I’m back!!!

…Literally. I just came back from a very, very short trip to Davao for a conference with some of the wives from our Mindanao churches. It was a very refreshing time! Three of us from Metro Manila went there to help facilitate, and I am so glad I was given the opportunity to be a part of it. It’s always great to meet other wives and moms who have such a great heart for the Lord. I admire all of them in many ways.

I actually wanted to write a short “note” prior to leaving, just to inform everyone that I’d be out of touch for a couple of days. That was last Sunday. Obviously, I never got to and I really don’t have an excuse. *grin* I know I was going to write about something too, but I totally do not remember what it was!

*thinking*  *….Now retrieving data from Thammie’s brain….*

Nothing.

Bitin.

Anyway, let’s move on. Allow me to tell you about my short Davao trip instead.

I’m not sure if all of you know this, but I actually grew up in Mindanao. To be more specific, I grew up in the “City of Golden Friendship”– Cagayan de Oro City. Hehe it sounds a little bit cheesy, now that I’m saying it after years of not hearing that phrase. Why am I including this as part of my Davao trip story? Maybe because one of the main reasons why I got excited when they asked me if I could join the Mindanao conference is the fact that I am from there. I believe it is not an accident that I grew up in that place and know their culture, and then got equipped here in Manila. There’s so much I want to share, and so much more I want to learn from the people there.

The conference was mainly about the five foundations of productive teams. It was really intended for the pastors and church staff, but the wives were invited to join as well. We then had a separate break-out session for the wives, where we got to talk about our concerns and just get to know each other more, so we could all be more connected with one another. I kept thinking to myself how truly important relationships are in our lives. It really makes a remarkable difference if we have other wives and moms who can empathize with us and encourage us as we go through the many different seasons in our lives. Are you connected with other women? I highly encourage you to find someone you can pour out your heart and soul to, and who will share her life with you, too.

Pastor Ado talking about the necessary kind of conflict in teams

Beautiful women from all over Mindanao.

(I think some of the ladies already left when this group picture was taken)

My prayer partners, Care and Weng

Of course, no trip can ever be complete if you don’t get to enjoy the local food. From the time I set foot in Davao, I was craving for their Durian. I was surprised that of the six of us (three women, three men) who came from Manila, not one of them liked Durian! (oh, except one who had neutral feelings about durian because she hasn’t tried it yet)…Come to think of it, I haven’t met anyone here in Manila, in my more than 10 years of living here, who appreciates it as much as I do. Growing up, my dad always told me (and always with smile and with eyes closed too!) that durian is the fruit that “smells like hell, but tastes like heaven” See how emotionally connected my family is to it? Anyway, the important thing is that I got to buy four kilos and I have it all to myself since I’m the only one here who likes it! *evil laugh*

Clockwise from left: Cathy, Bishop Juray, Ptr. Alvin, Ptr. Ado, Bishop Manny, Me, Riza

NO! It’s not how it looks like! We don’t really love food THAT much….??? hehe

Ooh-la-la!!!

Those poor, innocent things…

Braving the palengke (market)

Durian heaven!!!

With Ate Vicky (our host) and Erika (our Palengke queen!)

Have you heard of the verse “He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed?” This is precisely true about my trip. I’m back home feeling so refreshed by the new people I met, from the topics that were taught, and of course, from all the yummy and cheap food we ate. I’ll probably be writing about some of the things I’ve learned from the conference in my next blogs. For now, I just really wanted to say that “I’m back!”… And I realize I’ve accomplished that goal in my first sentence.

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I’ll be editing this and will be putting in the pictures as soon  as I get them from my friend, Riza. Ah the beauty of that “tagging” system by Facebook!

* Blog updated… pictures uploaded! I noticed I had more pictures of the food than the actual conference. *eep!* lol!