Ephramar

Don’t associate with anyone who hates, disrespects, and dishonors your spouse. Make them clearly understand that you and your spouse are one. Anyone who truly cares about you will honor your choice of spouse and will treat your spouse with dignity and respect.

We have two dogs named Sugar and Pepper. We have a long table beside our window, and it's been their routine to run around the house. Kun ano na lang ang ila pagdlagan-dlagan palibot sa balay, panglagas sang mga paka kag ilaga, pangutkot sa garden, kag kun maswertehan, manggabot sila sang mga tanom or mangkitkit sang tsinelas.

After a day of their routine, they would always climb on top of the long table outside our window. Dira gid na sila pirme gapahuway. Ina nga bintana, bintana sang amon kwarto. As we sleep, they would also sleep on that table. And when we wake up in the morning, they will be there kag matamwa sa bintana.

I call that place our dog's sanctuary. And it is such a fantastic gesture to know that dogs have their own sanctuary.

What is a sanctuary by the way?

Sanctuary is defined as a place of safety or refuge. A place offering favorable opportunities or conditions.

Humans, by nature, also have their own sanctuary. But let me ask you, brothers and sisters, where is your sanctuary? Where do you feel safe? Where do you feel comfortable? Where do you feel the peace of mind that you are looking for?

Most likely, our answer will be, in our homes. But brothers and sisters, aside from our homes, you may also find your sanctuary to be inside the church.

I was caught on the line from this week's topic on Come Follow Me which says, "I can trust that God will guide and help me regardless of my situation". As I would remember, kun nagainulan, grabe ang pagpangilat kag panaguob, ang amon mga ido nagasige na hibi sa bintana. And we would come out of the room to pet them, to make them calm.

I know that this week had been so tough for most of us. Ginaulanan, ginakilatan, kag ginadaguoban. But when we come to church, we pray, and we trust that Heavenly Father is beside us. It is normal to feel sad or worried once in a while. We are sad because we're out of budget. We are worried because we don't have a stable source of income.

Sadness and anxiety are natural human emotions. However, if we are constantly sad, our sadness blocks our ability to feel the love of our Heavenly Father and His Son, and the influence of the Holy Ghost.

As Elder Calimag would share about love and sacrifice, let us love God and sacrifice to follow God’s commandments so we may always have His Spirit with us. Let us do the small and simple things that will give us spiritual strength, and let us all remember to trust that Heavenly Father is beside us.

Just like dogs who feel safe beside their master, we as Latter-day Saints, believe that may Ginoo, kag ara siya pirme sa aton tupad. We just have to think that at the end of the day, no matter how hard is our situation, Heavenly Father is beside us.

"Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind, and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God." – Moroni 10:32

I remembered when I was still a trainee at the Bacolod City Assessors Office. At that time, ang office wala gabaton trainees due to personal preferences sang Chief Assessor. But I don’t know what luck I have that time when I was accepted as the only trainee. My main function was to assist in all clerical works of the office and to coordinate with the Management Information Technology and Computer Services in the encoding of Assessed Real Properties in the database. And I did enjoy the privilege of having a good relationship with all the personnel.

There was a time when I was asked to assist an Assessor with his fieldwork. We were to assess a property situated at Barangay 39. An old house near St. Carmen Salles School. It was a two-story antique house that was constructed sometime in the 1970s. Ginsugata kami sg house owner sa gate and gave us a tour around the house. Based on my observation, the house is nearly depreciated. I was fascinated with the house kay puro tabla ang salog. The Assessor asked me to take note of the current condition of the house, notable materials the house is made of, the cost of materials at the time of the construction, kag kun pwede pa bla maistaran ang balay.

I noted all the details while the assessor was having his interview with the owner. The owner was telling the assessor that he had plans to make house renovations and that the house will be used as collateral for a bank loan. The bank required the owner to have his house assessed for its True and Current Value. The bank will then assess the house based on its Fair Market Value which will be the basis of the loan. The owner then asked the assessor to have our assessment raised three times its True and Current Value so that his loanable amount for the house renovation will also be tripled. When the loan will be granted, the owner promised to give us a share of his loan.

The assessor had paused a moment to think about how to respond. I was also astounded as it was my first time to do fieldwork with an assessor and witness the kind of transaction they encounter in the field. What I admired most was the response by the assessor. The assessor explained to the owner that after the assessment, the office will issue a Sworn Statement declaring the True and Current Market Value of the property. It also follows that the Real Property Tax will also be tripled, and it will affect him in the long run. It would also be difficult to ask for a re-assessment since his house was currently assessed, the market value is high, and it would take him time to declare the house in its original depreciation value since the disparity is tripled. The owner resented it as he doesn't have the money to pay that amount and just rely on the loan that he will get for the renovation.

Looking back, I remembered the same story as Joseph. As he prospered by the Lord and became Potiphar’s butler, he was constantly tempted by Potiphar’s wife. But with the help of Our Heavenly Father, he was able to resist temptation.

There was an old expression, sometimes you must go down and hit bottom before you can be built up, and this is what is happening to Joseph at this time. Three times in chapters 37 – 39, Joseph descends into trouble

Joseph was lowered into the wilderness cistern by his brothers (Genesis 37:24 – 25)

He was sold into slavery and must descend into Egypt (Genesis 37:36, 39:1)

He descends into the Potiphar’s prison (Genesis 39:20 – 23)

But all were part of the Lord’s plan and the fulfillment of the prophecy was for Joseph to end up in a position of prominence in Egypt. The descents that Joseph had to make were all part of the method to put Joseph into power. Joseph’s residence in Egypt would signal the beginning of the fulfillment of the prophecy to Abraham in Genesis 15:13

Temptation always starts with a thought. Potiphar’s wife sees Joseph and sees him as well built and handsome

The character of Potiphar’s wife is unknown. But there is a possibility that Joseph was not the first man she wanted to have with, and everything was most likely done on a quiet scale, as the penalty for adultery was death. She approached joseph on many occasions and each time she is rejected by him. Joseph refused each time citing three reasons for his refusal:

The abuse of trust. Potiphar had placed him in a position of trust to which Joseph was loyal.

An offense against her husband. She is not the possession of another man. He is asking Potiphar’s wife to remember that she is this man’s wife and as such, he should have nothing to do with her.

A sin against God. Joseph understood that to sin in this way was not just a violation of trust with Potiphar, but also with God. Mosaic law required that adulterous offenders be put to death.

Temptation can lead to sin. It may come in many forms. Sometimes it may look very proper. Satan will always apply temptation to seal his victory to us and maintain his ownership of the lives of those who have not yet accepted Christ as their savior. Satan’s victim of his temptation was not those he tempted, but those who could be victimized because of his temptation.

To sin in this way was not only a destruction of the loyalty and trust between Potiphar and Joseph but also between God and Joseph. Joseph would in fact have been saying that he didn’t trust God to get him through this temptation.

Another thing that this tells us about temptation is that sometimes the temptation is a very deliberate process. Potiphar’s wife planned this very carefully to get Joseph. It was done on a holiday when the servants were away, and they were alone. She deliberately made up the story of how Joseph had attacked her sexually and had his cloak to back up her story.

When she is rejected by Joseph, she sets out to retaliate against him with lies. Between verses 14 – 19, she tells the story about Joseph four times. Verses 13 – 15 is a sobering reminder of what damage the lying tongue can bring. Potiphar’s wife speaks to her servants, hoping to capitalize on Joseph’s Hebrew descent. She avoids referring to him by name so as not to personalize him with her servants. She wants to capitalize on their anger and Egyptian antisemitism. She used the same deceptive tact when talking with her husband. She told the same story as before, but in addition added guilt onto Potiphar for the crime as it was, he who elevated the Hebrew slave. Therefore, he had better do something about it.

Here we note something else about temptation. Amid the temptation, when things are deliberately set against us, we can always see the hand of God. Since Potiphar is burning with anger and Joseph was his servant, it was well within Potiphar’s power to have him killed, yet he did not demand it. The hidden hand of God preserves Joseph’s life once again.

God did not promise the circumstances under which that promise would be fulfilled. If you ask God to grant you more patience in dealing with people, he may very well put you in circumstances where you need to exercise more patience. If you want to learn to be more dependent on him, be prepared to be put in circumstances where your only answer is to be dependent on Christ.

Joseph is a good example of a believer who trusted God and made the best of his difficult circumstances. Temptation can be as strong in times of ease and power as it is in times of adversity and stress. There is no good time for temptation. It will come when we are rested or when we are physically tired.

What does this lesson teach us?

God’s blessings are with his people everywhere, even while under the severest of trials.

God’s blessings and grace in his people are manifest to others.

God blesses others for the sake of his people

God is still working out his designs, even when they seem to fail.

Prosperity is not always a sign of God’s special favor.

Every second of every day of every month of every year, you have graced my life.

I have grown because of you and I know that I will continue my path in life with you by my side.

Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.

The road that we find ourselves on now is indeed a rough one but I want you to know that I will always be there in all ways not because I have to but because I want to more than anything.

Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.

I promise you that we have many more moments and connections to make in this life together. I love you.

I remembered, a year after I was assigned at Mandalagan National High School. I noticed that every time it rains, may mga estudyante kami sa eskwelahan nga nagatiniil magbakal sg pagkaon sa canteen. Before my assignment, I was affiliated with the Department of Health, and we were taught nga ndi mayo magtiniil kun maglakat-lakat sa dalan, labi na gid kun gatiniil because one might get sick, and your health will be at risk.

Every recess, gahatag gid ko na tyempo para magsaway sa mga bata nga gasulod sa canteen kag wala nagasuksok sapatos. I always call their attention and sometimes, ginalagas ko gid cla para sawayon nga magsuksok gid sg ila mga sapatos. Iban sa ila masuksok sapatos kag magbalik sa canteen, pero ang iban sa ila gapanago nlg sa ila mga classroom.

There was one student nga pirme ko gid masawayan kun gainulan kay pirme gid ni siya gatiniil magsulod sa canteen. One time, ginmuno ko ang iya maestra pirme ko lg siya masawayan and I raised my concern kay basi matunok or madanlog ang bata. Then I ask about why that student is always on barefoot when it rains? The teacher replied and I quote, “Sir, indi na sila gusto mabasa ila sapatos. Bal-an mo, isa lg na ka pares ang ila sapatos. Sir, kun mabasa na ila sapatos sbg, wala na cla suksukon para bwas kay isa lg gid ka pares ila sapatos”.

That day, I understand and realized why these students, wala na sila ginasaway sg ila mga maestra magtiniil kun gainulan. Aside from the fact nga high school na sila kag mga may buot naman ni sila, wala sila gatiniil tungod ginahalungan gid nila nga ndi mabasa ang ila kaisa-isa nga sapatos.

I found wisdom in this experience, and this inspired me to talk to you about the importance of the family. There is nothing more important to be than our families. Our family ties us to be with one another, gives us a name, and helps us feel needed and loved. In 3 Nephi 18:21, it says, “Pray in your families unto the Father, always in my name, that your wives and your children may be blessed”.

I would like to share a good quote from President Harold B. Lee which says, “The most important of the Lord’s work you will ever do will be within the walls of your own homes”.

Pandemic, although we know that it brought us a lot of undesirable things, it gave us the opportunity to be bonded closer together. It is when people started to observe social distancing, gatherings, and even church services were minimized, doors of business closes. At the end of the day, only the door of our home is open, to care for us no matter how broke we are, no matter how sick we are, and will care for us no matter how hard it will be.

Pandemic has thought me the importance of family. And because we have no one except for our families, I was moved to turn to the gospel. Because of the constant visit of my siblings that we got closer. And I realized that their love is far beyond what Heavenly Father wants us to be.

Brothers and sisters, I am grateful that I am surrounded by a family that is full of love and hope. Knowing that, I grow up as the only child of my father and mother, I am happy to belong to a big family. I am grateful for the patience of my wife. I am grateful for the persistence of Brother Stephen and Sister Nicole. I am grateful for the love of Dunkin, Carol, David, Pamela, and JR. I am grateful for the guidance of my parents. I am grateful to my parents. Because of the testimony and the gospel shared by my family, I was converted.

Pareho sg amon estudyante sa Mandalagan, nga grabe gid ang paghalong sa iya kaisa-isa nga sapatos, pareho man nga paghalong ang aton pagahimuon sa aton nga pamilya. We may change our work, our workmates, friends, or neighbors. Pero tandan ta gid nga isa lg ang aton pamilya. We should treasure our families the same way that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ treasured us.

Once upon a time. A small boy named Basheer lived in a tiny Moroccan village. All his classmates hated him for his stupidity especially his teacher who was always yelling at him "you are driving me crazy Basheer".

One day his mother went to check out how he is doing at school and the teacher told her honestly that her son is simply a disaster, getting very low marks and never had she seen such a dumb boy in her whole career.

The mother could not accept such a feedback and she took her son out from that school. She even shifted to another city.

25 years later, that teacher got a cardio disorder and all the doctors have advised her to go for an open heart operation which only one surgeon could perform.

Left with no other choice she did it and the surgery was successful. When she opened her eyes, she saw a handsome doctor smiling to her. Being under anesthesia effect, she wanted to thank him but could not talk. In turn, he was staring at her face which started turning blue. The woman was raising her hand trying to tell him something but in vain, and eventually died.

The doctor was shocked and was trying to understand what just happened until he turned back and saw our friend Basheer working as a cleaner in that hospital who unplugged the ventilator to connect his vacuum cleaner.

To say that I loved you with all my heart wouldn’t suffice. Over the time that I’ve had the privilege of getting to know and grow closer to you I’ve discovered a happiness that I never knew existed. From the moment I saw you I knew that I wanted you to be a part of my life.

From the very moment I spoke to you, I was captivated by your smile. How can I describe how you make me feel? When I’m with you everything in the world seems perfect. When you say goodbye to me, I can’t wait until the next day, because each moment away from you feels like an eternity.

Every time I kiss you, feel your embrace and tell you “I love you”, my feelings for you grow even stronger. I now truly know that I can never love anyone as much as I love you, and unless you look into my heart you’ll never understand how incredible you are, how lucky you make me feel nor how much I love you.

To say that I am privileged to be by your side would be an understatement. I’m honored and blessed to have you in my life, and I promise you that I’ll always adore you, I’ll always be faithful and loyal, I’ll always be by your side, and I’ll always be this good-looking forever. You’re more precious to me than anything in the world because you give my life meaning, direction, and purpose. To even think that not having you in my life was a possibility still frightens me, because you’re my everything, not having you by my side would take away my reason for living.

Never forget that I will always be there for you, I will always protect you and I will always love you “no matter what”. How can I express how much happiness you bring into my life, how much I love you, how much you mean to me when there are no words to do my feelings justice?

Over the course of your life, your relationship with your mother can change drastically.

As young children, we depend on our moms for everything. As teenagers, we start to retaliate when things do not go our way. And, as we finally get older, we start to realize the significance of a mother.

Sometimes, we forget how much our moms have done for us. We grow up thinking our moms will never understand our struggles, but the truth is they invest time making sure we never understand theirs.

It’s important to give all moms out there recognition and appreciation for being multi-faceted.

Here are 50 things we forget to thank our moms for:

1. Thank you for giving birth to me.

2. Thank you for changing my diapers.

3. Thank you for finding the things I have lost.

4. Thank you for the nights you stayed up putting me to sleep.

5. Thank you for helping me regain my lost dreams and helping me believe in them again.

6. Thank you for wiping my nose, bottom and tears.

7. Thank you for tying my shoelaces and tying up loose ends.

8. Thank you for washing my clothes and washing the dishes.

9. Thank you for reminding me it's okay to be human.

10. Thank you for allowing me to make mistakes.

11. Thank you for driving me to school every day until I got my license.

12. Thank you for being the superstar mom who brought food for me and my friends during all my games.

13. Thank you for sitting at my dance recitals, game tournaments and school plays.

14. Thank you for taking care of me every single day.

15. Thank you for helping me with my homework.

16. Thank you for giving me advice and listening to my vent.

17. Thank you for providing me with boundaries and rules to follow.

18. Thank you for saying no to me, even if it may seem hard and you might never hear the end of it.

19. Thank you for dealing with my tantrums and all the times I've talked back.

20. Thank you for catching me in white lies and teaching me how, to be honest.

21. Thank you for rubbing my head and telling me things will be okay.

22. Thank you for giving me a sense of worth by just being there for me.

23. Thank you for never giving up on me, even when you feel absolutely drained out.

24. Thank you for being protective.

25. Thank you for understanding me without me having to say a word.

26. Thank you for always being right and knowing what is best for me.

27. Thank you for giving me space to grow into who I need to be.

28. Thank you for scolding me when I've done something wrong.

29. Thank you for encouraging me when I've done something right.

30. Thank you for putting up with me.

31. Thank you for inspiring me.

32. Thank you for forgiving me and teaching me how to forgive.

33. Thank you for teaching me how to respect others.

34. Thank you for instilling family values in me.

35. Thank you for teaching me beauty is a state of mind, not a state of appearance.

36. Thank you for teaching me how to give and share.

37. Thank you for showering me with your hugs and kisses.

38. Thank you for challenging me.

39. Thank you for playing every role: mother, best friend, sister, doctor, mentor, etc.

40. Thank you for all the sacrifices you have made.

41. Thank you for all the home-cooked meals.

42. Thank you for being and doing your best to make me happy.

43. Thank you for putting me in different activities as a kid to help me find out what I love doing.

44. Thank you for not telling Dad about some of the things I've done.

45. Thank you for loving me more than you love yourself.

46. Thank you for the way you embody grace, love, humility, kindness and selflessness.

47. Thank you for your time, effort and unconditional love.

48. Thank you for working around the clock.

49. Thank you for all the things you do, day in and day out; you don't even think of the things you do for me on a daily basis as needing thanks.

Another year filled with sweet memories and joyous times has passed. You have made my year very special, and I wish for you to continue to do so. With you around, every moment is a special occasion for me.

Here we are today, four years and still going strong. Our journey hasn’t finished yet but I'm delighted we made it this far. The future holds so many new obstacles but there are always bumpy roads to happiness.

Today is a very special day as we aren’t just celebrating the day that brought our friendship to the next level but the commitment we have put into our relationship. Throughout our three years together we have been through a lot. At times I have made you upset, cry and angry but I also have made you smile, happy, laugh and hopefully make you feel as if you were the most important person. All of the things that have happened to us have brought us to where we are today and I wouldn’t change a thing.

I am lucky to have you that understands myself. Never did I think I would end up with someone with such a pure heart. You always put everyone’s happiness before your own.

Thank you for believing in me, listening to me, and for accepting me for who I am. Thank you for helping me and pushing me into becoming a better person. Thank you for understanding me and seeing what makes me special enough to let me be a part of your life. Thank you for everything for the past three years.

I may not be the best husband but I promise that I will strive to become better, for you and for our family. Thinking about all the beautiful memories we have shared, I think about how much we have grown since December 9, 2012.

The past three years have been the happiest years of my life, you are my sweetest half and would always be next to my mom. You will always have a special place in my life, forever in my heart, permanently in my memories. I love you, I really do and will always love you.

You are the most beautiful person I have ever met, inside and out, and I do truly mean it even you won't agree.