The SFC-VN STRONGHOLD ICON was held on February 26, 2012. There were only less than 20 members who attended. In fact brother Bro. Bong Sagales (one of our guest speakers) mentioned that this was the first “mini” ICON he has ever attended. However, I felt joyful to have experienced the ICON because I was truly blessed by the teachings and the sharing of our guest speakers.

What struck a chord of me was the talk about “Grace.” How many of us have sinned but are still so blessed. I for one am guilty of that. We were asked to define what the word “grace” means. Everyone enthusiastically gave their own definition and I was awed to know that grace also means “the undeserved help from God.” I guess when something is omnipresent, we tend to ignore its meaning or importance. Oftentimes, we may have taken for granted to thank the Lord for HIs overflowing mercy and graces. The grace He has given to us is in fact free, even when we were infants; we had been sanctified with a permanent Grace during our Baptism. Now I know that Grace is abundant, a pure gift, constant in itself, sufficient and most of all a mystery.

What are my moments of Grace? How have I responded to these moments? How did this affect my life now as an SFC? Tough as the questions sounded, we were able to recall these moments as we shared it with our fellow sister or brother during the activity given to us, the Emmaus Walk.

This is my second ICON experience which took place in Vietnam. But still was equally an overwhelming experience for me. It moved me and got me into tears when some of my fellow sisters testified about their own struggles and how they have surpassed them or how they are still struggling and seeking the Lord’s Grace to help them.

The ICON was awe-inspiring especially during the praise and worship. I felt the Lord as my STRONGHOLD was beside me as I poured out my heart and sang out as loud as I could even if I was off key. I guess my fellow sisters and brothers experienced the same way too.

These notable verses from the bible have always inspired me and gave me faith and hope in exceedingly, abundantly, overflowing graces of our God.

"And the son said unto him, Father, ‘I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.” (Luke 15: 21-24)

"Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6)