Journal Reflections

Her son went off on his own without asking permission.  And so they had to search for him.  When they finally found him, she and her husband asked him, "Why?"  Well, he had his own reasons for what he did and didn't seem to understand why they were so upset.  They didn't understand what he said to them.

Does this sound familiar?  If you are a parent, haven't there been times when you couldn't understand your children?  Haven't there been times when you've asked "Why?"  Even with our relationships with other people, haven't there been times when we haven't understood?  When we've asked "Why?"

I know there have been times like this for me.  But oh, to be able to follow her example when faced with times like this.  To be able to ponder and pray and control my tongue.  To be able to understand, by God's grace, to do as God leads and to treasure these things.  This is my prayer as I reflect on this bible verse...

"When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them. Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart."  Luke 2:42-51

I'm linking up to Paint Party Friday, Studio Sneak Peek, Random Journal Day, Heartprint Hallelujahs, Just Journals, Faith-filled Friday, Art Journal Every Day and Spiritual Sundays.

What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday: ATCs to Trade

My "Filipina in Terno" series is almost done!  I've had so much fun "designing their dresses" and I think I got carried away with some of them.  But then, I remembered a lesson I had about traditional Filipino art, which is often characterized by "horror vacui," meaning "filling the entire surface of a space or an artwork with detail."  

Just take a look at the Filipino Jeepney (public transportation in the Philippines). Some of them are so full of details...

photo by:Trishhhh

Perfect!  My ATCs are so Filipino then!  I am planning to trade them with my followers and blog friends and I will also trade some at ATCs for All.  Let me know if you are interested to trade for them and I will see if I have enough (otherwise, I will use the random number generator to pick who I will trade with).

And look at the lovely ATC I got from Helen!  It was made specially for the WOYWW anniversary swap.  Thank you so much, Helen!

And because I am a proud mommy, let me invite you to drop by my daughter's "store."  Here is one of her designs...

Pretty, isn't it?

What's on your workdesk?  Join in the fun and show us your desk!

Let Not Your Hearts Be Troubled

The God who made the universe, who set the stars in the sky and created every creature on earth; the God who makes night and day, the seasons, the land and the seas; He is a God who loves us and knows everything about us, all our needs, all our concerns, all our fears and troubles.  And He says in His word, "Let not your hearts be troubled or afraid."

In Philippians 4:6-7, it says,"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

I have passed through my own trials in life (which I shared in my post Though I Walk Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death) and I have experienced this peace beyond understanding.  My prayer is that you will, too.

I'm linking up with Sunday Sketches, Inspire Me Monday, Word Art Wednesday and Blessed Beyond A Doubt.

Paint Party Friday: Filipiniana ATCs

Here's a Studio Sneak Peek of a whole series of Filipiniana Artist Trading Cards that I'm making to trade with my followers and blog friends.  I used backgrounds from a Filipino songbook, handpainted the faces and collaged on magazine clippings for the "Ternos" (see my previous post for a picture of a real terno).  It looks like they are having a party, doesn't it?  A Paint Party Friday!

And for a Faith-filled Friday, here's a page from my prayer journal, which is also my Art Journal Every Day.   What wonderful promises there are in God's word!

I'm also linking up to Random Journal Day, Heartprint Hallelujahs and Just Journals.

What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday: WIP Artist Trading Cards

Looking at all the Artist Trading Cards on WOYWWers desks last week made me envious of all the wonderful ATCs WOYWWers got for the WOYWW anniversary swap.  Since I was out of the country, I wasn't able to make more than one so I decided to make some.  I decided on a Filipino theme and started out with backgrounds from a Filipino songbook...

Then I made some faces and tried to make them look Filipino.  Each one of the girls will be wearing a "terno", a type of Philippine traditional dress worn on formal occasions.  It has big "butterfly" sleeves like this...

Here is an ATC that's almost finished...

What's on your workdesk?  Join in the fun of peeking and showing off your desk!

All Scripture is Inspired by God

Hello, my dear blog friends, here's a little sketch from my prayer journal, illustrating 2 Timothy 3:16.   I read and meditate on scripture every day because I do believe this verse!  I would like to be equipped for every good work!  

May you have a lovely week ahead!  I'm linking up with Sunday Sketches and Inspire Me Monday.

You are the Light of the World!

We celebrated Philippine Independence day last June 12 and this is what I drew in my journal.  Even as I thanked the Lord for our nation, I prayed that He would transform us, renew us, and heal us that we may become the people that He wants us to be.

I'm glad to be back and linking up with Paint Party Friday, Studio Sneak Peek, Heartprint Hallelujahs, Random Journal Day, Faith Filled Friday and Art Journal Every Day.  

A Panda Giveaway

What a cutie!  For a chance to win her, visit Catherine's blog (although, of course, I want to win her!) The giveaway ends on July 20. 

WOYWW: What? It's Wednesday?

Yesterday was Philippine Independence Day, a holiday!  I spent the day repairing, organizing and cleaning up.  I fixed a chair, a cabinet latch, repaired three shopping bags, four broken bracelets, one ring, and one bag!  Then I organized my desk and all the drawers under my desk. Today I continued my organizing by rearranging my bathroom cabinet...

And I forgot it was a Wednesday until my sister Patsy asked me, "Did you make a WOYWW post?"  Whaaaat?  Is it Wednesday already?  So here is my office desk instead.  I know, I know, it is just as messy as my home desk is most of the time!

Join in the fun of showing off your desk and peeking at desks from around the world.  Julia has the WOYWW list!  

Finally...

Finally, I've chosen a winner for my giveaway!  So sorry for the delay!  The winner (Number 81) wrote this lovely comment as her entry, "I don't post in your blog often but I do read it and love all your work. I would love to win your artwork but so many contenders I may not however I wanted to let you know that I love your work."  Aww, thank you so much!  

Well,  Shashi Nayagam, even with "so many contenders," you still won!  We never really know what surprises will come our way each day, do we?  Congratulations, Shashi!  

And finally, some art to share with you.  Here is a page from my prayer journal, illustrating 2 Peter 1: 5-7...

and another one, illustrating 2 Timothy 1:6...

I'm linking up with Inspire Me Monday and  Random Journal Day!

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday: A Whole Mess!

Happy Wednesday, dear blog friends!  I am back, home sweet home after almost a month away from home.  And do you remember how I left my desk, all spic-and-span?...

Well, this is how it looks today!...

Arghhh, I know!  A whole mess!  I haven't found the time to put away the stuff I've brought home (mostly ordered from Ebay or Amazon and sent to my in-laws' address in Los Angeles).  

I have been such a delinquent blogger and I had to dig out my laptop from under the mess just to email Rachel for her address for the WOYWW ATC swap and to send Helen my address!  I also haven't picked my winner for my Easter giveaway and if you want a chance to win this painting...

you can still leave a comment in my giveaway post until I finally find the time to pick a winner (hopefully soon!)

And for more desks to take a peek at, hopefully more organized and creative (hmm, that sounds impossible for my desk) jump on over to Julia's WOYWW list.