Prayer for the New Year

O God of new beginnings and wonderful surprises, thank you for the gift of a new year. May it be a time of grace for me, a time to grow in faith and love, a time to renew my commitment to following Your Son, Jesus. May it be a year of blessing for me, a time to cherish my family and friends, a time to renew my efforts at work, a time to embrace my faith more fully. Walk with me, please, in every day and every hour of this new year, that the light of Christ might shine through me, in spite of my weaknesses and failings. Above all, may I remember this year that I am a pilgrim on the sacred path to You.

Amen

Jamesters Make a Difference

Think for a moment about the people who have made a difference in your life - parents, extended family members, friends, classmate, neighbor, others. They have one thing in common. In every case, these people taught you something. Perhaps one taught you something about loving, another taught you something about studying, and another taught you something about having fun.

Even if they were unaware of their influence on you, these people became your teachers. They taught you by example how to do the things you longed to do and how to be the person you longed to be. Their very lives became lesson you will never forget.

Likewise, God put you here to make a difference in someone's life. Do not imagine that your life is without powerful influence and great significance. You are teaching far more than mere subject matter. People are watching and people are learning from your example even at times when you are unaware.

Ask God to help you recognize that person who especially needs a teacher today. Invite him to work through you so that your touch on a person's life leaves God's imprint as well as yours. As you teach the other people around you, ask God to make your life a lesson they will never forget.

(Taken from Following His Examples of the Soul Retreats)

One of My Memorable Christmas

I saw my lola (grandmother) last month (November). I took her hand and kissed (a Filipino tradition to show our respect to elders). She said," Rodel, nanghihina na ako mukhang hindi ko na kaya." I told her,"Lola, kalabaw lang ang tumatatanda." I said it to uplift her negative feelings.

Yesterday, I felt sad 'coz my loving lola died. But I'm happy at last her sufferings will be ended. But I can't heal the brokenness in our family. She is truly a big lost to us. But again, I'm happy 'coz our death means our birth to God.

To tell you honestly, I feel how important I was because of her. I can say that I may be a lola's boy. favorite of all Apos (grandchildren).

Lola, wherever you go always remember that all of your memories will kept inside my heart, your teachings will last forever and we will see each other someday. I love you po and I will going to miss you!

I ask your prayer to my lola. Her name is Felicidad. Thanks in advance and Merry Christmas to all. Remember to value your loveones - Sir Rodel

Did you receive all of your wishes this Christmas?

A Priest asked the child,"What are your wishes this coming Christmas?" The child is too excited to give all of his wishes. And the priest asked,"Did you receive all of your wishes?"

The child said, "Not all, but I'm happy and beside it's not my Birthday!"

Sometimes we are looking about the gift we're going to share to our love ones. But the true meaning of Christmas is not only giving but how will you accept your gift. And what or rather who is your gift - It's JESUS. We let Jesus enter our hearts. But the questions, are your heart ready for the coming of Jesus? Can Jesus stay in your hearts forever? Can you change for good?

It's too hard to do but these are some ways that we can give to Baby Jesus as our offer to him and beside it's not your BIRTHDAY it's Jesus Birthday.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

God thanking me?

One of my mission in life, is to serve the Special children. I was glad that I've been part of this ministry which they call FAITH and LIGHT.

Faith and Light is an International community movement bringing together people with a learning disability, their families carers and friends, particularly young people. It recognizes that everyone has gifts to offer – the ability to welcome others with love and affection and a gift of Celebration.

I remember one celebration, I was assigned to become the facilitator of the parents We greet one another, pray and give some sharing. During my part in the sharing, I noticed one of our special friends keep on showing her work (our special friends were separated to their parents and do same art activities). Her name is Angel. Honestly, her work is not that beautiful but because for them it was their master piece that's why I said, "Wow! Ang ganda! (Wow! It was beautiful!)." She leaved and I noticed after my five to seven words of sharing she always return and keep on showing her work just for me. On her fifth time, she move slowly near to my side and I saw her lips wanted to say something. I let my right ear listen to what she wanted to say. I heard a big voice saying, " RODEL, SALAMAT!" (Rodel, Thank you!). It was not from Angel voice because she can't speak well but rather, it was from God.

Sometimes we never hear the voice from God. Why? Because our mind is too busy. In new generation, we do multitasking, people intended to do more things. And sometimes they forget to listen.

I like how Virgin Mary responded from the good news. She chose to be in silence and with faith she replied, "Be it done unto me according to Thy word."

"Kung gaano tayo kabilis sa pagpindot at pagsagot ng CP, sana ganun din natin kabilis na sagutin at pakinggan ang pagtawag ng magulang, kamag-anak, guro at ng Diyos."

Life is a glass of water

"Grabe nakakapagod mag bisikleta!" these are the words that I always say every time I came back from the school. And every time we feel thirsty we want to drink a cold water to satisfy the heat of our body, right? Soft drinks are not enough.

But while, I'm looking at the remaining water from my glass - I reflected that life is like a glass of water. WE NEED TO BE DECREASED FOR OTHERS TO INCREASE. Sometimes, we need to sucrifice for the sake of others-for them to grow.
I have a student who got lower grades from previous grading compare to her first grading. I talked to her cousin and on the next day, I asked her. "Sir, sabi po kasi sa akin tulungan ko po yung kapatid ko. Bago kasi sya dito sa St. Joseph. Kaya minsan kulang na po yung oras ko sa pag-aaral ng iba pang subjects." WOW! Kung magbibigay ako siguro ng outstanding pupils marahil isa sya dun.

For me, an intelligent person shows not only from her/his high grades but how she applies what she/he have learned from her life experiences.

As a teacher, I can say that my life is full of decreasing. I need to spend more of my time for paper works, making grades, look for good teaching strategies, watch cartoons or "teleserye" (to relate what is cool for my students), surfing the Internet to study and give counseling session if it's needed. All of these things packed on this noble profession - a Teacher.

But the most sad moment of my life, as a teacher, is when the students leave. That's why every single moment of happiness with my students I kept it on my mind.

My dear, remember that L O V E = T I M E. The more we love our family the more we need to spend time with them. Do not forget, "we need to decrease for others to increase."

Disabled Person Teaches Me for a Minute

Every morning, I wake up 5:30. I open the Television to watch cartoons or sometimes to watch Barney (It's really cute and educational). That's why sometimes I really need to be rush to go to school. Last Tuesday (Nov. 11), I was mad because of the bicycle ahead was moving very slow and I can't go find another way because it's very traffic. That moment I start to pray, "Lord, malalate na po ako please help." But suddenly, I was struck by his right leg. It was not moving. I found out that he is disabled and he is using only his left leg to move the bicycle. And I realized that how fortunate I am having this kind of body.

Guys! Appreciate what God given to you. Even you are disabled you can do something beyond yourself. Try to find your uniqueness. I remember the lives of Saint John Bosco, who makes his ordinary days becomes extraordinary by touching the lives of many people most specially the youth.

You don't need to be disabled, to teach people. Just be yourself and do something extraordinary for others. How? By not leaving the classroom without saying,"classmate see you tomorrow, Ingatz! or guys! salamat sa friendship, Ma'am ang galing nyo namang magturo."Even at home, "Pa, salamat sa baon or Ma, ang sarap ng luto nyo ." Appreciate people around you. As long you look at your life positively you gain happiness from it.

Amagos jamesters!

We are now at end of our fights. Still, we are trying to achieve our goal -to win and not to lose. To win dahil sa pagkapanalo naroon ang karangalan bilang jamesters. But what is the difference between number one or two? Still we won! I saw your hardship to give your best in all our fights. Bawat isa ay hindi nagpabaya. You show what uniqueness you have during the fights.

But all of these, I would like to appreciate the cheering squad we have that you can't see to other teams. This make us one, to feel the presence of one another and to boost the feeling of winning.

J (2 claps)
A-M (2 claps)
E-S (2 claps)

AMAGOS!
FIGHT!
FIGHT!
FIGHT!

VIVA JAMESTERS!