Unforgettable moments!

Tweet

It is more than a month ago since I left my homecountry, again. I spent three weeks vacation there. I'm so happy tough that I had  with me nice memories with my family there, to cherish. Touching moments.

Many years ago I left my homecountry to work to Norway. To support my children so that they can acquire an education. And they graduated from elemtary, to high school and college without me being there for them, except when my second daugther graduated in college. And many years had gone by and I now have 6 grandchildren, which is 5 of them  goes to school and had many graduations and recognition that I missed. But last March, for the first time I was able to attend the Recognition day and Graduation Day of my four grandchildren.

First Graduation day I attended was Zyrish graduation from kindergarten. I was of course invited and she asked me if I can be with her at the stage when she recieved her medals. She got three medals.

Her parents was very proud of her and grandma too. The first medal.

And the second medal with grandma. Zyrish was not smiling anymore. She was already exhausted with the long program. And it was really hot that day!

Many years ago, I was present at  her mother's Graduation day in Kindregarten too. She was the Valedictorian.

Me and my daughter Chelsea.

Anyway the day after: Zimon and Candice Recognition day.

Zimon got one medal. His parents were surprise because although he is a bright boy, he just couldn't sit still in class. But, we were happy for him too:)

And this was Zimon and Zyrish mother and me two years before I went to Norway.

 I was on stage too, together with Candice, my second grandchild and my daughter-in-law. Candice received three medals too like Zyrish. Very talented girls. 

And the best part was to be able to attend Jan Andrie's Graduation  Day in Elementary School.  My oldest grandson. He graduated one year younger than his classmates. He too has lot of talents. He had won many awards in many fields during his elementary years. Drawing, singing, declamation and art contests.

                                            His trophies in different fields.

Medals

But what touched me most was when he led the graduates in their farewell song. His voice was so clear, strong and beautiful.

and when he gave me a rose.

 I didn't graduated elemetary school when I was in the Philippines,

( I studied and finished every level up to college when I came to Norway ) and I didn't witness his father's graduation too. Thanks God,  I manage to  attend my oldest grandson's graduation.  And it was first time for me to witness such an event. It was very precious and unforgettable moment.

Me and my one and only son Brian, my Cinderella man.

And here we are, many years ago, before I left to work abroad and missed many important moments in their lives. 

What made me sad though was that I was not able to attend Ethan's moving up at his school. He is my fifth grandson. It was also Jan Andrei's Graduation Day. 

                           
        Anyway, I was able to attend his mother's Graduation day in Nursery School....

                                                   ... and in College.

Ariel, Michelle's  husband now, Chelsea, my first daughter and me.

Being away from my children in the Philippines most of the time makes these moments unforgettable for me.  It brings joy, tears and sadness at the same time. But we made it through the years and we are going to make it in the coming years by the help of God.

 More happy memories to come:)

JOY

Smile, smile:)

Tweet

Feels like ages since I made some cards. So since May month is around the corner and it will be Confirmation month for the 15th year olds, I decided to make a few cards for them. 

Added some jokes to make you smile!

* Wedding Jokes - Tasters *

With her marriage she got a new name and a dress.

Ronnie Corbett: Do think marriage is a lottery?

Ronnie Barker: No. With a lottery you do have a slight chance.

Paying alimony is like feeding hay to a dead horse.

Marriage is the chief cause of divorce.

* Wedding Jokes - One liners by the famous *

The best way to get most husbands to do something is to suggest that perhaps they're too old to do it. (Ann Bancroft)

I think men who have a pierced ear are better prepared for marriage. They've experienced pain and bought jewellery. (Rita Rudner)

T

Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut afterwards. (Benjamin Franklin)

My wife dresses to kill. She cooks the same way. (Henny Youngman)

My wife and I were happy for twenty years. Then we met. (Rodney Dangerfield)

A good wife always forgives her husband when she's wrong. (Milton Berle)

I was married by a judge. I should have asked for a jury. (George Burns)

I bought my wife a new car. She called and said, "There's water in the carburetor." I said, "Where's the car?" She said, "In the lake." (Henny Youngman)

** Mother-in-Law Jokes **

In the morning the day after I was married, the phone rang. "Reverse charges call from Jackie," said the operator. "Will you accept the charges?"
I couldn't think of anyone that I knew who was called Jackie; so I said no and put down the ‘phone.
A moment later, the phone rang again. "Hi, Margaret, it's Jackie," said a familiar voice, "your mother-in-law."

* Care for your Mother-in-law *

A man, his wife and his mother-in-law went on vacation to the Holy Land. While they were there, the mother-in-law passed away.
The undertaker told them, "You can have her shipped home for Ł5000, or you can bury her here in the Holy Land for Ł150."
The man thought about it and told him he would just have her shipped home.

The undertaker asked, "Why would you spend Ł5000 to ship your mother-in-law home, when it would be wonderful to have her buried here and spend only Ł150?"

The man replied, "a man died here 2000 years ago, was buried here, and three days later he rose from the dead. I just can't take that chance."

Never go to bed mad. Stay up and fight. (Phyllis Diller)

The secret of a happy marriage remains a secret. (Henny Youngman)

A man said his credit card was stolen but he decided not to report it because the thief was spending less than his wife did.

At the cocktail party, one woman said to another, "Aren't you wearing your wedding ring on the wrong finger?" The other replied, "Yes, I am, I married the wrong man."

After a quarrel, a wife said to her husband, "You know, I was a fool when I married you." The husband replied, "Yes, dear, but I was in love and didn't notice."

A man inserted an 'ad' in the classifieds: "Wife wanted". Next day he received a hundred letters. They all said the same thing: "You can have mine."

When a man steals your wife, there is no better revenge than to let him keep her.

Marriage is the triumph of imagination over intelligence. Second marriage is the triumph of hope over experience.

I married Miss Right. I just didn't know her first name was Always. Losing a wife can be hard. In my case, it was almost impossible.

I haven't spoken to my wife in 18 months - I don't like to interrupt her.

A husband said to his wife, "No, I don't hate your relatives. In fact, I like your mother-in-law better than I like mine."

A man meets a genie. The genie tells him he can have whatever he wants, provided that his mother-in-law gets double. The man thinks for a moment and then says, "OK, give me a million dollars and beat me half to death."

How do most men define marriage? A very expensive way to get your laundry done free.

Just think, if it weren't for marriage, men would go through life thinking they had no faults at all.

The most effective way to remember your wife's birthday is to forget it once.

Source of the jokes!

JOY

21th entry to " Letter To God Contest"

Tweet

Now for the 21th  entry: This from a very talented and promising young man Rix. This picture was taken when I met him and other awesome  bloggers during my last trip to the Philippines. A very memorable moment.

                            Zaizai, Rix, empi and Joanne

      Rix is for me a quiet, humble, funny and talented young man.

And here is his very touching entry. Makes one cry.

Dear Father,

Two months from now, my family will commemorate the day you have taken the life of my mother that she borrowed from You.

From the day that we found out what her real condition is, I never stop calling you and ask for you kindness to spare her life as we have many plans for her.

When she had the operation, I thought everything will be okay, but it’s not.

I know that you always have plans and I know that you are testing our faith in You. You are challenging our trust towards You.

I am not a perfect follower and I admit that but you know from the beginning how pure my faith in You and how I trusted You. I am very confident that You're always beside me and you always listen to my voice within.

I was really amazed about the teaching of your Son, The Prodigal Son, that even if we turn our back on You, You will still accept us because You are a forgiving Father, and your love and mercy is unconditional. You have truly shown us how you love us when, You have sacrificed the life of Your only son, Jesus, to save us from hell, you let him be crucified in Golgotha and let his blood wash away the sins of the human-kind. 

From what happened to my mother, I have promised myself to be a good Catholic with the help of my sister, a nun, Your faithful servant inside and outside the church. The congregation of Jesus Good Shepherd collaborated and prayed for my mother. During that time, I believed that she will recover from her illness ‘cause I believed in the power of prayers. However, You did not listen to our prayers.

It was pass 11 in the evening, I heard my younger brother shouting, rattled and helpless that my mother is no longer breathing... At that time, I prayed, "Please spare her life. I'm not ready to lose her. I need my mother. She haven't seen how good I am now. She haven't seen how her sons became independent and will be successful in the future. She haven't seen her future grandchildren. I don't want to lose my mother, Lord, please don’t take her life" but you never listened. Together with my younger brother  and my father, you let us feel and see my mother lifeless in the hospital bed. My warm tears flows from my eyes, as coldness devour her body, and all I can do is cry in pain and in madness.

From that day I never talked to You. I stopped praying. I never communicated to You or believed in You anymore. I even stopped going to church every during Your fest. I have the impression that you intentionally let things happened because we deserve to lose someone in exchange of a not good Christian. I admit, I'm mad at You because you took my mother away from us.

It was January, one night, I have a hard time to sleep. I turned-on the TV and scanned the shows. Accidentally, I saw my mother's photo on the table near the TV set. I just realized that everything happens for a reason, we don't know what it is because only You knows why do we need to undergo this experiences. Guilt is eating and swallowing me. This is not what my mother want me to be and to believe in. I know that if she is beside me she will feel upset because of what I am doing.

Slowly I have dragged myself to return to You. I started praying again. I started visiting Your home again. My faith is coming back and I am now trusting you again..

I still don’t know the reason why You took my mother, but I know with the help of my mother you will let me understand why she is with you now...

Sorry for doubting you but, just like the youngest son in the famous parable, I am coming back to you. Forgive me Father. I believed that You never rejected me and thrown me away. It is me who have left in the love of You. All this time, I felt that You’re just waiting for my return.

Your prodigal son,

Rix

P.S. Lord regards to my Mama. Tell her I really miss her. I know she’s enjoying the amenities in heaven right now. Please ask her to watch over us and tell her how much I love her.

Ma, Advance happy mother's day.. Even if you are not with us, we will still celebrate that day because we never lose you. You are always in our heart. Mwuah.

Thank you very much ! - Rix - http://rixsays.blogspot.no

God bless you and good luck Rix!

                                       JOY


For more details of the " Letter to God Contest: Click here

19th and 20th entry to " Letter To God Contest"

Tweet

It seems that there are many bloggers that have "godly poet" ( Senyor eskwaters words) in them because I keep receiving " Letter To God " entries and it is really amazing. I believe God is smiling when he reads your letters to Him. So here are two more entries:

                                                         19th entry  is from:

About ger@rd

Ang ger@rd ay ang tahanan ng mga saloobin at nilalaman ng isipan ni Gerard Cayco, ang may-akda ng nasabing blogspot. Dito niya isinasaad ang kanyang mga haka-haka, kuro-kuro, ideya, at mga napapansin sa paligid. Ang pangalan ng blogspot ay naging isang palaisipan kay Gerard. Ang unang pangalan nito ay Gerard Legacy, matapos nito'y naging Gerard House of Songs (HOS) dahil nahilig ang may-akda sa pagsulat ng mga awitin hanggang sa dumating ang punto na naisipan nanamang palitan ito ng pangalan at iyon nga ay ang ger@rd. Nagsimula ang blogspot na ito noong November 2010 ngunit ito'y napabayaan ni Gerard subalit ito'y naibalik noong November 2012. 

Isa sa mga naging inspirasyon ng ger@rd ay ang Unplog...

                                                                His entry:

I'LL ALWAYS BE YOURS

With everything that happened in my life,

I have never doubted that You are alive

Through thick and thin, sadness and joy, ups and downs,

There’s never an instance that You failed.

I can’t imagine how my life goes on without You

You are the strength of my life

I’ve never known anyone and anything else like You

The great provider, the soul redeemer, the loving Father!

Father, continue to reign over my life

I want to be Yours until my very last breath

Let Your will be fulfilled as I walk this journey with You

I want more of You, God!

Let Your light shine bright in this world

Let me be a living testimony of Your word

And all these people will see how amazing You are

Because You are the Lord of all.

Be magnified in every aspect of my life

Be glorified with every little things I’m exerting

Be lifted high as we, Your people, worship You in spirit and in truth

Here I am Lord! Use me!

It’s been a long time, Lord, since we’ve been together

And I believe this will last forever

Day by day, You got me even stronger

I want to stay in Your presence.

Lord, You just really amazed me with everything You’re doing

And I just can’t express how grateful and joyful my heart is because of You

Father, no matter what this world may take me

I will always be Yours, forever!

Your faithful servant,

Gerard Emmanuel Cayco

http://gerardcayco.blogspot.no/

20th entry

I am all bluster- I am not violent. I am not malicious. I am a RESULT.

His entry:

Dear You,

You who have many names, I always asked myself which one of them is true?

You have all the knowledge in your hand, but why us people are ignorant?

You who sacrificed and saved our lives, but why do we keep turning our backs from your path?

With your pure immeasurable love.... Yet we still crave for affection?

         Those are some of the questions that's running through my mind up until now. It's been a while huh? I missed those days that we were together. Do You still remember the time You taught me how to read your words? It was summer, I think I was 2nd grader that time. I used to go to your House every Sunday just to listen to some of your lines. The story-telling about Your life fascinated me, thinking that no one will never, ever do such thing(s) for I am selfish at that moment and I couldn't see myself sacrificing my own life to save others. I even sang some songs of praises, songs of  love and gratitude about You. But that was the time when I was still a seeker. A spiritual-hunger. A "non-believer" if You may say so?

        After almost 28 years of all fucked up "my-not-so-ordinary-called-life", I  considered myself a changed man. A better grown up man. Nurtured by experience. Learned how to water my spiritual garden. A garden of my own. I stopped dropping by at your House every Sunday morning, listening to your stories bored me and noticed that I even forgot to sing your songs? I kept myself from doing that. Doing what other people do. It pisses me seeing them so "holy" outside but totally devious inside. I allowed myself to see and feel a relationship between You and me. With that bond we can hear our voices so clearly. You may think that I already forgotten Your voice, for I became a silent rebel. I even blamed you for all the shits that happened to my life. You let me find all the answers to all of my questions. Doubt clouded me at first but You told me not to. And hell yeah, You know that I had grudges on You but that didn't stopped me to call Your name everytime my life boils on a darker shade of black. Pitch black. For I  believe that somehow You will show me a glare of light during my darkest hours. It really amazed me because You never failed to shed some. And I am so thankful for that. Really I am.

        Blind that I am because I can't see your face, deaf for I can't hear you voice and numb for I can't feel your warmth literally but I know that faith binds our hearts. This time I will never ask questions on You, for you have all the answers right? I admit I am not a perfect son , not even pass your standards but I'm trying.... well atleast I'm still trying? 

Your unconventional-thinker-son,
       Erin http://thenuttythoughts.blogspot.no

Thank you so much guys!

JOY