one stormy CLP friday

July 17, Friday:

5:00 am - classes in NCR suspended due to storm Isang
7:30 am - miss Friday mass with my wife due to strong rains, I decided to leave early for work
8:20 am - arrived in office. Flooded street in Dimasalang, Andalucia and Tomas Mapua streets
8:30 am- sent mass text msg to my CLP service team, exhorting them to pray for better weather later in the day
9:15 am - my wife texted me that government offices in NCR are suspended. Rains drizzling. Will we still go ahead with our CLP?
9:30 am - busy preparing for our deliveries. worried about board orders for ATC as the streets going to the warehouse where we purchased the boards are flooded and the item is critical to our customer's need that day
11:20 am - our delivery pickup stalled in Quiapo. called our friend mechanic, sent my van to replace the pickup for the delivery schedules to proceed. Rains just started to pour again
11:45 am - delivery van that picked up items for ATC just left the warehouse

12:30 pm - photocopied our CLP participants handouts
3:00 pm - under time from office. surveyed Dimasalang - flooded but passable, Laonglaan - no flood. Traffic generally light. Rains still pouring non-stop
3:30 pm - arrived home, somebody parked from across our the front of our gate. had a hard time parking.
3:40 pm - a participant called to ask if the CLP will push through. I told him I will call him back
3:45 pm - ATC called, citing problems with assembly of our items delivered. I arranged with the office to work back on it tomorrow. ATC agreed
3:50 pm - participant called back again. I told him to wait for my return call.
4:00 pm - consulted bro Eric about the situation and the CLP. he gave inputs but I will be the one to decide.
4:15 pm - called the participant to inform them that we will push through with the CLP. I leave it to them to decide whether or not they will attend as they are from Payatas, Fairview.
4:25 pm - Suzette arrived and said traffic in Quezon ave is light. Car still parked in front of our gate. Grrrrr!
4:45 pm - borrowed water jug from my mom and went to buy purified water for our CLP
5:00 pm - got back from the water station but our jug's spout is dripping. Went again to my mom's place to borrow another jug. I asked my aunt, who's knees are hurting and have a hard time to walk if she know the telephone number of the water station. I remembered I left my umbrella there. After I learned it was secure, I plan to get it back immediately. My tita requested if I can buy her bread along the way.
5:10 pm - went back to the water station to get the umbrella, then bought bread for my aunt. Rains are pouring as I was buying bread.
5:35 pm - arrived back home. went to look for the owner of car in front of our gate. introduced myself and explained the situation nicely. he moved the car, i then proceeded to my tita, gave the bread, went up the second floor to get some thing at my sister's room. I saw the floor wet and the roof leaking. I proceeded to get a pail and ask for rags from my aunt.
5:45 pm - opened the computer to print some attendance form for the CLP. my family is preparing for early dinner.
6:00 pm - drove my daughter Isay to the Cruzadas for their YFC gathering.
6:20 pm - got back home and started dinner. my family already finished eating when I arrive.
As I sat and eat alone, I notice the quietness of my surroundings. The rains has stopped!
6:30 pm - final food and materials check preparation. So far, so good - drizzles only. But deep down, I'm very worried we will have only very few participants

7:00 pm - proceeded to NSOLL. in my mind, am praying, it's up to you Lord. I tried to be faithful in the little things you asked of me.
7:10 pm - arrived at the Seraphic hall. bro Marvin, the Delos Reyes and Ricafrentes (from CFC Central) are there. a new HOLD participant is there to register ahead of us.
7:40 pm - my service team is not yet complete. bro Arnel (speaker) just arrived. First couple participant also arrived - the one who texted me earlier.

Then the Lord gave us a lot of surprises that evening.

• bro Let and sis Talavera came to help in our music ministry.

• bro Nards and sis Ellen Reyes (originial household of Joe Yam) was there to sing with us too.

• we are glad bro Ogie and sis Candee were there too after a long while

• YFC was there to assist in child care

• a total of 16 couple and 6 HOLD participants came that day. The room was filled from all ends.

I'm still awed that I have to record the events of this day. We are but his instruments and we praise and thank Him for this wonderful opportunity. To God be the glory!