It's Christmas time once again. This will be our 3rd Christmas since we came back here in my homeland. I already miss Texas and I can't help myself remembering our Christmas celebrations in our church there in 2007.

We had such a great time that night during the Ladies' Christmas party held in our Church. It was hosted by Ms. Marsha, our pastor's wife. She prepared mostly finger foods and some ladies brought some desserts. I was so hungry that I ate to my heart's delight. The foods were delicious. After we ate, we picked our gifts. By the way each lady had to bring a gift worth $10. Ms. Marsha let us draw lots and I got number 13. The lady who got number 1 was the first to pick a gift. Then she opens it and have to display it. If the next lady wanted the gift that Lady number 1 got then she can steal it and the first lady will have to pick another gift. It was really fun. The gift I got was a pair of candle holders. They were so cute and when I got home I displayed it in our coffee table. I was the only one who brought a camera so as usual I took some photos.

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Thanksgiving Day is fast approaching. It's the 3rd year that hubby and I will be spending it away from his family. I remember those past thanksgiving celebrations that we had in Texas and all I can tell is we had lots of foods. Stacy, Sherry and I cooked delicious and yummy meal. There were lots of leftovers too. One Thanksgiving Day celebration I remember was in 2006. It's good I saved the pics in my picasa album so here are the pics.

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foxyform.com

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Six years ago I was confined at the rehab hospital in Texas for recovery from stroke. I stayed there for a month and everyday I was trained by different physical therapists so I could regain my strength. I had male and female therapists and everyday they were wearing their medical uniforms. I remember the color of their uniforms were white, green, blue and maroon. I was wondering where do they buy their scrubs until I came across this site http://www.blueskyscrubs.com/. I think this is where most of my physical therapists before bought their medical scrubs. My physical therapist had helped me a lot and after a few months of working with them I gained back my strength. They really did a good job!

If only I'm still in contact with them I will recommend to them to check out those medical scrubs for sale from Bluesky Scrubs. The scrubs are chic, professional and comfortable and they are made in USA. These scrubs can't be found in the stores. It can only be bought online from the above website.

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It was my hubby's first time to attend the Panagbenga in Baguio in 2009. We just arrived from the US that time and I took hubby there to watch the Panagbenga meaning Flower Festival. It has been his dream to go and watch it since I've been telling him how nice and beautiful it was. I've been attending the past festivals before I went to the US. My siblings and I went up in Baguio every year just to witness the said event. Lots and lots of people flocked to Baguio every year to watch it. You will see people every where. I know hubby don't like the crowd but he endured it just to watch it for the first time. We went to Burnham Park where the Landscaping Contest was being shown. We had to pay P30 each for the entrance fee. It was high because it was the opening day. The next day we went again and it went down to P10 each. We took pictures of the landscape entries. They were so beautiful and each landscape entry was unique. The landscapers were so creative. The winners were announced on the last week of the festival and they chose 3 winners, 1st, 2nd and 3rd. I didn't know who won though. Here are the photos of the landscape entries. Which do you think won?

entry No. 1

entry No. 2

entry No. 3

entry No. 4
entry No. 5

entry No. 6

entry No. 7

entry No. 8

entry No. 9


entry No. 10

entry No. 11
entry No. 12
entry No. 13
entry No. 14

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One restaurant where hubby and I love to eat is at Cici's. It's too bad they don't have that kind of restaurant here in my homeland. I was looking at my files and I found those photos that we took when we went to eat at the said restaurant 4 years ago in Wichita Falls. Our friends Pastor Yanie and his wife Sis Modie went to our house and spent the night with us. They are good Christian friends and we really enjoyed their company. They invited us to Cici's Pizza and we met there those people from their church in Bowie. They all came up in Wichita Falls and had a Christmas celebration at Cici's Pizza. It is a buffet restaurant that serves different kinds of pizza pies. They also have vegetable salad. The East Side Baptist Church paid our meals and it was really a blessing. Hubby had the chance to talk to Pastor Jamie Reed, their church pastor. I was only able to eat 4 slices of different pizza flavors and I already got full. That's the most I can eat. My hubby had eaten a lot though. He loves pizza pies. It's been a while since we ate there and we miss the foods. When we go back there next year, we will surely go there and eat.

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Hubby and I would love to travel, go on vacation and explore other places. Next year hubby will start drawing his pension and we are planning to go on vacation. First, we will visit our family in Texas because we really miss them. It's been almost three years we haven't seen them. Also we are planning to raise support from other churches for our ministry when we go there. I also dream  of  going on a cruise and see the other side of the world. I am a nature lover and so does my hubby. Both of us love nature and we truly enjoy seeing God’s wonderful creation.

I would love to visit Costa Rica, stay in one of the Jaco Beach Vacation Rentals and see the Jaco Beach which is one of the most popular Costa Rican beaches. I heard that in Jaco, you will find accommodations to suit every budget, as well as good food, plenty of restaurants and a number of local sodas and stores. There are also plenty of tour operators in town that arrange everything from horseback rides on the beach, to some excellent off shore sport fishing and sea kayaking. I'm pretty sure that place is worth visiting for beach lovers like me and hubby.

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A year ago, hubby and I went to the immigration office in San Fernando, La Union to renew his visa. It didn't take long to file it because there were no other customers there except us. We were done before lunch. The lady there told us to call her after 2 months to follow up. Then hubby drove to find a place to eat lunch. I suggested to him to go to the restaurant in beach resort to enjoy the fresh air and nice view. So we drove to Nalinac Beach Resort where hubby and I stayed for a couple of days more than 7 years ago. We were disappointed that their restaurant is not serving foods that time. So we went to the nearby resort, the Long Beach Resort and we're glad they are serving foods and they don't have many customers. Their restaurant is just by the beach so hubby and I enjoyed the view and the cool breeze. I don't care if the foods there were pricey but you can't beat the nice view and the fresh, cool air there. It was so relaxing. I wanted to take some photos but I was so disappointed that I didn't bring the memory card of my camera. I left it in my other purse when I had some of the photos developed. So we just used my camera phone but then the photos were not as vivid as that from my Canon digicam. Oh well, at least we had some souvenirs. By the way, hubby and I ordered fish steak with buttered vegetables and a choice of either fries or rice. Hubby chose fries and I chose rice of course. The meal was good, hubby had iced tea and I had water.

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We've been here in my homeland for more than couple of years now doing missionary works for the Lord. I know my hubby miss his family back home in Texas. We're planning to go back there in the states and have a furlough sometime next year depending on our finances. I just wish that we can have a short vacation too in one of the countries that hubby and I have been wanting to see and that is the land down under called Australia. I heard about the famous Blue Mountains Sydney and for nature lovers like me and hubby, I'm pretty sure we would love it there. 

I heard a lot about Australia and I was wondering why they called it the land down under. I did my research and I found out that Australia is the only continent with a permanent population that is entirely below the equator, hence the name, "Down-Under". That’s amazing! I didn’t know about that until just now. I need to check the Andersons Tours if ever hubby and I have the budget to go there and visit. I wanna see Sydney and Melbourne and of course their famous kangaroo. Australia is one in our top lists to visit next to Hawaii.

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We've been to Baguio many times since we came back here in my homeland. I lost count how many times we went up there and visited the place.  Last 2009, we went up there and stayed for a while. My hubby had a good time there because he didn't sweat a lot unlike here in the lowland. The weather there is nice and cool. Hubby had been doing his daily walk there and he impressed me because he went out walking 3 to 5 times a day. He never did that here in our town. He said it's too hot to go out walking here. If only we have the money, we would like to buy a house there. I just keep wishing and praying. Who knows, God will grant us our desire in His time. Anyways, here are some pics of us taken in Baguio last 2009.

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This month of September brings back unforgettable memories. On September 27th will be my sister Violy's 1st death anniversary. How time flies! It's been a year since Violy is gone. Our life is not complete without her. I  already lost count how many times I cried every time I remember her. In fact even this very moment, I cant hold back my tears while I'm writing this post. There were times that my hubby had seen me crying for the lose of my sis and he was always there to hug and comfort me. Her memories will always remain in my heart and in my mind. September is Violy's birth month and it's also her death month. Tomorrow, September 23  would have been her 47th birthday. Until now I can't get over the death of my sister. I always remember her and her memories are still fresh in my mind.

How can I forget my one and only sister who was with me for many, many years. Violy is two years my junior and we were very close to each other. I can tell her anything and she was my best friend and confidant though like any other normal siblings, we had also our share of disagreements and  misunderstanding when were young. When we were both single, we used to share the same bed. During my lowest moments when I was battling the big C, she was with me. I still remember, I cried with her when I was diagnosed with the big C and I told her I am going to die soon like our mom. She said no, that she will remedy the money so I can undergo surgery. She got a loan for my surgery and she went with me in the hospital during that time.

When I got married and went to the US, I always talked to her on the phone. Her voice still rings in my ears. I can't forget her voice. Every time I needed something, she was just a phone call away and I asked her to send me the things that I wanted. After a couple of weeks, here comes my small parcel in the mail. She sent me quite a few swarovski jewelries that she made herself. I was so thankful to her for her thoughtfulness. Violy is one person who will help anybody as long as she can. She was so generous and helpful. That's one trait that I can't forget about her. Of course I can't forget her sweet smile, her laughter, her sweetness and of course her cooking. There are many things that I remember about Violy and if I write it all, this space is not enough. It will take me days to write everything about her.

To you Violy, it's been a year since you went to be with the Lord. I know that you are very happy where you are now. Your wish that you wanted to see your oldest son graduate in high school may not be granted but I believe in my heart that you are happy now in the presence of the Lord where there is no more sickness and pain. Rest assured that we will take care and guide your 2 boys as they travel  in this life. VIOLY, YOU MAY NOT BE HERE WITH US NOW BUT YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN! Your memories will live forever! I thank God for giving me the best sister in this world. I love you and I miss you very much!

 

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It's 9 years today since I married the man that God gave me. How time flies! I remember he went to the Philippines to meet me in August 27, 2002. We didn't plan that we were going to get married. I thought he will just come to meet me personally. When I get to meet him in the airport, he gave me a hug and I got this feeling that it's like I've known him for many years already. The truth is I just met him in the internet the past three moths until he decided to come to the Philippines to see me. He then proposed marriage to me which I accepted and we tied the knot in September 11, 2002. Two different people from two cultures who fell in love and that's what you call magic! We had a whirlwind romance and he came and sweep me off my feet! Gosh! I love him!

I learned that if a person is God's will for you, no matter how short the time that you've known each other, you would end up with each other. God is the maker of our destiny and he answers prayers. I had a boyfriend for 4 years but he was not God's will for me. I thank God for He did not give that guy to me, instead He gave me my hubby. God is really good and He knows what's best for us.

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We've been here in my homeland for more than couple of years now doing missionary works for the Lord. I know my hubby miss his family back home in Texas. We're planning to go back there in the states and have a furlough sometime next year depending on our finances. I just wish that we can have a short vacation too in one of the countries that hubby and I have been wanting to see and that is the land down under called Australia. We could rent in one of those short stay apartments and then roam around the tourists spots there. I was browsing the apartments in melbourne and I've seen some nice apartments there.

I heard a lot about Australia and I was wondering why they called it the land down under. I did my research and I found out that Australia is the only continent with a permanent population that is entirely below the equator, hence the name, "Down-Under". That’s amazing! I didn’t know about that until just now. I need to check the accommodation in melbourne if ever hubby and I have the budget to go there and visit. I wanna see Melbourne and Sydney and of course their famous kangaroo. Australia is one in our top lists to visit next to Hawaii.

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I haven't been to a cruise in my entire life and this is one in my lists that I want to fulfill before I hit my golden year. I know with our financial situation right now and also with our ministry that we started, this dream looks bleak. But who knows, God would grant my desire so hubby and I can go to one of those Galapagos Cruises that I've been dreaming off. Nothing is too difficult for the Lord and I firmly believe that if it's His will, it will happen. Hubby and I might be able able to distribute gospel tracts on that cruise too.

One of my friends went to cruise a few years ago and she told me she really enjoyed it and she had a good time with her friends traveling with the Galapagos Cruise Ship. They went to a lot of places and they have seen different exotic animals there. I even had the privilege to see her photos that she uploaded online. I was so happy for her because she had the opportunity to travel and see exciting places. Maybe one of these days, it will be my turn to go on Galapagos Cruise.I just keep on praying and trusting God. He owns the world and everything on it and He answers prayers in His time, not ours.

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This vacation of ours on the last weekend of October 2008 was so memorable. God is really good. He has His own way to bless us by using other people. My hubby and I had the opportunity to go on a weekend vacation at a place that only the rich people can afford. Wayne and Melissa invited us to go with them at Tanglewood Resort Hotel in Pottsboro, TX. They flew from Iowa and they came to pick us direct from the DFW airport. We drove there from our house and spent 2 days with them there. The place was great, the hotel buildings were so fancy. While driving to that place, we passed by lots of trees, it's like we were in the middle of the forest. I didn't expect that we will end up in a place with fancy and modern buildings. Hubby and I were just expecting that we will end up in a cabin.

The place where we stayed was in the 3rd floor in one of the hotel buildings. It has 2 bedrooms, and a kitchen complete with utensils and appliances. The living room was spacious and the dining table is good for 6 people. Even our room has a small refrigerator and coffeemaker, etc. Melissa later found out that our suite costs $450 a night. Wow! It's too expensive. Her parents had a time sharing in that place so they were able to use it and pay only a small amount for the whole time they gonna stay there until Wednesday or Thursday. Hubby and I were so thankful to Wayne and Melissa for inviting us there. We had a good time visiting Lake Texoma and went out sightseeing around the nearby cities. Thank you Lord for a good weekend vacation and for all your unending blessings and provisions. I can't thank you enough Lord. I praise and worship your Mighty name Lord Jesus!

The view across our hotel building.


The hotel building where we stayed. We were on the 3rd floor.


In our hotel room.


In the hotel's dining room while eating our supper.

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This is the last part of my post about our vacation in OKC 3 years ago. Before we went to OKC, I searched in the internet for a good hotel where we can stay and I read the reviews too. The hotel I chose was close to all the tourist attractions and it was clean and both hubby and I were satisfied with the services. The rate is not that expensive too. Hubby and I enjoyed our stay there. I didn't even take my laptop with me so I wasn't able to blog for 3 days. My hubby said I don't need to blog when we are on vacation so I left my laptop at home. The hotel where we stayed had a free high speed internet service but I'm glad I didn't have to blog and all we did when we were back at the hotel after a long day was to rest, watch tv and eat. Oh, what a life! I was free from all the house chores for three days and I love it. Who wouldn't want to just relax, go sight-seeing and just eat and sleep afterwards? I just wish my hubby and I will go on vacation again so we'll have a good time. Oklahoma City is a beautiful place to visit with all their tourist attractions worth visiting. Let me post some pics taken at the hotel where we stayed.

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