LOLA RUTHIE’S MINISTRY OF ENCOURAGEMENT AND HEALING THROUGH THE INTERNET
June 8 2010
We had a graduation party for Janie, one of Lani’s kids. Candle lighting ceremony last night. Wow! Another nurse care giver in the family. Her younger sister is also taking up nursing.
We are so sorry that we were not able to connect with Olga. She had an emergency appointment with her dentist due to a chipped tooth. So we decided to visit my childhood friend Dolly in LA, thinking we could connect with her on our way back to Palm Springs. But we couldn’t get hold of her either. The next day was our scheduled trip back to Seattle.
May 26 2010
We just came home from a three week Mediterranean cruise with staff from France, Spain, Morocco of the ”Young Life Club” . It was wonderful meeting them for the first time as well as visiting centuries old edifices, still almost as beautiful as in the olden times, museums of Dali and Picaso, learning and seeing history we can never learn just from books alone..
Just earlier today, I received, at the bottom righthand corner of my computer a notice that you had sent me an email. But it is now late afternoon and nothing in my in box shows that I have an email from you. My pc has been acting strange lately since I changed from msn.com to gmail.com. We haven’t heard much from Benny as well. We thought that perhaps cyber space there is having a ‘break’ or something. We did try to email Benny when we were at sea, it came back saying that both his and Olga’s email addresses did not belong to “yahoo”. Strange.
Just wanting to let you know we really miss hearing from you. But we can imagine the busy life you have and understand. Benny is inviting us to go and visit there again in November when there are scheduled meetings of organizations, people, etc., the Intercessors of the Philippines he wants us to meet.
Have you heard of the world-wide “Young life Club??” It is a well organized and Spirit-led as well. Their mission in one line is: “Kids for Christ and Christ for kids” focusing on having fun. We definitely were impressed and saw the Lord glorified and kids excited giving their lives to the Lord. One of what impressed me is the illustrations they gave about the latter. That when a young person gives his life to the Lord, the person is SIMILAR TO A TALL LOFTY CANDLE. The person then has a much longer time to shine his light in the darkness FOR THE LORD. Then when one is OLD, HIS CANDLE IS ALREADY SHORT.
The Lord willing, we would like to really visit again this year. The Young Life Club would be something we would like to introduce to you and Benny.
May 4 2010
Marami kaming inasikaso at napakalayo nang lakbay na ito. Nagkamali pa ang Travel agent/Lufthansa airline sa itinerary namin, kaya bukas May 4th ay cancellado lahat ang mga komitments ko. Ang apo naming kasama ay bukas ang dating at ang huling final exam niya ay ngayong araw na ito. Kailangang bigyan ko pa nang orientation dahil ngayon lang siya mag lalakbay nang International. Ang Teacher’s Retired Assoc. ay may balak pang bigyan kaming lahat na umabot nang 85 yrs. old nang awards. Tatawag ako at sasabihing wala na akong panahon na honorin pa. Pag ako ay 90 na o kaya 100 kagaya nang Nanay ko at kalooban nang Panginoon na abutin ko ang edad na iyan. Basta’t ako ay may kabuluhan at nakakatulong sa kapwa at pamilya ay iyan din aking adhika sa buhay. Sa susunod. Ito na siguro ang ka huli-hulihang emailan natin hanggang sa dumating kami sa May 23rd.
Jan 27 2010
It is the faithfulness of the Lord that provides all our needs according to His riches in glory! On Sunday, January 31st, we are celebrating Lolo’s 74th birthday. My request is no gifts of material nature. But if desired by some, to please write the earliest memories they have of Lolo…esp. funny ones. But not mandatory. So far, 20 have r.s.v.p.ed in attending the event. Then briefly, we want volunteers to read what they wrote, or if they want to remain anonymous, to ask someone discreetly to read their memories without naming who wrote it. WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO WRITE SOMETHING. WE WILL READ IT OR NOT WHATEVER YOU WISH.
Jan 23 2010
Mahal na Mga Apo (kasama kayong lahat)
Noong nangyayari lahat ang isinulat ninyo sa amin [launching of the 50-day fasting to usher in the Jubilee of Jubilees of the Philippines – BRQ], kami din dine ay kasabay na kinausap nang Panginoon. Naririto ang isang pang ala-ala na galing sa Kanya para sa taong itong 2010 [Prayer for 2010]. Lola Ruthie, Lolo Larry at Tio Tom.
Oct 11 2009
Thank you for sending the pictures (Ondoy flood, Philippines – BRQ); we were sent the same set of pictures by a niece living in the Easto Coast several days ago. Yes, we have been praying for the Philippines and continue to do so.
You mentioned … the Servant Leaders passing out packets of food.
Pat and the IFL have become also a feeding center to hundreds of families. Praise God! They also have machinery (pressure washers) helping clean up houses where the flood has receded so families can go back to their homes. In a matter of an hour, they can wash off debris and mud. They also own a huge truck that can navigate anywhere even on flooded areas. The mayor of Cabuyao commandeered it and helped many people.
Oct 10 2009
Tom & I are attending a World Market planning meeting for Task Forces this Sunday, Oct. 11th, tomorrow at our church in Seattle. (Larry has a conflict of another engagement) We would like to know if you can send us products developed by the Student Leaders. The chocolate Chrimi was well received, is there a way where you could send us the Chrimi Coffee and the Malunggay soup? What other products that are of light weight (so shipping won’t be too expensive) do you think will sell here? The World Market is scheduled for December 6th at our church.
We pray and hope that the destructive typhoon did not wipe out facilities of manufacturing establishments. Do you still have the pictures that you said you were going to send us? Are the servant leaders helping distribute food packets, etc.? We would like to share (what they’re doing) at one of our Task Force Meetings and at World Market.
Sept 29 2009
We are so sorry to tell you that we cancelled our trip there due to the devastation of the recent typhoon…and what is predicted by the meteorologists that more rains and winds will continue to go through the Philippines. It will be a while for the economy and normalcy of situations there to get back. We had reservations at the Legend Villas, EVA airways that we cancelled this morning after we read about the continuation of this Typhoon.
Sometime in [2005], the residents of Louisiana and Florida ignored the warning of the Meteorologists to evacuate because the hurricane would be the worst….what happened was thousands became homeless and the death toll was the worst.
We, too are disappointed, but the Lord has something for us that would serve His purposes better. And that “all things work together for good to them that love Him and to them who are called according to His purposes. “Romans 8:28.
We send our love, hugs, kisses to the IFL family. The Lord is willing, but in His own timing will we see you all, if not here, eternally, singing His praises.
Sep 29 2009
Nabasa namin kahapon pa sa New York Times at local newspaper namin, at online pa na mayroon pang dadating na bagyo patungong Pilipinas. Itong panahon na ito ay panahon nang bagyo.
Dine sa Florida ay marami ang namatay noong taong 2005 dahilan sa hindi nakinig ang mga tao doon sa meteorologists na mag-evacuate silang lahat at may dadating pang susunod na hurricane. Kaya kami naman ay nag cancelado nang aming papunta diyan.
Ang aking paniniwala ay bigay sa akin nang Panginoon ang pag iisip kong iyan. Maski na hindi tama ang prediction nang mga meteorologists, ay malaki na ang pinsala na ginawa nang bagyo sa mga tanim, pagkain, etc. Pati ang mga bilihin nang mga pagkain ay mahirap dahilan sa napinsala ang mga tanim. Matagal bago maka balik ang dating economia dahilan sa pinsala nang bagyo. Kailangang mayroon kayong laging naka imbak na pagkain kagaya nang sako nang bigas, mga de latang karne at gatas para sa mga bata. Pati na botelya ng tubig na malinis na may takip , mga kandila kong maputol ang koriente/ elektriksidad. Maghanda sa mga panahong kagaya ngayong bagyo. Taon taon ay may dumadating na bagyo diyan. Kami naman dine ay “earthquake preparedness”. Tinatawanan ako nila Tom at Larry dahilan ako ay handa dahilan iyang earthquake ang dumadating dine sa amin.
Ang umaasa sa pagibig nang Panginoon at ang Kanyang pagkalinga. Ate Ruth
Aug 27 2009
Yes, we have been talking to our family members. Way before you mentioned that we need family who could take over when we are gone.
[Tom] read in the newspaper today a caution for ALL foundations, that guidelines should be written when adding new Board of Directors…the original founders will become minority and they might lose control of their mission statement. And the article suggested that the new members should not have voting power yet, until they know and take to heart the founders’ mission statement.
One of our focus in our ministry is the principle of a body working together as an entity, not outdoing each other and competition. Tom and I discussed this while waiting for your Lolo to arrive from a doctor’s appointment.
Aug 26 2009
Yes, it is heaven when we experience being one in spirit with our loved ones! Continue praying for us. Victory in Jesus! Must go now and prepare sandwiches for a picnic with our daughter Francisca and grandaughters: Cecilia and Janie at our Greenlake memorial bench! It is the most beautiful it has ever been, people thank us more now… wish you were here with us. It is a ministry to people passing by! My Mom even in her physical death is blessing people with her memorial bench.
We rely on your prayers for merciful travel and good response to all the Lord’s leading! We pray for you, Joy, Rei, Benny also. Amen, in Jesus’ Name.
July 4 2009
Today, we had a July 4th barbecue celebration at Lola Epang’s memorial bench. Larry pulled more weeds in the back and enlarged the area and so I added more colorful plants to match the other end.
We had so much fun. Feliza found a job at Seattle U. and has moved to Seattle, so she was with us for her first family gathering with us at the memorial bench.
June 25 2009
We’ve been inundated with work. You know how it is here…..help is so expensive, and on top of that, unreliable, we have to do our own housework and gardening. It is a joy for me to do the latter, people appreciate the work we do, the gardens (4 of them) are all in top shape….it is a kind of ministry for us. I get questions about the memorial bench and who we memorialize. They get to know about my Mom who was a role model for many.
April 2, 2009
I would like to advise against the holding of a talents night during the OEWF Bayanihan Youth Camp. It is arguable that “the talent contest will enhance the creativity of the youth”. There is no need for a contest to motivate or even enhance the creativity of the youth. We have a creative God from whom we get our creative abilities (Deuteronomy 8:18). What is needed to enhance the Servant Leadership among the youth is more discipleship, role models, heartfelt prayers and not a talent contest.
Talent contests predispose us to the temptation of not depending on the Lord, nor to pray to Him who gives us the talents, skills, and abilities. Even if the contestants pray, they may ask God for favor to win over the others. And when they win, they take pride in their own efforts. There is no doubt about this. Our gifts, talents and creativity have their own place in the Kingdom of God. No one is encouraged to compete, we give the glory for all that is accomplished to His Name. Let’s ask the Lord for His orchestration to set ’serendipities’ and so called ‘coincidences’ in His Sovereign ways, which are higher than our human ways.
We would rather see the youth participants together in love helping each other do their best for the Lord’s glory in creating something that would please Him. We are praying that the camp coordinators will develop this theme (with activities, prayer request sessions, etc.) of pleasing the Lord in all camp activities. I know you will join us in praying that the Lord give you/us the creativity to develop this.
We do not know about the future of the global economy which is now faltering. We are being reminded here that excessive spending of money has caused the global economic crisis; people have forgotten that our country was built on good Christian stewardship and principles. We have to put on the ‘brakes’ on all these.
Blessings! And much love.
January 30, 2009
It was good to hear from you! Yes, our clan corporate prayer for your Ate Josie’s healing can be powerful. Although it says in Proverbs 28:9 that “God has no use for the prayers of the people who won’t listen to Him.”, we have hope in The Message by Eugene Peterson. “We know that in EVERYTHING God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28.
Romans 8:28……As it is in Josie’s case….. we were brought together in prayer and faith in His Word. (very recently, the Lord had been putting in my heart that I and Larry should visit you, never did I think that we were being called ”according to His purposes”).
God’s Word in Hebrews 4:12 says: “So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which it purpose, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”
When disaster strikes, understanding of God is at risk. Unexpected illness or death, national catastrophe, social disruption, personal loss, plague or epidemic, devastation by flood or drought, turn men and women who haven’t given God a thought in years turn into instant theologians. Rumors fly: “God is absent”…”God is angry”….”God is playing favorites, and I’m not the favorite”….God is ineffectual”…..”God is holding a grudge from a long time ago, and now we’re paying for it”….”
Says Eugene H. Peterson, “The disaster becomes a lever for prying people’s lives loose from their sins and setting them free for God.” (The Bible in Contemporary Language, Remix, p. 1634).
The Lord is calling us to Himself. A WAKEUP CALL! He wants us for HIMSELF!. Here is what He is saying to ALL OF US from Ezekiel 36: 25 – - “I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. . 26. A NEW HEART I will give you, and a NEW SPIRIT I will put within you; and I will take out of your flesh the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27. And I will put my spirit within you, and CAUSE YOU TO WALK IN MY STATUTES AND BE CAREFUL TO OBSERVE MY ORDINANCES. 28. Your shall dwell in the land which I gave to your fathers; and you shall BE MY PEOPLE, AND I WIILL BE YOUR GOD.”
AMEN and AMEN. To God be the glory!!! With love and prayers for you all. Pray for us here, we can’t do without prayers also.
January 23, 2009
Mga Mahal sa ating Panginoon at sa akin pa man din:
Ang wika sa “Awit 41: l – 3″ ating bigyan nang pansin:
“Mapalad ang isang taong tumitingin sa mahirap,
Si Yahweh and tumutulong kung siya ay may bagabag.
Buhay niya’y iingatan, yamang siya ang may hawak,
Sa kamay man ng kaaway, hindi siya masasadlak,
At doon sa bayan niya’y ituturing na mapalad.
Si Yahweh rin ang tutulong kung siya ay magkasakit,
Ang nanghina niyang lakas ay ganap na ibabalik.”
Ito ang dalangin at sagot Niya na ibinigay nang ating Panginoon
sa amin sa araw na ito. Dahilan sa mataos na pagibig ng ating Ama sa langit.
January 26, 2009
Loved Ones:
Bear with us! We are praying and hoping that our lengthy emails are not deterring you from reading them! The “main thing” of focusing on Christ, our healer, restorer, and all in all is “the main thing” of them.
To Him be the glory! Our prayers, especially the ones we all requested at Buddy’s hospitality event have been sent. In God’s timing and our waiting on Him is part of the ’main thing’ we have mentioned above!
Josie, and the rest of you….. hopefully, you have read some if not all the “healing verses”. Yesterday, by email, we received word of a child of one of our Foundation’s leaders was healed of ‘dengue’, a near fatal disease; we saw the timing of our prayers and the email the father sent us, our prayers were almost the exact time of the healing (which was an increase in his blood platelets that was way below normal that caused near fatality). Of course, we were not the only ones praying, it showed again the power of ‘corporate prayer’ of the staff of our Foundation and us! To God be the glory! Again and again! We don’t get the glory, He is the One who answers prayers He gives us!
Because He lives.
January 12, 2008
Dear Hilda:
Thank you for this email, we are looking forward to seeing the pictures you took of your party that you mentioned you would send us. Benny is accurate in describing how dependable you are. Your detailed report shows it.
I would like to quote to you and the people who seem obligated to us Ephesians 2:10: “Tayo’y nilalang, nilikha sa pamamagitan ni Jesu Cristo upang iukol natin ang ating buhay sa paggawa nang mabuti, na itinalaga na ng Diyos para sa atin noon pang manga una.” We are God’s handiwork (His workmanship). recreated in CHrist Jesus (born anew) that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned before hand) for us (taking paths which He prepared ahead of time), that we should walk in them (living the good life which He pre arranged and made ready for us to live).”created unto good works through Jesus Christ which God had already prepared for us to walk into.”
That is why we thank God for all the good work we do and also for all the good times and things we receive. He is the giver of every good and perfect gift.
We covet your prayers also, we need guidance, much of it because we are called to do something major. The Lord is preparing us for it.
2 January 2008
Dear Lola Ruthie,
Thank you very much for the gift you sent for the youths and for our poor neighbors.
For the youth, Joel took charge of distributing the gift, plus a book – either “Upside Down:The Paradox of Servant Leadership” or “Our Daily Journey” (which is similar to Our Daily Bread.
On my part, I took charge of organizing a Christmas program for our poor neighbors.
We bought 34 pcs. of Our Daily Journey and 18 pcs. Upside Down or a total of 52 books. We gave out the Upside Down book to the leaders and youth pastors while the rest received the other book. As Joel was distributing the gifts, he presented a letter which I wrote, containing where the gift came from, and greeting them a Merry Christmas.
They are very grateful for your gift and Joel is yet to come to the office next week to tell me more about their thanks and appreciation for your generosity.
Regarding our poor neighbors, they were very excited, thankful and grateful for the generosity you extended to them.
Then on December 30th., we had our Christmas Party – and this is the first time they are accorded such importance -(normally, the well-off families are invited to parties).
The children dressed up to their best – we served hotdog, sweet ham rice, buko salad, macaroni soup and Nestea for the food. Then we had parlor games which the children and the parents enjoyed very much. They received prizes and lots of give-aways, including household items. Rod (my husband) and I each gave them a Tagalog Bible as our gift, plus used clothes for the children and kitchen knives for the mothers.
During my talk (message), I made mention about you and Lolo Larry- and they applauded and thanked God for you… During the program also, one of our neighbors donated P200 each for the 7 families.
Before closing time, we asked them to share their desires (“minimithi” in Tagalog) and most of them longed to be alleviated from poverty and send their children to school. Some of them even cried when they were sharing and you could feel their burdens. We ended up praying for them, declaring that God would move to answer their pleas.
One of the recipients, a Christian, was sobbing while she was helping me pack the snacks. I asked “Manang, bakit kayo umiiyak?” (Elder Sister, why are you crying?) She replied, “Tears of joy ito… Maraming mayayaman dito sa subdivision pero kayo ni Sister Rita (my Christian neighbor and co-organizer), hindi naman kayo mayaman pero handa kayong tumulong sa iba.” [These are tears of joy.. There are many rich people here in our subdivision but you and Sister Rita – though you are not rich – are prepared to help others.”
Also, Rita Ongkiko, my neighbor – the one who started this treat in December last year (2006) was crying how the Lord answered her prayer. She wanted to treat the children with at least food (just like last year), but she had no budget. At that time, she was asking the Lord, “Lord, what gift can I give you this Christmas?”.. and then she received a phone call from me.
She cried over the telephone, saying God has answered her prayer…then I encouraged her and said… you can offer your gift of service to our neighbors, let us plan and organize a Christmas get together for them. She was the one who went to Divisoria to buy the other giveaways and toys. She took charge of wrapping them. Her youngest 11-year old daughter (Debie) and my youngest 10 year old daughter (Hannah) facilitated the games.
The sad part is, not everybody was able to come – 1 father got sick and had to rest at home; another father had to stay home and take care of his 2 sick children; still 1 father had to cut short his attendance to the party and stay at Rita’s home to look after his youngest daughter who has hydrocephalus (who is in pain) and hopefully will be operated on this late January. Please pray for favor that their application to be accorded free operation at the St Luke’s Medical Center be granted; it is presently being processed at the office of the QC Mayor, Sonny Belmonte; then pray also for a successful operation.
After the affair, Rita and I prayed again and we both cried with joy- we cannot explain the joy we felt when despite the very hectic schedule, we were able to serve our needy neighbors – who in fact, were first timers to be accorded such reception in a party!
I will not forget the tears they shed – tears of joy and thankfulness to the Lord for using people like you as channels of blessings!
MAY THE LORD RETURN TO YOU A HUNDREDFOLD THE SEED YOU HAVE SOWN IN THE LIVES OF THESE PEOPLE.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
HILDA N. PANGANIBAN
Executive Assistant
Coalition of Socially Responsible
SMEs in Asia, Inc. (CSRSME)
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To nephews and nieces
We can ALL vicariously be proud that one of the Vega clan has made it in one of the prestigious U.S. scientific journals. Emily’s senior thesis was published along with her professors at Whitman College; hope you can open the attachment. To God, who gives us all good and perfect gifts, be the glory!
Here’s my senior thesis research, published on PubMed!!!
The bee brain paper is finally online!
Check it out (hopefully the link to pubmed works):
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=17918235&ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
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September 28, 2008
Thank you for the feedback. And praise God, your Mom had excellent care after that reaction.
God is good! You are there close by so they have excellent care from you, morally, physically and spiritually. There’s no substitute for family. Yes, a real privilege to pray for you, Joy and them.
Thanks for praying for us too. Your Lolo does not do well with cold weather and can hardly wait till we are in Pinas where he experienced one whole day of no congestion and cough, the rest of the time , he had minimal. He’s still waiting on the Lord to lead us to a place where we can spend winters. Extend our love and regards to your parents.
September 26, 2008
Dear Lola, Lolo and Tom,
Good thing that you guys include me in your correspondences. I’m enjoying it as an audience but somehow, I have to sort of give some feedback too.
Yesterday I just took my Mom home from the hospital after she had a bad case of reaction to a dye when she had a cardiac (heart) test. She was given a dye called thallium so that the doctor can see the inside of her heart. WHen the dye was injected, she complained of severe pain in her nape and blurring of vision but the technician just shrugged it off and told her it will just go away. The test took more than 4 hours and all those times, she wasn’t feeling well. SHe thought it will just go away. So after the test, I took them to eat lunch and when we reached home, she complained of palpitations so I called the doctor’s office and reported her complaints. HE didn’t quite expect those symptoms so he asked me to take her to the ER. HEr heart rate went up to 164/minute which is double the normal. IF that went on for another couple of hours, she would have suffered a heart attack and left us for good.
I just thank GOd for HIs mercy and grace by giving the medical people wisdom in treating her. That was a very close call for her.
SHe’s now home and looks very well and healthy.
I’m spending almost all my days off taking them to doctor’s appointments and other medical related trips. They are gradually getting weak physically but I’m glad they both have strong fighting spirits. SInce their “anniversary” for their surgeries (Dad for his 5 bypass in 1999) and Mom for her cancer surgery 2 years ago, their primary doctor is making them go through all the diagnostic tests as an early detection for any complications.
Let’s just keep on praying for good health and wisdom to rest when we need to rest so that our bodies can recover from any of life’s natural stress attacks.
Pray for Joy as she travels to SIngapore and Malaysia that GOd will protect her from any attacks from the enemy and that all her travels will be safe and that she will be able to succeed in whatever she is going there for.
Love you all,
Ogie P. Quinones
September 8, 2008
Dear “apo sa talampakan” Joy:
What joy to receive an email from Joy. Pardon the pun. You are aptly named. Also, I commend you for taking the opportunity when you saw it to take on the job you are now doing. I have ESL (English as a Second Language) training and have taught at our Community College for many years as a side line from my regular teaching so I know what you mean by beng “tiring but rewarding”. The experience and exposure teaching a cosmopolitan group is an education by itself…..You are fortunate! Keep it up! Someday we will get to meet each other face to face.
Yes, by God’s grace our foundation the On Eagles’ Wings Foundation is alive and well. We are hoping and praying that others will also see the vision your Dad helped us see and join us. It is exciting to even think that we will have the privilege to meet all the kids our foundation helped train and also meet the staff. Plus we are holding a mini-reunion with the Encarnacion-Diaz clan. Please join us in praying that the Lord’s grace and favor will be present, that our clan will realize the spiritual legacy we have handed down to us from our ancestors. We pray for your Mom and Dad always, don’t hesitate to tell us special requests.
Love, hugs, kisses from your new-found Lola.
September 8, 2008
Hi Lola!
This is Joy, your “apo sa talampakan” writing you from Pardubice, Czech Republic.
I accepted a one-year contract to teach English to children but was just writing to thank you just the same for your offer of scholarship, and hope that the scholarship will still be available in the future.
I am so sorry for my sudden change of mind but I just felt very strongly about taking this job.
Right now I’m already settled here and having a great time. I have been here since the 15th of August. The job is very tiring but fulfilling all the same.
Anyway, I hope all is well with you and your family and Dad is very excited to see you in Manila. I’m only sorry I will not be able to see you in October.
Love,
Joy
June 30, 2008
We tried twice to call your cell phone, Ogie, but no answer so we assumed (and we were correct) that you had visited your mom and Dad. Good that you took them out to dinner. Did you give them the few things made in Washington i sent you? So they too will know that I think of them. Praise God for Heleng’s strong faith. I, too am fortunate that inspite of my aches and pains, I am able to do hard work. I believe in ‘healing hormones a nd endorphins….Thank so much for watering my plants Ogie.
Salamat sa iyong ‘feedback’. Praise God! Your mom is still allowed to be with us down here. What a testimony! The Lord must have His own higher ways and thoughts. Please continue to pray for us too as we plan our return trip to Pinas. We are doing scheduling now. Extend our love and regards to your parents.
October 7, 2007
Praise the Lord!
We just got back from visiting my sister in San Jose, CA and the report of her cat scan (sp?) is that her ovarian cyst (they found two) seems smaller and very clear…definitely benign, she does not need surgery. She can go on with her life. After 4 months, she will have another cat scan to see any new developents. We shall continue to pray.
Thank you for uniting with us in prayer for her healing! We are so thankful that before we leave here in a week’s time, we will leave with peace of mind that my sister will not have any surgery and prayerfully, she never will. At 96, any type of surgery, is precarious for her. Again, thank you for your prayers, glory to the Lord who answers even before we call. ! !
September 25, 2007
No matter how broken, ordinary, faulty (esp. to the human eyes) , God still can use our brokenness and ordinariness. And when the pastor asked us to meditate and remember those who were like J. the B in our lives who pointed us to Christ, we began to realize they (our ancestors ) too had their own faults and did not live impeccable lives. We need to remember their humanness and that we too , by the grace of God .. we could still become!!!
Even in the worst situations, God can bring good out of them. The worst one was the crucifixion of the Lord. And look at the eternal good it brought us. He took our sins on the cross. Adam who committed the first sin and passed it on to his descendants (us). But we have hope in John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life”.
We are now hoping that you need not search yourself to come up to any standards. God accepts us as we are. Until we realize all the promises of God and start our spiritual journey.
I can still hear and remember Tia Pauling. (she was somewhat like Ate Flora, but not as forceful) she was a very poor widow with four children. She cooked for us and would take home the left-overs even if they were almost spoiled. But you should hear her sing hymns. She had a beautiful soprano voice and her joy was complete when she was singing in praises to her King! . I still enjoy singing one of her favorites. “He brought me out of the miry clay, he set my feet on the Rock to stay, He puts a song in my soul today, a song of praise Hallellujah” I shall tell you more about her story if it will bring glory to the Lord and we will know about His higher ways and His higher thoughts.
As I said, I want the Holy Spirit’s originality to work and move amongst us at the clan dinner. By Gods grace, I have my own style of “Letting go and
