These Little Wonders

If Lady Gaga lives for the applause, Fr. Benedict, in his homily during the noon mass at the CFC Global Mission Center last Tuesday, says DON'T , especially if you desire to be a missionary.  "Hindi ka pwedeng maging misyonero kung kulang ka sa pansin o uhaw ka sa attention at recognition." (You cannot be a missionary if you are hungry for attention and recognition.) Image Source:  http://blog.zerodean.com/2012/quotes/work-for-a-cause-not-applause/ Fr. Benedict likened a missionary's life to the function of the yeast as stated in the Gospel (Luke 13:18-21). The yeast is an important ingredient in making bread but it is hidden and rarely recognized by the consumers who are just after the finish product. Missionaries play an important role in evangelizing people and harvesting souls for the Lord but more often than not, they do not take credit for it. If they do, then, they must re-assess their selves. Are they really working for the glory of the Lord or...

Writing is my first love. And I have always wanted to be a travel blogger. Now I'm trying to become one. :D  For the nth time, Lawrence has won in another online contest. His prize? Two round trip tickets to Basco, Batanes! :) But here's the catch, the airline, Sky Pasada , is based in Tuguegarao and since we were not able to book cheap airline tickets to Cagayan, we had no other option but to take the ten  twelve-hour bus trip.  We arrived at the Victory Liner terminal in Kamias a little past 5pm. Unfortunately, there are no more available seats for the 5pm trip. The next trip is at 630pm but since there is already a long queue of passengers, we didn't want to take the risk. Our flight to Batanes is at 8am tomorrow and we have to arrive in Tuguegarao before 7am. We decided to walk to the nearby Florida Bus terminal. They also have trips to Tuguegarao, some via Laoag. Thank God we were able to catch an ordinary bus which will go directly to our destination. ...

This morning, I got an email which at first I thought was a chain letter. But when I gave time to read it, I was moved and decided to not just forward it via email but share it here as well. Here's the content of the email:  October is Breast Cancer Month, and I've survived it for over 32 years, inspite of my prognosis given at 50-50% 5-yr-survival since I was stage 3. Prayers truly are answered and only God can heal us. The Reynoso Clan has been fighting cancer for the past 4 generations, and healing of the family tree is very important. We lost my brother, Litos, to lung cancer last March, and out of 9 kids, 4 are still fighting cancer. Although this may sound as a "chain letter" it is an honest request for helping the scientists and researchers to find a cure for cancer. My kids, Jay, Nette, and Joanne, gave me a "Pink Party" 2011 to celebrate my 30-yr-survival, and of course, being an Octoberian, it was held on my birthday. My grand daughter, Li...

This post is dedicated to everyone who made an effort to make my day extra special through their heartwarming greetings and wishes. :) To the following people who honored me through their text messages and calls:  Dianne Pasag Jenny Cunanan Jane Estella Kuya Mito Tayag Kuya Rob & Ate Cech Escaño Mars Macailing Ate Anne Jayme Bonj Vargas Ate Lorie Macapugay Kuya Nicky Barrios Rowell Miraflor Cat Abelardo Anne Fernandez Tita Juliet Fernandez Alpha Quelnan Rona Patio Ate Mitzi Hilado Leng Cacho Tina Aligada Shezha Madrigal Mary Anne Rodriguez Kuya Mel Calupig Ate Gemma Siriegan Kuya RP & Ate Chassy Tesoro Leyn Madueño Chai Mamalio Ate Sheh De Leon Shiela Azarcon Boggs Lagura Ate Flory Deseo Mario Ofina Kuya Ian Baldonadi Ate Chie Garcia Rica Daleon Nina Nacional Agnes Floirendo Divine Balintong Joseph Saduia Tito Men Sarne Kaycee Ramos Junior Bornilla Globe ♥ Marjo Salvador JM Junio Kaye Nogoy Ate Nhils Arena Ruth Ubaldo ...

I have my own fears and worries, but God never fails to assure me that He's got it all covered. :)  Above you are the overshadowing wings (Psalm 91:4); Underneath you are the everlasting arms (Deuteronomy 33:27); Round about you is the angel of the Lord (Psalm 34:7); Beside you are still waters (Psalm 23:2); Within you is the peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:7); Before you is the presence of the Lord (Exodus 33:14); Following you are goodness and mercy (Psalm 23:6); Ahead of you is heaven’s home (Philippians 3:14). —Roy Lessin, expanded from a quote by Virginia Bell And today, He's singing this song to me and to all of us:  Don't worry, be happy. Because God has it covered. :)

One thing I learned about social media is it can make you realize how time really flies and that you're not getting any younger. I just stumbled upon two articles written by  Jessica Misener  to which I can totally relate.  In the first article entitled " 29 Underrated Things About Being In Your Late Twenties " ,  I found myself nodding in agreement to the following statements:  #4. Staying in to read is now something you actually look forward to.  I'm currently reading this. :) #5. You're the last generation to remember life before the internet. CHERISH THOSE MEMORIES.  I can soooooooooooooooooo relate. :D (Photo Credits: uproxx.com ) #6. When you find out someone was gossiping about you, you're like: I DOOOOOOOOOOOOOON'T CARE! #7.Your friends are your *real* friends, because you’ve whittled out everyone who’s just a phony hanger-on. #11. Setbacks don’t bother you as much as they used to. The second articl...

During his homily, Fr. Benedict, gave separate reflections on the First Reading and the Gospel. And in both reflections, I felt God speaking to me personally.  First Reading (Jonah 3:1-10) Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.” Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let people or animals, herds or flo...