I am Teodora “Lhai” Abobon (nee Carlos), married to Rogelio “Jhun” Roz Abobon for 12 years since June 8, 2002. We are blessed with two wonderful daughters: Fatima Bien (11 years old), and Faith Abegail (10 years old).
I can say that our married life is like any ordinary couple who have had ups and downs as we journey through life together. As a young couple, our goal is to be together forever as we vowed during our wedding ceremony. With Christ at the center of our relationship I know in my heart that our foundation is very strong. This is no surprise for me as we come from Catholic families. I moral and spiritual values we inherited from our parents has led us to a very deep “FAITH” in God.
For me married life is a very special vocation because not everyone is called to it. Like the religious vocation, this is a gift from God that we need to nurture so that it will continue to grow with the grace of the Lord.
I fondly recall the time where we were still at the “boyfriend-girlfriend” stage. I used to pray a lot that God would give me the right person who would love me for who I am and be my best friend forever. I even asked for a “sign”: if Jhun were the right man for me, he would give me any kind of white flower. Believe me, God and Mama Mary gave the “sign”: on one of our “monthsaries” Jhun gave me a bouquet of white roses! With so much happiness I almost cried and the rest is history. After a relationship of three years we decided to get married and start a new life together as one family.
Beginning our husband and wife relationship was a challenge for both of us. Little by little we learned to know more about each other’s personality; we also learned our strengths and weaknesses that turned out to be the spices of our relationship. We have become sports buddies while encouraging each other to have social lives even when we are both busy with our work. We always practice “give-and-take” in our marriage. Learning to ‘RESPECT” and “TRUST” one another is our common strength right now and with God as the center of our relationship, I know in my heart we will never go wrong. Whenever problems and trials arise, God is always there for us; I can say that God really works in our life.
I will never forget the time when we were on our 2nd year of marriage and we experienced a tough trial. I had given birth to Fatima Bien on March 22, 2003, when just nine months after we learned that I was pregnant again. First, there was a great denial on my part; Jhun and I were not prepared emotionally and financially for I had given birth by caesarean section. It was very expensive and fear about my health was also a concern. That time, to have a second child was not on our minds. It reached a point when we always argued about things especially financially because we needed to prepare again money while attending to the needs of Fatima Bien (milk, diapers, vitamins, etc.)
After a while we came to realize, and learned to accept, the situation. Because of our faith in God we prayed that all would be in His hands for he would not allow bad things to happen to me and my baby. This is also the reason why I named our second child “FAITH” because she will always remind us that our faith was tested. We never gave up and did not let our differences ruin our young marriage and knew that God was, and is, always with us, especially from the start of our trials until I gave birth to faith Abegail. With His grace everything became smooth and my pregnancy was OK! Most of all, Jhun and I became closer to God and our relationship with one another became stronger. We both grew spiritually because we knew that with God’s loving presence, we need not fear for He would always be there for us no matter what happens.
As a Catholic couple, we go to Mass as a family but sometimes because of work schedule, Jhun cannot join us during Sunday Masses but I make it a point that I attend with my daughters. At their young age, we teach them the importance of attending Sunday Masses not just because they are required by their school to attend. I am happy and proud that they already know the common prayers. We teach them good values and we want them to grow as good persons as they can be with God as the center of their journey through life.
Right now, I am currently employed with a company (CCFI) that promotes not only career growth but most importantly, spiritual growth. I make it a point to attend company scheduled retreats/recollections that will enrich my spiritual being and share what I learn with my family. I am also a member of our parish ministry wherein I can share my time through service. Our ministry assists whenever there are parish activities and social works.
I know that life is not perfect but with deep faith in God who has given me everything I consider myself blessed as I journey through my happy married life.
-Lhai
