The week of 2004 I remember my mother had gone with the Lord
A year past when I received a text message in an early cold morning in Panorama City, California. I reached my telephone and the message was ... "wala na si inang". Immediately, I remember various images of my loving mother and I felt helpless and speechless. Two days past when I was talking to her and we were happy talking to one another. At the end of the call she asked me to be home immediately. She wanted to see and hold me.
Prior to the sad text message, Manang Jeannie requested If I can contact Lorena ASAP because of Inang health condition. I protested how could that be since two days past Inang was still strong and healthy. Nevertheless, I immediately rang Lorena's cell phone and told her to leave her mission in Palawan and see Inang.
I made a call to Fe to inform Inang's death. She cried and told me she talked with her a day ago and was sure that Inang was only sick and not dying then. In their conversations, Fe affirmed of our love for her. Inang desired to see us both before she leave. However, she felt it may not be possible anymore. Fe assured Inang of our affections and encouraged her to pray and to put her trust always to the Lord. Inang confirmed she did and was trusting God for all things. Fe talked to Manang Jeannie too and felt the sadness of our family. She was informed that my older brothers were indisposed and were not able to cogently say anything. Manang Maring was not available to say anything too.
In our last call together, I promised to be home in April 2005 and to celebrate mother's love. She was not so excited about it for it's three months away and she said she is not feeling good anymore. She has no eagerness on anything and good expectations for food anymore, her feet and reflexes were no longer in synch to what she had in mind and want to do. She was in pain due to her 90 years old body. Her digestive system is not functioning as it was when she was younger and even her other body systems are no longer the same. The repetitions of daily routine were no longer exciting. She was resigned to be with her creator, God who has giveth life through Jesus. All she yearned now - that all her children would not be in want and would enjoy a good life. In hindsight, I now understand why Inang kept on asking me when to be home. She said that she miss me and i also miss her so much. I also understand she might have yearned to hug me as she had been doing whenever we see each other. After so much recollections with Inang, Fe had related that Inang put her faith in Jesus as her Saviour and Lord and she was happy and expects to be home soon with her Creator.
Afterwards, I made a call to Manang Jeannie (she was the only person then courageous enough to talk) and we consoled one another, was able to talk to Manong Ebs as well and he muttered "awanen ni Inang". I was in tears and could not speak and merely beg goodbye. The next call was with Pastor Excel, who, all the time that Inang was in the hospital, he was there confirming the goodness and saving love of Jesus. Pastor Excel was the Pastor for twelve years in Murong as a church planter. He was so thankful and happy and can celebrate because Inang believed by faith that Jesus is her Savior and Lord. As a pastor and evangelist, he faithfully preached the gospel of the kingdom of God in his area where Inang was. They have a long and fruitful partnership in many ways, such as: the use of Inang's house for church prayer and worship meetings and other forms of hospitality to one another.
I surely have a heavy heart not to see Inang again here on earth, I was too relieve that God in his mercies and sovereign grace he granted my Inang the hearts to accept that Jesus is her Lord and Saviour.
I still remember the days when Lorena and myself shared separately and corporately to our parents and even to our three older brothers about salvation through faith by the grace of God. We were thankful to God that our parents accepted the gospel message to be true in their lives. It saddened us at times when Tatang and Inang would show skepticism to the bible message of salvation - the salvation through faith by the grace of God. Towards their last breath of life, they show signs to fight back and feared the sting of death. However, when reminded of God's promises, their beliefs in Jesus alone carried them not to fear death but celebrate life offered by Jesus.
Prior to the sad text message, Manang Jeannie requested If I can contact Lorena ASAP because of Inang health condition. I protested how could that be since two days past Inang was still strong and healthy. Nevertheless, I immediately rang Lorena's cell phone and told her to leave her mission in Palawan and see Inang.
I made a call to Fe to inform Inang's death. She cried and told me she talked with her a day ago and was sure that Inang was only sick and not dying then. In their conversations, Fe affirmed of our love for her. Inang desired to see us both before she leave. However, she felt it may not be possible anymore. Fe assured Inang of our affections and encouraged her to pray and to put her trust always to the Lord. Inang confirmed she did and was trusting God for all things. Fe talked to Manang Jeannie too and felt the sadness of our family. She was informed that my older brothers were indisposed and were not able to cogently say anything. Manang Maring was not available to say anything too.
In our last call together, I promised to be home in April 2005 and to celebrate mother's love. She was not so excited about it for it's three months away and she said she is not feeling good anymore. She has no eagerness on anything and good expectations for food anymore, her feet and reflexes were no longer in synch to what she had in mind and want to do. She was in pain due to her 90 years old body. Her digestive system is not functioning as it was when she was younger and even her other body systems are no longer the same. The repetitions of daily routine were no longer exciting. She was resigned to be with her creator, God who has giveth life through Jesus. All she yearned now - that all her children would not be in want and would enjoy a good life. In hindsight, I now understand why Inang kept on asking me when to be home. She said that she miss me and i also miss her so much. I also understand she might have yearned to hug me as she had been doing whenever we see each other. After so much recollections with Inang, Fe had related that Inang put her faith in Jesus as her Saviour and Lord and she was happy and expects to be home soon with her Creator.
Afterwards, I made a call to Manang Jeannie (she was the only person then courageous enough to talk) and we consoled one another, was able to talk to Manong Ebs as well and he muttered "awanen ni Inang". I was in tears and could not speak and merely beg goodbye. The next call was with Pastor Excel, who, all the time that Inang was in the hospital, he was there confirming the goodness and saving love of Jesus. Pastor Excel was the Pastor for twelve years in Murong as a church planter. He was so thankful and happy and can celebrate because Inang believed by faith that Jesus is her Savior and Lord. As a pastor and evangelist, he faithfully preached the gospel of the kingdom of God in his area where Inang was. They have a long and fruitful partnership in many ways, such as: the use of Inang's house for church prayer and worship meetings and other forms of hospitality to one another.
I surely have a heavy heart not to see Inang again here on earth, I was too relieve that God in his mercies and sovereign grace he granted my Inang the hearts to accept that Jesus is her Lord and Saviour.
I still remember the days when Lorena and myself shared separately and corporately to our parents and even to our three older brothers about salvation through faith by the grace of God. We were thankful to God that our parents accepted the gospel message to be true in their lives. It saddened us at times when Tatang and Inang would show skepticism to the bible message of salvation - the salvation through faith by the grace of God. Towards their last breath of life, they show signs to fight back and feared the sting of death. However, when reminded of God's promises, their beliefs in Jesus alone carried them not to fear death but celebrate life offered by Jesus.
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