So what’s happening?

• Wife’s back to school, as a teacher. She taught at our Church’s pre school for three years before. Then she stopped to take some professional education units (in preparation for teacher’s licensure exa). Now, she’s teaching again (three levels almost 30 students all in all). It’s a full time job for her.
• My son will go back to school also. He’ll be on the kindergarten level now. New school for him (since my wife will be teaching on my son’s former school, so just to avoid any issues/conflict of interest, we moved him to a different school). New environment for him. New teacher, new classmates.
• I’m the house-band (husband staying in the house). Since I haven’t found any work yet (there’s an offer, still praying), I am the one staying at home. I will be the one responsible for preparing my son for school, bring lunch to wife (school’s just walking distance from our house), and take care of our small store.
• And since I am in the house, I am also spending time in a “project” we started (with some of my friends). It will be a community website for Christians that have no opportunity to join a local Church (and even if they have a Church but want to extend their community and help out others). There’s still a lot of work to be done. Currently, we’re laying down the foundations and at the same time, I am talking to some people that is willing to be contributors for the website. It’s even possible (still praying) that we will be able to partner up with a Christian magazine.
• I was also able to start a small group for our Christian Education department. I’m taking it as training for our teachers and other workers in our Church.

BTW, I’m glad I was able to change our Church website’s (http://libertypresbyterian.org) theme. I find the new theme more suitable for a semi-static website (the former theme was a magazine template that requires more frequent content updates). Please check it out and share any feedback.

That’s about it. I might post more updates regarding “the project” soon once we’ve finalized some stuff.

Image: nuttakit / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

We have a son and he is 4 years old. We always want to buy him boy’s sandals. My wife usually spot some good ones but the problem is, we can’t buy it because we’re not sure if it will fit my son’s foot. We don’t want to buy something only to learn that it won’t fit. One time, what we did is (as what some usually do here in the Philippines) to trace my son’s foot on a paper and use it as a template in choosing the right size for him. Unfortunately, it isn’t really accurate. We missed a few millimeters and I’m glad we chose a ‘bigger’ one.

I just recently saw this video. It’s quite amazing that there are already online store that have that kind of idea. I am not sure how accurate their results are, but I think it was a nice move for that company to make sure that the footwear their customer will receive will fit. It’s also a ‘very’ thorough step by step guide.

Reflecting a bit on this, our life is not a ‘one size fits it all’. We can’t just ‘assume’. We have to make sure that what we are doing will really ‘fit’ what we are designed to do. And just like looking for the right shoe or sandals for you or your child, most of the times, you have to try out a few before you find the right one.

Cheers.

My problem is, I have some books that I want to read and use in our ministry, but I have to keep it somewhere away from the computer. It is somewhat hidden so I usually forget that there is a book that I need to read.

I’m really thinking of getting an etagere where I can place those things that I need easy access. Like a few books, magazines, or properly display our family picture (etagere is a piece of furniture consisting of a set of open shelves for displaying small objects and sometimes having an enclosed cabinet as a base).

And while writing this, I just came to reflection that sometimes, the mess we have in our lives can be resolved if we just put the right thing on the right place. We tend to overcrowd ourselves with a lot of things and we forget which one we are going to prioritize.

So, now back to planning the best way to organize my stuff. Hmmnn, do we also need a bathroom etagere?

Cheers.

Yesterday, their school year closed and they conducted their Moving Up (for Nursery and Kindergarten kids) and Graduation (for Preparatory to Grade 1 kids) ceremony. I (and I know my wife is also) was excited for that day. Being a parent, it’s a thrilling experience seeing your child go up the stage to bow to everyone for his success for the one year of hard work for him, for us and for the teachers also. We even invited my father (my son’s grandfather, obviously) to my son’s ceremony. He is the one who went up with my son for my son’s character awards.

My son wasn’t able to get any academic awards (he suffered furuncle – ‘pigsa’ on their last quarter of schooling and he wasn’t able to go to school for one week), but he got four character awards: Most Independent, Most Energetic, Most Helpful and Most Improved.

I am a proud father!

Here are the photos I was able to snap during the ceremony.

Copyright Notice: Photos Copyright by http://marvincruz.com. Send us a message via the Contact page for any questions.

Music boxes look simple at the naked eye. But depending on the type of the box, inside it can range from a simple mechanism of cylinder and combs to a very complex one that can also play drums and bells. Others have a ballerina that dances (spins) when the music starts. Most of the music boxes we see today are small, but there are also music boxes as big as house furniture.

Music boxes had been popular since the 19^th century. For some, it’s not just a simple box but a collection. And there’s even a book published dedicated for the music box. Its history and its evolution. It even list 500 different makers of music box.

Life is like a music box. Some take us for granted but some value us. We differ from each other. I play a different tune in my life while you might be playing a different one. My life might be complex than others or less than some. But whatever the case might be, we give joy for some especially for the one who have created us.

The popularity of music boxes isn’t over. There are still a lot of stores selling these wonderful boxes online and offline. So every time you see or listen to a music box, let it be a reminder for you to enjoy every tune and spin of your life.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THV3RYPxi8o

⁵Then he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, ⁶because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.’

⁷“Then the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ ⁸I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man’s boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.

⁹“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.¹⁰For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

¹¹“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? ¹²Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? ¹³If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Luke 11:5-13 (NIV)

There were two things we can see on this passage.

Importunity

When defined, “Unreasonableness; an unsuitable or inappropriate time; A constant and insistent demanding”. This was the word used on the King James Version on verse 8. It wasn’t actually the friendship that pushed the man to get up and give his friend bread, but rather the friend’s ‘continual asking’ for bread. When he was turned down, he didn’t lose hope and he continued to knock on the door. We don’t know how long he knocked, but for sure he knocked and asked until his friend gave in, probably realizing how this man is in deep need. Take note, it wasn’t the friendship that was considered here, it was the asker’s continuous asking.

Father and Child

Verses 11 – 13 shows a relationship of a father and a child when it comes to asking. For parents out there, you’ll definitely know what this passage says. I know you’ll agree with me that sometimes, even though we had said no to our child about something that he asks, we do sometimes give in to what they ask. How much more if they were asking for something that isn’t bad. And we definitely want the best for our children.

Putting it all together

Knock, not just a single knock, but a continuous knock. Don’t just pray once, pray continuously. When we ask for something from God, and we weren’t able to get an answer right away, don’t stop, continue asking. Knock until the door is opened for you for he promised that he will open the door for us (verse 9b).

Do we even bother to knock, ask or seek? Many Christians now says “God already knows what I need”. Yes, that’s true, but he also said that we should ask for it. This is our act of faith to him. And like a father to his child, he will definitely listen to us. And we also forget that he is a “Father” to us, a Father who wants the best for his children. When we pray, pray to the “Father”, and like a child, be importunate, and be consistent. Don’t be discouraged easily. Ask and you shall receive, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you.

God bless.

a moment of stress in which a person breaks down or a situation becomes critical

wikipedia

Though I haven’t yet reached that “exact” situation, my condition right now, for me, is unbearable.

Almost nobody knew about my current (emotional) situation (except partly my wife). And by making this post, I am making my situation known (if they will be reading this blog).

The Job

Yup, this is one of the main reasons of my “dilemma”. Ever since I moved (or forcibly moved) to sales, my urge to work diminished. I hate sales. When I was transferred, I told myself and some colleagues that my days are numbered. Fortunately, I was able to endure for more than a year (thanks to the help of my managers). However, lately, the papers came flowing. My Father-in-law died and my wife got sick and I wasn’t able to come to work for almost half a month September and October. And that totally pulled down my performance. I was given papers for attendance and performance (wherein attendance is already part of performance – double jeopardy for me).

I was able to get a perfect attendance last month (November). However, my stats still failed. I was required to get 100% attainment (meat ALL my goals). That was like from bottom you have to be the no. 1 agent (since only a VERY few reaches 100%.

And since I wasn’t able to meet the goal (but I moved from the bottom quartile up to the third quartile) I have two weeks to meet the goals we have for this month (divided for the two weeks of course). Unfortunately, I was absent since last Wednesday up till Tuesday. So there is no chance for me to meet the goals. My only hope is if they will lower the goals for last month and my stats would move up the upper 50%. Honestly, I doubt it. Unfortunately, my boss seems to have no plans on salvaging me.

So what’s causing me to break? Well, I have a high chance of losing my job. We’re currently renting a house, paying for utilities (electricity, water, phone and internet) and my wife is also studying (taking up units in education) and it’s close to Christmas.

I was thinking that if I lose my job, I’ll jumpstart the business I want, a computer shop at my home place. I already made some calculations. And based on the current trend there (only 2 shops currently existing on a large community), the business is still feasible. Of course there will be extra services like desktop publishing, computer repair, school supplies and some other perks.

I am planning this for a long time already, keeping an eye on current business flow, equipment prices. The only thing I don’t have is capital.

I tried asking someone if I could borrow/loan money from them. Unfortunately, their funds are all in their business also. I am thinking of having at least 60,000 pesos ($1500) to jump start that business. It is small. But as for my initial computations, that would be enough (no need to pay for rent, this will be in our house; no need to pay for technicians, I can do that; no need to pay for carpentry, my father’s a carpenter). So basically, all I really need to buy are the computers (including networking stuff) and tables.

Unfortunately, I don’t have the money to start. I worked in a call center (people expect us to have ‘good salaries’. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to handle our finances properly. Now, I am struck on how irresponsible’ we’ve been with our money. It is hard to admit. But that is the truth. No savings. Nothing. We were able to buy some stuff but not much (we bought a high end printer that can be used for the business; unfortunately, it is a sleeping investment as of now).

Honestly, I am daydreaming that someone would lend me that money I need (extreme daydream that someone would actually ‘give’ me the money. But reality is reality.

Currently, I don’t know what will happen. I just hope that if my superiors will kick me out of the company, they do this after Christmas.

I haven’t yet talked to my wife regarding this. We actually haven’t prayed together for a long time (and I do feel the result). I am planning to discuss the current situation to her ASAP. She already knew a bit, but not how ‘severe’ the situation is.

I am asking for your prayers. We need strength. I am baffled. My mind is spinning and my heart is pounding. Sometimes, I just want to bang my head on the wall. But I know this will end. However, I am on the breaking point and I need some support.

May God’s will be done.

This is a rephrase of his story as posted at the Ubuntu Forums Philippine LoCo (here).

May 9, 2009 evening, Nhatz was walking on way to home (his motorcycle was borrowed by his brother), he crossed with 3 men who, without warning, stabbed him before declaring a “hold up” (Filipino slang for declaring robbery). He was able to catch one of the fatal strike by his hand. He was stabbed at his side (mild cut) but he went down. When he was trying to get up, he was stabbed by one of the robbers at the back. This is the part where he was thankful for Linux. He was wearing a bag and inside it is his book “Linux Administration for Beginners”. The knife hit that book and the knife didn’t wounded him that much. He was robbed but he survived and is currently recovering from his wounds.

I remember movies that has the same scenario. Being shot but the bullet will hit a medallion or something and it will save his life. Well. as for Nhatz’ case, he was saved (,,, somehow) by that book.

Times are getting tough.

I was very tired after those event (the fact that I haven’t had enough sleep due to the nature of my work). I wasn’t able to come to work last Monday and Tuesday. I was able to spend time with my family (am glad with that) but it got me thinking (again) of looking for a different job (daytime job, non sales). But with the current status of the economy (many people losing jobs), I can’t afford to resign to a “stable” job. I pray that God give me strength to continue. Me and my wife was able to talk about things (like living on our on, as we are currently living with my ini-laws) that will involve money, and patience.

Will be posting infos regarding the turn out of our events (with some picts of course) later this weekend.

Soli Deo Gloria.