Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

I attended a 1st Friday mass here in the office few hours ago. Accordingly, first Friday is intended for the devotion of Sacred Heart of Jesus.

I remember when I was still in Butuan, I was still suffering from depression then (caused by my ex-husband's betrayal), I found solace in churches be it in Lianga, or at Butuan's Sto. Niño Shrine or Cathedral.

One Friday late afternoon, I just arrived in Butuan from a special audit in Lianga, I decided to drop by the Cathedral. There I chanced upon devotees of Sacred Heart of Jesus doing the praise and worship.

The feeling I had while I was in the church was indescribable. It was as if the deep burden I was carrying in my heart then was unloaded... That is, after I silently sobbed while kneeling and praying inside the church.  I even covered my face with my already tear-soaked handkerchief just to cover myself.  I was hoping I would not be identified by people and just be plainly oblivious to other churchgoers.

But please, don't get me wrong.  I am not boasting that I am a prayerful person.  I would just like to express what I went through when I was still nursing a badly bruised heart.

Anyway, since then, I became a devotee. But considering that I could not keep up with the church's early schedule of devotion, I decided to buy a prayer handbook and pray in the comforts of my bedroom.

The healing process was not easy... It took so much time... With the help of prayer, I gradually learned to deal not only with my depression but also, forgiveness...

My ATM Card

I was browsing through my ATM transaction slips when I remember that sometime ago, in the year 2004 to be exact, something happened to my ATM card while I was away.

My ex-husband and I were still together then. We went to Cebu for a vacation. We left my house and my car to the care of my ex-brother-in-law (my ex-husband's youngest brother). I did not realize then that my LBP ATM card fell from my bag while I was in the car right before we departed for Cebu.

Upon our return to Butuan, I was relieved when I found that my ATM card was at the passenger seat of my car. To my surprise, my account balance was decreased by P1000 (don't laugh. P1000 was still A LOT then). I then inquired from LBP-Butuan. That ever gracious staff (thanks to her) revealed that indeed there was a cash withdrawal made from my account at the LBP-Butuan ATM machine... WHILE I WAS IN CEBU.

So, who was the culprit? I then remember that weeks ago before that incident, I oftentimes requested my ex-brother-in-law to withdraw money from my account. Hence, he knew my ATM PIN. And nobody knew my ATM PIN, not even my ex-husband (as I don't trust him that much), except me and my ex-brother-in-law.

So, to repeat the question, who was the culprit?

Trooping to the RTC

Last January 4, I got a text from somebody congratulating me for the positive result of my annulment case. Since the sender's mobile number is unregistered (I changed cp, by the way), I immediately assumed it was from my lawyer. I texted back that I might drop by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch I as I was still in Butuan then.

When I was about to ask for my copy of the decision, I was told that the said document was already in the possession of my lawyer. It turned out it that it was not my lawyer who texted me. Never mind the identity, lest I might be cited for contempt. (ha?)

Fast forward: I got the document.. not from RTC Branch I but from the one who texted me. Who gave it to me is no longer relevant. I was given specific instruction not to tell anybody.

For now, I am awaiting for the end of that endless 15-day period. When would that be? I'm wondering...