Celebrando el aniversario de mis padres (Celebrating my parents' anniversary)

At times, I feel very uncomfortable appreciating a couple.

Because I know imperfections and deficiencies exist in even the most perfect of relationships.

How can I be quiet when one couple reaches 21 years of marriage?
How can I be silent when my parents fulfill 21 years of matrimony?

To me, I daresay it is a miracle.

For as I grow up, I become more aware of how difficult it is to maintain healthy relationships. The more I grow up, the more grateful I am to come from a still-united family.

Flesh alone could not reach such an accomplishment. Flesh alone could not have weathered the storms, sailed the disappointments, and voyaged through the great hardships which all married couples are struck with. My parents married each other young, immigrated to a new country which they knew not, and have committed their lives to Jesus.

And I know that though these elements cause issues, these same elements are the nutrients which fortify and nurture their relationship into its present-day state.

Today, I am confident that my parents will be able to shoulder coming conflict and change. Not because I trust their flesh or because they are perfect, but because I take confidence in the way the Spirit of Jesus has led them so far.

You know, I feel like there are plenty of everyday miracles around us which we miss out on because we do not acknowledge them as such.

The new born baby.

The affectionate girlfriend’s eyes.

The daily I-forgive-you’s.

These are miracles which in my mind have come to life by the provision of God.

Yes, I daresay, God Himself uses His life giving power to breathe these miracles into existence. Like the flowers of the fields and the birds of the air, there is much which is sustained and taken care of not by man, but by the generous and caring hands of the Father.

And though I feel uncomfortable with every relation’s imperfections, I do not feel uncomfortable in any way saying to my parents today,

Thank you for being the instruments of God’s blessings to me, to my brother, and to many others. Your relationship is not perfect. But as long as it is committed to Jesus, what you two do for me is beyond words and beyond understanding.
Like the mystery of life, I am wide eyed with wonder as I enjoy the fruits of this miracle: your long marriage. 

Felicitaciones, mama y papa. Los amo a los dos. Mantenganse fieles. :)

A Chance. To Rest.

First of all, I would like to thank all those who have shown their support to Jacqueline and I’s Birthday for a Cause. I would especially like to thank those who have given a donation. As it stands now, we are at $999 and our goal is $1000, with four days left. That is HUGE - we practically reached our goal! We are beyond thankful, but yet, we're not quite done. The fight is not quite over.

For these past three days, the thought of being able to peacefully rest at night and the privilege it is has been gnawing at my conscience. It is beautiful, isn’t it? To lie down and be content - to rest in peace. I don’t always wake up feeling very refreshed, but I know I have the freedom to lie down at will and be satisfied with my work day. Now, over these three days of raising awareness for One Day’s Wages Human Trafficking Fund as my mind contemplates in a greater manner the plight of so many millions of people, it has dawned on me that - like I said earlier - the ability to peacefully rest at night is a privilege. A gift, really.

Because there are plenty of people who are unable to enjoy this privilege. And there are some who are in oppression and have been robbed of their opportunity to have this privilege. Due to the diabolical behavior of other humans, there is a child, a woman, and a man somewhere right now who is approaching the night with a sense of anxiety, desperation, and restlessness. They have no peace. For some of them, their exploitation begins at night.

No rest. No opportunity to rest.

As a Seventh-Day Adventist Christian who not only enjoys peace and rest in the nights, but also one whole day to enjoy shalom (peace) and shabbat (ceasing) with friends, family, and the Lord, my heart is especially broken to think of someone not having this gift.

They have no chance at rest in the nights, much less a chance to spend a day with loved ones and the Lord. Thus, as some of you give your one day’s wages (and more) to this Birthday Cause for the Human Trafficking Fund, I know you are being gospel workers. Because sometimes, God wants more than your prayers. Your finances are working out liberation and an opportunity for individuals to enter into rest both at night and for eternity.

At this point, as I mentioned earlier, we are practically there, and it has been in large part to sizable donations. Thanks to you, our friends. But if you are able to donate even $10 or $20, please do not be shy. Your $10 is better than your wishfulness. And many $10s are better than no $100s. (If that makes sense). In the very least, consider sharing our video, or our ODW profile, or this blog post to your social network. Perhaps someone you know will want to help.

So please, Jacqueline and I appeal to you help the captives. When we freely give to gospel work, God supplies. (Philippians 4:16-19) Moreover, as we enter into our Sabbath rest this weekend, can we really sit still and offer our praises while ignoring a multitude of God’s children who may never taste of nightly rest, Sabbath rest, and the “better rest” which awaits us?

Our goal for this project was $1,000.

We're at $999.

Consider it.

Not just giving your dollar to merely reach this goal.

But perhaps more.

Because in reality, should there ever be a limit to help save a life?

Para mi mama (To my mother)

Gracias, mami. Aqui va una poesía pequeña y muy simple, pero viene de toda sinceridad y con todo mi cariño. Desafortunadamente, esta en Ingles. ^_^

I can't ever know, I won't ever know. The amount of energy, the limits I pushed.

The late nights I caused, while you waited for me to return. Sacrifices on my behalf, not oftentimes appreciating them.

Sometimes, I feel like I get it, I feel like I understand the depth, the intensity of your love towards me. But no, it is still too mysterious.

On your lap I was raised, en tus ojos aprendi mucho, your prayers sustained me, you were a vessel for my salvation.

I still have much to learn in the way of being a son, todavia dejo mis cosas para el ultimo momento, so here's a hug, here's an I-miss-you-mum.

May you be rewarded for the efforts, rewarded for the cariño maravilloso, por el buen Señor Nuestro. I promise to not let it waste.

I can't ever know, I won't ever know, pero gracias mami, muchas gracias.