Louise Miguel P.

Obaob
RS 55 – XD

Fruit of Abstinence
Week 1
Day 1
This was my first day of abstinence and I did not ride the motorela going to the highway. I
learned that it is hard to do abstinence but I always think that there is a far greater purpose
why this has to be done. I saved 5 pesos.

Day 2
I had a class today and I was about to buy a piece of gum but I tried to abstain and saved 1
peso. Even if its just a small amount I learned that small gestures can have a greater value if you
have a purpose.

Day 3
Today was a very stressful day and I had to do a lot of school work. Unfortunately, I was not
able to save anything from today because we paid for a lot of things to fund our school
projects.

Day 4
Another day has come and I was on my way to school and it was scorching hot. I decided to ride
the motorsikad instead of abstaining and that was really something that I felt guilty about. I
learned the virtue of sacrifice and the importance of sacrificing for the greater good

Day 5
The day started well and decided to not ride the motorsikad and so I was able to save 5 pesos.
Today I learned the virtue of self-control.
Week 2
Day 6
Today is the start of the 2nd week of abstinence. I was going to buy mineral water but decided
not to because I could easily drink from the water fountain because it’s free. I learned the virtue
of prudence which is important when you are doing abstinence. I saved 10 pesos.

Day 7
We were tasked to do a lot of things in our major subjects today and it was very stressful. I
learned that we should have the strength when facing these problems because God is with us
always.

Day 8
I had to do a lot of errands today and so I went to a lot of places. One time the driver gave me
more than the actual change so I gave him back the excess money that he gave. I learned the
virtue of honesty and how important it is to live a moral Christian life.

Day 9
We started to work again on our thesis and did lots of things which means we also paid for a lot
of things like bond papers and printing and saving completely left my mind so I was not able to
save. This taught me the virtue of always being aware of the important things like being aware
that you should be saving for something and that it is for the greater good

Day 10
It is the last day of the week and I have a reporting in one of my minor subjects. I was really
scared but in the end, the reporting went well. I learned the virtue of courage, because initially
before our reporting I felt nervous but I just gave my trust to the Lord and gathered my courage
and in the end everything was successful
Week 3
Day 11
Today I walked from the house going to the highway today despite the scorching heat. I’ve
realized that sacrificing things that you’re used of doing is very hard but thinking about the
greater outcome of this always keeps me going. I saved 5 pesos.

Day 12
Today I still walked from the house going to the highway and saved 5 pesos. I learned the virtue
of consistency. We should always try to be consistent in achieving our goals.

Day 13
I did not have a class today so I was not given money therefor I was not able to save anything
from today.

Day 14
I was not able to go to school today because of the stomach ache I felt in the morning and I still
was not given money but nonetheless I learned that we should believe in the healing powers of
God and so I prayed for the healing of my stomach ache.

Day 15
I was finally able to go to school now and I was completely healed but I rode the motorsikad on
the way to the highway because I still felt weak from the diarrhea I experienced the day before
so I was not able to save anything. Even if this was the case I learned about how the virtue of
faith can definitely provide healing.
Week 4
Day 16
Today is a brand new day and new experiences are awaiting. I saw a beggar today and I gave
him 5 pesos which was suppose to go to my savings. I was not able to save but at least I know
that it still went to something that is good. I learned the virtue of compassion today and how
we should always try to feel what others feel

Day 17
This day I felt a dry feeling in my mouth and I felt like I needed to freshen my breath by buying a
piece of candy yet I remembered that I should abstain from fulfilling my own pleasures and so I
decided not to. I saved 1 peso from today but I learned that the amount does not count but
rather the underlying purpose of your abstinence.

Day 18
Today I managed to feel really energetic so I directed that to walking in going to the highway so
I saved 5 pesos again.

Day 19
This was really a tough week because we had to do a lot of revisions in our thesis and that’s
why I ended up not saving anything because of the expenses we had. I learned that we should
always trust God for he has great things planned for us even if we fail.

Day 20
It seemed like the days were getting worst because of the problems we had in my other majors,
so I ate a lot to compensate for the tough day I experienced and so I was not able to save. I felt
really guilty and I asked God for forgiveness.
Week 5
Day 21
Another day has begun and I was about to eat probin as my snack. Instead of going for two stick
of probin I opted to eating just one and saved 5 pesos from it. I learned the virtue of restraint
where you should not always entertain the cravings of the flesh so that you can have something
to give.

Day 22
I was on my way home when a street child went inside the jeepney and asked for money and
the only spare change I had was 2 pesos which I intend to save but gave to him. I learned the
value of generosity even if I was not able to save.

Day 23
Today, I rode a jeepney with an old driver. I was running late and was about to get mad at the
driver but only then did I realize that he might be doing this to provide for his needs even if he
is barely capable of driving. I learned the virtue of understanding today which is very important
as Christians.

Day 24
This day I was my mother forgot to give me my daily allowance so I was forced to use the
money that I saved. Nonetheless I am still thankful that my parents can provide everything I
need even if sometimes they forget to give me allowance.

Day 25
This day I saved 2 pesos from the food I ate because instead of eating my favorite streetfood
which is kwek-kwek, I chose to buy cheaper street foods. I may not have saved a lot but I am
still trying to remember to abstain from spending much.
Week 6
Day 26
It’s the 25th day in my abstinence and I learned new things when we were doing our thesis. I
learned the virtue of integrity in collecting our data and relate this to our life us Christians to
live truthfully to what our scripture asks us to do.

Day 27
It was drizzling a little bit when I went outside but I still managed to walk from the house going
to the highway so that I could save 5 pesos.

Day 28
When I was on my way home I was given a change by the driver with the amount of 3 pesos
which I immediately saved for me to give to the fruit of my abstinence.

Day 29
I saved 2 pesos today because I did not print out my project outside the house which could
have cost me 2 pesos but instead printed it at our house for free. I learned that there are really
ways you could save you just have to be resourceful.

Day 30
Today somebody accidentally spilled their iced-tea on my uniform and I really wanted to be
angry but instead I tried to understand that it was only and accident and it was not done
intentionally. I learned the virtue of good temper with this.

Week 7
Day 31
I wanted to buy a ballpen which is slightly expensive because I liked my handwriting when I use
it but instead I bought the cheaper counterpart because it was more practical and I could save
something from it. I ultimately saved 3 pesos.
Day 32
We were spending a lot again because of the expenses we had in traveling for our thesis so I
ended up using all my money. But still I learned the virtue of perseverance, even if it was a
tiring day I was still eager to accomplish our tasks.

Day 33
Instead of going to the mall to window shop, I immediately went home which made me save 5
pesos for the fair that was suppose to bring me to the mall. It was disappointing but I always
remind myself that there is a greater purpose behind all this sacrifice.

Day 34
I did not buy any art materials for our project in English but instead used up old and used
materials so that I could save from it. I learned the virtue of creativity where you could literally
be able to save if you just try to be creative. I saved 3 pesos.

Day 35
Today I was feeling sick, almost like I was having a fever. When I went home my mother took
care of me even if I was capable of taking care of myself and so I realized the virtue of love
which probably the most powerful and significant virtue above all.

Week 8
Day 36
It’s the 36th day in my abstinence and I was determined to save up so I walked from our house
to the highway even if it was scorching hot. I saved 5 pesos and also learned that there is
benefits in walking for your health

Day 37
I did have a class today so I was not given allowance for the day which means I was not able to
save.
Day 38
In my pursuit to be consistent with my abstinence I did not ride the motorsikad again so that I
could save my 5 pesos. I have realized that these sacrifices that we are doing may be very tiring
and annoying at times but it’s nothing compared to the experiences of those admitted in House
of Hope.

Day 39
Today I learned the virtue of fidelity. I have learned we should try to loyal to what our goal is, to
have fidelity towards what we want to achieve that is why I did not eat expensive food like fast
food chains. I saved 3 pesos.

Day 40
Today I woke up and I thought not all people wake up in their sleep and realized how grateful I
am to be given another day by the Lord. He has greatly blessed me and because of this I too will
bless others. I learned the virtue of the Lord’s grace. God is truly a God of grace and chances.

Week 9
Day 41
Today was a new the last week of doing abstinence and I have learned a lot of virtues a long the
way. At times I feel annoyed about always doing the abstinence but I was a greater and deeper
meaning in doing this. I am not only learning all these virtues but I am also giving something to
people that actual need it.

Day 42
We had really a lot of things to do today. It was a very stressful and tiring day for we were
gathering data for our thesis and we had to organize a seminar for our major subject. Despite
all these I know God is my source of strength and that everything is going to be okay in the end.
Day 43
Today I threw my trash in their right category where I segregated them, and I also did not buy
reusable plastics because I bring my own tumbler and metal straw. I learned that God has
assigned us to be good stewards of this world and we should always take care of the things God
has given us.

Day 44
Today I wanted to buy a cup of juice because I was feeling thirsty but then I remembered the
thirst that those people admitted at House of Hope also feel and decided to abstain from
drinking and opted to drink at the water fountain. I saved 5 pesos and I also learned the virtue
of sympathy where I put myself on other people’s shoes.

Day 45
It’s the last day of doing abstinence and I couldn’t feel more grateful from the experience that I
had. It was both challenging yet inspiring and I have learned a lot. As the last day of doing
abstinence I wanted to do something symbolic. I did not ride the motorsikad today because
that was the first thing I did in doing my abstinence. It symbolizes that you should finish what
you have started. I saved up 5 pesos and it might not be much but even this small amount can
help in great things.