"Nang Ikaw ay Marating Ko" (Laguna) ^

"Nang Ikaw ay Marating Ko" (Laguna) ^_^

October 30, 2011

4:20PM

Once again, the Lord has amazed me when He brought me to Mabitac, Laguna to give a talk to the SFCs from East 3 and East 4. The topic: Covenant Orientation Weekend Talk 7 (Loving and Serving the Poor) and the venue: Blessed James Cusmano Academy (Missionary Servant of the Poor). :) Thanks to Kuya Matt Angeles, who invited me back in Bangkok during the GLS. Well, the GLS fever is still on and will forever be on. :)

I am writing this blog inside the Nuestra Senora de Candelaria Parish Church, while waiting for the 5PM mass. What's amazing about this experience is that I got to travel to a new place, meet new people, and well, attend mass at a new church. I guess it's true that the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies, never will be spent. They are indeed new every morning. And today, just like any other day, the Lord gave me something new to marvel at. To make this post short (I might not be able to stop myself again from writing. :D), I will just list down the little wonders God has revealed to me today:

1. For the first time after a long while, I rode a provincial bound jeepney filled with people and baggages and traveled along Manila East Road from Taytay to Mabitac.

2. Along the way, I learned from Lawrence that the markers indeed have a purpose. Before, I can only understand the number written on top (KM #) but he explained to me that the number below the marker indicates how far we still are from the next town proper. That's new knowledge for me and I highly appreciate that. :)

3. When we arrived at the venue, the Titos and Titas from CFC offered us a very fitting lunch, "sinigang na baboy". All the stress and tiredness from our two-hour travel were gone. :)

4. Tito Tom Concepcion, the Provincial Coordinator of Laguna, informed me that they have not implemented the Cornerstone Program yet and it's just a great opportunity for me to share to them the blessing of such program.

5. After my talk, we joined in a very powerful worship led by Bro. Hersey Hernandez, and I am even more inspired and empowered to discover new horizons and continue testifying to God's love even to the ends of the earth. :)

6. At the end of the retreat, we had the famous Puto Binan for merienda. :)

7. Tito Tom dropped us off here at Nuestra Senora de Candelaria (Mabitac Church) and we were able to verify that indeed, there are 126 steps to this beautiful place of worship. :) We took some photos and marveled at the beauty of the mountains of Jala-Jala and of course, the waters of Laguna Bay.

8. When we entered the church, we were greeted by a very solemn altar.

9. We took our seats on the third row from the front and Lawrence noticed that it's just across the 13th Station of the Cross. (13 is a very significant number for us.)

The day isn't over yet and the mass will start in 15 minutes.

Four more wonders, Lord. I will wait for them. :)

*****

10. "When you leave the mass, LIVE the mass." That was Father Jerry's homily, and true enough, we were given a practical exam on our way back to Manila. :)

11. In search of food and transportation, God brought us to the next town, Siniloan, where we dined at Jollibee! :D (Minsan ang sarap lang talaga ng Jollibee. :D)

12. We couldn't find a Manila-bound jeepney so we took the tricycle to Famy. We were just a few meters away when the tricycle engine stopped. The driver said there was no more gas. We had no choice but to walk along the long and winding road to the town proper. God knew we needed an exercise. :D

13. We boarded the Raymond Bus bound for Manila, filled with thanksgiving and amazement at how the Lord gave us such an adventure. :)

The road from Famy to Rizal (Manila East Road) was long and dark and the only light we could see was that coming from the headlights of the bus we were riding. But that light was enough to guide us as we traverse the challenging path. In our journey through life, the road may seem endless and most of the time, dark. But we need not look far, we need not look anywhere else. Because right in front of us is the light of Christ, and that light alone is enough for us to stay on the right course. That light will lead us home. :)

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These Little Wonders

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