Thirsty Thursday: H is for …

Happy * Healthy * High Hopes * Heavenly –>†Holy† Humble ♥Heart♥ <– Healing * Hurt * Horror

No matter how far I go, I always aim to stay close to GOD.

I give my ☼life☼ to †GOD† whole♥heart♥edly

As I glorify Him through everything that I do, I believe that I’ll reap the rewards promised in Heaven.

I ♥LOVE♥ †GOD† with all of my ♥heart♥ & my ☼soul☼ ✌

Regardless of my joys and sorrows, peaks and valleys, the LORD resides by my side, and I seek Him for eternal hope.

Thank YOU, Holy One, for leading me to Your will and Your way. ✌

{My Grad Photos taken by fellow military brat Filipino Cat Ritualo at theMcNay Museum}

Happy Birthday to my ♥Mama Eufemia♥ (Sept. 3, 1926-June 9, 2011) ~ ♫You Are My ☼Sunshine☼♪

Birthday Blessing from Bishop Mike: Our Lady of Guadalupe medal from OLG shrine en México

This Week’s Pontiff Televised Specials:

I’m beyond blessed to have my  dear, sweet friend the Bishop remember my birthday & pray at OLG for me!

• Liturgy of the Word with Pope Francis on EWTN 

Courtesy Catholic Relief Services

• Pope Francis and the People on ABC‘s 20/20

Foodie Friday: Más Valley Faves

Almost a week since I left el Valle, I must mention my last meals from my loved ones to send me off on a good note!

Milano’s Italian Restaurant (Weslaco) ~ with my Ph.D. study buddy Alicia

Palenque Mexican Grill (McAllen) ~ from Dr. Alex & Frank

Pancakes a la Janet (SB) ~ by mi Cuñada

¡Salud a good food to set the mood!

4:44 ~ make a wish!!! (I’ll blow my candles next week!)

Foodie Friday: Valley Fave Craves

Being just a hop, skip and swim away from the border means there’s access to …

Really delicious, not always healthy food!

Here are my favorites (aside from my in-laws’ good homecooking, o’course), that I’ll miss in this neck of the woods, or shall I say: foot of the Valley!

Bubble Tea (Tea Rush Café in Sharyland/Mission, TX) ~ during my West Valley Church Tour

Koko’s Mexican Cuisine (Uptown/McAllen, TX) ~ for my classmate, Dr. Alejandro Garza’s Birthday

Sweet & Tasty Bakery ~ also for Dr. G’s Bday, with this Banana Split Pie to die & the BEST pan de polvo

¡Salud!

Thirsty Thursday: Southmost Valley Church and Catholic School

🙏Pray with Praise & Thanks + for Peace✌️

After school business, I visited more beautiful Churches.

St. Joseph’s (San Benito)

Following my meeting yesterday, with a principal of the Catholic school where my Ph.D. professor served as CEO/President, I went to this Cathedral close to the border.

Immaculate Conception Cathedral (Brownsville)

Due to over a year worth of renovations, it will be closed until September 15, 2014.

Luckily, the gift shop was open for pasalubong!

Oblates of Mary Immaculate is my dear friend and Valley native, Bishop Mike’s religious order!

☝️God’s Blessings👏

Thirsty Thursday: MORE Valley Churches

My beautiful Valley Church tour took me further throughout the lower RGV this past week.

After spending time working on my dissertation research at school last Saturday, I attended Vigil Mass at the nearby parish where we had my second Ph.D. Convocation.

St. Francis Xavier (La Feria)

The priest really struck a chord in me about how his Church lacked involvement in the Ministry, so I hope that he reached out to the Congregation members.

On Sunday, I swung by the grotto in Port Isabel, following my homecoming in South Padre Island.

Our Lady Star and Sea (Port Isabel)

My buddy also took me by another place of worship on the Island.

Chapel by the Sea (South Padre Island)

After work on Monday, I visited the Church where my nephew’s dad was the first altar boy.

Our Lady Queen of the Universe (San Benito)

Unfortunately, we lost a family friend that night, and I continued to pray for the repose of her soul on Tuesday.

St. Helen’s (Rio Hondo)

I’ve also taken my nephew and stepdaughter to Vacation Bible School, so I like to believe that they’re learning valuable lessons about GOD and His Word there.

R.I.P., Brenda Doria Paragas

Thirsty Thursday: Valley Churches

GOD’s presence = The greatest gift

Since my return to the Rio Grande Valley, I’ve been visiting different Churches everyday.

Here are the first few where I’ve gone for Adoration. I haven’t taken as many photos since I’ve gone in the past, so I may also add throwbacks.

Our Lady of San Juan del Valle Basilica & Shrine (San Juan)

St. Benedict’s (San Benito)

Our Lady of Assumption (Harlingen)

St. Anthony’s (Harlingen)

Immaculate Heart of Mary (Harlingen)

The next few on the lineup:

* Queen of Peace (Harlingen)

* St. Francis Xavier (La Feria)

* Our Lady Star of the Sea (Port Isabel)

* Immaculate Conception Cathedral (Brownsville)

* Christ the King (Brownsville)

More to come where I used to attend:

* Holy Spirit (McAllen)

* Our Lady of Guadalupe (Mission)

¡Gracias a Díos! ¡Díos te bendigan!