nandito lang kami

AWED by NIAGARA and its MAKER

2009-08-11T19:03:00.000-04:00

July 31st 2009, I was driving our family van along Queen Elizabeth Way (Q.E.W.), one of the fastest highways in Ontario, on our way to Niagara Falls for an overnight stay. This is the first time our family planned to stay overnight looking forward to a great summer vacation with our visiting friends from Cebu who was to visit Canada for the first time and planned this trip to rendezvous with my sister who was to spend her vacation to visit us. We picked up my sister from the airport and were going straight to Niagara so you can just imagine how packed the van was, 7 passengers and luggage in tow.

About an hour amidst the drive along Q.E.W. at about 120 kph, something popped at the rear of the van and soon enough, the vehicle started swerving violently, the steering wheel vibrated ruggedly and it became apparent that we just had a tire blow-out. For some inexplicable reason, the situation did not cause me to panic at that time. I released my foot from the accelerator until the vehicle slowed down, my wife pressed the hazard signal for me and as soon as I felt that it was safe to do so, I steered slowly to the safety shoulder at the center of the freeway since I was driving along the fast lane. As soon we were temporarily safe off the speeding vehicles, I took out my CAA (Canadian counterpart of AAA) card and called the Hamilton city help line since this is the nearest city where we were and the representative tried her best to pinpoint our location by asking for landmarks and exits we just came from… finally, after cautioning us not to leave the vehicle, she said a dispatch will be on its way and estimated time is about 30 minutes. Within 15 minutes… the C.A.A. tow truck was already flashing its light from a safe distance behind us and in a few more minutes, my blown-out tire was replaced with a DONUT tire to enable me to drive the van to the nearest Canadian Tire store about 4 kilometers from where we were.

On our way to Canadian tire using local road, I was silently quipping a prayer that the store will have the tire size of my van (215x70x16) which in my previous experience I needed to order ahead of time since this is not standard size readily found even in Specialty Tire Store much less a Big Box Hardware store. When I advised the automotive clerk of my tire size... first sentence that he said was... “Looks like you will have not much to select from, frankly despite my prayers… the doubting Thomas in me have made me plot out my own fall back solution… I have prepared myself to buy all four new tires and rims to go on with our trip sooner if I needed to … after a quick check, the good sales clerk said “I have 2 in stock”. Without asking the price and brand I immediately confirmed the purchase and requested for possible quicker installation since we were running late for our check in time. Within an hour, we were all set to proceed with our trip and had the most wonderful time communing with God through the majesty of His creation. That is the simple story… let me explain in detail the life and death situation we were in and how God’s finger prints are all over this incident…

Tire Blow-Out

Has anyone read in advance to prepare oneself for a tire blow-out? Not me! After the incident and when we were back home… I found a video tip for this situation… what I did instinctively was nearly step by step what the video was instructing… I will be honest, I can lay claim that “it is just common sense” or “I have been driving for more than 20 years” but I would be lying… I do not know how… but most definitely, the things I did were not pulled out from what I have learned or know… it has to Divine Guidance no less.

(I am sharing 2 URL related to tire blow-out, checkout the website)

(what could have happened)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okVCwoqxMgI&feature=related

(driving tip video, hope you won't need the info)

http://www.youtube.com/wat

ch?v=v65uTgA-th0&feature=related

Shoulder Parking

Everyone who has driven along QEW can tell you that parking along the “safety shoulder” does not guarantee safety at all. Our van was shaking as cars after cars sped through us 120 to 130 kph with no regard to how close they are to our parked vehicle. In many situations, accidents involving speeding cars hitting vehicles parked along the shoulder has been reported in the news and not a few resulted in fatalities. I tried to sound calm but deep inside me was the anxiousness for help to come ASAP… one could say that it was one of the longest 15-minute wait of my life. I can almost shout Hallelujah when I saw the CAA service truck pull over behind us.

CAA (Canadian Automotive Association)

I have been driving in Canada since May of 2005 and after four years I finally signed up for CAA plus for roadside assistance up to 200 kilometers radius on July 15 2009. Sixteen days after… my membership paid for itself! If CAA was not aware of how dangerous our situation was, they might even suspect that the incident was a premeditated stunt. Thank God for CAA!

Canadian Tire and the last 2 tires

Canadians can verify this by checking the tire size posted by Walmart and Canadian Tire on their SALE flyers. The nearest to my tire size is 215x70x15 and when I changed my 2 tires early this year, I has to wait 2 hours for the tire to be delivered from factory specially ordered by the manager of the auto repair shop… COSTCO does not carry my tire size and another tire specialty shop OKI advised me to order a day ahead before going to their shop for installation. When we went to this Canadian Tire store in the city near Niagara (St. Catherine’s) lo and behold… they have last 2 in stock with a price about 40 dollars a piece lower than the last brand I bought.

An atheist would say “it’s all coincidence!”

A fatalist would say “ah! It’s not your time yet!”

The superstitious will say “Lucky! You are seven passengers in the van, that’s a lucky number!”

I looked backed on the situation after we were back from a wonderful trip that may not have ever happened at all had we not been PROTECTED from harm… and I can only attribute all these things to no other than a GOOD GOD who is IN CONTROL!

This GOD happens to be my loving Father in Heaven. Praise GOD!

TORONTO REGIONAL SPELLING BEE 2009

2009-02-22T23:06:00.004-05:00

TESTING OUR NEW TOY

2009-01-29T06:36:00.011-05:00

My gas snowblower more often than not goes on a tantrum whenever you need to use it most... snowstorm. After several snow falls that we needed to clear using hand shovel, I finally decided to get some help. If the recent political campaigns in USA introduced us to JOE the PLUMBER... We got some muscles from
JOE the THROWER a.k.a. SNOWJOE.

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=YbHhmgk-2bM

I posted the actual test in youtube for public viewing... if it is good, SHARE IT!

---

DEER in the CITY

2009-01-26T00:03:00.005-05:00

Every winter, visitors come out of the forested area just two residential streets away from our house. It started with one or two a couple of years back but this year, we have seen as many as eight deer.
Last Saturday, we got this rare chance to drive close enough to take a few minute video.
To those who ever doubted my deer stories, this is the proof.

gr8 2008!

2008-12-28T01:06:00.006-05:00

Year end Report: A GREAT 2008

2008 will be over in a few days… I can only praise God as we look back to the year that will very soon be part of our life history.

There were two distinct changes this year, Elaine’s employment move and our new church building both of which occurred in the month of May. Elaine joined another company and things are working out very well not only in her work but also the great convenience in going to and coming home from work.
Our church on the other hand was blessed with a church building after 22 year long wait. God’s time indeed is the perfect time. In both instances, the preceding position (Elaine’s past job) and location (rented Public school) were both part of God’s grand plan. Nothing in the present “is” was it not for the past. As we look forward to the New Year 2009, whatever will transpire in the coming year cannot claim autonomy from current and previous chapters of our lives.

Lorenzo is now Grade 12 and in the process of applying for and will soon make a crucial decision on which University to attend to when the acceptance offers start coming in. I’m sure all of us who has been through this point of our life can only look back either with a smile or perhaps those who believes they have made a wrong choice could only hope that they can turn back the hands of time (also known as wishful thinking). Lorenzo continues to love music specifically piano where he has as in last year played keyboard for their High school musical theatre presentation where they presented “The Christmas Carol” this year.

Chester is in grade 7 and he has undergone a change himself. The gifted school program was moved from his former school to another school due to lack of space. He loves the new school and since all the teachers equipped to teach gifted education program moved along with them, only the building was changed and certainly for the better.

I continue to enjoy my current position in the same financial institution since last year and enjoy good working relations with my peers and superiors. I continue to co-lead an adult Bible study/fellowship in our church and have been blessed so much each time I spend time to prepare for materials to share.

As we give thanks to our Lord for being a Faithful Provider in the year 2008;
We look forward to the year 2009 with faith that our unchanging God will be with us in the much anticipated tough year.

Our Prayers and Greetings to All…

GOOD HEALTH AND A BLESSED NEW YEAR!

-Edgardo, Elaine, Louie and Chester

.

CHRISTMAS BULLETIN

2008-12-18T23:26:00.004-05:00

A week before Christmas…

The world including the so called FIRST WORLD COUNTRIES is in frenzy with economic RECESSION. Just a few months back, no one even want to use the term but as of the news update in the last few weeks… the term RECESSION already seems like an understatement… we are actually moving towards DEPRESSION (deep recession?). Announcements of lay-offs and suspended operation till mid January by BIG Automotive and various industry will result in loss of the usual “Christmastime Income” for hundreds of thousands employees, in turn it will most definitely impact the retailers and peripheral holiday businesses.

It is not just the economy that is gloomy these days… Environment Canada (weather ministry) is warning of an upcoming series of snow storm that will hit Greater Toronto Area this weekend. To add drama to the coming bad weather and snow dump, the ministry has tagged a scary term for it … “SNOWMAGEDDON”.

Should bad economic and weather forecast damp our Christmas celebration? If Christmas is all about spending for gifts, eating good food and enjoying the pleasant breeze of December… maybe… but before we allow ourselves to be pulled down by the situation… let’s remind ourselves of the words of a classic Christmas Carol,

“GOD REST ye merry gentlemen LET NOTHING YOU DISMAY,

REMEMBER CHRIST our SAVIOUR was born on CHRISTMAS DAY to SAVE us all from Satan’s power…”

That would be a nice Christmas carol to sing, hum or whistle while we shovel the snow!

Wishing You All the blessings of the TRUE meaning of Christmas…

EMMANUEL, God with us as we go forward to a brand NEW YEAR 2009!

-Edgardo, Elaine, Louie and Chester

-----------

to SWITCH or NOT to SWITCH

2008-11-07T17:02:00.001-05:00

In our side of the world... there are only 2 major telecom players... BELL and ROGERS.
DSL is virtually a monopoly of BELL since they OWN all telephone lines and dry loops. I may choose a third party provider like YAK, ACANAC etc. which offers about $10 a month lower monthly rate but guess what... unless you are connected to a BELL telephone service, they would need to lease the telephone line from BELL that delivers the signal to your home, you end up paying another $10 to lease the line which leaves you paying the same fee for switching to a lower priced service.

We have a Rogers home phone which gets its signal from some kind of modem they install in your house. You use the same phone jack, enjoy low long distance rate and even get free call if you call another Rogers telephone user anywhere in Canada. The disadvantage is... since they do not run on Bell line, you do not have a dry loop unless your DSL is from BELL. This combination has been the setup I had in the past 3 years until BELL advised me last month that if I was to renew my DSL, I will need to pay $20 more than my usual rate. You see, BELL had been running new advertisement on their new corporate image... fastER, bettER, clearER... what they did not put in their billboard ads is that the rate is now highER and expensivER!

I called the Philippines to CANCEL my service with BELL internet... yes, the Philippines... I was lucky because I could have reached India, Pakistan or any other part of the World and speak with the representative who would be staring at the details of my personal information including CREDIT CARD numbers etc... Although I RELEASED myself from the tyranny of BELL internet service, switching to YAK will not make sense due the reason I gave earlier so I decided that if I switch my ROGERS home phone to BELL, that will give me more flexibility to use third party provider free from the monthly lease for dry loop. Perfect Solution!

I once again called and spoke with a Filipino who was very helpful and immediately signed me up for the SWITCH and sales order which will authorize BELL to cancel my ROGERS and transport my current telephone number. Talk about PARADOX... I am signing up with BELL telephone because I need to be able to GET OUT of BELL internet... it's like going inside a room to push myself out of the room... EVERYTHING SETTLED I thought.

Less than an hour later, a representative from BELL business office called back to say that they were unable to transport my number from ROGERS for reasons she cannot explain. I discussed it with my wife if the inconvenience of changing the phone numbers will be worth it... to name a few, I would have needed to update the information with all Banks, all government ministries, insurance companies, utilities, schools, office records and right there and then... I had to CALL OFF the switch.

My only choice is sign up for a new account with BELL internet when my cancellation takes effect next week or go with ROGERS. I tried the latter, as a new ROGERS internet customer, I received $10 off from the monthly rate for a year and another 10% savings for my home phone and mobile phone as a BUNDLE discount. I am now BELL free, hooray!!!

but... I am now officially a hostage of ROGERS for the next 365 days... I knew that the word BUNDLE sounded really suspicious...
talk about FREEDOM of CHOICE!

DRESS-UP DAY

2008-10-31T22:06:00.000-04:00

October 31, 2008
One of the FUN things we enjoy over here is DRESS UP day... there is an annual dress up day which culminates in a mini parade around the office for all employees who come in costume. NO TRICK or TREATING.. just plain fun and display of creativity. Dress up is not limited to rank and file employees but also includes top management level executives. The Kids have their own dress up day in their respective school as well which leads to an informal costume contest. Chester as MARIO shared the top prize with his good friend who happened to be in Luigi costume. Louie, as Luigi, lost out to a RUBIK's cube costume which he said is really nice. While many who can afford it can pay for expensive costumes... practicality dictates that we come up with costumes from things we already have or things we can easily make. Thanks to ideas from cyberspace.. we found a site with simple instructions on making our own MARIO/LUIGI hat. The rest of the costume are just things that can be used and worn on a regular day. To join the fun, I had to come up with the most simple costume sans makeup... except for the Homer Simpson rubber mask that I bought from a Party store... the rest are just things I already have like white polo shirt(from my old job as salad maker) and the ol' blue jeans... the yellow sweat shirt was from a sale bin in Walmart and will certainly be useful as the winter chill sets in... the last accessory are the yellow simpson hands which is nothing but dish washing gloves.

Some people find wearing of costumes as silly... well, next time someone tells me that costume is silly... I will just retort... "If you remove your scary mask.. I will remove mine" :)

MONDAY DRAG...

2008-10-21T00:36:00.000-04:00

MONDAY, on my way home after work, my 3 year old van had a fluke of a breakdown. I was driving around 110 kph when right at the center of the highway I felt no surge when I was stepping the accelerator… my engine was not running. Seeing the next ramp ahead of me, I maneuvered towards the emergency service lane along the exit. From there, I stepped out of the car to arrange for a tow truck to bring my car to my mechanic and asked a friend the big favor of driving me home. Not only did I hitch a ride home, I even hitched on a Chinese food dinner treat intended for their visitor from Manila... call that DOUBLE GRACE!

On hind sight, that could have been my last driving stint if by any chance the usual rampaging trucks were behind me. Thank God for another day and the thought is enough to console me after picking up my van and the tab from the auto repair shop today. I told my office mate this morning that God still have some mission for me to do thus He guided me to safety and just before she completed her full agreement, I told her that part of the mission is to spend more on my car and keep the auto shop in business where her husband is the chief mechanic.

Seriously though, if we really think about the daily dangers we face each day, you wonder how we sometimes never give importance on what is eternal. I asked some folks when to their opinion ETERNITY will begin… the common response of course are mostly based on eschatology or prophecies and how they are interpreted. Many think that eternity is some time in the far future… well, incidents like what I was in yesterday gives me a closer look and the reality is that had I not made it out safely from the highway... ETERNITY would have arrived for me... READY or NOT!

Just a thought!

James 4:13-14

13 Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” 14 How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.

TULIPS and PRAYERS

2008-05-04T22:41:00.009-04:00

(note: the photos from the left and the right were taken ONLY 4 hours apart)

I am so amazed by TULIPS… I do not mean the theological acronym from the Reformed Christian teachings but the real flower.

Coming from the tropical climate country Philippines where we could most likely see tulips only in picture calendars, post cards and from time to time in high end flower shops where only the rich can afford them, it is quite a pleasant change to see so many varieties and colors of tulips in Canada.

So, what is so fascinating about tulips? Last autumn, Elaine bought a couple of bags of tulip bulbs to plant in our backyard. In case you haven’t seen one, a tulip bulb looks no different from a dried avocado seed… yes, as ugly as a dried avocado seed. Autumn is the prescribed time to bury the bulb; plant it and forget it… the winter season actually helps you forget about it by covering the whole backyard with snow. The last winter that we went though was the harshest one in 39 years, you even wonder if any living organism in the yard will survive the seemingly unending below zero temperature.

Then comes spring… In Genesis 8:22, God promised Noah after the flood that as long as this earth remains, seasons will not cease… in the midst of the ugly winter, the hope of the coming spring will remain as long as the earth remains. Just a few days after spring officially started, a green leaf pops out from the barren ground where the last lump of snow just receded, a few days more and there is a bunch of leaves and the tulip buds begin sprouting out, then finally, a full blooming garden of tulips completed the miraculous cycle.

We were looking out from our dining area in awe of how beautiful the tulips were when the thought just hit me that the miracle of tulip is no different from PRAYERS.

We have always heard how people referring to unanswered prayers would say “my prayers are all hitting the ceiling”. The insinuation is that the ceiling stops the prayers from going straight up to heaven where God would hear it.

And how are tulips compared to prayers? You say your prayers with faith and according to God’s general will and yet at times, we are almost tempted to question whether God in fact heard our prayers. No immediate manifestations that you are getting any answers. The long waiting time is similar to the winter season in between autumn when the bulb was planted and spring when the actual flower blooms which then can be compared to the answered prayers. Unfortunately, most of us get discouraged by winter because we want God to answer according to our desired result and time not knowing that His ways are always the best for us and He gives them in His perfect time.

Well, the tulips taught me a good lesson on prayers and just want to share them to everyone. Next time you feel that your prayers seem unheard... remember the TULIPS!

one... two... THREE!

2008-04-22T00:04:00.003-04:00

April 21, 2008, a perfect 20°C spring weather!
Exactly three years ago today, we landed in Canada. “Time flies”, quipped one friend of ours when I shared the information. Time flies indeed. After counting three years, one cannot help but look back to all the blessings God has provided. I am not referring to wealth here… I mean more valuable blessings than tangible wealth.

In 2005, we came with FEAR and ANXIETY for the big change ahead… but God constantly provided assurance that He is in control. Through caring relatives and friends who share their resources and valuable advice, time and again, we get encouragement to go on every time worries start pushing us to sulk and give up. In His prefect time, God has opened up paths to provide clear answers each time we reach a crossroad… which house to buy, what car to get, what job to apply for, which church to make our home church… I guess that is how God answers prayers… when He opened the sea for Moses and the more than a million Jews... go forward or perish... as one clear soda ad says.. The CHOICE IS CLEAR!

The most significant updates on our third year in Canada are relating to two MOVES…

Elaine will be moving to a new company in May. The decision to move has been made few months back but again, God dictates the perfect time. The doors just opened up and in a very short time the offer was finalized giving Elaine sufficient time to submit her resignation in the current post and still stay on long enough to assist in the turnover during the transition.

The second move involves our Home church CECC (Christ Emmanuel Community Church). After 21 years, God has given us a building to house His church. With the money on hand several months ago, buying this building is ‘wishful thinking” but that is precisely how it works… it is when we know that it is beyond us that we then come to realization that is CLEARLY GOD WHO PROVIDED.

Finally, after 3 years, many would probably ask…“Any regrets?” I like to ask myself this because it is the same question I ask a lot to other newcomers as well. The answer to that question rests on our objective in deciding to move to Canada... the kids. The good report is, both of them are doing excellently in school, they enjoy and have adapted to Canada so well and so fast that you can compare them to fish thrown in the water. Household chores are one thing they never had to contend with back in Manila but even with that they would get A++. Independence is the new found strength that Lorenzo and Chester have embodied but above that character is the total dependence on our God Almighty…

Any regrets? NO!

Once again, to all our loved ones, friends and relatives who have constantly cared and included us in their prayers, THANK YOU. To God Be All the Glory!

SPELL 2008

2008-02-24T21:30:00.004-05:00

The Canada Spelling Bee Regional Finals for Toronto was held today Feb. 24, 2008 at the Ryerson University Theater...
Elaine, Louie, cousin Alyssa and I watched Chester compete and I would like to share the photos and video that I complied... Thank You all for yor prayers!

winter videos

2008-02-17T20:25:00.006-05:00

- -

SNOW etc...

2008-02-17T19:35:00.004-05:00

Below are some samplings of passages that mentions SNOW and WINTER in the BIBLE...

I guess we do not have any reason to complain because unlike the people in the Bible,

we are blessed with snow blowers, wide sturdy shovels and street plowers to clear our roads... also posting a link for our 2008 photos which started with 3 snow storms in 2 weeks time... can't wait for SPRING!!!!

Winter Bible Verses

Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion!...
He gives snow like wool;
He scatters the frost like ashes.
He casts forth His ice as fragments,
Who can stand before His cold?
He sends forth His word and melts them
He causes His wind to blow and the waters to flow.
-Psalm 147:12-18-

While the earth remains,
Seedtime and harvest,
And cold and heat,
And summer and winter,
And day and night Shall not cease.
-Genesis 8:22-

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout,

And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire.
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
For you will go out with joy and be led forth with peace;
The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you,
And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
-Isaiah 55:10-12-

"Out of the south comes the storm, And out of the north the cold.
"From the breath of God ice is made, And the expanse of the waters is frozen.
Job 37:9-10 (NASB)

Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest
Is a faithful messenger to those who send him,
For he refreshes the soul of his masters.
Prov 25:13 (NASB)

新年快樂

2007-12-31T18:39:00.001-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

To GOD be ALL the GLORY... (tGbatg)

Our family has been so blessed throughout the year 2007...

ED: I continue to work in the same bank but in the middle of this year, I moved to a more specialized position. That I am even in a bank continues to amaze me having no background in banking whatsoever back home and for getting this new position... tGbatg.

ELAINE: Elaine is still working in the same Bible seminary in the last 2 years. Work can be stressful and busy at times but as all housewives know... Home management is not any less demanding... but so far, her good husband and 2 kids have been helping out in different house chores from light cooking, laundry, and cleaning the house...

LORENZO: The high school where Louie is now in grade 11 presents a traditional Christmas Musical yearly. This year, they presented SEUSSICAL and Lorenzo played the piano as part of the 10 piece pit band. He also passed his grade 7 piano test from the Royal Conservatory of Music early this year. Louie has also been a very active member of their schools Junior Jazz band as pianist and also sings at their High school Gospel choir and Chamber choir. Louie also plays for the Sunday school children in our church CECC as part of his ministry.

Academically, Louie is doing excellently and was presented the General Proficiency Award this year for topping their Grade 10 batch in academics....

CHESTER: Chester is now in grade 6 in a gifted school. Early this year, he had a chance to participate in CANSPELL, the Canadian qualifying event to SPELLING BEE that is held in Washington DC. He won the championship for the school round and represented their school at the district round and finally on the regional where he landed 15th out of 75 participants. It was a great experience for the family witnessing an actual competition...

He was also given the chance to be part of the Christmas Cantata of our church this year as narrator.

Chester continues to do very well in school and finds the school works very interesting. They have indulged in many school projects and the subject matters that they tackle excites him no end. It is indeed very inspiring to see both Louie and Chester ENJOYING school so much....

MANILA TRIP: The highlight of the year 2007 for our family is when we had the opportunity to visit the Philippines in August and Vancouver on our way back. To be blessed with family and friends and enjoy the best of two nations is such a blessing and we certainly want this year's visit to be the first of many...

AND FOR ALL OF THESE...

TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY!

WISHING YOU ALL A BLESSED NEW YEAR !!!

Ed, Elaine, Louie and Chester

------------------------------------------