LOVE MORE: Be present

My personal testimony during the SFC conference of how I experienced the constant presence of my household leader in my life and through their special presence and involvement I am inspired to continue my service to God.

2010 was when I moved to New York City. At first I really didn't understand as to why I'm here in the US, well aside from the fact that my parents really wanted us to be together but honestly, at that point, I feel like I was a place of nowhere. One of my worries that time was that I don't have my friends with me to explore this new city I am in. I was also a fresh graduate back then, I don't have a career yet, I don't have any money, I have nothing. Living in the city was a very hard transition.

2012. My parents who were actively serving the CFC, asked me if I wanted to join SFC. I said to myself, why not since I really don't do anything and I was 21 that time, why not give it a try. The CLP took 7 weeks and I never missed anything. But truly what is significant during the CLP was that I met new people who were passionate in serving Christ. They were like big brothers and sisters to me, I enjoyed being pampered and having that someone to talk to. I think that moment, God affirmed me that I can still find friends in the city that never sleeps, not only the regular friends but the friends that would stay in the end.

When I was integrated in my household, I was expecting that I will be able to dominate the group since I am very talkative, hype & most of all I think I know everything. But the sisters I am with were very patient with me, they showed me how the community works, they accepted all of my shortcomings, they helped me strengthened my faith in God and most of all valued me as a person. I learned a lot of things about myself and the beauty of the new found friendship and sisterhood. I was really glad that the for the longest time, my longing to be with my friends back in Cagayan de Oro was compensated by the genuine care from my first household. I cannot commend enough my household leader that time, Ate MaiMai dela Cruz, who exerted a lot of effort to checked on me, gave her time &  poured her love until I become that beautiful flower. One of my unforgettable experience with her, was my first ever conference in LA. As a first timer, I was scared because I don't know what to expect but Ate Mai made sure that I was not alone during that event, she was there for me, she took care of me and most especially she prayed with me. And I can significantly remember that that was also the time when God knocked my heart with the lingering thought of mission. Truly, I was beyond blessed to be served by Ate Mai. 

But as a beautiful flower I still have that prickly things in my heart that my second household leader carefully dethorn me. She unceasingly prune me from my actions, thoughts and words. As some of you know I have a very strong personality that I tend to assert myself even when we are called to be obedient to our leaders. It hurts to be corrected and I admit that sometimes I withdraw when I am criticize but what Sheiky helped me realize is that if the correction is done with so much love and with the purest intention, take it by heart because that person truly cares for you. Sheiky and I really made a bond, she saw me at my weakest and supported me at my strongest. I really honor her for giving a piece of her friendship with me. Sheiky always believed in me and my dreams for the community. She was the one who pushed me to do more, to go to missions, to serve and the one who consistently reminded me that God can and will love me even with my imperfections. 

Brothers & sisters, I myself am a work in progress but I believed that the Lord knows when to put the right people in our lives and indeed he did for me. He gave me people from this community where I was able to know Him more, serve Him more & love Him more. With these people in my life, I have shared with them my heartaches and tribulations, successes and victories and for one very special reason: to grow in love with HIM.

Now that God called me to be a household leader and a mission volunteer, what better way to serve my members and all the other people around me is to love them unconditionally just like how I was loved. And more importantly, it is in my prayer that God may help me give my best self in service because I have received His greatest gift in my life, which His love shown thru others.

Amdg++