My Preparation - Doing Everything Out of Love

After I received the approved vacation leave. I immediately informed my sister Pamela that I will be surprising Eilla during the party. I told her that she was the only one who knows and never mention it to the kids and my wife and even to our parents. I asked also my friend and Eilla's Ninong Jaime Buemavista to pick me up at the airport one day before the party.

I designed a program for the party in which my sister will be the host and on what part of the party that I will be coming. I also made her invitation card with a Cinderella theme. I prepared a 20-minutes video to be the highlight of the party. It was a very busy two weeks for me in Bahrain wherein I slept about four to six hours only editing the videos. It was so hard because the video has three parts, 1. My greetings, 2. Eilla's pictures and lastly 3. how I will be there in her party. Thanks to my colleague Rowell Cuba ( who video shoot me) and Fluppy, my dearest Persian cat pet who lives in my room also.

Part 1 - My Greetings

The first part was my greetings to my family, friends, relatives and those who attended the party. I wear an Arabian dress that looks me like a real Arab. Also, I showed some places in our office and recreational facilites. Fluppy was also there greeting Eilla.

Part 2 - Eilla's Pictures

The second part showed Eilla's pictures of her infant days until six years combined with a beautiful background music from Walt Disney's Little Mermaid theme song. While editing her pictures, I had a teary eyes remembering how Eilla's grows up.

Part 3 - Mr. Incredibles and The Clown

The last part was the most interesting one. In this time, I called my friend Mr. Incredibles (in full costume) played by my brother-in-law, Christian Ofreneo. I asked him to pick me up in Bahrain so that we can fly going to Eilla' party. But unfortunately, while we were flying I forgot to hold tight and I landed in the mouth of a big shark. From there, I asked another friend, The Clown, to do a magic spell that will be bring me to Eilla's party.

After finishing the video, I told to myself that this was the best video I ever did. Even me, I can't imagine how I made such a video like . . . or I should say a very beautiful and inspiring video. I showed the video to my officemates. While watching, some of them cried and even congratulate me that early. Some said that they will be praying for the success of my suprise.

Watch out for the last part, The Surpise . .

A Father's Soft Heart For A Loving Daughter

It was last year (August 26) when Eilla, my eldest daughter, celebrated her advanced 7th B-day. Here in the Philippines, it is considered also as a "debut" celebration from a kid to a little teen. This day was a very big day not for her only but for myself also.

To everyone who knows me, I was in Bahrain last year as an OFW since February 2006. Eilla is not a showy kid unlike Kyla (youngest) in showing affections. The day I left for Bahrain, she did not even showed any signs that she will be going to miss me unlike her mom and younger sister. For her it is just another day at the office. Months have come but still I did not felt any signs that she miss me.

Sometime in June 2006, while we were chatting, I asked her "what is your wish for your birthday? Without any words came from her mouth, she cried and I don't know why. Then I asked her, why did she cried? Then she said, " Ang wish ko sa birthday ko sana nandito ka, kahit wala ng party or gifts basta nandito ka pero alam ko naman na hindi matutupad ang wish ko kasi malayo ka" ( I wish that you will be here in my birthday, eventhough there is no party or gifts for me but I know that my wish will not be granted because you are far from us). Whew! This time around, I felt that deep in her heart she really miss me a lot. I told her that keep in praying that her wish be granted. I don't know what to do. How I wish that I will be there in her b-day. I don't have any vacations since I'm was only 3 1/2 months in the company. And besides, it will cost me around P45,000 for the plane tickets.

That time, I asked God to give me signs that I can attend my daughter's birthday. I asked HIM that if He wants me to be there in my daughter's birthday, there will be someone who will lend me money for airfare. Also if there will be one, It will not be very difficult for me to ask for a two weeks vacation. July 2006 when I told the story to my brother who is in Saudi Arabia. My prayer was answered even though I'm not asking him to lend me a money. But I told him that I will ask permission on the 2nd week of August. If my boss grant me the vacation then I will borrow money from him.

When God works on you, there is nothing impossible in Him. When I filed for a two weeks vacation, it was immediately granted without any question. Sad to say, I included my wife in the reason who is sick that time.

Since it's Eilla's 7th birthday I want it to be very special. I thought of something that she will really treasure that day and that moment in her life. I want something that everyone in the party would realize how I love my kids. I thought of surprising them in the party without them knowing that I will be there with them . . .

Part 2, My preparation . . .

Part 3, My Surprise . . .

Parent-Child Relationship

Click this link, a wonderful talk from Bro. Bo Sanchez of the Kerygma Family. A very special talk that coincided with my birthday last February 19, 2007

http://kerygmafamily.com/view.php?mediaid=206:flv



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The Main Goal Is to Train Children to Serve God

Our children are not given us to do with as we please. They are not our property. They are God's children given into our care, so we can raise them to be what He wants them to be.

Suppose our children grow up, get good jobs, have happy marriages, and are good neighbors and citizens, but do not live as faithful Christians. Then they are failures, and we have failed to accomplish our purpose as parents.

On the other hand, suppose our children don't receive college educations, live below middle-class standards, and are not particularly athletic or outwardly beautiful, but they serve God faithfully. If so, they are successes, and we have been successful parents.

When children do not turn out well, we should all surely sympathize. The parents need to consider if they made mistakes. If they did, they should repent and ask forgiveness. What parents don't make mistakes? It is written to give parents confidence that, if they follow God's word, they can raise children to serve God and be saved! In our effort to console the parents of ungodly children, let us take care that we don't give the impression that raising godly children is nearly impossible.

I know a preacher who said repeatedly, "Every family has a black sheep." What passage that teaches that? None! But he believed it, and sure enough he raised two "black sheep." If you think you cannot raise godly children, you are defeated before you start.

Regardless of occasional exceptions, the rule is that, if we do our job right, our children will be saved. The fact so many people want to talk about the exception to the passage reveals much about the problems in the Lord's church. We are losing the majority of children, and there is no way the verse can justify that!

Instead of making excuses, let us just admit that many parents are not doing their job well. Let us learn from our mistakes and start studying God's word to find out how to do it right!
"Wouldn't it be terrible to have a child who was born with a serious physical or mental handicap or who died young?" Yes. But how infinitely worse to know my child faces torment in a Devil's hell! I cannot imagine any more terrible tragedy that could happen to one of my children. And I may very well determine whether or not that happens.

Our job as a parent is to raise our children to serve God. If I don't get my priorities straight so that I raise them to serve God first, He will hold me accountable. To a large extent, your children's destiny and your destiny depend on whether or not you train your children as God's word says.

Let us not make the mistake of the basketball team that forgot its real purpose. Let us realize the seriousness of our responsibility as parents and keep our eye on our goal. If we have gotten off track and put too much emphasis on temporal things, let us repent. And let us all accept the challenge to raise godly children.

Some Goals Are Proper but Are Not the Main Goal

Parents may have various goals in raising children.

* We should meet our children's physical needs.
* We should provide a good education.
* We should prepare them for life, so they can have a happy marriage and be good citizens and neighbors.
* We may even provide some recreation, entertainment, and enjoyment

Some parents may emphasize goals that are of little importance and could even become problems: physical beauty, athletic achievement, popularity, etc. But these are not our primary goal as parents.

Many parents spend long hours working to provide physical things for their children, but they are so busy working that they neglect to give their children time and attention. Other parents spend many hours with their children in physical or material pursuits: sports, clubs, school functions, music, etc. They are constantly on the run, but the emphasis is material, physical, and social.

Many parents are too concerned about physical pursuits, on the other hand, many "poor" families are highly successful. I have known families with one old car, no TV, 2-room house, plain clothes, and just a basic education. But the children knew God's will, had close family ties, and grew up serving God faithfully.

Many children today are spoiled by over-providing. They don't appreciate what they are given and grow up thinking the world owes them a living. Too many parents over-emphasize material pursuits: possessions, toys, education, popularity, beauty, sports, etc. Unknowingly, such parents are sacrificing their children to the idols of covetousness and worldliness.

Jesus said, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses." He then told of a man who obtained great wealth but neglected God (vv 16-21). When the man died, what good did his wealth do him?-
Luke 12:15

Parents Must Set Goals

"Parents must accept the goal of raising their children properly and must diligently work toward that goal. They must not leave this to others."

Too many parents simply don't want to accept their responsibility as parents. They expect others to raise their children: the in-laws, schools, church, yayas or babysitters, day-care centers, or their friends or relatives. Meanwhile the parents pursue other interests.

Some fathers think they will leave the children to the mothers to raise (or vice-versa). Some divorce and leave the home or otherwise desert their children.

Some spend too much time away from home pursuing other interests. Some simply don't bother. This is unacceptable.

If you are a parent, you must have proper goals, and you must work diligently toward those goals. Whether you like it or not, if you have children you must recognize that you are responsible to raise your children properly.

You brought them here
The government did not bring your child into this world. You did. So don't expect the government to raise your child. Likewise, for the church, the schools, the day-care center, and your parents or relatives - none of them brought your children into this world. You brought them here; now you take care of them. Caring for them properly must be your goal.

You may say that a child was "an accident" - you did not intend to conceive. But the fact is that, if you chose to participate in the act the may result in a child, then you are responsible for any child that results. You brought them here. Now it's your job to take care of them.

"Fathers are commanded to bring their children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. You cannot leave this up to others, including your wife (though, of course, she is responsible too). You are responsible. You have no right to shirk this duty or try to shift it to others." -Ephesians 6:4

next, Some Goals are proper but are not the main goal . . .

Raising Godly Kids

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. By following God's word we can raise children who avoid evil and serve God faithfully." Proverbs 22:6

Tips on Raising Godly Kids

How can parents succeed in training children in the home? What parenting and child-raising authorities should fathers and mothers follow: the Bible or psychologists, social workers, and educators? Is there a purpose and goal that should families pursue? How important are love and instruction in the family and parenting? How should parents motivate and discipline unruly children? What about spanking, punishment, and rewards? Is it possible for a father and mother to raise godly kids despite modern social pressures in entertainment, recreation, and education?

1. Have a Purpose

No one and nobody will succeed in any task without keeping his goal clearly in mind. Imagine a basketball team that becomes so wrapped up in their beautiful uniforms, venues, and making commercials that they forget about winning ball games. Uniforms and a venue are helpful - even commercials may be all right - but the players must remember their goal is to win games!
So parents must keep their responsibility clearly in mind. What do you consider to be your goal as a parent? What would it take to make you feel that you had been a success or a failure as a parent?

• Parents set goals for your kids.
• Some Goals are proper but are not the main goal.
• The main goal is to train kids to serve God so they can receive eternal life.

to be continued . . .