[Week 35] All creatures big and small.

“All creatures big and small, the Lord God made them all.” So the saying goes…

I hit the break just in time to save the four kittens from being ran over by me or by anyone else. The moment they saw someone got off the car, the kittens started walking towards us. They never doubted us. They knew we were not going to leave them in the dark street, hungry and homeless. They never thought of the idea that they might be put to sleep if no one adopts them the next couple of days (2 days the most).  Three of them were given home the next day.

This one had to wait. So every night until I was sure that he will have someone to adopt him, I played and cuddled with him. I prayed hard for his next home and God has answered that prayer.

[Week 26] The needed rest came and I am grateful.

Roxbury, CT

 

A house that’s made of stone. A pool that is inviting. No one lives here except in the summer. It’s a getaway place for someone who needs a little peace and quiet. A break from the busy city life. As for me, being sick for three weeks, this was a good call. Thank you.

[Week 25] You don’t have to knock. The door is always open.

The door of the church is a little heavy but it closes so quietly.

I have been entering this door for four years now.

I am looking forward for some more.

 

[Week 20] The Receiving End.

Before I left my job in the Philippines for the American dream (more of my parents’ American dream), I asked my friend/mentor how long he thinks that I can settle in the U.S., get my own apartment, and drive my own car. Three months, he said.

That never happened.

The first three months of my stay in America, I was at the receiving end. There was no job for me. The next months, I have decided to forget what I was in the Philippines and start anew in the land of milk and honey.

I can never rent my own apartment nor I can buy my own car with my job now. But my job is decent. I pay my taxes right, too. I do well in my job and my job takes care of me. For now, that will be good enough.

Last year, someone gave me a 2001 Subaru Forrester to drive. Now I am driving. It is old but it is still good and running. There’s a leak in the roof and the accumulated water would usually drip on the driver’s side (that’s on me) but it is running well. It brings me from point A to point B.

I consider the “rain” inside the car a blessing. And when it rains, you know, it pours.

And this photo at the bottom was given by a couple. It’s a nice mixer, which looks like a vintage, to me.

I wish I’d be lucky to be at the giving end soon.

[Week 17] Idot.

 

Idot.

 

Pronounced as:

 

That’s the name I have given to my recently bought DSLR– the Nikon D90.  Idot. That’s the nickname of my late father to his family and closed friends. Those who really knew him. He died when I was four. But I remember his gadgets. His dark room.

I believe it is from him that I got the love for Photography. I wasn’t able to get my own digital SLR until this month. It’s not brand new. But hey, I am 36 years old and it’s been my long-time dream. I am just happy to get my first DSLR. I wish he is here to guide me through this. I wish he is here so I have someone to share this passion with.

 

[Week 16] It’s Finished.

Church of St. Paul the Apostle (Manhattan)

On Good Friday, I was on my knees when a train of thought rushed in my head as if they were guided there.

If I was feeling something that is missing in my life that day or feeling hurt or sick on some ways, the thought of Jesus being crucified changed it all. I am a Roman Catholic through and through.

Jesus’ physical pain when He was crucified and the emotional pain when all His friends have betrayed Him was unimaginable.

Mama Mary’s emotional pain when she witnessed everything that her son had to go through was unthinkable.

Everything was done just for us.

Unconditional love.

God knows what we need. God knows what we want even before we ask for it. Jesus has already done what should be done. Then why do we still ask Him for more? I asked myself that on Good Friday.

Why do I keep a black book with people’s list of prayer requests and intentions? Why do we ask? And why did God say, “Ask and you shall receive…” (Matthew 7:7)? Is there really a need to ask when you have the faith that everything will be all right? Should we just say praises each day and give thanks for every single thing (good or bad) that goes our way because we know they all happen for a reason?

That thought about asking never stopped me from praying for my (and other people’s) intentions. But the Holy Week has taught me two things– One, I learned to be more grateful for whatever the day has brought me (joyful or painful, hard or easy, hopeful or disappointing, I know God was there all throughout my day). Two, I learned that I can never give up meat because I discovered (before the Lenten season) how good lamb BBQ tastes.

[Week 6] Random Beauty.

 

 

I love the reflection of the trees on the streams. I love the sound of a flowing river.  I love the rustle of leaves. The smell of freshly dug soil, preparing for the seeds. The summer breeze on my face. The fresh and untouched snow. The warmth in winter. Even the rhythm of the rain and the rainbow that seldom comes now. I love them all.

I am in love with nature. Every time I stop and take time to see all these, it is when I hear God most. How he loves us is overwhelming.

[Week 2] Bob.

Bob is one of the best things that happened to me. Wow! I sound like a mother. But that’s how I feel about him. Unlike any other cats, he is forever innocent to me. He is four. Compared to other cats his age, he still acts like a kitten– never just sleeping and grooming. He’d wake me up a few minutes before my alarm is off by pawing on my face. If I cover my face with my blanket, he’d try to find his way in the blanket just so he can continue pawing on my face. If that is unsuccessful, he’d go over my head and purr so loudly while playing with my hair the way a cat plays with a ball of yarn. Sounds more like bugging, eh? Not for me. I love this cat.

He’s a rescued cat. That makes him more special to me. He got separated from his mother when he was a baby, and thank God, a good-hearted man saw him, brought him to the animal hospital and we were chosen to be the caretaker of this beautiful creature named Bob, who continues to be a source of joy in the house. Such a blessing.