Our 2nd Household

This post is actually long overdue. I was waiting for our household pictures to be uploaded in Facebook so I can include it together with this post. Oh well better post this now. I'll just add some pictures when it’s available.

I am glad that our second household finally pushed through especially after being postponed for so long, since Febuary when we last held one, and from being cancelled just this Sunday June 30, 2013 supposedly at Sis Shiloh's place. Again, it was at my place which was very good because it favored us in prepping up for a surprise belated birthday celebration for sis Shiloh who just turned 29. There were only four of us present though Siz Dorothy, Maet, Shiloh and myself. Unfortunately Siz Sheila was not able to make it because she had to run some errands at home since her mom wasn’t around. As for Siz B, Emilou, Kat I haven’t heard from them.

Since the household venue was at my place, I had some general cleaning going on earlier that day. Siz Dor and I were wondering how we should go about having the surprise thing. Our call time was 5:30pm. She was out from work by then so we met at SBG Gold and decided to buy some cupcakes, kremstix and nips mini just to be innovative and deviate from the usual red ribbon cake.

After taking siz Dor to the boarding house, I went out again to buy some food for dinner and luckily on my way home I bump into siz Shiloh. We walked home together. I was able to warn Siz Dor that Shiloh was with me by then. I was apparently shouting "WE have arrived", so she can hide whatever she is still doing for the surprise. Haha!

As always, our household took more than 3 hours even though there were only 4 of us. At that rate, we already simultaneously uttered our thanksgiving. However, what took so long was the petitions part - so many prayers for other people, healing, other concerns, family, and, of course, one's self; then, followed the scripture readings for each one, the gospel for that day and the sharing while eating part. Hehe!

These household meetings are very important for spiritual growth. It somehow provides us support and encouragement to be more patient, loving and caring. It serves as a reminder of what "ought to be". That is the reason, it is always emphasized by SFC teachings to attend as much as possible not just to these household meetings but to many other activities as well. We are teaching ourselves to become more compassionate and be "a person for others" by making friends and building relationships with one another through these various activities. So I hope, by God's grace, if you are one of us, an SFC, you will be able to attend your next household meeting despite the many hindrances of not being able to. But if you're not, then, I hope you'll be in the next round of our "Christian Life Program" better known as CLP. We usually have it twice a year. 

I already gave them their assignments. Our next stop is at siz Sheila's place. Hmm.. We have to schedule the next round of household. I hope our schedules meet so we can all be available for it. Again, I forgot to give them my “pasalubong" from Manila during the ICON in Feb. The gift was so overdue because I kept on forgetting. I hope I’d be able to remember to finally give it to them the next time we meet.

God is so great! Bless you! ;p

The 12th - Dedication Day

        As they say time flies, it was the 12th talk of the "Christian Life Program" held at sis Jane's beach house in Tag Ibo, Iligan City. We had a flower and beach attire theme since we were on the beach just like the sample picture shown below. Hehe! ;p

          Earlier today there were twelve participants who were able to see it through the end. Twelve who dedicated themselves to be in the community. After the many Sundays that they spent with the SFC St. Michael's Chapter, they are now finally one of us. They are officially Singles for Christ members! This is how God works. Simply amazing!

The gospel today was taken from Luke 10:1-12, 17-20.

"Pray the Lord to send out laborers into his harvest"

1 After this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to come. 2 And he said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. 4 Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and salute no one on the road. 5 Whatever house you enter, first say, `Peace be to this house!' 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace shall rest upon him; but if not, it shall return to you. 7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages; do not go from house to house. 8 Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you; 9 heal the sick in it and say to them, `The kingdom of God has come near to you.' 10 But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, 11 `Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off against you; nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.' 12 I tell you, it shall be more tolerable on that day for Sodom than for that town.

17 The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!" 18 And he said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall hurt you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

        Being able to organize and run the program is no joke. It is hard work. I'm sure you'd agree with me on that one. (That is why I honor my brothers and sisters in Christ for a job well done! You know who you are.) 

         Nowadays, no one would commit to work for free. Only very few people would be willing to commit their time and effort in doing something for others, especially to strangers. It requires a servant's heart. I believe that whatever it is that drives a person to do mission work, no matter how big or small it may be, is divine intervention. When we do good to others, when we do good things, small things without expecting anything in return, we become selfless. A genuine service to others, is a genuine love for them. It is divine intervention. Why? Simply because human as we are, we naturally are selfish. We more often than not think of "how will it benefit me?" or in other words, "what's in it for me?" That is why being able to offer free service is God's work in us. He is changing us, molding us, to be the best person that he wants us to be. He wants us to be more like Jesus everyday. Sometimes we just won't notice but "change" is happening to us each day. Just as long as, we stay connected to Him. We are assured of a bright, beautiful future. There is no reason why He will not grant our sincerest prayers. After all, He is a Great God! He is calling all of us to be His laborer. All we need to do is say "YES!" and He will do the rest.

"May we stand on solid ground to be His faithful servants to bring in more harvest. May we never get tired of doing more for others. May we set our eyes on the prize more than the riches this world can offer. There is no other work that will fill us with so much joy and fulfillment than His work done through us. May our work please Him and honor His mighty name forever. Amen." 

Think Good. Think God.

            Today, I thought I'll be having just the usual rainy day bum mode. However, an FB post and a text message reminded me to attend mass since it is the first Friday of the month. It will then be followed by the Alliance of Two Hearts. I don't even remember when the last time I attended the first Friday mass nor had I ever had a novena at the church. Oh well, I didn't bother much nor did I really commit myself to go because the usual temptation of not going together with all its possible reasons just keeps on knocking at my door telling me that it's still raining hard. Lol. But at the back of my mind, I thought I'll try and see if I can still make it since it is already 5:30 pm.

            True enough, I was late. I arrived during the priest's homily. And now while I try to recall what it was about, such a shame I can't seem to remember. Hmmm.. Bad Cheetah! So much for attending mass. After the mass, I saw some SFC friends most are my upper household sisters. We witnessed the priest exposing the Blessed Sacrament. Then after a while, we joined Ate Pops as she led the novena. Although we are always invited, it was my first time to attend the first Friday mass at St. Michael's Cathedral.

            Later on, I was made aware that there was also an ongoing confession that was simultaneously done. So I took it as an opportunity to ask forgiveness. The priest told me three things that I need to remember: 1) Think Good 2) Think God 3) Pray and the ask intercession of Mama Mary. Think good to drive out the negativity that makes me weak. The cross, as it is shaped, is a constant reminder that we should think positively. It is Jesus on the cross and we should think of Him. When we think of Him, we are guided so we will never neglect or put Him aside. And if we do, the evil one is just waiting and he will do everything in his power to tear us apart then we easily fall to his trap whatever it may be. Pray! But even as we pray, we can still sin. Therefore, we should ask for Mama Mary's intercession and follow her example how she lived her life. So, we too can be an example to others.

            Those and one thing more got stuck in my head during the novena and that is "Waiting is loving". Really? To wait is to love. Hmmm... I remember my print shirt that reads "Real love waits". Oh right! It is not easy to wait and just be patient. It is never easy at all. Nor is it easy to love because love entails hurt. They say "you have never loved if you were never hurt" - just like Christ suffering and hurting because He loved us so. It's like the buy 1 take 1 burger we see on the streets. Although, we could just wish it was just as easy as having a burger! But it doesn't work like that.

            I was really sad earlier which maybe the reason I am not able to remember the homily. I can't focus on listening because I just learned that my close friend and his long term boyfriend broke up. Somehow it kept on haunting my thoughts that moment. I thought of the years, all the memories, and everything else they had. It breaks my heart to hear what happened and it is a sad reality that some things really never work out. Whatever the differences we have or the circumstances we face, our life is a result of how we live it. It is shaped by our personality and the choices we make. It is important to discern well what we say, do and not do because we cannot turn back time. Time is too precious to waste. One cannot afford to dwell regretting on what happened in the past because before we know it our time might be up. Thus, it is essential to reflect on the purpose of this life because life only happens once.

"I pray that you may be blessed more than you deserve, be strengthened in your weakest moments and protected from evil at all times. May you live in the light and love of God our Father that in his mercy and grace, grant the desires of your heart according to His will in his perfect time. May you please Him in all you say, think and do, that you may love Him with all of your heart, mind, and soul, every bit of your being. In Jesus name. Amen."

It was all worth it. I am glad to be reminded as often as I needed to be. God never fails to remind me. He never fails to show His undying, unconditional love every day of my life.

Praise be to God forever!!! ;p

P.S. 
Thank you for the wonderful fellowship over dinner my dear sisters, Ate Pops, sis Jinky, Lalaine,  Abby, Grace and brothers Junjie, Maxi. Abby, we continue to pray for you. Smile God is Great!