April 2014

We started the 1st day of April "Fools Day" with snow, actually a little "blizzard". Big enough to cause some major drifts to cause this SUV to be stuck..

I found this truck stuck along my drive back home from my 2nd job early Tuesday morning. I thought it belonged to a friend (Tim) of mine, which I would later found out it wasn't after helping shovel some snow. The snow drifts caused a 1 hour "late-start" at my regular job. I was able to catch-up on my computer (pics and vids) project for that 1 hour.

One the 3rd (Thursday), I participated in my 1st MCC (local church) worship team practice. It was fun singing as joining the worship team will be an additive to my personal growth with my Heavenly Father (e.g. after my "Father's heart" as David).

On Saturday (5th), I went with my housemate (Rai) to the annual CNIA Pow Wow at the university. We would meet a couple of former college peers (Ryan & Jen) of mine with their kids. It was great to see UMM alumnus that come visit Morris again.

On Sunday (6th) during church service, I was part of the worship team for the 1st time! I was nervous a little, but when I kept reminding myself I'm singing to my Heavenly Father-my "butterflies" went away!

The following day a friend "out of the blue" came up to me and ask "how do I become a Christian?" (long story on how this came about). I thought it was very "God-timing" with the circumstances prior and during. I shared this (see photo album) as I was trying to find the "basic simplest" explanation. This is the story I emailed to my pastor and youth pastor of my local church..

"Update: 4.7.14

I thought of this share several days after when I was going to go to the local college to watch this movie (Jeremy Lin Story), but I kept telling myself "I wont' go unless I find someone else to join me to watch this". Well, it hit 7:30ish and I decided to stay home. Sometime later, my housemate came home from work. I told him about the movie that was being played. I shared some videos online of this guy's story. My housemate appeared to have a lot in his mind, so I would share with him. Then it led to sharing the Gospel (Salvation) story, which we ended up praying together to "accept Jesus" into his heart. Praise the Lord! Welcome brother Yuu!

I've been "trying" to grow in this more in "waiting/seeking" God's heart..daily for His purpose and His plans

Sal:).."

I was motivated after this, so the following day I took a "friend" out to eat to just do some "personal chatting". I've learned to be more of a "listener" as people just "want to be heard" if we just take time. As I write this, I think of two other people in this community I've actually gone out to a "meal" with to just chat. I'm praying that these conversations will go "deeper" to point to God as the source of all these guys' (one of them actually past away, so I encourage one to pray more to "dig" deeper before it's too late :(-just like that song "The Living Years") hope" in their "life-challenges".

Ironically on this topic, the next day, I would read updates of former college alumnus and found out till "now" that a friend/former housemate died last year. I just visited this guy and sent him a video to encourage him after he shared his struggles. I wonder if he could've got this encouraging video much earlier??? ..or if he did?..One of those BIG life questions that I'll probably won't know until I get to Heaven :(...

On Thursday (10th), I went to an event at the local college campus called "Coming to America" (stories of UMM community sharing about their experiences coming to America and abroad). There were many great stories-too many to share here! Those who were there, I'm currently working on putting a photo archive with some video clips I took of this event for future generations to hear. I believe "we" all have a story to share to encourage, inspire, and even entertain others through their current "on-going" challenges as immigrants, refugees, migrants, or anyone traveling abroad to a "new country"-culture.

I went home for Palm Sunday weekend, which was also to celebrate both my sister and mom's birthday. We went to House of Wong (see sample dish) in Roseville, which was my 1st time there. I met James (sis' b/f) adopted dad for the first time, which we had a great lunch-chat with his family and ours.

When I got back from Morris the following day (Monday after a 3-day weekend) my local church needed volunteers with "tearing down" our future church building for remodeling preparations. I was so thankful my housemate (from Pakistan) was willing to work and tear down as he was ok doing this to help pay for his house rent. The following day (Tuesday), when I went to work. Several clients from my workplace told me they missed me even though I was just gone for a day..lol! Well, I was very touched by this as I realize my workplace has become like a family already after almost 9 years now.

On Wednesday (16th), we had a snow blizzard, which isn't too a surprise living in Minnesota all my life. Then the following day, Rai and I did more work in the church remodeling project. I had to leave after a short time for worship practice at our temporary location (former Morris Life Care Pregnancy Center office). A lot of the snow that we had yesterday was already melting today with our near "Spring-like" temps.

It was the Easter holiday weekend, which we had "Good Friday" (18th) off. However, I was battling a sore throat. I was able to get a lot of errands (e.g. fax/scan old notes from ministry school back in 1999, upload videos from my vacation back in the Philippines in 2012, etc...) done with the start of my holiday weekend. On Easter "Resurrection" Sunday, my friend/co-worker (Paul) invited over to have supper at his house with his family. It was such a blessing since I couldn't be with my family back in St. Paul for the holidays. Unfortunately, my battle with my sore throat got worse, which I had to call in "sick" for the 1st time this winter on Monday (21st). It was a good time to rest and I watched this interesting "prophecy" video called "Harbinger". The following day, I still wasn't feeling good, but just a "little better". My co-workers told me I should've stayed home, but I didn't want to be gone after a 4-day weekend. I brought some home remedies (e.g. apple vinegar), which I googled to help fight this sore throat. I'm just not a fan of going to the doctors, so I "google" (e.g home remedies) for all my ailments and it seem to help and safe time-money!

On Wednesday (23rd), it was a very eventful day for my housemates. My housemate (Yuu from Japan) had his senior seminar on "tatoos". Then, my other housemate and I went to Subway (despite the latest new on "rubber" made material bread they have, but as long I don't go there often). We didn't have time to go home to make supper as we had to be at the local elementary school for Rai's presentation in our weekly ESL classes. He wanted to get some practice before his actual "real" presentation at the USDA Soils Lab as part of this end of the week farewell. I learned a lot more about "Sunflowers" as that's what was his research project during his 6-month stay.

The next day (24th), I attended the annual "Women of Today Talent Show", which I try to support my co-workers/clients each year. It's very entertaining for whoever I bring too, but there was no one that came with me this year. It was a great time as I took this cool rainbow pic prior to going inside the American Legion to watch.

My last day of the week (25th-Friday) was pretty "easy" as I had to to take clients almost all day to the RFC as I subbed for a co-worker that usually took them. This is part of my job I mostly enjoy :) When I got home it was a beautiful day, so I wanted to take advantage of it and with Rai being around before he leaves. I asked him to hold the ladder as I did some "finishing touches" (caulking) the roof around the sky windows after I found some holes with leaks last summer when we put it up with the metal roof. I'm just hoping this will be good for the future. Time will tell as I don't like climbing the metal "slippery" roof. It took me a long time to figure how to do this late last summer.

For my housemate's (Rai) last full day, I treated him out as my guest at the annual "Taste of Asia" at the local campus. He was supposed to leave on Sunday, but it was postponed due to unusual circumstances. Instead, he left the next day, but very early 2ish in the morning! It was a great experience to meet 3 guys now from Pakistan as it's been very culturally enriching!

March 2014

I started the month by going to the RFC (Regional Fitness Center) with my housemates (Rai & Yuu) and friend (Ed) playing basketball. Every 1st Saturday of the month, the local fitness center is open for FREE for community members. We took advantage of this day by playing pick-up basketball....

*see Good News Fitness

Jaime would join us in later game, which he would personally invite us afterwards to his presentation at Jane Adams later in the week.

My housemates would join me later in the evening for the community-wide monthly "Real Ministries Worship" at a local church (Hossana Worship Center). It was Rai's first time at a church "like" service, so it was cool to see him experience this event.

The next day, I went to the local indoor skating rink to ice skate my first, only, and last time of this winter season. I "hit" myself for not doing this more during this winter season, but I had a great time. It was fun to see a couple of co-workers (Johnnita & Lori) from my full-time job and other community members I know there...

Ice skated the last & only time this winter this past Sunday. Wished I did this more earlier! http://t.co/OSbpYP33qH pic.twitter.com/t4HISbQlKZ

— Dapalsal (@Dapalsal) March 6, 2014

While ice-staking, I was trying to learn how to skate backwards. This kid (friend's son) started to teach me, which I thought it was very kind and cool of him. He skates for a junior league, so he was pretty good!

On Saturday (8th), I did my every-other-month visit to Moose Lake. It was the "best" weather compared to the past 3 weekends, so it was nice to leave the prairie lands to the forestry part of northeast (e.g. Pine County) Minnesota.

The following day (9th), I went snowboarding with a friend of mine at Andes Tower Hills (Kensington, Minnesota). The weather was so nice (48-50 F) that I didn't even wear my winter jacket, just my workout jacket.

On Wednesday (12th), we had a special guest (Elvira) that presented about Kazakhstan during our weekly ESL-GED classes (Morris Literacy Project).

The following day (Thursday 17th) I participated in the MCC worship team practice as an "observer" in training before I start the next month. I decided to join after my Pastor (Pat) shared the "need" last month. I wasn't sure at time last Fall whether I was going to be around in Morris with my ESL career ambition. It didn't workout, so I stayed and decided to join this church ministry. I'm also looking forward to this involvement will help improve my singing as I've grown a passion for over the years (e.g. took voice lessons years ago). There are many other benefits of joining the worship team, which I'll probably add in future blogs.

ON Friday (14th), I had my every other year "physical exam" for my bus certification. I'm wasn't worried about not passing it, but just the eye-exam part. I've pass the last 3 exams, which I contribute to it to my change of lifestyle and eye patch therapy (I alternate covering my left-right eye almost daily throughout the year). I wanted to make sure I pass this year, so I did a special "fasting" almost a month prior to this exam. I "tried" to avoid any sweets a month prior to my eye exam. I also took this "detoxification" pill a month or so prior to cleanse my body of "toxins". I purposely scheduled it before my birthday, so I can celebrate "a little" after. Well, it paid off as I did pass the eye exam. Praise the Lord!

I started working on my taxes earlier this year after procrastinating last year (finished a day or two before the deadline). It paid off as I did more filing on the 16th (Sunday); Did my 2010-2013 carryover from my basement house projects on the 20th (Thursday). I did this after taking my housemates for supper at the Ranch House for a brunch buffet. It was such a blessed time as many friends from church were there the same time. Part of living in a small town!

On my birthday (18th), there was another snow storm, just like last year! However, it wasn't big enough (only 1" or so actually stayed from the forecast 6"-12" of snow precipitation-uncertain amounts melted) to cancel work unlike last year. We would have another "overestimate" snowfall projection storm on the 27th, which 1-4" that fell melted right away too.

I did my annual birthday tradition of going to the cities during Philippine Day. I brought 2 housemates of mine (Rai from Pakistan & Yuu from Japan) this time to celebrate my 37th birthday with family and friends. I gave them a tour of Downtown St. Paul (e.g. State Capitol) and the surrounding area, which they seem to enjoy. One of my favorite stops was a trip to Mounds Park-Dayton's Bluff Neighborhood, which I was very excited to visit this historic archaeologic spot. Unfortunately, i got too excited where I slipped on hard ice and still feel the impact as I write this to this day (Monday, April 21st 2014). We also visited the other side of the river to downtown Minneapolis (see Foshay Tower Skydeck Pics).

On the last day of the month, I watched a life-touching theatrical performance of the life of "Christy" Huddleston performed at Central Square in Glenwood, Minnesota. I carpooled with a couple (Wayne & Julie) from my local church, which it was great fellowship time to and from Glenwood!

Gratitude: February 2013

The month started cold as it reached 5 above zero (less than an inch of snow, so NO 2-hour late start at my workplace this time) after having temperatures 17 below zero the previous day. I watched Lord of the Rings movie and got "motivated" to be more of a warrior against "evil".

I went to the Saturday morning "Body Pump" fitness classes every weekend this month except the last one. It was great social time with some folks from my local church and rest of the campus-community. Also, it's a great way to start the weekend.

On Sunday, February 3rd-I volunteered to chaperone a "Youth Super Bowl Gathering" at a local church (Hossana Worship Center) since I took a "youth" that I've been "befriending" 1:1 since last summer. He appeared to had a great time as I too had fun playing a couple of pick-up volleyball games (Adults vs. high school youth), which my teat lost the 1st and won the 2nd game (close win and the youth lost part of the team because it was getting to the end of the night). The Baltimore Ravens narrowly beat the San Francisco 49ners (almost came back after a 30+ minute or so "blackout") at Louisiana.

I helped out with others with the Pre-Testing of ESL students at the campus on Monday the 4th. It was great turnout for both students and volunteers!

I drove to Alexandria on the 5th to return a handrail that was too short for my basement stairway. After dropping it off, I went to Office Max to "window shop". While checking out, some stranger nervously waited for me and asked if I owned a car he "accidentally" hit. I told him to not worry about it as there was hardly any dents. I thanked him for his honesty as we depart from each other in the parking lot. I then took advantage of my time there by visiting a former housemate, who left a message on my old home phone # with another former housemate. He gave me a free trial membership to the local YMCA. After working out for about an hour in the cardio machines, I was more satisfied and appreciated of our facility (RFC) back in Morris. It might not be as fancy as the big nationwide chain fitness centers as Bally's or Gold's Gym, but we got almost a "first-class" fitness center for West-Central Minnesota! We met together to catch-up as he shared how he found his new "Christian Faith"!

I had a new temporary route at my full-time job as I drove the mini-van to Benson each morning and afternoon. I did this for a week and half with several days missed due to "bad weather". It was a fun route as it was something different from my daily routine (in-town route). On Friday the 8th, we had our annual "Valentine Dance" at Clinton (30 minutes west of Morris). This time, it was above (24 F.) zero for the 1st time that I can remember in many years. It was great weather for driving my Benson route!

I was invited at a friend's house from my local church, which a guest (ESL student) cooked some great Cambodian food...

Church was cancelled for the 1st time in so many years on Sunday the 10th due to a 12" blizzard (6 inches Sunday morning and another 6" or so in the afternoon). We ended up having service at the pastor's house for those in-town that can make it. I was hoping to make it, but I didn't get my alley shoveled till close to 10am. I'm very thankful to my neighbor Bill who lives 2 doors down who shovels my and others front side-walk in our entire block all the time. I usually try to return the favor by using my roof-shovel to help him and other of my neighbors. As I drove to my pastor's house in the west-side, I couldn't get into his alley. Thurs, I wasn't able to make it to the special service. The roads were really bad driving around that time of the day, but I was able to get around. It would get worse as the next day, we had a "Snow Day" (my work and local schools were closed). I had to work my pt-job at the group home on Sunday night, which was "bad" driving in-town itself. I made it to the front of my workplace safely, but couldn't get in the driveway. I ended up getting stuck trying to get through it. It took over 15 minutes to get myself out (thanks to a local cop-Anita, who helped shovel a path through the snow). I even slipped and fell back as I was running to hurry-up shoveling...lol!

The next morning (11th), I couldn't get into my garage of my house since the city hasn't plowed my alley this early (7ish) in the morning of the blizzard. I ended up parking up-front and got my lab top to bring it to Common Cup. I would hangout at the local coffee shop for 5-6 hours since work was cancelled. I took advantage of a gift card I got and would end-up having breakfast and lunch while working of my on-going computer projects.

I would meet another rape victim online, which she shared her story of how she was raped by a neighbor for over a year of constant abuse. Why a year? She was threatened by this neighbor at age 14 if she ever told anybody! :( I've been sending her on-going testimonies of other rape victims to encourage her.

On Valentines Day (Thursday 14th), I would start bringing my friend's 8 year-old son (Dimitri) with me to a weekly fitness class called "Zumba" every Thursday evenings (@7p-8p). This time was a break for the "mom" with her other kids and this is also part of my "mentoring" New Year's goal. He has been enjoying this time as we both get exercise and getting good conversations (e.g. school) during our short drive to and from.

On Sunday (17th), I was scheduled to "greet" at my local church. I was blessed to get a "word of encouragement" about "being more open with fellow believers (2 or 3) for accountability purposes as the Devil/Satan likes to deceive us that we are alone on whatever we are going through (e.g. "struggling with challenges")" from a fellow "older brother in Christ".

Later in the day, I drove to Alexandria with a friend to go snowboarding at Andes Tower Hills in Kensington, Minnesota. I "thought" it was ideal weather (30's), but the roads going from Cyrus to Kensington was pretty challenging to (did a 180 on the slippery state highway north of Kensington to State Highway 29) and from (slowly slipped off the road, but my friend Chris was able to push my car as I slowly backed up from the edge of the pavement). It was windy, so I was glad I brought my face mask. I not only enjoyed the great fluffy snow for snowborading, but the great time chatting with the various people (e.g. 2 international students from China, ski-patrol that used to live in Morris that worked at the group homes, the ski-lift guy himself with his great lines, etc...) I met along the ski-lift rides.

The next day (18th-Monday), my workplace closed earlier (1/2 day of work or so only) due to increasing "bad weather" conditions (blizzard-like). The following day became a "Snow Day", which we had close to 39 below zero windchills. I still got around town to do some errands (grocery shopping) with my housemate. I was called-in to my "second" job (PCS-group home: 4-11pm) since a co-worker couldn't get out of his home due to high snow drifts caused by the high winds. I texted my sister our forecast while she was visiting our Aunt in Florida.

On the last weekend of the month, I had to go to Alex for our every other month or so ABE (Adult Basic Education) meeting. I got back in time for Dairy Queen's 50% off "everything" sale as part of their annual "Customer Appreciation Day". On Sunday, there was a special joint services of 3-different churches in pre-lude to this "World View Conference". It was a great time to meet other's in the family of Christ. I was very humble to see my pictures posted in my local church's newseletter, which I took (along videos) of this great "Kodak moment" (churches' unity-John 17)! This was a 2-day conference about challening each other on the way we look at the world (e.g. from a sociological perspective), which you can see notes in above link. On Monday (25th), my niece had a piano recital, which my sister shared (pics) via email and videos from my brother's in-law via facebook. I'm so glad for technology to be able to do this since I coudn't make it.

On Tuesday, a co-worker's dad passed away, which he was a WWII vet. I had a chance to chat with another WWII Vet while waiting in-line at the local funeral home during the "Wake Service". He (Leslie N. from Donnelly) and I have had previous conversations, but he was very open to share more. He was an MP in the Philippines, which he shared stories about his work with the roads that were damaged from Japanese bombings. While he was working along with the Army Corps of Engineers, he met the Filipino President (Manuel Quezon) at that time. He didn't remember his name as he told me this story, which I would tell him as it was refershed in my mine as I told him I visited Corregidor Island last Fall (November 2012).

On the 27th (Wednesday), a friend finished completing a quick 2-day project of putting safety covers-handrails of my basement apartment. I tried to do this myself (using fancy ballusters), which I had no-luck. I wished I contacted him earlier on this project instead of spending on expensive materials that I ended up not using. It looks beautiful!

Gratitude: February 2011

February was a short month, but it was full of blessings. It was an early "sport madness" with basketball (e.g. watch T-Dub Slam UMM) and weekly soccer games integrating different groups of the community, etc...).

Also, God has been using Facebook as a ministry tool!! I got a friend that "accepted" me that I have been praying for years to respond to my add. He didn't reply to an email I sent to him after wards, but it's "small baby-steps" in building our friendship back!

I'm still continuing my "new year's resolution of keeping healthy and fit, which I recently joined another class at the local fitness center called Zumba (see body, soul, & mind)! I've been going to this every Thursday evenings, which attracts from 50-80 people. I've started to do more dancing (e.g. work) including the annual Valentine Dance at Clinton, Minnesota with 1/3 of the clients from my workplace. Just to note, this was a week of unusual "spring-like" temperatures (30-40's) as lot of snow melted. Unfortunately, we ended-up getting the snow or even more back (21st-Snow Day) with a 14-15 inch snow storm!

Despite all the snow, I've learned to deal with it by sledding-snowboarding. I had to opportunity to do so with my sister, James (her boyfriend), and niece-nephew at Battle Creek Hill in St. Paul. Also, I went with several of my former students during UMM International Student Orientation last Summer to go sledding-snowboarding-It was the 1st time for all three! (see Cougar-Tiger Hill.

I started my once a week "fast" mid-February as I shared this email (with some wording changes for confidentiality) to folks in my local church:

From: Sal Monteagudo [mailto:saldapal@yahoo.com]
Sent: Saturday, February 12, 2011 2:14 PM
To: Goodnews Everybody
Subject: Sal-power of your stories...

Hi friends-family,

I just wanted to share some awesome stories from the past week or two and I pray this will encourage you all. I've been working at my current job (Stevens County DAC) since December of 2005. I feel "opportunities" happen for a reason and I've been praying for ways to share (more of my lifestyle-"actions speak louder than words") God's love to my co-workers and the clients (mentally-physically challenged adults). He has "opened doors" for me to pray for many (e.g. healing) over the past 5+ years (relationship evangelism) and share my faith. However, I never experience so many "open doors" until the last week or two. A couple of my co-workers went from "short-chat" to "deep-conversations" that enabled me to share my "testimony" with a couple of co-workers this past week alone! Wow, God is awesome! I love to share how God has "worked" in my-life and feel we all do have something to share (e.g. a lady in my local church encouraged all of us on this with sharing our own stories) with others around us because many are looking for "hope" and "encouragement" in these days. I just want to encourage you to seek God daily on how you can be "His light". I look back and I feel my decision to "fast" (e.g. vegetables and fruits-haven't done this for awhile) earlier this week (inspired by my local church message to "seek Him") was very helpful in these "open doors". I've decided to "try" to do this in a weekly basis, which I used to do in my "early" years walking with the Lord.

Lastly, the week ended with me sharing part of my "testimony" with an international student of mine (taught during a week of orientation to 60 international students at the local university) during my 3-hour drive to here ( St. Paul ) to do my "monthly" family visit. Please pray for this student I'll call "Fay" who is currently going through some "academic challenges" (opened-up on this to me, which I feel was started through many relationship-building activities. People start opening-up to you through time and trust) that may cause her to be "expelled'. She's been to Bible studies (went to one last night at the UofM Twin Cities campus), which I feel God has been using others to "plant seeds of faith" since she's been here in the US . Isn't that awesome? We don't have to go abroad , God is sending them and others from around the world to our "backyard" or "front door steps"!! However, some of us are called and I'm praying to back to the Philippines someday!!

Feel free to email me any comments, suggestions, questions, prayer requests, etc.. relating to this.

Brother in Christ,
Sal:)
http://testimony.goodnewseverybody.com/

p.s. If I haven't really share my "testimony", you are welcome to read and share this with others. In fact, feel free to write your "testimony" and share it with me. Let me know if you would love to have me "publicize" this to encourage others (e.g. I just emailed this site and others to a couple of those that I shared with this week) because we all have different stories that can encourage different people with different situations.

My local pastor encouraged me to share stories like this at church, so I shared another story of my mom's recent eye doctor visit. The doctor told her that there was no diabetes in her eyes. She credited it to me praying with here the weekend before I left back to Morris. Also, I've been telling her how I've been fasting on fruit and vegetables once a week, so she tried it and her blood pressure was the lowest it has been.

God has also financially provided in various ways this month with my current "financial situation". I was able to be given hours from my "on-call" part-time job in various days of the month. One of the days seem to be "strategic" as one of my clients at the group home had a "death" in the family, which I was there to give him and his peers "spiritual counsel". I also did some "house cleaning" (sorting my recycle mail) and found a 2 month-old rebate check (Tire Plus). Then I found a coupon for $5, which doesn't seem much. However, it was very timely as I used to help pay for the increasing gas prices ($3.27-Cenex in Morris) for my trip to visit a friend in Moose Lake.

Protector-He was a protector during the last weekend of the month as I was almost involved in a head-on-collision (see GoodnewsMinnesota.info- Outdoors: Winter)going to Moose Lake from Mora. The drive back home didn't end "smoothly" as He opened doors for me to help bystanders on the side of the highway (see Are You Available? February 27, 2011 from goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com).

"My lips will shout for joy
when I sing praise to you...24 My tongue will tell of your righteous acts
all day long,... -Psalm 71

The month ended with a great gathering of three different local churches for worship (see Community of Morris) and a guest speaker for a 2-day conference on Creation, which opened-up a great "blog" (30 comments) on Facebook!