A Faith That Endures

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

- Proverbs 3:5-6




Therefore the Lord said:
“ Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths
And honor Me with their lips,
But have removed their hearts far from Me,
And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men....”

Isaiah 29:14

November has become a very meaningful month for me.

There are many reasons for the special place that this month holds in my heart... and I want to write about them in my end of the month post.

But on this post I will share one important event that our family will be celebrating each time this month comes around.

Twelve months ago today, my second grandson Elijah was born.

We celebrated this little boy's birthday with a bang.

We have many reasons for doing so.

A year ago, just a day after Elijah was born, this was part of the post I wrote on this blog:

November 14, 2010

Chosen One gave birth by Caesarian section last night.

The doctor decided to perform the operation after hours of dry labor, as the baby showed signs of distress.

We welcomed Andre Elijah, my second grandson, into this world at exactly 7:31 p.m. on November 13, 2010.

He had to be resuscitated, and was immediately placed in an incubator and given oxygen.

Early this morning, at about 1:30 a.m., the baby's pediatrician informed us that the baby's respiratory rate was very fast. Pneumonia is suspected. A chest x-ray will be done if rate doesn't improve. Signs of infection was seen in the blood test, so the baby is also being given anti-biotics.

I have named this baby Full of Hope, and my hope is built on nothing less than the solid rock on which I stand!

Last night as my friend Trudi and I prayed for this baby, this word was impressed upon my heart, I do all things well.

My faith declaration:
Yes... faith arises in my heart my dear Father. My heart is full of hope...for You are the God who does all things well.

Dear friends, please stand and pray with us as we believe for a mighty and glorious display of God's glory.

Full of Hope
taken at 7:43 p.m. last night, 12 minutes after he was born

Update:
A chest x-ray was taken and it is confirmed that the baby has pneumonia. Three kinds of antibiotics are being administered through an IV drip. In addition to his pediatrician, we have also availed of the services of a neonatal specialist to help in the medical management of his condition. As of 4 p.m. today, the baby's respiratory rate has dropped from 90 to 70 per minute, which is a marked improvement. He was also taken out of the incubator, although he is still in the natal Intensive Care unit.

Beginning tomorrow, Chosen One will be strong enough to be wheeled to the Nursery where she will be able to hold her baby and begin breastfeeding him. I agree with Dr. Diane Nandwani, our very sweet pediatrician, this is the healing touch and human connection that will speed up the healing process. Chosen One will also speak words of affirmation over her son. Please continue to pray for Full of Hope's speedy recovery and complete healing.

Elijah was released from the natal intensive care unit eleven days later.

It was a journey of faith for our family. I am truly grateful for the faith lessons that we all learned during the part of our journey. We clung to God in hope and in full assurance that this baby's life was in His hands.

Beloved family members and friends, including my dear blog friends, rallied behind us, supporting us in prayer and encouragement.


Today, twelve months later, Elijah... Full of Hope and Mighty Warrior... is a healthy, vibrant, robust, energetic one year old little boy!




His birthday party began with a dedication ceremony. Worshiper and Chosen One had asked a dear family friend, Max Hughes, to officiate at the ceremony.

It was such a moving occasion, that many of us could not help but shed tears as we listened to Max speaking the words that God had placed on his heart to share with us.

Indeed it was another milestone for our family, a day worth remembering... a day to offer praise and thanksgiving to God.


I truly praise God for this special day. Today Elijah's parents offered their son back to God in a special dedication ceremony. Blessings were prayed over him, and today was doubly speical because his name "Andre Elijah" was officially conferred upon him.

Andre means "Courage." Its spiritual connotation is "Enduring."

Elijah literally means, "My God is Lord." The spiritual connotation of this name is "Spiritual Champion."

My prayer blessing:

Today as you mark the first year of your life, dear Elijah, I declare that you will live up to the name that you have been given.

The Elijah in the Bible was known as a prophet of fire, and he was a man truly on fire for God. He was passionate about his faith, and he stood fearless before the evil king and queen of his day, challenged the prophets of Baal up on Mount Carmel, and God honored the kind of faith that he had.

I declare that you will grow up to be an Elijah, and you will stand fearless and strong in your faith and convictions. You will never give way to fear or compromise.

As your name Andre implies, you will be a person of enduring faith. Your faith will keep growing stronger, and you will indeed be a person to reckon with.

Young men with these qualifications will be badly needed in these last days. Never waver in your stand, dear grandson. I pray that God will hone and shape you in the months to come - even as your personality and inner character are being formed.

May the rich spiritual deposits of the generations that have come before you not be wasted in these crucial days as God is advancing His kingdom reign, and the bride, the Church, is being prepared for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is my prayer that you will not be motivated by earthly goals, but rather keep your focus on what will last for eternity. Live up to the spiritual qualities associated with your name - Spiritual Champion... Enduring.

Such beautiful qualities, dear grandson!

May you grow up to be a man of enduring faith, may your character be heavy with spiritual substance.

Honor God not with mere words, Elijah... but with your whole heart. May you learn what it means to offer God a whole-hearted devotion... inspiring many others to do the same.

You have quite a strong will and determined spirit, already so evident at this young age. May this strength and determination be put to good use, harnessed by God for His glory and honor.

This is my prayer and desire for you today as we celebrate your first year of life.

Love,

Nana

God's special gift for Elijah: this flower in my garden was in full bloom in time for his birthday, a loving message of life, beauty and hope!

Max, giving words of inspiration

My second son, Worshiper and his son

Standing tall!

A father's blessing: "Give my son a heart that is passionate for your kingdom, dear God."

A mother's blessing: "Shine in his life despite our imperfect parenting, Father."

Grandpa Max, giving Andre a special blessing. Max used to carry Worshiper when he was a baby... and now Max is carrying Worshiper's son! It was a tearful moment for many of us.

The party fare was prepared by Madora, Chosen One's mom, who arrived from Manila on the eve of Elijah's birthday. Thank you, Madora, for your labor of love.

pasta with a special pesto sauce

baked franks, kebabs, and bruschetta...

crunchy spring rolls and fried chicken...

lots of yummy condiments for nachos...

blowing his birthday candle...

Eleventh Month: Teachable - Becoming a New Wineskin

Tenth Month: Honor, Valor, Courage

Ninth Month: Pilgrim Status

Eighth Month: Understanding the Times - Becoming a Son of Issachar

Seventh Month: Wisdom from Above

Sixth Month: Grace Under Pressure - Grace

Fifth Month: A Kingdom that Cannot Be Shaken - Faith

Fourth Month: Love Covers - Love

Third Month: Like a Tender Shoot - Obedience

Second Month: Elijah's Second Month - Humility

First Month: Giving Thanks - Thankfulness

Eleven Days Old: New Life

First Week: Hand to the Plow

The Day of Birth: Full of Hope

Linking up with Leah Adams' blog theme for November
"Living Thankful"



This post is dedicated to Stephanie of Truthsharer.

Mountain Retreat: Thankfulness

Camp John Hay, Baguio City
June 29, 2011






The generous soul will be made rich,
And he who waters will also be watered himself.

- Proverbs 11:25




The LORD your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.

- Zephaniah 3:17




Rejoice in the Lord always.
Again I will say, rejoice!
Let your gentleness be known to all men.
The Lord is at hand.

- Philippians 4:4, 5

I arrived from Baguio City about two hours ago.

Baguio City is a very beautiful city located up in the cool mountains of our northern islands. Located 1,500 meters above sea level it was built and established by the Americans in the early 1900s and was named "summer capital" of our country. (Read more about Baguio City here.)

This city is also special to me because it is where my husband and I went for our honeymoon after our wedding day thirty-three years ago.

It is still hard to believe how God has once again orchestrated the events of my life, to provide for me the much needed physical rest and spiritual refreshment that I had longed for the past weeks.

A few days after I arrived in Manila three weeks ago, our maid Irene left for a two-week vacation in her hometown. This left me with a huge house to clean and a big garden to look after in her absence. It isn't so easy these days to have a faithful and trustworthy domestic helper, so I'm really grateful God has provided us with someone like Irene. But while she was away, it fell on me to do everything.

Really I was glad and happy to do these things... but I got so tired toward the end.

This, on top of the fact that my heart had also been heavy for quite some time now because of a personal concern.

Out of the blue, the wish to visit Baguio City even just for a few days cropped up in my heart, but it was unspoken... I did not even bring it before God. Mostly because I thought it couldn't possibly happen at this point.

Much to my surprise, my friend Tina called me up early last week to say that her cousin Rosemarie, who was also a close friend of mine, was inviting both of us to join her for a few days in Baguio City at the end of this month!

The timing couldn't have been more perfect.

Rosemarie usually rents her favorite place - a beautiful country cottage in Camp John Hay in Baguio City. For some reason, the only days that this cottage was unoccupied this year were the last four days of June.

The schedule was set. I marked June 27 as the day I leave for Baguio.

I know it was not a coincidence but a divine appointment that our maid Irene was also scheduled to return on the dawn flight that very day!

At the last minute Tina could not make it, and I nearly backed out of the plan.

But having already given my word to Rosemarie, even if the idea of traveling alone to Baguio did not appeal to me, I knew I had to go.

When I reached the bus terminal at noon of Monday, the first class bus had just left. Their website had not been updated so the wrong information was posted on it. Taking the next available bus, an ordinary air conditioned one, meant it would take me longer to reach my destination.

I boarded it anyway and it really turned out to be a smooth and fairly comfortable ride, despite the many stops. We reached the mountain city at 8 o'clock that night.

Rosemarie's chauffer was waiting for me at the bus terminal. After nearly seven hours on the bus, her SUV was a welcome comfort for my travel-weary body.

The cool mountain air was so refreshing!

A slight drizzle was falling as I went up the steps to this familiar country cottage. Rosemarie and her friends were waiting for me at the dinner table, where a warm meal was ready.

I went to bed that night with a heart full of thanksgiving. It was quite cold, especially because it was raining, but I was warm and cozy under the downy comforter, the warmth of my Father's love surrounding me as I drifted off to sleep.



And so as the month of June quietly says good-bye, I name it Thankfulness.

Good-bye, June. You have been so good to me.

My heart overflows with gratitude for what God has allowed in my life these past four weeks!


What perfect timing this mountain retreat has been for me. It comes right at the end of the sixth month of 2011... and right in the middle of the year!

And it comes with a message of hope and restoration.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD,
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.”

- Jeremiah 29:11

This is the promise that God spoke to me, right at the end of the first half of 2011, and just before the second half begins... I have a good plan for you... to prosper you and not to harm you... to give you hope and a future.

My heart leaps at the thought.

After my seven days of stillness, God brought me up a mountain, where my soul was refreshed and re-invigorated by His presence.

He also re-confirmed to me the messages He had given during those days of stillness!

Every morning, for the next three days, six of us gathered around the table and we started the day in an extended time of worshiping and praising God, and listening to Him speak to us through His word.

With the cool mountain air drifting in through the windows, and our eyes feasting on the beautiful scenery all around, our hearts were in one accord as we sought God to touch us afresh, to heal us where we have been wounded in the battle, to send His rain on the parched and hardened places of our hearts.


God heard the cries of our hearts; indeed, He graced us with His presence.

What a beautiful time of meeting with the three Persons of the Godhead... Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!

God remains true to His promise. “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD...

By being still before God, I assume a posture of humility and openness, admitting that I need Him, that He is my source of life... that He is the wisdom from above...

In the midst of the busyness and urgent concerns all crying for my attention, moments of stillness create an inner space where God is welcome to bring renewal and a much needed sense of peace.

Setting aside time to be quiet before God gives Him room to redefine our boundaries and our priorities for us.


I must be about my Father's business. If I am obedient and do as He says, then I will be in His perfect will, and I position myself to receive the instructions and the strategies that I need for my earthly battles. This was one clear direction imparted to me during the three days that I spent up in the mountain.


Don't draw attention to yourself... willingly give... humbly serve... don't grow weary in doing good.

Extend compassion... withhold judgment... be a life-giver...

Above all... rejoice! Look at life from the vantage point of victory, provision and celebration!


I truly am thankful to God for having spoken so directly to my point of need.

Indeed, celebrating each moment as it comes causes my heart to become soft and gentle.

Train your heart to be thankful in everything, My child.

What my heavenly Father desires is what I desire as well.

Thankfulness becomes a way of seeing... a way of life!


One of my favorite authors, Charles Ringma, writes in his book Life in Full Stride:

We truly possess only what we are thankful for. What we take for granted is something that we do not really have; it slips through our fingers. The things that we are thankful for are the things we endow with meaning.... We can be thankful not only for the gifts of life and health, friendship and safety but also for kind words, a beautiful sunset or that things went well at work.

Gratitude is thus an acknowledgment that so much of our life is really a gift...

Gratitude helps us to rightly define ourselves and to see ourselves in a proper light. For we do not make it all happen; we are simply recipients of so much from the Father's hand...

When we have the eyes to see, our whole way of life can be marked by thankfulness and thus by a new inner joy.


My prayer:

Dear God, thank you for mapping out the future for me, and showing me the direction in which to go... the Godly response to make... the Christ-honoring attitude to carry as I enter the second half of this year.

You have brought me to still waters and green pastures when I was not even expecting it.

You saw the longing of my heart, and you granted it...

Thank You for Your generosity and kindness!

Father, You said that You will keep feeding me if I will not withhold my time and effort and willingly share what You have given me with others....

And indeed, You have been true to Your word. As I have given out, You have kept pouring more into my cup...

Thank you, dear Father... I truly am thankful to You.

My mountain retreat in pictures:

Bus bound for Baguio, shot taken during one of the stopovers
June 27, 2011, 5:20 p.m.

Good morning, Baguio!
Misty view from my bedroom window
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
5:09 a.m.

Cozy hideaway

Cool, misty morning

Country cottage

A harbinger of hope...
View from the kitchen window

I come to the garden alone...
Hibiscus dripping with dew!

Lamp on doorpost...

Lovely view from dining room window

Sumptuous Filipino breakfast after a wonderful time of early morning worship.
Suede, Tess, Rosemarie, me, Janice and Alvin with daughter Ashka

All aglow!
Rosemarie, Tess, Suede (standing) and Janice (seated)...still singing worship songs!

Streets in this city have American names!

Below are some pictures I took during my early morning stroll:

Last night in Baguio
Wednesday, June 29, 2011

On my way to the Baguio bus terminal
Thursday, June 30, 2011
9:02 a.m.

Bus bound for Manila.
This time I didn't miss the de luxe express bus...
and I traveled back to Manila in comfort.
Thank You, Lord!

Some pictures I took from the bus as it went down the winding mountain roads...
Good-bye Baguio... see you again soon!