Life Chain

If my people, who are called by my name,

will humble themselves and pray and seek my face
and turn from their wicked ways,
then will I hear from heaven and
will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

- 2 Chronicles 7:14 -

Thirty-five years ago "Roe vs. Wade' legalized abortion in the United States.  This was the outcome when two women lawyers were seeking the right for a homeless, 22-year-old single mother Norma McCorvey, pseudonym Jane Roe, to terminate her third pregnancy.  By the time the decision was handed down, Roe would have had that child whom she put up for adoption.  The prosecuting district attorney, Henry Wade, himself coming from a family of seven children, never lost a case until 'Roe vs. Wade', but his cause remained.  Up until now, the battle is to educate women about the dangers of abortion and the right to life.  In the 1980's, McCorvey finally revealed her true identity.   Converted into Catholicism in the 90's, she became an active pro-Life advocate saying, "I believe that I was used and abused by the court system in America. Instead of helping women in Roe v Wade, I brought destruction to me and millions of women throughout the nation." 

Last Sunday, daddy Buddy, Bong and I stood in that cold and windy fall day to express our support for the sanctity of the human life.  Together with  some of our St. Cyprian family, we joined the Life Chain to bear witness to God's forgiving kindness. 

I am my Father's humble servant and I love Life!

-  no angel -
 

Road Trip

But I said, "I have toiled in vain,

I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity:

Yet surely the justice due me is with the Lord,

and my reward with my God."

-------- Isaiah 49:4 ---------

Five hours to Chicago on a Friday afternoon. It was hot and humid and we were crammed inside Bong's little Mercury Sable. Lourdes, Chit and Maley shared the backseat with all the other things that we could not fit in the trunk. Nothing could stop us, not even the dreaded traffic that was awaiting us once we get to the Chicago area. This road trip was meant to be! Off we went to the CFC-FFL Conference. We let God be our strength!

I drove the first half... one stop at a rest area for a bathroom break and a very late lunch. Thank God for HFL sisters, Lourdes & Chit, we can never go hungry because they always bring food... we can never have bad breath because there is always some fresh breath gum ready in their purses.

After we fillep-up our gas tank just before entering the state of Illimois, Bong took the wheel. Time for my nap you would think... but oh no, I was tasked to look at the map, look at the road and make sure that he can follow where the GPS directs him to. "Stay on this Hi-way", I told him. "No, we have pay toll", he insisted. "But that's for another hi-way", my voice was now raised a wee bit. "After the toll gate, we would still be back to that same hi-way", said he very confidently. No more argument... now, where's that same hi-way? Blame, blame, blame... argue, argue, argue... why do we bother to let the GPS guide us but yet we do not heed? Hmmppp!

To make the long story short, we found another way to our destination, but instead of the original plan to evade the downtown traffic, we found ourselves dashing off into it. I got tired of arguing, I just prayed that we get there safely --- getting there on time was no longer an option anyway. Finally! Our exit! We were just waiting for our turn to merge into the local street at the stop sign when we were suddenly jolted by a thud. Oh great! Almost there, and now, more delay. We were rearended!

It tturned out to be a very quick settlement. The other driver apologetically owned the fault. He was going to take care of that big damage to his car.... we would take care of the little scratch on ours.

We got to the conference, not on time for the opening, but we accomplished the first objective --- to be there. Victory! We toiled not in vain. And God gave us our reward --- the rest of the wonderful conference experience.

My God is now my strength.

--- no Angel ---

I am a SHEEP

Truly, truly, I say to you,
he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep,
but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber.
But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep.
To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hears his voice and
he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
When he puts forth all his own,
he goes ahead of them and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.
A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him,
because they do not know the voice of strangers.
------ John 10: 1-5 ------

awesome photo taken by my awesome son Thaad

Soaring gas prices, whew! When I had to bring my car to the dealership for a recall, it took them more than a month to get done with it, and so they paid for my rental car. Bong chose the Ford Fiesta for me and boy was I really glad! 36 miles to a gallon of gas compared to 23 on my Windstar. I was very pleased indeed.

Second day into my pleasant driving experience.... Off to work I went with my Sirius (something I did not have with my Windstar) Christian music station on, I drove by an elderly gentleman by the entrance ramp onto I-275. I was just done with my morning drive habit, that is about 12 miles of praise and worship before I get into the freeway and then I am ready for my day's challenges. A red plastic gas container in one hand, this guy was waving at me with the other, signaling that he needed a ride. Not giving it a second thought, I stopped... Ooopppsss.... In short, I gave the guy a lift... might be my first challenge of the day.

He asked my name. I told him. He asked if I can drive him to where his car broke down on him. Sorry, that is out of my way. He asked if I can drop him off at a gas station instead. That, I can do since there's a gas station right afte I get off the freeway. He asked if I can spare him a couple of bucks to pay for gas because all he had was some loose change he found in his car. Okay, as soon as we get to that gas station, That was probably the longest 10-minute drive ever. I was uncomfortable and I was not talking, except when asked. Finally, the gas station.... I dropped him off, gave him the last few dollars that I had in my wallet and we said our goodbyes.

It was a relief when I saw all those familiar faces at work. I told them about my adventure.... or mis-adventure. They reminded me of the dangers of my action. Yeah, I was a fool but I also felt sorry for that seemingly helpless stranger. It was Freddie (he is another story to tell) who put some sense to my doubting little mind. "You have a good heart, Casilda. Maybe it was God who made you do what you did. Maybe you were listening to God telling you to help that guy", he tells me. And that was enough for me. God is my shepherd and I am His sheep.

I am pleased. I am BLESSED.

- no angel -

Prayer Power

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen.
For by it the elders obtained a good report.
Through faith we understand
that the worlds were framed by the word of God,
so that things which are seen
were not made of things which do appear.
---- Hebrews 11:1-3 ----

Childbirth by Ceasarean Section was a frightening experience. Yet, each time I went through the procedure, the prize always amazingly weighed down the fear. Jas... Gem... Thaad... my precious prizes! It was not very long ago that they ran to me for comfort, that they came to me for answers, that they hid behind me for protection. Swift fly the years... they are all grown up now and I have an empty nest. I worry about them everyday but I trust that my prayers go with them... Pray, that's what I can do for them... what else can a mom really do?

Every prayer I say is heard, I do not doubt. Everyday is a miracle, I rejoice. Every life is a gift, I give thanks.

What is left of Gem's car after her rollover accident on I-96 on that snowy Saturday afternoon on her way back to Grand Rapids. She walked out of the mess unharmed. An answered prayer, a miracle, a gift. Praise be God!

Checking on Gem in Grand Rapids. Picture taken by Clay, the friend who came to her rescue.

FAITH, JOY, THANKSGIVING...

- no angel -