I find myself thinking back on this blessed and full life that God has given me. It is to Him that I give back all praise and glory for everything that He has done! None of it is of my own making -- He alone deserves all the glory!!
He gave me the privilege of having godly parents in Drs Gadiel and the late Marge Alcala Isidro. As the eldest of their 3 children (4 if you count the brother who was miscarried), i'm sure i was the guinea pig but also the start of their great adventure in parenthood. although my siblings and i are far from each other (in more ways than one), i'm grateful for them and the lessons i learned from them about being part of a team (especially since we sang and played our instruments together -- trumpet for Rey, clarinet for Bev, and saxophone for me -- when our Dad would preach in different churches in the Midwest when we lived in Deerfield, IL from 1965 to 1970) and learning to love each other despite our differences.
i'd like to give a shout out to my cousins on my Dad's side--Liza and Vera Pepito-- who remain my favorites to this day and those on my Mom's side who i spent time with when i was younger--Kuya Boy, the late Warren, Jocelyn, Jackeline, and Wilbert Wee. and to the Alcala cousins i've connected with in recent years, either in person or through FB--the Montiels, the Castandiellos, the Ricaforts, the many Alcalas in Mindanao. i hope to someday meet them all in person but, if not, we will meet for sure in that land where no one says goodbye :-)
i thought my childhood was pretty magical. i'm sure there were hard times, especially since we were very poor, but they don't overwhelm my memory bank :-) i don't remember my childhood friends when we lived in Cebu (ages 0-5) but i've heard stories about my siblings and i playing with MKs (missionary kids) and speaking English even at a young age (at my Mom's insistence). i do remember my childhood friends when we moved to FEBIAS (ages 5-10 and 15 to 19)--Fely and Jean Majo, Frances Siodora, the Gusto kids, and the MKs whose parents were with the mission organization formerly known as FEGC, like Sue Bedell, the late Larry Haglund... Then there were my friends from Caloocan Bible Church where my Dad was pastor for several years--Jem Apelar and his sister Faith who is now with the Lord, the Guingons, Jessica Fernandez, the Nieuwsmas, the Chatas, Butch Soriano, the Ronquillo sisters. There are my close friends from in and around the two compounds of FEBIAS and FEBC--Em Perez, Ali Aguarino, Robyn Reynolds, Lynette Tackett, Abe Navarette, Janet Gay... A significant part of my teen years was spent at Faith Academy where many of the friendships formed during those 4 years are still very dear to me -- Angela Simpson, Joel Eyestone, Leah Eaton, Becky Costerisan, Bill Ebert, the late John Carvey, just to name a few! 4 years at Trinity College (now International University) brought additional special people into my life -- Ruth Geisler, Alex Shu, Debbie Christensen, Steve Pruett, David Murphy, Greg Tasker, Bob Depuy, Sheryll Barker, Linda Thompson, Sharon Rose James.
special mention must be made of my 2nd family -- the Lacanilaos, especially Ester, my mother-in-law, my brothers-in-law, Kuya Sam, Norman, Bhe, their spouses -- Ate Myrna, Malou, and Cindy -- and my nieces -- Kaye (husand Tom), Trisha, Esther Ruth -- and nephews -- Nate (wife Angela), Steve (wife Jeng), Paulo, Jonathan, and Miko. they bring me much joy and i thank God for giving them to me through my wonderful husband Dan!!
looking back on 66 years makes me realize just how RICH and FULL my life has been so far. obviously, life hasn't been the proverbial bed of roses -- my own family of 3 kids, their spouses, and 9 grandkids has been through some traumatic episodes -- but, i thank God for His love and mercy, for keeping us safe from harm and danger, for providing for all our needs, for helping us stay close to Him. God TRULY has been very good to me and to my family. That's why, as long as I have breath and my body holds up, I will follow Him wherever He leads. Right now, He has led us to a ministry in Palawan with TEMI (Telos Euarestos Ministries, Inc). With His help, we are praying that we can complete the task that He has given us there in Brooke's Point with TEMI Bible School and that He will provide for someone to take over when we're no longer able to travel back and forth from the States.
I don't know how many more years God will give me on this earth, but while I'm alive and kicking, i want to always live in a way that glorifies and points people to Him. i know i fail often at this, but He is merciful and loving and continues to give me "second" chances. That is just too awesome to comprehend or understand! But, I've found that living for Him and following Him is the only way to live one's life here on earth... And when it's time for me to go home, I want to go singing, "Jesus led me all the way. Led me step by step each day. I will tell the saints and angels as i lay my burden down, Jesus led me all the way."
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