#HappyEaster to my #Peeps this #JubileeYearOfMercy #Easter2016 love from #DoubleATeam #RememberTheCross #JesusChristCrucified #MaryMostSorrowful #HolyMedals #flowers #crucifix #OurLadyOfGuadalupe #PopeFrancis #cross #mercy #PeterCottontail #EasterBunny #NewLife #DecadeOfAsia TODAY #BirthdayCat #EasterBunnyCats #HolyCowCats #ThrowbackCat #ThrowbackThursday #TBT #HolyThursday #Easter #YearOfMercy #ElaineDispoPhotography: original photos including medals on the petals #DrDISPObustAFlow 🐰🐱🐯🦁🐤🐣🐥🐇🕊🐈🐆🐅💐🌺🌻🌹🌷🌼💝💒
Vuélvanse a Díos porque el reino de Díos está cerca. ~ San Mateo 4, 17
Remembering the cross & most precious blood this Holy Week and always⛪️💒💐
Must-See: Tyler Perry‘s The †Passion† Live: New Orleans on FOX this past Palm ☼Sunday☼
My positive takeaways: familiar talent and soundtrack (which I added to my ♪iTunes♫ immediately) in relatable portrayal to modern-day life
Added bonuses: Jencarlos♥ from Telenovela as JESUS and Prince Royce as Peter plus God’s Not Dead star Shane Harper
Speaking of which, God’s Not Dead II will be release soon!!!
My favorite cast members who I grew up enjoying: Melissa Joan Hart (Nickelodeon’s Clarissa Explains It All, ABC Family’s Melissa & Joey) as teacher and Jesse Metcalfe♥ (NBC’s Passions, TNT’s Dallas, Hallmark Channel’s Country Wedding) as attorney plus Robin Givens and the Fresh Off the Boat neighbor
♥These gifted gentlemen are on my celeb love list!
What better role model on Heaven and on Earth do we have out there than †JESUS CHRIST† Himself?
My R.E. studentswent through the Stations of the †Cross† to have an idea of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice
The man died for our sins and sits at the right hand of GOD. So much for American Idol and wherever else ~ we have our Ultimate Universe Idol!
Ms. Easygoing Evie made the perfectpalm †cross† at our Passion ☼Sunday☼ Vigil
During Lent, I read Killing Jesus by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard.
Killing †Jesus†: History (O’Reilly & Dugard, 2013) — NY: Holt.
It made more sense out of scripture, as well as provided vivid descriptions based on the authors’ own first-hand observations of the Holy Land sites and their extensive research
It humbled me to the point that I contemplated and appreciated the crucifixion even more (I actually teared up when I sang ♪Were You There♫ as cantor at Palm ☼Sunday☼ Mass)
Examples to Follow
Jesus Christ ~ for being a nonconformist against status quo for the sake of promising ♥love♥, ☼hope☼ and †faith†
Throwback Thursday: Celtic Cross w/Crown of Thorns & HOLY SPIRIT Dove (Philippians 4:13) ~ Fresh Ink as seen on Formal post
On Good Friday, I posted the Way of the Cross, so if you followed along, I invite you to consider how we can apply JESUS CHRIST‘s Passion to our own lives in the form of compassion for Him and His people.
[Stations in bold. Lessons in italics. (Some lessons are the same in different stations — if you’ve learned other lessons, please care to share!]
JESUS is condemned to death. Accept criticism ~ We all have our own cross to bear.
JESUS is laden with the Cross. Accept accountability ~ We all can help solve problems.
JESUS falls for the first time.PERSEVERE ~ DON’T give up, even in struggle.
JESUS meets His mother. Seek comfort from others ~ We are not alone.
JESUS is helped by Simon of Cyrene to carry the Cross. Render aid to those in need ~ We all can help.
Veronica wipes the face of JESUS. Render aid to those in need ~ We all can help.
JESUS falls for the second time. PERSEVERE ~ DON’T give up, even in struggle.
JESUS consoles the women of Jerusalem. Render aid to those in need ~ We all can help.
JESUS falls for the third time. PERSEVERE ~ DON’T give up, even in struggle.
JESUS is stripped of His garments. RESPECT ~ We all entered this world in purity.
JESUS is nailed to the Cross. GOD is the only Judge ~ We need NOT bully or hate.
JESUS dies on the Cross. Remember the LORD’s LOVE ~ He sacrificed for ALL of us. ♥
JESUS is taken down from the Cross. Consider others while they are still alive ~ We will all leave this Earth sometime.
JESUS is laid in the Holy Tomb. Sharing is caring ~ We all can spread the wealth of health, joy, peace & blessings, for as we were born with nothing but GOD’s LOVE, we will take nothing more than GOD’s LOVE when we depart.
#PutYourBestFaceForward #Easter #Sunday #Best #LastSupper #EasterBunny #BunnyEars #EasterBunnies eat #carrots therefore this #bunny eats #CarrotCake in #cupcake #helix / #cartilage #earring & #magenta #flowers #bling #earrings + #salmon #Pashmina #shawl to #compliment #pink #ears #HappyEaster #JesusChrist the #LORD is #risen today #Peace 💒🐇🍳💍👗🎀🎂🍰
#ManiMonday after #Easter w/#glitter & #shimmer from #NicoleByOPI: w/#ModernFamily #ShesLilySomething #stars + #GumDrops #ThatsWhatIMint #AccentNails (#Thumbnail & #RingFinger) ~ #Nicole by #OPI #green & #pink to keep #ring in #Spring past #EasterWeek complete w/ #EasterBunny & #CarrotCake #cupcake b/c #bunnies eat #carrots #HappyEaster w/ #yellow & #turquoise #ZebraStripes #NailArt 💒🐇🍳💍👗👡👜🎀🎂🍰
Strolling down memory lane with the Bunny Hop through the past few Easters…
Happy Easter from ASIA & Me (pre-ANNIE)
{yellow, lime green, turquoise, black and white scarf plus white sleeveless woven snap top by Express}
Happy Easter from Sissy & Me!
{on me: floppy straw hat from the Philippines and spaghetti strap paisley dress from T.J. Maxx]
Happy Easter from JUSTIN & Me!
{on me: Pashmina shawl from mi Suegra, magenta dress from my mom, RockstarFlip Flops with Swarovski crystals}
With more special days that we anticipate to celebrate this season, I’d like to share other outfits that are worthy of wearing.
Cross into the Orange
{Cross from México + orange camisole & tie-dye halter dress from Express}
Pastels & Purple
{Black & gold chain necklace from Target + purple v-neck cap-sleeved dress from Express + multi-colored CoachPoppy Pop C backpack featured on my debut Beauty Tuesday}
Almost dressed!
Posing with the Posies!
Dad & DISPO Sisters
Mom & DISPO Sisters
DISPO Family in the Yard!
{my accessories: Dallas Cowboys star earrings from Touch by Alyssa Milano & hibiscus necklace as Ph.D. cohort leader’s pasalubong from Hawaii + Fendi shades in purple; my outfit: my purple camisole from Express + pastel floral high-low dress, orange shrug & gold metallic cork sandals from Sofia by Sofia Vergara}
2 Great Minds Think Alike!
DISPO Sisters in Prabal Gurung
{on my sister & me: sleeveless First Date abstract print top w/black mesh overlay from Prabal Gurung for Target®; my red cami from Express, my grey & turquoise skort from Champion, my black sandals from BCBG}
♪†JESUS, remember me, when you come into your Kingdom…♫
That message stays with me as I reflect on Christ on the cross. On this Good Friday, I encourage you to read along with me the Passion of the Lord, according to John ~ from the Book of John, Chapters 18-19 (John 18:1-19:42) and open up your mind, heart and soul. If tears stream down your face, like I’ve experienced, it shows your overflowing cup of faith in Him, that you too yearn to be His humble servant, and to know Him is to love Him. ♥
Here are the Stations of the Cross that I provided for my family last year. I included pictures that I took at Our Lady of San Juan del Valle and Holy Spirit Catholic Church in McAllen, Texas, my first home in the Rio Grande Valley.
According to my parish priest, Father Bush, #PTL stands for:
Praise the LORD
Pretty Tough Lady
Please Talk Less
Push through LENT
The first and the fourth of these are just what we’ve practiced since Ash Wednesday. When we encounter a problem, we ought to revisit the Passion of CHRIST and realize that JESUS had the heaviest cross that anyone ever has had to bear. Let His experience speak to us, so we too can reach humility.
Here are my Easter greetings this year. My family and friends to whom I sent these cards also received a Palm Sunday cross that I hope that they will keep as a reminder to PTL.
Now that we’ve reached these holiest of days until Easter Sunday, I’ve completed Rediscovering Catholicism, so here are my revelations and remaining realizations:
Holy Spirit Light Insights
While I have #loved & #lost, I’ll never #lose #GOD & His #love ~ so I shall always have #faith, #hope & love for Him. [my #main #insight through this #spiritual #journey — #loss doesn’t mean the #end of the #world because His #kingdom is to come]
This #HolyWeek, I’m #fasting from #complaining. While I do my best to be #positive, this is 1 way to stay that way, so I #challenge you to join me in this #fast! Imagine how much less #stress we’ll have if we look @ the #bright side & our #opportunities as long as we follow the #light of the #HolySpirit 🙂 ✌️☝️👏🙏😻😍😎🌞
The task is simple: make NO #complaints until #EasterSunday 🌞 If you go that long then your #reward is this: you’re closer to #GOD for #basking in His #blessings rather than #bashing them as #burdens ❤ 🏆☝️🙏
I’d like to think that I can #sustain & DON’T #complain past #Easter but we @ least can get through this during the week of the #Passion. #GODblessYou =D #MissYourFace ♡ ♡ ♡ #PraiseTheLORD #PushThroughLENT 👏✌️
Rediscovering Catholicism Conclusions
Chapter 16 on #Fasting reminds me that #happiness & #health come from #discipline + enlightens me of how #spirit must #reign over #body, meaning that to #fast, our #soul has a #feast w/ #GOD! 🙏👆
“#Reading is to the #mind what #exercise is to the #body and #prayer is to the #soul.” ~ from Chapter 17: #SpiritualReading 📖💡👣💃🙏💖
“A #mother has a #unique #perspective. Nobody sees the #life of a #child the way the child’s mother does — not even his #father.” ~ Chapter 18: The #Rosary • Although I greatly #admire my #dad yet seldom ever see eye-to-eye w/Nanay, I #resolve to #appreciate my #mom more. Both this #reading & my new #job have opened my #eyes to this piece of #wisdom! 👪🙏🌹
A few years ago, I expressed to Bishop Mike my interest in establishing a #CatholicSchool in #AbileneTX. Upon reading Chapter 19: #TimeForAChange, I feel more compelled that this may be #GOD’s #calling to me as an #educator… So if I #inspire anymore #advocates, we can #MakeItHappen in His time! 🙏💒🏤⏰🎓 & if anyone has doubt, anything is #possible if we #believe! ☝️✌️👏
As a #scholar pursuing my #PhD in #LeadershipStudies, Chapter 20 on #Leadership is consistent w/the #theories I did #study @ #OurLadyOfTheLakeUniversity: #genuine #AuthenticLeadership • #bold #bravery #courage #purpose #virtue • #ServantLeadership w/ #model #service #sacrifice to #inspire ~ so all of these indeed can be practiced @ #Church w/ our #vision to #MakeADifference! 🎓💒
This last Chapter 21, #Return to #Virtue points out that we don’t just eliminate #vices but so #live by these #moral #virtues to #lead a #good #life: #SupernaturalVirtues • #FAITH • #HOPE • #LOVE | #CardinalVirtues / #HumanVirtues • PRUDENCE • #JUSTICE • #TEMPERANCE • #FORTITUDE … So I #pledge to be more #humble & less #proud (my main tendency) ~ for #pride is the #ultimate #vice & my ultimate #goal is to be closer to #GOD!
I read that in Rediscovering Catholicism, and this is a revelation that I’ve never considered before. I tend to plan, as I’ve pointed out in Beauty Tuesday: My AM Routine, at least a week in advance and even as far back as a month ahead of time. However, I’ve tried to let go and go with the flow…
Meanwhile, I must share my IT bag for Spring: this white vachetta Guess? handbag with studded handles and rose gold hardware ~ the bow and heart charms won me over when I first spotted it out at Dillard’s (my mom’s favorite store) at the end of January.
Two decades ago when I was in junior high, Guess? (which was established the same year I was born) was all the rage: think Wayne’s World featuring Claudia Schiffer {sha-wing}; I wore Guess? everything, not just limited to jeans: bags, shoes, even my suede jacket!]
Since I felt triumphant for reaching my most recent milestone for my dissertation, I convinced my mom to reward me with it, so this tote is special because it symbolizes my progress.
The color makes this pick very versatile for any outfit…
Plus, I have an array of accessories to mix and match with it, from rose gold jewelry, to bow and hearts.
My new purse will be sweet to bring to church with me on Easter Sunday, and I actually debuted it at the Adoration Chapel, where I brought the Oblate Missions prayer book from my mom, the Lady of Manaoag prayer book from J-Rob’s mom, Rediscover Catholicism, and my ministry workbook.
While I have my Easter ensemble ready to wear, I have other ideas on this most glorious of days of the year (with CHRISTmas being the most joyous ~ if you know the Rosary Mysteries, you’ll have an idea of what I mean). Bright colors and fun prints to commemorate this beautiful season is definitely the way to go, such as the pastel paisley patterns from these dresses that I bought in México before I moved.
Easter Idea {turquoise/multi-colored paisley beaded dress from México, floppy straw hat w/pink flowers from H&M in LV, straw sandals w/pastel acrylics from Hallmark}
Happy †Easter☼ ♥Asia & Me {black cross & beaded earrings & necklace set + purple embroidered shawl + blue/multi-colored paisley beaded dress from México}
Meanwhile, here was my look for Palm Sunday, when I was the lector for Mass in the longest reading of my church ministry: olive green to represent the Mount of Olives.
When GOD created the world within a week, those days were good. If we can see His creation in His eyes, we also may consider it as good. Today and this past Saturday were perfect days, and I truly believe that they were that way because I saw them in His eyes and invited Him into my heart and my life.
Asia Close-Up
On Saturday, I enjoyed my time at work, home, and church. On-the-job, I made more progress at work as we wrapped up my last shadowing session in the training progress. Before I got ready to minister at Mass, my highlight at home was when I cracked up while watching The Big Bang Theory and turned back toward Annie, who meowed really loud, like that was her laugh! Then when we celebrated Palm Sunday at church, I participated by doing the Readings, including narrating our Passion of the Lord Gospel that involved our whole congregation. The added bonus was that my Dallas Mavericks ended their NBA regular season with an advancement into the playoffs, and Manny Pacquiao powed another wow against Timothy Bradley!
Annie Close-up
Today, I experienced excellent encounters with everyone: the nursing staff and my patients at work, fellow Adorers at church, and sales people at the mall. At work, I introduced myself to more hospital employees and connected well with the patients, so they were comfortable around me. At the Adoration Chapel, I greeted a family friend during her Adoration Hour and a nice stranger at the garden with the candles. At the mall, I made a quick stop for errands yet struck a brief decent conversation with a couple of the workers. When I got home, I received a delightful delivery from my good friend, Nora, who I’ve known since junior high (2 decades already), a fellow Catholic and USAF brat: her wedding DVD since I didn’t get to attend!
Biscuit Busy
While I’m watching the beautiful video of Nora y Jorge, I caught a couple of cute cat candids! One more note: while some may think that GOD’s will is not our own, I beg to differ; if we make His will our own and not the other way around, then we’re accepting of His way as The way for it to be our way.
Welcome/Mabuhay/¡Biénvenidos! I am a USAF brat who was born in Germany and grew up State-side while celebrating my Catholic and Filipino heritage. ☼Sunny☼ DISPOsition Elaine’s Eye Candy/DISPhotos ~ I love GOD & His creations, so I take photos @ any given opportunity. Elaine DISPOrts ~ I am passionate about sports, which is my research focus on my ... Continue reading →
The Elaine Dispo Journal 