Footprints' Memory

When my mother left us to life eternal on June 21, 2013 after suffering from vasculitis and eventually from cancer, I experienced "letting go" as the hardest part to deal with in life.  It seemed there was once again a "cutting of the umbilical cord" that tied me with her.  And, just like an infant, I have to grapple on living after such a strong detachment.  At times, tears would well-out whenever you miss the milk of her comfort, the touch of her hands, the smiles in her eyes, and the maternal strength she had shown.  Now the only thing I could do is to just look up, assured that she’s now with God, happily looking at us from heaven.

CHALLENGE

It is a leap of faith to let go and let God when the reality of death comes!

WALK WITH THE LORD

Eternal rest grant unto the soul of our mother, O Lord.  And let your perpetual light shine upon her.  May she and all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

WALK WITH THE WORD

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.  (1 Peter 1:3)

Footprints' Disposition

Kathrina, my niece, is suffering from 'neurofibroma with cafe au lai'.  It started at her teenage and now she's 29.  Days passes, her pain intensifies and sometimes a dose or two of her pain medicines do not help much, but silently she just bears it.  Mostly confined in a wheelchair, she's totally dependent on her family's help.  Yet with these conditions, her sense of humors never suffers; and this disposition even influences others.  

CHALLENGE
We often drag our feet if things don't go our way or if we are in a situation we don't like much. As a result, not only the situation suffers but we too suffer.

WALK WITH THE LORD
Lord Jesus, I pray for Kathrina and all those who are sick. Being chosen to walk the path of sufferings, in union with You, may they realize the values and merits of bearing their illness, not only for themselves but for others too. Amen.

WALK WITH THE WORD
Rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when His glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly. (1 Peter 4:13)

Footprints' Letter

Anak, medyo mabagal akong magsulat ngayon dahil alam kong mabagal ka ring magbasa. Nandito na kami sa Estados Unidos para bantayan ang bagong biling bahay ng kapatid mo. Pero hindi ko naibigay sa iyo ang address dahil dinala ng dating nakatira ang address para daw hindi na sila magpalit ng address.

Maganda ang lugar na ito at malayo sa Manila. Dalawang beses lang umulan sa linggong ito, tatlong araw noong una at apat na araw noong pangalawa.

Nakakainis lang ang mga paninda dito katulad nun nabili ko na shampoo dahil ayaw bumula. Nakasulat kasi "FOR DRY HAIR" kaya hindi ko binabasa ang buhok ko pag ginagamit ko. Mamaya ay ibabalik ko sa Walmart at magrereklamo ako.

Noong isang araw naman ay hindi ako makapasok sa bahay dahil ayaw bumukas ng padlock. Nakasulat kasi ay "YALE", eh aba namalat na ako sa kasisigaw ay hindi pa din bumubukas. Magrereklamo din ako sa nagbenta ng bahay, akala nila hindi ko alam na SIGAW ang tagalog ng "YALE", wise yata ito!

Mayroon nga pala akong nabili na magandang jacket at tiyak na magugustuhan mo. Ipinadala ko na sa iyo sa "Federal Express" medyo mahal daw dahil mabigat ang mga butones kaya ang ginawa ko ay tinanggal ko na lang ang mga butones at inilagay ko na lang sa bulsa ng jacket. Ikabit mo na lang pag dating diyan.

Nagpadala rin ako ng tseke para sa mga nasalanta ng bagyo, hindi ko na pinirmahan dahil gusto ko na maging anonymous donor. Nakakahiya naman kung ipagkakalat ko pa.

Ang kapatid mo palang si Jhun ay may trabaho na dito, mayroon siyang 500 na tao sa ilalim niya. Nag-gugupit siya ngayon ng damo sa memorial park, okey naman ang kita above minimum ang sahod.

Nakapanganak na rin pala ang Ate Baby mo, hindi ko pa alam kung babae o lalake kaya hindi ko pa masasabi na kung ikaw ay bagong uncle or auntie.

Wala na akong masyadong balita. Sumulat ka na lang ng madalas.

Love, Papa
P.S. Maglalagay sana ako ng pera, kaya lang ay naisara ko na ang envelope. Next time na lang ha?

CHALLENGE
Filipinos are known for their magnanimity. Whenever they walk in foreign lands, their thoughts will always include all their love ones. They will communicate often and even find ways and means just to send something for their love ones. Communication can solve and resolve distances of the hearts.

WALK WITH THE LORD
Lord Jesus, when time and distance separates me from my love ones, may I find consolation that You are always between us, bridging and filling in the gap. Amen.

WALK WITH THE WORD
May the Lord keep watch between you and me when we are out of each other's sight. (Genesis 31:49)

Double Footprints

A crusty old man walks into a bank and says to the teller at the window: I want to open a damn checking account." To which the astonished woman replies: "I beg your pardon, sir; I must have misunderstood you.What did you say?" "Listen up bitch! I said, I want to open a damn checking account! right now!" "I'm very sorry sir, but we do not tolerate that kind of language in this bank." Having said this, the teller leaves the window and goes over to the bank manager to tell him about her problem customer.

They both return and the manager asks the old geezer: "What seems to be the problem here?" "There's no damn problem, sonny," the elderly man says. "I just won 50 million bucks in the damn lottery and I want to open a damn checking account in this damn bank!" "I see," says the manager thoughtfully. "And you're saying that this bitch here is giving you a hard time?"

CHALLENGE

Footprints that capture the fine lines of our feet means steady footing. Likewise, a steady faith amidst troubles ensures a peaceful living.

WALK WITH THE LORD

Lord Jesus, when challenging situations walk towards me, help me to remain stable in my faith in You. Amen.

WALK WITH THE WORD

For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, since he is a man of two minds, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:7-8)

Footprints' Luck

The story is told about an interviewer who asked: “What would you do if one morning you woke up and found beside you $1 million?” The American responded that he would go on a world tour. The Japanese said he would put up a luxury hotel. The Chinese said he’d put it all in stocks. The Filipino said he’d sleep again, so that when he woke up he’d have another million!

CHALLENGE
It is amusing that some people finds luck rather easily without exerting any effort at all.  But what do we do after that? Do we look up to God to utter our gratitude? And do we look sideways so we can share this luck to those in need? 

WALK WITH THE LORD
Lord Jesus, help us to walk with total trust, that as we do our best you will do the rest. Amen.

WALK WITH THE WORD
You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by the works. (James 2:22)