From the Heart of the Seaman's Wife

As of this time, Mark is on his way to the US to join his ship, Kristoff and Mom are sound asleep. And I have just finished evaluating my students in the online report.

It's a little bit busy today, running errands with Kristoff in my arms, getting rid of the virus while K was asleep and while he's playing around, doing the house chores while he's watching the Brainy Baby video which has now become his favorite instead of Lion King. And in every moment of each, there was Mark calling me or me calling him.

We could only hear our voices, I know. So it might as well be the same if we talk through phone while he's still in Manila or when he's already on board. But no. There's really a difference, psychologically when the person is physically miles and miles away from you. Manila is reachable in less than a day. But continents? 

I am not whining at all. I'm just expressing a humanly emotion - the longing for my other half........thinking of the 9 months that we're going to be apart.

But then again, we have to bear it, if it's the way we can give brighter future for our family, especially for the kids. Mark and I promised that we would never let our kids experience the kind of hardship that we had due to poverty. And I feel so blessed that he's very responsible to reach that dream of ours.

We always say, 9 months is short, so as to ease the longing. There's Facebook and Skype and the mobile phone to be updated with each other.

But I hope someday, someday...we can have the option of him living with us while still providing well-enough for the family.

I miss him. But I must be strong. And I will be. For him. For K. For me.

'Til we touch you again...dad...

Let's Move and Let's Love

Good evening mothers! What are you up to tonight?

Here? I can find silence in the house, good enough for reflection. Kristoff has just fallen asleep beside me after watching Bingo and Old Mcdonald for several times and Mark is out to bond with his uncles. Most of my online students have an appointment and cancelled their classes. Yay! I can blog early! :)

Anyway, I found in my inbox a message from Nuffnang about Benetton's Let's Love and Let's Move Contest. Apparently, it has a price when you win. So it makes me really excited to make my entry, thinking of my hubby and me having Benetton's new fragrances, Let's Move for him and Let's Love for meeeee! It requires to blog about a thing that we commit to do as a move of love.

I was so focused on the price, to be honest. But while pondering on it, I've come to some important realization:

We can be great in moving and loving even through the simple random act of kindness. 

We may not reach the extent of putting our lives at stake for some historical heroic deed, 

but we can still be heroes in simple ways as we live our lives everyday. 

For parents, we move and we love every moment when our thoughts and actions are geared towards sustaining our kids. Reading a story book, kissing a son goodnight, dancing with your little ones, and playing peek-a-boo are only a few examples that we move and love. 

We may not be appreciated all the time, 

but sure does this random act of kindness brings goodness and joy to both us and our kids.

When I was in high school and college, I dreamed of being a Christian missionary to India or Africa. 

I felt like I was being called to bring good news to the unsaved and help the less fortunate. 

It is where I can best perform as a nurse, I thought.

But it didn't happen. 

I got married and blessed with a sweet son. 

Then there's no more way but to set aside that dream. 

But I love what Mother Teresa said in these two quotes, they remind me of my mission now:

 I am happy that whatever I have become right now, I am always moving and loving, even at times when things are so hard and I don't even realize that we are doing it.

But I have one special thing that I want to do on my birthday which will be on the 23rd of December. 

Yay! I'm turning 25! Let's celebrate!

Actually, I have an ideal birthday celebration and this was supposed to be what my 18th birthday should be done. Due to some personal circumstances, however, it didn't go like this.

It's so simple, you know. 

I just want to throw a party in a poor village in the nearby barangay. There would be lots of parlor games and prices for them, Christmas gifts, and of course, food! 

But a preaching about the Holy Word would be a great start for the celebration. 

This is my vow, my commitment, my move of love.

How about you? Have you committed to do a move of love today, this week, this month,

 or before the year ends? What is it?

Let's move and let's love!

A Grateful weekend for everyone!

The cottage Bible study was held at our home yesterday afternoon. It was refreshing because I've been thirsty for the Word all this time. Even writing about it now makes me guilty of not doing my responsibility to grow as a Christian. But that's for another story. Anyhow, I'm glad that the church people were there to visit and share the Word with us.

What made me even gladder was the part when the pastor asked for each of our testimony on how God has sustained and blessed us this week. Wow! I don't intend to exaggerate but the truth is, I missed this kind of thing - when Christians gather and share testimonies and problems and help each other in prayer. 

When my turn came, I blurted out a lot of things to be thanked for and I feel satisfied having declared them to the people whom I know understand.

For this week, here are the things I am really heartfully grateful about:

1. The gift of life. It's just awesome how God has given and sustained our breath and our health despiite minor colds and illnesses the family is having now.

2. The gift of wisdom. It's wisdom that comes with age and with tuning your heart in to the natural things. I  was a ranting lady when I moved here in the countryside. I never imagined myself to settle down in my hometown, too preoccupied of the city life. But God has a different plan - a plan which is very opposite to mine. But well, he knows the best and I feel blessed that He's taking over 'cause I can see where He is leading me.

3. The gift of providence. His financial blessings overflows and though time will come that it won't be too overflowing, I know He will never ever leave our side and give us what we need.

That's it! It may not be too specific of the material things, but for me, I'm glad...I'm really glad to have found those things to be thankful for.

How about you? What are the things you're glad about this week?