Author: Vince Licerio

Just got back from an amazing, and very very very fruitful CFC-Y Pacific upper core retreat. Just a tiny reflection.

This weekend I was able to just take in what the community really is about. The relationships in Christ and growing with each brother and sister. With that being said. I’m scared…weird. But not in the way that its usually associated with, but scared because we have no idea what amazing ways God is going to mold us, and mold this community. Pictures are worth a thousand words or so, but imagine what it took to paint the beautiful picture of this community. The endless yes’ for the Lord…Imagine what kind of the picture its going to be for the years to come. Amazing. Let’s prepare. The Lord is moving swiftly, and is molding with strong conviction that this community is something the world needs. Let us behold our Mother, Queen of heaven, and behold Her Son, Jesus Christ.

Lord, allow me to keep searching You. For the yes’ that I need to make.

Deo Gloria

Everything that has been going on…I honestly would have never expected to happen or could even imagine that I myself would be in these situations. Trust me, its a good thing. God is working, the Spirit is moving.

Lord, whatever it is you want, I will obey.

 

 

 

Its my first time being away from home for thanksgiving. Its always been a big deal for my family. So here I am, typing away as I enjoy my fish and chip dinner in my hotel in the Middle East…Not bad.

The culture here is very different. It was hard to adjust first with the different practices and morals and you know, just everything is different here. Language barrier between me and the workers, etc etc.

Anyways, here we go again…So what’s the point?

I’ve been here for almost a week now, and I’ve been able to immerse myself into the culture, (I find it so fitting that on thanksgiving, I am able to reflect and write this for you guys) and I realize that even though there is so much of a wall between communication and what not, everyone here seems to understand the universal language of,

Being Genuinely happy…and understanding sacrifice for your family. Overall, just being able to take the next step to love.

The people here, though of different faiths, are very overwhelming with their stories of overcoming poverty and trial, and all in the end, never once did I hear, “I’m doing it for myself”.

What I’m trying to get at is, there is a universal language…or understanding even. That love does conquer all barriers.

Lord, allow me to further appreciate the blessings I have been given. Let me allow You to shine in the way I act, live, breathe, pray. I know Your plans for me is to put aside my desires and put in place prayer, love, understanding. Grant me the ability to use this time alone to further align myself with You.

Happy Thanksgiving in advance from Qatar! Its been quite the journey with no days off yet. But Praise God for employment and the opportunities seen and unseen.

I’m pretty scared. Pretty nervous. My stomach and head are racing as time draws near…So why? BUT first…

“Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” -James 1:12

When I was a teenager, I always wanting to pursue the career of a chef. Honestly, it took me forever to get to where I am today in terms of a career. Well, here I am today…in the Culinary world. On Tuesday, I will be going to Qatar to be of assistance of opening a restaurant.

That’s pretty big. Big for my career, my family etc etc. I’m pretty good at keeping my composure when it comes to how I feel about this upcoming opportunity…but honestly…

I’m pretty scared. I have to let my skills and my food do the talking. I’ve never felt so pressured in my life to perform in front of important people as to what I can do as a person with passion for food. I often think in my head what could happen if this happens or what should I do if this happens…and yeah, my worries, and my uneasiness I guess got to the way I was living the last few weeks.

This is pretty personal, so apologies if it gets long.

I was seeking the support of others. Sorry, let me re-type that. I was fully relying on the support of people I knew I can rely on. More than God. I was fully looking for someone or people to just reach out and just simply be there. More than I looked to God. It hurt just to think about it. To think about traveling and being responsible alone. Made me even more scared when God didn’t let any of my desires happen.

BUT….

I guess that’s why God really let me have this time alone in the last month. Not just to develop that thick independent skin, but to have a dependency on HIM. To also remind myself that the things I deny myself from, especially the desires and good things, more and more blessings will come from aligning myself with Him in this way.

Then I think about the possible career ahead after all this…or what else I am today other than a cook/chef whatever…I am a missionary. A missionary who desires to go onto the roads less traveled. So maybe there is more to why God is letting me have all this time alone…not just prepping me for the current now…but preparing me for what is to come later on. I feel God is telling me to not just live in the moment, but to grasp every blessing and lesson learned for the moments where I will need it later on.

This is a journey of career meets Christ. I think I’m getting close in aligning the two together.

Lord, I know there are things you want me to set at Your feet. I’m denying myself as much as I can in order to hear Your footnote. Allow me to be vigilant in the journey ahead and take that for the journeys to come. I’m so scared. You know that. Allow me to not only find rest in Your embrace, but to fully rely on You. Prepare my heart Lord. These times of trial are reminders that this is just the time where Your hands are molding me to the finest detail. LORD I SURRENDER. My plans, my desires, my everything. You are the one that knows me most. You are the one that gives me hope. You are the one that I live for. I love You.

Amen.

 

After being able to serve at a West cluster Youth Power event, the lesson learned and lived that constantly is on my current mind is,

Be charitable. Not just to the poor, the poor at heart, but to even those as young and innocent as our members. Every action counts. Everyone deserves to be shown the light of Christ we as chosen missionaries have been shown every single day.

Lord, You’ve given me so much. Allow me to share. What is mine is Yours. What You’ve given is to be shared.

 

The last month has been the biggest test mentally, physically, and spiritually. Although being away from having much of a “social” life, these are the things I have been able to see while being on the sidelines. (Some of these might not make sense, more for my own personal reflection)

1. Was able to have a one on one with one of my couple coordinators. Praise God. So much to learn, as they have so much to give. I really cherish that moment.

2. Spending my times with my mission areas. Praise God. I’m honestly so thankful and so happy to be able to reach to new brothers and sisters. The Spirit is constantly moving, and I can see flames in each new brother and sister I serve along side with.

3. The growth of those I hold dear to me. Praise God. They may not see it, but being able to just sit back and watch you guys be constantly busy, but moving in the Spirit, Praise God that you are sharing the love that I have received from you guys.

4. More time with family. Praise God. Family first.

5. Too much time alone. Praise God anyways. I’m beginning to understand my role now not just in service, but as a friend, son, brother, etc etc. I’ve been re-fining myself, to align myself with You.

6. Work. Praise God. I have amazing co-workers that I can talk to, laugh with, and connect with.

7. Faith. Praise You, Lord. You’ve given me everything. Why should I question?

Lord. Thank You. I understand through trial, you are constantly molding me. May I stand in true faith, hope, love, humility, fortitude. Amen.

 

 

I’m going to keep this super short and sweet.

This weekend I was able to spend the weekend with the SV’s serving one of my mission areas (HSB), and boy…God once again, timed His evident presence oh so perfectly.

Being in the community for quite some time now, I would have never thought of serving HSB…and here I was, at their SV training weekend, with literally no expectations.

Fast forward to right now, something I just appreciate more is,

the responsibility we have for the innocence of our youth.

So much joy, so much compassion, I was really caught off guard to the kind of friendships those who served HSB had…but I saw nothing but togetherness. Praise God.

There is a longing to be with our Lord in the youth we serve with and serve today. Let’s continue with that.

Desiderio Domini