A Weekend Beyond Our Imagination

From: Ella C.H. del Rosario [mailto:elladelrosario@netgazer.com.ph]
Sent: Monday, May 02, 2005 4:47 PM
To: 'lingkodqc@yahoogroups.com'
Subject: A Weekend Beyond our Imagination

“While you wrought awesome deeds we could not hope for, such as they had not heard of from of old. No ear has ever heard, no eye ever seen, any God but you doing such deeds for those who wait for him.” - Isaiah 64:2-3 (NAB)

“But, as it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him’ - 1 Corinthians 2:9. (NAB)

Last Sunday Lingkod QT’s who attended the branch outing in Cavite were treated to a feast which reminded me of the above two verses. We looked forward to Sunday lunch at Paul’s but I think everyone would agree with me that what greeted us was a banquet table that was beyond our imagination.

I exaggerate not. There were buckets of oysters, basins of crabs, and trays of giant prawns. Iced tea was bottomless. The turbo chicken was to die for. Mangga’t bagoong, inihaw na liempo at isda, sinigang na hipon, and kanin completed the Filipino fiesta. And it wasn’t even their town fiesta! Paul and his family did not stop there. They served us ube and mango ice cream, nilagang mani, and other treats I probably cannot even remember at this moment. Most of us ate everything in sight and forgot about diets and waistlines.

Our deepest and sincerest thanks goes out to Mrs. Soriño and her team who welcomed us into their homes and gave us a lunch that we could not have tasted in any restaurant. The smiles that went with their service made the meal more beautiful for all of us.

It was probably one of the hottest days of the year but nobody minded. We were fed and we were fed well.

The birthday honoring for Melissa stamped the day as totally QC – with song numbers from QT’s, birthday honorings from brothers and sisters, and a special guest – Daniel – who surprised us all with his Josh Groban act and who sacrificed lunch due to his desire to give his best performance for us. The poor guy could not eat because he knew he was going to sing, and yet on stage he easily succumbed to clamors for more songs and appeared to enjoy himself immensely while relating with his audience. Of course his manager kind of reminded him that QT’s would surely shout “Encore! Encore!” and he had to have more songs in his repertoire. ;) It is always a joy to be with QT’s and last weekend was a great reminder of that.

I would like to thank all of those who helped me entertain Daniel last weekend. Swimming at the beach for the first time in the Philippines and fellowshipping with brothers and sisters of his age group made him so happy and grateful to all of us. We all made a seminarian who was away from home feel welcomed and loved. His appreciation for our hospitality was endless. He was particularly amazed at Paul’s family and their generosity. He said that we Filipinos treat our guests so well. Ted let Dan sleep in his tent and just opted to stay in his car. Tess, Tina, Darleth and Lorie, agreed to an additional trip to Tagaytay after that sumptuous feast at Paul’s just to show Daniel around. He said that we added two places to his list of favorite spots in the world – Ilog ni Maria and Taal Lake seen from the Taal Vista Lodge.

After a weekend like that, I was reminded that I always have enough reason to smile and to hope because I have a lot to be thankful for. I seek the Giver, not the gifts. His gifts however, are beautiful. God is good!