"...being a Mother is my true Profession"

This is Nadia, a family therapy educator, and mother of three -  and she loves to cook too! 

"...being a mother is my true profession. Nothing else I could potentially achieve 

in this season of my life will be of more importance to me than raising my family."

When Carl was working on making this video live for mormon.org. he told me Nadia reminded him of me (except that I already know how to cook before we got married). As I watched a preview of this video, I thought... yeah, we have a lot of things in common: education, culture preservation, faith in God, a testimony of the restored gospel, love of family, love of cooking... and i wished i had three children too. Well for that last part, we'll get to that point one of these days hopefully - but even then, I can say right this very moment, that like Nadia - being a mother is my true profession.

reading the Book of Mormon

My 15-year old Book of Mormon

CONFESSION: The last time I committed myself to reading the Book of Mormon from beginning to end was in 2005. In fact, I did it twice. I used to put it (and my journal) under my pillows so that I could be reminded to read it every night. The Lord surely blessed my life with the wonderful gospel insights and inspiration that I got from reading it. After reading it, I could proudly say that I genuinely have my favorite books (Jacob, Mosiah, and 3rd Nephi) and that I have gained my testimony of it. It helped me find a new perspective and look forward to better days....

Mosiah chapters 3 - 5: one of my favorite scripture blocks;

Mosiah 4:26 - share that which you have,

Mosiah 4:27 - work diligently with priorities to succeed

Well, with all the stresses in our life right now (school, work, future plans, etc...), I was inspired to reach out to my old friend, who I think has been reaching out to me for the last couple of years. And as the saying goes, a good friend is cheaper than therapy. One night I shared my testimony to Carl about the Book of Mormon, and the next thing I know I was crying (sorry, emotional...crazy hormones)... But seriously, I felt very strongly that this was what I, We, needed to do. We've tried for the past three years to religiously read the scriptures - one verse a day, one page a day, one chapter a day - but then we get so busy we lose track. So last week we started reading again... and my scriptures are not on the shelf anymore but are on the little folding bedside chair. So far, we've been good. We're hoping (and working on) we'll not lose track this time. I know it will bless our lives and give us direction, as it did to mine when I did before. The scriptures are powerful, and yes, like a good friend, its cheaper than therapy.

Here's a powerful scripture from Jacob Chapter 2 that Carl and I were talking about last night... 

12And now behold, my brethren, this is the word which I declare unto you, that many of you have begun to search for gold, and for silver, and for all manner of precious ^aores, in the which this land, which is a ^bland of promise unto you and to your seed, doth abound most plentifully.

 18But ^abefore ye seek for ^briches, seek ye for the ^ckingdom of God.

19And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to ^ado good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted.

Let's get spiritual therapy everyone! :)

ELDER MALIG

This is my big little brother, Yken

Today is his 21st Birthday!

Today, he also got his mission call...

...and he will be serving for 24 months in the PHILIPPINES BUTUAN MISSION

We love you dear brother!!! We know you've been preparing for this all your life! We are proud of you!!!

The year that was - and our New Years Roadtrip to Southern California

Its quite interesting to think that we did the exact opposite for New Years 2010. We were still living then in Southern California, and we took a road trip to Las Vegas all the way to Utah. It was a very memorable one, and that road trip was very humbling. Both Carl and I were jobless and all we had were each other, and wonderful family and friends. I will never forget what our very good friend Liz said as we welcomed 2010 in flamboyant Las Vegas. She said, "2010 is going to be an awesome year!"

For many reasons, she was right. By the end of February 2010, Carl and I found ourselves packing our things and moving north to Utah - Carl was offered a job with the LDS Church Headquarters, and I was eventually admitted to BYU's graduate program. It was quite a year - and we had so many things to be grateful for. It was quite an adventure too. I had to take an emergency trip to the Philippines to renew my student visa. While I had the opportunity to spend time with family back home, Carl and I missed each others' birthdays and 2nd anniversary. When I came back, we had the opportunity to celebrate all three wonderful occasions.

The rest of the year flew by so fast... and next thing we knew, the snow has come and we were putting up our Christmas tree and Carl has learned to snowboard.

Taking the road trip to Southern California was an emotional one for me, but above and beyond that, it was a celebration of everything 2010 has blessed us with - family, friends, and countless blessings from the Lord!

STOP OVER: Circus Circus in Las Vegas, NV

DESTINATION: Disneyland in Anaheim, CA

QUICK STOP: Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, CA

A TASTE OF HOME: Jollibee in Las Vegas, NV

___oo00000oo___

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

2011 IS GOING TO BE AWESOME TOO!!!

(at least) 6 weeks of separation

Today I sit at the San Francisco International Airport waiting for my 10pm flight to the Philippines via Philippine Airlines while Carl is in Draper, Utah probably taking a nap so he won't have to think about me being away.

The last three weeks had been a whirlwind of unexpected complicated situations, though most of them are not essentially bad. On June 15th, we put down our deposit for the apartment we were going to rent beginning July 1st. The day after, BYU informed me that they were ready to reopen my graduate school application which has been pending since March. Carl had a feeling I will get in. We decided to call our future landlord and requested a refund of our deposit because there is a possibility that we won't be able to commit to a 1-year contract. Our landlord agreed and the check was voided. The following day, I was informed that I was admitted to the BYU Graduate Program. In the fifteen days that followed, Carl and I were endlessly brainstorming - we did hope for this to come, but we did not expect for this to happen at this point in time. We had exactly 8 weeks to figure out how to work things out.

Our challenges ranged from how to pay 50% of graduate school's cost of attendance to how am I going to get the legal documents that will allow me to study in America. We also had to deal with the issues of my passport, which up until last Thursday, had my maiden name on it. We also had to make sure the validity of it met the requirements for the new visa status I am currently seeking. It was a battle. We eventually had to take a trip to San Francisco last Thursday to apply for my new passport. Once there, we were greeted by more complications. The standard 15-minute passport application lasted for almost 6 hours. Through some sort of Divine intervention, a couple of consulate representatives were able to assist us in resolving my passport issues - the validity was extended for 2 more years, my name was amended, and I was good to go.

At one point in this complication, I had a feeling I would have to make a trip to the Philippines to settle all these things. It was not a very welcome idea. A trip to the Philippines, though always in our plans, was not on our budget list this year. After consulting with BYU Admissions office, Carl and I decided that I really had to take the trip home. The process of changing my current visa status to a student visa will take approximately 8 - 9 months, according to BYU International Admissions. If I go home, my current visa will be terminated and I can apply and schedule for a visa interview with the US Embassy in Manila. IF all goes well, the process will only take about 3 weeks - which means I will be able to come back to the US in time for Fall semester and I can start my Masters program in Marriage, Family and Human Development... and of course, most importantly, I can be with Carl.

The last 15 days of June were certainly miraculous. Carl and I literally saw how our prayers were answered each day as we plead for guidance on how to work out this situation. We went to the temple on Thursday night and poured our hearts to the Lord, pleading to Him, asking Him to bless us in our plans. Our main concern is that if the US Consul at the Embassy decides that I do not qualify for a student visa, I will not be able to re-enter the US...and Carl and I will have to live separately for a while... I don't want to think about that right now.

As Carl and I drove to the airport in Salt Lake City this morning, he asked me what was going on in my head because I looked like I was thinking about so many thing at one time. He was right. In fact, I can't even fully look forward to spending good times with my family and friends in the Philippines because all I can think about right now is the visa interview on Thursday. Maybe after I pass through that hurdle, I can totally enjoy the fact that I have an opportunity to spend quality time with Carl and mine's families.

The past three Thursdays all gave me good news. Thursday June 17th, BYU informed me that I got accepted into their graduate program. Thursday June 24th, I received all the documents that I need for my passport and for my visa. Thursday July 1st, we went to temple and we were comforted and inspired and we were able to commune with the Lord and poured our hearts' desires and lifted our most sincere prayers to Him, leaving our circumstances in His holy hands. Next Thursday July 8th, I will be interviewed for a student visa at the US Embassy in Manila.Carl and I leave my fate to the Lord.

This will be the longest time Carl and I are separated since we got married. To make things worse, we will not be able to spend his birthday, our 2nd anniversary, and my birthday together. Before I boarded this morning, I told Carl that compared to the first time I went home to the Philippines when we were still dating, I actually feel more comforted right now - because whether I can come back to the US or not, it doesn't change the fact that I am his and he is mine. It will be sad, but it will all be fine.

Today is the first day of the longest 6 weeks of my life....

Good Things to Come

Carl shared this video with me tonight, and the only reaction I was able to give were tears from a soul that was touched by a very timely message of hope.

Many times, when it seems impossible to see beyond our seemingly hopeless circumstances, despair wins and we give up. However, as Elder Jeffrey Holland said,

"Don't you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead.

Some blessings come soon, some late, some don't come until heaven.

But for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come.

It will be alright in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come."

I can not find words to add on to how Elder Holland promises blessings to those who endure to the end and keep the faith. Surely, the Lord knows the desires of our hearts...and in his due time, we shall receive the choicest blessings he has in store for us.