Paalam, Ka Erdy...

Being the INC (Iglesia Ni Cristo aka Church Of Christ) member that I am, I believe he deserves this post.

His name never rang a bell to me, his father's did. Majority of the people I know including family, friends, workmates had their own version of how they "think" they know INC. That the church imposes to it's members 10% tithing every month. That every time one fails to attend the worship service, a certain fee is collected. That Ka (Bro.) Felix Manalo admitted on his deathbed that he misled a lot of people to the wrong religion. That it's members do not believe in blood transfusion regardless of the situation.  All lies.

I remember my mom repeating these impressions she has on INC when she came to know that I was attending worship services of the church. One particular phrase she strongly stated was, " Pahuya2x ka lang! (You're such a shame!)" Of all the instances I answered my mom back, that particular moment will never be forgotten. Because I knew I was right. I knew God was my lawyer. All I said was, "Promise ko sa imo Ma, kung ako mismo maka-prove nga tood na tanan, ma-untat ko insigida." ("I promise Ma, if I proved all those true, I will immediately stop.") I've been a member of the Church of Christ for almost 3 years now and none of those false beliefs exists.

When I first heard his name, questions emanated. Who is this man? How is he related to the founder of the church? Has he the traits and capabilities of a leader?

In the three years of being a member, Ka Erdy made himself known to each and every member through the teachings of every minister. One worship service at a time, his worth unveiled in front of my very eyes. Not only was he a leader but God's instrument, the epitome of a true disciple.

Rest now Ka Erdy. Feel the loving embrace of our Creator. Thank you for the years you devoted for our church. Thank you and farewell...

A letter to an angel

Hello Princess! Mommy just wanted to put down a few things for her to remember about today. Not that today is the only most memorable day in her life. Not that today is the only day you amuse and amaze Mommy. Not that only today holds the sweetest things that painted a smile on Mommy's face. But today is the only day that Mommy can't help thanking God for the great amount of happiness you bring to everyone around you.

Mommy loves it when you start counting... One, two, shwee (three)...phat (five)...seben (seven), eht (eight), nan (nine), ten. And then you shout "hehey!" (yehey!). Mommy adores the way you sing Barney's "I Love You" song 'coz i know that every single word that comes from your lil mouth is intended towards me. I get teary eyed when before I laid you to sleep tonight you remembered to sing happy birthday with all your might. Mommy is so proud of you, Darling. Proud of what you've become... of how you came to be.

Soon you're turning 2. Mommy knows you're trying to be independent in some ways. But as long as you call me Mommy, you'll always be my angel. Mommy will never get tired taking care of you, thinking what's best for you, loving you... I love you so much, Baby. Mwah!

TO MORE YEARS TOGETHER...'TIL DEATH DO US PART

To the apple of my eye.

To the love of my life.

To the most wonderful friend.

To my one true love.

To the father of my children.

To the man I said "I Do" to 2 years ago...

MR. JAMES ANHAW OBREGON... I love you so much. Only God knows how much I do. I will never forget the day I officially carried your last name. I've never been that proud. Happy 2nd Wedding Anniversary, Daddy. I miss you so much everyday. I and Jhaymee are looking forward to hugging and kissing you again. Mwah!

JOURNEY WITH MARI

Apart from being bored due to an inactive lifestyle, this is her way of sharing everyday thoughts about herself, her daughter Jhaymee, and the man who turned her nightmares into hopeful dreams, her hubby, James.

Here are a few details to start with.

• January '04 - sms.ac played matchmaker. They both received invites from each other (set by the network). She was teaching English to Korean students here in Bacolod. James was working as a design engineer @ RDAN in Malate, Manila.
• February'04 - they exchanged text messages. He called a few days after that and boy! his voice sucked. Hehe... he knows she THOUGHT that way. In all fairness though, his voice in the bedroom is way different. Harhar!
• April 14 '05 - he had her buy a sim from a provider that offers unlimited calls and texts at an affordable price. He was already soooo into her.. hehe..
• April 17 '05 - they said I love you. Oh! For the record, it was her who said it first, he just replied. =p It was an LDR and they were that way 'til December of that year. She  found out he was still in a "rocky" relationship with a girl who cheated on him for a married man.
• Dec 26 '05   - she fetched him at the airport. He was wearing a yellow shirt, she had a black blouse on. He bent a lil to kiss her lips and she looked the other way so it landed on her cheek. Ok! Ok! She had butterflies in her stomach. Who can blame her?
• Feb '06      - went to Manila for a conference. Spent 2 weeks with him. Had a hard time coming back home.
• Mar '06      - conceived their first baby but lost him/her to thrombosis. The pain is crushing but she knows he/she understands. She loves you, lil angel. You know how hard it was for Mommy and Daddy to lose you. But they just had to.
• Sept. 22 '06- became a member of Iglesia ni Christo. Flew to Manila the next day to be with him. She resigned as an English tutor and got a job at a call center. They were saving for a grand wedding in December of '07. But then came another angel.
• Feb. 8 '07   - conceived the apple of her eye, Jhaymee.
• July 28 '07 - became Mrs. Obregon. And...
• Oct. 4 '07    - Jhaymee Mionette Obregon was born screaming at 3kgs, 54cm.
  

James is leaving for Holland soon for the monthly amortization of the car they just got. It's their 2nd wedding anniversary next month. Jhaymee's turning two in Oct. James will be 35 on Dec. 10. And, she's opening presents on Sept. 28, her 29th birthday.

James, she'll never get tired of saying thank God she have you. She never imagined having an amazing partner in life. You have so much to learn as individuals, as parents, as a couple. And she assures you that through it all, she may make mistakes but she will never leave your side. You will grow old together. She loves you so much. She always will...

Jhaymee, you are one of the greatest gift God gave her. You are her wealth. Mommy and Daddy will try to give you the best of everything that God will provide. She prays that you grow up to be the disciple God wants you to be. She loves you so much, Darling.

And... this is Mari today. Who knows what tomorrow holds for her? Only God knows...