Claiming the promises in the Bible

When I first came here, my first thought was... I need to find a job. My husband, Michael was telling me before, master the language first. Easy for a native german to say that, he grew up here, he studied law. Of course German was easy for him. HELLO!!! Nevertheless, I quickly learned the language because of a lot of factors. See my previous blog. But like every beginning, it was not easy.

When I saw that Kathrin has adjusted pretty well in Kindergarten, I started to feel the need to work again. After all, I just can't stay home and wait for her. Of course, being full time mom, it was not easy. The decision to work again was my own. I needed it. I've worked in Manila, why not work again here, two big questions are: what kind of work? Sales & Marketing? Training? Sales? And is my German good enough in the corporate world? I sure hope so ( with fingers crossed including my toes!)

I don't want to study in a University again because of my family priorities, I  jotted down my priorities & assessed what do I wanted to do, which suits my current lifestyle a.k.a family routine:

*I figured out that I needed a part-time job in the morning, 4 hours maximum. Normal working days--Monday to Friday, so there will be no conflict with Michael's working schedule, a job that needs me to be creative, a job that is not boring, a job that allows me to work at home, when Kathrin is ill, a job that will help me improve my Business German in terms of correspondence & telephone skills, a job where I can also speak English, when I am lost with words,  a CEO who believes in God & colleagues that are not bitchy and of course a job that pays reasonably, location should be well accessible & an understanding CEO, who will allow me to take a month of vacation without even earning my vacation days yet (we were Hawaii-bound) blah..blah..blah ( Am I asking too much? Merril dream on! )

So I started to update my CV in English and then in German and asked Michael to make some improvements. I sent out online applications and much to my disappointment, I got online rejections. This made me re-think the next steps to be done. I went afterwards to the city's Job center and ask for my options. My husband was skeptic, when I decided to go to the job center. I told him, I wanted to know if there are opportunities for me out there. I explained my situation to the job adviser and she told me, studying again doesn't raise your chances at all, play with your strengths, assured me that they will support me, and afterwards told me the conditions if I decided to be called 'officially looking for a job'. She referred me to her colleague, who looked for possible job openings that fits my working experience.

After 3 days, I got an email from the Job center, asking me if I would like to apply in an IT company, which was looking for a Social Media Marketing Person. Okay, I told myself, I have nothing to loose. I got all these rejections anyways, then might as well try my luck. I sent my CV online & got a call the following day asking for an interview. After passing the initial interview, I have to be back for a  final interview with the CEO. But the day before my final interview, I got a flu, a super bad headache, runny nose, terrible cough & chills. I called a good acquaintance from my Thursday English-bible study group to pray for me because I am so ill & that I would have my final interview the following day. She told me, whatever I get the job or not, learn from it and they will pray for me. I was so worried, that I have to cancel the interview because of my terrible headache. I took all my 'mommy-supplements' and slept at 8pm.

I was up at 3am & I could not sleep anymore. I also realized my health drastically improved. No more chills, no headache, no coughing & no runny nose. Since Michael slept on the couch ( to avoid infecting him), I prayed, cried, thanked the Lord, & claimed 2 verses from the Bible:

Jeremiah 33:3 Call to me and I will answer and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

and Psalm 20:4 He will give you your heart's desire and carry out all you plans. 

I laid out my plans (see * above) And yes! God gave me every desire of my heart.

Some may react---NO WAY MERRIL!

YES WAY! BECAUSE NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH THE LORD.

Read the Bible, claim the promises. There are so much in store for all of us. Happy reading.

Aloha Hawaii

''Aloha is being a part of all, and all being a part of me. When there is pain - it is my pain. When there is joy - it is also mine. I respect all that is as part of the Creator and part of me. I will not willfully harm anyone or anything. When food is needed I will take only my need and explain why it is being taken. The earth, the sky, the sea are mine to care for, to cherish and to protect. This is Hawaiian - this is Aloha!

The kahuna David Bray interprets this code as "Come forward, be in unity and harmony with your real self, God, and mankind. Be honest, truthful, patient, kind to all life forms, and humble." He also stated that to the Hawaiian of old, Aloha meant "God in us."''

 --- THE DEEPER MEANING OF ALOHA by Curby Rule (www.huna.org)

Early this year, My husband & I won a trip to Hawaii. Whether it was random luck, serendipity, blessing or extra costs (especially for Michael), this trip has made me a better person than I expected. Before I go to the details,  let me tell the readers how did I won. It all began when I was reading an article in www.bild.de, about a photo contest--The Descendants, whose main character was portrayed by George Clooney. Seeing some family pictures from other readers I decided to upload a clan picture which I always have in my memory. This was the day my grandfather told the family, he was going to die.

My Lolo despite his age & wisdom
never fails to make us laugh once in a while.

My Lolo (Tagalog for Grandfather) was a epitome of a wise, righteous and loving grandpa. He & his wife, Lola Geline would send birthday cards every year to each grandchild wishing & blessing with them good health, and best wishes and of course a small treat. He would always have a sound advise to those who needs his highly-sought opinions. He wanted that the family wouldn't be caught off-guard with his passing, so he decided to tell everyone. At the end of the conversation, everyone was shocked,  cried and of course prayed(which is part of the family's tradition) not for healing but for courage, longer time & acceptance  and then picture-taking took place. Although I was not there, (I just had Kathrin) I was very well informed afterwards. This picture is engraved in my heart & memory. 

The caption I wrote was my Family was so large, not everyone could fit in the picture. This picture enabled me to rekindle the values that my Lolo kept on imparting all of us all those years. Family will always be your family amidst trials. Just like the story of The Descendants.

Click link to see the article from the newspaper.

When we were on Oahu, my Lolo's first cousin Tata (Uncle) Eddie & his family welcomed their doors to us and we really felt ''very much at home''. We never felt strangers/tourists on Oahu at all. We are part of their family. I exchanged emails with Nana Aurora (wife of Tata Eddie) that we are coming and I would like to make a courtesy visit. Honestly my expectations were below average, since I don't want to bother them, knowing they have their lives to manage. I've been living in Germany for 6 years now, and I've learn to be on my own. 

Tata Eddie, Tita Au, Eric, Aimee & Alma and the rest of the family have proven me wrong at being on my own. Not only that I won a trip to Hawaii because of the family, I have also won a family on Oahu. It was a WIN-WIN thing for me. And I will always be grateful for the time they made to see us. I was thanking Aimee & Alma, my aunts (they prefer that we are cousins) for thanking time letting us experience Honolulu in a short period of time, Aimee replied 'we are family'. I wished I have that solid support groups like that near me. Nevertheless, despite the distance, I know I have families, not only here in Germany & in the Philippines, but also on Hawaii.

Despite not so good health conditions, Tata Eddie picked us up from our hotel and showed us around Honolulu. Pali Lookout, Punchbowl and then the following days with Aimee & son, Rider, Alma, husband, Charles & son Caleb, Jessica & her son Jessiah & Tita Au at Pearl Harbor Memorial, Luau and a special dinner at their residential house.

Can you spot the Alimasa/Alimaza similarity?

With Tata Eddie at Punchbowl, Honolulu

At Pali Lookout with Tata Eddie, and Tita Au

Caleb, Ryeder & Kathrin (she can't seem to figure out
how to make a 'shaka' sign

Celebrating Luau with the relatives.

With my Aunts. Aimee & Alma

Missing you guys.

Group picture after Dinner.

Lovely Sunday with my extended family on Hawaii.

Mahalo to my Alimaza* Family in Honolulu. Truly the deeper meaning of Aloha left a mark in my heart.

*Alimasa and Alimaza are technically the same & belongs to one family. Mine is Alimasa.