a night of December 31, 2009

Few days left for year 2009 to end and a new year is coming. This time I am celebrating this New Year at my in-laws. I would be expecting more parlor games this time. I would be glad to join hahahah. I will tell on my next post what had happened.

A night of December 24, '09

I really enjoyed this night. I hear the carol singing while I am cooking the dish that I have posted earlier. I am blessed that I can cook and I thank the Lord for that.

It was a success! Hahaha, thank You Lord. I love it.

I am listening to DZAS while I am writing this. Nakakatuwa kasi meron pa rin sila program and I am glad that merong ganitong radio station that can be heard which is really inspiring and soothes the heavily burdened heart.

I want to end this post by this, "Lord thank you for December 24, 2009 - this is the last Christmas we will be spending in our apartment. I love to see and stay at our own new house next year. I love it. Though I don't deserve anything good from You, Lord but I thank You you've given it. I love You Lord...."

Noche Buena

I am so excited this Christmas 2009. You know why this will be the last time we will spend our Christmas in our apartment. We won't be renting anymore. Yipee!!!

On February by next year, we will be moving into our own new house at Quezon City. What a blessing! Lord thank You though I don't deserve it but thank You for giving it to us.

Going back to our topic, I will be the cook for our Noche Buena. Anyway, kami lang dalawa ni Dadi Felix sa bahay. I am planning to cook Seafood Paella, Kare-kare, Peppercorn stuffed tenderloin with wild mushroom sauce for our main course. For dessert, I am preparing leche flan and fruit cake. Also, I would be trying to bake Apple Walnut Cake.

Wow, daming food. On the night of our Noche Buena we will be wrapping our gifts for our inaanak and kids at Sunday School.

Amidst all these activities, I am always reminded the real message of Christmas - the love of Jesus Christ who was born in a manger. He has given his life for us at the cross of Calvary to bring freedom to the captives and find the loss.

Merry Christmas to all. Lord thank you for making our Christmas a meaningful one.

A Promise

Many times in my prayer I always utter "Lord, I will serve You." But do I really know the meaning of it?

When I'm tired and stressed, can I still serve God?
When I'm busy, can I still serve God?
When I'm disappointed, can I still serve God?
When I'm burn out, can I still serve God?

It's easy to say, it's easy to utter. But it costs a lot to do it - to prove a promise.

But with Jesus who stand on me side by side, I believe I can do it.

He's my help, if the load is too heavy. He's my defender, if things went wrong.
He's my strength, if knees began to shake. He's my best friend, if others went away.

Jesus thank you for helping me do my promise.

I love You, Lord.

Till we meet in heaven...

Paskong Pasko Na!

I praise God for all the answered prayers.

1. for a victorious anniversary celebration of The Good Shepherd International Missions - Muntinlupa City.
2. for many souls have come to the Lord and receive Him as their personal Lord and Savior.
3. for a victorious mime presentation of TGSIM Creative Arts- thank God for Pastor Alfred for his undying support, patience and imparting professional techniques on acting/mime.
4. for unity, love, peace, and joy of being together in God's family - Ilocos, Pangasinan, Sucat, Antipolo TGSIM locale churches.
5. for restoration and healing of relationships
6. for a wonderful music and songs

So much blessings I can't enumerate them all I get all excited while enlisting the prayer items. I just only have one word to say before I publish this post "Paskong Pasko Na, kaya may Pasko dahil kay Kristo....".

TGSIM Muntinlupa Anniversary Celebration

I am happy to post here the 11th Year Anniversary Celebration of The Good Shepherd International Mission Muntinlupa on December 5, 2009 @ 4PM.

Come and witness how God can transform your life. Hear the inspiring and amazing life testimonies of people whom God has called into His marvelous light.

Pastor Dong Campoy
- from being a beggar into a known international evangelist preaching God's love to all the world.

Bro. Bobby Duclayan
- from blindness and total darkness transforms into God's marvelous light.

TGSIM Youth Creative Arts
- bringing the real message of the True Christmas.

Are you tired of your life? Do you need healing? Do you need restoration? Do you want to know where you are? Do you want to have an everlasting hope and perfect peace that the world cannot give? You can find all these things, only at Jesus feet.

So come and be transformed.

God bless you.

4 nights, 3 days Home Alone

ang sarap pala ng nag-iisa sa bahay. matulog, gumising, kumain, maglinis ng bahay, maglaba, mag-makeup, maglinis ng kuko, magpaganda, mag-internet, magmeditate, magbasa ng Bible - lahat pwede gawin kahit anong oras. walang makikialam, walang magrereklamo, walang magsisita.

pero malungkot din kasi pagdating ng gabi, nag-iisa sa bahay parang walang nagmamahal sa iyo. siguro may mga tao ring nag-iisa rin sila sa bahay nila. yung mga walang kaibigan o kamag-anak man lang na pwede sila samahan sa bahay. mahirap rin pala.

kaya when time is still available, make the most out of it. when your family is still there, enjoy their companion, enjoy the bonding. feel the laugh and giggles. sooner you may never bring back the time again.

Joy in Every Tear, Victory in Every Defeat

This phrase lingers to my mind today and I decided to post it here.
I have experienced the "not so good times" in business, but still I don't want to give up. I still have to believe that things will get better and better each day as it passes by. I know its been too hard, it's been causing me a lot of pain and pressures. I need to meet deadline to receive my client's payment, so I asked God to give me the grace and strength to accomplish all these things before the end of December 2009.

If things will not turn out right this month, I have plans to get employed for the next two (2) years whether local or abroad. Then I'll save money for business. My heart's deepest desire is to become a Boss or a Manager or a Chief Executive, I don't want to stay as an employee. I want to master my own time. I want to earn more than an ordinary employee could earn. I want to have more money, house and lot, cars - Silver VIOS 1.6GL and Captiva.

You know its not so easy getting into business. You've got to consider many things. You've got to decide and to be firm on the decisions you make whatever circumstances might come along the way. I have to face it. I have to be strong. I have to proove to myself that I can do it with God's abiding grace and abounding love. I am not asking God for money just only for myself, my family... I am asking God to let my business grow to help other people - to employ people, to give to the poor, to help build the church - in short to become a channel of His blessings.

After a talk to my business partner, I close my eyes and tears began to flow on my face and began to pray. "Lord, thank You that I will not cry anymore because of money. Thank You that You will bless us and let our clients pay us within this month. Bless mo na ako Lord, nahihirapan na ako. They can see me smiling but deep down in me something is wrong. I am crying and asking for help. Lord how I wish I could thresh out everything to a friend, but I'd rather not. I dont know if they can understand, help or make me feel ok, let You be my bestfriend. I love you and I believe You love me too."

my 30th birthday menu

I would be turning 30 this year, 2009. Wow, ang tanda ko na. Thank God for a wonderful and blessed life He have given me.

I am planning to have a celebration on our apartment for my birthday, but before I'll tell you my birthday menu I just want to share to you why do I want to have a celebration:
1. This year is my breakthrough. No more apartment rental fees because we will be moving into our own house at Pag-asa, Quezon City.
2. This year takes only one more year and I'll be out in the calendar.
3. This year I have experienced victorious life that God has given me and I am very much thankful with it.

Actually, I have plans to cook this menu on Christmas Eve, but I have come to realized that it would be good if I cook it first for few people so that if it turns out to be a disaster, few comments will do and at least I've learned my mistakes on kitchen experience. Here is my menu:

1. Chicken Cordon Bleu (sounds inferior and intriguing but its quite easy to cook.)
2. Meatball Spaghettie in white sauce (ala "Chef D Angelo" i'll use flatten noodles)
3. Corn Dogs (daddy's favorite and wishlist... heheheh)
4. Banana Toffee Blast (coz' I wanna try something new for the dessert)

Let me share to you my story. On my early years of marriage, I really don't know how to cook. So we had an agreement, my husband and I, that if it passes through the fire, it's cooked. No more comments, no more reactions, just eat it as long as it is edible. One time, a friend visited our house. He is one of our closest friends and our marriage counselor, and He asks me "What's the menu for the day?". I just smiled and did not answer because I'm too shy to tell him that I tried cooking Chao Fan "ala Chowking style - rice topped with beef and some spices" which turns out not to be good. This friend of mine, immediately open the cover of the wok, and laugh out loud. And I just laugh too just not to be ashamed or felt embarassed, anyway its my first time to cook. Hahahahh.

But now, things change. I am the Chef Master of the House - Chef Rhea Bonifacio, a chef mom who had passion for cooking. It was then that time that I started surfing the net, looking for simple to complicated recipes to try. Sometimes, it is a bad experience, the taste is not good but there are times, the taste was great though I have made some variations to the original ingredients and surprisingly it turned out to be of "quality taste of excellence". Hahah, it really helps if you try and apply the things you have learned. If you fail, its alright. You've got nothing to lose, but you'll gain more experience, wisdom and it will make you a better person.

Though it would be a month advance, I would like to greet myself.

"Happy Birthday, Rhea... "You're doing great, keep up the good work. Keep on and continue to reach for your goals. No matter how hard it is, sige lang later on, you'll never know, these challenges will make you a winner and an overcomer. Syempre, dyan si God hindi ka iiwan, nakita mo naman kung paano ka Niya tinulungan. He is just on time because He makes all things beautiful in His time."

Glory to God!

See you all in heaven!

(Please read this post during my burial, but please dont cry because I am with my Lord, Maker my Creator, my Bestfriend - Jesus Christ...)

am I a blessing to you?

sa tuwing bibisita ako sa aking mga magulang, lagi akong napapaluha, naaawa, nagsisi. sana nabigyan ko muna sila ng magandang bahay at lupa bago ako nagasawa. sana mas malaki ung naitutulong ko sa kanila sa oras ng kanilang katandaan. sana mas maipakita ko pa ng higit ang pagmamahal at respeto ko sa kanila. di lang nila alam na kahit isusubo ko na kaya ko pa ibigay sa kanila. ganun ko sila kamahal kaya kahit sa simpleng paraan nais kong ipakita sa kanila na ako ay nagpapasalamat sa Lord binigyan ako ng mga magulang na kagaya nila.

kailan ko pa sila tutulungan? pag patay na sila? pag pantay na paa nila? hindi na nila makikita or mararamdaman un. hindi na rin nila mapapakinabangan ang tulong ko. alam ko hindi rin ako naging mabuting anak sa kanila, marami akong pinagsisihan. marami akong nagawa na nagbigay ng pasakit sa kanila, lalo na nang maaga akong nagasawa. hindi dahil sa buntis ako or what, kundi dahil sa nais ko na rin ituwid ang mga pagkakamali ko.

anyway wala na ako magagawa. kasal na ako pero gayunpaman buhay pa ako. pwede pa ako makabawi. sa ilang taon na nawalay ako sa kanila buhat nang nagasawa ako, dun ko naranasan ang makisama sa ibang tao. duon ko nadama na iba pa rin ang nasa piling ng magulang, parang secured ka kumbaga, parang isang bata pagkasama ang kanyang magulang ama at ina, para bang siya na ang pinakamasayang nilalang sa buong mundo. no worries, ika nga.

sa mga kapatid ko alam ninyo hindi lang ako makapagsalita sa inyo, baka kasi isipin ninyo na nagmamalaki ako. baka kasi isipin ninyo na feeling ko laging tama ako. pero tama na. sana mahalin na natin ng lubusan sila nanay at tatay, maigsi lang ang buhay. hindi natin alam kung anong kakaharapin natin pagdating ng bukas. hindi natin alam kung bukas o sa makalawa magkikita pa tayo. sayang ang mga pagkakataon na pwede nating maipadama sa kanila na mahal natin sila.

ako bilang nawalay sa inyo ng ilang taon din, sobrang namiss ko kayo. sobrang ginusto ko na kung pwede ibalik ko na lang ung panahon for me to make better decisions. pero wish ko lang yon, hindi ko naman kaya ibalik ang mga pagkakataon na iyon. sana wag ninyo nang danasin na mawalay pa kayo kila nanay at tatay bago ninyo maunawaan ang halaga ng pagmamahal at pagaaruga nila.

umiiyak ako habang sinusulat ko ito, sobrang gusto kong sumigaw. gusto kong magmakaawa sa inyo at makiusap na wag na tayong magbigay ng anumang pasakit kila nanay at tatay. sa prayers ko na lang dadaanin i believe tutugunin ako ng Lord.

hindi ninyo lang alam na lagi ko kayong pinagpe-pray kahit kila lola sa tuwing mababalitaan ko na nagaaway-away sila, lagi ko na lang dinadalangin sa Lord na iparanas niya sa Frani family ang tunay na pagmamahalan, pagkakaisa, pagtutulungan at pagdadamayan. Praise God tinutugon niya, pinapatunayan ng Lord. Aantayin pa ba nating maulit ang kamatayan ni Uncle Rol na namatay siya ng walang kibuan, walang ganap na patawaran sa isa't - isa. siguro ito ung papel ko sa buhay, ang ipanalangin ang ating pamilya.

sa oras ng burol ko, nais ko sana na iparinig ninyo ito sa mga nakikiramay sa atin. ayokong makita kayong iiyak, o manghihinayang sa buhay ko, o magsasabing "bata pa siya, kinuha na siya agad anoh." may purpose o layunin ang Lord, alam Niya kung kailan Niya ako kukuhanin. pero sana bago dumating ang oras na iyon, nagawa ko na ang misyon ko sa buhay.

honestly, hindi ko pa alam kung papaano ko sasabihin sa inyo na minsan tinangka ko na ring kuhanin ang buhay ko, magpakamatay. sinabi ko rin sa Lord na kung paghihirapin niya lang ako at laging ganito ang buhay, mabuti pang huwag na lang Niya ako bigyan ng anak kung hindi ko rin kayang buhayin.

walang nakakaalam nito, kahit asawa ko or kahit ung mga kaibigan ko. nilihim ko dahil pinagsisihan ko ang araw na iyon na gusto ko nang kunin ang buhay ko.

sana huwag ninyo akong tularan. maximize nating ung time with our family, show them the love and care they deserve while there is are lots of chances.
we may never know when, where, and how our life will end. isa lang ang buhay. minsan lang mabuhay, ito ay isang regalo ng Panginoon na nais Niyang gamitin natin sa mas mahalaga at kapaki-pakinabang na buhay.

sa mga kapatid ko, sana tumino na tayo. sana maging mabuti tayong anak kina tatay at nanay para sa bandang huli wala tayong pagsisihan.

see you all in heaven!

"Sinong Kakampi?"

"May mali ako, may mali rin siya. Masungit siya na wala sa lugar, situations like that she should know how to show concern over her tenants." Naiwan ang susi sa loob ng bahay, etong dalawa naghanap ng paraan kung papaano mabubuksan sa pamamagitan ng mahiwagang panungkit.

Unfortunately, it didn't went out good. The key dropped into an unreachable spot. "Wala nang ibang way, kung hindi gisingin at humingi ng tulong sa ubod ng sungit na landlady.". Nag-doorbell. Isang press lang kasi masungit talaga may-ari ng bahay. Di sumagot. Ang sabi ko ,"Ikaw makipagusap dyan hindi ako, ayokong makipagusap dyan." Ayoko kasi mapagalitan. Alam ko kasalanan ko rin naiwan ko ang susi eh sobrang ginto sa kanya ang susi at pagtulong sa kapwa ay napakalaking istorbo sa kanya.

"I will proove to myself, never again will I rent, never again will I beg if I can't pay the monthly bills. No more shame, no more tears to shed." Ito ay isang pangyayari sa buhay ko na hindi ko makakalimutan. Sana sa oras ng burol ko, banggitin nila ito. Mga hinanakit na hindi ko sinasabi, tanging ang blog lang na ito ang witness. Wala rin naman mangyayari, hindi rin ako kakampihan ng taong dapat to stand on me side by side. Kung sabagay, problema nga ng pamilya ako lang ang nasalo. Para bang walang pakialam kahit na walang kainin, walang pang-rental, walang pambayad. Ok lang it makes me a better person pero mahirap ang pinagdaraanan. Sana makayanan ko.

Bakit kung minsan ibang tao pa ang higit na nakakaintindi? Bakit kung minsan ibang tao pa ang higit na nakakakilala sa akin? yun bang kaya akong sabayan sa mga "childish acts" ko. Bakit kung minsan ibang tao pa ang mas nakakaintindi?

At hindi lang yon, pinahiya nya pa ako sa harap ng kaibigan ko na nakitira sa amin kasi baha sa kanila. Hindi niya alam nakikisama ako, syempre kasama sa negosyo. Eh saan kami pupulutin kung wala akong trabaho? Ni ayaw nga niya mangutang, nagalit pa sa akin minsan nung pinipilit ko. Kulang na lang ibenta ko ang katawan ko para kumita ng pera (pero wala naman papatol sa akin) tsaka hindi ko rin ata kaya iyon. Nakaktakot baka mamatay ako.

Sana lang kaya ko pa ibalik ang nakaraan so that I can make a better decision. Sana lang single na lang ako, at least nanay at tatay ko lang pakikisamahan ko. At tsaka mas matutulungan ko pa sila syempre sila lang magiging priority ko. Hay buhay may-asawa, magsasawa ka rin pala...

Itong mga nangyaring ganito, ok lang sa akin. Kung mamatay ako hiling ko lang na basahin ninyo at sambitin ang mga ito. Pero nais ko ipabatid sa inyong lahat, bagamat nangyari ang mga bagay na ito, still pinatawad ko na kayo. Wala na rin akong magagawa, nangyari na. Magpatawad na lang. Hindi pa tapos ang Lord sa akin, sa oras na kuhanin Niya na ako, un na siguro ang perfect time. Goodbye Nanay. Goodbye Tatay. Goodbye ate and che, goodbye sa inyong lahat. Sana naging maganda ang naiwan ko sa inyo. Sa lahat ng pagkukulang ko, patawarin ninyo ako. I cannot do everything, but I can do a lot. See you in heaven.

Life's Lesson

Today, the whole nation is in deep cry and victory because we are witnessing the funeral procession of our President Corazon C. Aquino. Her life and devotion to our country has made me realized what I can do to protect the democracy that she had fought for a long time ago.

I have learned from the death of President Corazon C. Aquino that:
1. To value the democracy
2. To be kind and good though you are at position
3. To be humble enough to become a good leader
4. To mix with love and care whatever God has entrusted you to do so
5. To embrace life's challenges with full and complete trust in God
6. To completely adhere and be completely proud of being a Filipino.

Salamat sa buhay mo President Cory.

A Tribute to President Corazon Aquino

I remember that I was just 6 years old during the EDSA Revolution 1. It was just indeed a show that I have viewed during those times, never felt what I am feeling today. I realized how significant the life of our President Cory into the historical story of our beloved country - Philippines.

President Cory you may not know me at all or even know my name, but I want you to know that I admire your courage, strength, credibility, and your genuine spirit to serve the Filipino people. I thank God for your life, though it might be too short but you really deserve the rest.

"You are more than a hero", that's what you are to me President Corazon Aquino. You have lived and performed an exemplary contribution to our country. You have made me realized to be proud of being a Filipino. With this teary-eyed and down spirit, I am tendering my salute to you. I wish I could be there in your funeral procession but due to some financial reasons, I have become limited.

President Cory, you have leave a remarkable value in the heart of every Filipino people.

Now, I am asking God to give us once again a "handpicked" leader for our country like you.

Thank you for your life and I love you.

Goodbye and till we meet again.

Welcome Year 2009!

Last December 31, 2008 I wrote in my diary a personal prayer. I've ended it with a seal of my signature and dated it on. I ask Jesus that He is my witness to His bountiful blessings and favor in this Year 2009 and all the days of my life. I love it and I keep on reading it. Oh, Lord there is no one else compare with You. I love You Jesus!

"Until I see You face to face,
I'll sing of Your love and grace.
Until the day You call my name...."
(excerpt from the song composition of my sister in Christ Joan Rivera-Vilda)

Well we've spent our New Year's Eve at our in-laws. I've enjoyed again a lot. I dance, I play with their parlor games hahahah as if I am still a kid. We'll I just thank the Lord I am now in good terms with my in-laws. All my prayer is that I will be able to introduce to them who Jesus is.

I welcome this Year 2009 with an open arms and great expectation of faith to Jesus for His bountiful blessings and favor in my life. I keep on saying it because I believe on it and I want to live by it. Lord I love You Jesus! I know and believe that He who began a good work in my life will be faithful to complete it. To God be the glory!