bucket list & avatar

Watched these 2 movies last night with hubby and friends Sherwin and Maggie. Love it so much that I slept and woke up pondering about many things in my life now. It's too inspiring. made me strum my guitar first thing today, sang with my little 2 year old, not worrying about the million things I must do to earn money and achieve some dreams. I prayed. Asking for His grace to guide me. Give me wisdom to make the right choices. Not necessarily "good" choices as the world knows. But the "right" ones according to God.

Then I read some inspirational email (I love these emails sent by a friend, Sookie) and this is what I got:

"At the end of the day—in this all-too-short life we all share, all we really have are relationships with people we love and who love us. In light of relationships, the job and career we set as goals now aren't really so important; the ladders we try to climb don't matter so much; the objects we long to possess seem utterly trivial. What really matters in the end is that special look that you share with your spouse, the arms of your child reaching up to you, the quiet comfort of being with a friend who stands by your side in a difficult time."

Now that my perspective is more or less ok :) I'm empowered and feeling energized to finish this:

...a Christmas mini book for my September class @ MWL :)and I will use this in one of the pages:

So many good things are happening this coming Christmas time. I can hardly wait!!!

*hugssss*

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stop and smell the roses

Another forwarded email from Sookie...

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day"
(Proverbs 4:18, ESV)

TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Oftentimes, people tend to get wrapped up and busy with things that don't really matter in eternity. It's easy to get consumed by your career and stay focused on your goals. It's good to work hard, but you've got to learn how to play hard, too, so you can stay in balance. I heard somebody say, "It's not that life is so short, it's that we wait so long to begin living." If we want to truly enjoy the journey of life, we have to take time to stop and smell the roses. Do you appreciate the people you love? Do you hug your children before you leave each day and give your spouse a kiss? When was the last time you called your parents to tell them how much you love them? That's how we can enjoy the journey. If you'll stay determined to enjoy the journey of life, you'll live with no regrets. You'll see your path shine brighter and brighter, and at the end, you'll be able to say, "I made the most of my life. I enjoyed my family. I enjoyed my friends. I finished my
course with joy."

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, thank You for the people You have placed in my life. Teach me to enjoy my relationships more because they are all that matters in eternity. Help me to enjoy the journey of life as my path shines brighter and brighter until the full day. In Jesus' Name. Amen.




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love message

Sharing with you my fave pic today and some part of an email I received a second ago from a friend. Thanks Sookie! :)





"All throughout scripture, God commands us to love. In fact, 1 Corinthians tells us that love is the greatest thing. Love is all that matters on this earth, and it's all that will last in eternity. But do you realize that we are protected when we walk in love? When we are selfish or self-seeking, the scripture tells us that it opens the door to confusion and every evil work. But when we walk in love, when we choose to put others first, when we choose to be patient and kind and walk in unity, we are protected by love. We close the door to the plans of the enemy in our lives."


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so busy

'Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.'

Hugs ang kisses for everyone!

Don't Miss God's Answer

Is anything too hard for the Lord? No! - Genesis 18:14

The God of surprises strikes again ... God does that for the faithful. Just when the womb gets too old for the babies, Sarah gets pregnant. Just when the failure is too great for grace, David is pardoned....
The lesson? Three words. Don't give up.
Is the road too long? Don't stop.
Is the night black? Don't quit.
God is watching. For all you know right at this moment ... the check may be in the mail.
The apology may be in the making.
The job contract may be on the desk.
Don't quit. For if you do, you may miss the answers to your prayers.

from: p. 20 of Max Lucado's Grace for the Moment

you know what?

Earlier today,
I worried about something,
envied someone,
felt bad about myself,
got confused,
felt alone,
thought life's unfair...

So I asked Him,
silently cried,
I prayed,
and said sorry for these negative thoughts...

He led me to read my favorite book...
The book I've been reading and reading for years...
and He told me:

"Do not lose the courage you had in the past, which has a great reward."

Thank You Lord. You are a living God!

i can only imagine

Crying so early. Seeing this Earthly Dad do the odds for his son, can you imagine what Our Great Dad up there can do for us? Thanks Kukai for sharing this in facebook! Keep sharing some more! Hugs...

The FINAL Analysis

The FINAL Analysis
Written by Dr. Kent M. Keith

People are often unreasonable, illogical,
and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, People may accuse you
of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some
false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank,
people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone
could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness,
they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today,
people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have,
and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the FINAL analysis,
it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway

_end of poem_

mine:

If you're struck by this poem
because you feel that the author seems to
talk about how you really feel at the moment,
Then I want you to know...
I feel exactly the same.
Be happy anyway! :)
God loves us. He knew we will be needing
this kind of comforting messages
once in a while.
Courage! We are never alone.

P.S. Thank you Teresia for sharing this beautiful message!

Daily Mass Readings for July

Thanks EWTN.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009 Blessed Junipero Serra, OFM Priest (Optional Memorial)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Genesis 21:5, 8-20; 2:1-8 Psalm 34:7-13 Matthew 8:28-34 The reason why sometimes you have asked and not received, is because you have asked amiss, either inconsistently, or lightly, or because you have asked for what was not good for you, or because you have ceased asking. -- St Basil

Thursday, July 2, 2009 Weekday

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Genesis 22:1-19 Psalm 115:1-6, 8-9 Matthew 9:1-8 But the counsel of the Lord standeth for ever: the thoughts of his heart to all generations. To deliver their souls from death; and feed them in famine. -- Ps. xxxii. 11,19

Friday, July 3, 2009 St. Thomas, Apostle (Feast)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Ephesians 2:19-22 Psalm 117:1-2 John 20:24-29 All the glory of the king's daughter is within in golden borders, Clothed round about with varieties. After her shall virgins be brought to the king: her neighbours shall be brought to thee. -- Ps. Xliv. 14, 15

Saturday, July 4, 2009 Independence Day

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Isaiah 58:6-11 Psalm 107:2-9 Matthew 25:31-46 Amen, amen, I say to thee, When thou wast younger, thou didst gird thyself and didst walk where thou wouldst. But when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee and lead thee whither thou wouldst not. And this he said, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had said this, he saith to him: Follow me. -- John 21:18,19

Sunday, July 5, 2009 Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Psalm: Second Reading: Gospel: Ezekiel 2:2-5 Psalm 123:1-4 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 Mark 6:1-6 We live poverty by filling the hours of the day usefully, doing everything as well as we can, and living little details of order, punctuality and good humor. -- St. Jose Maria Escriva de Balaguer

Monday, July 6, 2009 St. Maria Goretti, Virgin, Martyr (Optional Memorial)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Genesis 28:10-22 Psalm 91:1-4, 14-15 Matthew 9:18-26 The wise man should show his wisdom not by his eloquence but by good works; the humble man should not proclaim his own humility, but leave others to do so and recognize that the abilty to control their desires has been given them by another. To Him be glory for ever and ever. -- Pope St. Clement l

Tuesday, July 7, 2009 Weekday

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Genesis 32:23-33 Psalm 17:1-3, 6-7, 8, 15 Matthew 9:32-38 Always bear in mind this determination to die rather to fail to reach the end of the way, if God ever causes you to suffer from thirst as He guides you this life, it is because He will give you drink in plenty in the next life, without any fear of it ever failing you. -- St. Teresa of Avila

Wednesday, July 8, 2009 Weekday

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Genesis 41:55-57; 42:5-7, 17-24 Psalm 33:2-3, 10-11, 18-19 Matthew 10:1-7 The faith of those who live their faith is a serene faith. What you long for will be given you; what you love will be yours for ever. Since it is by giving alms that everything is pure for you, you will also receive that blessing which is promised next by the Lord: the Godhead that no man has been able to see. In the inexpressible joy of this eternal vision, human nature will possess what eye has not seen or ear heard, what man's heart has never conceived. -- Pope St. Leo the Great

Thursday, July 9, 2009 Weekday

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Genesis 44:18-21, 23-29; 45:1-5 Psalm 105:16-21 Matthew 10:7-15 O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard And hushed their raging at Thy word, Who walked'st on the foaming deep, And calm amidst its rage didst sleep; Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee, For those in peril on the sea! -- From the U.S. Navy Hymn

Friday, July 10, 2009 St. Veronica Giuliani, Virgin (Feast)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: 2 Corinthians 4:6-11, 16, 17 Psalm 59:2, 10, 17-18 Matthew 16:24-27 God could have given us the Redeemer of the human race, and the Founder of the Faith in another way than through the Virgin, but since Divine Providence has been pleased that we should have the Man-God through Mary, who conceived Him by the Holy Spirit and bore Him in her womb, it only remains for us to receive Christ from the hands of Mary. -- Pope St. Pius X

Saturday, July 11, 2009 St. Benedict, Abbot (Memorial)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Genesis 49:29-32; 50:15-26 Psalm 105:1-4, 6-7 Matthew 10:24-33 Love tends to union with the object loved. Now Jesus Christ loves a soul that is in a state of grace with an immense love; He ardently desires to unite Himself with it. This is what Holy Communion does. -- St. Alphonsus Liguori

Sunday, July 12, 2009 Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Psalm: Second Reading: Gospel: Amos 7:12-15 Psalm 85:9-14 Ephesians 1:3-14 or 1:3-10 Mark 6:7-13 Whoever does not love does not know God. Why? Because God is Love. What more can be said, my Brothers? If one did not find one word in praise of love through this epistle, nor the least word through out all the other pages of Scripture, and we heard only this one word from the voice of the Spirit of God: Because 'God is Love,' we should seek for nothing more. -- St. Augustine

Monday, July 13, 2009 Weekday

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Exodus 1:8-14, 22 Psalm 124:1-8 Matthew 10:34 -- 11:1 The essence of virtue cosists in the doing what is good rather than what is difficult. -- St. Thomas Aquinas

Tuesday, July 14, 2009 Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, Virgin (Memorial)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Exodus 2:1-15 Psalm 69:3, 14, 30-31, 33-34 Matthew 11:20-24 Free your mind from all that troubles you, God will take care of things. You will be unable to make haste in this (choice) without, so to speak, grieving the heart of God, because He sees that you do not honor Him sufficiently with holy trust. Trust in Him, I beg you, and you will have the fulfillment of what your heart desires. -- St Vincent de Paul

Wednesday, July 15, 2009 St. Bonaventure, Bishop, Doctor of the Church (Feast)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Isaiah 1:10-17 or 1 Corinthians 2:6-13 Psalm 16:5-9, 11 Matthew 5:13-19 No one really wants to sin against God, even though we do all sin without being forced to do so. -- St. John Climacus

Thursday, July 16, 2009 Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Optional Memorial)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Exodus 3:13-20 Psalm 105:1, 5, 8-9, 24-27 Matthew 11:28-30 What Revelation makes known to us is confirmed by our own experience. For when man looks into his own heart he finds that he is drawn towards what is wrong and sunk in many evils which cannot come from his good Creator. Often refusing to acknowledge God as his source, man has also upset the relationship which should link him to his last end, and at the same time he has broken the right order that should reign within himself as well as between himself and other men and all creatures. -- Gaudium et spes

Friday, July 17, 2009 Votive Mass of the Precious Blood

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Exodus 11:10 -- 12:14 Psalm 116:12-13, 15-18 Matthew 12:1-8 How can a man say he believes in Christ if he doesn't do what Christ commanded him to do? -- St. Cyprian of Carthage

Saturday, July 18, 2009 Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Exodus 12:37-42 Psalm 136:1, 23-24, 10-15 Matthew 12:14-21 The devil and the other demons were indeed created naturally good by God, but they became evil by their own doing. -- Lateran Council IV

Sunday, July 19, 2009 Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Psalm: Second Reading: Gospel: Jeremiah 23:1-6 Psalm 23:1-6 Ephesians 2:13-18 Mark 6:30-34 The very tradition, teaching, and faith of the Catholic Church from the beginng, which the Lord gave, was preached by the apostles and was preserved by the Fathers. On this was the Church founded, and if anyone departs from this, he neither is, nor any longer ought to be called, a Christian. -- St. Athanasius of Alexandria

Monday, July 20, 2009 Weekday

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Exodus 14:5-18 Exodus 15:1-6 Matthew 12:38-42 What has a person to fear who lives in the arms and bosom of God? -- St. Paul of the Cross

Tuesday, July 21, 2009 St. Lawrence of Brindisi, Priest, Doctor of the Church (Feast)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Wisdom 8:9-16 or 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 Psalm 67:2-5, 7-8 Luke 9:1-6 As God recognized each of us before we were born, and called us by name, so too may we recognize the value of each human life and pledge ourselves to continue to defend and nurture God's greatest gift to us. -- NCCB 1992 Respect Life Manual

Wednesday, July 22, 2009 St. Mary Magdalen (Memorial)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Exodus 16:1-5, 9-15 Psalm 78:18-19, 23-28 John 20:1-2, 11-18 Truly we are passing through disastrous times, when we may well make our own the lamentation of the Prophet: "There is no truth, and there is no mercy, and there is no knowledge of God in the land" (Hosea 4:1). Yet in the midst of this tide of evil, the Virgin Most Merciful rises before our eyes like a rainbow, as the arbiter of peace between God and man. -- Pope St. Pius X

Thursday, July 23, 2009 Weekday

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Exodus 19:1-2, 9-11, 16-20 Daniel 3:52-56 Matthew 13:10-17 It is important that you choose your career with care, so that you may really follow the vocation that God has destined for you. No day should pass without some prayer to this end. Often repeat with St. Paul: "Lord, what will you have me do?" -- St. John Bosco

Friday, July 24, 2009 Weekday

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Exodus 20:1-17 Psalm 19:8-11 Matthew 13:18-23 Zeal without knowledge is always less useful and effective than informed zeal, and is very often dangerous! -- St. Bernard of Clairvaux

Saturday, July 25, 2009 St. James, Apostle (Feast)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 Psalm 126:1-6 Matthew 20:20-28 Religious pictures of themselves will not make a family good. Only when they are contemplated upon, are they a practical way to help true Christian sentiment, and to a true Christian way of living in the family. -- St. John Vianney

Sunday, July 26, 2009 Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Psalm: Second Reading: Gospel: 2 Kings 4:42-44 Psalm 145:10-11, 15-18 Ephesians 4:1-6 John 6:1-15 Right reason, that is, reason rightly exercised, leads the mind to the Catholic faith, and plants it there, and teaches it in all its religious speculations to act under its guidance. -- St. John Henry Cardinal Newman

Monday, July 27, 2009 Weekday

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Exodus 32:15-24, 30-34 Psalm 106:19-23 Matthew 13:31-35 You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. -- St. James the Apostle

Tuesday, July 28, 2009 Weekday

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Exodus 33:7-11; 34:5-9, 28 Psalm 103:6-13 Matthew 13:36-43 Grant, O Lord, that my heart may neither desire nor seek anything but what is necessary for the fulfillment of Your Holy Will. May health or sickness, riches or poverty, honors or contempt, humiliations, leave my soul in that state of perfect detachment to which I desire to attain for Your greater honor and Your greater glory. Amen -- St. Ignatius Loyola

Wednesday, July 29, 2009 St. Martha (Memorial)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Exodus 34:29-35 Psalm 99:5-7, 9 Matthew 13:44-46 The prophet refers to some men saying: When they say to you: You are not our brothers, you are to tell them: You are our brothers. Consider whom he intended by these words. Were they the pagans? Hardly; for nowhere either in Scripture or in our traditional manner of speaking do we find them called our brothers. Nor could it refer to the Jews, who do not believe in Christ. Read Saint Paul and you will see that when he speaks of "brothers," without any qualification, he refers always to Christians. If they say, "Why do you seek us? What do you want of us?" we should reply: You are our brothers. They may say, "Leave us alone. We have nothing to do with you." But we have everything to do with you, for we are one in our belief in Christ; and so we should be in one body, under one head. -- St. Augustine

Thursday, July 30, 2009 Weekday

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Exodus 40:16-21, 34-38 Psalm 26:2-3, 9-12 Matthew 8:23-27 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. -- St. Therese

Friday, July 31, 2009 St. Ignatius of Loyola, Priest (Memorial)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Leviticus 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34-37 Psalm 81:3-6, 10-11 Matthew 13:54-58 Even though you possess plenty, you are still indigent. You abound in temporal possessions, but you need things eternal. You listen to the needs of a human beggar, yet yourself are a beggar of God. What you do with those who beg from you is what God will do with His beggar. You are filled and you are empty. Fill your empty neighbor with your fullness, so that your emptiness may be filled from God's fullness. -- St. Augustine