Wired for Grace

Ave Maria :-)

With each passing year...as we keep attending the services during Holy Week, the more we learn and become immersed in the richness of our faith...every ritual building to the climax that is Easter Sunday. Last night we attended the Easter Vigil -- a long service indeed .. 

Don't be surprised but during the service we have whooops:  nine readings!! seven Old Testament and two New Testament, are provided. Not all are required to be read due to time constraints, but at least three Old Testament readings must be read, including Exodus 14. These readings help us meditate on the wonderful works of God for his people since the beginning of time.

The dramatic Saturday Easter vigil liturgy that marks the beginning of Easter. We are awaiting our master's return with our lamps full and burning, so that he will find us awake and seat us at his table (cf. Luke 12:35ff). At Our Lady of Mt. Carmel , parishioners started arriving as early as 6pm ....tho' the vigil would start at 8pm yet... that way people hoped to get a good seat inside the church.

But it doesn't guarantee you a front-row seat really because the doors of the church are closed until 8 pm... all lights closed... and the Light slowly fills the church as the priest leads the entrance . It's so beautiful!

We Catholics should try our best to attend this beautiful service. The vigil is divided into four parts: 1) service of light, 2) liturgy of the Word, 3) liturgy of Baptism, and 4) liturgy of the Eucharist.

I'll be attaching the link for the Sat. Service of Light  hoping somehow you'll get a feel of its splendour.

How is it that we can take so many things in life for granted? It's such a mystery isn;t it almost on a daily basis , it happens to each one of us.

For Catholics, we fail to drink from the living waters offered by Mother Church mainly because we are too lazy to even ask...what will happen? what are the services ofered by our church..what must I attend? And how can I help? How do I participate?

If we moved even one tiny inch forward..that tiny INCH would open the doors to a whole new world for us..a world where the Light of Christ shines brightly, undiminished by the terrors of this world, shining , shedding  light into all the nooks and cranies of our human existence... so powerful is this Light of Jesus that even when we try to hide the evils that beset us... these evils are fully exposed.... the light leading us to take stock of things - to face it head-on, to not dilly-dally  -- because we've been doing that for the longest time and it has gotten us nowhere... we truthfully consider our current status, the good and the bad we have done ... the pages in the storybook we ourselves have written.... even as we try to resist this Easter Light reveals the strengths and frailties of our heart --so naked before this divine light.

At today's Sunday Easter mass .the faithful had a good laugh.... perhaps we laughed at ourselves? As Fr. Ferdie repeated typical answers to this annual question:

      ......... But where will you be this Holy Week? (Fr. Ferdie teased the Pinoys for having a penchant to repeat /mouth words  or phrases yet not really understanding its meaning... his example for this case was , you guessed it , the term HOLY WEEK)

Answers can vary but we can zoom in on a few: "Oh I'll be in Hongkong , kids haven't seen Disneyland there.... we might return to Boracay but if it's too crowded Palawan will do...

I'll be going to our province...vacation you know."

Dear brothers and sisters, the good priest gently reminds us that the week is called Holy Week.... not Tour week.. not Rest and Recreation week but quite simply Holy Week.

Whether we are in some paradise far away from the hustle bustle of Manila or remain at home.... the challenge is how to keep the week holy. How to remember, to reflect on... to be repentant of all the ways we have strayed away from the God Who loves us and found a way to save us from our sins.

So I could probably lock myself up in the four corners of my room...  paint grey ashes on my face... or go and be madly involved in all activities of the church, be in a workaholic frenzy ... dipping my fingers into everything and anything - become busy as a bee... not delegating work..but doing it all, heaving, panting making sure everyone realizes how tired/fatigued I am by all the services rendered ... thinking this is probably the holiest way I can live the said week --- yet you and I both know that----- THAT isn't quite IT.

That  the point of it all ... is how we will be able to show a deeper appreciation of the love and sacrifice the Son of God has offered for us... thanking Jesus, surrendering our life to Him... allowing Jesus to transform our hearts  so that we might live.... truly live for Him, by Him , in Him .  AMEN.

I am trying hard to understand this myself. There is no way it will be easy.. but it does pay off in peace, love and a joyful purpose in life.  We can't help comparing the gospel and Christ to a thousand other things , to other allures... to other  beings that say they offer life, love,pleasure and fulfillment.... and many times we prefer the Trial and Error way, earning a lot of hard knocks... who doesn't get hurt.... sooner or later , our soul finds its way to the path that leads to righteousness.... we were after all not wired or created by GOD to do evil, nor to prefer evil or emptiness...WE WERE WIRED FOR GRACE, FOR LOVE...FOR HOLINESS...betcha by golly wow.

The season , this Easter season is not without its perks.... but just like the traveler who wants to enjoy discounted fare and make it asap to his destination, we have to travel Lite.

We must get rid of the excess luggage , that being all our sins, disobedience and worldliness..our pride, unforgiveness and vanities ... our arrogance that grows by the minute, so frightening really...

Where or where did we ever get the idea We could be greater than God, or could live without GOD?

When the light shines on us.... what shall we do? 

HAPPY HAPPY EASTER ...Trust the Light ...follow the Light Who is Christ Jesus. God bless you..... te mye   http://youtu.be/iFe1kTNZ3fE

   SERVICE OF LIGHT

Mass of Holy Oils

Ave Maria:-) 

Ola dear brothers and sisters... it is Holy Thursday of the most blessed week of all...Holy Week - a week special for Christians all over the world. A week devoted to remembering with love, with deep gratitude, a sincerely repentant heart and with much awe... God the Father's marvelous plan in redeeming mankind by sending us His Beloved Son Jesus Christ , born of Mary... rasied by Mary and foster father Joseph the carpenter..

 It the week of all weeks..the week that defines mankind's destiny... a week that reminds us of our purpose in life... the week that shatters any remaining evil stronghold of satan on man and on all of creation. Glory to God in the highest!

Here's trivia that might interest you... every Holy Thursday...Catholic priests renew their priestly vows in the Mass of the Holy Oils or Chrism Mass:

Here is an exerpt from Pope Benedict's homily during Chrism Mass 2009:

that we may a deeper understanding of the priestly vocation ... our priests have been under so much cruel scrutiny..yet we forget what a great sacrifice and challenge it is to beling to Christ and Christ alone, and so Pope Benedict explains:

To consecrate something or someone means, therefore, to give that thing or person to God as his property, to take it out of the context of what is ours and to insert it in his milieu, so that it no longer belongs to our affairs, but is totally of God. Consecration is thus a taking away from the world and a giving over to the living God. The thing or person no longer belongs to us, or even to itself, but is immersed in God. Such a giving up of something in order to give it over to God, we also call a sacrifice: this thing will no longer be my property, but his property. In the Old Testament, the giving over of a person to God, his "sanctification", is identified with priestly ordination, and this also defines the essence of the priesthood: it is a transfer of ownership, a being taken out of the world and given to God. We can now see the two directions which belong to the process of sanctification-consecration. It is a departure from the milieux of worldly life – a "being set apart" for God. 

It doesn't mean that the priest becomes segregated rather rather ope Benedict explains : Rather, being given over to God means being charged to represent others. The priest is removed from worldly bonds and given over to God, and precisely in this way, starting with God, he is available for others, for everyone. 

Isn't that staggering ...? that is how much Jesus loves us by creating the priesthood of which He is First and Foremost the High Priest, the example of all priests.Hence rather than go gung-ho balistic on all the misdemeanors of priests , let us pray and offer sacrifices for them... have holy fellowship with them..help them become good priests. We need them..the world needs them. They are the ones consecrated to minister the sacraments , all seven of them which is Christ's way of giving us the graces , feeding , strengthening that we need.Without priests no one will minister the sacraments.. above all, no one can celebrate Holy Mass..there would be no Holy Eucharist, the Bread of Life by which Jesus makes Himself available that we might feed on His body and BLood and be so nourished.

there is a reason for having a preist to shepherd God's people , as there is a divine reason for having a pope to unite the universal church.

during this mass, the oil is also blessed....  I so love this information:

  A mixture of oil of olives and balsam, blessed by a bishop in a special manner and used in the administration of certain sacraments and in the performance of certain ecclesiastical functions. Thatchrism may serve as valid matter for the Sacrament of Confirmation it must consist of pure oil of olives, and it must be blessed by a bishop, or at least by a priest delegated by the Holy See. These two conditions are certainly necessary for validity; moreover it is probable that there should be an admixture of balsam, and that the blessing of the chrism should be special, in the sense that it ought to be different from that which is given to the oil of the sick or the oil of catechumens. (Cf. Lehmkuhl, Cas. Cons. II, n.102.) If either of the last two conditions is wanting the sacrament will be doubtfully valid. To deal with the subject in a sufficiently exhaustive manner, it will be enough to touch upon

1. the origin and antiquity of chrism;
2. its constituent nature;
3. its blessing; and
4. its use and symbolical significance.

this then becomes the oil used for healing during the sacrament of the Sick and other purposes of the church. 

this Holy Thursday , let us join the faithful in seeking our Lord... at the mass later will be the Washing of the Feet... Jesus washing the apostles' feet... His example of what He came to do.. to serve and not to be served....our Lord the Epitome of humility and charity.Thank you Jesus.

Have to go.... have a memorable Holy Week..be blest......and let's pray for each other....te mye

Worst Nightmare

Ave Maria:-)

What is the one thing that even the most powerful ,strongest , richest man on earth would  not want to happen or to experience?

BETRAYAL...!!

 and especialy when it is a loved one, someone you share your treasured secrets with.. or someone you mentored, molded , helped grow and develop his gifts , talents.... someone who you might consider as a friend or even as a brother/sister. SOMEONE WE TRUST....

 It follows that when we have no "connection" with an individual who betrays us, we'd have a tamer reaction...

sure we would still be distressed , we'd be on our toes for "damage control" ... but our inner heart is not penetrated ...

 If this was a battle , we wouldn't be wounded deeply...and we'd recover fast.

BUT WHEN IT'S SOMEONE WE LOVED AND TRUSTED WHO BETRAYS US... THE KNIFE CUTS DEEP and the wound could take years to heal... if left untended.

Perhaps many of can relate to this..as we have experienced  betrayals but in different 

degrees... each one under different set of circumstances -- 

who can we turn to ... to help us survive the pain...? to learn how to cope.. most of all... to know how to relate again with people..whether it be the very persons who have hurt us or with others --- and yes... how often have we come across the terms man-hater, woman-hater...?? for those who've been betrayed by their loved ones?

Don't look now but but today's gospel eerily echoes our own real-life experiences... because it's Jesus Himself baring His heart... knowing that soon.. oh so soon one of his disciples would betray Him and pave the way for his cruel death.

Jesus in this gospel reading was bonding with his friends -- yes bonding that's such a current word in Manila ..

they sharing a meal ..There is something about a meal that breaks all defenses, and all our true colors are bared... So it was just them... Jesus and the apostles .... no crowds.. no strangers...

no enemies..well none that were recognizable hehe.... 

I mean how close can you get when you're with the same men almost everyday... training them , teaching them not ordinary lessons but divine lessons! 

Being not just their Master but a Brother to them... we think we share the most fantastic experiences with our loved ones... but I'm trying to imagine  what it would have been like to be actually there at the time Jesus walked the face of the earth ...hearing Jesus preach... counsel ... reach out to the poor and sick..heal the sick, even raise the dead back to life (Lazarus) ... not drowning in a scary storm but listening to Jesus command the winds to behave ! To have wonderful lengthy conversations with the Son of God... wow!

 To know that you were together , so very much a part of The Most Important Mission of All --> Jesus saving mankind, fulfilling His salvific mission...

I'm pretty sure theirs was not a bland relationship ...

Just think If we have fallen in love with our Lord from "afar" meaning , we were not even born in His time, we learn about Christ thru the bible , tradition , sharings and experience -- and yet amazingly we still Discover and Believe in Him, Accept Him as our Lord and Saviour - conversion happens...

 but how much would these men and women be affected --- They who actually saw Him, heard Him, walked and ate with Him -- you'd be made of granite not to be moved by Jesus ---- and Yet , yet...YET.... , YES it did Happen... many still betrayed Him ..foremost of whom was Judas. And to this day it still happens, how sad beyond words.

Did you and I mention going thru heartbreak ...? Well our heartbreak is nothing compared to how men in all of these centuries have broken the heart of Christ.

Did we suffer humiliation..rejection... lack of affirmation...cruelties...? We would have suffered more if Jesus did not suffer the greater part of those pains for us.

Jesus could give us a Masteral Class on what He had to endure for the love of us.

and the only reason you and I are still  standing, have survived all the jungles of our life is because inspite of betraying our Lord, He never, never Betrayed us... He loved us till He expired on the Cross ..He loved us when He rose Victoriously... and This Love will peak when He claims us , the faithful ones at the End of Time..at His Second Coming, thank YOu Jesus.   

Here is the gospel ..it's worth a closer, more sensitive reading ...makes you have a "peek" at this intimate moment --- where our Saviour had to endure one of his friends turn away from Him and set the stage for His death.

John13:21-30

Reclining at table with his disciples, Jesus was deeply troubled and testified,
“Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”The disciples looked at one another, at a loss as to whom he meant.
One of his disciples, the one whom Jesus loved,
was reclining at Jesus’ side.
So Simon Peter nodded to him to find out whom he meant.
He leaned back against Jesus’ chest and said to him,
“Master, who is it?”
Jesus answered,
“It is the one to whom I hand the morsel after I have dipped it.”So he dipped the morsel and took it and handed it to Judas,
son of Simon the Iscariot.
After Judas took the morsel, Satan entered him.So Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.”Now none of those reclining at table realized why he said this to him.
Some thought that since Judas kept the money bag, Jesus had told him,
“Buy what we need for the feast,”
or to give something to the poor.
So Judas took the morsel and left at once. And it was night.

this Holy Week let us offer to Jesus the wounds of betrayals we have suffered in our life..and confess as well to Him, beg His forgiveness for the times we have 

chosen the world, sin , satan , death instead of Him. 

Dear Jesus , heal us and teach us to truly forgive so that when we move on...we will not be afraid to open our hearts again to love and trust others...  Teach us to value Your love and friendship Lord. Amen. 

Truly Rich

Ave Maria:-)

If we talk, if we toil..if we dance ..if we slept...if we caroused and laughed till we cried what would it be for? Many times we do all of the above, and even more, the lifeaholics that we profess to be, we want it all..we brag that we've been thru it all ( BUT THE ALL IS A RELATIVE WORD ) ... and after trying everything a human being could possibly do...we wonder if there is still more - that we have not tried.... we wonder if we are truly happy? we look at our trophies, we count the money in the bank, or the lack of it hehehe.. we check our fairweather... and "all weather" friends, and grunt with satisfaction that we have our rah-rah cheering squad behind us -- to cheer and stand by us whether we did right or wrong,( talk about the need for affirmation, tsk,tsk ....)

           Somewhere along the way, we finally take a closer, more honest look into that image in the mirror each morning --- aha.... skin no longer as tight as it used to be, lines etched in pretty array on the forehead, some laugh lines too, thank God , our lines have different sources hahaha.... the hair dyes are useful until such time that we tire of having to dye our hair -- because D-U-H-H-H Matilda...we are getting old.

But what is it all for, the laughter , the tears, the labours, the victories, the trahedias???

For awhile... the pleasures that the world offers do satisfy us..but for a limited time , andnever reaching the core of our heart nor the soul.... Not all the good food, fancy lifestyle... traveling, success ... working non-stop..generally presenting one's self as busy YET NEVER Knowing if what we gave our time and energies to amount to anything worthwhile ...something enduring and noble. 

We avoid answering these questions, as they require answers that could make us face up to the truth. 

- Either our life makes sense or it is utter nonsense.

- either we have loved God and expressed this love by loving/serving others or we have spent our lifetime cultivating vanity. Vanity of vanities..ahh yes the holy book speaks about these things.

- either we lived our life , moving on to life eternal ... or we died a slow sure death, one when the sun never rises..where we will never see nor behold The Son of God nor enjoy eternity with Him.

From a most healing time with family in Bohol and Cebu ... I find the sudden death of our parish priest the sad news that confronts us upon our arrival in Manila.

This death all the more makes the time spent with family  more valuable.

this april, 2013 would have marked Fr. Manny Sarez's first year with us at Mt. Carmel. 

In so short a time, how he has turned our parish upside down in a positive way. He was simple, direct to the point, with others mistaking it for bluntness -- so simple , he shied away from fancy expenditures, endless fund-raisers ... unless the expenditure would be something that would be for evangelizing the people... or for having retreats/seminars to unite his parishioners ...  whenever it was an opportunity to proclaim the gospel of Christ, he would not blink an eye .... how exciting He truly valued formation.

 He would be content with simple adornments for the altar.. did not like extended programs where the limelight would be on him ... and he was no push-over. I could do cartwheels in jubilation just remembering that part.

Dilbert who never minces words..and who will never flatter anyone nor pretend to admire someone, was so taken by this priest..offering nothing but respect and admiration. 

Dilbert and many others listened intently whenever Fr. Manny gave his simple homily -- sometimes or initially , one might be distracted by his voice -- it was not deep and rich as a broadcaster ... but once you got over it...and just listened humbly you would be rewarded with clear-cut teaching/preaching. Hay ang sarap makinig sa kanya... so precise... like lean steak.Nakaka busog.

The Bohol trip's value was highlighted all the more because of Fr. Manny's passage. I realized that more than the partying, eating, sight-seeing -- twas the moments of togetherness that mattered more... sharing , reflecting on the Word and love of God... Acknowledging that whatever goodness we experienced and enjoyed was from the hand of God no less.

On our 1st day, Alice, Ted and Mona , plus me Josh and the Cebu contingent Tess, Mench, Venny and many others mustav been exhausted... we all lacked sleep... yet time was gold... there was a 6pm mass to catch, it was a great way to thank God for our birthday celebrant Ric-ric --- he who has battled liver ailment and come out a better person , deeper in his knowledge and faith in God. Alice and Mona wanted to attend this mass.

When prayer sets the tone ... there is a better flow of events.

God gives His blessing to the proceedings..his protection too.

Don't laugh but simply sharing a room with cousins for a night or two.. is worth all the plane fare, fatigue, stiff necks (poor Tess) and all ..... love is a mystery -- even if you haven't seen each other for ages .. you just pick up from where you left.

Alice and Mona feasted on meeting cousins, nephews , nieces... after the older ones had their videoke  stints..the young ones finally took over..and that too was a joy -- they formed an impromptu band , with Rafifi their instant Manager... Icee Jr. and Franco on guitar, Ambrose Josh, Virgil, Abigail taking turns at vocals, Jed on drums... Little Andrew commanded the beat box .... 

I dream of hearing them play music for the Lord, how powerful that would be.... may it happen soon. Offer your talents children to the One Who gave them to you, let us give glory to Him.

Whether it was time spent at Isidore and Helen's home...the Bahay Daku with Ric-ric and Tia Fe, Maila...or over at Tio Alex's lovely home.... or even at Cagting : there was this intangible peace and quiet joy.

No we did not have expensive tours ala Europe ... or fine dining ... but we probably would have shared a platito of peanuts and still laugh wholeheartedly. Joy is pure and free hallelujah.

I think it would be hard for us to gather and party and feast and forget about the Lord... we would not thoroughly enjoy ... something would be missing.

In the same maner that I cherished sleeping beside Tess, watched Mench take good care of her grandson who would occasionally make things difficult for his granny , sharing silly jokes with Ven or seeing Molly's smiling eyes or Maila's tear-streaked face  --Josh too , my son soon made his discovery of what extended family feels like ---- hahaha, he prefered to be with his    cousins..sleeping on the floor with Ambrose... taking in his uncles' teasing... just getting to know all the family..yes...how he soaked it all .... that was    priceless ...thank you Lord for making us realize how truly rich we all are...

rich in faith and in love.

It ain't the end of the chronicling ..you'll have to bear with me...God bless you all...love........................................ te mye

  

God Will Make a Way

Ave Maria :-)

This one is worth posting and sharing about... a few weeks ago - first cousin Sami excitedly broke the news that a elder sister  Alice and hubby Ted would be coming home to the Philippines, that they'd proceed to Ubay, home province of all Gaviola siblings - specifically Guingobatan (so sori forgot spelling) -- what's more ...Mona their sister who never leaves Metro Manila (hahaha) would be joining Alice... of course with Sami to be their Major Tour Guide... this started a flurry of FB chats/ invitations... Ric-ric , the youngest son of Tio Totoy and Tia Fe, now based in Sucat, Manila mentioned he'd be going home too -- to Ubay it being his birthday - everyone in the family is aware of what Rickitoy and family have been thru... Ric's bout with liver ailment - and his fantastic rebound - a healing both of mind, spirit, body and soul -- a healing that overflows to Maila and his children as well. This ailment has brought out the best in the family but especially the Sabalones branch who have openned their home and hearts to Ric-ric, wife and children-- a testament of love, and generosity... but that is another story

Sami posted at Facebook this homecoming and asked if cousins especially in nearby Cebu could join them? Sam could very well be In-house Ambassadress of Goodwill at the rate she is going  I did wonder if this could be a 'divine appointment' ..?? not just for me, Dilbert and Josh but for the family members who would be gathering.... What is Your plan, Lord?

The clincher came from Maritima Tess Rama, eldest daughter of Tio Bruno and Tia Eddie - 

" Maye, Maye .. pag-uli lagi aron ma bibo ta.... and we so we can have prayer time.. a family prayer meeting, etc..etc...  ".... then  a phone call from a very insistent Ric-ric who said he'd be hosting his memorable birthday party, etc.etc.....

again a flurry of FB chats, phone calls..and lotsa prayer.

Oh dear, I simply cannot resist the chance to see Tess and the girlfriend cousins.. or hear the Besas boys laughing, singing... the cousins teasing each other but with love... the experience of  Bohol too ... the Philippine provinces have their magic all their own -- the birds sing more sweetly, you can actually smell the freshness of the air , as tho' the air coming from the sea cleanses your lungs, the people so friendly  --- time slows down in Ubay -- and when you enter Cagting the family farm --- Time Virtually Stops ... and then GOD is so There 

'Was doing my math with accounting for the the trip and how much it would cost--- really hoped Dilbert or Josh could join me - as it's been years since they last went home.

In the end, Dil had to stay home ( aron mag bantay) and then by God's grace ... dear Rafael, yes our Don Rafael and Sam helped us for our airfare. Thank you and thank God for you.

this the family has to know and understand ... in yesteryears -- your Uncle Danny, Monsignour, Tia Remy were able to help so many nephews, nieces, relatives, strangers....

Now... is a sweet reversal of roles.... we are harvesting their goodness, and whatever it was they taught us - a seed permanently stored in our hearts... 

It's probably been 10 years that I do get the chance to visit Bohol or Cebu -- and always due to my cousins' tender help ... wahaha... threatening tears... too early, wag muna Ma. Victoria please...But really more than the cousins themselves... it is GOD whom I know is reaching out to me , to all of us to let us know HE LOVES US SO AND IS THERE FOR US JUST YOU WAIT AND SEE.

You never know if something will Happen Until It Happens --- and to make a long story short Josh and I find ourselves at Terminal 2 , with ALice, Ted, Mona, SAM 's sons:Franco and Martin -- later we find out Ambrose , Ric's son was also on the same flight but was too shy to approach us --- or maybe he could not figure out his Aunt Mona's eccentric poses for the cam...hahaha. We had different flight bookings, some cancellations and in the end GOD just put us in one cozy airplane. TADA! Man proposes, but God has the last say

At Tagbilaran airport, Jayjay Gemma's eldest son was there to pick us up -- ooops we wouldn't ...couldn't possibly all fit in his vehicle , so Josh and I joined Ambrose. Ambrose, poor boy couldn't tell us he didn't have a ride... hehehe, Josh and I had an adventure, went to 2 terminals in Tagbilaran , found a V-hire, rode with other passengers and Voila! we were in Ubay.

Ambrose naman waited for his Tito Bernard, and they arrived in time for the evening bday party.

I can't possibly write everything in one sitting but what we ( Tess, Menchie, Venny, Sam ) prayed hard for happened with God giving more than we expected.

to be sure when we visit family there will be food and merriment, perhaps sight-seeing.. lots of catching up --- but we are not sure when and how we can have time to pray and thank God for all His blessings.

We arrived March 13 - enjoyed Ric's birthday celebration - his brothers with wives/children : Nong Dodong, Bluebird,Isidore, Bernard, Raffy, Gani,Raffy ... Emy and Roel, Jaybon, Boting, Batchoy - the Cebu contingent Tess, Venny, Benjie, Mench with baby Jacob, Andy..

Alice, Ted Mona Franco and Mart stayed at Tio Alex's home --- 

Tess, Mench Venny and I  stayed at Isidore and Helen's home.

I know they join me in thanking you profusely Tio Alex, Isidore, Helen, Ric and Maila for the warm welcome ... not to be outdone in expressing their love and joy were all other cousins and nephews, nieces.... a big thank you to all!

Maila is a chef imported from heaven -- we kept teasing her that she is the only woman we know who cooks, has no sleep, runs a business and still looks like a million dollars...

Helen as always the workaholic she is.. religiously goes to their botica /pharmacy/store and joins us in the evening sessions... Sweet Helen.

We could no longer proceed to Tio Samson's island the ff. day.... we had to go first to Cagting.... This is where we attended a special mass for Tia Remy. What Sami and I experienced the last time we visited Bohol also hit Alice and Mona... the mass and priest's homily delivered simply yet so moved us.... holding a mass in such a quiet place, a farmer tenant and his children joining us -- we were few at Cagting - but even this was the Lord's doing so that Alice and Mona could savor Cagting and its beauty.

Alice asked if we could have a family prayer right after the mass.... and we did.... choosing the gospel of the The Prodigal Son for our reflection. I've shared with  many people about the Lord Jesus... but it is so special when I pray and share with family... 

Even if I will do the praying or teaching... it is a mutual giving and constant testimony of how God moves and inspires each and everyone of us, a reminder tha indeed we are all children of GOD thru His Son Jesus Christ.

Forgive me that this is so long....  March 14... after the Cagting visit, we ate lunch at Tio Alex's home naman.... oh the Visayan food, the raw fish, the seaweeds, the fruits... very healthy food with the best ever company - a meal made in heaven.

Tio Alex is the Last of the Male Gaviola Mohicans Let us cherish and respect him and all our elders for we cannot enjoy their company forever.

Bluebird and Boting and company were waiting at Bahay Daku for a final afternoon meeting - we still managed a short sharing session of the Four Basic Truths but Raffy had to leave na and Jaybon and Bluebird were hitching a ride with him to Tagbilaran.

After they left...Ric-ric said let's pray some more..this time not so rushed ...and oh my... this one had us in tears... there was time for prayer... and sharing and we all experienced God's healing love. We'd going to Cebu the following day but would tour Chocco hills and Loboc first before going to the port. 

Thank you Sam Raffy Tio Alex, Isidore Helen Ric-ric Maila, Nong Dodong ---lending us his pick-up truck last minute...Tio ALex and Ric lending their vehicles to transport us... in truth we would have to thank everybody becoz everyone contributed to the joy and love... hugging Boting ...hearing Jaybon sing and dance  to Ricky Martin songs ... watching little Andrew -- a little dynamo this son of Bernard..... we come home for the bonding ... the food, the sights... but most especially it is  being deeply aware of God's ever-present love for us all....  that's what makes the huge difference, Jesus in each one of us. 

Dear Raffy and Isidore your love gift went a long way : hahaha it paid for our gas to Chocco hills, the Loboc boat ride... the visit to the man-made forrest ... it paid for a Kentucky chicken meal for the young ones at Cebu when we had a youth prayer meeting. I will pray God makes you all richer by the minute aron you can sponsor more prayer sessions for the family hahaha lol.   

I know, i know ...'have to end for now..... 2014 is not far ahead... in fact it's too near Tess and the girlfriend cousins agreed we need to be on bended knees praying, storming heaven for this reunion.... and I pray you will all join us asking God to pave the way, for nothing is impossible with the Lord. Amen. God bless us all love....te mye