The New Jarvis

This guy is amazing! Upon arriving here at Gen San, he had adjusted quite well! There was no mention of Manila nor Zamboanga (which was very different from the time we've left Zambo!) There was no wish of "Mommy, I wish we can go back to Manila (or Zamboanga)" or "Mommy, I want to leave". Instead, there was just pure peace in him.

Even when we first went to his school! Yes, there was this hesitation in meeting his Principal, Teachers and classmates. But on the 1st day at his school, he found friends! He played, sing and run around with these friends that he has found. And his friends are really concern about him too!

One morning, after dropping him off at his school, two of his friends approached me and said that Jarvis is slow in copying what the teacher had asked them to copy. They were concerned that if Jarvis were to graduate from Kinder 2 and start Grade 1, he might not be able to catch up! Amazing isn't it! Well, of course being a Mom, I carried the concern over to his teacher, and his teacher assured me that he can and will catch up.

Going to school (and adjusting very quickly) was the first encounter Jarvis had when we arrived here. The second, as I believe most of you have noticed, was his clean-shaven head. He had not have that kind of cut for almost 3 years already. He has been begging me to have his hair shaved for the past 2years to which I adamantly said 'No'. But on his first hair cut here, I've decided to give him what he has been asking for...and voila!

He didn't like it, that's for sure! When we entered the Barber's Shop, he was filled with confidence with his decision. But the moment the barber shaved a portion of his head, his face changed! And I can see regret in his eyes, but I told him that no matter what other people has to say about his hair cut, he has to still has to accept of what he has decided upon. This was a hard lesson for him..but a lesson that he needs to learn.

The third encounter is his need to wear glasses. He's only 5 years old, but he already have astigmatism and grade. This came about 2 weeks ago, when I noticed that he kept on blinking his eyes, particularly the one on the right. Joshua noticed that he had a hard time reading and often commits mistake with the letters. And last Tuesday, Oct 12, we've decided to have his eyes checked. The Doctor said that if Jarvis can still go on without much complain, then the glasses are not needed. But that night, his eyes kept on blinking and therefore, Josh and I have decided that it's time to have his glasses made. This third adjustment was not a problem either. I was expecting him to complain of dizziness or unwillingness to wear the glasses, but amazingly he wore it with much anticipation! He has stopped blinking, so I assume that the glasses are helping.

Jarvis is truly an amazing guy! I'm praying that he will grow up in this hard and brutal world with love and understanding for all, especially us, his parents. I don't know why, but God has blessed us with a truly great son. I just hope that, as his parents, we will be able to fulfil and give him the love, training and discipline he needs in order to live righteously in this unrighteous world.

On Receving God's Graciousness and Generosity

Motherhood posts a great challenge to every single woman in this world. From the time of Eve up until now, women were never spared from the difficulties and pains of pregnancy down to giving birth. This is one of the major punishment of God for Eve when she disobeyed.

Most people say that children are gifts from God. And yet, most people take these gifts for granted. For people who practices pre-marital sex and got pregnant, they will simply go through abortion in order to "take-away" the shame of being pregnant outside of marriage. While others try to get these blessings through artificial insemination.

In my case, however, the Lord has been extra generous and gracious. Gracious because He allowed me to be pregnant (in both cases) at the right moment. Generous because He has not withheld the joy of having a son and a daughter.

One of the things that most couple aspire to have when they get married is to have children. But sadly, in most cases, those who are not capable of becoming parents received more while those who are able receives either less or none at all. Which one am I? I don't know...but...

The graciousness of the Lord has been bestowed upon me and my family. On the 1st month of our marriage, I found out that I was pregnant with our son. I was not able to work due to my delicate pregnancy and was even hospitalized. But God was gracious in meeting all of our needs. After giving birth, I was not able to go back to work, because it was too difficult to look for a nanny... and yet, God was gracious to meet all of our needs.

A few months before my son's 1st birthday, the Lord has called us to leave our place of ministry and to transfer to a provincial church...again, the graciousness of God. When His ministers are no longer bearing fruit in a certain place, He shall call him out and put him in another place where he will bear fruit. And that's what has happened to us. We were no longer bearing fruit in that place, so God has called us out and put us in another location.

We served in this place for 4years until the Lord asked us to move again. And throughout these 4 years we've witnessed and experienced God's grace and generous giving through the people we're serving. And the biggest gift came when I became pregnant for our 2nd child. Everything was in God's timing. Everything was in God's control.

When I realized I was pregnant, my son was only 2years and 7months old. He witnessed the growth of my tummy and felt the movements of the baby. Although we've been praying for a girl, we're also praying that God gives us what He knows is best for the family. And God has answered our prayers...we have a daughter.

The usual problem with a new baby is rivalry between siblings. And that's what I've been afraid of ever since i knew I was pregnant. At first, my son had a hard time coping with his sister's incessant demand for my attention. But slowly, as he gets to share in the responsibility of taking care of his sister did he finally realized the difficulty I was in. He started having more patience and tolerance. And he also has become more protective of his sister. But of course, the jealousy is still there. And I think in order for him to get some attention for himself, he has started copying his sister's actions.

It was a trying 2 years before I was able to get some sense into my son's head. He's almost 6year old now and he's getting better to being an older brother. In his actions and words, it's evident that he loves his sister dearly. We're truly blessed by God! And we'r continually experiencing His goodness and grace as we go through the rough roads of this life.

May you experience Him as we have and still having! To God be the glory forever and ever...AMEN!