By the Grace of God.

Saturday after class, I learned that Rhoda and Larraine returned to Butuan City that early morning.  I had no idea that they were going.  It was a spontaneous event.  I was not comfortable with was going on.  It wasn't that Rhoda failed to inform me of this situation.  I just felt uncomfortable with it.  My spirit was not easy with this.  It was restless.  I was exhausted from class that morning.  So I decided to take a nap to refresh myself. It was 1430 when I hit my bed.

At 1745, I woke up with a very heavy feeling that something was wrong.  My son Frenz was constantly in my mind.  I immediately went to the computer and browsed for messages on messenger or facebook.  There were no messages from my inquiry to Rhoda on why she went back to Butuan City.  So I sent messages asking her to respond immediately.  No replies, so I went back to my bedroom and prayed that my family be kept safe. 

About 2200, I got word from Rhoda via messenger that her family was in a traumatic accident, approximately after 5 pm, their time.  Guam is two hours ahead of the Philippines.  She explained that her auntie from Sweden wanted her and Larraine at the family's last reunion event before she went back to Sweden with her family.  Everything was fine at the beach, west of Butuan City.  It was going home that the group got into a near catastrophic accident.  The first vehicle in the family convoy had departed the beach.  Rhoda's family and other clan member fitted in the 2nd Jeepney.  While Rhoda and Larraine were in the last vehicle, a van.  Frenz was in the Jeepney with other relatives.  Now for those who have been to the Philippines, you know how they pack those things like sardines.  Sometimes, you see people riding on the top, surfing the road. 

As the 2nd and 3rd vehicles full of family members departed the beach area.  They had to traverse a road that ran along a cliff.  For some reason, the Jeepney ran off the road down the cliff to be stopped by a small tree.  It was that tree, by God's grace, that saved Rhoda's family.  Her whole clan was in that Jeepney, along with our son, Frenz. 

Rhoda took control of the situation.  She told Larraine to stay in the van.  Then started to help her family members providing first aid, and treating for shock.  Fortunately there were no critical injuries.  Rhoda's mom, aunt, and sister sustained most of the injuries; possible fractures, and torn ligaments.  All the children were safe and in good condition, including Frenfren.  Rhoda's cousin is also a nurse, but she was in the first vehicle that departed the beach and they didn't know what happened.  Rhoda had to take care of everybody.  They managed to get another Jeepney to transport the injured to the hospital. 

After my conversation with Rhoda this afternoon, her sister, Rizza, has been admitted into the hospital for a possible fractured pelvis last night.  The family will not know the actual diagnosis until Monday, when the doctors return to duty.  Rhoda's aunt also was injured but decided to go home, but will return to the hospital on Monday.  She has a possible fracture to her arm.  Rhoda's mom, "Mamang" injured her back trying to keep Frenz safe from injury.  Rizza was trying to keep Larraine's eldest brother, Shem, safe from injury as well. 

Rhoda explained that the area where they had the accident is very dangerous.  Vehicles that go over the cliff always have fatalities.  It was that small tree that prevented the Jeepney, that the family was riding in, from going completely over. 

Upon reflection, I believe it was Divine Intervention that Rhoda was supposed to be there, at that exact moment.  I don't believe in coincidences.  I also believed that prayer saved my family. 


PTL <><

Don't Feel Sorry for Me.

My nephew told me this afternoon, as I was bringing the goats in from their pasture, "We feel sorry for you". 

I thought that strange.  But I thought about it and reflected on what he said.
Here is my reply.



Don't feel sorry for me,

I chose my life and live it to the fullest each day. 

I have a beautiful amazing wife and a daughter, both who love me very much and I love them.

I have the love and support of close family and friends.


Don't feel sorry for me,

I awake in the morning to the fresh scent of the ocean breeze,

The sun's rays warming up my room,

The sounds of the ranch welcoming me to a new day.


Don't feel sorry for me,

I have lived my life as I saw fit, enjoyed the experiences of both good and bad, and I am still learning. 

I traveled the world, met different people and cultures, saw magnificent structures from history, visited marvelous places that you and many people will only read about in books or view via the internet.

I saw and experienced the Glory and Wickedness of War to Liberate a small country called Kuwait.  That event made me realize, Life is so precious and not to take it for granted. 


Don't feel sorry for me,

I have done extremely dangerous activities that normal people will not do.

I have experienced life with an open mind and love each and every moment of it.

If I could do it again, I would without hesitation.


Don't feel sorry for me,

I choose, freely, to believe in, accept and trust, Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.  Because I do...

I have FREEDOM. 


Copyright 2010, Lorenzo Taitano

Life Cell Section Cook Off Event.

Had a great time at the Life Cell Cook-Off at Pastor Joe/Lou's house.  Lots of great food was cooked up and served.  This was a 3rd cook off event for the Life Cell Section.  .  It was my first event.  30 minutes is not enough time to cook a dish.  But I and the other participants did it with 3 minutes to spare. 

Once the time was called to start cooking.  I just kept my focus and prepared my dish.  I was hoping to observe the other contestants.  But that was hard to do with the time limits.  I cooked up a breakfast dish.  It's basically Scrambled Eggs with Potatoes spiced up with garlic, onions, and seasonings.  I stir fried some hamburger added garlic, onions, seasoning to it.  Cooked it through.  Poured that into another bowl to set.  Then put the scrambled eggs/potatoes back into the wok.  Cooked that until it was done with the wheat bread toasting on the side.  Once everything was done.  I prepared my dish for presentation.  Putting the stir fried hamburger first.  Prepping the toast with butter and a dash of cinnamon, then putting the scrambled eggs and potatoes last on the serving platter.  I then grabbed some Flores Rosa flowers from Pastor Joe's yard and put it around my platter to give it a little more color.  I cleaned my table and presented my platter.  All Done! 

The judges came by and took servings from each platter.  Then everyone went to eat.  The food was great.  All the dishes that were cooked were really good.  I am so stuffed trying everyone's dish. 

The hardest part of cooking tonight was not being able to taste my cooking.  Because of the time limit, I had to keep the flow going and keep my focus on cooking my dish and not burning it.  I had to rely on smell to insure that my dish was right on the mark.  I'm at the point now where I don't measure any ingredients.  I just throw it in and go by taste and smell.  It was fun just cooking and having fun tonight. 

The top 3 finishers were announced while everyone was eating dinner.  Sis. Bobbie came in 3rd place.  Her dish was pancit.  Bro. Lorenzo came in 2nd place.  He cooked an egg/potato/hamburger dish.  First Place went to Sis. Shirley and Bro. Felix.  Their dish was a roasted chicken dip.  All the top 3 finishes are from Pastor Liz and Pastor Eric's Life Cell.

Everyone was a winner for taking the time to participate and cooking for the Life Cell Section Members.  All the dishes were practically wiped out.  God is Good! 

Special Thanks goes out to Pastor Liz for asking me to join the cook off.  To my wife, Rhoda, for say, "Go For It!".  Her enthusiasm really made the difference in deciding to go for it.  My mom for helping me prepare this afternoon, getting the ingredients organized and cooking ware ready.  And, for God, for giving me the time to cook for my friends and love ones. 

Next Cook Off Event is in May.  It'll be the "Men Only" and the dish will be BBQ Beef and/or Chicken.  I'll be ready for that. 

Keep Smiling

Jaeson Ma - LOVE

This is a really cool song.