Christmas in our Hearts

This is my 5th Christmas away from home.  2008 when I came to UAE for greener pasture, I was very young then and first time to be away home. I reached home from my afternoon shift and noticed our flat was so dark and nobody was home. That time I cried and called my sister who was also working that day until 11PM. It was my saddest Christmas so far. When she reached home, we went out to have dinner. My first ever Christmas in a high-end restaurant.

The following year, I already celebrated my Christmas in one of my friends house. It was a night full of fun, singing karaoke, games and sumptuous foods. Then it became a tradition with my group of friends to celebrate Christmas together. In 2010 we even celebrated it in park.

2012 came when I joined my current company, I am working in outskirts area of Abu Dhabi. A place where there are lots of prohibition, no camera phones, internet and pork.  I am always the lucky guy because 2 years in a row, I was on shift in Christmas eve. Last year in our barracks, we contributed 20 dhs to buy pansit(noodles) and pandesal (bread) just to have a small gathering but this year nobody initiated. It was first time in my 27 years of existence that I slept early on Christmas eve. I slept around 9 PM. I woke up early on 25th thanking the LORD for the new day and a reminder for us of His coming. I read the scriptures and reflected on it. Christmas is not just about celebration with foods, parties and all but a celebration of accepting Christ in our lives. Opening our hearts and allowing Him to dwell on it.

When I wrote this, I was teary-eyed for my so many reasons. I miss the way I grew up and celebrated Christmas back home with my family. I miss going to church with them. I miss everything how we celebrated Christmas in Philippines. I was also teary-eyed because today is the day that Lord reminds us of his unfailing love and mercy. He sent His only begotten son to be with us. I then told myself Christmas should not just be celebrated every 25th of December but everyday. Everyday we should remember that God is knocking in our hearts asking us to allow Jesus to dwell. Allow Him to work in us and be like Him not just this season but everyday.

crosstippedchurches.blogspot.com 

 

Sisterly Love

 

I am so blessed of having my sister Elma in my life. She's always there for me every time I needed someone badly. I would never be here if not because of her persistence. She is really God's instrument for me to enjoy and learn more of life's journey.

I have three other siblings, two sisters and a younger brother. I love them all. I am so close with my ditze Elma may be because of our age gap, I am 27 and she's 29.

 

 I was a weakling during my childhood years and she is my superhero who was always there to protect me. I could remember one time, I cried because some one took my POGS while I was playing. She punched that kid that brought her to the principal's office.

I could not forget every time she asked me to wash her clothes in exchange of a movie treat and a pint of ice cream. I miss those times huh!

I was her lookout every time she was doing something fishy, remember ditz? nyahaha

we have lots of childhood memories but she left home at the age of 16 to work, study and explore away from my parents grasp. My sister is a dreamer, she dreams not for herself but for our family.

 

Year 2006 she was given an opportunity to work here in UAE after 2 years she invited me to come. That time I was hesitant because I was in love with my ex. ehehe Good thing my sister is persistent enough to convince me or else I would miss the opportunity of coming here.

I came here totoy na totoy, age of 22 never been away with my parents. She supported me all throughout my adjustments. She provided me with good bed, the best bed in my whole life, a laptop and  a 10,000 peso suit for me to use in interviews.

My heart broke when I saw her torn pants and she was still using it for work. One sports bag for work and 3 pairs of shoes. She is very generous that she gives her all to our family.

 

I honor her for that.

 

 

She sometimes cooks for me and mostly are instant..  she's not into doing household stuffs by the way but she's learning.

 

I have so much to tell for my sister Elma. My thank you is not enough! We papa, mama, atchi and teb are so blessed to have you! Thank you for the best sisterly love in the whole world!!!

 

Thank you Heavenly Father for giving me a wonderful and a loving sister. May you give him his future half who would love and accept her. Continue to bless her Lord God as she will continue to bless others. Give her good health and best career. In Jesus name Amen.

 

Sleep over at her small bed.. good thing we fit like a fitted sheet.. nyahahaha

 

She accompanied me for my renewal of passport.

 

her 29th birthday celebration, one more year and you'll hit the mark! ST naka!!!

 

second desert safari look how big and bilog we were...

 

Singles for Christ-Singolympics we both came from different teams.

 

we were on a strict diet.... daot ta dri.

 

my 10,000 pesos suit... Thank you ditz!

 

swimming at our old flat.

Batang Malusog! Batang Laban:)

My Daily source of Vitamin D, calcium and protein. It is made from fresh cow's milk, with strawberry twist. I had my first taste of this when my sister bought me a bottle of it. I enjoyed its taste and from then on started to crave for it each day. Since then, I am taking at least one bottle in a day and my digestion and elimination went pretty well. Thanks to my sister for introducing this one to me.

Candle of Hope

We lighted our first advent candle last Sunday. The first candle of advent is purple signifies a candle of HOPE. God is ever faithful and loving that in whatever tough situations we are in, He will always there and give us hope. This is very timely for my country the Philippines. As we all know for the past few months, Philippines suffered a lot of devastation from war, earthquake to typhoon Haiyan "Yolanda". Amidst all these God uses his people as source of HOPE for Filipinos. Powerful nations, local and international celebrities find ways to help the affected Filipinos. God uses them as an instruments of his love and mercy. May we continue to see Hope especially in dark moments of our lives. May we continue to seek more of Him in times like these because HE is greater than everything. He will never give us storm that we cannot endure. He is only testing our faith in Him. As there always a rainbow after the rain, Rainbow a sign of HIS HOPE.