// thoughts

I remember a few years ago, I was hardcore into praying. I would just pray and pray and pray! Fifteen mysteries, pito pito, whatever it was I was doing it every possible time I could during the entire day. Why'd I do this? I really don't know it was just something that I wanted to do, I felt that love for Him soOooO much that I couldn't hold back and I just wanted to talk to Him every waking hour!

Even now I talk to Him whenever I have a spare moment, I say "hi," or just tell Him about my day. When I pray I don't just ask for something or do it with the intention of receiving something afterwards - of course we all have our times when we all do that. But some people don't realize the power of prayer.

Earlier this year we went to this Catholic church in the Bronx - St. Francis of Cabrini. The story of that church was it was started by a lady who came from Europe, her first name I don't remember but her last name was Cabrini. She's the patron saint of Immigrants. There was this whole story behind how she got the church started there in the Bronx (but I can't remember it right now), and her body which is still preserved is under the altar in the main church.

Part of the story was there was a bench that was on that ground before the church was built, and this is where she would go to pray. When the church was built, they had built the church around the bench, so it's still there in it's position as she prayed on it before. When we were there, the person who showed us around told us that if we go there and pray for something, we will receive it.

One of the youth here went there a week before the retreat. He went there for confession and there he sat on the bench and prayed for two things - to have a lot of candidates at this retreat and for him to get a job before Christmas started. He's been looking for a job for a while, but he just hasn't had much luck - he's constantly sent out his resume to every place possible but nothing would work out or people wouldn't call back.

So his first request was granted, with a retreat of 68 + 1. Then he called me up last week and explained the whole story to me again, well he got a job! Someone called him out of nowhere and asked him when he could start! So he's going to start working tomorrow! Second request granted!

I'm not saying to go to the Bronx or some other place to go wish for something that's known to have wishes come true, but it just shows you how much power there is in prayer and in faith. Trusting in Him and going to God when you need Him, putting your life in His hands and just giving yourself to Him - He will take care of the rest.

Just let yourself go, don't hold back and don't let things slow you down anymore. Talk to Him when you can, He's just there waiting for you. Let go and let God

+ mon

Yesterday afternoon we went to the FASHI Christmas party and it was just spectacular! I thought it was going to be another one of those parties where you just eat and dance, line dance and exchange gifts. But it was more of a "show."

It was held at the Museum in Flushing Meadow Park. It was just incredible seeing all these "kids" performing traditional Filipino dances and rockin' the old school Filipino gear! I thought I was good to go regarding our culture, but after seeing the presentation tonight, it really opened my eyes to a whole new world of Filipinoness!

The things I knew about our culture were pretty much the tinikling dance, the candle dance and arnis. That was pretty much it! Yesterday I learned that we have our own alphabet! Man I don't know if I'll be able to learn that anytime soon, but now I know it exists. I also know what the Parol means and how it all started.

Seeing all the people into their heritage, into their culture and the traditions was just great to see. A lot of people forget who they are, or where they come from. I remember asking one of the youth before "are you filipino..." and they answered me "no I'm american..." but his parents are Filipino! He was born here and with the culture and the way he was brought up, he sorta lost that "Filipinoness" but hopefully it's coming back to him slowly

I got to see what Ted does and it's really inspiring to see the younger generation being cared for by a great individual and by a great organization. Leaving kids out there to the world today without any guidance and knowledge of where they come from will lead to a future that is Filipinoless. Great job Ted on all your hard work with the FASHI youth and being their leader.

We topped the night off with an after party at Kassandra's house - OMG this place was huge. What a great house! It even had it's own parking lot, no joke! Man I ate so much again there and at the FASHI party! Karaoke, drums, skatin', just hanging out with the FASHI Youth was great, it reminded me of how it was to be a kid again (damn I miss those days). Thanks Kassandra for inviting us! We had a freakin' great time! hAHAHhahAhHA Henry on that exercise machine - OMG hAhAHHA!

I gotta see your guys pics from last night hook a brotha up!

Great job to all those involved with FASHI and with setting up the party yesterday. Thank you Kassandra for bringing us to her house and sharing the fun and the food!!

Pictures available at my gallery

+ mon

Well the day finally came! Last Friday (December 10th) my brother and Rachael got married! Wo O O ho O o! They have been going out for a while now and I thought they would never get married, but it all went down on Friday.

When we would hang out and my brother would introduce Rachael to people, he would introduce her as his wife, this time it's the real deal.

The wedding ceremony and the reception was beautiful I got teary eyed a few times just seeing them together and hearing them say their vows to one another. You could really see it in their eyes that they were saying all the words with so much feeling and so much love.

Welcome to the family Rachael (officially), even though you have already been a part of us from way back

Pictures available at the gallery.

CONGRATULATIONS! MR. AND MRS. RAYMUNDO!

+ mon