Wednesday, November 1, 2023

The Dandelion Book Club

 







The topic for today’s meeting was the movie Miss Potter and the world famous author Beatrix Potter.

 

Miss Potter, the movie, is one of my favorite  FEEL GOOD movies.

 

The focus of the movie is the struggle to break societal norms.

 

Beatrix was expected to marry a rich young man so that her future will be well taken-cared of.

 

She didn’t have any of it much to the bitter disappointment of her always disapproving mother.

 

Early on, Beatrix Potter knew what she wanted and that is to  be close to nature, imagine, draw and  create stories.

 

Their family’s annual visit to the Lake District easily brought awe and respect for the beauty of nature in her.

 

She spent time drawing what she saw and telling herself or her brother bedtime stories.

 

She imagines her created characters as her best friends.

 

They speak to her and join her in a lot of adventures.

 

The names they gave them were really whimsical and cute.

 

Jemina Paddle Duck.

 

Peter Rabbit.

 

Flopsy, Mopsy and Cotton Tail

 

Jeremy Fisher

 

Tom Kitten

 

Mrs. Tiggy Winkle, a Hedgehog washerwoman.

 

When Marina was very young, it would be our favorite past time to browse through THRIFT BOOKSTORES in the mall and try to locate one of  her books.

 

It was as if we won the lottery if we find her original books.

 

It was always a welcome addition to our very modest library which was just a corner shelf actually.

 

Plastic at that.

 

We brought  these choicest books along with us in our stint in Doha.

 

Unfortunately, we were not able to bring them to Canada.

 

But, Marina is able to find wonderful books every now and then of other authors.

 

So, I am not losing hope of  completing Beatrix Potter story books again.

 

Hopefully, the original version and very early editions again.

 

The DBC group also discussed our  PROJECT OF A LIFETIME.

 

May Our Good and Great God bless it to success.

 

One of our youngest members, Marcus won  a raffle prize of Chicken Soup for the Soul, Time for Christmas book  for participating in today’s meeting.

 

Praise God Alleluia!

 

 

 

Thursday, October 5, 2023

The VINEYARD OWNER

 

October 5,2023

8:48am

 

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, enkindle in us the fire of your Divine Love, send forth your Spirit Lord and it shall be created, and You Oh Lord shall renew the face of the earth, starting with my mind, my heart, my body, my brains, my soul.

 

Jesus my good good Shepherd, be my light and my salvation.

Have mercy on me a sinner.

 

Mary, the Mother of God, pray for us.

St. Joseph, help us.

St. Padre Pio, pray for us.

St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle.

 

** ***

 

 

Dear Jesus:

 

All is right with my world. Thank you. Praise you Oh Lord.

 

Barely done with my bathroom needs, the phone rang at 6:20am signaling the start of the prayer meeting with my /our Marriage Encounter group of 2007 circa.




 

It was an honor to be in their presence.

 

Despite my being ill prepared to start it an hour earlier. But, just checking the time difference now, it was just correct.730pm Manila is indeed 630am here.

 

Tsk tsk…again, I could have done better by simply checking it before hand.

 

I assumed.

 

Yesterday morning, around the same time, I was preparing for our online Dandelion Book Club meeting.

 

2  set of brothers joined us with Marcelina and Sophia Gabrielle.

 


Reminding me to post photos of this meeting and the one last month in our FB Group Page.

 

Also,  to do recap of everything.

 

It is starting to really get cold here but thank God, for the experiences that warm the heart so much.

 

Thank you Lord Jesus, God the Father Almighty, God the Holy Spirit.

 

Ave Maria.

 

The readings we reflected on were about the Rich Vineyard Owner.

 

The tenants rejected the representatives of the farm owner and even his son.

 

The question we pondered on was what do we do when we are rejected.

 

Rejection and disagreements are part and parcel of everyday living.

 

We just stay clear and true to our values  and the roughness will be lessened.

 

The pain of rejection can also be surrendered to our Lord Jesus at the foot of His cross. I beg Him to let His precious blood trickle on these PAIN and SUFFERINGS I have and take it with Him.

 

I release and give Him all of it in union with His passion, death and resurrection.

 

That His greatness may be glorified in my nothingness.

 

Thank you Lord Jesus. Thank you.

 

Holy Spirit come in the emptied spaces of my heart, my mind, my body and my soul.

 

Alleluia!

 

Alleluia!

 

 

Thursday, September 28, 2023

Bahay ni San Jose ( House of St. Joseph)

 













THE JOURNEY 

 

         Early this year, a lovely couple friend invited us to their home             to claim some freshly baked  Ensaymada after the Sunday                   mass  at St. Emile.



 

We could not refuse such a delicious offer.

 

Parking in their driveway ,we noticed a HOUSE FOR SALE sign across their street.

 

I  excitedly announced to Giselle, that I longed to be their neighbor. I love their neighborhood and I love their beautiful house.

 

She promised to introduce us to their friend who is their mortgage specialist.

 

I was , as usual tongue in cheek…just wishful thinking, but when the nitty gritty had to be accomplished, I would buckle.

 

Meeting Meloi Guzman in zoom for at least 3 consecutive weekends worked like a refiner’s fire.




 

Threshing out the worries ,unearthing  capabilities as well as the possibilities.

 

Ruel was all out eager to embark in the challenging world of home ownership via the mortgage contract.

 

From the onset, I declared I would be like a stumbling block. The dead weight because fears hang heavily for me more than anything else.

 

 Quite a similar scenario for our coming to Canada.

 

I rallied the family for the novena to St. Joseph to help us every step of the way.

 

         We gingerly started the house hunting upon  Meloi’s  go                     signal soon after.

 

It was 3-4 properties visited in each weekend for 3 weeks straight.

 

Joel and beautiful wife Marilou Solite guided us.

 


It was a whirlwind of inspiring viewing and disappointments when we  lost in the bidding war.

 

On the last weekend, Joel added in the last minute the property in Silver Heights.

 

 The places and distances and locations were all a blur to me.

 

Could not figure out heads nor tails of what I saw and where.

 

I  just remembered that the roof was so heavy with thick snow and the kitchen sink had a big window looking out into the backyard and garage.










 

Ruel added CAD$1,000  to the  bid for the 1962 built house.

 

I told him that during the first round, his bid of additional 12 didn’t win us the house.

 

On the 2nd house, he bid a higher amount, we lost again and now just 1k…hmmmm I said, after this, I don’t want to go through this “ rigodon” again for the rest of the year…

 

We were keeping this project under wraps…but could not help sharing it with a family who visited us  that fateful Sunday. They  helped us pray for favor and blessing on this intention.

 


By  6pm Father Ani Xavier messages us with a greeting while asking for the intercession of St. Joseph to grant our family’s petitions.

 

I held on to this.

 

As we reached the apartment after bringing home Hero, Liezl and Aubrey, Joel messages us with the good news… our offer to purchase was accepted on the condition that we change certain statements in the contract. Instead of two months move-in date, the seller requested that we make  it to one month only.

 

Ruel and I agreed.

 

After an hour…the seller accepted and offered us to purchase!!!

 

Praise God Alleluia!

 

One hurdle was accomplished.

 

That Sunday was March 19,2023, The Feast of St. Joseph, the spouse of Mary.

 

The condition for possession was scheduled one month after and fell on May 1, another Feast day dedicated to St. Joseph the worker.

 

Quite a BIG AND CLEAR message of his help, isn’t it?

 

But, the bigger mountain to scale was next.

 

Mortgage Loan approval.

 

It took roughly around 2 weeks for this to be processed.

 

There were so many challenges for documentations and supporting requirements.

 

A million and one other things to round off like the apartment etc etc.

 

By God’s extra grace the knots were smoothened out.

 

We met our friendly neighbors on an April Saturday when we had another ocular of the vicinity.

 

It warmed the heart as the snow was slowly melting away.

 

May 1 came and we visited the house for the 2nd time and really had a much closer look at each nook and cranny as we were given the key.

 

Thanks to Atty Nueva Tagarda Mabilen  and husband Cromwel who ensured all legal areas were covered.

 


Duct cleaning was at the top of the long list of TO DO.

 

The duct company guys somehow managed to damage 2 things in the house with their bulky machines. Oh well, write it off to FORGIVENESS challenge as we win some and lose some

 

May 4  Saturday,  our household group mates wanted to help us clean, but ended up having an impromptu prayer meeting instead.

 

May 5, on Mari’s birthday, Father Ani blessed the place. He loved our new home.

 


May 13, Saturday was the scheduled move in of the rest of our major stuff.

 

Our MFC household mates helped us with the super heavy lifting.

 

I can never thank them enough for the super human effort they did for us.

 

May 14, Sunday,  our  neighbor  Gord, helped us with mowing our lawn and lending us his power tools.

 

What a wonderful Mother’s Day gift it was waking up to the sound of lawn mower, smell of grass, and  see Ruel mowing the lawn so early in the morning.




 

We had two sets of visitors next.

 

Our BCBP Action Group  and one of the power couple leader of MFC  and their kids.

 

WISHES GRANTED

 

The house which is now our new home is a treasure trove of lovely surprises that never fails to delight me almost each day.

 

The  windows up front and at the back of the house is a source of wonderful morning and afternoon sunlight. It is so beautiful for the spaces to be bathed in glorious yellow golden light at certain times of the day.

 

We need no pictures to hang on our walls since the windows already frame beautiful scenes of nature…like now, one floor to ceiling window shows us the wonderful tree turning all yellow and carpet of leaves under it in our neighbor’s front lawn…such a beautiful sight this fall.

 

The other window shows me the heart shape of the wrought iron hand rail detail of the main entrance.

 

I love the shape of the heart. Many instances of natural made shapes from ordinary things surprises and gives me the message that I am LOVED by my Father in heaven.

 

Example the small pool of water under a cold bottle…forming a heart by coincidence.

 


The pale pink tile back splash of the kitchen counters show round grapes.



 

It reminds me of a gift from my sister Jennie who gave me this small pocket calendar organizer with the design of grapes in it’s fabric cover.

 

The symbol of abundance.

 

Timely, that year,( early 1990's)  I also got the book called Simple Abundance from my sister in law Wing. Still one of my top 10 favorite books.

 

There are so many kitchen cabinets and drawers with awesome shapes and sizes. 

 

One cabinet door  can  house kitchen sink sponges neatly stowed away from sight.

 

I love the coat cabinets. The doors slide side to side. Quite a space saver.

 

The storm doors.

 

The laundry chute.

 

The Harry Potter room under the stairs  going to the basement.

 

2  fire places one real  and the basement one is decorative.

 


The margarita glasses left for us in the wet bar.

 

The  2 bar chairs.

 

All these are material things that will eventually rot and decay.

 

But for now, they are  my  evidences of God’s favor and provisions. His  restoration of things lost in favor of things much much better.




 

As the Divine design and plan is and will always be.

 

Thank you to the foster father of my Lord and Savior, who was entrusted with the care of the Holy Church and Word Incarnate.

 

Thank you St. Joseph.

 

Thank you for your  Bahay ni San Jose which is on loan from my God Almighty, my Creator and King.


We claim the grace of good stewardship.

 

Your child,

 

Angelli Anne J

Sept 25,2023

1:33pm

 

Many Many LANGUAGES OF LOVE

 

How do you react when you don’t get the things you pray for? Do you question the Lord or do you humbly submit to His will?

Do you ever envy God’s blessings to others? Why?

Were there times when you accused God of being unfair? How did you deal with it? Did you come to a realization of His generosity and justice?

 

Once upon a time, a close relative ( may her soul rest in peace) declared in front of my siblings and parents that I was envious of my baby sister.

 

I was at that time in my mid twenties.

 

It really stung bitterly and seared scars into my psyche because it was lashed out so unexpectedly and so publicly that I was shamed beyond belief.

 

When I was in my early teens, the color of my dress, yellow ,was attached to JEALOUSY as declared to me as being my state.

 

Similarly, it hurt but more with confusion, how can such a beautiful color be attached to such a negative attitude?

 Could I defend myself?

Could I say, No! You are wrong!?

Last Sunday, on my 54th birthday, after receiving so much  filling-up of my love tank, I  had a struggle in processing my enviousness of someone in my life.


Admittedly, I did harbor ill feelings of being DEFEATED and UNFIT and not GOOD ENOUGH.

 

I know the antidote to this is to simply not compare my life to hers and focus instead on the blessings I just received and continually receive.

 

This was  exactly pointed out to me by an VISTA workplace team mate when I verbalized it to her last Monday and my dear sweet hubby.

 

He said, you wore a bathing suit as well in Fort Lauderdale beach last June, so what is the problem?

 

Oh yeah, and I felt so utterly UNAPPEALING!I exclaimed and  added that I cannot flaunt it in IG! Heaven's no!!!!

 

So, do something my dear!

 

My marching and loving and gentle order to myself today as I count my blessings:

 

1.    Jane dear, spent lunch with us and helped me spruce up the flower bouquet décor by trimming this part and bumping off some bunch of  too plastic looking flowers.” She also  baked me a LAVA cake too and gave me a EMOTIONAL MANAGEMENT toy!





2.    Celedonia gave me a wonderful shawl that reminded me of the shawl my two girls gave me that I have not used at all. And her heavenly cooking of DEER MEAT was a welcome treat and we were eating it for 3 days.

3.    Tec gave me this so delicious LA GROTTA lemon cake in a very beautiful color----- YELLOW!!!!



4.    BEL, gave me her so delicious CHEESE CAKE. The girls were in 7th heaven devouring it.

5.    The gift of prayer and worship with my loving  MFC household group of 2 years.



6.    My friendly neighbors lending me a dozen chairs.

7.    Ruels delicious PAPAYA ATSARA which equaled Nanay Lindas was a winner!

8.    The LECHON HEAD na DAING style!  




     

9.    3pm mass at St. Emile and wore Jane's gift of last year, a beautiful black and silver blazer covered with embroidered design.

10.9pm movie date with the girls and Ruel at Scotia Theater.

11. Joeys opportunity/project. 7-8pm.

12.The countless greetings from friends and family. The gift of reconciliation and forgiveness.

13.This beautiful Bahay ni San Jose and the grace to be able to fix the  Jane AU$10 room ( in the basement) from the stock piled clutter and is now looking more organized and getting-there-look.

 

 

Thank you Lord Jesus for the many many graces.

Please forgive  and have mercy on me, a sinner.

 

 

 

Friday, September 22, 2023

2023 Autumn is here!

 This weekend marks the official end of summer.


Last weekend it was raining and cold.


It  will be the same for this weekend.


I so love the colors of FALL!!!


The yellows! The reds, browns and orange leaves of trees busy shedding...


Oh so lovely!!


I pray that  this winter, I will be less scared of slipping and sliding on the icy paths...


I will have faith that can make me walk on water...solid one that is.



Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Happy Ending

 

https://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2023-09-19

 

How does Jesus’ power over death affect the way you live your life?

 

How do you react when God does not answer your prayer the way you want it? Do you easily desert Him and turn to other gods?

 

Last night, on our way home from work, my thoughts were on the guy who has been sleeping in the bus stop for several nights now.

 

Ruel and I didn’t see him.

 

Ruel wanted to share with him our food.

 

So, I was full of thoughts regarding death and aging.

 

Along Kenaston near the railway tracks, we encountered a sight of a car accident.  Fire department, ambulance and some other traffic personnel were busy and  holding signs for motorists to go slow.

 

Spare us Oh Lord Jesus was my prayer on repeat.

 

So, yes, I am so scared of this sorts of challenges.

 

Actually death does not really scare me except the manner it will be brought about.


That is were my anxiety lies...

 

I wish never to experience a 911 tragedy of fire and collapsing concrete.

 

Jesus, forbid!!

 

Today’s reading reminds me that Jesus has conquered death.

 

We must just put our faith, trust and confidence in Him.

 

Not reckless, but resigned to His will and provision, protection and guidance.

 

Mama Mary, be our comfort in times of trouble as you hold our hands and point us to your Son.

 

Your Son Jesus, who knows the will of God the Father Almighty.

 

With mustard seed faith, I declare that all my FEARS are banished AND  I have the extra portion of graces to have the faith that can move  mountains that will come my way.

 

P.S. I TRUST IN JESUS FULL OF DIVINE MERCY IS WRITING MY HAPPY, HEALTHY, LONG LIFE ENDING.

“God is too wise to be mistaken. God is too good to be unkind. So when you don’t understand, when you don’t see His plan, when you can’t trace His hand, trust His heart.” (Babbie Mason)

Friday, September 15, 2023

Happy, Healthy, Senior Years for one and all!

 

September 15,2023

9:18am

 

Come Oh Holy Spirit, fill the hearts, minds, bodies, souls of your faithful, enkindle in us the fire of Your Divine Love, send forth Your Spirit Oh Lord Jesus, and IT shall renew the face of the earth starting with my mind, my heart, my soul and body.

 

Jesus, my Good Shepherd, I place my trust and confidence in your care, providence, provision and protection.

Mary, the Most Holy Mother of God, pray for us.

St. Joseph, pray for us.

St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle.

St. Padre Pio, pray for us.

 

** ** **

 

Today, we remember Our Lady as the Lady of 7 sorrows.

 

Last night,  Ruel and I dropped by our dear friend Jane.

 

Our conversation touched on dying and death and our views on it.

 

I remembered my mom in her birthday.

 

Yesterday was the Triumph of the cross.

 

At the cross, Jesus entrusted the care of his mom to John and John as the representative of the rest of mankind to Mary.

 

“ Son, behold thy Mother, and Mother, behold thy Son.”

 

One of my worries of growing old and dying is the time and manner.

 

Today, with FAITH in God’s mercy and love I entrust Ruel, my daughter’s, my relatives’ and friend’s  senior years and ultimate end .

 

With faith I will worry NOT, I will fear NOT in Jesus most mighty name and precious blood.

 

I will trust in  the promise and fulfillment of a HAPPY, PEACEFUL DEATH after a happy, healthy long life.

 

Jane just told me of her good friend, who was a former camp counselor and at 87 years old is travelling by land to Vancouver.

 

Awesome picture of health and vitality of mind and body.

 

Amen and amen.

 

I believe and I trust in God’s great LOVE.

Thursday, September 14, 2023

Happy 87th Birthday Mom!

 

September 14,2023

9:19am CT

 

Come Holy Spirit, please fill the hearts and minds and bodies of your faithful the FIRE OF YOUR DIVINE LOVE. Send us your Spirit Oh Lord and it shall be created, and You Oh Lord Jesus, shall renew the face of the earth starting with my mind, my heart, my soul and body.

 

Jesus, King of Divine Mercy, please help us as we put OUR TRUST, HOPE and LOVE in you and your Holy Cross.

Mama Mary, the Mother of God, pray for us.

St. Joseph, pray for us.

St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle.

St. Padre Pio, please pray for our complete and total healing of mind and body.

 

** **

 

Today is my mom’s birthday.

 

She would have been been 87.

 

She passed on at 64 years in January 2001.

 

I had to pause for a bit to check what year exactly. Was it 2000 or 2001.

 

Also, had to check the year 911 occurred.

 

Oh well, some momentary distraction.

 

The Kerygma Daily Bible Reflection  https://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2023-09-14  has the following guide questions for us to reflect upon:

 

When you look at the cross, what do you see? Who do you see? What does the cross mean to you?

Moses played a crucial role in the healing of the people. He prayed to God and interceded for them. We, too, are called to be intercessors, praying for the salvation, as well as the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual healing of others. Is there someone whose healing you need to pray for today?

What two ideas about birth are Jesus and Nicodemus thinking of?

What are your crosses in life? How are you living with those crosses? Do they inspire you to be more faithful to Jesus crucified?

 

I will perhaps just focus on some of the questions here.

 

What struck me is the phrase in Fr. Benny Tuazon’s reflection. He says that  the cross is a symbol of “ the inhumanity of man and the humanity of God.”

 

Making it sink in a bit.

 

God in the form of the Son, Jesus Christ, endured a very painful death for us…showing us His mercy and love.

 

Oh wow.

 

Similarly, my mom offered her battle with stage 4 Naso Pharynx cancer for me.

 

As I was going into surgery for a cyst in my left breast, she, while praying her rosary, tells me, that she asked God to spare my life and that take hers instead.

 

Up to now, I still have mixed reactions to that.

 

I wanted her to take it back…but, in that split second, I knew that this is something between she and her Creator.

 

She was already suffering too much.

 

She knew how scared I was going through this medical scare.

 

As a Mom to me, she willed that I have a chance at LIVING while she bravely surrendered hers.

 

Thank you mom for showing me courage.

 

Thank you for showing me how much you love me.

 

Truly, your birthday on this Feast Day of The Exaltation of the Cross, tells me and  I now believe, was  giving meaning to your suffering in that short prayer of surrender.

 

My prayer: Lord Jesus, please give me that extra grace to be a self sacrificing mother to my daughters and a loving support to my husband. Mama Mary, pray for us.