My talk last February on Beauty Full. Here is an excerpt on how sin destroys beauty

My talk last February at Victory Ubelt on the topic of “Beauty Full”.

Moms, happy mother’s day to all of you!

It is my prayer that you will continue to find extraordinary joy in the seemingly ordinary things you do each day. I pray that you will be strengthened in every way— to do the tasks that are expected from you, as you fulfill the roles entrusted to you. As you look forward to seeing the fruit of all your labor ten, twenty years down the road, may you find complete satisfaction and peace in the knowledge that you are right where God has called you to be, doing the very things he has assigned you to do. I pray that you will continue to be filled with wisdom and much grace as you shepherd the hearts of your children. May you be reminded today and always of how much of a treasure you are, not just in the lives of your children, but in the generations to come after them.

I once heard somebody say that out of all the relationships we are blessed with on this earth, that of being a parent to our children is the one that will eventually require us to “let go”. In that sense, we can say that our parenting “task” is temporary. We only have a few years given to us to mold and teach our children. After which, we must trust that the seeds we have planted into their hearts and minds will bear lasting fruit. We must trust that all the teaching and training we have deposited into their lives will pay off and be a blessing to them, so they can be a blessing to the world they are in.

Our task is temporary, but our role— and the outcome of fulfilling our roles— affect eternity.

Have a wonderful day, mom-friends! You are blessed!

(Oops….Forgot to press “publish” yesterday! heehee)

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Today was going to be a very crucial day for me, mainly with regards to my health. I’ve had tests done the previous week to rule out any serious autoimmune disorders that could have possibly caused the subchorionic hemorrhage and its progressive increase in volume last week. (This explains why I haven’t been so “talkative” here. My doctor ordered a complete bed rest, though thankfully, still with bathroom privileges.)

Today was going to be the moment of truth.

The first thing that came to mind when I woke up was “This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.” I didn’t know exactly what it was that God was trying to imply by reminding me of that verse, but nevertheless, I made a decision to do just that and prayed a short prayer. “No matter what report I get today, Lord. I will rejoice in YOU. This is the day that you have made, and I will rejoice. I am already grateful for the life that you’ve given me and this baby.”

Of course, I was believing for good news, and for no more delay in my healing. I know that this baby has a great future and destiny. I was not going to take whatever opposition to that sitting down. I knew that God was going to heal me and help this baby thrive. It was never a question of “if”, but admittedly, I wasn’t sure about the when. I’ve asked God for instantaneous healing the past visits to the doctor, but that’s not the way He chose to work. He chose to allow me to go through more tests and medication and rest, instead.

Anyway, the moment of truth. (Eto na talaga, kanina hindi pa. hehe)

I am excited to announce that the ultrasound showed no more trace of hemorrhage or bleeding, and all the other lab tests came out negative!! I have no APAS. I have no SLE (lupus). I am healthy, and my body is finally responding well to this pregnancy! What’s more, I saw baby’s teeny-tiny limbs moving and kicking! What joy!

There’s just one thing I can say in response to this —   Your love, Lord? ………………it’s overwhelming. 

Overwhelming.

Overwhelming.

Overwhelming.

YOU, Lord …………….. You’re overwhelming. 

Thank you. 

I am at a loss for words, but that’s okay I guess, because you see my heart. 

In all things, I want to see you and know you more…….. I want to see and know your overwhelming glory more.

God is good and God does good.  :)  He is still the God who heals; the God who gives good gifts to His children; the God who is almighty, all-powerful, and all-knowing….He is our God— our Father, who takes care of us.

PS:

I would like to take this time to thank all my friends who have been praying for me, sending me messages to encourage me, asking how I am, sending me food, asking to visit…. I am truly, truly grateful for wonderful friends that God has blessed me with. You all have been a blessing to our family. Your support and prayers have encouraged and blessed us in ways more than words can express. Thank you, thank you, thank you….

My talk last February at Victory Ubelt on the topic of “Beauty Full”

Before you shoot me, let me explain!

Please don’t get me wrong. I am an advocate of breastfeeding. I breastfed both of my girls– one until I got pregnant again, and the other until she was a little over two. I love, love, looooove breastfeeding! And I would fight with all I have to still be able to nurse my next babies— even if it means having to go through the initial pain of breastfeeding again. It is all worth it!

Having said that, it is always my joy to support my friends in their efforts to breastfeed as well. I remember some instances that I’ve had to get up in the middle of the night to answer phone calls from mom-friends who needed some encouragement. I love doing research for other people regarding breastfeeding. I rejoice with moms when they are finally out of the painful phase and into enjoying the full benefits– both for them and for their babies– of breastfeeding.

Now, why did you have to put such a negative title then, Thammie?? You may ask (or not)….Well, with all the articles and blog posts we get to read nowadays, it’s not so uncommon to hear moms share about their various experiences on breastfeeding. Of course, there are so many encouraging success stories, but there are also those who share how they feel guilty and stressed once they bring home their newborns from the hospital and they still are not able to nurse properly or provide sufficient milk. It’s as if they feel they are not giving enough to their babies. Some, on the other hand, feel that they are finally “real” moms once they are able to finally nurse their babies, as if those who– for whatever reason, are not able to– are any less real. Some moms, when asked about their breastfeeding journey, feel they have to defend themselves if they feel they were not able to nurse their babies long enough, or even if they did, why they had to stop.

I feel that for some reason, what was created to just bring about joy and health, has caused some unnecessary emotions that are, more than anything— imposed on self, as a result of pressure from society.

Here’s my only point for this post, really: Breastfeeding is a wonderful gift given to us moms. It is absolutely beneficial— physically, emotionally, mentally— for both baby and mom. It feels incredibly wonderful to breastfeed our babies. And it is a huge relief to daddies and their wallets! BUT… your success in breastfeeding does NOT define you as a mom. There is more to parenting and motherhood than being able to successfully let your baby latch on and get nourishment from you. There is more to you as a parent than just fulfilling a certain standard of the “twenty-first century supermom”.  That is not what would define your worth as a mother.  That is not what defines you, period.

If I may put it so bluntly, you are worth more than your breasts.