"LOVE WILL"
by Esther

While going through my old pictures, I found one that caught my attention where I was wearing a shirt with the words "LOVE WILL" printed on it. This gave me inspiration to write about my experience during a trip to the Middle East. This also reminded me of 1 Corinthians 13, a LOVE chapter in the bible.


...Jordanian mom with a white veil.


..with Jordanian sisters...trip to Israel & Egypt (note "Love Will" printed on my shirt).


...and the white veil (in our living room)

More than 20 years ago while visiting the countries of Israel and Eygpt with a tour group, I decided one day to skip lunch and wondered around a place in Jordan. There, I met a family who welcomed me and were able to communicate with each other through smiles and actions. When I entered the home, I saw the mom kneeling down on the floor with a white veil over her head praying once the clock hit 12 noon.

It took a while for the mom to finish praying which earned my deep respect for her taking the time with the Lord. When she finished her communion, she took off her veil and handed it to me. What a great surprise, and a treasure, indeed!

My Classmates.


Lorna, Sony, Fe, Leni, Cynthia & Prescy

In August my husband Ben attended the combined AWESNAC & EASNAC convention in Vancouver, Canada, where he met some of my classmates from Elementary & High School in the Philippines. Most of them are very close to my heart. We have not seen each other for a while but they are always in my thoughts. I always have a "good excuse" for not attending reunions, conventions, etc...smile!

It made me feel happy to know Ben was entertained by them, saying, "...come join us at our table...you represent Esther."

The weather is constantly changing with the seasons. Yes, no two leaves, no two trees or plants are alike. Each one gives a variety of color that makes it so beautiful. The leaves are slowly falling down as the breeze blow on them...reminding me of God's uplifting design to live individually, but with the same wonderful purpose in life: To love others & above all to love Him!

I am also reminded of our high school graduation motto-- "Always Ready to Serve with a Willing Heart."



We (classmates) reside in different parts of the country, different professions, but probably share similar joys, as well as hardships, difficulties in life...but through hard work & dedication, through the early character molding by our teachers, loving families and friends plus total commitment to God, the motto remains in our hearts to always be ready to serve with a willing heart!


Me & Fe (Fernaline), keeping me posted on everyone,



...with Leni during my "Capping" ceremony at La Sierra University. She pinned my nursing cap.

Some of us have changed in looks--our hairs turning gray, (photos fading, too)... but our hearts and loves remain the same. See our "young" pictures with Fe (Fernaline) and Leni (Evangeline). Both are dear to me, they were my bridesmaids on my wedding day. Both were present when Ben & I tied the knot--hopefully & prayerfully will not be untied.

Besides Nursing, Leni has a Prayer Ministry with husband Ray. What comes to my mind is a song I love: "I believe above a storm the smallest PRAYER will still be heard, I believe that someone in a great somewhere hears every word." Ben mentioned that he appreciated Leni's prayer for him in Vancouver.



Ben with Leni & Ray Puen, in Vancouver, Canada.




Prescy "ate"(sister), classmate, friend, maid of honor and best cousin...we were always together since childhood but got separated after Ben took me away, to live in New York City. A very generous person with time and means..letting me use her bank book on my wedding. Not content as a lab tech, she is now an MD.

The excellence of LOVE, 1 Cor. 13, "Love is patient, love is kind, bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things, love never fails, but now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is LOVE."

2009 OHIOHEALTH PRISM AWARDS

by: Esther

Before Ben left for work this morning, he briefly mentioned to me that President Barack Obama won the (click this) Noble Peace Prize. I wanted to know more about it, so while doing my morning exercise with my rebounder, I decided to watch the news.

...mixed reactions expressed as expected. Many lauding praises and many (shocked) asking, "What has he done so far?" and, etc.

It reminded me more than a week ago (September 30'th), my husband Ben and his team was nominated for the (click this) 2009 OhioHealth Prism Awards and win the Excellence Award. Though, I didn't want to attend the presentation at first, 'am glad I did and learned from it in some ways. I am happy for the team's dedication for doing the very best they could to help save a mom (click this) MALIGNANT HYPERTHERMIA (MH) and her new born baby, but at the same time I felt a bit uneasy for the others who were also nominated and have done their best but did not win? I felt glad when at the end, all nominated were finally recognized & thanked for a job well-done. "If one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it."1 Corinthians 12:26.

Yes, it gave me something to think about the whole week, which sometimes makes me feel guilty of--am I recognizing and giving a lot of attention to someone who suffered and died for me & for my sins? Jesus did it all for me!

He doesn't need to receive an award or a gift of gold, but He wants me & my salvation. Soon the day would come & many will say, "I fed the poor--donated food, money that they may survive or get educated; I pay back my debts; I preached about God, etc., so...please take me home with you in Heaven?" It will be a great disappointment when He will say... "I know you not!"

Something to really think and pray about: taking more time with Him through prayers, reading & learning the scriptures (Bible) in order to become closer to Him.

What a great feeling...I am worth more than silver and gold..and it is my personal relationship with Him that really counts!






Mr. Sanders, Peggy & Jackie