Tag Archives: holidays

Christmas Is BACK! | A Revival

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Was there a time in your life when you opted to break a family tradition? It could be because you decided it is for the best that you remove it, or you had to stall following that tradition for the time being.

We had to do the latter and skipped putting up the Christmas tree and decorations from 2023 until 2024. For 2023, it was the first Christmas without Mom, as she passed away in August of that year. We also did not set up the Christmas tree last year because our town was one of the areas here in Bicol hit by Tropical Storm Kristine, leaving extensive damage in the entire region.

By the way, we always celebrated Christmas and New Year here at home ever since I was a kid because Mom was never fond of traveling, we wanted to avoid all the Christmas rush, and she was a true-blue homebody like me. It then became a family tradition to decorate the house during the holidays, which eventually became a family bonding activity, too, that my siblings and I always look forward to every year.

Christmas 2025
The Christmas tree has stood witness to stories of all kinds. But the most memorable is definitely the one where there was a Savior born in a manger. ❤

It’s a good thing we were able to finish a lot of errands (so we can focus on decorating the house unhurried), from getting the palay seeds for the next planting season, following up on some legal matters, to having Dad’s yearly blood work, including a visit to the ophthalmologist just to name a few. For the last errand, it was a last-minute decision to have his eyes checked at Chacon General Hospital & Eye Clinic because he was complaining of eye irritation.

Thanks, Kuya, for capturing this shot. 🙂

After we’re done with his eye checkup, we bought him a new cane because his old one was already brittle. I think I entered a time machine, though, when I went inside Metro Health Clinic to buy his cane. Because when I looked at the receipt that the pharmacy gave me, it was dated October 21, when it’s supposed to be December 6. lol It got me thinking, what happened last October 21? Only to realize that October 21 was the birthday of this blog. 😀

And speaking of receipts, the serial number in Dr. Chacon’s receipt also has the number of Jesus Christ – 888. Though I advise with caution those who will study Biblical numerology because there’s a tendency that it might lead you to divination, which the Bible strictly prohibits. Going back to 888, there are Biblical references that attribute it to a new creation, new beginnings, and the resurrection.

I always believe that things happen for a reason and not because of coincidence. The number 888, the resurrection, and the title of this article, which is about revival, all fall perfectly in place. Speaking of revival, aside from the “revival” of the Christmas decorations, we are also reviving Mom and Dad’s old phonograph, which they bought during the 1970s. I’ve never tried playing this when I was young; that’s why I was so overjoyed to finally have the privilege to play it now, and it still works! For how long, that we really don’t know. And the sound quality is not that excellent anymore.

There’s something about raw music that brings nostalgia at its best. Even the crackling noise of the speaker becomes part of the music. There’s something wrong with the speed adjuster of the turntable, though, so the music doesn’t sound like the original anymore. 😀

I am also reviving Mom’s old phone because there was a bug in the recent iOS update, and my phone’s screen just froze. So, I will be using Mom’s Nokia in the meantime while I am waiting for the new update. I missed this phone, though. I feel like I am having a mental declutter when I use it because it only has the basic features of a phone, just in time to do social media fasting in preparation for the holidays.

Speaking of social media, there are two Facebook pages that I recently followed on Facebook, which I find particularly interesting. They are Jam’s Germs and Bible Creation. Jam’s Germs is all about the microscopic world, and I don’t know how it got included in my Facebook algorithm. Maybe I was a tardigrade in my past life? lol One weird fact about me is that I never held a microscope in my entire life, and I was somehow wishing a couple of months back to have a glimpse of what it’s like to work in a lab if you’re a scientist.

It looks like God granted my wish. Through this Facebook page, I got to take a peek at the fascinating world of microorganisms and how they seem to be so otherworldly. As if they don’t coexist with us. By the way, I was also wondering how scientists flirt with their partners if they are both scientists. I can imagine their convo going something like: “Hey, love, let’s create a new cell – my cells and yours combined.” 😀

Okay, enough with the tardigrades, and let’s go now to the other Facebook page I mentioned earlier, before scientists start hating me. lol The name of the Facebook page is Bible Creation, and I am not sure who runs the page. But the authors did a very good job in combining science and faith through storytelling.

Sadly, I would have to cut this storytelling of mine short because it is time for me to get my much-needed rest for the day. And Mom will surely haunt me tonight for posting these photos and sharing about our family tradition. lol

I just want to share the message that family traditions don’t have to die, too, when a loved one passes away. In fact, it should be the other way around. We keep these traditions in memory of them. ❤

During Christmas Day, I always find this necklace inside a sock that Mom would hang on our main door’s knob. She would always tease me that Santa had left a gift. But she will take the necklace back the next day. lol That went on until I became a teenager, and then I could wear it any time. This is to make sure I wouldn’t lose this necklace. 😀
This will always be one of my fondest memories of Christmas Day – the necklace with the blue pendant inside a sock hanging on a doorknob (now, a door handle). ❤

I believe the following Bible verses are the perfect ending to this article about revival:

A Time for Everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

“There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

2     a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3     a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
4     a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6     a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7     a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8     a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.”

P.S. We miss you, Mommy. We know you’re happy because the house is well decorated again for the holidays. 😀 ❤

P.P.S. Our house, by the way, is about 50 years old already, and the Christmas decorations, including the Christmas tree, are around 20-30 years old, too. Some of the decorations were already brittle they had to be glued so we could still use them. lol

I decorated our condo’s terrace door with these curtain lights in 2020 when we couldn’t come to Bulan due to COVID-19.
These curtain lights now found their way to Bulan and blended perfectly with the Christmas stockings. Thank you, Kuya and Heather, for this photo and for helping me and Ate Boden decorate. 🙂 ❤

These photos may look beautiful, but we are actually dealing with a lot of wear and tear issues already with the house, which we plan to open to the public in the future, God willing, as a bed and breakfast. We’ve had visitors (even strangers) in the past who would take a photo of our house because they find it beautiful. So we thought, why not share the joy this house brings to the world? 😀

This house is Mom and Dad’s greatest achievement as a couple, slowly built over the past 40 years. They both designed this house with the help of an architect, and we have seen how the house transformed from being bare to becoming a masterpiece and a work of art. My siblings also contributed to the transformation, mostly with the interior design.

This house holds many memories and stories to tell, but it could someday come to ruin. But if it is still standing right now, it is because of its foundation – God. 🙂

Not My Usual Holiday Celebration

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This year is a year of many “firsts” for me. Holiday plans changed because I had to go to the ER yesterday because of lower abdominal pain though this is the only symptom I have for now. Only to find out it’s another UTI, which is becoming a recurring infection lately.

I did mention in a previous article that we plan to travel to Bicol on the 26th to celebrate New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day with my family. Unfortunately, I was advised by Dr. Jacqueline last night to follow up with an Internal Medicine doctor a week from now after I’m done taking the antibiotics. So, plans are canceled.

She explained to me that a recurring infection means my body might not be responding to the prescribed antibiotics so they will need to conduct a culture test to see what is causing the infection and change the treatment plan.

So, while waiting for my lab test results, we decided to walk around BGC. I actually love taking a stroll in the area. The crowd here is a mix of people from all walks of life.

It’s an ideal place for couples and families to hang out because of the great ambiance with plenty of shops and dining options to choose from and comfy places to just sit and relax.

While seated on a bench, a young man approached me. I didn’t know why he didn’t approach the other people beside me. It’s either I look gullible or I look too kind. So that means I succeeded in deceiving him because I am neither of the two. lol I’m kidding. 😅

He started his sales pitch, and I wasn’t totally convinced but I bought one box of pastillas that costs Php250. I think it’s a bit expensive, but I admire his tenacity and boldness to approach strangers even though there’s a 99.9% probability he will be rejected. He is a true-blue entrepreneur, and I really want to imitate entrepreneurs like him.

I pray that the little amount I gave him will help him one way or the other. I didn’t want to pass up this chance, because what if that stranger was actually God testing my heart if I’d be Mrs. Scrooge this holiday season? 😉

I’m not used to spending the holidays away from our families. But I believe this is all part of God’s plans. I read in the FB profile of one of the doctors that I am following on social media to gift yourself an executive check-up on your birthday.

I was having second thoughts about doing this because my birthday happens to be just 2 days away from Christmas. If ever test results turned out bad, that would somehow ruin 2 special occasions – my birthday and Christmas. 😃

But here I am having myself checked and tested because God willed it. He taught me last night that it’s about how we take every bad news that matters. It’s up to us if we let it affect our mood and control our emotions or take it with a positive mindset and focus on what needs to be done and still choose to be joyful and grateful.

Now I understand why some of the breast cancer warriors shared their sentiments about the holidays that they don’t feel like celebrating because of their fight against cancer. Some of them were concerned about what they’re allowed to eat this holiday season, while some were worried about where to have their treatments done because clinics are closed during the holidays.

I somehow feel them in a way and I think God is teaching me that if I really desire to understand what every breast cancer warrior is going through, I have to go through the process myself. Only then can I truly understand their deepest needs and thus, offer them the emotional and spiritual support they need.

This, I believe, is connected to the desire that God planted in my heart to put up a hospice facility in His perfect time if it is really part of His plans. I’ll discuss this in my next article because I need to cut this short as we will be watching a Netflix movie in the comfort of the condo munching on our simple Noche Buena of pasta, pizza, and mojos. 😃

I would like to dedicate this article to those who don’t feel like celebrating the holidays because of grief and sadness – me included because this is our first Christmas without Mom. It is okay to feel these emotions, but still choose to be grateful and joyful. What matters to God most is the condition of our hearts because it displays the attitude of worship that we have for Him despite the gravity of unfavorable circumstances around us.

So, my beautiful sisters and brothers in Christ, I wish thee and your family a blessed Christmas whatever it is that we are all going through right now. God loves us, and He is with us always through Jesus Christ, our Savior – this is the Good News and what Christmas is all about. 🙏❤️😊

P.S. Hopefully health issues will be cleared before I go back to my hometown. But if not, then it’ll be a change of healing environment for me with the help of Bicolano medical practitioners. 🙂

“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” – Romans 12:15

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” – Romans 12:12

Summer Came In Early During The Holidays

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A beach escapade during the months of December and January in our hometown won’t exactly fit your idea of a perfect getaway. Because it is during these months when super typhoons frequented our town, thus, you can expect rainy days for the most part of your vacation. In other words, it’s a bad idea to plan your beach trips in our place during these months.

We live in a coastal area. So every time we visit our hometown, nostalgic childhood memories of fun moments at the beach always make us want to relive those scenes. We then made it a habit to spend our family get-together during the holidays by nature tripping, which includes visits to the beaches and hot springs in our area. This is regardless if we have a rainy or a sunny weather.

Simple But Meaningful Holiday Celebrations

Last December, God gave us a sunny day despite the two super typhoons that left extensive damages on some properties in our town. Thank God, too, the electricity was restored before Christmas day, and most of the damaged houses were repaired by the 2nd week of December.

It was all made possible by the combined efforts of private organizations and good Samaritans who helped us recover from the onslaught of the typhoons. Since the entire town prepared for the worst case scenario, there were a few to no Christmas decors displayed in most of the homes. Personally though, I still wanted to put up our Christmas tree and other decorations just so we won’t break the yearly family tradition.

Mom disapproves the idea, however, and advised me there’s no need to go through all the hassle since we’re technically mourning my grandma’s death. It would be inappropriate that we’re all joyfully celebrating. Besides, we only have about 10 days left and the holidays will be over.

So we decided to celebrate the holidays quite simply instead. And yet the grace of God made it possible for us to cherish every moment spent with every member of the family. Indeed, we don’t need lavish decorations and extravagant feasts to enjoy bonding moments with the family.

Why Christ Was Born

Just enjoying the presence of one another is more than enough. God must have instructed us to plan the summer outing earlier this year. Because He knows we won’t have the opportunity during the COVID-19 outbreak.

December 2019 was a very special month of bittersweet experiences. And yet, it was also the month when I really felt the presence of God and became much closer to Him than before.

In fact, I was once again reminded of the reason why He sent Jesus Christ to be born in this world. This made me think. What could be God’s purpose why I was also born 3 days ahead of Jesus? Let’s find out together in my next article. 😀

Receiving God’s grace in every moment,

 

Transitioning From 2018 To 2019

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So the WordPress holiday hibernation for me is finally over and what kept me tied from sharing here is none other than this – family. 🙂

@CYMA: Pre-Christmas get-together with our eldest sister and her family because they can’t visit our hometown. 🙂

This year though has ended with not-so-good moments in some areas of our lives and yet what is important is being grateful for what we have and not counting what we have lost.

I am praying and mourning with my fellow “kababayans” who lost so much during the tropical depression Usman. Even my family and I weren’t exempted from its wrath. Just 2 days before New Year’s Eve celebration, we experienced nonstop heavy rains. The bad part here was that it coincided with one of the highest points of the high tide.

There were only 4 of us left at home – Dad, Mom, my 3rd sister, and me. I would’ve chosen to go back to Manila for New Year’s Day celebration but something compelled me to stay. And I thought this must be it – my parents needed the extra pair of strong hands when Usman hits home.

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Can you guess what our “lady hands” were able to carry? 6 sacks (not less than 50 kgs each) of rice from the first floor to the second floor through a spiral staircase! How’s that for instant Super Women? Yes, adrenaline rush made it possible. 😃

And of course, my life verse:

“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13

Our town was placed under a state of calamity and there were 2 reported casualties due to a landslide. It was a sad way to start a new year and yet in a time like this, Job’s story always gives me the strength and the hope to keep on praising God amidst all the trials.

Are we all like Job? Can we still praise God when we lose everything? Or we begin to be overpowered by grief, despair, and hopelessness?

I may have gone through several storms (literally and figuratively) for the last quarter of 2018. And yet I am not letting them become the reason why I should never move on and do the things that I have control over – the things that God has given me control over. For the things that I can’t change, I am leaving them all to God.

For the happy memories of 2018, I count the family as one of God’s most wonderful blessings. Though imperfect, it is the best support system anyone can have. I am beyond grateful for the times spent with them albeit short because they also reminded me about the brevity of life. So all the more we should cherish moments like these that are priceless and before we know it, will soon be gone.

Home, sweet home with the beloved parents. ❤

Christmas cooking can be very challenging but Philippians 4:13 always. And when it is done with love, nothing can ever be too tiring. 😉

Christmas loot and sweets. Thanks, beloved siblings and relatives! 😉

HAPPY HOLIDAYS 2018

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December 25 @ our mother Protestant church where my great grandpa was among the first pastors. I am praying for more of God’s leading and provisions to be upon this church and be able to make more disciples.

All in all, I thank God for both the good and the bad moments of 2018. If God allows bad things to happen, that is not because He is cruel, but because that is how the world we live in, the enemy’s turf, works.

The incidents could’ve gotten worse but God may have already intervened and what we experienced are only the ripples of what was supposed to be a catastrophic event orchestrated by the enemy.

Whatever kind of moments we may experience this year, may we all hold on to these verses and keep in mind that still, God is good and He always will be:

“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.” – John 16:33

“They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.” – Acts 14:22

So I say, cheers to 2019 and whatever it may bring! ☺

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Saying “goodbye” to what was and saying “hello” to what will be,

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How An Introvert Celebrates Christmas | Is This You?

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I am partly an introvert and partly an extrovert. But for the percentage, I am more of the former than the latter. I enjoy being alone but I don’t feel lonely. And yet, I also crave being around with people.

This article will be based on my own preferences according to my introverted self and I can’t speak for all the introverts in general.

I did mention in my previous article how to beat the holiday rush. So what is the perspective of an introvert when it comes to the holiday rush?

Introverts Be Like This Christmas

1. Introverts don’t like being in a hurry.

So even if it’s just the middle of the year, they are already planning ahead how the Christmas season will be like. While everyone is rushing, I choose to remain placid.

2. They have a “love-and-hate” relationship with crowds.

I love to shop around (if the budget will allow it) for Christmas presents and decors just to make the home presentable for the family get-together. But huge crowds can be too overwhelming. So I plan early, I shop early, too.

3. We crave for “alone time.”

I love parties but most definitely I’ll only attend one if it’s a series of parties. We just need more time to regain that lost energy entertaining and talking with lots of people.

4. The simpler, the better.

There is something about our brains that can’t stand too much chaos, too much noise, too much movement, and too many lights. I believe this is the reason why most introverts are writers. They write well in the comforts of their solitude. My motto is this: more simple, less clutter.

5. Just being cozy on a sofa beside a Christmas tree is perfect.

Reading a book or writing something is my ideal Christmas celebration. Writing about what, you might ask. Writing how introverts celebrate the Christmas, for one. 😀 Seriously though, I’d definitely be writing about faith when not having the regular chit chats with the fambam over the holidays.

So I was able to attend one Christmas party and if there will be more, I’d definitely say “no” unless it’s mandatory. But this was not the usual Christmas party and I’m glad I attended it. This was my new Bible study group’s Christmas party held at the house of one of our brothers in Christ (Thanks, John!). It was an awesome night of laughter, games, singing, guitar sessions, great food, and fellowship that began and ended with a prayer.

This was the first Christmas party I attended with my new Bible study group and I am looking forward to more milestones in my spiritual journey as I enter yet again a new season.

Thus, I pray:

“Dear Father,

Thank You for making me a part of this new spiritual family of single, engaged, and married brothers and sisters in Christ. May our fellowship bring us more wisdom from our varied experiences and display how our seasons can be a testimony in advancing Your Kingdom.

For the married couples, may we stay true to the commitment we made with You and our spouses and honor it until death does us part. For the engaged couples, may they learn from us and our experiences how it is to love like how You instructed us to love. And for the singles, may they always pursue and serve You while waiting for the season of married life.

In Jesus’ Name, AMEN.”

For now, I’d really love to go home to my province, be with my parents and siblings, and stay there for a while. Nothing is cozier than the familiar scent of old Christmas decors and Christmas songs played through old vinyl records. 😉

Happy Holidays, everyone! ❤

Never an introvert when it comes to God,

P.S. Thank you to our VG leaders, Ate Misha and Kuya PJ, for organizing this partey! ❤

Do You Hear Them Bells Ringing? | A Christmas Special

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Since I am a Literature major graduate, I love poems, and I miss writing poems, here’s one for the holiday season. 🙂

Happy Holidays, everyone! ❤

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Do You Hear Them Bells Ringing?

by: Tin Ginete-Rome

 

Do you hear them bells ringing?

When children start singing

And lovers start greeting

With “Merry Christmas, darling!”?

 

Do you hear them bells ringing?

When lines are queuing

as everyone is shopping

for holiday gift-giving?

 

Do you hear them bells ringing?

When the snow starts falling

cold air comes rushing

and everyone is freezing?

 

Do you hear them bells ringing?

And just start pausing

to heed the calling

of someone reigning?

 

Do you hear them bells ringing?

The angels began singing

Of Someone coming

 And salvation’s happening.

December: Revival and Reconciliation

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What’s with December? December is everything – the time to be busy and be mellow at the same time. 😉

Paulo Coehlo’s planner is always in tune with the seasons I am in. Always.

I finally had the time to make this article real quick after finishing today’s article due at work and a whole lot more of tasks in-between. Busy as always. But being busy for me means being able to include my 1-hour guitar playing, a couple of minutes of social media time, checking the plants, doing my daily devotion, and other “me time” moments along with the other regular tasks. 🙂

My bro-in-law and sister from Norway are also here and they got to spend their first Christmas in the Philippines as a couple in their new home. It is also our home (hubby and me) for the meantime since we look after it while they’re away.

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I thought my bougainvillea won’t bloom but it did – one set of white bracts. Finally. 😀 So yes, there is always hope. 😉

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Thank you, Ate Ayn and Kuya TK! ❤

Thank God for the gift of family, I very much appreciated talking to my Norwegian bro-in-law who’s 10 years my senior. He’s also a born-again Christian and he and I got to talk so much about faith. Through the entire course of our conversations, I can say that our religious beliefs are aligned with one another although we have different cultures – praying for Every Nation Norway. 😀 Indeed, I am extremely grateful for the fellowships in my biological family.

My brother also invited them to attend the Sunday church service led by a former pastor in Victory QC where I was baptized as a born-again Christian. So attending this church service was a revival of some sort for me. It brought back memories of how I was saved back in 2013 – nostalgia, yes.

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“God is sovereign over all things.”

If I’ll summarize the series for this month in the church, the words “reconciliation” and “revival” will pop up. And this is basically what December means – the season when God reconciled with the man by sending His Son Jesus here on Earth to revive us from our sins and to be with us always.

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Personally, these two words have so much meaning and greater impact on me because of the current season I’m in. And yes, I can only hope in the Lord that all things work together for our own good. But for now, all I can do is wait with a joyful and grateful heart.

I am looking forward though to better days ahead starting with the holiday season. This is, thus, a heads up to even busier days ahead. Am I seeing a social media hibernation? Perhaps yes or perhaps not. We’ll see. 😀 ❤

It is beginning to look like Christmas in the neighborhood. 😀

To end this article, I’d like to share a couple of verses with you and I hope you’ll be encouraged by them, too:

“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God.

We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.”

– 2 Corinthians 4:8‭-‬10

Revived again and again through the Cross,

What Matters

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Friday blog post is here! 😀 I guess I need to start every Friday’s blog post with an attitude of gratitude thanking God who gives me the Grace always. 😉 Why? It seldom happens that I am idle and doing nothing. This means I need to find time for my blog and of course, find time for God. 😉 But as always, hindi Nya ako binibigo. Lagi Syang nandyan para alalayan ako.

For the most part of this article, English ang gagamitin kong lenggwahe. ‘Yun ay dahil ni-copy and paste ko lang sila from the caption of my photos over Instagram and tweaked it a bit para maging isang article. 😀

The gist of this article revolves around last holidays’ events (still) since I was hibernating for almost a month in the blogosphere. So, here goes my story. 🙂

I am sure a holiday never passes by na wala tayong natatanggap na regalo. Kahit sabihin nating konti lamang natanggap natin, meron at meron pa din tayong natanggap. However, in my case, I don’t go about counting how many gifts I received. I am even fine in case I don’t receive any.

Why? Let’s just say I am never materialistic because my love language is quality time. I appreciate gifts not based on their worth or brand but based on the sentimental value. Yet I never fail to appreciate all of them because I know they’ve been given thoughtfully.

To our beloved families and friends, our deepest thank you for all your time and effort to shower us with these gifts. This gives us all the more reason to pay it forward. So if you see me using branded stuff, they are not a personal choice but are gifts. 😉

Next in line was the holiday feast – yes, the food coma. *burp* I have made a promise that during the holiday season, one of my ways to express my love for God is to serve others. The best way to serve your family is through the tummy, right? 😃

Though it’s hard to pull off several dishes (chicken skewers, shrimp scampi, embutido, stuffed roasted chicken, beef broccoli, leche flan – not in the pic), I am just grateful to my assistant chefs (Ate Boden and hubby dear) for helping me out in the kitchen. But most importantly, I give thanks to God for giving me the grace to do it. ☝❤

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” – 1 Peter 4:10

This was the reason why I was hibernating on social media during the holiday season. I was very busy in the kitchen because having good food on the table means longer conversations a.k.a. meaningful, priceless moments with the family. This is something that social media can never offer – genuine moments and memories made along with your loved ones.

The cake’s not mine though because baking’s not my cup of tea. I am also not a lover of cakes but my Mom is the ultimate fan so there went Goldilocks’ Rocky Road. 😀

For the latter part of the holidays and the early part of January, hubby and I spent quality time with my second sister, Ate Ayn, and her Norwegian hubby, Kuya TK (they recently got married! Yay!). One of these photos was taken after our church service at Victory Fort.

Ah yes, this is just one of my answered prayers for my second sister – to have a lifelong companion who will be her prayer partner and who will share in her ups and downs, in sickness and in health ’til death parts them both. I am just grateful for this especially since she lives in Norway and we have no relatives there.

Indeed Lord, despite all the troubles we faced, You always give us a reason to smile, be grateful, and know Your goodness. Thank You for everything You’ve done for me, my hubby, and our families. All of us will remain to worship You as our one and only GOD in our lives.

Real treasures aren’t really those that are tangible but those that lay hidden in the depths of our souls and our hearts. They are what matters to God.

“..but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the Word, making it unfruitful.” – Mark 4:19

May we all not be pierced with so many sorrows brought about by the complexities of our own worldly choices. But may our minds be renewed so we can live in utmost freedom savoring the very essence of salvation – the priceless, most beautiful gift we have received and we can ever receive. ❤

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” – Romans 12:2

So this is it! This wraps up the Friday article for this week and I am wishing everyone a blessed weekend ahead! 🙂

From God’s daughter with love,

Tin ❤

Roasted Chicken A la Bicolana

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I was supposed to write this article last December but the holiday rush, preparation and celebration with the family kept me from doing so.

This article though came in timely as my previous articles for this month were all about gifts (not your usual gift in a box with a ribbon) and the value of serving others through your gifts. I actually didn’t expect that last Sunday’s lecture will also be about that. Ah yes, it always is a wonder how things can be intertwined all because of God’s mysterious ways. 🙂

What is serving and how can we serve in a biblical sense?

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:45

“…and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” – Matthew 20:27-28

And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ – Matthew 25:40

I believe one way of honoring God and showing our thanks to Him is by sharing that love to others too. Let’s just say that you felt how much God loves you and it is just too wonderful to keep it to yourself that’s why you wanted to let others know and feel that kind of love as well.

In doing so, they might wonder what is it that’s been fueling your actions and though they might not understand it at first, this can be your perfect response – out of love.

“We love because He first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19

In the aspect of serving, we do find ourselves doing that knowingly or unknowingly with our families first and foremost. So last Christmas, I thought about preparing this roasted chicken recipe which was the first in the family’s Christmas celebration tradition.

Do take note though that I am no chef. lol 😀

I was just inspired and taught by my 3 older sisters who are very good in the kitchen and have such superb cooking skills they can invent their own recipe. Yup, no kidding. They really are that good.

Being the youngest, I grew up being the dishwasher. Haha Yes, you won’t believe it but my brother and I take turns in washing the dishes when we were younger. We are the two youngest members in the family, by the way.

On a side note, I just love being in a big family. You might not get to see or talk to all of them at the same time, yet you’ll still have one sibling to bug about every week aside from your parents. 😀

Anyway, as for my roasted chicken recipe, let’s just say I combined all the roasted chicken recipes I could find over the internet and came up with a “hybrid” roasted chicken. 😉

Roasted Chicken

Roasted Chicken A la Bicolana

Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients:

1 whole chicken

1 bunch of lemongrass

1 cup butter

½ cup tomato ketchup

1 cup soy sauce

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

3 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons salt

5 cloves whole garlic

2 teaspoons slightly crushed black pepper

4 onions cut into 4 parts

Procedure:

  1. Combine all the ingredients except for butter.
  2. Place the onions, garlic and lemongrass inside the chicken and marinate overnight.
  3. Prepare the butter and remaining marinade for basting.
  4. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Farenheit and cook for about 1 hour or until the chicken is tender.
  5. Top it with garnishing, serve and enjoy!

I intend to make this a yearly tradition – out of love for God, love for family and joy in serving others. 🙂

P.S.

Oh and one mistake from the roasted chicken recipe – don’t prepare 1 roasted chicken ONLY especially when there are about 8 persons hoping to try it. lol 

I was expecting it to be served as an additional dish along with other meals but it became the main course – ooopps, my mistake. So yes, Mom wasn’t able to try it as she ate late and sadly, no roasted chicken leftover. I have this year to make up for it though. 😀

One thing more, the turbo broiler is a kitchen winner for me, nothing beats. ❤

Turbo Broiler

Turbo Broiler Moment

 

Holiday Gift Ideas: Shop Early!

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Hello, lovely readers! 

Bells are ringing, children are singing.

Oh wait, did I hear that Christmas is coming?

BER months are indeed fast approaching. 

Now, what are we buying?

Buying for gifts, you’re asking.

Never worry about anything because here is a little something. 

So there went my futile attempt to be a poet.  😀

Seriously though, holidays meant a lot of things but it is synonymous to this word as well – rush. Everything is in a rush. How do we avoid this so-called “rush” ? The answer is this – prepare and shop early.

Buying Christmas presents in advance and scratching them off your long list is such a life saver. I usually do this often during the holidays.

But first, who are our recipients of these awesome gifts? On top of the list is our families of course, followed by relatives, friends and coworkers or bless someone randomly.

Then again, another dilemma is this question – “What will I buy for each of them?”  

Honestly, thinking about choosing the right holiday gift ideas can be cumbersome and overwhelming. But allow me to make choosing a lot easier for the lady recipient: How about a tote bag?

Very simple, eh? BUT this isn’t your ordinary tote bag. These are custom-made from photographs of anything and everything by yours truly. I love to share so I am sharing these for you to have for keeps. No art is ever called art without the artist’s individuality showcased in it, as they say. These printed tote bags carry each in itself a particular story – a memory so to speak. So, I am sharing to you a bit of my life’s journey in each item. Do bring me along in your journeys too – wherever they may be and whatever it may be. 😉

This one tote bag for example illustrates a photo during our first summer vacation as a couple in Zambales, Philippines. If you were enamored by the pristine waters and pure, white sand, you can actually plan a trip and head on over there to see the beauty for real. You don’t just have a photo as memorabilia, but also a bag which will remind you always of the beauty of the place for as long as you often use it.

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Another in the memory lane is this precious red rose (which I preserved for sentimental reasons) symbolizing an everlasting love – the first I received when hubby and I were still dating. Thought about editing it to make it look more rustic and not look like your typical red rose because it’s a special one for a special you.

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These are also some of the bags featured in this recently created collection which is a variety of different kinds of themes and concepts from black and whites to macros and landscapes:

If you want to browse for more tote bag designs, you can check out more of the collection in this website:

http://shopvida.com/collections/christine-lailani-ginete-rome

Oh, and if bags aren’t that alluring, the other collection I am starting might capture your interest like these awesome sleeveless tops:

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Happy shopping and wishing you all a VERY advance happy holidays! 😉

P.S.

I’d like to thank VIDA for this one great and wonderful opportunity and most of all to God for bringing in people to share what they can share and help the community. This is also in support of the Literacy Programs that VIDA offers to their makers to learn to read, write and do basic Math skills.

Stay tuned for more upcoming designs, my dear readers. Let’s continue sharing our God-given blessings and bless others too! ❤

Much love,

Tin