Another dream - a Caution I suppose!

 I dreamed again after a long period that I haven't been dreaming like this clear and intense! 

"I dream that my Aunt Sarie received a #wristwatch as a token of appreciation of a job well done! But she doesn't know how to use it and how valuable it is when used in the right way. 

So I did! I used it and it has become so valuable to the world we are in! I showed her how and she was thankful and appreciated what I did to that precious gift or token she got! 

One day, I wanted to use it for some important reason or usage so I borrow it again from her! And because I had a part of that valuable watch , she was happy to lend it to me! But unfortunately I dropped it on the floor and it broke into half ! I was so shocked and woke up!"

  My dream indeed there, as what I was telling my friends ... coz when I woke up, my mind or memories stuck on that scene! It was very uncomfortable to think of! That me that helped for that thing to be valuable is also the one who ruined or broke it! 

  But as I was trying to recollect my memory or my dream it seemed to me that my dream doesn't actually end where it broke! I was able to go directly to my aunt and was very honest , though I was shaking telling her about what had happened to her precious watch! I can even remember her facial reaction ; It was light and full of grace that says it's okay, it was an accident! As she was holding and staring at her broken watch she was compressed and calm. Then I woke up!

 

Summer Vacation with pay!

 I am so amazed with how Swedish government provide a 25-30 working days vacation with pay to all employers/workers in Sweden! For me, a couple of weeks rest is healthy and is needed to be more efficient and more effective to our respective works. A time for self relaxing - its like recharging for another year round responsibilities and concerns at work!

As a Filipino who have worked in Philippines for how many years and did not have this kind of benefits, I appreciated this act so much! After have been blessed for a stable job here in Sweden and enjoying this benefits, I always praise God for this blessing called summer vacation! 

June- August is our Summer vacation here in Sweden and I am always looking forward to it! Its the time wherein we can have the time to visit my homeland Philippines or travel around the world! I love travelling, my husband loves to travel too, together we have formed a family that travels.

 As a preschool teacher, our summer vacation usually falls on the whole month of July. Therefore, yes! I am on vacation now. My 3 weeks have just finished and one more week and I'm back to work! So far, I am satisfied with everything! I had time road tripping with my girl friends and we had so much fun visiting beautiful places across Sweden. And then as a family, we visited Stockholm, the capital city of Sweden, a family getaway! And just last week, together with our dearest and closest family friends, we have done camping or glamping! I cannot ask for more! I and my little family are beyond blessed! 

So guys, I hope and pray that you are enjoying your summer vacation as well and praying for everyone for a bright and wonderful time everyday! Be kind always. God bless us all!

Self Love vs. Denying Your Self

In Luke 9:23 said "Jesus said unto all, If any man would come after me, let Him deny himself and follow me!

While the world is striving, campaigning and pursuing, “self-love” Jesus encouraging us to “deny ourselves” It doesn't mean that because known women and men are encouraging those words, its already right! Many times if not all the time, we have to be very careful on what we hear and see from famous personality! It mostly near the truth but not the truth - or not really according to what Jesus said!

The Lord promised that if we take care of others and the ones He loves , HE (GOD) WILL TAKE CARE OF US!

God’s love and care is so much better and will never fail! You will never feel the need to “love yourself" - it’s usually the last act when you feel empty, when you are already self-pitying that no one loves you and nobody can love you but yourself! REMEMBER my brothers and sisters, God’s love is so enough and overflowing that you have enough to love and care for others!

Now, the only thing to really feel and understand that “God’s love” kind of love is to DENY YOURSELF , the opposite of what the world is telling you !

Start to take care of others and love others the way you think to love yourself! Then that’s it! Enjoy a life full of love! It’s the law of the universe - What you give , you get it more back to you

Have a wonderful weekend!

Plants and Flowers

 I've been into plants and flowers ever since, but when I got married and had a full u-turn about life and lifestyles, my love of gardening was being neglected! My focus were directed to my other 'love' which is traveling! And since my present situation is giving me opportunities to travel, I and my family keeps on traveling every summer that I have no time for plants and flowers!

Plants and flowers are like human being. They have life too. and in my own experiences, they have feelings too! They needs time, care and attention. So it was impossible for me to grow them during summer since we usually not home.

But this year, since we couldn't travel, finally I got to put my full time to planting and gardening and created a whole new surrounding at home!

It was not that easy because I have to create a whole new garden for plants and flowers! And I am so satisfied for the results!

But then, it's winter time again and I have to hide my plants indoor! And it's so heartwarming every time I come home, and their beauty meet me :) Even though, they are every where in my house! 

In the corner are my succulents <3 and the orchids on the windows :)

                  

 Here are some of my beautiful flowers inside! They are giving me good vibes! They are my stress reliever! And they makes me feel happy!

Flowers are like individuals! They have different beauty and you have to handle them differently! Some needs so much water but some needs so few! Some are tiny some are huge but they all have their kind of beauty! 

Feel good everyone! And be kind!

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made, your works are wonderful, I know that full well!" PSALMS 139:14

What I perceived on this CoViD19 pandemic

It's been 2 months now since the outbreak of COVID19 globally and there were already so much reactions - different reactions about this that has being spread out into the open! Well, what is my take? I'll tell you it's so much gratifying.
In this blog, I will be sequencing my thoughts and feelings in the situation that I am in or I have!

I've always heard and read about the captions "we will fight this together, we are in the same boat-we fight as one..." something like these comments. But then as the days and the situations of the people kept on rolling and worsen, I have realised that NO! We are not in the same situations as we all faced this global crises! As one have said; " we might be in the same STORM but absolute in different SHIP/boat".
You see, some are givers, some are receivers, some have gardens, front yards and backyards to chill, some have no windows. Some have different rooms to choose from, some have even only a corner! As you are trying to listen everyone's thoughts, rants and voice in social media, it's suggesting about how you see it, react and feel personally. Well, at least to me!

There are so many things that comes to my mind and many times, I just feel it and reasoning it out for myself, letting it sink in and assuring that I myself understood -I think its important to do it too for our own well being. And then in a while, after all sink in, you will have to choose whether you'll share your thoughts or keep it yourself!

When your thoughts and ideas might help, inspire and will give cautions and learnings to anyone, then it might be worth sharing! But if it'll only open a debate or a trigger for negativity and irritations then better to keep it to yourself!

In the coming blog, I will be sharing my thoughts and insights about this world wide crisis thats going on !

"Crossing every BRIDGE"

“I’ll just cross the bridge when I get there” 

This has always been my “mantra” or slogan in my life’s journey! That whatever comes my way however hard it is, I’ll just have to cross over it! And even how scared, unsure and tired I might be, I’ll always tell myself; “okay heads up and just cross the bridge when you get there” Knowing that my God is always with me wherever I go and whatever I do☝️

But as I get older and had crossed many bridges in my life, I have new realisations; 

1.) You don’t need to cross every bridges life has thrown into you! You should have the wisdom to know if that certain bridge will get you into where you suppose to be.

2.) Sometimes, we can be in a certain bridge but it’s not for you to cross, instead, YOU are there to help others to cross over their bridge! 👌 Or even you can be the bridge so someone can cross over. 

This week, I am so happy or feel so great that I have helped a child crossed over her outraged emotion. 

And then so proud of my husband who as well became the bridge for my brother to cross over this phase in his life! 
These kind of experiences are the most fulfilling moment to end the week❤️ 
Thank you Lord for the opportunity to help🥰

Have a great week ahead everyone🎉

So much to be THANKFUL for !

Everyday we meet a new different day than yesterday! And every time we woke up we will never know what that day brings. All we can hope and pray is a great and a wonderful day. But this is for a normal daily life situation. Know that there are many people who almost know what their days will be. They are those who are in a situation wherein everyday is fighting for survival, fighting for their life! They are those who are going through hard situation in life. What they know, their days will be as hard if not worst than the day before.

I was once in that kind of situation, I was suffering a hard day everyday right the time I must wake up! I had a heavy heart even just thinking of my day and my prayers were for the Lord to sustain me on the days ahead!

Then One day when I woke up and stretch out my arms then start praying as I do in my morning routine, I began to change my kind of prayers! I started thanking God for the things that I thought it was okay on that time, like, for my breath, for the rest and a few hours sleep I had in the night, for my husband, for my kids, for the roof in my head to keep us warm in the night and when I began to innumerate, I realised there were so much more to be grateful for, while I also felt there were also so much hardship in this world. And it only takes one part in your life in testing to forget these great major things we have, that worth of thanksgiving!

From that time on, I continued innumerating the things I have to thank for, then it became more and more that I couldn't count anymore until I realised that even those hardships and unwelcome happenings in my life I already learned to thank about it knowing it has a great part for my purpose!

If right now, you are in a situation that the world call it as 'bad' and 'sad', try to being thankful about it! Try to lift up the things -you might find it only few  that are okay in your life, start there! Then you will experience the magic of gratefulness!
#Begrateful

The special fruit in the forest

I had another dream the following night and it goes like this;

     We were camping in the middle of nowhere, a forest? a vacant place where no one resides? My aunt Alice and aunt Sarie were there in my dream. And three more 2 tall guys and another woman that I didn't recognise in my waking up but in my dreams, I knew them, they were close friends.
My two aunts and the other guy went away to look for something, will it be food, fruits vegetables, whatever they might find in that huge forest! While me and my other two company remains in our camping area fixing up the place.

      A couple of hour later, my aunts and the guy returned with so much goods with them. There were Santol fruits so big and still hanging the suppose branches but the branches looks like a flat thing leather. We know its nice and can be expensive. My aunt alice gave me one big branch with 5 pieces of huge santol fruit in it. I can say it was the best. But I certainly knew they have more in the sacks. They gave aways but there are others who paid with money in return to the goods given.

But before the day ended, a group of strong men (like Gladiators) with their horses came and look for them who went out and stole their fruit. My aunts in fear surrendered directly and showed so sorry for what they have done for they do not know it was forbidden. But the twist was, they pointed me as one of them as well and handed me the money they received from other people. They were so scared. I did not deny as well and explained well to the men our innocence and that we just saw it in the forest and thought know one owns it. I handed to them the money we received and returned the fruits that was left in our hands. And they spare our lives and left. Then I woke up!

I still did not understand what that dream tells me. I just want to write it here so I could not forget it!
Any one can share their wisdom about it <3 p="">

The tongue is a FIRE

Strange as it is, I woke up this morning with my dream still in my mind. Bewildered, I open my digital bible for a verse for the day and it says; "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger"Prov. 15:1. Well, I still didn't understand, but the verse gave me a hint, that makes me more curious what was it all about.

My dream goes like this;  
     I was with my big filipino family.  My father was present, my mother, brothers, grandma, grandpa, aunts cousins and more. It looks like we had a gathering. My aunt Alice (who also lives here in Sweden) baked a sweet buns (bullar). It tasted so good but she just hid it in the kitchen under the table, So I took some and offer it others. Everyone asked where to get it, so I told them where, and almost everyone want it! My aunt looks so happy that we ate and liked what she baked. Then I left the place.
I found my self waiting for a bus but I noticed something I was holding that I need to burn. So I went to the fireplace near the bus stop. This place is meant to be there, for people to cook/grill something or burn something. I burned that thing in my hand and while it was still burning, I left and went to the bus thats coming and get in to continue my journey. While sitting in the bus travelling, I smelled a kind of smoke from a thing thats burning and the first thing that came to my mind was the one I was burning. So, I signalled the driver to stop. I need to get back to the fireplace. When I arrived there, I saw a MAN stopping the fire using his hands to get the thing that causes the fire, his feet stamping the burning grass, his mouth blowing off some tiny fires and even rolled his body on the fire in the plain ground. His face and clothes were became dirty and black but he's not burnt or hurt. Whats left to me were a tiny tongue-shaped fire along the sideways which I also stamped off by my feet. The man is one of the bystanders or a guard that usually sits on the built-in 'waiting shade' up in the tree. All who sits there can see whats going on there under. So, he saw the situation and came down to stop the fire.

THE LAST THING I SAW IN MY DREAM WHEN I WOKE UP WAS ME, STAMPING THE TINY FIRES THAT SCATTERED AROUND THE PLACE.

As I've said, I was not satisfied the verse I read, I still didn't understand my dream that bugs me, though I have this knowledge about the relationship of fire and the words (harsh) that comes out from the tongue. But then again still didn't get it, so I read more. I read my Daily Reading Plans and yet its about being truly wise or HEAVENLY WISDOM. That, the outward sign of 'heavenly wisdom is a gentle and humble spirit and therefore, all who are truly wise will have the hallmark of genuine humility.

Still, didn't connect to my dream. I thought.

But to my surprise! As I continue reading; the verses and more explanations given leads to the book of James chapter 3. It's about taming the tongue and in verse  6 says, "The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire" 

From there, I stopped and pondered, Is it because of my being outspoken? I might have often slipped out words that are already harsh and could burn and do harm even not in my intentions. Tendencies are, carelessness and tactlessness, thinking that I really have to slip it out because I need to, no big deal, people do the same (the scene where I need to burn the thing I was holding in the place where all others burn things). 

From the first verse, the Lord already warned me about harsh words stirs up anger. It's like burning fire and harm people we love. And in my reading, it teaches about the characteristics of heavenly wisdom. It is gentle, courteous and respectful of the feelings of others. 

I might have the gift of tongue that lifts people up. To spread the good news that makes people happy and interested and encourages other people about what their talents are and what they can do. (the scene where I shared the sweet buns and spread the news about what my Aunt can do. It brings my family happy and encouraged and received/ate sweet foods, good to the mouth and it gives good feelings.)

But in the same tongue I can harm people if I'm not aware about it. In verse 9, "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father and with it we curse human beings who have been made in God's likeness". 

My dear friends, I would like to share an excerpt from my reading plans that summed up the lesson for today;
"If your heart is right before God, He will use your words to produce the right kind of fruit in your life. Your outward behaviour will reflect if you are wise as you control your tongue" 

God bless everyone and thanks for reading! May you got something good in it that can help your journey in life. 

I chose FAITH over FEAR

We absolutely have no idea what the future looks like for us. We have so many plans of course, and every plan is best for us in our own thinking. We dream big and promised ourselves to make it real one day! So, when things doesn't follow what we want, and what we hardly worked out and expect,  frustrations and discouragements can creep in, into our being. We tend to stop and doubt ourselves which leads to not continue what you are striving for or to the goal. FEAR and afraid to the unknown ruled inside you.

In Proverbs 16, King Solomon stated about how to make our plans be successful and how God works in our plans. I was living it after so many failures I had in my life, and right after I followed what it says and understand to let God order my life, I now living His promises. And every time I am facing challenges and feel weak and afraid, I always go back to the bible and choose FAITH over FEAR.

Family bond!

I was very emotional these past days. I can't trace what causes it and when it started. One possibility is the aftermath after our vacation to Philippines. It was a great time, precious and quality time with them have been the center of that vacation. And so, out of these unexplainable feelings, I come up of visiting my blog. I wanted to write everything I am feeling and what are in my minds and to easily do this, I have to sit here and keep writing.

Well, it's been a year now from my last post. I am focusing on my studies and taking care of my family so I had no time writing! This is not yet my come back though, I just drop here to pour out some things in my mind.

Our 6 weeks vacation in my hometown was different from other trip we had. This time, it was more deep than just vacationing. My family had experienced trials and difficulties but instead of crying over it, we faced them together with might, a strong family might. There, I realised how important and how strong the family can be when fighting together as one! Knowing the great father in heaven is always with us. It was shaking but it feels wonderful after all.

I am so thankful for that opportunity and for every timing God has for us. Though, when the time we came back home here in Sweden, I felt different and thought, I just missed my family. Maybe it is and maybe more . But then again, as the old saying says; "This too shall pass". Well, hoping for the good of everyone! My prayers that the Lord will continue to keep us all and gives us wisdom to know His will and will help us do the purpose he has for us.

#justdroppingby
#godblessus

Our New Home, Sweet Home

Hello everyone! I just get quick glance here after a few months of being inactive in blogging. I had been in so many things going on in my life and it was like a whirlwind change. First, I get in into a new path which is being a student (again) in the university here in Sweden. I tell you, its big, really a big thing studying in a university using not young mother tongue. Well, so far I survived and surviving.

And just few months ago, the Lord has blessed us with a new house. A small house that we have dreamed of. From the city to the country side, I simply love it. It's not easy to start with but I know as my great God have promised, He's already ahead of us. I was being busy adjusting and trying to put everything into places and there were many times I became weak but the Lord's guidance and care is always present and strong! I praise Him.

Now, it's been 3 months since we live here and so far so good. The children get new friends easily and have been enjoying our new environment. Yet, I will not deny the fact that until now I am adjusting and trying to find a rest, a feeling wherein I can have the complete inner peace. These things I know can only be found in God's hands. His words of promises keeps me going everyday, gives me hope and determination. He is my strong tower, my mighty fortress, in Him I put my trust.

I hope I can always visit here to write. And share to you my daily experience in this new place we are in! God Bless Us all.

Love is NEVER Blind!

It has been said that Love is Blind. But actually its the opposite! Love was, is and will never be blind. Instead Love gives us NEW SET OF EYES to see... You see more amidst the less, And because YOU SEE MORE, you are WILLING to see less.., love sees differently . That is why we wonder sometimes how can someone love the worst person and a beautiful one to the beast. We call them LOVE, because they don't mind the less on that person and we call it blind since it can't see. But the truth is, Love sees everything but it sees differently. Love has a different set of eyes and thats from within.

This is why I now understand God's love to me. He is so gracious to me and His promises never failed in spite of my stubbornness and unfaithfulness to Him many times. But He loves me and cares for me. He made me the most deserving person around!

God, the perfect example of love. And He uses people to show and execute that love to me. The same with you guys. Once you will come near the Lord , He will surely show that kind of love the world can't give! God Bless!

Coffee Cravings

Coffee lovers like coffee all sorts of ways, especially when something different is flavored or a new type of roast or coffee blend. It can get expensive to try out new coffee when you have to buy it by the pound; if you don’t care for it you are stuck with it and even if you love it the coffee can quickly get stale. With an on demand brewing system it’s easy to try out new K-Cup® coffee flavors along with things like tea and hot chocolate. On demand brewing systems are fast and easy to operate and the coffee ends up costing just pennies per cup.

On demand or single serve brewing systems look somewhat like a conventional electric drip coffee maker and take up about the same amount of counter space but they work in a very different way. There is no coffee pot or carafe – instead the coffee brews directly into your cup, mug or glass. This means there also is no warming plate so the coffee is never scorched, stale or bitter. There is no leftover coffee and waste is eliminated because you brew only what you need and not a drop more.

To make coffee, you use individual coffee pods which are pre-measured and sealed so the coffee is always fresh. The pods come in many different formats including T packs, discs, capsules, K-Cups® and so on, all of them are sold at major online stores like www.bedbathandbeyond.com , Walmart etc.; not all pod formats are compatible with all makes and models of on demand brewing systems.

It’s easy and fun to try out new coffee flavors when you buy a sampler or variety pack of regular or decaffeinated coffee pods along with sampler packs of hot chocolate, cider and even chai.

Wishing you all a blissful Christmas!

Here's wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year! May we have a wonderful time in celebrating this season!

From my family to Yours, wish you all the best and may the spirit of this season be Joy, peace and good will to men! Rejoice, God with Us ! May God Bless Us all!

Apparel uniforms for nurses!

Nurses and medical doctors before only wears white as their uniforms. As far as I can remember, because it was my dream to be a nurse someday like my aunt, I was always dreaming of wearing white.  But not anymore nowadays. There are already many different styles with different colours for nurses. Dickies Scrubs are way pretty scrubs with many colors and styles. There are lots to choose from, that fits all taste.

I can't imagine how lively and comfortable they looks. Nurses must be very happy that there are already many alternatives in their kind of uniforms:)

Shopping for designer's clothing!

Designer's clothing are known to be expensive and sounds like we are also paying the name. But why we still love to shop designer's clothes? Why many chose to buy this kind instead of those masses and cheaper and practical? Specially clothes for children. It sounds impractical buying expensive while they'll out grow with it anyway.

In my opinion why I still prefer to buy designer's clothes for my children if I have the chance? Its because they usually are unique and there's something on them magical which I think my children deserves. Fred clothing for example, they have simple but unique designs for children wears. What I bought for my children is what I see about them. So why go for less when in my life they are the reasons of everything I do. And I think thats also what other mothers think. As long as your budget is good with it, and you love it, go for it!

Watch Out this KInd of People

I always like to think the best in a certain person. I tend to believe that everyone , even how bad they seemed still there's goodness in them and thats the area I choose to see rather than the other. But then I aways forget that in the same way, those people who seemed to be good can also have the most dangerous behaviour one must watch out!

One most recent dangerous behaviour I just encountered is a Manipulative person. Have you been manipulated by somebody? How would you know that you are being manipulated? How would we know and determine a manipulative person? Well, I do some research and read some articles about manipulation and would like to share some important points I got.

Common behaviours of Manipulative People: ( taken from SHINE)

1.Buttering You Up: To get their way, manipulators will often make you feel good so that they can then ask you to do something that they want.
_ they seemed to understand you, give good compliments , call you good, kindhearted and a giver. So that when they asked you on something you tend to give what they want because you don't want to prove his/her compliment wrong!
* What you can do? Give their compliments back to them before saying NO.

 2. Guilt: The saddest part of this strategy is that the victims of this tactic succumb to the manipulators' demands because they feel they HAVE to, not because they WANT to.
_ The manipulators will try try to put the blame on you or to others and make stories about you have no rights for the certain things and that you have no right to say NO to what they wants because of the certain reasons benefited to them.
* What you can do? Tell them that what they're doing is trying to force you into something you don't feel comfortable with.

3.Broken Record: Probably the most obvious of formats is the broken record tactic. If a person asks you enough or pushes their agenda enough…constantly repeating the question or request over and over again…in slightly different ways.
_ Whew, this is the most obvious you have to watch out then. Their like a broken tape, repeating their stories over and over and you have the tendency to give up not because you want to but because you're annoyed!
*What you can do: Ask the individual what they don't understand about the word "no." Tell them that asking you over and over again isn't going to change anything and that they are inappropriately over-stepping boundaries.

 Well then, are you familiar of these behaviours? Are you dealing with people who have exactly these symptoms? Then watch out of these kind of people. If you are already into it, just keep your eyes open and continue to stand your grounds strongly! Let not yourself be a victim of these kind of people who plays good being "the victim", "the innocent" and the "abused" one! Be clever to know these kind of people because their hard to determined.

CHANGE!

Change is a good thing in my opinion. Living in this changeable world, everyday and in every thing we  are doing changes, consciously and unconsciously. There are decision to make a change and there are also things that you have no choice ,  but to make a change. There are also things and situations that eventually changes took place in our lives.

Change in the other hand, is scary. When we are already use into what we are for a long time and we become comfortable with it, we love to stay and be what it is now. So when a big change is about to come or to happen, even if its for the better it will still make us think and ponder. WE don't know what is ahead of us , what if we fail? what if we don't like it? Many questions playing in our minds . Am I ready for it? am I willing to take the risks?

Many people choose not to and stay contented on what they are and what they have but there lots of people too that embraces change courageously. Well, we are about to make a change .  But I think Me and my husband are ready for it. I am scared but doing this together and with God's guidance, I know its gonna be great and for the better! Good day to all!

Happy Father's Day!

I have always been touched about the song "Father's Eyes" by Amy Grant. From the time I heard this song, tears falling in my eyes on every lyrics of it. I always relate it as me and my father. I'll be happy to share this song for the hope that you may be blessed too.

Father's Eyes

I may not be every mother's dream for her little girl

And my face may not grace the mind of eveyone in the world

But thats alright as long as I have just one wish I pray

When people look inside my heart

I want to hear them say...

SHE's GOT HER FATHER'S EYES

Her Father's eyes, eyes that sees the good in things

When good is not around

Eyes that find the source of help, when help just can't be found

Eyes full of compassion

Seeing every pain

Knowing what you're goin' through

And feel in it the same

Just like my Father's eyes.

Happy Father's day to my dear father. I really miss you Pa. Hope we can go home as we plan it and thats so soon. I know God will provide our needs. See you soo. Love you much!