We have exactly 14 days left here in the Philippines. I haven’t packed yet since it’s too early to pack. But I’m somehow I’ve started sorting out the things we’re bringing to Malaysia and the things we’ll be leaving behind.

I didn’t realize that we’ve bought quite a number of books from BookSale and National Bookstore. Some of the childrens’ books we’ll be leaving behind and donating them in our school library while I’ll be bringing Tricia’s fave ones. There are also books that my Hubby and I bought for ourselves but haven’t started reading them yet. But maybe if we were to bring them all then, we’ll have some excess baggage. So, I have to let go and give away some of the books we bought. We actually have to let go of many things, clothes ( which were mostly given to us after the flood), toys, and other things, ( but excluding office furniture)  in order for us not to exceed our allotted baggage.

Traveling to a different country is actually similar to traveling to eternity. You can’t bring everything with you. All the things you’ve earned, things which seemed precious to you and etc. You can only bring the things that matters most. So, as early as now, we can start getting rid of the things that doesn’t have much eternal value and start accumulating ‘things’ that last till eternity.

I was so surprised when I saw my credit card bill for this month, I thought that I was only going to pay the bills for the grocery which we did last month. But I was mistaken, there were other purchases in which we used the credit card. I somehow misplaced my credit card receipts that’s why  I wasn’t able to remember these expenses… Tsk..tsk..tskk..

So, lesson number 1: Aside from keeping the credit card receipts in a safe place, I must also immediately list down my purchases ( total amount and date of purchased) to avoid this experience to happen again.

So I’ve learned my lesson..Hope this won’t happen again.

My favorite place in the house is our lanai. It’s the place where we could see the river and feel the soft wind blowing. Every morning before all the kids wake up, I would love to sit on our patio furniture , meditate and read the Bible.

I find this time of reflection very important because it’s the only time I could spend in stillness and quietness. When the kids wake up, then it’s a start of an unending noise, chatter, giggles, cries, laughter and everything mixed together. It’s great to spend the first waking hour in quiet time.