Blessing 79 - City By The Bay!

I am thankful that Niko, Elyssa, and I were able to enjoy San Francisco today! We happened to visit the third busiest Starbucks in the world...located on Powell St.! New York and Tokyo placed first and second as the most visited Starbucks! I never knew that! I felt special!

I am not a very good urban photographer. I admire those who have an eye for straight lines, angles, and very crisp focal points. I am learning very slowly. I tend to look at things from a very romantic point of view with a hint of nostalgia. Enjoy some of my favorite things that make San Francisco...SAN FRANCISCO!

Cable Car

St. Francis Hotel at Union Square

I Left my HEART in San Francisco!

Where's Aldo?
=)

Blessing 78 - Butter Waffle Cookies

I discovered a new love!
BELGIUM BUTTER WAFFLE COOKIES!

It's from Trader Joe's...a yummy alternative to the regular waffle cones you usually stuff with ice cream! It was so good eating THEM as is! Even the men at my Bible Study today went back for seconds and thirds! I simply ate it plain with my cup of tea and enjoyed every bite.

YOU NEED TO GO GET A BOX OF YOUR OWN!
NO KIDDING!

Praise God for simple pleasures and new sweet discoveries!

Blessing 77 - Learning My Canon's Lingo

Sunset over San Rafael Wetlands
Shutter: 1/500
Aperture: f/18.0
ISO Speed: 320

The Same Beautiful Sunset
Shutter: 1/400
Aperture: f/14.0
ISO Speed: 400

Praise God that He is helping me understand my camera little better. At the same token, He has blessed me with these beautiful pictures of my favorite sight. Amazing how the different settings on a camera can totally change the finished product. Funny thing happened when I took these shots... I was parked illegally on a ramp. After a few shots, a police came by and politely escorted me off the ramp. Whew! Praise God I did not get a ticket! Those free sunset pictures would have cost me a fortune!

Blessing 76 - My 50 Cents Dress

I bought this cute strapless white summer dress from Ross for only
50 cents!

Blessing 75 - Sarah

Sarah: My niece is leaving once again for college. She heads back down to USD on Sunday. We had a lovely BBQ dinner for her tonight..."Alfresco"! It was a blessing to have some nice family time together. I will miss these warm summer nights. I will miss my Sarah.

Family Protrait

Grilled Vegetables with BBQ Rib-Eye Steaks!
Mmm...
(Thank you, Ate Reena!)

That Famous Tomato with Basil Pasta!

It was fun making it!
Cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic, and good olive oil.
Viola!!!

Blessing 74 - OK...YOU got my Attention!

Who am I to try to take control of my days and to do what I want to do aside from God's will in my life? For He is the one who decides to either give me another breath or to allow my heart to keep beating. HE HAS MY FULL ATTENTION! I am nothing, therefore, I will not desire to be anything that is not of Him.

Empty Me

Holy Fire burn away,
my desire for anything
that is not of you and is of me,
I want more of you and less of me.
Empty me,
Empty me,
Fill, won't you fill me,
with you.

(Jeremy Camp)

Blessing 73 - Photography

Photograph by Fran Omila

I decided to start a new journey in Photography. I have been working today on my very own photography portfolio website. I was inspired by Naomi. I don't know where God will take this new endeavor, but I am just simply trusting Him for He is the one who is leading me. I pray it will be another channel of His Blessings to those who will come and visit me there. So please pray for me, Friends!

My new outlook on my health has helped me to do what I can do for today. I haven't had any fainting spells today, but I'm still not a 100%. I am learning how to trust God every second. If I can freeze special moments today through photography, I know that God will use them for eternity...even when I am gone.

I will be working on my new website all week. You will be the first to know about it. Thank you!

Blessing 72 - Living Today

God showed me that He holds my life in His Hands.
(Just like this daisy.)

I fainted today for no apparent reason. I had no symptoms indicating I was ill prior to me fainting. Even my doctor could not find anything wrong with me today. I am just trusting God to be in total control of my life. Am I worried? Yes, I am. But there is nothing I can do. It was a beautiful time when I realized that I have spoken or communicated with all those that I love dearly...and each one praying for me. If God were to take me tonight, I would be ready. I made sure I caught a glimpse of the sunset today...it might be my last. Tomorrow is never promised to us. So I have lived today resting with contentment. I am still very weak and occasionally find myself dizzy. If tomorrow comes, I hope it finds me in better health.

Have a GOD Night...I love you.

Blessing 71 - Chin

WE LOVE YOU, CHIN!

Today, we gave Chin a farawell party. I praise God for the time that Chin has been with us at FBCV. He is finally moving back home to Socal after living here in the Bay Area for almost 10 years. I know that God has a special reason in why He is calling Chin back home. I will miss him for he has been like a true little (big) brother to me. I praise God for his generous heart! Our paths will cross again. But what a huge hole will appear in our heart when he is gone. (Holding back tears...)

We will miss you, Chin =(.
(Just some of us ladies giving you a good-bye smile!...but we're really sad.)

Just some of the guys with Chin (and Ashley) watching a replay of the Niners vs. Radiers Game. Funny how they all looked like as if they were watching and anticipating the play for the first time! Today was a blessing for Chin. In return, it became mine as well.

Hmm...it will never be the same in that house. Treasure today. Thank You, Chin, for always having an open door and an open place for us to fellowship in,

Blessing 70 - New Haircut

Yes...I finally got some semi-bangs and major layers.
What do you think? =)

Blessing 69 - A Cup of JOY

I walked out my front door and noticed an unexpected brown paper package on my doorstep. It was addressed to Melanie Pagmanua. That's Me! To my surprise, my sweet friend Joy from Colorado had sent me this thoughtful cup! I loved it the moment I opened it. With it, came a gift card. What touched me most was the poem she had written for me...

Like a painter...

You see beyond the ivory canvas.
The endless road...
Sunrise and sunset...
Deepest colors of Fall...
and brightest white of Winter.
Daily, you walk, devote and overflow
with wanting more than just a glimpse
of Him.
Unil it is time to rest...
You continue on the daily devotion
of what He has created in you...
A beauty, more lovely... Your heart.

I am left tearful and thankful. Thank you, God, for blessing me with a special friend who I may not see often, but I can feel her friendship often in my heart. I love you, Joy.

Blessing 68 - Art of Oakland

Lake Merritt

Today, I went to Oakland to buy some P.E. clothes for Ashley at Dennis Uniforms. I got lost, but ended up at Lake Merritt. It was a nice detour. I took this chance to take pictures along the lake. I noticed two art forms...

Art on Legs...

...and Art on Wheels.

Depending on which art attracts your best interests, you will be drawn to such beauty. I appreciated both. I was thankful to have witnessed how opposite they were in nature, but still found myself intrigued at the sight of them...enough to stop the car to take a picture. Thinking I was lost in a city that I hardly knew, I realized that ART found me. I am thankful that I can simply appreciate.

Blessing 67 - Vitamin C

I am finally feeling better! Lots of Vitamin C and Love did the the trick!...And of course God's healing hand upon me. Someone was kind enough to get me some essentials in aiding me to feel better. Thank You.

Blessing 66 - Andrea Turns 18!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANDREA!!!

It was a blessing to have spent some time with Andrea today at Crepes N More in Fairfield. A bunch of us ladies decided to have a crepe party for her to celebrate her upcoming 18 years of life! Praise God for such a sweet friend! I wish you all of God's best, Andrea!

Beautifully made by Dar!

Blessing 65 - A Memory

How undeserving I was to be able to capture such serenity and beauty? Two weeks ago, God gave me this gift. Two weeks later, I am praising Him for allowing me to savor this N.C. moment in a bottle... I only hope to be as beautiful as this sunset from the inside out.

Blessing 64 - Sea Shells

Shell Collection

I hand-picked theses shells on my first morning walk on while we were staying at our beach house in N.C. I wanted to write about them for they reminded me of how God hand-picked me out of the billions of people in these world to become one of His children. I am so thankful that I belong to such a magnificent and loving God.

There were so many shells on the beach that morning...and yet...I was led to only pick the ones that I was attracted to or those that would have a special purpose. I picked some especially for certain individuals I had in mind. To think how many people were also on that beach collecting their shells, I was struck by amazement that there were so many beautiful ones that were still left for me to claim.

Each shell I continued to collect throughout the week had some meaning behind it. I am just amazed how much God loves us and is so mindful of us. We have special meaning to God. We are a mirror of His creativity. There is no one like you in this whole world. Just as each shell is as unique as the next, you are unique in your own special way, for His own special purpose, for His own glorification.

...And this was just my first day of collecting shells!

Ephesians 2:10
For we are God's workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Blessing 63 - A New Camera (phone)

Sony Ericsson Camera Phone

I was blessed by this new phone given by Chin! I was not expecting such a thoughtful gift...neither did I need another phone. But don't we have a wonderful God who gives so generously even though we totally do not deserved to be blessed? Here's the best part of this blessing...

To me, this phone is first A CAMERA! It has an 8.1 Cyber-Shot Camera built in! It also takes awesome videos! It has so many features and settings just like a real point and shoot. It may not be an iPhone...but it sure makes me smile more than if I did have an iPhone! It's not very good for texting (I love my BlackBerry for that), but this was such an unexpected blessing to me because of the camera! I thank God for special friends (Chin) who may know special details about me. Most importantly, I have a GOD who knows me intimately and in totality!

In Him...I am made complete and lack nothing.

Blessing 62 - Starry Night

My Diamond Stud Earrings

I am thankful for the beautiful starry night that God has blessed me with. No Moon was present...just the stars. I had moment to myself as I just gazed up and saw those sparkling stars that looked like diamonds on black velvet. It was really difficult trying to capture the stars...so I improvised and captured my diamond earrings instead. Amazing that God has a name for each star He created. He calls each one by name...just like He knows each and every one of us by name.

"...Shine like stars in the universe."
Phil. 2:15

Blessing 62 - Family Tree

Passing on a Legacy that Matters

Just like strongly rooted trees that bear much fruit - healthy marriages and families require feeding, nurturing, pruning, and cultivating to ensure the health of the next generation.

The Kissing Tree

Today was the last day our family camp. We all had such a wonderful time living together these past four days. It's always so sad to leave a place where very fond memories have been made. God has truly showed Himself to the families here. Marriages are being made stronger and families have grown closer to one another. I posted this picture of the "Kissing Tree", because LOVE has been deeply rooted in the hearts of God's people. We have faith that we will bear much fruit before we come back to Silver Spur. We praise God for our wonderful time here at camp!

OH... By the way...my team won!
THE GREEN TEAM!!!

Blessing 61 - Team Spirit!

The Mighty Green Team!

Blue...There It Is!

REDemption!!!

I Got Sunshine on a Yellow Day!!!

Praise God for a another blessed day at Silver Spur! Although we feel Satan's attacks coming full force through physical and emotional aliments...we know that we have a God who is mighty to save! We had so much fun playing games, swimming, and going down the water slide! But nothing beats the awesome fellowship we are having with the Lord and with each other through God's word and worship! By the way...we love the camp food here!

Blessing 60 - Family Camp!

Our first day at Family Camp was a success...Praise God!
We are all looking forward to wonderful week!
I am already blessed!!!

Blessing 60 - Happy Birthday Elline!

I had brunch with Elline today
at Mimi's Cafe
for her birthday!

Elline has become one of my closest friends. There are those in life who you happen to be with...but there are those in life who you choose to be with. If there were only five friends that I could choose to be stranded with on a deserted island, I would choose Elline! Not only because of our friendship, but because I know that she would nurse me back to life if anything were to ever happen to me. She has those healing touches that comes from her heart into yours as she lovingly displays God's love. Her visits into my life have always been very pleasant and heart warming. I praise God for such a kind friend.

Happy Birthday, Elline!

Blessing 59- Pink Popcorn, Monta, and Night Sky

My first time in a long time to finally eat some pink popcorn! A good friend actually saw a past blog of mine about this childhood memory and surprised me with two packs today! What a treat it was!

Monta's first time playing freely in a dog park! He did such a good job in trying to get along with his new found friends! The little white dog to his left was named "Ella" and the other white fluffy friend was named "Sasha". Hehehe! I think Monta was having a hard time figuring out which one he wanted to date!

My first picture of capturing a purple sunset sky!

What did these three blessings have in common?
Absolutely nothing! They were just the "blessings of firsts"!