So this is Christmas...

These last few weeks no doubt give us all pause as we consider what brings us joy in our lives. I have found myself reflecting on and identifying with Mary and Joseph, as they journeyed from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Two Pilgrims traveling far from home, and in need of hospitality and care. That was us, this Christmas, as we were generously taken in by friends and strangers alike. To recount the joys of this Christmas would be it's own book, but I am deeply grateful for friends new and old who celebrated with us this year. To add to these joys are the continuous cards and prayer offerings that keep reaching us through e-mail and snail mail. Mary and Joseph, with the new child Jesus, found themselves surrounded by simplicity as God quietly answered the prayers of his people. And in this simplicity, their joy was complete. Maligayang Pasko! - Merry Christmas!

Take Lord, and Receive My Life, My Liberty, My Memory, My Understanding, My Will, My Entire Being. All that I am, and All that I have You have given to me. I give it back to you. Do with it what you will. Grant me only Your Love and Your Grace, And let that be Enough.

The Reason

"One prayer, one strand, one trip to the manger." This was the theme for the Advent Recollection that I attended this week at Ateneo (local Jesuit University with whom GK has a partnership), and it was exactly where I was supposed to be. (Thank you Patrick for extending the invitation.) The theme above fit right in to my last post. During the Recollection, for each of the prayers we held in our hearts, we were invited to take a piece of straw from a basket and take it to the crib we were preparing for Christ. While different in many respects, the concept of a journey to a manger crib, helping to prepare our way for the Christmas coming of Christ really hit home for me. As I continued on my journey that night, I was moved to a very important place. We went through a series of questions about our past year, and how we have reacted. There was a question about Waiting and Hoping. Another question was about focusing on the Positive things we have heard and experienced this year and our reactions to them- were we truly grateful? The third question was directed to our "God Experiences" lately, and being able to find God in the midst of everything - using His light as our guide. All these questions were a wonderful chance for reflection, and I was already incredibly awed by God's presence for that evening. Then the next series of reflective thoughts came. We were asked to think about Family - about those who would not be together THIS Christmas, and about those who were never able to be together. We were asked who we would miss this season, but in remembering them and getting caught up in so much that this season can entail, we were reminded that Jesus IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON. I was all caught up in my own crazy series of emotions about not being with my family this Christmas, and about missing them terribly. When I heard the reminder that Jesus is the reason, I had one of those very clear moments where we are truly blessed to recognize God in our Midst and in our mind. As I believe that Jesus is the reason I am here, and with Him being the reason for the season - I knew that I am exactly where I am supposed to be. It did not lessen the missing of my family or even the pain that comes from not being with them this season, but it brought a sense of peace with it. This sense of Peace was actually exactly where the next series of reflective thoughts took us. Peace we were told, was not the absence of conflict, but rather an attitude of Trust in God. So trusting in God, I move forward with the Holiday season, bringing all that I have to offer before the Lord, which often involves a lot of pain, frustrations and even conflict at times. Yet as long as I bring it to Him, still trusting in His plan, I look forward to the gift of Peace this season. Happy Advent, and Know you are all in my prayers for a continual blessed Journey to the Manger where we can behold the Christ Child, our Prince of Peace.

TAO PO at Ateneo de Manila University *a special Christmas celebration*

Join us for this unique Christmas celebration! SUNDAY DECEMBER 23, 2007, Bellarmine Field, Ateneo de Manila University, 6:00pm right before 8:00pm simbang gabi at Jesu. Tao Po is an original production born from the collaboration between Gawad Kalinga and TeatroFilipino Integrated. It showcases an insightful script, moving musical scoring, dynamic choreography and remarkable performances from the SIGA of GK Villages in Metro Manila: Bagong Silang, Payatas, Baseco, and Paranaque. Tao Po tells the journey of the Filipino people moving from the harmony of God’s creation to the agony and misery of poverty and ending with stories of hope from ordinary people who have found a concrete vehicle for change in Gawad Kalinga. In the spirit of Christmas, we would like to share this promise of hope to all who believe in inspiring a new culture for our people. Hopefully, more successful shows like this will enrich art programs for GK communities. http://www.diannegk.blogspot.com/

Greetings!

Hi everyone!!! Just dropping by to say hello and I miss everyone in GK!!! I hope you are all in good spirits and well. I send aloha love from Hawaii! Love & GOD BLESS, Dianne

80 and Advent?

Ive heard that weather in Chicago is cold, cold and sleety and snowy and very Chicago. I miss it. I miss home a lot actually, and its far from just the weather that I miss. Here in Manila though, to give you an idea, its typically somewhere in the 80s. It really makes it difficult to accept that the Christmas season really truly is here, or at least Advent is. I know a few people who are really eager to have Christmas come sooner. (I got to talk to my Godson back in the states today. He got his little hands on the advent calendar full of chocolate, and made his way a little closer to Christmas than it actually is.) For myself though, I know that the Advent season is about waiting and more importantly, preparing, for the coming of Christ. Its about patience and dedication to prepare our lives for Christ. I remember when I was little, my family did this activity during advent. We started out with a manger crib empty at the beginning of advent. For every good thing we did, we got to put in one piece of 'straw' (yarn) to make sure that by the time Christmas came, Baby Jesus had a very comfortable place to sleep. I was thinking about this recently as I've found it difficult to remember that Advent is here, and more specifically as I've found it difficult to focus on good works that I'm doing here. Right now my work is mainly administrative. This is not my passion, and more often then not, I'm more frustrated than anything. I can't seem to determine if this is an opportunity to learn patience or if its a "I gave you 3 ships and a helicopter - what more did you want?" moment. I don't know if this is me not being patient, or if it's ok to let go and get the chocolate inside the calendar early. God wants us to be joyful after all. ;-) So really this is to ask for prayers. I have a few key decisions to make coming up, and I could use help in my discernment process. I know already that I am blessed tremendously and will be loved no matter what I decide, but I really want to make the right decision. I want to be able to add my pieces of straw to the manger and make sure that Jesus is comfy when he's born. ;-) Anyway, know you all are in my thoughts and prayers as I continue this journey (whatever decisions I make or don't) and appreciate the love and support that has already come my way. Have a blessed Advent.