Happy Fathers' Day!

Follow your heart...?

So says the Disney saying. There's nothing wrong with the saying itself (even I remember those adventures playing out the Disney princesses and whatnot XD). The problem just happens when your heart is not exactly in the right place. Sooo...where exactly is your heart?




I found it interesting that last Friday and yesterday were the feasts of the Sacred Hearts.

(Now) this is how we shall know that we belong to the truth and reassure our hearts before him in whatever our hearts condemn, for God is greater than our hearts and knows everything.
Beloved, if (our) hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence in God and receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.
And his commandment is this: we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another just as he commanded us.
Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them, and the way we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit that he gave us.
~ 1 John 3:6-24

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.
Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love.
In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him.
In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also must love one another.
No one has ever seen God. Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us.
~ 1 John 4:7-12

As the old saying goes: Home is where the heart is.
Where else can Home be but with His Heart?

Alternative, Positive, Awesum!

Found this over on the Air1 blog! Air1, by the way, is a great Christian radio station that we listen to. Not only do they play the latest Christian hits, but it's a good station to listen to for daily pick-me-ups if you're down. Second to Mass, of course. ^_^
Anyway, I can relate to this artist:

Here is a letter from Adam of Owl City about his faith in Jesus Christ and how it leads his life:


My name is Adam and music is something that is fused to who I am. It allows me to breathe deeply, it lets me feel, imagine, aspire and dream in the most beautiful ways imaginable. Music is something that I can't imagine living without, and though it means more to me than the world itself, there is something that weighs significantly heavier on the scale of all things valuable and important in my life, that being my relationship with Jesus Christ.

I am an artist, that's what I do. Creating art has been my dream since elementary school, it's the only thing I'm good at and looking back on the years, I am left breathless, completely and utterly bereft of speech at how the Lord has chosen to use music in my life and what I do as Owl City to plant seeds, spread light like fire in an age where darkness feels more oppressive than ever, and ultimately, to glorify Him. I am endlessly honored and humbled that He should use me -- a completely average, ordinary shy boy from the middle of nowhere, to do great things in order to further His kingdom.

I'll be the first to say I have a timid personality and I'm not a great conversationalist, nor very confident in social situations, but one thing I've never wanted to be shy about is the reason behind why I do what I do, why I create art, why I dream and imagine. That reason is my faith in a God more powerful and omnipotent and full of love for us than words can even begin to describe.

...and no, I can't resist putting up one of my current favorite songs!!


So, invisible friend, do you live in Hawaii? You can find the Air1 station at 103.5! Or you can listen online...or you could download the app...

Check, check, reality check...

*sigh* Just one of those times when you suddenly jolt out of a 'fairytale' mode. You know, the kind of mode you get into when everything 'seems' perfect, when you're really not seeing the entire picture. If you choose to hide in some fairy book mindset away in a corner, singing away and hoping that what's going on behind you doesn't exist, you're only going to make things worse. You're avoiding the question, and putting off answering it until tomorrow. Well...it's still going to be there, and if you're homeschooled like me, you're going to end up with double the work - double the questions to answer on a paper. After all, tomorrow is really today, if that makes any sense.
Suffering, pain, the kinds of things that twist your heart until it sinks...they're real, and no amount of wishing is going to wish them away. And unless it's what God says is the right way of it, a few fervent Hail Marys aren't going to whisk these realities away either. God doesn't take them away like that. There's a short prayer that I found today. It goes something like: "Dear God, I know that nothing will happen to me today that You won't help me overcome." It's the short version of one of my favorite prayers: "My God, I do not know what will happen to me todayI only know that nothing will happen to me That was not forseen by You And directed to my greater good for all eternity. This is enough for me. I adore Your eternal and unfathomable designs. I submit to them with all my heart for love of You. I offer the sacrifice of my whole being to You, And join my sacrifice to that of Jesus, my divine Savior. In His name and by His infinite merits, ask you for patience in my sufferings and perfect submission, So that everything You want or permit to happen Will result in Your greater glory And my sanctification. Amen."

There's something about a God not making problems vanish. It makes seem God far away and...not exactly someone to confide in. There's something about God taking our hand and walking through our problems WITH us. It means God's closer than we think.


One of the beautiful things about the mysterious thing called life...one moment it can be a gale with a powerful force enough to knock rip trees from the earth, then next it's a delicate rose petal...fading away into the ground to nurture the sapling that would grow beside it.
Blah, Cy-Cy is probably babbling at this point. Goodnight, invisible internet friends! Until next time when Cy is crazy enough to stay up and actually post something. :) She doesn't exactly know why she's even posting it.

Damien Day in Hawaii

Mahalo to CT who took the picture! ^_^ We were blessed to come to Mass today and find out that they were showing Father Damien's relic! This picture shows the relic of Father Damien's right heel.
The one thing that I really admire about the gruff, short-tempered, but honest and compassionate farmer from Belgium, is that he dared to go to a place that hardly anyone had dared to even think about. He did what people should have done, but didn't. He cared when everyone else turned away. Father Damien brought hope to a place where hope was a dream. And he didn't do it for himself.
There's something about having heroes who kind of belong to your hometown. Somehow, it gives you hope that there's still such a thing as a hero, and that maybe...just possibly...you could be one too.

Simply Love

...and Love simply. ^_^

A piece of art

(Ha ha, and the title isn't 'A Piece of Heart' like in the Zelda video games! XD Hm, it makes a good title though...)

I've been reading poetry and prose for this school year. Tough subject. XD One of the things I've learned in reading poems and whatnot is that you can't simply read them and expect yourself to understand any of it. Half the time I wonder if the author himself even understood what he was saying or was even making a point to get you to understand it. ^_^ It takes time and patience. And slow reading. And even a drop of desire to understand. Maybe you don't even have to understand, but appreciate the beauty of an artwork.
This one, though, is fairly easy and one of my favorites...um, not just because it's easy.


When I consider how my light is spent,
Ere half my days in this dark world and wide,
And that one talent which is death to hide
Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, lest He returning chide-
"Doth God exact day-labor, light denied?"
I fondly ask. -But Patience, to prevent
That murmur, soon replies, "God doth not need
Either man's work, or His own gifts; who best
Bear His mild yoke, they serve Him best. His state
Is kingly; thousands at His bidding speed
And post o'er land and ocean without rest;
They also serve who only stand and wait."

"On His Blindness"
John Milton

Sidenotes and Blogs

Update!!
Ok, sorry...I didn't realize the link to the Sisters' blog was malfunctioning! Ack >_<


Sidenote:
Oh dear...to anyone who ever comes here, I'm really sorry for neglecting blogging. It's not one of my new years resolutions, but I'm going to try to update more often. >_<

Blog:
Please check out a new blog that's come up recently:
Pauline Presence in Hawaii and Pacific Islands
It's a blog run by Sister Linh and Sister Laura, Daughters of St. Paul here in Honolulu!

Get to know the Sisters, and browse through some of the books on the sidebar. If you don't live here in Hawaii, it's also a terrific blog to visit and learn a little about the culture and happenings here on the islands. Oh, and don't forget to feed the fishes at the end. :D

Who are the Daughters of St. Paul?

We are consecrated women who communicate Christ's love to all people using all forms of media.

If you haven't yet made their aquaintence, drop by for a few minutes. Or, visit their main website at Pauline.org ^_^

Last month, my family and I watched the movie Fireproof over at Pauline Books & Media for a movie night. Even though Valentine's Day was already over by that time, I thought it was the perfect movie for Lent and Easter.

John Holt: Has she thanked you for anything you've done the last 20 days?
Caleb Holt: No! And you'd think after I washed the car, I've changed the oil, do the dishes, cleaned the house, that she would try to show me a little bit of gratitude. But she doesn't! In fact, when I come home, she makes me like I'm - like I'm an enemy! I'm not even welcome in my own home, Dad. That is what really ticks me off! Dad, for the last three weeks, I have bent over backwards for her. I have tried to demonstrate that I still care about this relationship. I bought her flowers, which she threw away. I have taken her insults and her sarcasm, but last night was it. I made dinner for her. I did everything I could to demonstrate that I care about her, to show value for her, and she spat in my face! She does not deserve this, Dad. I'm not doing it anymore! How am I supposed to show love to somebody over and over and over who constantly rejects me?

...but that's exactly what God does for us - has done for us since He created us. That's exactly what we celebrate during the last few gasps in the Triduum and in the great feast of Easter: God's ever faithful Love to those who don't deserve it.
It's obvious that we don't. When Our Lord gave us the most precious gift of Himself in the Eucharist, Judas was in the very act of betraying Him. People rejoiced at his arrival in Jerusalem, only to shout insults and spit on Him on the way to the Cross how many hours later! How frustrating is that?? After God's Son become one of us and spent all those years in befriending and teaching? After all that and only a few had the courage to stand by His Cross at the end?
Yet through all of humanity's failings, such a beautiful thing occurs! God picks us up from out mud heap and washes us clean to shine with Him in the glory of Easter. He scoops us up and brings us to Himself and dances with us around all creation in victory. He pulls us into the celebration of joyful song and dance! Why...? Because that's what - or rather Who - True Love is. Remember Saint Paul's letter to the Corinthians on love? God is every one of those definitions. He is pure undying Love holding out His hand.
Now the question is, will you accept?


"Your Love makes me forget what I have been
Your Love makes me see who I really am."



...and it's only with God's Love that we can be all who we were made to be: His children.


Have a Blessed Easter, everyone! ^_^

Happy Easter!

Alleluia! Alleluia!
The Sun has risen triumphant!
He has banished the choaking night
He has melted the bitter iciness
Gone is the snow of fear and shame that onece blanketed the ground
Our sins are washed away, and new life sprouts from the earth!
May truest Love reign in our hearts evermore!
Alleluia! Alleluia!