Day 1: Looking Forward in 2011

The year 2010 marked my first time to embark on a 365 project and although I was unable to complete all 365 entries for the year, I still had a pretty good compilation of life events from last year. It was challenging but quite fulfilling. Doing project365 became a second wind of sorts - I was able to get my groove back in terms of writing, my photography skill was definitely improved and I have so many images and memories captured in daily doses of my life story. 

On the family front, the past year was all about bonding and being together. It also marked the deepening of our faith and trust in the Lord. Somehow, 2010 was in preparation for greater challenges ahead.

Twenty-eleven will bring many changes, most would probably test me personally but I know that these are all part of God's plan for the family. I haven't fully accepted what will happen in the future but I know I need to eventually and when that time comes, I will be ready.

"Dear Lord, 

Thank You for strengthening our family ties the past year.  We give You glory and honor for all the blessings You have bestowed upon us every single day. May we continue to serve You the best we can this coming year.  We offer You all that we have and all that we are...And everything we do, we do for Your glory. Amen."

Day 359: A Roden Family Christmas

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year to remember the birth of a very special baby...the Messiah, our Savior Jesus Christ, who was sent by our heavenly Father to redeem us from our sins. In years past, I've been engulfed by the commercial value of the season, only looking at the lovely decors, lights and presents and never truly understanding the real reason for celebration. 


In recent years, I've been gradually stripping off the material girl in me and trying to live sufficiently on the most basic of necessities. I find that I can be happy as long as I can make my family happy - by simply being wifey and Mommy. I find joy in preparing gastronomic delights for them, seriously looking forward to their verdict ala "Iron Chef". "You're a good 'cooker', Mom!" is always music to my ears. 

This year, there is no tree, no decorations, lanterns nor garlands...in fact, you won't find wrapped presents anywhere. Even the kids were conscious about prevailing economics and did not ask what they were going to receive but focused on what they could give.  On Christmas day, the most they got were loot bags of candies and small party favors. Their Titos gifted them with shirts that they were obviously very thankful for.  And yet, their joy was not any less compared to Christmases past. If, at all, they seem to have more fun this year, being surrounded by family.



It is all about family...love and togetherness...the very reason of Christ's humble birth. May your own Christmas holidays be filled with Christ's love, joy and peace.


From our family to yours....MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Day 195: The Family that Prays Together...

As a child and young adult, my parents exposed my siblings and I to prayer especially the Holy Rosary. I remember that we'd pray it daily in front of the altar during the month of October which is the feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary. Somehow the busy teenage life turned to the busy career life and sadly, the prayer habit took a back seat.

Ever since joining the BCBP community, I've been reunited with the power and essence of prayer. Understanding more about why we need to pray and how to do it properly has really rekindled the passion of prayer and praise in my heart.

Today, the entire family started the daily Holy Rosary habit at six o'clock in the evening. Kuya Jarred has been assigned the role of prayer leader and scripture reader. At first, he showed signs of restlessness but as he continued learning the Rosary, the prayers and the story of Jesus' life in the scripture readings, it sparked a curiosity and interest in him. 

With God's grace and guidance, I'm hoping we can sustain this wonderful habit in our family...and I end with the slogan that the late Fr. Patrick Peyton (the Rosary priest) has made famous, "The family that prays together, stays together."

Day 186: City Life

It will be more than eight years now that I'd been living the promdi (provincial) life. Being born and raised in Manila/Quezon City for most of my life, it is still a puzzle to me (and to most people who know me) how I was able to appreciate and love the simple life. Knowing and seeing it is one thing but living it is entirely a different matter altogether. 

I was known as "lakwatsa" and "porma" girl in my younger days. The Greenhills Shopping Center was my hangout place and I remember needing to be updated with the latest fashion trend. That was one effect of growing up in a private all-girls school. I had this lopsided view about life and belongingness. I grew up believing I had to be "in" to feel that I fit in. I guess that was the reason why I never felt real happy during elementary and high school days. I was always measuring myself against my richer and well-placed classmates that I forgot that the most important thing was developing my own being and individuality. 

I was fortunate to learn this once I entered the country's state university where my classmates came from all walks of life and from all over the country. It was where kikay met jologs and sossy hobnobbed with geeky and it was sooooo okay. For the first time in my life, I felt that I belonged in this crazy world. 

I guess it was this awesome, mind-blowing and culture-shaking experience that made me  go for the unusual things in life - choosing to start a career right smack in Manila's pier area, deciding to move to Cebu for independence and finally settling for a laid back life in Northern Mindanao.

Shunning away from the busy city life has probably added several years to my life expectancy because of less stress, no pollution and a no-excess lifestyle. The lure of the bright lights only come once in a blue moon and is easily fixed through a brief vacation in the city. Looking at how well my children are - carefree, simple and happy, I know that hubby and I must be doing something right and have made the best decision we could ever make for the family - the rustic provincial living. 

Day 185: Turning a new leaf

This is the first day of my new life...I cherish within me the gifts lovingly shared by God.

Day 148: Philippine National Flag Day

Today marks the Philippine National Flag Day to commemorate the very first time it was displayed in battle back in May 28, 1898. 

From today until Independence Day, June 12, we are enjoined to observe flag days wherein all government offices, business establishments and private residences are encouraged to display the Philippine flag. 

Let us pay respects to our country and to the flag we have sworn allegiance to by remembering all those who have sacrificed their lives for the freedom and democracy we have now.

Day 146: Home

The reality of leaving the home I've known for the last 3 years hasn't really sunk in yet and I don't expect it to ever sit well with me. Ever since I left my parents' home  12 years ago, I've been someone who is NPA (No Permanent Address) and although we've managed to settle down in a nice house in General Santos City from 2001-2007, it never  felt like home...and I always preferred those out-of-town stays in hotels more. It was only when we moved to this handsome duplex in 2007 that I felt truly at home. 

It isn't something I can probably explain in words...it's just how I feel in my heart. I've found peace and tranquility here...a place to call my own (even though we're just renting).

Day 86: Election Fever

In support for a clean, honest and peaceful elections this coming May 10, the BCBP Butuan Chapter held a motorcade this morning to remind everyone of this: BUMOTO NG TAPAT, BUMOTO NG NARARAPAT.

Immediately following this morning's joint breakfast, everyone donned their special shirts and prepared for the convoy.  With posters plastered on all vehicles, motorists and pedestrians are enjoined to make intelligent choices this coming elections.  We joined Brother Jensen and Sister Grace in their van to go around the city.

Cailie and I had so much fun this morning and you can see just how much by looking at these photos.  I'm also sharing with all of you the National Prayer for Elections 2010 courtesy of COMELEC, PPCRV and BCBP.  Let us make this a part of our daily prayer until election day.