16th of July
I was in a journal writing/ dream interpretation course with some young friends when I met her...
I couldn't remember what I shared in there but she stirred a memory in each one of us in her experience...
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July 16, 1990, 4: 26 pm
I was with my friend Hazel in the library and just as we were descending the stairs, earthquake shook our country that day.
Hazel was able to get down to the groundfloor while I retreated back to the library where we were gathered by our librarian in prayer.
It took several minutes and when everything quieted down, we all went down together.
I went home where my family awaited me.
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She was attending a conference in one of Baguio's finest hotels...
It toppled down and left her under the debris...
July 16, 1990, 4: 26 pm
I was with my friend Hazel in the library and just as we were descending the stairs, earthquake shook our country that day.
Hazel was able to get down to the groundfloor while I retreated back to the library where we were gathered by our librarian in prayer.
It took several minutes and when everything quieted down, we all went down together.
I went home where my family awaited me.
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She was attending a conference in one of Baguio's finest hotels...
It toppled down and left her under the debris...
...where she stayed for three days...
She was among those who survived...
her other colleagues perished in that incident...
...and the eternal question, "Why me?"
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She dreamt of dolphins...
'To see a dolphin in your dream symbolizes spiritual guidance, intellect, mental attributes and emotional trust. The dream is usually an inspirational one, encouraging you to utilize your mind to its capacity and move upward in life {Resurrection} . Alternatively, it suggests that a line of communication has been established between the conscious and subconscious aspects of yourself.'
~ Dream Moods ~
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We saw each other again after several years...
and went together in the Italian language class for four months...
It was such a blessing!
She continued her story...
After the earthquake,
she felt that God was calling her for a higher cause...
she resigned from her work as an accountant and began her journey as a religious...
I saw how happy she was being one.
... she faced her fears...
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16 July 2012, Monday
I recall the earthquakes I had survived in my life and the angels who have extricated me from the rubbles...
...the dolphins that revived my dreams...
...God who pulled me back to my feet to start a new journey...
I pray for the souls of those who have died...
...we light a candle of hope for those who remain buried...
...and I will always remember YOU dear friend...
I have seen you in my dreams...
praying for me...
...I am facing my fears...
We find by losing. We hold fast by letting go.
We become something new by ceasing to be something old.
This seems to be close to the heart of that mystery.
I know no more now than I ever did about the far side
of death as the last letting-go of all, but now I know
that I do not need to know, and that I do not need
to be afraid of not knowing. God knows.
That is all that matters.
We become something new by ceasing to be something old.
This seems to be close to the heart of that mystery.
I know no more now than I ever did about the far side
of death as the last letting-go of all, but now I know
that I do not need to know, and that I do not need
to be afraid of not knowing. God knows.
That is all that matters.
A beautiful and oh, so touching reflection, Melissa. May God bless you this day, my friend!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Martha :) The earthquake made such a great impact in our young lives. It's one of those things that unites people ~ the way 'Ondoy' did in September several years ago.
DeleteThanks for sharing this moment with me :)
Oh Melissa how could I forget about that earthquake in 1990? I was 7 back then. My grandma and I were inside the jeepney, on our way home as she fetched me from school. The jeepney had to park because the ground was shaking. I didn't understand what was happening but it was really scary. When we got home, everyone in the house said we needed to evacuate to a higher place, because La Union being a coastal province, it was not impossible for a tsunami to take place. But we did not leave and we prayed instead. And praise God, no tsunami happened.
ReplyDeleteYes, in our lives "earthquakes", "tsunamis", and "other calamities" in the form of trials can hit us. And as those trials continue to come as we go on with life's journey, our faith won't let us be shaken.
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. - Matthew 7:24-25
Your beautiful reflection reminds me of these passages. God bless, Melissa <3 :-)
The strength of one's faith is tested in these occasions... it may break, quake, shake but God's presence is felt...
DeleteThanks for sharing your experiences on that day Irene. You were so young then...
Thank you for the passage too ~ we do have a sure foundation in Christ.
Amen :)
I can't imagine what this is like, Melissa. You are a beautiful soul and yes, you and your friend survived for a reason. xox
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine neither Adriene... it was so sudden...
DeleteYou are a beautiful soul too. God has a purpose ;)
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ReplyDeleteThat was one of the strong earthquakes ever struck the country, right? I was not yet born that time though.
ReplyDeleteThat was really an inspiring story, being buried...seeing no light...what a relief she's been rescued after three days...
Certainly, we experience earthquakes, literally and figuratively,but we could still stand up and be strong!
Being buried alive... seeing no light and feeling your friends are no longer breathing... and drinking '...' to relieve her thirst...It's too scary for me but all she remembered was God was there.
DeleteI was fourteen then Key... it's a part of our history.
I think some of those quakes are necessary to put us back into our senses ;) Well, good luck on your journey :)
Hi Priscilla, welcome :) Are you one of Key's friends? I browsed your blog quickly this afternoon. I'll take a better look now :) Thanks for the visit.
ReplyDeletedearest Mom, you are here for persons like me and for that I thank God!
ReplyDelete-portia
God bless dear one.
Deletewe find by loosing,well said,so we are.
ReplyDeleteLosing ourselves :)
DeleteThank you Zarnab.
A beautiful post sis...So sorry for your loss...Touching reflections.
ReplyDeleteThank you sis. I believe that those earthquakes served their purpose. They do have aftershocks but they brought me to my senses.
DeleteHi Melissa, this is a very touching post. I have never dreamt of dolphins...it must be such a nice dream to have. They are so beautiful and free. You are meeting so many interesting people...people that I am sure spiritually guide and influence you in life. Have a blessed day!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are very right Nelieta :D There are so many interesting people in this world ~ very creative ones and I do learn a lot from them.
DeleteI've never dreamt of dolphins neither... it would be a blessing to have one.
Stay blessed you too :* Thank you!
I remember that earthquake, too, Melissa. I was in high school then, and we were the only onces left in the room because we were designing our bulleting board. We were in the fourth floor when the building began to shake, that was the strongest earthquake I have ever experienced, I thought it was the end of the world! After that, we were paranoid from fear for the weeks to come. Your friend is indeed chosen by God and has a mission to accomplish. Even now, she is still inspirign people through her story. Thank you for writig this one, you too, have that mission to fulfill by touchign lives with your pen ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you Jocelyn ~ you are an inspiration yourself :)
DeleteWherever she is now, I'd like her to know that I keep a good memory of her :)
Melissa, this is a very moving post. Earthquakes are so scary. Where do you go when the very earth beneath your feet betrays you. Your friend's story is so inspirational. She ran towards God, and a higher calling. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI love the Buechner quote at the end. Letting go is all we can do.
Sending love sweet Melissa.
I remember when I was in Italy, I slept with my clothes on ~ just in case an earthquake occurs at night :P
DeleteI loved how you wrote that ~ God gave her wings :) and she flew :)
God saved you :)
ReplyDeleteHave blessed life my sweet angel.
Not my time yet :P Shukran Izdiher... a blessed month to you.
DeleteMelissa, yes, dreaming of dolphins would symbolize resurrection, rising from the depths. What a beautiful lesson you illustrate here dear friend. You are one amazing person with vision and hope, and a true inspiration to so many seeking light in this dark world we live in. Keep shining bright!
ReplyDeleteThank you Debra. The people and stories that I share are my treasures in life :) They have inspired me a lot and I go back to them over and over again to increase my faith.
DeleteStay blessed always!
I truly love you heart and soul, my soul sis. Whatever you write you do it from your heart which is pure and wise beyond its years.You truly inspire all of us
ReplyDeleteOnly God is worthy of such praise soul sis...
DeleteThank you ~ these are religious experiences I'd like to go back to again and again.
I will never forget that earthquake. It was the one that toppled the Baguio Hyatt Terraces Hotel. In this earthquake, my dear friend Daisy, wife of the hotel manager, was taken home to her eternal destination. Probably an untimely death in the minds of many, for Daisy died in the prime of her life. She was beautiful, passionate, generous, one of the kindest persons I have ever known. I still miss her up to now. But in God's heart, there are no accidents, no chance occurrences. God called her home close to His heart, and there she abides to day, for all eternity.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post. I loved the Buechner post at the end.
Blessings
Lidia
That's right Lidia, I do remember. And my friend was in that hotel, she survived.
DeleteThank you for your visit and your reflections. I pray for your friend Daisy.
I have visited your blog and I'm sure I'll go back for reflections.
God bless!
AMEN!!! What a BEAUTIFUL story of faith, courage, and the RESURRECTION power of Jesus. Thank you for sharing this!!!
ReplyDelete