November 1, 2021: Dania Soriano, loving wife and mother, model clergy spouse

 

Dania Soriano (1951-2021)

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
    and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget,
    I will not forget you!
16 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;
    your walls are ever before me." (Isaiah 49:15-16)

This story from the Bible reminds us of the faithful love of God.

Mom died early this morning while in hospital. 

She has been confined for almost three weeks now. Her immunocompromised state did not help in her condition. 

I am not able to go home because of this pandemic. The family is also in quarantine. We will not be able to have a wake for her. Thanks to technology, we can have virtual memorial services nightly.

Mama Dania is a loving wife and mother. Many remember her as a missionary, lay pastor, teacher and community worker. Her friends remember her kindness. Young women look up to her as a model clergy wife and mentored them on how to be partner to their spouses. She loves children. She loves plants and flowers too. 

We will plant a tree in her honor. We encourage people to do the same.

She will be missed. 

October 2021: Not Just Once

Paul was imprisoned again. 

This is the first story that came to my mind when I got re-infected AGAIN. Covid19 is relentless. I had mild symptoms only but the mental stress was wearing me down. I can only imagine how Paul felt and how he struggled so much to keep a positive attitude all throughout his situation. 

I am not in prison but I am on quarantine again for 2 weeks. I can only be in my small room. I do get a glimpse of the outside world and I am still thankful to God for His faithfulness.

September 2021: Prison Epistles

Paul was writing to the church in Philippi, Collosae, Ephesus and to Philemon. These prison letters were written while Paul was in house arrest in Rome. I imagine how Paul must have felt how even when he is in "lockdown" he still felt the fellowship and spiritual presence of his fellow Christians when he prayed and worshipped God. That was what was needed in their time.

Fast forward to 2021, people no longer write letters but emails. We no longer just imagine the other person on the other side of the world but see them online. The spiritual presence and fellowship we have with fellow Christians not physically present can be seen online and simultaneously we can pray and worship. Nothing will change the experience of our physical face2face worship. But this pandemic has taught us to reimagine we do things. We have to do what is needed in our time.

 

August 2021: Optimal Health

I always wonder why John the Baptists eat locusts and wild honey. Mark 1:6 describes to us how John lived in the wilderness wearing camel's hair for his clothing with a leather belt around his waist. We can picture a hermit with a diet that is purely organic. Well, he must have lived a healthy lifestyle... a lifestyle towards Optimal Health. 

People lived an unhealthy lifestyle. As a primary care physician we advocate for people to choose to live healthy to avoid getting ill and get the complications of diabetes or hypertension. I try to enroll my patients in an Optimal Health program. I myself have started this month this 42 day program of living towards Optimal Health with changes in the way we eat, our activity, including sleep, stress reduction, reflections and mental health.

Today is also special. I have prepared some food for my mother's birthday. She have lived an Optimal Life and advocates for Optimal Health. Well it is pasta symbolic for long life and some white meat to go with it...

July 2021: The Mountain Experience

 The mountaintop experience is always associated with an encounter with God. The Bible tells us stories of encounter with the divine like how Moses met God in the mountain, the sermon in the mount and even the transfiguration of Jesus on top of the mountain. The mountain experience is always a special story we read in the Bible.

I have always loved the mountain experience. I enjoy the climb to the top as much as the feeling of reaching the top. But this short climb was a refreshing experience to appreciate the gift of life. After I got Covid-19, this was my first true test if my lungs and my body is able to withstand the challenge of the "run" to the top. It was also a reminiscing of the trail run and mountain hikes I used to enjoy when I was younger. 

The Bible stories come to life as we experience the presence of God in divine places like the mountain. 

"Tara... climb up."

June 2021: The Children

 The Bible is full of stories about children. We always remember how Jesus commanded us to let the little children come to him for the kingdom of God belongs to those like them.

Children reminds us what innocence and purity means. But it also shows us the frailty and the vulnerability of humanity. Our work as Christians is to be able to provide for them and make the lives of those who cannot help themselves a little better for them. 

Celebrating small victories like graduation from Grade School with a food treat. First time to go out of the house and order food take outs. 

May 2021: God's Wonderful Creation

 Lunar Eclipse.

There are many amazing things in the heavens and in the sky. This reminds me of the Bible Story in Psalms about awe one gets when one looks at the wonderful creation of God in the heavens, the moon and the stars. How God can make great things yet give more concern to a less than amazing being. But when you look at little children, your own kids, you understand. A parent will do anything to make their children happy. No wonder, parents can give up everything important just to make it on the special day of their child. 

My youngest daughter celebrated her 4th birthday. I tried to travel despite restrictions of this pandemic and hurdle challenges just to make it to her birthday. When we remember how God made amazing things, including us humans, then we can focus more on the good things that life may offer.