Dad: In March 2008, my wife lost her job. The company’s American owners had decided to sell their property in California, U.S.A. Hence, they also had to close their local office in the Philippines where she had been working for 7 ½ very good and happy years. It was a great loss for her because she had a very good relationship with the owners and colleagues, aside from the excellent pay she was receiving.

Mom: Indeed, when I received the email from the company owners that morning, I felt like I had been struck down on the floor and laid flat. My tears flowed freely and in the silence in my office, I uttered my “Yes” to the fact that very soon I wouldn’t be earning any centavo to help my husband with our daily needs. I felt that Jesus was asking me to love Him in the face of whatever trial and difficulty we would be encountering. It was a journey of faith and at the same time it was a real struggle for me because my daughter was graduating from high school that year and would be entering college a few months after. I was afraid. Again and again I repeated my “Yes” to Jesus in the office until I experienced peace within me. Thus, I was able to work smoothly until the end of the day, able to smile at anyone I met.

Dad: That night, we gathered our children together and broke the news. In particular, we told them God had a new plan for the family. We might not have understood why it should happen when the needs of the family are growing but we were sure of one thing, God would not abandon us. We wanted to see how they would react in this situation. I listened to what each one had to say and their suggestions on how they could help the family cope with our new financial needs. One suggested less T.V. time so we won’t pay high electricity bills. Another suggested no more going to malls, more cuts in our budgets, etc. But what our youngest child asked really twisted my heart. “Can we still eat ice cream?” he asked. Right away, I reassured him that at least every Sunday after church, they would get one cone of ice cream each from a local vendor near the church. And until today, we have kept this promise.

Mom: We saw how the children tried to welcome their dad happily and what he would bring home for them each day. Slowly, complaints diminished when they were able to adjust to our new situation and were happy with what we could give them day by day. God’s generosity is beyond imagination! He opened new doors so that His providence could arrive on time. When my brother in-law, Ed’s younger brother, heard the news, he immediately assured us that he and his wife would shoulder the entire college expenses of our daughter with the course of her choice. One of my sisters also pledged to look after her monthly allowance. Instead, meeting the need for her books, school supplies and other requirements has become manageable for us. Now, she is a senior in college and doing her part to reciprocate all the love she has received.

Dad: The ability to recognize and love Jesus Forsaken in different moments in our life has strengthened our love and we find a renewed energy to start again every time we fall, or a trial comes.

Mom and Dad