When Money is the Barometer of your Faith

One Sunday, Mama was sick so she is not going to Church. I also felt like so sick… and so down thinking about life and the struggles I am facing lately. And with me focusing on those things, I felt like I’m getting sick as well. My heart became so heavy. It seemed like it’s going to burst and tears started to fall. I had to run and find my place in the bathroom where I could fully turn the water’s knob or something. And there, nobody could hear me sobbing and I could just get a shower after my dramatic act.

But until almost an hour inside the shower, I needed to go out and dress up for church. However, instead of dressing up, I laid down with my Mom and continued with my drama. In short, I was not able to attend Church meetings.

When Papa came, he asked me why I didn’t go to Church. I responded that I decided to attend Mama’s needs. Then jokingly I said, I had no money for fare going to Church. I could not tell him too about my emotional scene before he got back from Sunday meetings.

I don’t want my parents to feel the pain of my struggles. I want them to enjoy old age and I do everything to let them feel that I am not having a hard time.

With my reasons, Papa told me something that’s really piercing. He’s a teacher by profession and is so good at teaching us gospel principles in various ways. That Sunday he was straightforward, he only asked a couple of questions, “What is the barometer of your faith? Is it Money?” Right there and then, I felt guiltier since I let my emotions stopped me from going to Church. I already know that everytime I felt like not going to Church, the more I should go. It’s a battle between right and wrong. I maybe tested for a countless times but I should not have followed the Lord’s counterfeit and do something wrong.

When money is the barometer of our faith, not a single member of the Church is attending meetings and even magnifying callings would be more difficult.

I repented at once and asked the Father’s forgiveness for allowing the mists of darkness to ruin my choices. Then I recalled one time, asking a friend why he was attending the priesthood meeting. The answer was the same as mine… no fare going to Church. I told him that if there’s a will, there’s always a way as the old saying goes. That if he really wanted to go to Church, he can do something about it. Now, I couldn’t believe that I am telling this to myself.

The whole night I spent assessing myself and then recommitting to the Lord the things that I should be doing as His disciple. I knew that life is full of challenges and I accepted it way, way before but have forgotten my vows when winds few blows come.

Before I totally lost my consciousness and be carried away by my sleepy head, I have learned and re-learned countless lessons in life.

The Lord has never left us. It is always “us” who went our own way, not Him leaving us. He is watching over us all the time. He is always ready to rescue us every time we need Him and no matter how heavy are our burdens, He can always lighten our load. He always carries the weightier part of our spiritual and emotional loads. And even if we feel so down and so lonely, He comes to our rescue everytime. He always wants us to be happy.

So… when you feel that your cup of faith is running out, turn to the Lord always for refill and your cup will always be full, or at most, run over.

Are you asking me if money is the barometer of my faith? Of course, not! At least, not anymore. I have repented and please forgive me for giving my human nature the empowerment to ruin part of my faith. I don’t want to feel that guilty again.

I know better now. Thanks, Pa!

E-Day a.k.a. Pinoy Olimpiks

The Office has been consistent in making sure that we take a day off from work and focus more on FUN. HR headed in organizing the E-Day or Employee Day for everyone to play like kids in Pinoy Olimpiks!

Forgetting all the worries about reimbursements, reports, trainings, projects, and even wiping blinds, everybody regardless of position and race gathered as teams classified by colors and Filipino inspired team names at the PBO parking lot extension. Unlike before, we didn’t travel or rent a clubhouse for the activity but rather used the very spacious lot the Church owned at the back of PBO, Missionary Training Center, and Temple Housing.

Organizers had planned well the activity and created funny Pinoy inspired games we usually played when we were younger. Games like piko, patintero, holen that we call Pinoy Golp, luksong lubid, pukpok palayok, and gulong exhibition a.k.a Pinoy Motocross!

Here are some photos:

banner parade, representing.... Matiyaga's - the Yellow Team

Kuya Daga holding the Pinoy Olimpiks Torch

I really thought he came all the way from Beijing. Haha!

This was one of the hardest part for him, I guess. He was sweating and catching his breath for this uphill slope run to the venue.

I thought he wouldn't make it. But he was a great sport.

I was wondering if I could run and pick him up and light the torch instead....

He made it! He was able to get up and run for a few distance to the huge torch.

But what kind of torch is this? A fire-free torch? Hahaha!!!! Very innovative!

These are colored plastics pasted on top of an industrial fan. He just turned on the fan to let the so-called torch be lighted. Great job, Kuya Daga!

Then let the "Olimpks" begin...

The sun was not so hot and it was quite windy. I loved our colors under the sun!

Our team mates on-post to stop all purple team members in the Patintero from crossing to the other side.

Oh no! I was so scared of losing! Look at me! This was during Pinoy Golp or Jolen shooting. Hahaha!! We won second place here.

Well, what's that Khrissy? Sorbetes or native ice-cream! The organizers paid the vendor's ice-cream and there he stationed under the Talisay tree. Well, we had ice-cream for like forever here.

And while the rest of the Matiyaga's were listening to the instructions for Piko, the camera man caught me still eating ice-cream. Hahaha!

See that!

Very embarrassing! Kuya Wilmor was able to get this shot behind one of our big bosses in PBO. I thought the first two photos were over and funny... I never had any idea he would take this shot. Stolen shots are crazy shots or should I say, Khrissy's shots! If Nestle would see me, they should hire me to replace Sharon Cuneta's ad. Haha!

This was Arlene's second try. She forgot how to play piko. And look at our team mates, dying to do it for her. Hahaha!!! Look at our leader, Kuya Plor (wearing gold jersey), giving her instructions. And look at her boss, Madame Cynthia, touching her hair. We had countless reactions and facial expressions here. But we were glad when she was able to make it, finally. Though, we didn't win here. We had fun teaching her how instead of criticizing her.

Everybody was running for gold and silver kisses for some points for the team. But this was a false alarm. The pot didn't crack. It was only swayed by Kuya Manny. Only the powder and few candies fell.

Only the white stuffs not the chocos!

See the fun!

Group picture! We won second place. Top two out 8 or nine groups. I forgot. Sorry.

We won the wackiest group also!

Panalo Ako Medals given to us. Panalo Ako means I Won in English.

Happy!

Was he saying, we could have won only if we listened to him all the time? Hahaha!! He was the smallest in our group but guys, HE IS OUR LEADER!

This is my big boss, Bro. Amistad. He is a singing guru! He's not just a great boss, he sings well too. Singing Happy Together here. I even think he should plan for a solo concert in the future.

A great performance indeed. He also had back-up dancers here. I was not able to get a photo of him singing with his back-up dancers. This was a real fun E-Day.

showing to the rest of the group our certificate...

facing the sun!

Pokpok Palayok! That was the Target! Crack the Pot and get gold and silver kisses were our goals.

practicing and counting the steps from starting line to finish line.

still giving instructions...

the band!

Our indigenous banner! made our of journal ledgers... hahaha!!! Arlene made this and she's an accountant by profession. Now you know why ledgers?

The whole activity was fun. Everybody enjoyed it a lot. There were winners and losers as for the games. But for me, everybody won. Just think about the fun, the camaraderie, the bonding, and everybody's sporstmanship. Talents were discovered and strengths revived. Regardless of levels or positions, everybody played. They were bosses or subordinates from Monday to Friday, but they were equal during the activity. Same as what our Heavenly Father look at us. He has given us roles to play and callings to fulfill yet we are still His children. We are equal in His sight.

To the organizers, my hats off to you guys! Thanks for this Pinoy Olympics! Only shows how fun-loving the Filipinos are.

Most of all, I loved the photos. Check 'em all at http://www.mpao.multiply.com/. All our photos were stolen shots though. But they are great! Of all the photos taken secretly like mine with the ice-cream, this one is the BEST!

Brother Ron and Sister Susan Millet, Philippines Area DTA. Different teams, different colors but of One Heart and One Mind! Great Couple, Great Friends.

Have fun!