In our church, inserted in the worship program is a time when Pastor Ding calls all the children to the front to be prayed for–every Sunday.  This is one thing I would never take out of the worship program because I think it’s a powerful thing to pray for our children in our churches.  Even if they’re usually looked over by adults, I know that God is working in them and speaking to them even at such a young age.  I believe that wholeheartedly with Emma. 

So ever since she was born, each Sunday, Perze or I would bring her to the front and carry her when she was a baby.  Then when she learned how to walk, Perze or I would accompany her to the front and stay with her. 

But after three years, last Sunday (see picture), Emma ran all the way to the front all by herself, with a big girl swagger.  Without fear or intimidation.  I was so proud of her.  And not only that, but I noticed while she was up there, with her finger on her lips, she was motioning to the older kids to stop talking. hahahah.

it feels like
the smart charlie gordon
looking at himself
before the experiment.

Emma drew this without us knowing. She then surprised us and told us that Perze was the big circle, me as the one with long legs (score!), and she was the smallest. I asked her where the baby was and she pointed to the very small drawing inside me (click on the picture to enlarge).                                      

She said, "Baby Z is in your tummy!"

Can you see it? Baby Z is definitely there!  True enough, the baby is still inside.  This is her first family portrait that she’s taken the initiative to draw.  Perze and I had a huge kick out of it. She’s so good now with drawing. At least she drew all of us with smiles. It lets me know she sees our family as happy.

Congratulations to the newly married couple- 

  Mae & Roderick

        Alberto

We were glad to share in their wedding, seeing them so genuinely happy and taking those sacred vows to be husband and wife.

They’re both good friends of mine, and seeing their tears and smiles were really their gift to everyone.  You could see how throughout their wedding day, their eyes were fixed on each other (something I always notice during weddings).  The groom was so emotionally involved and the bride was, honestly, so beautiful.  Their theme was a crimson red, perfect for fall, with orange roses (a personal touch that relates to their love story).

The ceremony took place in St. Mary’s Church in Dumont, and the reception in the Wilshire Grand Hotel in West Orange.  It was also such a great time seeing our friends in North Jersey, something I look forward to every now and then, realizing how everyone’s lives are really blossoming in their own way.

Mae, Eric, thanks for letting us share that day with you.  We wish you the best in your marriage and that God will bless you all the more.

Complete Album can be viewed in our Photo Gallery.

Ok. Initial plan was for Em to be Sarah Palin, Perze as Joe the Plumber, and me as a bulldog w/ lipstick.

Everything went down the drain as Em adamantly voiced her 2 cents.  Yes, at three years old, there was nothing else she was going out there to collect candy except as a princess.  Luckily, my mom saved my lil sister’s old ballet recital dress from when she was four years old.  With a few tucks here and there, it fit her enough for her to walk from house to house (with the help of the RadioFlyer), with her Mom, Dad, and Uncle, to collect candy. 

This was her first year that she understood what was going on, being more conscious of other kids dressing up in costumes, and collecting candy.  She has been looking forward for weeks for this event.

How’d she do? She collected a basket and a half.  Pretty good for a three year old huh?  Check out that pumpkin basket she’s carrying; that used to be one of the baskets that we used when we were children.

the full album is up on our Photo Gallery.

So we pray with Emma every night.  It’s been a routine since she’s learned how to say words.  I honestly wish I could video record each night, recording our conversations and esp. her prayers. 

Last night, after asking her to pray for baby Z, she said:

"Jesus, thank  you for baby Z, for Mamam and Tatay, and Emma to be healthy. 
And pink paper. And Mamam to get a hair cut because it’s messy.  In Jesus name, Amen."

This morning, I honestly had the craving to trim my hair and cut off the dead ends.  And that I did. 

God is good; all the time. hahahahaha

That’s us with Tita Sally, Perze’s second degree cousin who’s studying at the graduate school SIT in Vermont.  She recently arrived in the US in the beginning of the fall term so last weekend was the only open window for us to visit her.

It was actually a great weekend for us to visit because the weather permitted us to experience fall in Vermont.  We stayed in their graduate dorm building, which really allowed Emma to meet so many people.  During our stay there, she hardly wanted to stay with us in our room to rest; instead, she was hanging out with the dorm residents, talking and playing with them.  Imagine?  Without intimidation, she carved pumpkins with them, watched DVDs and even handed out Halloween treats by sharing her bag of packed m&m’s.  And every morning, she’d wake up early so she could play with the residents again and say hi to them as they passed by our room.  To her disappointment, weekend mornings mean sleep time for students.

Due to her hanging out, she learned more about carving pumpkins, and she had her first experience with pumpkin art.  We simultaneously learned how to open up the top of the pumpkin, scoop out the seeds, and carve out a face (with the help of a pattern and carving tools).

Speaking of pumpkins, that Saturday, we devoted our trip to attend their biggest Pumpkin Festival in NH.  Hundreds of people donated carved pumpkins and I’ve never seen so many orange orbs and people walking around in honor of Halloween.  In was in the center of this quaint town that had all these cute little stores and cafes.  People set up food booths, jewelry booths, crafts…etc.  It just felt poetic and exciting watching so many people.  People, I noticed were so nice too, giving allowance to Emma’s balloon that would hit them, or letting her in front of the line for her cotton candy.  Stuff like that…made me rethink the cultural attitude of NJ/NY.

The rest of the trip was great because of the rest and getting to know Ate Sally more- her studies and ministries.  She’s really someone to respect for her achievements in outreach.  It’s good to have conversation about ministry goals and open up questions to approach.  I appreciate that type of serious dialogue.

Overall, the four.five hour drive was worth it.  And Em had such a keen time meeting new people, making new friends, and acquainting herself with her Tita.  By the end of our trip, she wanted to stay there and carve more pumpkins.

To see our full album of our Vermont Trip, you can visit our Photo Gallery and click on the 2008 album.