Ina Anak

Ninang Angel got to meet and carry her ina anak Ruth for the first time during her recent trip to Cebu

My godchild is now five months old. Here are some video clips of her.

New Born

Christening

Baby Play (at five months)

P.S. For my non-Filipino friends who have no clue about ninangs and ina anaks (literally “mother child”)…

One does not have to be a relation by descent from a common ancestor to become part of a Filipino family. I became Kumare with Gen (Au’s younger sister) when I became the Ninang (godmother) of her daughter Ruth. (Godfathers are called Kumpare).

One website explains… by being the godfather/mother of a child, you become cofather or comother to a child and you are morally obligated to take care of the child in the event that the parents cannot do so. The godchild is thus referred to as ina anak The godfather is called ninong, while the godmother is called ninang, both from the Spanish padrino and padrina. – Don A. Herrington

My Immortal

For a long time, my housemate would play Evanescence’s “My Immortal” till the melody became a “worm in my head.” I never realised how beautiful and deep the lyrics were till I heard it playing as part of the movie “Daredevil” which I caught on TV three days ago.

Here are two YouTube uploads of the song.

Evanescene’s original version

The acoustic live performance

Having lost several loved ones through death and a number through breakdowns in the relationships, the song evoked feelings and memories of…

• the pain of loss relationships
• the reality that no relationship is ever really forever (in this life)

The fear and paranoia of losing someone can be the very thing that precipitates the losing. What do I do with the hidden fears that surface? 

Today I chose to:

DANCE as though no one is watching me…
LOVE as though I have never been hurt before…
SING as though no one can hear me…
LIVE as though heaven is on earth…

Exchange

Carol obeyed. But it was not without struggle.

My friend Carol has been working in East Asia for a number of years now. The Lord told her it was time to move house. The thought of looking for another apartment, packing, moving, unpacking, and adjusting didn’t sound exciting to her. After all she was happily settled in her current place. Most of all, she had a hard time letting go the view of the mountain (her mountain) in front of her apartment.

Then Carol moved. Yes, and as she had anticipated… the searching, packing, moving.

She laughed when she thought about her initial reluctance to move. God gave in exchange for her view of ONE mountain with a view of whole mountain RANGES.

Carol’s story means much to me these days as I pack the last few items of my home into boxes in preparation for my move in two days. I know when it’s time to let go. I am looking forward to what Father has for me.

The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,
shining ever brighter till the full light of day. – Proverbs 4:18