Without a Sigh

written by Claire Celiz

September 17, 2009

This last 2 months of wedding preparations has thrown us in total chaos. It started with the drafting of the invitations, and went downhill from there. Our closest friends have felt the pressure. Nio even said we looked so haggard we had to take some time off it. Of course its a bit too hard, because with my three day duties and the hospital work, I was barely staying afloat.

At times I lose my temper. Well, I guess its more often. Sometimes I wake up in the morning feeling weary like I havnt slept at all. And as expected, it took its toll on Christian. And if you know him, you would say that his patience can stretch for miles. But with his hard earned money fast draining, not to mention all those chores I keep on throwing at him, these days its already wearing thin. 

These days, there are times when I think, why is it too hard, preparing for the wedding? I drag myself on day after day, painfully doing one checklist item at a time on our to do list. I think, if this is hard, what would our marriage life be then?

But today Christian told me the story of our ring. Our engagement ring.

We had plans for marriage at the beginning of our relationship. We always talked about it, estimating that it will happen before our second year anniversary. So when Christian left for the States last year, we knew it was God's way of preparing us, emotionally and finally, but it is only now that I realize that God has once again proven Himself to have plans even far greater that our own. 

He told me I always wanted a Tiffany & Co. engagement ring. Honestly, I dont remember really pushing for it. But before Christian left for the States, he was already asking T&Co. Stores at Rustan's for engagement rings. When he got the price quotations, his heart sank. He couldn't afford it. 

On his first month in Atlanta, he felt that God placed him there as an opprtunity to finally buy a ring for me. He called the T&Co. Store in Atlanta, got some qoutations and finally decided on one. The diamond was of high quality, colorless and the cut excellent. He would tell me several time that he had looked into other jewelry stores and the ring was worth a one carat diamond in their stock. I would ask him repeatedly why did he still buy it. He would only tell me, “that is what you wanted”.

It was only tonight that he showed me the ring's insurance papers and its true value. I again asked him, why did you still buy it. This time his answer was different. He told me that God had provided for it in Atlanta. That if he was to buy one of smaller value, it is as if minamaliit namin ang kakayahan ng Diyos. He has asked for it, and God had answered yes. Up to this day he would consider the ring a miracle, something that is way beyond his means. He took it as a firm affirmation of God's favor in our relationship. He told me there are times that we would fight when he was still abroad and he would be left broken, but he would look at the ring and be reminded that God brought us together, and if God can give such a ring, He would do more wondrous things in our lives. He told me, that more that its value, the ring symbolizes all that God is in our lives. Tonight I am reminded again the true reason I am to be married.

When I look at the ring now, I am struck by awe at God's ways. It is a palpable wave of gratitude to the One who brought Christian and me together at this point with its little miracles. I praise God for such a God fearing man, and pray that the rest of the months I will be able to prepare myself to be a wife that is pleasing in His sight.

A Viajero's Nightmare

Aug 26, 2009 - I sent a letter to Zestair's "corporate" email: z2_zestair@yahoo.com

Dear Meg Obejas:

I’d like to raise a concern regarding some information about your online booking as advised by Christine Boras during my inquiries on your customer hotlines.

I’m about to get married on Nov 6 and will flying to Boracay for our honeymoon the following day, Nov 7. During the time of booking, I was aware of the advisory regarding diverted flights from Caticlan to Kalibo. I was looking through promo rates of Cebu Pacific, PAL and was pleasantly surprised that ZestAir still services to Caticlan. During that time, CebuPac and PAL have already updated their arrival destinations to remove Caticlan, while yours haven’t.

I gathered I was in the impression that the advisory was applicable to diverted flights from Caticlan to Kalibo prior to the advisory. However, I CAN still book to Caticlan, giving me an impression that Zestair has limited but still available flights to Caticlan. Taking convenience into consideration, I chose Zestair over other airlines since I really wanted a direct flight to Caticlan. Please see screen cap of my eticket for your review.

  

I shortened my trip from Nov 14 to Nov 12, and was informed that my flight is non rebookable and non refundable. I was advised to book a new one way flight on Nov 12 since it was non rebookable. However, upon booking, I noticed that the return flight from Caticlan to Manila was no longer available. At the time of inquiry, flights from Manila to Caticlan still is available as an option but not the flight back. I made a call to customer service and was able to talk to Christine regarding the flight back to Manila. Only then did I know that Zestair was no longer servicing Caticlan, yet the website still contains booking to Caticlan!

This is very confusing to your customers and I would have made entirely new plans had I known that Caticlan is never an option in your website. Had I known that Zestair wasn’t servicing Caticlan, I could have booked in another airline or destination. Nevertheless, I have already made reservations for accommodations at this time.  

For now, I have 2 options I’d like to suggest:

• Allow me to refund whatever costs I incurred due to misinformation so I can book to another airline - this will be my last transaction with the airline considering I’ll be at a loss as well as promo rates at other airlines are no longer applicable.
• Allow me to pursue my plans - I’m willing to compromise on the Kalibo arrival - granted that I be allowed to rebook my flight to Nov 12 to compensate for any stress and confusion this transaction may have incurred.

  

I hope to hear from your office soon so I can update my plans as soon as I can. I’m hoping for your consideration on the 2ndoption which I believe is a win-win scenario for both parties.

Thank you,

Christian 

Aug 31, 2009 - I followed up and they are on holiday. So far, I haven't received an email or any acknowledgment from the manager Ms. Meg, which i believe is the polite thing to do.

UPDATE:

Sept 1, 2009 - I called ZestAir to follow up on my request. The customer service agent asked my record locator and I had to explain myself all over again. It seems they don't keep track of the background of the complaint and I have to explain myself whenever I call. Since the status is still pending, and no updates were available at this time, I decided to go on with life and booked with another airline. I informed ZestAir that I'm going for option 1 and will ask for a refund of my flight booking.

Sept 2, 2009 - After 7 days since the email request was sent, and a day after I asked to have my flight refunded, I received a call from ZestAir that I have the option to rebook my return flight WITH penalties and rebooking fees. I told them that it's no longer an option as I need to make a decision regarding my plans. They'll try to get back to me. I'm starting to doubt.

Tribute to Claire's Grandmother

It was July 21, 2009 when Ester Llenado Bonifacio went to be with the Lord. She was an extraordinary woman is be the grandmother of my fiancee.

To remember her by, I'd like to share her testimony she gave me the first time we met. It shows her deep love to her Savior and Lord by her extraordinary faith and obedience. I pray for comfort to those whom she left behind.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Psalm 116:15

The Miracle of the Opened Eye

by Ester Llenado Bonifacio

I was 11 years of age when I discovered something wrong with my eyes. The retina of my left eye no longer centered and the eyelid was drooping. The doctor diagnosed my sickness as mystiquia gravies. I had injections many times. I took pills daily. The doctor massaged my head and used electrical instruments and ultraviolet rays to heal me. I kept getting worse and could feel my right eyelid becoming heavier.

One of the finest doctors in Manila took many pictures of my eyes and said he would make an exhibit of my case.

Needless to say I was spending much money on treatment and medicine but the condition of my eye was seemingly hopeless.

I wanted to die. I was not able to finish my studies because of this handicap. Whenever my eyes became overly fatigued severe headaches would develop.

I seldom ever could read because of the strain it would place on my eyes. When friends would visit me they would read for me. One day a friend brought a newspaper clipping telling of a religious crusade taking place. She read, "Miracles are being witnessed at this meeting!" It was a Protestant gathering and our dominant religion in the Philippines is Catholic. Even so, I thought I might receive healing for my eyes.

It was Thanksgiving day when I came to the crusade at San Lazaro Hippodrome desiring to be healed. Rev. Lester Sumrall was leading the crowd singing, "Oh, How I Love Jesus." Tears began to stream down my face. At that very moment I feared God with all my heart as never before. I recalled my sin and repented instantly. Afterward I had perfect peace and joy that kept me wondering why I was so happy when no one was entertaining me or talking with me. The people in the crowd were merely strangers to me. As I have grown in my faith I have found that it was a born again experience I was feeling. I joined the healing line and was prayed for and then baptized in Manila Bay by Rev. Sumrall. From that day on I began following the ministry of Pastor Sumrall.

A short time later Rev. Sumrall needed to raise $5000 to be used toward the building fund of our new Bethel Temple church. God told me to give my plastic penguin bird worth 80 to 90 pesos and also  I was to donate my silver coins.

Then I decided to give all the money I had in the bank. Since I was single at that time the only thing I had was my money. God knew how I loved money and that I had even enjoyed saving money since my early childhood days. When I withdrew the money from the bank and brought it to give it to the church, Mrs. Sumrall was very reluctant to take it. She told me that anytime I felt I needed the money back that she would return it to me. I was confident that God was commanding me to give all that I had and I was afraid to disobey Him.

To this day I have no regrets for giving that money. God has been true in His promises and has blessed me financially a hundred fold.

My eyesight returned and the lid opened up. Then God gave me a job to work as a cashier in a shoe store.

In 1957 I married Andres Bonifacio. After three years of married life God gave us a house and lot of our own. He has blessed us with three lovely daughters and every desire of our hearts.

Since 1970 I have been able to confess to the entire world of a complete healing from the Great Physician. Men do fail... but Jesus never fails.

I cannot forget the day I fell in love with my First Love – Jesus Christ – it has been the highlight of my life.

We love and appreciate the founder and father of Manila Bethel Temple, Lester Sumrall.

April 1973

Now What?

Behind the scenes of Now What? wall for our church

special mention to @claudrod for the concept - di mo nilagay pangalan mo sa wall :P