Sunday Sermon and Other Stuff

“The way to see by faith is to shut the eye of reason.” 

― Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard’s Almanack

*******************

Today is Trinity Sunday. I always smile because that is why Mom was named Trinidad. She was born the day after Trinity Sunday 88 years ago. A very Hispanic Catholic thing. 

So, the sermon after the Gospel today was about the Trinty. Father-in-training, Martin, discussed how diffupicult it is to explain the concept. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all one. He said many people have tried to explain and have failed. I discussed this with Mom today. I said, “What’s to,explain? It is part of your faith. You believe in things you can’t see. Blind faith is just that…blind.” If We had to have concrete evidence for every thing, we’d be in big trouble. 

My take on it… I’m not sure there is a Trinity, but I’m not positive there isn’t. There are many things that can’t be explained.  I guess I’ll have to wait and see.

Also, Martin said that it is our calling as Catholics to spread the teachings of our faith. I personally believe that that is done by example, and by being a good, loving person. I don’t have to hit you on the head with my Bible and say, “I’m Catholic and this is how you’re suppose to think.” Nope! But, I’ll give you a hug and say, “I love you” or “Good to see you.” Then, you know I’m your friend or you’re my family, or both. That’s spreading the word!

********************

Gospel MT 28:16-20
The eleven disciples went to Galilee,

to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.

When they all saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.

Then Jesus approached and said to them,

“All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father,

and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,

teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

  

Saturday: Stunning Sultry Skies

“Having your head in the clouds is not a bad thing… as long as you take advantage of the inspiration you find while you’re there.” ― Misty Dawn Seidel, Dreams on Paper

**************

I enjoy having my head in the clouds and taking advantage of all the the wonders found there. The vantage point is amazing. Oh the sights you will see. Speaking of sights…here is the beautiful sunset that brightened my evening walk and inspired a short verse.

  

RED VELVET SKY
A red velvet ribbon

In the North Texas sky

Stripes of silver grey clouds

Where the soaring hawks fly.

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis
It was stunning. A photograph doesn’t do it justice. You had to be there. Maybe you were. 

Friday: Another Freakin’Friday…Bad Things Come in Threes

To me there are three things everyone should do every day. Number one is laugh. Number two is think — spend some time time in thought. Number three, you should have your emotions move you to tears. If you laugh, think and cry, that’s a heck of a day.
–Jim Valvano

***********

They say bad things come in threes. Why is that? If it is true, then I should be done for a while. I’ve spent the last three Fridays at the dentist office. First, three weeks ago, my crown fell out and had to be replace with a temporary. Never did find it, $1500. Last Friday, I was in extreme pain followed by root canal. Painful and $1000. This Friday, my permanent crown put in. Three Fridays  at the dentist. Oh, last night, part of my temporary came off and was most likely ingested because I never found it.

The good news is, if bad things happen in threes, I should be good for a while. I took a selfie of me and Miss Martha who helped replace my crown. She probably thinks I’m a nut, but, guess what, I am.

  
Don’t we have nice teeth? Mine are mostly crowns and fillings. As I get older, I just replace my parts with new parts. 

“If you laugh, think and cry, that’s a heck of a day.”
I’ve had a heck of a day! 

 

Now, for the good things that come in threes. I’m waiting.

Theme Song Thursdsy

Every man has his secret sorrows which the world knows not; and often times we call a man cold when he is only sad.Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

*********

This morning on my walk , I found this poor little shiny blue winged bug desperately fighting to flip over. When I tried to fturn him right side up, he kept struggling. I finally placed him gently in the cool grass where he might have a better chance of survival. 
It made me think of the song ” Bridge Over Troubled Waters.”…………. 

   When you’re weary, feeling small

When tears are in your eyes, I’ll dry them all (all)

I’m on your side, oh, when times get rough

And friends just can’t be found

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will lay me down

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will lay me down

Read more: Simon And Garfunkel – Bridge Over Troubled Water Lyrics | MetroLyrics 

But then again, everything’s keys me think of a song. 

Wednesday Words of Wisdom

“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” ― Harry S. Truman

*****************

It’s funny how easy it is to make analogies in your every day life. At least it is for me. This afternoon, I decided that I’d procrastinated enough. I needed to seal the grout on my tile floors. The thought of it was daunting. It all needed sealing, the hallway, kitchen laundry room, guest bath and master bath. 

Why do you need to seal the grout? It protects the floor and prevents stains. No one will notice or say, “Oh my, did you just seal your grout?” But, it needs to be done. So, I spent several hours doing this unsung task. I did, however, use a rolling desk chair for most of the job, hunched over, rolling around with my foam brush and sealer. Much better than on my hands and knees. (I’m very clever, if I don’t say so myself.)

 

Here’s my anology… Often times in life, we do many things that go unnoticed. You don’t see the work, time, effort or sacrifice that goes into these tasks, and you don’t get a thank you or a reward. But, you know it must be done.

 “A job well done is its own reward.” Whoever said that didn’t seal all the floor grout in their new house, that’s for sure.

  

Tuesday and Twilight Treasures

“Mine is the sultry sunset when the skiesTremble with strange, intolerable thunder:

And at the dead of an hushed night, these eyes

Draw down the soaring oracles winged with wonder” 

― Lionel Johnson

***************

Rain, rain, go away. I cannot walk or go and play. 

I’ve been trying to sneak in a walk here and there, between the raindrops and deluge downpours. Yesterday, after my kickboxing class at the YMCA, I attempted a walk, but a half hour into my rhythm, the skies opened up. I scurried home, put on a book on tape to listen to, and vegged until evening. I planned to be a complete couch potato for the rest of the day.

But, around 7:30 pm, my friend Lynne texted and asked if I wanted to join her for a walk. (She was going stir crazy, too.) I had been sitting in my dark house and assumed it was still raining. I opened the front door, and to my amazement, it was cloudy, but the sun was trying to break through. So, I whipped on my gym shoes and drove over to Lynne’s for a long leisurely evening walk. The sun was setting and painted the sky with twilight treasures.

   
   

There are so many beautiful sights right in your own back yard. Well, maybe not your yard, but someone’s back yard.

  
 

Memorial Day Memories

Who kept the faith and fought the fight; The glory theirs, the duty ours.  WALLACE BRUCE

**********

The word MEMORIAL by Merriam-Webster definition is…

: created or done to honor a person who has died or to remind people of an event in which many people died

1 : serving to preserve remembrance : commemorative

2 : of or relating to memory

************

But, it is so much more than that, isn’t it? Memorial Day isn’t about a day off, picnics in the park, or huge sales at the mall. We honor the men and women who sacrificed their lives for our country. We honor the families who sacrificed so much when their loved ones did not return. That’s what the day is about.

With social media and modern technology, I was very impressed this weekend by the many pictures, posts, and comments from friends and families, paying tribute to our military. They shared old photos and fond memories. Many lost their lives, but many served, knowing that they too might be called to make the ultimate sacrifice. They are all heroes in my book and all should be honored.

  
This is a watercolor painting I did a few years ago to honor my father, Elijah Armenta who served in the Philipines during WWII. A collage of the Philipine Islands, jungles and palm trees, with a young soldier serving his country. 

  
(Thanks Poppi)

I wanted to share a beautiful tribute to our country and our military with The National Anthem sung by a young McKinney Boyd High School senior, Katie Grossman. She performed this acapella tribute at the Smiles Charity Concert last night. I still get misty EVERY TIME I hear the National Anthem, and this made me cry. Beautiful, Katie.

  
  
Please continue to share your memories and keep their sacrifices alive. “The glory theirs, the duty ours.”

  
A view from my window. 

Sunday Sermon And Speaking the Same Language

“The conquest of learning is achieved through the knowledge of languages.” 
― Roger Bacon, The Opus Majus of Roger Bacon – Volume 1

**************

Today was Pentecost Sunday. It was a dreary rainy morning so I wore a red sweater and my red raincoat to church. Wearing red lifts my spirits. Little did I know that the choir, Father Don, and most of the congregation would be dressed in red. This was to represent the tongues of fire and a tradition in the Catholic Church. Lucky fashion statement choice.

************

“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (King James Version)
**************

Here’s my take on the sermon. The room was filled with the Holy Spirit and many languages were spoken so everyone could understand. This got me to thinking. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all speak the same language, and we could all understand each other? You would think in this day and age of advanced technology, that we could all communicate, get along, and stop war and hatred. We are all on the same planet, just trying to get by. Why can’t we live in peace? Why can’t we all get along?

**************

   
 

Later in the afternoon, I went over to the Square and met with some friends. Then, I had lunch with my friends at Sweet Spot Bakery. We speak the same language there, and that language is friendship. So, I hung out until they kicked me out.  Just kidding. But, I did stay till closing time, and they locked the door. I can take a hint.

  

Saturday: Socializing and Soothing Music (Best Medicine)

Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul. ~  Angela Monet

*************

After my trauma yesterday of excruciating ear and jaw pain, desperate attempts to get to the dentist by way of flooded or barricaded  streets, I finally arrived to find immediate root canal my only option. I have a pretty good threshold for pain, so I did ok. I did get a prescription for antibiotics for the infection, but refused one for oxycodone.

My pain reliever of choice is non-narcotic. I call it friends, socializing, and music. My friend Linda Grossman, (you’ve heard this before, world’s best realtor) had an extra ticket to a private concert and had invited me earlier to join her. This was before the root canal drama. Instead of staying home and suffering, I thought…what better way to releive the pain than listenning to great music and visiting with friends. So, off I went with a swollen jaw and no feeling on the left side of my face.

  
Billy Falcon had us laughing with tales of unrequited love and crying with heartbreaking stories of loss and suffering. He sang his life with a guitar and moved the entire room to a standing ovation finale. 

  
When my sister asked me why I didn’t just stay home and rest, I told her that if I was sitting around, all I would do is feel and think about the pain. If I was out with friends, distracted, having a great time and listenning to great music, I wouldn’t have time to think about it. And thus was my evening. Pain free.

Yes, my pain reliever of choice is friendship and music.

   
 

Freakin’ Friday: From the Dentist’s Chair

“Life is short. Smile while you still have teeth.” 

― Mallory Hopkins

*************** 

OK, last Friday, I lost a crown and had to get new one. Pain, suffering, and $1500. A few days later, jaw pain and shooting pain in my ear. Got in to see the dentist. ROOT CANAL!!!!! And, another $1,000. Fridays are not my friend lately.
But, life goes on. Live from the dentist chair.

  
I know you feel my pain. Well, not actually, but you get it.

  
I wish I would have known about this earlier. There are a lot of frogs in the pond after all this rain.
Have a good holiday weekend! Stay safe, and try and stay dry.