Puzzle Mansion

Life is a puzzle. It's up to us to discover how each of the pieces fits together to form a whole.

The owner of Puzzle Mansion was a globetrotter and she was able to collect, solve and put up a world record-breaking collection of jigsaw puzzles of various sizes, formats (2D, 3D, and 4D), and themes (religious, arts, nature, people, animals, destinations, and a lot more).

From a simple hobby, it turned out to be an interesting tourist destination. Getting to the museum from the main road is quite a challenge itself because of the steep service road from the entrance gate but it's worth the trip.

A Mother's Heart

Today we celebrate Mother's Day and I can't help but remember my Nanay and the other moms who have significantly influenced me as a mother. Indeed, I'm blessed to be a mother of two God-fearing individuals. I'm not a perfect mom but I have a great God who is the source of my strength and wisdom. He has given me a supportive lifetime partner who keeps me grounded. Thank you, Lord.

Let me share the message of the choir's song this morning:

Before the light of dawn she will awaken,

And quietly begin her day in prayer.

And with these precious moments that she’s taken,

She intercedes for loved ones in her care.

With all her heart she longs to see her children

Walking in the Spirit of the Lord.

With gentleness and patience she will guide them,

Teaching them to trust His holy Word.

Her love extends beyond all time and measure,

Yet what we see is only just a part.

For children there can be no greater treasure

Than the tender love of a mother’s heart.

Clothed in strength and dignity,

She walks in righteousness.

She gives herself unselfishly,

Her children call her blessed.

Her love extends beyond all time and measure,

Yet what we see is only just a part.

For children there can be no greater treasure,

Than the tender love of a mother’s heart,

Than the tender love of a mother’s heart.

Happy Mother's Day!

Reunited with AIT Folks

It took me a long while to confirm my attendance at the grand reunion of the AIT Alumni Association Philippine Chapter on November 21 at De La Salle University-Manila. I was hesitant because I would be going alone and I didn't know who would be there except for a few friends and
batchmates.

Good decision. It was my first time to get inside the campus and the moment I entered the venue and registered, I felt welcome. I belong and it was heartwarming to see old friends and acquaintances who I didn't see after my graduation in 1991.

I didn't win any prize during the game and raffle but I got to bring home fond memories of the meeting and a book that documents the history of my alma mater and the batches of Filipinos who proudly earned their graduate degrees there.

An Encounter

The word encounter is defined as a verb "to have or experience (problems, difficulties, etc.): to meet (someone) without expecting or intending to." My attendance on the Encounter Weekend in Bailen last week was not an accident. The Lord led me, my husband, and my son, together with six other churchmates to this experience for a purpose.

Truly it was a retreat from the usual busyness and demands of work and other tasks. No cellphone, no internet, no computer, no other tasks except to praise, worship, and be blessed by the experience. I expected to encounter Jesus and I received His revelations. One, I was set free from things, feelings, and memories that kept on hurting me and hindering me from experiencing His great love and blessings. Two, I should go out of my comfort zone. It's not enough that I'm saved. I should keep the flame burning in my heart to reach out to others. Three, I was drawn closer to the Cross and His death for my sins.

The Encounter challenged me to focus on Jesus, learn more from Him through my personal devotion, use my talents, time, and treasure to serve Him, and never get tired of giving my best for His glory.

Freedom. Fire. Focus.

My Testimony

I was sorting my files and came across a paper with my personal testimony for the retreat I attended in August 1990. Here it goes...

I grew up in a family that is neither religious nor atheistic. I cannot remember when our family went to any church to worship God. However, as a kid, I attended Sunday school in a church next to our house. I still remember the songs I learned and the Bible stories I heard. But that is all about it. When I entered elementary school, I became confused about my religion and which group to join for Bible studies or religious gatherings.

I was neither the black sheep nor the angel in our family. Being the eldest among six children, I usually got punished whenever I failed to do my responsibilities or when there were quarrels among my brothers and sisters. I started then to rebel against my parents but I kept all my bitter feelings and violent thoughts inside me. I simply could not stow away because I wanted to achieve something. And then I began to wonder about my existence - about the meaning and purpose of my life. I did not fear death because I believed that it would end my problems and suffering.

During my second year in high school, I got involved in Bible studies held every Thursday afternoon. On September 28, 1978, I was touched by the message given to me by our Bible study leader who was our school nurse. She talked about man's sinfulness and that the penalty for his disobedience is death. However, Christ who is sinless died on the cross to pay the penalty.  I was struck most by the verses on Ephesians 2:8-9 which say, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast." I also realized that Jesus came so that I may have life and have it abundantly as He promised. That same day at around 6:00 in the afternoon, I asked Jesus to forgive my sins and invited Him to come into my life through prayer.

I thought becoming a Christian was enough. Later I realized that I was not growing as a committed Christian because I did not allow Christ to take control of every detail of my life. During my first year in college, I actively involved myself in a Christian organization. With the assurance of my salvation and a new meaning and purpose, I began to share my faith with others. I still do not fear death not because it is a scapegoat from reality but because I now have eternal life as promised to all who receive Christ. I still encounter problems (much more difficult ones) but Christ has given me peace and assurance that He will never leave me nor forsake me. I pray that God will be glorified in everything I do and that my life will also be a blessing to others.