CHRISTMAS IS DRAWING NEAR....

               ON  DECEMBER  25TH,  WE  CELEBRATE THE  BIRTH OF OUR
          LORD,  JESUS  CHRIST!

               LET  US  BE  WHERE  HOPE  BEGINS.  HOPE  IS  KNOWING
          SOMEONE  CARES.  HOPE  IS  A  BRIGHTER  FUTURE  FOR  ALL
          CHILDREN.

               LET'S  DO  THE  BEST  WE  CAN  WITH  WHAT  LITTLE  WE 
          HAVE,  TO  HELP  THOSE  MOST  IN  NEED.

               FOR  PADRE  PIO,  CHRISTMAS  SEASON  WAS THE  MOST
         WONDERFUL  TIME  OF  THE  YEAR.  HE  BELIEVED  THAT
          CHRISTMAS  AWAKENED  THE  LOVE  AND  COMPASSION
          IN  PEOPLE  THAT  IS  OFTEN  SLEEPING   DURING  THE  REST
          OF  THE  YEAR....AND  IN  HIS  MOST  INSPIRED  HOLIDAY
          SERMONS,  PADRE  PIO  ASKED  THE  FAITHFUL  TO  KEEP  THE
          LOVE  OF  GOD  BURNING  BRIGHTLY  EACH  AND  EVERY 
          MOMENT  THROUGHOUT  THE  YEAR.

               MERRY  CHRISTMAS!!.....AND  MAY  THE  NEW  YEAR
               BRING  EVERYONE  AMAZING  BLESSINGS!!
      
                                           LOVE,  ENILDA  DIAZ
         

   

From the book: Becoming a PRAYER warrior ( Elizabeth Alves)

          WHEN  MY  GRANDSON  CHRISTOPHER  WAS  SMALL,  I  WOULD
     SPEND  TIME  TALKING  TO  HIM  ABOUT  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT  AND
     HOW THE HOLY SPIRIT  LIVES  WITHIN  HIM.  ONE  DAY  AFTER  RE-
     TURNING  FROM  A  TRIP  TO  GERMANY,  I  PICKED  UP  CHRISTOPHER
     AND TOOK  HIM  WITH  ME  TO  RUN  SOME  ERRANDS.  WHEN  WE
     ARRIVED  AT  MY  OFFICE,  THE  SECRETARY  GAVE  HIM  SOME
     CHEWING  GUM;  THEN  WE  STOPPED  AT  THE  TRAVEL  AGENCY, 
     AND  THE  TRAVEL  AGENT  GAVE  HIM  SOME  CANDY.  AS  WE
     CROSSED  THE  PARKING  LOT,  I  NOTICED  HIS  LITTLE  CHEEKS
     WERE  SO  STUFFED  WITH  GOODIES  THAT  HE  LOOKED  LIKE  A
     CHIPMUNK  STORING  UP  FOR  WINTER.
          IT  WAS  A  SCORCHING  SUMMER  DAY  AND  THE  TEXAS  SUN
     HAD  TURNED  MY  BORROWED  CAR  INTO  A  SLOW  BAKING  OVEN.
     AS  I  BEGAN  TO  FASTEN  CHRISTOPHER  INTO  HIS  SEAT,  I  REALIZED
     THAT  NOT  ONLY  HAD  ALL THE  CANDY  BEEN  CONSUMED,  BUT ALL
     EVIDENCE  OF  THE  GUM  HAD  ALSO  DISAPPEARED.  I  THOUGHT.....
     OH NO,  I  HOPE  HE  DIDN'T  LEAVE  THAT  GUM  ON  THE  SEAT  OF  MY
     DEAR  FRIEND'S  NEW  CAR! 
          I  ASKED,  "CHRISTOPHER,  WHAT  HAPPENED  TO  YOUR  CHEWING
          GUM?"
          HE  REPLIED,  "YOU  KNOW."
          TO  WHICH  I  RESPONDED,  "NO,  I  DON'T  KNOW."
          HE  INSISTED  AGAIN,  "YES,  YOU  KNOW,  NONNIE."
          AND  AGAIN  I  RESPONDED.  "NO,  CHRISTOPHER.  I  DON'T  KNOW.
          WHAT  DID  YOU  DO  WITH  THAT  GUM?"
          "I SWALLOWED IT!"  HE  EXCLAIMED.
          "WHY  DID  YOU  DO  THAT?"  I  ASKED.
          HE INNOCENTLY  EXPLAINED,  "YOU  SEE,  NONNIE,  JESUS LIVES
          INSIDE  OF  ME  AND  HE  WANTED  TO  CHEW  IT  FOR  A  WHILE.
          YOU KNOW,  NONNIE,  SOMETIMES  HE  TALKS,  SOMETIMES  HE
          SINGS  AND SOMETIMES  HE  JUST WANTS  TO  CHEW  GUM!"



                                            ****************************



         

DONDE HAY AMOR, HAY PAZ ( E.D. )

          SI  EN  TODOS  LOS  HOGARES  HUBIERA  PAZ,  HABRIA  PAZ EN TODO
     EL MUNDO.  LA PAZ  EMPIEZA  EN  EL  HOGAR.  SI  EN  NUESTRAS FAMILIAS
     NO HAY PAZ,  QUE SE  PUEDE  ESPERAR  DE  EL  RESTO  DE  EL  MUNDO....
     SI  ASI  SOMOS  LAS  PERSONAS QUE  ESTAMOS  SUPUESTOS  A  AMARNOS,
     COMO SERAN LOS ENEMIGOS. 
          NOS  OFENDEMOS  POR  CUALQUIER  INSIGNIFICANCIA  PORQUE 
     TENEMOS  LA  FALSA  CREENCIA  DE QUE  SOMOS  PERFECTOS.  POR
     FAVOR!!  DEJA  DE  DARTE  TANTA  IMPORTANCIA.  SOLO  DIOS  ES
     PERFECTO  Y  TOLERA  TODAS  NUESTRAS  INJUSTICIAS  Y  PERDONA
     NUESTROS  PECADOS.  PORQUE  EL  SI  SABE  AMAR.!  AMEMONOS
     UNOS  A  LOS  OTROS...POR  FAVOR!!  YA HAY  BASTANTE  ODIO  EN 
     EL  MUNDO!
          TRATEMOS  DE  AMAR  LA  VIDA  Y  AMAR  A  LOS  DEMAS  SIN  VER
     SOLO  LO  NEGATIVO  EN  TODO  LO  QUE  NOS  RODEA  Y  VERAS  QUE
     SERAS  MUCHO  MAS  FELIZ.
          LLENEMOS  NUESTROS  CORAZONES  CON  MUTUO AMOR,  COMPASION,
     ENTENDIMIENTO  Y  CONFIANZA.  APRENDAMOS  A  PERDONAR  LOS
     ERRORES  Y  FRACASOS  DE  LOS  DEMAS  PARA QUE  NUESTRAS  FAMILIAS
     REFLEJEN  LA  PRESENCIA  DE  DIOS  EN  NUESTROS  HOGARES  Y  EN
     NUESTRAS  VIDAS. 
          SEAMOS  LA  LUZ  BRILLANTE  EN  ESTE  MUNDO  DE  OSCURIDAD  PARA
     QUE PODAMOS  SANAR  UN  POCO  EL  CORAZON  HERIDO  Y  LASTIMADO
     DE   JESUS!!
   

   
                                                              ***************

GOD, GRANT US HOPE AND FAITH AND LOVE (Helen Steiner Rice )

                                    HOPE  FOR  A  WORLD  GROWN  CYNICALLY  COLD,
                                    HUNGRY  FOR  POWER  AND   GREEDY  FOR  GOLD--
                                    FAITH  TO  BELIEVE  WHEN,  WITHIN  AND  WITHOUT,
                                    THERE'S  A  NAMELESS  FEAR  IN  A  WORLD  OF  DOUBT---
                                    LOVE  THAT  IS  BIGGER  THAN  RACE  OR  CREED  TO
                                    COVER  THE  WORLD  AND  FULFILL  EACH  NEED...
                                    GOD,  GRANT  THESE  GIFTS  TO  ALL TROUBLED  HEARTS
                                    AS  THE  OLD  YEAR  ENDS  AND  THE  NEW  YEAR  STARTS.
                                        
                                                                          ***************
                                 

I TRAVELED ON MY KNEES ----Adapted from a poem by Sandra Goodwin

          LAST NIGHT I TOOK A JOURNEY TO ISRAEL ACROSS THE SEAS;
          I DID NOT GO BY BOAT OR PLANE, I TRAVELED ON MY KNEES.
          I SAW SO MANY PEOPLE THERE WITH SCARS AND WOUNDS
          WITHIN;
          BUT GOD TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD GO---THERE WAS OIL TO
          POUR FROM HIM. 
          I REPLIED,  "LORD,  I CANNOT GO AND WORK WITH SUCH AS
          THESE"
          HE ANSWERED QUICKLY,  "YES  YOU CAN, BY TRAVELING ON
          YOUR KNEES."
          HE SAID,  "YOU PRAY, I'LL MEET THEIR NEED,  YOU CALL AND
          I WILL HEAR.
          BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE FATE OF THOSE BOTH FAR AND
          NEAR."
          AND SO I TRIED IT,  KNELT IN PRAYER,  GAVE UP SOME
          HOURS OF EASE,
          I FELT THE LORD RIGHT BY MY SIDE WHILE TRAVELING ON
          MY KNEES.
          AS I PRAYED ON AND SAW THEM HELPED AND THE BADLY
          WOUNDED HEALED,
          I SAW GOD'S WORKERS' STRENGTH  RENEWED WHILE
          LABORING ON THE FIELD.
          I SAID,  "YES, LORD, I HAVE A JOB----MY DESIRE THY WILL
          TO PLEASE, 
          I CAN  GO  AND  HEED  THY CALL  BY TRAVELING  ON  MY
          KNEES."

HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY TO EVERYONE!!!

                    GRACE BEFORE THANKSGIVING MEAL  (John O'Donohue )


                         AS WE BEGIN THIS MEAL WITH GRACE
                     LET US BECOME AWARE OF THE MEMORY
                        CARRIED  INSIDE THE FOOD BEFORE US:
                                       THE QUIVER OF THE SEED
                                     AWAKENING IN THE EARTH,
                                UNFOLDING IN A TRUST OF ROOTS
                             AND SLENDER STEMS OF GROWTH,
                             ON ITS VOYAGE TOWARD HARVEST,
                           THE KISS OF RAIN AND SURGE OF SUN:
                              THE INNOCENCE OF ANIMAL SOUL
                                 THAT NEVER SPOKE A WORD,
                                    NOURISHED BY THE EARTH
                                 TO BECOME TODAY OUR FOOD;
                                THE WORK OF ALL THE STRANGERS
                                   WHOSE HANDS PREPARED IT,
                            THE PRIVILEGE OF WEALTH AND HEALTH
                          THAT ENABLES US TO FEAST AND CELEBRATE.
















         

GRANNY GOES SHOPPING (from SLDIGEST )

LITTLE OLD GRANNY WENT TO THE GROCERY STORE AND PUT THE MOST
EXPENSIVE CAT FOOD IN HER BASKET. SHE THEN WENT TO THE CHECKOUT
COUNTER WHERE SHE TOLD THE CASHIER, "NOTHING BUT THE BEST FOR MY
LITTLE KITTEN."  THE CASHIER SAID, "I'M SORRY, BUT WE CANNOT SELL YOU
CAT FOOD WITHOUT PROOF THAT YOU HAVE A CAT.  A LOT OF OLD PEOPLE
BUY CAT FOOD TO EAT AND THE MANAGEMENT WANTS PROOF THAT YOU
ARE BUYING THE CAT FOOD FOR YOUR CAT."   SO GRANNY WENT HOME,
PICKED UP HER CAT AND BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE STORE.  THEY SOLD HER
THE CAT FOOD.   THE NEXT DAY, GRANNY WENT TO THE STORE AND BOUGHT
12 OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE DOG COOKIES-- ONE FOR EACH DAY OF  CHRISTMAS.
THE CASHIER THIS TIME DEMANDED PROOF THAT SHE HAD A DOG, CLAIMING
THAT OLD PEOPLE SOMETIMES EAT DOG FOOD.  FRUSTRATED, GRANNY WENT
HOME, CAME BACK AND BROUGHT IN HER DOG.  SHE WAS THEN ALLOWED TO
PURCHASE THE DOG COOKIES.  THE NEXT DAY GRANNY BROUGHT IN A BOX
WITH A HOLE IN THE LID.  GRANNY ASKED THE CASHIER TO STICK  HER FINGER
IN THE HOLE.  THE CASHIER SAID, "NO, YOU MIGHT HAVE A SNAKE IN THERE."
GRANNY ASSURED HER  THAT THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE BOX THAT WOULD
BITE HER. SO THE CASHIER PUT HER FINGER INTO THE BOX AND PULLED IT OUT.
WRINKLING  HER NOSE, SHE SAID, "THAT SMELLS LIKE SOMETHING FROM THE
TOILET."   GRANNY GRINNED FROM EAR TO EAR.  NOW, MY DEAR, CAN I PLEASE
BUY THREE ROLLS OF TOILET PAPER?"

BENDICIONES ( Autor desconocido )

                  HOY LE PEDI A DIOS QUE TE CUIDARA.  EL SONRIO Y ME
                  MOSTRO SUS MANOS LAS CUALES TENIA CERRADAS  Y
                  ME MOSTRO QUE DENTRO DE ELLAS ESTABAS TU!  ME
                  VOLVIO A SONREIR Y ME DIJO,  "QUE CREES QUE LE
                  PUEDA PASAR, SI SIEMPRE ESTA EN MIS MANOS?  LE
                  DIJE;  "GRACIAS SEÑOR, PORQUE ESA PERSONA QUE
                  TIENES ENTRE TUS MANOS ES MUY ESPECIAL PARA
                  MI!"  EL ME MIRO Y DULCEMENTE ME DIJO:  "SI PARA
                  TI ES ESPECIAL,..IMAGINATE PARA MI."



                  _______________________________________________________

                  NO HAY SILENCIO QUE DIOS NO ENTIENDA
                  NI TRISTEZA QUE EL NO SEPA.
                  NO HAY AMOR QUE EL IGNORE
                  NI LAGRIMAS QUE NO VALORE
                  PORQUE EL SIEMPRE ESTA CONTIGO.


                  _______________________________________________________

_



                             
      

CARTA DE UNA MADRE A SU HIJA ( Autor desconocido )

MI QUERIDA HIJA,

     EL DIA QUE ME VEAS VIEJA, TE PIDO POR FAVOR,  QUE TENGAS
PACIENCIA, PERO SOBRE TODO TRATA DE ENTENDERME.  SI CUANDO
HABLAMOS, REPITO LO MISMO MIL VECES,  NO ME INTERRUMPAS
PARA DECIRME  "ESO YA ME LO CONTASTE"  SOLAMENTE ESCUCHAME
POR FAVOR...Y RECUERDA LOS TIEMPOS EN QUE ERAS NIÑA  Y YO TE
LEIA LAS MISMAS HISTORIAS NOCHE TRAS NOCHE HASTA QUE TE
QUEDABAS DORMIDA.

     CUANDO NO ME QUIERA BAÑAR, NO ME REGAÑES Y POR FAVOR NO
TRATES DE AVERGONZARME...SOLAMENTE RECUERDA LAS VECES QUE
YO TUVE QUE PERSEGUIRTE CON MILES DE EXCUSAS PARA QUE TE
BAÑARAS CUANDO ERAS NIÑA.

     CUANDO VEAS MI IGNORANCIA ANTE LA NUEVA TECNOLOGIA, DAME
EL TIEMPO NECESARIO PARA APRENDER...Y POR FAVOR NO HAGAS ESOS
OJOS NI ESAS CARAS DE DESESPERADA.  RECUERDA, MI QUERIDA, QUE
YO TE ENSEÑE A HACER MUCHAS COSAS...COMO COMER APROPIADA-
MENTE, VESTIRTE Y PEINARTE POR TI MISMA Y COMO CONFRONTAR Y
LIDIAR CON LA VIDA.

      EN EL DIA QUE NOTES QUE ME ESTOY VOLVIENDO VIEJA, POR FAVOR,
TEN PACIENCIA  CONMIGO Y SOBRE TODO TRATA DE ENTENDERME.  SI
OCASIONALMENTE PIERDO LA MEMORIA O EL HILO DE LA CONVERSACION,
DAME EL TIEMPO NECESARIO PARA RECORDAR...Y SI NO PUEDO, NO TE
PONGAS NERVIOSA, IMPACIENTE O ARROGANTE.  SOLAMENTE TEN
PRESENTE EN TU CORAZON QUE LO MAS IMPORTANTE PARA MI ES ESTAR
CONTIGO Y QUE ME ESCUCHES.....

     Y CUANDO MIS CANSADAS Y VIEJAS PIERNAS NO ME DEJEN CAMINAR
COMO ANTES,  DAME TUS MANOS, DE LA MISMA MANERA QUE YO TE
OFRECI LAS MIAS CUANDO DISTE TUS PRIMEROS PASOS.  CUANDO ESTOS
DIAS VENGAN,  NO DEBES SENTIRTE TRISTE O INCOMPETENTE DE VERME
ASI.  SOLO TE PIDO QUE ESTES CONMIGO,  QUE TRATES DE ENTENDERME
Y AYUDARME MIENTRAS LLEGO AL FINAL DE MI VIDA.

     CON AMOR Y CON GRAN CARIÑO POR EL REGALO DE TIEMPO Y VIDA
QUE TUVIMOS LA DICHA DE COMPARTIR JUNTAS, TE LO AGRADECERE.

     CON UNA ENORME SONRISA Y CON EL AMOR QUE SIEMPRE TE HE
TENIDO,  SOLO QUIERO DECIRTE QUE TE AMO, MI QUERIDA HIJA..

                                                     TU  MAMA




      ´´´´

EVERYDAY THANKSGIVING

                    EVEN THOUGH I CLUTCH MY BLANKET
               AND GROWL WHEN THE ALARM RINGS EACH
               MORNING, THANK YOU, LORD, THAT I CAN
               HEAR. THERE ARE MANY WHO ARE DEAF.

                    EVEN THOUGH I KEEP MY EYES TIGHTLY
               CLOSED AGAINST THE MORNING LIGHT AS
               LONG AS POSSIBLE, THANK YOU, LORD, THAT
               I CAN SEE.  THERE ARE MANY WHO ARE BLIND.

                    EVEN THOUGH I HUDDLE IN MY BED AND
               PUT OFF THE EFFORT OF RISING, THANK YOU,
               LORD, THAT I HAVE THE STRENGTH TO RISE.
               THERE ARE MANY WHO ARE BEDRIDDEN.

                    EVEN THOUGH THE FIRST HOUR OF MY
               DAY IS HECTIC, WHEN SOCKS ARE LOST,
               TOAST IS BURNED AND TEMPERS ARE SHORT,
               THANK YOU, LORD, FOR MY FAMILY.  THERE
               ARE MANY WHO ARE LONELY.

                    EVEN THOUGH OUR BREAKFAST TABLE
               NEVER LOOKS LIKE THE PICTURES IN
               MAGAZINES AND THE MENU IS AT TIMES
               UNBALANCED, THANK YOU, LORD, FOR THE
               FOOD WE HAVE.  THERE ARE MANY WHO
               ARE HUNGRY.

                    EVEN THOUGH THE ROUTINE OF MY JOB
               IS OFTEN MONOTONOUS, THANK YOU, LORD,
               FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK.  THERE
               ARE MANY WHO HAVE NO JOB.




                                          *****************
              
                   

MY ENCOUNTER WITH AN ANGEL ( Enilda Diaz )

     A FEW YEARS AGO MY GRANDDAUGHTER TATIANA WAS IN A HOSPITAL
IN BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.  SHE WAS VERY ILL.  SHE COULDN'T TALK
OR CLOSE HER MOUTH BECAUSE HER TONSILS WERE SO BIG THEY COVERED
UP MOST OF HER THROAT.  SHE HAD A SEVERE BACTERIAL INFECTION..  SHE
WAS ON A FEEDING TUBE AND WAS IN SUCH EXTREME PAIN THEY HAD TO
KEEP HER ON MORPHINE, TYLENOL AND STEROIDS.

     I WAS GOING CRAZY AND SCARED TO DEATH THAT SHE COULD DIE., SO
I DECIDED TO TAKE A BUS TO BOSTON EVEN THOUGH I WAS HAVING
PROBLEMS WITH MY KNEES AND KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE TOUGH FOR
ME TO BE TRAVELING ALONE.

     WHAT I DIDN'T KNOW WAS THAT I WOULD HAVE TO CHANGE BUSES 3
OR 4 TIMES.  I DON'T REMEMBER EXACTLY.  I LIVE IN PHILADELPHIA.  THE
FIRST BUS LEFT ME IN NEW YORK.  THERE I HAD TO WAIT IN LINE OVER AN
HOUR. TO GET ON THE NEXT BUS.  I WAS SO TIRED AND MY LEGS FELT LIKE
THEY WERE ON FIRE.  ALL I WANTED TO DO WAS TO BURST OUT CRYING
RIGHT THERE IN FRONT OF EVERYONE., BUT I KEPT TRYING TO GET
CONTROL OF MYSELF BECAUSE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN SO EMBARRASSING.
WHEN I FINALLY GOT IN THE BUS, IT WAS SUCH A RELIEF!, BUT THE DRIVER
TOLD US HE WAS LEAVING US IN ANOTHER TOWN AND WE WOULD HAVE TO
CONTINUE ON ANOTHER BUS.

I WAS TIRED. I WAS IN PAIN AND I WAS SCARED..  I KEPT PRAYING, "PLEASE
GOD, PLEASE SEND ME AN ANGEL TO TAKE CARE OF ME.  PLEASE,  I AM SO
SCARED.  I CANNOT DO THIS ALONE.  THE WHOLE TRIP I JUST KEPT PRAYING
AND PRAYING.  FINALLY WE GOT TO THE NEXT STOP AND HAD TO BOARD
ANOTHER BUS.  AS I DID ON THE FIRST BUS I KEPT PRAYING AND ASKING
GOD TO SEND ME AN ANGEL.

I THOUGHT THAT WOULD BE OUR LAST STOP, BUT THEY TOOK US TO
ANOTHER BUS STATION AND TOLD US WE HAD TO TAKE ANOTHER BUS
TO THE NEXT TOWN WHICH I CAN'T REMEMBER THE NAME BECAUSE IT
WAS SO MANY YEARS AGO..  AS IN THE LAST 2 BUSES I KEPT PRAYING
TO GOD TO PLEASE SEND ME AN ANGEL.  WE GOT TO ANOTHER BUS
STATION AND I COULDN'T BELIEVE WHEN THE DRIVER TOLD ME I HAD
TO WAIT FOR ANOTHER BUS TO TAKE ME TO MY FINAL DESTINATION.
I THINK THAT WAS IN WORCESTER, BUT I COULD BE WRONG BECAUSE
LIKE I SAID THAT WAS A VERY LONG TIME AGO AND NO MATTER HOW
HARD I TRY  I CANNOT REMEMBER..

I GOT OUT OF THE BUS AND WALKED TO THE ENTRANCE.  I THOUGHT
I WOULD JUST GO IN AND SIT DOWN TO WAIT FOR THE BUS, BUT
SURPRISE!, SURPRISE! THE DOOR WAS LOCKED.  I COULD NOT BELIEVE
THE DOOR WAS LOCKED AND THERE WAS NOT A SOUL OUT THERE.
THERE WAS A BENCH.  I WENT AND SAT DOWN.  I WAS FEELING
MISERABLE NOW.  SO MISERABLE THAT THIS TIME I COULDN'T HOLD
BACK MY TEARS.  I SAW THE CARS PASSING BY AND I WAS SCARED
THAT SOMEBODY MIGHT STOP, GET OUT OF THE CAR AND ATTACK ME
OR SOMETHING.  WHY NOT?  I WAS EASY PREY.

I HAD NEVER FELT SO MISERABLE IN MY WHOLE LIFE.  I WAS SCARED;
I WAS IN PAIN AND I WAS COLD.  I ONLY HAD A LIGHT JACKET ON AND
I WAS SO COLD I WAS TREMBLING.  I WOULD HAVE GIVEN ANYTHING
FOR A CUP OF HOT COFFEE TO WARM ME UP.

I KEPT PRAYING. "PLEASE GOD, DON'T ABANDON ME.  I AM SO SCARED
HERE BY MYSELF AND I AM SO COLD."  THEN I LOOKED UP AND SAW
THIS GUY WITH A SUITCASE IN HIS HAND. WE SAID HI AND STARTED
TALKING. HE TOLD ME THAT HE WAS WAITING FOR A FRIEND TO PICK
HIM UP. HE  TOLD ME HE WAS FROM INDIA..  I TOLD HIM WHY I WAS
THERE.  WE TALKED ABOUT OUR FAMILIES AND MY WORRY ABOUT
MY GRANDDAUGHTER.  AND THEN I SAID,  "OH, MY GOD, I AM SO COLD.
I WISH I HAD A CUP OF REALLY HOT COFFEE RIGHT NOW TO WARM ME
UP."  HE TOLD ME THERE WAS A HOSPITAL NEARBY AND THAT HE
WOULD GO AND GET ME SOME COFFEE.  I WAS SO HAPPY I TOOK OUT
A FIVE DOLLAR BILL AND GAVE IT TO HIM AND TOLD HIM TO GET SOME
FOR BOTH OF US.  HE LEFT HIS SUITCASE WITH ME, BUT AFTER A LITTLE
WHILE I STARTED GETTING WORRIED BECAUSE I THOUGHT HE WAS
TAKING TOO LONG AND I WAS AFRAID MY BUS WOULD ARRIVE AND
I DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE TO GO AND LEAVE HIS SUITCASE, BUT THEN I
LOOKED AND SAW HIM WALKING TOWARD ME WITH THE TWO BIGGEST
CUPS OF COFFEE I HAD EVER SEEN IN MY WHOLE LIFE.  HE TOLD ME HE
HAD TAKEN LONG BECAUSE THE HOSPITAL CAFETERIA WAS CLOSED
SO HE HAD TO GO SOMEPLACE ELSE.

USUALLY, WHEN I BUY COFFEE, I GET THE SMALL SIZE, BUT I DRANK
THAT BIG CUP OF COFFEE TO THE LAST DROP AND MY BODY FELT SO
WARM.  I FELT SOO MUCH BETTER.

A LITTLE WHILE LATER MY BUS SHOWED UP AND WE SAID GOODBYE.
I THANKED HIM FOR GETTING THE COFFEE AND FOR KEEPING ME
COMPANY.  HE SMILED, WISHED ME WELL AND AS I GOT READY TO
BOARD THE BUS I LOOKED BACK AND HE WAVED..  AS SOON AS I SAT
DOWN I LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW AND SAW HIM WALKING AWAY
AND I THOUGHT "WASN'T HE WAITING FOR SOMEBODY TO PICK HIM
UP?  THEN I LOOKED UP TO HEAVEN AND THANKED GOD FOR SENDING
ME AN ANGEL TO WATCH OVER ME UNTIL I WAS SAFELY IN THE BUS
AND ON MY WAY TO MY DESTINATION

I HAVE FORGOTTEN A LOT OF THINGS ABOUT THAT DAY, BUT I WILL
NEVER FORGET MY ANGEL.

AT MY LAST STOP, MY SON-IN LAW WAS WAITING FOR ME AND DROVE
ME STRAIGHT TO THE HOSPITAL  IT BROKE MY HEART WHEN I SAW MY
GRANDDAUGHTER, BUT THANK GOD SHE STARTED GETTING BETTER
UNTIL SHE FINALLY LEFT THE HOSPITAL NINE DAYS AFTER SHE HAD
ARRIVED.




                                                       ****************


    

PART OF ME.........( Author Unknown )

                    I THOUGHT OF YOU WITH LOVE TODAY,
                    BUT THAT IS NOTHING NEW.
                    I THOUGHT ABOUT YOU YESTERDAY
                    AND THE DAY BEFORE THAT, TOO.

                   I THINK OF YOU IN SILENCE.
                   I OFTEN SAY YOUR NAME.
                   BUT ALL I HAVE ARE MEMORIES
                   AND YOUR PICTURE IN A FRAME.

                   YOUR MEMORY IS MY KEEPSAKE,
                   WITH WHICH I'LL NEVER PART.
                   GOD HAS YOU IN HIS KEEPING.
                   I HAVE YOU IN MY HEART.

                   I SHED TEARS FOR WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN.
                   A MILLION TIMES I'VE CRIED.
                   IF LOVE ALONE COULD HAVE SAVED YOU,
                   YOU NEVER WOULD HAVE DIED.

                   IN LIFE I LOVED YOU DEARLY.
                   IN DEATH I LOVE YOU STILL.
                   IN MY HEART YOU HOLD A PLACE,
                   NO ONE CAN EVER FILL.

                   IT BROKE MY HEART TO LOSE YOU,
                   BUT YOU DIDN'T GO ALONE.
                   FOR PART OF ME WENT WITH YOU,
                   THE DAY GOD TOOK YOU HOME.



                                    *************

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT:

     THINK ABOUT HOW YOU TALK ABOUT SOMEONE WITH A DISABILITY.
     WORDS LIKE RETARD, CREEP, IDIOT AND MANY OTHERS ARE NEGATIVE
     AND HURT THE FEELINGS OF A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY.  REMEMBER
     TO SPEAK TO THE PERSON USING HIS/HER NAME WHENEVER YOU ARE
     TOGETHER.

                    LORD,
                    SOMETIMES I GET ANGRY AND I SAY OR DO THINGS
                    THAT I LATER REGRET...THEN I APOLOGIZE FOR THE
                    CRUEL WORDS OR MY HURTFUL ACTIONS, BUT
                    APOLOGIES AREN'T ALWAYS ENOUGH.
                    THERE MAY BE NO WAY TO UNDO THE HARM.

                    LORD,
                    HELP ME TO ACCEPT ANGER AS A REALITY IN MY LIFE.
                    HELP ME TO CONTROL IT AND DIRECT IT INTO THINGS
                    THAT MAKE YOUR CREATION BETTER FOR US ALL.
                    HELP ME TO TURN THE NEGATIVE ENERGY INTO
                    A POSITIVE GOOD..FOR THE OPPRESSED AND THE POOR,
                    FOR THOSE IN NEED  HERE AND AROUND THE WORLD.
 
                    ABOVE ALL, LORD,
                    FILL ME WITH YOUR LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING
                    SO THAT I MAY CONTROL MY ANGER.
                    FOR A MOMENT'S HESITATION CAN MEAN
                    PREVENTING A LIFETIME OF REGRET.

                                                                           AMEN




                                                          ************************
         

"On the Death of the Beloved (by John O'Donahue)

                    THOUGH WE NEED TO WEEP YOUR LOSS,
               YOU DWELL IN THAT SAFE PLACE IN OUR HEARTS
          WHERE NO STORM OR NIGHT OR PAIN CAN REACH YOU.

                              YOUR LOVE WAS LIKE THE DAWN
                              BRIGHTENING OVER OUR LIVES,
                              AWAKENING BENEATH THE DARK
                              A FURTHER ADVENTURE OF COLOR

                                 THE SOUND OF YOUR VOICE
                                            FOUND FOR US
                                            A NEW MUSIC
                              THAT BRIGHTENED EVERYTHING.

                       WHATEVER YOU ENFOLDED IN YOUR GAZE
                          QUICKENED IN THE JOY OF ITS BEING;
                             YOU PLACED SMILES LIKE FLOWERS
                                   ON THE ALTAR OF THE HEART.
                                 YOUR MIND ALWAYS SPARKLED
                                       WITH WONDER AT THINGS.

                        THOUGH YOUR DAYS HERE WERE BRIEF,
                   YOUR SPIRIT WAS ALIVE, AWAKE, COMPLETE.

                     WE LOOK TOWARD EACH OTHER NO LONGER
                     FROM THE OLD DISTANCE OF OUR NAMES;
                  NOW YOU DWELL INSIDE THE RHYTHM OF BREATH,
                        AS CLOSE TO US AS WE ARE TO OURSELVES.

              THOUGH WE CANNOT SEE YOU WITH OUTWARD EYES,
                 WE KNOW OUR SOUL'S GAZE IS UPON YOUR FACE,
                 SMILING BACK AT US FROM WITHIN EVERYTHING
                   TO WHICH WE BRING OUR BEST REFINEMENT.

                   LET US NOT LOOK FOR YOU ONLY IN MEMORY,
                 WHERE WE WOULD GROW LONELY WITHOUT YOU.
                YOU WOULD WANT US TO FIND YOU IN PRESENCE,
                          BESIDE US WHEN BEAUTY BRIGHTENS,
                                      WHEN KINDNESS GLOWS
                          AND MUSIC ECHOES ETERNAL TONES.

                          WHEN ORCHIDS BRIGHTEN THE EARTH,
                       DARKEST WINTER  HAS TURNED TO SPRING;
                      MAY THIS DARK GRIEF FLOWER WITH HOPE
                             IN EVERY HEART THAT LOVES YOU.

                           MAY YOU CONTINUE TO INSPIRE US:
                   TO ENTER EACH DAY WITH A GENEROUS HEART.
                      TO SERVE THE CALL OF COURAGE AND LOVE
                      UNTIL WE SEE YOUR BEAUTIFUL FACE AGAIN
             IN THAT LAND WHERE THERE IS NO MORE SEPARATION,
               WHERE ALL TEARS WILL BE WIPED FROM OUR MIND,
                   AND WHERE WE WILL NEVER LOSE YOU AGAIN.




                                                        **************

COLLEGE DRAMA ( from SLDIGEST )

          A COLLEGE DRAMA GROUP PRESENTED A PLAY IN WHICH ONE
          CHARACTER WOULD STAND ON A TRAP DOOR AND ANNOUNCE
          "I DESCEND INTO HELL!"  A STAGEHAND BELOW WOULD THEN
          PULL A ROPE, THE TRAP DOOR WOULD SPRING AND THE ACTOR
          WOULD DROP FROM VIEW.    THE PLAY WAS WELL RECEIVED
          WHEN THE ACTOR PLAYING THE PART BECAME ILL, ANOTHER
          ACTOR WHO WAS QUITE OVERWEIGHT TOOK HIS PLACE.  WHEN
          THE NEW ACTOR ANNOUNCED, "I DESCEND INTO HELL!" THE
          STAGEHAND PULLED THE ROPE AND THE ACTOR BEGAN HIS
          PLUNGE, BUT BECAME HOPELESSLY STUCK.  NO AMOUNT OF
          TUGGING ON THE ROPE COULD MAKE HIM DESCEND.  ONE
          STUDENT IN THE BALCONY JUMPED UP AND YELLED.
          "HALLELUJAH! HELL IS FULL!"

ROMANCE.....SENIOR STYLE ( from SLDigest )

          AN OLDER COUPLE WERE LYING IN BED ONE NIGHT.
          THE HUSBAND WAS FALLING ASLEEP, BUT THE WIFE
          WAS FEELING FRISKY AND WANTED TO TALK. SHE
          SAID,  "YOU USED TO HOLD MY HAND WHEN WE WERE
          COURTING."   WEARILY, HE REACHED ACROSS, HELD
          HER HAND FOR A SECOND AND TRIED TO GET BACK
          TO SLEEP.  A FEW MOMENTS LATER SHE SAID, "THEN
          YOU USED TO KISS ME."  MILDLY IRRITATED, HE
          REACHED ACROSS, GAVE HER A PECK ON THE CHEEK
          AND SETTLED DOWN TO SLEEP.  THIRTY SECONDS
          LATER SHE SAID, "THEN YOU USED TO BITE MY NECK."
          ANGRILY, HE THREW BACK THE BED COVERS AND GOT
          OUT OF BED.  'WHERE ARE YOU GOING?"  SHE ASKED.
          "TO GET MY TEETH!"

FASHION GUIDE FOR SENIORS (from SL Digest)

          MANY OF US OLDER FOLKS ARE QUITE CONFUSED ABOUT
          HOW TO PRESENT OURSELVES.  WE'RE UNSURE OF THE
          IMAGE WE ARE PROJECTING AS WE TRY TO CONFORM TO
          CURRENT FASHIONS.  DESPITE WHAT YOU MAY HAVE
          SEEN ON THE STREETS, THE FOLLOWING COMBINATIONS
          ARE A NO-NO;

                              1.  A NOSE RING AND BIFOCALS

                              2.  SPIKED HAIR AND BALD SPOTS

                              3.  A PIERCED TONGUE AND DENTURES

                              4.  MINISKIRTS AND SUPPORT HOSE

                              5.  ANKLE BRACELETS AND CORN PADS

                              6.  A BELLY BUTTON RING AND A GALL
                                   BLADDER SURGERY SCAR

                              7.  UNBUTTONED DISCO SHIRTS AND A
                                   HEART MONITOR

                              8.  MIDRIFF SHIRTS AND A MIDRIFF BULGE

                              9.  BIKINIS AND LIVER SPOTS

                             10.  SHORT SHORTS AND VARICOSE VEINS



          PLEASE KEEP THESE BASIC GUIDELINES FOREMOST IN MIND
          AS YOU SHOP.


                                                        *************

MI PADRE, SUS AÑOS Y YO

          YA VIEJO, SIN LAS FUERZAS DE SUS 25 AÑOS
          MI PADRE VIVE CONMIGO ULTIMAMENTE..
          YA SON POCAS LAS VECES QUE NOS HABLAMOS
          TAL VEZ PORQUE MIS PROBLEMAS PUDIERAN SER
          TAN GRANDES COMO LOS DE EL CUANDO YO TENIA
          CINCO..SEIS.. O QUINCE AÑOS.

          SIN DARME CUENTA, FUI OLVIDANDO LOS DIAS
          DE MI JUVENTUD DONDE MI PADRE Y YO ERAMOS
          UNA SOLA PERSONA.

          Y POCO A POCO, TODOS EN LA FAMILIA ME DECIAN
          QUE YA MI PADRE ESTABA ESTORBANDO...
          Y ASI LLEGUE....ASI LLEGUE A LA CONCLUSION
          QUE LLEVARLO AL ASILO DE ANCIANOS SERIA LO
          MEJOR.

          Y UNA MAÑANA, SENTADOS EN EL BALCON
          CON TEMOR, LE DIJE LO QUE PENSABA.
          SIN DECIRME NADA ENTRO EN LA CASA:
          RECOGIENDO SUS COSAS SALIO NUEVAMENTE.
          "YA ES HORA, HIJO."

          AL CABO DE UN LARGO RATO,
          CAMINANDO PASO A PASO, ME DIJO.
          "DESCANSEMOS EN ESA PIEDRA."
          Y AL MIRARME YO EN SUS OJOS, NOTE UN BRILLO
          QUE POCO A POCO SE CONVIRTIO EN LAGRIMAS.

          "PORQUE LLORAS, PADRE?"
          "PORQUE EN ESTA MISMA PIEDRA
          DESCANSO MI PADRE Y AHORA ME TOCA A MI.,
          MAÑANA TAL VEZ A TI."

         "VAMOS PADRE, VAMOS PA' LA CASA;
          QUE YO NO QUIERO QUE A MI ME PASE
          LO QUE HOY A TI TE PASA"

          ASI MI PADRE, SUS AÑOS Y YO REGRESAMOS
          A LA CASA......

                                       

                                             ************

         

DON'T CRY FOR ME, SUDAN

          From the story of Catholic priest ( John Lee Tae Seok ) a South
          Korean missionary who served Southern Sudan.  The 9th of 10
          children, he was born in 1962 and died 2010 at age 48.

                                   ***PASSION***  ( Korean song )

                         IN YOUR HEART I WILL BECOME A PEARL
                         AS SPLENDID AS A FLOWER
                         AND RADIANT AS A STAR
                         AND WITH ALL MY LIFE,
                         WITH ALL MY LIFE
                         I WILL IGNITE THIS FLAME IN MY HEART,
                         LIKE FIRE THAT NEVER TURNS TO ASHES.
                         I WILL IGNITE A LOVE,
                         AS SPLENDID AS A PEARL.

                                             *************    



                                          ***MEDITATION***



                                                   
                                    ( composed and written by:  Lee Tae Seok )


                          KNEELING BEFORE THE CROSS
                          I ASKED THE LORD
                          WHY DO YOU JUST WATCH THOSE
                          WHO ARE SUFFERING FROM COLD
                          AND HUNGER?
                          THOSE WHO ARE BLEEDING AND DYING?
                         
                          WITH TEARS IN MY EYES
                          I ASKED THE LORD
                          WHY MUST THERE BE SINNERS AND PRISONS?
                          WHY MUST PEOPLE SUFFER THROUGH PAIN?
                         
                           IN THE SILENCE I HEARD THE LORD SAY
                           LOVE...LOVE...LOVE...JUST LOVE.

                





                                 
                        
              
                                       







                                                  

CARTA ( E.D. )

          PAPITO DIOS,
               QUIERO HACER ALGO CON MI VIDA, PERO NO SE COMO.
          SIENTO QUE EL TIEMPO PASA.  QUE YA NO ME QUEDA MUCHO
          POR RECORRER.  POR FAVOR, PON A ALGUIEN EN MI CAMINO
          QUE ME DE ANIMO, QUE ME DE FUERZA Y QUE ME HAGA CREER
          EN MI MISMA. 

               QUIERO HACER TANTAS COSAS BUENAS Y NO SE COMO.
          POR FAVOR, AYUDAME Y DAME LA ENERGIA PARA TRATAR.

               PRIMERO QUE NADA QUIERO DARTE LAS GRACIAS POR
          TODOS MIS SERES QUERIDOS, A QUIENES AMO CON TODO MI
          CORAZON Y CON TODA MI ALMA.  ELLOS SON MI VIDA Y LO
          MAS IMPORTANTE PARA MI.  SIN ELLOS NO TENGO ALEGRIA.
          ELLOS SON MI UNICA FELICIDAD.  SON LAS ROSAS DE MI
          JARDIN.
         
               PADRE,  CUANDO YO YA NO ESTE AQUI, POR FAVOR NO TE
          OLVIDES QUE DEJO MIS ORACIONES PARA QUE LOS  ACOM-
          PAÑEN SIEMPRE A CADA INSTANTE DEL DIA Y DE LA NOCHE.
          POR FAVOR, ALEJALOS SIEMPRE DE TODO LO QUE NO SEA
          SANTO.

               PADRE, DIME QUE HACER PARA SENTIRME COMPLETA.
          PARA SENTIR QUE MI VIDA NO HA SIDO EN VANO.

                                                   TU HIJA

                                 

       

              

ANOTHER CHANCE (by HELEN STEINER RICE )

                    HOW OFTEN WE WISH FOR ANOTHER CHANCE
                    TO MAKE A FRESH BEGINNING.
                    A CHANCE TO BLOT OUT OUR MISTAKES
                    AND CHANGE FAILURE INTO WINNING.

                    IT DOES NOT TAKE A NEW DAY
                    TO MAKE A BRAND NEW START,
                    IT ONLY TAKES A DEEP DESIRE
                    TO TRY WITH ALL OUR HEART.

                    TO LIVE A LITTLE BETTER
                    AND TO ALWAYS BE FORGIVING
                    AND TO ADD A LITTLE SUNSHINE
                    TO THE WORLD IN WHICH WE'RE LIVING.

                     SO NEVER GIVE UP IN DESPAIR
                     AND THINK THAT YOU ARE THROUGH,
                     FOR THERE'S ALWAYS A TOMORROW
                     AND THE HOPE OF STARTING NEW.

DO IT ANYWAY ( by MOTHER TERESA)

          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 TRUE ENEMIES;
          SUCCEED ANYWAY.

          IF YOU ARE HONEST AND FRANK,
          PEOPLE MAY CHEAT YOU;
          BE HONEST 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.

                                       

                                      ****************
         
                                   

BEWARE! ( ENILDA DIAZ)

                              ****************************************************
                    
                                             BEWARE OF YOUR BEST FRIENDS !
                                             THE DAY THEY TURN AGAINST YOU..
                                             THEY WILL BECOME YOUR WORST
                                                                    ENEMIES.

                               ****************************************************

                                             




                                     

AN

          85 YEAR OLD MAN WAS FISHING
          WHEN HE HEARD A VOICE.  HE LOOKED
          AND THERE WAS A FROG LOOKING AT HIM.
          THE FROG SAID, "PICK ME UP, KISS ME AND
          I'LL TURN INTO A BEAUTIFUL BRIDE.  THE OLD
          MAN PICKED HIM UP AND PUT HIM IN HIS
          POCKET.  "AREN'T YOU GOING TO KISS ME?"
          ASKED THE FROG.  THE OLD MAN ANSWERED,
          "NO, THANKS.  AT MY AGE I'D RATHER HAVE
          A TALKING FROG."

( AUTOR DESCONOCIDO )

          SE VAN PERDIENDO EN EL TIEMPO
          MIS AÑOS SE VAN QUEDANDO....MUY LEJOS
          YA NO ME LLEVA MI PADRE LA MANO
          SOLAMENTE SUS CONSEJOS.

          VIVEN EN MI LOS RECUERDOS....DE NIÑO
          CUANDO UNA ESTRELLA DESEABA,
          COMO RECUERDO A MI PADRE
          QUE CON ESO SONREIA
          MIENTRAS MI MADRE MIRABA..

          AÑOS QUE VIENEN DESPACIO PRIMERO
          CON QUE LENTITUD AVANZAN.
          COMO QUERIA SER GRANDE, RECUERDO
          PARA NO QUEDARME EN CASA...
          Y ACOMPAÑAR A MI PADRE ..MUY LEJOS.
          TAL VEZ HASTA EL FIN DEL MUNDO...
          PORQUE MI PADRE ERA FUERTE,
          ERA MUY INTELIGENTE,
          ERA MEJOR QUE NINGUNO.

          HOY YA NO QUIERO QUE PASEN...LOS AÑOS..
          PORQUE MI PADRE YA ESTA VIEJO.
          SE LE HAN CUBIERTO DE ARRUGAS SUS MANOS
          Y DE NIEVE SUS CABELLOS.

          OH, SEÑOR, DETEN EL TIEMPO TE PIDO
          PORQUE TU PUEDES HACERLO
          PORQUE YO EN VERDAD NO ENTIENDO, DIOS MIO
          PORQUE SE NOS VA LO BUENO.

          CUANDO SE CANSEN UN DIA TUS PASOS...
          YO QUIERO SER QUIEN LOS CUIDE..
          MIENTRAS TANTO DAME EL BRAZO
          Y VAMOS A VER QUE VAS A DECIRME..


                                    **************
        




          A TODOS LOS PADRES, LES DESEO QUE HAYAN PASADO
          UN DIA MUY FELIZ JUNTO A SUS HIJOS...ESPECIALMENTE
          ESOS PADRES QUE ENTREGAN TODO SU AMOR, SU ESPIRITU,
          SU FUERZA, SU ALMA, SU TODO.  AQUELLOS QUE CON
          SABIDURIA GUIAN A SUS HIJOS POR EL DURO CAMINO DE
          LA VIDA... Y QUE AL FINAL SU HIJO LE MIRA A LOS OJOS Y
          LE DICE,      "PAPA, TU ERES MI HEROE"


                                          ***************

                                         

                              

         

TO OUR LADY ( Mary Dixon Thayer )

          LOVELY LADY DRESSED IN BLUE.....
          TEACH ME HOW TO PRAY!
          GOD WAS JUST YOUR LITTLE BOY...
          TELL ME WHAT TO SAY!
          DID YOU LIFT HIM UP SOMETIMES,
          GENTLY, ON YOUR KNEE?
          DID YOU SING TO HIM THE WAY
          MOTHER DOES TO ME?
          DID YOU HOLD HIS HAND AT NIGHT?
          DID YOU EVER TRY TELLING STORIES
          OF THE WORLD?
          OH..AND DID HE CRY?
          DO YOU REALLY THINK HE CARES
          IF I TELL HIM THINGS......
          LITTLE THINGS THAT HAPPEN?
          AND DO THE ANGELS' WINGS
          MAKE A NOISE?  AND CAN HE HEAR ME
          IF I SPEAK LOW?
          DOES HE UNDERSTAND ME NOW?
          TELL ME .....FOR YOU KNOW!
          LOVELY LADY DRESSED IN BLUE,
          TEACH ME HOW TO PRAY!
          GOD WAS JUST YOUR LITTLE BOY...
          AND YOU KNOW THE WAY.

UN AMOR TAN GRANDE (Por el Padre Pat Sayles,SSC)

A PESAR DE QUE YO PUEDO SER TAN ORGULLOSO
          TE HUMILLASTE EN LA CRUZ POR MI.

A PESAR DE QUE YO PUEDO SER TAN EGOISTA
TU RESUCITASTE PARA COMPARTIR TU VIDA CONMIGO.

     UN AMOR TAN GRANDE, TAN PROFUNDO,
     UN CORAZON TAN HUMILDE, TAN GENEROSO!

PADRE, GRACIAS POR PREOCUPARTE TANTO,
POR VER LO BUENO QUE SOY CAPAZ DE HACER
          EN LUGAR DE CONDENAR LO MALO,
     POR FOMENTAR EL BIEN QUE ESTA EN MI,
LA NUEVA VIDA QUE ESTA ESPERANDO DENTRO DE MI!
POR ESPERAR PACIENTEMENTE QUE YO VUELVA A LA VIDA.

          PADRE, AYUDAME A LLEVAR UNA VIDA
                    DIGNA DE TU AMOR.
                                  
                              AMEN

DO IT AFRAID (ENILDA DIAZ)

Read an article by Joyce Meyer entitled  "What are you afraid of?"  Wow!!  It seemed she
was talking directly to me.  All my life I have been afraid of everything!  Always wanted 
to do something, but I was always so afraid of failure that I gave up even before I tried it.
I lost so many opportunities because my fear paralized me.  Being afraid can be so
exhausting!!

She says,  "Fear is an enemy that torments the soul and seeks to steal our life.  Conquering
it is not something that we do in one day, or even 1,000 days.  It is something that we
conquer one day at a time with God's help.  Being free from fear doesn't mean that we
will never experience it or be confronted by it.  It means that we are committed to not
allowing it to rule our lives and when necessary we will do what we need to do, even if
we have to do it afraid.

Don't ever let fear keep you from your destiny and all God has for you.  It may not be
easy,  but God  will be right there to meet you all along the way.  You might not believe
in yourself, but God believes in you.  God has given us all that we could ever need to
overcome our fears through Christ.

We all have fears, but God wants to give us the strength to face them head-on.  It may be
fear of failure, rejection, loss of control, whatever has a grip on you.  You can still triumph-
just do it afraid.

Each time you feel fear and decide to "do it afraid"  you will enjoy your new freedom so
much that you will soon be totally unwilling to do without it.  You will become determined
to end your days of slavery to fear.  Even if you have a weak moment, that doesn't mean you
have lost your victory.  If we give up, even God can't help us because we receive help through
faith, not through hopelessness.  We need to stay positive, hopeful and filled with faith and
when we do we can overcome anything with God's help.  Anyone can succeed if we refuse to
give up.

Being able to recognize the lies, deceits and strategies of the devil is so important.  We should
always be ready to resist him at the onset of his attacks.  The longer we let a fear remain, the
more difficult it is to get rid of.  So make a decision to be a person of action.  You have what
it takes to win!

Again...Don't ever let fear keep you from your destiny!  You have to go forward doing it afraid
or you will stay crippled the rest of your life.  You have what it takes to do it afraid!!"

Well, I hope I have what it takes to do it afraid because I have to get a (knee replacement
operation) and I am scared to death!, but I am  going to put my faith in God and I am going
to.....DO IT AFRAID....

LONELINESS

     Such a sad word when you depend on other people to make you happy!
Sometimes you feel like nobody cares.  You think that if they don't call you or
write to you, it's because they don't love you.  Think about it for a minute!  Do
you ever feel guilty of doing the same thing?  Do you call these same people
sometimes and tell them that you love them?  No, because you are so busy
feeling sorry for yourself that you forget that they are also human and feel the
same way you do when you never get in touch with them.
     I am guilty!!  I am guilty of not calling more or writing more because I am too
busy feeling sorry for myself.
     You cannot depend on other people to make you happy.  If you do, you will be
sadly disappointed.  You have to find your own happiness with God and within
yourself.
     From now on,  I promise myself  that I will call more and write more because
I don't want anyone to feel the way I feel.
     I remember a story that I read about a teenager in school.  One day he felt so
down and so lonely that at the end of the day he emptied his locker.  As he was
walking home with his arms full of books, all of a sudden the books fell to the
ground.  Another student saw him and bent down to help him pick them up. 
They started walking together talking and laughing and before they parted they
agreed to get together sometime. 
     They soon became friends.  A few years later they graduated and that's when
he told his friend that the day they met he had emptied his locker because he was
planning to go home to commit suicide.
     So, you see, a stranger's act of kindness saved him.   Please, never deny anyone
a smile or an act of kindness.  It will mean more to them than you could ever imagine.