helping them become the leaders for that God wants them to be.

so cute.. hehe :)

Pray that your future husband or husband will love righteousness and hate wickedness, especially the evils of the culture. Pray that he will recognize and avoid wickedness in his own life, and if necessary, take a clear, strong stand against evil. (Prov. 27:12;John 17:15; 1 Cor. 10:12-13)

Pray that your future husdband or husband will safeguard his heart against inappropriate relationships with the opposite sex. Pray that his heart will be pure and undivided in his commitment to you. (Prov. 6:23-24, 26; Rom. 13:14)

Pray that your husband will cultivate strong integrity, and not compromise his convictions. Pray that his testimony will be genuine, that he will be honest in his business dealings, and will never do anything that he needs to hide from others. (Prov. 20:7; 1 Tim. 1:5, 3:7; Eph. 6:10-12)

Pray that your husband will have a humble, teachable spirit and a servant’s heart before the Lord. Pray that he will listen to God and desire to do His will. (Prov. 15:33; Eph. 6:6)

Pray that your husband will yield his sexual drive to the Lord and practice self control. Pray that your sexual intimacy together will be fresh, positive, and a reflection of selfless love. (Prov. 5:15, 18; 1 Cor. 7:3; Song of Solomon 7:10)

In My Mind

In every search for reality, for truth and honesty; there is always an accompanying doubt behind. It can never be so apparent, evident and plain yet quite perceptible. It could bring a very hollow feeling, so sad delusions that in time you will know what lies beyond. However, this hope could just wane if you are too much concealed with what are just exposed. Seeing is also believing, hearing is something and feeling is everything. It would not keep you from being too overwhelmed yet it designs so much uncertainty that often leads to blindness. You know in yourself that there can never be unison but still a kindle of hope is lighted that brings flames of contentment. It is a matter of acceptance and that you will be held captivated by just a shadow of your wholeness so preserved for a beloved. It is the thought of nothing is real; everything is just moving around in circles, no directions, and will just pop like bubbles. 

Living a simple life and achieving simple dreams are the most fulfilling jobs in the world. These may not yield similar fantasies with what others are experiencing in life yet you know that a normal way of living, like gazing stars up there wishing someone is listening to a heart speak is like heaven. Every little drop of rain brings so much pleasure in you accompanied by drizzles of encouragement of your surroundings. God’s creations are bliss whispering winds telling stories through a language of love. A nature of someone to feel so concerned with somebody is indeed a true wonderful gift from Jesus Christ. It is so amazing if you get tangled with what life brings such that it no longer matter how sorrowful your life would be. A thought of making someone happy, with own simple ways is a great achievement one cannot exchange for any material things. The love you bestowed which is returned would also be one of those cherished moments captured in life’s dazzled photography. Everyone is dreaming, weaving memories in mind may it be sad or happy and rumpling pieces of learning as it takes away to newer horizons. 

Loving is life. It needs to get nurtured, nourished, cultured, and molded into certain delineations through spice of surprises. Whilst it may be so unpredictable when feelings is to talk about, still it is so certain that we can manipulate how to bend with. Just so learning to accept how things are presented indirectly should be thy carried manner. Wishing and hoping someday, everything will be laid clear without doubts, confusions and wondering. Time is boundless to a listening heart, concerned mind and thoughtful souls humming the songs of life.

-smiles :) 

DISCLAIMER: *No copyright infringement intended.

"Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use."

When I Was Away

* hearing her voice..

* seeing her so lovely face..

(oh GOD she’s really cute)

* listening to her song with

such a pleasant-sounding 

symphony coming from her talented voice..

* capturing the eloquence

when reading her educational 

story books.. i admit her articulacy is far more better 

than mine.

* hearing her simple prayers,

full of love, hope, and care..

* listening to how she

explains her stories about everyday 

activities..

* seeing her laughters, cries,

anger, sadness, and excitement 

when she hears/sees me on Skype..

* hearing her “po” and “opo”

when she speaks/talks ~ so 

polite dear one..

* i love to see how she

giggles with such happiness while 

waiting for her package to arrive anytime

soon..

* i am so touched to hear her

saying she’s always praying 

for me and always thinking how i am doing everday..

nothing more than these..

everything is so wonderfully 

crafted and although I am considered underprivileged, 

my riches come from these simple things money definitely 

can’t buy.. I am so

blessed by the LORD JESUS CHRIST!! 

Thank you LORD.

하트~

•••••••••••••••••

If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head.

If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.

‒quotes by Nelson Mandela

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

When you fall in love with what God is making you, then you

don`t have to worry about where He`s taking you..

A Letter Of A Happy Bruised Heart

Reminiscing stories.. 

I'm not sure how long I've been feeling this way, but it seems that each day that passes is a day that I am even more tired of everyone and everything that reminds me of you. I wish I could be with you someday. Hours seem so long lasting. They drown me inside in ways that you could never imagine. I try dreaming of you but that’s bad on my part to conceive such impish things in my mind. It is just not appropriate and not good for a child of God. I should be just content of what I have and the enclosed self within me. There is so much to tell you that I could not convey because of the lack of courage and to add a dilemma of having language barrier, I supposed. And while in this infinite abyss we wait for the day in which we can just escape.. to you. 

I can’t stand this storm inside me. The city seems to be deserted just by my hard pounding thoughts. Weird people run without stopping, at my back are this intense universe that can’t seem to stop. Days seem grey. Everything seems mute while I cry because of stupid reasons that just make me angrier inside. It’s weird but I’m mad for letting myself fall for you, even though you did not warn me nor did anything to show love. How could you do this to me? I've tried to be a good friend to you but it seemed all pointless because you were just dumb, so helpless me and I do not have anyone to turn to right now. All are just uttered to the sky and letting God hear my heart cries, summoning to release the pain and the prolonged agony inside. 

I have evidences of SMS and chat messages about what you feel for me and I am so much holding on to it. These are my pillar of strength while Jesus is at the other end of my life’s rope. I wouldn't mind which ones are real or false truths. It is like happiness but soaked in desperation and loneliness. Too much of incompetent notions but the heart feels and instincts add to it. It is I think a simple gesture of “I’m about to screw you over big time honey!”. How pitiful of me then to receive such acts where all I showed was kindness and love. And what was I supposed to do? I was stuck in between you and a hard place, we won't talk about the hard place. You don't have an idea about this feeling, and yes you do.

But I don't blame you if there is too much pain to start with. Sometimes I feel like you keeping me half dead, inside my head. To be honest, I can see I'm not the girl whom I should be. It’s how you wanted it to be, it’s like you’re playing a joke on me, and am I losing a friend.. in the end? 

Aprovechando que está aqui..

Tenemos esa inquietud de aprender cosas nuevas..

Estar inquieto por no sentir el dolor..

Making the most of being here. 

We have the need to learn new things. 

To feel restless so not to feel the pain..

Quoting from Lord Byron's Letter to his Beloved Caroline:

"..God knows I wish you happy, & when I quit you, or rather 

when you from a sense of duty to your husband & mother 

quit me, you shall acknowledge the truth of what I again 

promise & vow, that no other in word or deed shall ever 

hold the place in my affection which is & shall be most 

sacred to you, till I am nothing."

My heart would like to utter the same words and I want to thank our Lord Jesus Christ for letting me virtually meet you and become a part of my life. If ever the saddest moment comes that I quit you, always hold on to Jesus Christ because He will certainly comfort you to replace a lost place of me in your heart. If you will then fall in love to another woman, may you keep that love, nourish with constant communication and culture it with sweetness so you won't feel any pain anymore. All my prayers are here in my heart. Take care and God bless us all.

Posted:January 10, 2012 16:39

This was taken from my other journal bank on another microblogpage which will shutdown soon. It is still hard to compose notes in English language. :(

My K-Love

ヅ Whom have I in heaven but YOU? And earth has nothing I desire, besides YOU. My flesh and my heart may fail, But GOD is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.. ~~ Psalm 73:25- 26. 

하늘에서는 주 외에 누가 내게 있으리요 땅에서는 주 밖에 나의 사모할 자 없나이다. 내 육체와 마음은 쇠잔하나 하나님은 내 마음의 반석이시요 영원한 분깃이시라. (시편 73:25-26)

I learned about this Christian radio station when I was in the US and I've been listening to it even when I am here in my home country-The Philippines. What I love most about the USA is the fact/truth that a very huge percentage of the people there are believers. They have that big faith in Christ Jesus. Christianity in my country came from the Spaniards and Americans and how they value their faith is astounding

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of GOD, which is in Christ Jesus our LORD. (Romans 8:38-39 KJV)

PRINCETON, NJ -- The large majority of Americans -- 77% of the adult population -- identify with a Christian religion, including 52% who are Protestants or some other non-Catholic Christian religion, 23% who are Catholic, and 2% who affiliate with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Another 18% of Americans do not have an explicit religious identity and 5% identify with a non-Christian religion.

The United States remains a largely Christian nation. I always pray that every faith and every heart which grows deeper for Christ in many countries won't fall towards a demise. T______T 

         

Real Christian Faith

There are times where it is just you and Jesus who are talking in prayer. You are keeping Him busy hearing/listening to your summons, gratitude, and excitement over things that happened or have happened. The blogpage link below speaks well of me too as if like a prayer. :) It is very well said..as if she's telling Jesus about what kind of situation she's going through but her goal is to get the message across young people's mind. The author communicate clearly and compellingly with great composure, and her message was sent clearly. It is undeniable that a reality like this is knocking on us. 

I can't help but to commend the author's write-up for this certainty and truth. GOD is the ultimate navigator of the steering wheel of a Christian woman's life. A woman of faith is not really just waiting in vain but is walking closer to GOD while He is busy planning great things for her future.

1 Samuel 16:7
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height,
for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at.
People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Proverbs 31:30
30 Charm can be deceiving,
    and beauty fades away,
but a woman
who honors the Lord
    deserves to be praised.

Indeed! Worth a read in its entirety. Click here:
http://www.writerscarnival.ca/peek-into-a-womans-heart-1-faith-is-like-a-tattoo-you-cant-borrow-mine-so-get-your-own/

Home-Cooked Foods

When I was living far far away from my family last 2011 to 2013, I learned so much about eating survival. Since the cost of dining out will put my pocket in despair, I decided to cook for myself for breakfast, lunch and dinner/supper. I admit I seldom visited fast-food chains, well just because I wanted to save more penny. hehe.. I went to several restaurants though and I will tell that they have superb servings plus the food is really great. We will say in Tagalog that the food serving is really "pang-dalawang tao" (a food serving is for two average-eaters).

What I like most about those foods I've savored were the "SALADS"! I Loooooove veggies a lot and it's so mouth-watering when they are mixed with those pecans, spinach, and blue cheese!! (missing the food in the cafeteria :|) I always think about the "burrito bowl" I had in NY, MA, and NH and the quesadillas. I've also had a very nice co-worker who will let me try some frozen-prepared foods. Those are new to me because we do not have much of frozen ready-to-eat foods in our country. The pre-packed food, I know how some of those were made by watching TV.They taste better but I think will still stick to home-cooked food more unless I have no time to prepare my food. 

I am not a chef, thus my cooked food won't taste good for the pro but I can follow cooking vids carefully to give the delicious treat a try. Some of those I cooked were adobo and mechado. Adobo variety has a base ingredient called "soy sauce" which typical American grocery store don't have (I was only able to buy from the Asian section).  Mechado type of viands are prepared mainly with tomato sauce, which is the major ingredient. 

        
                                                                                Adobong Pusit (Squid)

                  

"Beef Mechado"

Cooking Procedure:
1. Heat cooking oil in a pan then saute the garlic and onion.
2. Put-in the beef and saute for about 3 minutes or until color turns light brown

3. Add the tomato sauce and water then simmer until the meat is tender. Add water as needed.
4. Add the soy sauce, ground black pepper, lemon rind, laurel leaves, cummin, paprika and salt then simmer until excess liquid evaporates
5. Put-in the potatoes and cook until the potatoes are soft (about 15 to 25 minutes)
6. Place in a serving plate then serve hot with rice. Share and Enjoy!

Adobong Manok sa Gata (Coconut Milk Chicken Adobo)

My kid said she can't get enough of mama's chicken adobo [but this photo does not look presentable though :( ] It is every mother's goal and duty to make sure that we cook what our kid(s)s like(s) so they/he/she will eat a lot.

Ingredients:
• 1 lb. chicken, cut into serving pieces
• 1/3 cup white vinegar
• 2 to 3 tbsp. soy sauce
• 2 tbsp. crushed garlic
• salt to taste
• 1/4 tsp. pepper (or 1 tsp. peppercorn)•  water
• 3/4 cup coconut milk• chili pepper
• 1 tbsp. oil



Cooking Procedure:
1. In a deep skillet, brown chicken in oil.
2. Combine vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, salt (to taste) and pepper (or peppercorn). Stir to blend and then add into the brown chicken.
3. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat and allow simmering uncovered for about 10 minutes. If the sauce is reduced add about 1/2 cup water.
4. Cover and continue simmering until chicken is tender. Pour coconut milk and add the chili pepper.
5. Cook for another few more minutes to thicken the sauce.
6. Remove from heat. Transfer into a serving dish and serve hot.