Rose Writes

13/05/2025

Belated Happy Mother’s Day to all. (Btw, long post ahead)

Although I celebrated it in a way no mom would ever wish to.

But before I tell you what happened, let me take you back to just a week before.

I was on the metro, on my way to work, talking to the Lord in my head. I told Him, Lord, iba talaga humor mo. We prayed for a child for 8 years, and in a span of 8 years You answered. Not just once. Not twice. Pero ngayon, our third!

At the start of this year, I was only praying to join a marathon at least before I turn 40. Apparently, God had other plans, baby marathon pala.

Then, I got sick for a few days, the usual fever, cough, colds. Nothing major. But still, I decided to have a check-up with my OB even if I was scheduled to see her after 2 weeks pa just to make sure the baby was doing okay. I was on my 9th week then.

We hadn’t really told everyone yet. Just those closest to us, our kids, family in the Philippines, Dgroup, and a few close friends in Dubai and back home.

Back in the OB room, the usual ultrasound began. I saw the sac... but not the baby. The doctor opted for a transvaginal scan. Not standard unless something’s wrong.

I asked, Is there a problem Doc?

She said, The baby is there… but I can’t seem to see the heartbeat. Let me check again.

Then she called Mike in and said, The baby’s there, but I can’t see the heartbeat. We’ll need to confirm with a radiology specialist.

I can’t explain what I felt hearing that. I just… felt numb. Nothing was sinking in.

While Mike is processing the request, I called Charm, my friend, Dgroup leader, and a nurse for pregnant moms. I told her what the OB said.

She replied, I see Ate. Can I pray for you?

We prayed. And I heard the words and I felt peace.

Then I was reminded of this verse: The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be His name.

The last time I was reminded of it was when I lost my mom to COVID.

The next day, I went to the ultrasound specialist. She confirmed it: There was no heartbeat.

When I got home, I sat our boys down. I had to explain what happened.

And then, the four-letter word Mike and I had been avoiding suddenly came out of our youngest’s mouth:

So what does no heartbeat mean? Does it mean… the baby is dead?

Our panganay with teary eyes quietly said, Yes. No heartbeat… means dead.

He turned to me, Are you okay, Mom?

I told them, I’m sad and for sure Dad too… because you know how excited Mom and Dad were when we found out we were having another baby. But our God is good, He has a reason and a purpose and so we prayed.

We even thought of a name, we claimed it was a girl. Mikayla Therese.

We even gave her a nickname, Reese. Like the chocolate, our youngest said.

Mike and I even adjusted our budget for December and next year, milk, diapers, everything.

And finally…

Mother’s Day came.

We spent it at the hospital.

To remove our baby.

To be honest, this whole ordeal was traumatizing.

And I can’t even imagine what other moms who went through the same pain must have felt, emotionally, mentally, spiritually.

I had a D&C surgery. That part? Maybe I’ll write about it next time.

But here’s the truth: While all of this was happening, all I could do was to praise and worship.

Not because I’m holy. Not because I’m strong.

But because that was the only thing I could do.

I’ve held onto this truth: God has a reason.

I may not understand now. But one day, He’ll make it clear.

Maybe me writing this now, is part of that purpose.

After the surgery, I told Mike, Mahal, I don’t think I can go through this again.

And he simply said, Labs… okay na tayo. The two God gave us, the boys, they’re more than enough.

A few hours later, when we were home… that’s when it sank in.

The baby is gone.

We’ll never hold her in our arms. But she’ll forever hold our hearts.

And so… this was my kind of Mother’s Day.

Not what I expected, not what I wanted…

But still, a day I was reminded:

Even in loss, God is still good.

Even in pain, there is purpose.

Even when there’s no heartbeat… His love never stops beating for us.

Thank You, Lord. I would have never been able to go through this without You.

In the darkest, You held me. In the quiet, You comforted me. And in the breaking, You stayed.

28/04/2025

𝐌𝐨𝐦, 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐡𝐲𝐩𝐨𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐲?

That was the big question my two boys threw at us last night during our EFAD time.

Every Sunday, Mike and I made a promise, Sunday is Family Day.

A day we put everything else aside just to spend time together, have fun, catch up, and of course, do EFAD (Every Family a Discipleship Group).

Honestly, I’m so thankful that God planted us in a church that doesn’t just talk about discipleship, they live it, starting from home. It's not just about a day; it’s about intentionally pouring into our kids' hearts every chance we get.

Anyway, back to our EFAD...

Mike asked me to lead our session yesterday. Our topic? Being authentic and avoiding hypocrisy.

We anchored our discussion on John 1:8 and 1 John 1:6-7.

So when the boys asked, "What's hypocrisy?"… we explained it as simply as we could: It’s when you say one thing but live differently.

Like... how can we claim to love and follow Jesus if we’re not even spending time getting to know Him? How can you truly follow someone you don’t even know?

It hit close to home because, truth be told, we had found out that for the past few days, they hadn’t been reading their Bibles as they were supposed to. 😅

We asked them how they could apply what they learned that night.

Kael said he’ll make it a point to read his Bible first thing in the morning and obey us, his parents. 🥹

Theodore proudly said he’s already done watching all episodes of Bibleman (haha!) , so now, he’s watching Superbook after waking up... and he also promised to be more respectful to Dada. 🥹

As for me... I had to be honest too.

I told them I can't expect them to be consistent if I’m not modeling it myself. And lately, with everything going on, my quiet time hasn’t been as consistent either. So, I committed to making my time with God a true priority again.

And of course, Mike, our leader and steady rock, said he will continue to be intentional in discipling our family.

You know, I just praise God...

Because compared to before, we can really see how our kids are slowly grasping these truths. They’re not just listening, they’re now responding.

And what melts my heart even more?

They look forward to EFAD now, just like we do.

Curious about what EFAD looks like for a family like ours? Let’s chat & encourage each other! 🤍

09/04/2025

If you’ve ever felt like you’re not doing enough as a mom, this one's for you. ⬇️

I get it.

I’ve had my moments of wondering if I’m really giving my all to my kids, or if what I’m doing is even enough.

As moms, we just want the best for our kids, right?

We want them to be ready for the future, but it’s hard when it feels like there’s never enough time or energy.

For the past few years, Mike and I decided to homeschool our kids.

It was important to us that they grow up with biblical values, and homeschooling gave us the chance to teach them in a way that fit how they learn best.

But here’s the thing, I’m also a full-time employee, and some days, it feels impossible to stay on top of everything.

I try my best to prepare their lessons, but by the time I get home, there’s only a few hours before I have to sleep and start it all again. Plus, it’s hard to check their work when they’re already tired from the day.

So, we prayed about it.

I asked Mike what we should do. He told me, “Let’s choose what’s best for them and for you.”
And that’s when we realized, we had to be honest. Right now, we can’t live on just one income, and honestly, I don’t have the experience to teach every subject.

So, we made the decision to find an online school in the Philippines that could help them.

Here’s what God has been teaching me: I can’t do everything but It doesn’t make me a failure.

The time we spent homeschooling was not wasted. We built a strong bond, created good routines, and had those deep talks when a subject got tough.

But now, we need to make a choice for what’s best for them in this season.

So, momsh, don’t feel like you’re not doing enough.

The little things matter more than you think. Your love and effort will have a lasting impact on your kids.

I’m curious, have you ever felt the same way? What’s something you’ve done for your kids that made you feel like you’re not doing enough? Drop a comment and let’s chat about it!

07/04/2025

"Once Wretched", A Journey from Brokenness to Embracing God's Love

To every woman carrying silent burdens, feeling unseen, or doubting God's love, I see you, and I’ve been there.

In Once Wretched, I share my personal story of hidden wounds, struggles in my marriage, and the shame I carried for years.

I know what it feels like to wonder if healing is even possible. But God showed me that His love is greater than my past.

If you’ve ever felt broken, unworthy, or lost in your own struggles, this book is for you.

It’s a reminder that you are not defined by your past. God’s love is bigger than your pain, and healing is within reach.

Once Wretched is not just my story, it’s the story of every woman who has ever struggled.

It’s your story too.

DM me to order your printed copy today! This book is here to encourage, heal, and remind you of God’s love.

You are loved. You are worthy. Healing is possible.

03/04/2025

I’m now on my 4th book in the Old Testament; Leviticus!

And let me tell you… this book is basically the ultimate priest handbook, parang “How to Be Holy 101” for the Israelites.

It’s full of rules, offerings, and instructions on how the Israelites were supposed to live in holiness before God.

The first few chapters talk about different kinds of offerings, and honestly, it just made me extra grateful that we don’t have to do all that today.

Imagine having to bring a goat or a pigeon every time you messed up, I'd have run out of animals to offer by now! 😅

But here’s the best part, Jesus took care of all of that.

No more endless sacrifices because He became the ultimate sacrifice, once and for all.

Because of Him, we’re forgiven, made clean, and can have an actual relationship with God, no more complicated rituals needed.

Just grace. So much grace.

Reading this made me appreciate Jesus’ sacrifice even more.

How about you, what’s something about your faith that made you go, "Wow, Lord, grabe ka!"?

02/04/2025

Last weekend, we helped facilitate a mini-couples retreat at our church. Mike was asked to speak about God’s design for marriage, and he asked me to share a bit about the roles of wives, specifically about submission.

Sounds great, right?

Well, here’s the catch: the entire week leading up to the retreat, we were under attack. I struggled so much with submission. Talk about irony, I was about to speak on it, yet I wasn’t even practicing it myself!

I knew I was feeling frustrated and agitated, but I just brushed it off. I even passed on doing some things for the Lord, my tone toward Mike was irritated (and, honestly, a little disrespectful), and to top it off, there was a situation at home where I felt unloved by him. (Mike already explained his side and asked for forgiveness, pero need pa niya ng konting bawi 🤣).

One morning, he looked at me and asked, “Labs, what’s wrong with you this week? I’ve noticed you’re not okay.” And that hit me, oo nga no, what is wrong with me?

I stayed quiet, prayed, and asked the Lord, What’s wrong with my heart? Why am I acting like a spoiled brat toward Mike?

Then it hit me: My quiet time with God hadn’t been the same.

Yes, I had just finished the book of Job, but my time with the Lord wasn’t as deep or intimate as before.

And that’s when I realized, submission is difficult. The only way I can truly do it is if I’m filled with the Holy Spirit.

So I asked Mike to forgive me, and admitted that my struggles with submission weren’t really about him, it was because I wasn’t filled with the Holy Spirit.

As I was writing down the lessons, I’ve learned about submission that night, the Lord gently reminded me: You can’t do this on your own. You need Me.

💡Here are some of the lessons I’ve learned over the years and I pray this would help you too:

1. Submission is an act of faith, and non-submission is actually a heart issue.
Just like any act of faith, submission often requires us to die to ourselves. It’s about trusting God and His plan, even when things are difficult or don’t make sense, as long as it doesn’t lead us to sin.

When we struggle to submit, it’s usually a sign that we’re wrestling with pride, fear, or a lack of trust in God. We think our way is better or feel like our voice isn’t heard. But resisting submission is often our way of holding onto control.

True submission isn’t about losing our voice or value, it’s about choosing to trust God’s wisdom over our own. It’s a way of saying, I trust You, Lord, even when it’s hard.

The truth is, we can’t submit on our own. We need God’s grace to do it. It’s not easy, and sometimes it even feels counterintuitive, but when we surrender our will, we open ourselves to His leading. And through that process, our faith grows, and we become more like Christ.

Whenever I struggle with submission, I ask the Lord to reveal what’s in my heart and to change it at the same time. Because in reality, submission is also God’s way of protecting us.

Now, when Mike and I need to make a decision, and his choice is different from mine, I only ask two things:

1️⃣ Did you pray about it?
2️⃣ Is this what God wants you to do?

If his answer is yes, then I let go. It’s no longer my burden to carry, it’s between him and God.

2. Submission is a faith muscle, you build it by using it.

Just like going to the gym builds strength, submission strengthens our faith. The more we practice it, the stronger we get. It’s not always easy, and sometimes it hurts, but over time, it becomes part of us.

So when wives from our couples group ask tips on how to make it easier to submit. I only answer… submit, submit, submit!

3. Submission doesn’t make us less, it makes us stronger in God.

In fact, submission deepens our faith. It takes us beyond our husbands and straight to God, trusting that He is guiding them. And for our husbands to lead well, which I believe is every wife’s prayer, it starts with us submitting.

This doesn’t mean we lose our voice. As their helpmates, we’re often the voice of reason.

But if, after discussion, our husbands still disagree, we can take it to the Lord. If we’re right, God can change their hearts. If we’re wrong, God just protected us from making a decision that could have harmed our family.

So in many ways, submission is God’s protection. And obedience brings God’s blessing.

I read this somewhere: "Behind every Godly man is a submissive, gentle, and Christlike wife."

I pray that these lessons encourage you in your role as a wife.

And just to be totally honest with you, when I was new in the faith, I really wrestled with the idea of submitting to Mike.

There were nights when I cried to the Lord, asking, "How, Lord? How do I do this?" And every single time, He reminded me:

"Your submission to your husband is ultimately submission to Me."

28/03/2025

Just finished reading the book of Job again, and you know what’s amazing when you read the Bible continuously?

The words are the same, but the lessons are always different. His Word is truly alive and always timely.

Most people remember the book of Job because of his suffering and those “so-called friends” who, instead of empathizing, insisted he deserved his fate because he sinned against God.

Just like Job, we want answers for suffering, but sometimes we just don’t get them.

What stood out to me was God's wisdom, sovereignty, and faithfulness.

We might not understand what’s happening in our lives or why we’re going through tough times, and it can be really difficult to see how it will work for our good.

But if God allowed it, we can trust He will use it for our good.

Here are the 3 things I learned from the book of Job this time around:

✅ God’s Wisdom is Beyond Human Understanding

Mike and I went through a season that didn’t make sense. He had a job, but his salary was delayed for months at a time, and we had two kids to feed and we live in Dubai (where almost everything is quite expensive).

We prayed for this job, yet this happened.

Like Job, we often asked, Why is this happening, Lord?

But God didn’t give Job an explanation. Instead, He reminded him of His greatness.

💡Lesson: Sometimes, we won’t get the answers we want, but that doesn’t mean God isn’t in control. Instead of tiring ourselves looking for reasons or focusing on the problem, we can trust that God is working behind the scenes. And we can hold on to His promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us.

✅ Being Honest with God is More Valuable than Empty Religion

There are times when we feel like we don’t need to tell God because, well, He should already know, right?

And in those moments, we think, How can I question Him after all this time?

But the truth is, God isn’t afraid of our questions, frustrations, or even anger.

He even said, In your anger, do not sin. This shows He knows anger is an emotion we’ll feel sometimes.

He understands us better than we understand ourselves.

He would rather have an honest heart than a pretend faith.

Sometimes, it’s easy to hide our doubts or put on a facade for God because we think we should always have it all together. But that’s not what He wants.

Just like Job, we are invited to bring our struggles, our raw emotions, and our honest questions before Him.

💡Lesson: Instead of keeping our struggles to ourselves, we should bring them to God, knowing He listens. He sees our hearts and longs for us to be real with Him. It’s in those moments of vulnerability that we experience His grace and presence most powerfully.

✅ Be Careful How You Speak About God and Others’ Suffering

I’ve been guilty of this before, and honestly, sometimes I still am. When I see someone struggling, I’ve sometimes thought, If they made better choices, they wouldn’t be in that situation.

That’s exactly what Job’s friends did to him. They assumed they knew why he was suffering. They thought he must have sinned, and that God was punishing him for it. But in the end, God rebuked them; not Job.

This made me reflect, how many times have I spoken too soon?

How many times have I judged without knowing the full story?

Not all suffering is a result of sin. Sometimes, it’s simply a season God allows for His greater purpose.

But does that mean we should never correct others? No.

When we see a brother or sister living in sin, we are called to lovingly bring them back to the truth. The Bible is clear about that.

But there’s a difference between correcting in love with God’s Word and assuming someone’s struggles are because of their sin.

💡Lesson: Instead of being quick to judge, we should first seek to understand. If God leads us to correct, let it be through His Word, in love and grace, and with the purpose of bringing them closer to Him, not tearing them down or proving we’re right.

And when someone is suffering, sometimes the best thing we can do is simply be there. No assumptions. No, What do you think God is teaching you moment... 😁

Just love, prayer, and encouragement to keep their eyes on Jesus.

Job’s story reminded me of so many things, but more than anything, it reminded me that God sees us, even in our suffering.

If you’re going through something difficult right now, I just want to encourage you to keep holding on.

Even when you don’t understand, even when you don’t see a way out, God is still working.

Have you read the book of Job? What stood out to you the most?

27/03/2025

Prayer.

It’s the second most powerful tool we have (next to the WORD), yet it’s so often neglected.

It’s our direct line to God; no weak signals, no disconnections, and definitely no fake news.

Unlike social media, there’s no algorithm limiting our reach.

Every single word, every whisper, every cry, even the words drowned by tears; He hears them all.

Anytime. Anywhere.

That’s how much He loves us, it connects us to Christ.

A time when we can lay down our struggles, fears, and deepest worries.

The safest place to pour out everything to the One who already knows it all.

I can’t even count how many times I’ve cried out to Him, how many moments I’ve felt His arms wrap around me as I let it all out. Those are the times I feel closest to Him, the moments I hold onto and treasure.

And you know what?

Prayer reminds me of a child sitting on their Father’s lap, sobbing, words tumbling out in between the cries.

Yet He listens. He doesn’t rush us. He doesn’t get tired. He just holds us, pats our back, and stays.

Oh, how I love being in His presence.

I love knowing that He listens. That I matter to Him. That you matter to Him.

And when we pray for others?

That’s one of the sweetest, most intimate ways to show love. Whether they believe in Him or not doesn’t change the fact that we do, and we know He listens. Even when we can’t see it, He is working.

The Bible says to pray about everything.

So pray for your family. Your protection. Your friends. Your business. Your ministry. Your clients. Your situation, whatever it may be.

And most importantly, pray that not our will, but His be done.

This is how we can act on our love for others.

We make the time to pray for those close to our heart because we never really know what struggles lie beneath their smiles, what worries hide behind a strong facade, or what fears are disguised by a loud laugh.

But God sees. He knows.

Every time I pray for someone, I rest in knowing that in His amazing grace and love, He will work in and through them, bringing peace, healing, and strength that only He can provide.

So, what and for who was your last prayer about? 😍

08/10/2024

All praises, honor and glory belongs to the Lord!

Thank you Normzz DC Lapuz for the kind, pa-deep at mahabang words, friends talaga tayo 🤣🤣🤣

You are one of the people that inspired this book, thank you for being a part of my life for almost 2 decades and for allowing me to guide you in Him.

Living a life pleasing to Him is really impossible, Sya lang talaga! But it’s a life soooo worth it.

I love you with the love of the Lord alam mo yan 😘🥰😍

Once Wretched is still available for pre-orders friends 🥰

10/09/2024

By God’s grace, Our Kuya Kael reads the bible and also asks a lot of questions as he is curious with a lot of things specially with what he read.

13/08/2024

🌸 FREE 30-Day Trust in Jesus' Promises Devotional 🌸

Hey everyone!

I wanted to let you know about a special resource I’ve created for women who might be looking for some encouragement and inspiration. 𝙁𝙍𝙀𝙀 30-𝘿𝙖𝙮 𝙏𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙅𝙚𝙨𝙪𝙨' 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝘿𝙚𝙫𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡.

Each day features a comforting promise from Jesus and space for you to reflect and journal. Whether you’re facing challenges or just need a bit of daily uplift, this devotional can be a great companion.

If you think this could be helpful for you or someone you know, just comment below or send me a message. I’d love to share it with you!

Blessings to you all! 🌟

https://2ly.link/1zIGz

We're here to inspire and guide others to Christ by sharing our journey of faith and family here in Dubai. 😊

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