Abbie's Cry
[DIDN'T NOTICE THE BIRD UNTIL THE POSTING OF THIS PHOTO... I SOMETIMES GET BIRDS IN PHOTOS, HAHA, AFFINITY FOR FEATHERED FRIENDS]
We hit the Bukidnon Road this week and heated Abbie's wheels (mom's birthday car--a white Avanza), her first long trip loaded us:
Some deets:
Dvo-CDO (6hrs): We spoke at the Summit that Ptr Nove setup for his network, Monday night-Tue morning; CDO-Malaybalay (2hrs), another speaking engagement with the Four Square Leaders (one of the features I love about the G12 Vision, it unites the Body of Christ! *wink*), their 50th Year, Tue night-Wed afternoon; Malaybalay-Valencia City (45min)---@LPZ, Cell Leaders' Summit. Thu AM: headed home. wheeeew!
Dvo-CDO (6hrs): We spoke at the Summit that Ptr Nove setup for his network, Monday night-Tue morning; CDO-Malaybalay (2hrs), another speaking engagement with the Four Square Leaders (one of the features I love about the G12 Vision, it unites the Body of Christ! *wink*), their 50th Year, Tue night-Wed afternoon; Malaybalay-Valencia City (45min)---@LPZ, Cell Leaders' Summit. Thu AM: headed home. wheeeew!
*Bukidnon so cold, food so healthy! Wee! Val-Dvo (4hrs)---BCC finally!
It was quite a trip. Papaps, on the wheels the whole time. Mamams, beaning (to keep our driver and boss--haha--awake). I managed to let the hours pass with a lot of singing-along and talking to God (sweetest part!)--not much sleep this time. I was visited with a lot of thoughts--God's faithfulness to our family, the ministry, my parents, me, the relatives, news, years ahead, friends... oh how they come in beautiful random causing me to well up--unusually. I grabbed my Supergirl shirt and covered my face--kunwari, tulog! I couldn't stop. Things are weighty and altogether light. Even in the silence of my guests, sweet tears graced my weariness and my Joy, my questions and my Answer, my confusion and my Assurance, my fears and my Faith, my hopes and my Love---unifying them at one time.
Haaaay.
I was told women cry for many reasons, and for no reason at all. When does one become a woman? Is it at twenty-seven, or when she learns to cry?
Okay, mejo hanging na blog---ganyan siguro kapag pagod. na-strengthen naman, after posting! weee! Alabyu Blogger.com! ooops, tool ka lang noh! THANK YOU LORD, for in the play of emotions, I FIND YOU. =)
Losing My Opacity
At the height of the mushroom rise of social networking sites, our age slowly loses its balance in relating with people. Scratch that. Perhaps only mine--my careful act of evenness. And to this, I fail. Four years back, I was surrounded with thoughtful students who would carry my educate-the-young (haha) paraphernalia, tug most of my time to have chickahan with them--and we just couldn't have enough--they created me a Friendster account--to that extent--they're totally sweet! I wasn't that interested with online networking then. I wasn't even ready to completely consent my name that I have to hide it with a kunwari-brilliant cover. Waaaah. It took me around four months of their begging to put a face on that precious site. It became friendlier and I became at home. I enjoyed how simple "hi's" and CSS graphics made others feel remembered; and how replies communicate value. To some degree, I get updated at how my students were fairing, how my girls at church were behaving and how my relatives were doing. People act and say things differently in person and online--Which one is real?--I dunno. Perhaps somewhere in between. For all its comely reasons, the site became a darling vessel of some of my thoughts, friends and memory stills--KoK!
Now a Facebook regular and a Twitter neophyte (No, I don't have a MySpace account--or I did open an account for the family, and Reload I think... and Multiply--for Reload, still)--I get reunited with old friends and start creating new ones. More than connections, the [free] *yay!* social sites became home to my responsive thoughts. Hmm... thoughts... YM and Blogger became comfy hubs for me, too. I dunno about you, but all these sites help me let out my wordy and wordless concerns. Not only that, on days I quiet my keyboard, my eyes busy themselves filtering in refined, rich and stagy thoughts from friends and strangers alike. A secret musing: I am amenably growing at their costly posts.
How could I not return the favor.
Unafraid, I let my thoughts slide, but there's still much held to keep my opacity--but I don't care if I slowly lose it as long as it has created beautiful etches of help and enlightenment--minus it, I'd look better as Ms. Woody. Every line drop, a revealing icon posted or dots of silence all compel my transparency--the need to be glassy. For how I wish I could always spill the beans! Information overload kaya? U won't need and won't be interested in them anyway. Let's just all go natural--never papansin. Sigh, some things are meant to be held concealed for a time. So, ladies and gents, girls and boys, I hope that right at this level of transparency we can all keep ourselves healthy and sane.
*wanna-speak-to-your-life,ready-to-be-touched-too* mode
Magpaka-Eagle
Six AM at the Davao International Airport is scenic. Last Saturday, I was ready for boarding the Dvo-Zam flight when I finally-finally-finally realized, it was my first plane trip alone. Haaay... Magpaka-eagle ka, Rej.
Ptr. Elizabeth Inclan of Jesus Christ the Deliverer church in Zamboanga City booked me for their 10th Anniversary Celebration and Youth Reload (premiere). I had a grand time meeting new friends--who turned to be a new family! The couples who treated me with meals and rides were warm and lovely. Sana dumami ang lahi nila! And now, I miss them all.
I especially miss...
=> Ela--who accompanied me at Grand Astoria for two nights; On the first night, we gabbed waiting for midnight--it was going to be her birthday the next day--nagkaalaman!
=> Tita Letty--I'd sure visit your friend here in Davao! Thank you for touring me at the Paseo and the Regency. sooo nice!
=> Kuya Rading and wife, Ate Letty--Your testimony still grips me now. You are a great blessing. You were my parents Saturday night! You should come visit, Davao!
=> One-month old Emerald Overdeen Isaiah Inclan--my new godson! See you soon, pastor! (he smiles when I call him pastor!) =D
=> John Kelly & Kizha Almazan--I am soooo changed. Prayers & hugs are out to you guys! Faith is----. Grace is----. Yeah, you leave me blank! (SEE NOTE BELOW IF YOU WANT THE SPIEL)
=> All those I prayed for--You gave me an opportunity to minister in another level (thank You Holy Spirit); I thought I could only do well with young people ("Pastor" sounds good to the ear, too! And it made me say--Yeah, that's who I am!).
=> Ptr. Beth and family---I miss your chabacano accent! Thank you--thank you--thank you! (Bogota seemed so near!)
=> Mighty To Save---in spanish! woooh, i so love it! Bem, Lai and I were memorizing it since last year! I finally got to sing it in corporate worship! weee! =D
=> Mighty To Save---in spanish! woooh, i so love it! Bem, Lai and I were memorizing it since last year! I finally got to sing it in corporate worship! weee! =D
=> the Mt. Apo sight @7:37am--the great Mt. Apo and the six baby mountains with it (along with the Bukidnon hills) keep us from typhoons, you are gorgeous, Ms. Mountain. Now I know what you so eagerly expect there--that in me will be a revealed daughter of God! (Rom8:19)...woooh... The sight was short-lived, but you left me fuller.
Now I am home--with a new me! (missed fam and the eagurlz during the whole trip, your text messages helped me survive--naks!)
THE JOHN KELLY STORYJohn is four years old. Tumors began to grow in his eyes--September last year.
Unlike other four-year olds who toy around, his puny eyes confined him in the hospital for months. There, he and his family met the Lord. The malignant tumors grew out from his eyes and inside his head. The Enemy was clearly harassing the boy. However, out of it came a very young intercessor--Kizha, his cousin. Kizha prayed for John every day and would even cry out to the Lord in behalf of him.
The family was told that John's case was impossible. John wouldn't survive an operation. It'll damage his eyes and brain. But the daily (yes, daily!) communion (bread and wine ceremony) build the hope in them--and on Christ. Claiming Isaiah 53:5, they were more hopeful then that John's life would be spared for a greater cause.
The right eye was healed, but the left kept growing. John's case interested one doctor from Davao. He said, an operation would be possible--except that John would totally lose his vision. The family went for it--and now, John is ever better than months ago. Although, he lost his sight, he has Jesus in his heart now (and in his parents').
At the anniversary celebration, John sang the old song--
He paid the debt He did not owe
I owed a debt I could not pay
I needed someone to wash my sins away
And now I sing a brand new song
Amazing Grace!
Christ Jesus paid the debt
that I could never pay!
...
(bawling)
...
Kizha had her turn, she sang--
God will make a way where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way!
...
...
The Lord's hand is still active. Our God is alive. He works works in ways that never cease to amaze me.
Blogging The Day I Have To Blog About
okay, spare me a fraction of your day to reminisce the moments of one day I can really call a day :p
[22 AUGUST 2009]
EARLY EAGLE, CATCHES EARLY MONKEY
I took my usually early devotional a little oversoon that Saturday. (There's something about early, I tell you! No, not just about the monkey! :p). It's the first waking morning since our parents left for Cebu for a Marriage Family Life Conference and at the same time, wedding anniversary trip (their 28th! I mean, the anniversary, not the trip. ahaha!). It's gonna be a long day I thought--my typical Saturday!
Manang Honorata's knock broke the day's starchiness. She's always early, I thought it was Sunday already. She looked haggard. Her son (her kindest, according to her) died that daybreak. He was shot with seven cruel bullets at eleven in the evening, Friday. Manang was hysterical. She exclaimed praise and remorse alternatingly. I was battling hard how to feel with her during that most bitter time. I failed. I looked at Bem who shared the breakfast table with me. We were speechless. We hoped our parents were there that morning. They're experts of comforting the bereaved. Still lacking the best comforting gesture I could make, I held out my arms and embraced Manang (it will be awkward if Bem did it ;). I was already crying. It's so hard to watch a lamenting mother. Sigh.
I called mamams. She instructed us of the protocols (sorry for the very serious term--death is a serious matter anyway) which ended with--Take charge of the whole church while we're away, okay? You guys can make it. Hmm... after the challenging words, I whispered to God, Seems [hard], but here I [am]--ever willing--use me. 9:00 am.
THE THREE ARE ONE
It was supposed to be a festive day in Davao (Kadayawan Celebration), but Bem, Lai and I were just lounging around our small sala. Our old bamboo set had been home to our thoughts since 1991. Hehe. So, we exchanged news--not much of the world around us, but the domains we so happily guard. Wow, I found big worlds I wish I could explore more often. We crafted big dreams. Pure aspirations--genuine desires that God in His sovereignty, would use us wherever, whenever. Funny, but we were touching on the course of marriage. I didn't know that Lalai really wanted me married already--it's her third asking this month. Ngorkz. But it was Bem who, without reservation(s), said that he thinks he is [ready]. woooh!
Oist. Your reactions don't matter for now. And why I am spilling it here? Wala lang, nakilig lang ko sa akong manghud! Ahahaha... Who knows? My beautiful and blessed sister-in-law-to-be could be reading now! *louder laughs*
Those precious two hours, weren't a waste. Those were investments I believe.
11:00 am
And so we decided to do some kickin' in the city. We didn't really know what we want to do then except, [bond]. Did I say, "bond"? Yeah, just anything we could glue on.
We drove to SM (after we decided to skip the bone screening I should have gone to. We didn't see Corie who urged us to visit the free clinic. Tsk, I needed that one!). The mall was packed. We had lunch and then set off to claim Lalai's SM Advantage card. While she was queuing, I saw [someone]--I really knew from the past. (naks! parang kung sino na noh?). Let's equate past with some days short to a month. My heart skipped. This lady in a halter top was the one I saw last July 30 at the G12 Summit in Matina. I can't be mistaken. It's her!
SINO BA SIYA SA BUHAY KO
That lady pretended to be a leader-member of the church venue we assembled at for the Summit. We were both charging our gadgets at the media booth. We naturally conversed (with Papa, actually!) over mp3's and sermons. Weng came to me to say bye--she's off to her 3/11 shift. It took us a couple of minutes when I turned back to the lady--she's gone. With Papa's iTouch. :( I asked the guy at the media booth where's her aunt (the lady)... He said he doesn't have an aunt there. But the lady told me he's her nephew! (Tugudugdog) I'm being clipped? I looked for her among the crowd... hastened downstairs, thinking she hasn't strided far--CLEAR--uh-oh! Haaay, my heart beat so fast. I was beguiled that easy? Grr.
12:45 PM ca.
SOMEWHERE DOWN THE SM-HALL
Bem and I decided to follow the lady. I think she saw me trailing (Perhaps she remembered me, too). I asked Bem to follow her closely while I remained distant. She entered the Lito Sy Studio and delayed there for a few minutes. She went up the next floor and Bem lost her there. I staired the other side and got her! (cheer me on!)... Promise, I was in-tongues the whole time... I still don't know exactly what to say... I knew I'd see her again--but would it really be this time? Will she admit? No, she'll deny most likely. Gaining more courage now, I approached her. I introduced myself (can't help being polite! naks! waaaaah!). I told her we met at the summit, she pretended to share files, that she told me her name's Joy, she's a leader at the church, her nephew's the media man--blah-blah-blah. I got an oh-yeah! You! I was about to return your Papa's iTouch. It's at home. If you want to come with me, I'll give your gadget. I didn't take it. It was may nephew who took it. I actually asked him to return it. I'm not that kind of a woman. I am decent. I have a decent job. Let's arrange this. Let's not make a scandal here.
Woooh... Too many things said in a 32 seconds! I wasn't making a scandal... And she was the one raising her voice... I wasn't actually planning to get the iTouch. Our family was already settled with the loss. Anyway, so she wanted to return it... we decided to go with her to her house--in Buhangin! Good, just near our place! She trembled--she immediately said, we have to drop by her work place (Apo View Hotel) to get her keys--she left at her locker. Wherever. Whatever. (heehee)
She hasted to leave SM. Bem had to pick Lalai from the SM Card counter (she didn't know yet what was happening). When the lady thought we lost Bem, she pulled me. I insisted that we wait for my siblings. She was insisting, too that she'd be late for work. (note: late? may duty pala xa? what time kaya? that was around lunch time... and why was she inviting us to go to her house after dropping by the hotel? hm...)
JUNIOR POLICE
We already neared the exits, we lost Bem and Lai, the two lost sight of us, too. Where is she taking me? The lady said we had to see her cousin who was with her at the mall, daw. My doubts rushed up in heaps. I stopped her. I said, we had to go back to where we left my sibs. She dragged me to her way. This isn't right, I thought to myself. This lady can't do things her way. I went against her yanking and culled her back the department store. I told her, You follow us. Let's do this our way. You understand? (Kunwari, I was strong--and I was preaching to myself: You have to be strong!) She said we should trust her. She's really going to return the item. If we want, she'd surrender her phones to us until she returns the iTouch. Hmm, baka mabaliktad ang story... We wanted her ID's instead. She didn't carry any. It's in her locker, daw. (haha, we were playing police!)
On our way to the hotel, we tried to capture photos of her. All three of us were silently and simultaneously thinking that this lady is trying to getaway. And just in case she does so, at least we'll have a picture of her. Ang ingay niya sa loob ng car. We were silent. We were in a bevy of prayers. Lord, wisdom. What's the best and right thing to do now? And we can't discuss. Haaay. We were discussing in the spirit with the Holy Spirit. Pa'no ba naman kasi, puro kami first timers!
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!
At the hotel, she wanted me to accompany her--only me. But Lalai followed us (good, Lai). We went to the coffee shop where she claimed to be working. She tried to make us sit down while she goes to her supposed locker. We still followed her. She immediately entered the crew room past the shocked lady manager. We asked her (the manager) if she was really working there, she said no. We had to appeal to her and the crew to trail the lady down. We told them that she stole an item from us. Lalai followed them. I went back to the entrance to ask for help. The hotel closed all the doorways. Lai and the security ran after her through the kitchen and the laundry departments. She checked the basement, the gym and even opened the ballroom (with the doctors in conference)--oops! The chasing went for minutes. They were asking me how the lady looked like. We tried to show them photos--blurry side photos and clear backviews lang pala nakuha namin---waaah!
We lost her.
FAVOR IN DISGUISE
The traffic was jammed. It was a city holiday. Bem took a while to park the van. And when he did so, he headed to the hotel. But she saw someone coming out from the alley beside the hotel lot. The lady! Saan ang mga ate ko? The lady saw him. She ran back. She tried to enter the Casino building. Knowing that Bem was pursuing her, she asked the guards to stop Bem. And the sentry did so. Si Bem na ngayon ang salarin! Bem explained. But it took time. Haaay. One good thing is that when the lady tried to exit from the Casino, the hotel's security apprehended her there! Weee! :D
2:00 PM ca.
PUZZLE COMPLETED
She was brought to the hotel's crew lounge. Everyone was there--the admin, the owners, the staff, the security, the lady and us. In a moment's time, the police was there. She was investigated. There were two other theft incidents at the hotel in the last two months, and close to their inferences, it was her. The hotel had been her getaway berth when she does her MO's. We went to the nearest police station. Wooh, for the first time, we rode on a police patrol! Pangdamay nga babae! Haha. Super naulaw gyud si Lalai.
THE COST OF REDEMPTION
We settled everything at the station. The lady was begging us. She returned the pawn paper--whaat??? Yes, the item is at the pawnshop already--lukatable at Php 6K. "Who's going to pay for this?" I inquiringly exclaimed. Alangan naman ako? the officer said. Haha. Bem was silent. He was staring at the ceiling and said--Redemption. Jesus paid the full price, ate, just to redeem us.
The Anti-Fencing Law not applicable this time, we laid the plush amount. The iTouch, when I held it, it's [dearer] now.
THREESOME
So much for the James Bond spirit--chasing criminals--it's time to retire now. When we decided to leave the station (we didn't file a case but a scenario was recorded), we left the detained lady (we were merciful at that... hehe), but we brought with us precious lessons of redemption, mercy and discernment. While on our way home, we were still thinking about the lady--how she urged us and the police to let her go. (She even offered one officer herself, just to let her go--pitiful lady!). Time flat, the van was filled with praises. We interceded for salvation of the hotel people, police and the lady.
We really did bond.
4:00 PM ca.
KADAYAWAN
We called Papa and Mama. We wanted to let them know that we're safe and had a fun festival. We wanted to break the news, but the story-telling would be limited... Mas enjoy yung may action-action and sound effects! haha! Haaay, Kadayawan!
Madayaw--richness; abundance. Truly, the Lord has inexhaustible ways of illustrating His extravagant love and rich ways to His people. He wants to express them in forms unforgettable. Let's be ready for days like this--fun, expensive and deep--I guess there's a lot ahead.
:x
notes:
Went home--caught up with the eagurlz's prayer time;
worship team practice;
and wake service.
11:00 PM
That's a day I call a day.
NOT BECAUSE OF THE MANY THINGS THAT HAPPENED
BUT BECAUSE OF THE MANY LESSONS LEARNED. =)
CONSOLIDATION makes a rhythm...
consolidation now begins!
Lunch blast last Sunday--buttered chicken... (tinitipid na) rice... Coke sakto... the favorite mango float (thx to Blexii)... and of course--my girls who completed the festive time! Everyone was so excited to share their praise reports. I actually told AJ on our way to Amorens (ang suking tindahan)--freeze your excitement 'til we get there... and let everyone share your joy! When we got to the place, everyone was mama-ing... my eleven twelve (Weng had her 7/3 duty). Banquetting over a simple meal, I was actually consolidating and hitching their weekly scoops. In this very berth, I relish every moment with my already grown, all-ready, and all-in girls. Consolidation doesn't end. Food is powerful. haha.
I was telling them of Val's experience on winning and consolidation. Last June, Val handed Joshua and his guy friends a 4D-ticket at G-mall. Not very cogent I know, because we usually hand flyers, tickets and sometimes calamansi juice at campuses. But this time, Val was happily shocked at Joshua's cloud-nine felicity--Yey!!! Finally I am invited to Reload... I have heard this before and was actually waiting to be invited. Thank You Lord!!! ---------Wow? and more wows at Val's perfect consolidation combo--prayer and gleeful (imagine his trademark grin) kamustahan that I get to sit beside them at the G12 Summit. Patakod beh...
Mimay, too, showed-off her consolidation stint yesterday. She boldly walked to Ivan's invite (Angelie), got the story and a conso-date this week. Yeah I know you want to hear the spiel, so here it is (as if mahaba): Angelie was actually waiting at People's Park--not for a date--but in a lucid hope that somebody would come to share the good news. She would go there just for that reason. Ibang klase! That Saturday, she waited... and tarried some more. She texted her cousin why someone [from above] wasn't showing up. 'Just linger, someone would surely come, maraming nagsh-share diyan...' was the reply. (You now get that there's a change of city buzz--woooooh!!!) God didn't fail her. Moments after, she got what she was there for.
The field is white. Doubtlessly.
It's winning time and some more.
Oh, you know what [some more] is =).
tubaga daw beh...
crack
nagaraya-mode :p (natubag pud...)
How are you?
(salamat buen jr. at careful ka sa tanong mo.
napahinto ako dun ah.)
hm, if you (me)heard the words you need to hear,
life has never been better.
How long do you intend to minister?
like, until Jesus comes back?
How do you feel about yourself?
kaka-opera. oucharap.
Is there something unhealthy with you today?
even a hint of paranoia is poisonous.
Why do you say the words you say?
sometimes i forget about the why.
carelessness in careful thoughts,
words wade through without the why.
[sorry].
Lacking good words to speak?
minsan.
tahimik nalang dapat, ano?
women daw are like this.
the more we speak, the more things get wrong.
the more we correct the wrong,
the worst it gets.
deliverance :p
Why do you do what you do?
kung di dahil sau Lord...
bawas nalang dun sa maraming kapalpakan lately.
pa-second-chance...
What does the Lord have to say about you?
nu nga kaya...
Why do you think your dreams are unreachable?
uy, kala ko reachable not until now...
haaay, wrong self-image--you stung. tsk.
im picking myself up.
Why do you think lesser than your dream?
malaking exposure ito!
Ptr Zhaleen: God doesn't give us dreams that are unreachable.
Why do you let yourself hinder your destiny?
will now resign from the blocking-mode.
Why do you let others challenge your perception about you?
i-ti-turn-off na po ang volume.
no longer challenged, just changed (and be changing).
Why do you hide?
huh, hiding is demonic?
Are you at the right place?
most probably.
Are you with the right crowd?
i love my crowd right now...
a few more changes
and things will be more purposeful.
Why do you take time to believe me?
bakit nga ba Lord?
help me not to waiver in the right amount of self-faith
because You first believe in me and in the things I can do;
then You chose me.
Aah.
Watta Driver.
Whose hands touched you first?
Psalm139.
Excited mode na po talaga to see you.
Beautiful hands that
created me out of dustnothing.
What did you conquer yesterday?
stress. shame.
What will you conquer today?
food.
Why are you answering these questions?
nagbabaka-sakaling matantanan kayong mga dumadaa't tumatakbo sa mahiwagang kalsada ko... kayo'y dumaan--maingay man at nagtatagal kung minsan, ako nama'y natulungan...
Haaaay, Learning Highway.
If we died with him,
we will also live with him;
If we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
If we are faithless,
he will remain faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.
2Tim2:11-13
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