ARIEL'S TESTIMONY:I belong to a family of eight, comprising of 7 boys and 1 girl. For 10 years I was the “bunso”, but I never got any special attention/treatment especially from my father. At that time, I felt “sawa na siya sa boys” and I thought that my speech disability was an added reason why he never really showed any interest in me.
At an early age, I felt rejected by my Dad. This further hindered the development of my speech, and made me feel insecure. These greatly affected my self-worth.
Sports were the means by which I tried to cope with this. I engaged myself in various sports and always made sure I did my best. Fortunately, I excelled in volleyball and soon played for my school and the Philippine team. Because of the recognition I got from the sport, I earned my father’s respect and acceptance which made me work even harder. My achievements in this sport made me popular, accepted, and admired; however, it also paved the way to feed my pride and open doors to engage myself in immorality. It was also during that time when I was invited to become a ramp model, and this further inflated my ego. Women were all around me, and I got involved with most of them. This gave me temporary fulfillment and thought that it added value to my self-worth. Still wanting to improve my image, I joined a fraternity to give myself a more macho effect.
(At this point, I would like to ask for forgiveness from my brother, Kuya Von. Kuya, I am sorry for lying to you before when I denied joining a fraternity and for not submitting to your authority.)
Things suddenly changed, when at one time in my life, I was under surveillance.
For the first time I experienced the real and true sense of the word, “fear”. I realized that there were a lot of things beyond my control. I ran from one place to another trying to hide, but the threat of death was always so near. The hit man seemed to know every single move I made, what I wore, and where I went. It came to a point where I just could not trust anyone, not even my own shadow. I have reached a point of paranoia where in one of my sorties, everyone I met looked like hired gunmen. During one pictorial, I noticed a chopper hovering over us and I instantly hid at the back of my co-workers. Fear and death overwhelmed me; my surroundings grew dark and seemed as if it was closing in on me, and all I could think of doing was to run to my room and hide. Upon entering the room, for some reason, my vision was tunneled to the Bible at the corner of the room. When I opened it, the first verse I saw was John 3:16 which reads, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” The words shall not perish struck me and never before had it been so real to me. It instantly calmed me down and brought light to my gloomy mind. It is so hard to explain the experience I encountered that day. Out of fear and desperation, I cried and bowed down before a God I never knew in such a personal way before. I found myself desperately calling out to Him for help.
After that incident, I called my girlfriend and told her about what happened. Looking back, I can see God’s strong hand in my life and that situation, because she told me that her doctor had invited her to join an event in CCF. I joined her and learned more about the verse that spoke to me in that most desperate moment in my life. I learned that Jesus died on the cross and paid for the penalty of my sins, that He rose again on the 3rd day, and that He gave His life up for me. I needed to pray and ask for His forgiveness, accept His grace & unconditional love, and make Jesus my Lord and Savior from that day forward.
After accepting Jesus Christ in my life, there has been an ongoing battle between my old and new self. He never promised that all my troubles would disappear, but I was sure that He was my fortress and strength in all the trials I faced and will face. Before my life with Christ, I was relying on my own strength and will to get past all the trials I encountered. But now, I can boldly face these problems because I have cast all my cares to Him and continue to trust only in God’s strength, power, and sovereignty over my life.
Our wedding has been another testimony of God’s perfect will and hand in our lives. We literally started from zero, but trusted that God will fulfill and be faithful to His promises to us. With each day that came as we planned this, God’s wonders and miracles unfolded. Karen and I could just stand in awe by how He has provided for us in every step of the way, and we can only give back all the glory and praise that is due to Him alone!
Showing posts with label Testimonies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Testimonies. Show all posts
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!!!
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!!!
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