The older I get, the more I appreciate tradition. There’s something very grounding about it. Tradition reminds me of who I am and that I’m part of a people. However, I also know that some traditions need to stop. If a tradition hurts or hates or alienates, then it needs to stop. Then, there are traditions that just […]
This Crazy Business
Californians are freaking out right now. There’s something falling from the skies and it just won’t stop. It makes our valley cold, and people are wearing something called a “jacket” and using something called an “umbrella.” What gives? Coming from the Philippines where storms mean rolling blackouts and waist-high floods, a little rain isn’t too […]
Christmas from the Philippines to California
The streets were dark and so were most of the houses. There were no street lamps to guide the way for the rag-tag group of carolers. There were no strings of twinkling lights to beacon us to the more welcoming houses. So onward we went, house to house, ringing one doorbell after another. I stood […]
Create Production
I stepped into the aisle and immediately knew that I was out of my depth. Home Depot. PVC pipes. How do I get the pipes I need in the length I need them in? Which pipes are not too thin and not too thick? All I wanted was this: to make this: for our Christmas […]
Drive for God
My mom started a ministry at a senior home/assisted living. It started as a small every other Saturday mini-service. Then it grew until they now hold a Sunday service, bringing the church to the people that can’t come to the church. My best friend is a nurse who’s worked primarily in geriatrics. There are a […]
It’s Time to Volunteer
Remember when I talked about our hearts? That the holidays can be hard for us singles, and the first thing we’ve got to do is examine our hearts. Nothing we do to prepare for the holidays or to make this a jolly time will work if our hearts are not in the right place. When […]
Winter Clean
Happy December! And happy Cyber Monday. What a way to kick off the end of the year with a big online sale, but how about we kick it off a different way? You’ve heard of spring cleaning, haven’t you? It’s where you dust off your house like dusting off the winter slumber. You toss out […]