FROM SANDRA

Thank you Jesus ❤️ for Mommy!!!

Dear Mommy,

In a culture where the best chinaware & silverware are locked in a glass cabinet “for display only”; used only on special occasions with special people, you mom, went COUNTER-CULTURE and used it for our family. Growing up, I distinctly remember you saying out loud, “My family IS special so why not use these for my family…” 

In a culture where political families plan for a “political dynasty” to continue the “legacy”, you mom, went COUNTER-CULTURE" inspiring us not to consider politics, "just because" Dad was a politician; giving us the freedom to soar and carve out our own lives.

In a culture where children are expected to support their parents financially as a “pay back”, you went COUNTER-CULTURE and supported my decision to serve the Lord and become a missionary.

In a culture where parents dream for their children and their grandchildren to live close by, you went COUNTER-CULTURE & died to that dream (amidst the pain of separation), and released us to live in different cities, countries and contients…

A few months ago, Wil & Jacquie Chevalier asked Carlo and I this question, “How many nations have you touched directly and indirectly?" Interestingly, this was the very frist time someone had asked Carlo and I this question.

But now as I ponder this question… I marvel… Mom, because you chose to boldly live “COUNTER-CULTURE” and released me to answer God’s call in my life, YOU have touched countless lives and countless nations. 

Happy Birthday, Mommy! May you be encouraged to know that the Lord delights in you…

“…He will take delight in you with gladness.

With his love, he will calm all your fears.

He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

Zephaniah 3:17b New Living Translation (NLT)

I L❤️VE YOU MOMMY! 

Sandra --- 

FROM DINO

Ma, I’m celebrating this day as one of the best days of my life since it is the birthday of a special, caring person in my life. I want to take this special day and use it as an opportunity to thank you for everything that you have done for me. Thank you for giving me all your love all these years and I would like to say you are loved much more than words can say. Wishing you a very Happy Birthday Ma! 

from DINO 

FROM ALVIN

Momma,

Today is the day we are all reminded of the gift that you have been to all of us. From your children, to grandchildren, to great grandchildren, to friends, to family and to all who come into your path. Your unconditional love, sacrifice, and devotion to us always makes me feel like I am never alone no matter how life gets hard for me. I cherish your understanding on the journey that I am on whether you agree with it or not... Truly I feel loved no matter what. That is what you have taught me... Anything that is good within me is because of you... I love you momma... Happy Birthday

ALVIN

FROM DOUG

Mom what can I say except I love you and miss you, Happy Birthday! Wish we could be there to celebrate and express how much you mean to us! Not a day goes by when I don't think of your first born daughter Marla, she loved you so much and cherished the relationship and friendship you both shared! I too cherish all that you mean to our family and wish you all the best on this your special day!

I thought I would repost her words that she penned in her blog 6 years ago:

For my mom's birthday
Last July 25, my mom marked a milestone: she turned diamond! ( That sounds better than putting an age which she will probably disown.) We set up a blog for her and asked our family and friends of hers to post their greetings for her. We had a theme of: My unforgettable memory of Aleli is...We are happy to hear from some people whom she has not seen in years or had contact with. Both my brothers waxed eloquent in expressing their love for mom. That was a real eye opener for me and it warmed my heart to read how they felt for her.

Below, is my post to my mom:

As long as I can remember, my mom's beauty haunted me since I was a little girl. People would tell me: "Your mom is very beautiful (and add rather apologetically) but you look like your dad." So I grew up aware that I could never match my mom's good looks. That thought disappointed me to no end but as I grew, I became aware that even if I would never be a beauty like her, at least I was attractive in my own little way.

When I got married, mom was already living in LA for several years. Doug and I had planned our wedding up to the last detail. Mom and dad did not arrive in Manila until a few days before the wedding. She had no idea what my gown would look like nor how I would have my hair fixed.

I dressed up in a friend's house where I was boarding for the last few months. Sandra stayed with me on the eve of my wedding because the make-up artist was also going to do her face. We travelled together in the bridal car.

When I got to the church, Sandra and Carlo left to make sure that every one was ready for the processional. I stayed in the car and waited for my cue. Mom came down the church steps and peeped in the car window. I lowered the window and said, "Hi mom." She looked at me with a big smile and gushed: "You're so pretty!" I couldn't believe it! Mom's first compliment to me about my looks!

When I walked down that aisle, I must have exuded a special glow not only because I was marrying the man I love but also because I was complimented by the most beautiful person in my life: my mom.

Happy birthday mom! No matter what age, you will always be beautiful---inside and out!
Marla Sagun Sharpe at 11:41 PM

This was a selection from Marla's blog Life is a box of chocolates! 

“My mama always said that life is like a box of chocolates --- you'll never know what you'll end up getting.' Forrest Gump. From smooth to crunchy, sweet to bitter, spicy to fruity, I have learned to savor this delicious food! So with life: I have learned to take the good with the bad, the surprises with the disappointments, the challenges with the mundane day to day affairs. I have learned to accept and embrace each experience only because I know that each one was chosen by my loving heavenly Father who knows what’s best for me. — 

FROM DOUG

FROM JONINA AND SIMEON

Happy happy birthday lola !!! You are an amazing woman of strength, beauty and generosity. Thank you so much for always caring and worrying about my siblings and I. Thank you for coming all the way to the Philippines to attend my wedding, it made the day extra special. Praying you have an amazing day full of love! I love you lots! Happy birthday! 

Love Jonina and Simeon

FROM TAYSHA

To my Lola on your birthday: Words cannot express my love and thankfulness for you. You are kind, compassionate, graceful, and above all, you love your family with all your heart. Please know that no matter where I am in my walk of life, your words and love are always with me. I can only hope one day to be as wonderful a woman as you are (and just as beautiful ❤️) love always, your first grand baby 

TAYSHA

FROM JUSTIN

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOLA LEE 

:]

Lola one of the fondest memories I have of that time my family lived with you and Lolo in California was during Christmas. The family was all together and lolo Landon would sing white Christmas on karaoke and you would dance along 

:] that was one of the most memorable times for me because I could see the joy in your eyes to be with your family at such a special time of the year. I always look forward to days that we get to be reunited as a family. I know that all of us cousins have benefited having you as our Lola because you did such a wonderful job raising our parents. All the time you spent teaching and nurturing them was the best gift you could give us. We all love you so much and we are more than grateful for your life. You have made an impact in this generation and will continue to do so with the generations to come 

:] love you Lola Lee 

:]

JUSTIN

FROM CHLOE

Happy Happy Birthday my Beloved Lola!

Lola you are such a blessing to our family! You are seriously one of the strongest people I know. You inspire me to continue to fight for the people we love and to do it with grace and kindness. I know that life has not always been a bed of roses but Lola you have shown me that even though there are thorns in life you can still find Beauty around them. Lola thank you for your selfless love towards me and to everyone in the family. I love you forever and a day! May God continue to shower you with peace love and joy. I love you

CHLOE

FROM AMANDA

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my lola! who's beauty surpasses time. Lola you are an inspiration to us all, you are a woman full of grace and generosity but most of all you are beautiful inside and out. I am so blessed to have you as my lola. My mom adored you soo much!!! And so do we. I am so blessed to be named after such an amazing woman. I wish we were there to celebrate your special day lola! I love you lola lee !!! Happy Birthday once again

AMANDA

FROM JANNETTE

Happy birthday Mom. You are the antithesis to the proverbial caricature of mothers-in-law. I am forever grateful for welcoming me with open arms into your family and heart. You have always made us feel your love and concern and the times spent with you are moments to be treasured. Know that you are always in our thoughts and prayers and that we always look forward to your visits. We love you!  

Jannette

FROM THERESA

Happy Birthday Mom! I am truly blessed to have you in my life. I thank you for everything you have done for me. From your advise, to your support, and for your unconditional love. Please know you are so loved by me. You are an amazing and wonderful example of the women I could only aspire to be. Thank you for caring for me. Mama, I love you so much and wish you a blessed birthday today and every day. 

Theresa

FROM JOHN

Happy Birthday Lola! I miss you so so much. Sometimes 'thank you' just doesn't cut it and that is totally how i feel right now. You are such a strong woman and i look up to you so much especially because my mother was such an amazing woman and i know that her having an amazing mother was a big part of that. I know i don't say it enough and i hate that its only in occasions like birthdays and Christmas that people express how they really feel about one another i am definitely guilty of this but know i think about you, love you, and hope that this birthday God just showers on you His blessings and grace. Happy birthday Lola Lee 

love John