Win $100-2nd Annual I can't Come Up with a Blog Post Day

There are days I can't come up with a decent post for this blog, not only because I don't have something interesting things to share, it's because I don't have much time to make up my mind on what topics should I blog in here...so many things to share but I only have few minutes to spare for my blogging time...(i hear myself sighing...*sigh*...). Instead of fretting, why not join this one-of-a-kind contest that celebrates National I Can’t Come Up With A Blog Post Day and have the chance of winning $100?

Sounds weird? Check the contest by checking on the link provided. Hurry before it closed on July 4, 2011.

Photography: My family's new favorite hobby!

Weekends can be boring if household chores will only eat your time. The moment my father lend us his Sony A200 DSLR, we decided to explore and experience photography as a family activity on weekends. We have the perfect team- a photographer ( hubby's still learning how to use the DSLR), the stylist (it's not yet too late for me to learn how to style, pick wardrobe and accessories, do make-up and hair and direct poses, right?..he..he..) and models ( my sis Yvonne who is enjoying her new "career" and Hyzyd who loves to steal the moments with his unusual poses and facial expressions...soo adorable!) .

Photography has truly become a hobby that the whole family can enjoy. Here's the proof:

Location: adjacent to Hatyai City Train Station

it's me doing the make-up and hair:)

giving direction to the model..(char feeling...LOL!)

The shots of the day:

the model in "Summer is here" theme

the model in " Sweet but tough" theme

Hyzyd in "I own this moment" theme...LOL! 

Afterwards, we visited the Idea Market in Lee Graden's Plaza to buy some souvenirs for my pen friends and sisters.

Hyzyd's fave store: fridge magnets with vintage cars on it!

We plan to have our family portrait be drawn (while we sit down) and framed but knowing that Hyzyd can't stay in one place, we decided to have our printed family photo be drawn next time. Check out the prices and a proof that you could be drawn in less than 30 minutes. What an artist!

drawing the daughter first...

then the mom comes next...so cool!

The day won't be complete without putting something in our tummy so the Lee Graden's Plaza is the perfect place to scour for cheap Thai dishes.

Which hobby can involve every family member, regardless of age (almost) or ability? Photography! Yep, photography is one of the few family hobbies that the whole family can enjoy!

My share for:

Max on Life: Answers and Inspiration for Today's Questions

I'm glad to be given this opportunity to review Max on Life: Answers and Inspiration for Today's Questions. This book is a collection of questions-172 day-to-day questions that covers topics from parenting quandaries to financial challenges,from difficult relationships to God's grace, from church, heaven to hell! I could relate to most of the questions. I have thought about them on days when things weren't good as I think. As I read on the questions, I see in them a reflection of myself that I have to stop once in a while and think "Wait a minute, I ask God about this. This is the answer that  I've been looking for!" Wouldn't it be a relief to finally find answers to your questions? Wouldn't it be great to finally pass along to a friend helpful ideas that may serve as answers to their questions?

God keeps track of us in our troubles. Sometimes God's help comes to us through a teacher, through our parents, through friends or even through books written by inspired people of God like Max Lucado. I like the way Max answered the questions- simple, easy-to-grasp truths , humorous and biblical in a way that it doesn't sound judgmental to those who's still seeking the truth about God and not condemning for those people who are not yet in Christ. A special addendum includes Max’s advice on writing and publishing. This is a great resource for those who wanted to be a professional writer .

Everyday, I read one question, savor the truth, share the blessings and enjoy the blessing of having one question in my life being answered one at a time. For now, let me ponder on this question:

Question #54 WHEN PRAYERS AREN’T ANSWERED AND CALAMITIES HAPPEN, IS GOD SITTING ON HIS HANDS? WHY DOES GOD SOMETIMES OPT FOR SILENCE EVEN WHEN I’M SCREAMING MY LOUDEST?

How did Max answer?

Your question proposes two responses from God in difficult times:

God can not.

God will not.

Can God do anything when faced with disasters and calamities? The book of Daniel states: “[God] does as he

pleases among the angels of heaven and among the people of the earth. No one can stop him or say to him,

‘What do you mean by doing these things?’” (4:35 NLT). The Bible declares clearly that God can. As Paul wrote, “God . . . is the blessed controller of all things, the king over all kings and the master of all masters” (1 Tim. 6:15 PHILLIPS).Jesus can too. “The Son is . . . sustaining all things by his powerful word” (Heb. 1:3).

God made it all. He holds the instruction manuals to everything. He knows how they work. God is unlimited in his power. He can respond, and you can trust his strength. Now, will God do anything when we need him to? Trickier question. I can’t answer that. I would be God. That answer must trust his love and wisdom. God rescues those he wishes to rescue. He heals those he wants to heal. “I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. For My own sake, for My own sake, I will act” (Isa. 48:10–11 NASB).

He may respond, and you must trust his sovereignty. Sometimes silence from God may be the best response.

When you scream at God, do you really want him to scream back? Mountains shake before the Lord. When someone screams at me, I find the best response is silence. Peace begets peace. Anger stirs anger. Be glad God is silent at times like that.

Although God may not speak when we want him to, he is working, silently, behind the scenes, bringing the best possible solution to the situation. So always remember:

God can get it done, and God’s will will be done!

The only thing I wanted to really enjoy this book is to receive it in print form. Unfortunately, this was available only as e-book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Who's new in the house?

Nothing much happened to me this week. Same old but not boring routine if you ask me- 3:00 am waking time- school- endless household chores-family time. Have I told you about my 16-year-old sis, Yvonne? She came last June 9 to study here in Hatyai University. She's taking up AB International Business English. She applied for full scholarship and help us pray that it will be granted to her. With her in the family is a BIG help. I have someone to help me on household chores- preparing breakfast, doing laundry (we'll just have our laundry send to laundromat-the one near us is you'll pay 20 baht per load. Usually we'll have 3-4 loads per week. We'll just pick them up after 2 hours, ready to be hanged) and other errands. One more thing, I don't need to go to a saloon to have my nails done. I have my own manicurist/pedicurist at home! Yes, she's good on that. I'm so proud of my sister that she's doing great in school. Of all freshmen in the university's International Degree,she placed first during the university's placement test. Moreover, we got our own model to practice our new-found hobby-photography! Finally, I got a willing disciple on blogging! Tune in for the launching of her new blog one of these days.

Meet my sister, Yvonne Xyzelle

Sample of hubby's photography with the TRAIN LINE theme