A love that endures

“What is family?”
We pondered and ask ourselves what family meant for us. We mentioned words that relate to “family” and we agreed that the word itself has a lot of meaning. We concluded that family means God’s gift, belongingness, happiness, blessing, comfort, love, faith, trust, peace, purpose, guidance, strength, unity, forgiveness, home, church, marriage, providence, sacrifice, relationship, communication, time, treasure, community, work, effort, distance, responsibility, blood related, sweat, rivalry, hurts, under progress, third party, mistress, abortion, emotional baggage, selfishness, separation, brokenness, defense mechanism, pain, misunderstanding and the list goes on. We realized that family can be defined simply as love.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things.
-1 Corinthians 13:7

How wonderful and powerful true and genuine love can be? For it is by love that God sent his Son to save the world. It is by love that he has called us and even blessed us with a family we can call our own. It is also by love from our parents that we are here enjoying life by living on earth. We don’t choose our parents and neither do they choose their children. The family is a manifestation of God’s great plan and love for mankind.

A family is not referred to as blood related only. Any person can be a part of a family no matter what their circumstances may be. Belonging to a community, to a workplace, to the Church, to friends or even housemates is already considered as a family because we are building a relationship with them. Being migrant workers in a foreign country, I believe God provided a second family for us to share and enjoy our life even if our biological family is away from us.

The fruit of a family is a blessing of a relationship and a love that is shared between them. It is the love that binds and unites them like a rope tied by connecting each member together. The love continues to grow stronger and blazes like fire burning with passion and desire that nothing can stop it. The relationship built flows deeply more than blood, sweat and water as time passes by. We all have good and bad sides and when there is love and acceptance, the heart is freed of any guilt or bad emotions and the desire to change to become better is there.

The family nowadays is being attacked and we should always remember that no matter how hard and difficult the situations may be, as long as there is love, relationship and a commitment to hold on to then definitely it will withstand all the storms that life may bring. The vibrant colors symbolize the ups and downs of family life. It shows that family will always be the reason for us to love and they will always be our home when there’s no place that we can run to for comfort. Love endures and therefore our family should endure because they are God’s gift to us. Our family and our love to them is always worth fighting and enduring for!

This entry is dedicated to all our family and friends who are gifts from God and we praise the Lord for they are our treasures! They are a God's masterpiece in our life. "Thank you and We love you!"

Dubai Chapter 3B3: Thank you Girl power!
Sarah Lauren Lim, Karla Mae Gabion, Vaneflor Olesco, Leah Joy Lingat, Madonna Cabalona and also thank you for the support from members of Chapter 3B3

Bisita Iglesia Throwback

A throwback with one of the culture/traditions that we do during Holy week.

Bisita/Visita Iglesia for me is literally visiting the Church (as to how it is translated).  I never had an idea on how it feels like to visit several churches, to reflect and to pray more especially during Holy Week (Semana Santa). I heard about how it was done and usually people do it after Palm Sunday until Maundy Thursday. They say when it is your first time to visit the Church, you should make a wish. I remember doing it the first time with the YFC community last 2008 and I really enjoyed the trip. I learned new things and gained experiences and from then on, I loved doing it and was looking forward for the next years to come.

YFC CAPIZ 2008 - 2010 - 2011

During the year 2009, we had our Bisita Iglesia with the family and we rode the tricycle. We visited Cathedral, Mt. Carmel then Panay, Bailan, Pontevedra, Pres. Roxas and we went to Estancia. It was a fun adventure with the family, though tiring it was worth it. We were able to reflect and at the same time had a bonding with each other.

Last 2010, I had the chance to organize the activity for YFC in Roxas City. I remember myself promoting it via sms and we were like 15? We were able to rent an L3 van. Ayra and my sister Carla was with us during that time. It was a great moment to remember. We started at Cathedral then Panay Church, then Bailan Church, then Hipona Church, Pontevedra Church and then Pres. Roxas Church. We had lunch at Agtalin, Pilar and we did the Stations of the Cross there. After that we went to Panit-an Church, then Loctugan church, VB Alba chapel and lastly was Mt. Carmel Church. I remember coming home and we had a family version and visited the same churches as mentioned but we also went to Carmelite church near Lawaan. No matter how busy, tiring and challenging the day has been it’s still worth it because you spent it entirely with the people closest to you.

2011 came and again we organized a trip. This time we rented 2 jeepneys since many joined us. From the previous years we were few but then God is indeed good for we have doubled our numbers and we have inspired people to come and join us. As usual we started at Cathedral then the famous Panay church, then Bailan, then Hipona, Pontevedra and Pres. Roxas. We still had our lunch at Agtalin, Pilar. After that we passed through Panit-an church, Loctugan, Cristo Redentor (Ivisan) then VB Alba and lastly was Mt. Carmel.    

I had my first Bisita Iglesia in the UAE last 2012 and it was during the peak of summer. It was very hot. We went to Jebel Ali to visit St. Joseph Church then went to Abu Dhabi which was St. Francis Church. We then head off to St. Mary's in Al Ain then we had lunch at Jabel Hafeet (don't know if right spelling) and our last stop was St. Mary's church in Dubai. It was the first time wherein I shared an experience of mine since I was new in the UAE and also in the community. We were asked to share once we picked up a verse. I felt happy since I told them the story why I was here. It was good since I get to meet new people and witness how God works even in the Middle East which is far away from our homeland.

2 years later here I am blessed and working even if it's Holy Week. I can't complain but just be thankful because I am able to practice my faith and still have the freedom to do what I want unlike others who cannot. Thank you Lord for everything! You are a great Almighty Father! Praise God for your love that never fails and never ends. I have missed what I used to do and I hope to do them again in God's time.

Have a blessed Maundy Thursday!
Deo Gloria!
4/17/2014

I love my household!

A household is a gift from God. If the family is the basic unit of society then a household is a basic unit of the CFC SFC community. Having a household is being part of a family that shares a common goal in life and that is to serve and glorify God. It is in the household that the teaching and learning takes place. It's where we are molded, maintained, uplifted, inspired, motivated and perhaps healed. It is also where we can talk about sensitive and personal issues within the people involved and there's confidence that nothing comes out but stays within the group.

It is through the household where my roots started to grow, gained a strong foundation, maintained a stable prayer time, inspired to bear fruit through my service and the exchange of relationships shared with other people.

A household is a blessing. It's a great and gorgeous gift from God. It's what we call 4G and it's not only limited to your boyfriend or girlfriend. Our families are considered 4G. Anything can be considered and it depends on the person values it.

I am blessed with 4 angels from God! Namely, Enina Ocampo, Collete Cawagas, Cristina Padual Alday and Maikie Ann Quimson Aniciete! I am happy to journey with them and favored to share my life with theirs! I feel so honored to be a Nanay to them in our household. God is so good for allowing me to meet wonderful persons whom I will guide through the SFC community. I feel confident and somehow humbled knowing that serving them is my mission now! I also pray for their hearts, service and desire that may they seek God in all that they do. I hope they'll grow mature in serving Christ and find there purpose in glorifying Him. And when they will be ready, I know they will become effective leaders, servants and followers of God. I claim in Jesus' name and during the right time, may God's will be done, AMEN!

I LOVE MY SFC HOUSEHOLD!

Happy 2014 to us! Cheers to a great year with God!

SFC FAMILY

Merry Christmas Angels, my dear Household and to our CFC Singles for Christ family and extended families in Christ.. 

May Christ's birth bring us peace, joy, hope, love, faith, trust, light, healing and prosperity in all our good works as we live to evangelize others with God's grace! 








Thank you Jesus for being born in this world and for saving us from our sins. Happy birthday Baby Jesus! Cheeers!    Lalaaaabs! God bless us all! Mwaaaaaaaahhhugs!