God – I AM SO INah

Dealing With A Friend Moving, And Stepping Into A New Season

If there is one very tangible thing that shows how immense God’s love for me is, it is this…

My God-enacted friendship with a fellow single mom: Rizza.

She has just moved to a different province this weekend. I wanted to post something on my Instagram, so I looked up some photos from my gallery. That’s when it hit me. I saw myself and her, as well as our kids, grew up right before my eyes through those photos!

I vividly remember the day we met on a fall afternoon in the school playground. We were both watching our kids playing on the play structure. We had a small chat, and that’s when we realized that we were both newcomers to Canada and single moms! We easily got along because we were able to relate and understand each other’s struggles and joys, while raising our then second-graders. Coincidentally, it was both our first year at that school and in the same daycare!

Looking back, and specifically when I was viewing the pics we garnered all these years, I felt God’s strong love and presence. He was like a Father, playing a board game, moving people and things around silently in my favor. All along, He was in the background, orchestrating things to happen. He paved the way for me and Rizza to meet on that fateful day because it was His plan to give both of us the helping hand we needed in the formative years of our kids.

I told her I could never imagine surviving this solo parenting journey in a foreign land without her. It’s true. When we had medical checkups for ourselves, we babysat for each other. When we cannot pick up our kids from daycare on time, we covered for each other. We went to kiddie activities and events together on buses, when she did not have a car yet. We would go to the other side of the city (or even outside) just so we could create happy childhood memories for our kids – camping, hiking, swimming, eating out, and the list goes on.

I’m still crying my heart out as I write this. I just find it so amazing how we survived all those years, and how God was at work behind the scenes. I can really imagine God looking down at me right now. He’s just silent, but is saying to my heart, see the plans I made and executed for you? I never left you nor forsook you. Now, trust that I have way more miracles in the future. Just hang on.

Her Company Christmas Party at the Children’s Museum

I also realized that this is God’s way of turning this chapter of our lives. Now that our kids are almost pre-teens and do not need the same rigid care as before, He is saying it’s time to move on to the next season. This made me remember the popular passage from Ecclesiastes 3:1-11:

For everything there is a season,

a time for every activity under heaven.

A time to be born and a time to die.

A time to plant and a time to harvest.

A time to kill and a time to heal.

A time to tear down and a time to build up.

A time to cry and a time to laugh.

A time to grieve and a time to dance.

A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.

A time to embrace and a time to turn away.

A time to search and a time to quit searching.

A time to keep and a time to throw away.

A time to tear and a time to mend.

A time to be quiet and a time to speak.

A time to love and a time to hate.

A time for war and a time for peace.

What do people really get for all their hard work? I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time.

The reality of this earthly life is that nothing is ever constant. Everything shall pass, but we can be assured that God’s hands are at work every single time. He knows the friendships we need, the breakthroughs to keep us going, and even the God-authorized pains that are essential to foster our own growth. We may not see it now, but trust that everything happens for a reason and in God’s perfect time.

My friendship with Rizza ain’t over just because of the distance. We will surely get in touch from time to time, and we’ll vist each other when we can.

I was not able to give her any physical parting gift, but I hope I was able to show how much I honor our friendship through this post.

I pray that you too can find godly friends like I did. You might even have one now without realizing it. Treasure these friendships and reap all its fruits for its intended season in your life.

❤️,

Rina

Photo dump of all our other adventures:

Fun Weekend Breakfast Idea You Can Make With Your Kids

Learn how to make easy, home-made Tiktok crepes, even kids can do! Perfect breakfast idea!

Hello everyone! Today, I ‘ll be sharing with you a fun breakfast idea you can do with your kids. It is so easy! It is the tortilla hack made famous by TikTok. For our version, we used homemade crepes, which recipe, I will also share below. Read on…

Just a little side story before we proceed… I’ve been contemplating lately what to do with my blog. I love to write, and that is the main reason why started this. However, I am being compelled to take it a notch higher. I am thinking of focusing on parenting and maybe develop tools that will help my readers with that. But I also want to keep on writing my heart out when I want to. I mean, it is a blog, and that is essentially what it means, right? So, for now, I’ll just keep on posting, sharing and experimenting, and go from there. I’ve been praying about it lately. My church friends told me that I just have to stick to the bigger purpose and that is to help and inspire other people as that will bring honor to God. The rewards will follow for sure. If it is not too much for you, my dear readers, I hope you can also give me ideas and brutally loving feedback as to which direction this blog should tread. Any comment would be highly appreciated!

Ok, back to breakfast…

We literally just finished eating, and Van and I had super fun making it so I thought I’d share with you. For this recipe, you can use either store-bought tortillas or crepes. If you don’t have that in your pantry, here is a super easy crepe recipe. You just need three ingredients!

Easy Crepes

I cup flour

1 and 3/4 cup milk (we used Oat Milk but you can use whatever milk)

2 eggs

Combine all together. Pour nicely on a hot skillet and make sure they are thinly and evenly spread out. See Van in action below.

Three-ingredient crepe, what could be easier than that?

Caution: HOT!
Younger kids need close supervision on this.

The recipe yields four large crepes. Now that you have your crepes, the fun begins!

Gather spreads, fruits, jams or any ingredient you and your kids would like to put into your crepe. For us, we chose Nutella, cookie butter spread, crushed Oreos and sliced fresh strawberries (gotta incorporate something healthy, you know lol).

Here’s our lineup of breakfast warriors.

You can also use savory ingredients like egg, sausages, bacon, mayonaise, ketchup, yogurt. You do you. 😊

Now, it’s assembly time! First, cut off the crepes halfway through the middle as shown below:

You will end up having imaginary quarters. Put each ingredient in their own quadrant.

Kids can easily do this and practice their creativity too.

Now, fold them to make a traditional triangle crepe. Start by folding the left, lower quadrant towards the left, upper quadrant, then fold towards the right, upper, and finally towards the right, lower part. Ok, that sounds more confusing that it actually is. It might be easier to take a look at Van in action below.

Grab the left, lower quadrant. Fold it towards the left, upper quadrant.

Fold the now combined quadrants towards the right, upper quadrant.

Fold them all together towards the last quadrant (right, lower)

You can press it into a panini maker or simply toast in the same skillet for that added crunch.

Tada! Fun, easy breakfast crepe, even kids can do!

They are delicious and really easy to do. On top of it all, we had fun! I think involving kids in the kitchen is a good way of honing their creativity, responsibility, knowledge of food and nutrition, and appreciation for the resources we are blessed with.

Good morning!
Please excuse my puffy, woke-up-like-this face

That’s it. I hope you were able to learn a thing or two from this post. You don’t necessarily have to follow the entire thing as we did. You can get creative with your kids and even involve them in planning. The possibilities are endless, and that’s what makes this uniquely fun.

I hope to share more fun bonding activities that you can do with your kids or even your other family members. That’s kind of what I am aiming for when I said earlier in this post that I feel like I want to this blog to have a more focused direction. Let me know what you think.

Happy weekend to all!

See you on the next one!

❤️,

Rina

How To Develop An Attitude of Gratitude

Want to be more blessed? Be thankful!

Last night, I was listening to a preaching about gratitude. It spoke to me so much, I had to blog about it. I want to share the short talk I heard and add up some of my personal realizations.

It may be hard to feel thankful right now with everything that’s happening around us, but what I learned is that it doesn’t take much to feel truly grateful within. The genuine attitude of gratitude can be practiced by everyone on a daily basis if only we have the right mindset.

The talk was inspired by the letter of Paul to the Philippians (Philippians 4:10-19).

Just a background info (for those who are not familiar), Paul was once anti-Christ. He loathed Jesus. He persecuted Christians. He was an enemy of the church. One day, he got struck by an immensely bright light from heaven that it literally blinded him for three days. In that event, God revealed Himself to him, asking, “Saul (his former name), why do you persecute me?” That was Paul’s turning point. After that event, he completely transformed and decided to dedicate his life to preach the Gospel. For me, Paul’s story is one of the most, if not the most, inspiring transformation stories I have ever known.

Based on the preaching that I was talking about in the beginning, there are four main reasons why Paul seemed so blessed. I believe that if we are able to practice these things, we will be able to master the attitude of gratitude.

Contentment

“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.”(Philippians 4:11).

Noticed how he used the phrase “I have learned”. Contentment is learned. It is not natural for humans to feel completely satisfied. We crave for things that we do not have. It takes time and experience, and of course, prayer and petition to learn how to be content.

For a great start, learn to stop comparing yourself to others. Comparison kills contentment. Focus on yourself and your own growth. At the end of the day, only you and God can evaluate your work. As long as you did your best, you’re good. Things might not go exactly as you planned it, but sometimes, it is what it is.

Last Friday, I felt God really spoke to me through one of my co-workers. Being the workaholic that I am, I was anxious about something, and I asked him for some input. We reviewed what we have done so far and we both agreed that we have done everything we could and more. Still, the outcome was not perfect. Then, he said, “You know what, Rina, all I can say is, have a good rest this long weekend and happy thanksgiving. You deserve it. You did your best, but there are people and circumstances that we cannot control. It is just how things are.”

“Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.” (Galatians 6:4-5).

Being content, however, does not mean being complacent. Set a goal. Once reached, celebrate, then keep moving forward and go where your talents can be of good use.

Detachment

“I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.” (Philippians 4:12).

You will only know the meaning of plenty if you know what it is to have scarcity.

Little becomes a lot to people who have none.

Paul was once rich, but he turned his back from that and instead chose the hard life. He even went to prison on his journey to spread the Good news.

Detach. Simplify. Focus on the essentials. We are already blessed. Happiness is already within us, we just have to remove the non-essentials.

Commitment

“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13)

The biggest secret of all: when you have Jesus in your life, you will be content, and this mindset can do EVERYTHING.

When you have Jesus, you can do anything.

This verse is not about self-belief, it is about trusting wholeheartedly that Jesus will fight the battles, run the race, and do the work you cannot do.

In the process, don’t fear being vulnerable. Vulnerability is actually a show of strength – not only of you for admitting your weaknesses, but of God working in your life. You just have to trust.

Relationships require commitment, right? The same idea applies. When you give God your commitment, God will give you His.

“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

The promise: God will supply all your NEEDS (not wants). God will give according to His riches and generosity (not according to your works).

God does not only promise strength. He also promises to give you all that you will ever need. So, give your first fruits to God – time, money, service. Give freely. Remember, you can never outgive God. You can never give too much because He is the source of everything. His blessings are limitless.

Compliment

“At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God.” (Philippians 4:19).

When Paul wrote this letter, he was in prison. Can you imagine a prisoner being this excited and happy despite his situation?

Happiness is not being in the right place/position, but with having the right perspective and state of mind.

Be grateful. Speak it. Shout it. Declare it!

I may have countless needs but I am blessed.

I may be tired but I am blessed.

I may be alone but I am blessed.

I may have gone through troubled waters but I am blessed.

Now, it’s your turn. Complete the sentence:

I MAY BE _____ BUT I AM BLESSED!

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day in Canada. It is actually a statutory holiday. I love how a day in a year is dedicated to celebrate all the things that people are grateful for. Friends and family gather over turkey and treats to remember their blessings.

Let us try to make every day a day of gratefulness and thanksgiving. I believe that when we practice this attitude of gratitude on a daily basis, life will be sweeter, more fruitful and generally more satisfying despite the lacks and losses.

Happy thanksgiving and see you in the next one!

❤️,

Rina

Honoring God’s Faithfulness As We Celebrate Four Years In Canada

Four years in Canada. Four Years of God’s love and blessings. An immigrant, single mom’s journey in a nutshell.

August 15, 2020. This day marks the exact date of when Van and I first arrived in Canada. Four years. Time flies so fast. Who would have thought we’d survive?

This week, we were strolling around the park where we used to go after Sunday mass. This was the only park we knew back then. We used to go there so frequently, it seems like we’ve taken photos at almost all its corners and sites.

Fast forward to the present, we’ve become well accustomed to the city. We’ve gained so many friends, tried numerous restaurants, and experienced the local culture like well, a local.

So many things have changed. As I look back, all I feel is gladness – glad that even if we are not in a place of perfect peace, we are not where we used to be.

Let’s take a quick look back:

I have learned so many things in the last four years of being a single mom, living abroad. It sure is tough. There are days when all I want to do is cry because of exhaustion. There are nights when I go to bed and sleep almost instantly because I am tired working all day, maintaining a household, and looking after a kid. It’s been a one-man show for the past four years.

The light needs to be replaced? I replace it. The daycare is closed? I find child care replacement. My son is hungry? I fix a snack. Math homework? I put on a teacher hat. The Rubik’s cube needs to be scrambled? I scramble it. You get the picture.

People ask me how I do it. My answer is I don’t know either. I guess when you come face to face with any situation, you just muster the guts and simply deal with it.

In spite being able to hurdle all those obstacles, I cannot get all the credit. I may look like a Wonder Woman to some, but believe me, I’m not. This is where my life verse comes to play:

“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

Who allowed me to witness my dad replace a fluorescent light multiple times before? Who directed my steps so I can meet trustworthy and reliable friends along the way? Who gave the provision for us to have food on the table? Who allowed me to fail at elementary Math so I can master the concepts and be able to teach my son? From where does my energy come from?

No one else, but the almighty God.

He was, is, and forever will be the orchestrator, the provider, the healer – the only one, who can make all things possible. I have nothing, absolutely nothing, to brag about myself. Every little thing is part of His perfect plan for us. It’s all Him.

We stayed in my cousin’s house on year 1, moved to an apartment on year 2, bought a house on year 3. Little miracles happened in between – full time work came, daycare spots opened, true friends met, and so on.

Every single day, I feel so grateful. I am able to survive, laugh, eat, and enjoy life despite the difficulties. Even if Van and I feel out of place sometimes because of our not-so-conventional family structure, the Lord never fails to remind us in simple ways, how favored and loved we truly are.

As I said, I learned so many things throughout my journey, but if I was asked to pick one of the most valuable, I would say, it is to learn to surrender everything to the Lord.

I used to want to control things and plan my own path. I never considered praying about it, or consulting God. In my mind, I want my own gain and pleasure. Disastrous strategy.

When Jesus saved me and called me back to the faith, I learned to let loose and chase after what God wants, instead of what I want. I wanted to please God first before myself. I learned to die to myself every single day.

“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)

When I started aiming for what is righteous, true and pleasing to God, the worldly material possessions, relationships and money turned into a speck of dust in the very back of my head. I rarely think about these things anymore. What’s interesting is, that’s when God poured all these blessings unto me. I guess God just really wants to teach me that apart from Him, I am nothing. I learned to rely on Him alone and seek His face first. When I’ve mastered this, that’s when He added up beautiful things here and there.

Four years in Canada. Wow. This country just used to be a dream destination. Now, it is home. Thanks to all the people who supported us along the way. We are forever grateful.

Happy anniversary to us, land of the Maple leaf, bear country, winter wonderland! Here’s to more fond memories and sweet tire d’érable!

Merci beaucoup! 🇨🇦🥂

Dear God, Thank You For Forgiving Me Even When I Cannot Forgive Myself

*This write-up was supposed to be a blog entry for Lent, but I got so busy with household changes due to COVID-19. Nonetheless, I believe the message of God’s forgiveness should be made known , Lenten season or not.*

While I was a slave to sin

Jesus died for me

Yes He died for me

During a worship service, this song lyrics pierced my heart through and through. I was imagining myself doing ungodly things, yet there you were Jesus, suffering for me. I was so touched. Your love is immeasurable and unfathomable, to say the least.

I will never understand how You can love a sinner like me, but You are insistent. You want to enter my life and bless it despite my woundedness.

It is so hard to forgive myself for my wrongdoings.

I keep on torturing myself with thoughts of my unworthiness and shame. I tell myself, “hasn’t God blessed me with so much abundance? How was I able to turn away from Him still?”

What I’ve learned is that no one is too far away for You not to reach. No one is too messy for You not to tame. No one is too sinful for You not to restore.

All I need to do is to come as I am. You will embrace me no matter what state I am in. I do not need to fix myself before approaching You. I cannot do that. Only You can do that work.

If You, the Lord Almighty forgave me, what right do I have to not forgive myself?

I am from dust, and to dust, I shall return. I am but an ash in this vast world, yet You gaze upon me with pure love. What can be more amazing than that?

Again, thank you Lord for the gift of mercy. I feel your love that is new every morning as I wake up with sun rays peeking through my window. I know it signifies the warmth of your love shining from the heavens.

To you, who’s reading this… I don’t know why or how you came across this article – coincidence, conscious effort, God’s plan? No matter the circumstance, know that there is a reason. You are here because you need to hear that you are valued, loved and forgiven. I know there are days when you feel ashamed and unworthy, but please rest in the promise that there is someone higher up there who is madly in love with you – Jesus. He died for you. He paid the price of your sin debt in full.

You are forgiven, even before you commit the sin.

I’ve been struggling with guilt and unforgiveness these past months, but let me tell you this: God never showed me wrath. He just kept on forgiving and providing a way out. I cannot explain how amazing every single experience was. All I know is that He continuously showers me with grace – undeserved yet given freely through faith.

Praise God, at all times!

Hi dear readers, sorry for not being able to post for months! I know the world is chaotic right now, but hang in there! I will try to post more uplifting articles as regularly as I can. I hope you stick around. See you in the next!

<3,

Rina

When God Asks You Put Something Down, Believe That He Has Something Better

There are things in life that we have a strong grip on – a job, a person, luxury material possessions. We hold these things dear to our hearts as if life depends on it. They have become idols, and at times, the center of our lives.

If you have such bondages, be warned. Know that anything that keeps us away from putting God first is dangerous.

God thinks these things can distract us from being the best we can be. Because he loves us so much, He takes them away one by one, especially if it starts to take a toll on us.

Like a True Father

Imagine a father cutting off his child’s gadget time. The child loves the gadget so much and plays it nonstop. The father knows the gadget gives happiness to his child, but he is also fully aware that it can distract from studies, duties, and many other more important things. While it pains the father to see his child sad, he still uses his authority and take it away.

It’s because he knows that in the long run, it is for the best.

The child does not get it at first. He questions his father’s ways. Does my father really love me? If he really loves me, why does he take away things I like? Why can’t he allow me to be happy?

Be Alert For Red Flags

Like a true parent, God sometimes uses warning signs too – first, second and final warnings.

Initially, He might send a person to talk us out of our obsessions. He might orchestrate a circumstance to make us walk away from danger. Later on, He might stir our conscience and disturb us so dramatically, the message suddenly becomes so loud and clear:

PUT IT DOWN, CHILD.

His Voice, Our Call

But then again, God can only do so much. I mean, He is all powerful and can make all things possible, but He also gives us free will. The final decision still lies within us. Should we heed the call, or ignore it?

Be very careful during these times of discernment. It is when the enemy is strongly present. He will try to lure us away from God’s plan. He might persuade us into thinking that holding on to our bondages is not that bad.

Remember, a cheap present that’s wrapped in shiny paper and fancy ribbons does not change its value. It remains rubbish.

For example, a job that tolerates vices. I know of someone who used to work in a gambling-related account of a big company. Compensation was hefty, benefits were attractive, and location of work was very convenient. At first, he thought it was ok. But God continuously stirred his heart. He made a decision to look for other jobs, and with God’s grace, he landed in another position that’s way better and more helpful to society.

You see, when we decide to follow God’s instructions, no matter how painful and difficult it might be, He will equip us.

Stop Looking For Trash And Go After Real Treasures

One more point before I end this. Let me share with you the Parable of the Rich Fool. For those who are not familiar, here’s the full passage from Luke 12:16-21:

And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’

“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

Notice that the “fool” in this story is a rich man who has everything. He might have worked all his life to build up earthly riches and obsessed himself into working and working. Clearly, his focus was on his treasures. What did God do? Take his life away that very night.

Don’t let that “fool” be you today. Be receptive to God’s voice and act on it. Walk away from that relationship that’s dragging you down, uninstall that social media app that constantly wastes your time, release the unforgiveness in your heart, and give up controlling everything. Let go, friend, let go.

When God asks you to put something down, believe with all your heart that He has something better for you.

Happy new year, my dear readers! I hope this first blog post for the year has inspired you to look for nothing else but God’s best plan for you this 2020.

2019 was great as it was when I finally decided to go back into blogging. I hope to reach out to more beautiful souls and spread God’s love through my writings and musings.

See you in the next!

❤️,

Rina