Sunday Special

Yes, you read it right, it's Sunday Special...and moving forward, every Sunday here will be just that, special...because I will attempt to do Sunday Sunrise - Sunset and Sacred Life Sunday here...



You can join HERE.

Here is my take for Sunday's Sunrise - Sunset.

This is sunset over rice fields in my grandparents place... The main produce in their farm is rice...and I am posting this to reflect on the world's ongoing rice shortage...and my ongoing outreach program which is mainly on feeding activities and promoting learning to children in certain communities.

This week has been really good, praise God! I have received enormous blessings...through friends...and families...especially as with my little ongoing projects with the children.

I'd like to start with thanking all the people who has shown support and encouragement in my outreach program. Your kind words inspires me more...

I'd like to thank Vixen Kitten for offering to send 35 children's books for the children in my outreach. I shared this news with the children this morning and they are so excited about it! Vix, the children are sending their warm hugs to you! God will bless you for your kind deeds.

I'd like to share with you how my visit to the children went this morning...

I'll start with the children greeted with me warm smiles...

After their activities (I will try to upload the video next time)...it's feeding time!

The other week, we had aroz caldo (rice porridge with chicken). This morning we had chocolate flavored rice porridge (sometimes called chocolate rice pudding) or champorado in our local dialect.

Me...helping out! ;)

I will never look at rice the same way again... Every walk I will have when I visit my grandparent's place will not just to see the green and golden fields of rice...but every step will now mean hope to have more to share with these children...



See how far a rice of bowl can go?



There was a time when I stare at my rice and I try to count the carbs and pounds I might gain if I eat too much of it...I am so blessed to have met these children, now I know better.

P.S. I'd like to thank IT Guy for taking the photos.



If you want to know more and read more about Sacred Life Sunday, please click the logo above.

I wish everyone a happy Sunday Special!


Hugs,


♥ Mariposa

Wish We Were...

PhotoHunt: Together...

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I sit here and wonder

if you'll ever understand
just how much of me belongs to you.

See how others get "together", visit PhotoHunt's HQ!

Only Time

...is capable of understanding Love.


That line has been stuck to my head for more than 24 hours now. A very good friend of mine told me a story about Love and Time. So beautiful that it made me reflect...

Maybe some of you are already familiar with the following story, yet, for those who are not, it may be worth your time!

So here goes -

Once upon a time, there was an island where all the feelings lived: Happiness, Sadness, Knowledge, and all of the others, including Love. One day it was announced to the feelings that the island would sink, so all constructed boats and left. Except for Love.

Love was the only one who stayed. Love wanted to hold out until the last possible moment.

When the island had almost sunk, Love decided to ask for help.

Richness was passing by Love in a grand boat. Love said, "Richness, can you take me with you?" Richness answered, "No, I can't. There is a lot of gold and silver in my boat. There is no place here for you."

Love decided to ask Vanity who was also passing by in a beautiful vessel. "Vanity, please help me!""I can't help you, Love. You are all wet and might damage my boat," Vanity answered.

Sadness was close by so Love asked, "Sadness, let me go with you." "Oh . . . Love, I am so sad that I need to be by myself!"

Happiness passed by Love, too, but she was so happy that she did not even hear when Love called her.

Suddenly, there was a voice, "Come, Love, I will take you." It was an elder. So blessed and overjoyed, Love even forgot to ask the elder where they were going. When they arrived at dry land, the elder went her own way. Realizing how much was owed the elder, Love asked Knowledge, another elder, "Who Helped me?" "It was Time," Knowledge answered."Time?" asked Love. "But why did Time help me?"Knowledge smiled with deep wisdom and answered, "Because only Time is capable of understanding how valuable Love is."

And also...for the other feelings which rejected Love...it made me think. Wealth sometimes can preoccupy us that we fail to see our real wealth which love. Vanity can prevent us from love and accepting love. Too much sadness also blinds us from feeling love, and happiness specially something worldly can also make us pass by love unnoticed....

Thanks to wisdom for making us understand that only time is capable of understanding love. They say, what is love without time...and what is time without love. And I say, what is life without love?

Yes, it's Friday, and I'm in love! ;)

The Work...

I did mention about week ago about Our Commitment and that commitment has become a work in progress, and two weeks ago we officially started with our community service.

I was sick then, but nothing can stop me from committing myself to the Lord and its people. I am so thankful for God's grace for allowing me to do the things that are pleasing to His eyes.

I promised to write about, and here it is...a week late, but I am so excited to share to you how little acts of kindness can bring joy to people's lives.

October 25 was the date. I have not been in that community before and they told me that it may not be good for me as my immune system is still weak and all...but my mind was made up!

So, the IT Guy and other people at home (the parents...my brother and sister in law) were so supportive that we did prepare the food ourselves!

So at around 3PM, I was there.

How I wanted to cry...and the whole time I was there, I kept asking myself, how can I help those little children, and I asked that same question to IT Guy..."How?"

His reply was, just like how you eat an elephant! One bite at a time. Just like how you do your projects...one step at a time...but you have to know what your goal is, and stay focused. First thing's first, you have to be well, because see these children, they need your help and by not taking care of yourself, you can't be there for them...

Wow!

So true!

Anyway, before I go emotional and type a book about it..let me fast track and type hurriedly what we did...as I am also getting ready to work now. ;)

We did the feeding...we did some prayer and story telling with the children.

So many things to do there...they have no tables...no chairs...nothing!

So I am still trying to consolidate my thought and see if I can reach out to friends to help in this initiative!

Also, I am looking for ways to get organizations which we can partner and share with us some reading materials...anything for the children!

Here are some of the photos I took...

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I am so thankful for God's grace...and I am so thankful for having these children to my life.

So that's it for this beautiful Thursday...


P.S. If you have any idea on how I could work my way into this new project that I have, please email me or drop me a comment here. I'd really appreciate it!



Everyday is the best time
to give thanks!

Please check Thankful Thursday
and together let us celebrate
all the things we should
be grateful for!

My Prayer...

Many a times we feel we know more...we know better...and we think we are strong, until we falter mid-air. The past weeks provided me a good grasp of what I want with my life...and with God's grace, I am slowly making my way there.

Proverbs 3:5 is a great reminder to all of us to trust and lift everything up to Him...

The song being played is title Take Me Out of the Dark, My Lord by a local artist named Gary Valenciano.

I love this song so much...and the words are my prayer today...

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Just what is it in me?
Sometimes I just don't know
What keeps me in Your love,
Why you never let me go

This is how great God's love is! And this show much He loves us!

And though you're in me now,
I fall and hurt you still
My Lord, please show me how
To know just how you feel

For the times I have been weak, selfish, He did not abandon me...
He will never abandon us.

You have forgiven me
Too many times it seems
I feel I'm not what you might call
A worthy Christian after all
And though I love You so
Temptation finds its way to me

Lord please deliver me from all forms of temptation.
Strengthen my heart oh Lord.

Teach me to trust in You
With all my heart
To lean not on my own understanding
I just forget
You won't give me what I can't bear

Lord, remind me everyday to lean not on my own understanding but to trust YOU with all of my heart.

Take me out of the dark, my Lord
I don't wanna be there

It is through the Lord's mercy that I'm able to stand through test of times.
Thank you Lord for being my light...

You've never left my side
You gave Your hand to me to hold
Oh Jesus, I'm no longer in the cold

You carried me through and weathered every storm that came my way...
I love you Lord.

And yet, I leave You there
When I feel satisfied
I'd like to thank You every day
Not only when I feel that way

Thank you Lord for the blessings you have showered me...my family and friends. I also thank you for the gift of WFW community through which I have found comfort and joy!

I've never known a Man
Who'd give His life for sinners like me
And yet, because He loves us so
He's promised us eternity
And we can have that promise
And be His if we have faith
And just believe

Amen!

Teach us to trust in you
With all my heart
To lean not on my own understanding
We just forget
You won't give us what we can't bear

I thank you for all the wonderful opportunities you have given me...
To know love's pain and pleasures...
To understand life's disappointment and successes...
The value of family and friends...
The real meaning of generosity and compassion...
To live the life you wanted me to have!

Take us out of the dark, My Lord
'Cause we don't want to be alone
Take me out of the dark, My Lord
We don't wanna be there, My Lord

Trust in You with all my heart
Lean not on my own understanding
I just forget
You won't give me what I can't bear

Take me out of the dark, My Lord
Cause we don't want to be alone
Take me out of the dark, My Lord
I don't want to be there

And as you have created the heavens and earth and made us into your image, teach us to discern your hand in all your works in your likeness in all your children...in Jesus name, Amen.

Please join us in celebrating His words at Word Filled Wednesday!