AUGUST MONTH IS NOW ENTERING - FEW MORE DAYS THEN MY BABY KARL’S BIRTHDAY AGAIN. HE’LL BE EIGHT IN EIGHT! NO MORE BABY ACTUALLY BUT HE WILL ALWAYS BE. HOW FAST TIME FLIES..

AS I WAS TYPING THIS, HE CAME CLOSE AND KISSED MY CHEEK GOODNIGHT(he never missed doing this everynight)..

 IN HIS HAND IS A VERY MEMORABLE THING HE GAVE ME ON MOTHER’S DAY. THE GIFT WAS NOT ONE THAT YOU WOULD EXPECT FROM A 7-YR-OLD-BABY(i keep telling him that he will remain my baby even when he is already a daddy). HE HAD ME A SELF-MADE LOVELY OSTRICH-FEATHERED PEN THAT LOOKED LIKE AN OLD-FASHIONED QUILL OF BEN FRANKLIN. I WAS SO TOUCHED THAT MY EYES BRIMMED IN TEARS AS I HUGGED AND THANKED HIM WHEN HE HANDED IT TO ME ON THAT VERY SPECIAL SUNDAY. HE SAID; “MOM, USE THIS IN THE OPERATING ROOM WHEN YOU SIGNED REPORTS ABOUT YOUR PATIENTS..” LANGUAGE OF LOVE! WHAT A GIFT, AND SHEER RELIEF, FROM THE DAY’S VERY TEDIOUS JOB.

THERE ARE TIMES IN OUR LIVES WHEN THE COST OF PARENTING SEEMS STAGGERINGLY HIGH! NO MATTER HOW YOU LOOKED AT IT, CHILDREN ARE EMOTIONALLY EXHAUSTING, TIME-CONSUMING, SOMETIMES FRUSTRATING, AND ALWAYS MADDENINGLY COMPLEX! IN FACT, THEIR DEVELOPMENTAL YEARS ARE GOVERNED ENTIRELY BY “MURPHY’S LAW”. FOR EXAMPLE, IF THEY DROPPED A SLICE OF BREAD ON THE CARPET - IT WILL INEVITABLY LAND BUTTERED SIDE DOWN. AND WHEN THEY CATCH THE FLUE - THEY NEVER VOMIT IN THE BATHROOM. THEY TURNED UP THEIR NOSES AT THEIR OATMEAL AND GAG AT THE SIDE OF THEIR EGG OMELETTE, BUT ENTHUSIASTICALLY DRINK THE DOG’S WATER, WORST, FLOAT THEIR RUBBER DUCKIES AND WASH THEIR FACES IN THE TOILET BOWL. I’M SURE YOU COULD ADD TO THIS LIST OF CHILDHOOD “MURPHYISMS” . .

BUT IN MOMENTS WHEN YOU ARE TOUCHED BY THE SINCERE SOUL OF A CHILD, AS I WAS THROUGH KARL’S THOUGHTFUL ACTS, AND OFTENTIMES, THROUGH KYLE’S LETTERS OF LOVE, OR EVEN JUST KIAN’S NAUGHTY SMILES AND HUGS - YOU SUDDENLY REALIZE THE ETERNAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THESE PRECIOUS YEARS IN THE MIDST OF OUR BUSY LIFE. THEN, DIFFICULT AS IT IS, NO OTHER TASK ON EARTH SEEMS QUITE AS IMPORTANT OR MEANINGFUL AS RAISING AND TRAINING AND GUIDING THEM THROUGH THEIR DEVELOPMENTAL EXPERIENCES NO MATTER HOW ANXIOUS WE CAN BE AS MOTHERS.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY KARL!!! ONE SUNSHINE OF MY LIFE.. THANK YOU FOR FILLING MOMMY’S BUSY LIFE WITH YOUR INNOCENT YET MOST PRECIOUS LOVE. THE VERY REASON WHY MY VERY EAGER TOES OF ANTICIPATION ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD TO GOING HOME . . .

TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY!!! THANK YOU . .

TIRED, BUT REFRESHED..

I reclined on the couch, just got home from work, with my 2-yr-old son Kian, cuddled on my chest. As he slept I caressed his tiny fingers and wondered how he would use them when he grew up. Would they tap formulas and technical data into a now unimagined computer? Would they intricately stitch wounded human tissue just like me? Or perhaps, sculpt or paint using vibrant textures and colors? Although I randomly pictured professions at which he might excell, I focused my prayers. Then as I focused them now - it’s not on what he might be, but on how he could be.

I know that one day, as he puts away his toy cars and crayons he’ll learn that some people measure excellence and success solely by “the bottom line” - the money they take home and their material possessions. Some “put their hope in wealth”, and build their lives to accomodate its pursuit.

I trust, that by the time, we’ll have taught him and his two siblings, to value many things above money. The scripture teaches that “NOT RICHES THEMSELVES ARE EVIL, BUT THE VALUE WE PLACE ON THEM WHICH CAN LEAD TO OUR UNDOING”.

(1Timothy 6:9)

“People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.”

On the other hand,

(1Timothy6:6)

“GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT IS GREAT GAIN”.

The apostle Paul’s charge to young Timothy in 1Timothy 6:11-16, is to flee from the pursuit of riches and instead pursue godliness.

Paul further instructs Timothy to: Command those who are rich in the things of this life not to be proud but to put their hope in God…Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share..

(1Timothy 6:17-18)

When Baby Kian reaches elementary school, and his teachers would ask him what he wants to be when he grows up, I expect that he will list “teacher”, “soldier”, and perhaps “doctor” among his other choices. But my prayer will continue to be that no matter what profession Kian and his siblings would choose, at the core they will truly succeed by being righteous and godly men, full of “faith, love, endurance, and gentleness” just like their dad. To me, not even SUCCESS, in this kaleidoscopic world’s viewpoint, outnumbers having a happy and contented home.

-tintin (www.sjo.org)

REFLECT & PONDER:

“If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, whom have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For ‘we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we shall be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs..

(1Timothy 6:3-10)

A MOTHER comes equipped with an internal anxiety meter. It’s right in the middle of her heart and has each child’s name engraved on it. There are certain phrases in English language that would cause it to jump and spin… “Mom, remember you said Kuya Kyle and I needing haircut again? We’ve been playing barber shop parlor and…” “Hello.This is the school nurse, your son Karl was playing basketball during recess and accidentally he was pushed…” “Mom, Kalie’s mother is on her way over and she looks mad!” “Mom, remember the pretty flowers that used to be in front of the leasing office? Here mom, these are for you…”

These are the standard meter spinners. We also have our family’s encounters with each other, interactions with the neighbors, co-workers, friends, and others, not to mention the physical dangers our children are exposed to each day..

During the early days of their lives we nurture and prepare these “small birds” in their nest. Then it becomes time to let them try their wings in all kinds of new situations - social, emotional, physical, and even intellectual. As we watch them start their solo flights we are proud, but a little scared; hopeful, but apprehensive. We want to stand back and give them room to soar…but at the same time we want to hold their hands.

Left without a choice, we do release them into the world. And our anxiety meter begins to spin…

On the lighter side, the same God who gave us these children - these precious gifts of His love, is able and worthy to take care of them while we, busy moms as we are, are out to help dad earn a living. Trust in the Lord far more, worry far less, will get us a lot more accomplished. Let us always remember amidst our apprehensions, that “HE” - our Lord and God of all creation, is worthy of our complete trust.

TRUST: a conscious act of placing each child in His hands. With that act comes a beautiful awareness that through each experience - social, emotional, physical, and intellectual - He is at work in their lives. He is molding them into what He would have them become. Turning even what we perceived as hurtful into His good. Turning their failures - and ours - into footsteps…footsteps toward Himself.

REFLECT:

DON’T EVER BECOME SO BUSY THAT YOU FAIL TO REALIZE HOW VERY HAPPY YOU ARE!

RESOLVE:

Mom’s statement has meant much to me as I have raised my own family. Whenever I have felt overly busy to the point of neglecting the little joys, the expressions of appreciation, the realization of how happy and lucky we are - whenever play with the children seemed more of a duty than a privilege, I have thought of mom’s words. They have been a warning beacon that has changed my attitude toward life and toward what is “VALUABLE”. It all started after I become a mother myself.

-tintin ( www.sjo.org )

WHAT DEEDS OF POWER ARE BEING DONE BY HIS HANDS?

(Mark 6:2)

IN HIS HANDS..

The hands that made the world and gave the sun and moon their light, are the tiny Hands of a baby born one cold December night…

The hands that stilled the wind and tamed the furious sea, are the calloused Hands of a carpenter who lived in poverty…

The hands that held the power, to break the binding chains of sin, are the gentle Hands that washed the feet of tired and dusty men…

The hands that cleansed the leper, healed the blind and raised the dead, are the praying Hands of one who cried, “Not My Will but Thine instead…”

The hands that shaped the universe and flung the stars in space, are the nail-pierced Hands of a dying man who suffered in our place…

The hands of our Creator, Lord and King of Heaven above, are the Savior’s Hands, forever reaching out to us with love…

“THIS CHRISTMAS, MAY HIS HANDS TOUCH YOUR HEART WITH HEALING, AND YOUR LIFE WITH BLESSING, AS THEY CRADLE US IN LOVE ALL THE DAYS OF THE COMING NEW YEAR..

HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL! MORE BLESSINGS TO SHARE FOR THE COMING NEW YEAR 2009..”

A message of love from my family and I,

-Manny,Tin,Kyle,Karl,and Baby Kian

People, even more than things, have to be RESTORED, RENEWED, REVIVED, RECLAIMED, AND, REDEEMED..

For “attractive lips” - speak words of kindness, and not..

For “lovely eyes” - seek out the good in people, and not..

For a “healthy figure” - share your food with the hungry..

For a “beautiful hair” - let a child’s hands and fingers enjoyingly run through it..

For “poise” - walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone..

Never throw out anyone. Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms. As you walk through life, you will discover that you have two hands - one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others..

“THE MEASURE OF A MAN IS NOT THE NUMBER OF HIS SERVANTS, RATHER, IT IS THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE HE HAS SINCERELY SERVED..”

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! LET US BE GRATEFUL, AND GENEROUSLY SHARE OUR COUNTLESS BLESSINGS ESPECIALLY TO ARE IN NEED..

-manny,tin,kyle,karl,&kian

My passion for songs and music was already obvious since I was a kid. I was told that whenever I hear birds chirping then, I would chirp back more louder than the birds’ tune when I was little. To recall, as I grew up, what my first music teacher taught me is still vivid in my mind ’til now…

He said; “In music, there is a wonderful thing called phrasing where the performer punctuates or caresses the flow of sound according to the mood and emotion he/she wants to convey. The rising and falling, the peaks and valleys are what make music interesting. This is how the artist achieve both unity and variety - to hold our attention and move our spirits into. Without unity, there would be chaos; without variety, we’d be bored. Phrasing distinguishes the supreme artist from one of lesser inspiration…”

I am reminded of GOD’S PHRASING over our lives on the burden and the beauty of work, as the unity of thought develops in this foreign land away from our homeland. GOD’S GIFT TO US THROUGH WORK is a sense of satisfaction because He knows and rewards the value of honest labor. As proof, look! Give your job your full love, and sensibly, your job will love you back. His design through the phrasing of our lives, the sometimes unpleasant labor, is to perfect us in Himself. From His first thought of us at the beginning of creation, He saw us as complete and perfect finished in Christ.

God uses contrasting thoughts: work and toil coupled with beauty and satisfaction; the beginning of God’s plan as opposed to the end; the eternal viewpoint versus the temporary; human ability to fathom reflected against God’s total understanding. We just have to follow the road that He leads us through. Trusting that He is just around in whatever we do.

Day to day - as the MELODY OF OUR LIVES unfolds, the high points lies in the fact that God is never going to make a mistake with the motiff that He has specifically designed for us. Whatever He does will endure forever. He brings out the BEAUTY, HARMONY, and RICHNESS as He directs every facet of our lives. This fact guarantees that all crisis already have been met and overcome in Him. As we live, work, and bear our burdens, be assured that the melody of our lives is controlled by the eternal God of the universe who knows us from the beginning to end. Let there be no question on what our song is all about. . .

“In your solitude or amidst a busy day, silently cast to God your cares. Pause, and sincerely say a prayer without inhibitions. For in the silence of your heart, there God is - listening, talking, and giving you directions..”

-tintin ’n family ( www.sjo.org )

 ( Psalm 119:133 )

“Direct my footsteps according to Your Word my Lord; and let no iniquity rule over me..”

“GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO PATIENTLY WAIT…”

Embrace your job as a vocation and calling, not just as career to get money at the day’s end. . . Believe me, God truly will bless u, reward u, and make u the best that you can be!

To belong to a hospital that year after year garners the ‘Universal Award for Excellence in Surgical Services’, and, ‘Magnet Designated Hospital for Nursing Excellence’ in Orange,California - ST.JOSEPH HOSPITAL, I then thought, will only remain as a dream. But now, I’m here! Just as a line in the song goes, “Dreams are my Reality!” It took me almost three taxing years to be where I most wanted to be - finally, I AM HOME! GOD first directed me to Mission Hospital Regional Trauma Center which at first I resented then, but looking back, I should have known it - everything happened for a reason! I found His purpose, and the  true meaning why I needed to go through it all… I was destined to start difficultly in that place, for there, the confidence I needed was built. Furthermore, that experience equipped me with the much needed skills and intellectual tools to fulfill my responsibilities as a now St.Joseph’s clinical employee with maximum ease. It’s still fresh in my head what my Orthopedic Boss in Mission-OR told me once during those very taxing start times. He said, “Christine, if u will make it here, u’ll make it anywhere!” (absolutely, u are right, Tom! Mission Hospital’ OR is like Frank Sinatra’s song ‘New York,New York’!hehehe) Seriously, thanks a lot my Mission family for believing in me and my ability! What I am today, you made me. Forever, I’ll be grateful to you..

One thing I deemed  and learned all these years, is this…it’s not our position nor what we do in life that satisfies. It’s how much love, sincerity, and dedication we garnished our every endeavor with heartily…IT’S “HOW” WE DO IT…Then presto! We get what we deserved - what we sow we reap. There goes the true meaning of fulfillment. It’s not just the landmarks but those tiny cherishable moments. It’s not the destination, they say, but rather, the journey of getting there that fulfills. Nothing compares when you get to visibly feel and enjoy the end product of your hard work and perseverance. But humbly - always remember, ability may take us to the peak of the highest mountain, but it’s “character” that will keep us safely and securely ‘afloat’. .

TODAY is the sprout of one “ANSWERED PRAYER”. Now I can say - it’s all worth it! Thank you Father God for this great and sweet reward. So hold on to “Faith” - wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and He will absolutely strengthen your heart with joy in the right moment of time.

 Our Supreme God and Mighty Provider just loves us so much that He turns His ears to us constantly. He always answers our request, maybe not with a yes at the time we wanted it, but always with what is best. . .

A LIFE IN SERVICE FOR THE LORD IS BASED ON SOLID OPTIMISM - IT WILL NOT EXPERIENCE DEFEAT. ”FAITH” IS THE ULTIMATE DRIVING FORCE THAT ENABLES US TO WIN IN OUR LIFE’S JOURNEY. . .

Everything we do, Lord, we offer to you…

-tintin ‘n family (www.sjo.org)

 (Mark 11:24)

“Therefore I tell you,whatever you ask for in prayer believe that you have received it, and it will be yours..”

(Psalm 37:4)

“Delight yourself in the Lord and HE will give you the desires of your heart..”

(1Peter:6-7)

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hands, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety in HIM because HE cares for you..”

“Trust…”

 STOOP-shouldered, foot-dragging, sighing, and resignation…neither one is trust.

Real trust bounces on eager toes of anticipation..

Laughs with pure delight..of knowing in whom it believes..

Rests easy knowing on whom it waits.

Lord, thank you for wrapping us in the knowledge of YOU, that our trust is no longer in you, but is totally YOU…

-manny-tin ‘n family