About Blessings

I heard a wonderful message in church (Bread from Heaven Christian Fellowship) last Sunday through Pastor Doy Castillo.  It's about how blessings are released to God's people.

Genesis 1:26-31 (NIV)

    ²⁶ Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”  ²⁷ So God created mankind in his own image,
   in the image of God he created them;
   male and female he created them.

 ²⁸ God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
    ²⁹ Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. ³⁰ And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.
    ³¹ God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day. 

God has chosen his people even before creation.  He has also declared the blessings upon his chosen ones back then.  Blessings are anything that make us feel good. However, some blessings are freely given but some blessings are still stored up in heaven waiting to be released to his people.

There are 3 important principles for God to release His blessings to us:

1. Blessings are released in relation to God's purpose for you in this world (v 26.)  We are created to be God's image bearer.  People should see in us who God is and what He is like.  I am working very hard on this! I am a very impatient person and I always want to get things done right. Otherwise, my "not-so-good" side really comes out :(  Lord, give me lots and lots of patience and understanding!

2. Blessings are released in relation to the path or program assigned to us (v 28.)  We need to assess if we are in the right program.  I was once a career woman but after thinking a thousand times I decided to be a full time housewife and mom.  This I think is the right path for me and I am doing my best to stay focused on my own program.

3. Blessings are released in relation to the persons given in your life. [Eve was assigned to Adam but he failed and they were both punished for their disobedience.] Be with the right people.  Take care of those who are assigned to your life by God. My life revolves around my family.  I would rather stay at home and be with them most of the time. My greatest desire is to raise my kids the way God wants them to be.

Remember the 3 P's - Purpose, Program and Persons.  Work on these three and blessings will just come, you don't even have to ask.

I'm looking forward every week because the theme for the month of February centers on Blessings :)

3 + 1 cakes this week!

Just want to blog about the cakes I made for 3 special people this week. Due to time constraint, I was not able to take pictures while I was doing them. Special thanks to my hubby for helping me out with the fondant preparation.  They were all made from scratch.

Christening and birthday cakes

Barbie Doll Cake for 11 yo Anjelica

Feb 4, 2012 - Celebration at Bigplate

Kelly (sis of Barbie) Doll Cake with Rainbow cupcakes

Feb. 5, 2012 - with the birthday girl, Isys (my niece)

I was so busy the whole week with these cakes so I make up to Matt by baking his all-time favorite Blue Berry Cheesecake today.  He's been requesting for this for weeks.

Slipping Through My Fingers

 Slipping through my fingers 

by ABBA

Schoolbag in hand

She leaves home in the early morning

Waving goodbye

With an absent-minded smile

I watch her go

With a surge of that well-known sadness

And I have to sit down for a while

The feeling that I'm loosing her forever

And without really entering her world

I'm glad whenever I can share her laughter

That funny little girl

Slipping through my fingers all the time

I try to capture every minute

The feeling in it

Slipping through my fingers all the time

Do I really see what's in her mind

Each time I think I'm close to knowing

She keeps on growing

Slipping through my fingers all the time

Sleep in our eyes

Her and me at the breakfast table

Barely awake

I let precious time go by

Then when she's gone

There's that odd melancholy feeling

And a sense of guilt

I can't deny

What happened to the wonderful adventures

The places I had planned for us to go

Well some of that we did

But most we didn't

And why I just don't know

Slipping through my fingers all the time

I try to capture every minute

The feeling in it

Slipping through my fingers all the time

Do I really see what's in her mind

Each time I think I'm close to knowing

She keeps on growing

Slipping through my fingers all the time

Sometimes I wish that I could freeze the picture

And save it from the funny tricks of time

Slipping through my fingers -

Schoolbag in hand

She leaves home in the early morning

Waving goodbye with an absent-minded smile

This beautiful song is one of my favorites in Mamma Mia!  It was sung by Donna before the wedding of her daughter Sophie.  (Watch movie version here with Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried.) It's very touching!  I don't want to think yet of Belle getting married someday.  I can't bear to give her away!  All moms (and Dads of course) dread that day I'm sure.  My little girl is only 5 so it's still a long way to go.  I was shocked when she asked me innocently one day, "Mommy, kelan ako mag-bo-boyfriend?" I told her "Maybe when your 25" and she answered "O-kay!" I hope she keeps her promise haha!

I was already a full-time mom when I gave birth to Belle in 2006.  I breastfed her for more than 3 years :) Too much bonding huh! She's glued to me most of the time. Her daddy said that we already have the same facial expressions and even gestures!  I'm glad that I have captured (in pictures and in my mind) almost every moment of her milestones. Not all moms have that privilege and I am truly blessed! 

Bellie, please do not grow up too fast. I promise that I will enjoy you everyday and Mommy will always be there for you! BFF tayo ha :)

I love Musicals!

Jan 24, 2011 - Taken at The CCP Lobby after the Premiere Night of Mamma Mia! live in Manila

I still can't get over Mamma Mia fever. Because of this, I looked for my photo albums of my trips in London, home of the Broadway Musicals. It was in 1997 when we started visiting our clients in some parts of the UK, Scotland and Ireland. I was then a Project Manager handling various accounts (Data Entry and Conversion) for several UK companies.

It was my first travel outside Asia and I was nervous but very excited of exploring the other side of the world. Our marketing company KEYDATA LTD is still based in Manchester, England until now.

With David Craft at KEYDATA Office

David Craft and Jackie Costello (marketing partners) made me feel at home away from home

I traveled with my former boss, Mr. Ed Garcia (fondly called by his initials ELG.) We may argue about lots of things but I will always remember with fondness our memorable trips together for 3 consecutive years. ELG was like a father to me and I learned a lot from him.

I have so many wonderful experiences of visiting historical places, castles and famous tourist destinations with Mr. Garcia.

Our last stop will always be in London and we'll spend 2 or 3 days for R&R.   We both love to go on city tours and watch musicals. The highlight of our stay in London would be our visit in Broadway. Our hosts David and Jackie would buy us tickets ahead of time and they would not allow us to pay. We got to watch five musicals for free!  What a treat!

Of course, Ms. Saigon was our first choice.  I can't find my souvenir program (I collected them) and I can't remember who played Kim that time. But I can recall Robert Sena played The Engineer.

Ms. Saigon - May 1997

On our 2nd trip in 1998, we chose two famous musicals Les Mis and Phantom of the Opera. "On My Own" and "All I Ask of You" are all-time favorites!  Btw, The Phantom of the Opera will be staged in Manila later this year.

Les Miserables - May 1998

Watched Phantom right after our client's meeting

In 1999, I was already 5 months pregnant with Matt when I travelled again for our annual conference with our clients in Scotland. Nothing can stop us from watching 2 shows again -- CATS and BUDDY HOLLY Story.

CATS - May 1999

I looked so tired here!

Back home, Hubby and I really find time to watch musicals every now and then. It is one of the things that we both enjoy doing together. We've watched They're Playing our Song, Baby, Ms. Saigon, The Sound of Music and soon Mamma Mia again. Unfortunately, we missed a lot of nice local musical plays.

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Before I end, I would just like to mention that this post is also in remembrance of my former boss and our Ninong Ed (one of the principal sponsors in our wedding.) Mr. Garcia passed away in 2005 because of Cancer. He was a heavy smoker and I would always remind (even pleaded) him to stop smoking not only for his sake but also for sake of the people around him. He would just tell me "life is too short we might as well enjoy it." Oh well!

Thank you Sir for the good memories!

2012 projects

I am working on two cakes this week, a christening cake and a birthday cake as gifts for the daughters of our good friends Rene and Vangie Sy. I've only started but I am very excited already so I am posting the first fondant decorations I did today. I just added "2012" to signify my new creations for the new year.

Gumpaste and Fondant Flowers and Buttons

 

Baby shoes - not so refined but not bad for a first timer. I am making a new pair for the real cake.

So girly!

 'Til next post :)

Mamma Mia!

"A Mother

A Daughter

Three Possible Dads

And a trip down the aisle that you'll never forget!"

I've been wanting to see Mamma Mia!  musical ever since I've watched the movie starring Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgard in 2008. It was considered the highest grossing movie of all time at the UK and Irish film box office and the highest grossing musical film worldwide. "The number speak for themselves, but it is the numbers in the show - the glorious, instantly memorable ABBA songs- and the way they are fused so effortlessly into the story, that makes it work again."  ABBA songs are timeless! I will never get tired of listening to them. Belle was only 2 years old then and she was singing "Dancing Queen" again and again. I can't resist including her funny "You can dance" video below.

It was such a wonderful experience and a dream come true when I was officially counted as one of more than 50 million people who have seen the world's smash hit Mamma Mia! now being staged live in Manila.  My sister Ruth invited me to join her in the Premiere Night last January 24 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP.)  She was invited by the PR of Concertus, Inc (one of the companies who also brought Cats in Manila last year.)

We're both ABBA fans! Thanks for sharing your extra VIP ticket with me :)

A-W-E-S-O-M-E show indeed!  From the very talented cast, simple yet true to life production set, gorgeous men (especially Sky), well-choreographed numbers, funny scenes (Rosie is the best!) to the greatest hit songs of ABBA. The cast deserved the standing ovation from the audience.  From our seats on the 3rd row, we can't help but sing and dance during the finale. They performed Mamma Mia, Dancing Queen and Waterloo. What a great great night to remember!!!

 

I am sharing official photos from the Press Kit given to my sister when she was invited to attend the press con at Dusit Thani where she met some of the cast of Mamma Mia. You can read her blog here. I have asked her permission to use them in my own blog.  No copyright infringement intended.  

 

"Honey, Honey" Sophie with BFF's Ali and Liza

Sophie with her 3 possible dads Sam, Harry and Bill

"Money, Money, Money"

"Super Trouper" - Tanya, Donna and Rosie

"Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!"

"Does Your Mother Know"

"Slipping through my fingers" - Donna and Sophie

The Wedding Scene - Sky and Sophie

"I Have a Dream" - Reprise

"Mamma Mia" - Finale

"Thank you for the music, the songs I'm singing
Thanks for all the joy they're bringing
Who can live without it, I ask in all honesty
What would life be?
Without a song or a dance what are we?
So I say thank you for the music
For giving it to me"

I've been able to watch a number of musicals in the past but I can say that Mamma Mia! is my most favorite of them all.

On my next post I will share how my "love affair" with musicals started :)

Top 10 Tips I

I am reading a Devotional Book for Mothers which contains many inspiring stories and insights on motherhood.  Every now and then, I will post Top 10 Tips, Wise Words and other things that might also be helpful to other moms like me.  So here's the first one ...

What the Bible Says You Can Know and Do Concerning Your Children

1. God breathed life into your child and knows the number of every hair on his or her head. 
2. God always sees your child.
3. God loves your child immeasurably more than you do.  
4. God considers your child His own. 
5. God wants the very best for your child -- and he knows what is the "very best." 
6. God urges you to pray for your child. 
7. God promises that when you pray, he is listening and takes your requests to heart. 
8. God has provided wisdom through the Holy Spirit. 
9. God reminds you that adversity builds strength and he's able to give your child help and peace in any circumstance. 
10. God urges you to let go of anxiety about your child. 

It's good to be reminded of these things. Our children are God's precious gifts to us. What a privilege that he has chosen us to raise, care, protect and love them!  We are the ones who will carry His plans for them but it should always be for His glory and not our own.

I always pray that I may live up to God's expectation as a mother. There's a saying that, "Children bring out the best in us and the worst in us."  I made lots of mistakes and sometimes I am not setting a good example to them so I ask for His forgiveness. Our God is gracious and loving, I know He will see me through all of these and guide me every step of the way.

Thank you Lord for these two precious gifts!