Sharing the Joy of Christmas

          As we in our household joined together in the spirit of the holiday season, we cherished every moment of our bonding. The hosts of our gathering were Sis Danna and Bro Rodel Ordonez at their lovely residence in Mernda suburban. What  made this gathering a momentous one was that almost all the members were present. 

 While waiting for the food to be served, we enjoyed ourselves through our karaoke session. Each one rendered his masterpiece to the delight of the rest of the group. Songs ranging from the 60s up to the latest ones were performed by the group.

After a while, food was served and everyone was delighted to the various recipes prepared by the different wives of our household. 

          As each one is excited to welcome the birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ, the joy also of being gathered together as one community through our household was very evident on the face of each member. Thus, we say good- bye to 2015 and with a high spirit, we welcome this new year 2016. 

A Borrowed Quote

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What you do today can improve all your tomorrows.

Ralph Marston

I personally shared this borrowed quote from Ralph Marston for I strongly believe on what he shared here that whatever we do in the present moment of time will greatly affect our "tomorrows". 

Henceforth, it is but essential for us to be always  mindful of all the ways that we communicate with others for there might be unfavourable consequences on our actions that may, sooner or later, affect us negatively. 

However, being aware of our everyday dynamics, it is but an everyday challenge for us to constantly monitor and be consistent on our life values for whether we like it or not, there would always be instances wherein these values will be tested and challenged. 

Yet at the end of the day, we will always go back to the basic premise and question ourselves, " What have we done today that improve our life being?", " Have we contributed positively or the contrary to our world today?", Did we become agents of change for others today?"....so on and so forth. 

Again, as Ralph said, let us utilise positively our "todays" to experience a better "tomorrows".....not just for our sake but that of our neighbours regardless of any status, situation, colour etc. in life. 

Moments To Cherish

          Moments of togetherness are precious times to build up relationships among brothers and sisters. Through thick and thin, it is by the support that we share and receive in our community that enable us to go through all those events. Indeed, life is so wonderful that it is ought to be shared with others especially to people so dear to our hearts.

          That's exactly what we esteemed much in our group, the CFC NorthEast Household when we joined together to share the joy of Bro. Rodel and Sis Danah on their newly purchased home in Mernda, a northeast suburban community of Melbourne. All the members of our household were present except for Bro. Alvin and Sis Denden who were busy taking care of something very important. 

      Anyway, we all treasured the food, the ambience of the fresh place and the impressiveness of the environment as the new owners were so proud in sharing with us those recently welcomed blessings in their life. We are all thankful to God for showering us such opportunity to gather together in His name as we also welcomed in our household the new couple member, Bro. Jose and Sis Daisy. 

"Not what we have, but what we enjoy, constitutes our abundance"

Submit Everything To Him Above

          Opportunities to gather together as one household is always a renowned moment for it brings people more closer to one another. When we had our household gathering last month, there was excitement in the air as we gathered collectively as one family- people bounded together in one common faith in the Lord. 

          And when we started the gathering by offering songs of praise, we lifted up our hearts and faith to God for we all believed that He is the sole purpose of everything. Being the owner of our life, He is the main reason why we always have positive things in life. He showered immense blessings to us most notably through the gifts of our family, our loved ones, our life, our talents etc. . 

imagecredit: Jozh Tuballa, Australia

          So going back to our gathering, we also lifted to Him our personal intentions and even those intentions of other people unknown to us. We prayed in a special way for those who are presently sick and unloved, for those people who have no one to pray for them. Afterwards, we had our sharing on the given readings. Particularly, we shared our struggles and those positive energies that allowed us to move on from them.  

          To end, I am always looking forward to every opportunity that allows me to interact and share life with other people. There are fresh and new discoveries that I could find in myself as I will exchange moments together with others.  

Journeying Together in Faith

          Since we started to join the Couples for Christ, I, personally, have treasured much the times that me and my wife had shared with the other members of CFC Australia. Recalling back those personal encounters with the other members of this community, I just keep on wondering how precious it is to share oneself with others. In life, there are many rights ways and wrong turns yet by the presence and support of those people who journey with us, the heavy load then becomes so light.

          As shared by our leader, Ronnie Ordonez, on his communication for the First Fruit Offering celebration: 

 "As the Lord bestowed on all of us, our families and our community of His ever abiding presence through all the difficulties and trials we have undergone last 2013 we welcomed 2-14 filled with gratitude.

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          We will have our traditional First Fruit Offering, a fitting gift to the Lord for His abundant gifts and provisionss, good health, answered prayers, spiritual gifts, miracles big and small, the peace, harmony and protection He has showered on our families." 

          I totaly agree with Bro. Ronnie on what he mentioned that we indeed have so many reasons to be grateful to the Lord. In the midst of our life's busyness, we should constantly be mindful  to God's unending kindness and love for each one of us. He never fails to shower and share with us His goodness.

     With this realization, we should also be brave enough to take up our challenge to be His evangelizers- to bring Christ to others especially to those who have gone astray and are lost. 

Celebrating A New Chapter of Our Life

          As we welcome this new year 2014, we bid farewell to all our experiences and events for 2013 and we embrace this new year with much positive attitude and determination. Many things unfolded on our life on the course of year 2013. Things may have been tough and rough for some, others may have had a good time with their personal life, business and any other endeavor. 

          However, all what we can do now is to retreat for a while and look back as a whole on that year and think then where can we improve for this year. Everyday is always an opportunity for us to grow and to become better persons. On the other hand, we are continously challenged to step forward and never be afraid of what lies ahead of us. 

imagecredit:
http://www.freeimages.co.uk/galleries/nature/environment/slides/transport_car_tunnel4408.htm

          We need to be grateful in our life for what has been and what will be. In life, we tend to become so pre- occupied with lots of things and on the process, we fail to appreciate its every moment. Thus it is always essential for us to stop from time to time to have the chance to see within us what's going on already with our life. May we all learn to say "THANK YOU" for every opportunty to enjoy life and "SORRY" for every misdeed we commit to others. After all, life is so great and let us not allow any minute to be wasted away.

Gathering of Hearts

          For this year, one of the highlights of the Couples for Christ (CFC) Melbourne is the Christmas gathering of the particular units like the South, North, West, and East. On that account, last Dec. 22, 2013, Sunday, the North Unit under its head, Bro. Ed Canilao, held its Annual Christmas party.

           Participated by the 4 households that comprised North Unit, the get together was a huge success. It was further blessed by the presence of Bro. Ronnie Ordonez, CFC Melbourne Chapter Head, his lovely wife, Sis. Sheila and their children. Everyone was inspired by his short message telling the group about the various activities that CFC had successfully initiated during the course of 2013.

          After the sharing of the exquisite food, assorted events were facilitated. The kids had a great time with their parlor game. Give aways were showered to them and they had a great time gathering their gifts. While they were having a good time, the proud parents were also busy taking photos and sharing laughters.

          Thus, the gathering was culminated by the community singing of Christmas carols. As each one excitedly participated in the singing, the hall was filled with warmth and love as the spirit of Christmas overwhelemed everyone. 

Consolation In Moments of Desolation

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           The devastations as consequences of Typhoon Haiyan's rage in the Philippines especially in places like Leyte and Samar brought misery to thousands of people,  both directly and indirectly affected by it.

          Until now, scores of dead bodies are still waiting to be retrieved and identified. People scrambling for food and shelter and so disheartened that many of them decided to leave their place, Tacloban.

             What is consoling to hear at this time is the efforts both of the government and that of other countries to come together and help each other in rebuilding the places which are severely damaged by Haiyan. With much sympathy, you can express your assistance in many forms and in your own way. Moreover it is understandable that many affected victims and their loved ones may at one point or the other have lost their faith and became impatient as well as frustrated  of their plight.

imagecredit:ID 16621205 © Jiajianzheng | Dreamstime.com

          On the other hand, efforts by countries like US, UK, Australia, China, South Korea, Canada, Israel and many more have been pouring in into the affected places. They have jointly shared their bountiful resources like money, logistics, personnel, medicine and food much to the delight of their recipients.

           Presently, there are still many people who are urgently waiting for assistance. You can help the situation by spreading this immediate need to those who can extend support. May substantial food and medical aid be given to the victims soon.

                                                            

Welcome.....Share your Life...Share Your Story....

          We belong to Couples for Christ (CFC) Northeast Household. As members of the same household, all of us treasure our  times of togetherness.....those times of sharing mutual support....and to provide a means for encouraging each one in the midst of life's trials and triumphs. 

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          We all believe that by coming together, we nourish each other's growth in a Christian way. As the days go by, the desire to enrich each other and that of other people whom we come in contact separately comes into our mind and heart.

          Thus, may this blog be an avenue for us, members, and that of others who will become a part of this blog, to progress with our self development so that we will also become instruments for others to become closer to each other and to God.