We Were Not Spared…

From God’s umbrella of protection and provision.

Philippines is in the hot news again. This time because of the raging recent typhoon that devastated the center of the country. “Ondoy” is now part of one of the most tragic event of the nation.

I wasn’t aware of this typhoon as I woke up that Saturday morning. I needed to move fast or else I will be late again in the GLC class. Rain has started to cover the roads. Before I left the house, I was able to utter a simple prayer for the Marilao women’s retreat. As I look at my schedule that day, going to that retreat is impossible.

After class, the rain even intensified. All I know is the weather that day was not one of my favorites. In the afternoon, as we are about to have our singles’ meeting, a chruchmate informed us that some who went to the Marilao retreat were stranded by flood. As for me, I didn’t take the news seriously, thinking that very soon water will subside.

During and after the meeting, the heavy downpour didn’t stop. We were supposed to have our dgroup when one of my friends received a text message from her mom informing her to go home early. Her parents were trapped at the NLEX. Another friend texted us that she cannot attend as her mom also advised her to go home instead. Yet another one informed us that she left her office at 2pm but transportation is impossible. We decided to have a minute of prayer instead of having dgroup discussion. And I went home immediately as the rain continued to rage and this time together with strong winds.

As I reached home, I thought of the people who were still on the road and silently shot a prayer for them. Hours passed until I heard my brothers talking that water is coming in to our place. I immediately prayed and asked God to spare us from flood. I also texted my friends to pray for us too. Now I fully understand that the situation is serious and critical.

When I woke up that morning, water is now in our garage. Thank God, it didn’t enter the first floor of our house. All throughout the day news about the tragic effect of typhoon were shown in the television, text messages and radio stations. I have friends and relatives who were stranded for more than 16 hours in their cars, some slept not at their homes, and others spent tireless hours just to reach their houses. As I watched and heard of the hopeless tragedy, I felt how God protected my family. We are all safe in our home. That Sunday we even celebrated the 2nd birthday of my nephew, Jumong. Our properties are secured. We have plenty of food supply. My eldest sister and I were talking during dinner and she said, “Ang sarap naman ng food natin, kahit baha ang dami nating pagkain.”

I also felt the love and concern of our closest friends. Calls and text messages from people who I do not regularly talk with, made their way to contact us just to know how we are and to extend their concern. Indeed, it is during these times that you will know people who really care. I am so thankful to my college friends, churchmates and colleagues who called and sent us text messages. My cousin who’s in the States was one of the very first to give us a ring (she was actually my alarm clock that Sunday morning, hehe). And most of all, I am grateful that God protected me and my whole family. It pays to be a “beloved princess”.

I wouldn’t mention the details of the worse scenarios that happened, everything is in the news and internet anyway. What I want to say is that, life is too short to be wasted. In just a blink of an eye, all can perish. Nothing is permanent here on earth. Even inside the house, it is not safe. The question that rings to my mind now is, “what will I be doing when my time comes?” I hope and pray that when God calls me, I am busy… obeying what He has commanded me.

Jam-Packed Week

Or should I say jam-packed weeks?

Do you experience doing so many things yet it seems like you’re not accomplishing anything? And the pile of to-do’s gets higher? That would be the description of my week. It started last month when my works were all important and urgent, so the less important and less urgent ones were left behind. And this week I was able to start doing those jobs. Guess what? It’s Friday now but it looks like I just completed one-fourth of it!

My sleep is also incomplete. I think it was only Monday night that I was able to have a decent (7-hour sleep is a decent one for me) sleep. This will be my routine maybe until Saturday. The work at the office and the activities in the ministry flooded me at the same time. Not that I’m complaining or grumbling, I’m just not prepared for it. Or a more proper way to say it is I did not prepare myself for it.

Well, this Saturday’s one-day retreat is keeping me excited. I know God has a good plan for it and I’m glad I could be part of it. I am a bit anxious though for the group we will be facilitating is composed of married women and probably beyond our age. Nevertheless, this is gonna be a different experience again. (By the way, I haven’t attended the facilitator’s training nor the review of materials. How in the world will I go through the breakout? – Panic!)

I made this entry hoping to keep my sanity…

Weekend Getaway

Define a great weekend. Being with your loved ones (family/friends/partners) in a blue-watered paradise, having fun, trying different activities, laughing together, posing at the cameras, chatting nonstop, eating good food – all at a very reasonable price.

For the very first time, our singles dgroup had an out of town vacation. We went to Puerto Galera in Mindoro. It was also my first time in Galera. We planned this trip months ago and thanks to the organizers, we were able to go.

We left Bulacan very early in the morning of Saturday and reached Galera at past 11am. The trip was good, all of us eleven were excited. Days before the trip, we invited some men to join us since we are all girls. SR, IC and Mic became our official bodyguards for the 2-day vacation. Guys, pwede ba ulit namin kayo kunin for the next outing? Hehehe.

Upon reaching the place, IC started to haggle with hotel price. We were able to get nice and inexpensive rooms. It’s not that hot but I still got the best mango-banana shake for the day. (Sorry guys, you tasted a different one the next day). After lunch, we prepared to go on snorkeling. We made some fishy conversations under water with our life-vests and snorkels on. And of course, posing for more water photos. On our way back, the waves started to make friends with us by vigorously shaking our boat! We were frightened at first but later on enjoyed the shaky ride. What I enjoyed most was our conversation during the trip. Jenna, I will always remember you when I see the waves because this is when you proclaimed your “threat” to all of us. Hahaha.

The finale activity for the day is super fun! My first time to ride a banana boat. I was anxious at the start for I really don’t know how it operates. Well actually, the boat looks more like a pencil rather than a banana (hahaha). A motor boat will pull the banana boat and it will twist the banana to turn 180 degrees (called as “drop”) at an unexpected time. The banana riders must let go of the string they’re holding to and fall freely to the water. We had four drops and each drop is a different experience. First drop, yeah it was a first time so it was really a surprise. Second drop, still a surprise but now you’ll be more careful not to drink more sea water. Third drop, yes still a surprise for you don’t know who will you fall on to. Last and final drop, is yet another surprise because you don’t know who will fall on you! And each time we fall, we need to go back to the banana boat – this was a real challenge to us and to the guides. The sun has started to set at the time we had this activity so it was not that burning hot. Banana boat ride is the best experience but the worst too. At one drop I just felt that the sea water is flowing directly to my esophagus! I learned that it’s not easy to ride back to the boat when there’s no one to help you. I got most of my “pasa” from it. Want to ride again? You bet, I will. Hahaha.

After dinner, we walked by the beach and posed again at the camera. There were some night shows but we were never that interested so the group decided to spend the night in our room. We had some games and the Q&A portion where we learned more about each other. I won’t tell anything – confidentiality, hehehe. Girls will be girls – after the games, the ladies spent another hour talking. At about 2am, we finally slept.

At sunrise the next day, we walked to the rocky side of the beach where we had our devotion. Each of us spent a moment of solitude with God, each of us has our own personal message from the Father, and each of us became His messenger to deliver His word to one another. It was a different intimate encounter with our Creator.

Our boat ride back to Batangas made me dizzy because of the strong wind which caused the waves to shake the boat really hard. I had the worst feeling – sweat and nausea attacked me. Thank God, we were able to reach the port safely. Our ride back to our individual home was smooth and safe.

Monet – ang cute ng kakulitan mo, okay sa mga hirit. Thank you sa orange sarong, sa uulitin. Galing mo gumawa ng itinerary. Hupa na ba maga ng eyes mo? Hehehe.

Clarisse – natuloy din tayo! Ayos ba yung birthday gift ko sayo? Hahaha. Peace tayo ha. I enjoyed our short talk going to Malolos.

Jenna – ang mga one-liner mo nagmamarka talaga. Hahaha. Stay beautiful sis.

Cha – galing mo talaga kumuha ng shots. Buti na lang you brought your camera. Isa ka palang “masa” – masandal, tulog! Hehehe. Were you able to let SR sign your form?

Anna Rose – ibang klase ang kakikayan mo sis! You’re the only one – with dangling earrings, shell-necklace and bangles while snorkeling! Thank you for sharing to us what’s in your heart.

Lorna – sis, kahit super pagod ka, super enjoy naman. Bagay sayo ang yellow sundress mo, pang Ms. U talaga.

Ade – for sure super unforgettable sayo ang lakad na ‘to. First time mo to go overnight with us away from home!

IC – my favorite bodyguard dahil sa skills nya sa pangbabarat, dami kami na-save na money. Hehehe.

Mic – isa ka palang “sensitive” na tao at madaming kwento sa buhay . . . pag-ibig. Hahaha. Thank you sa pagbitbit ng bag ko.

SR – thank you for the very rare opportunity that you let me make kwento naman, pero mas madami ka pa ring kwento than me. Haha!

No doubt, it was a great fun weekend. So guys, where’s the next outing?