Happy Tuesday SFC! February 26, 2008

Thanks to all who participated last Friday at the Stations of the Cross.  It was nice to be able to pray and meditate with the whole community.  I hope everyone is able to keep his promise for Lent as we continue on with this journey of Faith.  Btw, great singing Krissy!  You should do that more often. 

Last Saturday’s paintball adventure drew a huge crowd of both casual and serious players.  However, among SFC and CFC-Youth, I was the only “tomb-raider” =)  In some ways, I had an upper hand because the guys were being extra nice to me (Thanks Jason!) except for Selwyn… hehehe… It was fun.  Hopefully next time I’ll get more sister-clusters!  Don’t be scared, you won’t even notice the welt (if you ever get one) due to adrenalin rush.

Anyway, I’ll see you all on Friday (Feb 29) at the Joint HH.  It will be at Dorie’s house.  Gather time is 7pm.  You may get directions from wherever you’re coming from by clicking on the link on the sidebar.  Check back for more updates (schedule, readings, photos, music, etc) about the community.  I have some easy-listening/latin jazz in the SongSpot if you like that kind of stuff.

God bless,
Bel

Update From our FTW Dunn Estacio February 24, 2008

Hello Family

I am saying a hello all the way from the motherland in a small internet in Makati. It has almost been a month, but to fill you all in, it has been amazing. It hasn’t been too long but it has been quite a memorable and eventful journey thus far.

I have attended a recollection, helped make manuals, stayed in a GK village with the aetas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeta), and attended the SFC ILC (with over 6,000 delegates!!). The last time I was at home was when I was six, so it feels and seems like this is the first time. I am getting accustomed to the traffic, pollution, and public transpo, but God has blessed me thus far and is speaking volumes to me each and every day.

It brings me joy to hear that that the national CFCY Conference will be held in Florida this year. I believe that the Lord has a plan to transform our youth this year, and make them that much closer to Him.

The official training starts tonight, so please pray for me. I will pray for you all also. If you need anything, please email me here or call/text me at this number <please check your yahoogroups email to get the number>.

Let us seek the Lord, and find His face this Lenten Season. God bless you all!!
–
Dunn Milan Estacio
SE FTPW
 

“Be the change you wish to see in the world!”
–Gandhi

26.2 With Donna February 19, 2008

Thank you for all your prayers, Cathy (2:54), Dorie (2:56), Bel (2:53) and Jon (2:53), despite no training, finished the half marathon last Sunday without any injuries!  As the four crossed the finished line around the same time, they rejoiced together giving each other a big hug almost forgetting about the cramps and the exhaustion.  Overcoming the last 2-mile stretch over the intracoastal bridge on JTB was the biggest hurdle.  Our SFCJax members, crazy as they are for running without apt preparation, decided to run in honor of their loved ones.  “I did it for my mom who is a breast cancer survivor,” said Bel.  “My mom considered it a blessing in disguise because that’s what started her conversion.”

Sunday’s Donna Deegan Marathon a Huge Success 
(courtesy of Jacksonville.com)

Sunday’s 26.2 With Donna, The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer, was a success beyond organizer’s dreams, based on 8,000 runners who participated in the inaugural race and the $800,000 the event raised for charity. 

In comparison, about 2,000 runners participated in the 26th annual Jacksonville Marathon in December, which is average for that race, said Jimmy Manos, marketing manager for 1st Place Sports, which assisted at Sunday’s event. 

“To have 8,000 runners for an inaugural event is amazing,” said Darlene Miller, national program director for Jeff Galloway Training Programs. “Usually, they are very small.”   Read full article >>>

Memoirs of an SFC Running for GK February 13, 2008

——– by Dobbie Cerrado (SFC Central Florida) ——— 

4:30 am – wake up to drive from Lakeland to Tampa. 

5:30 am – arrive at St. Pete’s Forum to park, on the way there, we were praising God for this opportunity to use our bodies to help those that do not even know where their next meal will be coming from or where they will be sleeping that   night.  We are truly blessed to be a part of Gawad Kalinga, being a witness of what it has done and will continue to do to help the poor. 

6:00 am  - Perfect 50 degree weather for running!  American anthem was sung, energies where high as more than 16,000 runners from across the USA were gathered for their own separate agendas, but therein lies a very small group of about 6 Filipinos proudly wearing their red tshirts bearing the GK sign, seemingly insignificant but I believe were quite big in God’s eyes for their hearts were truly set in doing whatever they can to help raise funds to build at least one home for one needy family.  And we’re off!  

7:00 am - Sunrise!  As I crossed the 6 mile mark, we were running up on a bridge overlooking the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa downtown skyline and I run with such a grateful heart at how beautiful and awesome God’s creation is!  I just felt really blessed in such a concrete way to have the ability to do this for GK. 

8:15  am  - As I crossed the 10 mile mark, my right knee started to hurt and I prayed for the strength to continue on.  I felt more like walking and not doing it anymore, but truly when I am weakest then, I am strong for I begin to realize that I can do all things through Christ alone who strengthens me. 

8:44 am  - After a seemingly endless 2 miles I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel!  The FINISH LINE!  Yey!!! What joy in my heart  I felt, especially seeing my family at the end who had such a happy and proud look on their faces. =)               

Thanks for your support everyone!  Because of your prayers and financial assistance, we were able to raise 1,200 to go towards building a roof over a deserving family.  Praise God!   Special thanks goes to:  Arlyn, Cathy J., Tina A.,  Juve ., Loudette and Marc, Belle D. from the CFC-SFC family, the Francisco family and all the other nameless donors.  I cannot wait to see what God will do in your lives to bless you for what you have done.  God is good!!! All the time!!!

Lovebox… Unveiled February 11, 2008

He may not be your typical fashion designer, but Tim Chavez rocked the house at the 2nd Annual Fashion Bash on February 8, 2008.  Our very own CFC-Youth and SFC models’ runway debut was a hit unveiling the Lovebox clothing line.  When asked what lovebox is all about, Tim simply said, “It’s a box filled love that God put in.”  Through the wonderful support of family and friends, the fashion show was a success!

Congratulations Tim, we’re proud of you! 

Shout out to M&M! February 11, 2008

February 10, 2008

Congratulations Margarette & Marcin on your First Anniversary!  Cherish each moment as a special gift from God.  May God bless your love and marriage.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” — 1 Corinthians 13:13

From your SFC Family