Death and Dying

According to Kubler-Ross' theory, there are 5 different stages of grief. These are more commonly known as: DABDA. 

(I don't wanna open my book anymore regarding Kubler-Ross' theory; so I'd just get stuffs from wikipedia just to give my point and my blog substance. Click here for more in wikipedia.)

DENIAL — "I feel fine."; "This can't be happening, not to me."

Denial is usually only a temporary defense for the individual. This feeling is generally replaced with heightened awareness of possessions and individuals that will be left behind after death.

ANGER — "Why me? It's not fair!"; "How can this happen to me?"; '"Who is to blame?"

Once in the second stage, the individual recognizes that denial cannot continue. Because of anger, the person is very difficult to care for due to misplaced feelings of rage and envy.

BARGAINING — "I'll do anything for a few more years."; "I will give my life savings if..."

The third stage involves the hope that the individual can somehow postpone or delay death. Usually, the negotiation for an extended life is made with a higher power in exchange for a reformed lifestyle. Psychologically, the individual is saying, "I understand I will die, but if I could just do something to buy more time..."

DEPRESSION  — "I'm so sad, why bother with anything?"; "I'm going to die soon so what's the point... What's the point?"; "I miss my loved one, why go on?"

During the fourth stage, the dying person begins to understand the certainty of death. Because of this, the individual may become silent, refuse visitors and spend much of the time crying and grieving. This process allows the dying person to disconnect from things of love and affection. It is not recommended to attempt to cheer up an individual who is in this stage. It is an important time for grieving that must be processed.

ACCEPTANCE — "It's going to be okay."; "I can't fight it, I may as well prepare for it."

In this last stage, individuals begin to come to terms with their mortality, or that of a loved one, or other tragic event.

(My thoughts start from this point.)

It is not necessary that a person undergoes the stages chronologically like, Denial first, Anger second, and so on. One may be on the Denial stage, and is also Bargaining. It is also not necessary that a person has to undergo everything of the DABDA stages, as one may not go through Depression. As I remember, for sure, Acceptance go last.

With due respect to Kubler-Ross, I would like to propose two more stages. Let's make it DABDATH. I agree and would not alter DABDA as Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance; for these are natural and human responses to death and dying. And as human as we are, these additions are, as well, essential.

First off, TRUST. Trust in the Lord that this is His wisdom. We maybe losing our earthly life, or the life of our loved one, but, let us trust God that this is His will. This is God's perfect timing. We may not be able to understand it now, yet we are assured of His love. 

Last proposal, HOPE. Hope that the Lord is up to something good. Romans 82:8 says, "We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose." Let us hope that in the end we will all enjoy eternity with God in his Heavenly Kingdom.

We believe in the communion of saints.

We believe in the resurrection of the dead.

We believe in life everlasting.

Amen.

May the souls of tito Felix, lolo Ato, lolo Ardie, lola Basi, tito Rory, and tito Ellie, and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

And here's a song for all of us...

In pain or in happiness

In abundance or in absence

I will praise Your Name

In triumph of defeat

In sickness or in health

I will praise Your Name

For You said, You know well the plans You have for me

Plans for my welfare and not for my woe

Plans You give to me a future full of hope

When I pray to You, You listen to me

I cling to Your promise, my God


*Bible verses in here are from the New American Bible.

Heart Status

Boracay from the 25th to the 29th of December 2011. It was my first time. Yey!

I am with (from Left to Right) ate April, kuya Tony, Paolo, Nino, (and that's me), Kevin, Daddy, and tito Pol, who took the picture.

BORACAY FORMED MY HEART.

Banana boat. Helmet diving. Boat sailing. Island hopping at Puka Beach. Skim boarding. Eating. Sleeping. Food coma (Sleeping right after eating). Walking and lots of it.

Doing this new things (plus the Zipline and Wall climbing done in Eco Park, QC.), all of them for the first time except for the eating-sleeping-food coma part, reminded me of what I stood up for God at the beginning of the year 2011: To live a FEARLESS life for Him. And to live a fearless life is to always grip on to God's sufficient, saving, sanctifying GRACE because He is always gripping on us. If I have remained in my fear of doing new things, I wouldn't be able to experience how great those things are, and ultimately, how Great GOD is.

I don't have much interest in adventurous stuffs, but as I did the above-mentioned activities, the more I became awed of how great God is. The more I get to bask in the greatness of our Creator. 

God is the Master of all. In all the things I saw and did, what I always say is: "Ang galing ng Diyos!" (Great is our God). That for every wave tossed in the ocean, He is in control. That the coordination of His creation, sea, wind, and all, was designed very well. That the entire scene is God's artwork. And that Boracay is one big playground created by God for His children.


BORACAY BROKE MY HEART.

As hotels and restaurants were all over the place, so are bars and beers. We went there on the 25th. And it was heartbreaking to see some who celebrates Christmas without having the real Reason of celebrating it: JESUS. It breaks my heart that Christmas--God becoming Man, uniting Himself fully: physically and spiritually, with man--became just a holiday to some.

It breaks my heart to see some who do not respect their bodies as exposing them as if they are having a private time, forgetting that they are in a public place. And that there are also a lot of shops offering temporary and permanent tattoo; and I even saw kids having one.

If you don't respect your body, who will? . . . Our bodies is an invitation to love, and not an invitation to lust. --Jason Evert, Catholic chastity speaker.

It is heartbreaking to see that the virtue of chastity and purity of life, of body and soul, were abandoned by many. Maybe because they just don't know or, worse, they have forgotten about it. My heart breaks when I see people missing out the point of living life to the purest. 

As these things broke my heart, it also affirmed me that there are a lot of work to be done and we are on the right track.


MMH.

When Jesus saw [his] Mother, and the disciple, he said to [his] Mother, "Woman, this is your son." Then he said to the disciple, "There is your mother." And from that moment the disciple took her to his own home. --John 19:26-27, NAB

At the very last day of our stay in Boracay, by God's plan and grace we saw a grotto of Mother Mary; elevated, situated in a rock. I wasn't expecting it in Boracay. And it reminded me that even Boracay is under the Motherly love of our Perpetual Blessed Virgin; and that Mary will not forsake us. She is our Mother, and we are her children.

I noticed, as well, that when some climbed up to the grotto to take picture, they won't include Mary in. They'd just take advantage of the elevation of the place. And yes, it broke my heart again.


There is really a lot of things that needs to be done. And I have to have a heart like Mary: MMH (Mama Mary Heart). A heart full of obedience, trust, and courage. 


God will meet us right where we are. Whether on mission or on vacation, God will. He never stops surprising His children. And as He surprises them, He teaches them. He assures His children that He is God. 


I have to remain FEARLESS for my God is now my Strength!


Most Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.


A blog of Boracay pictures will follow; I just don't know when that will be.

Because All Was Without Cost

Without cost you have received, without cost shall you give. --cf. Matthew 10:8, NAB

All things came from God, and from God all things came to be. And all things from Him is good and is free; for He is a Generous God. The gift of mission is freely given to us; and to be available for God's work is our gift. Without cost we have received the joy of mission; without cost shall must we also give for God's work.

We've gone to Isabela to bring the good news of chastity and purity. The kuya's gave the sessions. My part? To share the story of my life, my own conviction of being chaste and pure. Most of what's in store for us in that mission, we have received for free. All costs in the transport, the food, the accomodations, treated like V.I.P.'s, and all others were freely given. I was thinking that I'd just share to high school students  what God taught me and all other things in this mission was for free?

But don't get me wrong, it is not because those material things have been freely made available that we have freely given ourselves. But it is because of God's love being poured on us without cost that enables us to give without cost.

The more we give freely, the more we receive freely. What a paradox, that is! That the gift of mission has been freely given (that is why it is called a gift) to us, it allowed us to openly give ourselves, and that we are able to receive more. Such is the generosity of God. He does not only pamper His children materially, as how He did to us in Isabela. He, as well, nourished us spiritually through the reception of the Eucharist every morning of our stay, the realizations we learned in every act we've done, the joy of seeing lives starting to have the same conviction of chastity and purity, and us being more deeply rooted in our stand to live a holy life.

The generosity of God allowed us to experience more of Him, that He really met us in Isabela, teaching us more about chastity and purity. And this same generosity asks us to be generous of our time, our talent, our treasure, and our all for Him, who freely gives.

With this, may God be praised.

Some pictures from the mission:

The Team: Kuya Jo-I, Ate Raine, Kuya Ej, Me, and Kuya Fyron,.
With the Isabela SK Chairman Jerald and the High School Principal of one of the schools in Isabela.

My first plane ride. Yey! Thank you Lord!

Live Pure with the carabaos.

Sharing my conviction of living a chaste and pure life.

You can also view this same blog here: http://cfcffl.net/index.php/because-all-was-without-cost

This is Your Lesson Number One

Lesson #1 to becoming SAINT:

SELF-DENIAL

That I almost cried denying myself.

I thought self-denial was something easy to do. 

But this is what God taught me, to deny myself because of His LOVE for me and for LOVE of Him.

My GOD is now my Strength [Part 1]

I've lost myself for good within God's promise.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011.

I entered my review class with a heavy heart. Everything the reviewer says was mere noise to me. I was not in the mood to study and learn. And since everything was just noise and I can’t digest and understand anything, I moved out of the room, went to the veranda of the building. I tried to cool myself: Nagpahangin ako ng magulong puso.

It was supposed to be a me-time moment. But God made it as a God-time moment. As to where I am, I had a view of the houses, the cars, the other buildings, etc. As I sit in the veranda, I saw a flock of birds just flying in circular manner. This is where the Lord spoke to me.

God says:

See the birds fly? As they fly, they are able to worship Me. In their very act of flying and in simply flying, they are worshipping Me. They are able to worship Me by just doing what they are made to do. And Kaye, I made you for Me. By simply being human, you are worshipping Me. In doing the things I made you to do, you are able to worship Me. I MADE YOU FOR ME; and not for anyone else, not even for yourself. And with this, I promise that you are DESTINED AND MADE FOR GREATNESS, that I may be worshipped.

With this, it occurred to me that I should get back to class and review. This is because by just reviewing and doing it for God, I am able to worship Him. What God told me created both fear and excitement. Fear of not even having myself; and excitement for what the Lord will further do for me to witness and experience. Before going back to review, I prayed and thanked God for the affirmation. I went back to review, and heard another affirmation.

Through our reviewer, I believed that God affirmed our work of being missionaries. Our reviewer was discussing “transcultural nursing”; and in the latest book of Madeleine Leininger (proponent of transcultural nursing), she says that Filipinos is the best example of transcultural nursing. With this discussion, I am affirmed that God has really set the Filipino people for His Work: that God would use the Filipinos in the Church’s work of evangelization and mission.

Thursday, April 14, 2011.

A day before the much-awaited World Youth Congress 2011. It was about 6AM. A carpool of missionaries was bound to the north of Luzon at Dagupan City, Pangasinan, for a five-hour drive. We were able to reach Dagupan City by almost 12PM. As we enter the main venue, CSI Stadia, and as I saw the stage, aesthetics, the largeness of the venue, etc., I said to myself: “Huwaw! This is the life! Ang lakas! Sure win ang congress.” Everything in Stadia was big. Ang laki ng stage. Larger than twice the human height ang mga designs. Kakainin ka ng venue if you are not prepared for its greatness.

Then we had our Mass at the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist. After celebrating the Mass there, we went to the Blessed Sacrament. Everything was just beautiful and everything was worth experiencing. ‘Yung pag-Simba ko lang sa Cathedral at sa pagpunta sa presensya ni Kristo sa Blessed Sacrament, panalo na ang congress ko!

In the evening, we went back to Stadia for our recollection. The message was very powerful: 

JESUS CHRIST IS THE MASTER OF BOTH THE SEEN AND THE UNSEEN.

The congress proper has not even started. 

But the strength of God was very present. 
On the feeding of the five thousand: Lahat kayang pakainin.

Totoo, Walang Imposible Sa Lakas Ng Diyos!


My God is now my strength.
-cf. Isaiah 49:5

Latin Title

This blog post is written by the author to simply CONGRATULATE HER BELOVED SISTER!!

MARIA ELEANOR P. ASEJO

For being one of Class 2011's

CUM LAUDE

I am so proud of you kapatid!!

Kaya pakainin mo na ako!!

This blog post is, as well, written by the author to GIVE PRAISE AND GLORY to our

AWESOME GOD

who had given this blessing simply because HE IS STRONG!

Possible 'to dahil sa Lakas Ng Diyos!

* "Cum Laude" are Latin words meaning "with praise".

** Cum Laude: a grade-point average of 1.75-1.50 with no grade lower than 2.50.

Unto the Very Last Day

Friday, 31 December 2010.


Click here for the readings of this day.


The Gospel today: [1 John 1:1-18 (NAB)]

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him,and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him.

But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God.

And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only-begotten Son, full of grace and truth.

John testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’” From his fullness we have all received,
grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only-begotten Son, God, who is at the Father’s side,
has revealed him.

As I reflect for today's readings and Gospel, I heard God whispered: "Isn't this LOVE?"
Unto the very last day, God's message is LOVE.
His unfathomable, unconditional LOVE.


All of these are because of LOVE:

• All things were made through Jesus Christ.
• Whatever has come to be, found life in Jesus Christ.
• Jesus Christ is the light, which darkness can never overcome.
• Jesus Christ came for his own; for what is his.
• Those who received Christ, he empowers to become children of God.
• Who Jesus Christ owns are born of God; and not because of anyone's will, but God's.
• In Jesus Christ, we have received grace after grace.
• In Jesus Christ, we have truth and grace.
• No one has seen God, but through Jesus Christ, God has been revealed.

GOD loves us so much. And so, as his sons and daughters, we, like John, should respond to Him in love:

• Bear witness to introduce the Light, who is Jesus Christ, that others might believe.
• Testify to the Love of God.
• Share God's love and not our love.
• Live in the light. Live a pure life.

"GOD is the essence of life, the energy of grace, the reason of our existence, and the purpose of life. It is in this GOD that we live and move and have our being." --Bible Diary 2010


==============================

Man 1: I love you so much.
Man 2: Why?
Man 1: I don't know. I just love you.

***

GOD: I love you so much.
Man: Why?
GOD: Because I, your GOD, is love.


GOD has all the reason to love us. This is because He is, in Himself, LOVE. And He only has not all the reason to love us, but that He loved us first and His love is perfect. (cf. 1 John 4). And nothing can separate us from this love of God in Christ Jesus. (cf. Romans 8:38-39).
And He had proved His love for us in this: that while we were still sinners, Jesus Christ died for us. (cf. Romans 5:8).
Instead of us dying for our sins, Jesus Christ paid the price.
This is GRACE.
This is LOVE: unfathomable and unconditional

+
Lord, I do understand your love and your grace; but I just cannot comprehend its greatness.
I just cannot even imagine it.
It is more than myself. It consumes me.
It is so uncontainable. You, oh Lord, is uncontainable.
Thank you Lord! Amen.
+

Planning Ahead

The best gift anyone can give me this new year is a planner.
I like planners because I am a planner.
I like thinking ahead.
I like being prepared.
I get a high from being on top of things.
But some things are beyond planning.
And life doesn't always turn out as planned.

You don't plan for a broken heart.
You don't plan for a failed business venture.
You don't plan for an adulterous husband.
Or a wife who wants you out of her life.
You don't plan for an autistic child.
You don't plan for spinsterhood.
You don't plan for a lump in your breast.

You plan to be young forever.
You plan to climb the corporate ladder.
You plan to be rich and powerful.
You plan to be acclaimed and successful.
You plan to conquer the universe.
You plan to fall in love - and be loved forever.

You don't plan to be sad.
You don't plan to be hurt.
You don't plan to be broke.
You don't plan to be betrayed.
You don't plan to be alone in this world.

You plan to be happy.
You don't plan to be shattered.
Sometimes if you work had enough, you can get what you want.
But most times, what you want and what you get are two different things.

We, mortals, plan. But so does GOD in the heavens.

Sometimes, it is difficult to understand GOD's plans especially when His plans are not in consonance with ours.
Often, when GOD sends us crisis, we turn to Him in anger.
True, we cannot choose the cross that GOD wishes us to carry, but we can carry that cross with courage knowing that GOD will never abandon us nor send something we cannot cope with.

Sometimes, GOD breaks our spirit to save our soul.
Sometimes, He breaks our heart to make us whole.
Sometimes, GOD sends us pain so we can be stronger.
Sometimes, GOD sends us failure so we can be humble.
Sometimes, GOD sends us illness so we can take better care of ourselves.
Sometimes, GOD takes everything away from us so we can learn the value of everything He gave us.

Make plans but understand that we live by GOD's grace.

Note: Got this somewhere. Not mine.

SUPRA!

Last night was another inspiring household!


THANKSGIVING!


'Pag uwi ko, umupo ako sa sofa. Then I suddenly found myself reflecting on the events of the past; lalo na 'yung nangyari last semester (4th year, 1st sem). Just the recently concluded semester. Events flashed before my very eyes.


Duties.
Lectures.
Cluster activities.
Campus activities.


After reminiscing these things, wala akong ibang nasabi kung di, "Thank you Lord! Thank you sobra!"
At wala akong ibang nagawa kung di ang magdasal!


Ang magdasal na ang laman ay pasasalamat.
Pasasalamat sa mga naging hamon ng nakaraang semester; na sa huli ay naging hamon na food!
Pasasalmat na nakalagpas sa mga istriktong propesor and all.
Pasasalamat sa lakas na alam kong hindi nagmula sa akin, kung di mula kay God.
Pasasalamat sa biyaya ng pag-aaral.
Pasasalamat sa biyaya ng pamilya na laging nakasuporta.
Pasasalamat sa biyaya ng YFL community, na nag-iinspire sa akin.
At higit sa lahat, pasasalamat sa biyaya at regalo ng buhay sa pagkakataong maranasan ang lahat ng ito!


LORD! SUPRANG THANK YOU!


SUPRA = Super + Sobra


At sa ikaw na bumabasa nito, salamat sa oras sa pagbasa ng mga bagay-bagay na pinasasalamatan ko.
Ikaw, anong mga pinasasalamatan mo?
Kung ano o sino man yan, pasalamatan mo na!


Deo gratias!

How Did The Mission Trip Changed Your Life?

The Subic Mission Team's One-liner in:

How Did The Mission Trip Changed Your Life?

“The mission trip changed me to a much faithful and Christ-centered person.” 

–Renzo Gabriel

“Masaya mag-mission at makakilala ng iba’t ibang klase ng tao; knowing that you glorify one God and at the same time know their stories and learned from it.” 

–May Evangelista

“The mission trip helped me to be closer to God and made me realize that I should serve Him more.” 

–Renz Baxa

“The mission trip fulfilled me.” 

–Meme Asejo

“The mission trip made me a stronger, better, and a holy person.” 

–Kevin Matignas

“The mission trip changed me dramatically in spirit, mind, and heart.” 

–Marvin Eguico

“The mission trip inspired me to be more dedicated to my service.” 

–Ynah Gabriel

“The mission trip made me realize that truly, the majestic power and love of God can reach far places; distance will never be a hindrance.” 

–Tash Salcedo

“Mas nag-enjoy akong mag-serve.” 

–Jhoanne Pataueg

“It is not only in receiving that we experience the love of God, but also in giving ourselves for the sake of others and, most of all, for the sake of Christ.” 

–Kaye Matignas

The Mission Team

Thank you Lord for the mission trip's joyride experience!
Thank you Lord for changing us inside out!


God bless all of the mission trip and all of the missionaries!

God's Work Needs No Delay

Mission Area: District of Iba
Mission Activity: CFC YFL Youth Camp


May 28-30, 2010. The first-ever mission trip to the District of Iba was conducted by a team of 15 different young individuals all responding to the one call of Christ to love Him and to make Him loved. It was such a joyride of an experience! The mission team ran a CFC YFL Youth Camp. The harvest of this youth camp counts to thirty-one (31) new souls!

God’s work needs no delay and so He will not delay you.

“There is a given time for everything and a time for every happening under heaven”

– Ecclesiastes 3:1 (CCB)

It was set as a two-day camp and since we wanted to start on time on the first day of the camp, ie, on a Saturday (29 May 2010), we departed from Manila by Friday (28 May 2010). In traveling to Subic, we have divided the team into two batches. The first batch departs by two in the afternoon (2PM). The second batch departs by seven in the evening (7PM). Those included in the first batch are those who do not have summer classes; while those who have their summer classes and ojt’s are part of the second batch. Unfortunately, I am part of the second batch. Trips to Subic are scheduled by the-hour; the last trip to Subic is scheduled by 9PM. We (the second batch) are supposed to meet at SSS, East Avenue by 6PM. But what happened was different from what was planned. Heavy rain falls caused heavy traffic in Metro Manila. And yes, it was raining heavily by that time. It was already 7PM and we are still not moving from SSS. Two trips to go. I messaged the team to pray for us. Prayer is our most powerful tool. I don’t want to say hello to Subic by Saturday. When we arrived at the bus terminal by 07:20PM, I saw the bus to Subic. The sight of it excites me; but we can’t board it yet, we still have to wait for our two other missionaries. And so, I prayed and I claimed in Jesus’ Name that the bus that has given me part of the taste of the mission will be the same bus we’d board into. It was 07:30PM when the 7PM trip left Manila. And yes, we are Subic-bound!

God’s work needs no delay and so He will give you strength.

“[But (God) answered:] “my grace is enough for you; my great strength is revealed in your weakness”. Gladly, then, will I boast of my weakness that the strength of Christ may be mine.” 

– 2 Corinthians 12:9

I was assigned to give the third talk of the youth camp. Giving a talk is an exciting thing to do. As it is exciting, it is exhausting as well. It is exhausting in a way that, you have to connect all the points into one thread, you have to connect that one thread to the participants, and you really have to be part of that one thread to get connected to the participants. And as you connect to the participants, you absorb other negativities, eg, the heat of the place (or it might be because I am giving the talk), the inattentive of some, and other distractions. But the negatives I absorbed had not made me quit the work that needs to be done. I refocus myself to the very reason why I am there in the first place: the Love of Christ!

It was not only me who has seen the weight of this work. But as I saw its weight, I have seen the greatness of God’s power and might. One facilitator is to four participants, that is the minimum. And that one facilitator is to four to five sets of one-to-ones. With this article, I would like to honor the facilitators of our team. They did their service really well. Though it is a tough service, they had not seen its cost on their human strength. But they had seen its cause: the Love of Christ!

God’s work needs no delay simply because it is all about God.

"This is love: not that we loved God but that he first loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." - 1 John 4:10 (CCB)

Our God is Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent, and above all, Love. The very fact that the work of our God needs no delay is simply because He loved us first. It is all about Him loving us; for His love is ever constant that it does not increase nor does it decrease. God Himself did not delay His love for us: "But see how God manifested his love for us: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8, CCB). In the same way, we should not, as well, delay to channel the love of God to our brothers and sisters. It is because they need what we need: the Love of Christ!

  

Note:

Italics in the Bible verses are mine.

All Bible verses are taken using the Digital Catholic Bible software program, with the Christian Community Bible (CCB) version. © 2007-2008.

Hanggang Saan Aabot ang Bente Pesos Mo?

I am a poor kid with a rich GOD!

This is more than a tugs-tugs-tugs story.

April 24, 2010 is a free day. Literally "free". All things were free that day. And the providence of God for me to survive that day was, of course, uncontainable.

These were the course of events that day:

Hanggang saan umabot ang bente pesos ko??

• Gone to QC Memorial Circle via our jeep, so that means a free ride
• Conducted and enjoyed our CFC YFL Cluster 3 UBE Activity
• Paid my registration fee of Php 20.00 for food and water; umpisa pa lang ng araw, wala na akong pera (07:30AM)
• Ate ice cream by the power of Meme's 10 pesos
• Got another free ride from QC Hall to McDonald's at Matalino Street; rode another jeep of ours, another free ride
• Ate McDonald's McSaver Meal via Kevin's money
• Ate sundae - Ynah's pre-birthday treat
• Played counter strike and L4D with some C3 people; my account was paid by my brother
• Rode the last jeepney home paid again by my brother

WOW! God is so great! I was able to do and survive all that with just Php 20.00. Well, for a fact, it was Php 21.00. Haha.

I really forgot to bring money because my means of going to QC Circle was free. I was to buy ice cream at QC Circle when I realized that I have nothing left. Totally zero. But I didn't worry.

The problem of no-money-going-home-how-about-transport did not occur to me. I just laughed at myself and accepted the fact of walking to get home. After the UBE, we agreed to go to McDonald's. Pasimuno pa ako ng lakad kahit wala akong dalang pera. Smile appeared to my face when I saw our jeep in the terminal. "Yehes! Libreng sakay ulet!"

The same story goes on that day. "Yehes! Libre ulet!"

Thank you Lord! You are truly AWESOME! You are my Great PROVIDER!

Praise be forever YOURS!

Refresh!

Create in me, O God, a clean heart; give me a new and steadfast spirit!

--Psalm 51:12 (CCB)

That's the theme verse of our April 2010 CFC YFL Youth Camp. I am one of its team leader together with Paolo, my cousin. And this camp has been a refreshing camp, especially for me.

Refresh! Youth Camp Blogsite: www.2010refresh.blogspot.com

Pre-Youth Camp

Let's go as far as June 2009. Haha. Well, it was in May 2009 that my brother and another co-servant lead the service team for a youth camp (with the theme "Absolute"). And after that Absolute camp, I was next in line, together with Paolo, as its team leaders.

Preparing for the youth camp is reconnecting to the One True Source. The Service Team should be in a life of prayer and fasting.

God is so great that He had given me almost a year to prepare for the scheduled 2010 youth camp. But what God did prepare in me for almost a year was not the camp. God did prepare my heart. And by the time God saw that my heart is prepared, He then prepare the youth camp.

In preparing for the youth camp, the service team should have a S.H.O.U.T.-ing heart! That it should shout unto God declarations of praises!

A Heart of SURRENDER.

I have been serving in CFC Youth for Family and Life (CFC YFL) for five years (and counting). But while I am serving, I am living a double life. And if I am living a double life then I am not fit to be a lead a team who will serve at a youth camp. To know what happened next, click the "Saved Game" tab above.

A heart of surrender is a heart that lifts every burden, every excess baggage, hurt, pain, regret, sorrow, shamefulness, guilt, and everything to God. Turning away from darkness and lifting everything with a firm faith that God will let forgiveness and healing occur in that heart. Let go and let GOD! In preparing for the camp, I did surrender everything to the Father.

A Heart HONORING GOD.

The moment that forgiveness and healing occur, joy and freedom will overflow. That the human person would not want to do anything but to give thanks and praise to the Almighty! A heart honoring God is a heart living in holiness. A heart living a righteous life. As one of our Mission Volunteers said, "Live life to the purest!" (Fyron Umali). In preparing for the camp, I gave myself to live a righteous life. A life pleasing to God.

A Heart of OBEDIENCE.

"Obedience is better than sacrifice." -2 Samuel

A heart of obedience is a heart that accepts and does the will of the Father. More than anything else God wants an obedient servant rather than one who focuses his time and energy doing sacrifices. In preparing for the camp, I put God in command. That if this is His will, so be it.

A Heart UNDER GOD'S LOVE.

Our God is Love. A heart under God's love is a heart that lets God conquer one's weaknesses and sinfulness with God's unfathomable love. Once we put ourselves under the love of God, God will be great in our lives! He will be a great provider! He will provide us with the things we need.

A youth camp needs a youth camp venue. By that time, we have less than a month to prepare for the camp and yet we still do not have a venue to conduct the youth camp. Truly, the Love of God Provides! My heart was an expectant heart; and it expects great things from God. I did not limit my great God because He in Himself is limitless. And by God's love and providence, He provided us with a good camp venue. (Side note: Naka-aircon ang venue.)


A Heart full of TRUST.

Aside from being a servant of God through CFC YFL, I am also a student. I go to school while the service team and I prepare for the camp. Yes, I did worry. One week to go before the camp, we still don't have the camp ID. Yes, I did worry. Hours before the camp, some things are still not on its proper places. Yes, I did worry. But I remembered that I should not be a worry-er; but a warrior! I battled my worries with prayer, the greatest weapon of all. I have put my trust in God that things will be in God's control.

Intra-Youth Camp

And so the youth camp started. Everyone is excited as always. And I just can't thank God enough that everything falls into its proper places right before my eyes. And all I do is to be awed at God's work. And for this camp, we had a catch of 31 new souls. It was an awesomely refreshing youth camp.

I'm giving Session 3 of the Youth Camp.

Also, I was able to give a talk at a youth camp for the first time. I have given talks before but during assemblies only. And it is a dream come true.

Post-Youth Camp

As one service team, we give praise and thanks to God who is the very reason of our youth camp. Every after camp, we always conduct a Youth Camp Evaluation. The evaluation of the core servants together with our coordinators see that the Refresh! Youth Camp was an awesome camp. I also hear other commendations regarding the camp that they enjoyed it. And the best thing was, the participants themselves say that they enjoyed the camp and they were the ones asking us, "Kelan next activity mga ate, mga kuya?" Also, the parents of our participants say that somehow there had been changes in their children. And for us, the service team, hearing and knowing all of these make our hearts dance in joy and gladness.


Truly, I believe that the camp was awesome for it is not about us. It is ALL ABOUT GOD!

With this, may God be forever praised!




Youth Camp Photos

The Service Team

Teaching the Cluster Tres Chant

Session 1. Kuya Justin Francisco. 

In a very formal attire.

Session 2. Kuya DR Arellano.

Session 5. Kuya Marko Caringal.

Service Team doing the Kalye Onse.

Back of Rock Youthfest T-shirt.

CFC YFL Website.

The Great I AM

Big!

Just!

Great!

Almighty!

Righteous!

All Knowing!

All Powerful!

Omnipresent!

Indescribable!

Uncontainable!

Our GOD is an Awesome GOD!

CFC Youth for Family and Life
World Youth Congress 2010: I AM
April 9th to 11th, 2010
Lipa City, Batangas
GOD taught me one thing: "I AM the Great I AM"
I AM. In Filipino, AKO NGA.


Day One
1PM       Arrival
5PM       Holy Mass
6PM       Dinner
7PM       Gathering
730PM    Opening
745PM    Worship
815PM    Session 1: The Great I AM
945PM    Praisefest
1015PM  Party: iSikat


Session 1: The Great I AM
GOD is GOD and I am not! He is the Great I AM (cf. Exodus 3:14)

1. I AM ALL-KNOWING
GOD is Omniscient. He knows everything in us. He knows our strengths and our weaknesses. He knows our needs and our desires.


2. I AM ALL-POWERFUL
GOD is Omnipotent! He is a great and mighty King! Nothing is impossible with our GOD.


3. I AM EVER-PRESENT
GOD is Omnipresent! Wherever we are and in whatever situation we may be, GOD is always present.


4. I AM LOVE
GOD is Love. And in His immense love for us do we find everything.


Don't say, " I have a big problem." But tell your problem, "Hey, I have a BIG GOD!" Our GOD is so great! That He had also manifested it in our WYC 2010 venue, BluRoze Farm Philippines, Lipa City, Batangas. It made me realize and appreciate that we are giving praise and glorifying GOD with His other creations, e.g., the animals, the trees, etc. That the greatness of GOD leaves me in great awe of Him!

"Ang talino talaga ng Diyos! Hindi Niya ginawa ang ostrich na lumilipad! 

Imagine-in niyo 'yun, kapag ang ostrich lumilipad." -kuya Jepoy Meneses

Photo from BluRoze Farm Philippines website.

Day Two
6AM       Wake Up Call
7AM       Breakfast
8AM       Gathering
815AM    Rosary
830AM    Worship
9AM       Session 2: Living a Righteous Life
1030AM  Confession
12NN      Lunch
1PM       Gathering
115PM    Worship
130PM    Workshops
3PM       Break
6PM       Dinner
7PM       Gathering
730PM    YFL Creative Launch
8PM       Worship
830PM    Session 3:I Am Redeemed
1030PM  Praisefest


Session 2: Living a Righteous Life
My Note: This is a "hiwalay and simultaneous" session. One for the brothers and one for the sisters having the same content but different in the manner of delivery.

"LIVE PURE" baller bands given to the brothers during Session 2. 

And it is more than just a baller band.

How do we respond to our awesome GOD? Live a righteous life! Live pure! Righteousness is holiness. It is being holy, pure, and upright. Being and doing so needs us to follow the First Great Commandment: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. (Mark 12:30, NAB). In other words, LOVE GOD WITH ALL OUR BEING!


Love GOD with all our HEART: Do things that pleases the Almighty!
1. Contentment. Don't seek for things that are not there. Glorify GOD with what we have.
2. Humility. We exist to make a big deal about GOD, and not about us.
3. Sincerity. Live a one pure life; no to double life. And we should walk our talk and talk our walk. God deserves none but our excellence.


Love GOD with all our SOUL: Connect to the One True Source through prayer. For prayer changes the pray-er (the one praying). Seven days without prayer makes one weak.


Love GOD with all our MIND: It is all in the mind. Think of holy things. Do away with lustful thoughts. Purity inside and out!


Love GOD with all our STRENGTH: And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17, NAB). Excellence through a right relationship with GOD!


We are also called to be right with our family, friends, CFC YFL brothers and sisters, community, and the Church.


Is it possible to do all these? YES! Jesus Christ, true GOD and true Man, had already set the example of living a life of holiness and He had made it known, loud and clear, that it is possible. Be righteous in the eyes of the Father!


Aside from hearing the session, we also made a commitment. A commitment to live pure. A Modesty Pledge that will remind us that we are created as unique children of GOD.


"Live life to the purest!" -kuya Fyron Umali

St. Benedict's Medal (Click here for info). 

Given to the sisters during Session 2.

Click here to join "Live Pure" facebook fan page.


Session 3: I Am Redeemed

Do you know Job? The man in the Old Testament of the Bible. Job loves GOD and GOD loves and finds favor on Job. Job had everything. And his everything were taken away from him (by Satan). Yet he still chose to follow and glorify GOD. And with this, GOD returned to Job more than enough, more than what he had before.


Job did suffer. Why we suffer, we do not know. There is no clear-cut answer to that. It is a mystery. Suffering due to our sins is a self-inflicted suffering that GOD is not pleased about. But if we experience suffering because we chose to follow Him, this is where GOD shows Himself. This kind of suffering is called REDEMPTIVE SUFFERING.


Our sufferings are redemptive if: (1) it brings us closer to Christ; (2) it blesses others; and (3) it glorifies GOD! Our redemptive sufferings makes us one in the sufferings endured by Christ at the Cross. We may suffer from persecution because we chose to follow Christ; from rejection because we live righteous lives; from sickness and/or death. But all of these redemptive sufferings will make us more worthy and righteous in the eyes of GOD.


Attitudes to take when we are experiencing redemptive suffering:
1. Cheerful and willing
2. Sensitive to GOD's message
3. Praising GOD at all times
4. Enduring the suffering


"I had heard of you by word of mouth, but now my eye has seen you." (Job 42:5, NAB). Job suffered much, but his suffering is redemptive. Through Job's suffering, GOD rewarded him much more! And if we accept our own redemptive sufferings in our lives with firm belief and trust in GOD, definitely, greater things are to come!


Day Three
6AM       Wake Up Call

7AM       Gathering

715AM    Rosary

730AM    Holy Mass

830AM    Breakfast

930AM    Gathering

945AM    Worship

1015AM  Session 4: I Am Just and Righteous

1115AM  Praisefest

12NN      Lunch

Session 4: I Am Just and Righteous

The Almighty is Just and Righteous! And as GOD's sons and daughters, we should also be just and righteous. Through the Cross and suffering of Jesus Christ, we have been made righteous before GOD (cf. Romans 3:21-26; Romans 5:19)


GOD's Justice and Righteousness CALL US TO:
1. HOLINESS - Be holy because I (am) holy. -1 Peter 1:16, (NAB)
2. FAMILY RENEWAL
3. EVANGELIZE


To answer to this call of GOD, we act by living our COVENANT and to remain committed to it. To follow Christ! To build a strong family for Him! To be an active member (and servant) of CFC YFL! To testify GOD's love!


Through this "I AM" WYC 2010, I have greatly appreciated how big, how great, and how awesome our GOD is! That made me speechless of His uncontainable love and joy!

Holy is the Lord God Almighty!
The earth is filled with His glory!

With this, may GOD be forever glorified!


My Note: Some parts of this blog came from the CFC YFL WYC 2010 kit booklet.