Genuine Cuisine

Remind Myself

2010-03-10T04:46:00.004+08:00

It has been a few days since I got back from my trip. It was truly wonderful to see my little siblings shouting and jumping seeing me home back again.

But since I arrived, my two nieces ( both two years old) have been having fever on and off. I guess due to a very hot weather now, it's the cause of their fever. One think that I truly praise God is that every time they took medicine their fever subsided.

But I cannot avoid but worry a bit because the dengue has been attacking in our country. When I think of the very negative one, I always remind myself, instead of worrying why not trusting God because He is always able to protect HIS children.

I've been telling my family to clean up our surrounding and throw water that has been stocked in the basins that have no covers because there's a tendency that the mosquitoes will lay eggs.

Grace Alone

2010-03-06T13:44:00.004+08:00

My entry for today's meme is the theme song of the recent mission conference that I attended in Davao City. The message of this song is very true to me, every time I listen to this, it truly touches my heart. More entries please click the badge below.

Nice Improvement

2010-03-06T09:33:00.008+08:00

My trip to Davao Del Sur and North cotabato area was really great I was glad seeing my old friends.

I stayed in Digos for a couple of days and one thing that I noticed in that area is that the town is really clean and the roads are really wide. The way they built their subdivisions were really nicely planned because the road was quite wide compared to my home town.

Not to look down my home town but honestly the roads there are not really wide and it's very crowded and also the roads in the subdivisions are really small and that's the reason I am admiring Digos. Hopefully, someday the roads in my town will be expanded but how it will happen because there many houses near to the roads. I guess, it's too impossible to expand the roads in my town. Anyway, it's not so important I am just comparing my home town to the beautiful towns. LOL

Well, in my trip to north Cobatato was really great and I was very surprised to see Kidapawan City has great improvement. And also in Magpet, Cotabato, we back in 1993-94 the road going to Magpet was very dusty and the bridges were not really strong and I experienced many times to walk on the river because the jeep couldn't get through to the other side if the passengers would not get down from the jeep but now the road is really nice and not dusty anymore because it's cemented already.

When I was assigned in Magpet, the Municipality Hall was not really nice but now it's truly nice and I could see the nice improvement of it.

Hopefully, my next trip will be in Zambaonga area and I cannot wait to see my friends, colleagues and foster parents ( who looked after me while I was doing the campus ministry) there.

North Cotabato Trip

2010-03-04T09:26:00.005+08:00

After our Magpet trip, we met up my colleague before in Kidapawan City. We had good time sharing together of what we've been doing while we're away with each other. Truly God has been so faithful in using us for HIS glory.

Now, my colleague has been teaching at the Christian school and on weekends she has been handling the youth fellowship at the church where I attended before.

We had our delicious lunch at Mandarin Restaurant in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato

The friend that I've been talking about is the one wearing a flowery blouse. And the one who's wearing a green blouse is one of my host in Digos City and she's very kind to be with me on my trip to north Cotabato area even she didn't get enough sleep because the whole night she worked at the hospital as a nurse but she did sacrifice her slept on that day just because she wanted to travel with me. To you, my dear sister Nenen, thanks so much for everything.

By the way, I've been staying at my other friend's house, Jojo, but the good thing is if Jojo (nurse) is on duty Nenen is not and one of them would usually my companion. Indeed! Friends are always great and wonderful blessings!

Harvested Good fruits

2010-03-01T22:02:00.004+08:00

Yesterday, my friend Nenen and I went to Magpet. My purpose of traveling back to Magpet, North Cotabato was to get the police clearance because I stayed there for a year as a campus missionary. After my transaction we visited the church where I used to attend.

While walking on the street someone called my name excitedly when I turned my head back I saw a very familiar face. Then without delayed, she told me that I was their religious teacher when she’s in high school

The more I surprised to know that she has been faithfully attending the Sunday services at the church where I attended before. She even told me that the seed I planted in 1993-94 harvested good fruit.s All the glory belongs to God!

This is taken at the parsonage. A post with my disciple and her pastor.

I've been very encouraged to know that my disciple has been growing and serving the LORD faithfully. With this, I strongly believe that what I planted in the hearts of my students and friends in Thailand it will result to good harvest in the LORD. I believe that those who accepted the LORD while I was in Thailand they will come out and serve the LORD faithfully.

Time With Friends

2010-02-28T16:35:00.003+08:00

Last Saturday, I arrived in Digos safe and sound and my friend picked me up at the bus terminal. We went to have something to bit in Jollibee and after that my friend went to buy washing machine and I went with her and after that we went to the hospital where she and my other friend work.

My friend has been a praise and worship leader at their church so we went there for their practice. And after the practice we went out for our dinner and my other friend met us there.

We had delicious grilled chicken and sisig at Ati-Atihan restaurant.

It's always been wonderful to spend sometime with friends. When they're still in Thailand, we usually met up in Hatyai City just to be with each other and ate lots of delicious food. And when I arrived here in Digos City we have been doing the same we've been eating lots of delicious food.

Thank you so much to my host, Jojo and Nenen. God bless you all more abundantly.

Discounted

2010-02-27T09:15:00.005+08:00

A day before a conference ended I booked a room at the guest house already because I wanted to just sleep and rest due to the reason that I didn't get enough sleep because my host really wanted to get to know me and shared testimonies to her four helpers. It's really wonderful to become a blessing even in a very little way.

Well, after the conference I went straight to the guest house and checked in and to my surprise, the management has given me 10% discount and I asked why and he said I've been a customer here for quite sometime. Wow! It's a blessing! Actually, I checked in here quite many times already since my co- labor introduced this place. Unfortunately, last Monday they're fully booked so I stayed at the other place. (detail is on my old post)

One thing that I like Alta Pension house is that, it's near to the Mall and it's very quiet. Actually, my plan is to stay for a night here but since I've given a discount so I stay for two nights and I am going to check out today at 12 pm. And I'll be traveling to Digos to meet my co laborers before in Thailand. I cannot wait to see them and they have been waiting for me as well.

After Digos, I'll be traveling to North Cotabato area to see my friends and spend sometime with them. And to do an important errand there.

The Disciple

2010-02-26T21:27:00.005+08:00

When I was in my first year college a teenager from Metro Manila transferred to my town. Her elder was very excited to tell me to conduct a Bible study and disciple his younger sister. Since I really love handling Bible study and as well making the disciple I was very excited to do it also.

To make the long story short, a teenager came and we've known each other very well. Then the Bible study began and she accepted the LORD Jesus Christ as her Lord and savior. Since then our passion to reach out the lost souls for Christ has been increasing. We both happy doing the work of the LORD while we were still studying and the passion never ends. When we graduated and she transferred to the other city for the betterment of her life. When we parted our ways, still, we've been used by God for HIS glory and honor. And She underwent more training for God's work as I've done also. And God brought us to the different ministries. PTL!

The communication before was not as fast as today so we're very seldom to communicate but still our longing to see each other has always been there. If I am not mistaken, we back 1997 we met again, I've been very surprised to know that she has been used by God to raise up good leaders in the LORD. She has been to different continents especially in Europe, Africa, etc to spread the Gospel of God.

And this year, she has been back here to lead a group of young people to be more equip for the work of the LORD and last week of January she visited to my home town.

We had wonderful time sharing after not seeing for many years. This was taken at the food court in Valencia City. After our lunch we visited our pastor together and we've been recalling how faithful our God we serve. We even remember that we used to sleep at the parsonage wherein there were lots of mango fruits that falling on us because the roof was made of hay. But now God is promoting us in many ways. Glory to HIS Name!

And once again we met tonight and we both happy seeing each other again and we enjoyed our dinner at Gaisano Mall, Davao City. After my trip to Digos, Davao and to North Cotabato I'll be seeing her here in Davao City again. What a wonderful blessing to seeing the disciple who has been growing in the LORD a lot and has been a channel of blessing to the nations.

Expectant

2010-02-23T20:43:00.004+08:00

I got up early today to catch up the registration at the conference that had been set at 8 o'clock in the morning. I arrived at the venue quarter before 8 a.m and to my surprised I was the first person who arrived.

The registration didn't start at the exact time but it started at 9:30 a.m. Even though, it started a bit late but still wonderful because the messages were very wonderful and I've been very refreshed and encouraged. Thank God!

I am now ready to say good night and I am looking forward for tomorrow's God's messages. I am very expectant that there will be more spiritual blessings coming.

Yellow Flowers- Yellow Mellow

2010-02-22T12:53:00.004+08:00

I captured those photo when I was still in Thailand this is near to my apartment. Have a wonderful week days everyone. More pretty entries please click the badge below.

Better Than The Other One

2010-02-22T11:17:00.006+08:00

Since I arrived I never had time to rest which I usually did when I was still in the field. for instance, if I felt tired or bored and wanted to be alone I usually checked in at the cheap guest house or hotel just to rest and sleep until I checked out the following day.

But there's always advantage of not resting well because I loss 6 kilos and so happy to know that I loss that much without taking any diet pills or exercises..huh...

Well back to to the main topic of this post......Since, I'll be attending a mission conference in Davao City. I immediately had in my mind to check in at the guest house or cheap hotel for a night before the conference starts so that I would be able to rest.

And yes, I am checking in at Humberto's hotel now in Davao City. When I researched guest houses and hotels in the City I found this hotel. But before I found this, I phoned the hotel that I stayed in before unfortunately they're fully booked. When I saw a photo in their site, I immediately decided to phone and book my room.

When I arrived here today, I never expected that the room is really nice unlike the other hotel that I stayed before the bed was really small but here the bed is very comfortable. So what I am going to do today is to rest and rest and wake up early tomorrow for the mission conference.

Beautiful flowers

2010-02-15T09:30:00.002+08:00

I was walking on the street in Satun, Thailand and my attention my was caught by the beautiful flowers along the road so I captured picture of them. More beautiful entries please click the badge below. Have a wonderful Monday everyone.

Yellow Mellow Entry

2010-02-08T14:34:00.005+08:00

It has been awhile that I wasn't able to join this meme. My entry for this week meme is I took these photos when I was still in Satun, Thailand. My friends and I went to a nice seashore it's 15 minutes drive from the town where I was staying. When we arrived here it's timing because the sun was to sleep in. :-)

More beautiful entries please click the badge below.

The Rebond

2010-02-08T12:27:00.006+08:00

A few weeks go, I was walking on the street in the town and out of my curiosity, I went inside the parlor and asked how much was the hair rebonding and the beautician told me the cheap priced and I asked her what kind of medicine that she would be using for it. Then, she said it's nice, since I was eagerly wanted to have my hair done so on that very moment I decided immediately.

Well, I was setting on the chair and waiting for the beautician to start working on my hair. She came with the medicine that she would be using. I was very much surprised to see her carrying a bottle with medicine in it and she immediately poured the medicine on my hair. I thought, she poured it for the preparation but I was mistaken. The medicine that she poured on my hair was the medicine for the hair rebonding. While she was pouring the medicine I was complaining because my scalp was really itching and aching.

I wanted not to finish the hair rebonding because I don't like the way she did it. But what to do she started it and I let her finished it. While she's doing my hair, I told her the way the beauticians in Thailand do the hair rebond. I told her that first they put shampoo and wash the hair well also, and when they put the medicine for the hair rebond they mixed in the cup well and brushed it slowly on my hair and they're very careful not to touch the scalp. But here it's supper different and she never said anything and she tried to be careful pouring the medicine on my hair.

But the result was really terrible......! My hair was damaged and I let my sister cut it a little bit shorter. Actually, she told me not to wash my hair for 2 days but I didn't listen to her, the following day, I watched my hair because I was really concerned of it and I had in my mind that if I would not washed my hair immediately it would be very dangerous.

Oh...I remember something, my colleagues (while I was still in Thailand) who were from Cebu City, mentioned this to me that hair rebonding here in the Philippines is not really good because the hair would be damaged. Well, if not going to the cheap beauty parlor the hair would never be damaged. LOL....

Oh speaking of cheap beauty parlor? I usually went to the cheap parlor in Satun, Thailand but my hair never been damaged. Imagine I had the hair rebond for just 700 baht and my hair was really silky and healthy to look at.......

Lesson learned: 1. Stop being so impulsive. This is me sometimes, not really good. 2. Inquire /ask friends where to find the good beautician and reasonable price in town. 3. Think twice or thrice before doing anything. 4. Be prayerful and ask God's wisdom first...which I usually do before.

Scenic Sunday

2010-02-06T19:29:00.005+08:00

It has been awhile I didn't join this weekly meme and now I am back. My entry for this week, I took these photos while I was still in Thailand. One thing that fascinates in Thailand is the clean roads, etc.

Anniversary

2010-02-04T21:47:00.005+08:00

Today it's my father's death anniversary some of my uncles, aunties and cousins came to celebrate with us. My uncles and aunts were the one cooking the main dish and I was cooking spaghetti only.

We went to the cemetery and we did worship God through praise and worship songs and thanking God of what He has done of my father's life. While worshiping God, my tears fell down because I am missing my father. But I tried not to show my emotions because of my mother's health. We love our father but God loves him most.

Actually, less than a year that God took my father to heaven my uncle who's the elder brother of my father passed away last week and the burial was yesterday. It was quite sad but God knows best. My uncle accepted the LORD during my father's funeral and nightly evangelistic service at home. The only joy that we have now is that my uncle is with the LORD now.

Checked Me Up

2010-02-03T09:26:00.003+08:00

Last week, I went to see the doctor because I've been coughing a lot. The doctor prescribed antibiotic and two other medicine and I bought all the medicine because I wanted to heal from coughing. For four days I had been so faithful taking the medicine but every time I took the medicine I coughed more and more.

Then Monday night, I was coughing hard and I could hardly breathed my sisters never stopped massaging my back. I slept little and I woke again due to coughing I was really praying that my breathing would be back to normal. Thank God my breathing was back to normal but I still coughed hard.

Yesterday morning, I went to the other doctor God led me to the Christian doctor. When the doctor checked me carefully. She told me that the cause of my coughing was because I've been allergy to something. She prescribed two medicine only, one is for the allergy and the other one is to melt the phlegm. But still the doctor told that if the coughing never heal in a week I have to go for x-ray. And if the cough is heal I still see her on February 9.

Thank God I soundly sleep last night because the coughed never disturbed me. Thank for for the doctor who checked me up. The doctor is very kind she never asked me to pay for my check up. She checked me up for free when she knew what I've been doing in God's vineyard. God bless you more, Dr. Acosta!

Watery Wednesday

2010-02-03T08:48:00.007+08:00

Last Sunday after church we proceeded to RR resort for the water baptism for my brethren and of two of them were my 13 years old nephew and my sister-in-law . At the entrance I was really amazed how beautiful the scenery is.

After the baptismal service, I didn't wait any longer I swum until the moment we were about to go home.

Reminiscing

2010-01-30T09:11:00.005+08:00

I've been coughing for many days already. Yes I did see the doctor and I've been taking three kinds of tablets and one of them is the antibiotic. Though, I am taking medicine but I am still coughing.

The bad thing is if I cough a lot I could hardly breath. And I've been trying myself not to get really sick because it's no tcheap here to be confined at the hospital.

Honestly, everytime I'm not feeling well here, I always remember Thailand especially at the town where I stayed for a couple of years. I also remember, we back in 2002 I was confined at the government hospital for 2 nights and three days because I was struggling breathing that that time too,and I used oxygen for a while. And I was really worried because I don't know where I would get the money for my hospitalization. I was calculating my saving on my bank. Surely, it's now enough to pay for my hospital bill.

At the moment, I was discharged from the hospital I was really shocked when I knew the total bill of my hospitalization. When I asked my colleague how much did he pay and he said 6,000 baht and I asked him where did he get the money. Then he laughed and told me the exact amount that he paid...he said...it's only 60 baht with medicine good for 7 days.

Wow! Imagine...! I stayed 2 nights and three days at the hospital and plus 7 days medicine and I only paid 60 baht. Whew! This is the reason why I never forget Thailand because of all the benefits that they have been given to the people.

I hope someday, it will happen here in the Philippines. When it will happen? I am sure in God's appointed time.

Faithful In Many Ways

2010-01-11T11:03:00.006+08:00

While we’re still in the female ward at the hospital. I’ve felt pity with the patients. Across to my sister 's bed, a teenager was lying and sleeping soundly and the lady who looked after him has lots of wounds on her face and arms. So, gently I asked her what happened to her son. She said they got accident on Christmas while her 15 years old son was driving their motorcycle. And I asked her why his father didn’t drive and she said; “my husband was very drunk so my son took over”. I didn’t give any comments I just kept quiet but I was astonished because he’s only 15 years old and driving their motorcycle already.

Well, another patient that I spoke to was a mother who had a cesarean at the hospital two months and 2 weeks already. I asked her why she’s still at the hospital and she said she didn’t pay her hospital bill yet and the administrator does not allow her to go home unless she will pay her bill first. The sad thing is her baby died after she’d cs and she didn’t say her baby. And she needs to pay daily of her stay at the hospital as well and because of this her hospital bill is increasing everyday.

When we’re transferred to OB room after my sister’s cesarean and there I met another mother who has been looking after her baby boy. After awhile I asked her how long she has been staying at the hospital and she told me that 1 month and 3 weeks already and I said why and she replied “I couldn’t pay my hospital bill yet and the amount have not that small.”

After hearing their experiences at the hospital, I was really praying that we would be able to go home at the moment the doctor would tell us to go home. Yes, I know our hospital bill was not that small because both the mother and the daughter we needed to pay.

At the moment I received my sister bill I was quite okay because I know the prized already but when I received my little niece bill…oh my… I was very shocked because it’s beyond what I’ve been thinking of.

With the LORD’s help we’re able to pay our sister’s bill which was 45,922 pesos but for my little niece bill which is 43,750 we don’t pay it yet we only deposited our land title with the promise that we’ll pay our bill before the end of next month. By Faith we’ll be able to pay this bill.

Indeed! God is so faithful in many ways. God is teaching me everyday not to worry about anything but to fully TRUST in HIS Great Faithfulness.

Welcome to the Family

2010-01-07T16:06:00.007+08:00

December 30, 2009 dawn, I was soundly asleep when my elder brother called me. When I went outside he told me that my sister who’s second from me not feeling well. So, I hurriedly followed my elder brother to our sister’s house. When we reached to my sister’s house her body was shaking and when sister-in-law checked her blood pressure it’s very high. Without second thought I told my brothers to get a ride because we need to bring our sister to the hospital.

When we reached to the hospital my sister passed out and the doctor put oxygen on her . When I looked at my sister I was very scared and crying and I was begging God to help my sister and after a few minutes her breathing was back to normal and the doctor took off the oxygen but very cautious.

On December 31, the doctor set for an urgent cesarean/caesarian because the caused of her high blood pressure was because of the baby in her womb. But the doctor didn’t give us any assurance for the baby’s life as long as they would save my sister’s life. At the moment, I heard the doctor telling us like that, I immediately prayed that, :" if the baby is for us He will preserve the baby’s life and if not HE knows what’s best for us."

After the operation, I had the chanced to see the baby inside the recovery room and I immediately prayed and asked God to give us the baby because she’s very healthy even she’s only 7 months old. We heartily welcome her in our family.

Days after days, we’re very glad to hear the report of her Pediatrician that she likes to drink her milk and she increases her milk until now. Today, her pediatrician told us that she’s now gaining weight. Praise the LORD! Glory to HIS NAME!

By God’s help and faith, we’ll be discharged tomorrow. I never lost hope that we’ll be out of here tomorrow. He is our Great PROVIDER!

Feeling While Seeing

2009-12-29T22:42:00.003+08:00

For the second time I accompanied my sister-in-law to the hospital today. We went to the hospital which is manage by the German.

The German Hospital, this hospital is for the indigenous people and that's why they offers free check up, medicine and even free surgery, etc. Since it's free so there are many people are lining up everyday, so early in the morning we should go there just to get the number and let our the name of the patient would be listed.

Today, my feeling while seeing all the patients who were waiting for their turned to see the doctors. I felt pity looking the little ones who were very sickly and also the old ones who were alone without companion. And I had a chanced to talk to one of the patients and she told me that they arrived a bit late yesterday so the hospital was closed already and they stayed overnight at the bus terminal waited for the following day. And I asked her why they stayed at the terminal and why they never went home and came back the following day. She told me that her place is very far away and that's the reason why they stayed there. I felt pity looking her carrying her three children who have been sick. When I asked her if they ate their breakfast and she said they small amount only because they don't have enough money for her to buy their meals and I saw tears on her eyes.

Secretly I prayed what I should be doing on her situation and my feeling was to give some amount for their meals. Yes, before I left I gave her small amount and she's in tears when she saw the amount on her hand. She said thank you many, many, many times.

Natal Day

2009-12-28T23:09:00.007+08:00

On my natal day, I was really feeling blue even though my sweet thing greeted me as early as 12 in the morning through phone. The reason why I was feeling so blue because I really missed my friends in Thailand. I missed my best girl friend there and I missed the school, my students, colleagues, school owners, etc.

Actually, half day I was hiding in my room but when I realized that what I was doing was not right. I came out of my room and played with my little and lovely siblings and later of the day I went to the City and spent sometimes at Gaisano and NVM mall.

While I was at the Gaisano looking for presents for our exchanged gifts at the our daughter church. I received a Phone call from Nanay Inday. She's very sweet of phoning on my birthday.

To all my family and friends thank you so much for your greeting on my natal day. God bless you all.

Christmas Eve

2009-12-28T21:56:00.002+08:00

Our Christmas Eve dinner was very simple my aunt and Uncle from the other place came to spend Christmas Eve with us.

At first we never planned to have a Christmas Eve dinner but as hours went by my brother and sister surprisingly bought some delicious food in the town. And some of my sister-in-laws prepared something too.

I saw my little siblings were very excited for the event but for us we're both the same feelings we missed our father so much. But all of us tried to control our emotions even how we tried not to show our emotions to our mother but she still cried when she received her presents. We all tried to comfort her and she comforted.

Got it....

2009-12-28T19:38:00.002+08:00

I finally got the unlimited internet connection today. And now I can surf as much as I can and worry free that my load would be finished.

And this time, I am going to teach my siblings how to use the computer and surf on the internet so that they will not how to use it.