It's a Girl!

We're having a girl!

I think I asked the doctor 5 times if she was sure that it's a girl. I couldn't believe it because girls are rare in the family.

The day after and it has sunk in already...we're having a girl! I now have someone to dress up in cute pink clothes and share other girly stuff with. More importantly, I have to learn how to raise a boy and girl.

Truly, nothing is impossible with the Lord! Now, I pray to carry this little girl full term with no complications. All by God's grace!

Museo Pambata

A couple of days ago, we decided to take Timmy out to an educational trip. Since we've already decided to homeschool him, we might as well start exposing him to things other than toy stores and the mall.

After choosing from several options, we ended up taking him to Museo Pambata. I wasn't sure if this place was good so I prayed really hard that it's where we should go.

Scale Model of a Spanish Galleon

By God's grace, it was a nice place for a kid. You can touch most of the things there so Timmy was very happy with that. The room had themes from science to old Manila.

Mini Jeep

All in all it was a great trip. Timmy enjoyed it and he was happy with the museum.

Timmy's Favorites...

Mommy Again

Having a son is such a blessing and I'm excited to be a mommy again for the third time. Yes...we found out that we are expecting another bundle of joy which is due to arrive February 2011.

My hubby has been bugging me the last three weeks that I am pregnant because he noticed changes in me that I quickly dismissed. Last night, we got our confirmation.Thank you Lord for the blessing of life!

Mustard Seed featured in Junior Magazine

Mustard Seed is featured in Junior Magazine's March issue. Our favorite Bug Bite Relief and other insect repellant products were featured.

Grab a copy and don't forget to visit us at http://www.mustardseedmanila.com

My Strength

In the crazy days (weeks even) that has passed, I've grown tired and almost burned out. I just want to stop, rest and do nothing but we all have things to to do that we should do even if we don't feel like it.

It helps that my husband is my biggest encourager and to know that I am doing what He wants. To be at the center of His will is where I want to be. Burned out or not, I will do what He wants. He is my strength, healer and provider.

"I love you, o Lord, my strength." Psalm 18:1

Bad News

Getting bad news is not fun. It's been three weeks since our helper left for her vacation and she never came back so now I am left to do all the house work, cook, take care of the little boy and run a business. Hay! Thank God my hubby is helping me lot with the chores and we usually eat out on weekends plus my son helps with the chores too.

While at the beach, I came across this very encouraging and comforting verse.

"He will have no fear of bad news;

his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD."

Psalm 112:7

We can look at bad news through God's perspective. It's not bad news but merely a change that will bring about good things according to God's perfect plan.

Beach Break

The beach is such a nice place. The white sand, relaxing sound of the waves and the fresh air.

We were blessed with a trip to the beach and had the best time. We ate, slept, relaxed, swam and had fun. It was the perfect weekend getaway, the best way to celebrate my hubby's birthday and see the wonders of God's creations.

Villas

perfect sized kiddies pool

playing on the sand

sleeping after a hard day's work

Mustard Seed Manila

The new website for Mustard Seed is finally up. Praise God for all the blessings!

Bugs Away Insect Repellant

Joy All-Purpose Sanitizer

Do Not Worry

Worry is probably what most people have in common.

You worry about your health, money, parents, kids and just about anything and everything you can think of. After all the worrying, what did we get out of it? Probably nothing but wrinkles, a few frown lines and a feeling of anxiousness. Do we want this?

I believe that the underlying reason for worrying is the fact that we want to be in control....of everything. In reality we're not in control.

We don't control how people react. We don't control other people's thoughts. We are not in control.

There is only one thing that we can control, ourselves. It is up to us how we react to certain situations and how we treat other people.

I am reminded of a song by Carried Underwood that tells about who is in control of our lives and everything else.

He who created the heavens and the earth, He is in control.

"Then Jesus said to his disciples:

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat;

or about your body, what you will wear.

Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.

Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn;

yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"

Luke 12:22-25

Weekend Treat

We had a short, short break last weekend from all the chaos in the city. We went up to Tagaytay, relaxed, ate and spent time with the family.

It was a blessing to be able to take a short trip with the family. Cool weather and some quality time with the family. Nothing beats that.

enjoying munchies

Apps to Pass the Time

With the all the apps in available for the iPhone you can easily get lost in it.

Here are a few of my favorites.

1. Tweetdeck

My hubby was the one who got me into Twitter and I found it to be a good way to catch up on news and current events. Tweetdeck is a sweet application that let's you organize your contacts, send out tweets and read tweets in a organized manner.

2. Facebook

A social networking application that lets you read updates on the go.

3. Evernote

An excellent digital notebook. You can use this to read pdf files and photos. Best thing about it is you can sync it with your desktop computer.

4. Flickr

Browse through your account and upload photos with this handy app.

5. Reeder

Simple rss reader

6. Yahoo Messenger

7. Best Camera

Apply nice effects on your photos with this app.

8. Camera Bag

Edit photos with this handy app.

9. Color Piano

Just because my loves to play musical instruments.

10. All Recipes

Plan your meals with a ton of recipes to choose from a ton of recipes to choose from.

All apps are available at the iTunes Store.

Keep on Praying

We may not get what we pray for but know that God is in control and He has a plan for us.

The Lord answers our prayers in three ways. Yes. No. Wait.

Never stop praying.

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. ¹⁵And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him."

1 John 5:14-15

I Choose Love....

In a world like ours, it's so easy to feel hurt and anger when somebody wrongs us and disappointment when things don't go our way. These are natural reactions but is it necessarily the right one?

I've read somewhere that unforgiveness in our hearts manifests through physical pain. If you've been harboring ill feelings towards someone it is you that suffers and not that person.

I admit that showing love and grace to somebody so unlovable is difficult. You can't help but think about what was done to you and just thinking about it makes you irritated but when you think of what Jesus Christ did for us in the cross while we are sinners He still chose the cross, gave His life for us and loves us then how can we not show that same love for others?

Going through these is a test of character. It strengthens us and our faith.

Do we still want to have these ill feelings or do we want to enjoy God's love and share this with others?

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

1 Corinthians 13:13