Karen's Testimony

KAREN'S TESTIMONY: I’ve always known that I was an adopted child of the Timbol family. I looked different from all of them but I was too shy to even ask them about it.

My biological dad is Martin Marek, a former U.S. Navy man stationed in Capas, Tarlac. And my biological mom is Lilian Broqueza.

After my parents got married, my mother (who was only 17 at the time) gave birth to me on Aug. 23, 1974. My dad went ahead to the U.S., and my mother & I followed shortly. For some reason, my mother & I had to return to Angeles City, Pampanga.

I was a sickly baby & my mother could not afford to take care of me. So she gave me up for adoption, unbeknown to my Daddy Marti. Mommy Shirley and Daddy Ben took me in. This is something for which I will always be grateful to them. Soon after she handed me over to my adoptive parents, Mommy Lilian went back to the states. For some time, she stayed in touch w/ Mommy Shirley. But eventually, my two moms lost contact w/ each other.

Growing up, I developed insecurities. I felt very different from my adoptive family. No matter how much they assured me that they loved me, I always felt left out. As a result, I responded negatively to Mommy Shirley’s discipline. I had this mistaken notion that she didn’t truly love me because I was just adopted. I felt that she was over-protective, and I resented her for it. I now realize, of course, that she was just looking out for me. But when I was younger, my insecurities got the better of me and they distorted my perceptions.

During that time, the opportunity to join showbiz came along, and I grabbed it. I enjoyed the limelight because of the acceptance and financial freedom it provided me. However my success just gave temporary happiness and fulfillment, because deep down inside me, something was lacking. My resentment towards mommy Shirley’s discipline led me to rebel & leave home.
In my confusion and search for security, I got involved in a wrong relationship. Not knowing then that the man I was involved with was married, I thought our relationship would give me the security and happiness I longed for. I thought all the while that what I had was love. Even after I learned that he was married, I stood by him- knowing that it was wrong. I knew I was making his family miserable. In time, I started to feel uneasy. I realized that that wasn’t the life I wanted.

Out of desperation, I cried out to God and said, “Lord please speak to me. I will open the Bible now. Give me your message.” So when I did…the first thing I saw was “Warning against adultery”. I was stunned! I cried & cried & asked God to help me. After that night, I woke up & noticed that I really felt cold towards my boyfriend. I decided to let go of our relationship. But I had worries & fears. I knew I couldn’t sustain my children financially, and I was apprehensive about being a single parent. That was in the year 2001.

After 2 years, my doctor, Dra. Sapaula-who happens to be one of my principal sponsors, gave me the Purpose Driven Life book. When I read it, the impact on me was so strong. It answered all my questions. The lessons in the first 3 chapters were my favorite: “You are not an accident”, “Your birth was not a mistake or mishap” & “Your life is no fluke in nature”, “Your parents may not have planned you but God did”. I learned that God loves me & has a plan for me.

It says in Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. Plans to prosper you & not harm you, Plans to give you hope & a future.”

I started attending Bible studies at CCF & surrendered my life to God. My desire for showbiz started to fade away. I was not after fame & popularity anymore. I just wanted to share my talent. God started to work in my life & He even took out the shame from my past. I’m even proud to say that I am a mother of 2 beautiful, kind, God-fearing, loving, morally excellent, obedient, children.

God started to bless my singing career. I sang w/ the Hotdog Band & toured around the US, Canada, & Australia.

During one of our tours in July 2004, I visited my friend, Aubrey in San Francisco. She & her husband helped me search the internet, & found the website of a band w/ a member named Marti Mars. We got in touch with him and he gave us my dad’s mobile number. My friends then called the number. I was so nervous!

When a man answered, I asked, “Is this Martin Wayne Marek of the Teezers & the Firecatz band?” He said, “Yes”. I asked, “Have you ever been to the Philippines?” and he said yes again. My heart beat so fast. I asked again, “When was that?” He said sometime in the 70’s. I asked, “Did you ever know a Lilian Marek?” & he said yes. I thought to myself, “my gosh eto na sya!” I was afraid that he would deny me. So I immediately said, “I’m her daughter!” then he asked, “Karen?” & I replied, “Dad? “You remember my name?” & he said yes, “I have your picture on my refrigerator & I been searching for you.” We exchanged hellos & I told him I saw his photo on the website of the band. From then on we kept in touch. A few months later, I met him and his family when I traveled to California. It was a tearful reunion: I cried and hugged him.

God is really good! I never thought in my wildest dream that this would happen. When I met my dad I didn’t feel any hatred, only love.

My dad wrote my mom & told her that I was in the States at that time, maybe she would want to see me, but there was no reply. My dad tried to call her but she didn’t respond. My dad said her new family didn’t know I existed.

I went back home to Manila without hearing from my mom. Then in December my dad received a phone call from my mom. “How’s Karen?” she asked him. My dad told her how we spent time w/ each other. In December 23, 2004, I got an email from my step dad. He introduced himself as the husband of my mother and related to me my mother’s sorrow over what happened before and her longing for me. It was only recently that she learned about me. I emailed him back & shared my feelings towards my mom. I told him that I had nothing against her, and that I am grateful to God for the opportunity to have her back in my life.

She called me one day & said sorry. I forgave her right away. I know that it is by God’s grace that I felt complete in Him & did not feel any anger or resentment towards them. For me, the past doesn’t really matter anymore. I told her that everything happened for a reason.

Last May 2005, my kids & I went to Florida to visit my mom & her family. I could not express how happy I was, the first time I saw her. We had so much fun getting to know each other. I noticed some traits that I inherited from her. She loves to laugh hard like I do. I saw also that she is kind hearted. When I bonded w/ her, it felt so natural that it seemed like we were never apart.

It is true that God knows the desires of your heart & He is faithful in His promises. By God’s grace I have also started rebuilding my relationship with my adoptive parents. I reassured them that they will always be an indispensable part of my life & that I love them immensely. I know better now than to blame them for what I went through.

To close, I know that from the time that I was born, God has always been w/ me, orchestrating the events in my life perfectly. He’s been very faithful. He has healed all the wounds in my heart. Everything that happened in my life is according to His will & I will always be thankful & blessed to share His love & goodness. Indeed, God is my only hope!!!