I am a simple, 17 year old girl, raised a Roman Catholic and was educated in private Catholic schools. My parents raised me well; I did not drink, smoke or do drugs. I kept myself focused on my studies and excelled on it. My family is a good Catholic. We would attend Sta Cruzan procession on May, pray the rosary when the Sto. Nino statue came to our house, and go to church every Sunday. I had never imagined I would be converted from my Catholic faith.

Why water? Let me tell you why.

As an overstaying, old UP student, I was required to enroll penalty subjects. Because it’s my 9th year on my Ph.D. program, the College of Science graduate office penalized me to take 6 units of graduate subjects. But because I was in Taiwan doing my dissertation it was not possible except to enroll at UPOU, another UP unit that offers online courses. So I enrolled in two online ecology classes, namely Principles of Ecology and Aquatic Ecosystem. Now you get it.

But the story does not end there.  Never did I realize that these two subjects would bring me closer to God than ever before. With the aid of modules and the internet, I discovered wonders in nature that I have taken for granted. I was so amazed as how nature works, especially the aquatic system.

If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23.

How often do we come in contact with people who are never happy. They fail of enjoying the contentment and peace that Jesus can give. They profess to be Christians, but they do not comply with the conditions upon which the promise of God is fulfilled. Jesus has said, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." The reason why many are in a state of unrest is that they are not learning in the school of the Master. The submissive, self-sacrificing child of God understands by experience what it is to have the peace of Christ. True followers of Christ know that they must take His yoke, share His trials, carry His burdens. But they do not feel like complaining; for the meekness and lowliness of Christ makes the yoke easy and the burden light.