Ahuv Sheli

This is probably one of the best years I've had since I came back in 2008.  My world has expanded quite a bit from my virtual world through blogging to my work place and my mom's group in our neighborhood.  I met the finest people in both worlds.  As I leafed through the different chapters of my life, I saw how God worked on many areas I've grown comfortable with. Should I say I was lucky to watch a movie adapted from Elizabeth Gilbert's masterpiece, Eat Pray Love just before the year ended? I led this kind of sabbatical period  for ten years... and I realized that it's something I could reflect about each time I wish to have a reality check on my zest for life! ------------------------------ December's probably the best month especially after my October hibernation. I used to ask,  " How could two people who were so in love not end up happily ever after?" ―  Elizabeth Gilbert ,  Eat, Pray, Love ...

{One Friday Moment from Symphony of Lights} A single photo, capturing a moment. A simple, special extraordinary moment. A moment rummaged from my leisure days at the Ayala Triangle December 2011 that I want to pause, savor and remember. " This Moment " is a ritual on Life inspired by the  Wee Man  adopted from  SouleMama  which was introduced to me by Roy Durham of  Roy's Garage Sell and Auction  If you wish to participate, post your picture on a Friday and leave your link in the comments. Remember to shout TGIF...it's almost 2012 afterwards ;) YEY!

photo credit: Syed Alfandi Syed Mansor "Do you wish to know the secret of happiness?" Several years ago in the agony column of the London Times this question was asked, and all those who replied received an envelope-containing two verses from Saint Matthew: Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock, and the door shall be opened to unto you: For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." - Andre Maurois' The Art of Happiness Dear Santa, Oh how have you been? I haven't written you for a long while. I hope you still remember me... Christmas Party 1983 I was just seven when we first met and I was thrilled by the thought of seeing you in person. I wasn't sure what it is that I asked for Christmas the other years... but what I know now is, I shouldn't tremble by the thought of asking you what I truly want on the day Jesus was born. Oh, ...

It's... a day set aside for sharing our favorite video.            Thanks  to our genius  Josh   at  Its Tiger Time   I received a video from DaySpring Devotions this morning... it was the same time when I was asking God how come tragedies happen around the day He was born... and this is what I heard... THE CROSS IN CHRISTMAS by Tammi Dryden Coming to the manger ... and finding the Cross in Christmas. Christmas cannot be bought. Christmas cannot be created. Christmas cannot be made by hand. Christmas isn't a product to wrap, but a person to unwrap. Christmas can only be found in the creche, in the cradling trough, in the mire and the stench and the unexpected and unlikely and only in the person of Christ. The mystery so large becomes the babe so small - and infinite God becomes infant. Christ, the babe, comes in Christmas as Christ the Savior comes on the cross --- seeking only our embrace. A Holy Experien...

{One Friday Moment from Art Works} A single photo, capturing a moment. A simple, special extraordinary moment. A moment rummaged from my leisure days at the mall that I want to pause, savor and remember. " This Moment " is a ritual on Life inspired by the  Wee Man  adopted from  SouleMama  which was introduced to me by Roy Durham of  Roy's Garage Sell and Auction  If you wish to participate, post your picture on a Friday and leave your link in the comments. Remember to shout TGIF afterwards ;) YEY!

------------------------------------------------ I have seen them happy on our Satur-dates but not as MUCH as they were this week... I keep noticing that they become extremely lively when we start singing and we've been practicing their presentation for the Christmas party in our street. They even invited their dolls and stuffed toys to be with us. They chided, "Teacher, look! Now the classroom's filled with kids..."  How lovely! I do miss MJ and three-year old Carlo. I wish they were there to share our joy. Some of them have not been attending regularly depending on their family's activities for the day. A doctor friend asked if we could formalize our Catechism classes, however, it still depends on the group who initiated this. ~I am still praying for a companion to assist me with the smaller ones, a program for both the youth and the seniors and a playground.~ While it's true that they could be unruly at times, I...

{One Friday Moment from My Adventures with J} A single photo, capturing a moment. A simple, special extraordinary moment. A moment rummaged from my retreat days that I want to pause, savor and remember. " This Moment " is a ritual on Life inspired by the  Wee Man  adopted from  SouleMama  which was introduced to me by Roy Durham of  Roy's Garage Sell and Auction  If you wish to participate, post your picture on a Friday and leave your link in the comments. Remember to shout TGIF afterwards ;) YEY!

It's... a day set aside for sharing our favorite video.            Thanks  to our genius  Josh   at  Its Tiger Time   If you participate, remember to leave your YouTube Tuesday link at Its Tiger Time as well as all the blogs you visit  . Take a risk Take a chance Make a change  and  Break Away!

{One Friday Moment from the Memoirs of a Young Traveler} A single photo, capturing a moment. A simple, special extraordinary moment. A moment rummaged from my old chest that I want to pause, savor and remember. " This Moment " is a ritual on Life inspired by the Wee Man adopted from  SouleMama  which was introduced to me by Roy Durham of  Roy's Garage Sell and Auction  If you wish to participate, post your picture on a Friday and leave your link in the comments. Remember to shout TGIF afterwards ;) YEY!

It's almost December and I have managed to write only two posts for this month. I have squeezed my brain out for the last couple of weeks since I came back and sought for inspiration from the blogs that I read, but still ~ nada ...  Dad's old painting  Maybe I was just looking too hard at the wrong places...but... On the second day of the liturgical year, three people   visited me in my dreams . They gave me back some personal things I left in the missionary house.  A former confidant  spoke to me in my room and asked for my forgiveness.  While in reality, I've chosen complete  silence over the matter ... in my dream, I unleashed all those feelings ensconced all throughout these three years.  I woke up with tears. I realized that instead of simplifying things by just articulating the truth, I found them left to their own judgment of the circumstances ~ leaving scars in the relationship. It has happened many times and ...

It's... a day set aside for sharing our favorite video.            Thanks  to our genius  Josh   at  Its Tiger Time   If you participate, remember to leave your YouTube Tuesday link at Its Tiger Time as well as all the blogs you visit  .