Never too early to teach kids spending and buying values

Here's my latest article published at Mom's Corner of The Philippine Online Chronicles. These are money-saving back-to-school tips that parents can share with their kids as we begin another school year soon.

 

***********

 

Your kids' summer vacation is almost over and school is about to start again. Here are some tips that you can share with your kids so that they can help your family save during the school year.
  

Tip #1: “Use your allowance to buy only what you need.” For kids who are given allowances, this is an important reminder. Managing their allowance can teach them how to be responsible. Give them examples of needs and wants. Then, remind them to stick to their needs as much as possible so that they would not run out of funds in case of emergency.

 

Tip #2:  “Don’t spend all your allowance. Make it a goal to save a portion of it.” It doesn’t mean that because they were given money, they need to spend all of it. Teach your kids the value of saving for the rainy days and investing their extra money by reminding them to always set aside a portion for savings. This can be good practice for later in life when they are already working. They can eventually develop the habit and discipline of setting aside some money for savings and investment, instead of spending all of their money.

 

Tip #3:  “Use your allowance wisely.” This is a bit similar to Tip #1 but this time the distinction should not only be between needs and wants. Before spending his/her allowance, help your child develop the habit of thinking first and asking questions like: “Should I really buy this or can I or my mom make this?” or “Where can I buy this at a lower price?” or “Do we have these items at home?” Your family can save a lot by going the DIY route a lot of times. One example for this is snacks or lunches for your kids. You can save a lot by making your own or planning ahead instead of just letting them buy from school during their break times. Check this article and this article for some “baon” ideas. Sometimes, you can save by simply checking prices at different stores before making a purchase. Or by buying generic items instead of branded items. Or do Tip #4.

 

Tip #5:  “Check supplies at home before buying something.” Ask your kids to check your supplies at home first before making purchases. There might be some items in your supplies cabinet or pantry that he/she needs. By doing this, you teach your kids not to be impulsive shoppers. This discipline will surely be of help when they start earning their keep.

 

Click here to continue reading.

 

'Nay, magpapasukan na!

Here's an article that I wrote a couple of years ago to honor my mom. I'm reposting it here on Mother's Day for I will always be grateful for the positive influences she had in my life.

 

 

***

 

“'Nay, masikip na ang palda ko. Hindi na kasya sa baywang saka sagad na ang tahi sa laylayan. Paano ‘yan? Magpapatahi na ba tayo ng bago kong palda sa pasukan?”

 

“Pwede pa ‘yan. Pagagawan natin ng paraan sa mananahi,” sagot ni Nanay.

 

Ha? Ano pa kayang paraan ang naiisip ni Nanay para magamit pa uli sa pasukan ang pinagkaliitan ko nang palda. Nagsimula itong may malapad na tupi sa laylayan noong bagong tahi pa. Taon-taon, inuurong ang tupi dahil tumatangkad ako. Pero, katulad nga ng sabi ko, ngayon ay wala nang tuping pwedeng tastasin.

 

Kinuha ni Nanay ang aking palda at itinabi para dalhin sa kapitbahay naming mananahi. Pagkatapos ay sinimulan na namin ang isa sa aming mga tradisyon tuwing bago magpasukan.
 

Tiningnan namin isa-isa ang mga kwaderno (o notebook) na ginamit ko at ng nakababata kong kapatid noong nakaraang pasukan. Maingat naming tinanggal ang mga alambre (o spring). Hiniwalay ang mga may sulat sa mga wala pang sulat. Pagkatapos pinagsama-sama namin ang mga natirang mga pahina para bumuo ng mga bagong kwaderno. Tinatahi ni Nanay isa-isa ang mga bagong kwaderno mula sa mga hindi nagamit noong nakaraang pasukan. Tapos binabalutan ko naman ito ng mga pambalot ng regalo at plastik para magmukhang bago at hindi madaling madumihan o masira.
 

Bago rin magpasukan, iniinspekyon namin ang mga dati naming sapatos. Kadalasan, wala kaming sapat na pera para bumili ng bago taun-taon. Kaya ang ginagawa ni Nanay dati, pinapapalitan lang niya ang suwelas o ilalim dahil iyon naman ang madalas na unang nasisira. Pinapalitan na lang ang sapatos namin kapag nasira na ang itaas, halimbawa ay nabiyak na o nabutas. Kaya palagi naming nililinis at pinakikintab ang sapatos namin para hindi madaling masira agad ang balat.

 

Isa pang paraan ng pagtitipid na ginagawa ni Nanay tuwing bago magpasukan noong elementarya pa kami ay maghanap ng mga lumang libro o secondhand books mula sa mga mas nakatatandang estudyante sa aming paaralan, sa mga kapitbahay namin na mas nakatatanda o sa mga tindahan sa Recto. Hangga’t maaari hindi kami bumibili ng bagong textbook kung mayroon naman kaming mahihiraman o mabibiling luma para mas makatipid. Iyong mga workbook lang ang binibili ng bago dahil kailangan itong sagutan.
 

Mahigit dalawang dekada na ang nakaraan mula ng magtapos ako sa elementarya ngunit sariwang-sariwa pa rin sa aking alaala ang mga ginagawa naming paghahanda noong bata pa ako tuwing malapit na magpasukan. Hindi ko mapigil na mangiti at matawa lalo na nang maalala ko kung paano ginawan ng paraan ni Nanay at ng kapitbahay naming mananahi ang akala ko ay hindi ko na maisusuot na palda.
 

Dahil wala na ngang remedyong magagawa sa laylayan at sagad na ang tahi, dinugtungan ng mananahi sa baywang ang luma kong palda. Ginawan niya ng bagong paha at dinugtungan ng halos kakulay na tela. Iyong dating nasa baywang ay binawasan nang bahagya at napunta na sa may bandang balakang dahil sa ginawang dugtong. Hindi naman daw halata kasi mahaba ang aking blusa!
 

Nakakabilib talaga si Nanay! Katulad ng maraming ina, tunay siyang maparaan!
 

Buti na lang maabilidad at maparaan si Nanay! Dahil sa katangian niyang ito, nakapagtapos ako ng elementarya sa isang pribadong paaralan. Ang kanyang halimbawa ng pagpupursige at sipag ay naging inspirasyon ko upang maging isang masikap, masipag at responsableng mag-aaral. Tinuruan niya akong maniwala na hindi hadlang ang kahirapan upang makamit ang iyong mga pangarap. Gaya nga ng sabi sa kasabihan, nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa. Ginawa ng aking mga magulang ang lahat ng kanilang makakaya upang mapagtapos ako ng pag-aaral. Hindi naging madali para sa aming lahat ang mga taong iyon na nag-aaral pa ako. Maraming sinakripisyo ang aking mga magulang para matupad ang aming pangarap pero sulit naman lahat ng iyon tuwing aakyat kami sa entablado taun-taon para tanggapin ko ang aking medalya bilang Top 1 at nang magtapos akong valedictorian sa elementarya, nang ako’y makapagtapos sa high school sa isang paaralang ekslusibo para sa mga babae, at higit sa lahat nang ako’y magtapos sa kolehiyo sa Pamantasan ng Pilipinas sa Diliman.
 

Magpapasukan na naman. Hindi ko mapigil na hindi maalala ang mga magaganda at masasayang alaala ng aking pagkabata at buhay estudyante lalo na noong ako’y nasa elementarya pa. Masaya ako noon kahit mulat ang aking mga mata sa kahirapan ng aming pamilya. Masaya ako dahil itinataguyod ako ng aking mga magulang para magkaroon ng magandang kinabukasan sa pamamagitan ng magandang edukasyon. Masaya ako dahil mayroon akong mga kaibigan noon na hindi pansin kung bago ba o luma ang aking uniporme at sapatos. Masaya ako noon dahil may mga guro akong naniniwala sa aking talino at kakayahan kahit na ako’y mahirap lang.
 

Pero mas masaya na ako ngayon dahil sa aking pagtityaga, disiplina, suporta ng mga taong nakapaligid sa akin at sa tulong ng Diyos, naabot ko ang bawat pangarap na pinangarap ko simula nang una akong natutong mangarap.
 

Magpapasukan na! Dalangin kong mas marami pang batang mahirap ang matutong mangarap at mabiyayaan ng mga magulang na tulad ng mga magulang ko… lalo na ng tulad ng Nanay ko! Happy Mother’s Day, 'Nay!
 

* This was originally published in Buhay Pinoy of the Philippine Online Chronicles.

Minister to Me, Lord Series: Day 3 - Enable Me To Do the Impossible

How was your week? I definitely had a very exciting (read: working on one project after another) week. I had been working on a number of projects and I have mixed emotions at this point. I'm very happy with what God had inspired me to start and do in the past days and weeks. I'm struggling to make time for the many wonderful things that I now have on my plate. And I'm nervous for my faith is challenged to believe that I CAN DO ALL THESE THINGS BY THE GRACE OF GOD.

I once read that when you are given a God-sized dream, you'll realize that it's beyond your capacity to bring it to completion because it's so much bigger than what your limited abilities and gifts can handle. The good news is that YOU and I do not need to do THE IMPOSSIBLE on our own. God will ENABLE us as He has called us.

Are you feeling overwhelmed now with your long to-do lists? Are you overwhelmed with your already full calendar? Are you overwhelmed with the amount of house work that needs to be done? Are you overwhelmed with the many projects you need to coordinate? Are you overwhelmed with the many tasks that you urgently need to finish? Are you overwhelmed with deadlines? Are you overwhelemed with problems?

Today, I invite you to surrender ALL these at the foot of Jesus' Cross. Unburden yourself. Stretch your tired arms and open your heart to God's amazing grace. Lift up your eyes to your Savior.

Let Him minister to you.  Listen to Him. Let His Words comfort and empower you. Let Him OVERWHELM YOU with HIS LOVE.

Look Him in the eye as He speaks these words to you now.

 

"With man this is impossible,

but with God all things are possible."

Matthew 19:26

 

You might feel that you cannot handle all your problems and concerns right now. You feel that all your tasks and projects are beyond your strength and knowledge. You feel that you have very limited time and that you cannot meet your deadlines or finish your tasks on time. You might even feel that you are not good enough for your God-sized dream.

 

Jesus is telling you now...

 

"Do not despair for I will enable you to do the impossible. I will supply you with the strength, wisdom, ability, energy and all that you need to accomplish my plans and purposes for your life. I will carry you when you feel weak and tired. I will restore you in body, mind and spirit. Remember that you are not on your own. I am in your team. We are a team. Bask in my love. Tap into my power. Let my Holy Spirit move you and empower you!"

 

Then, as you ponder on these words of Jesus to you, I invite you to listen and use this song to pray to Him. Allow God to minister to you through this song Nothing is Impossible by Planetshakers.

 

 

 

 

Believe in His words. Believe in His love. Believe in His power. Believe in the impossible!

 

Mother's Day Activities for Kids

Mother's Day is just around the corner. Do you already have plans on how you'll celebrate this day with your family?

 

I just discovered some activities from one of my favorite sites, Christian Preschool Printables and I'd like to share them with you in case you are still thinking of what your kids can do on Mother's Day.

 

I have actually printed three sheets/printables already. My eldest who is four years old is now busy working on it.

 

The first one I printed is a coloring page with a picture of a woman and a basket of flowers. Below the picture is one of my favorite Bible verses. It's from 31:29. It says, "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Click here to view the image and download.

Here's my eldest son proudly posing with his work of art for me.

 

 

The next one I printed is page where the kids can trace the sentence Happy Mother's Day. Kids who are still practicing their handwriting skills can do this. On top of this greeting is a space where the kid or kids can trace or press their hand print. Let your kids choose what paint colors to use on their hands. Click here to view and download if you want your child/children to do this activity.

 

The last one I printed is something the young kids can do with the help of Dad. Or if your kids are older, you can let them answer this and allow yourself to be surprised. It's a fill in the blanks type of greeting card for Mom. Click here to view it and to download.

 

Check out the other activities enumerated here at Christian Preschool Printables and here at PreschoolMom.com. I chose these three because my kids are still very young.

 

I plan to share these activities to the servants in our community's Kids Ministry so they can prepare them and use them either tonight or on Sunday.

 

Aside from these activities, one of the ways I plan to celebrate Mother's Day with my kids is to have a pictorial with them this weekend. I'm thinking of doing this tomorrow afternoon. I hope this plan of mine will push through. :) I also plan to go to the salon tomorrow before our pictorial. I hope my trip to the salon would make me feel more relaxed and ready to flash a beautiful smile come photoshoot time.

 

Of course, our Mother's Day celebration would not be complete without our favorite bonding activity - reading. Here's a list of books I recommend that you read with your tots on Sunday.

And by the way, I got myself an advance present. Read more about it here.

Cheers to all moms!

 

Advance Happy Mother's Day!

 

What are your plans for the weekend? Share them with me by leaving a comment.



Stealth Schooling: One of the Reasons I Love to Homeschool My Kids

 One of the reasons I love homeschooling is that we get to integrate learning in our day-to-day activities. We don't need to force our kids to learn things that they are not interested or ready to learn at the moment. Let me share three ways by which I and my husband "sneak" learning or teaching in our daily activities.

 

 

1. Play. - Our kids are still very young (a 17 month old and a 4 year old) thus play is an essential part of our homeschool. We play with our kids. We also let our kids engage in a lot of imaginative play. The kids have a lot of fun learning through these activities. I have actually written several articles about some of their favorite pretend plays.

 

Here are some of them:

 

7 Lessons Kids can Learn from Playing Store

 

7 Benefits Kids Get from Playing Doctor

 

Lessons Kids can Gain from a Farm-themed Birthday Party

 

Math and Entrepreneurship Lessons Through Play

 

 

2. Daily Conversations. - I'm blessed to be a WAHM (work at home mom). I get to talk a lot with my kids and get to work on writing or consulting projects at the same time. We talk about a lot of things and I get to teach them about life and many other things through our conversations each day.

 

The other day, my eldest and I talked about the different kinds of food that we eat. He had some questions and I was happy that though I was challenged to answer his questions, I was given the opportunity to discuss that topic with him and he learned some science and nutrition stuff from me.

 

Some days, we talk about the weather. Other days, we talk about his interests and business plans. These past two days, we talked about death and going to heaven because of family friends who died.

 

This is one thing I love about homeschooling. It helps me to be an intentional parent and it provides me with an opportunity to have quality time with my kids.

 

3. Routines or Chores. - One of my son's chores is to water our plants. Through this daily routine, he is reminded that plants need water, air and sunlight. He likes repeating that lesson as he waters our plants. We also found a song about photosynthesis that he likes.

 

 

Other routines that we have teach him about our family values. Like we go to Mass on certain days. We attend prayer meetings. We serve in various ministries. These regular activities teach him that our family life is centered on our faith, that we use our talents, energy and resources to serve the Church and the poor around us, and that we make time for prayer and worship. 

 

Daily routines like packing away his toys and things after use and eating breakfast and saying his morning prayers first before playing allows us to teach our eldest son to be responsible and to prioritize some activities over others.

 

These are just some of the ways we "sneak" learning or teaching in our family. How about you? I would love to learn from you, too. Feel free to share by leaving a comment.

 

 

  * This post is part of the Gifted Homeschoolers Forum Blog Hop on Stealth Schooling.

Celebrating a Milestone and a Year of Miracles

Today, I choose to pause and savor a victory that God has given our family. I choose to look back with gladness and awe at the past twelve months wherein we experienced God's favors and miracles. God has delivered us in the past year, month after month, by providing for our needs. This week marks a memorable milestone in our family life. This week we were able to pay the full downpayment for the new house we purchased. Amazing!

 

If you were following my blog and our adventure with God regarding this house, you would know that we bought this house mainly because God said so. God declared to me that He will give me and my family that beautiful house He showed me. I was happy with God's declaration and promise but I didn't know how we're going to purchase it for we didn't even have enough money then to reserve it. But as the Bible says, God's word does not return to Him empty but will carry out the purpose for which it was sent. And so, He did carry out what He wanted to do for me and my family. He helped us purchase this wonderful house. He helped us pay ALL that we needed to pay. He filled our pockets and bank accounts with money that we didn't have at the start. He gave me new projects I didn't even imagine I would have. He opened doors I didn't know were there. He just kept on moving me and my family forward until one day, which was a couple of days ago, I just realized that after one year, God has enabled us to pay the downpayment IN FULL! And the amazing thing about that is we have sold only one out of the two condominium units we were selling. Initially we thought that in order to pay for the downpayment, we need to sell both of our condominium units. Our God is AWESOME!

 

Today, I bask in His love and in His favors. I choose to delight myself in God's amazing goodness. I choose to savor this wonderful gift my family and I have just received from the Lord. Up to this very moment I need to pinch myself and repeat that it has really happened. It has come to pass... Wow!

 

Yesterday, we met with our developer's engineer and we chose the colors of the paints to be used for our new home's interiors. We talked about what other things we need to prepare to help them finish our house. We measured the dimensions of the different rooms of our house in preparation for the purchase of the furnitures and appliances we'd be bringing in to furnish it. It's happening... It was just a dream and now that dream is unfolding before our eyes.

 

ONLY GOD CAN MAKE THIS HAPPEN!

 

We wouldn't be where we are right now if not for God's faithfulness and mercy. We wouldn't have gone this far if not for God's help and favors. We would not have the faith to believe that God's promise can come true if not for His grace.

 

We cannot call this house our future home if God did not pave the way for us, reserved it for us, and purchased it for us.

 

As I type in my laptop now, the Israelites come to my mind. Could this be how they felt as they stepped into the Promised Land? Did they also need to elbow or pinch each other to make them realize that it's really happening to them?

 

We would still need to have our bank loan approved before we can move to our new home but that is a small thing compared to what we had to hurdle in the past year. If God has enabled us to purchase this house even though we didn't have enough money saved in our bank account last year, then He can definitely grant us the rest of the things that we need in order to move into our new home.

 

Is there something that you heard God whisper to your ear recently that you find hard to accept and believe? I invite you to listen well to Him and take Him at His word; for He will not fail you. I took Him at His word around a year ago and He did not fail me and my family. Bank on His Word. Because whatever He says becomes reality. I believed this to be true. More importantly, I experienced this truth happen repeatedly in my life.

 

You may click here, here, here, here, here and here to read more about our adventure with God in purchasing this house.

 

My Early Mother's Day Present: Ohrelle Shoes

I got myself an early Mother's Day gift last weekend. It's a new pair of shoes from Ohrelle and I wore it for the first time last night as I shared my story at The Feast in SM City, Sucat.

 

I bought my shoes at Cash and Carry Mall in Filmore, Makati. I wanted to buy a new pair of black shoes initially but the designs that I liked no longer had stocks for my size last weekend. I think it was a blessing in disguise actually because I considered other colors when I learned that I could not buy a black pair of shoes that day.

 

I was very happy to find a cream-colored wedge shoes that had my size. I was delighted even more when I realized that it's almost the same color as the two cream-colored bags I usually use these days. Talk about perfect find and perfect timing! Truly, sometimes "failures" are redirections to better things in store. That day or that weekend, my failure to find a new pair of black shoes for my shoe size led to a better blessing -- a cream-colored pair of shoes to match my two cream-colored bags!

 

Let me share two more reasons why I love the new pair of shoes I found:

 

1. It's open-toed. I'm not fond of closed shoes. They make my toes feel suffocated! ;) I love wearing open-toed shoes because they let my toes breathe.  I find these kind of shoes life-savers especially on very hot days.

 

2. It has wedge heels. I love shoes with wedge heels. I don't like wearing shoes with heels that are very thin and high for long periods. They are not only unhealthy to my calves and back, they also give me a lot of pain. I only wear heels for short periods of time. I'm not the stiletto type of girl. When I need to wear shoes with heels, I look for shoes with wedge heels. A wedge heel runs under the foot, from the back of the shoe to the middle or front. I love these kinds of shoes because they let me enjoy wearing high heels without sacrificing comfort. My calves are well supported with this kind of heels. These are the kinds of shoes I love wearing when I need to stand over long periods like when I conduct trainings and workshops.

 

So, that weekend, I really felt I have found a perfect Mother's Day gift for myself when I found this pair of shoes. :)

 

 

 

There are more designs to choose from actually in the Ohrelle boutique that I went to. But it was already late and the kids needed to rest already. There were also a lot of pairs that were on sale. Some were at 50% off. I was thinking of coming back to their store or check out their other branches in the next days to look for potential designs that I can give to my mom.

 

While preparing to write this post, I found out that Ohrelle shoes and bags are proudly Philippine-made. I read in an article that they were awarded in 2011 as  one of the staunchest supporters of the Marikina shoe industry.  This was done in SM Marikina.  Linda Salonga-Pastoral, the mompreneur behind Ohrelle shoes and bags, said in an interview in 2011, “We have been selling only made-in-Marikina shoes. Indeed, we are extremely proud of supporting the local shoe industry for the past 40 years.”

 

She also said during the dedication of their SM City North Edsa shop that she dedicates that shop to God and that all their success comes from God. You may read more about her inspiring mompreneur story here and here. 

 

I already felt good about my purchase upon realizing that I have a bag to match my new shoes; but learning more about Ohrelle and the woman behind this successful business made me feel even better. I admired Linda Salonga-Pastoral's courage, passion and faith in God. I think many aspiring mompreneurs like me can learn from her example.

 

So, if you are still thinking of what gift to give yourself this Mother's Day or if you're thinking of buying something for your Mom or other Mommy friends this coming Mother's Day, I recommend that you get them a pair of Ohrelle shoes or an Ohrelle bag! You'll not only make them happy but you will also support our local shoe industry and a local business.

 

 

 

I also recommend that you buy and use their GCs (gift certificates) which are now offered at a 20% discount to purchase Ohrelle products from their stores. Their GCs are available at P500 denominations. When you buy two P500 worth of Ohrelle GCs, you only pay P800. Thus you save P200 right away. You can use that to purchase a pair of shoes or two pairs of shoes depending on the shoes or sandals that you'd choose. I bought mine using two GCs. I just added P140  since the shoes I bought cost more than a thousand pesos.

 

You can find Ohrelle at Cash and Carry in Filmore, Makati, The Landmark, Shoe Center in Ali Mall, Robinson’s Malls and in Metro Gaisano at the Market Market, Global City in Taguig City.   

Do you want to buy Ohrelle GCs that you can use or give away as gifts to other Moms for Mother's Day or this month of May? Leave a comment in this post or email me at teregmps@yahoo.com.

 

Advance Happy Mother's Day!

 

 

Disclosure: I was given two Ohrelle GCs to write this post. However, I only write and endorse products that I believe in and I'm happy to use and support. Ohrelle is one of them. I would also get a small commission when you buy Ohrelle GCs through me.

 

When Choosing to Have a Low Profile Means False Humility

We have often been told that we should maintain a low profile if we are to be truly humble leaders or individuals. But is that really the path that all leaders or persons should take? Is that what Jesus did while He was on earth and led His disciples? Did He really try to be invisible as He carried out the Father’s Will?

What if God is calling you to preach and proclaim the Gospel by using your gift of gab? What if God is calling you to lead people to worship Him? What if God has placed a burden in your heart to champion a cause or advocacy? Do you maintain a low profile? Is it still humility to hide behind the scenes when God is calling you out to take center stage? Is it still humility to refuse God’s call to you to step out boldly as His anointed? Is it humility to shy away from all kinds of service or roles which make you visible and known because you want to maintain a low profile even though you know that you can help in those areas?

 

I strongly believe that being visible or being behind the scenes should not be used to gauge a leader or a person’s humility.

1 Corinthians 12 tells us that we are one body in Christ. But just as God created our body to have many parts with different functions, He also created us unique from each other. God has a unique purpose for each one of us and because of that He has bestowed us with different gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:18-19 says, “God placed the parts, each one of them, in the body as He intended… But as it is, there are many parts but one body.” Some of us were called to be preachers, teachers and apostles. Others are called to do administrative work, the leg work or behind the scene work. Does that make any one of us better than others? Does that make us more humble than others? No! We all have a role to play and we are gifted with abilities and talents based on God’s purpose or plan for our lives.

God designed our bodies in such a way that there are exposed parts, not often visible parts, and hidden or private parts. Imagine if suddenly our faces decided to maintain a low profile. Our faces decided that it’s best that they are hidden and covered.  How about if our butts decided that they should be exposed and visible? What would you think of that? Is it humility to choose to be hidden when your call or purpose is to be visible? Is it humility to serve behind the scenes when you’re called and gifted to lead?  Imagine if Moses or Joseph the Dreamer decided that they simply want to maintain low profiles. Would you consider them humble if they have chosen to refuse God’s call to lead His people at a time of need?

 

For me, humility is recognizing who we are in the sight of God, accepting His truth in our lives and living by it. Humility is recognizing where God has called us to serve in His Church and accepting our role in His plan for salvation with fervor – whether it means we serve behind the scenes or we serve visibly. Humility is choosing to let God use us in whatever way He wishes, not choosing how we’ll serve but submitting ourselves to His Divine Will.

I remember a time when I simply wanted to serve in obscurity. I was telling God that I will continue to serve Him even without a title. Prior to that, I was serving Him and His people very visibly as a leader of single men and women in another community. Then, I joined the Light of Jesus (LOJ) Community. I was set to be a regular member serving without any title. I was happy to do all kinds of service without being called a leader or anything. But God had other plans and through my leader then, God invited me to serve as part of LOJ’s Singles Service Team. 

Around a year ago, I told God again that I’m ready to serve without any title and in obscurity. That was after I served as leader in our Prayer Group under the authority of our Parish Priest. I thought that after my service in our parish that it was God’s purpose for me to serve my family alone and a limited number of people only.  I was willing and ready to serve Him and His Church behind the scenes through my gift of writing. But God had other plans. I suddenly found myself serving the bigger Church and the archdiocese. I found myself writing not just in my little blog but for a big number of people including those abroad. I was amazed to realize that God expanded my territory and widened my influence and reach. 

Then as if on cue, we started this Follow Me Series. I felt God telling me to stop paying attention to those voices telling me to maintain a low profile. I felt God asking me through the recent developments in my life and through the previous roles God has given me to stop resisting His Will and plan for my life. Clearly, He was telling me to embrace my destiny and step out boldly as His anointed into the services/roles where He has called me to use my giftedness. He wants me to shine His light. He reminded me that I should not hide my light under a bushel. That the light in my life is not for me alone or mine to keep. The light that God gave me is for me to share so that others would find Jesus and be drawn closer to Him. That He did not give me the gift of words to simply keep them in my journals like what I used to do. But that He asked me to write my thoughts and reflections so I can inspire and encourage and lead people to Him. That He did not give me the gift of gab for me to be silent. Instead He gave me the gift of words so I can speak comfort, hope, encouragement and wisdom to those who need it the most.

 

2 Timothy 1:7 says that God did not give us a spirit of cowardice or timidity; but of boldness, of power, of love and wisdom. 

As I look back at my life, I noticed how God thrust me repeatedly into positions of influence I didn’t even ask or imagine for myself. I thank the Lord for His confidence and for those opportunities. So, in true humility I choose to embrace again my destiny and God’s unique call to me. I choose to say yes to all that He asks me to do even if these entail that I’d be very visible and more people would get to know me. I choose to serve not according to other people’s agenda or my agenda. I choose to serve God based on His agenda.

 

Inspired by the words of our Mother Mary, I say: “I am the Lord’s servant. Be it done to me according to His word.”

Safety 1st No Touch Thermometer Product Review

We visited my kids’ pediatrician a few weeks ago for their regular well baby check up and for their flu vaccines.  It is advised by doctors that children and adults alike get flu shots before the flu season, which also happens during the rainy season.  That means getting the vaccines between February to June.  “The flu vaccine will prevent one from getting sick, including the chance of contracting any of the other significant complications, or at least help reduce the severity of the illness” according to Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy, program manager of the Department of Health’s Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Disease Program.   

 

My kids’ pediatrician advised me to give the kids paracetamol in case they run a fever.  I’m glad that both of my kids don’t usually get fevers after being vaccinated.  The same thing happened a few weeks ago.

 

This reminded me of a product that I would recommend to Moms and Dads, especially to those who have small children – the Safety 1^st No Touch Thermometer.  I think that having a reliable thermometer at home is essential for all households.  I also recommend that families bring this thermometer with them when they go out on trips or vacations.  Having this kind of thermometer would be a big help especially if you have active little kids whose temperatures are hard to get when they are awake because of constant movement or simply because they do not like to use the thermometer.  This thermometer has helped me and my husband a lot of times when we needed to find out or monitor our children’s temperature and they were busy playing or running around.  Having a reliable thermometer during outings or trips prevents false alarms which are usually the result of checking someone’s temperature by hand only.  When you use this thermometer, you will know right away if someone needs to take a medicine or not, rest for a while or continue enjoying your activities.

 

Let me share some of the product features of this thermometer that my family and I love.

·         The user will know right away if the one whose temperature was taken have a fever or not.  This is made possible by the happy and sad face icon that is displayed.  The happy face icon means that there’s no fever and no reason for alarm.  The sad face means that the person whose temperature was taken has fever.  My eldest son loves this feature.  So do I and our helpers.  It takes the guesswork out of reading thermometers.  We don’t need to stress anymore about trying to remember at what temperature we need to give a medicine to the baby/child every time we need to check their temperature.

·         It enables us to get the temperature of the kids easily.  Even my eldest son has learned how to use it on me, his Dad or his baby brother.  The thermometer makes a beep and the LED will flash when you position it correctly a few inches from the forehead. 

·         You can get the temperature of kids and adults alike using this thermometer within 1 second.  This feature works best for kids who can’t be still for long periods.  This was our challenge before when we use the traditional thermometers.  My kids get impatient.  They start moving and fidgeting even before the required time for taking their temperature is over.  Thus, we need to measure their temperature several times.  With Safety 1^st’ No Touch Thermometer, this problem has been solved.  It saved us a lot of time.

·         It’s convenient to use.  It has memory recall function of up to 10 temperature readings.  I remember when my first born son was still a little over one year old and he got sick of amoebiasis.  He had fever for days and a number of times, he had high fever.  We would list down his temperature readings sometimes as we monitor his condition.  Too bad, we didn’t have this thermometer then. 

·         It can be used to check a sleeping child’s temperature without waking up the child.  Based on our experience, the short beeping sound is not loud enough to wake our kids when we need to check their temperatures at night.  This is a big help for parents who are most often sleep-deprived when their kids are sick.  We surely do not want a sleeping sick child to wake up in the middle of the night just to get his/her temperature because sometimes it takes a while before we can soothe the child and put him/her back to sleep.  This is a big plus for me because I know that sleep is very valuable to anyone who is sick.

·         This thermometer has auto-shut off feature, too.  So, you get to save on battery life.  This is most useful on days or nights when parents are already tired or sleepy watching over sick babies.

·         It can be used to measure the temperature of food and drinks or bath water as well.  One common practice is to check the temperature by feeling the water or the side of the food or drink container by hand.  These are not accurate however.  So, having this thermometer can be very handy whenever you need to check the temperature of these things accurately.

 

Please note however that “for best results in babies and toddlers up to 3 years of age, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends taking the temperature rectally, by placing a thermometer in the baby's anus. This method is accurate and gives a quick reading of the baby's internal temperature."

Hometown Decision

Have you ever heard of the phrase it’s a hometown decision? In contests or politics, hometown decisions mean that the decision was made in favor of the person who lives in that hometown because that person got the vote of his neighbors. But this is not the case in today’s Gospel for Jesus who visited his hometown, Nazareth.

Jesus said in Luke 4:24, "Truly I say to you, no prophet is welcome in his hometown."

In a cross reference (Matthew 13:57), it says: And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor."

In another version, Matthew 13:57 says: And so they rejected him. Jesus said to them, "A prophet is respected everywhere except in his own hometown and by his own family."

Why did Jesus say this? Is this true? If it’s true, what could be the reason? What is it about the prophets that make the people who are supposedly close to them reject the message they preach?

It said in the Gospel today (March 12, 2012) that Jesus taught in their synagogue and the people in his hometown were amazed. They wondered where He got His wisdom when they know Him as the carpenter’s son. Sometimes, when we are already familiar with someone, we think and feel we know them completely. Thus, when this person whom we are familiar with says something unusual, we get surprised and wonder why this person said what he said. That was what happened with Jesus. His neighbors found it unusual for Him to say such eloquent words in the synagogue when they think that He was just an ordinary person in their neighborhood.

What did Jesus say that offended his neighbors? Why did they get so furious to the point that they want to throw him off a cliff?

What He said insulted his neighbors because the Jews think they are the chosen race. They are proud of that heritage being sons and daughters of Abraham. They are proud to be following many laws in their church or synagogue. Thus, when Jesus honored the foreigners like the widow of Zarephath and Naaman the Syrian, they felt that Jesus was telling them that these foreigners were better than them when it comes to matters of faith. To hear those words from a fellow Jew was an outrage for them. "How dare he say those words to us when he is just one of our neighbors?" They might be thinking at that time. "How dare he insult us by saying that those foreigners who do not believe in the God we worship are better than us that is why miracles were performed for them? Since when did he get the authority to insult us when he is just the carpenter’s son?"

"Some of the things that Jesus said in His mission were quite inflammatory. Did Jesus want to be provocative? Quite unlikely, but one thing is sure. He was not willing to compromise the truth so He always spoke it as He saw it. The Church knows what doing this means and how the intellectuals of society will take it. However, this is a small price to pay for the truth. This is easy to say, yet far more difficult to be faithful to it." This was the commentary on the Gospel from Catholic Scripture Diary, Companion.

That is what the prophets and Jesus share in common. They are not willing to compromise the truth just to accommodate or please the people listening to them. They are not willing to water-down God’s Word to the people God sends them to just so these people would be more receptive of them and of the message they preach. They would rather be persecuted, stoned or crucified than give up the message God has planted in their hearts.

Jesus’ neighbors’ ask, "Where does he get his authority to speak to us in such manner?" The people who listened to the prophets long ago asked the same question. Some were completely clueless. Some knew in their hearts that the prophets’ authority came from God but their pride and weaknesses prevented them from acting on the message proclaimed to them. Some could not accept that God would speak through these people (the prophets and Jesus) because they think and feel that if God is to speak, why not to them? Aren’t they the teachers of the law? Aren’t they the elders in their church?

God, however, has a mysterious way of choosing His messengers. Often, he chooses the most unlikely, the ordinary, the poor and the young. As 1 Corinthians 1:27 says, "Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful."

Jesus’ neighbors especially the leaders in their church or synagogue thought that they are better than him because they were teachers of the law and some were older than him. They saw Jesus grow up to be a man and they saw nothing special about Him. They do not know and they have failed to recognize the hand of God the Father upon Jesus. They did not recognize that among them is not just an ordinary prophet but the Messiah they have been waiting for. They did not recognize Him because He was so ordinary looking. They felt that they already know Him and where He came from. But they are wrong, so wrong.

Let me quote what Jesus said to his disciples on why He uses parables to speak to the people:

The reason that I use parables in talking to them is that they look, but do not see, and they listen, but do not hear or understand. So the prophecy of Isaiah applies to them: ‘This people will listen and listen, but not understand; they will look and look, but not see, because their minds are dull, and they have stopped up their ears and have closed their eyes. Otherwise, their eyes would see, their ears would hear, their minds would understand, and they would turn to me, says God, and I would heal them.’ (Matthew 13:13-15)
 

Can you relate with Jesus and the prophets? Are you experiencing a hometown decision now? Is it in your favor or not? Are there also people rising up against you because of the message that you proclaim? Fear not! Rejoice, for you are in good company, the prophets and the Messiah! Do you feel misunderstood? Do you feel terrified? Do you feel sad and alone?

Here is God’s message to you modern day messenger of God.

"How fortunate you are! Your eyes see and your ears hear." (Matthew 13:16)

"Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today… The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace." (Exodus 14:13-14)

"Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6)

"Draw near to God." (James 4:8)

"If God is for us, who can be against us? … In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." (Romans 8:31, 37)

"Fear not, for I am with you." (Philippians 4:5-6)

"Speak, and do not be silent; for I am with you." (Act 18:9-10)

When the apostle Paul faced the Roman tribunal, he said, "At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me… but the Lord stood with me and strengthened me." (2 Timothy 4:16-17)

Remind yourself that God stands by your side when you stand before an assembly that does not want to listen to you and rejects you and the message that you preach. Let God comfort you and strengthen you. Let God whisper in your ear what to do next. For though the voices of the crowd may be loud, the God who speaks to your heart will still have the final word. So boldly conquer as God’s anointed! Walk past them and walk towards your Jerusalem! Embrace your cross and follow Jesus’ footsteps. For as you follow Him to the cross, you also follow Him to His resurrection.

Our Father in heaven does not waste our tears and pains. He allows them and uses them for His purposes so that His glory would be evident in our lives and the choices that we make. May by the choices we make and our witness more hearts would turn to God. Not to us, not to us, but to God be glory!