Sunday, February 19, 2012

Smile Away!


Children's smiles are pure and could melt your heart. These are my foster children. This picture was taken last summer. They will be staying with us permanently :)

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22


 I was in a grocery store the other day and one thing that I've noticed, everyone that I passed by doesn't seemed to be in a good mood. Everybody is frowning. Well, I started to smile to everyone. I don't know what they think of me but I feel like smiling and guess what?... the wonders of smile shines through. They smile back at me, although there are some old folks just stare back :)
 When I was in the counter, two old ladies behind the line keep looking at my cart , well, that cart was full of groceries that is almost as tall as me. They are probably thinking of why I had so much in my cart.  I smiled and said " I got big family, I have 8 people to feed, and these won't last for a week, I tell ya" and they all laughed and started conversation with me including the cashier. One lady said, well I'm glad you can still smile. I told them, "Oh Yes, I have so many reasons to smile!"

A smile cost nothing, but gives much. It enriches those who receive, without making poorer those who give. It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever. None is so rich or mighty that he can get along without it, and none is so poor but that he can be made rich by it. Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is of no value to anyone until it is given away. Some people are too tired to give a smile. They don't know what cost it could give to others. 
Give them one of yours, as none needs a smile so much as he who has no more to give.
 Smile can change the life of someone who needs it.
I know how much a smile can mean because I've been on the receiving end of some wonderful ones that have made a real difference to me. A smile can silently change the mood in a room, can lift drooping spirits, and bring hope and joy and forgiveness. Simple as a smile is, it certainly is powerful.

I can only hope my smile made a difference to people I met each day! 

So, Smile Away!


with sweet Kayla.



with my super cute niece Chloe :)

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

I Love Mornings



Sunrise in Boracay!

We captured this photo when we were in Boracay Island, Philippines. I woke up early and had a stride along the beach. So peaceful and quite. Mornings are wonderful! It's a new day! A fresh new start. Full of hope and promises. Thank God for early morning sunrise that we can enjoy!

Why I love mornings?

I usually go to bed earlier than my husband. Since he love to do studying and reading at night, he go to bed late. I usually was never in bed until at least 10 or and sometimes till 1 am. I've enjoyed the whole house being quiet and finish my remaining chores like folding of clothes, preparing kids lunches and breakfast for tomorrow, cleaning my kitchen and bathrooms. So mostly chores done at night so I can enjoy my morning :)

My brain power is more active in the morning. I woke up before everybody else in the house. Have a cup of coffee and do my devotionals.  Then prepare breakfast for everybody. We do a lot of chatting during breakfast time and that is what I love the most since the rest of the day is come and go and at the end of the day everybody is tired.

For me, the earlier the better. It doesn't matter how late I slept the night before. I have no idea how that happens but it's easier for me to get up at 5:45  am. I couldn't get back to sleep anymore although I wanted to sleep in. The only thing I remember when I had a hard time getting up early is when aftershocks of travel time where there are jet lags or change of timeline or when I am really sick, other than that, my morning is always filled with happiness.

I love starting my day before everyone else. I feel like I have a head start to my day and get my day started with the right attitude. Morning to me speaks of freshness, fresh start to a new day!
I get more done in the morning too. I am more alert and so I feel like I'm actually productive. With less time, I get more done.

We're not rushed to get off to school, most of the time we were all literally sitting around the living room while waiting for their school bus to leave @ 8:15  am. Only during weekends when the rest of the people in our house i had a hard time waking up in the morning. Kids said it's the only time they can sleep in.

I like it when kids will remember me that I'm up , ready and alert. I normally did have to wake them up for school anyway after my morning devotionals, so I  have a better tone to my voice :) If they didn't wake up, I will not say anything, I'll just put an ice in their faces LOL...!  I did that once.. I don't want to yell, so I rub ice in their cheeks.
I am not worried all day about all the things I need to do. Yes, some things have to wait but I like that I can get things started and have some time alone for myself like exercising, some reading and computer in betweens lol, that includes chatting with friends online or once in a while a girl time with some of my friends going out or some important appointments. 

 So tell me, are you an early riser or  a night owl?

 Psalm 59:16 says, "But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou has been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble."