For once I am so pleased with my messy desk! It is filled with goodies I brought back from my visit to Nagoya and Takayama, Japan (I arrived just a few hours ago). Japan is the best place to buy washi tape (well, it did originate there)...
and all sorts of pens...
I am looking forward to using my goodies for my journal illustrations...
And if you are on Instagram, you may be interested in more pictures of my journal illustrations (@peggy_aplSEEDS) or some pictures of my travels (@peggyapl)...
My 98 year old Auntie Eliza died last night and we had a late night so I almost forgot that today is a Wednesday and time for What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday. My main desk did not stay tidy for long and even my prayer desk is filled. There is a book about Jesus that we are studying, my copy of The Word Among Us and one of my prayer journal illustrations, just in time for Ash Wednesday today...
"Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting, is the first day of Lent in Western Christianity... Ashes are ceremonially placed on the heads of Christians on Ash Wednesday, more often by being marked on their foreheads as a visible cross. The words used traditionally to accompany this gesture are:
Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.
In the 1969 revision of the Roman Rite, an alternative formula was introduced and given first place:
Repent, and believe in the Gospel.
The old formula, based on the words spoken to Adam and Eve after their sin, reminds worshippers of their sinfulness and mortality and thus, implicitly, of their need to repent in time." - Wikipedia
Last Sunday, it was the first death anniversary of my Mom, and on Monday we were back in the same hospital where she died to bring my Auntie. Indeed, we are dust and to dust we shall return. A blessed Lenten season to you, if you celebrate the season.
A clear desk for this Valentine edition of What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday, to make my hubby happy, since he sometimes gets tired of seeing my messy desk. And for you, my visitors today, I searched my desk for Valentine hearts...
and I found some in this cute little stuffed toy I won from Grimitives Art Dolls some time ago, in a whistle I bought in China...
It's been a long time since I have posted a photo of my whole desk. It is usually piled high with all sorts that I've pushed towards the ends of the desk! But last saturday I had the time to do a tidy up and I am so pleased with my clear desk even if it will last only for a short time. On my desk is a wonderful book my sister Patsy gave me for Christmas...
some Christmas cards to put away and a photo taken when we attended a wedding last Friday...
and my attempt at some Calligraphy. I need a lot of practice if I want to get better and being left handed seems to make it even harder!
Praying takes practice, too. I used to find it so hard to spend just a few minutes of quiet time in the morning but after more than 35 years of practicing, it does gets better.
I guess keeping a tidy desk takes some practice, too. But I guess I will concentrate on practicing other things, LOL! Blessings to all of you! Thank you for dropping by!
I just came back from a trip to Xiamen, China and here are some goodies I got there. Some cards with intricate paper cutting...
a set of bookmarks souvenirs from the island of Gulangyu...
The island is on China's list of National Scenic Spots and also ranks at the top of the list of the ten most-scenic areas in the province. I also bought a hanging bell with lovely Chinese knotting there.
Here is a prayer journal illustration in progress...
and a finished one which is my hope for Shoshi and Shaz, who I just found out have cancer. Say a prayer for their healing, won't you?
the ID and raincoat I used, and a souvenir t-shirt from Tacloban that a friend gave me.
Pope Francis came for a visit to the Philippines (January 15 to January 19) and these past few days have been such a blessing for us! Just to catch a glimpse of him, we Filipinos would walk long distances, brave the crowds, wait for hours, and stand in the pouring rain (they say Filipinos have a rainproof faith!) Everywhere his vehicle passed, the streets were filled with people excitedly waiting and as he would pass by, the crowds would give him a rapturous welcome. When those few seconds were over, we would rejoice in the blessing of his visit and feel that the wait was all worth it. In Him, we saw the light of Christ, a man full of mercy and compassion, our spiritual father, a shepherd who loves his flock.
The joy we felt when we finally saw the Pope made all the challenges worth it. Life is also full of challenges but the joy of seeing Jesus is worth much more. We will forget all our difficulties with one glimpse of Jesus. Oh, I look forward to meeting Jesus face to face!
The theme song for Pope Francis' visit was "We are All God's Children" and he reminded us not to forget our true identity. Here is a video my community, Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon, helped to make (I know a lot of the people dancing in the video)...
Do you see these children on the streets
Have you walked the pavements where they sleep?
Do you feel their hands
When you give them alms?
Did you ever give them bread to eat?
Have you seen their homes washed by the floods?
While a mother tightly holds her child
Do you hear the wind
Of the raging storm?
Can you tell them where it's coming from?
Let us show our love and mercy
With true kindness and humility
For God loves the weak and the needy
Just like you and me
We are all God's children
We are all the same
He is calling us by name to help the poor and lame
And learn what life is really for
It's to know and love and serve the Lord
Stand together and let's do our part
Hear their voices mend their broken hearts
Choose to be brave fight for their rights
Give them back their honor and their pride
Please do not be blind and just leave them behind
To struggle in darkness or give them empty promises
We are all God's children
We are all the same
He is calling us by name to help the poor and lame
Happy New Year this first Wednesday of the year! My regular desk is not a desk these days. More like a dumping ground for gifts that need to be put away and other stuff. So I am showing you my small prayer desk with a work in progress...
When I was in Bangkok recently, I bought a rolling shelf from Ikea and here is the top view, with my colored pencils and pens and some rolls of washi tape...
The year has flown by so quickly and it is now the last day of the year!
I have a different desk for What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday because we're taking a vacation in the beach. I brought my colored pencils with me...
Because I'll be doing my prayer journal illustrations...
This illustration was for December 29. St Teresa of Avila wrote... "The just Simeon didn't see any more than the glorious, little poor child. For by the way the child was clothed and by the few people that were in procession, Simeon could have easily judged the babe to be the son of poor people rather than the Son of our Heavenly Father." And so I wonder, would I have recognized the Messiah? And do I recognize Him today?
As the year ends, I look back and thank God for all the many blessings of this past year. All of you, your visits and words of encouragement are among those blessings! May the coming year bring all the best for you!
Also sharing in Inspire Me Monday and Word Art Wednesday. If you're on Instagram, you may be interested in my other account which is for arts and crafts (username "peggy_aplSEEDS").
And although there is an empty space on my desk, it is only because I have also taken over the floor for my wrapping activities! This new Christmas book I bought has wonderful quotations...
May this blessed season bring you and your loved ones abundant blessings and like the wise men, may you "rejoice with exceeding great joy!" Matthew 2:10
I am from the beautiful tropical country of the Philippines and I like to think I am sowing seeds around the world as I make my blog - seeds of faith, or hope or maybe, creativity. I am blessed to have a wonderful husband and three great children and I spend my work days designing paper products, gifts and decorative accessories for our family gift shops, Papemelroti.
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