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Dark!

It is winter. It is dark and cold. For many people, this is also a season of loneliness, fear, and depression.

Those who live in countries where the sun shines almost all year round, yet struggle with poverty, might gladly trade places with us. They dream of having enough food to eat, sleeping in a warm, comfortable bed, living in a cozy home, sitting by a fireplace with a good book, or experiencing the beauty of falling snow and building a snowman.

But if we truly exchanged lives, they might find joy in the comforts we often take for granted, while we could still find ourselves struggling with loneliness and discouragement.

Why is that?

Because loneliness has little to do with what we own and everything to do with what is happening in our hearts.

The Christmas season is meant to be a time of joy, yet for many it is the loneliest time of the year. Empty chairs around the table, memories of loved ones, distance, illness, or broken relationships can make the darkness feel even deeper.

Yet God reminds us:

"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18)

One thing I have learned is this: whenever I feel lonely, God gently reminds me to come to Him. Jesus Himself lovingly invites us:

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

My husband is a sailor and is away much of the year. My family in the Philippines lives far away. It breaks my heart not to be with my loved ones, especially during Christmas. There are moments when loneliness quietly finds its way into my heart.

But that is why it is such a comfort to come to God. He assures me that I am never alone. He is with me, and He is also with those I love. As He promised:

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)

He also says:

"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)

These promises help me look beyond my circumstances and see His many blessings. Instead of focusing on what I am missing, He teaches me to become a blessing to others.

King David understood this. During one of his darkest moments he prayed:

"Send forth Your light and Your truth; let them guide me; let them bring me to Your holy mountain, to the place where You dwell." (Psalm 43:3)

Then he continued:

"Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my exceeding joy; and I will praise You with the harp, O God, my God." (Psalm 43:4)

Imagine that! Even King David experienced loneliness and discouragement. He had wealth, power, success, honor, and everything many people dream of having. Yet none of these things could satisfy the deepest longings of his heart.

He needed God.

In God's presence David found joy, hope, strength, and a song to sing.

Why?

Because God is light.

The Bible tells us:

"God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all." (1 John 1:5)

Just as daylight lifts our spirits after a long, dark winter, God's presence brightens even the darkest places in our hearts.

Because God is good.

"Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him." (Psalm 34:8)

When we stop and remember His goodness, gratitude begins to replace discouragement.

Because God is our Helper.

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1)

His promises give us courage when we are afraid.

Because there is joy in His presence.

"You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand." (Psalm 16:11)

There we find comfort for every hurting heart.

Because God is the source of life.

The Apostle John wrote:

"In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind." (John 1:4)

When we draw near to Him, He renews our hearts and gives us strength to keep going.

David experienced this, and we can experience it too—whether it is summer or winter, whether life is bright or dark. God's presence has the power to heal lonely hearts. As He fills us with His light, we become lights for others, bringing hope, encouragement, and comfort to those walking through dark seasons.

Jesus said:

"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)

And He also reminds us of our calling:

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden." (Matthew 5:14)

When Christ fills our hearts with His light, we naturally become lights to others. We can encourage the discouraged, comfort the lonely, and share the hope that only Jesus can give.

May His light shine brightly in your heart this Christmas and throughout the coming year.

Merry Christmas, dear friends!

JOY

Blessings of the day!

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This flowering plant ( Helleborus)  that I received from my friend Lillan as a Christmas gift. One of the gifts coz, she has  one more gift  to me. To be opened on Christmas day. She is really nice.

Roses from my hubby. It is our 22th anniversary today. Four roses means I love you much. He said so:)

I am blessed to see that my plants are blossoming:)

And because my hubby is not at home, I invited my mother in law to eat dinner with me and my youngest daughter. A blessing to have her around.

Table for three!

I served kaldereta, rice and salad. And my mother in law said that it was tasty:) Glad she liked it. First time to served kaldereta dish to her.

We are blessed with beautiful sunset!

And with that, me and my new created stuffed doll Marte say goodbye!

JOY

The joy of giving!

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Today, I am wearing the color of Christmas. Color of giving? Together with my older sister, brother-in-law and friends, we are going to visit the elderly to share God's love to them.

And it seems that the weather cooperates today, since there was snowstorm yesterday.

I love sunshine days. It makes this place a little bit warmer.

Nice background for the dry plants and trees!



Anyway, we decorated the place for the occasion. This is the activity center of the nursing home where I actually work almost everyday.







First visitior. My sister's mother in law. A lady with a good heart.




Anyway, this is Claudia who shares God's words today. She read from the Bible the birth of Jesus. She said that like before, people from all walks of life accept Jesus Christ birth differently. Herodes the king wanted to kill Jesus, while the shepherds and the three wise men worshiped him. The question was how do we react of Jesus birth? Do we accept him as a gift from God or do we reject him? Christmas is all about Jesus and God's love to mankind. So her prayer is for each and everyone to accept the God's best gift.


And after Claudia sharing, Reidun shared also how they celebrated Christmas before and how God answered her prayer when she lost a gift from someone she loves.



     Åse shared something from the song book about Christmas.



Then, my sister, her hubby and Claudia sung a song about lighting a light this Christmas.

Maria sung a solo sang. It was like hearing an angel singing from heaven. Our spirits lifted up on high.

 But this make us teary eyed. A duet of mother and son. So wonderful.

And the little boy Trond swaying at the background while his mother and brother sung.

   Well, this is food for the soul and body. We brought with us cakes ,breads and fruits for them.

Happy faces!

Here comes the big Santa with the gifts to the elderly.

And Adrian, our cute santa . The gift in the plastic bag consist of small chocolates, cookies and homemade strawberry jam.


 And our cutest Santa did his best too:)



But, there is more:) My sister and brother in law baked big cookies with the names of the elderly written on it.



So look at the smiles!

 Surprise! They baked cookies for us too! And look at our smiles:) Thank you so much sis and brother in law.

The joy of giving. With that I know that God was joyful when he gave his Son as a gift to all of us. The greatest gift of all!

JOY

They made me really cry!

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What's that suppose to mean? Tears of sorrow or tears of happiness? Well, happy that it was tears of happiness.

Surprise, surprise! I was at the flower shop today to buy  flower plants to put on my window post, as you can see under,

when the saleslady asked me If I am going to be home later that day. She said that she is going to bring something for me. Well, I thought that my husband is giving me a flower bouquet for our 22 years of anniversary this december month. How thoughtful of him.

So the flower bouquet arrived. I was so excited to open it, thinking that it was from my hubby. The bouquet is so beautiful. My heart leap with joy.

But, I was so suprised when I read the dedication from the card. It was not from my hubby, but from the very sweet and with lovely heart Gracie of " Gracie's Network".

She is thanking me for the card that I sent to her and wishing me Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Then , tears began running down  my cheeks. I was so touched, so thankful, feel loved and the feelings is so overwhelming. What a very nice gesture from Gracie. Bless her heart. Thank you so much Gracie. 

And when I opened my mail  box today, guess what ? Another surprise. Archie from " Chateau de Archieviner" sent me postcards from Caledonia. Again, very touched and he made me a very happy woman too.

Thank you so much Archie:)

And there are two more bloggers that made me cry when they published a post this year in their site dedicated to me.

The first one was from my second daughter living in the Philippines. Her website " Michi Photostory"

My second daughter and her family !

She  published this letter for me.

                           Happy Golden Birthday to my mom! 

Happy Golden Birthday to you! It was sad that we can’t be with you on your special day for obvious reason, plane ticket is so expensive and I guess its 3 years’ worth of our house amortization. =) Thank God for technology because I can greet you in my post.

I just want to let you know that I am really grateful that God gave me a mom like you, though we’ve only been together for seven years and we never really grow up with you. We are still thankful because we know that across the miles you are always there to support, pray, care and love us.

I know you’ve been through a lot and if there’s one story na pang MMK (Maalala mo kaya) that will be your story. You suffered and sacrificed a lot just for us so even though we we’re not able to live with you, we’re still happy for you because you truly deserve to be happy.

Growing up without a mom beside me is not easy but it also taught me how to be strong, independent and responsible person. I always think that you’re not with me so I have to learn to fight my own battles, run my own race and achieve my dreams.

I salute you for achieving all your dreams; you got your degree while taking care of our youngest sister and at the same time working to support us. When I became a mom, you serve as an inspiration to me because I know that you had 3 kids at the age of 20 without nanny and househelper and I only have one son so I know I can do it too.

You taught us to have good relationship with God so when life is so tough, when we’re about to give up and we can’t run to you for help because of the distance, we can always call God to strengthen and comfort us.

I’m proud to be your daughter and I hope that I can be like you. I want to be a good mother to my little one and I hope that I can raise him the way you raised us, they say that the first 7 years is the most important phase and I hope I’m on the right track.

Happy birthday and I really pray that you will have more birthdays to come because I can’t imagine the future without you! Jeg elsker deg!

(And this is her son, my grandchild wishing me a happy birthday)

 

Just reading her letter made me cry again....her words really warms my heart.

Another published post dedicated to me was from Arvin " Written feelings" . Although we don't know each other very well, he did it for me by my request. And he made me feel very important. Thanks Arvin. You leaved a mark in my heart.

LUHA, LIGAYA, at LANGIT (by request)
Ni: Arvin U. de la Peña

Kabiguan na natamo
Luha man naging kapalit
Di pinanghinaan loob
Hinarap ang kapalaran.

Taas noo pinagyabang
Pagbangon mula ng iwan
Sa ligaya na nakamit
Kapiling ang bagong mahal.

Ang delubyo na sinapit
Parang bula na naglaho
Pagbuhos ulan sa buhay
Sikat ng araw pumalit.

Mistula ng lumilitaw
Langit na ang pakiramdam
Nangyari sa nakaraan
Sa isipan ay limot na.

Luhang tumulo sa mata
Nangyaring sama ng loob
Ligaya ngayon sa puso
Katulong Diyos sa langit

So those people really made me cry. Tears of joy!

May God continue to shower you all with more blessings because each and everyone are a blessing.

Happy week- end friends!

JOY