75 Candles

My dearest Daddy,

Today is your 75th birthday. I praise God for giving you all these years...

Make a wish and blow the candles, Dad!
Photo Credit: GMVozd, www.gettyimages.com

Thank you for the many things you taught us, your children. Thank you for sharing with us the importance of service and love for country. Thank you for the many piles of newspapers with your comments and suggestions at home -- they remind me of our responsibility towards nation and society. Thank you for emphasizing the importance of addressing the needs of the poor. Thank you for modeling to us simplicity and courage.

Daddy during his Plebe Year at the Philippine Military Academy

Thank you for your sense of humor and for making me laugh. J Thank you for planting trees in the backyard -- the shade keeps us cool during summer and we have some fruits to enjoy at harvest time. The oxygen keeps pollution away, too. Thank you for loving my baby Blue even if you're not much of a pet-lover. Thank you for letting Blue hug you even if you really don't like it that much (hehehe). J Thank you for loving without asking for anything in return. Thank you for bearing with my weaknesses. Thank you so much for loving mom and our whole family. We are not a perfect family but you try your best to make it as perfect as it can be. Anyway, we are all imperfect people living in an imperfect world.

You may have been disappointed in life several times. You may have experienced that life is unfair sometimes. But you still wake up early every morning to press on and bravely face the future because your hope is in the Lord. Dad, one day, all of life's pain and troubles will fade away because you will be at home with God for all eternity.

There are many outstanding, remarkable, intelligent and successful men in this world. And I salute them for their accomplishments. But for me, you are the best of them all. You may not be Dr. Jose Rizal (although there's some resemblance hehe) or President Abraham Lincoln (although you're as noble as him) but you are a hero for me. You're my hero (next to God, of course).

"Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life."
Proverbs 16:31

Today, I light 75 special candles for you. May your light continue to shine in this dark world.

You know very well that I love you. But I will never tire of saying it again (and again). I love you very much, Daddy. And God loves you a gazillion times more! Infinitely more than the human mind can imagine.

Happy birthday! The best is yet to come for you.

Much love,

Anjeng+

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“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

Proverbs 90:12

Cyclone

The country is once more faced with a catastrophe because of a Tropical Storm which reminds us of Typhoon “Ondoy.” The pictures of “Ondoy” are still lucid in my mind. Deep, murky flood... Our “kababayans” either struggling against the strong current or stranded on their rooftops waiting for rescue... Lifeboats here and there... And sadly, dead bodies floating on the rushing waters. L

And now, we are experiencing Tropical Cyclone “MARIO.”

Satellite rendering of tropical cyclone "Mario" within the Philippine Area of Responsibility
as of Thursday morning, September 18, 2014. PAGASA
Photo Credit:  www.philstar.com

Again, we are called as a nation to look beyond our individual circumstances, personal storms and the safety of our homes and help those in need in any way we can. I believe this is a form of love that the Lord Jesus Christ taught us – practical and sacrificial love. It’s not that easy to do but it is the highest calling.

Calamities will always come. But it will be a greater tragedy to cover our eyes, turn a deaf ear and not feel the needs of the people around us. Let us follow the Lord and His example; He who GAVE Himself up to SAVE our souls... He who calmed the fury of the seas and commanded the wind and waves, "Quiet! Be still!"(Mark 4:39).  God bless us all.

“Follow You”

(Leeland)

You live among the least of these:

The weary and the weak

And it would be a tragedy

For me to turn away

All my needs You have supplied

When I was dead You gave me life

How could I not give it away so freely?

Use my hands, use my feet

To make Your kingdom come

To the corners of the earth

Until Your work is done

'Cause faith without works is dead

And on the Cross, Your blood was shed

So how could we not give it away so freely?

And I give all myself

I give all myself

And I give all myself to You

I'll follow You into the homes of the broken

I'll follow You into the world

I'll meet the needs for the poor and the needy, God

I'll follow You into the world 

Photo Credit:  Tran The Vuong, www.gettyimages.com

“Then Jesus said to them all: ‘If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and FOLLOW Me.

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life

for Me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world

and yet lose or forfeit his very self?’”

Luke 9:23-25

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Something Fishy

Who among you like fish? J

Ever since I got sick, I became a "bigger" fan of fish not because of anything else but because I had NO CHOICE. Haha. You see, fish contains components which are essential for brain development – OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS. However, storing enough amounts of fish and cooking it correctly can sometimes be a hassle especially with a busy lifestyle. And eating fish EVERYDAY for EVERY MEAL can get quite pricey since fish is lighter on the tummy as compared to beef, pork or chicken. That’s why I’ve opted to get my Omega-3 from fish oil nutritional supplement. J

Lotsa lotsa jumping fish!
Photo Credit: Caroline Purser, www.gettyimages.com

Mental Health & Aging

There are three (3) types of Omega-3 fatty acids namely ALA (or alpha-Linolenic acid found in plant oils), EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (Docosahexainoic acid), both commonly found in marine oils. Omega-3 is found in high concentrations in brain cells and its deficiency causes mental “fogginess” and loss of concentration.

Research says that there is evidence that Omega-3 is beneficial to mental health including the treatment of depression associated with bipolar disorder. The supplementation of EPA is also helpful in depression. Studies also suggest that it can lower risk of dementia. (Wikipedia)

According to Patrick Holford’s  New Optimum Nutrition for the Mind, Omega-3 fatty acids are already being studied for their ability to stabilize mood. Dr. Andrew Stoll and his colleagues at the Harvard Medical School have discovered that it is extremely helpful for those with manic depression also. Dr. Stoll quotes a mother of a lady with bipolar disorder now taking fish oil,

            “It has been seven days with no antidepressant. I never believed this could be

possible – it is definitely a record for my daughter. She has not been off antidepressants for that many days in six years, in fact, going off for one day before fish oil led to immediate suicidal ideation with her screaming for me to kill her… For the first time in her entire life she is relaxed and her memory and cognitive abilities have returned – I cannot tell you how fortunate we feel.” (Dr. Andrew Stoll, The Omega-3 Connection)

BiOmega

I myself have experienced the benefits of fish oil (on top of multivitamins, of course). J  There was a week when I really could not sleep and was afraid I would have an episode again. But once I popped my fish oil supplement the morning after, I was able to function well at work despite the lack of sleep. J  Before, my brain functioned quite “okay” but now, whenever I take fish oil, I would experience a big improvement in memory, concentration and mental sharpness. Amazing, indeed!!

There are many fish oils available in the market but the supplement I’m taking is Biomega by USANA Health Sciences. I like Biomega because it provides advanced, concentrated and guaranteed levels of EPA and DHA, which are important for memory and learning.  I also like this supplement because it is highly potent and is essentially free of harmful contaminants like lead or mercury because of its “double distillation” process. Also, the product is science-based, has been researched for years and is pharmaceutical in quality. It also has an additional dose of vitamin D, a nutrient found deficient in the average diet. Plus, it is formulated with LEMON oil to kill the fishy aftertaste. Yum! J

By the way, there are many other benefits of fish oil namely improved cellular function, immune, joint and cardiovascular health.

Biomega by USANA Health Sciences

So friends, I encourage you to be healthy and boost your body and brain functions. Cast your net now and feast on fantastic FISH! J 

“Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good HEALTH

just as your SOUL prospers.”

3 John 1:2

  

Sources:

Holford, Patrick., New Optimum Nutrition for the Mind, 2009, p.266

Smith, Patricia et al., Christian Family Guide to Total Health, 2003, p.83  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega-3_fatty_acid

No One Knows

My world is closing in

On the inside

But I’m not showing it

When all I am is crying out

I hold it in and fake a smile

Still I’m broken

I’m broken

Only one can understand

And only one can hold the hand

Of the broken

Of the broken..

I need no explanation of why me

I just need confirmation

Only You could understand 

The emptiness inside my head

I am falling, I am falling 

I’m falling down upon my knees

To find the one who gives me PEACE

I am flying

Lord, I am flying!

I have come to You in search of faith

'Cause I can’t see beyond this place

Oh, You are God and I am man

So I’ll leave it in Your hands!

When no one else knows how I feel

Your LOVE for me is proven real...

 You run to me with outstretched hands

And You hold me in Your arms

Oh! How You hold me in Your arms

I know that You'll hold me in Your arms

Again

-- Building 429, "No One Else Knows"

God, You run to me with outstretched hands.
Photo Credit: Comstock, www.gettyimages.com

"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you REST.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart
and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy
and my burden is light."

Matthew 11:28-30

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