Letter to Santa

Dear Santa,

Hi!

I know and I am truly convinced that I've been a very NICE girl for this year except of course when sometimes I would lose my patience on things and I would suddenly turn into SHREK. However, regardless of the inevitable transformation, my heart and thoughts remained pure. I know that it's too early for me to be writing you letter but I just want to make sure my letter gets to you. I just can imagine a number of kids sitting in front of their parents' laptop, typing some sweet ol' letter similar to mine. However, I think my letter is more urgent than theirs because first off, I'm older than them and second, I don't know if you'd understand but the urgency is like seeing a 'SALE' sign in front of Prima Donna or Celine and you just can't help yourself but say 'OMG! (imitating Kat's accent) The Shoes are On Sale, this is an Emergency!', it's that urgent and most importantly, I think that it would take a number of your elves to work on my wishlist. So, here's my Christmas Wishlist:

1. Canon DSLR (for me and Tim, I know how to share Santa *puppy eyes*) 

2. Canon DSLR (for Deejay, she'll love you for the rest of her life)

3. Canon DSLR (for Errol, he needs the cam for our Photography lessons) 

4. Canon DSLR (for Pepitow, he looks really good when he has a DSLR hanging over his neck) 

5. Canon DSLR (for Law, he can do all the tricks with the cam and he needs it when he teaches me how to take photos)

6. Canon DSLR (for Japsee and Len, they love taking pictures, that explains all)

7. Canon DSLR (for Kuya Mund, he needs it too, badly =) )

You see Santa, I'm not selfish, I'm a kind girl who's willing to share her blessings to everyone who needs the blessing. So please Santa, in case my brother (calling Mark Angelo Dihiansan) is your instrument for making my wish come true, then so be it, I would not contest your will. I hope to hear from you soon, maybe before December? =)

Thank you for reading my letter Santa. 

Letter from Dad

My Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up.  Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways.  Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.  Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image.  Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring.  Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived.  Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation.  Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake,  for all your days are written in my book.  Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth  and where you would live.  Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.  Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb.  Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born.  Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented  by those who don't know me. John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry,  but am the complete expression of love.  1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.  1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child  and I am your Father.  1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.  Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father.  Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.  James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.  Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.  Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love.  Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless  as the sand on the seashore. Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing.  Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you.  Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession.  Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul.  Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things.  Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart,  you will find me.  Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you  the desires of your heart.  Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires.  Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you  than you could possibly imagine.  Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager.  2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you  in all your troubles.  2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted,  I am close to you.  Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb,  I have carried you close to my heart.  Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away  every tear from your eyes.  Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain  you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you  even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.  John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being.  Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you,  not against you.  Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.  2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression  of my love for you.  1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love.  Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,  you receive me.  1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you  from my love again. Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party  heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7

I have always been Father,  and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is… Will you be my child?  John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you.  Luke 15:11-32

Love,

Your Dad, Almighty God

ADNU's New President - FR. PRIMITIVO E. VIRAY, JR., S.J.

Fr. Primitivo E. Viray Jr., SJ elected president of Ateneo de Naga University

date posted: 2010-09-24 14:43:17

  

Below we publish the letter of Fr. Jose Cecilio Magadia, SJ, Provincial Superior, Society of Jesus announcing the election of the new president of Ateneo de Naga University.

24 September 2010

Subject: New President of Ateneo de Naga University

I am happy to inform the Province that on 22 September the Board of Trustees of Ateneo de Naga University elected

FR. PRIMITIVO E. VIRAY, JR., S.J.

as the new University President. He assumes office at the end of the current academicyear, at a time to be worked out between him and outgoing AdNU President, Fr. Joel E. Tabora, S.J.

I wish to thank Fr. Viray for his generous availability to take on this important position of leadership in our educational apostolate. In the name of the Province, I also express gratitude and appreciation to Fr. Tabora for his dedicated leadership in Nagaover the past 11 years. In that time, AdNU has expanded in size and outreach. A newcampus was added for the High School; home campus infrastructure was improved with various structures (including a new University Church and Jesuit Residence); and the University has taken on an increasingly significant role in social development and entrepreneurship in Bicol. Fr. Joel has also cultivated warm relations with the local Church, shown admirable initiative and leadership as an educator for Bicol, the nation and the Assistancy, and has remained active in political-social advocacy work.I commend Frs. Viray, Tabora and our education ministry in Bicol to your prayer.

Fraternally in the Lord,       

JOSE C. J. MAGADIA, S.J.

Provincial  

   

When opportunity knocks..

Going once, going twice, going thrice and gone...

In my almost two years stay in Ateneo, I had every 'opportunity' to laugh, to cry, to listen, to be heard, to dream, to say goodbye to some of my priorities and a number of unthinkable experiences which I never expected. Good or bad, everything happened for a particular purpose.

Today, unexpectedly, the opportunity that almost swept me off my feet a few months ago knocked for the second time. However, comparing it to the way I responded before, it was more of an invitation to reassess my self - what I'm capable of, how much I can stretch myself just to achieve a certain goal and most importantly, how willing I am to pour out all the 'water inside my secret well'. Going back to my reaction, I realized that I was actually happy -- happy because I have the opportunity to grow in my field, to escape from the tyranny of my current office and to be more than the 'AA of the DAVP'. However, despite the overwhelming happiness, I am actually scared. SCARED because I'm not sure if I can handle a big responsibility, if I can handle a 'program' and if I can handle the pressure, internal and external, if in case, I consider the transfer.

Yet the more I reflect, the more I feel that what I experienced today was really more of a humbling experience, aside from it being something to look forward to. I mean, it is really humbling that someone as professional and as 'great' as Kuya Ruffy would consider me for the position. That after all pala, my efforts are really paying off, that my efforts regardless of how unconscious I am is actually doing me good. That despite all the tears and humiliation, I am actually valued by others. It is really something overwhelming :)

Now, I am looking forward to have a short talk with Kuya Ruffy. I'm not sure what the outcome will be but I am sure that I will tell him of my fears and hopefully, from that talk, I can decide if I will push through with his offer. Truly I can say that I am blessed because it's really not normal for an opportunity, which I once 'brushed off', would knock the second time around. Maybe it has more to offer, maybe it is 'sweeter the second time around' :)

I seek for your prayers that I may be able to discern what is best for my career and that God may also desire what my heart desires :) 

A Soulful Relationship by Rev. Ronald McFadden

If you’re not married yet, share this with a friend. If you are married, share it with your spouse or other married couples and reflect on it.

An African proverb state, “Before you get married, keep both eyes open, and after you marry, close one eye.”

Before you get involved and make a commitment to someone, don’t let lust, desperation, immaturity, ignorance, pressure from others or a low self-esteem, make you blind to warning signs. Keep your eyes open, and don’t fool yourself that you can change someone or that what you see as faults aren’t really important.

Once you decide to commit to someone, over time his or her flaws, vulnerabilities, pet peeves, and differences will become more obvious. If you love your mate and want the relationship to grow and evolve, you’ve got to learn to close one eye and not let every little thing bother you. You and your mate have many different expectations, emotional needs, values, dreams, weaknesses and strengths. You are two unique individual children of God who have decided to share a life together.

Neither of you are perfect, but are you perfect for each other? Do you bring out the best in each other?

Do you compliment and compromise with each other, or do you compete, compare and control? What do you bring to the relationship? Do you bring past relationships, past hurt, past mistrust, past pain? You can’t take someone to the altar to alter him or her. You can’t make someone love you or make someone stay.

If you develop self-esteem, spiritual discernment, a “a life”, you won’t find yourself making someone else responsible for your happiness or responsible for your pain.

Manipulation, control, jealousy, neediness, and selfishness are not the ingredients of a thriving, healthy, loving and lasting relationship! Seeking status, sex, wealth and security are the wrong reasons to be in relationship. What keeps a relationship strong?

Communication, intimacy, trust, a sense of humor, sharing household tasks, some getaway time without business or children and daily exchanges (a meal, shared activity, a hug, a call, a touch, a note).

Leave a nice message on the voicemail or send a nice email. Sharing common goals and interests. Growth is important. Grow together, not away from each other, giving each other space to grow without feeling insecure. Allow your mate to have outside interest. You can’t always be together. Give each other a sense of belonging and assurances of commitment. Don’t try to control one another. Learn each other’s family situation. Respect his or her parents regardless.

Don’t put pressure on each other for material goods. Remember for richer or for poorer. If these qualities are missing, the relationship will erode as resentment, withdrawal, abuse, neglect, dishonesty, and pain replace the passion.

The difference between “United” and “Untied” is where you put the I.