elainedispo

Posts Tagged ‘praying’

Thirsty Thursday: Game Plan = GOD’s Plan

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Health, Higher Ed, Home Sweet Home, Pro-DiSPO, Public Interest, Relationships, Travel, Weekly Wonders, What's Hot, Workin' Woman, Yours Truly on 01/14/2016 at 15:33

Happy National 🏡Home🏠 Organization Day!

What a way to place that need for order as we ring in the New Year!

Let’s welcome ☼everyday☼ with

I live by these planning approaches:

  • Fail to plan, plan to fail. ~ Brian, 👊🏽Toned Up💪🏽 on Bravo!❗️
  • Plan to work, work to plan. ~ Alex, Carpenter from 🏡Treehouse Masters🌳 on 🦁APL🌎

Here’s my organizational strategy:

  1. Map out day (night before) 🕯💡🛣🌃🌉
  2. Visualize: Pray🙏🏽 ☝🏽️✌🏽️👓🌈
  3. Exercise💓💞 👣👟🏋
  4. Breakfast ☕️🍊🍳🍞🧀
  5. Tackle the tough things 1st 🏉🏈🏅🎖🏆

~ adapted from Forbes‘ most successful people

A couple of my Catholic brothers have made these remarks about planning (paraphrased):

  • How do you make GOD laugh? Tell Him your plans! ~ Danny Barrera, JD 👔
  • What’s the point of planning? It takes up more time! ~ Capt. Kirk‘s Dad ✈️

While I’m an advocate for daily game planning to help us establish order in our lives, our plans don’t work unless we

  • know that we can’t implement them singlehandedly, and
  • that our ultimate goal is to follow GOD’s perfect plan 👏🏽🙌🏽

3:33 ~ make a wish … or, actually: a †prayer!!! ✌

Sports Spirit Sunday: Score Goal, New Roles, More Soul

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Higher Ed, Home Sweet Home, Pro-DiSPO, Public Interest, Relationships, Spirit Sunday, Sports, Sports Sunday, Travel, Weekly Wonders, What's Hot, Workin' Woman, Yours Truly on 12/06/2015 at 12:50

Two-Day Game Warning: Almost the End of Regulation!

Announcement Maze with CardsIMG_8296Announcement with Photo Credits

As I approach my Big Day (Public Dissertation Defense) to complete my Doctor of Philosophy, my journey toward this ultimate goal may be drawing to a close while my next one toward my career advancement will begin.

However, my Ph.D. pursuit has helped me grow, not just professionally, but also personally, and most of all: spiritually. Furthermore, this undertaking couldn’t have been accomplished single-handedly: GOD’s grace provided, JESUS’ example was all-sided, and the HOLY SPIRIT’s light guided, in addition to Team Dr. D, who had my back. I forever will be grateful to the †Heavenly HOLY TRINITY† and my positive supporters here on Earth, who’ve rooted me on all the way, leading up to this Tuesday, December 8 ~ save-the-date!

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My next anticipated title this AdventTita Elaine.

We expect my future niece or nephew to arrive around CHRISTmas time ~ the very 1st grandchild of my parents, who recently celebrated their ♥wedding♥ anniversary.  Yes, my family is very blessed. Regardless of these joyous times, I pray that we’ll always turn to the LORD, as we lead our lives here while preparing our eternal home in Heaven.

Sending peace and goodwill to San Bernadino, CA, in the wake of this terrorist tragedy. ✌

Spirit Sunday: All Saints

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Health, Higher Ed, Home Sweet Home, Pro-DiSPO, Public Interest, Relationships, Spirit Sunday, Travel, Weekly Wonders, What's Hot, Workin' Woman, Yours Truly on 11/01/2015 at 15:00

Happy All Saints Day!

Bishop Mike has called us “saints in the making” who will join the saints someday to whom we pray.

Currently, I’m in a Saint Benedict Novena, initiated by my Bestie Evie (who claims him as her patron after her own healing).

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Since he is the Patron Saint for Students, I’ve sought his intercession as I enter my round(s) of full faculty dissertation defense

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During my committee defense period, I went through these Novenas:

Who are your favorite saints? Mine include:

Others who I admire are, but aren’t limited to:

Saints are special, and I like this analogy that Evie introduced to me:

They are our defense attorneys who advocate for us as we enter the stand at the gates of Heaven for GOD to judge our fate.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us.”

Hebrews 12:1 [pointed out by Maryknoll]

R.I.P., Tita Leticia ✌

Thirsty Thursday: Triple T

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Health, Higher Ed, Home Sweet Home, Pro-DiSPO, Public Interest, Relationships, Thirsty Thursday, Travel, Weekly Wonders, What's Hot, Workin' Woman, Yours Truly on 10/29/2015 at 08:00

T is for …

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How do you use your †ime, †reasure (i.e., tithing) and †alen† in serving GOD?

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We all have unique ways that GOD has called us to serve Him and His people.

I also can continue glorifying GOD as I finish and use my doctoral degree!

Father Bob‘s most recent ✌PTL✌ in his latest greeting to me stands for:

  • Precious
  • Treasure
  • Lady

¡Feliz Día de los Santos y Día de los Muertos!

Working Woman’s Wednesday: Patience = Virtue

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Health, Higher Ed, Home Sweet Home, Pro-DiSPO, Public Interest, Relationships, Travel, Weekly Wonders, What's Hot, Workin' Woman, Yours Truly on 10/28/2015 at 03:33

Dr. Grassi cites scripture in sustaining patience:

  1. Romans 8:28 ~ GOD works for the good of those who ♥love♥ Him 
  2. Genesis 12:2, 7; Hebrews 6:15 ~ Abraham receiving the ☼promise☼ later in life
  3. 1 Thessalonians 5:14; Galatians 6:10 ~ Paul advising patience with other †faithful† people

I read his testament on patience yesterday, which was wonderful timing because it was just what I needed in multiple aspects of my life:

  1. getting through my dissertation defenses
  2. seeking a career advancement
  3. dealing with difficult people

Before I read his passage, I realized how patience helped me through those obstacles mentioned above:

  1. I received encouragement from my professors
  2. I received my latest teaching assignment
  3. I received a fresh perspective on someone

These were reasons to thank GOD!

When I went through my Confirmation classes, I sought patience as a virtue and still continue pursuing it through all aspects of my life. We live in a world of

  • instant gratification
  • sense of urgency

Yet …

If we patiently wait, we’ll have more reason to ☼celebrate.

As we commonly say, and I first heard from my eighth grade math teacher:

Good things come to those who wait, for they will be ☼rewarded☼ ten-fold.

Plus, as my buddy, Big D has mentioned:

Anticipation creates ☼excitement.

Spiritual Sources

Sports Sunday Fun Day: Maligayang Bati, Papa Jun!

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Home Sweet Home, Relationships, Sports Sunday, Sunday Fun Day, Travel, Weekly Wonders, Yours Truly on 10/25/2015 at 15:00

♪Happy ☼Birthday☼♫ to my Dad today!

Go, *Dallas Cowboys* this NFL ☼Sunday!

Cowboys Fans

Throwback: Papa Jun & I en route to our *Dallas Cowboys* game against the Philly Eagles during the ‘BOYS‘ first season at its new home field (then-Cowboys Stadium/now-AT&T Stadium)

Just like any fortunate child who has grown up with a father or paternal figure, I feel extremely †blessed† and grateful to still have mine as a constant part of my life.

Dad the DCC Fan

Throwback: Papa Jun & I have a good view of *America’s Team* and *America’s Sweethearts from 6 rows behind the end zone!

Papa Jun is one of the most well-rounded people who I know and admire:

Even as an adult, I still keep learning from my Dad, who always enlightens me everyday, through his example and his wisdom as a prayerful soon-to-be first-time grandfather with whom I attended Church today. Cheers, Pops!

Maligayang Bati, Papa Jun, at ♥Mahal♥ Kita!

✌ R.I.P., Flip Saunders of the NBA ✌

Spirit Sunday: World Missions

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Health, Home Sweet Home, Public Interest, Relationships, Spirit Sunday, Travel, Weekly Wonders, What's Hot, Yours Truly on 10/18/2015 at 13:30

Mission is a passion for Jesus and at the same time a passion for people.

Pope Francis

Let’s follow Chris†‘s example by serving others ~ regardless of mistakes along the way (like my off-tune ♪singing♫ at Church yesterday) ~ as our fai†h will always prevail, our missions won’t fail!

#DISPObustAFlow✌

World Mission Sunday

Send me forth each day, O God,
to announce Your peace, love,
forgiveness and joy to all the earth. Like the Samaritan,
help me be a good neighbor.Like the Centurion,
help me confess my faith.Like the Beloved Disciple, help me to be a bold
and faithful witness to Your Resurrection.

All the world deserves to hear Your Good News.
Help me proclaim and live it today.

Amen.

~ Father Joseph R. Veneroso 
World Missions ☼Sunday☼ Reminder from Father Raymond J. Finch
Both Prayer and Reminder Courtesy Maryknoll Missions

Soul Saturday: Scripture Strategy

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Health, Home Sweet Home, Public Interest, Relationships, Soul Saturday, Thirsty Thursday, Travel, Weekly Wonders, What's Hot, Yours Truly on 10/17/2015 at 13:30

As I prepare for my service to our Church as commentator*** today, I continue to seek the Holy Spirit‘s guidance.

Lector and Singer Prayers

Lector✌ & Church ♫Singer♪ Prayers | ***Courtesy Straight from the ♥Heart♥ … A †Prayer† Companion (Rev. Fr. Ladra, Marío José, 2007)

Dr. Grassi, in Guts, Grace & Gloryapproaches scripture like a linebacker* ~ so I’ll do the same, per these positions:

  • Stance ~ “starts with the right foundation”
Home Is Where the Heart Is

Our heart home was built on stone, which serves as a solid foundation for unwavering ♥love & faith✌ full of flowers + stores festive traditions every season!

So then, anyone who hears these words of mine and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain poured down, the rivers flooded over, and the wind blew hard against that house. But it did not fall, because it was built on rock. But anyone who hears these words of mine and does not obey them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain poured down, the rivers flooded over, the wind blew hard against that house, and it fell. And what a terrible fall that was!

Matthew 7:24-27

Book of Matthew

Book of Matthew, Chapter 7 | **Courtesy The Catholic Rainbow Study Bible: Good News Translation (2nd ed.) (Rainbow Studies, Inc., 2000)

  • Alignment ~ line up with the right people

Keep company with the wise and you will become wise. If you make friends with stupid people, you will be ruined.

Proverbs 13:20

QT w/EV

Cupcake Cheers: QT w/ Evie after I made a sweet treat run ~ looking forward to tonight’s dinner after we serve at Church for Vigil Mass

Do not be fooled. “Bad companions ruin good character.”

~ I Corinthians 15:33  

Christ’s message in all its richness must live in your hearts. Teach and instruct one another with all wisdom. Sing psalms, hymns, and sacred songs; sing to God with thanksgiving in your hearts.

Colossians 3:16  

Tabernacle

The Tabernacle: The Blessed Sacrament

So Jesus said to those who believed him, “If you obey my teaching, you are really my disciples; you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

John 8:31-32

Spiritual Sources

  • *Grassi, J. E. (2013). Guts grace and glory: A football devotional. New York, NY: Thomas Nelson. (p. 69)
  • **Rainbow Studies, Inc. (2000). The Catholic Rainbow Study Bible: Good News Translation (2nd ed.). El Reno, OK: Rainbow Studies International.
  • ***Rev. Fr. Ladra, Marío José. (2007). Straight from  the ♥Heart♥ … A †Prayer† Companion. (pp. 146-147).

Thirsty Thursday: Pro-Life Prays & Praise

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Health, Higher Ed, Home Sweet Home, Pro-DiSPO, Public Interest, Relationships, Thirsty Thursday, Travel, Weekly Wonders, What's Hot, Workin' Woman, Yours Truly on 10/15/2015 at 08:00

Happy Feast Day of St. Gerard, Protector and Patron Saint of Expectant Mothers!

Holy Father

After ♥Bishop Mike♥ sent me the beautiful †cross† blessed✌ by ♥Pope Francis♥ he mailed me this sweet photo of our pontiff!

For all of you mommies-to-be ~ including a few of my own ♥loves♥ (who we celebrated this past weekend) ~ who are adding to your families, this prayer’s for you and your little miracles in the womb that they’ll be born and baptized plus survive and thrive

St. Gerard Prayer

St. Gerard †Prayer† for Protection * Expectant Mothers | Courtesy Straight from the ♥Heart♥ from Vince for my blessed birthday

My prayers are for ALL moms ~ so here’s another to St. Joseph that I pray before my work and for unwed mothers

St. Joseph Prayer

St. Joseph †Prayer† for: GOD’s will * unwed mothers * peaceful✌ death | Courtesy Our Lady of San Juan del Valle

GOD bless all mamas and their babies-to-be!

RIP Abortion Victims

Throwback Thursday (2/22/2009): Pro-Life for my Profile, taken the last time I visited my motherland, the P.I. … Rest in ✌Peace, Unborn Babies whose Lives were terminated too soon

1st Friday of Fall Y’all: TGIF

In ♥ & Soul, Community, Feline Friday, Fitness Friday, Floral Friday, Foodie Friday, Foto Friday, Home Sweet Home, Public Interest, Relationships, Travel, Weekly Wonders, What's Hot, Yours Truly on 09/25/2015 at 20:45

Thank GOD It’s Fall!

Moon Rise

Facing east for the moon rise from my backyard garden … Just another West Texas Friday night!

As much as ☼summer☼ is my favorite season (after all, that’s when my birthday takes place), I’m making the most out of autumn ~ especially going outside for crisp, fresh air!

I’m also all about Starbucks seasonal flavors* ~ from ☼summer’s fruitiness to these comfy delights:

Salted Caramel Mocha Frap

My latest Starbucks Gold Card reward redeemed: Salted Caramel Mocha Frappuccino!

Starbucks Cold Cup

My venti cold cup always comes in handy … for a discount & a drink to last me all ☼day!

Toasted Graham Frap

Apparently, I was my local barista’s 1st customer to order a Toasted Graham Frappuccino! #StarbucksLovers ♥ #trendsetter

Furthermore, football has kicked off into full swing!

Refreshments Reinforcements

I refreshed my ♥heart♥ & ☼soul☼ with ♥Adoration♥ †Chapel† holy hour at †Church† & with this ☼spirit☼ book + my bod with this Graham Goodness! (Even though I’ll cover up more, I’ll definitely still tone up with whatever energy I still can muster in the midst of working on my dissertation!

Here are a few of my favorite things for fall …

Howl-o-ween Hype

Trunk or Treat: ☼Sunshine☼ (my truck) tailgate was decked out with festive decor that featured ♥A&A♥ when we gave candy to my †Church† students last Howl-o-ween!

Nine Fine Fall Flaves

1. Favorite Candle: my Bath & Body WorksSalty Caramel that I used to light up my *Dallas Cowboys* jack-o-lantern and Advent †cross† (I’m also all about BBW‘s Pumpkin Pecan Waffles/White Barn‘s Thanksgiving Morning)
2. Favorite Lip Color: toss-up between my red Ardency Inn ♥Love♥ Cat lipstick from Sephora or purple Vera Wang *Rockstar* lip gloss from ULTA (c/o my Bestie Evie)
3. Favorite Drink: please view above {Exhibits B-E}
4. Favorite Blush: the ones from my KleanKolor Double Rainbow palette, plus I think that I’ll try Dulce Candy‘s tip on lip colors in a pill box for cheek colors!
5. Favorite Clothing Item: my birthday gifts ~ specifically the scarf/shawl ~ and my recent online finds plus my Target scores ~ particularly the jeans and booties!
6. Favorite Fall Movie: no new releases, so I’ll go with classic football flicks: Varsity Blues (came out my sr. yr.), Friday Night Lights (with a cameo of my h.s.), Remember the TitansAny Given SundayThe Longest Yard (including the original)
7. Favorite Fall Show: Grey’s ♥Anatomy!!! I’ve been counting down for the Season 12 premiere since the Season 11 finale ~ as a loyal fan for over a decade since the very beginning with the previous seasons on DVD
8. Favorite Thanksgiving Food: I’m not going to lie –> my Cranberry Pie #DISPObustAFlow
9. Favorite Halloween Costume: now how about I have y’all pick? My personal faves include when I rocked out my abs live, No. 5 … I won our contest in 2013 as Lone Ranger‘s Tonto and in 2014 as my Nurse Mom who was fine in 1969! Will I make a 3-peat??

Actually, please allow me to add a 10th item:

My #1 Favorite for Fall: my ✌two✌ ♥cute, cuddly companions♥ with whom to softly snuggle for cozy comfort plus who keep me company while hard at work and welcome me home after hard at play!

CHEERS to this time of year!