Celebrating 16 Years in the Lord ... on a Fathers' Day.

June 15 marked my 16 years of knowing Christ in my life. I still can vividly remember the night I have accepted Him as my Personal Lord and Savior. From that Monday night forward, my life has changed and is still changing from glory to glory, through Him who is in me.

I started my day off right with a prayer and devotion. I was led to Genesis 7:1, which says, "The Lord then said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation." That simple and yet powerful verse has touched my heart.  As most everyone knows the story of Noah, God saw how great the wickedness of mankind and decided to wipe them from the face of the earth, except for one righteous man who found favor in God's eyes. As I pondered God's word, I realized how grateful I am because He has chosen me to share the good news of salvation and make disciples; not because I am righteous, but because, God is gracious. I ended my simple devotion with a thanksgiving prayer.

Indeed, yesterday's event was a call for celebration - a celebration of thanksgiving because, (1) the sixteen years of being a true believer of Christ, I have experienced His goodness, faithfulness and greatness in my life; and (2) it's Fathers' Day. I and my husband invited for a dinner out, the two most godly couple whom we look up to, in terms of love for God, marriage, family, and ministry. Kuya Lito and Ate Marlene (as we fondly call them) are also our godparents. They fetched us home and headed to a fine-dining restaurant that offers international cuisines in Salam St. Since, it's a buffet, we picked our own choices. There was array of foods from starter, salads, main courses to desserts. The service attendant was smiley and welcoming.

During the course of two hours, we talked about everything, especially about family and finances. I admired them both for bringing up their four children into loving God first and good citizens. Their two children have their own careers here in Abu Dhabi, one is about to take the CPA examination and the youngest is taking his college degree. They have their own church  ministries as well. Kuya Lito shared his humble beginnings and how God has been so faithful in his life and family.

I came to my notion that, really, me and my husband are entering into another phase of our lives - parenthood.  In a few months time, I will give birth to an angel. We are both excited to his/her coming. I know for sure it will change our lives as husband and wife for the better. As early as now, we have made plans for our angel. Plans are not concrete yet, but for sure, God will direct our paths. We are surrounded by many people who will give us godly advice on how to raise our angel. As we go through parenting, I know that we will be like Kuya Lito and Ate Marlene and our parents as well, who raised us into matured and educated people. We will raise our children to become God-fearing and good citizens. And mostly, we have our Heavenly Father who always wants the best for us.

God unfolds His identity as I walk with Him through the years. I have experienced many blessings and challenges, happiness and pains. My sixteen-year spiritual life doesn't necessarily mean that I am matured more than others. In fact, if I rate myself of how much I know God, it would be 1, the least; because I know in my heart, that God has still more things to unfold as I journey in this life. He reveals Himself each time I enter a new phase. My "thank you", service and life are not enough compared to the surpassing love of God for me.

To my loving husband, "Happy Fathers' Day". You are a blessing to my life.  Couldn't be prouder for having such a talented, funny and God-fearing husband. As of this writing, dadiloves is busy preparing the video background for the Night of Praise and Worship.

We parted ways with much joy in our hearts and full tummies. The invested time with two most beautiful couple is a great blessing we wouldn't trade anything. We really learned a lot from them.

To end this blog, I want to share with you my life verse since I accepted the Lord. It is in Jeremiah 33:3, "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Looking forward for these "great and unsearchable things I do not know yet". I know that God is with me every step of the way.

All glory to God!

God Knows Exactly How to Bless Us

On our visit at Jones the Grocer in Al Raha last year, I had filled up their electronic survey pad to give my comments and suggestions in improving their services. Blessedly, I was selected as a winner of their Gift Voucher worth AED 200.00 with a validity of 1 year! 

And so yesterday, me and husband headed off to Al Raha which is 31 km from the city via the public bus. We got down in the bus stop which was a little far from the area, so we took a taxi cab to get exactly to the restaurant. When we came in, I presented the voucher and the service attendant was very welcoming. She advised us about their best seller menus and drinks. We ordered Jones Wagyu Burger, Steak Sandwich with Olive Oil Fries, Spinach Apple Smoothies, Passion Fruit and Fresh Orange Drink (for dine in), and Salmon Sandwich (for take-out). We waited for 15 minutes only and our dinner was served. Our food was sumptuous. It's a different taste from our daily routine menu so we enjoyed that much (including my baby, because I can feel his soft little kicks and turns inside of me, as if saying, "I love the taste!").

But more than the delicious food we had, was the quality time we invested in our relationship. While we're having our dinner, my husband kept on talking and sharing about anything. He's such a conversant. This is part of him that nobody really knows, because he's a very silent person. I appreciate him much when he's telling stories. 

After our dinner, we headed home. We waited for a taxi cab to bring us to the bus stop, but we couldn't find any. In a silent prayer, I asked God to provide us a ride. After a few minutes, two kabayans were coming on our spot. We asked them if there's any way to get to the bus stop, as there were no taxis around. They were kind enough to bring us to the short-cut way. This short-cut way needs a card to swipe so we can get out. They said, they used to have a card, but they will ask someone who has one. We walked through the mall and found this off-white gate. 
Blessed enough, one guy was at the gate and he swiped his card. We passed through the beautiful private villas and managed to get out. We bid goodbye and thank you's. We came in the bus stop, and after few minutes, the bus arrived. If not for the two kabayas, we were not be able to get in perfectly on time, and, saved AED 8.00 for the taxi fare. 

While on our way, my husband continued his story telling. He shared how he was able to finance his college fees through making and selling glass etching, paintings, framings, miniatures, and even joining contests in his craft. He shared how he became known because of his ballpen painting of Leonardo Dicaprio and sold it for Php 5000 16 years ago. And how he was able to get high grade on his thesis defense in Architecture. I fell in love with this man again! 

We arrived home at half past nine in the evening. 

With a delicious meal worth AED 1.00 only, the kabayans who assisted us to get to the bus stop, and an invested time as husband and wife, God knows exactly how to bless us!
All glory to God!