Tis the season to be thankful. Give thanks to the Lord, remember the birth of our Savior Jesus, share the joy and make memories with one another. Gathering in Noche Buena, lunch/dinner with family/friends, meet-ups are some of the joyful activities that plays a huge part of this Christmas season.
For the past two years, we celebrated Christmas & New Year in the Philippines. This year, we can’t be home for Christmas. While it was at times really hard being away from family during Christmas season, sending greetings over Facebook messages, video calls, Skype, Face Time with Mama Ging and family, Mother Merlie and family, Lola Rosita and our cousins family in Bohol and cousin Jenice in Korea gave us so much joy. We all miss them, despite being far away from home, sharing Christmas time with our friends and relatives here in Singapore make us feel all warm and extra happy.
December 24, Thursday, 10 minutes before 12 midnight ng makarating kame kila April to join them in Noche Buena. Yilin, her daughter is very active entertaining everyone with full of laughter. She greeted all of us with hugs and kisses, she sing “Let It Go” and has been very cute opening her gift from Gadz.
Finally, it’s Christmas Eve, and everyone was invited to go near to the table for Noche buena followed by a prayer to bless the food. Eloi, April and family host the night filled laughter, love and delicious Pinoy foods. After the food has been served, gifts have been unwrapped.
Maligayang Pasko! Merry Christmas! Feliz Navidad!
To April, Eloi and family, thank you so much for inviting us to celebrate Christmas. Thank you for going to so much effort for us all. <3
December 25 2015
We stayed on April’s house overnight, and returned home on Friday, Christmas Day. When we reached home, one housemate share us Cheesecake. We take a short nap after lunch, on the afternoon, Ate Badith went to our home, greeted us and deliver us gifts.
Four of us, visited Tito Rico in Admiralty to join him on Christmas dinner and while we were in the table, Tito Rico, surprises us with thoughtful presents. 🙂
We were so blessed by the food, sharing and bonding! Pinagsaluhan namin ang napakasarap na Bicol Express ala Tito Rics at ang Christmas fruitcake, mas pinasarap pa ng kwentuhan at tawanan.
When we were ready to sleep, another housemate knock our door and share slices of cake.
Indeed, Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of getting. It is happiness because we see joy in people. It is forgetting self and finding time for others. It is discarding the meaningless and stressing the true values. -Thomas S. Monson
The best gift we can give to ourselves, is to share the joy, to be thankful with everyone, and to give ourselves to others even if it is only for a short amount of time. Philippians 4:4, Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
To everyone, my family and friends, thank you ever so much for the thoughtful present. All your thoughtfulness is appreciated so much more than words can say.
I hope everyone, most specially Overseas Filipino Workers, found home to share time of happiness and share Christmas joy in the presence of one another.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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