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”.

(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”

After a couple of days, I now get to use my laptop again.  Is it just me or have I really been relatively “silent” the past few weeks??

I have been feeling quite guilty the past few days, since the doctor ordered that I stay away from anything that could cause any stress or tension. She advised against homeschooling (we’re THIS close too, you know? — THIS close to finishing!); Action flicks or series are a no-no;  And personally, I haven’t had the drive to go on the net either— not even to write.

I expressed this sense of “guilt” to Dennis (nothing serious though)— how I haven’t done any housework in a long time, how I haven’t been able to homeschool, to blog….And what he said greatly reassured and encouraged me: “Yes you could be a homeschool teacher now, a housewife, or a blogger….but right now, you have to choose to just be a mother. Nothing else. That’s your priority now.” (He actually said this in English ha! hehe ) As the doctor said, the priority now is to protect this baby that’s in my womb and to try to help it thrive.

I know this sounds so basic, and it really should be something that I should’ve grasped already, but again, there are just times when you need someone to say it to you out loud. I am really not used to not doing anything and not seeing any fruit or evidence of productivity in this household as far as I’m concerned, and so….there are random moments when I am just itching to be able to move about already. But I thank God for the wisdom of my husband, who constantly reminds me that the purpose of bed rest is really to be able to REST.

I guess it’s always a good thing to be reminded of this thing called priority. Making something a priority is a choice we deliberately make. It means out of all the the many things that I can do, out of all the demands that I feel I have to do— THIS is what I choose to devote my time and efforts in.

When we look at our budget and checkbooks, what do they give away? What do we value? When we check our calendars, what do they tell of what we have chosen to take priority? When we assess how we build and keep our relationships, what do they say about what is truly important to us?

Whether we are aware of it or not, we make choices everyday as to what our priorities are. I hope we make choices, not only based on what will satisfy our current interests or fulfill our ambitions, but based on the roles we have been given— as wives, as mothers, as women of purpose.

Here is an excerpt from my talk on “Beauty Full” last February at Victory Ubelt.