great ordinary happenings

(I’m so very sorry this is posted late, but may I still use my special day as the date, for this was supposed to be? I couldn’t let this day pass by without acknowledging it. I was already barred by circumstances beyond my control last year, and so it passed by this blog silently. But this year, I have to “wrestle” with these obstructions – with your indulgence and understanding, many thanks to you.)

August 11 is my special day. Sixty eight years ago I was born, and I fully believe, for a purpose. I thank the Lord for my dearest Mama, and I would like to remember her in gratitude during my birthdays.

Attending the Holy Mass, the highest form of prayer, is the family’s way of celebrating birthdays to thank the Lord for the life He has given the celebrant, and for all the blessings poured out – and trials that have come along – all through the years. Today, only my hubby was with me in the Eucharistic celebration; gone are the days when the whole family was together for this. Still, I cannot express enough my thanks to the Lord God, especially for the so many blessings I have received throughout all my “more than golden” years. I got a truly blessed happy birthday today, and this is what I’d like to share.

Sharing food is a thanksgiving to the Almighty, a way of expressing it, especially if you cook the food yourself – how more to say it than to do something as a labor of love. I miss my “cutes” (daughters), who always were around to help, and to bake too, in these special occasions. It seemed I got a birthday test today, as the house help I expected to come wasn’t able to, and so almost single-handedly (but for my beloved hubby, the first time he really helped on affairs like this!), I did the arroz ala Valenciana, a Negros favorite, and the fruit salad – my offering of love. All other food were ordered, aside from the pochero which was done by our sister coordinator of the community, her labor of love for me, though she did not know it was my birthday.

Monday is our weekly prayer meeting, but it happened that today we didn’t have it. And so this gave me the excuse to invite the community to a thanksgiving celebration with the prayer meeting to be held in our place. So they came, and that was the time they knew it’s my birthday. Close relatives were also present.

Before partaking of the dinner, we began with praising and worship songs, followed by the Word of God delivered by bro. Jason. The topic was on thanksgiving. Wasn’t it a blessed celebration? And this has made me very happy indeed! The children called up their greetings, and I thank them all, for the party was their gift to me. See, what more can I ask for? I thank everyone for their prayers too.

Oh, I thank the Lord God Almighty for all these years He has given me – for the protection, provision, good health, guidance – and for the very supportive, loving, and thoughtful family we have!

Lord, I pray for Your continued presence in our family and in our community, thank You so much oh God! I praise You Lord, till the end of my days – and forever!

Filed under: celebration, family, prayer, testimonies/blessings, thanks