Wednesday, April 30, 2014

In the Hands of the Potter.

I've been wanting to blog about this for so long, but I thought I'd ask Joy first if it was okay. This isn't an easy subject, given the circumstance. 

It was back in 1992 when I first learned of what happened to Joy. I was in the US, and my aunt and uncle had arrived from Manila and had mentioned this. Because her brother was my classmate back in grade school, the story hit hard. I had asked the Lord why He would allow something so tragic to happen to a pastor's daughter. Last year, Joy's testimony was featured on CBN Asia. Two weeks ago, for Holy Week, her story was once again featured for CBN Asia's Tanikala Special - this time, with Pastor Peter Tan-Chi's insight on what happened to his family. Below are the videos of that particular feature (thank you, Fermin Fajardo, for uploading!):











You don't have to be Joy's friend to know that something like this affects you forever. I admire her for coming out to tell her story - more for using something as tragic an experience as rape for God's greater glory. I know some people will never come to understand the whys - why they chose to forgive over seeking vengeance, why they chose to tell their story, why they chose to forego suing the perpetrators, etc. But see, when you choose to leave everything before the Lord, He promises to make something beautiful out of it.

"You changed my sorrow into dancing. You took away my clothes of sadness, and clothed me in happiness." Psalm 30:11 NCV

Similarly, I know a lot of people will never understand my reasons for standing for my marriage. But my hope is in the Lord and not in man. He brings me true joy and strength. I am not pining for R, and yes, we are friends. I choose to be his friend. And if others see something wrong in that, it's their problem, not mine. It is not an easy choice. It is easier to just walk away. But what does that say about my faith in an omnipotent God? I pray the Lord protects my children, and instead have them see Christ in our situation. This is my conviction. No matter how ugly the past may be, God still meant it for good.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him..." Romans 8:28 NCV

I was just telling my friend A how I've set my eyes on the prize, and even if I don't get to see it in my lifetime, I am fine with it. I know this is the purpose God has planted in my heart. I pray God uses my life and testimony for His glory. So far, He has allowed me to encourage a few friends going through similar battles - just as He has used Joy's painful experience to minister to women who have been raped and abused.

No one wants to go through pain. The Tan-Chi family didn't think something like this could happen to them. I never asked for a broken marriage. But it is what it is, and I can only hope that God uses the broken pieces and molds it into something extraordinary.

You know how it is when a potter works on his clay? He molds it, and sometimes, the clay doesn't turn out the way he planned it to be. He takes the clay, kneads it again, then molds it once again to make something beautiful. It is the same with life and God. He is the Potter, and we are the clay. Do we allow Him to knead us into something beautiful? He can repair those chips, He can mend your broken life!

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart." Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV

Joy and I crossed paths again in college. I remember it was sometime junior or senior year when Edric (her husband) was telling us how he was planning on courting Joy. Edric is KY's godfather, and he is like a brother to me. When I heard how he liked Joy, I wondered if he knew. I know Edric to be this super idealistic guy (sorry, Sioti, totoo naman e, but of course God changed you, hehe) and I didn't know if that would matter to him.

Once, when discussing Joy, he tells me, "She's beautiful, Kaye. It isn't just her face. She is beautiful inside and out. Her beauty emanates from within." And right there, I knew. He knew and it didn't matter.

God had already made something beautiful out of it.

The ways of man is nothing compared to the ways of the Lord. He allows tragic things to happen. If He allowed it, He must have a plan. Is there anything too hard for the Lord?


| Read more about Hope on Joy's blog Teach With Joy

Monday, April 28, 2014

Oops, I Did It Again!

I was planning on catching up with my list of pending blog posts over the weekend. However, the nanny is on vacation and her sister, our old nanny (actually, the one who replaced our real nanny when she had her kids) is subbing for her. The catch is, she can't work without bringing her 18-month old and her 10-year old, who she claims she asked to tag along so he can watch his little brother while she works. It's funny because I haven't seen her do much aside from a little laundry at night when her two kids are asleep. She hasn't cooked us a decent meal since (it's been a week now), and can't even watch RL for a good 3 minutes when her little one cries and asks to get picked up. I don't know how she thought her 10-year old would cooperate. Every time she lets him watch his little brother, he either plays tricks on him that he cries, or he tells him his Mom has left, such that he cries even more.

I know, I know. I thought I needed a temp, and now I am thinking maybe I don't. I've been bringing RL to work since she came, because who knows what he'll do if I leave him at home? I left him once (Monday last week) and found him holed up in the maid's room, with the two boys (who were both coughing when they came). Alas, RL started coughing Monday night, so I thought I'd prevent it from getting worse. So... I've been bringing him with me everywhere ever since.

The thing is, I can't let her go just yet. My mom's helper has retired so my helper does their laundry. I was discussing this with KY the other night, and she says Mom says right now, I have no choice. Argh!

My mom was more concerned about A staying at home with the 10-year old, so she's back to staying over my mom's place since last week, and comes home only on the weekends. I miss my teddy bear. :(

And, I was really ready to blog Saturday night, but R asked to spend the day with us. Hehe, I know. That is a major roadblock. He actually spent most of the weekend with the kids. Most, not all. We went to pick up new stocks for RL's online shop (he's been selling this and that in the office, and has made enough to get himself a new toy plus some. I'm surprised R had the patience to wait while the kids and I went "shopping". God is good. :)

Basically, I did it again. Put the blog on hold, I mean. I hope I can find time to blog this week!

Later, friends!

Friday, April 11, 2014

#BetterTogether

Photo from the web. 
Real-world connections - that is something we hardly ever have nowadays in the world of digital. Imagine how it is at the dinner table with everyone taking out their gadgets - makes conversation a thing of the past. My mom has a rule, and that is "No gadgets at the dining table." This makes a lot of sense considering we hardly ever get to catch up apart from lunch or dinner, so she makes it a point to restrict anything that has to do with a phone, tablet and the like. Meals are strictly gadget-free.

This is the same premise behind McDonald's and Coca-Cola's new "baby" - their way to encourage people to stay offline a little longer, if only for the duration of a meal, and thus, enjoy real world connections. While they acknowledge that our digital connections make it easier for us to meet and connect with other people (thank you, Facebook, Twitter and the like for getting all of us connected!), McDonald's and Coca-Cola both believe that it is real-life moments that make lasting, meaningful memories. We're talking about warm hugs, face-to-face encounters, etc.


(L-R) McDonald's Philippines President and CEO, Kenneth Yang, with Ronald McDonald, and Coca-Cola Philippines President and General Manager, Guillermo Aponte.

"McDonald's and Coca-Cola have been partners for close to 60 years, together providing millions of customers great tasting food and beverages best share together", said McDonald's Philippines President and CEO, Kenneth Yang. "Today, together as well, McDonald's and Coca-Cola are taking a stand that real-life connections fuel our digital lives and enrich our relationships", added Coca-Cola Philippines President and General Manager, Guillermo Aponte.

Thus, McDonald's and Coca-Cola are celebrating real-world connections with the new McDonald's BFF Bundles - an exciting menu offering designed to be shared among friends and family!


#BetterTogether indeed!

There are two sizes of BFF Bundles:

Group of three (3): only P399
Group of four (4): only P559

You can also choose between a BFF Burger Bundle or a BFF Chicken Bundle. With these bundles, customers get to customize their meals, choosing between their favorite McDonald's products.


Make your own Burger Bundle...

BFF Burger Bundle for 4! 
Choose from your favorite McDonald's Burgers and enjoy them with the new BFF Fries and refreshingly ice-cold Regular Coke!

BFF Chicken Bundle for 4!
You can either get the 1-pc Chicken McDo with Spaghetti or the 2-pc Chicken McDo with rice - complete with 2 BFF Fries and Regular Coke!

Snack time? No problem! You can also get your BFF Fries with 3 Coke Floats for only P150! What a great deal!


The BFF Fries + Coke McFloat Combo. Only P150!

HUGE FRIES!!!


BFF Fries and Coke McFloat time at the office...


Real-time connecting with Jeron at McDonald's... ❤ 

McDonald's BFF Bundles are available for Dine-In, Take-Out, Drive-Thru and via McDelivery! Call 8-MCDO/ 86-2-36 or log on to www.mcdelivery.com.ph!

So what are you waiting for? Visit a McDonald's store and celebrate real-world connections!

Yes, there's something new at McDonald's, and I am loving it!



| facebook.com/McDo.ph
| twitter.com/McDo_PH

Sunday, April 6, 2014

What's On Sale (PART 2)? #MembersTreat

I've read a lot of negative feedback on this month's Members' Treat - comments claiming that S&R only has a few items on sale. I'd like to refute that by posting these photos. 

Also, I DO NOT WORK FOR S&R AND THIS IS NOT A PAID POST. In fact, I have been reprimanded several times by store personnel for taking photos in their stores (hence the blurry pics, where I try to do this as discreet as I can). 

The following photos are a mix of FOOD ITEMS from different stores. I have no inside information on whether these items are still in stock. Photos already show their before and after prices (and peso savings), otherwise, I will add the price in captions. I chose the products based on personal preference and discounts offered. I always say that the best time to go to S&R Members' Treat are on its first day, second day (at another branch, usually BGC), then again on its last day. If you want to avoid the crowd, go around 7PM and shop 'til closing time. You still have until 9PM tonight, APRIL 6, 2014, to make it to an S&R store near you!


Pepero Almond; SALE PRICE: P249.95 / Fruit By The Foot, 42-count; SALE PRICE: P649.95



Kirkland Signature Milk Chocolate Raisins, SALE PRICE: P529.95

Kirkland Signature Milk Chocolate Almonds; SALE PRICE: P699.95

Kirkland Signature Macadamia Clusters; SALE PRICE: 729.95

Planters Dry Roasted / Honey Roasted Peanuts; SALE PRICE: P284.95



Quinoa! Premium Organic; SALE PRICE: P799.95


Nissin Chow Mein Teriyaki Beef Noodles; SALE PRICE: P44.95

KOKA Laksa Singapura Instant Noodles; 5x90g SALE PRICE: P119.95

KOKA Stir Fry Original, 5x90g; SALE PRICE: P119.95



Kirkland Signature Marinara Sauce 32oz; BUY ONE, TAKE ONE! P279.95



US Petite Brownie Bites; SALE PRICE: P349.95









~~~ * ~~~


S&R MEMBERS' TREAT ENDS TONIGHT AT 9PM! HURRY, SHOP NOW!
SALE HOURS: 8AM - 9PM; ALL BRANCHES

| facebook.com/S&RMembershipOfficial
| twitter.com/snr_official

Saturday, April 5, 2014

What's On Sale (PART 1)? #MembersTreat

I've read a lot of negative feedback on this month's Members' Treat - comments claiming that S&R only has a few items on sale. I'd like to refute that by posting these photos. 

Also, I DO NOT WORK FOR S&R AND THIS IS NOT A PAID POST. In fact, I have been reprimanded several times by store personnel for taking photos in their stores (hence the blurry pics, where I try to do this as discreet as I can). 

The following photos are a mix of NON-FOOD ITEMS from different stores. I have no inside information on whether these items are still in stock. Photos already show their before and after prices (and peso savings), otherwise, I will add the price in captions. I chose the products based on personal preference and discounts offered. I always say that the best time to go to S&R Members' Treat are on its first day, second day (at another branch, usually BGC), then again on its last day. If you want to avoid the crowd, go around 7PM and shop 'til closing time. You still have until tomorrow, April 6, to make it to an S&R store near you!



Set of 4 Drinking Glasses (assorted styles: water goblet, wine, scotch, whisky, etc); BUY ONE, TAKE ONE! P349.95
Whisky...
Scotch...










Rubbermaid Reusable Animal Ice Packs; BUY ONE, TAKE ONE! P169.95













Rubbermaid Shoe Cubby Hanging Unit; SALE PRICE: P1,699.95

Indoor/ Outdoor Area Rug, 6'x9'; SALE PRICE: P1,199.95




























~~~ * ~~~


S&R MEMBERS' TREAT ENDS TOMORROW, APRIL 6! 8AM - 9PM; ALL BRANCHES 



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