Awards and Trophies

This past weekend, Sarah and I (Meagan) had the opportunity to attend an awards banquet for those in our Church’s Academy. We had a great time! (The rest of our family wanted to attend, but had other obligations.) About 100+ people attended this banquet, which was held at a local Chinese restaurant. Most of the guests consisted of the Academy students with and relatives, while several others (like us) were simply friends and fellow church members who came to support the students. (Well, maybe we went for the food too... Just kidding!):-)

During the dinner, Sarah and I enjoyed visiting with the Garcia family. They also attend our church, and we have loved getting to know them throughout the past year! The whole family is very kind and friendly. Two of the Garcia boys are students in the Academy, while their daughter graduated from it last year. Mrs. Garcia (or “Tita [aunt] Josie” as she prefers to be called) always helps us expand our Tagalog vocabulary each time we visit with her.:-) She’s so sweet!

After dinner, the students performed several musical numbers. They did such a great job! Then, for the majority of the evening, the Academy staff rewarded the students for their hard work over the past school year by presenting them with various awards and trophies. It was especially fun to watch the younger students' faces beam and glow whenever they received their awards. Some of them enjoyed simply hearing the sound of all their medals “jingling” around their neck as they walked back to their seats.:-) They were so cute!

We had such a great time with everyone that night. We also had fun taking lots of pictures after the banquet.:-) Here are a few more pictures of the evening…

The room was nicely decorated! This is only about half of the crowd that night.

Mrs. Viterbo and Ms. Paras

Len and Meagan

Kim and Sarah

Até Charisma, até Mai, Len, and Karen. (these four create a wonderful quartet!)

Sarah with Mrs. Monreal

Tita Josie and Meagan

 Ms. Paras with até Pamala

Sarah with Mrs. Gilas. She gives the best reflexology massages!:-)

As we observed many of the students receive their awards at the completion of this school year, we were reminded of how our Heavenly Father is also coming soon to give His Heavenly rewards at the end of our life. Just as the students of the Academy were rewarded for their works and labor in school, we too will be recompensed for what we have done for our Lord during our time here on earth. May that be a reminder for us to honor Him in all that we do!

“For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.” – Matt. 16:27