Educate my dreams, O Lord. Teach me what to dream and how to make it come true. Christify my dreams, O Lord. Help me dream as You dream: ready to sacrifice myself for others when needed. Grant my dreams, O Lord. Bless my initiative and sustain me in my efforts in cooperating with Your grace to make my dreams come true. Amen.

Blessed William Harrington, pray for us.

Sabbath Feb. 18, 2011
Prandering”

Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. – Mark 1:35

Dawn, with its hushed moments, is my favorite time to do what I call “prandering” — praying and pondering. With drowsy eyes that refuse to open, I cuddle up to the Lord as He gently caresses my thoughts. “Prandering” is not yet my full prayer mode — the thoughts are random, oftentimes fuzzy. It’s not just pondering; the Lord guides my thoughts.
But relaxed though it may be, it’s at these “prandering” times when I get the greatest inspirations — how to handle a difficult situation, what to write, what direction to take. Like a few days before my birthday in 2009, I groggily considered my home life. I’m an only child and my parents often treat me like I was still 16 (me, with two grown children way older than that). So, the Lord inspired me to write a beautiful birthday letter of independence couched in words of love and affirmation. That definitely improved my situation.
“Prandering” is like hanging out with an old friend, so relaxed, sometimes not even talking. But it’s relaxing with the Friend who can make miracles happen. Lella Santiago

from DIDACHE January 12, 2011 issue

I’m posting this because I personally find it really interesting. Ever since I have been struggling to sleep early so to wake up early. Nonetheless, I have always longed to do my prayer time first thing in the morning before doing anything else but up until now I still fail :(. Yet so far, I am able to do my prayer time before lunch or after lunch.  So doing it early in the morning is now my goal to do some good changes for the coming days.

Anyway, talking about prandering, well it’s a new word invented by the the author. and it’s cool! This kind of state of being does makes sense for me, because I do think that GOD would love to just be caressing us with our thoughts the very first thing as soon as we wake up. Isn’t is just wonderful that as we open our eyes, we are able to thank the Lord for the new day to live? I would want to practice prandering and make it a habit as conditioning my mind and body before doing my actual prayer time. :) I think it would be fun! ;)

Everyday is a blessing!

♥ Jet ♥

1. A THANKFUL and GIVING HEART for 2011!

So much has happened in 2010. It was not really a splendid year for me and Joserg. But it was a year that made us more strong and faithful to God and to what we believe in. However moving on and forward is the path to healing and recovery from all the pains and suffering felt. And that’s what I ought to do. I guess I’m pretty much doing well. But I also cannot avoid the fact that some instances do bring me into tears whenever I am reminded of my parents and the fact I do miss them always. Other than that, I’m thankfully fine.

I have spent all my time nowadays at home and with Joserg my beloved husband, discovering my role and innate purpose considering our present situation. I honestly feel that I do want to prove many things to myself, to Joserg, to my family and friends and most specially to God. And I must admit, it’s really not easy. But then again, I’m challenging myself now. Giving myself 1 month to do all the things that I want and need to do. “Oh God, help me and give me strength!”

I honestly already wrote my new year’s resolution in my notebook but I still do not feel comfortable writing it here. Why? It’s plainly because almost more than half of me is a very private person. I should say that I’m still getting used to all the blogging and stuff. The truth of the matter is, I do write my blog wishing that I am able to help the readers realize beautiful things, positive things and that there is a loving GOD waiting for us. I do not want to focus or give too much attention to myself or simply be narcissistic about anything however, I do make my experiences, struggles, and personal stories a testimony for the discovery of God’s love for me and for others. I used the word discovery because for me everyday is my journey in discovering God’s perfect and divine LOVE. I do know and believe that HIS love is manifested through many wonderful things. And that’s why I’m here blogging. Furthermore, I do wish to share that I struggle everyday to make a very big change in everything I do. I struggle to make a very big improvement in taking care of my husband, trying to conceive and be the best homemaker even just for my loved ones. More than that, I feel that I still need to learn and study many things about how I can serve GOD in my most special way. Doing or putting it into action is another story, actually. That’s only four of the many lists I would need and want to be good at. I feel the pressure, honestly. But I also would say it’s a good pressure  that I give to myself so that I can have the chance to go out of my comfort zone and seize the world. seize life!..in a good way of course! All the things that I have to do is a way to prove GOD that HE made me a productive woman, an efficient servant and most specially a sinner with a repentant heart that brings HOPE to the world. Therefore I do this because of HIM and nothing more.

Probably, many or a few would find it ridiculous or somewhat too righteous to do so But I honestly find it, specially now, very ambitious! *smirk face* Seriously the fact of the matter is, I humbly know my call, my purpose here on earth. What I just ought to discover is how I do it. What are the things or causes that I can play a role to contribute something to it? And for this I guess, it would take me a lot of time to know this and to find it out, I may be even meet a couple of failures on my way. But hey, it’s already a given thing. I just have to keep in mind that it’s always part of the journey. Moreover, I also hope and pray that you know what you are called to do. And let me give you a hint, we do “almost” have the same “call”. :-) It will only take oneself to find out the “specifics”.

Anyway, let me share to you something that moved me.

Here is a picture of me sobbing my heart out. This is actually so embarrassing to show. But to cite my point that the year 2010 was really not a very good year for me and Joserg primarily because of the passing of my parents with only an 8 month gap. If you read my blog about this, you will see how I was. I haven’t cried so much. Here’s the link
http://pilgrimsmanuscript.blogspot.com/2010/06/eulogy-for-pa-and-ma.html

to my blog post just in case you would want to know what happen.

Anyway, it was actually a year full of adjustments. The year where we faced financial responsibilities in a higher level. The year where we struggled hard for our service in the community. These are just a few of the highlights of our 2010. But I’m not also saying that we didn’t love the year 2010 because looking back, both me and Joserg came to the conclusion that, it was a year wrapped with so many lessons in life. Like I said firsthand, it was a year that made us strong and faithful to our GOD. It was a start of our faith growing in richness. I’m saying this because I love to be optimistic. And I would be proud of myself that I am learning to love others and GOD in my most special way. Taking note also that I am not born perfect. In fact, I do sin a lot! But it’s always HIS grace and love that comforts me. And I keep on coming back to Him because HE is my Creator.  It’s because of HIM that I met my huvvy and I have a wonderful family that surrounds me. Here they are:

my family on my mother side. ♥

more on the Peralta clan (still on my mother side) ♥

here is my 2nd family who has been so ever supportive to me and Joserg ♥

and last but not the least, to the family of my father who has helped and supported me when he got really sick. Especially to Tita Bec who has been my  “mama elephant” till the end even after all the difficulties we encountered. She has always been a person who I can lean on. And I sincerely thank her for everything. I pray that by now she will finally savor her true happiness in life. ♥

I therefore conclude that it was a year full of blessings! All the hardships and turmoil was meant to empower and fuel our faith. Up until now, I always feel that God is molding me and I am loving it! :-) Hope you will welcome and love it too. HE melted me, molded me and is still molding me and will then use me when I’m ready. So? This will be our 2011! A year for chances and opportunities! A year for abundance and prosperity! And I will GIVE it all back to HIM!

That is the reason why I am welcoming 2011 with a very big big big smile on my face! ;-D

Everyday is a blessing! Let us count it!

 ♥ Jet ♥