I'll Be Home For Christmas

...you can count on me...if only in my D R E A M S.

As expected, Christmas in the USA is very much different from what we were used to celebrating since we were born. They say if you have not been homesick since you came, come Christmas time, you will realize how much of home you are really missing.

I miss:

• our families
• puto bungbong and bibingka
• crowd at Mega Mall
• pinoy lanterns and decorations everywhere
• children carollers (even though they were minor irritants specially when they keep coming back every night for 8 nights)
• Pinoy parties and fellowships
• reunions
• brunch at Tagaytay
• friends
• Christmas songs played everywhere
• the general festive and thankful atmosphere for a year of blessing despite the difficulties
• inaanaks (godchildren)
• fire crackers

From the West to the East

Highlights of our trip to the East coast from October 25 - December 5 , 2006

1. Having spent some quality time with my aunt and her family in Virginia.

2. Having met long time promin friends namely, Jess and Tere Peralta(Makati), Manny Gundran (Manila and Makati)and his wife Monica, Allan and Sylvia Sablan(Manila), Emilyn Mateo(Makati) and her husband Scott, Allan Rivas (Manila), Jon Pagba (Manila), Celia Franada (Makati),Alma Hall(Makati) and husband Ding, Beth Cirera9Makati) and found them still walking with the Lord despite the challenges and struggles of living in a foreign land. And also having reunited with other CCC alumni whom we have not seen for decades.

3. Having had the chance of fellowshipping with the differrent Filipino churches and having imparted the vision for reaching people in the workplace.

4. My time with Daisy , a highschool classmate, who is now based in New York.

5. Leo's visit at historical places, especially the civil war tour in Petersburg Virginia and George Washington's estate in DC. He is such a lover of history.

6.Having been encouraged by the generosity of our hosts. We slept in 10 houses in 5 weeks. Literally living out of a suitcase. Having had a glimpse of their lives and their legacy to their children.

7. Having had the confidence in God's daily provision of transportation food, accomodation and protection.

Thanks for praying yo'wl.