dad, i just want to say thank you. you never cease to amaze me by sneaking up surprises at me here and there. i know i didn't want to attend this conference, and you've seen my struggle. you knew that the only reason i made the decision to attend was because it was my responsibility to be there for those you have entrusted in my care.but you didn't fail me, dad. you have managed to make this the most unforgettable, spiritually nourishing conference i've ever experienced. thank you, dad, for reminding me that i can always trust in You, and that whenever i choose You, everything will fall into place.
i was a bit restless last thursday, not knowing what awaits me on friday, so i texted ian, letting him know that i was available if they needed help with anything. when i arrived at dallas, i didn't know if anyone was picking me up. i checked the box in my registration form, saying that i needed a ride, but i didn't confirm with anyone. the earliest they would pick up was at 9am. i was arriving around 7:40. i figured, worst-case scenario i'm taking a cab. but i would have wanted to save the thirty bucks.
at the baggage claim area though, a surprise was awaiting me. tito mon & tita oma were there waiting for their bags as well. we were on the same flight! i couldn't believe my eyes, but i smiled, knowing full well that this was not a coincidence. =) i asked them how they intend to go to the hotel and tito mon said they were taking the train, but we were all hungry and decided to have breakfast at the airport first.while eating, a familiar face in the form of mark de guzman strolled past us. he was picking up a sister from socal. they brought a van. viola! transportation problem resolved. and i did save the thirty bucks! =)
when we arrived at the hotel, we checked if our rooms were available. mine wasn't but tito mon & tita oma's room was, so we were able to rest there for a while then freshen up. we went down to have lunch somewhere around the area. after lunch, my new friend may (the sister from socal) and i were lunging around the hotel, taking pictures with our dslrs. may greeted a couple of sisters from socal. after a few steps one of them called "my name" back. i say "my name" because even though she called the right name - jeanette - i wasn't sure she was referring to me coz i didn't know her. as it turns out, she was indeed calling out for me because she came and introduced herself as arlene carungcong. i recognize her name as the fulltime mission worker who sends emails in our yahoogroup. she asked if i could help them later with the filming of one segment for the conference. i figured that ian must have told her i was offering help so i said ok. we exchanged numbers and went off our own ways.
conference started fittingly with a mass. then the usual praise & banner parades followed. both parades were fun, playful, and insightful. competitive, yes, but it still felt like family. like no one's really trying to beat the other. only offering their talents to the almighty. to dad. and i felt that dad must have been smiling the whole time. it was a genuine offering.
after that, the first session began. one great God. it was an amazing title for a session, and i was curious to know how it will be given. randy muyargas (also known to abi & i as kuya kenpaul =)) gave the talk. i was excited because i know he's a very passionate speaker, though maybe at times overly passionate, if there is such a thing. but i felt that that night i needed someone to speak passionately about God, and he delivered. =) by the time his 20-minute talk was ending, we were all repeating after him, BOOM! THE ERUPTION OF HOPE! he made us realize that although we may be experiencing "lamentations" in our lives, our God has not forgotten us. He has still given us blessings upon blessings in all aspects of our lives.
so that's the first night. except that for me and a few others, the night wasn't over yet. arlene and her friend lisa asked us to stay for the filming stuff. they took us to a room, and when we entered, we saw our big faces staring up at us. apparently, we were LXS 2007. the first thing i thought was, how? i couldn't believe it. i thought that no one submitted any nominations from our area. the next question, why?? i felt that there was nothing extraordinary about my service this year. i've had too many struggles, haven't done much, been complaining a lot, etc. etc.
but the questions subsided for the moment as i tried to listen to what arlene was saying. so there i was, surrounded with people as baffled as i was. they asked us to introduce ourselves. the first person to introduce himself said so many things about the ministry, his service, etc. sitting next to him, i was next, but for once in my life i couldn't say anything. nothing was coming to me, and i resigned with saying only my name, my service, and which area i come from. all the rest of them said more.
it was a funny experience. i usually have a lot to say about a lot of things. i am always equipped with side comments and wise cracks and stuff. but that night, i just felt overwhelmed. i felt unworthy, but at the same time i felt that dad was affirming me. he didn't need to affirm me last year when i was "go go go" with my service. but it was this year that i struggled so much. it is this year that i've searched, doubted, cried, trembled, and wondered. this is the year that he chose to affirm me.
it was a humbling experience to be surrounded with people who are struggling yet chooses to serve. most of us didn't know about the nomination, and were all wondering why we were there. and that's the most amazing part of it. these people were there precisely because they are doing God's work, without expecting anything in return. and they were doing an excellent job at it!
when i came up my room, i discovered that i was rooming with three sisters from chicago. more new friends, yey! we didn't talk much as they were all sleepy by that time, but i was so happy as i went to sleep, because i already knew this was going to be a great conference...
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