Give up Gifts

Give up gifts/greetings to your friends and loved ones this Christmas to help victims of Typhoon Sendong.

Here's how (to Philippine Red Cross)
SMS
Text REDAMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4143 (Smart)

G-Cash
Text DONATEAMOUNT4-digit M-PINREDCROSS to 2882

You can donate the following denominations:
Globe: 5, 25, 100, 300, 500 or 1000
Smart: 10, 25, 50, 100, 300, 500 or 1000

Even the minimum amounts of Php 5 or 10 would certainly go a long way. It's just a portion of what we load daily or weekly but it's life and survival for them. To give once would already be a great help but if we can give more, let's! Christmas after all, is about sharing love, joy and peace to others- not just to friends and family, but to our fellow Filipinos as well. And I'm sure your friend wouldn't mind missing your Christmas greeting on his/her phone if you have saved it for a better cause.

By the way, there are also other ways of giving, with many other groups and institutions lending help to those whose lives and sources of living were destroyed by the typhoon. Information on how to help are all over the  radio, television, and the internet. Let's all pitch in and lend a hand! We are more than blessed to be in the comfort of our homes, or planning our trips, reunions and parties with our families; and sharing is a wonderful way of showing our gratefulness to God for the safety and well-being that we enjoy. 

So what are you waiting for, spread the love!

Happy Birthday Micah!!!

This is my younger/est sister Micah...and she's celebrating her birthday today.

At 17, she still looks like a grade school student, but with God's grace, I can say that she has the wisdom that matches and at times surpasses her age. At 22, I'm too old to be her best friend so I just stick to the usual role of being an older sister. But she, on the other hand, has been more than a younger sister to me. She's been a very good listener, thought processor, helper, supporter, adviser, mojo booster, and so much more; especially at times when my maturity goes on hiatus and the unstable, undesirable part of my personality takes over. On top of being an obedient and loving sister to Ate Angel and I, she can also be the neutral, balancing force that could keep us from hurting each other whenever we would get into small fights, which unfortunately, may happen rarely to frequently depending on the season.

I don't think I've ever had an argument with her, because it's just usually one-sided (referring to myself). I haven't seen her get mad or irritated at me or at other people; she has always been sweet, kind, thoughtful and funny and we are so blessed to have her as our family's gem. We sometimes call her 'baby' which she does not like, but that's who she is to us. Maybe when she gets older, we'll be less protective, but until then, we'll still be her 'atribida' sisters who only want the best for her.

Micah, I don't know if you even read this blog but when you get the chance, I want you to know that we do love you very much and we'll always be here to support you and guide you the best way we can. Take the life lessons I share to heart, filtering them as well and combining them with the values we've been raised with, and the wisdom that comes from our Father God, continuously studying His Word and allowing yourself to be transformed with his refining power, through the tests and challenges that will be thrown your way.

There are so much things yet to be learned, but my wish for your birthday this year is for God to clearly reveal His will in your life, especially in terms of which career path to take. Whatever it is, we'll always be here to support you all the way. Have a joyful and blessed birthday!


Lots of love,
Ate Katy