Camouflage

She said with face ablaze, “It is okay”. 

The heart writhed with twinge 

Each beat a clout of pain 

The heart drifted in silent throbbing.

With friends she laughed heartily 

In reality the beleaguered soul bears misery 

The mêlée of uncertainties so ruthless 

Each cell in the body whimpered in agony. 

To everybody she talked merrily 

In truth she cringed in wretchedness 

The hammer of loneliness pound relentlessly 

In darkness, she comforts her small body. 

To the world her face alight with joy and resilience 

A perfect fighter in the world of anguish 

Yet, her worn out spirit hid in camouflage 

The abysmal abyss of pain resides. 

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Welcome to the Christian World, Jessica Elle

For Your Baptism

You’re taking this step of faith 

In obedience to the Lord 

To be baptized in His precious name 

And heed the Master’s call. 

To rise up with faith in God 

And go where He may lead 

To share God’s love to everyone 

And touch them in their need. 

May God pour out His blessings 

Upon your life today 

So you may walk in His abundance 

As you commit to Him your way. 

Keep on trusting in the Lord 

No matter what you face 

And keep your eyes on Jesus Christ 

And live in His sweet grace. 

© By M.S.Lowndes 

WELCOME TO THE CHRISTIAN WORLD, JESSICA ELLE!!! 

Jessica Elle 

Big sister, Marcia Amelie. 

I'm a Christian now. 

With family and friends in Ireland. 

Mom and M.A. 

Jessica Elle with Tita Dith. 

Jessica Elle, M.A. Mom, and Tita Dith. 

M.A., Jessica Elle, Mom and Dad. 

Big sister, M.A. 

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A Moment of Silence for Holy Week

The paroxysm of childhood memories spent with my father hit me yesterday when I saw the palm branches being waved by church goers.

Apparently, my father has a very big influence to me with regard to Religious practices. As the whole country commemorated yesterday the Palm Sunday, I was reminded of the many times I spent with him going to church every Sunday. He would hold my tiny hands while I waved the palm branches for blessings of the holy water.

Palm Sunday as I remember it was the beginning of a quiet time at home. We were not allowed to play or even talk with loud voices- laughing was a big no. He would reiterate constantly the importance of silence because as he put it, “Jesus was already in agony”.

More than the reminder of peace was the story telling about sufferings of Jesus Christ. He would patiently answer my questions about God. Then, the daily masses would follow which my father attended conscientiously.

I vividly remember joining long processions which usually ended up at night time already. As a young girl, it was a very sad time for me. No playing, no laughing, and no running.

The family custom of observing Lenten Season starts with our annual “Pabasa” on its 3rd Saturday. This is a Filipino tradition of singing the book of birth, suffering and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

My father and mother started that practice for as long as I could remember. It became a yearly occurrence at home. Coincidently, it was also the time we celebrated the recognitions received by me and my siblings for being honor pupils of the school year.

The party was usually held in the morning then the start of “Pabasa” was around 4 in the afternoon. When my siblings and I grew up, that became our time of reunion since most of us live in far places already.

Generally, the group comprising the “singers” of our “Pabasa” was not really family members. They were old folks who have been paid to partake in the event and trained to last until 4 or 5 in the morning. They would munch “gugo” and drink “salabat” so that they would last till the next day.

Not all family observes this kind of practice so I guess in a way I was lucky for the reason that I truly enjoyed my childhood memories during our “Pabasa”.

The Holy Week was a different story though. It was a poignant memory of extreme sadness because there was this sudden shift with T.V. and radio programs. They only showed and aired nothing but lonely stories and slow music. It was a moment of solitude for me which I carried on until the time I grew up.

As the long week dragged on, I would start to anticipate the coming of Easter Sunday. I knew that my father would cook something special for us and we got to drop by in the house of our grandparents to receive some pesos from them.

Conversely, Saturday night before Easter is also the blessing of candles and water. Then early the following day would be the presentation of Easter angels. All the daughters of my eldest sister experienced being hanged as one of the angels. It was scary watching them being dropped from up above attached in a long bamboo.

After the Easter Sunday mass, my father would then prepare delicious food for us. Finally, the loud raucous at home was finally back.

My father was gone for more that five years already. Yet, the memories live on in my heart. That little girl being guided by his loving hands is now fully grown up. My beliefs may be different from what I was brought up but the values he imparted remains inside.

As I observe the Holy Week this year, I remember and pray in a moment of silence the man who stirred not only faith but the kindness in a young girl’s heart...Papa.

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The N95 Dilemma

Shayne, my 15-year-old niece, is having an early black Friday.

Last night, she made Trisha cry and was slamming everything at home. The pitiful girl fell asleep hugging her pillow with remnants of tears on her cheeks.

To make the matter worst, she woke up this morning with hoarse voice because of crying for a long time.

The reason? Here…

…the N95 cell phone which made her totally freak out.

It was just the other night when Shayne was told by her dad that her mom has this new gadget. As always, Shayne wants it for herself.

For some reasons, her mom and dad didn’t give in easily this time- much to Shayne’s chagrin.

After all, there is absolutely nothing wrong with her current cell phone...

The girl is thinking that she deserves a reward for a job well-done in school this year. But, N95 series? The girl must be dreaming…

Her dad told her that she needs to earn it. How? They're still contemplating on it.

Meanwhile, the ill-tempered Shayne continue her sour mood and I opt to be in the safe side by staying quiet so as to avoid a total chaos at home…may I have enough patience to endure her tantrums this time.

This will be my own cross for the Lenten Season.

Kids!!!

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No Time Poem

In observance of the Lenten Season, let me share with you this wonderful poem I have received from a friend...

NO TIME 

I knelt to pray but not for long, I had too much to do. 

I had to hurry and get to work for bills would soon be due. 

So I knelt and said a hurried prayer, 

And jumped up off my knees 

My Christian duty was now done 

My soul could rest at ease. 

All day long I had no time 

To spread a word of cheer. 

No time to speak of Christ to friends, 

They'd laugh at me I'd fear. 

No time, no time, too much to do, 

That was my constant cry, 

No time to give to souls in need. 

But at last the time, the time to die. 

I went before the Lord, 

I came, I stood with downcast eyes. 

For in his hands God held a book; 

It was the book of life. 

God looked into his book and said 

Your name I cannot find. 

I once was going to write it down... 

But never found the time. 

-Anonymous- 

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