Off to Camp

Last January 4 2017, my kids went to Word of Life Camp for their school’s annual retreat. My kids always enlist for this yearly event... a highlight in their school.. My eldest is now 12 years old and had been going to this camp since 6 years old... while for my bunso (youngest).. this is his second time to go there. They are both totally ecstatic to join this camp, thus preparation was done weeks in advance. I checked what bags they are supposed to bring, the clothes to wear, rubber shoes and black shoes to use for the chapel hour, extra snack food and water... I doubled checked the list provided by the school... change the batteries for their hand flashlights.. notebooks.. pens.. and their bible of course. Provided extra plastic bags and ziplock to keep important items dry. Aside from that, I tried to keep them healthy prior this event so that they will be fully prepared.

Coincidentally, I have to file for a leave from work the day before their departure for camp due to a very important reason.. a blessing in disguise because I was able to spend the day bonding with the kiddos..

Just the same, I was afraid that the kids will experience separation anxiety before camp but I guess it was the other way around. I will be spending the nights alone for two nights in a row...home alone... 

So how do you spell CAMP?

C-onnect.. First and foremost, connecting with them prior their camp is one vital thing for me... I brought them to school and  fetch them after class. We then had lunch some place new  for a memorable bonding time. Since my eldest is big on calligraphy these past few weeks.. I borrowed and utilize her art stuff and prepared colorful small notes that each of them will read while in camp. Each note is personalized for the intended time it is supposed to be read, whether before bedtime or prior breakfast.. a simple practical way to connect with the kids while away from home.

A-ffirm.. I affirmed my love for them by giving quality time prior their camp... something that will make them miss me.. hehehe! This includes gift of service wherein I personally prepared their stuff... prepared their favorite snacks and double checked all the items in their list. This includes words of affirmation too.

Motivate... I motivate them to be independent in their own way while gone from home.. I reminded them to be on a lookout and to take care of their selves.. their stuff and their friends' safety of course. I encourage them to be very responsible and tried to remember all my reminders for safety, at the same time enjoying their time in camp and learning as much as they can. This also includes being good stewards of their camp allowance with them..reporting their cash on hand once they get back home ;)

P-ray... I continually lift them up in prayers.. for God's provision for good health during their stay and their safety of course, not just for my kids but for all the campers and teachers that joined the retreat. I have full trust that the teachers will keep them safe... but still divine intervention from the Lord  is needed for a memorable and successful camp.

Hence, after having three days and two nights of deafening silence in the house, their  arrival from their retreat was a welcome respite ...The eldest came home with her pasalubong of Buco pie and special Espesol... the youngest one with his none stop chatters.. and lots of laundry.. and unexpected bruised knees .. but then,  I guess my kids, as the rest of the campers, had come home renewed... refreshed physically and spiritually... geared up for the year ahead.

(Special thanks to #Fairviewbaptistacademy teachers and staff for a memorable camp)

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Hello Monday

My alarm from my mobile phone is buzzing for the nth time after being snoozed after a couple of times.. It is early Monday morning and getting up is quite a task.  It seems that weekend had passed by like a breeze unnoticed and my human body is trying to succumb back to slumber... oops.. it is Monday and I have to start really early... very early... and as a  Nanay (mother)... there are a lot of tasks that I have to attend to and after doing some Nanay duties , I need to drive to the office to work.

Well... to make my life... our life a bit less stressed out  during Monday mornings.. 

there are  a few P's  I had managed to do...

1. Plan  - I had tried and still trying to plan our week ahead... I plan my menu for the week in advance.  I had made a list of food to eat for breakfast, kids' baon for school,  snacks, lunch and dinner.  This way,  I will not be haggard looking in the early hours of the day. 

2. Prepare - I prepare some foods in advance, cook them during the weekend and store them in air-tight container, and freeze them later. This frozen meals are life-savers during days that coincide with kids' exam days and other stuff. There are breakfast that we can prepare the night before so that we will not be sleep deprived. Aside from food, we teach the kids, and still trying to teach them to prepare their stuff for school the night before, so that their bags will be fully ready the next morning.

3. Pause and Pray - this is some kind of a dilemma at times since the clock's hand seems to be running too fast in the morning... and  before my mind can be taken up  with many concerns for the day,   I learned to pause for a few minutes and spend extra minutes in prayer. This precious moments will be my energy booster to face the week ahead. To seek God's guidance, wisdom and protection for my whole family... 

... and with these three Ps.. I am ready to face the week with a smile and say-- 

 "Hello Monday!!"😀

Happy New Year

The year 2016 went by with a blur and new one is dawning... the past year had been a fruitful one and nonetheless a mixture of experiences. A year that had marked a milestone in our family, my eldest graduated from elementary and the youngest had turned seven years old.

There are two R's that I will use to describe the past year... and an R for the oncoming year.

 Reflection - this year had been a year of reflection for me, it reminds me to count all my blessings each day. To be thankful for God's provisions in my daily dealings, to take time to smell the flowers, to enjoy the simple things in life.. and not be bothered with minute details that can spoil the splendor of the moment. The past year had thought me to be appreciative of all loving family and friends around me, their simple gestures of sharing their precious time to lend an ear to listen to me or small act of kindness or even an effortless smile that greets you in the morning is way beyond any material wealth. The funny jokes that my kids share are truly a blessing to me. The happiness and love that my husband gives is a blessing in itself. This past months have also taught me to forgive and forget on others lapses, for who am I to keep grudges?... we should learn to forgive as our Father in heaven also forgives us. At the same time, the past year had taught me a lot to be a better person for the Lord.

Rekindle - this year was such a joy to me, reconnecting with old friends..from high school, rekindling previous friendships via the social media or personally meeting up with them. It is saddening also to think that although I have tried to reach out to some of them, to some close friends that I have rubbed elbows before, had kept the communication line a one way traffic only, but maybe through reasons beyond my control and understanding this friendship is meant to be like that.

 Restart- finally, after making a list of my to-do-list last January 2017. (Not resolutions). I had made a restart on my personal life, to focus on spiritual wellness and to include physical wellness as well. To start with a clean slate...to try something new for this year and to look forward to this year with renewed hope...

 as the song by Bill Gaither goes...  

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, Because He lives, all fear is gone; Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living, Just because He lives!

Happy new year once again!