Sunday, March 01, 2009

I was a Godfather at 13?!.... or was it 14?

I guess I'm the ninong type or something coz I've accumulated quite a number of godkids: Kim, Zachary, Mickey, Janel, Bryan, Xadel, Andrea, Summer, Aiden....darnit, I feel like I'm forgetting someone.... it's hard to get old.... okay, I'm not that old, I got a bunch of godkids because I started early.... I started godfathering when I was 13 or 14!... ya, I know I was a teenage (god)father.... hey when someone asks you to be the godfather to their child, it's an offer you can't refuse....get it, nudge, nudge ("The Godfather" reference).... anyways.... so last week the Church welcomed two new members to the Body of Christ: my newest goddaughter Ava, and since she comes in a 2-pack, my newest godson Jaiden.... it'll just get confusing for everyone to figure out who calls who ninong and who calls who tito... 2 for the price of one, you can't go wrong.... Ava and Jaiden Nadgir

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Infant baptism may not make sense to some people, I mean what does a baby know of sin and repentance or especially of original sin.... it's actually for us, the parents, godparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and indeed the entire Body of Christ.... an opportunity for us to renew and live our own baptismal promises by teaching the faith to a new soul.... when they grow up and are old enough to decide for themselves, they can choose to complete their baptismal rite with a baptism of fire by the Holy Spirit... or not.... until then, we choose to speak for them....
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If you asked me a while ago, I would have told you that I could never be a ninong again.... how can someone who questions the very existence of a god even begin to teach a child about the love of The Almighty Everlasting God.... by some force of Providence, I became a ninong again when my faith was in the process of full restoration.... so when the deacon asked "parents and godparents, do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth?".... my "I do" got stuck in my epiglottis out of a sense of shame for my faithlessness.... what I'm certain of about my faith is that it teaches about a God of forgiveness, redemption, and renewal.... so on this baptism I renewed my faith not only for these two new souls, but also for my own soul....

The godparents: keepers of the light of faith....
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so, for your baptism Ava and Jaiden, I've written you a letter.... you obviously do not understand this now, but maybe one day in the distant distant future when you're old enough, you'll google yourselves and maybe you'll find Ninong's letter.... hopefully it'll mean something to you at that time:
Ava Nadgir Jaiden Nadgir
February 22, 2009
Dear Ava and Jaiden,

Today, we claimed you for Jesus Christ. That means nothing to you now, but it means everything to Ninong. It means everything to me because I know Him so well, and would like you to know Him as I do. I hope I'll be able to show you what I mean as you grow up. I hope that when you have voices of your own, you will choose to claim yourselves in His name. Until then I will speak for you.

As you grow up you are going to hear that "God loves you" all the time, this isn't just another cliché. He loves you so much that he has given you your parents, godparents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, etc. who will love you and take care of you. We have waited for you for a long time. You are so blessed, and I know you will be blessed all your lives. You won't really appreciate what "God loves you" truly means though, until life gets difficult.... when you find yourself in a situation where things are not going right for you, or worse yet, when you find that your world is deconstructing right before your eyes, and you can do nothing but pray for help. If anything like that should happen, keep the faith and be patient because prayers are heard and answered. The answer may not come exactly when or exactly how you wanted, but trust me, it will come.... and the answer will be exactly what you need.

I hope that you will not have to carry too heavy a cross in your lives, but life will throw you some doozies, so hang in there and hang on to the hands of the people that love you, especially God's. I look forward to watching you both grow up.

God bless you,
Ninong Pom
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16 comments:

Anonymous said...

im first??we will see.... :D

Anonymous said...

Congratulations to your Godchildren,"Pom"! :)

A Godfather at 13!whoah!As I notice,you are a very deep,serious person.Some people do not care at all regarding their faith,I may say that they just go to the church and follow the ceremonies among other people with them,while you solemnly renewed yours not only for the sake of your Godchildren.You should be a Model Ninong. :)

What a beautiful letter!I hope one day,your inaanak will be able to read it.

You look good in your suits! :)

Ohayo,btw.Let`s have a cup of coffee,Angelo.

Send my hugs to Nermal!!

Anonymous said...

Ghee: You're first Ghee :) Haha model ninong, ya I'll just model my suits hehe. Hai! You have coffee, I'll have ryokucha coz I need to sleep :)

Nermal says meeow!

Grace said...

I love the photos. :)
Oh, you reminded me of my Godkids, too. Hmm, I think I had 5. :)

Anonymous said...

Hi I'm Grace: Thanks Grace. Ya I know what you mean, I haven't been able to see most of my godkids in a long time.

Puss-in-Boots said...

And here I immediately thought...Mafia?? Lol...sorry, Angelo.

Congratulations on all your godchildren...they'll keeep you very busy in the future with birthdays, Christmas, outings...

I believe everyone has a glitch in their faith at some time or another. But also that we come back to it, not necessarily in the same form, but Faith nevertheless.

Lovely post, Angelo and beautiful photos of your "latest".

Anonymous said...

So both comes in package eh? :) KA, can you be my Ninong Pom, too? Maybe sa wedding na lang.. both you and Ghee chan. Haha.

But seriously, I think you make a good ninong. Swerte ng mga inaanak mo. :)

May God shower you with plenty of blessings. Btw, how's your big decision going? I'd love to hear about it.

Anonymous said...

Puss-in-Boots: Thanks Robyn, I'm glad you're feeling better now. Thanks for your insights on faith, it's a life-long journey isn't it? And yes I should prepare myself for all the Christmases and birthdays in my future! Nermal just typed this for you: bbnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnkkii I think it means "get well soon" and cheers to Mitzi and Bella!

Mel: Absolutely Mel! Are you getting married na? I've never been a Ninong sa kasal, I've just proxied for my dad. Just tell me so I can save up :)

Well, I made the decision na and I have to wait a few more weeks to find out what happens. I'm happy with my decision, so I'm not agonizing over it anymore... will keep you updated :)

Anonymous said...

Angelo,it is possible for you to attend Mel Chan`s wedding coz it might be a "winter wedding",hehe..

oooppss,I`m not revealing anything...yet,haha!

I havent been a wedding Ninang,wow,so I have one in the list.

really???-21C???Oh geezzz...that would be a torture for me.Keep yourself warm,Pom,and don`t catch a cold.

hugs to Nermal!!

Anonymous said...

Ghee: What so soon already?! I need to save up :) Of course you mean the following winter right? coz winter's not over for us :( it was actually -28 today!!!! Meanwhile my friend C is in the Philippines and she says its freakin' hot. I hope I'll be able to go! I've never been ninong sa kasal either. That would be so kewl if that'll be our EB!

Anonymous said...

Oh my! I'm not getting married yet. I'm 23.. still young to be called a "Mrs". Haha. And of course, both of you will be in my guest list. That's a promise. :D EB on my big day? That'll be a double celebration then!

I'd love to have a white wedding! Sana nga lang hindi super duper lamig sa araw na yun. Kasi hindi ako makakapagsuot ng dress. Baka naka-jacket/cover-up and boots ako on my big day. lol.

Hugs and purr for Nermal. Some splash for Philippe and Mushu. My trek adventure is up next. But I still don't know when I can post them. :)

Anonymous said...

not so soon,Pom.err,long story eh,but the winter wedding is definitely not this winter. :) let us hope that her dreams would come true. :) Yeah!!It will be a blast if that will be our EB!

Mel Chan,kiss!

Yeah,I talked to my bro today in Manila and yes,he said that PI has a high temp recently...i cant imagine your -28C!!lol

Anonymous said...

Mel: Oh I get it :) I'm glad you're matino and realize you're still so young. Are you sure you want a real winter wedding? I was thinking a Philippine winter, which is mighty fine by me, not like a Canadian winter with -28C windchills... you'll need to wear a parka over your dress and a toque and gloves hehe... like I said, just keep me updated on your plans Mel! That'll be an awesome EB!

Nermal and the fishies say hi!

Anonymous said...

Ghee: I hope Mel's dream comes true too! That would be really cool for her and for us! and here I was thinking a Philippine winter hehe, is there such a thing? I'm glad you told me ahead of time, this way I can plan for a trip in advance. That'll be the most wicked EB in history hahaha!

haze said...

Congrats Angelo, they made a right choice. I also don't refuse because it is something important to the parents. Godparents = trust !
They're so cute babies and you all look simply wonderful ;) !

Anonymous said...

Haze: Thanks Haze, I totally agree :)