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