Christmas

A few Christmases back, I greeted an aunt 'Happy Holidays' via email and I got a gentle reminder and lecture on how I should never greet that way because Christmas is not about celebrating the holidays but the birth of Jesus Christ our savior, hence I should always say 'Have a Merry Christmas' and yes that is writing CHRISTmas and not just the shortened Xmas - I have been doing so eversince. 

Today as I scroll thru and browse my social networking accounts I have noticed that never once did I come across a greeting saying 'Happy Holidays' or 'Merry Xmas' and it made me lovingly think of my aunt and that gentle reminder slash lecture years ago.

Thank you auntie for that and Thank you dear God for giving us the greatest gift of salvation with the birth of your son Jesus!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

2nd night

family is the theme of last night's simbang gabi homily...

  

                             

Simbang Gabi

Today marks the start of the Simbang Gabi, and while some so because they believe a their wish would come true after completing the nine day series, I believe there is more to that as we ponder on what Father Troy asked us in tonight's mass: "bakit ka nag-si-simbang gabi?"

Simbáng Gabi (lit. Night Mass) is a devotional nine-day series of Masses practised by Roman Catholics and Aglipayans in the Philippines in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary in anticipation of Christmas. Simbáng Gabi, which translates to Night Mass, is held from December 16 to December 24 and is usually done as early as 3 to 5 o' clock in the morning. On the last day of the Simbang Gabi, which is Christmas Eve, it is called Misa de Gallo, which literally translates to "Rooster's Mass". *

 

*info from wikipedia

 

Change my heart, Oh God

Our dear Household leader shook things up a bit the past HH meeting and told us to choose one song each for our worship. While perusing the pages of the Glory book, the lyrics of the song Change my Heart, Oh God caught my attention and though I do not know its tune I choose it nonetheless because the lyrics is akin to my personal prayers as I pray for guidance, grace and a clean heart.

                              
     
                         

Following Christ and embodying him is not easy - everyday is a challenge but as this song becomes my prayer may I continue the walking the right path...

and for all of this May God be Praised!!!

Dreams

It is often difficult to console a friend who grieves the lost of a family member. 

I myself just wanted peace and quiet and could not quite handle being asked "how are you doing?" countess of times in a day - I know people mean well but it can be too much to bear as it seems like every question asked is a reminder of the loss that I've had.

A few days ago my household sister's father passed away.  I could not possibly even imagine how heartbreaking it is but I somehow I know what it is like to be grieving inside yet putting a brave face for the world. I know what its like to try hard not to let the tears fall and let others see your vulnerability. I know what its like to get lost in your own thoughts and questions. I know what it is like to suddenly be emotional at the smallest thing that would make you remember.

Today as we were on the way to church we talked about dreams - specifically dreams about our dearly departed. We talked about our own interpretation of those dreams and the comfort that they somehow bring.

I know what its like to loose someone...the pain fades but it does not really go away. Today while staring at the church' stained glass window my thoughts drifting back to those dreams, I realized something - I'd like to believe that those dreams are God's way of answering our questions, giving us the assurance that we need and reminding us to put our faith in him and trust in his grand plans...

... and for all of this May God be Praised...

a little nudge

Its quite ironic how we proclaim our faith in God but there are instances in times of sadness and need for guidance and strength he is the last one we think about.

I had accompanied my dad yesterday for his check-up, three weeks after he was admitted to the hospital due to a mild stroke. We came on time for our scheduled appointment but seems like the doctor was stuck in a meeting thus we had to wait during which at one point my dad told me he feels nervous.

He placed my hand in his chest to feel the fast beating of his heart. I was sort of in a pensive mood that morning but made an effort to be cheery and tried to make light of the situation by joking and teasing my dad about being scared of doctors.

The more we waited the more uneasy he felt, so we went for a walk around the corridors. My dad asked me what I do to calm myself when I feel nervous, I just told him to take a deep breath and to not think about it.

I sat in a corner and watched my dad pace the empty corridor, a few seconds later he came to me smilling and said "you know what I am doing for my nervousness to be gone? I am praying for calm".

I was dumbfounded.

How could I have forgotten to encourage my dad and put him at ease by praying for him and with him? I have been too caught up with the sombre mood I am in and the nuisance of waiting in the humid corridors of the hospital that I forgot the first thing I should have done. It was then that I put myself in a position of prayer.

A few minutes later - the doctor finally arrived. He gave my dad positive feedback about his condition. My dad was very happy indeed when we left the clinic and he nothing short of did a jig, hugged me tight and almost lifted me off my feet. I knew he was happy not only because the doctor gave him positive results and encouragement but because his prayers were answered.

As for me I am thankful for the little nudge I got and the simple reminder that in everything I should always put my hands together and  pray. God should not be our last resort but the first one we should always run to... 

... and for all of this may God be Praised!!!

My episode

One of my favorite American sitcoms is Everybody Loves Raymond.

The series shows the everyday dealings of the Italian-American Raymond Barone, his wife Debra and their kids. Raymond’s parents live in close proximity (just across the street!) and make their presence constantly known to the annoyance of Debra who finds his mother in law intrusive and insulting; and Raymond who is often caught in the middle of his mother and wife’s argument.

Raymond’s father, Frank, is portrayed to be a very obnoxious person who often makes sarcastic comments. He doesn’t like to show his emotions but several episodes show that he really loves his family. His mother, Marie, on the other hand is controlling and over nurturing, she is a very good housekeeper thus finds a lot to criticize Debra for.

In one of the more heartwarming episode of the series, Raymond questioned his parents’ happiness. They are often showed bickering with Frank criticizing Marie and Marie complaining about Frank’s insensitivity which in this particular episode boiled over with Marie moving out and going across the street to live with Raymond. 

With their constant squabble over the littlest things, Raymond felt that maybe they are miserable being together but was proven wrong when Frank came bursting through the door late at night looking for Marie because he couldn’t sleep without her beside him, and Marie ecstatic with joy over Frank’s shower of ‘emotion’. 

Sometimes when I see and hear my parents argue about small things I feel the same way. Like Raymond, I too wonder if they are happy. It was during Sunday mass that I got my heartwarming ‘episode’.

Me and my brother were seated in between my parents at church during last Sunday’s mass and at the part where we are to give peace to each other, my dad leaned over for a kiss from my mom. It was such a heartwarming moment as it is not often that we see our parents being ‘malambing’ with each other nor does our whole family get to go to church together, thus to have that moment during mass was particularly special. 

Thank you Lord for my ‘episode’ and thank you for the gift of Family.

And for all of these may God be Praised!!!

Spare us Oh Lord

Sharing the prayer penned by Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, asking God to spare the Philippines from more typhoons and other calamities:

"Lord, we are in great need. Like infants we cry to you, do not abandon us in our distress. We kneel in disbelief! How could you, dear Lord, have allowed this to happen to us who call on your holy name? Have you abandoned us, Lord? Are you punishing us for our sins against you? We have been crying for days and our eyes have run dry, but our grief is still very deep, our wounds keep bleeding and our hearts are confused and anxious. Our tears are not enough to wash away our sadness.

"Tama na po! Hindi na po namin kaya!

"Lord, we believe in You and we trust in You in the midst of all these. Today, we renew our faith and hope in you Lord.

"The supertyphoon was strong but our faith in You is stronger. Marami nang bahay ang nawasak, buhay na nilamon ng nagngangalit na tubig... marami mang naulila... muli kaming babangon mula sa pagkalugmok, at mula sa isang bangungot ay gigising sa isang bagong araw, dala ay bagong pag-asa, bagong pangarap at bagong pagtingin sa hinaharap.

"You can command the winds and the rains to cease.

"Please, Lord, spare us from more typhoons and storms and earthquakes! We feel bruised from all sides, battered from top to bottom and beaten up inside and out! Please consider our sufferings more than we can face. Tama na po! Pero kung kalooban mo Panginoon, na malampasan namin ang lahat ng kalamidad na dumadating sa amin, para kami ay maging malinis at mas tumibay bilang isang bansa...buong pananalig namin itong tinatanggap. Ang tanging hinihiling namin Panginoon, nawa'y patuloy mong mahalin ang Pilipinas, at kailanma'y wag mo kaming pababayaan at uulilain. Ang pag-ibig mo Panginoon ay sapat na para makayanan naming harapin ang anumang bagyo. Kasama ka panginoon, anumang pagsubok.... kami ay magiging matatag... hindi matitinag... dahil alam naming ang pagmamahal mo, ay higit na mas makapangyarihan at malakas, kahit pa sa kamatayan.

"Amen. Amen. May your will be done. Stay with us Lord. Amen."

Yolanda

Days before typhoon Haiyan/ Yolanda was expected to enter Philippine's area of responsibility, evacuation of families and other safety measures were done by the local government in preparation for what was expected to be the (unofficially) strongest recorded tropical cyclone to make landfall. 

When the storm hit, telecommunication lines were broken and it wasn't until about a day after since the last broadcast of news correspondents stationed in the southern part of the country that we began seeing live newsfeeds on TV.

Nothing could have prepared us from the images that we saw. Structures were crumbled as if they were a house of cards; tall tress were toppled and uprooted; countless of lives were lost and the survivors were left confused, aimless, cold and hungry. It was heart wrenching to watch the news and the only immediate help you can give is to say a prayer for the victims to find courage, hope and faith in the midst of the chaos.

Devastating though was typhoon Yolanda's aftermath, one can not help but have faith in humanity and faith in God who acts thru them as we volunteers put their efforts into helping our country.

Truly we see the face of God in each and every one of them. 

In time, I pray for the Philippines to rise from the devastation stronger and more united. Bangon Pilipinas!

images from BBC;CNN;ABS-CBN NEWS;GMA;FACEBOOK and the World Wide Web

The most expensive Gift

Part of the kit that we have received during our CLP dedication/graduation day was a CD compilation of worship songs. I am not really one you would consider a music lover but I find my self listening to this compilation regularly and begin to 'develop' favorites partly because of the tune but mostly because of the lyrics.

One of my favorites is Your love is Extravagant by Casting Crowns.

With Christmas fast approaching am sure most of you, like me, have started scouting stores and checking out the price tags of the gifts you planned on getting friends, family members and specially our 'inaanaks'. I am sure you would agree with me on this but isn't it that we rarely go out buying gifts without any budget. Even the most extravagant person I think would set a certain ceiling on a gift's price tag but not our God.

He didn't think us unworthy despite of transgressions, no cost is too high for him because truly God's love is so extravagant that he paid the ultimate price for the greatest and most wonderful gift of our salvation.

  

                       

In the course of integrating my self into the SFC community there are some habits that I've picked up and terminologies that I now use.

I am sharing with you this list from the SFC Middle East Facebook Page.

Am adding some of my own observations on the list...

11. we call each other 'bro/ sis"
12. 'may pinagdadaanan' is a term we use when we are going through a rough patch
13. One Earth kits are always kept handy and ready
14. 'discerning' is a term we use when we talk about decision making....

...  - feel free to add yours on the comments below!

Family time

It has been ten days since I arrived in the Philippines for my annual vacation and unlike what I do in the past - that is cram a few out of town trips, try out new restaurants, watch movies, and go to malls and shop with former colleagues and classmates all within thirty days, I have been spending most of my time at home with my family doing ordinary stuff like cooking my 'specialties', going on errands and (yes even) cleaning.

Going out with friends has taken a back seat, I can cram meeting them on the last week of my vacation tee hee! I opt to savor the time at home relaxing and bonding with the family over home cooked meals. Seems like a boring way to spend a vacation don't you think? might be yes, but one could not deny that quality time spent with family is what really an expat's vacation is all about right?

Hulog ng Langit, Biyaya ng Diyos

A few days after my mom and I talked about the letter I wrote during the Famcon activity, the next news from home was that of my father being admitted to the hospital due to a mild stroke.

I wondered how could I go so fast from being high on connecting with my mom about the community I am currently in, to being low in spirit and saddened at the news of my father being hospitalized. 

To be quite honest, I wasn't able to see the reason behind such 'challenge' but during the second Misyong Pilipino mass I was given the assurance, comfort and answers I needed.

For the homily, Father Arlo said that:

"everything that happens in our lives, be it pleasant or unpleasant is a gift from God (hulog ng langit na biyaya ng diyos) and alongside it comes opportunity - and it is up to us to recognize that opportunity and grab it and hold on to it"

Again I was struck at the direct yet subtle way the Lord answered my questions.

I realized that my father being hospitalized was a grace from God.

It was such a blessing that my father was given a second lease in life with nothing more than just a change of lifestyle to bear with, and this I see as an opportunity - opportunity for him to finally turn his back on smoking and drinking and embrace healthy and clean living.

It was an opportunity for us as a family to bond and develop even closer ties.

As we were supposed to go home to the Philippines for vacation in few days time, I saw it as an opportunity to spend more time and take care of my dad. I usually always contact and go out with my friends, former classmates and colleagues almost everyday leaving me less time to spend with my family but this time I decided to just relax, stay home and bond with my parents by cooking and sharing my special recipes with them.

I felt lighter coming out of the church and I immediately send a message to my mom relaying the message I had received. She was tired, lacked sleep and felt lonely without us to assist them in this trying time - I told her to hang on and just pray. I urged my mom to look at the brighter side of the episode, focus on the positive, take it as a blessing and seize the opportunity to spend time with my dad.

My dad is alive and well and for all of this may God be praised!!!

Message received

... this was what was in my mother's facebook account wall update a few days ago... yes my mom has a facebook account - isn't she savvy??!! *captain Jack Sparrow voice here*

... I immediately knew that she had received the letter we wrote for the FamCon activity and waited with bated breath for her to go online and chat...

... when she did, we talked about SFC. We talked how I came to join - how I was reluctant at first but how something just kept me coming to the meetings. We talked about the activities we have had - the conferences, fellowships and outreach programs. We talked about the some of the teachings and how because of SFC and the encouragement of the community, I've started and am trying to regularly go to church, hear mass, read the scriptures (thought there are still times that I find it difficult to understand) and have my own prayer time...

... I told my mom that I still have my shortcomings but I am trying my best to be a better version of myself and I need their support in all of this...

... In not so many words, my mom told me she was proud and happy for me - she told me to continue immersing myself in the community and serving God...

... I am particularly happy that she expressed interest in being part of a similar community and that when time comes she looks forward to doing nothing but serving God - she has been invited to join various groups but she feels she isn't ready...

... a small spark is all that's needed - like how the miniscule mustard seed grows into the biggest tree, I pray that my mother's interest in grows and hopefully in God's perfect time the whole of my family will be part of a Christian community, serve and live Christ-centered lives...

... and for this may God be praised!!!

conversations

A few days after the SFC Family Conference, over dinner my brother and got to talking about our parents, our childhood and how we are now as adults.

He knew I went to an SFC Conference but I haven’t been able to tell him about the details of the conference as I didn’t know how to open the topic up. That night however it was he who initiated the conversation.

Born to middle class working parents who married at a very young age, we grew up living in austerity. With the constant need to prove themselves to their families, my parents choose to work their butts off, live simply and hold on to their pride rather than take handouts if it meant people telling them ‘I told you so’.

With working parents we are left to handle our household as soon as we were old enough to. They gave us chores and limited our play time because they wanted us to learn the value of hard work and responsibility.

They didn’t spoil us with extravagant toys and making our own from scrap materials helped developed our creativity, resourcefulness and frugality.

As we grew older, our parents drilled us with sermons about the importance of studying hard and keeping our grades up.

They were strict about curfews and going out with friends and were especially strict with me. Knowing full well how difficult it is to raise a family, I guess they wanted to protect us from going astray or getting into a relationship before we were ready and made sure we put our studies at the top of our priority.

Like what had been discussed in the conference, we acknowledged that there were several factors that influenced the way our parents raised us.

Don’t get me wrong, we weren’t always obedient children who understood and appreciated what our parents are doing. They are times were voices were raised, tantrums were thrown and doors slammed shut.

We could have easily rebelled and defied their rules but we choose to work past these issues and be someone our parents could be proud of, and as my brother summed it up “we are what we are because of our parents”.

It was one of those few sombre and profound conversations we have and I am thankful I got to slowly introduce and share SFC activities with by brother. It was remarkable how I was able to bounce off and share ideas and thoughts with him in line with the conference details without coming off too preachy or melodramatic.

And for this may God be praised!!!

We are Family

What blessing it is to be invited to join the 2013 CFC-SFC Family Conference!

Usually held every two or three years, we felt blessed that we didn’t have to wait very long to be part of it – even more so when we received the gift of service by preparing the FamCon kits.

We were initially tasked to prepare 100 sets – “easy peasy” we said but when the number of participants rose to 250 we sort of panicked and felt overwhelmed, still we worked on it with fondness and inspiration. We were tired, yes, but in a good way  - even my immediate supervisor commented on how I seemed extra energetic and happy those days we were working on the kits.

We of course got a peek of the talk outline and I remember my household sister telling me in jest to bring not just a hanky but a towel, knowing full well how the topic of Family can pull hard on the heartstrings and how I can be a crybaby at times.

Held as Polaris Academy last August 30, 2013, the Family Conference enabled us to go back to the basics of what family is.

Session One: We are Family

“I won’t be the person I am today without my Family”

I am sure you have heard this phrase countless of times during debut, graduation and other thanks-giving speeches, cliché as it is, it doesn’t make it any less true.

The family is our first most intimate social environment where our characters and identities are initially formed.

Though not always in the strictest sense, whatever we learn from our family – our morals and principles, becomes our core value system that forms our perceptions and becomes the basis of our actions.

Designed and created by God, the bible defines Family as a unit comprising of (a married) man and woman and their children. It is the bedrock of society and as such has the capacity and enormous responsibility of changing the society by being a positive example.

When you think about, as an individual and part of a family, being a role model for the whole of society seems like a daunting task, but to be a catalyst of change we only have to go back to what God’s purpose for the family is: to be the channel by which God passes on His love and other blessings to all of mankind.

Session Two: Starting From Scratch

“Our parents may not be perfect, but they are the most perfect gift God has given us”

As kids, we see our parents as faultless, they are our first role models, our heroes and we expect nothing less than perfect from them. Over time though their own unresolved personal issues resurface, influencing the way they handle the family.

The second session showed us the bigger picture and helped us have an even better grasp of the personal and external factors that can and will affect a marriage.

As sons and daughters it helped us have a better perspective and understanding of the many ‘whys’ of the way our  parents brought us up.

Session Three:  I Belong

“A home... a sense of belonging”

People have the basic need to be part of a group and the family plays the very critical role in fostering a sense of belonging. 

When we were born, it was our family that nurtured and cared for us by providing our basic needs.

As we grew older though, there are times that we feel alienated and neglected because of issues regarding sibling differences, comparison complex and presumed favouritism in the family.

The third session teaches us that thru acceptance and coming to terms with our own faults we can get past our hurts and pains. We can either choose to dwell on the negative and self destruct or work past these issues and be the person God intended us to be.

Session Four: Shattered Dreams

“It is better to give that to receive”

We are all taught the importance of giving, but when we are at the receiving end, greed and selfishness takes over and all we want to do is take, take and take some more without realizing that true happiness comes from the act of giving. 

Session Five: Picking up the Pieces

“Keep calm and let God”

 

We all have, at one point in our lives, felt lost and broken but essentially the choice is within us to either wallow in self-pity and anger or turn things around and be a better person despite it all. 

By recognizing and coming to terms with our own faults and allowing God to take control of our lives, we can begin the process of healing and building our future in accordance to what God has planned for us.

Session Six: Vessel of Hope

“Change must start from within”

Now that we have acknowledged the presence of God in our lives, we can start the process of change in within ourselves thereby creating a ripple effect in our family, the society and the whole of humanity.

Ending the conference was a lively praisefest with choice worship songs that echoed our emotions. The event truly was remarkable with inspiring speakers and sharers; excitement inducing performances and thought provoking activities.

One activity that struck me was the one where we were asked to write a letter to our parents. 

I honestly did not know how to begin writing the letter. I grew up in a family that isn’t really showy and vocal when it comes to emotions, and though we have long since learned to value the importance of expressing affection thru words and actions, there is still that teeny teeny tiny part of me that is reserved – maybe because I don’t want to come off as cheesy or something, I don’t know…

When I think about it, it even seems ironic because I’ve shared more of my deepest thoughts and emotions during Household meetings and other SFC activities when there are some things that I still can’t share with my family – they don’t even know that I am part of the SFC community.

So I started the letter by writing about SFC,  gradually I found myself writing more and more about my feelings, telling my parents how much I love and thank them.

I was apprehensive when they told us that the letter would be mailed – I had the impression we are to keep it and give it at our own time when we feel ready. As days passed however I began to feel excited – more than words, that letter contained what I pray would be the beginning of an even stronger family relationship centred in God.

Family – they have the power to give us immense joy or tormenting pain but at the end of day they still ARE our family… they belong to us and we to them…

… I brought a towel by the way, but lost it so I had to wipe the tears away with my sleeve – thank God for the gift of tears!!!

hearts in prayer

“Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays”

-     Soren Kierkegaard

When we pray for our own personal intentions and request, we unconsciously hope for God to change – change what he has planned for us in our fervent wish to get what we want.

The power of prayer does not lie in us getting what we yearned for, but how it helps us recognize God’s presence in our lives and evokes a change within ourselves.

When we put our hands together and bow our heads we grow in faith as we surrender and lift everything up to God.

When we set aside a specific time for prayer, we learn obedience.

When we ask for forgiveness we learn humility.

When we give thanks, we learn to appreciate and value the blessings bestowed upon us and learn to share them with others.

When we intercede and pray for others we learn selflessness and forgiveness.

When we do not get what we want - we learn acceptance, we learn to trust and believe that God has better plans for us than we have for ourselves.

Prayer is the most intimate part of our relationship with God and it really does result in miracles –  the miracle happens within us as it awakens our soul into yearning to be closer to God.

Covenant Orientation Weekend

Three months after our CLP graduation, I won’t be so bold as to say I’ve become an angel – nope, I haven’t sprouted wings nor grown a halo. I don’t think I’ve changed that much – change after all does not happen overnight and with the narrow path strewn with obstacles that we must (and should) take to follow Christ, everyday is a challenge.

In all honesty, there are times when I feel I have a mild case of schizophrenia (baliw lang daw ang peg!). During Worships, Prayer Assemblies and Household meetings – I listen intently to the teachings, get goosebumps and turn emotional whilst singing and finding a deeper meaning in the lyrics of worship songs and readings, then I go out and try very hard to imbibe, put into heart and practice all that I have taken from these activities but sometimes it’s just so darn hard (because sometimes I just really really want to strangle my boss!) and this is when I find it difficult to weave being an SFC member into the life I knew and had before being part of the community.

Spread over two Fridays with seven talks, the Covenant Orientation came as a culmination of our CLP journey and our induction as full pledged members into the Singles For Christ Community.

The first day of the COW covered 4 topics:

Talk 1: Our Covenant and the Mission and Vision of SFC presented by Bro Roel Baltazar, aims to re-affirm and confirm our commitment of Loving, Honouring and Serving God by way of integrating all that we have learned and experienced during all activities and teachings into our daily lives.

By putting God in the center of our lives and the core of our being, we become living witnesses and proof of the power of his love, words and promises thus enabling us to fulfil the SFC mission of having Every single man and woman all over the world experience Christ.

Talk 2: Strengthening Family Life presented by Tita Ross Ireneo was probably the most sensitive and poignant topic of the COW as it hits home literally and figuratively. The discussion focuses on the basic unit of society – the Family. It reminded us of our parents and siblings and the immense role and responsibility that we have as instruments of their evangelization by being advocates of love, peace, openness and Christian living within the family. 

After the discussion was a mini activity on family dynamics and it was where it got really intense. We were divided into groups and were encouraged to say what was in our hearts to each member of our family as represented by one group member. I for one could not help but be emotional as I pondered in retrospect a heartbreaking incident in my family a few years back that left me with regrets, unspoken words and unanswered questions. 

I don’t really talk and share my feelings about this particular incident – I consider them very private, almost sacred. I dreaded the moment my turn to share would come and yet I could not help but pour my heart out when it did.

Talk 3: Our Christian Culture in SFC by the very lively and animated Sis Cheryl Pederera reminds us of our social responsibilities in an out of the community. By exemplifying the core values of SFC, we become beacons of true Christian living.

Talk 4 by Bro Melvin Lepesigue is about the importance of Prayer, Scripture and Sacraments in our spiritual growth. We were all taught to pray since childhood and though we know the words, we never really fully understood the power of personal prayer times and its significance in building our intimate personal relationship with God.

I shamefully admit in finding it hard to put my heart in a position of prayer when I am in a bad mood and the discussion helped me realize that these ill feelings should not hinder me from prayer but rather push me more into communing with God. 

Reading the scriptures is also one thing I admit to having difficulty getting into. Reading the Bible does not come naturally like, say, reading the Harry Potter book series but by starting with Scripture based daily prayer guides we can slowly build up our understanding and appreciation of the Scriptures.

Closing the first day of course was the anticipated sharing part. I normally try and shrink in my seat to not call attention to myself but I was busy listening to my seatmate’s story which was related to the topic at hand that I forgot to try and be a chameleon. I was caught off guard when Bro Eduard Racoma called me to share. I was hesitant at first because the immediate thing that came to mind was the emotional family dynamic activity. The things that I have shared with my group were very personal - it is not often that I talk about it really and to share it again to a room full of people was daunting. 

I don’t really remember what I said or if I even made sense at all, I just remember feeling relieved as I walked back toward my seat, not because I was done sharing but because deep inside I felt comforted, I felt that somehow I said what I was supposed to say and my message was received by those meant to hear it.

The next weekend’s topics were:

Talk 5: Being Christian in the Workplace by Sis Len Robles which was also a very essential topic. I personally sometimes feel burned out with temper flaring by work related stress and the discussion reminded us that by giving value to our jobs as gifts from God and performing our duties with positivity and a Christian attitude we can and will survive the challenges of our daily grind.  

Talk 6 on Financial Stewardship by Sis Dianne Santiago proved to be an eye opener. I am sure I am not only one who thinks that all the money I’ve earned is mine -mine to spend however and whichever way I please.

“pinaghirapan ko ito” I would argue “so it’s okay to pamper and give myself a treat”. We would even justify keeping a tight fist on our money and defend our selfishness at times by saying we’ve worked very hard for it.

How wrong am I to think that all these are MINE, MINE, MINE! When all these blessings bestowed upon us are not ours to keep but to manage wisely and if possible enrich, so we would be in a better position to give back all the graces and glory to God.

Most of us think that by giving alms we’ve done our part in helping the poor, sometimes we even say “ang laki laki ng katawa, hinde magtrabaho” while begrudgingly fishing out small change from our pockets to give. Talk 7: Loving and Serving the Poor by Tito Eugene reminded us that loving and serving the poor wholeheartedly is an essential part in being Christian and carrying out our mission of Building the Church of the Poor.

After the COW, I still haven’t sprouted wings, I still don’t have a halo but I can say that now I learned more on how to integrate the teachings into my daily life. 

Becoming an SFC member does not mean just wearing the SFC ID, it does not stop when you go out of the SFC Centre, it does not end when you say ‘Amen’ – it is not a fad, it is not a phase, it is THE way of life.

Slowly I’m learning, slowly I’m (I fervently pray) changing for the better, slowly I’m walking the path to being the person God wants me to be and for that may God be praised!!!