Thankful Thursday!

I am so thankful to God for the following:

1. I won for a cause! Do you remember my post about my friend Elmie who met an accident? I joined a Photo Contest of Artscow and prayed to win the first prize which is $150 in order to donate for her surgery. The contest ended last December 16 and here's the email from Artscow:

Congratulations! We are pleased to inform following our official vote count, one or more of your photos submitted have won a cash prize. The details of your winning photo(s) and prize(s) are as follows:

Photo Facebook URL: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4719005&id=203944696146
Number of Votes Received: 42
Prize: $10

I wanna take this opportunity to thank all my friends here in blogosphere and in facebook who voted for me. You make it possible for me to be one of the 7 winners of the consolation prize of $10. There were 197 entries, by the way. Special thanks also goes to Marce Kaye and Normalyn Espejo for helping me in spreading the word. I'm truly indebted to all of you. I pray that you'll have all the best this yuletide season in the name of Jesus Christ.

2. Good health. I thank God that I'm totally healed after my two-week battle over sore throat and flu. My baby is also doing fine after a week of fever.

3. 1st Blogversary. I just noticed that my blogversary happened last December 15! I totally forgot about it...Anyway, I thank God that I already had a year experience in the blogging world. I learned a lot from here. I meet great people specially the Marce club-Pehpot, Niko, Yami, Seiko, and Liz. I also learn to earn a little while blogging.

4. Free ride. It's already a month now that the mother of my student before offered me a free ride every morning in going to school. She happens to be our neighbor now and in sending her son to school, she'll pass our house, so she'll just pick me up for a free ride:) It means a saving for me- about 150 baht per week.

How I wish I could give something for her this Christmas season. Do you think one of the pontiac accessories will do?

Thankful Thursday- Cultivate thankfulness

Sometimes, I feel that the thing I want most is what God has given to someone else. Thus, jealousy comes in. I thank God that He teaches me not to let this attitude creep into my heart when I turn my eyes upon Him rather than on others. By His power and grace I'll have the strength and courage to move on and let not the enemy render me ineffective and rob me of the joy of serving God.

I thank God for teaching me the best way to avoid this trap-Focus my attention on God and cultivate thankfulness for what he's doing in me- and in others.

Happy Thursday! Join us in expressing thanksgiving to Him by visiting Lynn of Spiritually Unequal Marriage.

mission accomplished!

" When a believing person prays, great things happen!" James 5:16 NCV

1. I thank God that our prayer doesn't go into thin air. We've been praying for a LOT and HOUSE for my family in the Philippines for quite some time and last week we received an SMS message inviting us to rejoice with them for God answers our prayer! They already have the house and lot that they desired! God is really working in amazing ways !

2. I thank God that He is there to handle my worry about Novel H1N1 case in our city. I thank Him for teaching me that instead of wasting today worrying about tomorrow, I got to enjoy the life that He gave me. I know God spared us from this virus!

3. It's Hyzyd's 9 months birthday today! I thank you Lord for the life of this baby. He's such a precious little jewel in our family.

4. We don't have class today due to Novel H1N1. I'm glad that I was able to accomplish the following:

Check all the worksheets!

finish my visual aids for next week's class!

Thank you Lord for the strength you gave me when I did all the paper works from 8:30 am-12:00 noon. My God is so good!

Visit Spiritually Unequal Marriage to view more thankful lists. God is waiting for your thanksgiving...

God inspires me!

Life of a working mom can sometimes be humdrum and wears me down but I thank God that he INSPIRES me! So, instead of complaining, God teaches me to put a smile in my face and a spring in my step. He deserves to be praised for opening my eyes eyes to see how BLESSED I am when I listened to HIM to change my attitude and approach in life! I should be the most enthusiastic person in the world because not only have I got a great future, I have "abundant life" through HIM now!

Visit more happy and thankful people in Spritually Unequal Marriage.

"You're hired!"

Nope...it's not me who's just got hired but it's my friend who just came from Philippines . She's been here for almost two weeks and she's applying to various schools as an English teacher. Time is running short...classes are starting and her visa is almost due. With all these pressures on her, we clung on God's promises that he will never forsake us. Last Tuesday, she was called for interview along with the other two applicants. Though the school wanted to hire someone who had teaching experience here in Thailand, we didn't lost hope for I know that God works in mysterious ways. Wednesday came- she was called for teaching demonstration with the other applicants. She informed us that the school said final decision will be on Friday. Deep in my heart, I'm already thanking God for the favor.

This morning, as I'm busy helping the teachers babysit the nursery students, I looked on my phone and there's 6 miss calls from my friend F! I believe right at that moment that she's already hired! At last, before lunch I confirmed that she's already HIRED and will start tomorrow. I praise you GOD! You deserve all thanksgiving, glory and honor! THANK YOU, Lord for the answer of our prayers!

Is there anything you want to thank God for this week? Share it with us together with our Thankful Thursday host LYNN of Spiritually Unequal Marriage.

Here's for you, Mama Genei!

I have the "one-of-a-kind" mother and she's quite extraordinary for all of us-her children. What makes her extraordinary is the fact that God entrusted her with 14 children! Yes, we are 14 and I am the eldest. I am blessed by what I learned at my mother's knee. I am blessed with a mother who taught me that the law of love and Christian witness is to be our daily guide. I noticed that my mother spends an hour each day praying for her children no matter how hectic her schedule is as a director in a pre-school ministry and as my father's partner in his speaking engagements. I still remember those times I woke up in the middle of the night or at dawn hearing mom's prayer for me and declaration of blessings in my studies, travel (I'm commuting everyday in going to school before), my spiritual growth and even my love life! I knew that she's doing the same thing to all my siblings. In addition, she took each child aside for a full hour every week to discuss spiritual matters.

My mom is my best best friend. I could share to her my everything from my favorite undies to ups and downs of marriage life. My mom is my friends' favorite mom. How they wish she's their mother! Everyone told her their problems because she know how to listen and connect with kids. She's a great pal and a great mom. My mom is tougher than she looks and more beautiful than she thinks, smarter that she'd claim in public and kinder than you could imagine.

I look like my mom and she looks like me. Those who knew my mom and will see me for the first time share the same question " Are you Ma'am Genei's daughter?" And those who knew me and will see my mom for the first time will ask " Is Genebei Faith's your daughter?" When we confirmed that they're right and followed up with the question "How did you know?" They blurted "You look the same!"

I witnessed how she subdue self-will in a child and work together with God. She taught us to pray as soon as we can speak. She gave us nothing we cry for and only give what is good for us if we asks for it politely. To prevent lying, she punishes no fault that is freely confessed but never allow a rebellious sinful act to go unchecked. She commends and rewards good behavior. She strictly observes all promises she made for her children. That's my mom. I'm so proud of her and I often try to emulate her way of life. he..he..he.. I love you Mama Genei.

Of all the earthly things God gives,
There's one above all other:
It is the precious, priceless gift
Of loving Christian mothers. - Anon

Happy Mother's Day, Ma! Hope you read this one. I made it for you.

It's Hazel who shared to me this opportunity to pay tribute to my mother. I'm tagging the following moms:

Phebie Ann
Twinkie
Sarah
Mommy Elvz
Mariel
Jeng
Laine
Grace
Jes
Shydub
Gengen
Pehpot
Enchie
Dines
Fe
Beth
Babette

Here's a simple rule to make this activity even more fun: create you own scrapbook, post it on your blog, tag all moms that you know, and link the person who tagged you.

Happy Mother's Day, Moms!

By the way, visit LYNN or click the Thankful Thursday's badge where you can find participants sharing their hearts' out about their mothers, of how thankful they are to be a mom and what God is teaching them. You're surely be blessed!

Thankful Thursday-Courage

Courage must be grounded in the strength of the Lord.

"Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6, NKJV

The verse is always my favorite verse that I recite and claim every time I face situations that challenge my courage. I claim it every time I was sent by my school to compete for district, division, regional and national test when I'm in grade school. I claim it when I'm joining extemporaneous speech, declamation, and oration when I'm in high school. I claim it when I'm in college and brainstorming with other National Super Quiz bee contenders. I claim it when it's my first time to travel alone in this foreign land, teach in a Buddhist school, witness to my students and co-teachers, got married and become a mom. I claim it every now and then and it makes me courageous to face every form of trials, problems and challenges for I know that God is with me wherever I go.

This week, I'm confident to thank God specifically for the following:

1. Neo Brand Laptops. Yes, God gave laptops not only a laptop ...Yesterday, I sent an SMS message to my father and mentioned about the approaching birthday of my sis. He said that her birthday present is a laptop! Wow, I'm amazed of how God provided the laptop to my sis as well as to my bro who both are graduating hopefully this October in their respective courses. We reminisced our times before that purchasing a laptop is hard to come by but now I'm glad that God provided their need as easy as buying softdrinks..he..he...

2. I'm done with the K-1 and K-2 workbooks! yeheeyyyy...Thank you, Lord! I'm ready for school's opening next week.

the workbooks that are due for approval and reproduction

3. This month is almost finished and I'm thankful of how God takes care of us for the whole month! I'm alive today, alert and enthusiastic!

God promises encouragement when I need it.
"When I pray, You answer me, and encourage me by giving me the strength I need." Psalm 138:3, TLB


You'll be blessed of how awesome is our God by visiting Laurie's place.

Thankful Thursday-Provision

God is good all the time! He is our provider for the past months, this month and the months to come. I'm thankful for God's word this morning in Hebrews 13:5 that says " Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

"Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you."

Though, I always read this and memorized this verse, this morning it brought a renewing hope in my life. It reminded me again that I should not worry of tomorrow for He sees it already and He won't allow to see His children go hungry. You see, this month is our vacation...yeah, I enjoy vacation but there's a catch...it also means....no salary. This is the usual practice here in Hatyai (as far as I know)...that's why everybody is looking for extra job like tutorial classes and working in hotels. I'm expecting to have tutorials this month as I've been approached a month ago...but sad to say, no one enrolled....I've been expecting that the same thing happened to my hubby but I was wrong. He told me that supposed to be he'll sign a teaching contract again by May but it was changed....it was made last March and the Department Head told him that he's entitled to receive a month-salary including his deposit money on the last day of April! It's the good thing about teaching in a government school (mine is a private school)! This is the school God gave to my hubby last January. You can read the rest of the story here.

I thank God that his provision is sufficient for us...He is my shepherd and I shall not be in want. He deserves all praises and glory for the following:

1. providing the needs of my big family back home in the Philippines. We'll be having 4 college students , 3 high school students, and 4 elementary students in the next school opening by June.

2. my friend's friend's air fare is provided. Last week, we're praying that this friend could be able to book a flight from Bangkok to Hatyai instead of riding a bus because it's much safer for a first-timer like her. We encouraged her to book online. Unfortunately, she doesn't have a credit card. My hubby suggested to use my debit card using the extra money that we have. Now she's booked and she'll be arriving on the 3oth.

3. I bought a new domain of my blog. It's my hubby's advance birthday gift for me.

4. additional year for me. I'll be 28th this April 25 and as I count my blessings, I had tears of joy. By this age I'm already a mom to a babbling babe, a wife to a very patient and wonderful hubby, a teacher for 8 years already (I taught in college, high school, elementary and this year I'll be teaching Kinder 1 and 2).

5. My workbook is almost finish! Few more "finishing touches" and I'm done.

I pray that this mouth of mine won't stop thanking our Heavenly Father. You'll be blessed of how God provides the needs of others by visiting Laurie's place.

Thankful Thursday- I am God's Daughter!

Perceiving and understanding the love of the Heavenly Father isn't hard for me because God gave me the BEST father in the world! He's been there for me through thick and thin. He's my special friend-I could talk to him anything under the sun, school stuffs, dreams, faves, and crushes to having a boyfriend...I had my first and only boyfriend (which became my hubby)when I'm 20 years old. I'm so grateful to have a father who prayed for me and the commitment I made one early morning that I relied to him that I got a boyfriend! Hmmmm..my father is so sweet.

My father is my speech/poem writer, my essayist, and my trainer in oration and declamation when I'm still in elementary. He's the one who encourage me to perfect...hmmm..almost perfect my penmanship.

He's very supportive! Once, I was offered a teaching job in Day-asan, Surigao City, my father sent me there (the transportation going inside this fishing village is so hard). When life gets hard (having my first job is not easy, we only receive minimal salary), he's there to offer me allowance. When I came here in Thailand, I missed preparing his coffee and reminding him of his schedules.

I am his sweet daughter...I miss you and I love you Papa Ben

He's the one who design our wedding invitation. Isn't it nice and unique? My father and mother were God's instrument in making our wedding blissful and successful. I thank God for my everloving parents.

Even when I get married, my father's love for me never changed. God bless our desire that they'll be able to come over in Thailand to be there for me when I gave birth to their first grandchild. My father helped my hubby took care of me during those two-nights stay in the hospital.

my father with Hyzyd

Through my father, I had personal relationship with our Heavenly father. I thank God for making me His precious daughter and experience His immeasurable love for me.


These are other things I wanna give thanks to God:

1. God is doing great in my family (Great news from my 8 sisters and 5 brothers!)

2. God gave me trusted friends here in Thailand. It's a real blessing to have loyal, supportive, loving and kind friends whom I'll also give that loyalty support, love and kindness back in return. They're one of the many blessings in my life that make my happiness in life.

Ate Ate Yheng, me, Nonz (my sis-in-law now) about 3 years ago when we're still single....

The three of us were called the "three musketeers". You can't see either see either of us without the other. We're inseparable. They're the kind of friends that listen but never judges, help you out of a jam, tell it to you straight, and often forgive a debt (he..he..thanks friends). I could lean on their shoulder. They didn't fidget impatiently if I need to talk about personal troubles, family problems and other stuff. They are there for me sitting quietly while I venting my spleen without getting judgmental or offering too much advice. I wanna hold onto them for dear life for I can't find friends like them.

Mommy Gigie and me wearing wigs

Mommy Gigie makes me feel at the top of the world and pampers me like crazy (he..he..). That's why I called her "Mommy". She treats me like a baby...LOL!.... The affection she showers on me overshadows all trivial issues.

Ate Josephine and me

Ate Eng (as I fondly called her) is a friend that does not hesitate to confront me and has the courage to risk hurting me and spoiling the relationship, but will say and do what is truly best for me..hmmmm...yeah and I salute her for that. She's fun to be with (with that sanguine personality) though almost all the times. I read once "A true friend is one who believes that sometimes you need to be cruel to be kind, much like the surgeon". All of us require a mirror to reflect our true face and what better mirror than an honest friend who always reflects our blemishes clearly to us, comes what way.

3.God is with us all the time. I constantly praise Him for giving me to a loving husband and blessing our marriage with a precious 5 month old son.

4. I won a pretty layout for my blog.


You'll discover more testimonies of how good our God is at Laurie's place.

Thankful Thursday-Sacrifice

I continually thank our Heavenly Father for His great love for me that He sent His only begotten son Jesus Christ to die for my stead. Because of this sacrificial love, I was restored in His family, promised with an eternal life instead of eternal condemnation! Thank you Lord for your great love for me. Thank you Lord for forgiving my sins. Thank you Lord for being my Savior-a Savior who can "resurrect" me and not only help me when life gets tough but also as the one who helps me when life ends.

Thankful lists:
1. My friend who came from Philippines experienced God's mighty power and guidance in her travel. She arrived here safe and sound. She came here in Thailand to work as an ESL teacher. God already prepared a school for her to teach. I thank you Lord!

2. I won the "Ask Ms Recipe's Springfling Contest".

3. The PC which is not working well last week is already fixed as well as our phone which got no dial tone for several days .

4. My parents in Philippines send some items for us (sent thru our friend). I'm so touched of their love for us that they love sending something for us rather than receiving something from us. They're such sweetie pies.

5. My siblings in elementary received honors during their commencement exercises. I thank God for the wisdom He gave to them throughout the school year.

6. I enjoy my weekend with my hubby and son. The bonding we have is so dear for me to treasure.

You'll discover more testimonies of how good our God is at Laurie's place.

Creations by Carlota

Thankful Thursday- I "hope" ...

I thank God for the following:

1. The PC is now working! I couldn't join this meme if it's not yet fixed.

2. My brother has recently celebrated his 27th birthday! God is so good to him and we're thankful for another blessed year for him and for his family.

3. Our three-week English Summer Class with K-1 ended with fruitful results- the students can converse with me in simple English ,memorize one chant, sing two songs and know basic classroom vocabulary.

4. Our baby's health is fine and OK though he's teething now. He doesn't have fever but he's having mild cough and stuffy nose.

5. Bills for last month were all paid. I'm relieved...he..he..

These are the things I'm hoping for:

1. I hope that my sis-in-law's baby is fine though the doctor said that they find out that there's a trace of anemia in her genes (after the blood test)...???...I'm not familiar with this case...I appreciate if someone out here could clarify this issue.

2. I hope that my best friend who'll be coming here in Thailand on April 7 will have a safe travel.

3. I hope that I'll be having students for tutorial class. I ask God for an additional income for this month.

4. I hope that my parents will be able to visit us on October during the delivery of my sis-in-law. I hope that God will provide a way to finance the flight fare from Philippines to Thailand.

5. I hope that we'll be able to pay the remaining debts we have for this year.

You'll be encouraged of what God has been doing in His children's lives by visiting Laurie.

Gagay

Thankful Thursday #5

I am forever thankful to our Heavenly Father for being there for me no matter what happens, through thick and thin, through good things and bad things, and though I fall and stumble, He is always my everdearest Father and a true friend whom I can rely at all times.

For this week, I especially thank God for the following:

1. One Year Extension of Visa and Work Permit
Here in Thailand, we'll renew our visa year after year (Non-Immigrant B visa holder). Everytime I visit the immigration office here in Thailand, I couldn't stop having goose bumps. I had not so good experiences before that I have distasteful anticipation that it will happen again. By God's grace, the application went smooth and successful. I thank God for the accomodating officer that entertained my application and I thank God for the wisdom He gave to our school secretary who prepared all my documents.

2. Free Internet and Telephone Installation
We thank God that we had availed the promotion of the TOT Company-free installation of telephone and internet connection. I had great time calling my parents at home in the Philippines and my dearest friend. As for the internet connection, we are thankful that 2 mbps speed is quite affordable these days.

3. New computer
Just this afternoon as I'm typing my "thankful list", I received a text message from First Choice that my application is approved and I could get my desired computer. Praise be to God! We're still contemplating though if we'll get a desktop or laptop.

For my co-entrants of today's meme, I'm sorry I couldn't visit you today. I'll visit you later on because I'll go get my God-given computer. Thank you for your prayers.

Ate Lalaine

Thankful Thursday #4

Another week has passed and I want to count the blessings Heavenly Father has bestowed upon us.

1. Thank you Lord for taking care of my family back in Philippines. I thank you for meeting their immediate needs and providing my siblings' school needs.

2. Thank you Lord for blessing us financially that we're able to pay all our bills.

3. Thank you Lord that you grant my desire of buying a new wardrobe and blender.

4. Thank you Lord for my friends whom I can trust and are continually praying for us.

For more Thankful Thursday, visit LYNN.

Thankful Thursday # 2

I used to hear my mom singing a song with this message "Count your blessings, name them one by one". It encourages me to give thanks to give thanks to God even with those little things that are seemed to be considered as not too important.

I am thanking God for what he has done this week:

1. Renewal of my husband’s working contract. My hubby was accepted last January 2009 as a high school ESL teacher in Songkla and signed a contract good for three months only. He was told that he’s under probationary period. If after three months they’ll be satisfied of his teaching performance, he will be renewed for a year. Last week, after the Teacher’s meeting, he was given the "good news". We praise God for the renewal of his contract. On the other hand, we felt sorry for the other two Filipinos who were not renewed. It’s our prayer that they will be able to find a work as soon as possible.

2. Our baby’s healing from heat rash and cough as well as the change of nanny. We praise God that Hyzyd’s heat rash disappeared after three days and his cough subsided already. Because of these health conditions last week, it is imperative for us to find another nanny who will stay with us or who is nearer to our house so that Hyzyd don’t need to travel early in the morning. We praise God for the immediate answer of our desire. Our neighbor who used to babysit two toddlers became available. So now, Hyzyd can sleep as long as he wants in the morning (before I used to wake him up, put in his carrier and drive him off to his nanny).

3. Coping with a hectic schedule. I thank God for the good health He has bestowed upon me. At this point of time, I need not to be sick for the sake of baby. I also thank Him for the wisdom and guidance in managing my time wisely as a full-time mom with a full-time teaching career, a full-time wife (of course) and a full-time Christian in a non-Christian environment.

4. Desktop Computer. We planned to buy our own desktop computer next month (what I’m using now is in the school). Nowadays, it’s necessary to own one so that we can start typing our lesson plan for the next semester and for my newfound hobby-blogging! We didn’t expect to have one earlier than what we had planned.

My Thai friend who is finishing her Masteral degree needs my help to accomplish her thesis and she wanted to start as soon as possible. So, she lends us her desktop computer. She told us that she didn’t use it for a couple of months already because she had her own computer in her office. Hopefully, next week we can have the internet connection. I thank our Almighty God that with this blessing, the money we supposed to buy a computer will be saved first for future expenses in April. It’s vacation time and our salary too is in "vacation". Hope you understand what I mean…he..he…:0)