Finally, I spotted wooden stand in Papelmelroti SM Southmall. I also learned from the attendant their product called deco tile. It has a typography printed on a smooth tile and looks really nice. Too bad there was no bible verse available.

So this weekend, I thought I could get my crafts on! I printed out some of my IG Pictures and it fit perfectly with the stand for display!

In previous post, I mentioned about the verse under the clock which is called wall decal. A removable vinyl sticker that will not damage your wall (assuming the paint job is good).

So I followed several suppliers in FB but KT&T posted an update on their timeline so I decided to send them a message to inquire. After few exchanges -- design, payment and delivery, I got my order in practically couple of days. I wasn't sure how it will go so I just ordered more or less A4 size but I think if you own the house go big!

I unbox it and was pretty satisfied with its quality. But here comes the harder-than-I-thought part...installation! Well, the how-to videos on Youtube make it look easy (they also have one on their website). It was a bit tricky to make the design stick to the transfer paper so patience is a virtue but it was not impossible. But  once I had the design on the other side it was a breeze sticking it to the wall.

It looks like it was painted on the wall and kinda reminds me of my brother's black and white mural he did in the 90s for my dad's tailoring shop and up to this day it is still there.

KT&T DIY Creative Printers

Facebook Page

Website Page

Our contract already ended in the apartment building and decided not to renew it anymore for the 30 sqm, one bedroom space we are renting. So we prayed for new one within the same vicinity and most especially with a secured garage within our budget.

God is truly faithful! Hubby took a turn in a different street within the village rather than our usual route going out and spotted a 'House-For-Rent' sign. Returning from our errand, we came back to the place to inquire. The last thing we did before going out of the car is to pray "God, hanggang Php x,000 lang po yung budget namin. May your will be done. Amen."

It was a newly renovated up and down house with garage. A floor area of 65 sqm at the ground floor and the same upstairs with veranda. The price is a little over the budget but we negotiated and the landlord agreed to the amount we prayed for. Hallelujah!!!

Two-weeks later we already moved and our used to be all-cramp-up furniture can now breath. So much so that there are still a lot of space but I am holding off to any plans on buying new ones. Thank you, Lord for the smooth transition.

So my hubby did his SOP for security and functionality which I truly appreciate, talagang man of the house yan! Sobra kong bless to have partnership with him, for me na walang alam sa maintenance ng bahay. Kabit ng double locks, sabitan at curtain rods.

But after he was done, it was my turn to prettify our space making it cozy and homey for that wifey touch. So started researching for ideas and dami kong natutuhan sa contemporary home decor. 

Php 100.00 Throwpillow from Robinsons Department Store

Owl Figurines from Robinsons Department Store
Scented Candle from SM Home

St. Louise Curtain from Puregold Supermarket

I still have a lot of DIY projects in mind but for now, eto muna! I don't want to go overboard but it is making me excited but I am keeping in mind to be a wise spender.

Carpet Rug from SM Home
Chevron Throwpillow Cases from Robinsons Department Store

If you notice, there is a verse under the clock. It is a wall decal but I will blog about it the next time for details. 

We can now invite others for smallgroup (Bible study group) in our home. But more than the place, it is truly a vision for me. In our first night, we prayed our thanksgiving and was surprised that hubby mentioned that the place is suitable to grow a family.

I was overjoyed to hear it. You see, in my personal quiet time, I am seeking God for His will for us to have a child. Especially for me to have a healthy body to carry a baby and to be at rest in His promises. Talaga naman when I saw the second floor, it is suitable for us couple with a crib next to it.

Isaiah 54:2-3 

Enlarge your house; build an addition. Spread out your home, and spare no expense! For you will soon be bursting at the seams. Your descendants will occupy other nations and resettle the ruined cities.

Been doing this on my IG and FB. Personal photos with Bible verses using InstaMark App custom feature.

The long wait is finally over, it was so near yet so far... 

I am talking about dining at P.F. Chang's Chinese Bistro located in our neighboring mall Alabang Town Center. Read great review about it from my fave blogger, Patty, and hubby was also raving about it when he once dine there together with some clients. Also, let us not forget that it was actually mentioned in one of the episode of comedy TV Series Big Bang Theory.

A photo beside the horsey...tigidig, tigidig

But enough about the waiting, actually the night was a bit special compared to our usual Friday dining. It was afterall the 28th of Feb, so it was our last hurrah for hubby's birthday month...and just the day before that, we got the official letter from hubby's office that he got promoted!!!

Double celebration for God's double portion. The timing is impeccable -- to receive the news a few days after his birthday and coming back from our Boracay trip. But looking back in 2009 a few months before our wedding day, in the same company at around the same time of the year, my-then-fiance actually got laid off due to recession that year. He also got the news few days after his birthday and we were actually very sad at that time as we were in the middle of our wedding planning. Despite that we held on and kept saying "by faith" things would be better.

In 2011, he returned to the company after recovering from the recession and now five years after that incident we received this great news. It is only God who can truly turn things around only if you trust Him and obey His will. So to God be the glory, honor and praise... Thank you, Father!

Again, happy birthday to my dearest husband and congrats! It is chow time...

The serving size of the meal is good for sharing between two people and ranges from Php 300-500 per dish. We ordered brown rice together with Crispy Honey Chicken and Shrimp with Lobster Sauce and it was deli-C-I-O-U-S. For full menu and branches, check out P.F. Chang's official website.

Our congregation just finished our 5-day prayer and fasting. It is not an obligatory act but encouraged to re-align ourselves at the start of the year to seek God's will in our lives. Now, before you raise your eyebrows in the idea of fasting, you may be interested to read through the practical guide and also the devotionals here.

"Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD

will do amazing things among you."

Joshua 3:5

First off, let me clarify that I am not sharing this to you to receive attention towards me surviving the week but on the contrary, the experience is actually the most humbling act I have done so far -- to fully rely on God for my daily energy in every moment of each day. 

I was introduced to the spiritual discipline of fasting in 2011 in VCF. Even back then, it made a lot of sense but  I wasn't mature enough in my Christian walk to be part of it. Since then a seed was planted in my heart to come to that point, every year I would pray to God for me to be able to partake in it and finally this year, I did.

It wasn't just skipping meals for me: it was my personal battle. As I shared to you in past posts, I don't have any vices nor did I tried those even when I was young, wild and "free". But food...it was my road block -- finding comfort in it during my emotional highs and lows. Getting immediate gratification every time I indulge in my favorite sweets. Simply put, it was the idol in my life. Idolatry is putting something else before God. 

But as early as last month I already wrote down my number one Faith Goal for 2014 which is Divine Health. For the passed few years, I am chained to sub-clinical hypothyroidism which led me to gaining weight exponentially. It hindered me to live my life to the full. 

I humbly asked the Lord during this time for breakthrough and I am expectant! Ready to fight and even before this year ends, I will claim that my prayer requests had come to passed. But please, do not be misled that the Lord will answer my prayer because I fasted. Definitely not by my own works or anything else I did, could and would do. But it is according to His grace and for He is faithful in His promises.

I pray that you who are reading this will experience an encounter with the Lord this year through the guidance of the Holy Spirit bringing you to a point of thanks giving. In Jesus name, Amen.

Started reading 21-Day Devotional Plan "Made To Crave"

Attended Day 5 Prayer Meeting at Victory Alabang

Right after we broke our fast, I redeemed my Starbucks 2014 Planner. Just in time for me to write down the rest of my faith goals and armed myself to note down my breakthroughs for this year.

Here is my very relaxed weekender OOTD (Outfit of the Day). Printed on my shirt is verses from the Bible:

1 Corinthians 13

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails.

Shirt by SML Boutique. Flats by Posh Pocket Shoes Online
and cheapo denim shorts + scarf

I bought it online from IG seller @SMLBoutiquePH. Current shirt price is around Php 200-250. I actually bought 4 shirts from them -- 2 for me and 2 for hubby. Unfortunately, the size 2XL is the largest size they have so naging body fit kay hubby. Hopefully, now that he is biking again... it will eventually fit him.

As for the seller, they are quick to send info regarding getting orders but not so responsive when sending status of the orders. They use Yalex brand for the shirts they sent us but I hope they will have further options ng better quality kahit different price range. 

The thing I like is maganda yung designs, quality of the print even the color combinations because it differs depending on the color of the shirt they used. So I am guessing they have a good artist. Great gift idea to Christian friends na hindi super mahal.

I will be lying if I tell you that I do not like the rain, raining while at home that is... honestly, it is my favorite weather. I can recall that I actually wrote a poem for our English class in high school as the rain being my subject. I could hear the line from 90s grunge band Garbage in my head -- 'I'm only happy when it rains'. 

The sounds -- the dripping of each rain drop, the quietness around, it brings me comfort and solace.

Well, the flood and traffic during the heavy rains... that is totally a different matter. I pray for everyone's safety those who are directly affected by this typhoon.

Isaiah 55:10

New International Version (NIV)

10 As the rain and the snow
    come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
    without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
    so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

Victory is now also accepting cash and check donations through BPI direct deposit:

Disaster Relief Operations - Peso Donations
BANK NAME: Bank of the Philippine Islands
ACCOUNT NAME: Victory Christian Fellowship
ACCOUNT NO: 0063-3205-52
TYPE OF ACCOUNT: PESO Savings Account
BANK ADDRESS: Fort Serendra Branch, Ground Floor, Serendra, BGC, Taguig City, Philippines
SWIFT CODE: BOPIPHMM

Disaster Relief Operations - Dollar Donations
BANK NAME: Bank of the Philippine Islands
ACCOUNT NAME: Victory Christian Fellowship
ACCOUNT NO: 0824-0569-27
TYPE OF ACCOUNT: DOLLAR Savings Account
BANK ADDRESS: Fort Serendra Branch, Ground Floor, Serendra, BGC, Taguig City, Philippines
SWIFT CODE: BOPIPHMM

Online donations

Victory is now accepting online donations for our relief efforts via BPI Express Online or credit card.

For detailed instructions on how to give via BPI Express Online, please visit http://victory.org.ph/give/bpi.

For detailed instructions on how to give via credit card (using our secure portal, ministryportal, and our secure payment gateway, PesoPay), please visit http://victory.org.ph/give/creditcard.

Together, let us share God’s love and be His hands and feet in these times of need. God bless you as we work together towards helping our countrymen in the midst of this rainy season!

See more at: http://victory.org.ph/article/maring-relief/

I have decided that starting this Sunday, I would set apart a weekly post in some of my intimate thoughts in my life. A break from all the product, places and service features. It is thinking aloud to the concerns of a woman my age. So here goes...

At this lifestage, the most question I oftenly get these days is -- Kailan kayo mag-aanak (When are you planning to have kids)? A few years back it used to be kailan kayo magpapakasal (When are you getting married)? And being in a Christian community, we oftenly get encouraging words like "Just pray for it and God will hear your prayers".

Image From IllustrationsOf.com

Errr, that is the thing... At this point we never really asked it in prayers just yet. Although, Hubby and I have been together for a dozen years, it is only when we got married that we get to enjoy the TOTAL freedom of being in a relationship with each other so up to now that we are nearing our 4th Wedding Anniversary we are savoring being together: just the two of us. 

Financially, we are not ready to have a kid but I know the Lord will provide for our needs. Once in awhile, my ovaries would ache to have my own baby and at times I get a little bit sad when I have my period. But funny thing, I would report to hubby that indi ka pa daddy =( and he would respond "Yey!" for real. See, we are just a couple of rascals at home so can you imagine us having kids?

But seriously, I grew up in a business-oriented family so needless to say I am not domisticated at all which in effect I am career-driven.  My basic cleaning and cooking skills are beareable to adults only. So taking care for a tiny human being would be a great challenge. Don't let me forget to mention that I am also totally out of shape and having a thyroid issue has not been easy for me to get back into normal weight. But I do not doubt for my capacity to love my own child but realistically speaking the daily grind of motherhood is really out of my comfort zone. I've always been ready to be a wife but to be a mom, I am afraid to say, not so much.

At this moment, I am just asking the Lord for guidance and if it is His will for us to bear for the next Ramos-Yap generation, for Him to give me the promptings to pray for it and the strength to endure the challenge of parenthood.

Hubby's wallet had already worn out after two years of daily usage so one day he came home with a new one. I actually chuckled because it looks almost the same as the old one. It was a McJim Classic Leather Wallet.

Available at Robinson's Department Store

So while he was transferring all the contents from the old wallet, I picked out the $1,000 play money that came with the new wallet and to my (pleasant) surprise, I found these bible verses printed at the back.

Now, that's what I call the wallet that could save your life. It comes with bible verses that leads you to salvation by accepting Christ Jesus!

Image from their website: www.skitguys.com

You know I enjoy watching Tom and Eddie on their take on Christian living through their funny videos and at times drama ones. The Skinny-On series shows how different personalities including believers themselves perceive beliefs individually.

Skinny on Prayer



Skinny on Tithing




Skinny on Worship



Find more of the Skinny-on videos here: http://skitguys.com/videos/theme/skinny-on

My bro-in-law (BIL) was out-of-town for a business trip so we decided to bring the nephews to a Daddy's Day-out with their Grandpa last Sunday for the Father's Day celebration. 

We first brought them to the Kids Church at Victory Alabang (4F Festival Mall) while we attend the adult English 5pm Service. They are both in their tweens already so medyo payouth na ang mga pogi. It was their first time to attend a Christian service for kids so they are still a bit shy. But I am glad our home church invest on the youth.

Feel like a boss ang dalawa so they get to choose where to have dinner and we ended up at Bonchon located at the ground floor instead of Kenny which hubby and I initially planned.

But as a gift to Dad-in-Law (DIL) we went to see Man of Steel. Actually Hubby drop by Festi as early as 10am that day to buy tickets in advance for the 7pm timeslot. I also decided to pay tribute to Mr. Kent by wearing the colors of Superman. Think Smallville TV Series where Clark always wear a jacket over a shirt with the same color scheme together with my Suelas Beauchamp Prints Stripes.

The 10am crowd lining up for tickets already

TRIVIA: We have been eyeing for the name Kal-el since we are a fan of the TV series pero wala pa yung baby boy na blessing ni Lord eh. Hihihi so Happy Father's Day na lang muna sabi ng mga eggcells ko, Hubby!

Hello Monday!

I am dropping by just to give you a quick recommendation for those bookworms out there. I know nothing can replace the feeling of having a book in your hands flipping through its pages while your eyes go through line by line and your imagination painting a picture of the words to give them life.

However, everyone seems to be always on the go nowadays. But still we have those in between moments like being stuck in traffic that you wish you have a book with you to read. As technology evolves and so our well-adored books that can now come electronically thus the birth of ebooks!

Thankfully, ebooks resellers have found their way in Instagram which I personally call as instabook fair. Yay! Here are a couple of them which I like because of their service and easy mode of payment (MOP). My payment of choice is via Globe Share-A-Load.

@ScriptAndScroll

This reseller is patient enough to teach me which app I could use for Android to start of my ebook and emag collection. Explaining why I have come backed multiple times already to shop at her page.

@MissEbooks01

Sweet and easy breezy reseller. Efficient transaction is what you can expect from her. She is the first one who sent out the file even before asking for the payment first. Wow!

By the way, I am using Aldiko Reader app that I downloaded from Google Play for my Android Phone. Enjoy reading peeps!

I had no plans whatsoever to get a Starbucks Planner 2013, I haven't availed it for the passed 2 years. But I was  holding a promotional card which I got a while back when we had coffee with Bestie.

It was Jan 21 when my new manager treated us, the new team joiners, for some coffee in Starbucks Valero to officially welcome us to the team. Apparently, it was also the last day to get the card filled up and Starbucks was giving away two stickers for each cup. No one other myself had a card in our bunch so all of a sudden the 4 LONELY stickers on my card met the rest of their sticker posse making me qualified to redeem the 2013 planner! How about that huh?!

Later I learned nagkakaubusan pala ng black planner, mostly what was left was the white one na feeling ko dumihin so ayoko nun. There is also a green version. But a little bird told me that Starbucks E-Com Bldg in MOA still have the black leather one. So off we went there yesterday, just a quick stop, before we went home to Kawit Cavite for this month's visit. As I pray and reflect on what happened, I was sensing that God wanted me to have this planner for He will be filling up this year with activities He prepared for me. He wanted me to jot down notes on planning that I may remember how He unveils all things in its proper time.

That my lovelies, is just grace -- that I didn't have to rely on my efforts and allow God, my Father, to sent forth His blessing to me His beloved daughter at the right moment. I used to be one of those people who made-out-of-the-way efforts just to get what I wanted. I would however ended up hurt, disappointed and frustrated whenever I fall short from my own expectations and the high standards I put up for myself.

Of course, I have nothing against Starbucks especially this year when I got a hold of the planner (My precioussss... Just kidding) - it was well-crafted compared to some of the earlier ones that I tried. But to some the SB planner becomes their idol. You know, when all things and money started revolving into getting the coveted planner kahit di naman talaga nila afford. Hoping to find some kind of self worth in it, aminin nyo na kasi I used to be like that (guilty as charged). It is a status symbol, di ba? Having to spend ALL that kind of money for a planner. Sadly, that is idolatry: when we live for something other than Jesus (- Pastor Mark of Mars Hill Church).

There are a lot of things in this world that becomes our idol and my prayer is that by God's grace, we will let go of it as we focus more on having a relationship with Him instead of building relationship with earthly things. I thank God for the people He used to blessed me with this planner and how sweet He is as a father na despite His 'busyness' -- na naisip nya pa kong bigyan nito.

Psalms 8:4 "What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?"