H.S. Candle in the Cemetery

H.S. meaning Holy Spirit...as in Holy Spirit perfumed candles. Found these on my parent's cemetery plot. I think the gift-giver was thinking of a verse in the Bible:  "And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints." (Revelation 5:8)

The gift-giver is misinformed: Leaving a burning candle on a grave does not cut-it as far as the above verse. The resultant smoke from these candles is not the PRAYER of a saint (biblically defined as a human being, not an inanimate/stone object; one who believes in Christ, and is His follower) which is the main ingredient of the collected "odours" in the above verse. 
The candles certainly smell good; and make great room fresheners when lighted. But that is all.

A note of encouragement:  the prayers of God's people are cumulative.  God knows and remembers people's prayers, collecting them in golden vials or containers. 
Caveat: they do not get anyone into heaven (only Christ can do that through his atoning death on Calvary and must be individually believed by faith alone), but they DO amount to something. God's answers may be instantaneous, or a long-time coming. 

dear Pup posing with them, LoL

23.11.24.17
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Barren landscape

There are two sections which never fail to catch my eye after we enter the cemetery. One, to the left, is the Muslim section (the sign says so). Invariably, there is a mourner or visitor present. Many of their plots have fresh flowers or plants; even balloons, baskets and toys. More than once, I've seen someone holding a hose and watering the sod (where are the spigots located, I would ask myself). And as mentioned, there is at least that one, ever-present mourner or visitor. On our way out of the cemetery,  there is yet another person driving in, making a beeline for this popular section. I have named their area The Hot Spot or The Happening. Muslims seem to truly miss their loved ones and are fervent to show their love and care.

Almost directly across from the Muslim section is a place that I've named The Neglected Ones. The keep-it-plain-and-simple area. What a contrast --- no flowers, no gifts, barely any memorial plants or trees.  I've never seen a visitor there. Just marker after marker of seemingly forgotten people. Is this an older section? Or a bargain-bin, no-frills-allowed spot? Maybe it's a section especially reserved for indigents? I don't know the answers; but what a contrast between this and the popular Muslim area. 

My parent's section is farther down. There are still flowers, plants, and other evidence of caring visitors, but it's taken on a lonelier air. Keeping in mind that we visit on weekdays, I've noticed that there is almost never anyone around except us. If this is the case even on weekends, I can't help but fear that the neglected/forgotten section, to the North, has started to creep-in and begin the process of claiming this area for its own . And this is barely 1.5 years after my Mother's death.

I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: 
I am like a broken vessel

- Psalm 31:12

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Mom's bedroom

Mom is terminally ill.  She has been living @ Joe & Jannette's  home.  I am thankful to God for their hospitality. Among other things, they've made sure to situate Mom in an environment that is both pleasant, and comfortable.

(Camille is in town because of Spring break). 

Gorgeous, one-of-a-kind paintings by  Agnes Rathonyi

Basement Party

Me, Romy, Wency, Joe, & Jan during a party

 

Our childhood home's finished basement.  Smiling faces, slim figures, thick hair, clear skin.  None of us look like this now.  What has remained unchanged:  the wall panelling,  the furniture, the stuffed toys, the boyfriends who eventually became our husbands (my Sister Wency had yet to meet Christopher at this point).

My sisters and I are in the process of emptying-out our Parent's home.  It's  tedious and slow work. Mom and Dad collected stuff.  The basement's nooks and crannies are crammed full.  

I'm glad for this picture to remind me of happy, care-free times during our youth.

Fast forward from Year 1991

 L to R -- Lizz, Kris, Jamie, Jessica, Camille

(on sofa, Robert)

Camille's first birthday party!  The pink car was her birthday gift from the Jardine Family.  It was driven to death till one of the front wheels snapped off.  The striped sofa served us well for years and years.  The spot where Robert is sitting was my favorite perch, especially during my pregnancies.  That end was noticeably sagging by the time we got rid of it.




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Personal observations on Michelangelo, da Vinci, Flowers & Chanel

Pictures paint a  1000 words + a few more from me :

Dad's coffin that he personally chose: Decorated with Michelangelo's Pieta on the corners; sides decorated with panels of the Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci. Great choice, IMO.  My poor Mom on a wheelchair, transported by an ambulance crew plus a CNA & a Caregiver (4 adult people in total), for a private opportunity to say goodbye to Dad at the church.  Thank God for those who coordinated this not-as-easy-as-it-looks event.  My last glimpse of the coffin at the cemetery, its top covered with flowers placed by family and friends plus the white gloves of the pallbearers. Why do I feel sorry for the flowers?! The weather was cold with snow flurries.  The 12 "FREE" folding chairs that no one sat on except for my Chanel bag.  Each of the front row chairs had a bottle of drinking water, a rose, and a pack of tissue.  So grateful to my friend in the purple coat who hooked her arm with mine. My DH had his arm around my waist. I think of it as God's love and support on either side of me.

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He is not dead

I cannot say, and I will not say

That he is dead.  He is just away.

With a cheery smile, and a wave of the hand,

He has wandered into an unknown land

And left us dreaming how very fair

It needs must be, since he lingers there.

And you --- oh, you, who the wildest yearn

For an old time step, and the glad return,

Think of him faring on, as dear

In the love of There as the love of Here.

Think of him still as the same.  I say,

He is not dead --- he is just away.

 by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

O death, where is they sting?

O grave, where is thy victory?

The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through

our Lord Jesus Christ

~ 1 Corinthians 15: 55-57

My Dad

My beloved ♥ Dad ♥ passed away in the very early morning hours of November 26, 2009.

It was Thanksgiving Day, AND my wedding anniversary, but I choose to remember that day as a day to give thanks for the many blessings bestowed upon me by the Lord.  I loved my Dad, and he loved me; and I am grateful to God for the privilege of being his daughter.

I am grateful for the memories: the most recent being the genuine look of joy, happiness, and relief he expressed as he greeted me when I walked into their home through their kitchen door a few days ago. Of course, I got there by driving his beloved Lexus RX 300 that he so generously lent to me.  That same night, he beckoned me over to his room after an awkward time with Mom, to tell me with all the sincerity he could muster -- "Don't worry about it..don't feel bad."  And, he was  grateful when I said a prayer to God above for him and Mom just before I left the next morning. 

My Dad had his faults (just as the rest of us), but I claim the forgiveness that's available throught the Lord Jesus shown in the Word of God: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowsip one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin (1 John 1:7)

My Dad heard the Good New, the Gospel of Jesus Christ which reconciles us to God through the shedding of His blood on calvary's cross --- a FREE gift to anyone who wants it.  Therefore, God's Word - So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10: 17),  brings me hope and comfort during this very difficult time. 

For by grace are you saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2: 8,9

Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect?  It is God that justifieth. Romans 8:33

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.  2 Corinthians 12:9

Fringe Benefit: Lexus RX 300 Luxury Car

I think I did my Dad a "favor" by my asking to borrow his Lexus RX 300 automobile during his recovery period.  The car would have just sat, unused and looking unhappy, in its usual parking spot in the back of their home. He said Yes, and was rather pleasant about it. The car isn't new, but compared to the three we own, it's comparatively luxurious.

What I appreciate and LuV: Heated leather seats, multiple cd-changer, quiet drive

Automatic Sunroof: Yesterday, it was warm enough to use this feature.  YaY!

Disabled Parking Permit:  We felt guilty about having this Tag hanging on the rear-view mirror, so we put it away in the glove compartment.  However, if running late for music lessons at the always-hard-to-find-parking Wheaton College campus; or, during an extreme emergency.......................................j/k

I-pass: Thanks, Dad!

Gambling Place VIP Parking Tag: No thanks, Dad!

Dinner Time: Pancit Noodles,Tofu, Rice-a-Roni, Eggplant, Salmon, Shrimp, Venetian Pizza, Banana Bread, S'mores, & Moscato Wine

We had dinner in Skokie last Sunday night.  It had been a long day, beginning with Church Worship Services for most of the morning; followed by a wonderful 4-hour visit with Mom at the hospital.  So, by the time 5:30 PM rolled around, we were ravenous!  Auntie Avel & Robert did a superb job of preparing excellent food, as usual. 

The participants: Wency, the Ramirez's including Jessie's BF, Meeko the dog, Dad, and us minus Camille.  So, a total of 16 people enjoyed the feast.  The pictures are not too great (we forgot our best camera), but the Food was Fabulous. Nothing like a good meal and fun people to help you forget your troubles. Thank You, Lord. Yesssss!!!!

Pancit & Tofu

Brown Rice & Rice-a-Roni with Citrus Dressing

Baked Chicken

(L to R) Sliced Tomatos topped with kalamata olives, anchovies, & capers;

steamed long beans; roasted Japanese eggplant

Cedar Plank Salmon

Bar-b-Que Lime Shrimp

Venetian Pizza (yum!)

Banana Bread with Coconut Glaze

Indoor S'mores (thanks, Wency!)

Mango Juice with chopped fruit and Moscato Wine

This Old House & my Chanel GST

For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. ~ Psalm 86:5

We all have colds this morning, except for one.  I am glad we were able to visit my parent's lovely home yesterday afternoon.  Got to their house around 3 pm (after morning Piano lessons for Jill and Farrah at CSA, and buying lunch). Let ourselves in 'coz no one was home. Mom is still at the re-hab center, but Dad was home soon after.  Jared put up the newly-drycleaned curtains.  The big screen TV was turned on so we could watch the Cubbies lose.  Plants were brought in.  The b-day presents for Jared and AJ were picked up.  Jared got a box of multi-flavored jelly beans.  AJ will open his present on his birthday.

I find myself feeling more appreciative. We've had this house for almost 36 years.  It was our first and only house since leaving the P.I. in '69. Even our house in the Philippines was rented, so I've been told.  This is home. I like coming here. I want to take pictures of every nook and cranny; and every piece of the decor. I want to remember my growing-up years.  Most of the bad memories are gone. And, for Pete's sake, look at all those glorious, green plants!

However, there's a gnawing question in the back of my mind that has popped up more and more often --- What's going to happen to this beautiful, old house in a few years? 

Chanel Grand Shopping Tote (GST); by the light of the front window

At the dining room with me reflected in the mirror

Jill playing peek-a-boo among Mom's plants

Farrah trying-out my Neiman Marcus umbrella

My old bedroom -- now being used for storing stuff (did they once own a pet bird?!)

I gave this piece of art to my parents; they liked it enough to hang on their wall!

Purchased from, of all  places, Marshalls

Our Aging Parents: Needing God's Help

We went to see Mom at the Rehab Center last Saturday evening.  Thank God that she is surrounded by fellow Pinoys, some who speak the same dialect.  God Bless and Heal and Strengthen you, Mom!


 ~ Psalm 103

Bless the Lord, O my soul...who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;  

Mom & Cancer

My Mom's cancer has indeed metastasized, in spite of some glimmer of hope  last week that it had not. It has spread in her lungs, and to her brain (but not to her bones).  Our hope remains on the Lord God and His Word.  Yes, we pray for her physical healing; but we pray most of all that she would have the ultimate healing - the healing of her soul - available ONLY by faith on the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth.  It is a free gift available to anyone, anywhere, anytime (while in the land of the living).

Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.
Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.
~ Psalm 66

so beautiful! so smart!

Rob's Birthday

My Aunt's husband, Robert, celebrated his birthday on Saturday, September 5.  Their daughter Liz was in town as their special guest. We always look forward to their parties because of their beautiful home, the food, plus the funtimes with cousins, aunts and uncles.  Surprise, surprise:  B-I-L Chris, a Realtor from Oregon, was also in town (on his way to Ohio to visit his dad and brother). It was very good to see him and to catch up on  news from the Left Coast.  Speaking of the Liberal Left, Chris may soon be working for the Conservative Right as a Host of  his own local, radio talk-show running from 3 to 6 pm.  Stay tuned. 

Left to Right:  Robert, Christopher, & Romy

Left to Right:  Auntie Avel, Liz, Claire, Jessica, & Jillian

Chicken Kabob (with red pepper, artichoke & home-grown basil)

BBQ Chicken

"Pinakbet", a regional Filipino dish (love this!)

Turkey

Pancit Noodle Dish (another Filipino dish/specialty)

Shrimp & Orzo Pasta with Veggies

Good 'ol Corn-on-the-Cob

Source of all things delicious: the Kitchen