Sharing of Resources

...and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.-- Acts 4:35

I really marveled at this verse. The people at that time were so fired up with the Holy Spirit that those who had much sold what they had in order to share to the poor or the needy. It was like they allowed the apostles to become the managers of their earthly belongings and so resources were distributed according to "need." Amazing! And I really wondered what it was like then.

But little did I realize that I was actually living in similar circumstances in the present. My new family is among the many who are struggling to make both ends meet with the coming of a child. Our baby is a real blessing, but reality check, our expenses have increased because of our growing needs.

Primarily, our baby needs milk. Despite my lack in the production of breast milk, God has placed in our sphere two new mothers who willingly gave some of their milk to my child to augment the formula until the time that she would no longer take them. A month later, another new mother offered her breast milk, as her baby could not consume all that she produced, and thankfully, our daughter accepted it up until now.

Aside from the milk, I can probably say that 98% of her clothes were all given--from Day 1 to the present. I am not a picky mom, so even if the clothes are already 2nd, 3rd, or 4th hand, as long as our baby can use them, we let her use them. Then there is the comforter, pillows, crib, chair, stroller, toys, and even the walker. The walker has a funny story though, as a friend bought this for her son who is older than our daughter. And yet, she related that her son hated that walker, in fact she showed me a photo of her son crying while in the walker. But our daughter loved it!

We are so thankful because the extra money that we have is what we used to buy the things that we could only hope for if her needs were not met, like books, educational toys, and some other things that would make her comfortable and our lives easier.

I am so blessed and thankful to the people around me who not only poured our their hearts and prayers to our new family, but who also lovingly shared so that our needs can be met. You are all a present-day reminder for me of the time in the New Testament when people embodied the love of Christ towards their brothers and sisters.

"Yes, Boss!"

For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear. -- 1 Peter 3:5-6

I am very happy with serving my husband, taking care of his needs, budgeting the expenses of our family, and contributing to the family's finances.

However, there are also times when I can be very bossy and domineering over my husband. I want him to follow my way of doing things, as if my techniques or methods are the ONLY option. I think that my system is more cost efficient, time saving, and requires minimal effort but achieves great results nonetheless. However, this is not necessarily the case.

In the past, when these instances happen, I would argue with my husband (especially when things go awry) as to why he did not follow my instructions literally. Eventually, he would tell me off, “Yes, boss!” And that would be the signal of a long fight, as I would really insist that I was right and it really irked me to be called boss.

But one day, I read this passage in 1 Peter about wives being submissive to their husbands and how their manner should be toward them. The part that struck me the most was Sarah’s devotion to Abraham, whom she even addressed to as her master. Sarah knew her place as a wife, not as a servant, but a submissive partner to her husband.

I was so ashamed by my actions that I immediately asked for forgiveness and prayed that God would enable me to repent and change my ways. Thankfully, the Lord honored my request and because I am aware now of my behavior, I became more careful with how I deal with my husband. I asked him recently if he is happier now in our marriage and he said, “Yes, because you make me happy.”

My husband is not demanding. But like most men, he also desires the respect and submission of his wife. I asked the Lord that I be made into a wife who not only loves but also respects and submits to her husband. Although things are not perfect, God’s strength has enabled me to consider my husband first, not just my feelings. God’s grace has also gradually restored my husband’s place as master of our family, not the other way around.

A Glimpse of Heaven

"...that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. --Philippines 2:10-11

I am not talking about a comfortable life. I am not talking about riches. But I am talking about a blessed event that happened recently.

Last weekend, I saw a glimpse of heaven. Hundreds of members from different churches from all over Bacolod City gathered together to worship and praise the Lord. It was the launching of the citywide 40 Days of Grace Campaign that was organized by the Bacolod Pastors' Prayer Fellowship.

I felt all the physical manifestations of God's spirit working amongst the people present. But at the same time, my heart was stirred at the sight of people from different Christian denominations in one room, worshipping one God, and getting blessed by it. I know that the congregation was not composed of people from other countries but mostly residents of our city, but I felt like I was in heaven worshipping with all the saints, bowing before the throne of grace.

Oh how wonderful it would be when the time comes when we can all worship the Lord together as one body. People from every tribe, every nation, giving glory to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

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Undignified Worship

David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the LORD with all his might...- 2 Samuel 6:14

I sometimes envy my husband.

Yes, I am jealous of him, not because of anything but because of how he worships the Lord. Oh how my husband can worship! He just adores the Lord and can lift up his voice, sing his praise, and even dance because of joyful worship to the King of Kings.

My husband really has the heart of a worshipper. Although I may consider myself a worshipper, too, as I would worship the Lord on my alone times with Him and during worship services, but when I look at my husband, I see King David.

Too bad Michal didn't share in what King David had for the Lord. But in my case, I do wish I can worship the Lord like my husband does--with sheer abandon! And he is not just doing carefree prancing, his is focused revelry, adoration, and extravagant praise to his beloved Savior.

King David said, in 2 Samuel 6:21-22, "...I will celebrate before the LORD. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes." And that is what I see in my husband.

Indeed if there is anything we should be undignified about, it should be our worship to our Creator and Savior. We express our love, appreciation, adoration, fear, and joy through worship.

And like my husband, I, too would want to be able to say that "I am undignified of my celebration of the Lord."

Waiting For People

...the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. -- 1 Peter 3:4

I have always been an impatient person. And it irks me so much when people are late for our appointments. It is because I am a stickler to time. When I make an appointment, I make sure that I am already at the appointed place about 10 to 15 minutes earlier in order to settle down. So when the person I am going to meet is 15 minutes late, that means I have been waiting for already half an hour. Unless otherwise there was really an emergency that kept me long, I can be expected to arrive before the time. Or else, I would send word that I will be late.

I remember having a cold war with a friend in college. We were supposed to meet in school at 3pm. I live very far from our school, so I had to travel almost an hour just to make the appointment. I got there at 2:45pm. At 3:30pm, my friend still wasn't there. When I called up their home phone to check if she had already left, she was the one who answered the phone. And to my dismay, I learned that she had not taken a bath yet. I knew that she takes a bath for about an hour and consumes about 30 minutes drying her hair. And the travel time from her house to our school is 30 minutes. So how much longer would I have to wait? No, I did not wait any longer. I went home. She didn't speak to me for several days.

I thought up of a solution to this problem of waiting. Instead of keeping the time of appointment, I would arrive "fashionably" later, like about 10-20 minutes later than the appointment. So if the other party arrives 30 minutes late, I only get to wait 10 minutes. And I am not harassed trying to keep the schedule. I did this for a few years. It did work well. But for those who arrived on time, they had to wait for me.

I have done this for several years until lately. As I read this verse in 1 Peter, I realized that my solution had been less than honorable. Not only did I join the ranks of Filipinos known to arrive late for appointments, I have been inconsiderate because I have made others wait as well. So instead, now I have decided to ask God, not really for the people that I am supposed to meet to arrive on time (although it will be much appreciated), but to have a gentle and quiet spirit as I wait for them.

The verse may be talking about other things, but for me, having a gentle and quiet spirit should affect all aspects of my life. Instead of grumbling because my friend or client is late, I am asking God for the serenity as I wait for them. Who knows? God may have a purpose for that time and I can use it to do other things, among which is to praise Him and listen to Him speak while I wait.

Repent from Worry

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. -- Matthew 6:34

My husband would often tell me not to worry. Especially when finances are running low or already in the negative, I worry on where to get money to pay the bills. So I would tell him that it is just easy for him to say, because I am the one keeping the budget anyway.

But then I realized as I re-read Matthew 6, this passage is not just a story. This is not about the birds in the air and the lilies in the field. This is a direct command from Jesus telling us not to worry. He just presented it in a story to make it very simple in order that we may understand.

Yet, still we don't. Or at least, I don't. Because I keep on worrying.

And because of this, I am already sinning because I am disobeying a direct command by the Lord. It also follows that because I worry, I do not trust the Lord completely, and thus making me sin some more.

With that realization, I asked forgiveness and repented of worrying. I have committed myself not to worry and to trust the Lord completely. May God enable me as I tread this new path of a life without worries.

Who is More Suplada?

But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace. -- Psalm 37:11

I consider myself very "suplada"--a snobbish person. Or it could also connote "meanness" or having a bad attitude, someone capable of nasty remarks and who can do nasty things to people. I am not entirely a bad person in what other people would consider bad, however, if angered, my only option is to fight back. I am also very mataray (sarcastic).

But when I became a Christian, I mellowed down. Many people can attest that I have become more cheerful, less mataray, and more patient with other people.

There is still one problem though--if I am angered, I can still be really sarcastic and mean. And I would often say, which could refer to anybody, "If she is suplada, I am more suplada than her." Or, "If she's mataray, I can be more mataray." Or something to that effect. And I will really prove it. If the other person will snob or ignore me, I will do worse.

But I realized that is not what Jesus taught. Meekness was what Jesus heralded. He displayed meekness throughout His life here on earth, even at the point of death in the hands of an angry people.

"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." That is the message of Matthew 5:5.

That means that if I were to follow Christ, meekness should be one of my values...ingrained in my character. That means to remain peaceable even when other people are mataray to me, when other people are suplada, when other people physically push me aside, are inconsiderate, or when people ignore me for one reason or the other. I am to be meek even when people gossip about or malign me. I don't know what inheriting the earth means in its entirety. But I do know what meekness is.

This world promotes fairness. Jesus promotes meekness.

What do I do? I repent.

So from now on. I will no longer make myself more suplada or more mataray than others. I will rather strive to be meeker each day.

In Publishing a Book

Run in such a way as to get the prize. -- 1Corinthians 9:24

I have always wanted to publish the contents of flowersbythewayside.com. But it seems, I don't have the opportunity of getting it done.

I know that God wanted me to do this in order to help spread His fame in the internet. I know that I was led to do this several years ago. And that I have continued to do.

It is not every week that I get to write something because of one reason or another, but there those times when I get discouraged because there seems to be no hope of getting the entire thing published in book form.

However a couple of weeks I was convicted. Whether or not Flowers By the Wayside the book gets published or not, I am to continue writing because that is what God called me to do--to share my life's experiences and what I learned from them through the web. The book part was not really included in the original call.

At the same time, I also felt that getting it published in book form is not really for God's glory but for my pride already, which is probably the main reason why it does not see its light among publishers.

So if Flowers by the Wayside gets published, it is already a bonus. If not, flowersbythewayside.blogspot.com will continue to live for as long as Google continues to host it. After all, the main prize is not getting this published but in reaping God's approval.

Enduring a Very Painful Childbirth

"...apart from me you can do nothing." -- John 15:5

I could probably say that the my first pregnancy was moderately difficult. The first trimester was easy and it only got kind of hard on the fifth month when a kidney, which I never knew I had, got dislodged in my ureter and I was hospitalized twice to manage the pain.

Then the third trimester came. Braxton-Hicks contractions came early and strong. On the eighth month, I thought I was already giving birth. It was difficult to get around because of the contractions and the pain on my back and the cramps on my legs. But I was not dilated still.

However, a day before the 38th week, my bag of water leaked--minimally at first. But I was hospitalized, given drugs to soften the cervix as I was only 1cm dilated, and then induced the next morning. The contractions were so strong that I would pass out every two minutes after a 30-second contraction. I thought I was lying in the labor room for several hours already as I was already having dreams, when in reality only a few minutes had passed. By around 6pm of the second day, I already begged for an epidural because I couldn't stand the pain anymore.

I thought I was just a weakling, but the doctor said that my contractions were really strong, according to the fetal monitor. My uterus, my doctor said, could possibly rupture because of the strength of the contractions.

Despite drumming myself up for the most positive and efficient childbirth scenario, mine was less than inspirational. The pregnant women who would talk me after my delivery ended up getting scared for their impending delivery.

During the early part of the induced labor while the pain was still tolerable, I would keep on singing praises to God. But during the more intense contractions, I would cry out to God when I was conscious, "Lord, please deliver me from this pain, I can't take this anymore." Then I would again praise Him.

Although I was short of complaining to God why I had to go through such pain, when I look back, I can't help but think if God wasn't with me. Could I really have gone through so much pain and survive? It was His strength that not just augment but perfected my weakness in my toughest moment.

Today, when I read John 15:5, I was reminded of what I went through and how God was with me. Why He allowed me to go through such an experience is beyond me, but what I know is, He was and still continues to be with me all the time. In fact, if He were not with me, I don't think I was able to endure the pain.

A Lesson from our Young Musician

“O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding the truth from those who think themselves so wise and clever, and for revealing it to the childlike."--Matthew 11:25

For the first time, a young boy played the keyboard during the worship service in our church.

I have seen him grow over the years in church, but it was the first time that he served in that capacity. While he was playing music, he was oblivious to the congregation. Yes, he was taking cues from the worship leader, but he played and sang (although he was not a back-up singer) with all his heart and might. He was so expressive and his effusive display of worship was contaminating. And with his youthful innocence, I can probably safely say that there was no pretense in him as he stood up there and played. It is like he was connecting directly to God and God was personally talking to him and touching his heart.

I guess it is no wonder that Jesus said that God reveals things to the childlike. Their faith is so pure. They are so trusting.

I am always touched by childlike faith. Although I very much try to exercise my faith, sometimes, adult judgment can border into unbelief, cynicism, and even pretense. Not so with children. That is why they are close to God's heart.

It is the kind of heart that I would like to achieve--a child's heart that is full of faith and trust in God.

"I Can't Wait to Get Home"

Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is worth more than precious rubies.--Proverbs 31:10

My husband currently works in a call center as a technical support agent. Sometimes he would have a rough day with customers, and combined with an early morning call time, he is bushed by the end of the day.

While on his break, he would send me a text message that says he misses me and can't wait to get home.

I think that as a wife, it is something that we are to provide to our husbands--a home that they would look forward to coming home to. As opposed to the quarrelsome wife in Proverbs 21:9 where the husband would rather live in the corner of the roof, it is one of our primary roles--to provide a good home for our husband.

In our modern society where most women are working as well, I think we can still maintain a home that is worth coming home to, not just by our husbands but our children, too. We may not exactly be always present, but we can always find creative ways of doing things so that our husbands will not feel neglected. In my case, I work at home. And I can be really busy with all the events and creatives that I handle. But when my husband comes home, I make sure to drop everything I do and be with him, talk about his day, listen to his accomplishments and frustrations, join him as he has his meal, etc. Or if I could not be there for him, I try to leave food for him so that he does not have to prepare the meal himself and the most that he would do is to reheat the food. I also try to maintain a level of tidiness in our bedroom so that when he comes home and goes inside our bedroom, he finds a tidy place that smells good and is conducive for resting.

It could be anything. Our husbands have different jobs and as wives, we will find ourselves in varying circumstances. We have different personalities, interests, incomes, etc. Some may find it more difficult than others to make adjustments. But don't fret. Ask God where you can make adjustments and how you can make your husband your priority. If he is not yet your priority, then ask God to change your attitude and disposition and you will be surprised at how you will be guided into doing things out of love for your husband.

Then one day, you will just realize that your husband will say, "I can't wait to get home."

Communion: Unity in the Body of Christ

So if anyone eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily, that person is guilty of sinning against the body and the blood of the Lord. That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking from the cup. -- I Corinthians 11:27-28

In our fellowship, we practice the commemoration of the Last Supper, called the Communion Sunday, every first Sunday of the month.

Each time, it was a unique experience, as the pastor would encourage us to things differently, like blessing others, confessing, going around and greeting brothers and sisters, among others, before partaking of the bread and cup.

As a personal commitment, I say a quick prayer of repentance, asking God to make me worthy to partake of this sacred celebration. I just think that God deserves nothing less of a clean heart. I know that some people take the communion different, and I am not judging them, as for, I considered it something personal between God and myself. And I sort of didn't care how they did it, as long as I was intent on my prayer for God to cleanse me from all sin.

One Sunday, our pastor was talking about unity in the church, how each one is part of the whole fellowship, how as one body we operate, and we are not independent of each other. When communion time came, I realized that I had been selfish. I had been self-righteous in the way I dealt about the communion. Well, I didn't mind other people, and that is the point. I was not concerned about them, as along as I did it right, or so I thought. If ever I am distracted, I would close my eyes and not let the other people get to me. Yeah, for me, they were distractions in what I was about to do.

That Sunday, I was convicted. If anything, I could not really correct other people's attitude and behavior towards partaking of the bread and wine. But at the very least, I could ask forgiveness for the collective sins of the people and the church, whether intentional of not. That is concern for the entire body. And my attitude of not wanting to get involved with them was just plain selfishness.

And from that point, I will consider others in my prayer everytime the communion will be celebrated.

A Child Looking at Her Father's Face

Let the smile of your face shine on us, LORD You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and wine. Psalm 4:6-7

Every Sunday, after our worship service, our pastor's 5-year-old daughter would go to him, give him a hug, a kiss, or would just want to be carried up. She is known as Papa's girl, she just naturally adores her Papa.

But one Sunday, I caught her sitting on Pastor' lap, facing him. She was looking intently at her father's face, probably soaking in every feature of her Papa's face, his expression, and even caressing his face from time to time. She was so absorbed with his face, and she seemed to have taken a fascination of just looking at him, with love showing in her eyes.

While watching them and thinking how the baby girl in my womb is also responding to my husband's voice, I thought how my baby would also be like our pastor's daughter. Then suddenly it hit me. Wouldn't God like having us sit on His lap and just look at His face in just sheer adoration? No pretenses. No guile. No intention of asking for anything. Just plainly to seek His face and adore Him.

No wonder Jesus said that the kingdom of heaven belongs to little children. They have so much faith and they can give adoration without deception.

Oh how I long to have a faith like a child's and just be able to look at my Lord's face for a very long time--watching His every move and expression and waiting for Him to smile at me.

Christ is Blameless...But Was Falsely Accused, Too

... just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." -- Matthew 20:28

Last night, while my husband and I were having around bedtime chat, I remembered Jesus and how humble He was while He was walking the earth.

He was maligned, gossiped about, and physically abused by people to the point of being sent to jail and crucified without a valid case. Then I thought about how He was able to keep quiet while people are demanding answers. And although He was wrongly accused, He never bothered to defend Himself, as for Him, it is no longer necessary. Why? Because He has a purpose to fulfill, and that is to serve and "give His life as a ransom for many."

I remember feeling bad when people would hurt me. I think that is a natural reaction. But by the grace of God, I have learned to forgive. Many times, people have wrongly accused me yet I have not stood up to defend myself, thinking that God will do so in my behalf, at His own time. And He did.

But lately, I became wary of loving and caring for some people. Maybe it is because recently, I have become a victim again of false judgments. I thought, for all the good that I do, this is the thanks I get? This attitude of mine has been going on for awhile.

God convicted me though, in the most inconspicuous manner last night, that He suffered more that I did yet He continued to do the good that He started out to do. He did not allow Himself to be weighed down by the pressures of this world, for He knew His purpose. So the next time I would feel like giving up and become apathetic because I was hurt by wrong judgments, I will be remembering Christ--who was without sin but became the recipient of the world's blame and shame. And who am I to think that I am so blameless?

Then I also remember our godmother in marriage--the principal of a local Christian elementary and high school. Tending the entire school with teachers, staff, students, and of course, the parents, it could not be helped that some people would hold grudges against her and wrongly accuse her. But she remains good and gentle and cheerful, and a stalwart supporter of righteousness. For me, she is one woman who epitomizes the gentleness, goodness, humility and the image of Christ.

I thank the Lord for the example that He has shown me. And I thank Him for the people before me who stood up for righteousness and did not waver even when they are being wrongly accused, judged and condemned. Now all I have to do is to focus on the purpose that the Lord has for me, not minding whether people around me understand me or not.

Things We Don't Understand

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! --Romans 11:33

I have been hurt by so many people in the past--both intentionally and unknowingly, and I have easily forgiven them. Well, some may have taken longer than the others, but at least, by God's grace, I have bestowed forgiveness and released myself from

Anyway, there are a couple of people that I couldn't seem to release. Maybe because they continue to hurt me, albeit now inadvertently, and they still think that they are right in doing so.

And I can't understand why these things are happening. I would often lament to God about this, because honestly, I wouldn't want to dwell in these negative feelings and get imprisoned with bitterness. Oh how many times have I prayed for them, asked forgiveness for them, blessed them, repented of my sin of unforgiveness, and others, but still, I am often plagued with feelings of resentment.

Then several days ago, I was reading a devotional book and the verse featured was Romans 11:33. Then I realized that yes, God's judgments and wisdom are so deep. He actually knows what I am going through at the moment and nothing is beyond Him.

For now, I cannot say that I have already been released. There is still resentment in my heart. But through fervent prayer, God is working in me step by step. And I have the assurance that God knows what He is doing in my life through the lessons that I will be learning from this experience.

Praise Night

They were also to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord. They were to do the same in the evening.--1 Chronicles 23:30

I have always been fascinated with this verse. The story here is that King David was so passionate about God's glory that he has appointed priests to worship and praise the Lord 24-7 with songs and music.

These people did nothing but praised and worshipped the Lord, not interceding for the people--but adoring the one and only God.

With this inspiration, my husband and I decided to have our very own Praise Night. It is not 24-7, but we just wanted to set aside time that is dedicated to praise and worship the Lord for who He is. No petitions. Just praise and worship for the Lord's pleasure.

Sure we praise God in our regular prayer times, but on Praise Night, everything is about praising the Lord and being generous about it. Nothing more, nothing less.

Beadwork

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.- Psalm 139:13

Before my wedding, I made the painstaking effort to do the beadwork on my blouse. But it took a great deal of time and a much greater deal of patience. On the third night of endless sewing, I asked the Lord for the reason why I had to go through doing it. I believe that God is sovereign and everything that we do is for a purpose.

In the silence of my room, God made me understand an analogy. I chose the beads to use-some are colorful, some are shiny, some are round, some are square. But there are those that appear bulky and dull. They actually look ugly while sitting in my small container. Yet, when I finished my design and placed each and every single bead, the entire picture is beautiful! Then I saw that if I used beads of the same size, shape, and color, my blouse would have looked either strikingly shiny or strikingly dull. Each piece was placed where it should be to serve a particular purpose-to make a beautiful design.

In the same way, God chose each of us. He made us the way we are and placed us where we are for a purpose. It doesn’t matter if we are black or white, rich or poor, talented or dull, young or old. We are part of God’s bigger plan and the pixel in the bigger picture.

However, oftentimes we tend to be insecure of those who are better than us or look down at those who do not measure up. We tend to compare the talents, accomplishments, and even the looks of siblings. We covet other people’s careers, money, homes, cars, even wives. This is because we only look at ourselves and do not see God’s beautiful plan. He is painting a big picture and we are all part of it.

Working on improving ourselves is a different thing. But working against God’s purpose for our lives is another. Seek out your place in God’s bigger picture and bloom where you are planted.

A Honeymoon Provided For

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." -- James 1:17

After the wedding, we did not immediately leave for our honeymoon trip. We are living with my in-laws and they had to go on a trip to China for a month. So we cannot leave the house and the store unattended. We didn't force the issue but rather patiently waited for our turn to come.

We didn't have a lot of money, but we wanted to take a trip together where we can just rest and enjoy each other's company after all the events that have transpired the past months. If given the choice, my husband and I would like a stay in a luxurious hotel with a bathtub. But since we cannot really afford such, we decided on visiting my husband's relatives in Cebu, Iligan, and his best friend in Cagayan (who was supposed to be the best man but wasn't able to attend our wedding).

So two months after the wedding, we had the opportunity to go on a honeymoon trip. But first, I had to go to Cebu for work for five days. I asked my boss if my new husband can tag along. Not only did he say yes, but my boss also got a separate room for my husband and myself so that we can be together. That was the first of our provision for our honeymoon.

While in Cebu, my husband tagged along with me while I worked, as he also had business in the fair where I was. At times, my boss would treat us out to lunches and dinners, allowing us to save some of our precious pocket money.

After my five-day work, our official honeymoon started. My husband's aunt and family fetched us and treated us to dinner. Then she sponsored our stay in a plush hotel (with a bathtub) in Cebu where she even shouldered our buffet dinner. Despite staying there for only a night, we enjoyed our stay there so much! But we were not able to try all the services and amenities available for lack of time.

Then we went to Iligan City the next day. The supposed 12-hour sea fare turned out to be 25 hours because of engine trouble. But thank God, we arrived safely, although hungry and very tired.

My husband's aunt, uncle and cousins in Iligan took care of us. They took turns treating us and bringing us around. They even gave us more gifts. When it was time to go to Cagayan de Oro, the eldest cousin went out of his way to drive us to the next destination. So aside from saving up on the fare, we had a comfortable trip. And he still took us out to dinner!

We met up with my hubby's cousin and best friend for a movie, and the cousin treated us to the show.

After Cagayan, we went back to Cebu, where another cousin gave us another free night at the same hotel. This time, we were able to get to enjoy more of the amenities there. Then there were more meals afterwards, because his relatives took turns taking us out.

We brought so much back home after our honeymoon. My husband's relatives truly took care of us. It was one unforgettable honeymoon. And despite the many places that we visited, we only spent very little, for we are well aware, that it was the Lord's hand upon us, providing for all that we needed. We didn't have much, but the Lord does and He so graciously provided for us.

2Corinthians 9:8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. NLT

Losing Money and Health Temporarily

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. --Romans 8:28

A couple of weeks back, two strange events happened to us. My husband's cousin gave him some money as his share from our internet café. We intended to use the money to pay part of the money that we owe.

Twenty four hours later, when we were supposed to pay my brother in law whom we owe money, the bundle of money was P1,000 short. We could not think of anything where it might have gone, after all, our only activity that day was to have a pre-natal and I was the one who handed the payment to my OB-Gyne's secretary as I had already set aside a budget for this.

My husband was already feeling bad why we lost money that we could not explain. That night I prayed and asked the Lord for peace. God reminded me of Romans 8:28, that in every happening there is a reason, including losing money. I shared this with my husband and after praying, he felt relieved.

The following week, my husband had a high fever, which was followed by a really bad headache, and the appearance of rashes all around his body. There were contrasting opinion on his condition, but we decided to seek the advice of a specialist because I could not risk exposure due to my delicate situation. With that, my husband had to stay in a different room, undergo tests, take medication and replenish with high doses of vitamins. I also had my Vitamin C intake tripled.

Thankfully, nothing serious happened. My husband was feeling bad that instead of protecting and taking care of us, he might be endangering me and the baby. And to make matters worse, he was isolated in the other room. While this was going on, we would communicate through text messages. God reminded me again about Romans 8:28 and I sent it to him. He was again relieved.

These two instances set us back financially some several thousands of pesos. But despite it all, God remained faithful and reminded us that all things will work out for good, even the most trying times. We trusted God's word.

We are better now and my husband and I are back together again.