Category: Out of the Kitchen

Before I hit the sack, I just wanted to share with you guys how awesome God is. Throughout the day, I was able to experience his faithfulness and grace in numerous ways and was reminded of how perfect His timing always is.

I took the day off from work today because I was scheduled for an interview at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and I needed to have my passport renewed. In spite of my itchy throat, cough and colds, God still allowed me to enjoy His presence today.

Here are some of the blessings that I encountered today. :)

1. RAIN

I woke up this morning and saw that it was raining quite softly. It was a blessing because I was comfortably lying on my bed and enjoying the sound and scent of the rain. By God’s grace, I had more time to rest in the morning since I was on leave today. Thank You for the rainy morning.

2. PROTECTION

My eldest sister, younger brother, and I went to the police station this morning to get our “Police Clearance”. It was one of the documents that we needed for our interview at DFA. Dad drove us to the station, waited for us, and drove us back home. By God’s grace, we didn’t have any criminal records and we were cleared in less than 30 minutes.  Woohoo! Thank You for Your protection.

3. PROVISION

When I got to the office of the DFA, I was able to go through the process in less than an hour in an air-conditioned room with the help of efficient government staff. By God’s grace, He allowed me to get my requirements easily, to pay for my fees using money from my salary, and to have my passport renewed without any problems. Thank You for Your provision, Lord.

4. MONSTERS

I was also able to watch Monsters University with my sister, Camille, after my interview at the DFA. I couldn’t watch the movie last weekend because my schedule was full. But by God’s grace, He gave me the time to enjoy the film today. I found out, later on, that its last day in the cinemas will be tomorrow (afternoon only). So, it really was a blessing to experience it today. Thank You for Monsters… University. :)

5. KRISPY KREME 76^th

I learned two nights ago that Krispy Kreme was going to have a promo today, from 7am to 6pm! P76.00 for 6 donuts. By God’s grace, the promo was happening on the same day of my leave from work, so I was able to avail it. If the rumors are true and the promo happens again on the succeeding Mondays this month, I still won’t be able to avail it next time since I’ll be at the office when it happens. Talk about perfect timing! Thank You Lord for Krispy Kreme treats.

6. SPECIAL FLAVORS

On our way to the parking, my sister and I passed by a branch of McDonalds and saw that they were selling new ice cream flavors. We decided to buy one butterscotch dipped sundae cone and one buko pandan dipped sundae cone. While waiting for our ice cream, I asked the person at the cashier when the last day of the new flavors was. And surprisingly, she said “Ma’am, last day na po today.” Wow! Once again, by God’s grace, He allowed us to enjoy that simple treat on its last day. Thank You Lord for the privilege of tasting special flavors. :)

All of these moments with God reminded me of how real, gracious, thoughtful, and sovereign He is in our lives. Whether we receive little/big blessings from Him or go through uncertainties and difficult situations, we know that He remains to be the same faithful God.

Psalm 33:4 says “For the word of the LORD is right and true; He is faithful in all He does.”

I am reminded that there will never be another July 15, 2013 again. Thank you, Lord, for encouraging me to acknowledge your presence today. It still amazes me… how You make each day a new opportunity for me to experience You. I look forward to experiencing You more this week. :)

Encourage yourself one treat at a time!

One of my favorite moments in the morning is when our dog, Copper, tries his best to wake me up so we can go for a walk outside. Usually, he would do this by constantly licking my hands and/or pushing my legs using his furry, front paws. Of course, because of his cuteness, I always end up getting out of my bed early in the morning, finding his leash, and asking him this question: “Copper, do you want to walk?”

I love asking him this question because his response always makes me smile. He would vigorously wag his tail, run in circles, sprint with all his might towards the main door, and sometimes, he would even slightly scratch my legs out of his excitement. He loves it so much that whenever he would hear one of us say the word “walk” (or anything that rhymes with walk) in our conversations, he would assume that we would take him out for a walk.

I really don’t know what goes on in his mind whenever we walk outside. But, every time I get the chance to do so, I take it and enjoy it. There’s just something nice about spending time with the dog I love and seeing him enjoy the walk too. I get to know what spots he usually marks; what he loves to sniff at; how he interacts with other dogs and people around him; what excites him; what brings him fear (e.g. huge dogs, light from flashlights/cars); what makes him angry (e.g. stray cats, angry dogs); and I even get to see how he reacts to a dog he likes.

One time, I was watching a video of Copper that I took (see video below) and it showed his delightful response to my question: “Do you want to walk?” And while I was replaying and enjoying it, I told God: “Lord, why is Copper so cute? He knows the word “walk” and he gets excited whenever he hears it!”

And at that moment, God spoke to my heart and showed me the similarity that it had with our relationship with Him. I looked at myself and wondered if I also show the same excitement whenever God asks me the question: “Hey Nic, do you want to walk with Me?” It was a humbling moment for me because I knew that sometimes, I would prefer to do something else than spend more time with God and His Word.

It says in Galatians 5:16 “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

After that time, little by little, God helped me to remove the things that hinder me from spending time with Him (distractions, pride, laziness, etc.). Also, He continued to encourage me to walk with Him through prayer and His Word every day. It was amazing because He always reminded me of His love for me (even during discouraging days) and it motivated me to know Him and walk with Him more.

Walking with Copper now gives me a different kind of joy because whenever I ask him if he wants to walk and I see his happy response, I am reminded of how God is pleased too whenever we choose to walk and spend more time with Him each day. Have we been spending quality time with God and His word this week? :)

Encourage yourself one treat at a time. :)

I just spent the last 3 and a half hours searching for the best instant waffle mix and doughnuts in town. But sadly, after driving and walking around, I ended up going home empty-handed.

After leaving the office, I had in mind the specific brands of waffle mix and doughnuts that I wanted to buy for tomorrow. I wanted to treat my officemates with extra snacks like crisp waffles and delicious doughnuts (since it was my birthday yesterday). I dropped by the supermarket near our house because I thought that they were selling the brand of waffle mix that I wanted, considering that it is quite a huge store. However, when I got there, the customer service informed me that they didn’t have stock.

I panicked because I already told my officemates that I would bring the waffle mix to the office tomorrow. I then started to call two other supermarkets near our place and asked if they were selling the brand that I wanted. I even used the payphone in the grocery store to call the other supermarkets. (Talk about effort!) But, somehow, God didn’t allow me to purchase that specific brand. None of the supermarkets near our house were selling it.

I bought the next best waffle mix and left the supermarket. I then decided to go to the mall instead because I thought that even if I didn’t get to buy “the best waffle mix”, I would at least get to buy the best doughnut treats before going home.

I briskly walked towards the doughnut shop after parking in the mall and eagerly lined up. When I was already near the cashier, one of the staff members suddenly announced that there were no original glazed doughnuts anymore. “WHAAAT??? You must be kidding me.” I thought to myself.

My spirit was crushed because I wanted to buy those doughnuts. I “needed” to buy those doughnuts.

Because I was already desperate, I decided to search for the next best doughnut store in the mall. However, since I didn’t know where it was located exactly, I ended up going back and forth, and up and down the different floors in the mall. Also, the directions that I got from the different guards I talked to just made it worse, since they contradicted each other.

When I finally saw the next best doughnut store for me, they didn’t have much doughnuts left. At that time, it was already 9:30 in the evening; my body was tired and sleepy; and my heart was very much discouraged. I decided to drop by the food court before going home and got myself an order of siomai and bola-bola siopao (my dinner).

I then started to write on my journal and tell God about my night so far. I wanted to ask God a lot of questions and say tons of things, but my heart led me to write this instead:

“I just feel so tired now and am kind of sad because I ended up not being able to buy what I wanted – what I thought was the best. But, Lord, I just want to thank you still because you’ve shown me how my 3-hour experience is very much similar to how I’ve been living the life that you’ve blessed me with. I try to go through the day and make decisions immediately, without even consulting you first. Sometimes, when I do get to consult you, I end up saying “Please, Lord…” or “Would you… Lord…” And it’s so ironic because I call You, “Lord” over and over again, but I still choose to take control of my life. Sorry that I forget what matters most in life – You, Jesus.”

I realized that God could have easily provided the doughnuts and waffle mix that I wanted today, but he didn’t. And I guess it’s his way of reminding me to remember who He is in my life even if He doesn’t give me what I prayed for. I think that it’s His way of encouraging me to seek Him more than the things that He can give to me.

Many times, I find myself being tempted to get frustrated or disappointed with God especially when He doesn’t answer my prayer requests or give the things that I ask for. But, God gently rebuked me tonight and encouraged me to trust in Him as I find satisfaction in WHO He is and not in WHAT I have (e.g. material things, achievements, relationships, etc.).

Before leaving the food court, I read Psalm 17 and was encouraged by verse 15.

“As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness;
I will be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake.”

Even without having “the best doughnuts” and “the best waffle mix”, I went home with peace and joy in my heart. God knew exactly how to comfort me tonight and I praise Him for His grace.

Encourage yourself one treat at a time! :)