"Black Friday?"

I never heard of it before. We had a "Black Saturday" in the Philippines, and that is the Saturday after "Holy Thursday" and "Good Friday". So, what is this "Black Friday" here in US?

According to Wikipedia , Black Friday is the Friday after Thanksgiving in the United States, where it is the beginning of the traditional Christmas shopping season. Since Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday in November in the United States, Black Friday may be as early as the 23rd and as late as the 29th of November.

Black Friday is not an official holiday, but many employees have the day off, which increases the number of potential shoppers. Retailers often decorate for the Christmas season weeks beforehand. Many retailers open very early (typically 5 am or even earlier) and offer doorbuster deals and loss leaders to draw people to their stores. Although Black Friday, as the first shopping day after Thanksgiving, has served as the unofficial beginning of the Christmas season at least since the start of the modern Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1924, the term "Black Friday" has been traced back only to the 1960s.

My husband and I went to Walmart Sandusky. We left the house 3:30 A.M., because it says that the sale would start 5:00 A.M. I was just so glad that this year, Walmart Sandusky is open 24 hours a day. If it had not, we would be freezed outside the mall waiting for it's opening.

This was the scenario. Shoppers was rushing their way to the sale items that they want to buy. And this is what I got, Samsung DigiCam 10.2 megapixel for only $69.00. My husband bought this for me. I am so happy to have this. Thank you, honey.

My First Encounter of Hale Storm

I had my flu shot today at Caro Health Center. As we were on our way going home, it started to rain and was very cold.

Shortly before dinner, Mom Sallie went out to pick up the mails from the mailbox. From outside the house, she called me to go out because there was something that she have to show me, I went out and there it was... Hale! It exactly looks like my glass beads for my beads-band making. Wow! This is my first encounter of hale. It's real now. It's not anymore seen on movie or TV only. It was only for a short while, it melted quickly then.

Kingston Times

I had the honor of meeting two of the veterans of Kingston, Michigan, during the Kingston Times outside the Kingston Museum on August 24, 2008.

My "Cloud of Glory Prayer Mountain Experience"

March 17, 2008 (Monday)
3:10 p.m.

CHAPTER 1

I arrived in the "Cloud of Glory Prayer Mountain", (Lilo-an, Cebu, Philippines), made my registration and was ushered to my room. The accommodation was totally different from what I was anticipating. I was ushered in to a single room. There was a single bamboo bed, with a cushion on it. A writing table, a chair and a bathroom. The room has two windows. The window that i liked the most was the one facing east, where sunrise greeted me along with a promise of blessed and wonderful day ahead every morning.
After I thanked the room attendant and closed the door behind him, I started to wonder how I was going to start my prayer and fasting. I acknowledged God, that it was Him who made this prayer and fasting possible. I could have made the plans, I could have the desire, but it is God who made things happened.
Looking around through a window, to a 180 degree view, I can't help but thanked God again for placing me there. You can see the trees, mountains and the ocean from a distance, where it reminded me of God, as a creator.
I admitted to God that it was the first time that I got into serious prayer and fasting. I emphasized to God that it will not going to be an absolute kind of fasting because it was my first time and I was not certain on how far I can go. I prayed to God, not to allow me to leave on Wednesday without a changed and renewed heart. Above all, I need Him to guide me and enlightened me on the decision that I was going to do.
After reading the house rules and unpacked my things, I started to make myself comfortable and getting ready to start. Singing worship songs, reading devotional articles and reading the Word of God, it then carried me into becoming one spirit with the Lord.



(photo taken from http://www.livingwordcm.com/)


CHAPTER 2

God lead me to Acts 3:16 for His initial message for me. "By faith, in the name of Jesus, this (man) whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through Him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see. " For me it was an assurance that God was doing some "healing" in me. I know and acknowledged that deep within me, I am sick (spiritually). And as I go on, God lead me me again to Proverbs 29:25 "Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trust in the Lord is kept safe." This is the verse that inspired me to confess to someone that i ought to.
Part of my prayer was searching God's confirmation about my decision in choosing my lifetime partner (because the one I chose was not with my same faith). And God was being so gracious, He lead me to 1 Peter 3:1-6 (1 Peter 3:1 Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that , if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives.")
God revealed to me the ministry He set for me. He called me to be an article writer. For me, it seems unimaginable, I don't have enough knowledge to become a writer. But God assured me in His word in Ephesians 3:20 "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us." And to start with, God impressed in my heart to make an article about my "Prayer Mountain Prayer and Fasting Experience".
Twenty four hours passed, I started feeling weak and shaky. All I had was some crackers and waters during the entire fasting. I was wondering what will happen on the following day, but God assures me that He will be with me.
In between those reading the Word of God, singing worship songs and silent moments, I prayed for individual concerns and burdens. I prayed for my family and friends. I prayed for the country.
Wednesday, 7:00 a.m., I closed my prayer and fasting. I was so joyful because I know that I will be returning home very blessed and loaded with God's directions in my life. Indeed, God did not made me leave that place without making me changed and renewed within. I can really say that God was with me during my entire 41 hours stay at the prayer mountain. The sweet presence of God sustained me throughout. God is true to His word in Hebrews 11:6b "...and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."

To God be the glory!