Uncle Paul

"Delightful!" was always his response whenever we would have a phone conversation and when I would ask him how he was before we started indulging ourselves into deep discussions about life, work, politics and then some. Today, I received a call at around 7:30 in the morning. It was my cousin Marie who was in Mac Allen, Texas. She called to inform me that my Uncle Paul, the Delightful Giant whom I have loved in his living years has passed away. My good friend Pastor Robert Gutierrez called me up immediately as soon as he got word of our loss...I complained to him by begging the question... "how many many more deaths do I need to deal with in a span of one year?" First it was my Father In Law then my Best Friend and now my Beloved Uncle. This is quite a handful to deal with but indeed I find my source of strength in the Lord Jesus Christ who himself had to deal with the thought of loosing His own life for the sake of many (Matthew 26:36-45). I will surely miss the advice and the encouragement that I am a recipient of from Uncle Paul not to mention our long conversations over the phone. Last time I saw him was about a year ago when I went to visit him and my Aunt Meriam, it's hard to believe that he's no longer around...I would like to believe that he's in a better place. Two days from now I will be flying to Mac Allen, Texas to attend the wake and funeral, please pray for me people of Blogland that God may use me to be a source of comfort to my family as we all mourn the death of our beloved Paul Joseph.

Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.

1Corinthians 5:1

Torn

I don't think I would need an image to go along with this blog, I am currently in a bind. Part of me is dying to leave which I am definite would prove to have positive results for me and my family but would certainly make people wonder and may even possibly hurt them. The other part is to remain which would absolutely spare me from all the drama and hoopla but may obscure a very important area of my life. I may stop seeing some but remain with some ... go figure. Thus, the ambivalence but there once was a man who told me that between choosing his family and the other things that may prove to be very important to him he would choose his family. May the God of wisdom guide me as I make this very important choice...

If any of you lacks wisdom he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault.

James 1:5

Surf's Up ...Again

After a long tedious 12 hour flight from Manila to Los Angeles, I am finally back in the United States. My girls and I were met by my wife and cousin at the LAX airport and it was both an emotional and joyous reunion. As soon as we left LAX we immediately embarked on a two hour road trip to San Diego where I will be spending a week before heading off to the Lone Star State Of Texas. San Diego is pretty it's my kind of place... a beach community, gnarly weather and a beautiful landscape. I went for a 3o minute walk at the community where I live as a guest of my cousin's and I can't help but consider the possibility of moving to this place. Horizon Christian Fellowship (the mother church of the local church where I attend in the Philippines) after all is based here. And I have always considered myself to be a staunch true blue Horizon guy. I was descipled by a guy named Chaz Yandall whose friendship with me and my family has gone a long long way since the early 90s. He now Pastors the local church I attend in the Philippines. That being said, I was stopped short and reminded by God that I should just learn to be content with where he has appointed me to be. Should he decide to uproot me from Dallas or not is after all His prerogative. Be that as it may God is in full control of everything and is always certain that His purpose in each of our lives is served to the fullest for His glory. On a sad note on my way to the airport to catch a plane from Bacolod to Manila en route to Los Angeles my mom informed me that my Dad's health condition has worsened, my mom could not have chosen the best time to share this piece of news with me (God Bless Her!). Would you please say a prayer for my Dad? He is 96 years old but still has an active mind though he may be physically frail. He still travels to to his beloved farm an hour away from Bacolod regularly. I think that it is his form of therapy, he is a good man and war hero. Chaz sent me off at the Bacolod Airport and I remember giving him the heads up at any eventuality (God forbid!) regarding my Dad's health. God allows us to touch base with people whom we care such as our parents so we can be able even in the shortest of time to show His love, mercy and grace to them especially during the time when they have reached the stage when the swell is no longer as big as before. But our task is to prepare them for the time that they would be able to cross to the other side and realize that there are better/bigger waves to surf.

Though our physical being may be gradually decaying yet our spiritual being is renewed day after day.

2Corinthians 4:6

Time To Head Back

I was in an island resort two weeks ago about and hour's drive from where I live here in the Philippines, it's hard not to appreciate God's creation when your in a place that shouts the word "paradise". My return was filled with action, drama, renewal of friendships, spiritual experiences and then some. Tomorrow, I return to the United States...my departure will be bittersweet. I am saddened at the thought of leaving my family (both biological and spiritual) but excited to see my wife again. I am learning to accept that home is where God wants me to be and where He knows I could serve His purpose for His glory. The kicker however is that we should all look forward to living in our Home Eternal... Paradise to the gnarliest degree. What a Stoke! I will miss you Bacolod...Until my next return...Lord willing!

Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God. An eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.

2 Corinthians 5: 1

Closure

Two days ago I recieved an extremely moving text message from my best friend's (the late Omie Sola) widow, Gina. She offered to give me Omie's watch because in her words "Omie loved me very much and that she knew that I loved Omie with the same degree as well." I told her to just keep Omie's watch as I have more memories of Omie stored in my heart and in my mind to last me a lifetime. Yesterday morning I travelled to Kabankalan City along with my girls where Omie's body has been laid to rest at the City's Memorial Park. Upon seeing his gravesite I paused and tried to remember the good memories we both had together then I broke down and finally said goodbye. In retrospect I think the most memorable event in my friendship with Omie was the day he was baptized and when I saw his face as soon as he emerged from the water after I dipped him. It was the most joyous face of Omie's that I have seen in our entire friendship. Before I left the gravesite I realized that he is now at a far better place than where I am right now. Only because I obeyed God's call to share the love of Jesus to a friend who was at the time willing to surrender his life to God's will.

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual hould restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:1-2

Crunch Time

One more day before travelling back to the Philippines and its crunch time. Almost everytime I travel, the pressure of packing things and making sure you have everything covered can be extremely overwhelming. But such is the nature of preparing for a trip, no matter how much I try to travel light I always end up bringing a tonne and a half. This reminds me of how Jesus before His ascencion to heaven while appearing to His disciples made it an imperative that they understood the importance of making sure everything was covered in so far as bringing the good news of the gospel to men and women around the world is concerned. His death alone covered a multitude of sins let alone the everlasting life that He is offering to anyone who opens the doors of their hearts when He comes knocking.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.

Matthew 28:19-20

Countdown Begins

Five more days to go and I will be flying back to the Island in the Philippines where I come from. There is so much for me to look forward to about this trip. A reunion with my father and the rest of my clan, seeing my only surviving aunt (on my father's side) who by the way is already going through her second childhood. She asked me to buy her a stuff doll for a present, then there's the opportunity to visit my best friend Omie's family and his burial place. The "Omie" part will be somewhat hard for me, last year when I first returned from the United States Omie would always make it a point to pick me up from my parents' house and bring me around. This year however I won't be having my best friend picking me up and hanging out with me. I look forward to seeing my church family down there and having sweet fellowship with them. But most of all I am curious as to what God's purpose is for my return this time around. It's exciting, it's bittersweet ... The Countdown Begins.

And Mizpah; for he said, The Lord watch between me and thee while we are absent from each other.

Genesis 31:49