Blushing Orchid

Happy Sabbath to you all today–wherever you are. In about two hours from now we would be leaving for the Services this afternoon at 1:00 pm. Just want to announce– although most of you know already about this–was Charles Gabriel’s arrival last June 4th of Charles and Isis…our 1st grandson to propagate the “Macaraeg” name.

Of course this is also to announce the earlier arrival of Amberly Dawn of Jeb and Laurie last May 20th…we were at UYC when we heard about that good news…that’s why we were not able to update the announcement soon plus my computer was down at that time. Now I’m using a brand new CPU unit.
Btw, we were so happy to see the pictures and videos of Amberly…so cute to see the happy bonding of the 3 siblings now…we were so excited and thrilled to see Jordan and Aubrey taking turns in cuddling and kissing their little sister…also to see Jeb dressing up cutie Amberly.
Sabrina’s wedding was so beautiful and elegant…ALL of you were gorgeous at that time…am glad Laurie and Amberly was also able to attend the wedding.
Overall, we are proud parents of having 7 grandchildren this year 2009…culminating with Richard and Anndy’s 1st expected child by December. How wonderful of God’s added creation in our family clan! Please keep posting pictures and videos for ALL of us to see each other from your individual families…we are just so happy and thrilled to see videos of Shoshy’s growth development and also for Jordan, Aubrey and Amberly…they are all talented and beautiful kids.

On another good news–today, your uncle Jerry and auntie Lal is officiallly affiliating with UCG. It was already announced that starting June 1st 2009, they are now with us and this morning we texted each other that they were already at Dagupan Church Meeting Hall to attend there with Eriz Dizon as the Pastor. Will be looking forward to seeing them sometime this month when Mr. Baker will meet with Jerry and Lal.

Just want to comment and give thanks and credit to Miye for the outstanding pictures that she took and posted for all to see in her blog…very beautiful pictures and videos. Also for all who commented to by blogs…thanks for your encouraging words.

Well, time for me to pause for now as we will be soon preparing to go to the Service now. Hope to continue my comments later. Meanwhile…we are all missing you and love you…

After such a long time updating my blog, it’s a nice feeling to come back writing by first of all thanking you–my dear children– for making my day yesterday a very special one. Thank you for the beautiful card which each of you–including your dad–wrote meaningful messages honoring me on Mother’s Day. You made my day inspired also upon receiving the beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers which Dan bought in behalf of all of you. Words can’t express my innermost joy for all the love that you gave to me…THANK YOU…and above all, I THANK GOD also for the blessings that He has given to our family.

As you already know, we have already started our United Youth Camp yesterday. There are two weeks in all–lst week is Pre-camp training for Staff and the 2nd week–Camp Proper for all campers and staff. Your dad has already gone ahead to direct the Pre-camp meetings and so with the construction crew who will already prepare the place and all necessary things to do before the campers arrive. Like last year there will be two dorms for boys and two dorms for girls-32 campers and 34 staff. Total camp population is 70–including 4 mini-campers. So we will appreciate your prayers for a successful camp this year.

It’s getting late already for my sleeping schedule so until next time…bye for now.

Hello!!!!!! wow…six months ago last year a lot of things happened…both good and bad ones…nevertheless, everything is part and parcel to be thankful for. Yes, to be thankful first of all to our loving God who guides, direct our lives according to His plan and purpose.

The highlights in the year 2008 for our family has been many…Meryl’s being granted a 10-year US multiple entry visa was one of them. We were able to travel together with her to attend the GCE Conference at Ohio and visited Laurie and Jeb’s famiy in Wisconsin, and Cheryl and David in Colorado. It was the first time for Meryl to travel to the US and so the excitements and educational experiences she had was overwhelming. Our visits to Laurie’s and Cheryl’s families were very enjoyable and profitable. Then, came our much awaited Macaraeg Siblings Reunion last August… you will be able to view videos and see a lot of pictures taken in all of the activities we scheduled for the occasion. Will be sending out the videos to you soon as Meryl finishes them hopefully by Wednesday…February llth.

Next, was the wedding of Richard and Anndy Lou which you already saw such in pictures and video…it was highlighted the more with the presence of Laurie and Jebs’s family. It was a very happy and memorable occasion.

Then, came the FOT 2008…once again the BEST feast ever …so many overseas guests attended here in Davao including Mr-s Jim Franks as our visiting speaker, and the family of Jeb and Laurie with Jordan and Aubrey.

December’s activities were the last major event we had here in Davao…where Mr. David Baker and Doug Horschak conducted a National Leadership Conference and Seminar. This was attended by pastors and wives and local leaders with some of their wives as well. It was a highlight and very memorable for most of our local leaders and wives because it was their first time to stay at Insular Waterfront Hotel. Overall, the year 2008 was full of successful, happy and memorable activities.

Now for the current year 2009…this year, as our family tradition in the family, we started off with a FAST praying for a more peaceful and abundant life even as we are entering very difficult and challenging times ahead of us. May we continually resolved to be closer to God even more at this time…changing for the better in all areas of life…spiritually, physically, financially etc…

January l7th, we flew very early to Manila to catch up with our schedules and especially to attend the Sabbath Service in the afternoon. Your dad gave the Sermon…”Our Proper Attitude In Facing End-time Events”…it was well received and was an inspiring message. After the service, since it was Meryl’s 22nd birth anniversary, we volunteered to buy some extra food and ice cream which we ate in the house of Bong and Grace.

The following day, Sunday, was the wedding of Joseph and Janice. Your uncle Bong drove us to the venue after fetching your uncle Jerry and auntie Lal. But before proceeding to the wedding, we had a stop-over at Tagaytay City to take pictures of Taal lake and volcano, since Meryl has not seen the sceneries yet and to appreciate it. She has probably been to Tagaytay in the past but she was still too small to remember the place. Tagaytay has changed a lot since the time we have been there. So many modern buildings are being built, commercial establishments, eateries, nice shopping malls, hotels and restaurants etc. It’s actually a tourist spot. Anyway, as you already saw some of our pictures in Meryl’s website, our Tagaytay tour and the wedding itself was very nice and was a happy occasion. Meryl’s photo shots were very beautiful and professionally done.

We all stayed overniite again in your uncle Bong’s place…this time with your uncle Jerry and auntie Lal. The following day, Monday, we were invited for lunch by Dr. Robin Navarro in a Greek restaurant…”Cygma”…the food was delicious. Your dad also took the opportunity to consult with Dr. Navarro concerning his heart problems. He has always been a generous man ever since we were in Bacolod City.

Our flight back to Davao was at 6:30 pm so we had to go to the airport earlier to avoid the traffic. One good thing in this trip was that we were able to see our close relatives during the wedding of Joseph and Janice…and for that reason…we were happy to receive a text from Dudes… .asking if it is ok for them to attend the FOT this year in Davao? Of course, we were more than happy to welcome them here for the FOT.

Some updates from our family here…as you already know, Isis is having a baby boy this coming June…Charles beaming with joy and inspired to finish renovating his house. Was surprised to know and see the quality of his workmanship…very nice and skillful…like dad. Having studied architecture plus his interest in art and creativity, his house now is cute, unique and beautiful– Japanese style….hoping ready to be finished as a gift to Isis on her coming birthday on the 10th of Feb.

As for dad and myself, it’s almost a week now that we are sleeping during the night time at our roof garden…remember where we used to put the exerciser unit at the end corner of the roof deck…this is the spot where we installed an air mattress on top of an aluminum bed stand. Very invigorating to sleep here during the night…with cooler fresh oxgen to breath, beautiful stars and moon to gaze up in the sky…and in the morning, we enjoy looking at my plants and flowers as we take our breakfast there as well…while at the same time benefiting the early sunshine…we actually did this for the sake of your dad’s health and mine as well. We also do our morning exercises up here…and a place to meditate, study or read the Bible and other literatures…it’s a blessing to have a place like this.

It’s getting late in the night, past our sleeping time…just have to continue this later…meanwhile, happy to see most of you at Facebook…a very good tool to connect us to each other briefly…this is where i focus more lately, such that i have neglected to update for so long my weblog. Very happy to see a lot of pictures and videos from some of you…enjoyed so much Shoshy’s latest videos…her cute singing…hearty laughter as david and her playing the “football” game.

I also really enjoyed seeing all the beautiful photos of Jordan and Aubrey especially during their snow playing vacation…Laurie’s tummy getting bigger each day…excited to see the upcoming…Amberly Dawn…a beautiful name. So until next episode…missing you all abroad…love to you all.

Hello once again and happy Sabbath to you all!

Tonight about 7pm, Neil Oyan was baptized. It was a happy time to celebrate another youth from the Wednesday Bible Study born into the family of God. Like Chekhov, some youths witnessed this happy occasion. We have two baptism already for this month of September…that’s good news!

Another happy thing to be thankful for and may we continue to be praying about is the coming final court hearing of Jed and Jing Jong on the 7th of october. Actually the original date was scheduled on the 30th of this month which is Feast of Trumpets. But we requested to change the date by explaining that we can’t make it because of the coming Holy Day. By God’s grace we were granted the change of the date schedule. The judge will finally make the final verdict of their case. We have the positive feeling that if they will be acquitted, then they will be able to attend the FOT.

During this week, our family clan was doing ok except Dan, who got sick for two days. He was however well the following day dad anointed him. David as usual comes to his office at HTV and joins the family for our Friday night Sabbath dinner. Richard is always busy more so now that he is preparing for his upcoming wedding. He and Anndy applied for their marriage lisence last Monday and will be back on the 5th of October to get it. As for Charles and Isis, it will be their 4th wedding anniversary tomorrow…”Happy 4th Wedding Anniversary…Charles and Isis.” Their house is still on the rennovation stage but it is getting nicer each time I go visit their place. While most probably not everything will be done before the FOT, but I think they can already transfer in it. As for Tephi, she is getting the more smarter and an “entertainer” in the family.

As you all know we are all excited to the coming of Laurie, Jeb, Jordan and Aubrey in a few more days from now. Happy to see their pics on their website and I’m sure they will add to that in their photo album– pictures that will be taken during their trip here in the Philippines.

Of course, while we will surely miss Cheryl and David for the FOT and Richard’s wedding, we are also happy to anticipate the arrival of their baby during these times as well. We are excited to see their baby soon.

And for Meryl, she will be very busy during these coming days before, during and after the FOT. She and Isis will play a vital role in the Variety Show and Choir as Coordinators. I hope to update you more later.

It’s getting very late now… past my sleeping time… so until next update.

Wow!!!!!!! It took 7 months for me to finally update this blog…”complete” long overdue! Sooo many things have happened since March 03, 2008. Sorry about that. Anyway, I’m delighted to fill in the gaps of those missed months updates in a form of summary.

During the month of March, I was already anticipating a lot of major events to happen in this year 2008. Something to start brainstorming what to do and prepare for the upcoming DUB, UYC, GCE and vacation trip to OHIO, WISCONSIN & COLORADO, MACARAEG SIBLING REUNION, RICHARD/ANNDEE WEDDING, FOT and LEADERSHIP MEETING. While most of the events were already history, overall, it was very successful, eventful, profitable and enjoyable. All the trials, difficulties and preparations that went with it, was well worth the experience and to be thankful for. Without the help and intervention of our loving God, we would have not accomplished anything with regard to our getting a visa for Meryl, as an example, and to host a very happy and successful Macaraeg Reunion just recently. As you already witnessed to some of the happy occasions - thru the many beautiful pictures we sent you, I don’t need to elaborate them here further.

Let me just continue to share some of the updates we have here lately. For this month of September, one of the highlights was the 4-day visit of Mr. David Baker here in Davao. He was able to visit Jed in the prison with Dad, Danny and me. It was my first ever to visit a prison house. She was transferred to a new and nice dwelling place for female prisons. With God’s help, I believe it won’t be long now that she will be free - as her last court hearing was already finished. We just have to wait for the verdict of the judge about her case. Please continue to pray for her and Jhong.

Another update we have lately as you already know was the passing away of Leo and just this week, we were sad to know that Gema Matilac Salvatori succumbed also to cancer. While it’s sad to know about them, the comforting thought is that they are now safe with God. For your info also, we got news that Fe Santos is also very critical with her 4th stage cervical cancer. Let’s continue to pray for her as well as some of our members suffering from various health problems like Jimmy Arceo and Jimmy Dagani. Both are diabetic and undergoing dialysis.

Your dad and Richard are now in Maramag with combined members from Banisilan, Kiara, Litig, Valencia and Quezon. Rex Hart, who is now studying here in Davao went with them and also Chekov Agayo, who has just been baptized last Wednesday night after the Bible Study. They will be coming back to Davao tomorrow noon before the choir and dance practices.

Current activity this time is busy preparations for the wedding of Richard and the FOT. Richard has already started buying and moving some of his household stuff in his house now. They have decided to rennovate their house after the wedding rather than this month. Charles is undergoing rennovating his house also. The walls and ceiling inside the house is almost finished. Next to be painted is the outside of the house. After that, their bathroom will have to be retiled and changed with a new set of toilet bowls. I guess, Laurie will have to see the finished outcome of their house before the feast–hopefully.

It’s getting late now and I have not eaten my dinner yet. Until next time. See you later.