Name: Elyssa Lacatan Strand: HUMSS

Subject: Values Education Date: 03/14/2021

MODULE 7: WEEK 1

MY RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD (P. 158)

When you build a close relationship with God, you begin to see things through his eyes. It is a
bond that is forged in love and nurtured through continual communication and trust. By stepping back
and putting your complete faith in God and the outcome of all of your affairs, you are inviting him into
your life with loving trust and friendship. As your relationship deepens, you begin to see how God truly
does oversee your growth as a soul and how he steers your course as you navigate your way through this
lifetime.

God already knows what your ambitions are and what you want to do when you are here. That
was meticulously designed with your permission before you were born on this planet. Your life consists
of a set of soul contracts that determine the lessons you must learn. It is entirely up to you how and
whether you achieve them. When you are born, the ego obscures your awareness of your contracts as
well as the experience you have acquired over many lifetimes. One of our duties as spiritual beings on a
human journey is to break through the barrier that tends to isolate us from the wisdom and universal
truths accessible through soul contact.

As part of our human life on Earth, we were given the ego. The pessimistic voice undermines our
decisions by instilling detrimental thoughts in our minds. This is the fearful voice that fills our minds
with fears and worries. The voice was implanted in our heads as an obstacle to conquer. We chose to
come down to Earth to live this lifetime in order to accelerate the evolution of our souls. Ego and fear do
not exist in Heaven. We learn lessons for the evolution of our minds, but from an entirely different
viewpoint. We can't stop the ego while we're here on Earth, but we can learn to control it, interact with
it, and reduce its detrimental effects. Recognizing and accepting negative thoughts and fears as an
illusion is the first step toward negating their influence. When you know in your heart that it is just a
tool designed to test you, you may confront it with optimistic resolve and thoughts that overshadow its
power. Learning how to handle the ego is a lifelong struggle because the ego only vanishes entirely
when our physical bodies die. However, if you work consistently to understand its encroachment on
your happiness, controlling its consequences becomes easier over time. The only thing that holds us
back are the illusions of fear that are planted there by our egos.

Relationships within a church are significant. A relationship with God is even more significant.
The distinction between understanding God and knowing about God is important. I hear about
chemistry, but I don't really understand it. I assume that many Christians are aware of God, but that the
percentage of Christians who know Him is much smaller. I identify with the first party even more than
the second. Thankfully, God's grace is greater than my arrogance and sin. He can't love me any less or
more. Some refer to this as "cheap grace." Grace is not a cheap commodity. This love expressed only
serves to increase my desire for a relationship with God.

MODULE 7: WEEK 2

TO THE ONE WHO STAYED (P. 163)

MODULE 7: WEEK 3

MY DREAM CAREER (P.167)

For as long as I can remember, it has been my dream to become a lawyer. Becoming a lawyer is
a noble profession. When I look around and see all the injustices that take place in our world, I know
that one day I will be able to break the cycle by making a difference by becoming a lawyer.

Some people think that lawyers are the best liars and simply out for money. On the contrary, I believe
that most lawyers have a desire to help those who are in need- especially those who are incapable of
defending themselves in legal contexts. In general, most lawyers don’t make a lot of money compared t
the longs hours they work, the personal sacrifices they have to make and the level of stress they must
endure. There are even lawyers who work pro-bono because they dedicate themselves to making sure
that justice is served to those who deserve it. A lot of concerns have risen in the society these days, and
we are in need of good lawyers. I know that becoming a successful lawyer will take a lot of preparation
and hard work. I am willing to do what it takes to make my dream of becoming a lawyer a reality.
Whenever I watch documentaries on television and on Youtube, I have always been fascinated with the
activities occurring in the courtroom (even though they sound scary). I know that the lawyers spend
countless days and nights preparing to defend their clients. They must constantly study and review the
law and past legal cases. Becoming a lawyer is undoubtedly complicated.

Society holds some negative stereotypes about lawyers, such as lawyers are always being greedy
for money. I hope that when I become a lawyer, I will be able to break that stereotype. I want my future
clients to see me as a professional who is dedicated to finding justice. Being a lawyer is not, and should
not be, simply about earning a high salary. Being a lawyer means understanding that there is a
responsibility to prioritize the public.
 When I become a lawyer, I would like to fight for the rights of average people. It seems like the
justice system favors the wealthy; and my dream is t seek justice for all. I would like t help those people
who always seem to get lost in the system. I want to be known as someone who has made a positive
difference in the lives of other people. In the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, “the future belongs to
those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” My dream is to become a lawyer, and one day I will
make that dream come true.

MODULE 7: WEEK 4

INTERVIEW WITH THE HEROES (P.173)

Maritess C. Inocencio and is an overseas Filipino worker currently working in Canada as a

registered nurse. Times were tough for her since it was her first time working abroad despite graduating
from the local state university 3 years ago. Before working abroad, she had been helping her family sell
meat and vegetables at the local wet market. She went abroad last 2019, in hopes to help her family as
her mother was diagnosed of lung cancer. She had experienced discrimination and belittlement from her
co-workers at first for being a Filipina. She also had difficulty in communicating with others for she
isn’t really fluent in speaking in English. She was emotionally drained was physically tired especially
during this challenging moments brought to us by the COVID-19 virus, she has been put into the
frontlines of combating the global pandemic- working for over 16 hours a day. She has to wear layers of
personal protective equipment (PPE) which can result to heat stress.

However, despite the hardships she had been enduring- from being homesick and the stress she’s
getting from work, she never fails to nourish herself spiritually. Maritess makes sure that she frees her
time to watch the Eucharistic celebration via Facebook live. Together with fellow Filipinos, like Kristel
C. Inocencio her older sister who works abroad, they sometimes do bible sharing through Discord (even
though it’s been weeks since their last sharing because they all have been busy attending the needs of
their patients). Her hardships abroad paid really well for the family she left here. Her mother had
undergone the medical care she needs, and her father was able to make good use of the land they were
able to buy. Their house has been repaired, and now she is even helping her niece and nephews in their
financial problems.
 “Na-mimiss ko rin naman sina inang. Pero sa ilang taon ko na rin dito, masasabi ko naming
hindi ko na nararammdaman at iniisip na nag-iisa ako” (I also miss mother and the others. However,
throughout the years during my stay here, I can already say that I don’t feel and think that I’m lonely
anymore)- Maritess says as we wrap up for our interview. She is undecided between staying in Canada
for good or going back here to be with her family once more. They said that there is no doubt that the
health care system abroad is better than here in our country and they plant on living there with their
parents. However, Kristel also said that the Philippines is where their hearts belong- she will miss the
islands and the locality in our humble province.

As of the moment, they still have no plans of going home because of the health risks that the
pandemic brought us. They will still continue to serve others by helping those who are in need. Indeed,
there is no doubt that OFWs are the new heroes of this era. And I’m proud to say, my aunties are heroes.