For more of Thankful Thursday participants, please visit Iris.

Here are the lights infront the Boracay Mandarin Hotel from a vantage point of the pseudo-bonsai plant near the hotel’s entrance. The bright flash of my PS cam unwittingly put the branches of that pseudo-bonsai plant in plain sight too.

It is difficult to remain unaffected with what has happened in the country -i.e Typhoon Fengshen that has ravaged many parts of the country resulting to loss of lives and homes and the MV Princess of the Stars tragedy (where hundreds of bodies still unrecovered). I just couldn’t imagine how terrible it must be for those who lost their loved ones in the latest maritime disaster in the Philippine sea. I’m certainly having a hard time writing a thankful list now.

But I have to remind myself that in everything that has happened (and will happen), God has a purpose. I have to repeatedly tell myself that. So I will not -hard as it is- question God or His wisdom. And again, who am I to question Him.

It is hard to be thankful for a storm (literal or not) but I will say thank you for every storm (or typhoon), somehow it always brings us closer to you Lord.

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand

I’m thankful for the agencies - and even countries- which are helping the victims of the typhoon.

I’m thankful for the divers who volunteered to help in the MV Princess of the Stars retrieval operation. Guide and strengthen them Lord. Strengthen the those who are still looking and waiting for news of their loved ones.

I’m thankful for the opportunity to bring our relatives and family together last Sunday to celebrate my parents and sister’s birthdays last Sunday. I’m thankful for the chance to celebrate their birthdays.

I’m thankful for God’s provisions. My mother told me this morning that the cost of LPG -much to her surprise- is now P700 ($16.3+) plus. But thank you Lord for helping us meet our needs.

Thank you for guiding me through difficulties in parenthood. I’m thankful for the warm hugs and wet kisses from my son.

For more of Thankful Thursday participants, please visit Iris.

Anyway, Melanie thinks MaK!Mej! is loveable. Awwwwsss thanks Melanie. That’s just so sweet. Melanie is one of the closest blogging friends I have and we’re similar in many ways - *ahem* paranoid moms ey?

In turn, I’m going to pass this on to Momisodes, WhatWorksForUs, Iris, Lynn and Kellan .

Gracie and the Storyteller gave Mama Meji the E.

I’ve known Grace since highschool -and we eventually bonded in College because we were both in the College paper. I can still vividly remember (despite my failing memory at times) our trip to Baguio. Looking forward to seeing you again, Grace.

I’ve known the Storyteller just recently but I am always grateful for the kind words and thoughtful comments she always leaves on my posts.

So now, I’m passing the E to ALF, Regina, Chuck, Lareine, Melanie, Pam and Ana

Melanie shared this with me.

And I’m sharing it with these wonderful bloggers: Iris, Lynn, Kellan, Regina, Chuck, Lareine, NuttyGal, Pam, Ana, Sreisaat, Che, Thess, Grace, Maiylah, Joyzee, Shane, Xhein, Gracie, Momisodes, Liza, WhatWorksForUs , Storyteller, Elina and ALF. And yes it includes you Melanie, so it has become a CIRCLE of love now.

And while I am here thinking for a write-up, Sheryl Crow’s anti-war song keeps on playing in my head. But really, wouldn’t it be great if we never have to ask Where Has All The Love Gone?

My waterbaby.

God has really been so good to my family. When I look back at the hard times that we’ve been through (or when I hear my parents reminisce the past), I always feel more than grateful to God. I owe God a lot. We owe God a lot. And it’s such a shame that sometimes I go off the “good track.”

But.

I’m thankful for the chance to retrace my steps –again and again– back to God.

I’m thankful for a loving God who never lets me go.

I’m thankful for God’s provision and also, for these cool gifts I received a couple of days ago.

Last but not the least, I am thankful for the rich life (not so much in material sense) He has blessed my mother -who celebrated her birthday last Tuesday. She’s always been our anchor and I pray for good health and more years for her to serve the Lord. My father and sister will also be celebrating their birthdays few days from now –thank you Lord for the wonderful years that had gone by and for the years that are yet to come.

For more of Thankful Thursday participants, please visit Iris.

Except for the signature, this is my unedited shot of the wharf in Boracay.

Some of my shots can be found here.

View More Wordless Wednesday Participants.

Visit the Wordless Wednesday HQ. Also, 5minutes4mom.

Here I am with someone who is very dear to me and who is able to elicit all sort of emotions from me.

I was riding a public transpo yesterday and I not only saw a mother holding a kid in her arms but heard their story as well. Okay, I’m a little guilty for listening but it was hard not to listen when she’s just a foot away from me. Her story is heart-wrenching and today, I wanted to ask a favor from everyone reading this to help me pray for her kid. Her kid who looks barely 2 is suffering from leukemia and they’ve been hopping from one institution to another for financial and medical support. I may not be able to help them much in that department but I reckon I can lift them up in my prayers. And I do believe in the power of prayer, so please join me in praying for the healing of this little cherub. TY

Now for my TT list, I’m thankful…

…for good times spent with Houston. He was home for 4 days and it’s such a blessing.

…for a patient and loving husband.

…for a kid that whispers iloveyou just-because.

…for an awesome God who showed us what true loving is all about.

For more of Thankful Thursday participants, please visit Iris.