Just Ask

We've been meaning to go to Tagaytay for a few months now. We set a schedule to go with Kuya and Ate Joy two weeks ago, but a few days before our schedule the volcano decided to release a lot of gas. Of course, we canceled our trip again.

A friend pinged and said he was coming to visit. Since he was coming all the way from another country, I mentioned maybe we could go to Tagaytay. Well, Taal wasn't in the mood again so we made other plans. The day before we were set to meet, plan B place did not confirm our reservation. Sweetie and I made a mad scramble to make plan C. 

I took a look at the weather and air quality situation in Tagaytay. Surprisingly, it was good. Air quality was in the green level. Some rain was forecasted (40 to 50% chance), but lately those forecasts are usually a miss. So I asked Sweetie maybe we could go? 

To make a long story short, we went to Tagaytay with my friend. My friend was ecstatic and he was so happy he was able to experience local life. The weather was clear. Skies were blue. Rain clouds only started to form when we went to Mahogany Market, but we were able to leave with good weather. I've been wary to visit Tagaytay in rainy weather because the road could be slippery. 

While looking at the Taal Volcano, I realized I haven't been asking God for much. My prayers have been focused on praying for good health, safety, blessings and guidance. The night before our trip I prayed for safety and good weather and air quality. He gave that and more. The day was perfect and I'm glad we were able to show my Malaysian friend another side of our beautiful country. 

“And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. – Luke 11:1-13 and Matthew 7:7-12

A blessed Sunday to everyone.  

#BeKind #StaySafe

Miracle Sundays: Ask and You Shall Receive

After a recent meltdown, Sweetie asked me if I was still praying for healing. I realized I had downsized my prayers to be stable everyday and have the energy to at least water the plants. I had been praying for more stamina so I could do more chores at home. I did start to have more energy last month but I was plagued with food poisoning, twice. That started me going on a downhill trend. It culminated with a meltdown. 

It took almost two weeks before I fully recovered from food poisoning. I was flat on my back for a few days. The consequence was retaining more fluid and my legs started to swell. It is painful and you have to act fast so it doesn't end up in CHF. I knew the drill and focused on praying. I fervently prayed to be healed, most especially since we had a scheduled vacation coming up. 

I was able to sustain my stamina throughout the vacation (with naps when needed). I was happy because I wanted my boys and my friends not to worry. One thing i was concerned about though was leaving my plants without water. Miggy and I experimented and prepared a self watering system for our potted plants. It took two weeks before we found a solution that worked (read about it on yesterday's blog post).

The summer heat though has been unbearable. We also only covered the potted plants. We watered the bigger plants diligently and I asked God a favor - to provide some rain midweek so the plants won't die. He did not only send rain, but He sent the first typhoon of the year. It's been raining everyday since Wednesday. The plants are well watered and the potted conserved their bottled water. 

I realized, don't minimize your asks from Him. I only asked for some midweek watering, but He gave much more than that. It made me realize that I should not lose hope, no matter what my doctors say. I got so excited about it and sent my cardiologist a photo of me paddle boarding. He had told me many times that he is amazed with how I could bounce back. It is a miracle, he said. That memory makes me smile because I know he isn't a religious person.

Ask and you shall receives. :)

#BeKind #StaySafe

The Sunflower

I've been following international news the past few days. Russia's invasion of Ukraine is heartbreaking. I saw a video of an old woman giving sunflower seeds to Russian soldiers. She told them they would bloom into sunflowers when they die. I also just saw a photo of a Ukranian ballet dancer now dressed as a soldier. 

I also watched the EU Parliament address of the Ukranian President. He said at least 15 children were killed yesterday and their Freedom Square was hit by missiles. He also mentioned that the Russian soldiers did not actually know why they were invading Ukraine.  There is also much disinformation happening in Russia. You can watch the speech here.

Of course from where we are there's nothing we could really do except pray for this to be over. More than 800,000 people have been displaced already, some of them Filipinos. Since I started using my hand as a guide for my prayers, I've been praying more for others than myself. My problems aren't as overwhelming anymore and I've become more grateful for the blessings. 

#BeKind #StaySafe #VoteWisely #PrayForPeace

Using Your Hand to Pray

My heart is full today after seeing the successful proclamation rally at the Quezon Memorial Circle. I've been going through happy posts by fellow Kakampinks on Twitter. I wish I was there too! Seeing the support of so many people gives me hope that we'll have a better future. The dark forces though are hard at work so we all have to do our part to make sure they don't win. 

There's been several bad news this past week. Comelec junking the disqualification petitions. El Shaddai announcing their support (honestly find it strange how they found in their conscience to support he who must not be named). Hope for a better Philippines with the right leader is what we have. We must pray hard for it.

I've been praying for better leadership since last year. I bought a prayer journal last year. It had a prayer guide which I thought would be useful to share. It's a guide that would help you pray for more people. 

Thumb - pray for those closest to your heart. 

Pointy finger - pray for those who teach and heal. This is where I pray for frontliners, educators and the religious.

Middle finger - pray for leaders. This is where I also pray for good outcome of the elections and I also pray for the protection of the candidates I support and their staff.

Ring finger - pray for the weak and those who need healing. 

Pinky finger - pray for your needs. The guide said, praying last for yourself gives you a better perspective of what you need. 

#BeKind #StayHome #VoteWisely

The Saint Who Brought Me My Forever

My Mom brought me up to get to know the saints. They also taught it in school. I love the fact that I'm remembering this part of me and I could ask for their intercession for my prayers and intentions. Something missing? Pray to St. Anthony. Pandemic? Pray to St. Roch. Need a miracle? Pray to Padre Pio* and ask your guardian angel to whisper to his ear. Anxiety? Pray to St. Dymphna. Teaching? Of course, St. La Salle is the one. 

At the La Salle Generalate, Rome.

I'm happy I bounced back quickly from last week's procedure. It was a blessing in disguise it was rescheduled because I can get feedback from my doctor before I get vaxxed this week. I've been praying a lot and I realized that's what was lacking in me the past few years. I think after OHS** I got too brazen and thought I was invincible. I was doing my mission and took it for granted that all systems would just run smoothly. 

I prayed every night, but my head would always be buzzing with other things. A couple of weeks ago I thought I could improve with how I did my prayers. I always hear people say that you have to be specific about your requests. I downloaded two prayer apps and started to pray novenas (now I know why my Mom always uses her prayer books). It was then I remembered the saint who led me to Sweetie. 

St. Jude, the patron saint of impossible causes. At some point in my life I gave up on love. I was badly heartbroken and kept meeting the wrong kind of guys. I felt it was impossible to find true love. I heard about St. Jude, so thought I'd pray to him. I did and eventually met Sweetie. I think I never thanked St. Jude for helping write my love story. I thank him every night now and I'm requesting for a couple of impossible things. Have anything that you think is impossible? Pray to St. Jude. He gave me my forever (#sanaol). 

CB///*Yr2/155 #StuckAtHomeDay/Yr2/178 #NewG292 #Home50 #Xmas103 #StayHome #BeKind 

*Padre Pio novena starts tomorrow

**OHS - open heart surgery

Relax

We're always in a constant state of stress. I'm still on medical leave because I'm still facing a lot of physical stress (especially now that the haze is back again!). There's stress brought about work, family issues, the environment and what's happening in the world. It's exhausting. 

Relax, Papa God has your back. Just pray. 

CB///Yr2/2  #StuckAtHomeDay/Yr2/29 #StayHome #BeKind 

Dousing Anger with Humility

I had a bad dream last night. In it I was very angry. I don't know why I was angry. Sweetie woke me up because I was making a fuss. When I went back to sleep I dreamt my Mom and Dad were there. My Dad was trying to tell me something. I'm not sure what it was. 

I had a dizzy spell before I went to sleep last night. It just came so suddenly while I was brushing my teeth. I haven't had that for awhile now. I think it's from stress from being away from work for so long now. When I woke up I still felt angry. I'm angry and frustrated that I'm still unwell. 

I had to meet someone this morning and I was afraid that I might end up directing my frustration at him. It was three minutes before my meeting. I prayed. I also looked for today's GodWhispers and got this -

Be humble. I didn't have time to process it. I just took a deep breath and obeyed. The words just flowed out of me during the meeting. I had an idea what I wanted to communicate in the meeting. I got what I wanted because I was able to stamp out the frustration and anger with humility. And I was able to communicate what I wanted. 

Prayer is truly powerful. Have a great week my friends. 

CB///346 #StuckAtHomeDay/Yr2/9 #StayHome #BeKind