Fresh Start Daily

Melvin Jones Grandstand (Burnham Park)

The Mansion

Wright Park

Way back to our hotel…

We went to Cabanatuan around 11 a.m. We got to the bus station at half past 3 then we went straight to the American Memorial in Pangatian. We got there at 4:35 p.m.

It used to be a concentration camp. It’s sad that the place is not maintained by the government or the U.S. embassy. It tells the story of one of the most successful rescue missions.

We went to CIC (College of the Immaculate Conception) after because I wanted to show Lelan the school I attended from pre-school to grade school. Everything is the same. However, it’s not a school anymore. The old buildings are used as offices now.

It was surreal. When I was young, that place seemed so big. Now that I’m older, it looks so small. Going there made me feel nostalgic. I showed Lelan where we used to play after our classes, where I joined a drawing contest and won (surprisingly), where we had our graduation ceremony, where lolo Acacia (acacia tree) used to be, the room that I was in when the magnitude 7.7 earthquake happened in 1990.

We went to Edna’s Cakeland but it was already closed. We went to SM to have dinner then we went to the bus station to go back to Manila.

American Memorial (Pangatian)

CIC

The Christmas/carrot cake jam is so delicious. It was made by my sister-in-law, Deana. She’s so sweet. I used it in the toasted sandwiches this morning (peanut butter + blueberry jam & cheese + Christmas jam).

I’m happy that I get to spend Christmas with my husband here in the Philippines.

My husband and I went to the first service in CCF then kuya Jerry and Anjo picked us up from church to have lunch. We went to Rosario church after. We had the breaking of bread, then the teaching meeting. Lelan shared a short devotion in the first part of the Sunday service.

Before kuya Jerry shared the message, he, Anjo, Lelan, and I sang the two songs we practiced last night. Kuya Jerry talked about the church as one body. What struck me the most is the 1st Corinthians 12:22 verse: “No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.”

Sometimes I feel like the things I do for the Lord are small and don’t matter much but today I am reminded that no matter how small our contribution is, it is big in God’s eyes and it is necessary. It is needed.

Believers have different gifts. Some gifts are seen by everyone and some gifts are hardly noticed but they are just as important. Like the human body, some parts are not seen. The internal organs are hidden from our sight but they are absolutely necessary. Just because what we do for the Lord are not seen by people, it doesn’t mean that it’s not important.

“And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty,” 1 Corinthians 12:23

Also, we should serve not to be seen by men but to please God.

“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24

We should ask God what our part is in the body of Christ.

After the teaching meeting, we joined them in their Christmas party. It’s nice that Lelan witnessed the typical way Filipinos celebrate parties. We had fun! What an eventful weekend it is.