christmas in september

this september turned out to be one of the merriest months for me this year. it’s been a month full of “happy-nings” hehehe ü for one thing, i am celebrating my birthday today (sheesh.. have i really been on this planet for three decades?! ü). as it turns out, my new friend, colleen, also celebrates her birthday on september. it’s also this month that i received official news of my tenure at school. oh.. and it seems that this september, i’ve had a record number of “dates” with various friends ü hahaha. yup, this month sure brought a lot of unexpected blessings for me :)

this year, i’m getting a “birthday bonus” too. because today, the rolwcc music ministry is finally launching its first ever christmas album entitled “melodies and harmonies of christmas” ü yup, it’s *finally* done!! and just in the nick of time.. haha. natapos din nang september.. in fact, our last recording session took place last night (the 26th) - a day before my special day. imagine spending the first hours of your september birthday singing christmas carols with friends in the ministry. how cool is that?! :p

all of us in the ministry worked *really* hard to come up with this christmas album. unknown to many, we started this project as early as march/april this year. just as we did when we worked on the “amazing love” cd, we spent countless hours in the recording studio (4-5 hours per session). we were practicing the christmas songs on top of our usual repertoire (for prayer meetings, tv masses and special services). many nights, we were sleep-deprived and exhausted. not to mention incessantly worrying over “quartets” and singing solo in front of bro. rannie, hehehe ü it’s been an insanely hectic 6 months. but we all had a blast :)

i’m glad that the music ministry’s project is *finally* completed. i’m really excited to share our music with friends at work and with other family members. but i guess part of me will miss those late-night stints at the recording studio.. the puzzled looks from passersby whenever they hear us singing christmas carols in june.. the crazy photo shoot.. the “bonding” over dinner while waiting for our turn to sing. yup.. i think i’m speaking for almost all of us in the ministry when i say that while we’re glad we have more time for rest now, we’re definitely going to miss all of these.

it feels wonderful to be able to take part in completing a labor of love such as this. for me, the feeling of joy.. the sense of accomplishment.. and the pride that comes with being involved in this endeavor.. well, those are great blessings, indeed. more than that, though, i’m really grateful to have the privilege of serving with people who have truly become the brothers and sisters i never had ü

so on this merry month of september, i celebrate my birthday. and i mean *really* celebrate ü not with a fancy party. not with a bang. not with lots of frills or thrills. but i celebrate my special day with a genuine smile on my face.. and in my heart ü and i say a special prayer of thanks.. for the greatest blessings that the Lord has given me for the past three decades - my family, my friends and this community ü and i’m grateful for the early “christmas” spirit He’s made me feel, too, hehehe :p

christmas in september. not a bad idea, huh? spread the joy around. remember.. everyday is a good day to celebrate the Lord’s birth ü merry christmas, everyone!