Thanks and God bless you Michael, Carmina, Pekto, Marissa, Jeff, Rhea, Connie, Julius, Jhong, and the rest of the “Day Off” crew. Thank you too to Eva and the Menage Salon staff in Trinoma Mall, and last but not least to Derreck Tan, Armina, and the St Giles staff for making our stay truly unforgettable.

To God be the glory, honor, and praise!

Sam and Elijah with Carmina and Pekto

Silas had to take his quarterly exam before heading straight to the farm for a peek at the TV shoot.

The van that took us from the house for our day off.

Left to Right: Myla, Sam, Oma Marina, Eunice, Joy (carrying Elijah), and Grappy Dad

Welcome card from St Giles’ General Manager Derrick Tan

My very precious grandson, Sam, is now 6 years old. Compared to how he was before I could say that he has improved in all areas of his life a lot. By god’s grace and through Paul Beelen’s help, Sam’s physical therapist, he could now walk using his special walker. He could also walk on his feet with assistance and is now trying to stand by himself holding on to sturdy things. He could also communicate in his own way much better and utters a lot of intelligible words. He could also follow simple directions, dances, sways his head and body, and claps with the music. I fully believe that by God’s grace, Sam would be able to stand by himself and walk a few steps before 2011 ends.

God is also very gracious and has given us our 2nd grandson, Elijah Gabriel, who I think has the makings of an acrobat. At the age of 7 months he could easily and quickly climb on the netted wall of his crib and on anyone’s body from the ground up to the shoulders when you hold him by his hands.

Silas, my nephew and unico hijo, is now 11 years old. He still studies at CSI and is now grade 5. His teacher says that he is very bright but needs more focus. He plays soccer every Friday and Saturday.

Thank you God for Sam, Elijah, and Silas.

We left with Carol, our inaanak sa kasal, our her son CJ Friday night for Quezon City. The following day – Saturday, June 28, Sam and all of us who love him hratefully celebrated another year that God has added to his life. As I watched Sam respond to guests greeting him and everything else that went on, I couldn’t help but thank God for His loving and healing hands.

Thank you Lord, I love you!

Silas, CJ, and Sam the night before the bday party.

Blowing the birthday cake with mommy, Kuya Silas, and papa.

Their voices were angelic, singing unfamiliar songs about Jesus and heaven every night. I found out later that they were Born Again. One of them was used by God so I would know the Truth that finally led to my spiritual freedom. I was born again and saved when I trusted and accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior. From that day, I was never the same. I became a child of God.

Years after, I found myself in tragic situations. The man who was my life failed me. I was in deep pain and so confused. Thanks to God and His word, His mercy and love sustained me through the darkness and pains.

Indeed, Jesus never fails.

If ever there is one thing I am proud of in my life it is the love and power of God that works in me. Whatever I am, whatever I have, everything belongs to Christ and everything is because of Him who loved me and gave himself for such a worm like me. Both the countless blessings and trials make me always grateful to God. I may not be able to mention them all but I will try to share with you those that I value most.

I thank God and His Word first of all for the eternal life he has graciously gifted me. Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit has daily guided and comforted me since the day I was born again. Becoming God’s child is the best thing that ever happened to me.

Of course my family is my second reason for being grateful to Him. My husband, daughters, and sons-in-laws may not be perfect but God has so designed and given them to me for his greatest purpose and glory. My one and only son, Silas, is a gist from God who came at the time when my family and I needed his loving face most. Sam who is such a special grandson for being a “PWS” boy is God’s instrument to fully strengthen my faith in Him. He also helped us bind our family together in love by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Oh, how I praise you God for Sam though my heart cries out in pain sometimes. I love you Lord!

I also thank God for the strength He is giving my mother even at the age of 80. How I praise Him for helping Nanay to fully surrender herself to Christ after 30 long years of praying for her spiritual life. Likewise I lift my hands in praises for my other loved ones – my one and only brother, my sisters, my in laws, nephews, nieces, and other relatives – for their love and care.

Finally I pray for my spiritual family (especially some of my closest brethren). I am thankful for their prayers and all out support during the fiercest storms in my family’s life.

This first my first blog post and I’m really excited about it. I decided to blog after being encouraged by my youngest daughter Hannah, who’s doing the typing for me right now because I have trouble seeing due to my blind right eye. I hope that I will be able to continue doing this and that I will be able to improve my writing skills and learn how to use the internet better.

Please don’t expect me to write another post right away because I still don’t have internet at home. I will write my thoughts in paper though and send it to my daughter so she can type it for me. In the meantime here are some pictures of my beloved family minus my daughters and their husbands.

With my husband and grandson at Ocean Park Manila

My youngest son and grandson (Halloween 2006).