Day 2: The Gratitude Challenge

The Gratitude Challenge Calendar says:

Use the alphabet as a fun and quick format for making a list of things for which you feel grateful. Share this list with your social network through email, a blog post or a Facebook or MySpace page.

Today I am listing down all the things I am grateful through the alphabet.

A - ATE LISA. Our trusted helper / housekeeper since 2007. She washes and irons our clothes. She does a lot of banking and bills for us. She cleans our bathrooms! Any working wife knows what an incredible blessing that is.

B - BIBLE. My soul depends on it like no other. Reading through the book of Job right now in The Message version.

C - CHRISTMAS. My all-time favorite holiday. So thankful for the most recent one.

D - DISCIPLINE. It is defined as "a systematic instruction given to a disciple." If I would like to call myself Christ's disciple, it involves a wholehearted willingness to love and obey Him at all times.  And yes, that requires discipline.  I thank the Lord He loves me so much He disciplines me.

E - E-MAIL. Technology is a blessing! Especially when you use it often to let other people know how much you think of them.

F - FAMILY. My parents and my sister. And the new ones God blessed me with: Pops, Mama, Eddie/Nikki, Malaika/Chris and the kids. Plus all the FRIENDS who have treated me and Robert like family.

G - GOD. I am nothing without Him. Google and Gummi Bears too. My work is so much easier with it!

H - HAPPINESS. "Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude." Denis Waitley.

I - ICE CREAM. Cakes and cookies do not stand a chance to this favorite dessert of mine.

J - JESUS. I cannot imagine not following Someone who willingly died for me so that I may have life. I want to be like Him all the days of my life.

K - KISSES. I get these daily from my husband!

L - LIFE, LOVE and LOYALTY. My life was paid at a price, which is why I continue to live knowing my true value in His eyes. My simple life mission: Love God and Love Others. And I mean really loving God and really loving others (even the ones who test my patience!). People who know me really well know that I stay purposely connected to people friends who have shown loyalty all over the years.

M - MARRIAGE.  One of the best things that has happened to me in the past decade.  Marrying someone who truly loves God (and lives life like he does) really make a huge difference.

N - NO. I appreciate this word now more than ever. In my attempt to adhere to the order of my priorities (God, Robert, myself, family, work, ministry) -- I am now able to say no to things that will bring chaos to the what I value.

O - OATMEAL.  The breakfast of champions!  Love mine with maple syrup and walnuts.

P - PAIN. I have extremely low tolerance for physical pain and yet a high one for emotional ones. Believe it or not, I am grateful for painful moments in the past. Imagine how my life would continue to be independent of God if I always had pain-free moments.

R - ROBERT. The source of my joy here on earth.

S - SABBATH. Setting aside 1 day of rest each week is The Best Idea Ever.

T - TELECOMMUTING. Probably one of the biggest blessings I have received in 2009. Started a full-time work-from-home arrangement. Which means I can work at a coffee shop on days that staying home just doesn't cut it. Or maybe even by the beach.

U - URL. One of the Christmas gifts I got from Robert is my very own URL. http://www.happysammy.com is coming soon!

V - VACATIONS. Most recent ones were Anilao and Singapore! Looking forward to new ones in 2010. Coming up in a couple months: Boracay!

W - WATER. Still, and will always be my favorite drink. Ice cold. Plain and simple.

X - X meaning the Roman equivalent of 10.  There are very few words in the English language that starts with X and most of them I do not know the meaning of.  What am I thankful for?  These past ten years.  Here is a quick recap of the last ten years for me.  Met Robert.  He became my best friend.  Gave my life to Jesus. Became engaged.  Married my best friend.  God has been so good and faithful!

Y - YEAR 2010. I am always grateful for a God who gives new beginnings.

Z - ZEAL FOR THE LORD.  I always want to be in a state of passionate pursuit of Him.  I am thankful for everyday opportunities to practice this. "Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation." (1 Peter 2:2)

Day 02: Riding the Big Dipper

Today’s Bible Verse
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” (Romans 12:11)

Today’s Question
Identify an area in your life where you feel like God is pruning you right now. Why do you think He has chosen that specific area?

I believe that God has brought me and my husband all the way here to the United States to prune me in areas of being way too busy for my own good.

During the last few months in Manila, I was always busy. You know the whole Martha over Mary kind of situation. I had a full-time job to begin with, responsibilities in ministry which I loved dearly but really took up a lot of my time.

On top of that, we had endless birthday parties, get-togethers, dinners out, etc.

Do not get me wrong, I truly found joy in my job, the Bible studies, the volunteer work and being around friends. But God saw that I was weary and tired – that deep down I was desperate for rest.

He knew that even though everything I did had great intentions, I needed an alone time with Him for an extended period of time to re-focus on what His goal is for me and Robert.

He took me to an unfamiliar place and yet I am having the time of my life. I can BREATHE, enjoy the stillness of His presence and clearly hear Him.

I still have my job but I am privileged to choose my own location to get my tasks accomplished. I purposely decided to not get a cell phone while I am here. I also get to read tons of books in my free time! I get a lot of work-out and still enjoy Him while doing so.

I believe that at this very moment, He is still shaping my character and slowly revealing to me and my husband what He needs us to do here. He tests, He challenges, He molds me on a daily basis. Some days easy, some days more difficult but I know there is no place I’d rather be at this time.


Today’s Challenge
If there is a dream that God places in your heart that you have put on the To-Do-Someday list, what steps can you take today to ensure that the possibility of living for it passionately may actually happen?

A couple of things. I have been asking God lately about what He wants me to do career-wise. Does He want me to quit my current job in favor of full-time ministry? I haven’t gotten any answers but I am in no rush either. However, the asking never stops until I hear clearly from Him.

Another thing is starting to seriously inquire on online courses for a degree in Christian Counseling. No better time to do it than TODAY!


Today’s Random Activities

• Woke up at 4am , had a double-shot espresso and wrote a letter to a good friend letting him know how grateful we are for helping us make our trip to the US possible.
• Got my prayer journal and thoroughly enjoyed the Bible verse Genesis 12:2. Wrote several lines letting God know that He put a smile to my face through that verse.
• Looked around for online courses for Christian counseling.
  
• Watched my favorite detective show: Forensic Files. 3 episodes back-to-back. Loved ‘em!
• Went to bed again and slept for a couple of hours and held Robert the whole time. Woke up feeling really well-rested.
• Ate Mama’s sausage and eggs breakfast. With sinangag. Yum.
• Bought some cute baby blue running shorts while Mama was getting a haircut.
• Read the latest issue of Lucky Magazine and decided I want hot pink or pewter Doc Martens I saw on one of the ad pages. Robert thinks it’s a terrible idea.
• Went to the post office to mail a gift for a couple of good friends. Bought some stamps to use while we are on our second road trip starting on Friday.
• Worked-out at the gym. Got some great exercise. Re-read the first chapter of “Wild at Heart” while on the stationery bike. Did intense, power walking. Stumbled upon “We Didn’t Start the Fire” by Billy Joel on my iPod and wondered if I will ever memorize it someday.
• Sang “No One” by Alicia Keys in my head while running. I was thinking of the lyric as my mid-day prayer to God.
• Took a quick, 15-minute power nap.
• Peach yogurt and granola. Yum!!
• Robert and I –along with Pops and Mama—went to a 40th day memorial service for one of her friends. Kuya Eddie, Nikki and Ariel were there too.
• We went home and the four of us spent the next couple of hours talking. One thing I really love about my in-laws is that I can talk to them forever and about anything. I learn so much from Pops. His wisdom always amazes me.