Monthly Archives: November 2023

The Chicken Couple: A Portrayal Of Our Own Love Story

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I oftentimes wonder why life sometimes has a funny way of mocking us. Just when hubby decided to go back to the city and I was left here in the province, Chick (our rogue hen) found herself a dashing young rooster owned by my nephew. They’re so smitten with one another, and they just seem inseparable. I was jealous, of course.

Maybe God is recreating Noah’s Ark here at home by giving us a pair (male and female) of every creature.

We named the rooster Chuck, and though he’s quite very young for Chick, he’s very protective of her and provides her with whatever bit of food he can scour in the garden. Of course, as with most love stories, theirs resulted in Chick getting pregnant.

The firstborn that will end up in the pan. Sorry, Chick. Don’t worry, we will leave your last 2 eggs to hatch so they can keep you company.
Picked the pineapple from the garden, it didn’t come out of the hen along with the eggs (I just want to be crystal clear on this). Hmmm, pwede na pala gumawa ng Pininyahang Manok. Unfortunately, Chick is already a beloved pet. So, she’s safe from the cooking pot.

Unfortunately, their ending wasn’t a fairytale, but a tragedy. When Chick started laying eggs, Chuck’s nowhere to be found. I’m not sure if he’s deserted her, my nephew put him in a cage, he’s found a new hen, or he’s been sold already (and eaten?). Chick’s back to her solitary self again. *sigh*

What’s The Moral Lesson Of The Story, Tin?

So the mockery was, am I seeing my very own love story being played out by Chick and Chuck? Although my husband leaving me here is not an abandonment, and there are also a lot of married couples who were successful in their marriages despite having a long distance relationship.

My separation anxiety just couldn’t accept him being far away though his leaving has a valid reason. I felt like this was God’s way of reminding me that being alone is okay, and love is not about insisting on one’s way. It always, always endures and perseveres.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

No, I wasn’t letting go as a wife. Love is at the very core of Christianity, and if I love my husband enough, then I should not let go. If I did let go, it was to be free from my own fears and to let God reign over them. As of late, I am always reminded by the Bible verses that in the end times, people will be lovers of self. If we are entering the end times as some prophets are saying, then we have to watch out for how the world would tempt us to conform when it comes to self-preservation.

“You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money.” 2 Timothy 3:1-3

Self-preservation is loving and putting oneself above others, and the world places such emphasis on this in light of mental health advocacies (domestic violence is a different case). And yet love in Christianity teaches the opposite – it is dying to ourselves every single day so we can share in the suffering of Christ on the Cross. Only when we become selfless do we have the love that is from the Father, a love that puts others above their own.

A Love Like God Because God Is Love

Is it possible to love like God? My answer is “yes.” If we are truly sons and daughters of God, then the love of the Father should be in us, which now enables us to love like how God loves us. Besides, to love others as He loved us is the second commandment of God. And December is the season that commemorates this great love. I believe it is no coincidence that I am writing about this topic the day before the month of December starts.

Thus, as a flawed human being born in December and yet have been born again through the blood of Christ, I have decided to spend the holidays and my birthday in Manila with my husband as a display of my love for God and to honor my commitment as a wife. Ever since my husband left, we never failed to communicate daily – he pursued me still just like how God continues to pursue us every single day. And yet I am not going to Manila to stay there, but only so we can both be at peace with our decision to go wherever God will call us to serve even if it means being apart for a while.

More so because God is calling my husband to work abroad for how many years on a contract. A great opportunity opened for him to fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming an overseas worker, and I can’t help but be overjoyed for him. It’s his answered prayer. Should everything go smoothly in the processing of his application because he’s already halfway through, I told him that his working abroad has God’s anointing and that God is calling him to that country.

Answering God’s Calling

As for me, however, the calling still remains – stay here in my province. I prayed to God if I am where He wanted me to be, and the answer was a clear “yes.” Once my husband works abroad, I am coming back here to my hometown. But I am coming back at peace with my heart whole. ❤️

A lot could happen to me and my husband while we’re apart. The brevity of life teaches us to number our days as the Bible puts it. I have a lot of fears and worries because nobody knows except for God what the future holds for us both. But I also have faith that God is with us, and He is asking me and my husband once again to step out in even greater faith and welcome a new season that we have yet to conquer.

Chick’s love story isn’t over yet, too, whether Chuck is with her or not. I am very much looking forward to the continuation of her life story and also with mine. 🙏

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” – 1 John 4:18

“Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.” – 1 Corinthians 13:13

“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” – 1 John 4:8

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16

“Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.” – Romans 12:18

On to yet a new journey. ❤

P. S. Speaking of eggs, I just want to share these salted duck eggs from our regular supplier who lives near one of our rice fields. We got this for 12php apiece, cheaper than the ones sold at the market which costs 15php per piece. Maybe it’s because Dad allows their ducks to graze in our rice fields every after the palay harvest. 😉

It is the family’s 10-year-old son who markets these salted duck eggs to Dad when he sees Dad visiting the rice fields. What I love about these eggs is that they’re not too salty, and yet are perfectly preserved. If ever you know of any local farmers in your area, I’d like to encourage you to buy directly from them to help sell off their products fast. You can also be assured that the products you buy from them are fresh and of good quality but sold for an affordable price. ❤

The boy was selling 40 salted duck eggs. Dad bought 20 pieces, and another farmer bought the last 20 pieces. They’re all sold in just a few minutes after he got out of their house. 😀
We eat this with tomatoes and onions doused with a little bit of calamansi juice, and you now have a perfect side dish to pair with the other viands for your breakfast. Yummers! 😋

A Quick Farm Tour

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Hi, beloved readers! I’m going to share with you today a quick video I made featuring our farm and some of our developments there. Because life is not all about being broken or heartbroken. 😉 And whether heartbroken or not, I am always busy doing something, especially if it is for God and His kingdom. 🙏

I recommend watching this when you’re ready to sleep because my sleepy voice will lull you to sleep. 😅 I also would like to share with you an essential item that’s also part of my emergency preparedness checklist – a reliable dog tag where you can attach important keys and a whistle.

This dog tag is in my everyday bag, and I always wear it when I’m at the farm. But you may want to include this in your Bug Out Bag (BOB) just to make sure you won’t forget to bring it with you during an emergency.

Is there a camera phone out there that doesn’t have a default selfie filter where your irises are enlarged and your pupils are dilated?

Though I also suggest hiding this dog tag underneath your shirt because people might think you’re in the military (if you’re not), and it might cause you more harm than good, especially when “chaos” starts. A construction worker at the farm actually thought I was a police officer when he saw me wearing the dog tag.

He asked me, “Ma’am, pulis ka tabi kay an kulintas mo…?” (Ma’am, are you a police officer, because your necklace..?) I told him that no, I’m not a policewoman and that my dog tag was given to me by my brother (he’s the real military officer 😃).

Dad’s my contact person in case of emergencies.

If you plan on having one made for you and your family, I recommend purchasing military-grade dog tags because they are highly durable. You won’t have to worry about them breaking off easily. 👍

“Then the LORD God took the man and placed him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it.” – Genesis 2:15

“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” – Deuteronomy 31:8

Dance The Bachata While Waiting

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Ater 1 week of hibernating, I can no longer dismiss the “tugging” to come back on WordPress. This will break my yearly tradition of hibernating here for my birthday prayer and fasting, but I believe God has planned this all along.

I also stumbled upon this Youtube video today, and I also felt the “tugging” to share it here. I have a hunch a lot of single people out there need to watch this, especially since December (and February) is usually the month where a lot of single people feel depressed for not having a special someone to spend the holidays with aside from their families.

I hope this video will remind you to appreciate this season of waiting for the right love to come along – God’s best for you. Because if I can give a message to my younger self, it would be this: “don’t be young and reckless.”

This video is about an hour long, you might want to set aside time for this so you can watch it without any distractions. 🙂

While waiting for your special someone, you might want to learn a new dance routine – Bachata. What is Bachata?

“Bachata is a genre of popular song and dance of the Dominican Republic performed with guitars and percussion.” – Merriam Webster

Who knows, you might dance this in the future with your God-given special someone on your wedding day or honeymoon. 😉 I chose “Bailando Bachata” because the beat and melody can also be a perfect addition to your Zumba sessions at home.

Bachata – Couple

You can dance the Bachata as a pair or as a group. I am currently practicing a few Bachata steps though I am no longer new to dancing because I’ve been dancing since grade school. You may read more of my dancing experience here: “When Grace And Aura Captivate You.”

Bachata – Group

The poet in me also loves the English translation of the lyrics of “Bailando Bachata,” but methinks it’s too sensual for my blog. Though I find it similar to “The Song of Solomon” in the Bible. ❤️

Enjoy dancing (while waiting and praying), my loves! 💃🎶🕺

“Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away.” – Song of Solomon 8:6

“If Only I Can, But Until Then” By Christine Lailani | Poetry Reading

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Hi, poetry lovers! I am republishing this poem because I did a voice-over version of it to give it more life. This is dedicated to all those who still chose to love despite the distance. 🙂 Enjoy! ❤️

If Only I Can, But Until Then

by Christine Lailani

If only I can see you one more time, but until then, I’ll remember every part of you in my thoughts…

If only I can talk to you and say what I really feel, but until then, I’ll pen these words that you will never read…

If only I can be beside you and feel the comfort of your presence again, but until then, I’ll learn how to enjoy being alone…

If only I can touch you and hug you tight, but until then, I’ll love you from a distance…

If only I can give you all of me, but until then, I’ll let time heal my wounds and let faith sanctify me to be worthy of you…

If only I can, but until then, I’ll ask God to make you feel the love that I can’t show you now…

A love that transcends oceans and mountains, remaining steadfast under the stars, even as seasons change…

Until then, my marvelous love…

“We love each other because God loved us first.” – 1 John 4:19

P.S. I did promise I will be hibernating on WordPress starting this November until December, but I just felt I had to post this before I do that. When the heart beckons, I take heed. 🙂

Manifesting A Blessed 2024

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2023 has been my most painful year. Yet God has still been good to me because He opened doors that I believe will remain open starting next year and the years to come.

So, I am starting my WordPress hibernation early for my year-end/birthday prayer and fasting to seek clarity, discernment, and courage moving forward. I promise this post won’t be the last though, but I’ll see you next year. 😉

🕊️

Here are some of the things that I am believing and manifesting for 2024:

– new places for a wider perspective

– new faces for more fellowship

– new challenges for personal growth

– new opportunities for helping others

– new me for a renewed purpose

– new spiritual family (Hello, Victory Sorsogon!)

BUT the same God working in every one of these. 🙏🙂

“Thank You, Father God, for You have remained faithful in every season. Thank You most of all for Your love and the gift of salvation. Indeed, You are more than enough. May my life continue to bring You honor and glory until my mission here on Earth is finished. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.” – Matthew 6:33

“No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.

Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.”

– Romans 8:37-38

From Limerence To Real Love

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I am writing something short for today’s post. It’s more like a prayer actually for my brothers in Christ – single and married.

I pray that in every relationship you wish to pursue, may you outgrow your craving for limerence and eventually mature to real love because the latter is what will sustain your relationship until death parts you both.

❤️ Image Credit: WordPress ❤️

Meanwhile, here are some great reads on limerence and true love. May the Spirit guide you as go through them. 🙏🙂

“The Science of Falling in Love”

“When God Wants You With Someone This Will Happen: 6 Meaningful Signs”

My favorite romantic movie scene of all time. 😍

“Enjoy life with the woman whom you love all the days of your fleeting life which He has given to you under the sun; for this is your reward in life and in your toil in which you have labored under the sun.” – Ecclesiastes 9:9

How To Fortify A Business: 3 Lessons I Learned From Mice

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Just like how old castles were built surrounded by a moat, it’s also the same for businesses. Moats were designed to fortify castles and make them impenetrable to any type of ground attack.

For businesses, what is your contingency plan (your business’ moat) when the economy crashes? There have been conspiracies going around such as a new ethnic weapon or bioweapon that China claims some countries already have that targets a specific race. However, the source of this intel needs to be verified.

Bulusan Volcano was placed on Alert Level 1 once again last October 25, 2023 due to increased activity. Mayon Volcano in Albay has been on Alert Level 3 since June 2023. Never-ending wars also fill the news lately.

So I thought, how do we safeguard our businesses so they can survive any type of natural disaster or war? We have to admit, when the Covid-19 pandemic happened, none of us were prepared for it.

By the way, you might be wondering why the article title mentions “mice” and yet I am posting a turtle cage. 😃 It is actually the turtle cage that I am trying to fortify against these rodents.

There is no one solution that will address all your business problems. In the case of my turtle cage, rodents just keep on finding a weak spot in my cage. Every time they do this, I have to devise a new plan to ward them off.

Here are some of the lessons I learned from fortifying our turtles’ cage that we can also apply in businesses.

Just one of my DIY projects at home last year built with the help of my husband. Unfortunately, only 1 plant survived because our pet turtles just love to play with the other plants inside the pen.

3 Lessons I Learned From Mice On How To Fortify Businesses

1. Adaptability

I think I already made more than 10 modifications to our turtles’ cage, and I thought I already solved the problem. But the rodents seem to be one step ahead of me. So, what did I miss? After carefully assessing the exterior of the cage, I realized that I’d been looking at the top part of the cage only. When I examined the cage closely and at a different angle, I saw other openings where the rodents found a way to get inside and eat our turtles’ food.

DIY Turtle Cage

Looking at the problem from different angles helps us target the root cause of the issue at hand. In a business, this might mean having to study customers’ profiles and take note of the best times to engage with them or advertise your product. Or you might consider changing the location of your business or operating hours.

Also, considering mobility solutions and alternatives as far as logistics are concerned will help your business adjust during a crisis. You might also want to include improving your communication strategies in the event that all communication lines are down.

2. Resourcefulness

When I designed this turtle cage, I was thinking of a low-cost project by making use of scrap and unused materials that I was able to rummage in our storage house. I also got the bamboo at the farm. The disadvantage though of using wooden materials is their durability. You have to change them every 8 months or so especially if they are exposed to different elements such as rain and sunlight.

Engineer/architect for a day. 😊

It’s all about maximizing what we already have that we can utilize to lessen the operating costs of a business. The IoT (Internet of Things) and technology can help businesses transition from traditional processes to a digital setup in terms of applying different marketing strategies and performing HR-related tasks.

We can also learn from doomsday preppers when it comes to cost-effective equipment such as using solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems especially if the business relies heavily on electricity and water use.

3. Think Long-Term

There is no better way to prepare than to anticipate what could possibly happen in the coming years. While we have no control over what could transpire in the future, a good amount of preparation might somehow reduce the negative impact of a crisis.

What we must prepare now includes acquiring assets that will not be affected by a volatile market. We can also diversify our investments so that in case one industry is heavily affected, our other investment can help sustain it. Also, saving for buffer funds is a necessity now. It is no longer an option, but a requirement. This is very important for every business to avoid acquiring debt.

Choosing your partners in the mission field is also critical at this point. This will include business partners and real-life partners. Business partners must support the vision, mission, and values of the company. If they are only after the profit, it could be an added strain on your business once you decide to end the partnership due to unresolved conflicts.

The same thing goes for your real-life partner. Choose someone who supports your dreams and goals and it would be better if he or she is not from the same profession. Tough times just like the COVID-19 pandemic tested every relationship all over the world.

If you’re in the medical field, I suggest not choosing someone who’s a medical professional, too. Medical staff alongside military personnel are always the frontliners whether there’s a pandemic or a war. You would need someone who is strong-willed and yet can offer you the comfort and encouragement that you need as pressure and stress start to take a toll on your mental and physical health.

Choose someone who will make sure when you get home, you will be able to get the much-needed rest and nurturing that you need. Or someone who can write your reports for you because you are already too exhausted working 8 hours straight in full PPE (plus an hour of overtime work) and braving the city’s traffic going home. And you still have a Zoom meeting after dinner. This was me, btw, to my husband (a registered nurse), during the Covid-19 lockdown. 😉

The small turtle is hiding beside the big one. The male turtle is an aggressive introvert. lol He’s aggressive enough to pursue our female turtle, but too introverted to interact with people. 😄

Speaking of partners, we found another turtle, a young male just this year. And it looks like he’s going to be a good partner for our female turtle. Though I think the age difference between them might be an issue now because he tried to mate her, but he’s still too small and her shell is too big for him so he failed. lol It looks like you still have to wait a little bit longer, young man. 😉

P.S. We plan to release these turtles inside our farm once they’re able to multiply. I want to make sure the young turtles are already big enough to defend themselves from predators before releasing them in the wild. Otherwise, their chances of becoming extinct are high, especially since locals poach them for food.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

A Deadly Kind Of Love

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Because I’m a deviant (in a positive way), I tend to challenge the norm. Society’s norms dictate love poems be all mushy and romantic. But how about if we put a little twist to them? Here’s how it’s gonna look like:

A DEADLY KIND OF LOVE

by Christine Lailani

Can I stab you with love?

Or maybe choke you with joy?

What if I silence you with kisses?

Or hit you with sweetness?

Do I burn you with passion?

Strike you with compassion?

Then break you with kindness?

But crush you with gentleness?

And we all know how the story ended – they still lived happily ever after. But thankfully, nobody died. 😅

This is my lame attempt to copy a scene from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. I was asleep when my college prof was discussing the play in class, so I just gave the plot a new twist. lol

And please no, not the balcony. It’s overrated. I’ll leave the setting to your imagination. 🖤

So, if you still felt alive after reading this poem, then let’s do a cha-cha. 💃

We Miss You, Mommy ❤️

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We wanted to keep Mom with us for the time being, so we’re commemorating All Souls’ Day 2023 here at home after visiting other deceased relatives at the cemetery later.

We will see each other again, Mom, in God’s perfect time. 🥰🙏
Purple & Pink Mums for Mom
Yellow Mums for Mom
Beautiful baskets of flowers at the market. Hmm, quite a bit expensive, too.
For our beloved Lolos and Lolas. ❤️

So, what to do now with this parcel of land that my parents bought at a private cemetery if we all prefer to be laid to rest here at home? 😉 My 3rd sister suggested we build a columbarium instead and have the vaults rented out to address the rising demand for death slots inside the town proper. Methinks it’s a great idea, but we might need to conduct a feasibility study first and research all the paperwork (licensing, registration, etc.) involved. As always, may God’s will be done. 🙏

The problem with unutilized properties now is that when left idle, they become other people’s garbage area. So yes, I’m really praying for that private columbarium. 🙏

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” – Matthew 5:4