FROM MOTHER TO WIFE---A BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE TO A FRIEND

by: Norberto Betita

She was known to every youth her age as Jingao. She has exceptional talents in dancing, singing, and playing the piano. She is a dance coach. Her brilliance is evident but she remained to be just the humble and simple young woman, standing taller than her height. She declaims and is a good public speaker. She is an upstanding and virtuous youth and a very active youth leader. Her youthful beauty is adorned by that sweetest smile which seemed to remain aglow as a permanent tag of her womanhood. She is a professional teacher. Yet I remembered her best as that diligent and ever determined Seminary and Institute student. She served a full-time mission for a year and a half and she testified that it was one of the most memorable years of her life. Never in my mind as her Branch President that she would chose to be a full-time mother and wife. She is Janely Patiño Rosali Yumul.

But to her motherhood is not a second choice, it is the best and paramount choice. She knew that it is the purest and most realistic responsibility that she is honored to undertake. And to do such was a heavenly privilege. All the messes and multi-tasks that are attendant to her divine duty in nurturing and fostering five children are but flowers that add beauty to the home. As in the words of Victor Hugo, she knew that her “arms are made of tenderness” where her “children sleep soundly in them.” During the infancy and early childhood of her five heavenly trusts, never did she desire a time for her own. All her best times are focused to the care of those tender souls.

Then at dusk and into the nightfall when all the jumbles and muddles are cleared, she shifted her role from mother to wife attending to a tired worker and provider---her husband. She sees to it that he is cheered after a weary work. She makes sure that fondness and affectionate devotion abound in their marital relationship. Then again she gathers the five children “as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings (3 Nephi 10:5)” to sit together for a moment of scripture study and family prayer. Such daily routine built a foundation that strengthens and protects the family from the wiles of the world. They together marched with hopeful assurance of the fulfillment of the sealing promise that they will live together forever as a family.

There is no greater joy for her than to see each of the children grow from infancy to the vulnerability of teenage walking in virtue and righteousness influenced and guided by collective parental hands. Now they shared getting the messes out of their way, yet the responsibility increases as more school assignments and PTA meetings have to be attended to; making sure that the kids find a common interest in education; and teaching each to avoid evil deceptions along their youthful path. The girls are now grown to young womanhood as to be able to handle home chores. She needs no longer to ask for a time of her own. They gave her the freedom to find time for a restful vacation out of the confines of the home. Yet even while in some relaxing moments and peaceful retreat away from everyday humdrums her thoughts reverts to her beloved husband and children. In one moment of void anticipation she might have imagined one of her daughter say: “To describe my mother would be to write about a hurricane in its perfect power, or the climbing, falling colors of a rainbow.” (Maya Angelou).

Eventually maturity follows adolescence; then the words of Oliver Wendell Holmes might ring: “Youth fades; love droops; the leaves of friendship fall…” the anxiety of one day being left alone with her husband looms; yet, “…a mother’s secret hope outlives them all.” Finally, she will miss all those wonderful motherhood experiences and what remains will be her everlasting responsibility as a wife to a beloved husband. Perhaps as she looks forward to the day when her children will be marching out of the home to build their own, she would still be able to unveil the youthful tag of her beauty---that sweetest smile---as she waves goodbye with absolute assurance that she will never be alone for she is a wife eternally bound to a dearest husband in a covenant sealed by the Holy Priesthood between the mirrors of eternity.

However, before her growing children will ultimately leave home to build their own, her most loving husband and parental partner, Gaygay Yumul, whose unbounded love and devotion for her and their children extends into eternity, wanted to leave a lasting legacy in their family life, greatest of which are happy family memories. He afforded the family a trip to the USA to attend the April 2015 General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and visit relatives and friends in different states. He knew that when all other things change, wonderful family memories will forever remain.

Perhaps no greater gift is given that could ever replace the joy and happiness of having a loving, faithful and devoted husband and submissive children working together to form the building blocks of a sacred sanctuary called home. No greater endowment could substitute the sealing promise of the family being together forever in the eternal realms of God.    

ZAINA VIVECA---BEAUTIFUL LIFE

by: Norberto Betita

About 9:00 o’clock in the morning I received a text message from my daughter Kathleen Beth that the level of pain is already increasing. At home with her was only her 4-year old daughter Jeliene Zaffera. 

My wife went to the Temple to attend two sessions from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, confident that Kathleen’s husband Jesle could take care of her while on day off. Jesle conveyed Mama to the Temple then proceeded to his office for an examination. The two adults who are supposed to be on guard for Kathleen’s delivery were out.

I immediately texted her to contact her mother-in-law and Jesle as I am sure that she could no longer contact Mama in the Temple. I was kind of worried while at the same time so excited that our eighth grandchild will be born soon. As she continued to send messages to me my concern was heightened. She has been in my prayer at early dawn, but somehow my faith kind of shirks and shrinks because of the underlying situation. Their rented apartment is atop a hill and taxi route is far plus the fact her 4-year old daughter will be a problem than a help. I was relieved when she texted that Jesle was already home. Immediately they went to the maternity clinic. Jesle continued to communicate with me until about past 12:00 noon I finally received a message that Kathleen had already given birth and the infant was in his hand. I was overjoyed and all anxieties and worries vanished. How I wished to enfold and embrace the little child in my arms or give her a hug and a tender kiss. But we are seas and islands apart.

When Kathleen sent me a message with the word “success”, I felt my prayer was heard and answered. Mama was supposed to be with her as an errand, but she was in the temple to fill her spiritual longings assured that Jesle would be there for her in case of emergency. I told Kathleen that while Mama was inside the Temple, the Lord sent guardian angels as her substitute errands, to assist her and those that attend to her. That’s why the delivery had been so easy for her. In so short a time of three hours, the baby was born normally and without any difficulty.

While inside the Temple Mama prayed for Kathleen and for the baby to be delivered that day. She’d been in Cebu City for two weeks. Jesle must have not known that she is going for another session and texted immediately after the 9-11 session was finished because of too much anxiety and fear. So that when Mama completed her session at 1:00 PM, she found her locker with a tag---please off your cellphone. Only then did she realize she forgot the instruction. Her excitement made her ignore her hunger and just immediately rushed to the clinic.

When Kathleen posted the infant’s pictures on Facebook announcing her birth, I immediately searched some names for suggestion. But she informed me that a name was already written for her birth certificate---ZAINA VIVECA. I thought that this must have been just another name found and chosen from the pages of old newspapers and magazines as many Filipino mothers do, even Kathleen. I learned later that Viveca was a random choice of her 4-year old sister Jeliene from Barbie and the Three Musketeers. I checked for a possible meaning at Google. I was thrilled to discover a lovely and delightful meaning. ZAINA is of Arabic Origin meaning “beautiful”. VIVECA is of Teutonic, Scandinavian origin meaning “life”, “alive”. So that ZAINA VIVECA meant BEAUTIFUL LIFE.

In the Chinese culture, Zaina Viveca is destined to have a beautiful life. At birth she has three numbers 8. She was born on the 8th month, on the 28th day and she is our 8th grandchild. “No. 8 has long been regarded as the luckiest number in Chinese culture. With pronunciation of 'Ba' in Chinese, no. 8 sounds similar to the word 'Fa', which means to make a fortune. It contains meanings of prosperity, success and high social status too, so all businessmen favor it very much.” In Biblical Numerology; “The number 8 in the Bible represents a new beginning, meaning a new order or creation, and man's true 'born again' event when he is resurrected from the dead into eternal life. Eight is the number of Jesus, whose name in the Greek adds up to 888. (www.google.com).

However, that is far from our belief. Each of our future is not determined by the lucky numbers neither by destiny. The child’s future will depend on how she would be able to handle the circumstances around her during her growing years. Yet the meaning of her name can be a motivating factor in her eventual journey into the realms of mortality. Should Zaina Viveca in the coming years want to have a beautiful life she will be driven to it by an earnest desire and faith to achieve under the guiding hand of faithful parents.

We are so much grateful to have her in our posterity. She is a wonderful addition to the family. Her worth is priceless. Her presence is an inspiration. She was born at 12:03 PM, August 28, 2014, weighing 3.5 kilograms. ZAINA VIVECA – BEAUTIFUL LIFE, how wonderful is the name; how accurate the meaning; for each spirit child of God that journey from premortality are foreordained for a beautiful life toward exaltation.

She is now celebrating her second birthday. Her second year in mortality is one of joy and happiness, enjoying good health and physical vigor. She is now the subject of a mother's chasing as she starts to run uncontrolled. She had once taken a vacation in his grandparent's nest and enjoyed the crowd of restless cousins. She is loved and caressed by uncles and aunts. She is such a joy to be with even in such a short time of her visit. We love her so much and we are always praying that she will grow up in the nurture and admonition of the Gospel with visions focused on the temple. We always missed her for she lives far away from us. Oh, how we would love to hug her tight on this her birthday, but distance makes it impossible. We can only wish the best of life for her. HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR DEAREST GRANDDAUGHTER ZAINA VIVECA!!!

THE LORD SHALL RECOMPENSE

by: Norberto Betita

He sacrificed his government scholarship (Iskolar ng Bayan) at the University of the Philippines-Diliman and served as an ambassador of Jesus Christ through a 2-year full-time mission in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. After serving his mission he forewent and relinquished his privilege to go back to the same premiere university for the restitution of his scholarship with hopes to finish a degree in Architecture in favor of his younger sisters’ college education. He worked and enrolled in a local college. After earning college units equivalent to 3 years, he gave up the opportunity to finish the remaining 1 year of his nursing course to marry in the Temple to a woman whom he wanted to be a part of his life for time and eternity. He gave priority to provide for his young family and served in different capacities in the Church. To his patriarchal responsibility was added another important priority as he was called and set apart to preside over 300 or more members as Branch President. In his duty as husband, father, and Priesthood leader, he diligently magnified his calling, momentarily forgetting his temporal growth and progress in favor of his family and his service to God and His people.

However, in time most proper, the Lord inspired him to finally go back to college and earn a degree. And, around the environs of family trials and difficulties and insufficiency of job opportunities in the locality, he and his wife made a very crucial and spiritually defining decision. His wife had to work abroad for two years to assist him in their common goal, by the conclusion of which time he will also graduate from college. Farewell was such a painful and throbbing word to a husband, wife and child as they were temporarily parted by divisions of oceans and seas. Each passing day without each other, seemed all the more to extend the time even before it expires. Only the Skype heals the sorrows of being away from dearly cherished loved ones. Through such miraculous technology they hold family home evenings, family scripture studies, and family prayer.

While his wife worked abroad, he earned a meager income through a humble occupation of a cellphone repair man. He served God in all diligence and faith, and he burned his midnight candles in diligent study making sure that his college studies will conclude as planned. Two years run fast and he was conferred a degree in Information Technology (IT). Prior to his graduation he applied for a job in a mining company. He was also offered to teach college in the same school where he graduated. A week after his graduation he was notified to report for work in the mining company. He accepted the IT job over the consistent invitation and offer as college instructor. His wife returned home never again to go back for a job abroad, unless they will have to go as a family.

In one of their dinner together with their department officers and employees, his personal priority and integrity was again tested. He was asked to drink beer and that if he didn’t, he would be laid off. He told his boss straight, “I will tender my resignation tomorrow.”  Just over a year in his career in the mining industry, he was promoted to a regular programmer. And in a matter of two years and four months since his employment, he was recently promoted to the position of Application Supervisor. This career growth is difficult to match in the Philippines, especially in the provincial setting.

Many of his high school contemporaries graduated from college more than thirteen (13) years ago.  Not many had reached the officer’s position in such a short time of two years and four months after graduation, and not many hold such position of authority even at this time. The seemingly lost time of secular opportunities of more than thirteen (13) years, which priority time he gave to his family---the center of the Creator’s plan of happiness; and to the Lord in service to Him and His people, has been restored to him so much faster than expected as a recompense for all the sacrifices that he has done.

The Lord’s reparation has been made in terms of increased intellectual and learning capacities, enlarged ability to deal with different types of people, intensified leadership capability, stepped up knowledge in his field of study, added humility and patience, and better work attitude. Such dominant attributes for growth were developed not in college but through years of service in God’s Kingdom.  In his long postponed race for personal temporal growth and development in favor of God and His work, the Lord now provides him with a magnified and expanded resume---- a key that will open bigger doors of opportunities; a competitive stance which will allow him to stand with bearing in employment contests; a light and lamp that will brighten the path to loftier and grander prospects of tomorrow. Indeed, the Lord recompensed. He promised: "...for them that honour me I will honour,...(1 Samuel 2:30)."