...fourth day...i'm thankful...

Fourth day of Simbang Gabi. Every time my alarm buzz off, it seems that I automatically jump out of bed, out of habit. My mind has yet to fully wake up and it usually happens by the time I'm doused with water from the shower. At this point, I'm beginning to slowly awake. Sometimes the water is freezing cold but most of the time it's not, that I wish it was otherwise. There's nothing better than a cold shower to jolt you up.

I received awesome news yesterday that I am beside myself with gratitude. It's hard to explain what I feel. All I know is that I am very happy and thankful to God.

When I went to bed last night, I fall asleep at once. My mind filled with excitement and anticipation for the next day.

We went to the church same time as yesterday. We still get to sit on our favorite spot. By now, my eyes have already adjusted to feeling sleepy. They still feel heavy though but I am used to it.

I'm very thankful today. God finally answered my and my family's prayers.

Four days down, five more to go. :-)

...third day...think out of the box...

Third day of Simbang Gabi. I woke up to the usual annoying and familiar sound of my alarm. By this time, my body clock has already adjusted to the very early wake up time. I hurriedly got out of bed then proceeded to make some coffee then hit the showers afterward. I have a pretty boring routine every morning. Good thing is I kind of like it.

For the past two days, we usually just walk back home after the mass and after we had some breakfast. I usually just wore slippers and I find it uncomfortable while walking besides I can't walk that fast when I had it on. Callus has developed on my left foot. So this morning I wore my running shoes and the walk back home was comfy--I felt like I could run. :-)

The people occupying  on the front pews are getting fewer by the day. People usually started filling in thirty minutes before the mass will commence. We arrived at the church at ten minutes past four o'clock. We still get to sit on our favorite spot. I'm loving this. I have to adjust my eyes to the glaring lights inside. The moment I sat, I begin to feel sleepy. I was not able to take a nap yesterday afternoon because we went out. I tried to fight off drowsiness by glancing up on the church ceilings and watched the birds take off.

I was happy about my small feat  yesterday--staying awake for the entire time the mass was going on. And I intend to continue with this until the ninth day, hopefully.  This morning, the mass started on time, thankfully. The all-male band added to the festive mood inside the church, with their upbeat songs. I'm positive that no one was fighting off sleep while listening to the priest's homily. We were all attentive.

Today's theme was about "thinking out of the box and learning from the margins". The gospel came from the book of Matthew. I'm not going discuss  here at length, what it's all about.

After the mass, we headed home immediately. We decided to have breakfast at our place because we have some leftover food from yesterday. Besides, it will be expensive if we keep eating outside.

There goes my tale for the third day of Simbang Gabi.

Three days down, six more to go.

...second day and still standing...

altar

Second day of Simbang Gabi. I heard my alarm but ignored it for a while. I thought I was dreaming and the annoying sound would stop. I tried to go back to sleep but the sound continued, that's when I realized that I wasn't dreaming after all.

I'm glad there's water in the dispenser. I was able to make some coffee before I took a shower. I think I was half asleep until the water hits me. It did little to completely abate my sleepiness because after I showered and dressed, my eyes started to feel heavy. I was up and about for a good two hours before the mass will start. Call that crazy. :-)

The challenge for me is to remain alert for the entire duration of the mass. Sometimes, I dozed off, especially during the homily. Very bad of me, huh? I remember my grandmother, telling me that when I can barely open my eyes during that particular time because I'm very sleepy, it was during this time that Satan's minions are playing tricks on my eyes, so I would fall asleep and ignored altogether the priest's homily.

There were not too many people yet when we got to the church, unlike yesterday. At around 4:30 AM, people started to pour in. We were still able to sit on our favorite spot. My eyes started to feel heavy again. I could barely open it. My ordeal is just about to begin. To ward  nodding off, I wrote a draft of this post on my phone.

Surprisingly, I managed to stay awake the entire time. Sure, I kept yawning and all. but still, I was alert. During the homily, I worried that I might dozed off again, thankfully, I did not.

After the mass, we went to Mother's Best to grab some breakfast. It's just a walking distance from Redemptorist.

Cheesy Mushroom Omelette.

Tocino with Scrambled Eggs

Two days down, seven more to go.

...first day...

I woke up to the sound of my alarm. I was reluctant to get out of bed, my eyes were still heavy with sleep. I lingered for awhile in bed then slowly got up. My watch read three o'clock. Yes, I was up that early. I headed to the shower and thankfully, I was finally awake. I made myself a cup of coffee and sip this while I dressed. I read a few pages of Paulo Coelho's book while waiting for the time.At exactly four o'clock, Joy and I stepped outside and headed to Redemptorist.

Today is the start of the nine day novena masses, popularly known as "Misa de Gallo" or "Simbang Gabi". Some cynics noted, why it is called Simbang Gabi when in fact, the mass is held early in the morning. Come to think of it, I myself, ask this more than once. This tradition is practiced predominantly by Roman Catholics. I have yet to hear of other denomination or group who also celebrate these dawn masses.

No one is forced to attend Simbang Gabi. I mean, everyone who come to church daily from Dec. 16 until Dec. 24, come at their own volition. Anyone can wake up early and attend mass but the challenging part, is to be able to sustain until the ninth day.

We arrived at the church, an hour before the mass is scheduled to start. There are already a lot of people inside and the pews on the front were already occupied. Fortunately, our favorite spot was still empty. Cool. Why it is my favorite spot? It is just situated on the middle and near a wall fan. It's perfect for me.

The mass started on time. The church was brightly lit, far from the usual Sunday morning I went there to hear mass. Another thing, it was jam-packed. Since it was the first day, most people are inclined to attend.

I intend to complete the nine days, hopefully. And not because of a particular favor that I'd like God to grant. It's just something I need to do and my way of saying thanks. :-)