Coffee Moments with Sam

Pope John Paul II defines freedom as: “Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought.When freedom does not have a purpose, when it does not wish to know anything about the rule of law engraved in the hearts of men and women, when it does not listen to the voice of conscience, it turns against humanity and society.” Freedom is not always an issue of liberty or independence to choose and do whatever pleases us, but freedom is about “being in a state of peace, happiness, satisfaction, as a result of our choosing what is right”. It is a guilt-free, fearless, shameless, stress-free kind of life. So how exactly can we live free? wallpapers.com Read full article:  What it Means to Live Free - Live Free Column - Tapat Catholic News

Last week, I was helping my son, Mico, with his school assignment.  The instruction was to list down "10 Things that Make Me Happy".   So I asked my son what makes him happy and he answered: 1. "Hug" 2. "When I listen to my Teacher" 3. "Playing" 4. "Mommy or Daddy Kissing my Cheek" 5. "Having Toys" 6. "Watching Cartoons" 7. "Family" 8. "Dancing" 9. "Sharing Toys and Food" 10. "Love" Children truly knows the real essence of HAPPINESS.  What a great way to be reminded that HAPPINESS is within us.  It may be expressed in simple ways but the true meaning of it lies in the purity of our hearts.  It's up to us to decide how we choose to be happy each day.  

"It was truly a fairy tale moment for me as a mom... To have my son's magical dream fulfilled was my very own "happily ever after" coming true."    - read more: I Dream of "Disney" blogpost

Classic Disney program I enjoyed as a child (photo credits: cbc.ca)     The wonderful world of "Disney" had been a significant part of my life as child.  I first fell in love with Snowhite, the first ever Disney movie I saw and watched over and over (and over) again.    Since then, I became a big fan of anything and everything “Disney”.    From Dumbo and Pinocchio... to Peter Pan and Bambi...  Aladdin and Cinderella... I always looked forward to my weekend Disney marathons.          As a young girl, I had my own “Disney-inspired” fantasy world.   I imagined what it would be like to get lost in Wonderland like Alice... or having a Fairy Godmother and attend a magical Ball like Cinderella... At times I would dream of living in an enchanted castle like Belle and best of all, to meet Mickey Mouse. Some of my classic mov...

"I’m participating in the Keeping Christ in Christmas Blog Carnival, hosted by Raising (&Teaching) Little Saints , Truly Rich Mom and Arma Dei: Equipping Catholic Families. We'll be sharing different ways, tips, stories and real-life experiences that will help us focus on Jesus as the Reason for the Christmas season. Please scroll down to the end of the post to see the list of carnival entries.” Sally’s letter to Santa Claus: “Dear Santa Claus how have you been?   Did you have a nice summer?   How is your wife?   I have been extra good this year so I have a long list of presents I want.   Please note the size and color of each item and send as many as possible.   If it seems too complicated, make it easy on yourself: just send money.   How about tens and twenties?” -   From “A Charlie Brown Christmas” TV special 1965 The real essence of Christmas has become too commercialized and extravagant through the years.   Material g...

(A Reflection on the 3rd Candle of Advent: The Candle of Joy) For this week's advent reflection, I wish to share another Christmas story.  It's a modern Christmas Children's Classic entitled, "A Wish to be a Christmas Tree", written by Colleen Monroe.  Here's a video version of the story as narrated by Mitch Albom: The story is about an old, overgrown pine tree, who for many years had been waiting and hoping to be selected as someone's special Christmas Tree.  He witnessed how many other trees had been taken into different homes, decorated with lights and tinsels... beautifully bringing joy into the lives of those who live in it.  As years passed, he has already grown too big to be someone's Christmas tree.  This made him so sad and lonely.  But his friends from the woods all believed that he is quite a special tree.  They told him how much he has brought joy into their lives.  He has provided shelter and ...

Only God can accomplish miraculous make-overs .  He can turn sorrow into joy, hideous into beautiful, and mistakes into moments of opportunity.  All we need to do is believe.  Ask Jesus into your heart and get ready for a change.  (excerpt from A Cup of Comfort for Women Devotional)

image source: piercedhearts.org Today we remember Our Lady of Sorrows:    Our Blessed Mother suffered extreme pain as she witnessed the death of her Son Jesus Christ on the Cross.  But Christ loved His mother too much to leave her alone to her sufferings, thus He made sure that someone will stand by her to give her comfort, care and love.  Jesus chose His most beloved disciple John to care for His mother.  He said to His mother, "Woman, behold, your son,".  Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother." (John 19:27). In the same way, Christ will never leave us alone to face our sufferings.  In the midst of our loss, grief and pain, He is always ready to fill our life with people and opportunities to be comforted and to find hope. Let Jesus' love for His mother be a reminder to us that He loves us just the same.  Trust that He will turn our sorrow into joy.

August 6, 2008... It was an extremely hot summer in the Middle East.   But not even the almost 50 degrees Celsius scorching weather can beat the intense desire that was burning in my heart that day.   It was the day motherhood became a reality for me...  I gave birth to my first-born son.   From the time I was brought by my husband to the hospital, everything seemed to happen so fast.  One moment I was in the pre-labor room, then I was taken to have an ultrasound where it was discovered that my umbilical cord was tightly looped around my baby's neck.  Next thing I knew, I was already giving birth via emergency C-section.  My wonderful gift! At first, I couldn't believe that everything was happening for real and that the time I had long been waiting for had finally arrived.    ...