Fourth of July: One Nation Under God

Yesterday, I took my dog to the vet to get his yearly dose of sedatives for the upcoming Fourth of July NOISY celebration. I love fireworks they make me think of confetti in the sky; but since my little guy came into my life I usually have to opt out of Independence Day night celebrations. A few years ago my friends convinced me to go out. After much persuasion, I felt comfortable leaving him with my parents since I trust they can administer the right dosage to keep him calm. There I was on the coast enjoying the lit sky above the water and I began to wonder how fireworks became part of the Fourth of July celebration? Well for those of you have been wondering – you don’t have to wonder no more. In a letter one of our founding fathers wrote to his wife, he expressed his desire on how future generations should celebrate and remember the day.
John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail:

“It ought to be commemorated as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more…”

Why Fireworks on the Fourth of July? John Adams, that’s why. Our first VP and second president wanted the day commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of our new nation as huge celebration with specific ways to show our patriotism. Today, two-hundred-and-forty-one years later we still connect parades, BBQ’s, games, sports, speeches, guns, bells and fireworks as part of the patriotic customs. Yet, it seems to me like we have forgotten the item President Adams firstly placed on the list: devotion to God. Even I, as a devout Catholic, didn’t really think of Independence Day as a day to pay special tribute to God. In time of need people flood churches and come to God to ask for help – after all, the most popular type of prayer is petition. In fact, to many, prayer is ONLY asking God for things. Periods of prosperity tend to be times when most forget about God just look at the nine lepers in scripture who forget to return and thank God for their healing. In periods of prosperity people tend to leave God out. In this beautiful country in which I have lived most of my life I am well aware of the many blessings we all have. We are worldly known as the country of realized dreams and liberty - a place to pursue happiness. On the Fourth we remember our American pride when we parade in red, white and blue, when we fire our guns and light up the sky- but not many return like that one leper to thank God for allowing us these blessings and freedoms.

This post is not to draw guilt for remembering to plan patriotic holiday festivities and forgetting (like most people myself included) the first item on Adams’ list: “solemn acts of devotion to God.” It’s more a challenge to bring God into your holiday in a special way like:

• Going to Mass and offering it for all the people that work tirelessly to protect our country 
• Praying a family rosary for the needs of veterans and their families 
• Praying for our country’s leaders 
• Offering praise and thanksgiving to God for all the blessings we have in this glorious country 
• Just be thankful.

Our first president wrote a really nice prayer that is quite appropriate for Independence Day:

“Almighty God, who has given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech you that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of your favor and glad to do your will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way.

Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom your Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to your law, we may show forth your praise among the nations of the earth.

In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness and in the day of trouble, do not allow our trust in you to fall; all this we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord.” AMEN!

May your holiday be full of Light and sparkle.

God the Matchmaker

On Friday, my goddaughter got married by the church and you know that I love covering the sacraments on here.  I have been to quite a few Catholic ceremonies and I haven’t seen a priest who celebrates them quite as beautiful as Father Sergio.  He has a unique way, perhaps a God given talent for weddings.  During his homily he involves the couple, telling them that he’s going to administer a test and based on the couple’s score he will proceed with the marriage.  The first question he asked, “Do you know what God’s hobby is?  What He loves doing on His time off?”  He gives all of us a second to think, then passes the microphone to the husband-to-be and then his bride. Both agree that God’s hobby is to see His people happy.

“That’s minus ten points,” Father says.  Then he invites the wedding party to help the couple with a different answer.  After many fails followed by laughter, Father shares the answer, “God’s hobby is to play matchmaker.”  After asking the couple where they were born (the groom in Mexico City and the bride in Fountain Valley) Father goes on to explain all the work that it must have taken God to have the two come together and be celebrating their marriage...  I had never heard of God’s favorite hobby as being a matchmaker, but the more I thought about it the more I liked the idea. 

 I have found the one my heart loves...

My goddaughter and her husband have been together for eleven years, they have a nine year-old-son.  She got pregnant soon after her fifteen birthday, so she had to grow up rather quickly.  I have seen her through the entire process of becoming a teenage mom, of going from a silly girl who thought love was all joy and no suffering to a young woman who didn’t let one rash decision be the end of her life.  I remember her telling me how initially her relationship with her now husband used to be all fun and fantasy, but now that they were linked with a child and living together the reality was a bit overwhelming.  Living together twenty-four seven, while trying to be parents and finding ways to provide for their family can be terribly stressful for any adult much more for two teens.   Yet, my goddaughter didn’t let one decision define the rest of her life and that’s what I love about her.  She’s had a challenging life, but she soon realized that in order to improve her life she needed to start making better choices.  The first was finishing high school.  The dropout rate of teenage moms is quite high; yet, she promised herself that she would finish and finish she did.  She even attends university!  People when faced with hardships can either become bitter, blame others and their circumstances, but my goddaughter realized that one choice was not going to be the demise of her dreams- or the rest of her life.  I love that warrior attitude in her and when we talk I love the maturity with which she expresses her thoughts.  She’s such a fighter and I love that about her- I think I've said that before.

They got married on their son's 9th birthday!

Recently, she and her hubby took the Alpha Course at my parish and through the program they realized that they wanted to get their civil union blessed.  As a couple they have had many trials and for them receiving the Sacrament of Marriage was like a fresh start, a new beginning with God completely involved in their family.  It’s been such a blessing watching her faith grow and seeing her excitement towards God.  God truly is a matchmaker and sometimes he matches us with another person, but always He matches us with His love.   

Soften Hearts Like 24K Gold

Gold is placed in the fire to rid itself of impurities.  The longer it remains in the fire the more pure it becomes and its worth also increases.  It goes from nine karats and shrinks down to twenty-four.  This purification process not only refines gold, but it also makes it softer.  Thus, while a 9K ring (with use) will eventually wear and break a 24K ring will only bend.  When shopping for gold jewelry, even if there are two rings that to the eye look exactly the same, people will often pay more for the higher karats because of the quality and the reassurance that the piece will last a lifetime.  God uses a similar process not to increase our value, but to assist us in becoming pure.  Suffering helps our hearts soften and soft hearts, like 24K gold, are malleable…

Yesterday’s Gospel reading spoke of turning the other cheek of not retaliating hurt for hurt.  A hard heart doesn’t understand this and will return each hit thinking “an eye for an eye.”   This is the message of the world we live in that glorifies vengeance.  Some of the most popular stories that get told in books, film and art are tales of creating our own justice.  I find myself often cheering at the screen and even feeling vindicated when the bad guys get what they deserve.  Yet, our faith tells us to turn the other cheek to surprise the offender by offering peace instead of retaliation - to give instead of take.

I grew up with my mom often repeating, “Turn the other cheek.”  I always found her logic amusing and not at all productive; to me getting a sense of justice was bigger than showing mercy.  Fueled by my desire to get vengeance for the people who hurt me, I didn’t realize that I was also filling myself with darkness.  When my brother died, the suffering was so great and the awareness of death so close that slowly I realized that I didn’t want to carry all the anger, hurt and evil inside me.  I wanted a new heart to replace the heart of stone that was inside me.  After a lifetime of laughing at my mom’s message of “turning the other cheek,” I realized that my desire for justice to inflict pain on those who hurt me, only filled me with hate.  Hate that I had carried far too long. 

I’m still learning to live true to yesterday’s Gospel, of choosing peace even when I really want to retaliate. However, I am in this lifetime process of purification and sometimes I forget and lose my temper, I choose to attack instead of patience, I choose hurt over forgiveness…  I am no saint, my weaknesses are many and because I am pretty clear of my limitations I try to be understanding of others, but sometimes I grow tired of my futile efforts.  Luckily, when God exhorts us to be more like Him, He knows that we can’t do it on our own so He provides the help to slowly get us from 9K to 10K (and eventually 24K).  Yesterday, I went to a healing service to offer the hurt and receive more of Him.  Worshiping, getting hands laid on me with prayer and receiving Him in the Eucharist sent me home a little lighter.

Wieliczka Salt Mine Cathedral

When I was in Poland we toured an underground Cathedral in the Wieliczka Salt Mine where the sculptures were sculpted out of salt by artists.  It was quite the process getting down to it, but once inside it was absolutely stunning.  I’ve been feeling a bit ill this week so for today’s post I just want to give you a photo tour of this great natural wonder.  The Chapel of Saint Kinga is the pride of the miners and with great reason too, it hosts some of the best carvings completely made from salt!

View from the top.

 The chandeliers had so much detail, so pretty.

 Mother Mary.

 The front of the altar.

 Beautiful image of the holy family.

 Not sure if you can tell, but this is a nativity.

 Saint John Paul II

 There's also a lake near the chapel.

The salt is always cold.

Am not sure how often the church gets used, but it sure is a popular place to tour.  As I walked through it, I kept thinking is this the weirdest place I have seen a church at? It might be.

My Little Piece of Heaven

My first seven formative years were spent in Michoacán a place known for its beautiful forests.  My house was located in the outskirts of the pueblo where I could take a few steps and I was out in nature.  In the forest we had a small cabin to visit throughout the year, we would hike up to it and camp there many times during the year.  There were also at least two other times during the year when the whole town would go into the forest: after the rain for mushroom collecting and during the spring for Amapola (Poppy) picking.  We would pick the soft, pink flowers to adorn our heads with lovely crowns.  It was one of my favorite days of the year, sitting in Poppy fields with my friends while the adults prepared a feast for lunch.  When we moved to California, I yearned for a little piece of nature.  While other kids dreamt of toys, cramped in an apartment like sardines, I wished for a little piece of nature a home with a small backyard and a tree big enough for a treehouse.  How I dreamt of that house with a white picket fence and a little dog who belonged to me.  I grew up stuffed in that apartment, but my dreams flourished coming to fruition as an adult.  I have a home now with the little piece of nature I always wanted and a thriving avocado tree that produces yummy treats and the best shade!  Though no tree house has been built, I love spending time underneath my tree.  It might be my favorite place in the world.

Underneath its arms I get lost in thought, in prayer, sometimes I even nap.  Dad placed a beach lounge chair underneath the tree and he also spends a great deal of time resting underneath its branches.  When I am outside my little Cockatiel sings joyfully while my furball finds a place next to me to relax.  It’s no equivalent to the beautiful forests of my past, but it’s a little reminder of God’s providence.  This weekend I went to a birthday party, a wedding, a bridal shower and my Third Order Franciscans meeting and while my busy schedule might say that I love parties- the truth is I would rather spend my days underneath my tree.  Yet, God has blessed me with a large family and many friends – and relationships require sacrifice and being present…  So, many times I return to my comfortable haven to reenergize and even recuperate from so much social activity.  People often tell me that I do a lot, others think that I am a party girl because my schedule can sometimes be so full of activity; but, I really love being home.  I love alone time with my animal friends in my simple backyard.  I am quite boring really, but I do have a responsibility to cultivate the lot God gave me and since my love language is quality time – I often love in the manner I like to be loved.  Though as an introvert it’s a challenge to find balance between my need for alone time and the need to be there for others. 

This past weekend I was at a family wedding mostly because my parents wanted to go, so I took them.  Lots of family that I don’t get to see often were there and there was a banda because it’s not a Michoacán party without a live banda; yet, I really wanted to be home with my pets and my tree.  Yesterday, afternoon tired with a migraine from fulfilling all my commitments I retreated to my backyard and there underneath the natural shade I plugged myself for an energy uplift.  My home is my piece of heaven, my favorite place to be underneath my blessed tree…. What’s yours? 

Wonder Woman A Tale of Feminine Beauty

During my college years I took a class on the history of film- and it was during this time that my bedroom was covered with black and white portraits of the “Golden Age of film” actors.  Right in the center, between Clark Gable and Pedro Infante I had a picture of Linda Carter in her Wonder Woman outfit. She was the only modern (1975) film actress on my wall because I loved the black and white image of her I found at a flea market.  It made me think of my sister who had grown up watching Wonder Woman and who held a strong affection for the actress.  It’s been many seasons since my walls were covered with made belief heroes, but I still wanted to watch the 2017 remake of “Wonder Woman.” I had no problem recruiting my sister and a couple other friends to watch it with me.  Yet, I didn’t think that I would like it as much as I did.

It didn’t try to be feminist.  I was expecting it to be about girl power and even about the erroneous definition of feminism that celebrities are so candidly voicing.  Surprisingly it was a story of a woman superhero who has beauty, brains and a big heart.  Though she can probably tackle any battle alone, she allows others to help her.  It reminds me of that phrase, “I need you because I love you.”  When you care about another person they start becoming a healthy need because God created us for community and together is where we find our super powers. Wonder Woman accepting help from others, doesn’t take away from her awesomeness I think it actually adds depth to her character.  There’s strength in allowing and accepting another’s help – even when we know that she can probably do all on her own.

It told a story about love.  Sure there’s a beautiful romantic story taking place, but there’s a bigger one about love for your neighbor.  There’s this question about why Zeus would allow humankind to continue existing even when society is corrupted and man is fighting against each other.  After all the film is set during World War I and we get a vivid sense of the nastiness of war in many scenes especially when it takes us to No Man’s Land.  That’s a fair question that the villain uses to confound Wonder Woman and sends her in a huge inner struggle trying to find the answer.  Then she remembers all the moments that the people she has met have shown a denial of self for the greater good of society.  She understands that love is why Zeus decides to keep his creation alive.  No truer Christian message. 

In a time when celebrities tell us that feminism is strutting in little to no clothes, using obscene language, and being more powerful than men; Wonder Woman takes us back to the roots and authenticity of what it means to be truly feminist.  She’s a superhero who is a woman and keeping those traits that make the female sex beautiful made this movie an anthem for femininity and girl power- but it also made it much more.  Now go watch it if you haven’t!          

Summer Time Plans

Yesterday, concluded my third year assisting the RCIA ministry.  On the last day we hand out the Sacrament Certificates to each student in a like graduation style celebration.  First we open the day with prayer, then we watch a slide show of the whole year, then we give recognitions to the top students.  Finally, handing out their initiation to the Catholic Church “diplomas,” before closing with a potluck style luncheon (families and sponsors are also invited).  It’s usually a day full of smiles and a bittersweet closure, because as excited as we are for the summer break it’s an ending to our class gatherings.  Lots of hugs are given and then we head to Mass to close with the celebration of celebrations.

Given that my commitment to RCIA is done and I get a couple months break in addition to also having a break from my classes at the diocese – I have extra time to fill with new activities.  At a parish near my home on Thursday nights they are showing “The Pivotal Players” videos accompanied by classroom discussion.  Last week I attended my first night, there’s about twenty of us in the class.  We usually watch a portion of the series then we have an open classroom discussion.  I love that it’s done this way because I am not fond of small groups.  It also feels more efficient to share our thoughts from our seats.  Last week I was given a booklet that goes with the videos, there’s summaries of the pivotal players in addition to questions for discussion and application.  I really like that the program is so organized and our facilitator is a sweet, older lady.  In fact, my class is mostly retired folk, but I enjoy being around people of much wisdom.  Though I started the series two weeks late, I am so looking forward to viewing Bishop Barron’s wonderful series.

Recently, I also started my Third Order Franciscan journey.  It took me awhile because I didn’t want to commit to the drive- I know I can be so lazy!  They also meet on the second Sunday of every month so with RCIA it was a little overwhelming.  Thus, I decided to wait until the RCIA year was over so that I could go to the meetings with a more energized mind.  Last month due to Mother’s Day the meeting was held on the third Sunday and I went for the first time.  I received such a warm welcome that I knew I had found the fraternity I had been looking for.  I love how the meetings are organized, there’s even a moment for a photo op because we have a member who writes a newsletter for our fraternity and she publishes a picture of each meeting’s group!  Kindred Spirit for sure (smile).  We also have a couple in charge of a traveling library with every book relating to Franciscan spirituality!  I am so looking forward to growing some roots with this group!

Los Alamitos Fraternity

Our faith journey should always challenge us to grow, to try different paths that show us a different angle to our Creator.  I am lucky that I live in an area where there’s so many different opportunities, so many different activities and so many groups to help me get to heaven.  Last week, I also attended a woman’s group that was a really neat experience.  It was more of a Catholic social group where I got to have really deep, insightful conversations with other women.  The group is led by Father Bartus’ wife.  These new activities have me extremely excited about my summer!

Dollar and Penny Fourteen Years

Fourteen years ago this little animal soul was born.  At two months-and-a-half he came home with me.  I had just suffered the demise of my first romantic relationship and had gone shopping hoping for the distraction. As customary, I peeked in the pet store and came across the cage of my animal soulmate.  I knocked on his glass window and unlike all the other doggies eager for attention this little guy didn’t move from his comfortable resting position.  The store attendant asked if I would like to hold him, but I declined stating that I was just looking and not intending to buy.  He convinced me to hold future Dollar stating that animals at the pet store don’t get held a whole lot.  He placed him in my arms and the little guy laid limp - only a broken heart can recognize another.  Noticing that this tiny dog was suffering as much as I was, I swiped my credit card on impulse and brought him home.  These past fourteen years have been the greatest adventure, just-the-two-of-us.

1) Initially I thought he was mute because he never let out a sound.  I had to scare him in order to get his first bark confirming that indeed he could speak.

2) Not only does he have good looks, but he’s a genius!  He graduated with honors from home puppy school- the valedictorian indeed!

3) When he was a young pup he tested his luck and ran across the street getting scraped by a car.

4) He was the best therapy when I lost my brother- such a loving presence.  

5) While walking at Mile Square Park he accidently stepped on a fallen beehive, luckily his momma had a hat and swatted the bees away- both surviving the attack.

6) He reciprocated saving my life when I was at my lowest point, suffering from the worst depression.

7) While trying to stand up for his best doggie friend, he survived a terrifying attack by a Pitbull.

8) Leisurely walks are his absolute favorite, the more bushes to stop at the better.

9) And prefers the park to the beach.

10) On bath day he tries to hide underneath the bed because he hates showers.

10) He’s extremely sensitive, when I return from my travels he always expresses his displeasure (at my leaving) by not coming near me for a couple of hours.

11) But has a forgetful mind, so forgetful that he thinks I am perfect at all times.

12) We tried having a doggy sibling, but found out that he loves being the only one.

13) He will only do tricks on carpeted floors.

14) In terms of unconditional love, forgiveness and joy; he’s one of the best teachers I have ever had.

Let me go, I hate pictures!

I love a poem Pablo Neruda wrote as a eulogy for his beloved friend, I plan on reading it on the day that Dollar and I must part.  There’s a line where Neruda says, “he never climbed all over my clothes filling me full of his hair or his mange / he never rubbed up against my knee like dogs obsessed with sex…” Dollar is the same way, he has never been an annoying, yappy dog who jumps on people at first sight.  Some would even say he’s a bit of a snob, because he only gives joyous welcomes to those in his pack. Every day coming home is a celebration.  My day might have been a total chaos, but when I cross the gates to my safe haven a little fur ball awaits to drench me in his pure, pure love.  Happy Birthday my love, Dollarin!