Hymn to a Good Wife – Proverbs 31-10-31 (The Message)

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A good woman is hard to find,
   and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve,
   and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously
   all her life long. Online casino Ireland. ###

She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
   and enjoys knitting and sewing.
She’s like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
   and brings back exotic surprises.
She’s up before dawn, preparing breakfast
   for her family and organizing her day.
She looks over a field and buys it,
   then, with money she’s put aside, plants a garden.

First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
   rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work,
   is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She’s skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
   diligent in homemaking.
She’s quick to assist anyone in need,
   reaches out to help the poor.

She doesn’t worry about her family when it snows;
   their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
She makes her own clothing,
   and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
Her husband is greatly respected
   when he deliberates with the city fathers.
She designs gowns and sells them,
   brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.

Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
   and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
   and she always says it kindly.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
   and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect and bless her;
   her husband joins in with words of praise:

“Many women have done wonderful things,
   but you’ve outclassed them all!”
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
   The woman to be admired and praised
   is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
Give her everything she deserves!
   Festoon her life with praises!

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It’s a WAHMderful Life! A Look at Moms (& Dads) Who Work At Home

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If you are a WAHM (Work-at-home Mom) or considering to be one, you are invited to attend this seminar organized by The Dainty Mom. The Dainty Mom or Martine de Luna is a friend I met online who is also a homeschool mommy.

I, for one, am very excited for this seminar. This is a first look at the WAHM life that is very ideal for homeschool moms and dads. See the flyer below for details.

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Workshop Rate: P1,300.00

Early Bird Rate on or before Sept. 20: P1,000.00

Group Rate: Groups of 3 is P1,000.00 each

Homeschool Family In Focus: The M Family–Part 1

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IN FOCUS is a new section of Beyond The Silver and The Gold where I will feature homeschooling families, homeschool students and homeschool graduates. I hope that they will be able to encourage all of you in your own homeschool journey.

My first guest is The M Family. I ‘met’ the daddy online when he shared about putting his homeschooled son through high school via the Rizal Experimental Station and Pilot School of Cottage Industries while also using their own materials. They have asked to remain anonymous so I will only refer to them as MD for MDaddy and MS for MSon. I am BSG for Beyond The Silver and The Gold.

BSG: Tell us about your family – how many children, your work, your wife’s work, the ages and school grades/year of each child.

MD: I have two children, MS is now 21 and MD(daughter) is 20 (talk about RH bill and not knowing to compute!) I am a seminary teacher (college) and a pastor as well. My wife teaches too, in the elementary level in the same school that I teach at. Both of my kids are now in UP Los Banos. My son is an irregular senior and my daughter is an irregular sophomore in the said school.

BSG: Are all your children homeschooled? Why or why not?

MD: All my kids were for a time home-schooled. My son was purely home-schooled from Grade 7-8 then First Year to Fourth Year, a total of 6 years. After finishing Grade 8, we decided to look for a HS (high school) that would be basically a home study program. We figured that it should be one that will allow him to finish his home school program as well as allow him to have credentials that will allow him to get into the UP. REPSCI fitted in nicely.

With my daughter we took another tack.Our school (seminary) opened a secondary program, so we decided to enroll her there. It is just right where we live. We live on the campus. I would have home-schooled her purely if our school did not open a secondary program although admittedly it would have been a harder task. My daughter has another gifting. They are both creative so think of schedules when two kids schedule out.

The boy loves schedules and lives by the clock, sleeps by the bell, the girl when she was younger was a free spirit that is before her UP days.  

BSG: What made you decide to homeschool your child up to his high school years?

MD: Our school did not have a secondary program at that time. Think of the hassle and expense of sending kids to high school. Baon, projects and contribution. You see the “education is expensive, try ignorance thing” sang all the way on my mind, when we began high school.

Aside from the issue about finances, one big issue was the quality of education issue. I was always asking, “Are schools better now than they were before? Can my son or daughter have a better education than the one I had before?” Big deal for my father because my siblings and I attended the Science High School. I felt that if a school is not as good as the science high then I must look for one or make one. I made one. It was easier,  initially there was only one student and it was not limited to the sciences. It offered the whole of life.

The consciousness that we as parents hold their lives in a balance is a motivator enough to make as teachers do well as teachers of our kids. 

Above all, there was that issue on bullying. My son was bullied when he was in the elementary grades. This was not present in a home school. I thought that he needed to be more mature, intellectually, emotionally and physically. A four year HS program I thought was not enough for such a tall order. So I began with a two year home school junior program. When he was through with it, I thought it would be nice if he finished a full four year home school for the secondary grades.

Another issue addressed was boredom. Modesty aside, he performed well in class but as a fast learner he felt bored when he had to wait for others. So he often made a mess out of himself because of boredom. When he had to compete with himself – it was another story.

Peer pressure issues also made us decide that home schooling is (a) better alternative. I thought that if my kids’ lives will be decided by other kids then it would be the end of our story. I felt there just had to be a better alternative.

Another issue usually not present with homeschooling families is Communication.  Usually communications between parents and kids during their delicate high school years are reduced to grunts and yawns on the dinner table. What better it is to have a son and daughter who can tell you their stories when they were in high school over the dinner table.

Socialization has been an oft mentioned issue as we home schooled our son. That probably is not a challenge for my kids. My son and daughter have so many cousins that they don’t feel awkward with others. We also live in a campus. When my kids (specifically my son) were in home school, he would sit in classes either in high school or in college. He thought it was cool to be with older guys

When he was bored, he would just pack up and play his violin and guitar.
I could not do that in regular school, drop out, sleep and rest. 

Sounding good so far? MD really thought about what was best for their children and gave them what they needed. Stay tuned for the second part of this interview with MD. MS will also have his own interview as a homeschool high school graduate.

If you want to know more about Rizal Experimental Station and Pilot School of Cottage Industries, please click here.

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Birthdays and Going to College

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My eldest child, Guitar Babe, is turning 17 in a week. Sigh, how time flies by so fast. I said to her, “I don’t want you to turn 17, because then you’ll be 18, and a few years later,you’ll be 21. Next thing I know, you’ll ask to leave home or get married! No! No! No!”

But I digress. What I really wanted to write about is getting a college education. She is entering college by next school year, hopefully. I had purposely set her back so that she would be more mature when she leaves the home to study. I don’t believe in sending children at the young age of 15 or 16 to college to fend for themselves. We wanted her to be emotionally and psychologically ready for her life ahead.

After all, what is college if not to prepare our children for their future lives? For most children and even parents, college is just another phase in their lives that a child should go through and finish, and earning a college degree is a necessity for the student to graduate to real life.

One of the major goals we had for our homeschooled children is to prepare them to become good, productive citizens of this country. People that we can be proud of who will lead lives that are not only God-pleasing but pleasing to their community as well.

In this light, I would like my children to view their college education as more than just a phase in their student lives. I would like for my Guitar Babe to choose which course she believes would be what she would really like to do for her future. Of course, this will not be easy for someone as young as her to do. This is the reason parents are there for their children – to give them guidance.

I’m also prepared for any possibility that college may not be the way to prepare her for her future. There are so many other courses she can take such as entrepreneurial courses, vocational courses and the like. Or she can go into an apprenticeship first to see if that is something she would really like to do for the rest of her life. Earning her degree online is also another possibility. Homeschool college? Yes, a very big possibility!

After all, many of us adults and parents have proven that our college degrees have not always led us to the careers or professions that we have now. I’m proof of that. I have a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management but I only worked in a restaurant for about three months. I’ve never worked in a hotel. I now work from home as blogger/writer/virtual assistant while homeschooling the children.

My husband who finished Respiratory Therapy has a very good and fulfilling career in the hotel industry. I know someone who did not earn his college degree but is now a very successful manager in a recruitment firm. Today, there are countless nursing graduates who already have their license to practice that work in other areas far from nursing. Some children have not finished their college degrees because they have no interest in their chosen studies.

What I’m saying is that we should try our best to lead our children to be educated in the way that would lead them to live their best lives. It is their future, not ours, and they should be free to choose for themselves. Guitar Babe would like to pursue a career in the music industry. I would like for her to be in business for herself. While I believe I’m wiser, I wouldn’t want to force her into something against her will. But, her dad and I will continue to guide her till she finds out what God’s will is for her.

The Woodcarver: A Family Movie DVD Review

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About the Movie:
Matthew Stevenson is a troubled kid from a broken home. When he vandalizes the local church to get back at his parents, Matthew has to repair the damage to the church to avoid criminal charges. While working at the church, he meets Ernest (John Ratzenberger), an accomplished wood carver who created the intricate woodwork decoration that Matthew destroyed. Ernest has become something of a hermit, but reluctantly comes out of reclusion to help repair the church. Now Ernest and Matthew must work together to preserve the church’s beautiful antiquity, and along the way, they also manage to restore their faith in God and in life.

My Review:
There are many good things that I love about this movie. While the plot – that of a troubled boy taken in by a willing mentor – has been rehashed by many movies in the past, it is still a nice movie to watch for the whole family.

Parents who are going through divorce or separation can see here what their children may be going through because of their problems. More than the attention and love that he needed from his parents, he really needed the security of belonging to his parents. This was showed clearly in one of the scenes where the parents argue over the phone as to who will be with their son while both are busy working.

Another point taken by this movie is the potential in a child that has already been labeled or deemed a troublemaker. Ernest, the woodcarver, sees the potential in Matthew and helps him by taking him in and teaching him to carve wood. In the process, Ernest helps to build Matthew’s self-confidence.
Integrity is another interesting point here as Matthew’s father and mother are faced with a major decision. Will they sacrifice their careers for a job that will not pay them any money but will mean their stand for integrity?

I particularly appreciated the scene where the church pastor challenges both parents about their church life and how they think it affected their family life.
I really love the contrast between the homes of Matthew’s parents and Ernest’s log cabin. While Ernest’s cabin is full of warmth, the home that Matthew’s father built for them is very modern but also cold.

All in all, a great movie to watch for the whole family.

Tropical Storm “Helen” Threatens Floods in Northern Luzon

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It has only been four days since most of Metro Manila and Luzon was flooded by habagat – this flood with no name. In fact, some parts of Taguig, Marikina, Navotas and Valenzuela are still submerged. Most are undergoing some major cleanups.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Unfortunately, another storm is brewing and threatening more floods for the Philippines. Tropical Storm Helen or Kai-Tak (international name) is threatening Northern Luzon while we are still in such a vulnerable state. Read about this here.

He will cover you with his feathers and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day.

In the meanwhile, what are we to do as we listen and read about this news? Life has to continue and we have to keep moving on. We go about our days as usual and we keep on trusting in the Lord for the things that we cannot control.

A thousand may fall at your side,ten thousand at your right hand,but it will not come near you.You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.

The Lord is faithful and full of mercy. As we go through these trials in life, we can count on Him to see us through.

If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.

We should also read up and get ready for anything that may happen. Here’s a link to National Geographic’s Flood Safety Tips.

Verses are taken from Psalm 91.

Life Lessons from Habagat – This Flood With No Name

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It was only in 2009 when Metro Manila looked like a big ocean brought about by the storm Ondoy. Everyone was blindsided. Although Marikina and Navotas were always the first ones to experience flooding, the waters brought by Ondoy was too much and flooded most of Metro Manila.

Now, after only three years, our country is besieged again by another flooding. This time, it is not even brought about by a storm, but only by “habagat” – rains brought on by the southwest monsoon from the storm Haikui that was raging over China.

As I watched for updates on TV and over the internet, one thing was apparent – the government and LGU’s are more prepared this time. During Ondoy, the heroism of ordinary citizens shined as they tried to rescue friends and neighbors. This time, the municipalities went immediately into action and thousands were rescued.

As with any trial in life, there are many lessons to be learned. Here are mine:

1. If the government issues a warning to evacuate, it will be best for us to do so. They do not issue warnings like this without basis. People were told to evacuate their homes early, but because they did not listen, they had to endure waiting up on their roofs for rescue. Their placed their own lives at risk for the sake of safeguarding their things at home. See my blog post about this.

2. When water starts to come in to your home and you cannot leave, go up to the higher levels of your house. If possible, bring with you as many necessities as you can such as food, water, flashlight, candles, arinola (funny but true if you don’t have a toilet up there), baby’s milk if needed. There were several people trapped on the second floor of their homes without water or food.

During Ondoy, our two daughters, then aged 14 and 11, were over at their grandparents house. That day, they were only with the yaya at home. When water started to come in, my daughters immediately brought upstairs what they thought they needed: some food, water, and the arinola. All of them benefitted from their quick thinking because they were trapped on the second floor from about 3:00PM to 6:00AM the next day. They did not go hungry or thirsty and were able to pee.

3. Finally, when you are able to go back to your homes and see the devastation that the flood brought, thank the Lord that you are still alive to see it. I know it is very hard, after having gone through so much. I saw this picture on Facebook and can only imagine how the owners felt like.

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Source

But the truth is, even though you and your family have been through this tragic time, you are still alive. Focus now on this life that the Lord allowed you to have. There is pain, there is devastation, but the Lord has a purpose. Now you may not understand it, but with eyes set on the Lord, you will soon see the blessing of God’s will for your life.

Look at this promise of God in Psalm 91:14-16

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

 

Safeguarding Your Home and Things During a Calamity–Habagat Flood

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As I watched the updates of the flood brought by “Habagat” on TV and online, there was one thing apparent to me: People who were told to evacuate their homes because of the rising water level did not leave their homes because they wanted to safeguard their stuff.

During the Ondoy flood of 2009, I acted the same way. I did not want to leave my house because of the things I had there. My sister, who was by then quite insistent that we leave, asked me “Is there anything you can do about your things when the water comes inside your house?” After some thought, I made the decision to go.

Why do we feel this need to safeguard our things? Why did people prioritize their things over their lives? Probably because we worked hard to buy all that stuff. But if we were able to purchase them before because of our hard work, then we can still work hard again and replace those things, if they become damaged by the flood.

I heard a rescue worker lamenting on TV that some people who were already rescued went back to their homes when the rains stopped for awhile. When the water started rising again, they had to be rescued all over again. The reason they went back was because of their things at home. “Baka manakawan” (Someone might steal), they say.

Well, let’s say some lowlife might still take advantage of an empty, flooded house, can he actually run away with your things? When he gets out of the house, he’s still faced with the flood.

During emergencies, we should prioritize the saving of our lives over our things. We lock our windows and our doors, secure our important documents, jewelries and others, bring our stuff to higher levels of our homes and that’s it. If we have to leave, then we should go.

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