A woman after God's own heart!

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How to be  a woman after God's own heart? Are we born with the qualities that needed to be women after God's own heart?
According to God's words, king David was a man after God's own heart.  ( Acts 13:22) What did he do ? Does he earned it or was he just lucky to be chosen by God?
Again I am curious!

According to the bible, David was:

1.Greatest king of Israel
2. Ancestor of Jesus Christ
3. Listed in the "Hall of Faith" in Hebrews 11
4. A man described by God himself as a man after his own heart

But he was not perfect! Like us he too has weaknesses and mistakes like:

1. He committed adultery with Batsheba.
2. Arrranged the murder of Utah, Batsheba's husband
3. Directly disobeyed God in taking census of the people
4. Did not deal decisively with the sins of his children.

Then, now maybe we can say that if he had done those things and still be a man after God's own heart, then there is hope for us. Although, we might not be  an adulterous persons, but how many times we had chosen other things before God? Maybe we are not murderers, but how many times we wish that people that are evil be annihilated?  Is there someone out there who can say that in their whole life, they have been obedient to God? Or how about our children? In fact in my life, I can relate to David. Like me, my children are not perfect and as a mother it grieves my heart when I see that sometimes they are not following God's will. Oh I feel so helpless. Don't know how to deal with it. They are grown ups and makes decisions on their own. So what can a mother do, than pray. And I have to  pray for myself too, coz as human, I too have the tendens to go my own way.

David prayed too! A lot. Like in Psalm 79:1.4

Pouring Out Our Hearts to God

“O God, the nations have invaded Your inheritance; they have defiled Your holy temple, they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble. They have given the dead bodies of Your servants as food to the birds of the air, the flesh of Your saints to the beasts of the earth. They have poured out blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there is no one to bury the dead. We are objects of scorn and derision to those around us.”
(Psalm 79:1–4)

David witnessed terrible things. He saw the temple destroyed, his people humiliated, and his beloved city reduced to rubble. Those around him mocked him and his God. His heart ached for the servants and saints of the Lord, so he did what he always did—he poured out his burdens to God.

Although God already knew what happened, David still spoke to Him about it. Why? Because David was a man after God’s own heart, and when your heart is close to His, you speak to Him about everything.

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Does This Sound Like Our Lives?

When we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we too became men and women after God’s own heart. In fact, He now lives in our hearts. That means we can have a heart-to-heart talk with Him any time.

We can tell Him everything—joy or sorrow, pain or loss, suffering or success, failures or victories. As humans, we all need to pour out what is in our hearts from time to time—whether good or bad.

Maybe that’s why I blog: to share what is in my heart. I’m not one to keep secrets. I don’t mind if my life is like an open book, because no one is perfect. This is my legacy to my descendants—so they can get to know me through my words. David wrote what was in his heart, and his words have inspired mankind for generations. Perhaps my writing can inspire someone too… or at least allow them to learn from my mistakes.

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The Power of Sharing Burdens

No man is an island. It always helps to share the loads that are too heavy to bear alone—especially with someone who truly listens, understands, cares, and helps.

And that is who God is to us.

Like David, we also witness terrible things in our time. Look around—there is war, poverty, injustice, and evil. People are ridiculed for their faith in God. And yet, in the midst of it all, we can also see God’s goodness everywhere—His grace, His mercy, His forgiveness, and His wisdom, which He promised to give to those who ask.

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Where I See Him

• I see His light when the sun shines.

• I feel His comfort when I am down.

• I taste His goodness through every blessing.

• I picture His magnificence through His creation.

• I acquire wisdom from His Word.

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His Promise for You

This morning, God reminded me of a promise—a reminder that with Him, I can be the woman He destined me to be. And it’s not just for me—it’s His promise to you as well, dear men and women after God’s own heart.

What a wonderful promise! 💛

JOY

Trip to Lanzarote!

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Well, what can a mother do, when her daughter is 18 years old and decided to spent her Easter vacation with a friend in Lanzarote?  Nothing! Typical  mom to be like a chicken hen, wanting to always put her chicks under her wings.

And this was the place they spent their vacation without their parents.

                                 Sol Morromar in Puerto Del Carmen

Lanzarote is situated just 79 miles off the coast of Africa and is the most easterly of the Canary Islands. The island is 37 miles (60km) long and 12 miles (20 km) wide, making it the fourth largest island in the Canaries.

In the terrace by night!

Time to go out to look around!

                                                                     My flower girl!

Tasting Lanzarote's specialties! This is a five stars chinese restaurant. They served delicious meals that the customers were willing to stand in queue just to taste the foods.

One way of cleaning one's feet:)

 Went to the neighbor town Arrecife for shopping and to look around.

Time to explore Lanzarote. They rent a car!

Stopping by!

Sightseeing!

At the beach!

Hair treatment!

And they fell in love!

Saying goodbye is the hardest thing to do:(

But me, I was very happy to receive a gift from Lanzarote! And my daughter arrived home safe and sound.

JOY

Angels in disguise!

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After a " Trip to Ålesund" and " My worst nightmare " post, here is the last part where God sent angels in disguise to help us come safely home.
As I said from my last post, we found haven in " Steinshavn". And we needed someone who can look after our boat after we leave, drive us to the ferry boat, by car to another  ferry boat and a car again to the bus station. And God assured me in my quiet time that He will send help to us.
And sure he did! After 20 minutes my husband met this man. His name is Anskar.  I called him angel that came from heaven. He said that he is an angel on the daytime.

He showed us  a place where we can moor our boat, promise us to look after her ( boat) until we can retrieve the boat again. And after helping us to put everything in order, he drove us to the other island through a pier so we can take the ferry boat. But since we came a little bit earlier, he drove us around for sightseeing.

He showed this hotel and restaurant where we can overnight if we need a place to stay one day. We didn't  know that this place was/is a tourist's spot.

Me outside the " Havstuene" hotel.                                           The hotel seen from the backside.

The ferry boat came. So we thanked Anskar and promised to take contact. 

We sat in the upper deck and we began to talk about what we shall do later after we arrived to the other side of the island. There was a couple who was sitting next to our table in the ferry boat. And then we asked them if they are from that  island. And if they know what kind of transportation we should take so that we can take the bus from Molde til Kristiansund, where we planned  to spend the night. And they wondered where we came from, so we told them our sea voyage.  Then they said that  they are going the same way and that we can sit with them in their car and they can drive us to the bus station. Again " angels in disguise". Of course we can call a taxi, but since the distance was about 10 kilometer to the next ferry boat and 31 kilometer after the ferry boat to the bus station in Molde, then it will be very expensive if we take  a cab. There was no bus connection that time from ferry boat. And we were really  very lucky to meet them or I will say that God really sending the help that He promised.

     Took some pictures while we were in the ferry boat. The beauty of God's creation! The sea has  calmed down. 

Then at last we arrived in Molde. We asked the couple how much we should pay them, but they would not accept anything from us, since they were going the same way. And we cannot do anything but to thank them. And  in my inner thought I said: " Bye engels".

We arrived in Kristiansund in the afternoon. Too late to take the fast ferry boat on the way home. But sun was shining and so our humor too! We found Comfort hotel to night over. And there was no problem to rent a room. Because it was Easter, most of the people were on the mountain to go skiing. 

Magnificent view from the hotel room. Now I can feel that I am really on vacation together with my hubby. Feeling young and in love.

This billboard hang on the wall at the entrance of the hotel. Although I am not a fan of Karl Marx, but at this point, he was right. 

      Hotel's lobby. Clean and white and no guest. The whole hotel just for us!

Since they were not serving any dinner at the hotel, we went out to eat. The receptionist recomended a Chinese reataurant nearby. But they  were also close. 

                            But we were still lucky. We found this one open. 

They served big portions meals in a very low prices. And the food was very tasty. 

Me and my husband don't go out too often when we are at home. Maybe once or twice a year. So this time, I felt that we were on a date.  Just me and him. " Love is in the air" in our old days.

I just couldn't help it. I have to take  picture of this magnificent work of art that hang on the wall of the restaurant.  Really eye catching.

That night I slept like a baby. And when I opened the window the next morning and saw this beautiful sunrise, I can't help it but to give thanks to  God for allowing me to see the sun, before the snow falls again.

A song popped up in my mind" Oh what a beautiful morning". But I didn't sing. Or else my husband will say, it was a beautiful morning until you began to sing. Lol

Breakfast at the hotel. We were still alone, as you can see in the picture. Seems that we were the only guests at the hotel. My hubby enjoyed eating breakfast just with me, but  I prefer to see people. The more the merrier.  I am used to it, growing up in the Philippines. I did enjoy my husband's company. We had a lot of things to talk about, having an unforgettable Easter together.

Anyway, the time has come to take the fast ferry boat home. Because no matter what " there is no place like home". Home to our cat that had no choice but to sleep outside for many days. Although I left a box of food to a neighbor so she can feed our cat while we were away.

 Our youngest daughter spent her Easter vacation in Lanzarote. But she came home later at midnight. 

And guess what? Both we and the cat were so happy to see each other alive:) End of the story for now:)

JOY

My worst nightmare!

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This is the continuation of my post " Trip to Ålesund" which turned into nightmare.

  This is the fast ferry boat we took to Haried island from Ålesund. Half an hour journey.

The forecast for that day and the day after were moderate breeze with a little bit rainshower. And my husband told me that there will be no problem to sail a boat in that kind of weather.

The boat owner was already waiting for us when we arrived in Hareid island. He then drove us to the place ( Fosnavågen) where his boat was docked. It was a half an hour drive by car.

               And this is the boat. An old boat. 1982 model, but the engine is new.

My husband testing the auto pilot!

After getting the information that we needed from the boat owner and checking everything was in order, my husband signed the sale contract. It means that we are going to sail the boat home. And then I wondered how we are going to manage that? I knew nothing about sailing a boat. My husband is a seamann, but never driven  a boat  like this alone. I said alone coz I didn't consider myself as a crew coz when it comes to boat, I am zero.  For years my hubby just watched others do it. But he was sure that we can do it. Do I have a choice? No! I have to be with him both in good times and hard times.

Anyway, we had with us bread that we got from the hotel and the boat owner gave us a basket of snacks and drinks so that we can survive during the trip, which my husband thought will take 6 hours to Kristiansund, where we are going to dock and stay overnight in one of a hotel there. Half of the journey.

We went to the bunkers station first to fill the boat tank with diesel before we started the dangerous voyage. 

And to be sure that I am going to float if the boat went under, I put on an overall and a life jacket. As if it will help me when I landed in a freezing sea water.....

My husband did not know how afraid I was. If he can just hear my heart beats. Then  I prayed to  God for protection, coz He is the only one I can trust.

The first hour went well, but when we passed through an open sea and the waves began to be rough, the boat swayed up and down. Then my world started spinning round. I said Lord, I should not be feeling this way. I can't afford to be seasick. My husband needed me to help him navigate the boat. So, I went out to the back deck to get some fresh air so that I will get better.

And sure enough, I felt a little bit better .

After sailing more than three hours, suddenly the weather changed from moderate bris to gale. 

                                                        The waves are now very rough!

And then the snow came and my nightmare began. I was cured of seasickness, but then I was so terrified. I thought that we were  going to die. My husband couldn't see a thing. It was snowing heavily and I tried also to help him navigate. Tried very hard to spot a vessel that we might meet or something along the sea.  I told my husband  that we must  find a place to dock. We have GPS ombord and we tried to navigate with it, but it was very difficult to see when the windshield were heavy with snow. Then I sent my sister an sms telling her to pray for us coz we were in crisis. She answered me back that I must not worry coz God is with us and my husband is an experienced sailor. And I really pleaded to God. Told him  that I still have many things to do on earth. I was not ready to die yet. 

The boat bumps up and down and so was my heart. Crying inside and doing my best to help my husband to spot the island that  we saw in the GPS. Finally after more than an hour battling through the rough waves and the snow, we spotted a boat harbor. Then we moored the boat.

 As you can see there is so much snow in the windshield. 

Yes, we found a refuge, but my nightmare does not end there. The place where we found haven is located far from the city. No place to buy food or to sleep over. It was Easter and every establishment were closed. We had no choice but to sleep over ombord. That will be no problem if it was summer. But the temperatur was below zero degrees. But we had no choice. As long as the engine runs, we have heater ombord. But we cannot let it run whole the night. My husband turned it off before we lay us down on the berth.

We were lucky then that there were blankets ombord and although they were not clean, it did not matter. Both of us were unwashed anyway.

My husband slept at once, but me, with overall and blanket, was still freeezing so much that I couldn't sleep. Afraid to sleep. I thought that I might freeze to death. Scared of what tomorrow might bring, coz we have many more hours of sailing to go. I begged  God to surround me with his arm and make me warm and give me peace, but it seems that I have to manage the situation alone.

                                                        It snowed during the  night too.

 No wonder it was very cold. It was like sleeping on top of the snow with just an overall and a blanket to make our body warm. 

I just have to move my hands and feet  so that I would not freeze. Can you imagined  the situation? A lady dancing inside the boat in the middle of the night? Lucky for me, no one was watching. Well, my husband woke up and wondered what was going on. He then put his arms around me to make me comfortable.  It warmed my heart, but not my body. So at four o'clock am he started the ingine so that we can use the heater ombord. He too began to freeze.

After that I slept for about one hour and awakened by drops of water on my face. The moisture in the windowshield becomes droplets of water. My husband was already awake, preparing for our next sailing journey.

The sun was up and although it was blowing a little bit, my husband told me that we need to sail again to find another harbor near a city, so that we can buy food and a hotel to sleep over.  So off we went.

But although the sun was up, the wind was blowing against us and the waves keeps crushing at the windshields that it was difficult to see what was in front of us. I told my husband that it was more than my heart can take. Either he changed the crew or his wife. It was up to him. But I won't continue this voyage to the sea with him. He choosed the first. So me and my husband looked for the nearest harbor we can seek haven to stop the journey. He will then pick up the boat later with another crew member.

                                              And this is the first harbor we found!

My hubby moored the boat in the place reserved for the guest in the harbor.

And this is the crew member who resigned not even half of the voyage. 

If you look at the map, you can see a place called Steinshavn. It was the place we found a haven. But it is an island and the problems were, how we are going to find someone to take care of our boat when we leave, to drive us to the ferry boat to the other side, and by car and another ferry boat, and by car again before we can take the bus to Kristiansund. It was Easter and it was an unknown place for us and all the establishment were closed. 

 Then it was time to sit down and be quiet with God. And guess what! God gave me this verse:

Psalm 41:1-2 Blessed is he that considereth the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.  The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth......

Since I know how it was to be in need, my heart longs perpetually to help people God sends along my life's journey, who also needed help and I always do whatever I can. And he reminded me that since I am doing my part, He will do His part.  I must not worry coz He will send help along the way. Oh my! I just felt that I was dead, but now I am alive again.

In my next post I will then tell how God sent angels in disguise so that we can come safely home. 

                                                               JOY

      Linking to " On Your Heart Tuesday" http://www.shandaoakleyinspires.com/