Yearend Review: Relationship with God

I end looking back at 2014 by finally examining my most important relationship.

Earlier this year, I wanted to know God more. To do that, I resolved to really strengthen my prayer time and scripture reading. 

I would like to say I was successful but there were a lot of days when I wasn't consistent. There were times when I rushed in reading the scriptures, when I forgot to pray the Examen, when I missed going to mass on a Sunday. In short, there were way too many times that I failed in my goals.

Still, even the half-hearted attempts drew me closer to Him. It's surprising that every time we strive to know Him, we end up knowing ourselves even more; awareness of God begets awareness of self. In my case, striving to pray consistently has brought some newly found changes in me. I think and I feel that I've become more patient, more loving, perhaps more understanding. 

Again, the challenge for next year is consistency. How do I strengthen these habits? What are the ways that I can be more in tune with God? How do I recover faster from setbacks and sins?

To cap this post, someone shared to me (I don't remember who) his perspective of the Beatific vision:

The Beatific vision, as a background, is defined in the Catholic Encyclopedia as "the immediate knowledge of God which the angelic spirits and the souls of the just enjoy in Heaven. It is called "vision" to distinguish it from the mediate knowledge of God which the human mind may attain in the present life. And since in beholding God face to face the created intelligence finds perfect happiness, the vision is termed "beatific".

For us Christians, the Beatific vision is what we aspire to see. And so, in this life, we strive to become more and more like God. Eventually, we die and when we meet Him face and face, whose face is it we're going to see but ours, this time, made in His splendor and glory? 

That's one more thing to ponder upon. 

Lord, I pray that I'll be your face to the world. Amen. 

Yearend Review: Family

Good news: We have a new member in the family. She's Sophia, my niece.

Bad news: Surprise family debt.

It's just money, some would say. But it also points to a new reality that we have to live with. Our reality now involves the fact that my parents' retirement plans have been compromised, our family's name (yep, our reputation) is no longer as it was, and the family's finances will be bleaker than usual. Still, it's just money.

Admittedly, I've been busy avoiding the brunt of the bad news by being busy in other places, notably in Lingkod. 

Still, when I had my dinner with Bro Mon, Lingkod's national director, he had this to say about family. I shared to him about my desire to leave again the family home (for the third time). He suggested instead that my current situation, staying with my parents, is an opportunity to bring my family closer.

For awhile now, I've observed that all of us have grown old and have grown apart. They say that this trend is inevitable but I beg to differ.

I resolve that, next year, I'll help knit the family back together. As to how, that's something I have to ponder for the meantime.

Yearend Review: Friends

I didn't attend our high school batch reunion last night. I had two excuses: I attended a funeral service and I have to report for work today.

To be honest, I was never interested in the first place and I think that sums up my attitude on people. Thanks to another year of maturity, I finally convinced myself that it's okay to let go of some and hold on to the few that matter. And yesterday, I decided I can get away with not meeting strangers who simply happened to be my high school batch mates.

For the rest of those who are or were a big part of my life, I resolve next year to work harder at maintaining our relationship, however tenuous it may have become. But I can only go so far; if I pull and no one grabs the rope, then that means it's time to let go once more.

Yearend Review: Service

It's been a long time since I've served or volunteered. I made sure that this year, I went back to service.

I give credit to Bro Rommel, a fellow brother in the community, for pushing me to service. Since I didn't know where to start, he gave me the idea to serve the community first, Ang Lingkod Ng Panginoon (ALNP).

So I began my renewed call to service by doing the little errands. First, Bro Jeff and I scouted the venue during the anniversary. Then, during events, I did the little things like cleaning up, doing the arrangements, and so on. During the Christian Life Series (CLS), I was tasked to be an assistant Discussion Group Lead (DGL). Inevitably, with this assignment, I was assigned as the assistant Action Group Lead (AGL). Then, I gave talks during the Lingkod Weekend and the Life in the Spirit Seminar (LSS). Eventually, the year culminated with me being tasked to join the Online Evangelization team of the ALNP-Davao branch. Throughout the year, I also had a privilege to join feeding programs organized by the brothers.

Looking back, when I said yes, God also qualified that yes by giving me a lot of opportunities to serve Him. To be honest, there were times when I felt overwhelmed. But He, time and again, never failed to give me the necessary provisions that I needed to do my work.

To close, during one of our meetings in our Action Group (AG), one brother remarked that most of our service was confined only to the community. In that case, what about the people who need us outside the community?

Back then (and probably even now), I was tempted to ask him if he is serving.  But it was a valid observation nonetheless. My take is that each of us is obviously called to service. Yet, despite the call, we also have to start with the places we are familiar with.

In my case, the ideal starting point was the community and how we can help each other become better Christians. Later on, my level of service and commitment may evolve to such an extent that I have to venture outside to serve. But the fact still remains that, at least, I started serving. At least, this year, I decided to say yes.

Yearend Review: Career

This year reminded me of how great God's plans are. I bear witness to the cliche "Everything happens for a reason" and I am humbled that, despite the many moments of doubt and anxiety, He saw me fit to place me where I am now.

Palang, a former colleague, shared to me the favorite question that her boss would ask the newbies. The question was "Nakikita mo ba ang sarili mo sa trabaho mo?" It was a loaded question and it was something that I threw at people and also to myself.

"Nakikita ko ba ang sarili ko sa trabaho ko?" Now, I can finally say yes. 

Yearend Review: Finances

With a new job came a salary bump. Of course, with the increase in salary came a host of additional expenses. For the third time, I started installment payments on a life insurance policy (thanks Bro Rommel!). I also purchased a new laptop and renewed my phone plan for another two years. I volunteered to help out in the payment of a big family debt. My expenses skyrocketed along with my increased participation in my community's activities. Also, I shelled out money initially in almost all of my sales trips this year.

But, over all, my financial prognosis is good. I end the year with no debt on my credit card or anywhere else. I manage to save small sums of money for my favorite investment vehicles. I did set up a budget way back January and, though I've strayed every month, my deficits were manageable.

I didn't however start installment payments on a property I paid reservation for. In fact, I abandoned the purchase since I couldn't afford it in the light of new payables (e.g. "family debt"). Still, the setback was an opportunity to give more through charity.

For next year, I resolve to be more fiscally responsible. I aim to reduce even further my expenses and to stick to my budget for once. I also plan to give more.

One other thing I resolve to do next year is to hustle. Since I'm not going to go back to law school anytime soon, I intend to start again another business next year. I plan to be more serious with my real estate brokerage practice. Mervin and I are going to discuss in detail how to go about launching the market research agency we've been talking about. I feel that another little side project is in order.

Over all this, I still pray not only for a bigger capacity to give but also for a generous heart to go with the blessings. I'm hoping things pan out as planned.

Yearend Review: Physical

So I end this year with a noticeable gain in girth and darker rings around my eyes.

The bigger love handles I credit to my lack of regular exercise because I was busy with a lot of extracurricular activities. The rings beneath my eyes I credit to the many nights I slept past midnight. 

But the one thing going for me though is that my acne receded (yehey!) this year. There are still occasional breakouts but not as severe as before. 

I promised early this year to hit the gym more often. I wanted to bulk up, put on more muscle, but I missed out on way too many gym weekends this year. 

Belatedly, I tried to compensate by incorporating morning stretches and exercises in my routine. But the problem was still the lack of consistency.

Overall, I'm not satisfied about how I maintained my physique but I'm still glad I took on the necessary first steps. 

For next year, I resolve to be more consistent in going to the gym, in running, and doing my morning routines. I also intend to guard more zealously my bedtime and really make sleep a bigger priority.

Also, for the first time, I'm regulating my diet. I'm fortunate that I'm not yet hypertensive but I want to make sure that won't happen. Right now, I'm limiting my rice intake, cutting off on soda drinks, and minimizing sweet treats. For next year, I'm incorporating at least one vegetable viand per day and a fruit.  

Cheers.

Morena

Velia was one of my colleagues when I was working in Manila. She had a bubbly personality, a shiny smile (she had braces back then), and she sported a chocolate complexion due to many activities under the sun. To put the long story short, if I had known she was a rarity back then, she would have been the ultimate crush. 

When I came back to Davao, I began working among fair-skinned women. With the exception of Ma'am Jocelyn and Ma'am Beth, my other lady bosses and colleagues were from affluent families and it showed through their pearly white skin. 

Most of our clients in the bank also sported the same look: gleaming, white complexion from a combination of genetics, facials, glutathione products, and avoidance of the sun. 

Looking back, I began forming a hunch as to why foreigners typically perceive beauty as a woman with dark skin. Aside from the obvious fact that foreigners often perceive dark-skinned women as 'exotic' or at least different from the white Caucasian women they're accustomed to, they also perceive dark-skinned women as inherently healthier than their fair counterparts. 

Call this perception The-sporty-girl bias and the bias simply deduces that a physically active and fit woman is most likely a woman of dark skin. Why? That's most probably because being healthy  in our climate invariably means going outdoors and getting dark. For foreigners, this notion of good health is ultimately tied with their concept of beauty and sexiness. 

Anyways, these are just conjectures and anyone can prove them wrong anytime. But there is also one reason why I think dark women are more beautiful: they're comfortable under their own skin. Most of these women I've known are self-assured and that level of self-esteem is difficult to see nowadays. You'd likely see girls fretting about looking for shade than women happily basking underneath the sun. For dark skinned women, conforming to societal norms on what 'beauty' should be (e.g. pale, flawless skin, no blemish etc.) is no way to live a life. 

For me, that's sexy. 

A Different View On Courtship

I want to share something I picked up in my community. Way back, I attended a talk by McDo Millana, our branch head in Lingkod, which was about Christian sexuality. McDo gave a basic outline of the matters relating to how brothers were expected to conduct themselves and behave towards the opposite sex. 

One area that was discussed in depth was courtship. It was explained that brothers are encouraged to adopt a different view of it. Jessie, a fellow brother, would later explain that this view is merely recommendatory, not mandatory, but it is something which each brother should at least consider and aspire given how much success it has spawned for couples in the community, many of whom are leading stable and happy marriages.

How different? Well, first, the motive to court someone has to be grounded in the anticipation of marriage. This is in stark contrast to the motives behind most courtships. In the latter case, the guy is courting a girl without thinking about marriage. He simply wants to court a girl because he loves her and wants to be her companion. Most often, courtship is merely a prelude to consensual sex or an avenue for both to experiment and discover their preferences in a partner. 

The second differentiating factor is in the readiness of the man. The community encourages men to court only when he is certain that he is emotionally ready and financially stable. This is a pretty big hurdle, especially on the financial aspect. But it does limit the pool of suitors to only those who are ready to go through the process. Boys with unresolved emotional issues or are downright broke have no place engaging in this business.

The third differentiating factor is in the timing of the process. Courtships, from initial dates up to the marriage proposal itself, should last anywhere from two to three years. Anything beyond that and you have to wonder if the couple is really suited for marriage. This turns on its head the more popular notion that couples have indefinite timelines and are entitled to postpone marriage until both are ready.

What is the end result? Personally, by putting a premium on the value of courtship, this different view aims to ensure that a marriage starts well way before the couple actually says their vows in church. In the words of Sir Chris, a colleague and a member of the Light of Jesus, these 'restrictions' minimize the hurt that people can inflict on each other in such an intimate relationship. Likewise, in the words of McDo, arrangements like these reduce the waste in time, money, and emotions typically spent in a prolonged courtship between two unprepared individuals, resources which are better served spent elsewhere in either service or self-discovery.

Of course, such a view is unpopular. Tessa, another colleague, pointed out the inherent disadvantages of adopting this perspective: What if the girl is courted by someone else because you aren't ready? What if both of you simply love each other? 

Again, this view is only a recommendation. Still, Jessie has only two words to support this view: it works.

Goals And Systems

This is an interesting read from James Clear.

In this article, he emphasizes the need to establish systems instead of goals so we can accomplish our objectives. He starts by saying:

We all have things that we want to achieve in our lives — getting into the better shape, building a successful business, raising a wonderful family, writing a best-selling book, winning a championship, and so on.

And for most of us, the path to those things starts by setting a specific and actionable goal. At least, this is how I approached my life until recently. I would set goals for classes I took, for weights that I wanted to lift in the gym, and for clients I wanted in my business.

What I’m starting to realize, however, is that when it comes to actually getting things done and making progress in the areas that are important to you, there is a much better way to do things.

It all comes down to the difference between goals and systems.

Let me explain.

Read the rest of the article here.

Planning

'Tis the season to plan for the next year.

This year's Christmas season features a lot of non-working holidays. It's a good time to just relax, reflect, and think about the coming year.

For the next day or so, I'll be doing just that. But before I plan, I'll review first whatever has transpired for 2014. 

I hope you don't mind if my year-end review consists of putting up several blog posts about several key areas of my life. 

I suggest you do the same and review your year with gratitude and thanksgiving. That way, our plans for 2015 will be born of the same spirit.

Bowling

Bowling is fun especially when you're doing it with loved ones.

For this year, I've had the chance to go bowling with my colleagues at work, my fellow Action Group (AG) brothers in Ang Lingkod Ng Panginoon (ALNP), and my family.

Am I good? Well, at least I now score consistently above 100 for every set. But that's missing the point. 

You see, bowling is akin to the middle class version of golf. One need not be good at golf because that's not the raison d'etre why the elite are playing the game. They are playing golf as a means to bond and network with fellow businessmen or partners. The game itself is merely a tool to facilitate the activity. 

That's similar to bowling. One isn't playing the game to win (unless you're hard-core about it) but to foster camaraderie between friends and initiate conversation. I mean, why should the game feature long gaps of doing nothing between turns if not to compel people to talk to each other?

For next year, I intend to make bowling a regular part of the month. Who's with me? 

The Beard

The last time I shaved was last December 16. I don't intend to shave until the morning of January 5 when I shall report for work.

This is going to be fun. Rare it is that circumstances allow me to let the beard be and I'm giddy at the prospect of finally seeing my facial hair in full bloom. 

Will the beard look awesome? Will I look like the Filipino version of Zach Galifianakis? Will I look like a 45-year old homeless guy? Who knows?

I'll post a picture later once this experiment is over. Peace out.

Huwag Na Si Binay

To whom it may concern:

I belatedly apologize for voting for Jejomar Binay as Vice President last 2010.

It was a grievous error on my part and something that I have to carry to my grave. I ask that you forgive me for my ineptitude and ignorance inasmuch as I have already forgiven myself.

Rest assured, to atone for my wrongdoing, I hereby consider it my duty to ensure that the Filipino people be not misled into voting for Jejomar Binay or his kin should the former or even the latter run for the presidency or any other high-ranking government office come 2016. 

I further pledge that I shall, with all my heart, will, and soul, prevent the travesty of voting a Binay to the presidency from ever occurring. 

So help me God.

Online Evangelization

Several months ago, Rechie, a fellow brother in Ang Lingkod Ng Panginoon, told me I was going to be part of the branch's online evangelization effort.

At first, I wasn't keen on the assignment. I wasn't the typical freak who was online all the time. All I had then (and even now) was a Facebook and Blogger account. I wasn't interested in Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, or all those other social media tools.

But the idea grew on me and I was especially infected by the enthusiasm of not only Rechie but also the rest of the guys who would form the team: Chamee, Mel, Olive, and Jepoy.

Honestly, I still have to get the gist of the team's mission vis-a-vis the other ministries of the branch. But I already know what I hope will happen. During one of our initial meetings, I mentioned that I wanted something to go viral for the Lord. As to what that is, I don't know yet but, rest assured, given His Providence, we will figure that out.

My concern as of the moment is how we could build the necessary foundation in the community for such a creative spark to occur.

There's a saying that goes: "Ritualize the mundane to make way for the brilliant". In line with this idea, the first step, I think, is to make everyone comfortable about online evangelization. This could mean different things to different people. This might mean finding ways to exhort and sustain those who are already evangelizing online. This can also mean increasing the comfort level of those who have yet to post a single tweet or update online about God, Christianity, or the Church.

It's my hope that, after this is done, the community will be ready for bigger things and more ambitious ideas.

Clearly, I'm excited about what's going to happen next year.

To God be the glory.

Why I Don't Post (Almost) Anything On Facebook

Earlier this year, I tried to become more active on Facebook. I resolved to update my feed on where my current location was during my sales trips. I also resolved to record what food I ate and in what restaurant just for the kicks. I also vowed to put cute status updates every now and then.

But that was it. Old habits die hard and, in my case, I was more content simply consuming whatever it is that other people are posting online. I admittedly was too lazy to follow through with my resolutions.

That this happened is good. That's because, apparently, the motives behind those resolutions are misplaced. Once I got to know the thought process or the "why" behind the sudden urge to be active in social media, I felt that I had to have better reasons for doing so. Below are some examples:

First, I need to update Facebook on my current location every time I go out of town. Why? So other people will know where I've been. Why? So...okay, real reason? So they'll know where I've been. It's for the purpose of bragging and that's not cool.

Second, I need to update Facebook on what I'm eating. Pictures are highly encouraged. Why? So other people will know where and what I've been eating. Why? So I can help my friends pick out the best from the menu every time they come across the restaurants I've been to. Really? Uhmm.. It's for the purpose of bragging and that's not cool.

Third, I need to update my Facebook status frequently. Why? So people will know what I'm feeling. Wow. That's narcissistic and that's not cool. Besides, who cares anyway?

So there you go. Why I don't post anything on Facebook is because every time I try to, the reason behind doing so is ultimately egotistical in nature. 

Some people do contend that posting online is necessary as a means of recording life. Good for them. As for me, I probably cannot live under such a delusion. 

Anita Sarkeesian, Laci Green, Jim Paredes, and Death Threats

The first time I came across Anita Sarkeesian was on one of her earlier viral Youtube videos where she criticized the costumes worn by female characters in video games. Today, she's one of the recognizable feminists in the gaming industry.

Laci Green is a Youtuber who was the first to stand up in alarm and rightly accuse Sam Pepper of sexual harassment in the latter's videos. She's also known for her work as a sex educator and is also a well-known feminist.

Jim Paredes is a Filipino musician especially known for being a part of the musical group, APO Hiking Society. He's also a political activist who has not yet flinched from sharing his personal views on some key issues in our government.

What's common among the three is the fact that each had her or his share of death threats. All three were subjected to the inconvenience of reading one too many crazy internet trolls prophesying their impending deaths.

This is symptomatic of the internet right now where death threats are thrown with increasing impunity with no regard for the psychological burden borne by the recipients. It's also a clear sign that, over time, websites should take on the cudgels of policing its users' ranks to weed out those who inflict emotional harm to fellow users.

For me, I don't mind seeing these trolls who throw death threats get banned from their favorite websites. I don't mind internet companies modify their policies to better guard their respective communities from abuse.

Just to be clear, many will see this as an act curtailing the freedom of expression. But, with the way some people are acting now, this is inevitable and admittedly necessary. 

StayFocusd

This is the ultimate remedy: I installed StayFocusd in my Google Chrome browser.

StayFocusd is an app that restricts my access to chosen websites. Right now, the app allows me only a total of ten minutes daily to access Facebook, Youtube, and 9gag. When I report for work next year, I plan to include Grantland, Digg, NBA, and other websites to my list of "banned" sites.

Why am I doing this? That's because I have the most convincing symptom of an Internet addict: I "involuntarily" spend an inordinate amount of time browsing the net. 

I also want to be more productive with my time and that means forcefully shutting off my own tendencies. Internet marathon browsing is one of those.

Good luck to me.

Yaybahar

Have you heard of the Yaybahar?

What?

No?

How dare you!

Go listen for yourself and get a glimpse of heaven.

Click here.

The Roast

I recently watched The Roast of James Franco and found the perverse humor to be funny. It consisted of celebrities hurling insulting jokes to each other all in the name of comedy. Wikipedia defines it better:

Roast (Comedy)

A roast is an event in which a person is subjected to a public presentation of comedic insults, praise, outlandish true and untrue stories, and heartwarming tributes as a mock counter to a toast. The implication is that the roastee is able to take the jokes in good humor and not as serious criticism or insult, and it is seen by some as a great honor to be roasted. The individual is surrounded by friends, fans, and well-wishers, who can receive some of the same treatment as well during the course of the evening. The party and presentation itself are both referred to as a "roast." The host of the event is called the "roastmaster." Anyone who is honored in such a way is said to have been "roasted."

Again, the concept itself runs against what I've been taught as good humor and most of the jokes were below the belt. But, admittedly, the show is exceedingly entertaining and the celebrity "roasters" are top-notch; the jokes come fast and are unusually creative, giving a glimpse to the amount of time spent preparing the delivery and doing research on trivia and facts.

I'm pretty sure such a comedy show has no place in our culture, especially since Filipinos have a remarkably low tolerance for social self-flagellation. That's one thing you have to hand over to Americans: most of them, even the big names, know how to laugh at themselves.

ASMR

ASMR. Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response.

The first time  I encountered this phenomenon was when College Humor produced a YouTube spoof about ASMR. It was funny and it did show what an ASMR video would consist of: a bit of whispering, things being brushed against surfaces, and a lot of silence.

I encountered the phenomenon again lately when Digg pointed to a Washington Post article featuring Maria, a Russian expatriate who is an ASMR advocate. Maria had several ASMR YouTube videos which were meant to give a sense of relaxation and calm to its viewers.

Intrigued, I viewed her most popular video and was promptly relaxed to boredom. Because of the whispering, her words blended to a pleasant background noise. Her props' sounds, the hairbrush being  scraped and the paper being crumpled, brought back childhood memories of lazy Sunday afternoons just dozing on the banig ("mat") listening to nothing but the drone of tree branches rustling.

After several minutes, I had to stop listening and get back to work. I wasn't feeling light and easy after but maybe that's because I wasn't in an ideal disposition to savor the sounds. 

But, definitely, the phenomenon is alive and well despite no scientific study confirming its efficacy or even its existence. Again, maybe, ASMR is just one of those neurological mysteries that science has yet to grasp.

God And Calamity

Hagupit (Ruby) is coming and she’s packing quite a punch.

The prevalent response has been to ask for God’s intercession to spare us from the storm’s fury. Some pray that the typhoon’s path be diverted to nearby Japan (which is brilliantly insensitive) while others pray that the storm’s force be significantly reduced upon landfall.

Before I dissect this reaction, it’s notable that, this time around, people are actually worried about the typhoon. Gone are the days when both the government and the private sector are lackadaisical in their preparations. Now, we see relief operations building up and advisories abounding way before the storm arrives. I guess this is the silver lining of having consecutive Christmases decimated because of the likes of Pablo (2012), Sendong (2011), and Yolanda (2013).

To begin, below is the Oratio Imperata, a community prayer commonly said at the end of the mass:

Almighty Father

We raise our hearts to You in gratitude, for the wonders of creation of which we are part, for Your providence in sustaining us in our needs, and for Your wisdom that guides the course of the universe.

We acknowledge our sins against You and the rest of Your creation. We have not been good stewards of nature. We have confused Your command to subdue the earth. The environment is made to suffer our wrongdoing, and now we reap the harvest of our abuse and indifference.

Global warning is upon us. Typhoons, floods, volcanic eruption, and other natural calamities occur in the increasing number and intensity.

We turn to you, our loving Father, and beg forgiveness for our sins.

We ask that we, our loved ones and our hard earned possessions be spared from the threat of calamities, natural and man-made.

We beseech You to inspire us all to grow into responsible stewards of Your creation, and generous neighbors to those in need. Amen

In brief, the prayer recognizes that the calamities we've experienced are man-made and that God alone can spare us from imminent destruction. It's a prayer to save our lives and property from calamity.

Let's contrast this with the spirituality imbued in Jesus Christ' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. The prayer goes like this:

My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will but as Thou wilt.(Matthew 26:39)

Both prayers are similar in use and context; it is a prayer for deliverance from an inevitable event. However, Jesus Christ' prayer differs that he utters the second part which, I stress, is "nevertheless, not as I will but as Thou wilt". The first asserts only the petition but the second prayer asks that God's will prevail over ours. 

Jesus Christ's prayer highlights the depth of his spiritual maturity and humility. How then should we respond in kind?

First, we acknowledge that God allows suffering. We believe in a God who didn't spare his only begotten son from dying on the cross. We also believe that, regardless of this, God has an infinitely good plan for us and he will use everything that we are - our strengths, gifts, joys, family, friends, and, yes, even our sufferings - to bring that plan into fruition.

Yes, it is right to pray that we be spared from calamity but our prayer must come with the tacit acknowledgment that God is with us in any circumstance and that, despite what we want, His will should be made manifest. For some, this may seem fatalistic but for us Christians, this is how we are taught to pray.

This acknowledgment also brings with it a shift in perspective. If it is God's will that I perish, how then should we pray instead? Then, we pray that, if it's our time, we'll be ready to face Him and that He bring comfort to those we'll leave behind.

To God be the glory.