HOME SWEET HOME

"Where we love is home.  Home that feet may leave, but not our hearts."

MANNY OR PIDDY? COMING IN APRIL 2012

Sneak peek of our journey so far:



Story as to how Manny and Piddy came up can be read here.

HOW MANNY AND PIDDY CAME UP

One very ordinary day, I got a surprising note.  Upon reading that, my frown completely turned upside down ... and I smiled from ear to ear of happiness.

Here's the note:

In short in English:

Ci Kiki, "Maxie, who is in Annie's tummy?"

Maxie, "I don't know."

Then all of the sudden Maxie says, "Baby Manny (read: Muh-nee)."

HAHAHA.  It may sound really random at first.  But the more you think about it, Maxie probably got that from Marcel + Yanny = Manny.  Not bad eh for a 3-year-old?

Then, I got another note:

In short in English:

Ci Kiki, "What is Annie's baby's name?"

Maxie, "Piddy (read: Peed-dee).  Piddy is my sister."

HAHAHA.  Now Maxie gets really specific about the gender.  How cute huh??

When I read those two notes, I could clearly picture Maxie's expression with all his silliness.  I mean, seriously.  How could you not smile on those things, right?

Awwww, Koko Maxie.  Thank you for the suggestions.  We woof you!  I'm sure Annie's baby is entertained when she or he reads this in the future.

So that's how Manny and Piddy came up.  May this turn your frown upside down too!

LEARNING AND UNDERSTANDING

"In youth we learn, in age we understand."

LIFE IS GOOD

"Life is good because the Giver of life is good."

GRASS

"Grass is always greener where you water it -- not on the other side."

WHAT'S ESSENTIAL

"Sometimes it's important to work for that pot of gold.  But other times it's essential to take time off and to make sure that your most important decision in the day simply consists of choosing which color to slide down on the rainbow." -- Douglas Pagels

SAME VIEW DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE

Two men were in a nursing home.  One bed was by the window, and the other by the door.  Every day the man in the bed by the door would ask his roommate, "What do you see out there today?"  The man in the bed by the window would say, "Oh, the sun is shining, and it's a beautiful day.  I can see a mother playing with her children by the lake."  His roommate would ask, "What's on that lake?"  And the man with the view would describe what he saw, "Oh, I believe I can see a little duck - yes, there it is.  There's a duck."  He described the view in the summer time, the fall, the winter, and the spring.

Then one day he died.  Now the man by the window had the opportunity to switch beds.  So he did.  He got his things, made the bed, propped up his pillows, looked outside and saw nothing--nothing but a gray brick wall.  From every angle, all he could see was the side of the building next door.  He called the nurse in and asked, "When did that wall go up?  It's spoiling my view."  She said, "Sir, that wall has always been there."

The man didn't say much for a few days, then one day he asked the nurse when he would be getting a new roommate.  She told him it would be very soon.  "That's good," he said.  "I can hardly wait for him to come so I can tell him all I see outside our window."

I thought that's a very encouraging illustration.  We may be prompted with the same view, opportunity, or circumstances.  But our perspective of it is what matters.  The Samaritan saw a man who needed help by the side of the road.  The priest saw filthiness and defilement.  The Levite saw trouble and inconvenience.  But the Samaritan saw a man.  Same view.  Different perspective.  What do you see around you?  What do you see coming out from your experience or difficulties?  Do you see in the eyes of a human and feel disappointed of it OR you see in the eyes of the Lord and feel satisfied of the circumstances you have been put under?

May this be a blessing!

WISE MAN'S WORDS

"A fool is indiscreet but a wise man measures his word.  Word is just like time; once spent, you can never take it back.  Used haphazardly, it can wound, confuse, and destroy.  Used wisely, it can bless, encourage, and instruct."

May we choose to spend our words wisely.

PRECIOUS LOVED ONES

"Turn to your loved ones and savor each moment we've been given with them.  Maybe we could cuddle a little longer.  Smile a little bigger.  Walk a little slower.  Hug a little tighter.  Cause they are so precious!!"

BEING NEIGHBORLY

"Good fences make good neighbors but so does being neighborly."

In my devotion this morning, I was reminded about the above quote.  I did not really think much about it until God prompted me the opportunity to practice what I meditated on.


As I was lap swimming earlier, I saw a middle-aged big-boned man on the other lane suffering.  I could see beneath the water that he could not move - with one hand holding onto a floating device and the other hand holding onto his right thigh.  I normally don't like it when my exercise is interrupted especially when my breathing is already pacing well.  But the Holy Spirit interrupted me and wanted me to check on the man immediately.


So I did, "Sir, you don't look alright."  And he indicated that his legs are cramping; and he feels like drowning.  But I couldn't lift him up myself as he's so much heavier than me and we're not touching the bottom floor.  So I said, "OK, let's try this.  Hold on to this floating divider.  I'll help you to stay still.  And try to put your feet against the wall."  After less than one minute, his cramping's gone.  Praise thee, Lord!!!


Soon after, he's swimming lap with his floating device and fins like there is no tomorrow.  And me, I felt really good that the Holy Spirit interrupted me that way.  Thank you, Lord, for trusting me with that opportunity.


As for all of us, take the first step and extend a hand of grace to the new family in your neighborhood, new visitor at Church, new employee at work, new friend in the class, and even a struggling stranger in the swimming pool.  And make them feel welcomed and cared for.

May this be a blessing.  And have a neighborly day, Everyone!

HARD TO RISE AND SHINE

These two cute boys were watching Shamu shows until midnight.  This is the result of that the next morning.  So difficult to rise and shine and go to church.  Took me 30 minutes to wake them up.  But that's fine. At least I got some cute photos and videos captured.  And here are some to share with you.

OUR HEART'S TREASURE HUNTER

"Someone searches our minds, consciences, and hearts like a treasure hunter.  His aim in searching is not to condemn us but to work out the very best in our lives for His honor and glory AND for our joy.  This treasure hunter is none other than God."

Have a treasury day, All!  :-)

PERFECTED PRAISE

"Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants

You have perfected praise." -- Matthew 21:16b

No wonder I love being around little kids.  They are my inspiration.

TIP: HOMEMADE STAIN REMOVER USING BAKING SODA

Here is another homemade cleaning formula I have tried at home that is cheap, environmentally friendly, and better than my other one I posted about a year ago.


One Sunday hubby came back from his regular coffee hangout with shirt and pants full of coffee stains.  But we could not get home to clean it until later that late afternoon.  So I prepped the shirt and pants with baking soda and vinegar.  Then I washed them together with the other laundry.  The result is ... WONDERFUL.

Here is the video tutorial for your reference.

May you find this tip helpful!

HIS NOT OURS

"May we be found faithful in what is His."

L.O.V.E. LOVE

"Love doesn't make the world go 'round.  Love is what makes the ride worthwhile." -- F. P. Jones

Have a lovely day, Everyone!

THIS DAY

"Nothing is worth more than this day." -- J. W. Goethe