BEAUTY & BRAVERY are the Traits of this Young Lady

"You need to deliver this baby now!" 

Those were the words of the OB Gynecologist last March 18, 14 years ago.

The doctor continued with her explanation, "the amniotic fluid is low. if we don't deliver the baby now the umbilical cord might strangle her when Christine experiences contractions." 

"a-m-n-i-o.." 

I tried to spell out the word in my mind but realized that it was simpler to spell "o-k". So, I looked at my wife and we immediately said - "Ok, lets do it!". We scheduled the c-section delivery that day and we saw your angelic face a few hours later.

And that was how you came into this world.

I always believe that you were a brave girl. 

• I can imagine your reaction when you noticed that the fluid in the womb was slowly running out - "no water, no problem. Today is a great day to come out!"
• at age 9, you dived into a 15-foot deep pool. I held my breath until you I saw you float and swim like a pro.
• You tried the zip line during your first youth camp at age 10. It was tooooo fast! I failed to take a good picture but I will always treasure that scene in my mind.
• at age 12, we walked the outer rim of the 37th floor of Cebu Skywalk Tower. I was not afraid for you because my own fear of heights kept my mind busy.
• and most recently, at age 13, you gave your personal testimony about God during a retreat in front of your friends and participants.

Maybe you were nervous in these situations. But, I believed that you made a decision to do them because of your trust in Jesus. You looked at fear in the eye and said - "lets do it!". You often say to me that you tend to panic too much. I believe otherwise. You are truly a brave person.

May you continue to shine for Jesus my princess. I pray that you grow up to be the person that God meant you to be when he created you.

You have grown up to be a beautiful young lady. Looking 98% percent like your pretty mom. The 2% is from me because you have my eyelash and my last name.

Your mom and I love you dearly, but our God loves you more. Your brother admires you. Your extended family & friends loves you. 

Have a great birthday Mac!

CALL ON GOD

"For he has called upon the Most High God, who gave strength to his right arm,..." - Sirach 47:5


"You need an operation next week so we can immediately remove the lump in your left breast." Those were the words of my mother's surgeon when she came in to have her mammogram results interpreted. My parents tried to remain calm. They asked for a couple of days to think about it before finalizing the operation date.

Our family discussed the matter and agreed to seek a second opinion. We stormed the heavens with our prayers. We also requested prayers from our community.

We got more confused after seeing two more doctors. They had conflicting views about her condition. They were referred to another doctor and my parents decided to see him. They agreed to accept whatever this doctor recommended. Our family prayed for God's will to be done. We got God's answer when we heard my father share the doctor's diagnosis - "Your mother doesn't need to undergo surgery. Let's just check on her condition every six months but no need to worry for now."

David was a young, inexperienced warrior and he only had a slingshot. He was considered weaker than the other regular soldiers. But, when he called upon God, just like we did, not even a giant could beat him. - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

originally posted in Kerygma Family - http://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2014-02-07