It's my 4th Blog Anniversary today!Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life.
- Proverbs 4:23
For out of it spring the issues of life.
- Proverbs 4:23
Can it be that,
despite all our expressions of consternation
in the face of evil and innocent suffering,
we are all too prepared
to trivialize the mystery of evil?
- Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger
"Eighth Station"
in Meditations and Prayers
Way of the Cross at the Colosseum
Good Friday 2005
...but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil
you shall not eat,
for in the day that you eat of it
you shall surely die.
- Genesis 2:17
despite all our expressions of consternation
in the face of evil and innocent suffering,
we are all too prepared
to trivialize the mystery of evil?
- Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger
"Eighth Station"
in Meditations and Prayers
Way of the Cross at the Colosseum
Good Friday 2005
...but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil
you shall not eat,
for in the day that you eat of it
you shall surely die.
- Genesis 2:17
This blog turns four years old today!
What a special day this is... it has been an awesome journey!
This blog was conceived in eternity but born in Chiang Mai, Thailand on February 7, 2008, exactly four years ago. At that time, my husband Ernie was a foreign consultant in Maejo University, helping them to set up their International MBA program, and I was an English language teacher for the presidential staff of the university.
Chiang Mai Sunset
photo source Canvas of Light
In my early blog entries, I wrote about our life in that beautiful place, including some of the spiritual lessons God taught me during the year that we were living there.
Entries from my Chiang Mai Diary:
Homesick
Friends
Images of Chiang Mai
Farewell, Chiang Mai
We arrived back in our homeland after our term ended in September 2008. Home Again (or, New Wineskins)
Just a few weeks after we returned, Ernie passed away unexpectedly.
Songs of Deliverance
Curtain Call
This blog was my traveling companion, and provided a place for me to share my journey through grief.
Saying Good-bye
My Journey Through Grief
The Unveiling of the Tombstone
The love and compassion I received from my blog friends became the food that God used to comfort me. Subsequently, this blog also became a witness to God's healing and restorative power in my life.
The Lonely Road Ahead
Embracing the Sadness
Today, four years later, I am not the same woman that I was when this blog began.
So many things have taken place in a period of forty eight months. Translate those months to days, and they equal one thousand four hundred sixty days.
It has been said that life is like money - we can either waste it, or invest it.
The minutes of our days can so very easily go down the drain, using them for trivial pursuits or the building of our own kingdom.
But it is my heart's desire to invest my life in the pursuit of God's highest goals for me... advancing His kingdom. Thus, I consider that the hours I use each week to maintain this blog is an investment toward that goal.
The prophet Habakkuk says:
After the retreat, unwinding at the beach
My first grandson, Forerunner
My second grandson, Full of Hope/Mighty Warrior
My Spirit Filled Life Bible
My Henri Nouwen collection
My menorah (brought home by Pat from Hawaii) and
"Pray for Jerusalem" glass sculpture (given by Choi-Kuen Tan from Hong Kong)
My prayer shawl, given by Rosemarie
Tear bottle (given by friends from Bradenton, Florida)
anointing oil bottle (given by Trudi, from Dubai, UAE)
mineral crystal (mined from the Swiss Alps, given by Hans Burki)
What a special day this is... it has been an awesome journey!
This blog was conceived in eternity but born in Chiang Mai, Thailand on February 7, 2008, exactly four years ago. At that time, my husband Ernie was a foreign consultant in Maejo University, helping them to set up their International MBA program, and I was an English language teacher for the presidential staff of the university.
Chiang Mai Sunsetphoto source Canvas of Light
In my early blog entries, I wrote about our life in that beautiful place, including some of the spiritual lessons God taught me during the year that we were living there.
Entries from my Chiang Mai Diary:
Homesick
Friends
Images of Chiang Mai
Farewell, Chiang Mai
We arrived back in our homeland after our term ended in September 2008. Home Again (or, New Wineskins)
Just a few weeks after we returned, Ernie passed away unexpectedly.
Songs of Deliverance
Curtain Call
This blog was my traveling companion, and provided a place for me to share my journey through grief.
Saying Good-bye
My Journey Through Grief
The Unveiling of the Tombstone
The love and compassion I received from my blog friends became the food that God used to comfort me. Subsequently, this blog also became a witness to God's healing and restorative power in my life.
The Lonely Road Ahead
Embracing the Sadness
Today, four years later, I am not the same woman that I was when this blog began.
So many things have taken place in a period of forty eight months. Translate those months to days, and they equal one thousand four hundred sixty days.
It has been said that life is like money - we can either waste it, or invest it.
The minutes of our days can so very easily go down the drain, using them for trivial pursuits or the building of our own kingdom.
But it is my heart's desire to invest my life in the pursuit of God's highest goals for me... advancing His kingdom. Thus, I consider that the hours I use each week to maintain this blog is an investment toward that goal.
The prophet Habakkuk says:
Write the vision
And make it plain on tablets,
That he may run who reads it.
For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak,
and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come,
It will not tarry.
- Habakkuk 2:2, 3
Very many blog friends... they all have important stories to share with us.
Then there's my family and Filipino friends who read my posts regularly and yet for one reason or another, never bother to leave a response on the comment box...
And there's a special group of blog friends, my Traveling Scarf sisters... each of them having a special place in my heart. I can't name them all.
I also have blog readers coming from Missouri, USA, and Missisauga, Canada - yet I have never found out who they are.
My ongoing prayer is that my life impact theirs with the words that I share on this blog.
Only in eternity will I behold the beautiful masterpiece God has woven out of the stories of our individual lives blended together into one harmonious whole.
Nothing is an accident, not a single tear is wasted.
I consider the hours spent on this blog time well spent, a profitable investment, not a waste. At the start, when this blog really took so much of my time, I had considered closing it down. But as the months and years went by, with much prayer, God has helped me discern when to write, and what to write about.
It bears repeating: At the end of the day, this blog is not about me... it is about the One writing my story.
When it comes to this weblog, my on-line journal, my prayer has often been, Lord, use this blog as a light in the darkness.
It is never my intention to make a literary masterpiece out of this blog. Thus, my posts are often unedited and unadulterated... just a realistic outpouring of the circumstances as they happen, or as a flashback, if it is called for... together with some important faith lessons that I have learned along the way.
What then is required of me, to be used as an agent of life as I go through the valley of death, becoming the voice of hope in the midst of confusion, and being a torchbearer in the darkness of this world?
Only one thing is required - to look unto Jesus, the Author and the Finisher of my faith.
Praise be to God indeed for four years of blogging. To Him alone belong the glory and the honor.
He alone gets the credit for what this blog has become in four years.
It has helped clarify the issues for me...
it has helped clear the path for me to walk on...
it has helped me recognize God's voice in the changing seasons of my life.
I pray that it has become a signpost to a wayfarer seeking direction... a wellspring of fresh water to the thirsty... a garden of refreshing to the weary traveler.
God has promised me that if I am obedient in giving out what He has spoken to me, He will keep pouring in more.
God has been faithful to feed and nourish me as well.
On February 3 and 4, just one month after the personal retreat that my friends and I had in Sonya's Garden in Tagaytay, the Women of Prayer had a start of the year retreat at Jing's beach house located south of Bacolod City. We are a group of women at our church that has met weekly these past years to spend time listening to God through His word.
It was another God-ordained opportunity to receive confirmation from Him.
Over a decade ago, God has made me aware that He speaks to me through the changing seasons of my life. During our two-day retreat, this was again God's word to us. Don't ignore the seasons that you are going through... flow with the seasons of your life.
Yes, indeed it is true. These past four years I have been through many seasons.
Once again God confirmed during our women's retreat that I am entering a season of new things and new beginnings.
And the best way that I can cooperate with Him is to continue to flow with Him, to be in step with the "unforced rhythms of His grace."
Weeping may tarry for the night,
but joy comes with the morning. - Psalm 30:5
Day 1 - after an awesome time of worship, preparing to eat lunch
Day 2 - A group picture just before a teaching session with Lyndon, our retreat speaker
The vision is yet for an appointed time... at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
The primary purpose of this blog is to be a mouthpiece for God's kingdom purposes.
What's more, I firmly believe that we live on a sowing and reaping continuum. The choices I make today will have consequences for eternity, and I am sowing today the seeds that my future generations will reap.
"Generations will reap what I sow..."
And indeed, I appreciate the blog readers who have taken time to see what God is doing, and saying.
Our individual lives are like pieces of a grand puzzle. Blogging has really made the world a global village. With one click, I can visit my friend Felisol or Colleen in Norway, Amrita in India, Michelle in Kiev.
There are my friends from USA... Sharon, Rosel, and Sandy in California... Trish, Dee and Mari in Michigan... Mary, Debbie and Ken in Arizona,
Lili in Maine.... Katie from Ohio... Janette and Sonja from Texas... Mary Leigh from Kentucky... Brenda and Rebecca from Indiana...
Jennifer from Louisiana... Donna from New York... Tammi and Lis from Virginia...Clint and Cindy from Tennessee...
Stephanie from New Jersey... Sandra from Washington DC... Louise and Cathy from Idaho... Steve from Florida...
Elaine and Linda from North Carolina... Amy and Matt from Oregon... Patrina...
my very first blog friends, Bellann from Philadelphia and Kathy from Michigan...
Terry and Nikki and Child of God, dear friends in Canada.
Another click, and I can hop over to Australia to say hello to Crystal.
Beloved is a special blog friend who lives in England...
The primary purpose of this blog is to be a mouthpiece for God's kingdom purposes.
What's more, I firmly believe that we live on a sowing and reaping continuum. The choices I make today will have consequences for eternity, and I am sowing today the seeds that my future generations will reap.
"Generations will reap what I sow..."
And indeed, I appreciate the blog readers who have taken time to see what God is doing, and saying.
Our individual lives are like pieces of a grand puzzle. Blogging has really made the world a global village. With one click, I can visit my friend Felisol or Colleen in Norway, Amrita in India, Michelle in Kiev.
There are my friends from USA... Sharon, Rosel, and Sandy in California... Trish, Dee and Mari in Michigan... Mary, Debbie and Ken in Arizona,
Lili in Maine.... Katie from Ohio... Janette and Sonja from Texas... Mary Leigh from Kentucky... Brenda and Rebecca from Indiana...
Jennifer from Louisiana... Donna from New York... Tammi and Lis from Virginia...Clint and Cindy from Tennessee...
Stephanie from New Jersey... Sandra from Washington DC... Louise and Cathy from Idaho... Steve from Florida...
Elaine and Linda from North Carolina... Amy and Matt from Oregon... Patrina...
my very first blog friends, Bellann from Philadelphia and Kathy from Michigan...
Terry and Nikki and Child of God, dear friends in Canada.
Another click, and I can hop over to Australia to say hello to Crystal.
Beloved is a special blog friend who lives in England...
Very many blog friends... they all have important stories to share with us.
Then there's my family and Filipino friends who read my posts regularly and yet for one reason or another, never bother to leave a response on the comment box...
And there's a special group of blog friends, my Traveling Scarf sisters... each of them having a special place in my heart. I can't name them all.
I also have blog readers coming from Missouri, USA, and Missisauga, Canada - yet I have never found out who they are.
My ongoing prayer is that my life impact theirs with the words that I share on this blog.
Only in eternity will I behold the beautiful masterpiece God has woven out of the stories of our individual lives blended together into one harmonious whole.
Nothing is an accident, not a single tear is wasted.
I consider the hours spent on this blog time well spent, a profitable investment, not a waste. At the start, when this blog really took so much of my time, I had considered closing it down. But as the months and years went by, with much prayer, God has helped me discern when to write, and what to write about.
It bears repeating: At the end of the day, this blog is not about me... it is about the One writing my story.
When it comes to this weblog, my on-line journal, my prayer has often been, Lord, use this blog as a light in the darkness.
It is never my intention to make a literary masterpiece out of this blog. Thus, my posts are often unedited and unadulterated... just a realistic outpouring of the circumstances as they happen, or as a flashback, if it is called for... together with some important faith lessons that I have learned along the way.
What then is required of me, to be used as an agent of life as I go through the valley of death, becoming the voice of hope in the midst of confusion, and being a torchbearer in the darkness of this world?
Only one thing is required - to look unto Jesus, the Author and the Finisher of my faith.
Praise be to God indeed for four years of blogging. To Him alone belong the glory and the honor.
He alone gets the credit for what this blog has become in four years.
It has helped clarify the issues for me...
it has helped clear the path for me to walk on...
it has helped me recognize God's voice in the changing seasons of my life.
I pray that it has become a signpost to a wayfarer seeking direction... a wellspring of fresh water to the thirsty... a garden of refreshing to the weary traveler.
God has promised me that if I am obedient in giving out what He has spoken to me, He will keep pouring in more.
God has been faithful to feed and nourish me as well.
On February 3 and 4, just one month after the personal retreat that my friends and I had in Sonya's Garden in Tagaytay, the Women of Prayer had a start of the year retreat at Jing's beach house located south of Bacolod City. We are a group of women at our church that has met weekly these past years to spend time listening to God through His word.
It was another God-ordained opportunity to receive confirmation from Him.
Over a decade ago, God has made me aware that He speaks to me through the changing seasons of my life. During our two-day retreat, this was again God's word to us. Don't ignore the seasons that you are going through... flow with the seasons of your life.
Yes, indeed it is true. These past four years I have been through many seasons.
Once again God confirmed during our women's retreat that I am entering a season of new things and new beginnings.
And the best way that I can cooperate with Him is to continue to flow with Him, to be in step with the "unforced rhythms of His grace."
Weeping may tarry for the night,
but joy comes with the morning. - Psalm 30:5
Those who sow in tears
will reap with songs of joy. - Psalm 126:5
Day 1 - after an awesome time of worship, preparing to eat lunch
Day 2 - A group picture just before a teaching session with Lyndon, our retreat speaker
After the retreat, unwinding at the beach
The loves of my life:
My first grandson, Forerunner
My second grandson, Full of Hope/Mighty Warrior
A few of my favorite things:
My Spirit Filled Life Bible
My Henri Nouwen collection
My menorah (brought home by Pat from Hawaii) and"Pray for Jerusalem" glass sculpture (given by Choi-Kuen Tan from Hong Kong)
My prayer shawl, given by Rosemarie
Tear bottle (given by friends from Bradenton, Florida)
anointing oil bottle (given by Trudi, from Dubai, UAE)
mineral crystal (mined from the Swiss Alps, given by Hans Burki)My prayer for Crown of Beauty blog on its fourth anniversary:
24 comments:
Lidj - Happy bloggoversary! It's been such a pleasure to get to know you here and such an inspiration to read the words God gives you to share with us.
I also appreciate the friendships we make with people so far away, that we would never meet without this venue!
Happy 4th blogsary mom! May God shower you with more words of wisdom to share. Your blog is an inspiration to me personally.
Dear Lidia,
Congratulations with your jubilee. You put so much work into your blogs, they may well be printed as a well composed book."Lidia's progress."
I do not exactly recall how we met, but I do know, that once I'd met you, I would not let go of our blog-friendship.
I've found so much comfort, mildness and wisdom reading your thorough worked sermons.
You don't speak from above, from a pulpit, but like an equal friend sitting next to me.
Because of what you have shared of your private life too, I know your are human, that you struggle to do the right things and find the right ways to go.
Things don't come easy to you either.
That is why so many feel they can connect with you, even if we come from other parts of the world and other social ranks.
Your writing is above these things.
I also appreciate your undivided love for Israel, which I share.
I use the Hebrew - English translation when I quote from the old Testament. I so love the way they put the words together.
My father wrote the verse you opened this blog with both in my and my daughter's poetry books- Proverbs 4:"23 Above all that thou guardest keep thy heart; for out of it are the issues of life."
I greet you with your own greeting, it's essential to our lives here, and what we actually can do, with the help of the Lord.
Yours Felisol
Happy blogaversary, Lidia! Your words have often challenged and encouraged me: thank you for being faithful to obey God in your writing.
Love in Him,
Louise
Hi Lidia,
Four years of blogging!! Wow that is fantastic!
I enjoyed reading how your blog started and came about to how it is now. God is good all of the time and I see He has been very good to you.
One thing I do enjoy about looking at the statistics of blogs is where people have visited from. The internet is amazing, to think that we can peek into someone's world when they live so far away from us. God's word is spreading and this I rejoice in.
Revelation 22:17
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.
Blessings,
<><
Happy Anniversary sister! And boy was I too blessed to have met you! It is always a pleasure to read every post and see what God is doing in your life. Like what I always say, your faith always encourages and increases mine. Glory be to god! Through blogging, we become a blessing to each other because of Him. Yes, it's all about Him!
For some reason, I don't see any age differences in those pics from your retreat and that of your adorable grandsons. Everyone looks like a "child", their hearts full of His love and grace.
Blessings to you sister and God bless and protect you and your family always.
Congrats! Yourblog has been a huge inspiration and blessing to me and I look forward to reading it when it comes up on my flipboard app! <3
Happy Anniversary! Your blog is beautiful and peaceful. I know it touches many and points them to Jesus. God bless youl
As we say in Jewish....matzel tov...congrats hitting four years.I am honored to be counted among your friends and but for the awesome blogging community I may never have had this privilege. Lidia....hope you can feel my hugs and love extended to you. You totally shine through your words...your beautiful photos and your incredible spirit.
Hi Lidia, Your dedication and obedience to God is amazing and also very much admiring. Many times I would be called to your blog and I know God would have a message for me. Yes, God has really used your blog as a messenger to others. Lidia, what a good servant you have been and may you be blessed always, Love you, Sandy:O)
hi,teacher
Congratulations.
I read your blog regularly.
My felling of you is the same.
miss you.
OY
Hi Lidia, Just stopping by to say, hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day with your family and friends. Much love sent to your way today, Sandy xox
Happy Anniversary, Lidia. I celebrate the journey and joy you've communicated so faithfully. I think I've "known" you for a little over half of your time here...
Our daughter is returning to the Philippine next month. This time, 7 months pregnant! In fact, I just found her some lovely clothes at a thrift store here. She called me and told me she needed some for the hot weather she is expecting there!
I look forward to the mutual encouragement and camaraderie we will share (God-willing) in the coming year. May He find us faithful and fruitful in whatever He calls us to be/do.
♥Rebecca
I'm so glad for your years' worth of witness in this place. My 4th anniversary slipped by on the 3rd. I've usually made a big deal of it, but not this year. I just couldn't.
I am grateful for all the world-wide connections I share with so many godly, good people. Your encouragement has been a rich blessing to me.
One of the best benefits of blogging (at least for me) is the ability to see a life written out in chapters of sorts. It serves as a witness to the highs and lows and steady ground that I've walked with Jesus. A sowing of seeds that will probably live long after I'm gone.
Thanks for letting me be part of your life.
peace~elaine
Happy Anniversary! I am so glad you have continued blogging as you are a special blessing to me. You always share from your heart and I always leave with things to ponder. You encourage me. You stimulate me to read more and worship more. Thank you for that.
Yes, we are a global blogging community. I love that we can share our faith journeys with each other. I love that we can listen and encourage one another.
I am so glad that the internet can be used for good; to spread the love of Jesus and the Gospel message.
blessings and love to you my friend,
Debbie
Dear Lidia,
Happy 4th blogsarry. Your blog has inspired me in many ways. I can identify with many of what you have written. As I read them, oftentimes I cried with you and I laughed with you.
God has given you the gift of words. You are able to put into words feelings and emotions that are otherwise difficult to express. Reading your entries allows me to have the
words to express my feelings.
Thank you for being obedient to the Lord by maintaining your blog.
May you continue to inspire others especially me. :)
Love always,
Tina R.
Congratulations on 4 years (and counting) of blogging. I am visiting from Victoria Gaines site.
Congratulations on the success of your blog. You have blessed me here on the other side of the world!! Thank you for your kind words.
Manang Lidj! Has it been 4 years already? To God be the glory! Always, your posts blesses my heart! I love you! Sending you loving hugs! Miss you dearly!
Congratulations on your four years of blogging! I'm so thankful the Lord brought us together, across oceans and land! We started blogging around the same time, but you, sweet, persevering friend, have been so much more faithful to writing. Even in you pain, your mourning, in travels, retreates, and through personal injury and hardship--you've sought the Lord, and shared from the depths of your soul and His living well!
Thank you!! How I pray we meet on this earth someday, should the Lord and death tarry! Love, Linda
I think I unknowingly took a blogging sabbatical over the last month. But now I'm catching back up and reading all you've posted since then. I smiled (again) over this post, Lidia, because it reminded me again of the precious way that God works in allowing us to know each other in this miraculous way. It is so special to see what He is doing here mirrored half-way around the world... to know that your desire for your blog is the same as mine--the shine the light. (Have you noticed how many incredible songs are out now about letting our light shine?)
Your friendship is precious to me, and I look forward to the day we will meet, even if it's not 'till Heaven! (Though quite frankly, I'm wondering if the awe and splendor and fulfillment of finally being completely swallowed in the presence of Him will drive all thoughts of meeting anyone else out of my mind completely!)
Lidj, I have been sidetracked lately and I am behind in reading blogs...so I am late getting here.
Happy Anniversary. Thanks so much for continuing to blog...your four years and change in your life was also the same time we had our life change...our loss of our home. Ours was not the death of a love one...and in no way equal, but it was the death of a feeling of security and dreams. As you have written and shared your walk through your grief so many times you echoed my own heart...I started to see that death of anything can bring the same emotions and also point us to Him.
I have so enjoyed getting to know you...your culture and most of all setting at your feet and gleaning from your spiritual journey. God has openly spoken to me more times than once through your words.
Thanks again for sharing and I look forward to this new year with you as you continue to blog, expressing the work of God in your life.
God is truly knitting His body together all over the world.
Ahh! How wonderful to get caught up on reading your precious blog. It's ALWAYS an encouragement and teaches me so much!! Your life is beautiful, His craftsmanship, because you let it be so. I'm sorry to hear about your pastor, and so thankful you were so blessed to know such a spiritual father. Bless you Lidia xx
Oh Lidia you always give me pause for reflection whenever I read your words. Like all your posts, this was so thoughtfully written and I enjoyed reading your thoughts on the role a blog can play in our lives. Congratulations for this 4 year milestone. I got here a little late, but I'm so glad I didn't miss this post! Love, ~Lili
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