A GU Christmas

For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah prophesied the Messiah's birth, the Savior of the world. And He did everything to earn those rightful titles; He fulfilled the word. It's expected that His birthday celebration should be nothing short of worldwide participation, complete with lights, cameras, and action! But as fun and inviting as trees and nativities and presents are, Christmas would still be Christmas without it. So what do you need to celebrate the birth of Christ? All you need is Him. All He needs is your heart--as open and bare as a vacant stable.

With the foundation of Christmas in place, there are 2 "essential extras" that tend to set this season apart from any other time of year: family & tradition.

First, a word about family... we sure missed the presence of the Mercado's, Miranda's, and Guinto's who have always been at the heart of our Christmas celebrations until this year. (A big Maligayang Pasko to all of you!) In God's grace, though, He has supplied a family on Guam for us to belong to--thanks to the Coloma branch of the Miranda family tree! Lola Oning (Coloma) Jimeno and her husband Pastor Eli have been kind enough to adopt and treat us as their own grandchildren. And Lola Oning's grand-niece Gizelle (also a member of the Coloma clan) and her husband Ken Lee have been our barkada since the day we met! Guam is all the more home because of them.

Christmas Eve dinner was hosted by the queen of the kitchen, Lola Oning herself! She and Lolo Eli, once again, opened up their home to us ... and our tastebuds! On the menu were tantalizing casseroles, savory lumpia (eggrolls), a perfect pancit, and homemade calamansi juice. Deeeelicious! Then to top it all off (as if there was room for any more goodness!), Lola's famous Mango Pie--a la mode! I think I ate enough to last me till New Year's Day.

Nobody does it better!

Christmas morning was the dawn of a new tradition. This being our first one celebrated overseas and on Guam, we took advantage of our natural resources and made this Christmas like none other before. We went snorkeling! What better way to experience serenity and joy? After recounting the Christmas story over breakfast and having Max open his 1st present of the day, we gathered our beach gear and headed to Gab Gab Beach (on the Navy base) with the Lee family. Max and I, along with Gizelle and baby Jasmine, chose to admire the fish from above the surface while Mike ventured into the deep blue with snorkel-compadre Ken.

Props to Ken for braving the waters despite his quiet disdain for water deeper than his height. Before taking their exploration further away from the land, he courteously warned Mike, "If anything happens to you out there, you're on your own." Good thing guardian angels can swim!

We were also blessed to celebrate Christmas with Mike's side of the family! After parting with the Lee's, we paid a visit to the Meyer family. Mike's newfound 2nd cousin Lerna and her husband Jeff were our very first "island tour guides" of Guam, pointing out many of the sites we took Mom & Dad to during their visit. Their household of 3 energetic boys reminds me of a good old American family who are faithful church-goers and football fans: loyal to their God and to their Green Bay Packers! Their generosity and hospitality has widened the circle of our Guam family.

Manong Jeff & Manang Lerna with Jeffrey, Joseph, and John Paul

The Mercado Christmas finally came to a close when we opened the last present under our tree (2 days after Christmas!). But the real story of Christmas lives on with every moment Christ lives in you. Our prayer is that it's a story that never ends.

Welcome to Our World

Have you ever had to take responsibility for something that wasn't yours? Well, when it comes to something so valuable that you can't put a price-tag on it, the responsibility is a privilege and a sort of calling. Today, Mike & I had the privilege to stand by our dear friends Ken & Gizelle Lee as they dedicated their newborn daughter Jasmine Ha Eun Lee into God's keeping and guidance during this Sabbath's church service. The seriousness of the role that we had been asked to play in this little one's life didn't really hit me until we were asked to sign the Certificate of Dedication. Beneath the signature line was printed the title "Spiritual Guardian."... whoa. So much weight in such a little phrase. To guard and protect, nurture, defend... the eternal salvation of this precious soul. Not just in the event that Jasmine's parents were no longer available to do so, but in partnership with them now and throughout her life.

As a parent, I have a subconscious wish and hope that the rest of the world would desire the safety and well-being of my child just as much as I do. And when I witness someone doing something truly good for him, what a relief it is to know that there are others who are watching out for him. How much more important is his faith and relationship with God? As members of the Family of God, each one of us has been given the responsibility to help protect the other from the attacks of Satan. Don't let the opportunity pass to guard the heart of a little one within your reach.