Friday, August 25, 2006

 

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION: The Fourth “R”
by Renee Sereno



Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14


“Mom, we had a lockdown drill at school today,” Lance informed me matter-of-factly.

This conversation took place two years ago, but it feels like yesterday to me.

“What’s a lockdown drill?” I asked my son. It was the first time I had come across the phrase, but its sinister connotations didn’t escape me.

“It’s when you lock all the doors and close all the windows and turn off the lights and find some place to hide so the bad guys can’t find you.”

Now that was already a disturbing sentence to begin with, but believe me, it’s even more disquieting to hear it being spoken in a singsong manner by a four-year-old. In kindergarten, no less.

I couldn’t help but feel sorry for my little boy, whose very innocence was now tainted by this sad, but necessary, exercise. What an unfortunate introduction to this sinful world, where even the smallest of schoolchildren are exposed to the sordid wretchedness of human nature. I guess it’s to be expected. After all, the nation went through a collective shudder after Columbine, and it was only a matter of time before the ripple effects were felt at my son’s elementary school.

But it’s ripples like these that rock a parent’s sense of well-being, and once again, I found myself wishing that we could afford to send our children to a Christian school.

When my husband, Lorenzo and I lived in the Bay Area, some of our church members sent their kids to Milpitas Christian School, and we could see the difference in their demeanor compared to other children their age.

We also observed the same qualities in the students we have encountered here in Modesto Central, most of whom attend Central Valley Christian Academy (CVCA). Whether they are teenagers assisting in cradle roll, middle school kids in uniform during Pathfinder weekend, or little tikes sharing crayons with Lance and Troy in Adventurers Club or Sabbath School, they all exhibit a wholesome quality sorely lacking in most public school populations these days.

And what accounts for this difference? Both educational systems teach the basics: the Three R’s, which form the foundation upon which learning is built. But Christian Education goes one notch higher, by providing the Fourth “R”, which most schools sadly shy from, in an age when it is needed all the more. And it is this key ingredient which sets students in schools like CVCA apart from the general population.

Now, people might think this Fourth R that I am referring to is Religion. It is not. Indeed, I hesitate to even say the word because it has gotten to be quite a minefield through the ages. No, the Fourth “R” which I am referring to is Relationship. A personal relationship with Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

I used to live in Canada, and I remember being very impressed with the French-speaking kids of some of my friends there. Most of these young children came from English-speaking backgrounds, but they attended French “Immersion Schools”, where most of, if not the whole curriculum was taught in French, and students were encouraged to converse, and even think, in French. It didn’t take long before it was second nature for even the youngest students to speak fluently in French.

How very interesting that the word they use is “Immersion”. Because there lies the difference between Christian schools and public schools like the one my children attend. Just as we are baptized by immersion, students in Christian schools like Central Valley Christian Academy are steeped and immersed in an atmosphere where God is the center of all learning. Where faith is integrated into life lessons taught by teachers and mentors who are believers themselves. In contrast, my sons, who attend public school, just get their “sprinkling” of the Fourth R when they are at home or in church.

These days, I find myself driving through Central Avenue in Ceres more often. And every time I pass that short stretch between Ceres SDA church and the open field by KADV, I find myself saying a short prayer to the Lord. And although nothing much has changed for us financially, a lot has happened to us spiritually since we moved from Milpitas. And now, even though our minds still tell us we can’t afford it, our hearts are filled with new-found hope. A hope born of faith.

I know that in His perfect time, my children, too, will be in Central Valley Christian Academy, God’s “Immersion School”, where the Fourth “R” is an integral part of the educational equation!



(This article was featured in the May 2006 edition of the "Central Clarion", the monthly newsletter of the Modesto Central Seventh-Day Adventist Church.)

posted by Renee 5:27 PM

Thursday, August 03, 2006

 

Newbie’s Notes: OUR FIRST CAMP MEETING
By Renee Sereno



(This article was featured in the August 2006 "Central Clarion", the monthly newsletter of the Modesto Central Seventh-Day Adventist Church.)


I’m back from my mountaintop experience.

Has it just been a week since the end of Camp Meeting? Was it just six days ago when my kids informed me they were anything but “Ready to Go Home”? They meant Modesto, of course, not our Heavenly Home, but I expected it. They were simply having too much fun.

I, on the other hand, looked forward to Camp Meeting with more trepidation than excitement. Oh, I had no problems seeing the Great Outdoors from the relative comfort of my air-conditioned minivan, but the idea of ten days in a tent with three squabbling kids, no electricity and no ensuite was a bit too In-Your-Face for me.

Nevertheless, I prayed about it. Being new members of the church, we weren’t even sure if we could get a tent assigned to us, knowing most people made reservations a year in advance. When we were informed that they had found a tent for us less than two weeks before Camp Meeting was to start, I knew beyond a shadow of doubt that God wanted us to be there.

God also surrounded us with people who were so supportive and helpful, like Teri Johnson and Donna Bearden, who helped to ease my family through our first Camp Meeting experience, and Pastor James Scarborough, whose efforts brought us there in the first place. I was also thankful for Debye Rusk’s company. She was a new Adventist, just like me, so it was nice to be sharing the excitement with another neophyte.

Together, Debye’s children and mine explored the wonders and delights the Children’s Divisions had to offer. Each tent had its own theme: from the jungles of Borneo to the African savanna, to the Ten Tribes of Israel and the farthest reaches of space. Lance and Troy learned to praise God in Swahili while Reanna was a missionary sailing the Cradle Rolling seas to teach children in far-away lands about Jesus.




And while our kids learned about Jesus, Debye and I took in some meetings of our own. My favorite part of the day was the evening program, where I was renewed by Henry Wright’s wit, Shelley Quinn’s warmth and Shawn Boonstra’s exuberance. I also sang my heart out, discovering new songs like “Lift Up the Trumpet” and “As the Deer Pants”, while listening and learning from other people’s stories of how God made an impact on their lives.




My husband, Lorenzo and I, also got to share our own story on stage during the “Miracle Roadways” portion of the program, where they featured people who recently joined the Seventh Day Adventist church through evangelistic seminars like the one we attended in January. It was wonderful to be able to share our testimony, and although we were a bit shy and nervous, we got to meet so many people who came up to us after the appearance that it was all worth it.

Troy also celebrated his fifth birthday at Camp Meeting, making the experience all the more special. All in all, we had sixteen children with their families come over, eating cake and yogurt and sipping pink lemonade and fruit punch in front of our cabin. We appreciated their presence, despite the short notice, and we would like to thank them again for making Troy’s birthday so memorable.




Indeed, this whole Camp Meeting experience is one that we will never forget. Oh, there will be more Camp Meetings to come, I know, but you only get to see it for the first time once.

Next year, I will be a veteran on the Cook House circuit, battling it out with the other mother hens for the last available working burner. Next year, I will show up bright and early for the ABC Patio Sale, before all the good stuff runs out. Next year, I will avoid Case Lots at lunch time, when the samples are snatched up even before they make it to the trays. Next year, Reanna’s feet will be big enough to fit into rubber flip-flops, so I don’t have to bring her stepstool every time we go to the Bath House. And next year, I will remind myself to bring a smaller, more discreet container for my flushable wipes, making that slow, purposeful trudge to the public toilets a lot less awkward.

Oh yes, I’ve been taking notes. Because my family and I will definitely be back.

Next year.

posted by Renee 6:01 AM

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

 

FROM “AMAZING FACTS” TO AMAZING GRACE: A Couple’s Story
By Renee and Lorenzo Sereno

(This article was featured in the March 2006 edition of the Central Clarion, the monthly newsletter of the Modesto Central Seventh Day Adventist Church.)


February 11, 2006. The atmosphere was hushed and festive. In the upstairs dressing room, church women were fussing over us, much like local tribeswomen, preparing virginal young brides for their wedding day. And in many ways, it was indeed a wedding ceremony we were anticipating, as we stood there, in single file, all clothed in white. At least it was, for me.

It all began about four weeks before, when I noticed an interesting flyer in the mail. “Bible Prophecy Seminar”, it read. I put it aside to show to my husband, Lorenzo. I was saved and baptized in a Baptist church when I was just twelve, and I remember that my favorite sermons in my youth were the ones concerning bible prophecy and the end times. I knew Lorenzo would find the subject just as fascinating as I did.

I showed him the flyer later that day, and he seemed interested enough. The promise of free child care and free parking in what I could see was a downtown address made it even more enticing. “We won’t beg you for money,” it said. What did we have to lose?

I started attending on the fifth day of the seminar. Lorenzo joined it two days later. All it took was one session, and we found ourselves coming back for more. There was something very earnest and appealing about the way Tyler Long conducted each lesson. He struck us as sincere and approachable, and his direct, no-nonsense presentations were very effective. We also enjoyed learning new things about the Bible and its teachings, and we looked forward to learning more “Amazing Facts” as the seminar progressed.

While all of this was going on, it was comforting to know that our three children were also being taught about Jesus and his saving love. We could never thank Teri Johnson and the other Children’s Program volunteers enough for taking such good care of Lance, Troy and Reanna, whom they literally fed, both in body and in spirit.

As the weeks passed, I found myself having to unlearn many of the things I thought I knew, about the rapture and the “tribulation saints”, and about death and the Sabbath. It gave me a greater sense of urgency to witness to my loved ones, knowing there would be “no second Chances” after the Rapture. And it made me watch myself more closely, knowing for certain that there was no truth to the statement, “Once Saved, Always Saved.”

Because of the seminar, I finally became serious about my daily devotions, and I am beginning to notice the awesome power of prayer in my life. I can now think of my late father, grandmother and grandfathers with peace in my heart, knowing they are just lying in sleep, waiting for the Lord’s return. All pork and shrimp products have been exorcised out of my home, and my refrigerator and larder are noticeably lighter, coinciding with my new lightness of spirit. I’m still working on burying my bothersome habit of saying “Sunday” when referring to the Sabbath, but I know the Lord is patient with me, and that, too, will come in time.


The white line of women begins to move toward the baptistery. I am beginning to feel the unmistakable flutter of nerves at the pit of my stomach. I hand Verla Thorn, my ultra-chic ministering angel, my towel. She hugs me to calm my nerves, and it works wonders.

Finally, it’s my turn. I see my husband, Lorenzo, and Pastor James Scarborough, waiting for me at the bottom of the steps, both of them resplendent in black. Verla gives my hand one last reassuring squeeze as I walk down into the warm, soothing water. Pastor James introduces my husband and me to our new church family. Suddenly, I hear a child’s voice, yelling from the balcony.

“Hi Mom!”

It’s my daughter, Reanna, 19 months and irrepressible as ever. Her older brothers, Lance and Troy, are waving to us with big smiles. We wave back to them, using our special “I love you” hand signal, thankful that they are in Donna Bearden’s capable hands.

The ceremony begins. Pastor James baptizes Lorenzo first. I could see my husband trying to hold his emotions in check, and I am touched beyond words. Then it’s my turn. As I rise out of the water, I hear the congregation clapping, and my heart warms at the sound of their acceptance.

There was only one other time in my life when the sound of applause made me feel the same kind of joy I felt that day, and that was just after Lorenzo and I were pronounced man and wife. Indeed, in a way, our re-baptism was just like a renewal of our wedding vows, except on this occasion, it was a marriage of three, as both Lorenzo and I joined the Bride of Christ, waiting for the Bridegroom as He gets our heavenly mansion ready for us.

Pastor James pronounces a blessing over the two of us, and we hold each other close, both of us giving way to our emotions. Our sins had just been literally washed away, and we were starting life anew, in one with the Lord.

What a wonderful gift He has given us: a new life, once again made spotless through His redeeming love!


Last Word from Lorenzo. As Renee and I walked back to our respective dressing rooms, I couldn’t help but feel a slight twinge of sadness that my two older boys, Joey and Chris, couldn’t make it to the ceremony. After all, I had my whole family with me, (them included), when I was first baptized, shortly after our wedding six years ago.

I have always maintained a close bond with my older sons, even after my marriage to their mother ended. I knew it was important for them to still have a father in their life, having experienced the opposite when I was growing up. My father was a merchant marine, and he used to be away from his family for years at a time. While I knew that these prolonged periods of separation did not diminish his love for us, there were still times in my life when I wondered if he could have exerted just a little more effort to be there for us when we needed him most.

This question must have made it back to my mind again that day, just after I was re-baptized. Because as I was changing back into my church clothes, a strange quiet seemed to descend upon me, and I heard an unmistakable voice coming from within.

“Lorenzo,” it said, “I am your Father now…”
“And I was always there for you.”

posted by Renee 3:05 PM

Thursday, February 09, 2006

 

REDEMPTION

I know it's been a while since I've updated any of my blogs, and here's why:

For the past four weeks, my husband, Lorenzo, and I have been attending a life-saving seminar five nights a week, which has greatly increased our knowledge, enhanced our marriage and improved our walk with the Lord.

Our lives have been changed since. We strongly recommend this Bible Prophecy course, which you can take online. It's even available in Filipino/Tagalog!

Be prepared to learn so many new and wonderful things. You will be amazed!

posted by Renee 9:19 AM

Wednesday, December 28, 2005

 

SCROOGED

I received this short and sweet Christmas greeting from "cleng", a.k.a. Cleo Barawid of Sapporo, Japan on Christmas Day, no less:

"...i wonder what your motive is for posting this here, after all it happened to you long time ago. are you still bitter about it? and there are two sides to every story, right? i just think that it's kinda superficial to attack a person's physical appearance. are you pretty? 'coz from your pix i could see that you are on the heavy side. merry xmas."

I guess my previous post, "NEMESIS", touched a nerve. I am now sharing my response to her comment with all of you, in true Christmas spirit. After all, "'Tis the season for sharing!"


"Dear "cleng", a.k.a. Cleo Barawid of Sapporo, Japan:

Obviously, you chose to ignore the WARNING disclaimer I posted at the beginning of my article, where I clearly stated my motive for writing this piece.

Nevertheless, catharsis has already taken place, and all is well in my world again, so I won't even bother to waste my time asking you where I "attacked" anyone's physical appearance.

I hardly think the words "female", "short", "dusky", "flat-chested", "buck-toothed", and "administrative assistant" are offensive. Descriptive, maybe, but not derogatory. If you happen to think otherwise, then I think you're the one who has issues here, not me.

You obviously think that one cannot be considered "pretty" if one is "on the heavy side". Don't you think THAT reeks of superficiality as well? Shame on you.

I can only guess that you took it upon yourself to attack MY personal appearance, on behalf of all the beleaguered short, dusky, flat-chested, buck-toothed, female administrative assistants out there. How very noble of you to champion their cause.

But just so you know, I also have a lot of friends who happen to be female, short, dusky, flat-chested, buck-toothed, AND administrative assistants. The only difference here is that none of them has ever tried to steal my husband.

Which brings me back to the whole point of the article, which you quite obviously missed. Self-righteous indignation sometimes does this to people.

Assuming you meant it, Merry Belated Christmas to you too."

posted by Renee 5:05 AM

Wednesday, November 30, 2005

 

NEMESIS

(WARNING: With this article, I am exorcising demons (demonesses?) from my past. If you happen to be an administrative assistant, female, short, dusky, flat-chested, buck-toothed, or any combination of the above, please do NOT take offense. I had some very definite people in mind when I wrote this, and chances are, they do not include you.)


Beware the short, dark-skinned, flat-chested Administrative Assistant. And if she happens to have bucked teeth, run for the hills with your boyfriend in tow.

Twice in my life, I have been cheated upon, with older women sporting prominent overbites, straight from the Nora Aunor cookie-cutter, playing the much-despised role of The Other Woman.

The first time it happened to me, I didn't know what was coming. A single phone call in the middle of the night and I was broadsided with information overload that made me regret taking the call in the first place.

I knew her voice right away. She with the trying-hard English. This woman was the sort of receptionist who said "Hold on please", the "please" here pronounced "plehs". It made me shudder to hear her butcher this common phrase.

I honestly wondered what my boyfriend saw in her, although I had no doubt what she saw in HIM. After all, he was this Spanish-speaking cono-kid from La Salle who lived in SanLo, his family owning two more homes, in Dasma and Ayala Alabang no less, which they rented out to foreign diplomats. Yes, they had money.

She proceeded to tell me to "let go of A. because his girlfriend was pregnant". I thought she was out of her mind. After all, to the best of my knowledge, I was still A.'s girlfriend, and I sure as heck wasn't pregnant!

And then the sordid reality of her message hit home and my world crashed all around me.

I called up my boyfriend and broke up with him. And then I called my best friend, Coco Quisumbing, who came straight from her late-evening newscast to pick me up, ferry me over to her nearby flat, make me tea, ply me with tissues, and let me cry all over her designer jacket sponsored by ShoeMart.

Of course, when I broke up with "A.", he quickly ended his relationship with her, and proceeded to ask me back.

As for the baby? Well, Ms. Receptionist mysteriously had a "miscarriage" after that was over. I honestly doubt there was a baby in the first place. Yes, some women will stoop this low to get what they want.

Unfortunately, this pattern was repeated in subsequent relationships of mine, with Caucasian men who had dalliances behind my back with the La Aunor type. I guess, just like my former tisoy boyfriend, they also equated "short, dark and homely" with "exotic".

Since then, I have sworn off relationships with men whose skin was fairer than my own. There were simply far too many women out there who were shorter, darker, had flatter chests and no orthodontists, and who could therefore be considered more "exotic" than me.

It was my present husband who broke the mold. Lorenzo happens to be darkly handsome, sporting a rosy moreno hue which I find so sexy. And the best part of it all? He loves the fact that I am maputi.


We all have our nemeses. Mine is the short, dark-skinned, flat chested older woman from Administration.

Bucked teeth optional.

posted by Renee 9:11 AM