Straight from the heart

My youngest sister Yvonne told me the other day that one of her dearest friends, Dr. Nani Flores-Schultz, was having lunch at home. I anticipated this “event” with excitement because I treat Nani like my little sister. She has been away for four years to explore possibilities for a medical career in the US. My excitement was doubled when I found out she was coming over for lunch with her husband Jason Schultz.

The lunch, as it turned out, was riotous as we exchanged wacky stories. But what struck us all was the love story of Nani and Jason — theirs was an answered prayer straight from the hands of God.

Awed by her stories and blessings, I asked her: What are your prayers like? How did you pray for all that you have received?

“My prayers are quite simple and specific. I pray to God for just about anything I need,” Nani said.

In one of her fervent prayers, Nani said: “Lord, I feel like I am the last of the Mohicans. Everyone (my cousins and sisters) is married except me. I can’t take this anymore. If it’s meant to be, I lift it up to you. But if you are going to give me somebody, this is what would make me happy. Someone who will sing to me; write me a poem; someone with the same faith; somebody with a gentle personality. He doesn’t really need to be cute but there must be some attraction. He must love animals, love children; someone who will take me for what I am. Lastly, someone I can worship with.”

Of course, Nani asked for a sign — if the guy would give her purple roses, then she would know that he was the right man for her.

A year after that prayer in October 2003, Nani met Jason Schultz in a church called Our Mother of Good Counsel in California while serving in the young adult ministry. Together with a group, they went to a restaurant where Jason became very interested in the bubbly Nani. They got along very well. She was then singing in the church choir and he loved it that she was so into music. In December 2003, Jason came to pick up Nani for a formal date. Her knees turned into jell-o when he held out to her a gorgeous bouquet of deep purple roses. In March 2005, he proposed marriage and with all her heart, Nani accepted.

Jason is several answered prayers all rolled into one loving package, says Nani. (My sis Yvonne and I even saw a bonus point: Jason is a hunky dead ringer for actor William Martinez.)

Nani and Jason are very powerful evangelizers. As avid members of Couples for Christ in the US, their personal mission is to help struggling families and strengthen family ties.

“When my mom died, I was so lonely because, aside from many things, she was my church-going partner. So I ended up going by myself. I prayed to God for someone to go to Mass with. Jason’s grandfather was an atheist and so he did not grow up with the faith. I told him: ‘Don’t convert for me. Do it because you feel it is your calling.’ Since he wanted to be with me, he accompanied me to Mass. During the Masses, he got touched. I’m ecstatic for now I have a church partner for life. I really feel that from the simplest to the grandest things, God showed his divine power to Jason because he is a convert,” Nani said.

When they were planning their wedding, they both dreamed of a beautiful one. But Nani and Jason said they were on a tight budget so they settled for a venue that they could afford. When they paid their down payment for the venue, they found this picturesque sight on a hill while driving back home. They were so drawn to it that they followed this romantic winding road passing beautiful waterfalls that led them to a gorgeous venue called Orange Hill with classical music dreamily playing. Of course, it was expensive in this place. Nani could only dream of getting married there.

Nevertheless, that night, they prayed. “Lord,” Nani remembered her prayer, “please rain down gifts and blessings upon us.”

The most unbelievable thing happened next. Jason called Nani to say: “Bring out your umbrella, Nani. God just sent us a downpour of blessings!”

“We got Orange Hill at an affordable rate of $37 per head plus complimentary wine overflowing. It was cheaper than our intended venue. So, we were even able to invite more guests,” Nani said

How did it happen? Jason’s mother, an interior decorator, happened to know a Filipino who worked with Orange Hill. He brokered the deal and got the place for a super discounted rate.

“God put people in your life for a reason. We had the most romantic reception and the wedding of my dreams. I prayed for a beautiful church and God led me to a magnificent one called St Denis in Diamond Bar in Orange County. We were married on Nov. 4, 2005, the exact day I prayed for. It was my late mom’s birthday. Our wedding was really what God wanted,” Nani said.

Nani said nothing is impossible with the Lord if you believe. She said many of her countless blessings included the healing of her nephew Paolo who was born prematurely at five months with underdeveloped organs and hepatoblastoma (liver cancer). She added the reunion of her family for the 77th birthday of her father in Manila, one particular occasion that she had been praying for, is another miracle from God. She said it is very rare for her whole family to be together because half of them live in the States. Even being able to attend the concert of Gary V in the US was one big miracle for Nani. “We got our Gary V tickets last minute. I had a hard day on the day of the concert so I prayed: ‘˜Lord, please surprise me today.’ Of the thousands of audiences, Gary V picked me and sang to me. I even got a kiss from him!” she said with a hearty laugh. (Nani is an avid fan of Gary V.)

Nani continued: “There are three ways that God answers prayers. He may say ‘Yes!’ or He can say ‘Yes, but not now.’ He can also say ‘No. But I have something better for you.’ Either way, it’s always positive. So don’t be disappointed. You should allow God to give you what he has planned for you.”

In parting, Nani shared that if there is something you need from God, all you have to do is just to keep on praying to him — simple prayers that are straight from the heart will do.

“Be specific, thank God for it and claim His blessing,” the couple concluded.

(Would love to hear from you at miladayjewels@yahoo.com)