4:00 PM
McLaughlin Hall St Therese Church
Belleview, Florida, USA
It is with a grateful heart that we welcome you today in the presence of God and our Lord Jesus Christ to celebrate a life well lived.
In behalf of Jim and his family Lizette, Nikki and Ben
My wife Mae and family me, Hannah and Sarah
Their Sister Eva and family Art and Tracy in Texas
Their sisters in the Philippines:
Gloria and family Jovil, Ken and Zia with her family in NZ
Giegie and family Erle, Ragnar and Liyo
Tessie and family Pete and Maimai with her family
And their eldest sister Effie;
I welcome you all with thanks for sharing with us this time to celebrate Nanay Auring's life.
The Bible said: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;”
(Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4 ESV)
We are here to laugh and to dance. We are here to celebrate for Nanay. She is in a better place.
Apostle Paul says in the The Holy Scripture:
“Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8 NLT)
Nanay, is at Rest. Nanay, you are home.
❤️
I am celebrating as Nanay's son-in-law. Nanay was my mother-in-law.
When most people think about a “mother-in-law” there are quite a few thoughts that come to mind, and not all of them are flattering. Images of a mother-in-law constantly meddling in a marriage or making trouble may come to mind, or perhaps the thought of an angry and spiteful old woman moving in and constantly bickering with you about your family and your children.
To me Nanay was none of those things, though. She was a sweet, gentle woman. She welcomed me into both her home and family with open arms.
I remember the first time I BOLDLY visited Mae in Tagbilaran as a destitute and struggling unimpressive young man. (I'm still unimpressive. The difference now is I'm old).'Totoy' they called me then. Strict and choosy as Nanay Auring was, (I was told, like every mother would do for their beautiful daughters. And I respect her for that), she received me in her house, allowed me to eat at her table and even let me sleep in Ondoy's bedroom-who's just a teenage boy at that time. She did all of that not because I passed her criteria, but because of her goodness at heart. That instance was a pivotal moment for me. I made the commitment to work hard to win Mae, so I can be her son-in-law and I can work harder still so she can be my mother-in-law. And boy, hard work it was indeed, as any upscale endeavor is. But, all worth it!
💚
Nanay was Nanay to me and to many, I realized. Many years later, as my whole family joined with Nanay in Florida, USA, she was well known around Ocala, Florida, as everyone's Nanay. I knew her more deeply when she lived with us for a short time before going back to Tagbilaran. I am ever grateful. I was blessed to experience for fleeting moments her motherly touch. I wish Nanay stayed around for a bit longer. But none of us could and would have that control of a decision.
💙
Life is a continuing cycle of generations and seasons.
God says in The Bible - "There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven- A time to give birth and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance. A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing. A time to search and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; A time to be silent and a time to speak.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-7 NASB)
I can't keep silent but speak, there's no better mother-in-law. Nanay's goodness and welcome gifted me to be affiliated with her children - the finest I know, and a beautiful wife in Mae. And, I've been privileged to provide a contribution to her large family with 2 beautiful grand-daughters – Hannah (Anne) & Shasha (Sarah). I am graced with the highest honor to be called her son-in-law.
A feeling of longing creeps as she has now moved on to the final realm of life in eternity. Yes, new generations come. Another goes. That's God's grand design. Today is Nanay's appointed time. We are destined to dwell with God in our heavenly home. He called Nanay. She is home.
💛
Reflecting upon this moment of Nanay's transition from the temporal to eternal life, I can't help but linger on the exhortation of Apostle Paul. He wrote: "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”(Philippians 1:21 NKJV)
Simply put, he said dying is a crowning moment. It is a gain, Not a loss. That is if the life we live is in Christ. That is having Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior in an intimate relationship through His grace, and by faith. Yes, that's by His grace, impressed by our faith. Not by our work. We can't impress Him with our work. Our work is flawed. Rather, we are to impress Him by our faith and total dependence upon Him. His finished work on the cross is enough. Besides, He is already so impressed with us. He loved us. He died for us out of His relentless love. And nothing we do or not do, can or cannot do, could and would ever change that love. Nothing can separate us from His love. It is written in The Bible, Apostle Paul says: "And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39 NLT)
He wants us to live in Christ who loves us dearly. Then death is a celebration of life. Like we are doing today. Not a last rite of mourning.
But, we can't lie that moments like these, are overwhelming to grasp on our vantage view in this physical dimension. Our minds wonder. Our hearts ache. Our inner being breaks to tears. But, one day we will all understand. We will all leave this life. We either fly for the rapture or die to transition from the physical to the spiritual-as Nanay did.
And while we are in the state of pain, we know - There is a time and place for comfort and solace. That time is our time with God. And, that place is in the ever presence of God. For now, grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ will help us through. We have this promise of His word - "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”(Philippians 4:7 ESV)
Thank you, Nanay for treating me like a son. I love you. Rest.
In the mighty name of Jesus Christ our Lord, I say ... AMEN.
By Felixnito 'Titing' Frias
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