Closer to You

Thank you, God, for making me closer to you.
If it wasn't because of 700 Club US and Asia, I wouldn't have known where I am today.

Praise God, for He lifted my arms when I can no longer raise them.
I raised my arms high enough and released the pain.
He carried me when I can no longer move.
He gave me strength when I was weak.
He wiped away my tears when I can no longer smile.
I wept loudly and he embraced me.
He opened my heart when I can no longer breathe.
He brought me back to life, now I am free.
Free from depression, free from pain
Free from frustration, free from anger
Free from disappointments, filled with contentment
Free from despair, now filled with hope
Free from agony, now filled with faith.

All glory to YOU, Dear God.

Your once lost daughter, now a renewed woman.
Charmane

Teaching Like an Artist

Teacher as an Artist

( I used an acrostic app to create this acrostic poem.)

A is for Alluring, so attractive

    Like artists, we as teachers create alluring designs to attract our learners’ likes and interests; be it in the physical environment of our classroom or the content of our lesson. I don’t know how to draw or paint but I find ways to create artistic designs for my classroom. I normally ask my 8-year-old daughter to draw or make a poster as an example for my students to follow on a certain activity. We make collages, we create art from found objects or no cost materials. We design print materials, we add drawings to our essays or made-up books.

R is for Ravishing, an entrancing beauty

    There is beauty in every art. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. We as teacher-artist create beautiful things and we learn to appreciate the little things. We use attractive places or persons to connect to our lessons or to encourage our visions. We have the power to transform spaces and objects to attract real experiences.

T is for Tantalizing, thrilling the senses

Thomas Merton states,  “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” I couldn’t agree more. As a teacher-artist, we design our lessons that would appeal to our senses and to our students’ sense. We learn to use our sensory details when trying to explain or write a story. We become aware of how others may react to what they hear, say, smell, taste or feel. We value our students’ senses and we learn to adjust accordingly. We learn to communicate in the way that we want our students to communicate to us. We develop a style and we learn to be observant and diligent at identifying our students’ needs.

I is for Interesting, truly fascinating

    An artist creates interesting, fascinating art that makes the audience puzzled sometimes. Teachers also build and discover activities that would foster the sense of discovery and exploration for our students. These activities would elicit problem-solving skills and discipline for our students.  

S is for Savvy, skilled with the know-how

    An artist learns how to use tools, materials or resources to be able to create a fascinating art. For us teachers, we do the same thing. We keep on researching, inventing, building, designing and weaving ideas to improve not only our teaching styles but to adapt to each of our students’ needs and interests.

T is for Tenacious, not one to give up

    We keep trying, as an artist. We keep exploring. We develop art-making skills. We don’t give up. We just keep experimenting. We keep thinking outside the box and beyond lectures. (Discussion Week 2)

Charmane Joy Belleza

01/16/2019

Happy 10 Years to us, Facebook

Thank you Facebook! We’ve been through a lot for the past 10 years, but you were just there to listen and watch us go through our journeys. You have helped us communicate with our loved ones, through joy, entertainment, even in our pains, our sorrows etc. You were/are a confidant that stayed true even when all the people in the world were against me. You were my friend when I was depressed. You were the joy when I couldn’t fathom the pains I had to endure. Through you, I found what I am looking for. Only Him knows how grateful I am for you. 

It all starts with GRATITUDE!: A Letter to my Self for 2019

It all starts with GRATITUDE!: A Letter to my Self for 2019: Dear Self, First of all, I want to commend you for a job well done in 2018. You've explored and overcame many impossible things; thin...

A Letter to my Self for 2019

Dear Self,

First of all, I want to commend you for a job well done in 2018. You've explored and overcame many impossible things; things you thought were not important, meaningless. You have exemplified that true greatness is not in your hands, it's in God's. You have wondered, you found the answers. You were hopeless, you found hope. You were depressed, you were lifted. You were exhausted, you regained strength. You were angry, you found calmness. You were frustrated, you found contentment. You were resentful, you found meaning. You were lonely, you found joy. You were lost and alone,  you found a companion. 

This year will be more meaningful to you. Your hopes will flourish and wishes will be granted. Your service to others will be influential. Your prayers will be answered. Your relationships will grow and your purpose will be unlocked. You will never be alone anymore, instead, you will be guided accordingly. The pain and the struggles of your past will then be erased and be turned into valuable testimonies that will provide hope and impact on other's lives.  Your experiences will be cherished and will create a collage of God's love for you and your family. 

May you continue to grow as a person. May you walk with and for God. May you be guided by the Holy Spirit in everything you do, because all you want is peace and camaraderie amongst others. May you receive the best in everything, because you've tried your best all along. May you prosper in all aspects of your life, as God has promised you to have. May you practice patience and perseverance as you wait for God's grace to arrive. May you be blessed abundantly and be grateful in every way. May you be kind always, and treat others the way you want to be treated. May you always be the representation of Jesus in all things possible. May God grant you PEACE. Amen. 

Your self, 

Charmane 

01/02/2019

MY KIDS ARE MY PINEAPPLE PRINCESSES

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQV6jGM82GM



Please watch them on the Youtube link above.
They are so cute!
#proudmommyhere

It all starts with GRATITUDE!: I Do Everything For and With God

It all starts with GRATITUDE!: I Do Everything For and With God: Being a special education teacher, a mom and a wife come with immense responsibility. The load that I had for the past three years had be...