On God’s grand scheme of things

Posted by Riz on December 21st, 2011. 3 comments

It’s my husband’s birthday today/yesterday (today in New York, yesterday in Manila). I intend to post a longer blog with lots of photos as soon as I find time, but for now, a quick post before I retreat to bed.

As his birthday was about to end, my husband and I reflected upon the past year and how much has happened in such a short period of time. It wasn’t long ago when we would celebrate birthdays and monthsaries in front of Skype, opening our Fedex-ed gifts and finding creative ways to bridge the distance. Don’t get me wrong, we treasure those good ol’ days, we learned so much from them. But we cannot deny the fact that deep within our hearts we incessantly prayed for the day we would get to spend these special occasions together.

And now we’re here.

We had quite a lengthy prayer to cap the night, thanking God for blessing my husband 28 awesome years, most especially for the past year which was exceptionally beautiful. You bet there were tears of joy all over the place.

Chuck Swindoll wrote something that pretty much describes how it feels like, being in the center of God’s grand scheme of things:

Life is not based on blind fate or random chance. Everything that happens, including the things you cannot explain or justify, is being woven together like an enormous, beautiful piece of tapestry. From this earthly side it seems blurred and knotted, strange and twisted. But from heaven’s perspective it forms an incredible picture. Best of all, it is for His greater glory. Right now, it seems so confusing, but someday the details will come together and make good sense.

There it is—part of God’s perfect plan unfolding.

Those years spent apart were difficult, and there were a gazillion things we couldn’t understand (even until now). But as we witness God’s master plan unfold, it becomes clearer each day why God allows things to happen the way they do.

It’s not my birthday today, but it’s like I’m the one who was given such a beautiful gift.

Changes, inside jokes, and caffeine fix

Posted by Riz on December 16th, 2011. 2 comments

Between work, church, and family, it’s quite a challenge for me to squeeze in my schedule spending time with old friends and colleagues. Which is why I love friendships that transcend time and distance, the kind which doesn’t need too much effort keeping because you know that no matter how far you’ve come, and how long the time spent apart, you can always pick up where you left off.

I guess that’s why I love Joni & Mae and this threesome that we’ve effortlessly become since 2007. We hardly see each other and this blog has been a witness to those rare times. So when we finally got together last Monday after so many failed attempts, it’s inevitable that I give this a much-deserved blog space. ;)

Three beautiful things, Joni, Mae & Riz edition:

1. I was wearing a wedding gown the last time I saw these girls, that is, four months ago. M didn’t have a boyfriend at that time, but now she does. And J’s relationship, after 5 years, is still as solid as ever. It’s amazing how things can dramatically change in a year, while some things have lovingly remained steady and constant.

2. Three years down the line, we still joke about being frustrated food bloggers. Not everything lasts forever, but sometimes, some inside jokes do.

3. After we had dinner, we had our caffeine fix at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. Our choices of drink made me smile: M ordered a hot Tea Latte,  J had Green Tea, and I had an iced Caramel Machiatto. Too different, and yet somehow the same. Much like the three of us.

I hope I get to spend more time with them, but I love how it *seems* like we’ve grown significantly older and wiser everytime we see each other.

Til the next session, ladies. Much love!

Inspired to pray for Israel

Posted by Riz on December 8th, 2011. 8 comments

Last week, Ate Vilma, our Sunday School teacher/mentor/discipler/friend (and to add to her growing list of titles, our Ninang), came back glowing from the Holy Land. I had the privilege of spending an entire Saturday afternoon with her, listening to stories about her trip, of those places in the Bible that she used to just teach us in Sunday School—the same dusty roads that Jesus walked on, synagogues where Jesus taught, bodies of water that were witnesses to His miracles.

It was awesome listening to her, I can just imagine how much more mind-blowing it would be if I get to experience it myself! I’m stealing some photographs off her Facebook wall, praying that I’ll get to take truckloads of photos and see Israel through my own lens someday.

1) View of the Dome of the Rock (what used to be Solomon’s temple) from the Mount of Olives; 2 & 3) The Sea of Galilee; 4) The Western Wall and the Temple Mount in Jerusalem; 5) Ate Vilma pinning a paper to the Western Wall with our names in it! 6) And that’s her, Ate Vi, sitting by the Sea of Galilee

I’m still a bit stoked at the thought that MY name (and my husband’s) is listed somewhere on the Western Wall of Jerusalem. Thanks to our dear Ate/Ninang Vi, whose passion never fails to inspire, to give hope, and to encourage.

I’m officially adding a new item in my bucket list!

Also, blogging this now so when the time comes, I get to trackback on this post. ;)

Israel, I shall see you someday.

*All photos taken from Ate Vi’s Facebook wall, post-processed by Riz.

Meanwhile I’m putting up more twinkle lights

Posted by Riz on December 5th, 2011. 4 comments

I like quoting from movies, even if no one gets it. And sometimes I like explaining them too, when no one gets it. :p

In You’ve Got Mail, when Kathleen Kelly’s book shop was starting to lose sales after Fox Books opened within the block, she confidently shrugged off the concerns of her worried employees and simply said, “They’re new, it’s a novelty. It’ll all shake out. Meanwhile, I’m putting up more twinkle lights.”

I love that scene. I love how Kathleen said that line as if putting up those lights was more important than worrying about her business. We all could use some of that attitude, don’t you think? (:

Last week, I woke up from a quick nap to the sight of this beauty *points to the picture*. We were supposed to do this together, but the husband thought he’d surprise me so he went ahead putting the Christmas lights up while I was sleeping. A word to husbands out there: big or small gestures like this are very much appreciated. Never get tired surprising your wives with kindness, rest assured, your act of love will be returned tenfolds. ♥

x o x o

Here’s some linkworthy stuff to start the week:

+ Interesting thoughts on making disciples by Laura Hamilton. I agree with her, Christianity does involve a bold, unashamed declaration of faith, rather than a quiet commitment you keep to yourself.

+ I cried like a loser, watching this Coca-Cola OFW Project. Good job, Coca-Cola! You make me want to buy boxes of Coke and give them away for Christmas.

+ Alie Edward’s December Daily hybrid journal project makes me wish I have time and skills to do one of my own. Paislee Press and Paper Relics are doing it too. I started scrapbooking (again) lately, I just don’t think I can do it with the same passion and commitment as these ladies here. At least not yet. Maybe someday. (;

+ Pentatonix won the Sing Off last week. I love this video I found in Youtube, a montage of all their performances this season. We still watch them at home until now.

+ I love how Seth Godin’s blogs transcend both business and life. He may be using marketing terms like “products” and “customers” and “services” or may be directly referring to entrepreneurial principles in his posts, but for all we know, he’s actually imparting to us important life lessons on achieving real-life breakthrough one step at a time. Oh, and he’s got some interesting thoughts about Christmas lights, too! This guy thinks about everything! LOL.

+ I’ve been thinking about this SEO and Online Marketing industry I happened to have been exposed to for the past 6-7 years, and I thought, even though I don’t really see myself doing this forever, perhaps I shouldn’t give up on it just yet.

+ Lastly, you might want to help Wikipedia, since, you know, we’ve all somehow benefited from it at one point or another.

Here’s to starting, and ending, the week right! (:

More photographs from Boracay, answered prayers, and being prayed for by a stranger

Posted by Riz on December 1st, 2011. 6 comments

1. Photographs from Boracay, part 2. I was saving these photos for a separate post, just ’cause this is my favorite set. These photos were taken on the morning of our last day in Boracay, before I got horribly sick. Still, I love that I got to preserve the best parts of our Boracay trip in photographs; and how Boracay seemed to never run out of blue skies and white sand.

That morning, unlike any other mornings, my husband and I walked to the beach, found a spot, sat on our sarong (picnic blanket), opened our Bible, reflected on Psalm 92 & 93, and prayed together. We don’t always get to walk to a nearby beach anytime we want, so even though we’re not exactly morning people, we woke up beyond our usual that day, making sure we didn’t miss the sunrise. It was definitely worth the pain of getting up at 5:30am! Now, whether we’re in the beach, or in bed, or in church, or in our dining table, whether in the morning or at night, I love that we can freely clasp our hands together to talk to God 3-way. It’s amazing how I was just praying for moments like this a year ago, and how beautifully God answered that prayer.

2. I love answered prayers, whatever they may be—yes, no, wait. In my life I had an abundance of them—including ones that were answered with a resounding “no” (which ultimately led to one “yes” after another.) Lately I’m beginning to appreciate how everyday is an answered prayer in and of itself. We have roof above our heads, food on our table, warm bed at night. God knows exactly what we need, what to say, what to take away.. every single time! Never fails.

3. And then there are random strangers who leave messages on twitter with 140 characters worth of love and encouragement. It’s a great feeling to be prayed for by a stranger, it inspires me to be a blessing by praying for others too.

What can I pray for you today? (:

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