Volume 18 / Issue 68 / 2021
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EDITORIAL
To Start a Relationship with Jesus Christ Admit you have sinned. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 Believe that Jesus is the only Savior. “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6 Confess and leave your sin behind. Stop doing and thinking things that displease our Heavenly Father. “If we confess our sins ….” 1 John 1:9 Invite Jesus to be your Savior and the Lord of your life. “Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12 To continue growing in your relationship with Christ, have fellowship with other believers, read the Bible and pray.
L-R: Patrick, Delsey, and Johnson
MOMS EDITORIAL STAFF Editor: Delsey Garner Cover & Layout: Patrick Tan Distribution: Johnson Li
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Leap of Faith Christian Church, Nueva Ecija
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MOMS MAGAZINE
Table of Contents EDITORIAL
From My Heart 3
From My Heart
CHIKA-CHIKA
Nanay Na, Titser Pa! 4 WISE CHOICES
Dear Readers, Happy New Year! Happy New Normal?! Last year our country had an awful start when Taal Volcano erupted. Then, the pandemic took over with some typhoons on the side. What else can happen now? Uncertainty can be scary. It can even paralyze people from doing things they needed and wanted to do. I was/am almost dreading to enter the year 2021, but God reminded me of a line from a song I heard long time ago that says, “I don’t know what’s around the corner Lord, but I know that You’ll be there”. (Joseph the Dreamer song “Lead Me”). Our future is in His hands. So, we welcome 2021 with open hearts. Only by Grace, Delsey G.
Work at Home Mom (W.A.H.M.) 6 MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Redeeming Time for a New Beginning 8 FIGURATIVELY SPEAKING
Unveiling My Secrets to Staying Fit (Part 2) 12 ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS
Why is it important to teach kids not to watch inappropriate stuff online? 14 Last Issue
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CHIKA-CHIKA
Nanay Na, Titser Pa! by Tanniah Marcelino Navarro
A
t first, I thought that I wouldn’t make it balancing housework, homeschool and my work online. But the best job of all is being able to partner with my son in learning and in growing. Ang sarap lang pasukin ang mundo niya habang nag-aaral kami. I remember the wonder in Nathan’s eyes when he first learned to read last year. I am so thankful that I got to witness that, and it was truly a proud moment!
ko siya ng story sa Bible, ang nasa isip ko ay ang mga kailangan kong bilhin sa palengke, mga damit sa labahan na ga-bundok, madaming hugasing naiwan sa lababo, naamoy ko pa ang CR na kailangan ding linisin, sabay nadinig ko ang potpot ng basurero na isang beses lang sa isang lingo kung mangolekta.
My Day
Dali-dali kong inipon ang lahat ng basura at tumakbo mula sa third floor hangang sa labas ng bahay.
“Nathan, five minutes nalang matatapos na ako magluto tapos magaaral na tayo ha.” After thirty minutes, mag-aaral na talaga kami ng panganay kong si Nathan. He is 7 years old. Habang binabasahan
“Anak, saglit lang ha...i-drawing mo muna ang nabasa ko at pagkatapos ay magma-math na tayo.”
“Buti umabot! Kung hindi, isang lingo itong basura!” “Anak, tapos ka na?” tanong ko kay Nathan. “Mama, malapit na.” sagot naman ni Nathan. After 5 minutes, tapos na siya. “Mama, tapos na.” Sabi naman ng three-year-old ko sa CR. Pagkatapos kong asikasuhin si bunso, itinuloy ko na ang math lesson namin ni Nathan. “Okay anak, first question, if a lemon cost 8 cents and an orange 5 cents, how much will both cost?” Habang tinatanong ko ito
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galing sa arithmetic book niya, naisip ko iyong nagiisang lemon na binili ko last week. “Gawa kaya ako ng lemon juice or mag-bangus steak kayâ ako bukas. Toyo, lemon at bangus, pwede!” “Ano, anak? Ano nga sagot mo?” Naalala ko may tinanong pala ako sa kanya. “Mama, 12 cents.” Sagot naman niya. “Anak, ulitin mo.”
One Gaze
“Ah, 13 mama.”
As I look back today, I wonder if what I did for my sons were enough. Kung tama ba ang desisyon kong i-homeschool ang anak ko at kung may natututunan ba sila sa akin. It is very tempting to look at other people’s Facebook post and have a pity party. But then I caught my gaze on my very first picture with Nathan when he was born. Tingnan mo nga naman oh, pagka silang na pagka silang palang nagkaron na kami ng eye-to-eye contact. I remember very well the first words I told him, ni hindi ko man lang ininda yung sakit ng kapanganakan niya, “You are so adorable.” I also remember saying, “Lord, amazing ka talaga. I never thought I could love someone more than I could love myself.” Alam ko na yung pagmamahal na iyon ay galing din sa Kanya. Kasabay ng pagsilang niya ay siya ding pagsilang ng puso kong puno ng pagmamahal na laan sa kanya.
“Okay next question.” Sabay iyak ni bunso kasi nasira na ang butterfly origami na ginawa namin kahapon. This is how I usually multi-task. Nakakaloka hindi ba? Minsan nakaka-overwhelm ang gawaing bahay sabay sa pagho-homeschool at may kasama pang toddler. My Rest Time Regalo ko sa sarili ko ang hapon kung saan sila ay natutulog. I would play worship music while I do the chores. Maghuhugas ng pinagkainan ng umagahan, pananghalian at ang pinaglutuan, maglilinis ng CR, aasikasuhin ang labada. Buti na lang at may worship song, gumagaan ang trabaho kapag naka focus kay Lord! Ayan, alas tres na at makakaupo na ako. Salamat sa Diyos! Makapag kape nga. Ang sarap ng katahimikan at walang demand kahit saglit lang.
Continue to p. 13
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WISE CHOICES
Work at Home Mom (W.A.H.M.) by Reah B. Padla
I
am a work-at-home-mom. I lost count how many times I introduced myself as such whenever people ask me what I do. I’ve been married for 13 years and have worked “full-time” while being a wife and a mother of two boys, 11 years old and 9 months old. Being a work-at-home-mom (WAHM) sounds like a dream and it is, for many. When my former officemates and I would talk about our future, I would say “I want to be a good wife and mom.” My then boyfriend and I would imagine our life, I would tell him “Gusto ko sa bahay aalagaan ko asawa ko at mga anak ko.” That’s what he wanted too; to come home to a house where his family is waiting. I also had this desire in my heart that I’d emulate my mom who was always there for me growing up. I grew up with a hands-on mom and that experience made me feel whole. I wanted the same. Work-at-Home Wins Working from home has many benefits. There is no commute. I only need to turn on my computer to start so I am able to work from anywhere. This flexibility allows me to attend to my son’s needs and I can be the always-present mom I wished I could be. No need to file for a vacation leave! As long as I finish early, I can enjoy my destination! Work-at-Home Woes My experience working from home has been helpful this quarantine. I’ve had no problem adjusting but it became more difficult now that I have to attend to my eldest’s school needs. Before the lockdown, I would enjoy being a WAHM by going to different places. Now, this mom has nowhere to go. With the new baby, things have been hard. Thankfully, God’s grace is sufficient despite all the work-at-home challenges. (“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9)
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MOMS MAGAZINE
Win at Home First Working at home is something I’d always wanted but there are times I wished I had a regular job. I always try to remember why I am doing this—to become the mom God wants me to be. I am always there for my children, but this work-at-home-mom sometimes gets busy. I remember asking my son Noah what he likes best about life, he replied: “I like it that we are always together.” WAHM with a Plan If you’ve been struggling to balance work and family care, you need to evaluate your activities. Start planning. Here are some practical tips: 1. Invest on your home office. Get a good Internet connection because it makes all the difference. You don’t want to be always cut off whenever you’re in a Zoom meeting or a webinar. 2. Follow a schedule. List down all tasks. A routine must be communicated with your family especially with young kids. Set ground rules at home. 3. Multitask. Plan when you will do chores like laundry, cooking, or the grocery. See how you can integrate work with chores by multitasking. 4. If you can afford it, hire a kasambahay. Ask for help from relatives. You will be surprised that people may be willing to help. 5. Have Breaks. Make sure you rest but be disciplined. Set a timer if you will be checking your social media or doing something else. 6. Spend time with God. Before you start working, have time alone with God. Be intentional. You may also spend time with your child then do your actual work. God Sees You Like me, you may be struggling as a work-at-home-mom this season. Being in quarantine is challenging physically, mentally, and emotionally. Finding fulfillment is difficult these days but remember who you are in Christ. Moms, you are called for a purpose. Your duty as a mother is a priority. Whether you’re working in an office or from home, honor God in everything you do. He is with you and knows your struggles. God is your help--your refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1) and He is more than willing to guide you. 7
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
by Myrthylle Karen Rey
“By telling my story here, I hope you will see that you’re not alone when you are disappointed or heartbroken. I hope to show you that it is possible to go back to our past and not look at it with pain or regret.”
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I
have always been an avid fan of time travel stories. Generally, they are stories of people traveling back into the past to redeem or make right a time period in their life. I wish I could go back in time to the days when I was still a young girl and somehow warn this younger, hopeful version of myself about what was to come. I would say, “Karen, brace yourself because 12 years down the road, you’re going to see your fairy tale love story crash and burn, and the marriage you thought would last “forever” will only last for two years.” If that had been possible, I know my younger self would have laughed out loud at these thoughts. I was a pastor’s
daughter. I had grown up in the church, and I genuinely loved Jesus. I had aspirations and dreams of marrying a solid Christian man with whom I could work in “full-time” ministry, and with whom I would do my part in changing the world. Sadly, none came true.
of
these
dreams
I believe it was fear that empowered many of the compromises that led up to my marriage and its eventual failure. By telling my story here, I hope you will see that you’re not alone when you are disappointed or heartbroken. I hope to show you that it is possible to go back to our past and not look at it with pain or regret. Kindly allow me now, to take you on a brief journey, back through time, and I pray that through it, you’ll be able to look at your life and see that there is ONE who can redeem your own time.
I was in college when I met in church my “now” ex-husband. He was on the worship team and so was I. We started out as friends, but I couldn’t help but notice a special anointing that he seemed to have upon his life. He eventually became the Youth Pastor, and of course I was happy for him. It was at a wedding where the “sparks” between us really began to fly. Not long after that, he made his intentions known, and we officially became a couple. Everyone was happy for us. I had just ended another “relationship” that wasn’t very healthy and so I entered this one, with high hopes that it would be different. It wasn’t long before I realized that the unhealthy compromises, I had made in my previous relationship were starting again, this time, with him. We both knew it was wrong, but it was so hard to stop. We were living a “double-life”. In church, I was still leading worship, and he was still preaching powerful messages, but our own relationship was full of hidden secrets. I didn’t like myself very much at that point. I found myself in a cycle of guilt and condemnation, but I couldn’t seem to break out of the relationship, because I was afraid that I would miss out on my boyfriend’s love. Continued to next page
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MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Redeeming, continued
I was also afraid of how people would react, because so many thought “we were perfect”. So, without a solid foundation, we decided to get married. I thought that this would solve our compromising situation, but I did not know it would expose us even more. Six months into our marriage, he had his first affair. Although I was heartbroken, I knew God wanted me to forgive him and move forward with him. But after a year or so, he had another affair. This one eventually led to our separation. Those years before and during our marriage were dark years. I was losing myself in ways I didn’t even realize. Yet out of fear, I kept turning away from the whispers of the Holy Spirit in my heart warning me. These were humbling years. The “death” of my marriage, and my pride was necessary for God to resurrect me to life again. It has now been 8 years since our separation, and one month since our annulment has become final. Getting where I am today has been a journey full of receiving and releasing forgiveness, healing and redemption, trusting in the Lord, surrendering my heart, and discovering that God has a way of redeeming my time and dreams. None of us can travel back in time to do things over, but I know Jesus paid the full penalty of all our sin - past, present, and future when he died on the cross 2000 years ago. After the “death” of my marriage and old life, I knew I had to rediscover Him once again so that I could learn to fully trust Him. I came before God and fully surrendered my whole heart to him; I have not been the same since. God began showing me His true heart and nature. I realized that many times, I had looked at him through the lens of my performance and behavior. I kept trying to focus on changing my behavior, but the Holy Spirit began to show me that it was all about transforming the heart first. My behavior and the fruit of my life will show true Christlikeness when I learn to focus on Him and not my own shortcomings. When I began to fully believe just how deeply loved I really was in Him, regardless of my
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performance, the transformation of my heart began to take place and I started learning how to rest in Him and co-create and partner with Him for the dreams He placed in my heart. So how did he redeem my time? Well, in the span of 5 years He has made many dreams in my heart begin to come into fruition. I got to write and publish my first inspirational novel and travel to other nations and minister as a worship leader. I started my master’s degree in Film Studies, which was the avenue for me to write a screenplay, create short films, and my first documentary. My dream to create life empowerment courses was birthed through my Storylife modules where I host workshops that help people discover their “life message” and “creative purpose” through the treasures of their story. Last year, I relaunched Storylife into digital space by hosting online challenges and events. Today, I’m still planning and dreaming with the Holy Spirit about possible projects through Storylife. But more than anything else, God redeemed my time through the revelation of His true heart for me and for others, and by constantly filling me with the fullness of His joy and peace even in challenging times. My heart is full of overwhelming gratitude to the Lord for His great love that never gave up on me and has always pursued me, even in my failures. May you truly be encouraged to know that you are never too out of reach that He can’t come for you. His arms are open wide, and His invitation is for you to let go and just trust Him. I pray that as you do so, you’ll also experience joy, freedom, healing, and the redemption of your past life.
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FIGURATIVELY SPEAKING
Unveiling My Secrets to Staying Fit Part 2 by Faith Nacarato
T
he only diet that works is one that I can stick with and sustain for the rest, if not most, of my life. I know you’ve probably heard this a lot but it’s worth repeating here - fitness is a lifestyle. Health is long-term. I’m not interested in quick fixes that could compromise my overall health or trendy diets that are too restrictive and have so many rules it makes my head spin. I like to do resistance training and lift weights (and no ladies, you will not get “bulky” working with weights unless you’re on steroids) but if I don’t eat enough (good)
carbs, I’m not able to perform at my best during a workout or accomplish goals that require this particular source of nutrition. I also like meat of all kinds, so I don’t see myself going vegetarian soon. On the other hand, I stay away from certain foods and beverages that make me feel sluggish, bloated, break my skin out, give me heartburn, disrupt my sleep, and ruin my insides. Not because of a trend but because I know how these foods affect me. Don’t get me wrong, I love treats! My weakness is kakanin, I love it so much I can eat it as a meal at any time of the day. So sometimes I do. I just balance things out with more nutrient-dense foods the next meal, or the next day, or after Christmas Season! No matter how enticing the short-term results are, if I have to starve myself, feel weak and irritable, stress over calculating food points...well, as Gary V. would say, “Di bale na lang!” Those amazing results will not last, and I’ll probably find myself back at square one feeling defeated and disappointed with myself. I do watch my portions, but I allow myself to sample a wide variety of foods that my taste buds enjoy and still achieve the same results. But again, what works for me might not work for everyone else. So, I challenge you to find what’s sustainable for you, what feels right for your body, Watch a short video demonstrating Faith’s routine.
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MOMS MAGAZINE
and to make adjustments as you work towards your goals. Involve Jesus in my health goals. If He truly is Lord of my life - and He is - there is nothing that I do not submit to Him. This includes asking for His help in being a good steward of this one and only body that He’s entrusted to me. I pray about every other area in my life, so why not my health? Not just for healing when I feel sick but for help with things like getting up to exercise at 5AM because it is the only time that I have to myself before any of the kids are awake, homeschooling and chores take over the day, and I still have energy to actually finish a YouTube workout video. When I’m huffing and puffing through a workout and struggling to run/walk outdoors while wearing a mask, I’m encouraged by Isaiah 40:29 - “He gives strength to those who are tired. He gives power to those who are weak.” (NIRV) There is absolutely nothing in our lives too mundane for our Heavenly Father to care about. When I have concerns about caring for my body, why shouldn’t I have a conversation with the One who not only designed but also created it? He knows every part, inside out. He sees you, Mama, Nanay, Mommy, Inay, Mamang. And He is for you. As we live healthier lives, we are better able to use the gifts and abilities that he has given us to serve Him and others. May this be our motivation and encouragement today and may we never take the gift of health for granted.
Nanay, continued
Sabi sa verse ng James 1:17, “Every good and perfect gift is from above.” at sa Proverbs 10:22, “The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.” Naging comfort ito sa akin. Naging assurance ang pangako na ang mga anak ko ay regalo ng Panginoon at lahat ng kakailanganin nila ay ibinigay na Niya. To You, Mamas Be kind to yourself. God has planted that love, for your child, in your heart and He has already equipped you for every good work. At kasama na ang pag ho-homeschool sa kanila. Our children are unique, and you are the best person who can connect to them. I would like to encourage you to remember the first gaze you had with your child when he was just a babe and never performed or did something for you. Such unconditional love. Homeschool is not just hard work it is heart work.
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ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS
Just Asking with Peter Banzon
Q:
Why is it important to teach kids NOT to watch inappropriate stuff online?
A:
C
hildren of this generation are called digital natives because they are comfortable using gadgets, the internet, and social media. With the pandemic, kids are spending more time online and run the risk of being exposed to many things. Their immaturity hinders them in filtering what they see, hear and read online. Parents need to take on the responsibility of guiding their children online. God commanded parents to, ”Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it”. (Proverbs 22:6) Here are some suggestions to help teach your kids what is appropriate. • Provide ongoing values education with your children. Teach kids what is appropriate by introducing them to Biblical principles of right and wrong. Using Bible stories to instill values is a great way to start teaching and having conversations with your kids. Be alongside your children and know what they actually watch and what links are being fed to them online. Pop up ads often appear and may contain harmful material that portray violence, vulgarity, obscenity or pornography. • Install parental control apps on the devices that your children use. There are free apps like Google family link for parents that can help you monitor what they are actually watching or the sites they are visiting on their smartphones, tablets, laptops, or desktop computers. You may not be with them all the time, but these tools can help you know their online habits. • Limit their screen time after online classes. Children spend several hours a day for their online school so put a time limit on their screen time after their schoolwork is completed. It would be healthy for them to spend time outside of the digital world. Plan activities that help them play and have exercise without the use of digital gadgets. This is a critical time in your children’s lives but, by consistently using God’s word to lead and guide them, they can become the people God wants them to be. 14
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