Saturday, May 29, 2010

While You Can ...



Here's something worth reading ... I hope this will touch your life as it did mine ;D


When I got home that night as my wife served dinner, I held her hand and said, I've got something to tell you. She sat down and ate quietly. Again I observed the hurt in her eyes.


Suddenly I didn't know how to open my mouth. But I had to let her know what I was thinking. “I want a divorce...” I raised the topic calmly.


She didn't seem to be annoyed by my words, instead she asked me softly, “why?”


I avoided her question. This made her angry. She threw away the chopsticks and shouted at me, “You are not a man!” That night, we didn't talk to each other. She was weeping. I knew she wanted to find out what had happened to our marriage. But I could hardly give her a satisfactory answer; she had lost my heart to Dew. I didn't love her anymore. I just pitied her!


With a deep sense of guilt, I drafted a divorce agreement which stated that she could own our house, our car, and 30% stake of my company.


She glanced at it and then tore it into pieces. The woman who had spent ten years of her life with me had become a stranger. I felt sorry for her wasted time, resources and energy but I could not take back what I had said for I loved Dew so dearly. Finally she cried loudly in front of me, which was what I had expected to see. To me her cry was actually a kind of release. The idea of divorce which had obsessed me for several weeks seemed to be firmer and clearer now.


The next day, I came back home very late and found her writing something at the table. I didn't have supper but went straight to sleep and fell asleep very fast because I was tired after an eventful day with Dew.


When I woke up, she was still there at the table writing. I just did not care so I turned over and was asleep again.


In the morning she presented her divorce conditions: she didn't want anything from me, but needed a month's notice before the divorce.
She requested that in that one month we both struggle to live as normal a life as possible. Her reasons were simple: our son had his exams in a month's time and she didn't want to disrupt him with our broken marriage.


This was agreeable to me. But she had something more, she asked me to recall how I had carried her into out bridal room on our wedding day.


She requested that everyday for the month's duration I carry her out of our bedroom to the front door ever morning... I thought she was going crazy. Just to make our last days together bearable I accepted her odd request.


I told Dew about my wife's divorce conditions.... She laughed loudly and thought it was absurd. No matter what tricks she applies, she has to face the divorce, she said scornfully...


My wife and I hadn't had any body contact since my divorce intention was explicitly expressed. So when I carried her out on the first day, we both appeared clumsy. Our son clapped behind us, daddy is holding mummy in his arms. His words brought me a sense of pain. From the bedroom to the sitting room, then to the door, I walked over ten meters with her in my arms. She closed her eyes and said softly; don't tell our son about the divorce. I nodded, feeling somewhat upset. I put her down outside the door. She went to wait for the bus to work. I drove alone to the office.


On the second day, both of us acted much more easily. She leaned on my chest. I could smell the fragrance of her blouse. I realized that I hadn't looked at this woman carefully for a long time... I realized she was not young any more. There were fine wrinkles on her face, her hair was graying! Our marriage had taken its toll on her. For a minute I wondered what I had done to her.


On the fourth day, when I lifted her up, I felt a sense of intimacy returning. This was the woman who had given ten years of her life to me.


On the fifth and sixth day, I realized that our sense of intimacy was growing again. I didn't tell Dew about this. It became easier to carry her as the month slipped by. Perhaps the everyday workout made me stronger.


She was choosing what to wear one morning. She tried on quite a few dresses but could not find a suitable one. Then she sighed, all my dresses have grown bigger. I suddenly realized that she had grown so thin, that was the reason why I could carry her more easily.


Suddenly it hit me... she had buried so much pain and bitterness in her heart. Subconsciously I reached out and touched her head.


Our son came in at the moment and said, Dad, it's time to carry mum out. To him, seeing his father carrying his mother out had become an essential part of his life. My wife gestured to our son to come closer and hugged him tightly. I turned my face away because I was afraid I might change my mind at this last minute. I then held her in my arms, walking from the bedroom, through the sitting room, to the hallway. Her hand surrounded my neck softly and naturally. I held her body tightly; it was just like our wedding day.


But her much lighter weight made me sad. On the last day, when I held her in my arms I could hardly move a step. Our son had gone to school. I held her tightly and said, I hadn't noticed that our life lacked intimacy.


I drove to office.... jumped out of the car swiftly without locking the door. I was afraid any delay would make me change my mind...I walked upstairs. Dew opened the door and I said to her, Sorry, Dew, I do not want the divorce anymore.


She looked at me, astonished, and then touched my forehead... Do you have a fever? She said. I moved her hand off my head. Sorry, Dew, I said, I won't divorce. My marriage life was boring probably because she and I didn't value the details of our lives, not because we didn't love each other any more. Now I realize that since I carried her into my home on our wedding day I am supposed to hold her until deaths do us apart.


Dew seemed to suddenly wake up. She gave me a loud slap and then slammed the door and burst into tears. I walked downstairs and drove away.


At the floral shop on the way, I ordered a bouquet of flowers for my wife. The salesgirl asked me what to write on the card. I smiled and wrote, I'll carry you out every morning until death do us apart.


That evening I arrived home, flowers in my hands, a smile on my face, I run upstairs, only to find my wife in bed - dead.



The small details of your lives are what really matters in a relationship. It is not the mansion, the car, property, nor the money in the bank. These create an environment conducive to happiness. But they cannot give happiness in themselves.

So find time to be your spouse's friend. Start now to do those little things for each other that will build intimacy.

Work to make your marriage eternal. For families can be together forever.


Saturday, May 8, 2010

Happy Mother's Day ♥



A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall
upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who
rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around
us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and
counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return
to our hearts. 

~Washington Irving~


♥♥♥ Happy Mother's Day! ♥♥♥

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Family ♥♥♥

" 'The home is the first and most effective place for children to learn the lessons of life: truth, honor, virtue, self-control; the value of education, honest work, and the purpose and privilege of life. 

Nothing can take the place of home in rearing and teaching children, and no other success can compensate for failure in the home.'"


Sunday, April 11, 2010

Family ... Heaven on Earth ♥


Saturday, February 13, 2010

What Morning Holds ...


Start the day right and end it right! I know this to be true. This is the reason why I strongly believe in Early Morning Seminary. Just like scripture reading and prayer, it helps set the days’ tone – what one does first thing in the morning. As my daughter April Ann said, it can be likened to the First and Last Song Syndrome. Whatever we hear first and/or last, it stays in our minds practically the whole day. Plus, I learned from Church lessons that the mind is like a stage, it can only accommodate one thought at a time.
It has been more than one month since I started teaching Early Morning  Seminary. Sad on my part but I have sort of “lost” two students this early. Their parents decided to let them stop attending because of one incident where the kids decided to skip class intentionally, and they blamed me and seminary. They said kids cannot be trusted to make wise decisions and that as adults we must make sure that we don’t give them any reason to do so.
 I was hurt, and I felt bad and sad. However, I said to myself I have other seminary students who happen to have the same class schedules as them, and they even live farther away, but they’re able to come on time and attend our classes just fine.  I will be there for these my beloved students.
Getting up early and preparing myself to teach, it does take a lot of discipline. Every time my alarm clock rings at 4 am, I always have this feeling of wanting to stay in bed. But then as I reflect and think about O’Neil and Louie, Pearl and Apple, and my two daughters April and Sarah, as I think about how early they too have to wake up, I tell myself I should be ashamed of myself.  These young fellows - they wake up early, take a bath, dress themselves for school, miss breakfast occasionally – just to make it in time for my class. I have to be better …
For any other reason, I would never leave the warm comfort of my bed and my husband’s warm arms and embrace.  Days are long for me, and I treasure all the resting time I can afford. More than being a wife and a mother of five, I also am a homemaker – I clean the house, cook, do the laundry, and clean. To add to these, I teach in a local university and do consulting and training and workshop facilitation. Then, I have church callings to attend to. Not that I am complaining. I am just saying that I love what I am doing, and I believe that if we want something bad enough, and we know it to be true, there is always a way.
I miss my two “lost” students. Every time we have seminary class, my thoughts are turned to them. It is my hope and prayer that their parents will change their mind and allow them to come, not for me, but more for the sake and welfare of these two young fellows.
I love my students; they’re now more like my own children. My prayer for them daily is for them to always remember the lessons we discuss in class, and that they will use them to make wise decisions every minute of the day, as they face a world that challenges their values and standards.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

A Son's Love

I was 2 plane-rides away from home, and it was fast and testimony Sunday. I was in Bacolod for a series of firesides and I sincerely began feeling melancholy thinking about my family back home. Good thing that Church is practically the same everywhere, and with that knowledge came peace in my heart. I know that we will all be attending our Sunday services, listening to the same lessons, feeling the same sweet spirit.

And so my friend Met and I went inside the Sacrament Hall. She asked me where I prefer to sit. I told her way back home, my family and I, we have a special place, a spot we have chosen ever since we became members of the church 18 years ago. I motioned her towards the front of the hall on the right side, and we sat on the second row, exactly the same spot I will be had I been in my home ward – beside my sweetheart, together with my children.

Waiting for the meeting to start, we looked around, trying to see if we knew anybody. Church is actually one great big family, and it is normal for one to see someone familiar. In our case, we have met the previous day a good friend from CES who used to serve in Cagayan de Oro – President Ric Cobing. Just in time, the whole Cobing family came in: President Cobing, his wife Lolit, and their beautiful children. How the children have grown!

Then came the Nang family. I recognized Aying. She’s still as beautiful as ever! I looked at her children. I counted: six! Six beautiful children. Aying and I visited for a while, in hushed tones. She made a comment about my incredibly and ridiculously short pixie hair, and we laughed a little.

Then the meeting started.

Came the time for members to bear their testimonies. Met whispered to me that we should bear our testimonies, so that our sins will be forgiven. I smiled at her and I said I probably would need all the will power I have just to stand.

Slowly, one after the other, members stood and shared their testimonies.

Then, much to my surprise, one tiny person walked bravely towards the pulpit. He was Aying’s son. I said to myself he must be around 5 or 6 years old. We could barely see him! I guess all of us smiled as he fumbled to hold the microphone.

He began by telling all of us that his Mom tells them a very special story – his Mom’s favorite story - during bedtime. He began by narrating to us what the story was all about – of a Mother and her son and a rainbow. In the story, the mother told her son that should she die, she will turn herself into a rainbow so she can watch over him. Then, Aying’s son said: “So I pray everyday that my Mom will not die. I don’t want her to die, because I won’t be able to do anything without her. I love her so much and I want to be with her always. “

We all cried. I saw Aying’s husband wipe his eyes. I could not help but look around. Mothers in the congregation were all teary-eyed. I was busy rummaging my bag for a tissue. Metmet too, who was sitting on my left, was also crying. The young woman on my right was crying too! And even now, as I recall what he said in that meeting, I still could not fight off the tears.

Aying’s son gave me an unforgettable gift that beautiful and spiritual Fast and Testimony Sunday - innocence, pure and sincere love – expressed!

After the meeting, I went to the boy who was sitting closely to his Mom. I asked Aying for permission and then gave the boy a hug.

I wanted to comfort him, to tell him not to worry so much. I wanted to give him the reassurance that his Mom will be with him for a long long time ...

So i hugged him tight, and gave him a kiss.

Maybe in his young mind he was puzzled by my action, for he never even knew me.

He looked at his Mom, and then he gave me a smile. His eyes was still sad.

And as we all walked out the hall, I looked for him one last time.

There he was - still holding on to his Mom’s hand.

A child's love - pure, sincere, true..

 
♥ Kenchii Cuyong Nang ♥


 
♥ Kenchii (wearing the red tie) with his brothers and sisters ♥


 
♥ Vanessa with her girls ♥ 

  
♥ The Nang Family ♥



Please click this link to view the video 
"I'll Build You A Rainbow":


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Friday, January 15, 2010

On Loving ...

You love someone;
You open yourself up to suffering, that’s the sad truth.
Maybe they’ll break your heart.
Maybe you’ll break their heart and never be able to look at yourself in the same way. Those are the risks.
That’s the burden.


Like wings, they have weight;
We feel that weight on our backs.
But they are burden that lifts us.
Burdens which allows us to fly.


~Temperance Brenan, Bones, Last Episode, Season 4~

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Leadership by Example in the Eyes of a Child





Iam (read as Ai-yam) is just five years old. The second and youngest son of our dear friends Joel and Charisse, this young boy continues to amaze us with his charming and sweet ways. Every time he sees me and my husband, he would always shout my name – “Mommy Tina”, and he would run towards us to take our hands for the Filipino tradition of “mano po”, a gesture showing respect to the elders. This he would do anytime, anywhere, with practically anybody.

A story was shared by Iam’s Mom about a particular event that made me appreciate gospel teaching by example and the faith of a young child.

One day, Iam’s uncle Paul got sick. Paul asked Joel, Iam’s Dad, for a priesthood blessing. Joel got his vial containing the oil and asked Paul to sit in one of the low chairs in the living room. During this time, Charisse and her two sons Ghy and Iam were also in the living room. Paul sat himself and waited for Joel. Normally, Iam would sit on Paul’s lap and start a chat with him. On this occasion however, knowing that Paul was not feeling well, Iam sat quietly and watched as his Dad went about preparing himself to administer the requested priesthood blessing. It was unusually silent for all of them.

Ready to give the priesthood blessing, Joel glanced at his family and smiled. Together, they all closed their eyes for the prayer.

Joel administered the oil on Paul’s head. With his hand on Paul’s head and his eyes closed, Joel started to say his prayer. Suddenly, he felt something warm in his hand. Slowly, two tiny little hands were laid on top of his’. He smiled and continued with the prayer.

With the priesthood blessing administered and the prayer ended, Joel opened his eyes to meet Iam’s innocent smile. The little boy felt proud and happy. Iam, in his excited voice explained how he wanted to help. Then, in his sweet voice he said: “you needed someone to help you Dad, so I did.

Teaching by example, teaching it at home, is still the best way to teach gospel principles. Iam and his Kuya Ghy saw their Dad exercise his priesthood authority in their home. They were recipients of priesthood blessings when they were sick or when they needed comforting or a father’s blessing. They saw their Dad give priesthood blessings to their Mom. They were taught during Family Home Evenings about the gift of healing by the laying on of hands.

I’m sure that as long as Iam will stay close to the church, and with the constant care and guidance of two wonderful goodly parents, this sweet little boy will one day grow up to be a great man - a responsible priesthood holder, one who will not only bless the lives of his immediate family, but will definitely bless those who will have the opportunity to know him and be associated with him.








Ike William is the 2nd and youngest son of Joel and Charisse Marcaida. He is named after his maternal grandfather, Daddy Ike.

His parents are Joel Fabre Marcaida and Charisse Porpor Marcaida and his eldest brother is Ghy.

Joel currently serves as the 1st Counselor in the Cagayan de Oro Philippines Stake Presidency while Charisse served as a Counselor in the Stake Primary Presidency. 
Iam is the grandson of Patriarch and Sister Julieta Marcaida and Rodulfo Broñola (Ike) and Fe Porpor. 

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Ten on Tuesday: 10 Things You’re Looking Forward in 2010

1.Cebu Temple Opening
2.Attending classes in the Graduate School
3.A slimmer me
4.Construction of the new CIT Buildings in the new campus
5.A hundred engagements or more for MCIC Consulting
6.a new car for Romel
7.Romelson’s transfer to the Young Men Organization
8.a new business for me
9.JS Prom for my April and Sarah
10.Our 25th Wedding Anniversary

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Thoughts On Christmas

Christmas is forever, not for just one day,
for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away
like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.
The good you do for others is good you do yourself...

~Norman Wesley Brooks~ 


Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. 
~Norman Vincent Peale~

Christmas Gift Suggestions

To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.

Written in Early Spring

Written in Early Spring


I heard a thousand blended notes
While in a grove I sat reclined,
In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts
Bring sad thoughts to the mind.


To her fair works did Nature link
The human soul that through me ran;
And much it grieved my heart to think
What Man has made of Man.
Through primrose tufts, in that sweet bower,
The periwinkle trail'd its wreaths;
And 'tis my faith that every flower
Enjoys the air it breathes.


The birds around me hopp'd and play'd,
Their thoughts I cannot measure,—
But the least motion which they made
It seem'd a thrill of pleasure.


The budding twigs spread out their fan
To catch the breezy air;
And I must think, do all I can,
That there was pleasure there.


If this belief from heaven be sent,
If such be Nature's holy plan,
Have I not reason to lament
What Man has made of Man?


~William Wordsworth~

Monday, December 14, 2009

In Sickness and In Health

See how faith and love can remain strong through the challenges and the changing seasons of our lives. 


(Please click the link below or copy and paste in your browser to watch a very beautiful video about true love in action ...)



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_yOAHISi8I


What Really is Christmas?


A young girl with true Christmas spirit quietly teaches her preoccupied family the true meaning of Christmas.


President Thomas S. Monson, Prophet of the Lord Jesus Christ, shares his testimony of how to put Christ back into Christmas.


(Please click the link below to watch the video)



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXXwtFWpAI8 



May the Spirit of Jesus Christ dwell in our hearts and homes this Christmas season!



How Do You Keep the Music Playing?

How do you keep the music playing?
How do you make it last?
How do you keep the song from fading too fast?


How do you lose yourself to someone?
And never lose your ways
How do you not run out of new things to say?

And since we know we’re always changing
How can it be the same?

And tell me how year after year
You’re sure your heart will fall apart
Each time you hear his name.


I know the way I feel for you
It’s now or never
The more I love the more that I’m afraid
That in your eyes I may not see forever..
Forever…


If we can be the best of lovers
Yet be the best of friends,
If we can try with everyday to make it better as it grows
With any luck, then I suppose
The music never ends.

I know the way I feel for you
It’s now or never!
(How do you keep the music playing?)
The more I love the more that I’m afraid
(How do you make it last)
That in your eyes I may not see forever
Forever…


(How do you keep the song from fading, keep the song from fading too fast)
If we can be the best of lovers
Yet be the best of friends
If we can try with everyday to make it better as it grows
With any luck, then I suppose
The music never ends.

Beautiful In My Eyes ...



You’re my peace of mind in this crazy world.
You’re everything I’ve tried to find, your love is a pearl.
You’re my Mona Lisa, you’re my rainbow skies,
and my only prayer is that you realize
you’ll always be beautiful in my eyes.


The world will turn and the seasons will change,
and all the lessons we will learn will be beautiful and strange.
We’ll have our fill of tears, our share of sighs.
My only prayer is that you realize
you’ll always be beautiful in my eyes.


You will always be beautiful in my eyes.
And the passing years will show
that you will always grow ever more beautiful in my eyes.


When there are lines upon my face from a lifetime of smiles,
and when the time comes to embrace for one long last while,
we can laugh about how time really flies.
We won’t say goodbye ’cause true love never dies.
You’ll always be beautiful in my eyes.


You will always be beautiful in my eyes.
And the passing years will show
that you will always grow ever more beautiful in my eyes.
The passing years will show that you will always grow
ever more beautiful in my eyes.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Ten on Tuesday: 10 Great Things About the Holidays!

1. Remembering and celebrating the reason for the season – the birth of the Savior Jesus Christ!

2. There’s peace and harmony between family members and friends … even in the office. People tend to be more patient and understanding towards others.

3. In the spirit of gift-giving, giving is more important than receiving ...

4. Food!

5. Vacation!

6. Meeting old friends during reunions and gatherings

7. Making new friends

8. Seeing family members from afar

9. Bonus!

10. Shopping!

Ten on Tuesday: 10 Things I Want, But Would Not Buy For Myself!

This is really interesting! … because I know I want these ten things, it’s just that I want someone else to buy them for me ha ha ha!

Paging Santa Claus! It’s almost Christmas =)

Here goes my list:

1. A Diamond Ring – I want my hubby to buy me one, and give it to me on our 25th Wedding Anniversary … That’s November of next year ha ha ha!

2. A nice new Car (preferably a black Honda CRV =>) I can drive when I go to work or when I do errands …

3. 10 Louis Vuitton Bags - I think more than the fact that I can’t afford it, even if I have the money, I wouldn’t …

4. A gun. Or better yet, guns! Like a sniper rifle and a 9 mm he he he ...

5. An iPhone

6. A Mac

7. Expensive jewelries

8. A Water Bed

9. An original Gucci Watch

10. A liposuction ha ha ha!

Ten on Tuesday: 10 Things I’m Thankful For!

1. My Savior
2. My Husband Romel
3. My children Myco, Ella, April, Sarah, and Romelson
4. My parents Alex and Cora
5. My Sisters Charry and Carla
6. Mama Meling and Merolyn
7. my church
8. my friends
9. my talents and skills
10. the blessing of good health for me and my whole family

Ten on Tuesday: 10 Things You Wish You Knew How To Do …

1. Play the piano

2. Tap dance

3. Yoga

4. Mental Math

5. Sew dresses

6. Gymnastics

7. Figure Skate (HA HA HA!)

8. Taekwondo

9. Fencing

10. Swim like a pro!