What Matters Most

People tend to overlook many things in life. And it's sad that even the most precious ones, they seem to neglect and doesn't even care.
There are those whom you might think are INTELLIGENT. Who claimed they got DEEP THOUGHTS. But what's amazing with deep thoughts when their hearts are shallow? Isn't it that we saw these people who are so-called "intelligents" but when it comes to practical living, they were nothing but DUMBS? They may speak fancy words...but is that what matters?
So,what's matters most? In my opinion, it is what's inside the heart of each one. Appreciation to those who sees inside of you, is a gift you can't buy. It's PRICELESS. See things in a beautiful way. Even if all around you are ugly. Look for the positive side of everything. Say the good things you feel about a person, a loved one...before it's too late. Before the day comes that he or she can hear no more. Because if one died, even if you put him in an expensive coffin, and give her beautiful flowers, she'll no longer feel that.
So DO IT NOW. To your loved ones, to your parents, to every person whom you thought accepts you and appreciate you for who you are..for what you are. Who's with you through thick and thin. Who lifts you up in your every downfall and never gets tiredof holding your hands and reaching your arms whenever you feel restless. Be UNSELFISH even once in your life....

Why Do Some Prayers Go Unanswered?

God is very approachable. Just as a loving father is glad to have his children speak freely with him, Jehovah God welcomes our prayers. At the same time, like any wise father, God has good reasons for not answering some requests. Are his reasons mysterious, or does he reveal something about them in the Bible?
The apostle John explains: "This is the confidence that we have toward him,that no matter what it is that we ask according to his will, he hears us." Our requests must be in harmony with God's will. Some pray for things that are clearly not God's will - to win the lottery, for example, or to win a bet. Others pray with improper motives. The disciple James warns against such abuse of prayer, saying: "You do ask, and yet you do not receive, because you are asking for a wrong purpose, that you may expend it upon your cravings for sensual pleasure."
Imagine, for example, that both sides in a soccer game pray to win. God can hardly be expected to respond to such conflicting prayers. The same can be said about modern-day warfare when opposing sides pray for victory.
Those who show contempt for God's law pray in vain. Jehovah once felt compelled to say to hypocritical worshippers:" Even though you make many prayers, I am not listening; with bloodshed your very hands have become filled." The Bible says: "He that is turning his ear away from hearing the law - even his prayer is something detestable."
On the other hand, Jehovah will always listen to the sincere prayers of worshippers who are doing their best to serve him according to his will. Does that mean though, that he will grant their every request? No. Consider some Scriptural examples.
Moses had an exceptionally close relationship with God. Yet, he too had to ask "according to God's will". Contrary to God's stated purpose, Moses begged for permission to enter the land of Canaan: "Let me pass over, please, and see the good land that is across the Jordan." But previously, because of his sin, Moses was told that he would not enter that land. So now, instead of granting Moses' request, Jehovah told him: "That is enough of you! Never speak to me further on this matter."
The apostle Paul prayed for relief from what he called his "thorn in the flesh". This thorn may refer to a chronic eye affliction or to the constant harassment of opposers and "false brothers". Paul wrote:" I three times entreated the Lord that it might depart from me." However, God knew that if Paul continued preaching despite this nagging "thorn in the flesh", it would clearly demonstrate God's power and Paul's implicit trust in Him. So, rather than grant Paul's request, God told him: "My power is being made perfect in weakness."
Yes, God's knows better than we do whether granting certain requests is in our best interests. Jehovah always responds for our good, in harmony with his loving purposes recorded in the Bible.

Faith

It feels good when you were able to let someone unburden their loads to you. That
somehow, one way or another, you were able to help them just by listening and
comforting them. Today i had a heart to heart talk with one of my close
friends. Though i am much, much older, that she even calls me "mommy"
but she was already married and has kids. Well, it's a typical everyday woes of
a mother and wife trying to keep her family together despite the hardships of
reality. But i am glad that she chosed me to confide with and pour out her
heart to me. I felt that she trusted me fully. Sometimes, it's hard to absorb
other people's problems. It's true that it's draining your energy out. You are
like a sponge, sipping their worries out and sucking it into your system. Yes,
sometimes it gets to my nerves and it somehow affects me too. But over all, it
feels good that a true friend appreciates your presence, and the comfort and
help you extended.
Well, since we are of the same faith, and even though these trials we are facing
is not new to us, i reminded her of that once again. Particularly i remember
Bro.Walls's talk(i'm not sure of the real name,

Brooklyn
Branch Committee member). It's about how Jesus left us a perfect example of
endurance. That even to the brink of his death, even when he was already
impaled at the stake, he never gave up his faith with God. Even his flesh was
exposed due to what Roman soldiers did to him, he never stop preaching the
Kingdom of God and giving hopes to faithful ones. He even promised the "thief"
who was also impaled alongside of him, the resurrection in paradise. And we
today, though being tried differently, we are expected to have faith also. But
we don't have to be as perfect as Christ, but we can endure trials and
tribulations. We have to be aware that we are living in the last days of this
wicked world, and because of that, satan will do everything and anything to
give up our faith and perished together with him and his demons.
It's not easy...it is indeed real hard. The fact that we are only human, and as
humans, we tend to err all the time. We are prone to do and think bad rather
than do good,. It's a real struggle. The imperfection itself and the
temptations that satan put before us. But then...it is still possible. We have
to put trust in God, that he's not going to forsake those who have faith in
him. We are given fine examples of faith shown by the early christians and
patriots. I want to particularly mention Job's faith. Job was put to test by
Satan, by killing all his children, take away all his material possessions and
up to giving him a dreadful disease. Plus, using his wife and friends to,
instead of encouraging him, gives him false advice and encouraged him to curse
God! They were pretending to be concerned but actually they will just provoke
you to do what is bad. But Job's faith was remarkable. He said that it's not
only good things that we received from God, but we should expect bad things
too! Although his perception was wrong, it is understandable. Why? Because
behind those words and in between the lines, the faith of Job surfaced. That no
matter what, he will never curse God or blame Him for the bad things happened
to his life. And the result, his blessings were doubled.
So when i tell these things to my troubled friend, she was relieved and
thankful to me. But actually, it helped me too. Because although i may not be
facing the same kind of problem she has, i have tribulations too. And all of us
do. No one is exempted. Satan is very cunning and creative in doing various trials
for us. We just have to be aware and never cease in asking strength from God.
because we should always remember, God is the most powerful being, and
everything is possible with Him...and no way that satan can beat Him.

The Missouri Experience (three)

Here with Latisha and Levi, Tina and Crystal...and me and Steve!

The Missouri Experience (two)

Here are more of the pictures taken in Joplin and Carthage...with Diane and her sister Debbie, also with uncle Gary and aunt Glady's with their horses in Carthage. Enjoy!

The Missouri Experience (one)

We spent 19 days in Missouri. It was not actually a vacation because our main purpose of going there is to work on my husband's properties which is to finish that one house so it would be rented soon. But sadly, due to some "unforeseen occurences" and the fact that 19 days is not enough, we were not able to finish it. Because Steve discovered that one of the duplex (also his) which is vacant, the floor would almost collapsed due to rotten logs or foundation whatever you may call it. And so that slows down the one project we are supposed to finish. But anyways, we enjoyed the almost 3 weeks of staying there. Although it's freakin' cold!!! It even dropped to 5 degrees! There's a thin snow when we arrived. I get to meet Steve's uncle Gary and aunt Gladys and we spent one afternoon on their farm in Carthage. It's beautiful there and they have 6 horses, several dogs and a couple of cats....my cup of tea kind of living. I appreciate the old town, old houses, old ways...that is, having simple life. People here are even more friendlier and kind i would say. It's not that i am saying Florida is bad. But i'd say Florida is like Manila. Where people came from everywhere. There's no really Floridian that i met that i can think of. If there are some, I wouldn't know. So I didn't really know what a typical Floridian is. But I admit, I missed my congregation, South Daytona. We attended in two different congregation here, East and West Joplin, where steve's old friend Dick and his wife Diane is. But it was in the East where Steve got lots of friends because that's where he used to go when he was studying the bible until he got baptized. It's nice to meet my husband's old friends and how warm they welcome us. It's amazing how Jehovah's organization works. Anywhere you go, you will find a family within the congregation. And you'd definitely feel at home. Jehovah is truly a loving Father who takes care of his children worldwide. Regardless of race,color or dialect, you'd feel the "oneness" in worship. The true brotherhood really exists! Then i got to meet Crystal, the eldest daughter of Steve and she gave birth to a boy last January 5. The day we left! Too bad we didn't get to see the baby. Her husband John helped Steve at work. And because it was so stinkin' cold, Steve got so sick when we arrived here in Daytona. As of writing this, he's still not feeling well. Hope he'd be better soon. Until here, gotta attend to my ill husband. Stay healthy!

Shopping Galore!

I spent the day with sister Dianne and she brought me to this incredible store where branded clothing are in great, great discounts!!! Of course as a woman, shopping is one of my favorite things to do. Although I admit i'd rather climb a mountain than walking all day in a mall, honestly. But since this store offers great deals of almost everything, who can refuse? On our way there, i draw the coat that i wanted to get. Very specific. And voila! I got this very nice coat which originally costs 120 dollars and i got it for only 7 dollars! Isn't that amazing? I got some blouses and skirts and a couple of sweatshirts, a purse and a houseshoes for a total of 48 dollars? Well,Dianne is selling clothes on ebay and that's where she gets those branded clothes and sell it for the price it worths. I don't care if people say I'm cheap, but hey in these times of economic crisis, it's always wise to be practical. And buying great branded apparels is just wonderful. I believe that you don't have to spend fortunes to look, feel and eat good. You don't need to hire an expensive interior designer to make your home beautiful. We just have to be resourceful and creative. Use the talent that God gave us.