Therese's Roses

We've moved! Or at least Cy has.

2011-11-13T08:53:00.002-10:00

Hello dear reader!

Something for a change...I'm blogging over at This is the Stuff for now. =) Maybe this will mean more posts...?

The things you find on Facebook

2011-09-25T08:38:00.002-10:00

Oh the places you go, things you see, and the stories you find on Facebook! =D From the daily escapades of life, to favorite quotes, to insights of the Bible that include Moses the waterbender and Elijah the firebender. There are pictures of sunsets, links to important events such as pro-life movements, and videos of college crazies playing the age old game of chubby bunny. Facebook - or FB as we call it, haha - is a way for people to vent, get their minds off a loooong day, communicate with friends and family miles away (or a few yards...), and much more. But in my "little circle of friends" much of it is evangelization.

And once in a while, you get a gem such as this:

"A worried woman went to her gynecologist and said: 'Doctor, I have a serious problem and desperately need your help! My baby is not even 1 year old and I'm pregnant again. I don't want kids so close together. So the doctor said: 'OK and what do you want me to do?' She said: 'I want you to end my pregnancy, and I'm counting on your help with this.' The doctor thought for a little, and after some silence he said to the lady: 'I think I have a better solution for your problem. It's less dangerous for you too.' She smiled, thinking that the doctor was going to accept her request. Then he continued: 'You see, in order for you not to have to take care 2 babies at the same time, let's kill the one in your arms. This way, you could rest some before the other one is born. If we're going to kill one of them, it doesn't matter which one it is. There would be no risk for your body if you chose the one in your arms. The lady was horrified and said: 'No doctor! How terrible! It's a crime to kill a child! 'I agree', the doctor replied. 'But you seemed to be OK with it, so I thought maybe that was the best solution.' The doctor smiled, realizing that he had made his point. He convinced the mom that there is no difference in killing a child that's already been born and one that's still in the womb. The crime is the same! If you agree, please SHARE. Together we can help save precious lives! 'Love says I sacrifice myself for the good of the other person. Abortion says I sacrifice the other person for the good of myself.' "

So while FB can be a hassle, an addicting site, or just plain confusing, nothing is in itself intrinsically evil. It all depends on how we use it. Imagine that! We can be Christ to others on FB!

Ten Years Ago

2011-09-11T00:10:00.000-10:00

Our Lady, Patroness of the United States of America, pray for us!
Picture credits

Ten years already. Time sure goes by quickly. As for those of us who have grown up with the events of years past, particularly those on a certain day in September, perhaps these ten years have affected us more drastically than would ten in our parents' lives. My communications teacher thought it would be a good experiment to have everyone in his class write a reflection on how 9/11 affected us, the generation that has grown up with this reality. I have a bad habit of posting my homework only because I can't think of anything else to put up (School has that odd effect on you. Somehow you think up your best blog posts when you don't quite intend to). I enjoyed reading everyone's take, though most of us didn't quite understand what had occurred. As for me, I remember that morning rather well.

I remember sitting at my dinning table that morning and doing my homework assignments when my aunt called my mom. I didn’t catch what she said but could hear the urgency in her voice as my mom rushed to the living room and turned the TV on. My siblings and I weren’t allowed to watch the almost frantic activity on the screen, but immediately were aware that something was amiss as my mom began to cry. Even though I was homeschooled, I could feel that the world was thrown into turmoil, suddenly on shaky footing in its unexpected uncertainty. What we once considered neigh impregnable was suddenly – and through a child’s perception, permanently – contradicted.

It was the oddest mix of feelings. On one hand, people were experiencing a sudden religious fervor. On the other, since Hawaii was the bridge between continental US and had almost extremely heightened security, there were strange undercurrents of mistrust particularly when it came to traveling. My mom could not shield us from all the tragedy; eventually I had a faint idea of what had occurred. It terrified me. I had thought, as a carefree nine-year-old, America to be the bravest of nations, quite akin to Superman. I’d overlooked the fact that even Superman fell to kryptonite. The event had taken my ideal and slapped it across the cheek, leaving me in shocked confusion.

9/11 forever changed my perception of America, possibly in ways that I am today still unsure of. Yet one hope still broke through the murky confusion, and that was the response of the heroes during the aftermath. I realized that, while she isn’t the invincible ideal and still needs every single one of her citizens, every single one of them have the courage and responsibility to proudly carry on. We are through the grace of God who we make ourselves to be. After all, isn’t that one of the principles that brought life to our country in the first place?

Because of 9/11, I’ve grown up with the idea that we were given a chance; a chance to redefine America as our founding fathers meant from the beginning. Coming up to date, the question I now have for my generation is: how will we do it?

Sainthood is within reach XD

2011-08-15T17:45:00.003-10:00

Picture from here!

Tagged for a meme by Aunty Esther! Haven't done one of these in a while.

"Assuming you are a saint, and your cause has been executed, your miracles confirmed, your date on the calendar established, all that is required is to select that of which Holy Mother Church will name you Patron (ess) of.
For this meme, you must name your patronage
and then tag 5 other people who would like to play along."

I'd actually like to be the patroness of (cell) phone users, just 'cause there's nobody yet. So I've got dibs! All joking aside, another reason is because one of my secret fears is calling people on and answering the phone. (Ok...so it's not a secret anymore but...) I have trouble talking on them, so for all my buddies who are just as flabbergasted when it comes to these inventions, I shall be praying for you fervently.

Wow, this is a new version of an old meme. Since I don't know who comes here anymore (cue crickets in the background) I'll have to leave this as an open invitation. So have fun!

Happy last few days of summer, everyone!

Smile check!

2011-07-25T15:18:00.002-10:00

Time for something fun!
Before Mass this morning, I was kinda blah and my mind was pretty preoccupied. It wasn't preoccupied with anything fun, nor anything overly disastrous (Deo gratias for that), but preoccupied enough that I probably wasn't all smiles. XP So I sat in the pew, waiting for the bells to ring, almost oblivious of everyone in the church while a million troubling thoughts ran through my head. All of a sudden a cell phone rang out of the blue, bringing me back to reality...and my little brother started dancing to the ringtone. o.O? Seriously, who dances to ringtones???! (Apparently my brother does) It was so random and hilariously ridiculous after what I'd been thinking about, that I almost burst out in a full laugh! It did the trick though. It reminded me to keep smiling and not get so worked up about things that really are in God's hands, haha. =)

So I'm going to "let go and let God." And dance along with this song! Anyone care to join me? ^^

"And he said unto me, 'My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.' Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." ~St. Paul

Oh. Just a note...you might want to remember to turn off your cell phone before Mass. Even if you're like Moses and expect a call from God any moment, please be respectful of other people. Especially since most of them probably are really praying and not thinking about a million things. Thanks. =)

"A Little Progress Everyday"

2011-07-11T18:49:00.006-10:00

Ah, summer days. There have been a lot of tourists on the island lately! (Thank you for visiting!) While they crowd the main beaches and make it hard for the rest of us to find parking, they do give us occasion to seek out the hidden island treasures that only we locals know about.

The tide pools are so clear, it makes it hard not to want to jump in! ^^

* * *

Several years ago, there was a story about a college bound guy who asked everyone in the world for a penny. The story came with a picture of the smart student sitting in the middle of a pile of copper coins, happy that he could actually pay for his tuition. Even if I was far from college myself back then, I remembered the story and, up to now, still pick up the random pennies on the ground that nobody seems to care for. After all, pennies do make dollars, right?
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to save quite enough to pay for college....in fact...I'm not even sure what happened to all my pennies. o.O If I were to find them all someday - probably stored away in some place secret to even me - I'm sure they would amount to something!

Lately, I've found that this little story of spare change can also be related to a person's change of heart. To explain that though, I think I ought to introduce a friend of mine!

Meet Maggiorino Vigolungo, a young member of the Pauline Family! A bit about him: he entered the Society of St. Paul in 1916 at twelve years of age and had "a great love for the Eucharist." Although he died at the age of 14, he strove to be a saint, his motto being "a little progress everyday," a goal that he remained faithful to for the remnant of his life. You can read more about him here.

"A little progress everyday."
People are constantly changing. A person probably isn't the same as he was the day before, since the events between then (however minor) would have effected him in some way. So every day we each have before us a choice: either we miss our chance to become a better person, or we take that chance and choose to make the right choices that will lead us Heaven-bound.
"Sure, Cy, it's probably easy for you to say." Haha....no. (I wish!! D'X) To be honest, that's the reason why I like Maggiorino's quote so much; because I face the same dilemma as the next person....assuming, of course, the next person isn't Mother Teresa. (Although, even Mother Teresa had her hardships. But that's another story.) I seriously doubt that I can completely change overnight, and that's where St. Therese's Little Way meets Maggiorino Vigolungo.
Are there times when you want to return your neighbor's insult with a volley of your own? Pick up that penny and hold back the words. Can't seem to find a smile in your heart but know that your brother could really use one? Even if you can't feel it, smile anyway and dust off that extra penny. There are pennies for you to find every single day, from helping a homeless man find a meal to opening a door for an elderly lady.
"Store up your treasure in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroy."
If we choose these little paths in life, storing up our pennies in Heaven, then even if we can't pay college tuition, we can at least become saints.

Pennies do make dollars.

You know the saying "Don't Look Back?"

2011-06-27T20:04:00.006-10:00

Happy Summer everyone! Yes, I'm sorry for yet another great divide between posts. >.< I won't blame you for not coming here anymore. I really did mean to blog more this summer...but...uh....I had sooo many books to read! And clam chowder to make! And piano lessons....and...and...oh nevermind. (No more excuses, Cy. Just blog already.)

Anyway, I hope this random post finds you well, anonymous reader. :) And thanks for visiting!

Earlier in the month I was cleaning my computer, storing away all those old files into a portable storage device. (Wouldn't it be easy if you could do that with some other things? ^^) Ah, the convenience of the modern days we live in! The only complications I had were that the old files were so old that they needed to be converted into a format that could actually be read (They were in a .wps format. Don't save your work on those). While checking to make sure they had survived the ordeal, I stumbled upon some journal files I had written a few years ago. Curiosity killed this little cat, and I ended up reading a couple more. Gee. By the time I was ready to call it quits, I was ready to laugh my head off!

I remember writing those little tidbits, trying to be oh-so-eloquent, serious, and grown up! (And if you go waaay back to some entries on this blog, you'll see what I mean! I sound like a little girl because...well...I was a little girl! Hahahaha!!) On a more "serious, grown-up" note, I remember having to climb all those molehills, bumps, and mounds - which at the time I thought were impenetrable mountains.

That's what stopped me from laughing my head off. To my little girl self, those molehills never seemed to have a peak to peek over, and stumbling over those bumps made overcoming those mounds the most difficult thing. At the time, none of those difficulties struck me as funny in the slightest (even though I knew I would laugh someday. When I was like, old...er). At the time, I couldn't understand why I had to climb those molehills to get to the other side. "Why, God?? Couldn't I just find some other, easier way?"

Looking back now, I know why. If God hadn't made me climb the molehill, I would still be stuck on the bottom of the mountain. If I hadn't stumbled over the bumps, I wouldn't have the balance to jump over ravines. If He had brought me somewhere other than over those mounds, I would have missed the spectacular view the climb had brought me.

And that was the result of only a few years.

Sometimes we don't get why we go through certain things until they're over and we have to chance to look back. We don't realize how amazing our story has become.

So, go ahead, look back and enjoy the view so far. Be amazed at how God has brought you to where you are now. Don't linger too long, though, because ahead of you, there's still more of the adventure to come.

Happy Easter

2011-04-25T16:37:00.003-10:00

A very blessed Easter to you all, friends. =) May the risen Christ's light and love remain with us always.

Say Cheese!! (Actually, I want you to smile)

2011-04-17T18:22:00.005-10:00

‎"A smile is laughter's whisper and has its roots in the soul."
~Archbishop Fulton Sheen

One of the things that I really like about Saint Therese's little way is the resolve to smile, especially when encountered with a grumpy cashier person, a solemn librarian with a face of stone, or just someone who looks like they're having a bad day. Have you ever tried giving them just the tiniest, straight from the heart, joyful little smile? Trust me, it works, and it is soooooo much fun!! ^^ The grumpy cashier person gets all confused that you're thanking him in spite of his nonchalance, the solemn librarian's mouth starts to twitch about the edges ever so slightly at your bubbly enthusiasm for books, and the poor victim of that bad day quite stares at you as if you've gone mad (And guess what? They copy you in the end! Yes, everyone's gone quite mad. Score 1 for God!! XD).

It all starts with a little assignment my Little Way teacher once gave me and my friends:

"Yeah, Cy, it's all well and good when you're at the top of the world, but what if you just can't seem to put one foot in front of the other?"

Those days come. When I think of the martyrs who went to their often-horrific deaths with a radiant smile, I am like Saint Therese and feel like a pebble staring up at a mountain. I've got my own Cross to carry, and it's heavy enough without trying to help carry someone else's! Yeah, well, there was someone who pretty much had the same thought. And it just so happens that I'm named after him: Simon of Cyrene.

When you can't seem to compliment that grumpy cashier person because you're every bit as grumpy as he is, remember that time when Jesus was surrounded by those who shouted for His death on the Cross. When you can't seem to break the stoniness of your own heart and find the joy to share with that old librarian, remember the stoniness of the soldiers' hearts when they scourged Jesus and forced Him to carry the Cross. When you're having a bad day and can't find the strength to smile a ray of light for the person next to you, remember the day that Jesus had that Good Friday so long ago. And if not for the sake of the person next to you, for the sake of giving comfort to our Lord when all others had abandoned Him.
What would you do if you saw the suffering Christ in them?

Now I pass on to you the same assignment that I was given (see above picture). It's really nothing new, in fact, we hear it all the time. It can be summed up in two very simple parts:
1. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind..."
2. "...and love your neighbor as yourself."

The easiest way to start? Start with a smile.

Have a very blessed Holy Week, friends, and may God give you the strength to carry your Cross so to be able to rise with Him on Easter morning.

=)

2011-04-16T20:27:00.000-10:00

Stay calm...don't...p-panic...

2011-04-06T19:31:00.006-10:00

You are out to sea and a storm brews up. You can't do anything except call out: "Lord, save me!" (Mt 14,30). May he who walks fearlessly over the waves stretch out his hand, may he relieve you of your fear, may he set your confidence in him, may he speak to your heart, saying to you: "Think of what I have borne. Do you have something to bear from a false brother or from enemies outside? Didn't I have mine, too? Those who gnashed their teeth outside; the disciple who betrayed me inside." True enough, the storm is raging. But Christ saves us from "smallness of soul and the tempest" (Ps 55[54],9 LXX).

Is your boat tossed about? Perhaps it is because Christ is asleep in you. The boat in which the disciples were sailing was being tossed by a raging sea and yet Christ was sleeping. But in time these men realized at last that they had the lord and creator of the wind with them. They drew near to Christ and woke him: Christ commanded the wind and there was a great calm. Your heart is very rightly troubled if you have forgotten him in whom you have believed. And your anguish becomes unbearable when all that Christ suffered for you remains far from your mind. If you don't think of Christ, he sleeps. Wake Christ; call on your faith. For Christ sleeps in you if you have forgotten his Passion; and if you remember his Passion, then Christ awakes in you. When, with all your heart, you have reflected over what Christ suffered, won't you bear your trials steadfastly in your turn? And maybe with joy you will find yourself a little more like your King through your suffering.

Yes indeed, when these thoughts start to comfort you and give you joy, then know that Christ has stood up and commanded the wind; from this comes to pass the calm within you. As one of the Psalms says: "I was awaiting the one who would save me from smallness of soul and the tempest". ~ Saint Augustine

One of my favorite paintings is Rembrandt's Christ in the Storm in the Sea of Galilee. Whenever my boat is tossed about, I remember a homily that I once heard: Christ is sleeping at the stern, the part of the boat that sinks first. He watches over us even in His 'sleep'.

"Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you." ~God

How (not) to pray! ...just listen.

2011-03-23T14:36:00.007-10:00

How's your Lenten journey so far, friends? ^_^

For me, it seems like the closer I try to get to God, the more I see how swiss-cheesy I am. Too many holes in various places, so much so that I wonder how the saints became so holy instead of "hole-y".
This Lent I'm trying to patch up all those holes, especially when it comes to praying. Of course, I do like praying! When I actually get around to it and concentrate, it such an amazing and humbling experience knowing that you're in the presence of God, talking with Him (you talk with Him because, contrary to popular belief, He has much more to say to you, than you do Him). I'd quite literally die if I didn't make time to pray.

"Ok, Miss Cy-Cy, so if you like praying so much, how come you're not such a good job?"

Hmm, good question.

First off, you'll have to read this completely hilarious (and unfortunately, completely true in my case!) post: 7 Reasons Why I Stink at Praying

Soooo....how many reasons did you put a check mark beside? Don't worry, I put one beside all seven of them, so there's no way you could possibly beat my perfect score. Now you know why I need to work on praying, haha...

To me, praying is often like attending a symphony event. At first, you are enraptured by the sheer beauty and excitement of the music. Your entire self thrills with the woodwinds, shouts with the brass, breathes with the strings, and your heart thumps to the rhythm of the percussion. It's almost as if you become a part of the music. Yet somewhere along the music's story your seat gets unnaturally hard, you zip up your jacket and grumble at the overenthusiastic AC, you notice your seat neighbor has an annoyingly off sense of rhythm, and you wonder why the composer would add so many notes and where on earth the music is going. It's difficult to appreciate the music when you're so distracted, and you find that you lost focus of that beautiful sound with which you were so enamored.

The music never left, you simply forgot that it was there, having noticed all the little selfish things that you unintentionally gave a front seat to. The music is still there, waiting for you to fall in love with it again. It takes much for you to re-shift your focus like a camera, forever zooming in and out to find that right setting. No one said that tuning an instrument (musical, a camera, or yourself) was easy to do at first. It takes attending many, many concerts to become a listener - an audience.

It's worth it, though. When you quiet your heart and fall back into the music, AKA that "still, small Voice" and let it fill your soul, you forget all the effort it took and become lost in sweet melody.

So while I can't exactly tell you how to pray (because everyone is different when it comes to prayer life) I can say that if you come to God with a humble, quiet, and repentant heart, there's a good chance that you'll hear a couple of notes...and maybe you'll end up hearing the entire symphony.

2011-03-14T16:03:00.000-10:00

What Planned Parenthood is doing...it's not a rumor, it's not something pro-life "fanatics" are making up. It's the truth. It's a very sad, cold truth about what's happening to our nation. The facts are there, and they point to injustice. Injustice is not what our country is about.

2011-03-13T16:07:00.001-10:00

Pray for our brothers in sisters in Japan!

Imagine if this had happened to us...

ABC's before and after shots of Japan

...imagine, then pray for those whom it has happened to.

Fish and Lent

2011-03-11T15:29:00.003-10:00

"P. Sherman 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney!"

Dory, that fun, perky little fish from Finding Nemo is one of our favorite movie characters. We can even recite her lines better than the rest of the characters', more than any other character from any other movie for that matter! (If only you could hear recordings of my siblings and friends recite Dory from start to finish! It's hilarious!)
Poor Dory has one fatal flaw, though. She has short-term memory loss and "forgets things almost instantly." Things would be going along just swimmingly...until she forgets what she was doing or where she was going.

You're probably wondering whether this has anything to do with Lent, or whether the poor blogger has ended up like Dory and forgot what the correlation was. (Or maybe it has something to do with Catholics and fish on fridays, but...yeah...let's not get into that. Poor Dory.) Actually, Dory has much in common with the Israelites about whom we read during the latter parts of Lent, but more specifically, she has much in common with us.
Doesn't it seem to you that the Israelites had everything going for them until they "forgot" how loving God was? Doesn't it seem to you that we tend to become so complacent in our faith? We get so comfortable staying where we are in our lives so much so that we forget what we're really supposed to be doing, and it takes a tsunami to shove us off our beach chair and do something to solidly live out our Christianity.

That's what Lent can do. It's a reminder of what we were supposed to be doing in the first place; it brings us back to the basics through our denying ourselves of things we don't really need.
Do I really need to watch all the TV shows that I give so much time for? Do I really need to go shopping for things that will make me look glamourous? Do I really need to be on Facebook so long? (Yeeesss!!.....uhmmm...no. *buries face in arms*)
Take a step back. Are these things doing anything to help us focus our lives around God? Are these going to help us fit through the narrow gate? By refocusing the time we use for these things - ironically, by dropping these and taking up our Crosses - we can end up living lives that are more worth living.

Like Dory, we need that reminder to stay focused on our "P. Sherman 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney." AKA, Heaven.

So have a blessed Lent, everyone! And stay focused! =)

The Blogosphere expanded!

2011-03-07T19:14:00.000-10:00

...Or, at least my knowledge of it's unending reaches did, haha! =D
Check the sidebar for some links to some pretty awesome blogs: The Catholic Young Women, Little Flower's Crown of Roses, From a Catholic Daughter, and ...Where God Finds Me....
And yes, these are girls' blogs (although, you can still read them, even if you happen to be a boy). ;-) Girls just rock that way, especially when they absolutely LOVE God the way these young women do. So do visit them and listen as they share their journeys.

Sometimes Cy is a lot like sigh

2011-03-06T18:00:00.003-10:00

"My son, when you come to serve the LORD, prepare yourself for trials.
Be sincere of heart and steadfast, undisturbed in time of adversity.
Cling to him, forsake him not; thus will your future be great.
Accept whatever befalls you, in crushing misfortune be patient;
For in fire gold is tested, and worthy men in the crucible of humiliation.
Trust God and he will help you; make straight your ways and hope in him.
You who fear the LORD, wait for his mercy, turn not away lest you fall.
You who fear the LORD, trust him, and your reward will not be lost.
You who fear the LORD, hope for good things, for lasting joy and mercy.
Study the generations long past and understand; has anyone hoped in the LORD and been disappointed? Has anyone persevered in his fear and been forsaken? has anyone called upon him and been rebuffed?
Compassionate and merciful is the LORD; he forgives sins, he saves in time of trouble."
~Sirach 2:1-11"

Sometimes it feels like you're walking in the pouring rain without an umbrella, cold and shivering while several cars pass you by. You look balefully to the sky and wonder when the rain is ever going to give out and a stop...and when it doesn't, you yourself begin to reflect the overcast weather. Now you could choose to wear your inner frown and hunch your shoulders in depression, but let's say you swallow your disappointment and carry on as bravely as you can.
Yeah. It sounds a lot like martyrdom. Even if it isn't actual martyrdom (or it's only a small one in reality) it can feel like it's your entire world at the moment.

As a young Catholic girl, I'm beginning to realize many things that I never experienced before. Like living in a world that pretty much sees me as some freaky alien and keeps reaching for the Raid spray (an exaggerating exaggeration, but it comes close). There's so much that we young Catholics have to deal with that it almost seems like we're going to drown. Almost, were it not for our strong foundation. That strong foundation that Father read from the Gospel this morning...suddenly, when the rains are coming down and the floods are coming up, I have a greater appreciation for my faith. So as long as that firm Rock is there, it doesn't matter if I can't see past the rain to what's up ahead. I know He can.

So now it's just the attitude you decide to live by. It's one thing to trust God, but can you trust Him with a hopeful smile on your face? Like Saint Therese said, you can suffer, but the difference is when you suffer well.

The rain can only last for so long. There's only so much water in the world. Someday soon, the clouds will have to give up. So I'm looking up with a deep breath and a Hail Mary, waiting for that first glimpse of Marian blue....

"Will you be My valentine?"

2011-02-14T16:46:00.003-10:00

So we went to Mass today, and we were pretty early so we had more than a few minutes to pray and prepare ourselves for Mass. I found myself staring at the above stained glass window, realizing that it was Jesus and His Sacred Heart. Then I realized....that every time we receive the Eucharist, we receive a Valentine from God. And the best part is that this Valentine is for forever. <3

(I really, really like this new song! It's a fun song by Jamie Grace.)

God's Dream (and Valentine)

2011-02-14T16:39:00.001-10:00

God’s Dream

By Charles Peguy

The Lord God said:
I myself will dream a dream within you,
Good dreaming comes from me, you know.
My dreams seem impossible, not too practical
nor for the cautious man or woman;
a little risky sometimes, a trifle brash perhaps.
Some of my friends prefer to rest more comfortably
in sounder sleep with visionless eyes.
But from those who share my dreams I ask
a little patience,
a little humor,
some small courage,
and a listening heart –
I will do the rest.
Then they will risk and wonder at their daring;
run, and marvel at their speed;
build, and stand in awe at the beauty of their building.
You will meet me often as you work
in your companions who share the risk,
in your friends who believe in you enough
to lend their own dreams, their own hands,
their own hearts, to your building.
In the people who will stand in your doorway, stay awhile
And walk away knowing that hey too can find a dream.
There will be sin-filled days
And sometimes a little rain – a little variety
both come from me.
So come now, be content.
It is my dream you dream,
my house you build,
my caring you witness;
my love you share
And this is the heart of the matter.

Charles Peguy (1873 - 1914)

Love "Scripture Snack" ^^

2011-02-12T19:34:00.000-10:00

God said: "Let there be Light!!"

2011-02-09T15:30:00.003-10:00

Ok, so I didn't make up the idea behind the picture. ^^ It's pretty awesome though!

Christians are like lights for others, for everyone in all the world. If we are christians then we must become like Christ. If you want to learn how, then the art of foresight will make you more and more like Christ, for he was humble of heart and always attentive to people's needs. Great sanctity begins with this attention to others. If it is to be beautiful then our vocation must be wholly filled with this attention. Wherever Jesus passed, he did good. And the Virgin Mary at Cana only thought of the needs of others and passed them on to Jesus. A Christian is a tabernacle of the living God. He created me, chose me, came to live in me because he needed me. Now you have learned how much God loves you, what could be more natural than for you to spend the rest of your life spreading this love? To be truly a Christian is truly to welcome Christ and become another Christ. It is to love as we are loved, as Christ loved us on the cross.
~Mother Teresa

2011-02-07T14:45:00.000-10:00

"Made to Love You" by TobyMac

“The only thing I really wish for
...Is to love until I die of love.”
“You know well enough that Our Lord does not look so much at the greatness of our actions,
nor even at their difficulty, but at the love with which we do them.”
"I do not desire either suffering or death, although both are appealing to me;
it is love alone which really attracts me...
I can ask for nothing with any enthusiasm
except the perfect accomplishment of the Divine Will in my soul,
unhindered by any intrusion of created things.
I can say, with the words of our father, St. John of the Cross,
in his Spiritual Canticle,
'I drank in the inner cellar of my Beloved, and when I went forth into the meadow
I forgot everything and lost the flock which I used to drive.
My soul has employed all its resources in His service;
now I guard no flock, nor do I have any other duties.
Now my only occupation is love.'
Or again: 'I know love is so powerful that it can turn
whatever is good or bad in me into profit,
and it can transform my soul into Himself."
~ St. Thérèse

"Called to Love"

2011-02-06T14:49:00.000-10:00

"We have been called to love the world. And God loved the world so much that He gave Jesus to it. Today, He loves the world so much that He gives you and me to the world to be His love, His compassion, and His presence through our lives of prayer, sacrifice, and self-surrender. The response that God is waiting for from you is to become a contemplative, to be a contemplative. Let us take Jesus at His word and we will be contemplatives at the heart of the world, because if we have faith then we are His permanent presence. In contemplation the soul draws directly from God's heart the graces that the active life has been entrusted to distribute. Our very existence is to be intimately bound to the living Christ within us. If we do not live in God's presence, we cannot keep going. What is contemplation? It is to live the life of Jesus. That is how I understand it. To love Jesus; living His life at the heart of out own; living our own at the heart of His... Contemplation has nothing to do with shutting oneself up in a dark cupboard but in allowing Jesus to live His Passion, His love, and His humility in us, to pray with us, to be with us, and to make holy through us. Our lives and our contemplation are one. It's not a question of doing but of being. In fact it is about the complete happiness of our spirit through the Holy Spirit Who breathes God's fullness into us and send us out into all of creation as His own, personal message of love."
~Mother Teresa of Calcutta

That little something called "Love"

2011-02-05T14:32:00.002-10:00

I kind of forgot that Valentine's Day was on the 14th. ^^ So I decided, for the next few days until Valentine's Day, to post something about that little thing called Love.

Here's Brandon Heath and his song "Your Love".

"My Jesus, how good it is to love you! Let me be like your disciples on Mount Tabor, seeing nothing else but you, my Savior. Let us be as two friends, neither of whom can bear to offend the other. Amen."
~St. John Vianney

2011-02-04T09:48:00.003-10:00

Every first Wednesday of the month here on Oahu, the Co-Cathedral of St. Teresa has Adoration for Vocations. We attended one, and over the speakers they were playing a Latin/Gregorian Chant CD sung by Sisters. As we knelt in front of True Love Himself and listened to the beautiful music, all the day's troubles slowly melted away and were replaced by the quiet reassurance that everything will turn out in the end.
If you've ever been to the Co-Cathedral, you know how echoey it is there! The echoey effect added to the already mysterious sound of the Chant, and I began to wonder why the Chants are always so mysterious. But when you think about it, God is a bit of a mystery, and the Chants reflect Him...
Anyway. (I lost track of where this post was going...sooo many mysteries to figure out, and most of them we aren't supposed to figure out!) Here's a site that I found some time ago that's run by the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. It reminded me of the Chants that played over the speakers.

Monastery Podcast

It's like sitting by an empty beach letting the lull of the water sooth your soul...

Emotionally Chaste

2011-02-03T15:19:00.000-10:00

You've all probably heard about practicing chastity in a physical way, which is not easy to do nowadays. Well, there's another aspect to chastity that can really help with that.
This was written by one of our amazing homeschool moms, Aunty Jackie. "Emotional Chastity" is something all young people should apply to their lives.

I was rereading one of the books in our library called Surrender by Carmen Marcoux. One of the characters in this piece of fiction talks about "Emotional Chastity." This term totally grabbed me. It describes the system that we use in our home. (Or try to use.)

I have kids, lots of kids. And I used to be a kid. (Shocking, I know.) I remember all the likes, the hearbreaks and the wasted time spent thinking about boys...when I was not mature emotionally for relationships like that. Nor was I of an age where I could look at marriage in the near future. So all the "liking" was set up to fail because there was no option for sucess.

Some of these kids of mine are teens. The others should get there sooner or later. Since we live "in" the world we have to look at the relationship thing. It is everywhere...tv, movies, books...and our community. After some prayer and research we deided (years ago) that dating is not for our family. Courtship is.

So, what is the difference? At its simplest: Dating is intimacy before commitment. Courtship is commitment before intimacy.

Dating is getting together because the other is cool or fun or cute. No real goal. No real purpose. Often alone. Most often artificial. Artificial? Well, you are going to do up your hair nicer than normal, put on stuff that makes you smell nicer than normal, dress nicer than normal, put on make-up (not the guys, of course). Then you get picked up and go to someplace out of the ordinary. If it is a movie, you will sit next to each other in a dark place and not communicate. If it is out to dinner, you will be talking and behaving in way to impress... "We are going to do this for now till we decide it isn't working any more. Maybe after a couple of dates we will kiss and ...well let's see where it goes."

Courting is a formal relationship where both people feel they have a calling to the vocation of marriage and they are exploring the possiblity of marriage to each other. (Assuming that both are of an age and situation to be eligible to be married.) In a courtship there are set boundaries. There is accountability. The idea being to have no regets if the courtship ends. Time spent together is in company, with family, and rarely alone. Learning about the person in their natural surroundings, learning about their family (this is important if you do decide to get married!) and talking. Courtship has a goal and a structure to finding that goal. Physical intimacy is very limited. It clouds the mind and draws the heart. And if the courtship doesn't work out, that is someone else's spouse you are kissing!

So, those kids of mine, that I mentioned, are still in high school. The age thing disqualifies them from marriage and courtship. They do have all these hormones, though, that they can't do anything about. The ups, downs, heres and theres. The "likes." I am finding that they will be drawn to others and some of that drawing will be romantically. And here is where the emotional chastity comes in.

We tell the youth of today to abstain, to save yourself for your spouse. What about saving your heart for your spouse as well? What about being romantically intimate with one person only? The one and only. True love. (sigh) Sounds like a fairytale...translation: unreal and unlikely.

---Get real, Jackie. The kids are going to "like" people. You can't stop that no matter how many rules you have.

That is true, attraction does happen. And it will continue to happen for the rest of our lives. That's right, attraction doesn't stop just because vows are taken, whether religious or marital. It is always what we do with the attraction that matters. Many people take that attraction and run with it, abandoning the vows made. Many others, note it and set it aside because it is not apropriate for their state in life. They pray about it, especially if it continues to trouble them. All people have to guard their hearts and keep them turned in the direction they should go. Love is a choice.

In so many ways, life is a marathon that requires cross training. One piece of that cross training is training and guarding the heart. Self control.

Example: Children get mad and they want to lash out...maybe hit. This is not ok! Yes, they are angry and that anger is real. It may be valid. But that doesn't mean that you strike someone. You use self control. It is learned, it is practiced, with the help of the parent who wants sucess for their child.

A youth may fall into like, this week. But that doesn't mean she needs to talk about it to everyone. It doesn't mean he needs to act on it. Infatuation is fleeting and acting on it leads to hurt, broken friendships and stuggles in the community. Drama. We know this to be true. Look around, you can see it everywhere.

- How does emotional chastity work when you have admitted that these kids are going to fall in and out of like?

To start with , it is a team effort including the youth, the parents and God. The youth feels herself being drawn to one young man. She should immediatly begin praying. Taking it to God. Praying for herself and for the young man and asking God to help her turn her heart to friendship. She does not talk to her friends, or the young man, about it. Doing that means it is going to get around. It also means there will be a reaction. Even if that reaction is pleasing for the moment, it won't last. It is not time. If she needs to talk then she can talk to her parents who are going to support her, pray for her, give her ideas and help to hold her accountable as she waits for the crush to pass. Ultimately protecting her heart and the heart of the young man. (This goes both ways, of course.) Don't worry, if it is truely meant to be, it will still be there when the time is right. Trust God to take care of it!

Begin each new friendship with an evaluation and be ready to focus on a friendship and only a friendship. This is important because a crush can sneak up on a friendship. And if fostered, the crush can damage the friendship. (Dont' wait to use sunscreen till after you get a sunburn!)

Pay attention to how you respond to your friends. Could your attentions be misconstrued or leading. Do not tug on the hearts of others. Don't flirt. Flirting is selfish and is simply about drawing attention to back to the self.

Talk with your parents! They have been there and they want the best for you! Your parents don't want to see you, or your friends, hurt and heartbroken. They want your joy and strong godly relationships. Don't discredit what they say because you think they don't know or understand. They do and they know the pain that comes from those mini-engagements and mini-divorces.

Don't talk with friends about romantic relationships. Even if you have decided to not go there, by hearing about the relationships that others have, it will create a desire in you to have what they have.

(I am not even going to go into the struggles with being physically chaste if you have a relationship, as a teen, that lasts into a couple of months, hormones being so powerful...that would be another paper.)

Maybe you think I am trying to steal your fun. I'm not. I am trying to steal your sadness, your heartbreak. I want you to be joyful and have vibrant friendships free from entanglements and hurt. So here I am sharing this with young people and parents alike. I want the fairytale for you!

Choose the best. Guard your heart and save it for your spouse. Choose to be emotionally chaste.

Patron Saints....Good Friends!

2011-02-03T13:10:00.000-10:00

If you're like me and tend to just miss the deadline to request a patron saint for the year, well, thankfully someone understands that and has put up a Saint's Name Generator! The site isn't just for finding your yearly friend either. It's also a good way to get to know our heavenly friends who are well known, and not so well known.

Oh, and meet my new friend, Saint Dymphna!

"Why We Have Children"

2011-02-02T15:47:00.000-10:00

If you haven't already, don't forget to read this wonderful article that has been in the spotlight around the blogosphere!

"Why We Have Children"

I hate the memory of it. I hate it.

I hate how stiff my daughter's body felt in my arms that night. I hate how vacant and soulless her face had become, unmoving save for the veined whites of her eyes as the irises fluttered up under the skull.
It happened on a cold October evening, when an early snowfall still covered the streets north of Boston. We parked beside our friends' home, and I noticed the flush of red in my daughter's cheeks. I checked her brow—it was hot. I should have done something more, but I thought perhaps she had simply over-heated in her coat and car seat. So I took her inside and watched as she tried to play. On most days our daughter, thirteen months old, was an overflowing wellspring of energy and laughter and fleet-footed enthusiasm. On this day, something seemed off.
We sat down to dinner, and then it happened. Sitting beside me in her booster chair, she turned her head upward—further, further, and then unnaturally far, as though she followed the path of a butterfly along the ceiling and down the wall behind her. Her arms were clamped to her sides, and when I bent around her I saw her rolling eyes. She looked possessed.

A moment later we were back in the car, racing through the snow-swept streets as I clutched her tiny convulsing body against my chest. Her lungs did not inhale so much as they shuddered in pitiful little gasps. I whispered "it's okay" and "daddy's here," but it was not okay. Every time the orange glow of a passing streetlamp brushed across her face, it showed the same rolling white eyes. That's the memory I hate the most: the memory of what it felt like to be losing her. I was pinned between the immensity above and the miniscule below. The universe of my care, all my joy in the world, was wrapped in this frail two-foot and twenty-pound vessel, this brilliant soul enfleshed. And as the soul slipped through my fingers, I sensed it above me: the endless ocean of grief that would fall and consume me if I lost her.

* * * * *

Why do we have children? The question lies beneath social and political issues we confront today, from abortion and adoption to declining fertility rates in developed nations and the relative virtues of "eastern" and "western" forms of parenting. In 2010 a whole host of articles and commentaries debated the finding that parenthood does not make us happier. So what is the point? Why do we make all the extraordinary sacrifices that parenthood requires?

Read the rest here.

Hope

2011-01-31T10:33:00.005-10:00

Ok, so I'm not much of a fan of American Idol. (I mean, Catholics and the whole "idol" thing don't have a friendly history, and shouldn't.) But these two stories caught my eye.
(Yeah, they're kind of long....but bear with me, these are definitely worth it.)

Chris Medina:

Paris Tassin:

Hollywood being, well...Hollywood and all, I admit I'm more than a little skeptical.
Yet when you hear stories like these, a bit of real hope kindles in your heart. Not just the hopeful kind of hope either. You start to think that, maybe the entire world isn't as messed up as you thought. There are still people like Chris and Paris who, even if they may not be Christians, still have good hearts and are willing to do the right thing despite what it costs them.
Recently my Hawaii community has had several happenings that, as a Catholic Christian, I know do not bode well for us physically and morally. It's times like these when you want to pack everything, set sail, say "adios", and leave everyone with the huge mess that they're making. But then you attend something like a pro-life rally and see hundreds, if not thousands, of young people stand up for something that most of their friends would condemn.
Chris, Paris, and all those young people...it reminds you that there's still some good in this world. And that good is always worth fighting for.

Update 2/1:
Guess what Father said in his homily today? "As long as there is life, there is always hope."

Love Is...

2011-01-17T20:58:00.003-10:00

Over the weekend, CT, my brother, and I had a discussion about what a relationship means. (We were kind of supposed to be part of a monthly discussion group, but couldn't make it. So we held our own ^^) Ok, so we pretty much skirted around the usual fairytale kinds of relationships. We were looking for what REAL love is, not the romanticized version, not the kind that lasts only when the sun is shining.
We all agreed that a relationship, no matter which kind or vocation we are called to, needs to be rooted in God, because God is the source of all love.
The next step was to discuss relationships/friendships with other people. What does it mean to love someone? Well, here's something I learned from a local youth group: read 1 Corinthians 13. Take the word "love" and replace it with your name. Now see how far you get....

Love is patient, love is kind. Love is not jealous, love is not pompous, love is not inflated, love is not rude, love does not seek its own interests, love is not quick-tempered, love does not brood over injury, love does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails.
~ Saint Paul, 1 Corinthians 13

Did it match? If it does, then, wow. Congrats to you! Pray for the rest of us, k?
If not, well, nobody expects you to get it right away. In fact, probably the only place we can really have that kind of pure love is in Heaven. This little exercise, by the way, is a good guideline for us not just as a lifetime goal, but as a daily one.

Love hurts. Love after all, is a sacrifice. Just look at the most perfect acts of Love: Jesus in the Eucharist...Jesus dying on the Cross. Love says that we must not keep things for ourselves, but instead give them all away. Love takes a part of us and gives it to someone else. In a relationship (or friendship, or marriage, or any kind of communication we have with another), we need to be this love for the other person, even if that love is not returned.
But Love also endures all things. True Love is always worth it.
As my sister says, it's hard. But it's not impossible.
Let's pray that we attain this kind of love...

And can I say? Saint Paul rocks.

So what'cha doing this week?

2011-01-09T16:11:00.003-10:00

NATIONAL VOCATION AWARENESS WEEK
January 9 – 15, 2011
From Fr. Peter Dumag, Director of Vocations
Source: Catholic Hawaii

January 9 – 15, 2011 is National Vocations Awareness Week. It begins with the celebration of the Baptism of the Lord. Let us remember to pray for priests and consecrated men and women this week, and for married couples and families. Send a card to a priest or consecrated person this week, thanking them for the gift of themselves given to Christ and to his body, the Church. Pray for more vocations to priesthood and consecrated life, and consider a vocation to priesthood and consecrated life.

So here's the checklist:

1. Did you pray for priests, consecrated men and women, married couples and their families?

2. Did you thanked your parish priest today? Last week? Last month?...Last year?
"Without the priest, the passion and death of our Lord would be of no avail. It is the priest who continues the work of redemption here on earth...What use would be a house filled with gold, were there no one to open its door? The priest holds the key to the treasures of heaven: it is he who opens the door: he is the steward of the good Lord; the administrator of His goods...The priest is not a priest for himself, he is a priest for you." ~Saint John VianneyDo you know any consecrated people who have made a difference in your life? Maybe a Nun is your teacher?

3. Diocesan Prayer for Vocations

Heavenly Father, your divine Son taught us
to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into His vineyard.
We earnestly beg you to bless our Diocese and our world
with many priests, deacons and religious who will love you
fervently and gladly and courageously spend their lives
in service to your Son's Church,
especially the poor and the needy.
Bless our families and our children, and choose from our homes
those whom you desire for this holy work.
Teach them to respond generously
and keep them ever faithful in following your Son Jesus Christ,
that under the guidance of the Holy Spirit
and with the inspiration of Saint Damien and Blessed Marianne
the Good News of redemption may be brought to all.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Are you discerning a religious vocation? =) Well, here are some links to help you with #4:
Ministry of Vocations, Hawaii
Are You Discerning God's Will For Your Life? (a local blog)
A Nun's Life, Vocation Forum
VISION Vocation Network

"Now the Work of Christmas Begins"

2011-01-06T17:03:00.002-10:00

Special thanks to Ask a Catholic Nun on Facebook for this one! =)

When the song of the angels is stilled,
when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and princes are home,
when the shepherds are back with their flocks,
the work of Christmas begins:
to find the lost,
to heal the broken,
to feed the hungry,
to release the prisoner,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among the people,
to make music in the heart.
~Howard Thurman

Yaaah! Take that, worry!

2011-01-05T13:37:00.011-10:00

"So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
~Matthew 6:34

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
~Philippians 4:6

"Perfect love casts out all fear."
~St. John

"And He said to His disciples, 'For this reason I say to you, do not worry about your life, as to what you will eat; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing? Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds! And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life's span? If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith! And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying.'"
Luke 12:22-29

"Do not be afraid, I am with you..."

Media and the Unborn

2011-01-03T18:04:00.004-10:00

Found this article on Facebook, and thought it was interesting:

The American entertainment industry has never been comfortable with the act of abortion... Reality TV thrives on shocking scenes and subjects...but abortion remains a little too controversial, and a little bit too real.

The full article: The Unborn Paradox

(Just a note...the article borders on the PG-13 kind of topic. I don't know how old my poor neglected readers are, but just to let you know.)

Emmanuel

2011-01-02T18:49:00.003-10:00

Mele Kalikimaka and Happy New Year to you all! May this year be filled with God's grace and many blessings! =)

To me, new year's eve night is filled with the excitement that bursts in the air along with the fireworks, but also comes with a twist in my stomach for what the new year could bring. It's always hard to stay calm, especially if you don't quite know what you're doing, where you're going, and mostly taking God's word on what seems like a whim. Yet every time that bout of nervousness nearly sweeps me off my feet, God sends a beautiful light in the sky to remind me of His presence and to guide my wavering heart. Whether it's a real light in the cold sky or an internal Eppiphany star of grace, God sends a message that lasts through the ages no matter what year it may be: that He is ever with us, our Emmanuel.

"My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think that I am following your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road
though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust you always
though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me,
and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
Amen.
~Thomas Merton"

Courage Is...

2010-11-13T18:34:00.002-10:00

Last night we watched the movie Invictus.

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

~William Ernest Henley

Courage is when we've fallen into the darkest moments of our lives but still have the guts to keep trying, running the race, and loving others...even if they've made our lives miserable.

2010-11-10T21:29:00.000-10:00

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. We ask ourselves, 'who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be?

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same."

~ Marianne Williamson

Shine!

2010-11-05T17:11:00.002-10:00

I promised my younger siblings that I'd post this up. =)

"God shares in the suffering of life and brings redemption for everything that is broken. This revelation causes, no, demands, that those of us who have experienced and participate in this great rescue, display such a thing to those who live unaware of a balm, a fix, an answer to and for all that is bent."
~David Crowder

"Shine your light for all to see it..."

Our Bishop's Letter

2010-11-01T17:02:00.003-10:00

Happy All Saints' Day, by the way! =)

A quick word/post about tomorrow's election day:

The following pulpit announcement was read at all Masses this past weekend:

"Dear Parishioners:
We Catholics have a mission: to proclaim the good news of Jesus, who came to announce the Kingdom of God. It is a kingdom where love reigns, even in difficult circumstances. Our faith embraces many values, including the sanctity of human life, the sacredness of God’s plan for marriage and family, economic justice for all, and freedom to practice our faith not just as a private matter but as a contribution to the welfare of the entire community. The leaders we elect are extremely important, so I urge every Catholic who is eligible to vote to do so in this week’s general election. Let this sacrifice of your time be a pleasing offering to God. Let us always pray for our community and our civic leaders."
+ Bishop Larry Silva

Since our family serves during Sunday Masses, I heard this letter being read three times. And our Bishop is right. As Christian Catholics, we are entrusted with the mission of proclaiming Christ in everything we do - including voting. Tomorrow when we who are eligible to vote step up to the polls, will we be able to say that we are truly acting as Christ's messengers; proclaiming Him King through our actions? Or are we going to proclaim ourselves in His place?
I pray that each and every one of you will make the right choice.

Did u know how u born?

2010-10-30T14:41:00.002-10:00

God. Is. Awesome.

*small update*
Ack, I forgot to say:
Kudos and thank you to Sister CC for initially sharing this!

2010-10-29T09:16:00.007-10:00

“So we do not lose heart.

Though our outer self is wasting away...

...our inner self is being renewed day by day.

For this light momentary affliction...

...is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison...

....as we look not to the things that are seen but to things that are unseen…”

~2 Corinthians 4:16-18

~*~*~*~*~

Dance for "A different kind of Love!"

2010-10-23T16:22:00.002-10:00

Ok, time for some fun! ^^

"NY2LA" by Press Play:

...aaand, I can't help but add an awesome quote shared by my cousin:
"People were created to be loved. Things were created to be used. The reason why the world is in chaos is because things are being loved, and people are being used."

A lot to swallow?

2010-10-13T17:44:00.003-10:00

(A memorial for the unborn located at Star of the Sea parish)

Happy Respect Life month! =)
"Life is a gift." How many people say that? Now how many people actually stand up and say to the world that all life is a gift from God, much less write a song about it?
That's why BarlowGirl is one of my favorite bands. Not just because their music is great, but because they're willing to stand against the tide of what the world is trying to conform us to. One of their songs is called "Tears Fall", and is proudly pro-life. Alyssa from the band says:

"We’ve always felt very passionate about the sanctity of life. I come from a family with very strong beliefs. Our parents instilled in us from a very young age the importance of callings and destinies. We believe that as human beings created in God’s image, we all have a calling and a destiny. As we’ve opened our eyes to the horrors around us, we can see that one-third of our future population has been brutally killed through abortion. So one-third of our destinies have been killed off. What if an aborted child was going to cure cancer? Did we terminate the life of someone who had the cure for AIDS? Everyone is meant to further the world somehow. In our craving for comfort, Americans have decided it is their right to end someone’s destiny.
I heard a teaching about Genesis Chapter 4 regarding the story of Cain killing Abel led to God saying Abel’s destiny was crying out to him in the original text. I think everyone should have a chance to fulfill God’s plan for their lives. A lot of men and women have been deceived about abortion. We know this is a very sensitive subject for people. We know people who have been through an abortion need healing and we also know that God wants us to protect life."

Here's the whole story.

I once heard someone say that there's a war like never before being waged on humanity; that none of these problems and issues we face today had ever been so strongly imposed. And it's true. When in history have we ever been so unsure about our morals? Do we ever listen to our consciences now, or have we drowned them out? When did the line between right and wrong become so blurred that we're not ever sure how to define life? Or marriage? Or anything else??

This is the world I'm trying to grow up in...and it's a battlefield. The biggest challenge? It's the kind that can't be seen with physical eyes. I know this is probably the last thing you want to read. It's not something I want to acknowledge with either...I've got enough to deal with, being a young person and all! Let's face it, though, running away is one of the things that brought this upon us.

But I'm not giving up hope.

"Finally, my brethren be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having gird your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints..."
~Ephesians 6:10-18

I don't know how much good I'm going to do in this; goodness, besides at least two faithful readers, I don't even know who comes here! In the blogosphere, I'm not anybody, really. But I can't ignore everything that's happening around me. I'm probably in for a pounding, but: "There's still some good in this world...and that's worth fighting for."

So, friends. When you're called to fight, would you take a stand? In this battle that's raging over, in front, and in our heads, which side are you going to take?

"Choose you this day whom ye will serve; . . . but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

The Unexpected

2010-10-03T17:13:00.004-10:00

(Tsk, tsk. So messy. ^_^)

This Saturday, our parish Youth and Young Adult group is holding a movie event in time for the 1 year anniversary of Father Damien's canonization. So in preparation, we've had meetings these past two Fridays to get ready with some poster boards on Father Damien. Since everyone knew were were in the middle of our moving process, my siblings and I weren't placed in charge of anything. Whew! "Thank goodness for that," we thought. Unfortunately, our relief was too good to be true and very short lived. We skipped one meeting, but attended the recent one ('cause we're finally done moving ^_^), wondering what became of everyone during the first meeting. Sure enough, we found that only 2 out of 3 poster boards were actually being worked on (and not quite done at all), and my little sis and I were to roll up our sleeves to work on the last one. Ack. Yup, I could hear God laughing at me from that bare tri-fold cardboard. =P
In no way am I condemning the people who didn't show up to do their assignments. For all we know, they had a good reason not to be there. But it did remind me that we always have to be ready and willing. We might not be expecting God to hand a project to us immediately after we'd just finished the last one, but He often does just to keep us busy and on our toes. ;) Like in today's Gospel, the poor servant had just come from plowing the fields and keeping the sheep, when his master goes and tells him to "prepare supper for me, and gird yourself and serve me, till I eat and drink; and afterward you shall eat and drink". Well...after all, "We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty."
We must always be ready and willing to accept the unexpected happenings in our life, and perhaps one day we might hear: "Well done good and faithful servant...Come and share your master's happiness!"

Btw, you are all invited to this Saturday's movie event. XD If you haven't yet guessed, the movie will be a film on Father Damien. If you're on the island and can make it, join us at the Cathedral Kamiano Center at 7pm!

St. Therese

2010-10-01T15:36:00.002-10:00

(A clay rose made by my little sis)(update 10/2....um, yeah, now there's a picture ^_^)

Happy feast of Saint Therese!

"You probably think that I do as I say. No, I am not always faithful, but I am never discouraged. I drop into the arms of Jesus...It is enough to bear one's faults meekly; that is true holiness... When we accept out disappointment at our failures, God immediately returns to us."

"I have no way of proving my love for you other than that of strewing of flowers, that is, not allowing one little sacrifice to escape, not one look, one word, profiting by all small things and doing them through love."

"Everything is a grace."

~Saint Therese

Note to Self

2010-09-27T20:41:00.003-10:00

If God laughs at you...

Make sure you laugh with Him.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
=D

Thoughts on moving

2010-09-16T19:01:00.002-10:00

A friend of ours asked how we've been doing wih our move. Thinking back upon the state of our house, all I could say was that we were doing alright...I think... If anyone has ever moved house before, then I'm pretty sure the image of helter skelter books, half filled boxes, and all around random tidbits can be imagined. O Progress, where have you gone??
Ok, so for the past week we've been sorting through our things, giving away what we've out grown, stuffing our stuff into boxes...and it was still a mess this morning with no indication that we've actually made any progress. Or at least that's what it seemed like.
Today we hauled away several boxes. It was only then that the house felt a little roomy-er, and we realized that we had actually done quite a bit; more than we'd originally thought. *gasp!*
I guess life can be like that sometimes. Maybe we can't see how much progress or good we've done at the moment until we move into our heavenly home where He shows us just how far we've come.

2010-09-12T20:46:00.004-10:00

Dear young people, the happiness you are seeking, the happiness you have a right to enjoy has a name and a face: it is Jesus of Nazareth, hidden in the Eucharist. Only he gives the fullness of life to humanity! With Mary, say your own “yes” to God, for he wishes to give himself to you.
~ Pope Benedict XVI

When I am before the Blessed Sacrament I feel such a lively faith that I can’t describe it. Christ in the Eucharist is almost tangible to me. When it is time for me to leave, I have to tear myself away from His sacred presence.
~ Saint Anthony Claret

When you look at the crucifix, you understand how much Jesus loved you then. When you look at the Sacred Host, you understand how much Jesus loves you now.
~ Mother Teresa

Bye bye birds

2010-09-03T12:14:00.002-10:00

Oh, did I mention that we're moving? Well, where we're going, no birds are allowed. Yup...today the first pair of our feathered friends found their new home.
Farewell, feathered friends!

In Adoration

2010-08-31T21:04:00.003-10:00

Quote of the week! ...To me anyway. =) Found this in the book "Life for the World" by Sister Marie Paul Curley, FSP.

"Avoid all formalism.
This holds good for all prayer, but especially for the Eucharistic Visit.
The real Visit is a spirit which pervades the whole of our time, thoughts,
relationships, and life.
It is a sap or life-giving current which influences everything
and communicates its spirit to the most ordinary things.
It shapes a spirituality that is lived and passed on.
It shapes the spirit of prayer which, once cultivated, changes all kinds of work into prayer...
Tell Jesus everything; if you have some troubles, if your heart is full of hope, full of the desire to be united with Him...
Confide even those worries that you dare not say to anyone...tell Him even if your shoe hurts.
Tell Jesus everything with the simplicity of a child."
~Father James Alberione

Oh, and please say a prayer for one of my and CT's friends who is entering postulancy with the Daughters of St. Paul tomorrow (or today, depending on your time zone), along with two other young women! Mahalo. ^_^ And please take some time to visit the Postulants' blog!

"What it means to stay awake"

2010-08-27T15:52:00.002-10:00

This is actually yesterday's meditation from the Magnificat, but it's too good to keep to myself. Just had to post it! =)

What does progress mean? Progress means diligence, application, and discretion. More, it means concentration to its depths on the work we are doing - for that is where God is for us - without worrying about the past or the future. That is the only way to banish all tension, all anxiety, all those useless imaginations which are so much more tiring than the work itself.
There are two dispositions you must never lose sight of if you would make progress and at the same time remain at peace. For the moment, be content with what you are, and you will find joy and peace, since you already possess God, although maybe imperfectly. Bear with yourself as you are; give simply, but fully, what you have.
As regards the future, never say: "What I am today is good enough for tomorrow." Strive always to become better; to advance towards a closer union with God. Let the present serve as a starting point for the future. Thus you will go from God to God.
Life progresses slowly, and it is only what endures that counts.
~ Dom Agustin Guillerand, O.Cart.
(1945) French Cathusian monk and revered spiritual author.

As a certain member of the Pauline Family would say, "A little progress every day!"

Devotions Meme!

2010-08-26T18:24:00.002-10:00

Yay, now for a bit of fun! ^_^ I got tagged by Mrs. Cathy for a Catholic Devotions Meme! Mahalo!

Name your five favorite Catholic Devotions!

1. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass (not sure if this counts though)
Mom dragged us to daily noon Mass one year, and honestly, there were times when we would rather stay home and study rather than drop everything in the middle of the day. Well. Now that I think about it, I'm not sure how we even used to survive without dragging all our intentions with us and dropping everything at our Lord's feet! ('Course He doesn't whisk them away, but at least we are given renewed strength to carry on.)
Besides, who would willing miss out for a chance to see the most beautiful miracle in the world!?

2. Adoration
There's a story about the simplest, but most profound way of Adoration. I forget where it's from, but here it is: There once was an elderly man who went to Adoration everyday. The parish priest was happy to see him visit, of course, but a bit perplexed at the long hours the elderly man spent with our Lord. One day, the priest decided to ask the elderly man what his conversation with Jesus was like. Very childlike, the elderly man replied, "Oh, I don't say anything, Father. I just look at Him and He looks at me."
Jesus doesn't ask us for long essays, He already knows what's in our hearts. He just wants us to come to Him and spend time with Him. Sometimes, the best prayer we could offer is that of being with Him in loving silence.

3. The Rosary
"Be it done to me according to thy word." I don't suppose the young girl - who was probably just minding her own business until Gabriel appeared - understood everything that the angel told her. Did she really know the enormity of the situation?? Probably not. Even if she didn't, she accepted it anyway because she at least knew that she could trust in God. Mary is my Confirmation patron because of that. She reminds me that, even if you have NO IDEA what the Gabriel person is saying, you should still trust that God will bring you through.
To be honest, I have a hard time praying the Rosary. No joke...it takes me an hour sometimes. :( But when you're a young person with this humongously giant thing called the future in front of you and you have NO IDEA what's going to happen, turning to someone who was in a similar situation, taking her hand, and letting her walk with you to God makes the task seem at least a little more possible. "For nothing is impossible with God." ^_^

4. Divine Mercy Chaplet
The first time I ever heard the Chaplet was when my Aunt brought it to my Grandma's in the form of a CD. We didn't exactly know what it was, but we stuck it in the CD player anyway. Well, it started out very nicely, and it was sung by a couple of people. "For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world." Hm, great tune and interesting lyrics. But then the same thing played again. And again. And again. And...again. It went on ten times. Then a different tune played. (Something new!!) Then it reverted to the same old tune. At that time, we promptly turned it off. Impatient bunch of kids. :p
It took attending a Divine Mercy conference for us to find out what it was all about. Though, even now, I'm still not able to put into words why I like it so much. Yet it is such a beautiful, simple prayer with so much meaning and gravity.
Guess what? We love singing it now.

5. Liturgy of the Hours
This one is rather new.
Once again, when Mom decided to do Evening Prayers out of the Magnificat, we had to drag ourselves to do it. Or at least we kids did. It was loooong. Eventually, though, we became used to it, but that was my introduction to the Liturgy.
So how come it's #5? When CT and I visited the Daughters of St. Paul in Boston, we said Morning Prayers with the Sisters before Mass. I don't mind getting up early, but staying awake is the hard part. Particularly when the first thing you do in the morning is read "long" psalm prayers. (They seem long when you're really tired!) We did manage to stay awake, though, and found some of the prayers really helped when it came to preparing for Mass. When we left Boston, the first morning away I went around thinking that something was missing. You know...that miserable feeling that you forgot to do something, but don't remember what. So I checked the time. Oooh. That's what it was! Time for Morning Prayers!
Don't ask me why, but I really, really missed Morning Prayers. Fortunately, my family has a couple of editions, so I sneaked one off the shelf. I don't know why I've never noticed, but there's a psalm for every occasion. There's one for when you're happy, for when you're peaceful, for when you're angry, for when you're down, and for when you're in despair. Starting the day with these sets everything in a positive perspective. Most day have been go much smoother, particularly when you know that you've started them right.

Yups, that's five.
So now to tag...um....actually, I don't know who comes here anymore. Let's just say that if you, dear reader, haven't done it yet, consider yourself tagged. ^_^ What are your five favorite Catholic Devotions, and why?

And yes, I know I'm not doing a good job posting things more regularly. Sorry...but keep reminding me and someday there will be improvement! =)

And God Said...

2010-08-06T22:41:00.002-10:00

Kudos to my Aunt for this! ^_^
(and here's a brief look at our summer!)

I asked God to take away my habit.
God said:
No.
It is not for Me to take away,
but for you to give it up.

I asked God to make my handicap whole.
God said:
No.
Your spirit is whole,
your body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience.
God said:
No.
Patience is a byproduct of tribulations;
it isn't granted, it is learned.

I asked God to give me happiness.
God said:
No.
I give you blessings;
Happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares,
and brings you closer to Me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said:
No.
You must grow on your own,
but I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked God for all things
that I might enjoy life.
God said:
No.
I will give you life,
so that you may enjoy all things.

I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.
God said:
...Ahhhh,
finally you have the idea.

Changes

2010-08-05T18:48:00.002-10:00

...and I don't just mean that the leaves are going to turn brown and red (even though it doesn't really happen here.)

"To create fundamental change, we, the members of society, have to transform ourselves. If we want real peace, we have to demonstrate our love and understanding so that those responsible for making decisions can learn from us."- Thich Nhat Hanh

Our family has been going through a lot of changes. We kids are growing up and trying to find out who we are and who we'd like to be, and it's not always a smooth ride out. Not only do we have to adjust to certain "little" brother heights, but to the way we act and react to the environment around us, and if we don't adapt or correct each other when needed...well, let's just say that some of us end up going off into our rooms or gardens to blow off steam. =) In the end, though, at least one of us makes that effort (or at least tries to) to "kiss and make up" and remembers to do better. Soon, the whole house is back to its original cheer.
The one thing that we have to keep in mind is that we cannot wait around for a better change to happen. It has to begin with each of us. We're the change that has to happen, and it doesn't necessarily mean standing on a stage shouting encouragements to the crowds. It could be a smile or a simple uplifting greeting. It could be a quiet yet meaningful word of encouragement. If you could make a big change, then do it! Help in a soup kitchen. Donate to a cause. Whatever you do, let the Light of Christ shine in this world that needs Him so much! Be that hope that so many need. Be that change in the dark.

Random thought #928

2010-07-27T19:27:00.003-10:00

I like random thoughts. ^_^
Well, I was out raking the leaves from under our mango tree today. One section was finally done so I went around the tree to the next. Two minutes later I turned around. Uhhh...leaves there again?? Where'd they come from?
It kind of reminded me how unfaithful the Israelites were...and how were are sometimes. *pauses in reflection...* God had hardly finished sweeping up the mess they had been in and there was another one! But He didn't abandon them. Of course He wasn't altogether happy (major understatement...), but like a loving Father He picked them up again.

Random thoughts...or are they?

2010-07-20T16:08:00.000-10:00

“What is the best lesson a music teacher can give to a student? It is not teaching him to read notes, nor how to play well. Rather, the best lesson is that which gives the student a love for music.” ~Anon.

“I know some say, let us have good laws, and no matter for the men that execute them: but let them consider, that though good laws do well, good men do better.” ~William Penn

“If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing.”
~Saint Paul (1 Cor 13:1-3)

Sometimes, we get so focused on the superficial shell of what we were doing that we forget the heart of why we were doing that thing in the first place. It’s like a birthday cake. Sure, outside it can be the fanciest cake the world has seen; but if it tastes like sand, your little birthday boy isn’t going to care about how cool it looks.
Let's not forget the Heart of the entire matter: God.

Meet one of my friends!

2010-07-15T16:46:00.003-10:00

Gasp! Can it be?? There’s actually a new post?! It is, and it’s about Father Alberione!

Here's a bit of an introduction:

Now watch the EPIC trailer!! XD

I’ve gotten to know Father Alberione a little more this past year, and one of the things that amazes me is how fiery and passionate he was about bringing the Good News. He reminds me of Saint Paul - his patron; he wasn’t just content with hearing it, he had to share it! It couldn’t be contained! It was something far too great to keep to himself. Father Alberione is called one of the pioneers of Catholic media because his dream was to proclaim the Gospel through it. Of course, back in Father Alberione’s time, the world of media as we know today was only beginning and people didn’t quite see eye to eye with his visions. (Many thought it was absurd.) Well, when you’re working with God, it doesn’t matter what time it is ‘cause His time is His own. And Father Alberione did work in God’s time. Because of Father Alberione, much of the Catholic media is what it is today.

…and no, I’m not just saying this ‘cause I recently spent a week in Boston with the Daughters of St. Paul. (But it had a lot to do with it! Plus I'm sort of reading a book about him. ^_^) Father Alberione really is amazing, and he makes a great friend.

If you'd like to get to know Father Alberione a little more, visit this link!

"One love, Jesus Christ. One burning desire, to give Him to others." ~Blessed James Alberione

Happy Fathers' Day!

2010-06-21T09:43:00.001-10:00

Follow your heart...?

2010-05-30T17:11:00.003-10:00

So says the Disney saying. There's nothing wrong with the saying itself (even I remember those adventures playing out the Disney princesses and whatnot XD). The problem just happens when your heart is not exactly in the right place. Sooo...where exactly is your heart?

I found it interesting that last Friday and yesterday were the feasts of the Sacred Hearts.

(Now) this is how we shall know that we belong to the truth and reassure our hearts before him in whatever our hearts condemn, for God is greater than our hearts and knows everything.
Beloved, if (our) hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence in God and receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.
And his commandment is this: we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another just as he commanded us.
Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them, and the way we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit that he gave us.
~ 1 John 3:6-24

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.
Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love.
In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him.
In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also must love one another.
No one has ever seen God. Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us.
~ 1 John 4:7-12

As the old saying goes: Home is where the heart is.
Where else can Home be but with His Heart?

Alternative, Positive, Awesum!

2010-05-24T18:24:00.004-10:00

Found this over on the Air1 blog! Air1, by the way, is a great Christian radio station that we listen to. Not only do they play the latest Christian hits, but it's a good station to listen to for daily pick-me-ups if you're down. Second to Mass, of course. ^_^
Anyway, I can relate to this artist:

Here is a letter from Adam of Owl City about his faith in Jesus Christ and how it leads his life:

My name is Adam and music is something that is fused to who I am. It allows me to breathe deeply, it lets me feel, imagine, aspire and dream in the most beautiful ways imaginable. Music is something that I can't imagine living without, and though it means more to me than the world itself, there is something that weighs significantly heavier on the scale of all things valuable and important in my life, that being my relationship with Jesus Christ.

I am an artist, that's what I do. Creating art has been my dream since elementary school, it's the only thing I'm good at and looking back on the years, I am left breathless, completely and utterly bereft of speech at how the Lord has chosen to use music in my life and what I do as Owl City to plant seeds, spread light like fire in an age where darkness feels more oppressive than ever, and ultimately, to glorify Him. I am endlessly honored and humbled that He should use me -- a completely average, ordinary shy boy from the middle of nowhere, to do great things in order to further His kingdom.

I'll be the first to say I have a timid personality and I'm not a great conversationalist, nor very confident in social situations, but one thing I've never wanted to be shy about is the reason behind why I do what I do, why I create art, why I dream and imagine. That reason is my faith in a God more powerful and omnipotent and full of love for us than words can even begin to describe.

...and no, I can't resist putting up one of my current favorite songs!!

So, invisible friend, do you live in Hawaii? You can find the Air1 station at 103.5! Or you can listen online...or you could download the app...

Check, check, reality check...

2010-05-19T21:23:00.003-10:00

*sigh* Just one of those times when you suddenly jolt out of a 'fairytale' mode. You know, the kind of mode you get into when everything 'seems' perfect, when you're really not seeing the entire picture. If you choose to hide in some fairy book mindset away in a corner, singing away and hoping that what's going on behind you doesn't exist, you're only going to make things worse. You're avoiding the question, and putting off answering it until tomorrow. Well...it's still going to be there, and if you're homeschooled like me, you're going to end up with double the work - double the questions to answer on a paper. After all, tomorrow is really today, if that makes any sense.
Suffering, pain, the kinds of things that twist your heart until it sinks...they're real, and no amount of wishing is going to wish them away. And unless it's what God says is the right way of it, a few fervent Hail Marys aren't going to whisk these realities away either. God doesn't take them away like that. There's a short prayer that I found today. It goes something like: "Dear God, I know that nothing will happen to me today that You won't help me overcome." It's the short version of one of my favorite prayers: "My God, I do not know what will happen to me todayI only know that nothing will happen to me That was not forseen by You And directed to my greater good for all eternity. This is enough for me. I adore Your eternal and unfathomable designs. I submit to them with all my heart for love of You. I offer the sacrifice of my whole being to You, And join my sacrifice to that of Jesus, my divine Savior. In His name and by His infinite merits, ask you for patience in my sufferings and perfect submission, So that everything You want or permit to happen Will result in Your greater glory And my sanctification. Amen."

There's something about a God not making problems vanish. It makes seem God far away and...not exactly someone to confide in. There's something about God taking our hand and walking through our problems WITH us. It means God's closer than we think.

One of the beautiful things about the mysterious thing called life...one moment it can be a gale with a powerful force enough to knock rip trees from the earth, then next it's a delicate rose petal...fading away into the ground to nurture the sapling that would grow beside it.
Blah, Cy-Cy is probably babbling at this point. Goodnight, invisible internet friends! Until next time when Cy is crazy enough to stay up and actually post something. :) She doesn't exactly know why she's even posting it.

Damien Day in Hawaii

2010-05-10T16:40:00.002-10:00

Mahalo to CT who took the picture! ^_^ We were blessed to come to Mass today and find out that they were showing Father Damien's relic! This picture shows the relic of Father Damien's right heel.
The one thing that I really admire about the gruff, short-tempered, but honest and compassionate farmer from Belgium, is that he dared to go to a place that hardly anyone had dared to even think about. He did what people should have done, but didn't. He cared when everyone else turned away. Father Damien brought hope to a place where hope was a dream. And he didn't do it for himself.
There's something about having heroes who kind of belong to your hometown. Somehow, it gives you hope that there's still such a thing as a hero, and that maybe...just possibly...you could be one too.

Simply Love

2010-04-30T16:43:00.002-10:00

...and Love simply. ^_^

A piece of art

2010-04-26T18:35:00.003-10:00

(Ha ha, and the title isn't 'A Piece of Heart' like in the Zelda video games! XD Hm, it makes a good title though...)

I've been reading poetry and prose for this school year. Tough subject. XD One of the things I've learned in reading poems and whatnot is that you can't simply read them and expect yourself to understand any of it. Half the time I wonder if the author himself even understood what he was saying or was even making a point to get you to understand it. ^_^ It takes time and patience. And slow reading. And even a drop of desire to understand. Maybe you don't even have to understand, but appreciate the beauty of an artwork.
This one, though, is fairly easy and one of my favorites...um, not just because it's easy.

When I consider how my light is spent,
Ere half my days in this dark world and wide,
And that one talent which is death to hide
Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, lest He returning chide-
"Doth God exact day-labor, light denied?"
I fondly ask. -But Patience, to prevent
That murmur, soon replies, "God doth not need
Either man's work, or His own gifts; who best
Bear His mild yoke, they serve Him best. His state
Is kingly; thousands at His bidding speed
And post o'er land and ocean without rest;
They also serve who only stand and wait."

"On His Blindness"
John Milton

Sidenotes and Blogs

2010-04-20T18:32:00.006-10:00

Update!!
Ok, sorry...I didn't realize the link to the Sisters' blog was malfunctioning! Ack >_<

Sidenote:
Oh dear...to anyone who ever comes here, I'm really sorry for neglecting blogging. It's not one of my new years resolutions, but I'm going to try to update more often. >_<

Blog:
Please check out a new blog that's come up recently:
Pauline Presence in Hawaii and Pacific Islands
It's a blog run by Sister Linh and Sister Laura, Daughters of St. Paul here in Honolulu!

Get to know the Sisters, and browse through some of the books on the sidebar. If you don't live here in Hawaii, it's also a terrific blog to visit and learn a little about the culture and happenings here on the islands. Oh, and don't forget to feed the fishes at the end. :D

Who are the Daughters of St. Paul?

We are consecrated women who communicate Christ's love to all people using all forms of media.

If you haven't yet made their aquaintence, drop by for a few minutes. Or, visit their main website at Pauline.org ^_^

2010-04-10T09:30:00.003-10:00

Last month, my family and I watched the movie Fireproof over at Pauline Books & Media for a movie night. Even though Valentine's Day was already over by that time, I thought it was the perfect movie for Lent and Easter.

John Holt: Has she thanked you for anything you've done the last 20 days?
Caleb Holt: No! And you'd think after I washed the car, I've changed the oil, do the dishes, cleaned the house, that she would try to show me a little bit of gratitude. But she doesn't! In fact, when I come home, she makes me like I'm - like I'm an enemy! I'm not even welcome in my own home, Dad. That is what really ticks me off! Dad, for the last three weeks, I have bent over backwards for her. I have tried to demonstrate that I still care about this relationship. I bought her flowers, which she threw away. I have taken her insults and her sarcasm, but last night was it. I made dinner for her. I did everything I could to demonstrate that I care about her, to show value for her, and she spat in my face! She does not deserve this, Dad. I'm not doing it anymore! How am I supposed to show love to somebody over and over and over who constantly rejects me?

...but that's exactly what God does for us - has done for us since He created us. That's exactly what we celebrate during the last few gasps in the Triduum and in the great feast of Easter: God's ever faithful Love to those who don't deserve it.
It's obvious that we don't. When Our Lord gave us the most precious gift of Himself in the Eucharist, Judas was in the very act of betraying Him. People rejoiced at his arrival in Jerusalem, only to shout insults and spit on Him on the way to the Cross how many hours later! How frustrating is that?? After God's Son become one of us and spent all those years in befriending and teaching? After all that and only a few had the courage to stand by His Cross at the end?
Yet through all of humanity's failings, such a beautiful thing occurs! God picks us up from out mud heap and washes us clean to shine with Him in the glory of Easter. He scoops us up and brings us to Himself and dances with us around all creation in victory. He pulls us into the celebration of joyful song and dance! Why...? Because that's what - or rather Who - True Love is. Remember Saint Paul's letter to the Corinthians on love? God is every one of those definitions. He is pure undying Love holding out His hand.
Now the question is, will you accept?

"Your Love makes me forget what I have been
Your Love makes me see who I really am."

...and it's only with God's Love that we can be all who we were made to be: His children.

Have a Blessed Easter, everyone! ^_^

Happy Easter!

2010-04-04T14:21:00.009-10:00

Alleluia! Alleluia!
The Sun has risen triumphant!
He has banished the choaking night
He has melted the bitter iciness
Gone is the snow of fear and shame that onece blanketed the ground
Our sins are washed away, and new life sprouts from the earth!
May truest Love reign in our hearts evermore!
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Everything

2010-03-27T17:45:00.003-10:00

This is a skit some of my friends and I did a couple of weeks ago. (No, that's not us in the video. We didn't do nearly as good a job as they did, but enough to get the message across! I say we did a good job for an hour's practice. ^_^)
I think the skit will do just fine speaking for itself.

And if you haven't seen it before, I dare you to cry.
Have a blessed Holy Week!

More to life

2010-02-07T19:29:00.003-10:00

It's not Christmas anymore, is it? Time to post something new...or at least new-ish for the next, um, couple months. =)

There's only so far we can reach, so much we can acheive, and so high we can climb on our own. No matter where we try to get by ourselves down here on earth, there's always going to be something short of perfection...something we long for: a fullness we cannot fufill.
God picks us up from where we are on the floor and places us up on the shelf so that we can truly be all who we were made to be, if only we let Him.

Christus Natus est!

2009-12-24T21:00:00.002-10:00

~*~*~Gaudate! Hodie Christus natus est!~*~*~

Wishing you all a blessed and very Merry Christmas!!! May the peace, joy, and warmth of Jesus' birth remain with you and your families always!

A quick post...

2009-11-16T18:25:00.003-10:00

Today's reading from Maccabees:
"From them came forth a sinful root, Antiochus Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the king; he had been a hostage in Rome. He began to reign in the one hundred and thirty-seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks.
In those days lawless men came forth from Israel, and misled many, saying, 'Let us go and make a covenant with the Gentiles round about us, for since we separated from them many evils have come upon us.'
This proposal pleased them,
and some of the people eagerly went to the king. He authorized them to observe the ordinances of the Gentiles.
So they built a gymnasium in Jerusalem, according to Gentile custom,
and removed the marks of circumcision, and abandoned the holy covenant. They joined with the Gentiles and sold themselves to do evil.
Then the king wrote to his whole kingdom that all should be one people,
and that each should give up his customs.
All the Gentiles accepted the command of the king. Many even from Israel gladly adopted his religion; they sacrificed to idols and profaned the sabbath.
Now on the fifteenth day of Chislev, in the one hundred and forty-fifth year, they erected a desolating sacrilege upon the altar of burnt offering. They also built altars in the surrounding cities of Judah,
and burned incense at the doors of the houses and in the streets.
The books of the law which they found they tore to pieces and burned with fire.
Where the book of the covenant was found in the possession of any one, or if any one adhered to the law, the decree of the king condemned him to death.
But many in Israel stood firm and were resolved in their hearts not to eat unclean food.
They chose to die rather than to be defiled by food or to profane the holy covenant; and they did die."

Is it just me, or does it sound scary familiar?
Whatever is to come, let's remain steadfast in faith and love for God...knowing that He will be by our side through it all.
"No storm can shake my inmost calm, for to that Rock I'm clinging. Since Love is Lord of Heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?"

BTW, how are you all doing? :-)

ApologetiX

2009-09-22T19:35:00.004-10:00

Thanks to a friend of mine :-)

ApologetiX
A Christian parody band

"Although I went to 12 years of religious school (Grades one through 12) and attended church faithfully, participated in choirs, etc., before I became a born again Christian, I didn't have a clue as to exactly 'why I believed what I believed.' When atheists or agnostics or cultists wanted to debate with me, I'd run away.
"Then I started reading the Bible and really, really researching things, and I discovered that there is a whole lot of evidence to back it up. There's a whole lot more to the story, but the point is that I wanted to be able to help others know 'why they believe what they believe.' So we chose the name ApologetiX, adding the "X" on the end to make it look more modern and to ensure we had a name that nobody else had ever used."
~ Lead singer J. Jackson

This is one of the songs my brother knows, so he was craking up. :D
Life Restored (parody of Last Resort)

p.s.
Really sorry for disappearing again! Can't promise to post more unfortunately, high school and life being demanding at the moment...so there'll be spotty posting...
Hope all is well with all of you and God bless!

Beautiful Ending

2009-08-05T19:36:00.007-10:00

New song by BarlowGirl! Yay ♫ It's one of my favs now...

Oh, tragedy has taken so many
Love lost 'cause they all forgot who You were
And it scares me to think that I would choose
My life over You
My selfish heart
Divides me from You
It tears us apart

So tell me what is our ending?
Will it be beautiful
So beautiful?

Oh, why do I let myself let go
Of hands that painted the stars and hold tears that fall?
And the pride of my heart makes me forget
It's not me but You
Who makes the heart beat
I'm lost without You
And dying from me

So tell me what is our ending?
Will it be beautiful
So beautiful?
Will my life find me by Your side?
Your love is beautiful
So beautiful

At the end of it all I wanna be in Your arms

So tell me what is our ending?
Will it be beautiful
So beautiful?
Will my life find me by Your side?
Your love is beautiful
So beautiful...

Sometimes at the end of the day, I'd look back at what I'd done. God had given the gift of another day; had it been spent chasing after my own selfish gains that lasted only for only a few hours, or had it been given back to Him and spent well? Had that gift been spent and used into something beautiful...?

Bread from Heaven...

2009-08-03T15:18:00.003-10:00

Yesterday and today's reading

Panis angelicus
fit panis hominum;
Dat panis caelicus
figuris terminum:
O res mirabilis!
Manducat Dominum.
Pauper, servus et humilis.

The angelic bread
becomes the bread of men;
The heavenly bread
ends all prefigurations:
What wonder!
consumes the Lord
a poor and humble servant.
~Saint Thomas Aquinas~

"...and all ate and were satisfied."

We attended the 6pm Mass last night and the lead soprano just sang it afterwards (it wasn't planned or anything, she wasn't even facing the front). It was so lovely and I couldn't get it out of my head...
...that such a great Happening everyday during Mass occurs in the simplest of appearances, and all becuase of the unfathomable Love God has for we who can barely pay attention sometimes.

Father Jon Cabico's Ordination

2009-07-13T15:22:00.000-10:00

"You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek..."

Where on earth has Cy been?!?!

2009-07-13T14:43:00.006-10:00

Well, I have been on earth...but last week I wasn't anywhere near the Pacific ocean. CT and I attended the St. Paul Summer Program with the Daughters of St. Paul in Boston!

It wasn't a retreat all the way really, but it was sort of a camp/program/retreat.
There were classes given by the Sisters on their Charism and Founders as well as a writting class, art class, and media class.
It was a retreat in a way that we got to join the Sisters everyday for morning prayers and Mass, and had an hour of Adoration each day. We did have a half day silent retreat on friday.
Basically, we were able to see how the Sisters lived and what their community life was like.

Of course, we had outings to some places of note! We went to Isabella Stewart Gardner Art Museum, the largest art museum I'd ever been to. Then we went to Louisa May Alcott's house and went on a tour.
CT and I made friends with girls from across the US and sometimes laughed until we doubled over at whatever jokes we had made up during the week with the Sisters. We had a great time - it was the best summer trip we've ever had and we wished it didn't have to end!
But it did, and now we're all back safe and sound and with a memorable experience.

Thank for all your prayers, BTW!

Photos by CT!

Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul

2009-06-29T10:57:00.006-10:00

Pictures from here.

Happy feast day!!
And so ends the Year of Saint Paul...now it's the Year for Priests.

Oh, please keep Jon Cabico in your prayers. He will be ordained a priest today at the Cathedral! Thanks.

Just a reminder...

2009-06-14T15:21:00.005-10:00

Picture by Mom

You are what you eat.

"We are the Body of Christ..."

St. Juan Maria Muzeyi - Happy Feast!

2009-06-03T15:25:00.003-10:00

St. Juan was one of the Martyrs of Uganda. He had converted and performed many acts of charity before his death in 1887 at Mengo, Uganda. June third is his feast and the feast of the Martyrs of Uganda.

Click here to read more!

Close ups!

2009-05-23T15:14:00.011-10:00

Sorry, didn't have much time to post last time...or enough pictures. Got more this time!
BTW, the exhibit will be at the Cathedral gallery until the end of the month (which means there's one week left). Stop by if you've got time! The gallery is usually open Tuesdays and Fridays after the noon Mass, and after Sunday Masses.

First off, a closer view of Father Damien's nice handwriting on some of the letters he wrote. His walking stick is just behind...

Father Damien wasn't just a caretaker of his flock's spiritual needs, he was also their carpenter, doctor, and friend.

Pipe (The face is a part of the pipe, the part behind is it's case)

Father Damien was already sick by the time Mother Marianne had come to Hawaii, but it's really neat when two saints know each other and are friends.

Best for last! Father Damien's glasses.

I'll try to post more later, but many apologies if it turns out to be much, much later...

Photos by CT

Items of a soon to be Saint

2009-05-17T21:25:00.007-10:00

Sorry for not posting...got used to not using the computer for Lent. :P

Father Damien's feast day was last week and we had an exhibit at the Cathedral! Click to enlarge...

Some letters, birth certificate, bills (all with really, really nice handrwiting!), his walking stick, some tools, and his pipe.

Funeral vestment, chalice, some items for Mass, and a tool for making the hosts for Mass.

...and my little brother's favorite, Father Damien's vestment for Mass. My brother stood in front of it and pretended to wear it! :-)

Pictures by Cy, CT, and younger brother

Happy Mother's Day!

2009-05-10T16:04:00.007-10:00

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers!!! May God bless you in all you do!

A happy Mother's day especially to our Lady, since it's her month! ♫

Ave Maria by de Victoria
☺

Divine Romance

2009-04-15T13:58:00.002-10:00

"...And leaping up he stood and walked and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God."

"...were not our hearts burning within us?"

Music Meme

2009-04-13T15:24:00.005-10:00

Pic from here!

One of my friends calls me mousy :-)

K...I'm half afraid to do this meme!! But since I can't seem to stop singing today anyway...

Ipod Survey
1. Put your iPod on shuffle. (wait, what happens when you don't have an iPod?)
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!

1. IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY?" YOU SAY?
Rosa Aeterna Floret (From the soundtrack of the Nativity Story)
Um...? I like the song though

2. WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
This is Jesus (California Praisins)
Huh? It's a Communion song...

3. WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Shower of Roses (Soundtrack from Therese)
...

4. HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Return of the Lion (From Narnia)
...actually, not that heroic. Or...maybe heroic as in washing all the dishes.

5. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
In Christ Alone (Unknown Artist)
um..

6. WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Raid on the Castle (From Narnia)
what?!?

7. WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
It was an untitled cheery piece by Mozart :p

8. WHAT DO THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Journey to the How (From Narnia)
Journying? In a way

9. WHAT IS 2+2?
Ave Maria/There is a Heart (Daughters of St. Paul)
Please Mary, help me with this math problem!!!!!

10. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
You Led Me (BarlowGirl)
Wow...that really made sense...finally..

11. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Sleep Sound in Jesus (Micheal Card)
It's a little children's song to help them sleep. It's really nice! What's it doing in my iPod/music device? Er...well, it was one of my favorites when I was 3..

12. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Salve Regina (Daughters of St. Paul)
...? She is my Confirmation saint...

13. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Scarborough Fair (P. Simon)
Bother...

14. WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Ave Verum Corpus (Daughters of St. Paul)

15. WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
The Smart Song (Daughters of St. Paul)
Arg...I forgot I had put some songs for the little ones in here!! If you ever listen to this song, it actually has the opposite effect.

16. WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Piano Sonata No. 11 in A major 'Alla Turca' (Mozart
I'm getting dizzy already!

17. WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Porcelain Heart (BarlowGirl)
Wow..it's actually a sad song..

18. WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
The Kings and Queens of Old (from Narnia)
Definately! History has become one of my favorite subjects

19. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Love Song for a Savior (Jars of Clay)

20. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
The Invitation (Steven Curtis Chapman)
I guess

21. WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
What Her Heart Remembered (Michael Card)
What? A sweet song like that?

22. HOW WILL YOU DIE?
I Can Never Live Without It (MercyMe)
...that's..ironic...

23. WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Grace Like Rain (Todd Agnew)
Regret forgetting to ask for graces? Kind of..

24. WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
The Voice of the Child (Micheal Card)
Hahahaha!! If it means all the homeschoolers playing a bizarre game of tag, then it sure does!

25. WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Mirror (BarlowGirl)
That's got some truth to it

26. WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
Silence (Joy Williams)
Does that mean I don't have to answer?

27. WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
You are a Child of Mine (Mark Schultz)
Hmmm, the first part of the song is pretty scary

28. DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
Blue Skies (Point of Grace)

29. WHAT ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT?
For the Beauty of the Earth (John Rutter)
Thanks to the previous song, yes. Oh, if you can find a video of this song on YouTube or somewhere, it's really really pretty!

30. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO TODAY?
Thrive (Newsboys)
Sure, I can do that..

31. ARE YOU A GOOD DRIVER?
All I'll Ever Need (Point of Grace)
To be a good driver? Maybe..I'm not really looking forward to driving.

32. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO?
Who am I? (Point of Grace)
Wonder and think? Sometimes

33. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF FOREVER?
You Were There (Avalon)
Yes, I'm forever thinking about that

34. ARE YOU AN OPEN PERSON?
Here's My Life (BarlowGirl)
Despite the title, the song is bittersweet

35. WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
The Reaching Song (Daughters of St. Paul)
Another of the little ones' songs...and no, I don't spend the time trying to grow taller.

36. HOW ARE YOU FEELING RIGHT NOW?
Lacrymosa (Mozart)
What? How can anyone be sad today?? It's still Easter!

37. HUGS OR KISSES?
Keep Singing (MercyMe)
Neither, I'd be singing instead! :-D

38. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COLOR?
Another untitled song by Mozart
This one reminds me of sunny days and blue skies!

39. Will YOU GO FAR IN LIFE?
Set the World on Fire (Britt Nicole)
I guess I'll follow St. Paul's advice

40. WILL YOU EVER HAVE CHILDREN?
Rain Down on Me (Point of Grace)
that doesn't make sense...

41. WHAT WAS/IS HIGH SCHOOL LIKE?
Waiting in the Wings (Point of Grace)
Yup...hopeful for the end..

42. WHAT IS SOME GOOD ADVICE?
The Door in the Air (from Narnia)
LOL!! Oh, ok. I know, don't forget to return to your own world after reading a book 'cause you've got your own world to live in.

43.WHAT IS THE LAST THING YOU WILL SAY BEFORE YOU DIE?
The Duel (from Narnia)
That's just scary.

44. WHAT IS THE LAST THING YOU WILL DO BEFORE YOU DIE?
Silens Nox (from The Nativity Story)

Now tagging anyone who loves music!

Spring Cleaning

2009-04-13T14:18:00.000-10:00

I hope everyone had a good Lenten Season!
(Where have you been for the past month??)
Er...yeah, I forgot to say here that I had given up computer for lent..very very sorry!!

So how was everyone's spring cleaning? Well, not the one when you clean the closet out and find some missing items (even I haven't done that yet!)...but the one that we did for Lent.

Like this song by Sanctus Real:

How did you "Let go and let God"?

BTW, now that spring cleaning's done, as CT said, don't let it get dirty now!

Happy Easter!!!

2009-04-12T13:06:00.002-10:00

Alleluia! Alleluia!
Christ is risen
Alleluia!

A very blessed and happy Easter to you all!!!

Six things meme

2009-02-12T16:35:00.002-10:00

Thank you, Mrs. Cathy!

Here're the rules!
1.) Link to the person who tagged you.
2.) Post the rules on your blog.
3.) Write six random things about yourself and things that make you happy.
4.) Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them.
5.) Let each person know they've been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6.) Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

1. I really like music and have an odd habit of memorizing songs. They play over and over in my head and refuse to leave...not that it's much minded. :-)

2. Um...oh, I know! Chocolate chip mint ice cream! We always get a teasing from dad cause it's green. Sometimes, after CT bakes cookies, we crumble the round treats and add it into a bowl of ice cream!

3. Sitting outside in the garden. 'Course, I'm not the perfect big sister, and when the piano's not available to pound, well...

4. Rain..it was raining this morning and now I don't have to water the garden! It doesn't look as nice when it doesn't rain. If we happen to be at a park when it rains, well, we get a free water slide.

5. Fishing..even if all I ever do at the pier is read.

6. Dinner (it's almost dinnertime). 'Course, my cooking skills are composed of: waffles, cheesy scrambled eggs, toast, mashed potatoes, gravy, tacos, cookies, and macaroni. yay :-)

So sorry that took forever!!!
I think everyone's done this one before...
...so if you'd like to be tagged, you're it!

Fingerprints of God

2009-01-28T19:21:00.004-10:00

Sorry for not posting in a while...

Last week's pro-life march was really successful! Mom and Aunty Esther have pictures...
Every year we make signs and hold them high while marching around the capitol's block. One of the signs Mom writes on her cardboard is:
Psalm 139:13
"I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made"

Fingerprints of God: by Steven Curtis Chapman (it's just the song...not a great video like CT makes!)

There are often signs wherever we go that say we must save the endangered species or be wary of the environment. Well and good, after all, we are caretakers of this awesome world...

...but if we were so concerned in caring for the marvelous works here, why would such a horrible thing be done to the greatest of God's creations?
"Choose life, choose love."

Love Song for a Savior

2009-01-17T15:40:00.003-10:00

Last day of Vocation Awarness Week. Sorry, I've been lazy waiting till the last day to post something...:-P
...but if you hadn't yet (ack, why haven't you yet? she has a much better blog!!!) visit CT's blog. She's been posting everyday this week and has great quotes and links! :-D

Love Song for a Savior - by Jars of Clay

Patron Saints for 2009!

2009-01-11T13:08:00.007-10:00

Blessed Appolinaris and Saint Juan Maria Muzeyi!

More on their feast days...

Thank you Ms. Sue and Aunty Esther!!
You can find out which saint has chosen to be your patron here:
Patron Saint of the Year Ministry Blog

Or, leave a comment on the page following this link: Click here

First postings!

2009-01-03T09:09:00.015-10:00

Sorry it's taken so long...
New Year's Reminiscence meme!
A meme Otakuboy and Pueo made up! Here we go!!

Rules: none, just share your year's highlights.

1. Taking care of all the baby birds that hatched (my littlest sister would say: Tailz!! My baby bird!!)

2. After being away for a year, our Aunt finally came back

3. Moving again (and going back to daily Mass at the Cathedral!)

4. Ice Skating! (yup, they have a place for ice skating in the middle of the ocean)

5. Camping

6. Joining the choir

7. WYDH :-)

8. Visiting the "secret hiding place" aka, the Blessed Sacrament

9. Gardening (we've never had a real garden before!)

10. Attending all the Pauline Cooperater meetings and Saint Paul courses

Ten makes a "nice round number" :-)
k, I tag everyone who had a good year!!

One Last Post...

2008-12-31T19:38:00.003-10:00

...for the year 2008!

Let's thank God for an awesome year and may He bless us in the year to come!
See you all next year...

O Christmas Tree

2008-12-31T09:25:00.003-10:00

Farewell, Christmas tree...until next year..

O Holy Night

2008-12-26T13:33:00.002-10:00

One of my favorite carols...

"Be not afraid to tell Jesus that you love Him; even though it be without feeling, this is the way to oblige Him to help you, and carry you like a little child too feeble to walk" -Saint Therese

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T07:50:00.002-10:00

~.:Mele Kalikimaka!!!!:.~

God bless, everyone, and have a great great day!!!

pic from Patron Saint's Index! Isn't it beautiful? :-)

Fourth Sunday of Advent - Faith

2008-12-21T09:45:00.002-10:00

Found the second pic on Aunty Esther's blog

Third Sunday of Advent - Joy

2008-12-14T13:55:00.005-10:00

"Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." -Saint Paul

Halfway there!!! :-)

Caroling meme

2008-12-14T13:55:00.004-10:00

Found this on Aunty Esther's blog!

Sunny loves singing too!

1. Love 'em, hate 'em, tolerate 'em, or...?
Love 'em!!!

2. Policy: none before Christmas, none before Thanksgiving, or...?
Well, usually it's hard to keep off playing them, especially since we have to practice them for Christmas Mass, a recital, or some other time in December.

3. Favorite? Favorites, if you've got more than one?
The First Nowell, Gesu Bambino, O Holy Night, O Come O Come, Lo How a Rose, Angels We Have Heard on High...I'd probably fill up the whole post!!! :-D

4. Least favorite? Drives you batty/hate it/turn it off if it comes on the radio?
We Wish You a Merry Christmas. (sorry to anyone who likes it)

5. Caroling door to door in neighborhood? Ever done it/would do it? Wouldn't even consider it?
Oh!! Take me along!!!

6. Funniest kids' rendition, if any?
Don't know any

7. Most inappropriate carol ever heard in a church setting (Catholic or otherwise)?
none

8. The one foreign language carol I know (or know best) is...?
Feliz Navidad
It's probably the only one I know

9. Carol that perplexes you the most?
Not the song itself, but the title...why is it sometimes "Noel" or "Nowell"?

10. Carol your whole family will sing?
Ask us to sing any we know :-D

I tag anyone who likes music!!

2008-12-14T13:48:00.001-10:00

Mahalo, Kaila!

The Prince of Peace Award

For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be on His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

In a world that seems to thrive on war and violence, it is indeed a blessing to have bloggers who share their faith and love of God with others.

These blogs are passionate about their faith, are a voice for the voiceless, are sources of inspiration, hope and true kindness, they are an oasis where a weary spirit can stop for a while and rest and be refreshed.

Every act of love no matter how small is a work of peace and these bloggers go above and beyond the call to reach out to others. They bring The Prince of Peace to us; we enter as visitors and fellow bloggers and leave as friends.

At this time when we celebrate the birth of our Savior, we thank you, our friends, for all you do to make the spirit of the The Prince of Peace ever more present in our lives, not only at this time but everyday.

Please accept and share this Award with Christian bloggers who bring The Prince of Peace to others.

2nd Sunday of Advent- Hope

2008-12-07T13:32:00.004-10:00

Found this on Aunty Esther's Google reader..(sorry, I'm not sure which blog it was from)
Click here