Source: http://patrickmadrid.com/dear-mom/

S is thinking about her pamangkins – justin, jake, yuan and vienna – and she is apprehensive about the future. S is pro-life.

January 22, 2023

Dear Mom:

Can you believe it is already the year 2023? I’m still writing ’22 on everything! It seems like only yesterday that I was sitting in the first grade and celebrating the change to a new century.

I know we really haven’t chatted since Christmas, Mom, and I’m sorry. Anyway, I have some difficult news to share with you and, to be honest, I really didn’t want to call or talk about this face to face.

But before I get to that, let me report that Ted just got a big promotion, and I should be up for a hefty raise this year if I keep putting in all those crazy hours. You know how I work at it. (Yes, we’re still struggling to pay the bills.)

Little Timmy’s been okay at kindergarten, although he complains about going. But then, he wasn’t happy about the day-care center either. So what can we do?

He’s been a real problem, Mom. He’s a good kid, but quite honestly, he’s an unfair burden on us at this time in our lives.Ted and I have talked this through, and we have finally made a choice. Plenty of other families have made the same choice and are really better off today.Our pastor is supportive of our choice. He pointed out the family is a system, and the demands of one member shouldn’t be allowed to ruin the whole. The pastor told us to be prayerful and to consider all the factors as to what is right to make our family work. He says that even though he probably wouldn’t do it himself, the choice really is ours. He was kind enough to refer us to a children’s clinic near here, so at least that part is easy.Don’t get me wrong, Mom. I’m not an uncaring mother. I do feel sorry for the little guy. I think he heard Ted and me talking about this the other night. I turned and saw him standing at the bottom of the stairs in his PJ’s with his little teddy bear that you gave him under his arm, and his eyes were sort of welled up with tears.

Mom, the way he looked at me just about broke my heart, but I honestly believe this is better for Timmy, too. It’s just not fair to force him to live in a family that can’t give him the time and attention he deserves.

And please, Mom, don’t give me the kind of grief that grandma gave you over your abortions. It’s the same thing, you know. There’s really no difference.

We’ve told Timmy he’s just going in for a “vaccination.” Anyway, they say the termination procedure is painless. I guess it’s just as well that you haven’t seen that much of little Timmy lately.

Please give my love to Dad.

Your daughter

(Author unknown)

ADAM AND EVE WERE DECEIVED BY THE ‘APPETIBLE AND DESIRABLE’ LOOK OF THE TREE, i.e., THE FRUIT HANGING THEREIN WHICH LOOKS SO DELICIOUS. THE FIRST COUPLE WERE DECEIVED BY THAT LOOK. THEY FOLLOWED MERE INSTINCT AND PASSION. THEY FORGOT THE FACT THAT THE REAL TREE OF LIFE AND THE REAL TREE OF GOOD AND EVIL AND THE REAL TREE OF KNOWLEDGE IS GOD THE SOURCE OF LIFE, THE HIGHEST GOOD AND THE FOUNTAIN OF ALL WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE.

SO, WHEN THE LORD JESUS REDEEMED US HE CHOSE A BARREN TREE. ONLY THE PIECE OF WOODS WITHOUT FRUIT OR BRANCHES… BEREFT OF THE SIGNS OF LIFE. NOTHING SO APPEALING AND DELICIOUS THERE. BUT, THE ONE HANGING IS THE LORD HIMSELF, THE INCARNATE GOD. IT WAS THE LORD WHO IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE.

SO THE CROSS REMINDS US THAT THE GREATEST FRUIT IS THE LORD. IT IS IN HIM THAT WE FIND THE FULLNESS OF LIFE, HE IS THE SUPREME GOOD AND IT IS HE WHO CAN GRANT US THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO GIVES US WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE FOR OUR SALVATION. WE MUST THEREFORE AVOID THE PITFALL OF ADAM AND EVE WHO REJECTED GOD AND WAS SEDUCED BY THE PLEASURE OF THIS WORLD. THEY TAUGHT THAT THE FRUIT OF THE TREE IS BETTER THAN WHAT GOD CAN OFFER. INSTEAD, WE MUST POINT TO JESUS: “IT IS THE LORD!” YES, IT IS THE LORD WHO GIVES LIFE, ETERNAL HAPPINESS AND SALVATION. EVERYTHING ELSE WHICH REPLACES HIM BECOMES AN IDOL THAT LEADS TO DEATH AND DESTRUCTION.

By Father Abe

http://thesplendorofthechurch.blogspot.com/2012/02/spiritual-reflection-on-barrenness-of.html

Being overweight can affect the quality of a person’s life. It can lead to serious illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, heart-related problems, cardio-vascular diseases, and other complications that can lead to sudden death. Fortunately, there are natural and safe ways to burn fats.

Regular exercise and proper diet are on top of the list. Walking makes the heart stronger while running makes the lungs work harder. On the other hand, eating the right kind of food can help an individual achieve his ideal weight. Fruits such as strawberries, oranges and acai berries are said to help lost weight in a short span of time.

Another fruit that is gaining popularity in the weight-loss market is the african mango. It contains vitamins that claim to lower the cholesterol level and accelerate the body metabolism. It is also rich in leptin hormones which are known as appetite suppressants thus helping the person control his yearnings for foods that will make him gain weight.

Everything said, active lifestyle and a balanced diet can do wonders in burning those unwanted bellies. However, you must understand that experts have varying opinions regarding “balanced diet.” This means that we have differing needs and that it is always best to consult your physician about what is most suitable for you.