Day 88: Lolo Joe and Lola Cora

During our last three days in Butuan, we were "adopted" by our very generous and hospitable BCBP brother and sister, spouses Joe and Cora. Those last few days with them allowed us to have a haven and respite while we were moving out and packing up our things from our home. 

No words of gratitude would ever measure up in response to the generosity of this couple. They made sure the kids and I were provided for in terms of comfort, safety and sustenance.  They even went the extra mile to lend a hand in the packing and stuffing of our boxes and furniture. 

The children would surely miss their Lolo Joe and Lola Cora...

On a personal note, I do praise God that He allowed us to be a part of a wonderful community that is the BCBP. A month or two before our scheduled move to Cebu, it was simply difficult to comprehend how possible it was for us to afford the expenses of such a move, not to mention that I was left alone with the kids to make it work. Through the kind and generous hearts of our many BCBP brothers and sisters, everything was made possible. God worked His miracle through them. What was impossible became a reality...

Many thanks to our BCBP-Butuan family!!!

Bro. Jensen and Sis. Grace - for the wonderful assistance, support and mileage you extended to us...we will forever be grateful

Bro. Mark and Sis. Joy - for being great sounding boards to me during my "anxiety attack" periods, for always being there ready to assist us in whatever we needed...many thanks

Bro. Francis and Sis. Marilou - for just being there as our constant Sunday "churchmates" at Miraculous Medal Chapel...your presence every Sunday helped keep me grounded...

Bro. Jeffrey and Sis. Manette - for the opportunities given to the kids to have some fun just before our move...those events gave some semblance of "family" during our 6-month separation from Jerome

Sis. Ched - for the boxes and always being ready to lend us a hand whenever we needed one...

Bro. Val and Sis. Langga - for the quiet nurturing and spiritual guidance you've given us over the past year...we take the learnings and insights with us wherever we go

Bro. Ben and Sis. Eden - for your inspiring messages and words of encouragement...

to our BCLP-12 family: 

Bro. Nonoy and Sis. Belen - though we don't see each other often, the strong bond of friendship can be felt every time...thank you for the prayers and advice

Sis. Lotlot, Sis. Fe and Sis. Delia - your strength as women continue to inspire me to continue to evolve into a much stronger woman...your points of view were indeed something I needed to view things from a different perspective

Bro. Nilo - your cheerful disposition and constant presence has made every breakfast and AGM alive and interesting...

Bro. Cris - your steadfast faith despite the tremendous trials that have come your way continue to be our living example of how we should live our Christ-centered lives...

and to the entire BCBP-Butuan community...thank you for always being there, constantly living your Christian lives so that we can derive inspiration and lessons from them...we will miss all of you!

...until we meet again...God bless you all!

Day 296: Couple Sharing

This morning's joint breakfast was quite special since it heralded the "world-premiere" of our community's own couple sharer, Bro. Rudy and Sis. Linda Desoloc. 


Every time there's a sharing, I get valuable insights and life lessons from the speakers' experiences. In many ways, when they share how the Lord has touched their lives, they somehow impart God's blessings to us, the listeners. It's also a wonderful way to learn more about God's word and teachings. 

Day 257: Girl Power

Gal pals MARIELLA and CAITLIN take a brief break 

from play to pose for the camera.

One of the many gifts that membership to the BCBP has given our family is extended family. Living away from our respective families for many years now, there are times we long for camaraderie and support only family members can give.  We've found such in the community. Even our own children have found and made new friends.

God is truly good...all the time!

Day 226: Sis. Ched's Journey

"Each person has his/her own story to tell."  This is what I've come to realize and appreciate during our joint breakfast meetings at BCBP.  At the end of two full weeks, I revel in the fact that I will get spiritual and emotional renewal by listening to the life stories of our featured sharers. Each individual/couple has their own journeys to share, crosses and burdens to reveal, and inspirational messages to impart. By sharing a part of themselves, I get humbled by the enormous pains, sacrifices and burdens they talk about that have shaped their lives. I come to realize that my own little struggles are nothing compared to theirs and I become thankful for all the blessings I have in my life. 

And it was such a revelation to me when Sis. Ched made her life sharing today...she is one of the ladies who made such an impression on me the first time I met her. Definitely an extrovert, she's a cheerful and chatty person much like my own Mom (this is the trait I definitely inherited from her). Sis. Ched is the type of person who lights up the room upon her entrance. I also remember how she helped me implore the power of the Holy Spirit for the gift of tongues during our baptism last July 3. 

For someone so bubbly and lighthearted, I didn't quite expect to hear the enormity of the hardships she had to endure most of her life. I know that she is living proof of God's grace and goodness as she was able to endure and overcome all trials and is now living a life of service to the Lord and the community. I learned that by giving your full trust to the Lord and surrendering your life to Him, He guarantees life everlasting with Him in heaven. Sis. Ched's sharing touched me in a very powerful way, at times driving me to tears and I know that it was God himself who was touching my life through her words.

Day 206: Fullhouse at Breakfast

It was almost "standing room only" at BCBP joint breakfast yesterday as Bro. Noel and Sis. Dina Mercado took to the stage for their life sharing. The combined wit and comic relief style of Bro. Noel and the calm and relaxing manner of Sis. Dina brought together a powerful sharing that had me laughing and crying at the same time. Their journey was full of life-changing and life-challenging twists and turns that can only bring about inspiration and hope for people like me who are given the opportunity to listen. 

Day 199: Graduates of BCLP 12

For the past 8 Saturdays since May 29, hubby and I have been attending the BCBP's Brotherhood Christian Life Program or BCLP. Yesterday, we graduated as part of batch 12 together with 9 other participants. With the Lord's guidance, the support of our BCBP community and the unity of fellow BCLP 12 participants, we are all now associate members of the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals - Butuan Chapter. It is but the beginning of our long journey into full Christian life and we are so excited to experience everything else that is in store for us in the community. 

Surely, the regular Saturday talks and meet ups with our batchmates will be be missed but we now have our AGM's (Action Group Meetings) to look forward to plus the remaining programs and talks we need to attend to complete our full-pledge membership into BCBP. 

The changes, the peace, the joy and the new life we're enjoying now was made possible through the grace and power of God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. We now lift everything for His greater glory and praise! Alleluia!!!