Volume 19 / Issue 67 / 2020
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EDITORIAL
To Start a Relationship with Jesus Christ Admit you have sinned. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 Believe that Jesus is the only Savior. “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6 Confess and leave your sin behind. Stop doing and thinking things that displease our Heavenly Father. “If we confess our sins ….” 1 John 1:9 Invite Jesus to be your Savior and the Lord of your life. “Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12 To continue growing in your relationship with Christ, have fellowship with other believers, read the Bible and pray.
L-R: Patrick, Delsey, and Johnson
MOMS EDITORIAL STAFF Editor: Delsey Garner Cover & Layout: Patrick Tan Distribution: Johnson Li
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Published quarterly by Asia Pacific Media Ministries. Unit 2608 Raffles Corporate Center, Emerald Avenue, Ortigas Center, 1605 Pasig City, Philippines. Telephone: 914-9767. E-mail: moms@apmedia.org. Reproduction of photos and articles is prohibited without permission. 2
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In This Issue... EDITORIAL
From My Heart 3
From My Heart Dear Readers, Did we skip summer? The pandemic and quarantine made me feel like all the days and months were the same. Then the “ber” months started and we all know what that means, Christmas begins! I don’t know how this holiday is going to look like, but I trust we can all focus on the One we’re celebrating. He came down from Heaven to be with us. He is the one who made Himself known as the God who cares. He is Jesus, God revealed! My prayer is that despite all that is happening in the country, Christ will be revealed as the Prince of peace and the Reason for the season. Have a blessed Christmas, everyone! Only by Grace, Delsey G.
CHIKA-CHIKA
Can Christmas Still Be Merry? 4 WISE CHOICES
Jesus’ Hands and Feet 6 MAKE A DIFFERENCE
God in My Hotel Room 8 FIGURATIVELY SPEAKING
Unveiling My Secret to Staying Fit 12 ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS
My son asks who is Jesus 14 LAST ISSUE
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CHIKA-CHIKA
Can Christmas Still Be Merry? by Erlinda Apoli
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hristmas, the most wonderful time for me! As soon as the “BER” months begin, Christmas carols fill the air, bringing a special feeling of comfort, joy, and excitement no matter the circumstances. When I was just a kid, my father would wake us up at midnight every December 24th to celebrate the birth of the Savior and my mother would eagerly prepare for the Noche Buena. Biko and suman sa ibos or sliced bread and margarine were already special for us. There was no exchanging of gifts, just a simple family get together to celebrate the season. It was fun and the joy that Christmas brought to us was lasting! Now that I have my own family, Christmas is spent in various ways. There are times it’s just my husband and I with our kids. We would have about four kinds of dishes, do a sing-along and watch some movies. Sometimes we spend it with family and friends close by or go back to our hometown for a family reunion. There would always be gatherings of family relatives and friends, gift-giving and receiving, food preparations and some Christmas shopping! That is what a normal Christmas has looked like for me in the past. Filipinos usually start preparing for the season as early as September by decorating their homes with lights and Christmas decors. Not to mention the glistening Christmas parols invading the streets, whether in the cities or in the barrios. Some people do their Christmas shopping months earlier to avoid the holiday rush. Normally, as Christmas day approaches, glittering malls and marketplaces are packed with people, but with the present situation caused by the pandemic, will this Christmas be the same? According to Compassion-Philippines COVID-19 Needs Assessment survey; food security, loss of employment, and health concerns are the top three needs. When COVID-19 pandemic started, discomfort, pain, uncertainties and fear also set in. It has affected not only people’s health but the economy as well. Moreover, travelling and social gatherings are restricted; embracing and handshaking are prohibited. In some municipalities, going to the store or market is scheduled according to the color code of the quarantine pass. We have seemingly become prisoners in our own homes!
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“Because we are resilient, we are able to smile and still hope for the best as we accept the truth that life is just a constant change.”
Amidst this situation, can Christmas still be merry? Filipinos have always been optimistic and resilient. As the song of Jose Mari Chan goes, “Life is a Constant Change”. Because we are resilient, we are able to smile and still hope for the best as we accept the truth that life is just a constant change. This change sometimes causes us to feel uncomfortable, but joy comes afterwards. To summarize Solomon’s point in Ecclesiastes, man goes through the ups and downs of life in specific times and seasons. But Jesus assures us in John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Now that we are adjusting to the new normal, shopping will be different, more time-consuming and difficult. Our food preparation might not be as plentiful. We are not sure if we will get to enjoy any Christmas parties at school or our workplaces. The fun of exchanging gifts and family gatherings may NOT be the same as usual. However, a dish or two and an early dinner with our children will do. Gifts might be few this year, but we can exchange positive words to each other on family devotion time. Then we can still watch movies or do a sing-along or play scrabble together; because one thing never changes, we celebrate the reason for the season, our Savior, the Giver of life. He gave Himself as a gift so that those who are hopeless will have hope, those who grieve will be comforted, those who are sick will be healed, and those who are broken will be restored. We celebrate Jesus! 5
WISE CHOICES
Jesus’ Hands and Feet by Wina Velasco Javier
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harity begins at home and next door...
I admire those selfless charitable groups who are not afraid to use their own food supplies, cook a meal and pack them to be distributed to front liners or struggling families. I realized that I too could have those good qualities and start my own Charity Home! A non-commercialized idea, but still can be patented. No tangible product except love️. If we can’t afford to give tons of goods, then let’s start small. Here are some Organic Home Charitable Works we can start with: • Wake up early and surprise your elderly neighbor by cleaning his/ her yard. • Show appreciation to your garbage collectors by handing them snacks, bottled water, new masks or small hand sanitizer. • Drop your gadgets and check on your mom. Maybe she needs help taking out the trash, washing dishes or folding the laundry. A surprise breakfast for her would be great too! • Share your extra bowl of hot soup to your next-door neighbor. Every time I send away food, or any gift, I tape an inspirational quote or scripture verse on the package. I tell you; you can lift up discouraged spirits with these words.
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• Had a petty fight at home? Humble yourself, even when you think and feel it was not your fault. Make the first move by slipping a note if you can’t say SORRY. Perhaps give a HUG. NO WORDS NECESSARY. • Do you order from online stores? A P20 tip, bottled water, a packed meal or kind words like, “Ingat ka sa byahe”, will bless your hard-working delivery guy. • Prepare several pots of seedlings to give away. I made some for my neighbors who do not have many things to do while at home. It gave them something to do during this quarantine and encouraged them to clean out spaces around their homes so they could plant. • “Just a little something” from the excess in your refrigerator or closet will surely make the recipient happy. So, start clearing out your ref and closet! • Call a friend and send an inspirational message - not fake or scary news about COVID-19. Some people are already scared of the virus and feel alone because of quarantine. They will thank you for giving them assurance of having someone around to hear them out. • Have you got books that you are ready to get rid of? Give them to people you know who like to read and share the experience and adventure of reading. You’ll be surprised how your friends will appreciate those. • Be kind. It is priceless! As the saying goes: “Be kind to everyone, because
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everyone you meet is fighting a battle”. We are all facing crisis now! Sometimes we tend to be reckless with our words within our homes, especially when we’re all stuck together for a long time. Charity should begin at home and it starts with kindness, sensitivity and a gentle spirit. I grew up watching my mom leave our house with bags of goodies to give away. Her guiding principle was, “never leave the house empty handed”. She would randomly give goodies to a beggar on the street, an elevator lady, a janitor, a security guard, or anyone else she would bump into. I tear up every time I see faces of these people beaming after a stranger, like me, talks to them and quietly say, “ Ingat kayo lagi, God bless!” So, I hope we all realize that despite this trying season we are in, we have plenty to give. It can begin at home and it could be in words like, “ GOOD JOB”, “I’M SORRY”, or “NEED HELP?” or a small packed meal, a saucer of pancit or a book. .
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MAKE A DIFFERENCE
by Nina Yuseco as told to Delsey Garner
Growing up, I always felt insecure, not valued, unlovable, lonely and alone. . . God [also] made me realize my value and self-worth as a child of God, that I belong to Him. Na hindi ko pala kailangan mag-go through life on my own.
Encountering God usually happens in church or youth camps. But there are some places we wouldn’t think of if we want to meet or know Him. One of those places is, a hotel. When God reveals himself to a person, location doesn’t matter because He can change you where you’re at, in that moment. Nina was just looking for a place to rest and maybe get drunk, but God showed up!
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grew up with my grandparents because my parents worked as OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker). My mother worked abroad for 8 years and my father continued to work overseas as I was growing up. My grandparents took care of me since I was about 4 years old. They made me felt loved, cared for and protected. Every two years lang umuuwi ang mom and dad ko. When I was in grade six, summer ‘yon nang umuwi na for good ang mom ko. Kinuha niya ako at meron na kaming panibagong bahay. Sobrang excited ako
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deep inside I had no peace and so lonely. Napapagod na rin ako at naguguluhan sa aming pagsasama. I felt like I needed to perform to be loved.
to be with my mother. But as the days went by, I felt disconnected and distant from her. Nalampasan ko na yung years na I should have been building up relationship with my parents. Nag-start ng business ang mom ko at naging sobrang busy siya. Kaya kahit only child ako hindi niya rin ako naasikaso ng mabuti, wala akong guidance. Maybe the best way my parents knew how to show their love for me was to provide my needs. Growing up, I always felt insecure, not valued, unlovable, lonely and alone. Lacking parental guidance, I sought the love and belongingness outside my family. I got pregnant at 17. I know nasaktan ko talaga ang damdamin ng mom and dad ko. I got married hastily but 7 years after, our marriage got annulled. Two years later, I met another man and got pregnant by him. I was living in a worldly standard, nag live-in kami for 7 years with no intentions and plans to get married at all. While in that relationship, it looked like I was complete but
When my partner’s mother was visiting in 2014, I told her that I badly needed a break. Looking back, I am so thankful that I was able to leave and entrust my children to someone like her and had a chance to focus on myself and what the Lord revealed to me. So, I left the three kids with her and checked in a hotel. I bought some alcoholic drinks at the nearby convenience store and planned to drink them during my stay, but I didn’t get to drink them. During my first day at the hotel, I slept most of the time. On my second day, I poured out my heart to God. I told God, “I just wanted a family of my own but why do I feel like I’m always failing? Ang gulo-gulo lagi ang nangyayari sa akin.” While pouring out my heart crying, I opened the side table drawer and found a Bible. I was not a Bible reader, but I opened it randomly on Genesis 28:3 and started reading the verse that says: “May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you so that you become an assembly of peoples.” Sinabi ko kay Lord, “ Ay, oo nga, paano Mo ako ibe-bless kung ‘yong situation ko ay hindi pleasing sa Iyo, Lord?” Kahit na ang mga words na ‘pleasing’ or ‘honoring’ bigla na lang sa isip ko. Tapos, iyak ako nang iyak at sinabi ko, “God, ang tagal ko na palang nagkakasala sa Iyo at nasasaktan Kita.” Noon, nahihiya ako sa mga tao dahil sa paglilive in ko, pero that night I felt ashamed to God, not men. Nagkaroon din ako ng takot kay Lord. Kahit na hanggang Continued to next page
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MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Nina gets baptized.
ngayon yung small or big decision ko, natatakot na ako na hindi galing sa Kanya. Ang galing talaga ni Lord, the way Siya nag speak sa akin yung parang kuhang kuha ko kaagad! It opened my eyes to the truth that I was living in sin with my live-in partner. I knew it was God, kasi yung pagli-live-in wala namang parents na nag rebuke sa akin na huwag gawin yan. Wala ring kaibigang nagsabi sa akin. I was willing to be corrected pero wala talagang may nagsabi sa akin. Pagkatapos kung magbasa ng Bible at umiyak kay Lord, I went for a walk along Katipunan Road and found myself in a church attending their Sunday service. During worship, I raised my hands and cried and cried. That day, I surrendered my life to Jesus. Immediately I felt 10
different - strong and fearless. I felt Jesus was with me and guiding me. Bago ko pa man naisip na hindi pleasing kay Lord ang pagsasama namin ng partner ko, meron na akong place na pwede kung paglipatan. Two months nang ready ‘yon pero hindi ako makapag-decide kasi sa isip ko, “Pangalawa nang paghiwalay ito! Ano na naman ang sasabihin ko sa mga magulang ko?� But when I read that verse from the Lord, I felt like it was confirmed that I should go. I went home and talked to my livein partner. I told him we needed to separate immediately. I shared with him my convictions and my desire to obey God. That was the first time na sobrang lakas ng loob kong magsalita. Dati, natatakot ako pero tinanggal ni Lord ang takot ko na baka pag aagawan namin ang mga bata. Iba yung naramdaman kung lakas! Surprisingly, he agreed with the
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God also made me realize my value and self-worth as a child of God, that I belong to Him. Na hindi ko pala kailangan mag- go through life on my own. separation. He even let our children come with me. It was not the response I expected but I saw how God favored me that very moment that my partner let me go without arguments. Throughout the separation, I busied myself studying His Word and knowing more about Christ by regularly attending small groups. I publicly declared my faith through water baptism on September 13, 2014. I experienced His peace and joy despite difficult times. I felt the love of a father that I have been longing for the longest time. I experienced the love of God for me and realized that it is true that when you call upon the Lord He will truly answer and help you (Psalm 91:15). I felt that He took me out of the pit (Psalm 40:2). When I look back, I am amazed at how He orchestrated everything for me. I felt fearless and so strong and have the peace that transcends all understanding kahit hirap ako in my situation. For four months I lived with my children, God provided for our needs. I was afraid kasi baka hindi kasya yung pera ko at ma short kami, pero ang galing talaga ni Lord, nagka-helper pa kami ng mga anak ko! Dati kasi ako lang gumagawa ng gawaing bahay. God also made me realize my value and self-worth as a child of God, that I belong to Him. Na hindi ko pala kailangan mag- go through life on my own. From that time on, whenever I feel happy or sad my default is to praise and worship Him. Also, I can’t help but to share His goodness to people around me. Sobrang nahihiya ako dati, pero because His goodness overflows inside me hindi ko mapigilang i-share Siya. My partner eventually joined me in going to church and we got married in 2015. God changed me! He made me whole and has given me a purpose; to share to others about these changes He made in my Life. I am still a work in progress, but I know that what He started in my life He will put into completion. 11
FIGURATIVELY SPEAKING
Unveiling My Secret to Staying Fit Part 1 by Faith Nacarato
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ow that I got you to click on this article, I can quickly apologize because if you were expecting to uncover deeply hidden secrets to staying fit, I am here to burst your bubble because the secret is…there’s no secret. I know, I know...I can almost hear the collective “Ha?! Walang sikreto?” But wait, don’t go. What I do have are tidbits of (conventional) wisdom that helped shaped my personal convictions concerning health and fitness. Also, disclaimer: I am NOT a health professional nor a certified fitness coach. I’m a wife, homeschooling, full-time Mama of four (ages 5-14) who incorporates fitness into our very busy family life. Over the years of exploring different approaches to health and fitness here’s one thing I’ve learned about staying fit--there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Being fit is more than just a number on the scale. When I think about being fit, I think of being in the best shape that I can be physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Good health takes into account not just my reflection in the mirror and how I feel about shopping for swimsuits but also my stress levels, moods, sleep quality, mental clarity, focus, my monthly cycle, skin condition, etc. My long-term goal is to not be on any medications as I age and to not have to see a doctor except for periodic wellness checks. So, I pay attention to not only the oftrepeated “diet and exercise” but also minimizing stress, getting adequate quality sleep and engaging in activities that improve my mood as well as my mental wellbeing. What are YOUR health indicators and long-term goals? Working out is a celebration, not a punishment for something I ate. Celebration of what? You might ask laughingly as you remember mumbling and crying during the last time you exercised. It’s a celebration of my God-given ability to move and for the strength and breath that I still have to stand, walk, run, lift, and bend. Not everybody still has these abilities. So, I find ways to move and be active as much as I can. Because the pandemic has forced me to stay indoors, I have had to be a bit creative. We live in a multi-level apartment and so I use the stairs to work up a sweat by going up and down for a set number of times, or setting a timer and sprinting up and down as many times as I can within the allotted time. Sometimes I carry extra hand weights (jugs of water will do) or skipping one or two steps on the way up. Another favorite is having a dance party with the kids. We pick a playlist on Amazon Music, Spotify,
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or YouTube and just start showing off our moves. The bigger and sillier the moves the better. Before we know it, we all collapse into a sweaty, laughing heap on the sala floor. Also, during rainy season, the kids get excited when they see rain clouds forming and droplets starting to hit the windows. They rush to change clothes and barring any lightning we drop everything and run outside to play in the rain. This is one thing I really enjoyed from my own childhood and I’m glad I get to redo with our children. For you KDrama-loving mamas, watch an episode while using a machine like a treadmill, elliptical, or bike. If you don’t have one, get up during commercials and do some jumping jacks/march/jog in place, walk back and forth from the TV to the kitchen/CR or the farthest point of your room until your show comes back on. If you’re at the mall, skip the elevator and use the stairs, even walk up the escalator instead of standing still and riding it (if nobody else is in front of you, of course!). The point is, find ways to add movement to your day.
(Note: Part 2 of this article will be in the next issue. You may also watch the short video d e m onst r at i ng Faith’s routine.)
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ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS
Just Asking with Peter Banzon
Q:
How do I answer my 5-year-old boy when he asks who Jesus is?
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ntroducing Jesus to your son is the most important thing you will ever do.
First, tell your 5-year-old that Jesus is God’s best gift to the world. Read to him or with him John 3:16 from the bible : “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life” Then relate that to the Christmas season. Explain the reason why we give gifts during Christmas : God gave His Son on that first Christmas day so that everyone who believes may live forever in heaven with God. Second. Tell your son that when someone gives him a gift, it will belong to him only if he receives the gift. God is giving your son the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. If your son asks Jesus to come into his heart, Jesus will live in him and stay there forever. Lastly, make it a habit to read the Bible to him from the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. He will grow to know and love Jesus as he discovers how great Jesus Christ is as He heals, forgives, rescues and touches people in need.
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