Life is like a piano.

'But David encouraged himself in the Lord.." 1 Samuel 30:6

This verse has been going through my mind for the last week or so. Maybe it's meant for someone who is reading this....

Sometimes you might find yourself in a situation where there seems to be no one to encourage you. Maybe you are in a place full of people, but for some reason no one seems to have that word you are in need of. Or maybe you are in a place where you are physically alone. Maybe you are going through a suffering situation that even if people want to, is really hard for them to understand. Maybe these are some of the reasons this verse is in the bible. Is it there to remind us that on some occasions we really have to encourage ourselves by looking up to the one who understands it all. I believe with all my heart that God uses people to speak encouragement into our lives. This is precious. I know He uses the heart song of others, a letter or a scripture handed to us by a friend.
But I believe too there are certain times when we must make a choice to stir up our gifts, stir up our hearts and stir up the word of God within us. It won't always feel amazing. It may not even seem to make a difference to our emotions or change our circumstances. But I believe, and I can't fully explain why but it does do something in the spirit realm. It keeps our hearts right. It moulds us into an over comer- even is we feel far from being one.It reminds the enemy that we do trust our God.

I will never forget a message preached by my Pastor in Scotland.He gave the illustration of a piano.

There are black notes and there are white notes. Depending on where you place your fingers some create a major chord (a happy sound) and some a minor chord (a sad sound). It would be hard to imagine a piano only with all white notes or only with all black. The two are placed perfectly to create something beautiful. Our lives are the same. We need both the major chords and the minor in our lives. Just as in music the minor can still work our to be something beautiful.
We won't always like what's happening. There are times we will be sad.But God really does work all things together for good to those who love Him.

Today, if you are going through a "minor chord" encourage yourself in the Lord even if it's the last thing you feel like. Choose to worship. Choose to read Gods word. Choose to still sing.
Sometimes the songs you will sing on the dark days- "in the night" will be the most beautiful and most special. Choose to worship and choose to believe that days will come again when you will sing those songs in a major, happy key again. They will.

I can't help thinking about David in the bible.A gifted musician. A player of many instruments and a writer of many songs. These songs recorded in scripture were both happy and sad. I just wonder how many of these beautiful psalms that bless us and encourage us so often were actually birthed as he chose to encourage himself in the Lord when no one else could......

Never say the C word in a Filipino airport!

Last week we were in Malaysia for my friends wedding. We have been friends since we were six and so it was just amazing to be there on her special day and have a week in such a beautiful country with my hubby and baby. It really was quite a perfect week. However actually getting out the airport was not so perfect!

 Off we went at 6am to travel a couple of hours to the airport in Clark. We were pretty organised and even on time! Now in the past I have been made painfully aware of "required fees" that must be a paid inside the terminal. After researching  I was pretty sure I knew the amount needed. I was wrong!

The first sign we came to was "terminal fee". It wasn't so bad. The second line we were pointed to go to was"airport tax". However we were assured since I am not Filipino and Josiah is an infant that this only applied to Ron. It wasn't a small fee but we brought a bit extra just in case. Hmmmm... wrong information apparently given to us! When we got to the front, the woman said that the fee applied to 3 of us. Unless we wanted to pay an "exemption fee" for Josiah. Hold on- we have to pay a fee so that we don't have to pay another fee?!! is this making sense to anyone else?!!

By this stage I was getting annoyed. You can ask to see all the policies in the world and talk until you are blue in the face but at the end of the day , the airport staff have the say and that is it. I am thankful for a very patient husband, but even he was getting agitated by this stage since we had to go and change money back into pesos to pay this ridiculous fee.

Surely that is it I thought. There are no more signs for fees. Just one security check and then we can relax and start to enjoy our trip. Wrong! When we got to immigration the guy said "you must pay a fee". This time the fee didn't even have a title! He must be joking! It was a really steep amount. We asked to speak to a supervisor to give an explanation. After searching through an old notepad she said" because you are a foreigner and resident". Wait a minute! The other guy just said there would be no more fees because I am a resident of the Philippines! I felt like I was going to explode but Rons calming influence was rubbing off just enough to hold me from going mental. We really questioned this fee. Giving all the sensible reasons we could as to why it should not apply. We told of the information we had been given already by the other staff. Surely each post should be giving the same info? The supervisor replied " they other staff don't know what they are doing". Em... shouldn't that be her job as their manager to  make sure they did?!

I was mad! I began to speak faster and waffle why we should not pay this fee. It was not making a blind bit of difference... but i was mad! Ron spoke sensibly to the women while I sat down in a fluster. I thought I was talking to myself but said out loud "this system in so corrupt" Well!! One of the staff heard me and was not at all amused. Honestly I never meant that they particular individuals were corrupt, in fact one girl was particularly sweet. However I did feel it was unjust and the lack of communication between staff was very unprofessional. Next thing we know they are not going to allow us on the flight and they definitely would not let us on the flight if we did not pay. Sigh..... beyond frustrating. By the time we were finished we had to pay out almost 100 pounds of  money.

In my personal opinion I still think the system is guilty for legalised corruption. But I also know my attitude that day was not right. I should have been able to remain calm. I should not have spoken what was in my mind. I should have been able to control my flesh from boiling over. I shouls be more like my hubby in these situations whose moto is "a gentle answer turns away wrath". However honestly in my stubborness in this situation these are the last words I would have wanted to hear!

As you can read there are no deep lesson in this blog. Just the ramblings of a frustrated travller and the reminder to myself not to ever use the *Corruption word in an airport again! Looking back it is now a little funny...not very funny... but maybe a little bit! :)

Lessons I learned from a one year old

Recently our one year old has been doing a couple of wee things that provoked thought for me...

As of late if he wants to go to sleep he climbs near me and puts his head on my heart. His eyes close and his perfect little fingers stretch out to find my heartbeat. I suppose it makes perfect sense that a heartbeat would make him feel secure and calm since it was top of his play list while he was in the womb!
It made me think though.....
What if stayed I this close to the saviours heartbeat? What if I searched for it everyday and was not content until I found it? Hear his every breath. Feel his heartbeat. You can't get much closer. It says in the word that "there was leaning on Jesus bosom one of His disciples,whom Jesus loved" Next to his heart. What better place to be than right next to the heart of Jesus. To listen to his words and feel the vibration of the tones in his voice. The most beautiful melody that could ever be heard. There are so many worship songs that speak about being near to the heart of Jesus.I believe this is exactly where God wants each one of us.He's not some distant God that we have to go through ritual and laws to be accepted by.He desires us to be so close. What an awesome thing that is! Sometimes we just don't feel good enough to have the boldness to go like a child and jump up on the Fathers knee. I believe that's what He wants us to do.So sure of His love for us. A child usually isn't put off by his Daddy asking him to wait until hes finished work before he comes in the office. If that wee son wants to hug his daddy or ask something from his daddy he most likely barges with confidence through the door and jumps up and hangs round the neck of his hero. What good Father would say "oh , cant you see all my paper work". Of course he would ignore his mountain of work and love his son.
Our Abba Daddy wants us with our ear pressed against his heart. Amazing grace.

Last month our baby boy decided his preferred way to fall asleep was to be sung to. No more cuddling or pacing the floor- just a song. So every night before he goes to sleep Ron or I sing to him. It has been known for us to sing ourselves to sleep! I guess Josiah just wants to hear our voices and know that we are with him. Its the sweetest thing ever when he sing along Mmmmm or Lalalaaa and sings himself into dream land.
What if I could not rest or be content unless I was hearing the songs that Jesus was singing over me? What if I refused to sleep without first hearing His voice?
 Jesus sings over us. How amazing is that?! I want to know what He sings! What does his voice sound like? What notes does He choose? What is the tone and vibrato of his voice? I can only imagine it's the most beautiful voice that anyone could ever have. The God of all creation who with one word spoke creation into existence singing over me?!
Amazing love.

"He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

Justice and mercy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A few weeks ago the words of a pastor pierced my heart and have been replaying in my spirit ever since.

 

"When was the last time you were broken hearted for your country?"

 

I believe we must speak life over our nation. When there is so much negativity in the media about how bad things are we have to choose to proclaim blessing. At the same time I believe we need to see that many have turned from the true and living God and as a result things are in a state. This sadness over our country can provoke a heart cry of justice and mercy.  God puts this heart song in us when we ask for it. I pray for a more fervent desperation to see things changed by a God who loves justice and mercy.

 

 

My heart cry- "bring justice and mercy"

Mighty God this is my prayer

Though the heavens sometimes seem like brass

I'm believing that you hear.

 

 

I know you won't desert your people

Stay close oh gentle hand

With justice and with mercy

God have pity on this land.

 

Have compassion. Lord forgive us

Though we don't deserve it- still

-You are a God of patience

Who recovers and rebuilds.

 

In past times this country has crumbled

Much is barren and still bare

But the song of hope is rising up

And victory we declare.

 

In the name of Jesus

We sing blessing, life and peace

When we really grasp your goodness

Our  hearts will bring us to our knees.

 

"I the Lord love justice"

-A promise in your book

The twins justice and mercy

For them we continue to look.

 

 

 

Pray for your country.

 

 



The heart of a carer.

 

  I have witnessed first hand the sacrifice it takes for people to look after a loved one who is dying. As I write this I am thinking much of my mum and sister who poured themselves out caring for my step-father in his last few months. Anyone who is a carer has a special heart.Whether it's a mother living on a dump site or it's your full time"work"- It takes a really special person.But I think even more so when it is a wife giving care until the final breath of the one they love most....

 

 

There's a special kind of person

They are strong and true,

Caring through the hard times

Holding on, seeing illness through

 

Sometimes that special person

Feels weary and afraid

But the heart of a carer

Is to keep appearing brave

 

At times its sore to watch the pain

And tears are often shed,

God understands the burden felt

And by His hand you're lead

 

You are that special carer

You have been all your life,

Faithful, loving, loyal, true

God gave a special man- a very special wife.



The adventures of Mama, baby and bump!

Please excuse the ruggedness of this blog.No time to edit! :)

At the beginning of the month I travelled back to Scotland for a short 10 day visit. It was a sad trip in many ways. Seeing a loved one before they pass over to the other side always is. It was a hard trip,but a blessed trip.

My hubby and I have always made a point of not being away from each other for more than a few days.We miss each other too much! I know its mushy, but true! But there are some situations you just can't prepare for. This trip was one of them

To be totally honest I really did not know how it was possible financially for me to return at such short notice. In my heart I really wanted to go and say goodbye to my step dad who had fought cancer so very bravely for over 2 years. But I did not think I could go. But it's just like God to already be way ahead of us and have planned everything out right to the last detail. I was reminded again what a personal God I have.

One morning I had been thinking a lot about my family and the situation they were all facing back home. I felt so helpless. That afternoon I received a message from a dear couple who have become special friends and encourager's to us. They said that they wanted me to know that if I wanted to go back to Scotland for a trip that they would like to gift my flight. Who does that?!!
At the time they knew my step dad was ill but had no idea of the details.The amazing thing was at that time I also had no idea of that decline of his health. Once I was able to speak for shock, I told our friends I would pray about it and speak to Ron and my mum. Within a couple of hours a family member phoned me to tell me the doctors had given my step dad a couple of days maximum to live. I knew God had presented this opportunity for me to be with my family at this time.I was overwhelmed by His love and the kindness of our friends. Flights for Josiah and I were booked that evening and we flew the next day.

I was a little nervous about travelling a different route than usual with Josiah and bump.When we checked in, the airport stroller we had hoped for could not be given. Carrying an 11 month old through security and airports would be a bit of a challenge.But guess what happened? After we got off our first flight a member of staff approached us and said. "Some one on the plane yesterday just happened to leave a stroller. Do you want to use it and just return in later?" I just knew then it was a little kiss of favour from our heavenly Father!

Then as we got to our gate we were told our flight had been changed! I hadn't brought any cash with me because our stop over times were supposed to be very short and I figured I wouldn't need it. But now we would have hours to wait and my baby belly was telling me I was going to get hungry soon. But guess what happened next? As we went through security the lady said "Oh you have been upgraded to business class and so can avail the business lounge. Well Ive never been in the airport business lounge but oh my! There was a big lovely buffet with all sorts of yummys which Josiah and I enjoyed. Gods loving hand was on us again! I don't want to bore you with every detail but it was just so clear God had gone before us the whole trip!

I'm writing this because I think it's important not to forget the favour and blessing that some may just say is coincidence. It's definitely not. We have a personal God who knows every need- even the ones that may seem insignificant.He really does care! :)

Through the eyes of a volunteer....

Below is the writtings of Chloe, a 20 year old who has come to volunteer with us for 3 weeks. She describes her first visit to the dump site community in Tondo....

  

"11/08/2012. Tondo dumpsite; festering with fermenting rubbish, knee deep toxic sludge, contaminated water and accessorized ever so plentifully with vermin. The visual can only be likened to the minds darkest concoctions of the aftermath of a war; devastation, disease and despair. As we travelled into the dumpsite dozens of smiling faces greeted and ran after us welcoming us to the community Not one child looked in anyway disheartened by their situation and couldn’t hold your hand or cuddle you any quicker - the people being the ultimate paradox to the extreme poverty they are victims of. Their affection, trust and joy left me with the heaviest feeling in my heart I have ever felt. I looked at the children, some with no clothes, some coughing from primary complex, some starving, some lying in contaminated flood water, ALL smiling – truly, diamonds in the rough. That day I listened to the children’s community choir singing for the first time. I was met by beaming faces desperate to perform. Whilst posing for the camera and singing ‘the climb’ the children sounded out of this world. Their English was word perfect, perfectly in tune,; the happiness in their eyes was overwhelming. When the choir finished and the children began to return to their ‘homes,’ cramped, disease ridden make shift homes scattered across the dumpsite, it hit me - these children have nothing but hope. That is the first time I have ever witnessed the power that having hope can have. It transforms these children from feeling alone and victimized to being some of the strongest characters I have ever met. I couldn’t help but cry later that day as I thought back to the tiny faces. That night I had a shower, I put on clean clothes, I went to the mall and I bought some dinner - not one of these things did I do without thinking how much I would give for those children to take my place. My mind boggled with how the situation could be so out of hand, the class divide far beyond any stretch of the imagination. I was consumed with feelings of anger, at why these children and adults must endure this when so many, including myself, have so much and always desire more in a complete self-obsessed ignorance. That night I felt the hollowest, darkest feeling I have ever felt - complete helplessness for the children. I wish I could take every single one of them and give them clean clothes, houses and rid them of disease, the fact that I cant and I have seen the conditions they live in makes me feel helpless and beyond any frustration imaginable. Photographs, videos, blogs, even fabrications of your mind, nothing will ever amount to the feeling that succumbs you in Tondo. So many turn a blind eye to the jewels that are buried under the dirt and the disease but my heart will never let me move on from the sights I saw my first day in Tondo ."

What if it was my son?

I'm just astonished at the way our boy is growing up so fast. I cannot believe our baby is almost 1 year old! It has been the quickest, most amazing year of my life. Of course I am totally bias, but Josiah Domingo is just the cutest, clever and quirky bundle of laughs I have ever met! I am amazed each day at every new thing he does. When he walked this month I screamed so loud he fell over! When I think of when we brought him home and he was so helpless and tiny and now he is becoming this independent little man. He amazes me. God amazes me. The way He could create and entrust me with  such a precious gift. Josiah is so loved.So very loved.

Since becoming a mummy I find that my heart breaks so much easier when I see babies and children living on the dump site and in the cemetery.A fiery voice that shouts "injustice" has been more awakened than ever. In particular when I see little boys playing naked and hungry in the mud I cannot help but think of Josiah. Every time I see them I cannot help thinking- what if it was my son? What if Josiah was born here.  As I was thinking this through I started to scribble down these words.....

What if it was my son who was born on a dump

Birthed into the filth, surrounded by flies

No milk to drink, only rags to wear

What if it was my child- then would I care?

          What if it was my daughter, who saw horrors like these

In the black of night- watched her father die

Violence and rage, gangs and pain

What if it was my child- would my heart cry for change?

Give me Your eyes Lord, eyes to really see

If I had them for a moment, my heart would change forever

Give me your eyes Lord, eyes to really see

If I had them for a moment,I'd be forever changed

          What if it was my child who had to work in the trash

Life at risk always, just to earn some rice

Injured and weakened, scared and alone

What if?What if it was my child?

 Give me your eyes Lord, eyes to really see

If I had them for a moment, my heart would would change forever

Give me your eyes Lord, eyes to really see

If I had them for a moment, Id be forever changed

Mercy- Justice

Mercy and Justice for the poor

Mercy- Justice

Mercy and justice for the poor

         What if it was me who was moved with compassion

No more words, but love in action

What if it was me who done all I could

No more talk, but motivated to help

What if it was me? What if it was me?

Give me your eyes Lord, eyes to really see

Give me them for a moment, change my heart forever

Give me your eyes Lord, eyes to really see

Give me them for a moment,make me more like You,

I made a difference for THAT ONE.

I hadn't intended blogging two nights in a row. But our darling baby son has cooperated with his bedtime schedule tonight and I found myself browsing through face book. I came  across a post on a friends page about "The starfish" I used to have this up on my wall as a teenager and when I read it tonight it just sang encouragement straight to my heart.

The Starfish Story

Original Story by: Loren Eisley

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed
a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.

Approaching the boy, he asked, What are you doing?

The youth replied, Throwing starfish back into the ocean.
The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them back, they'll die.

... Son, the man said, don't you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish?
You cant make a difference!

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish,
and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said
I made a difference for that one.

After all these years I find such motivation in these words once again.I'm thankful to read them.Sometimes we are surrounded by so many critical needs that the very thought of changing things and making any kind of lasting difference seems on the border of being ridiculous! Of course that is us thinking in the natural realm only. It's negative midset creeping in. 

I remember a couple of years back we had a journalist from a British news channel interview us. I remember as we toured him round the dump site community that he seemed almost completely untouched- impassive. I remember at the time thinking that he must have seen so much anguish all over the world that he had either become used to it or that it was a way of coping.Which ever it was Ron and I were absolutely unprepared for one of his questions that day. It was delivered in a very matter of fact and pretty cold tone;

"So do you really think you are making a difference to all thi?. Surely the situation will only get worse"

To be honest I can't even remember what we mumbled in response.We were both a little taken aback by his lack of hope.

Afterwards and on many occasions Ron and I talked about how if we were to look at the whole picture- all the needs, all the families, all the suffering and then look at what we were doing to change it, we would most definitely pack our bags and get on the next flight! I mean really, 30,000 families. We are merly scratching the surface. But if we remain focused on one person at a time.If we really commit to seeing that person standing before us at that appointed time. If we respond to the needs of that one, then we are making a difference.Are we changing the living situations of the whole dump site community?No. Are we making a difference one child at a time? I think by Gods grace alone- yes.

It's not about being the biggest charity. Its not about our work being well known. Its not about having the most high status funders or the best materials. It's really just about remaining faithful to the people we believe God has called us to. Its about loving Him first and loving that one he puts in our path.It's about being willing for your plans to be interrupted to make a difference for time and eternity to that one.

"Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me." MAtt 18:5

Be encouraged today.Jesus spoke to thousands in crowds but he also shows us the most beautiful examples of how he stopped to talk and meet the practical needs of that one person.Over and over he demonstrates the importance.We all have a chance to make a differnce for that one.

Dirty Feet.

So I forgot my welly boots.I seem to have become increasingly forgetful since I became a Mama! Anyway as I was washing all the sludge off my feet after walking through the dump site it promoted a memory to be unlocked.

One of the first times I walked through the mushy toxic liquefied trash something significant happened that in all honesty kind of blew my mind at the time.My feet were really dirty with all sorts of "stuff" clinging to them. As soon as we entered the building located in the middle of the dump site a boy aged around 12 ran enthusiastically toward me almost knocking me over. His name was JP. He was a twin. His parents chose to keep his twin brother and he was left on the dump site. He ended up being raised by his Aunt who really loves him and has a great compassion for children in general. They still live on the dump site....

I was a bit bewildered at JP's excitement and wondered if he found something of value while scavenging through the trash. There were previous occasions when he couldn't wait to tell us he had found a bible and the other time a working guitar! He could hardly speak a word of English and I very little Tagalog at the time so he used gestures to lead me to a bench.I sat down. He held up his hands as if to stay "stay there... wait". So I did.

His next action gripped my heart and humbled me more than i can express. He brought a blue pale with clean water. When I say "clean" i mean not from the sewage or the street.He bent down and took off my shoes that were encrusted with a tar like substance and he began to wash my feet.

This young boy began to wash my dirty feet. When I realised what he was doing I tried to tell him he didn't have to and that I'd do it. He firmly but kindly told me with his hands to "stay". I was so humbled. This young boy had know much rejection but he also knew much love. He was displaying the character of Jesus right there and then in the middle of a dump site.He did not raise his head until my feet were spotless. He washed them with his hands and dried them with a rag. When he finished and the water in the bucket was dark brown and my feet were clean he looked up with the biggest smile.

That simple act probably never meant much to him. I'm sure he never planned to do it.He didn't stop to see who was watching. He was just moved to show kindness.

As on many many occasion there was again- the children we came to bless and help- blessing us. The ones we came to show love to- loving us.The ones we came to teach..... teaching us.

 ^Jesusrose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself.   After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. ^{6  John 13:4-6}