My Father is great.

 

Since the day I was born, I lived to his kindness.

He gave me life, food and shelter.

He gave me a loving family who loves me.

He taught me things that not so many people know about.

Things that he secretly shares only to people he loves.

He taught me that JESUS is my savior and HE is my father.

He taught me to worship him in his church

He taught me to listen to his words and do what he had told

He taught me to pray to him whenever I need comfort.

He taught me not to give up and to hold on.

He taught me to fight and be brave

He taught me to choose what is right and to walk to his light.

He shares his kindness by giving me his blessings everyday

He shares his love by hearing my prayers

and giving me what I needed the most

He forgives and forgets my sins.

He understand me more than I understand myself

He rescues me from danger and cures me from my illness

He guides me to my journey in life and he carries me when I’m tired

He wipes my tears and took away the pain inside my heart

When I’m lost he finds me

When I fall he lifted me up

When I’m down he cheers me up.

When I’m tired he let me rest for a while

He is patiently waiting for me to go back to him

When I was wasting my time doing things I shouldn’t do…

He gets angry but it can easily go away

When he knows I’m truly sorry for what I did

He will forgive me and holds me closer to his grace.

And that is my “FATHER”… and HE is my “GOD”.

Real friends are few that’s why I treasure you…

Art by: Anna Rhea Francisco

In our life we will meet different kinds of people that we will learn about. Some will make us happy for a moment of meeting them. But only few can become our friends for the rest of our life and you’ll never ever regret meeting them. They’re the one’s who will tell how important you are to them and you’ll feel that you’re special. 

MY Friendship Quotes: (^^,)

"Friendship is when people know all about you but like you anyway. "

"Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart."

"The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart. "

"A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out. "

“Once in a while you met someone, a complete stranger that will lift up your spirit and give something you’re looking for, LOVE of a friend.”

True Friends are rare but easy to see... you'll find it if you're also a "True Friend". It's like treasure that gives you a fortune... so if you have found one, keep her/him and don't let go. (^^,)


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As for me, I don't have group of friends or "Barkada". What I have are my true friends and these people were my real and special friends… I never be ashamed of calling them my best friends and I love them all. 

My High school Buddies (^^,)

Aileen Joy Azur

~ My friend who is very cheerful, thoughtful and open minded. Before, I envy her for having so many friends at school while I just have few on my own. But because of her I change a bit, for being so timid or not sociable at all. She thought me how to care and how to be a friend to everybody. And we share happy memories together on my 3^rd and 4^th year in high school.

We gave each other a letter before we say goodbye in high school. In her letter, I am very surprise to know that she remembers all we been through; how we met, how we started to be friends and how we became close to each other. She actually had summarized all and it made me realized that I’m important to her too and I became part of her memories.

I will never forget what she wrote on his letter. She told me not only how important I am to her but also she let me know who I was before and makes me aware of myself.

She said:

“I discovered that you were an INC and I was really happy. Every time you open up and be part of your life I feel really glad. You gave me a pink floral bracelet on my birthday, although it really wasn’t meant for me, I really treasured it.”

“I felt really close to you, like your elder sister. I wanted to protect you from anyone who would try to harm you”

“I will never say goodbye to you because we will grow old friends together.”

“I’m sorry for making you do things you wouldn’t want to do. I just didn’t saw that you were hard to influence. I thought you would always say yes. And that was good. Your values were firmly embedded in you.”

“I discovered that you raised good enough to take yourself away from trouble”

~ To my best friend and sister in faith… Thank You. I want you to know that you are special to me too. I’m always grateful that I had met a wonderful person like you. Although we never had a chance of seeing each other so often, let me tell you that you were always inside my heart and part of my happy memories. I pray for your happiness in life and I hope that you’ll never change, just don’t forget that we’re raised and born as INC, and treasure it forever. ~ SMILE! ~

Diandlee Soriano

~ My friend who is very, very cheerful, bold, caring, always makes me smile because of her jokes (or “mababaw lang talaga ako” hehe!) and thoughtful.

In her letter to me before we say goodbye in high school, she said that “sorry kung lagi kitang inaaway”… heck! I don’t remember why?! I actually can’t remember how we started to became friends or even closer to each other. I just remember that we compete in rank for being the first honour in our 2^nd year. But I didn’t remember that we fought because of that, it’s actually fun and good thing for me because I came to know her. In her letter, she told me how I laugh and my facial expression when I’m laughing. She told me to be a good nurse. And she told me to keep her letter so I did. I treasured it. ^^,) Her letter for me was short but it really makes me happy and made me realized that I’m important to her too.

She knows and says that I undeniably have a forgetful mind and I won’t deny it. But I will surely never forget all the happy memories we shared together, in school and even when we were both attending our duties in church. I actually missed all of that and I wish that it didn’t last.

~ To my best friend and sister in faith… I thank you for being there all the times. And always know that I’m always here for you too. We may have different things to do now. We may be busy and sometimes have struggles in life that make us weak but always know you’re not alone because I’m here. If we can’t turn back time, then at least we should still share many good and happy memories together. ~ SMILE ! ~

My College Friends (^^,)

Edelyn Dongallo

~ My friend who is loving, caring, cheerful and truthful to what she feels. Being batageño, if I’m correct!, adds to her great sense of humor. She will never fail to show you her loving personality and being honest to her feelings is what I like to her the most.

I came to know her, when I was enrolling in Fatima. She was enrolling the same course and by chance we had the same section in college. That’s the start of our friendship together with three other friends. And because of that I got a chance to know her better. We’re always together until I stopped attending school in college. I was sad but things happen and sometimes you have to go in separate ways but my best memories I had with her was when, she and Kristine, gave me a simple but wonderful gift on my 18^th birthday and I really treasured it. ^^,)

On her gift she wrote:

Happy 18^th birthday Rhea…

O 18^th ka na keep smiling

Always… yan ka naman diba?

He! He! He!

Love yah!!!

Wishes ko para sayo

     1.   long life

2. good health
3. success

It was simple but yet I’m touched and it made me happy. Because being remembered by someone you care and someone who cares is the most important of all than any expensive gifts you might receive. I’m thankful because of that.

~ To my friend… I thank you for remembering me once in a while. Always know that I care for you and I’m here. I told you that sometimes I regret being a nurse or why did I choose that course. But what I’m not regretting was that I came to know you because I took that course. I realized that in life I shouldn’t be regretful of the things that I choose but always be thankful of having an opportunity to choose. We should move forward and see what’s ahead of us. I’m wishing for your success in life. I hope we will able to have other good memories to share. ~ SMILE!~

Kristine Sandoval

~ My friend who is sweet and caring. She didn’t show it too obviously but you’ll feel it and know that she cares. I can’t remember how we became friends or when it started but I will never forget the happy memories we had in college.

I will never forget the simple but touching gift you and edelyn gave to me on my 18^th birthday. I guess that’s the first time you said something about me. You said:

Rhea… !

Best Tawa Award goes to…

Ms. Rhea Francisco… hehehe

Anyway! Just want to greet you a happy…

Happy 18^th b-day

Sana hindi ka magbago…

Pero yung negative attitude mo yun

Nalang baguhin  mo hehehe… kung meron…

Sobrang nagenjoy ako ng makasama kita,

Kahit hindi mo masyado pinakita

True feelings mo..

Basta lagi lang kami nandito,

Basta tawagin mo lang ako…

Sana wag mo kalimutan ang mga pinagsamhan natin…

Salamat sa lahat ng tulong…

Wish all the best in life..

Goodluck… Luve you my friend…

~ To my friend… always know that I didn’t forget you. You’re always special to me like everyone else. I’m thankful that I came to know a person like you. Thank you for being there for me and for sharing happy memories together. I will always be happy for you. I want your success and happiness in life. ~SMILE!~

Catherine Rayos Del Soy

~ I will never forget the day I hurt her because of Subcutaneous Injection demo. (SORRY!!!) I know how painful it was but she still loves me despite of that. Thank Goodness she’s kind and easy to be with and I love this girl coz of that. Sadly though, we only share few happy memories together and now, I actually forgot how we started to be friends or closer to each other. All I know was every time we’re together we’re both happy and we both have something to share with each other.

~ To my friend… please! remain the same. I’m always here to be proud of you. ~SMILE!~

My Online Friend (^^,)

Lorena Lopez

~ Thanks to Conantantei that I met her. Although we’re just online friends, it’s amazing how we able to understand each other. Different race but same and mutual feeling of wanted to know each other very well. I never met her in person, I just know what she looks like but it’s always a great feeling talking to her. I love her sweetness and her honest disposition in life. Her open mindedness and her friendly opinion on something make her more likeable and amazing... or maybe she is just really amazing person.

~ To my friend… If you’ll read this, thank YOU for being my friend. I’m always here to wish and pray for your happiness and success in life. GOD is always good and great. Hope you’ll always stays the same. ~ SMILE! ~

Read My Heart Out: I have faith... so I believe.

Read My Heart Out: I have faith... so I believe.: "Every one of us has a story to tell. We are all in different tougher situation in life but we know that this situation is just a te..."

I have faith... so I believe.

Every one of us has a story to tell. We are all in different tougher situation in life but we know that this situation is just a test on how we can handle things. And this will test our faith and strength of heart. 

~ This story I made will tell you how one faith can grow and how people can truly believe. ~

I’m 15 years old and I came to a well known family. My mother and father were both doctors and it’s amazing that they were specialized in both fields. They were curing patients with cancer. They were both famous and were highly paid for it. They treated many cancer cases and I’ve heard that most of their cases were successfully done and most of their patients were cured because of their unexceptional talent in medicine. I’m very proud of my parents and I was very lucky to have them. I also dream of becoming like them someday. My parents were both proud of their achievements but never would they have imagined that I, their one and only daughter, would become one of their patient.

I, too, never have imagined it. I thought I was secured of not getting sick because my parents were both doctors. Since I was a kid I always feel protected and I always feel secured. My parents won’t allow any diseases to weaken my body. They gave me vitamins to be healthy. I eat fruits and vegetables everyday and have my morning jog and exercise to be fit and healthy. I have my nanny taking care of me when my mother’s out for her job. I have my body guard to secure my safety inside and outside our house. I’m not afraid of being sick or having any kind of disease because I’m confident that my parents can easily cure me and I’ll easily get better. It never crossed my mind that I, will someday have cancer, because I thought only unhealthy people got sick. But I was very wrong.

Lately, I was diagnosed to have a brain cancer. The worst scenario was having it diagnosed on its worst stage “the stage of being impossible to cure and impossible to survive”. My mother and father knew it but because they were both doctors they will do anything to make the impossible possible. They will do and give anything to save me.

I never knew that I had a malignant cancer until it was diagnosed. I felt its symptoms like having headaches but I just thought that it was just a stressed of maintaining my high grades at school.  It’s because I wanted my parents to be proud of me. And it’s also because I want to have a vacation outside the country just like what they’ve always promise me when I got good grades. It was fun visiting other countries and knowing other people’s culture. I love it and I was glad to be able to experience those happy trips together with my parents. I thought my happiness will never end and I thought I had everything. I thought I will live this life wonderfully and I thought I will never suffer any pain in this world… but I did. And I guess I suffer most.

When it was diagnosed and confirmed. I immediately put in a famous hospital in a country. Since both of my parents were famous and known in their field I was having the privilege of getting the most highly recommend treatment for my case. But my treatment was harsh. I’m in pain most of the time. My head was aching and it’s unbearable sometimes. I’m always weak and dizzy. They injecting high doses of drugs in my veins and everyday I should take them. I feel that all the parts of my body were numb. And I feel sometimes that sooner or later I’ll going to die.

My parents said that we should not lose hope. They will do everything for me to survive this cancer. They introduce me to different famous surgeon and they were all proved and tested to be the best. They studied my case and they prepared me for an operation. My mother told me to hold on and be brave. I know I shouldn’t be scared but still I can’t help it. My operation was tough as I heard the doctors saying it to my parents. My life will be in danger if my operation wasn’t successful. But my parents won’t accept it and sometimes I heard them arguing with the other doctors. They were both confident that they can save me and they won’t let me die.  

I met many survivors of cancer and they all have good story to tell. How they fight it and how they win it. They say that to be able to survive you should have faith. Faith in GOD, they say. But I’m not a religious person and I most believe in scientific basis. Just like what we always say “to see is to believe” and I believe that HE is just a fabrication of one’s thought and just made to be able to have something to believe in. For me GOD is just Santa Claus in Christmas Eve, made to entertain children. For me, he really does not exist. Well, maybe I have faith too… but it’s faith with my parents and doctors. Thus, I would like to believe in my parents more than I believe in GOD and so I believe that like the others, I will survive this operation and I am very confident that my parents can save me.

But then I met this young boy who shares to me his belief. His parents left him since the day he was born and the only family he had was his grandmother who accepted him and loved him dearly. He was not one of the survivors of cancer but he had a big tumor on his face that causes him not to communicate anymore. Doctors said that the tumor was progressing that they can’t remove it because it will harm the boy and he may die. But the fact that he was also come from a very poor family and can’t afford to have an operation was I know the main reason why he could not survive. "Money matters" they say. But this young boy shows me that happiness and hope can’t be found and get in material things one could have. But having faith was enough to make him stronger. This young boy never saw the beauty of this world yet he believed that the world is beautiful. His grandmother knows that this young boy will someday be gone in this world but still have faith that he will get better. Their belief and faith in GOD was strong enough to be able to see them happy despite of their situation. And every time I see them happy I can’t help to be happy for them too and wish that I, too, could have the same faith they had.

Then one day the young boy passed away. It really broke my heart when I heard it and I couldn’t help thinking why their belief didn’t save them. Yet, I was surprised to hear to his grandmother that she was glad that GOD finally ends her grandson’s suffering. I really don’t understand how faith and belief works and exists to one person. Until, it was happen to me.

Before my operation, I was surprised that my mother gave me a bible. She said it will give me strength and hope. It might also give miracle she added. She also confessed to me that they tried to bring me to famous healers, but they thought it was ridiculous bringing me there and let me treated with magic and stuff, so they’ve cancelled it. Hearing it to a skilled doctor like my mother makes me laugh but it also makes my faith in them lessen a bit and it makes me scared, I’m scared of dying.

How was it like? I thought. I thought that dying was painful. I was afraid of it and the thought of dying became my nightmare. Every night I can’t sleep. I’m afraid that I will never wake up again. But my eyes were tired and my body was so weak so I thought that sleeping was not bad. Every time I closed my eyes it felt good. It relaxed me and for just an hour and so I didn’t feel any pain. Then I thought that dying was better than having so much suffering because of my disease and treatments. Maybe the thought of not seeing everyone that I cared for was what I’m scared about and not dying, itself. Thinking about it makes me feel sad and it hurts me as well.

I was reading the bible that my mother gave to me when a doctor entered my room and said I should prepare myself in the operation. My parents will be participating as well so I was not that scared. When I was inside the operating room my parents were there holding my hands and I can see that they were worried. The anesthesia was injected and I begun to feel sedated and sleepy. Then all my senses fade away.

Deep darkness engulfed me. I can’t see, hear and feel anything. It’s like I am dreaming but can’t picture out anything. I’m just seeing a light, a very dim light. I know I was walking but I didn’t know where I’m heading to. I was like hypnotized to that light. As I was about to reach the light I suddenly feel tired and dizzy. 

Then I saw a man behind me. I can’t describe him clearly but all I know was that he was wearing an odd clothes and he has a very pleasant face. He looked at me and in his eyes he seemed worried about me. He asked me if I’m tired and I nodded. “Then I will carry you” he answered. He carried me on his back and begun to walk. I feel comfortable and secured at that moment and it feels warm. I didn’t know how long he had carried me on his back and then he suddenly stop and put me down. He said “From here you can walk by yourself.” I hold him and said “No, I can’t. I’m scared”. He smiles and says “I know you are… but you have to be brave”.  Then he asked me “Do you believe in miracles?”. Without hesitations I answered him directly “No, I don’t”. He touched my head and says “Yes, you shouldn’t. But you have to believe in one thing, in HIM.” I puzzled who he was talking about and I asked who it was. He said “HIM who made the world, HIM who made life and HIM who knows you better.”  After saying it, he disappeared. Then suddenly I woke up and I feel pain. I opened my eyes and saw my parents beside me. They were holding my hand with tears in their eyes. The doctors were seemed happy seeing that I have awakened. They said it was successful. At that moment I feel that I was like a new born child.

Years had passed since I undergo my operation. I’m still weak but I feel much better. I never talked to my parents about what I dreamed during that day and I decided to keep it to myself. It’s just I don’t want them to think that I was fabricating things out of ordinary. I was scared that they wouldn’t believe me. But it was all true to me.  Then one day my parents opened up and told something that I never thought they would say. They say that when I was in the operating room and unconscious they prayed harder and relied on a miracle to happen. I smiled and then told them that it wasn’t the miracle that saved me but GOD, the creator of life. And that was the hard proof that HE really does exist… and so I have faith and truly believes in HIM.

~ When the storms of life come upon us - and all of us will experience them - we can rise above them by setting our minds and our belief toward God. The storms do not have to overcome us. We can allow God's power to lift us above them. ~