Cockroach Control (April 6, 2006)

Some people remember their childhood with absolute clarity. Some people don't even remember what they were like when they were children...they only knew stuff about their childhood from their parents (actually, this is just an excuse for parents to avoid telling them the truth, that theyare clones...hahaha. For a more detailed discussion, you can approach Don...hahaha).

I do have memories when I was a child, and if there is anything, absolutely anything that I remember as a child, this would be it:

I always loved my bottle when I was a toddler. Even when I started eating, I never gave up my bottle for a glass...it just seems so...I don't know, maybe I was teething, and the sensation of biting into something rubbery relieves me. I knew I wouldn't really give my bottles up, even if my parents encouraged me that it means that I'll be a big boy (that poses a big question mark there...since even up to now, the word big cannot be associated with me...hahaha!!!)...never mind that. I enjoy being a kid!
When I was about three years old, my parents got really concerned that I might have teeth sticking out of my face. Sayang the teeth that I have pa naman...So they came up with a plan that will make me give up...and when it comes to foolproof plans...I do have my hands up to my parents...they're very wise in that area...

One fine day, it was a Saturday, and I remember it well because I was watching Disney's Duck Tales (woohoo!) at GMA 7, where you belong (man I miss the good ol' days!), my dad went and asked me if I want some milk...and I said yes. He asked me to come with him downstairs since he wanted me to help out in making it...so I reluctantly got down (because that Scottish arch-enemy of Scrooge McDuck...). My dad asked me to get the bottles in the kitchen, so I went there...lo and behold, I wasn't able to approach my bottles...THEY HAVE PUT COCKROACHES INSIDE!!! In an instant, my mind changed, and I never wanted to get near my bottles ever again, nor did my parents give in to my pleas for them to buy me new ones...

It had certain repercussions though, even up to now, I can't stand the sight of cockroaches, especially if they're flying...all I could say is that they become invincible airborne...hmmm...I could scream like a girl...man that's embarrassing.

...

During the first sem of my last year in college (around 2004), a few friends of mine (Raffy, Mike, and JR) often meet up at the student center to pray for SW. During one of our prayer times, God, for some reason I wasn't aware during that time, told me to tell Raffy not to be a Jonah. I kinda backed out because I felt stupid saying something to Raffy, that might not make any sense at all...but I said it, knowing that I wouldn't feel well AT ALL if I knew that the Lord could've used me but I refused to because I was so scared. When I told him that, he was surprised...and I knew that there was indeed something going on.

Apparently, Raffy asked God for a fleece (a sign...read the story of Gideon and the 300 men)...and God answered him with the sign that he (Raffy) asked, so walang takas si Raffy...he had to do his end of the deal.

I got curious so I kinda asked God if I can also ask for a sign from Him. Giving me the sign means that it is according to His good will to give me what I wanted. I asked Him to put a half-dead cockroach, belly up, still wriggling in front of my bedroom door...if He does, He will give me something...I wanted it the next morning.

I woke up the next morning, expecting to see a cockroack...I breathed deeply as I opened the door, and there was no cockroach for me...apparently God wanted something else, but I dismissed the fact because I know that God can choose to answer or not to answer through a sign...

SEVEN days later, I woke up hurrying because I needed to be at UP by 7am...I went to my parents' room to ask for some money...my mom was about to go to work. We had some small talk and I walked back to my room (I was stepping on a candy wrapper and my bare foot...can feel it. I paused with my back on the door of my room, continued talking to my mom, not minding the candy wrapper...and my mom got down. I lifted my foot to pick up the wrapper...and I was surprised...IT WAS A HALF-DEAD COCKROACH IN FRONT OF MY DOOR...AFTER SEVEN DAYS (God's perfect time)!!! I was ecstatic!

More than a year has passed, I have been humbled, and was put to my proper place a lot of times. I never knew if I should take to heart what has happened...I mean, God can use a variety of different things to show His power...I have prayed to God that I still want what I have desired during that time. But with the situation, I know that He knows better...and I should submit to His will...but the sign still loomed in my head.

Today (April 7, 2005), after a long wait, God's answer was clear...from a handful of applicants, to 200 interviewees, to 120 qualified applicants...I made it to UP College of Medicine...that was what I asked from God when I asked for the cockroach...

All praises be to my God!!!