It's not how long

"It's not how long you have been in the community.
 It's not how less we have been together.
 The most important thin is we continue to
 keep the Lord with us as we grow in holiness."

These were my opening remarks during the anniversary fellowship of units C and D of chapter 3 handmaids of the Lord in Dubai.  It has been a year since they have completed the Christian Life Program or CLP of the Couples for Christ.

People usually ask what I get from joining a Catholic community.  I actually cannot explain.  I cannot explain the kind of joy despite the trials and tribulations of life I can bravely and happily face each and every trial.  I can't explain the joy I feel every time I see these women who like me are also struggling in life but they kept on fight for the sake of love, for the sake of life and for the sake of the Lord.  

Imagine You and Me Dubai Block Screening

On 29 July 2016, the Handmaids of the Lord, one of the family ministires of the Couple for Christ, had a block screening of the ALDUB movie, Imagine You and Me.   This block screening is for the benefit of the scholars from ANCOP or answering the cry of the poor, which is a fund raising arm of the Couples for Christ for the less fortunate people in the Philippines.  

the raffle ticket

The block screening started with a raffle sponsored by generous members of the Handmaids of the Lord.  The prizes include YES magazine wherein ALDUB is on the front cover, mugs, t-shirts and three balikbayan boxes from Pinas cargo.

mug, one of the raffle prizes

Even after the  movie, our smiles are deep within the bone marrow (ngiting tagos hanggang bone marrow).  My flatmates who were with me during the block screening was amazed how the women of the handmaids of the Lord could scream so loud just because of Aldub.  I told them, well once in our lives we had been hurt, pained and troubled to the point that our hearts have been numbed, but when Aldub came to us, they gave us another option....the option of believing in love eternal.  They made us once again believe that it is okay to wait for that one true love in the right time that has been destined to you.  They made us increase our patience as we wait on that one person destined to be our forever.  Watching Aldub on this movie gave us more endorphins with the ups and downs of emotions of laughter, crying and laughter once again.  And finally, Aldub taught is to take things easy and laugh our problems off.

Inside the VOX cinema 5 at Burjuman Center

IYAM for a cause

Thank you for all the love and support of the CFC handmaids of the Lord Dubai for the block screening of Imagine You and Me.  Thank you ALDUB fan moms of Dubai!

How to encourage cancer patients?

Ever since the "bomb" was dropped on me, I have been receiving tons and tons of love and encouragement from bff (best friends forever), CF (close friends, not so close friends, colleagues, regular friends, boss and my sisters in the community where i belong, the Couples for Christ Handmaids of the Lord.

Most of my friends cried with me.  How sweet...ayyyyy.  This means that they are emphatic more than having sympathy on me.  Some started crying before me ha ha ha.  I received lots of hugs and encouraging messages.  I also received a lot of flowers and food.  Yes, food.  They all want me to regain back the strength to be ready for the next surgery and for the radioactive treatment.  

JUST BEING THERE!  You do not need to say something.  I do not expect you to cry.  I do not want yo to be stressed.  Just be there for me.  Touch me, yes touch me because I need all the warmth at this time of my life.  Hug me, that is better because i need all the comfort in this time of  uncertainty.  Remind me, yes remind me to be strong but do not show me you are weak for i might also get weaker.  Accompany me as i might not really want to be alone at this time.  Give me space also to be alone that i may rethink and talk to my God, but never ever make me feel that I am alone.  I am so blessed to have friends and people who are very encouraging and very loving.

those eyes ha! ha! ha!

FLOWERS.  Oh i love the colors of  flowers.  I love it when they give me flowers.   It warms my heart and i feel so special (because I'm sick, ha ha ha).

From my Medical Records family

CARDS, TEXT, CHAT or any MESSAGES that could uplift a sick person.  Today, i received a card from my colleagues and a text message from my boss saying:

Dear Lorelie, no sickness can keep you down with our prayers.  I always have been taught to rise after every fall, hence now it is time for you to rise out of your sickness and fly high.  Warmest wishes.  Get well soon.

PRAYERS.  And the most important of all is prayer.  I think i gained my courage to fight against thyroid cancer is the prayers of those people who care for me.  These prayers are like wings that lift me up from being down.  Prayers as we believe can move mountains.  Have faith and believe in miracles.

Indeed!

The Heart of Worship

Just sharing one of the songs that struck me deep...

The Heart of Worship

Ablaze

a·blaze  [uh-bleyz]

1.  burning; on fire: They set the logs ablaze.

2.  gleaming with bright lights, bold colors, etc.

3.  excited; eager; zealous; ardent.

Truly the fire of God's love continuously burned last Friday, 23 November 2012, as the Couples for Christ United Arab Emirates celebrated its' 20th anniversary.  With the theme Ablaze, the whole CFC-UAE community was on fire - not only because of the heat of the sun :) but really the fire of brotherhood and sisterhood were burning.   

 

 The celebration started with a mass celebrated by the secretary of Bishop Paul Hinder of the vicariate of Arabia, Fr. Gandolf.  After the mass, the top leaders from Manila, gave short messages for the anniversary.  

Fr. Gandolf

What struck me most was when one of the top leaders from Manila said "remain faithful despite the storms shaking the community".  I have had dry moments in almost seven years of service in the community of Couples for Christ - Handmaids of the Lord.  I also had my "doubting Thomas moments"  especially when things in the community are not going the way it was planned.   But then again, i asked myself, "Who do I serve?"  Indeed, Time Spent with God..is Time well Invested!

Sis Nina and Roquel Ponti

Sis Nini and Melo Villaroman

  After the mass in St. Mary's Church, Al Ain, U.A.E.  All the brethren wen to U.A.E. University in Al Ain.  This is about 10-minute drive from the church.  There were presentations from different family ministries of CFC, parade, relays, photo booths, flea market, food stalls and games.

CFC Handmaids of The Lord Dubai dancers

Despite the strong heat of the sun, we all enjoyed feeling the warmth of God's love during this event.

Happy 20th Anniversary CFC United Arab Emirates.