For Timothy - Consecrated to God through Mama Mary

Our firstborn turns 4 today. How time flies. While preparing for our talk on "The Christian Family as Fertile Ground for the Missions" for the Pontifical Missions Society, we were once again reminded and AMAZED at how God brought Timothy Alan "Tim" into our lives. He was, in a way, an unplanned, baby, but not in the sense that anti-lifers would put it. Actually, Tim is our honeymoon baby. We were married on January 7, 2006 and he was born on October 10, 2006. Before getting married, I had a check-up with my ob-gynecologist, who said that I would probably be having difficulty getting pregnant due to my "irregular" periods caused by a polycystic ovary. But God chose to prove her wrong! A month after our wedding, hubby and I found ourselves in Timor Leste on mission for our Catholic community, and a few weeks after that, we discovered that I was pregnant! :) It just goes to show that when God wants LIFE to happen, He truly makes away! (Which is why a lot of people who have had vasectomies, tubal ligations, and IUD implants STILL end up conceiving - it is GOD who creates LIFE. Even when people try to prevent it from happening.)

See that cute little blob right there? That's you dear Tim! We love you!

Before we got married, our Ninong and co-missionary, Tito Boy, told us one time after daily Mass, that as he was praying in church (we were there too but praying in separate pews), he heard a message for us through Mama Mary. She told him to tell us that as long as we kept serving Jesus and gave Him our all, we would not have to worry about our children. She would take care of them. Needless to say, this message left us inspired and awed by God's wonderful love as shown by our beloved Mother.

From then on, hubby and I vowed that our children would be consecrated to God through Mama Mary, beginning of course, with our dearest firstborn, Timothy Alan. We chose the name "Timothy Alan" - Timothy after St. Paul's young follower and missionary, St. Timothy, and Alan meaning "handsome". We claimed that being consecrated to God, Timothy would grow to love and serve him, thus making him "handsome" inside and out.

When I was pregnant with Tim, civil war broke out in Timor Leste. There were burning of houses and cars, looting, violence and all sorts of disturbances. It was as if we were in one of those war movies, except this time, it was real life. 

Residents flee burning houses

The conflict became an "East" vs "West" issue

Fleeing the troubled city

Fr. Lalo, SJ, comforting a few of the victims of violence (we met Fr. Lalo in person before all the troubles)

Remnants of violent encounters

Young gang members get involved in the crisis

To make a long story short, the female members of our mission team joined the other Filipinos who were evacuated by C-130. Coming home to Manila, people asked us if pregnant me would be going back to Timor since our mission term had only just begun. A lot of people discouraged me from doing so. 

That's 5-month preggy me (with the cap) when we evacuated to the Dili International Airport, waiting for the C-130 to come. We spent the night there.

But go back we did. Hubby and I, my parents (at that time, Papa was our Mission Head), with 4 single missionaries and another couple missionary accompanying us. Some people thought I was crazy to go back to Timor since the crisis was still ongoing. To tell you the truth, I was a bit scared myself. But God's message to us as a couple was very clear: "Go back there. Do My work. Your family's presence in itself will be a strong witness and comfort to My people there."

So go back we did. On with the mission!

And three months after returning to Timor, Tim was born. 100% naturally. No anesthesia, epidurals, ob-gyne assistance. Nothing but the support of my mom and hubby (who fortunately was allowed in the delivery area, usually men aren't allowed, since we moms were all just lined up on the hospital beds, haha) AND my two most important birthing "tools" or focal objects: a small statue of the Holy Family, and my rosary. My birth "mantra" in between contractions was the Hail Mary.

I was blessed that breastfeeding is actively promoted in Timor Leste. After delivery, Tim was placed on my tummy, then given to me to breastfeed. Thus was born also my love for, and advocacy of, breastfeeding as the BEST way to  give the best nutrition to our children, physically and emotionally.

Peekaboo Anak!

While nursing Tim for the first time, I sang the hymn "On Eagle's Wings" for him. It was love at first sight! Not just for me, but for all those who had been waiting for Tim and praying for him.

We had a lot of excited nuns coming to visit us in the delivery room!

Ninong Fr. Alan (Tim's namesake!) and proud Lola Tita

Proud parents (yuck! Don't mind my unwashed hair! :P)

With my parents - Tim being born meant we had become a missionary family up to the third generation :)

With Nongning and Tita I, our "other parents" on mission :)

With Nirva and Karen - whom Tim would come to fondly call "Vava" and "Kaka" respectively :) I love these girls!

With Maun Mario and Mana Esy - our youth leaders who had sought temporary "refuge" with us at the CFC Mission House because they were from the East (yes, East East Timor :) and most of the people in Dili (the capital, where we were based, and where they were studying) were from the West

With Tito Boyin and Tito PJ - To Tim: "Ado" and ... ummm... what is it again Fij? hehe. Peace bro!

One team, one family :)

Proud Mama

After bringing Tim home, we had to bring him back to the hospital because of jaundice.

We stayed at the hospital for four days. Thank GOD for Lola Tita, who took turns with hubby to take care of Tim and me, since I was also recovering from a double episiotomy! (It's a long story!)

Lolas rock! :) What would we do without them?

 Praise GOD though that after the first days, Tim started thriving on Mama's milk and the love and care of everyone in the Mission House! Here are a few more pics of his first two months of life.

1 day old

Getting some much-needed sunlight

Nursing and sunbathing :) 

With Lolo Mon, who became his favorite - even more than Papa or Mama!

Fast asleep

Mama's milk makes me healthy! :)

Sometimes I wish I could stop time so that Tim wouldn't have to grow up so quickly. Or that I could go back in time to correct all the wrong things we did as first-time parents. Oh well. Life's like that. I just have to celebrate the HERE and NOW. Don't we all?

I know God will be with us through every step of this journey. And more so, our kids, whom we have consecrated to Him. Lastly, and I know this is a LONG post again (thanks for reading all the way through! :), just want to share with you part of the message I posted for Tim on my Facebook profile:

"We love you so much Kuya! God bless you more and more, and may you continue to surprise us with your antics and love for the Lord! We are proud of you, no matter what you do! You are special and unique! God created you so! Thank you for being who you are. Please forgive Mama and Papa too for all the times we hurt you, spanked you and made you feel less than what God wants you to feel. One day, when you're old enough to have your own FB account and read this (maybe when you're 18?! haha), you'll probably say you don't even remember the times when we failed you and hurt you. But WE do, and we thank GOD for reminding us every day through YOU, about UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, FORGIVENESS and STARTING OVER. Hope you enjoy our simple celebration together with Papa Jesus tomorrow! We love you love you love you! :) Thank you too to all who prayed and are still praying for Tim right now, especially his Lolos and Lolas, Titos and Titos, Kuyas and Ates, WORLDWIDE, and his Ninongs and Ninangs. Special mention to Kaka, Tim's "first love", and Ninong Bhot and Ninang Lisa, whom he wants to visit, Ninong Fr. Alan, And all his "family" in Timor Leste - Tim sempre hanoin no hadomi ita boot sira hotu!"

Again, a blessed happy birthday to you, our dearest Kuya! :) Remember, you are consecrated to God through Mama Mary! Be happy and blessed!

All our love,

Papa and Mama :)