March 19, 2021

You make me so proud. Always. 😘

Te amo!

Adversity

"There's something a bit different when your child is born with a certain level of adversity. There's a deep sense of not only love but also of respect... (He) is a constant source of inspiration and admiration" -Colin Farrell on his son James, 10, who has Angelman syndrome, a rare neurogenetic disorder that impairs speech and motor skills

Today's prayer

Thank You, Lord, for using our lives to inspire others to renew their faith in You. May You help us to use these situations, not to uplift ourselves, but Your name. May You never let us belittle what works You have done in us, but instead allow us to remain to be childlike and dependent on You.

I claim happiness and love and faith for our family, in Your name. Amen.

Failing

"If I fail, I try again, and again, and again. If YOU fail, are you going to try again? The human spirit can handle much more than we realize. It matters HOW you are going to FINISH. Are you going to finish strong?"

- Nick Vujicic

Kids, Nick was born without hands and feet. He had bouts of depression growing up, even tried drowning himself in the bathtub. Yet, he overcame all insecurities and weaknesses and focused on his strengths and gifts. He turned out to be one of the world's greatest motivational speakers. Look him up and let me know if he inspires you too.

Love you both!

Remind Yourself That You’re A Saint Within

One day, a teacher asked her students in class to write the names of the other students on a piece of paper.  "And leave space between each name," she instructed.

       When they finished, the teacher said, "Underneath each name, I want you to write the good things you see in that person."  Immediately, the kids busied themselves with the task and took the whole class to finish it.

       The teacher took the papers home and collated the material.  On one piece of paper per child, she wrote all the positive qualities written by their classmates. 

       On the next class, she handed out the papers to the kids.  They were very happy to read the letters.  "Wow, am I really this person?" some of them gushed.

       Many, many years later, the teacher received a phone call.   One of her former students, who had become a soldier, was killed in battle.  Would she want to attend the funeral?

       She went and saw many of her former students condoling with the bereaved family.  As she stood beside the coffin, looking at the lifeless body of a young man in uniform inside, a middle-aged woman approached her.  "Are you my son's grade school teacher?"

       "Yes," she said, "you must be his mother.  My deepest condolences."

       "I'd like to show something to you," the mother said. "My son had this inside his wallet when he died."  She pulled out a worn-out piece of paper.  It was obvious that it had been folded and unfolded many times. 

Even before it was opened, the teacher already knew what it was.  It was the piece of paper that contained the list of positive qualities his classmates saw in him.  Kept and read all through the years.

       By that time, her other students had gathered around both of them.

       A young man beside the teacher said, "Uh, I carry mine wherever I go too."

       A woman from behind said, "I still keep mine.  It's in my diary."

       Another man said, "I display my list on my desk at home."

       Another woman said, "It seems like all of us kept that paper all these years!"

       The teacher was moved beyond words. 

       Why would a simple piece of paper mean so much?

       Because here's the truth: Life can be rough.  At various time, it can even be cruel.  Every time we fail, every time we receive criticism, every time we get rejected, we doubt our worth.  We doubt our goodness.

       We are very desperate for love.

       We need to love the saint within us.

       Friend, love yourself. 

       Each day, celebrate your positive qualities.  Celebrate your goodness.  Celebrate your beauty.

       Thank God for how wonderful He made you.

Love the sinner and the saint within.     

      

       May your dreams come true,

     I love you.

(Story from the Chicken Soup series)

Congratulations, sweetheart! At a very young age, you already inspire a number of people with your life story. May this motivate you to do good all the time.

I love you!