A Friend-ly Gathering

It has been four years (or maybe more!) since I last saw my beautiful friends from the university and so when the chance came for us to meet, we didn't let the chance pass us by. I also wanted to hand over the shoe box of pens and pencils I have collected from my friends and classmates at graduate school in Germany for our little project Pens of Hope in Davao, so it was just the perfect timing.

© Photo by Mervz Mosqueda via Facebook

The little girl decided to lie down while waiting for my friends to arrive.

It was a Saturday and we decided to meet at Yellow Hauz, a quaint coffee shop in Davao City. While waiting, me and little girl ordered some refreshments. After a few minutes, Kikit and her hubby Dan, arrived carrying snorkel gear... They just came from a day of snorkeling at Paradise Beach Resort at the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS). It must have been very nice to be with schools of fish, I so envy them.. Hehehe! 

A smile and a shoe box full of hope!
© Photo by Claire Apigo Guillano via Pens of Hope Page on Facebook

Anyway, before we forgot, we handed over our shoe box of pens and pencils and Kikit asked to make a souvenir shot with my little girl as the model.

After three pots of hot tea, two other girl friends, Ate Tess and Shugar (along with Sweet, her little girl) arrived. It was almost time for dinner to we transfered to Matina Town Square and opted to dine at Kanto bar and restaurant.

THANK YOU for the wonderful time! Until next time...
© Photo by Claire Apigo Guillano via Facebook

Indeed, it was a wonderful evening filled with sensible talk, laughter and wonderful company. It may have been years but it is heartwarming to know that the friendship remains. Even if we grow in numbers (family members are always welcome in the group) and we live far apart, it makes me smile to know that when we come home again, we have another family to come home to... our SICO family. :)

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Marvelous is the Lord

Todays Readings:
First Reading: Isaiah 7:1-9
Psalm 48
Gospel: Matthew 11:20-24

Then he began to reproach the towns where most of his mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented. "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgement than for you. And as for you, Capernaum: `Will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to the netherworld.` For if the might deeds done on your midst had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you, it will be mroe tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you."

"Then Jesus began to reproach the towns where most of his mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented." Matthew 11:20

God, in His infinite love and mercy for us, has always been gracious to our family. He has answered our prayers in His own time and we are so happy to be blessed by Him.

God has blessed our family and our marriage countless times. Last year, when we were still trying to settle down in Tokyo, we were swamped with worries and problems - financial difficulties, pressures from work, job security, arguments on family support in the Philippines, saving up money for our coming baby - all that stuff. Despite the problems, we held on to our faith in God, praying that He will answer our prayers in time and doing the best we can to solve our problems one at a time. And indeed, they were answered. God has been so good. Before the year ended, my husband found a new job at a multinational company, we were able to save up for our baby`s birth and found ways on how to get by. Another great blessing was the birth of our firstborn, Samantha Ysabelle. Indeed, God works in wonderful and marvelous ways. Our 2008 started off very beautifully and all of these blessings that we are enjoying right now are because of God. Sometimes, I would wonder, "Does God love us more than He does others?" Nah, I know He loves all of us equally.

But God is also a just and righteous God. We know that He will give punishment when it is due so that we try to avoid sinning as much as we can. We pray that we may continue to give thanks and reverence to God for all the goodness that He has shown us. May He unceasingly guide our way so that we will be able to resist temptations. And may we resolve, with God`s grace, to be repentant and change our sinful ways. Amen.

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