Christmas in El Paso, 2011

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the gift of family, and grant that our relationships with our relatives always be laced with love, like the love between the members of the Holy Family; help us to have patience, understanding, and empathy in our dealings with each other, family and friends. And Father, please grant safe travels for everyone, everywhere, in Jesus' name, Amen.

When Carlton asked mom and me if we wanted to go to EP for Christmas, I was a bit hesitant because the drive from Big D to EP, is so long. However, when I found out that a cousin I haven't seen in at least ten years was going to be there, of course I wanted to go. I wasn't sure at the time if his lovely bride was accompanying him, but she did, and that was an added bonus!(smile)

We left Big D at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Christmas Eve, and arrived in EP around 5:30 or 6p of the same day. My Tia Luisa (my middle name comes from her) asked us to her house for dinner. We checked into our hotel room and then hurried to her home. Lots of hugging and kissing upon our arrival!

We ate some delicious food, as always, but what I will most remember from this night is the toast my aunt made. "C'mon, everybody, get your cup," she urged, as we were each handed rum-spiced egg nog. My Tia seriously and ceremoniously gave us a wonderful benediction, which I will keep private; but open your ears and let your imagination create the loveliest words of blessings and love you can hear a family member say to you, and you'll be close to knowing what we heard. (wink)

Sunday, Christ's birthday, praises happily poured forth from the live band playing at the 11am Spanish mass, where my mother, brother, good friend from childhood, and I, attended. We were surrounded, engulfed really, by pure happiness. The drummer's beats matched the rhythm of my heart; my love of such a good and gracious God rising higher and higher, and I received our Lord Jesus Christ in a new and profound way; once again asking Jesus into my heart and my life, remembering to thank Him for becoming human. My mom was so touched by the mass, and filled by the Holy Spirit, she was jubilantly weeping.

We left the church feeling pretty high from the alleluias, but God had even more consecrations in store for us; when we went to my Tia's to eat again, picture lots of hugging and kissing, AND the cousins we hadn't seen in many, many years were there, which was cause for even more love to be shared! (smile) We were rejoicing and catching up for most of the afternoon, and into the early evening.

On Monday, a group of us: Carlton, a childhood friend of mine, childhood friend's sweet daughter, her sweet daughter's friend, and I took a trip on the Wyler Aerial Tramway, in EP. I am a "scare-d" cat when it comes to heights, but I swallowed that fear, concentrating instead on enjoying the time with my brother and good friend. The tram ride itself was about five minutes to and fro, so the majority of our time was spent at the top of the mountain, looking at EP spread out beneath us. The best part of this whole adventure was that none of us have ever ridden the tram! We/had live/d in EP for a number of years and hadn't been on this 'limo' to the sea lions, which is how I fondly refer to the mountains of EP, because that's what I think they look like.(Some of the family was supposed to join us, nudge, nudge, wink, wink, but they chickened out last minute.)

Monday night found mom, Carlton and I eating at a quaint restaurant that's an EP staple. Despite this fact, neither Carlton nor I had ever eaten there...until now.(wink) I went to school with the son of the owner, but I didn't see anyone I knew in the restaurant.

The food was scrumptious, and they had an impressive collection of beer from around the world. The place was packed, and we were the last group allowed in before they closed for the evening. It's small, but that just adds to the charm and intimacy of the restaurant. The service was great too.
Tuesday we took a trip to EP's Museum of Art, where Norman Rockwell and Andy Warhol had exhibits. I am proud to say that EP's museum of Art is on par with any museum in Big D. (big grin)
For this outing, mom, John, and I enjoyed the company of cousins again, but different ones from the ones I mentioned earlier. In total there were 8 of us! :) I felt completely in my element, with family and culture, what a package! (lots of hugging and kissing!)

After the museum, everyone was hungry, so we went to a nearby restaurant that my Tia Rosa used to take us to, when we were little; this unassuming restaurant has the best, juiciest, burgers, with fast-food prices. My burger had mushrooms, but others had spiced, bacon, or avocado on theirs. Simply delightful!

Tuesday night Carlton and I joined my good bud again, but this time for dinner at one of EP's Mexican restaurants. Which brings me to a challenge for my friend - come to Big D and let's see who really does have the best Mexican food in Texas. (wink)

This blog wouldn't be complete if I didn't offer a thanksgiving prayer to JC; Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me the family I have. I wouldn't trade them for the world! They keep me grounded, and help me grow. In Jesus' name. AMEN!

Wishing everyone Love, Health, Happiness, and Laughter in the New Year!

"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world." Mother Theresa

The Other Wise Man by Henry Van Dyke

Hello friends,
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the greatest gift you could bestow on us, your Son. May He continue to be the center of our lives. Jesus, please keep those who are traveling over the holidays safe, and relationships with family members harmonious. Bless us to remember the people, and the happy memories, long after the glow of the gifts has faded. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
I told this joke to a male co-worker, "A virgin birth I can believe, but three wise men? HA." He shot back, "There were four wise men, did you know that?" I didn't, and I did some research. Here's what I found. Henry Van Dyke's The Other Wise Man If you get a chance, take some time out of your busy schedule and read it.
Merry Christmas everyone! May the Joy of the Season last year-round.

"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world." Mother Theresa

Lilith, Adam's first wife???

Hello friends,
Heavenly Father, as we take the time to reflect and remember the birth of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, let us also thank You for the gift of Your Son, an omniscient being who humbled Himself to become human. Our 'civilised' brain cannot fully fathom the profundity of this magnificent act, but thank you, dear God for blessing us with Jesus. In Your Name, Lord. Amen.
Once upon a time, I deviated far from the Catholic Church; I joined a Unitarian church, and it was here that I learned the story of "Lilith," Adam's first wife.
I began thinking more on Lilith this past Wednesday, December, 8th, after celebrating the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception, our Blessed Mother, Mary.
Just as an aside, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, is Catholics honoring the conceiving of Mary in the womb of St. Anne, Mary's mother. Mary had to be Pure in the highest sense of the word so that she would be worthy of being Jesus' mother; thus the 'Immaculate Conception.' This is why Catholics believe Mary was sinless.

(This photo is of Lilith.)

When I googled 'Lilith,' this website, "The Straight Dope," appeared, and you can read about the history of Lilith: whats-the-story-on-lilith-adams-first-wife, if you'd like.
The basic gist of the Lilith story is that she was a 'true equal' to Adam, as she was made from the same dirt as Adam, and not from one of his rib's, like Eve. Lilith and Adam fought a lot, though, because she refused to be dominated by Adam. Lilith grew tired of fighting with Adam and left the Garden of Eden. When Lilith left the Garden, God made Eve. (Lilith's story gets worse: she becomes a killer of children, among other things.)

Hail Mary, Full of Grace!

The counselor in me thinks Adam and Lilith fought because they didn't understand how to blend their strengths; each wanted to dominate the other, instead of compromising, and making the relationship something good and about something bigger than both their egos.

The Lord is with you!

Mary is human, but perfect in every way, and who, without hesitation, said "Yes, God." She is our life's guide and model.

She shows us how to have faith in our Lord and to fully rely on His Goodness in our lives, knowing that He has only our best interests in His heart for all of us.

Lilith underestimated the potency of humility. The strength in asking our Lord to help us, even in the most mundane issues of our lives; just like when she asked Christ to make more wine for the wedding at Cana. She knows that Jesus wants to be a part of all of our daily activities.

Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.

 

Mary has a quiet, calm soul; one that Lilith can never imitate. Mary patiently waited for God's instructions for her life.

Mary is truly an Every woman: she knows what it's like to be an unwed mom, to have lost a child in a public place, to seeing her child die before she does. She is an adoptive parent; she has adopted each and everyone of us as her own, and intercedes for us on a regular basis to Jesus, Her most Precious Son. 

Holy Mary, Mother of God

Lilith lacked understanding that there is One greater than ourselves. God is what connects all of our interactions - especially in our relationship to our spouses, for those married; and in our family, for those who are married, and single.

Mary was about being a servant, not necessarily subservient; Mary's service to our Lord is like being God's right arm reaching across barriers, arguments, and apathy, and creating a clear path to Love and Light, to Jesus himself. She remains faithful to Jesus, and continues to ask us to do the same.

This is why we pray with Her, in the Hail Mary:

Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Thank you, Blessed Mother, for saying yes to God, and for giving birth to the one true light in our dark world, Your Son, and our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Advent isn't only about Jesus' birth, it is also about Mary's "Yes!"

Addendum: Mary is the new Eve, the one who did indeed keep God's word, and follow his commands; thus the reason I compared Lilith and Mary, and not Lilith and Eve. Not that Lilith can compare to the BVM in any way, shape, or form.
"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world." Mother Theresa

What is Advent, anyway?

Hello friends,
Heavenly Father, may the souls of the faithfully departed, rest in Your peace. Thank you for your many blessings in our lives, Lord. Thank you for the health and healing of those who were sick. May all marriages, and all single people, keep you at the center of their lives, so that You may guide them on their daily journeys.

The Catholic church started Advent this past weekend.
I asked myself, but what is Advent? Then I did some snooping around, and found out that Advent is the beginning of the Liturgical year for Catholics.
But how do we 'do' Advent? Do you remember how you felt about Christmas as a child? As a child, Christmas was about - the wonderment, the excitement, the 'not knowing' and 'knowing' about my presents... Well these feelings are the beginning of 'doing' Advent.
Advent is an exciting time. It is a time of anticipation; we are anticipating Christ's return to us. We are looking forward to His return, but we are also looking inward, for His return to our hearts.
We need to pause during all the unnecessary busyness we'll find ourselves in, and look inside ourselves; we need to find Christ inside of ourselves.

Christmas is the best time to think of others; our connections to others and to ourselves; but most of all, it needs to be a time where we seek a stronger bond to Christ.
If we lack a true, sincere, and serious affinity for Christ, Advent is the time to start making that association! All of the readings during this time puts us back in the time of Christ, when people felt distant from Him. They were longing for his Salvation. For the goodness and fulfillment only He could give. The same is true of us today...
Christ longs for us to be closer to Him; He longs for us to talk to Him like we would talk to a very close and personal friend.
If you've ever looked for a best friend, someone with whom you can honestly be yourself - warts and all - if you've wanted someone you can rely on day in and day out, each and every day of your life and after, Christ is the One you've been searching for, and the One who can fulfill you.
Take some time this Christmas to see CHRIST in Christmas. You'll be happy you did.
Blessings on you, my friend, and Merry Christmas.

If you 'd like some prayers to say during this special time of the year, check out this great web page:
Advent information.
"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world." Mother Theresa