A Special Gift

THE LETTER & THE ORNAMENT

I'd like to take this time to thank my sister. I thank her for always remembering our Baby Emmanuel during the Christmas holiday. Our Baby Emmanuel passed away Aug. 5, 2003, it's hard to believe that it's been five years since our little miracle angel went to be home with Jesus. But the short time of his little life is always remembered especially on Christmas Day by my loving sister. Every year she gives us a special gift of some sort to honor our baby Emmanuel and this year it was another special gift that truly warms my heart. It's pretty sad that when people in our life pass away, it almost seems like nobody talks about them or their life. Almost as if they were gone forever, but during this Christmas season it is such a reminder for me that when our loved ones leave this earth to go home to Jesus - it's even more important to celebrate and remember their life.

My sister has probably been the only one who constantly remembers our little baby emmanuel every Christmas. Gosh, you have no idea how that warms my heart. And you know my dear sister that if he were here in this world you would have been his godmother and I thank you with every fiber of my inner being for always remembering him and honoring him every Christmas. Thank You for reminding me what a epitome he was to many people.

So this Christmas holiday 2008 my loving sister gave us an ornament and also a letter that she wrote from the bottom of her heart. I will share that letter with all of you.

Thanks Munny for always being an inspiration and allowing Jesus to live through you. I love you so very much.

This is what the letter read:

Dec 22, 2008

To my precious Godchildren, Emmanuel and Isabella:

As previous years, I went looking for something to honor your lives during the time of year when we are given the most amazing gift we could ever receive, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I went to several places and nothing really struck me as "this was it". As I perused the store, I even stopped and prayed quietly to myself. I asked Christ to find the gift that would be from him, the gift with the "perfect meaning". Then I found this one! It was indeed perfect! The short 4-letter word, "H-O-P-E", on the front of the ornament immediately reminded me of each of you.

Sweet Baby Emmanuel,

You are the epitome of the word. Your short time on this earth taught us to hope, it gave us reason to continue. When Jesus called you home, this word became stronger in my life. HOPE. That is the one true gift we have received from our redeemer. Without it, our lives would be empty. Jesus died to give us hope. You are a burning light in the heavens now, but your message of hope has never died.

Little Isabella,

A couple of years ago, I anxiously thought that you would be home with your family in a matter of months. We've waited and waited for you to join your Mama and Baba. It's now been over two years of waiting. What is the only thing we have? HOPE. Our God is true to His word. Always. I know that HE is preparing the way for you to come home as as your Ayi and your madrina, I am hanging on to HIS word, to the HOPE that HE filled the world with on that first Christmas night. I know that we will someday rejoice the arrival of your coming home to your forever family. In the meantime, we continue to pray for your birthmother and for you.

I thank both of you for always being a reminder of HOPE to me. I know that someday our entire family will all be united in that big house HE has prepared for all of us. We will rejoice as we bow down before the king of kings together. Then, and only then, is when we will no longer have to live with HOPE, because in Heaven all hopes are reality. May God continue to bless you both until we are united...

Love always,

Madrina.

Some Christmas Facts

THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

THE LEGEND OF THE CANDY CANE

The two pictures that are posted were gifts that were given to us and I felt how fruitful would it be if I did not share it with the world. So as you read it, may each and every one of you be blessed with the same spirit that rose Jesus Christ from the dead into our eternal heaven.

The story behind the TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS - The Christmas song we hear so often over the radio during advent. "The Twelve days of Christmas" does not refer to the advent days leading up to Christmas, when we sing of gift given to us by our true love. Do any of you know what true love is? It's God. After King Henry VIII pulled the english out of the Roman Catholic Church to form the Angican Church, Roman Catholics could no longer worship openly in England. This Lasted from the year 1588 until 1829. "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is a code song of secret cathchism that could be sung in public without risk of persecution. The song has two levels of interpretation: The surface meaning, plus the hidden meaning which when originally sung in England, was known for a religious reality.

Let me break it down:

TWELVE DRUMMERS DRUMMING: SYMBOLIZE THE 12 POINTS OF THE APOSTLES CREED.

ELEVEN PIPERS PIPING: STAND FOR THE 11 FAITHFUL APOSTLES

TEN LORDS A LEAPING: ARE THE 10 COMMANDMENTS

NINE LADIES DANCING: THESE ARE THE 9 FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT

EIGHT MAIDS A MILKING: ARE THE 8 BEATITUDES

SEVEN SWANS A SWIMMING: REPRESENT THE 7 FOLD GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT

SIX GEESE A LAYING: STAND FOR THE 6 DAYS OF CREATION

FIVE GOLDEN RINGS: RECALL THE TORAH (LAW), THE 1ST FIVE BOOKS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT.

FOUR CALLING BIRDS: ARE THE 4 GOSPELS

THREE FRENCH HENS: STAND FOR FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE

TWO TURTLE DOVES: ARE THE OLD AND THE NEW TESTAMENTS

THE FINAL AND YULE TIDE GIFT, IS THE PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE: AND THAT GIFT IS REPRESENTATIVE OF WHY WE CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS. THE PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE IS THE GIFT OF GOD BECOMING INCARNATE IN JESUS. IN OTHER

WORDS THE PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE IS JESUS CHRIST.

AND THEN THE OTHER STORY IS THE LEGEND OF THE CANDY CANE:

SHAPED AS A J: BECAUSE WE CELEBRATE JESUS BIRTHDAY AT CHRISTMAS

PEPPERMINT: THE AROMA OF WHICH REMINDS OF THE WISEMEN GIFTS OF SPICES TO JESUS

WHITE: BECAUSE JESUS IS THE HOLY SON OF GOD

RED: BECAUSE GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON.

HARD AS A ROCK: BECAUSE HE IS THE SOLID ROCK, ALWAYS THERE WHEN WE NEED HIM.

SHAPED AS A SHEPERDS STAFF: TO REMIND US TO STAY ON THE RIGHT PATH.

REMEMBER TO KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS

I hope that everyone's Christmas Holiday was just as wonderful as ours. Our family was blessed with many memories made with family and friends and many material gifts that were just beyond a blessing. However, the main gift that we received was remembering the reason for the season. Remembering who Jesus Christ is in our lives and remembering why God the father sacrified his only begotten son so that we may have eternal life. Lord Jesus I continue to thank and praise for who you are in our lives. Never ever allow me to fall away from that belief and thank you for the gift of faith that you have allowed me to have. That alone Lord Jesus is a gift that I will always treasure every day of my life.

Prince Of Peace

Today's Scripture

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called” Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6 NKJ).

Today's Word

Aren’t you glad that Jesus is our Prince of Peace? That means He is the ruler of peace. He is the ultimate peace. The peace He gives to us can never be taken away from us!That word “peace” literally means “to set at one again.” In other words, when we are one with the Father, when we are unified with Him in our thoughts, our words, and our actions, we will experience His peace in our lives. Anytime you find that you don’t have peace on the inside of your heart about something, or if you have an uneasiness inside about a decision you have to make, that’s a sign that you should stop and pray and make sure you are choosing God’s plan for your life. Remember, His plans are for your good. He leads you in peace and fills you with His joy. When you choose His ways, you will live in His peace and experience His hand of blessing in every area of your life.

A Prayer for Today

Father in heaven, thank You for filling me with Your peace. Have Your way in my heart and remove anything that displeases You so that I can clearly hear Your voice and walk in Your ways. In Jesus’ Name. Amen

Tis the Season

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." - Ecclesiastes 3:1

Ready for Christmas? Ready for Christmas to be over? How do you keep Christmas going?

It's a familiar sight: boxes torn open, bellies full of food, trash cans overflowing and wrapping paper flung aimlessly about while children unleash a sugar fit and parents enter into a sleep-deprived food coma. It's Christmas night. Families have squeezed into overstuffed pews, encountered the Lord of the universe in the Sacrament(s) and returned home with "Silent Night" engrained in their heads. Santa has come. Relatives have joined together and departed (or fallen asleep) and all that work of shopping and wrapping, cooking and cleaning came to fruition. Christmas is over - says the world.Christmas is just beginning, however, says the Catholic Church.Christmas is not a day, it's a season. We don't just celebrate Christ's coming over a 24-hour period, but for days - weeks, even.So, how do we avoid falling into that trap of cleaning up and counting down the 364 days until the next organized melee of celebration?

Here's a few suggestions:
First, be present to the holy days (holidays). Pay attention to the people around you. Ask them questions. Find out how they are and what they need prayers for this year. Listen to stories, even if you've heard them a thousand times before. Be thankful for the mere opportunity you have with your family and loved ones, you never know how many more Christmases you (or they) will have, just as Christ reminds us in scripture: "no one knows the hour." (Matt. 24:36)

Next, make the Christmas Mass primary for yourself (and hopefully for your family). Encourage your family to start getting ready even earlier and leave plenty of time to get the Church ahead. Stress, tardiness, parking and overcrowding lead to frustration during what should be a joyous liturgy. Enter into the Mass, fully, and offer a joyful example for all to see.

Third, don't even dish up the food or sit down to eat until everyone has taken a few minutes in meaningful prayer before the meal(s). Now, this looks different from household to household. If your family doesn't pray, be bold and initiate it. If your family always prays, go deeper - make it even more meaningful. Doesn't God deserve better than a "quick prayer" before we start shoveling food? After all, He's the reason we're having a party. Keep up this practice each night before dinner.

Next, practice being patient each and every day, one situation at a time. Possibly carry your rosary in your pocket, wear your cross more prominently or do something else visual and visible that will act as a reminder to you to be like Christ to people who annoy you. You, my brothers and sisters, make Christ's name more holy or less holy to the world, through your actions.

Fifth, with every tear of the wrapping paper and while cleaning up every box and gift bag, remind yourself of those who are without this year. Many will not open any presents, or eat any food. Many are alone this holiday season. Be thankful for each and every gift you receive (even the tube socks, calendar, ugly sweater or bad tie).

Sixth, at the end of Christmas day, go to bed extra early, and spend some time in prayer thanking God for not only the physical gifts you received, but for the gifts we often don't thank Him for, like your sight, your hearing, your mobility, your health, your clothing, food, etc. Keep up that early-to-bed practice for at least a week - it only takes a couple weeks for something to become a habit.

Lastly, begin a list on Christmas, and spend the following week until the holy day on January 1st (The Solemnity of Mary) adding to it. On the list, write down concrete, practical ways that you are going to use your gifts to proclaim Christ's love and His mercy this next year. Make these your primary "New Year's" resolutions.

These are just a few ideas, but they can easily become simple things that bear great fruit in your life. You probably have much better ideas, so write some down and commit to them.

The gifts in boxes and bags won't last a lifetime. The gift of eternal life is the only one that does.Salvation Given"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." - Ecclesiastes 3:1

There is no time like the present and there is no present like this Christmas season.

Why DId Jesus Fold the Napkin

Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection?

I never noticed this....... John 20:7 tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus,was not thrown aside like the grave clothes. The Bible takes an entireverse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded and was placed at thehead of that stony coffin. Early that Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found thatthe stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran and found SimonPeter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, "They have taken the Lord's body and I don't know where they have taken Him!". Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other discipleoutran Peter and got there first. He stooped and looked in and saw thelinen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in. Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the napkin that had covered Jesus face was folded up and lying to one side.

Is that important? Absolutely! Is that really significant? Yes!

In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have tounderstand a little bit about the Hebrew tradition of that day. The foldednapkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew thistradition. When the Servant set the dinner table for the Master, he made sure it wasexactly the way the Master wanted it. The table was furnished perfectly,and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the Master hadfinished eating. The Servant would not dare touch that table until the Master was finished. If the Master wer e done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe hisfingers, his mouth, and clean his beard and would wad up that napkin andtoss it onto the table. The servant would then know to clear the table. Forin those days, the wadded napkin meant, "I'm finished". I did not know this.... If the Master got up from the table, and folded his napkin beside his plate,the servant would not dare touch the table, because....

The folded napkin meant, "I'm coming back!". He is coming back! During this Holy season, I pray that you are blessed with peace and joy in the knowledge that He IS coming back someday.

His System Remains

Today's Scripture

“Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the Lord blessed him” (Genesis 26:12).

Today's Word

Have you heard the saying, “ What goes around comes around?&nbsp” In reality, that saying is based on the principle in God’s Word of sowing and reaping. Everything you have in your life today is a result of seeds sown in your past. It is a spiritual principle that remains no matter what is going on in the natural realm. Harvest time always comes, but you have to do your part and sow good seeds in order to see a good harvest. For years, Isaac had been praying and seeking God. He worked so hard and dug many wells in the land. When famine and desolation hit, Isaac wasn’t moved. He sowed seed even in the midst of famine and reaped a hundredfold in the same year! This is a reminder to us today, no matter what things look like in the natural realm, God’s system isn’t shaken. Maybe you’ve been working hard for the last few years, praying and believing God. Don’t be shaken by what’s happening in the world around you. Keep sowing, keep believing, keep praying because God is faithful, and He will pour out an abundant harvest of blessing in every area of your life!

A Prayer for Today

Father in heaven, thank You for Your system of sowing and reaping. I choose to stand on Your Word because You are faithful. Bless the seed I have sown so that I can continue to be a blessing to others around me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Choose Life

Today's Scripture

“…I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life…” (Deuteronomy 30:19, AMP)

Today's Word

Every day we have the opportunity to choose thoughts of life and victory or choose thoughts of defeat and despair. God promises that when we choose His ways, we are choosing life and victory.Imagine that you’re holding a glass of dirty water. It’s full of all kinds of particles, sand, and dirt. If you were to start pouring good, clean water into that glass and let it overflow, eventually, all the dirty water would be gone and you would have a glass of perfectly clear water. Your life works the same way. You are renewed by the washing of the water of the Word of God. You may be carrying particles of dirt from the past. You may have old destructive habits or mindsets that you are trying to get rid of. But the more you pour God’s Word into yourself, the more clean and alive everything becomes. Don’t choose to sit around with that mucky, dirty water on the inside of you. Allow His Word to cleanse you by reading and declaring it over yourself every day. As you choose His Word, you choose His life, and you’ll experience His hand of blessing in ways you never dreamed!

A Prayer for Today

Father in heaven, thank You for Your promise of life and blessing. I choose life in You today and invite You to wash me with Your Word. Help me to stay close to You always. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Another Letter

Twas the month before Christmas* *When all through our land,* *Not a Christian was praying* *Nor taking a stand.* *See the PC Police had taken away,* *The reason for Christmas - no one could say.* *The children were told by their schools not to sing,* *About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.* *It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say* * December 25th is just a 'Holiday'.* *Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit* *Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!* *CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod* *Something was changing, something quite odd! * *Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa* *In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.* *As Targets were hanging their trees upside down* * At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.* *At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears* *You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.* *Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty* *Are words that were used to intimidate me.* *Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen* *On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!* *At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter* *To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.* *And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith* * Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace* *The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded* *The reason for the season, stopped before it started.* *So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'* *Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.* *Choose your words carefully, choose what you say* *Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS , not Happy Holiday!* Please, all Christians join together and wish everyone you meet MERRY CHRISTMAS Christ is "The Reason" for the Christmas Season!

YOU PUT THE DEVIL OUT

I came across this article on a friends site - thought it was pretty powerful.

YOU PUT THE DEVIL OUT, BUT DID YOU LET HIM LEAVE HIS BAGS?

You got out of a bad relationship because it was bad, but you are still resentful and angry (you let the devil leave his bags)

You got out of financial debt, but you still can't control the desire to spend on frivolous things (you let the devil leave his bags)

You got out of a bad habit or addiction, but you still long to try it just one more time (you let the devil leave his bags)

You said, I forgive you, but you can't seem to forget and have peace with that person (you let the devil leave his bags)

You told your unequally yoked mate that it was over, but you still continue to call (you let the devil leave his bags)

You got out of that horribly oppressive job, but you are still trying to sabotage the company after you've left (you let the devil leave his bags)

You cut off the affair with that married man/woman, but you still lust after him/her (you let the devil leave his bags)

You broke off your relationship with that hurtful, abusive person, but you are suspicious and distrusting of every new person you meet (you let the devil leave his bags)

You decided to let go of the past hurts from growing up in an unstable environment, yet you believe you are unworthy of love from others and you refuse to get attached to anyone (you let the devil leave his bags)

When you put the devil out, please make sure he takes his bags!

Let the devil Take his bags with him!

Be Blessed, Healthy and Happy

Be Victory Minded

Today's Scripture

“The Lord is my strength and my song; He has given me victory” (Psalm 118:14, NLT).

Today's Word

Do you need more joy, victory, and confidence in your life today? You might need to evaluate what you are thinking about on a daily basis. If you go around thinking things like, “I’m just average,” “I’ve already reached my limits,” or, “I’ve missed so many good opportunities,” those thoughts are going to drag you down. Instead, every morning when you wake up, start your day with thoughts of hope and success. Determine to be victory-minded. The Bible tells us that what we think about we will become. When you think thoughts of success, victory, joy and peace, your life will be filled with success, victory, joy, and peace. No matter what’s going on in the world around you, remember, as a believer in Jesus, greater is He who is in you than he that is in the world. The Greater One lives inside of you! If God is for you, who can be against you? You are an overcomer through Christ. So set your mind on victory and move forward into the abundant life He has for you!

A Prayer for Today

Father in heaven, thank You for the gift of another day! I choose to be victory-minded and think on good things today. Remind me, Holy Spirit, to stay focused on the blessings and favor that You have in store for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Santa and the Park with Kai & Seth

Well after a fun filled day with santa and a visit to the park so the boys can play. Kai left super tired as his wonderful Ayi didn't make him take a nap. So he went all day non-stop until his little body finally passed out about 8:30.

Seth finished his day with a broken lip (poor baby) - I was taking a picture of him and Kai at the park bench, when I told Kai to hold baby seth for the picture. Well after the picture was taken, Kai let go of Seth and seth came tumbling out of Kai's arms, right onto the hard wood concrete. After a long, non-breathing cry and a red face - I noticed alittle blood coming from Seth's lip. His lip began to swell and so that's the story. Poor Kai - looked at me when Seth fell and said "Oppss - Sorry" LOL - The innocence of a child. Enjoy the pictures.

More Pictures of Kai and I

A Day with Kai

I brought my nephew Kai home for the weekend to spend some time with him. It's been such a long time since we've had some one on one quality time just him and I. So we have lot's of things planned for today but for now I will share some of our Baking Cookie Time with Ayi. Enjoy the pictures.

Unhindered Prayers

Today's Scripture

“…Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered” (1 Peter 3:7b NLT).

Today's Word

Did you know that the way you treat people has an impact on the effectiveness of your prayers? The Bible says that the prayer of the righteous person is powerful, but if we aren’t treating others with honor, kindness, and respect, then we aren’t allowing His righteousness to operate in us. When we don’t treat others the way we should, it closes the door to God’s power and hinders our prayers.This is especially true in a marriage relationship. Marriage isn’t just an agreement between two people to live life together. Marriage is a God-ordained institution that helps us understand love and unity. When two people are married, they become one physically, spiritually, and emotionally. And, this particular passage is directed toward husbands, but it applies to all believers as well. We should all treat others “with understanding” which means considering the needs of others above our own. We should always aim to treat others with kindness, dignity, and respect and quickly choose forgiveness. The Bible says that the way we treat others is the way we treat God, so choose love and treat others with respect so that your prayers can be powerful and effective the way God promises!

A Prayer for Today

Father in heaven, I want to live in Your ways. I want to treat others with love and respect which shows that I honor You. Show me how to be a blessing to others and teach me how to make my prayers effective. In Jesus’ Name

Win Them By Your Actions

Today's Scripture

“…your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over” (1 Peter 3:1b NLT).

Today's Word

Oftentimes, we try to “win” people over by telling them all about what we know or explain how they should act. We may have good intentions and really want to help people, but in reality, it’s our life of excellence and integrity that speaks to the hearts of others.

In this particular scripture, Peter is talking to women who received salvation after they were married and had husbands who were not yet believers; but the message still applies to every believer. The first thing people should notice about us is our love, patience, kindness, gentleness, strength, and joy. When they see the difference Christ has made in our lives, they will want what we have. The scripture says it’s God’s kindness that leads people to repentance, not nagging. So, let your light shine, be fun to hang around, be good-natured, be kind. You are the salt of the earth. Make people thirsty for what you have. Behind the scenes, pray for their salvation and be ready to share the message of the gospel when the time is right. Remember, actions speak louder than words. Be an example of God’s love so you can effectively win others to Him!


A Prayer for Today

Father in heaven, thank You for Your kindness which leads people to repentance. Help me display Your characteristics of love and goodness so that others will turn to You. Thank You for choosing to use me. I surrender every area of my life to You. In Jesus’ Name.