FIRST YEAR FATHER

"Kailanpaman O Diyos pag-ibig Mo.

(Your everlasting love O God)

Kalul'wa'y ligtas dahil sa 'Yo

(My soul is safe because of you)

Kailanman buhay man Iyong inilaan

(You offered Your life, always)

Nang ako'y maligtas sa 'king kapahamakan

(When You delivered me from danger)

Dakila Ka, O Diyos kailanpaman."

(You are great O God, all the time.)

Jann Fayel: at 3 years old

This was my lullaby which I sang to Jann every time I brought her to the bed. It is my way of expressing my gratitude to the Lord who gave our firstborn in November 7, 1997.

My first year of becoming a father was not so easy yet it was a learning experience. Changing diapers. Waking up at the middle of the night just to check on her. From focusing with my relationship to Febe, we started helping each other to meet the needs of our beautiful daughter. We began to spend more on her than our personal needs. Budget seems to get tighter. Nevertheless, we enjoyed every minute of it!

Jann had small red spot on the her upper eye. I was alarmed that it may grow bigger as the days past. My wife and I prayed. I worried that it may affect her eyesight. But praise the Lord it became small till there was none. Jann had some sort of skin disease. Till it became almost an asthma of the skin as the doctor diagnosed. She had an amoeba infection in her stomach. And she was not exempted to an occasional fever and flu. All of these was part of her growing up in her first year as a baby. And my first year as a father trusting God to help me with my responsibilities. For I believe that I can do all things with the strength provided by the Lord Jesus Christ.

Being a father needs a lot of trusting to our great Father!