SAMUEL GIAN

Thank you Lord for another year You bestowed in the life of our firstborn Samuel Gian. I declare blessings, good health, more favor from men, goodness and faithfulness to be with him. I also pray that the qualities and character you desired for his life come to pass.

                              Sam celebrated his birthday in school, blowing his candle

S - Spiritual, Skilled and Successful SERVANT

A - Able, Active and Attentive AMATEUR

M - Meek, Merciful and Mature MAN

U - Unreserved (for God’s work), Unafraid and Understanding USHER

E - Ever-faithful, Elegant and Eloquent EVANGELIST

L - Light-hearted, Lively and Loving LEADER

G - God-fearing, Gifted and Gracious GIVER

I - Innocent (as dove), Interesting and Inspiring INFLUENCER

A - Amiable, Affluent and Admirable ACHIEVER

N - Narrator (of God’s miracles), Navigator (as evangelist) and Non-conformist (follower of CHRIST)

… and let all the will of the Lord be done in his life.  I lift him up to you Lord God.

Counting Blessings- First Month of 2011

The month of January is over and I just realized that I am overflowing with so much blessings that I feel I am so undeserving to receive. Oh, how can I thank the Lord for all HIS goodness to me? There were several blessings for me, my family, my marriage, my career and my spiritual life in my journey this January 2011. To note, there are so many ‘first times’ if I may say, that I experienced.  I truly believe in HIS promise “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” Let me count them one by one.

• Worship Night in the church was so great! This is not to recall the experience or feelings it brought, but the truth that an awesome God is so near us, appreciating our worship and adoration, enjoying our fellowship with HIM.  If I may recall, I was sobbing during the worship because I know that the Lord is speaking and dealing with me. That was enough confirmation that the LORD dearly loves me and cares for me.  All the more, starting the year in worship service with my hubby was truly an answered prayer.  
• Next, my hubby and I both attended 7 days prayer and fasting in the church.  This is the first time for us as a couple and I truly appreciate those days we’re together.  The Lord revealed so many things to us as a couple and we both treasured those moments.  It’s good to pray together with the same heart and mind. As a testimony during that prayer and fasting, I was suffering from cough and then after seven days, it was healed. 
• My son received his second medal from Kumon.  What a great feeling the award brought us, going up on stage was a totally different highlight as it paid off all the efforts in the curriculum. However as a parent, it was so easy to be proud but how can we boast?  If God did not provided for the tuition fee, if HE did not give us strength to pursue the mentoring, etc., nothing would be possible.  HE is the source of all things.  
• Third week of January, I attended an in-depth 4 days training courtesy of the company.  I thirst for knowledge. I recalled when I was still in school. All memories I had were fun, not so much of stress. In the training, I gained more friends with the same profession, created networks and learned a lot in the entire seminar.  
• Another first time for us couple to attend a marriage seminar entitled “I LOVE YOU MORE”. This started third Friday of January and this is another first time for us a couple.  As everybody knows the work requirements of hubby, we rarely see each other.  Actually, I cannot recall that we attended a marriage seminar such as this. Once was before our wedding and it was a counseling session with our pastor. While hubby is away, I normally grab the opportunity to attend several seminars but it’s different when he is around and we’re both hearing the message that we both need. I know we will learn so much in this seminar which will end this February.    
• I was able to hear inspiring message from Rachel Ong in "Keeping Up In High Heels."  The line that struck my heart and my mind most was “My credential is not the certificate I got from Harvard University. My credential is the word of God. These are Timothy, Philippians, Corinthians, etc. We need to love the word of God.”  This is so true because most thought that our value lies in our accomplishments or the university where we completed college but the truth is, only in the Lord we can find true security and bright future. He is the author of everything. What we need to give priority is His presence during our quality time and personal devotion.  
• Before January ended, I had the chance to go to Palawan for an OB trip and visit as well the famous Underground River and other places.  In the airplane, I enjoyed watching the clouds that only God can create in so many forms.  I had sumptuous meals of various seafoods during my stay.  So many good memories in my short stay!   

All I can only boast is God’s goodness, mercy and grace bestowed on me.  These blessings are all unmerited favors. Who am I that the Lord is so good to me?  If not because of the Lord, I won’t receive what I have.



How about you? Share and boast about God’s goodness in your life… but we can only boast because of HIS UNRELENTING GRACE AND UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. Without HIM, we are nothing.