They were eight coming in from the  New Orleans area. A direct flight from Louis Armstrong Airport  to LAX, with a pit stop at In-N-Out hamburgers, brought them to our doorstep at 2:00 A.M. My sister Jo was staying with us and her two sons and their families were staying a stone’s throw away from Disneyland.

Day One:  They wanted to go to Hollywood to take in the sights, but I informed them that it was Gay Pride Week, and the traffic would be a great deterrent. Then they wanted to go visit where my mother once lived, but their cousin  Sonja told them that that would be too dangerous. Sonja used kind, loving words, “I would never take my children there for fear of their lives.” Our son Mikos came in and piled more fear about the dangers in the City of Angels. Our son-in-law Russ heard that they wanted to attend a game at Dodger Stadium, and warned them that they could be stabbed. So on the first day, they stayed within the compound of the Marriott Hotel and hung out by the pool. My sister Jo kept mentioning to me that all we were doing was discouraging all their plans. Later, I will share a story with what they put me through when I visit them.

Day Two: They wanted to go to the beach but the riptides and waves were too dangerous for swimming in the ocean. The Dodgers were in town playing the Atlanta Braves, so they went to the game. The last time that Frank was at a Dodger game Fernando Valenzuela was pitching. These brave Southerners stayed the entire game. We usually leave after the third inning or after eating a Dodger Dog.

Day Three: Frank and Nick, my nephews, are getting married in Las Vegas this June 15, so we planned a family barbecue. It was a perfect day for a family gathering, and my brother Mike and two of his sons and their families joined us for the gathering; we were a total of 27. Mike made his famous Cherry Cola Ribs and hamburgers. We shared many stories and made wonderful memories, while all of the kids swam. Every last one of the beach towels was put to use, then we discovered that our clothes dryer was on the brink.

Day Four: Universal Studios, I cannot express how I loathe the crowds, and waiting in long lines. I am not a Disney fan either, so Jo and I stayed behind.

My sister is the same way when I visit her, as she never wants to do anything touristy and refuses to take me to the French Quarter.

We are like cats when visiting each other, taking many naps in between our ventures. All of us three sisters, Norma included, share another thing in common; we care for our grandchildren and many times our schedules revolve around their timetable. In reality, that is what family is about, right?

On Thursday, round two with more Cajun’s arriving.

“And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.” ~1 John 4:21

Matthew 18:6 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”

On May 24, 2018, I was asked to speak at the School Board Meeting. California passed a law on sex education that was to implemented on June 5, 2018, in our district. For me as grandparent this poses a big problem, because of the severity of the information that is going to be inflicted on our children.

The school board meeting was standing room only. I followed the proper protocol and filled out a form, I was number seven of more than twenty speakers. We had three minutes to state our grievances against this new policy. Within the group were concerned parents, physicians, college instructors, students, and persons of diverse religions.

The future of our children is in jeopardy, because these new laws are about indoctrinating children starting from Pre-K to high school. To introduce them in a casual manner through “Teen Talk,” instructing our youth of the do’s and don’t of sexual conduct and, informing student of all the choices of “gender spectrum.”

My talk was about the fact that at any time, a minor of any age in California may consent to birth control and abortion services. Additionally, a parent’s permission is not required to excuse a minor during school hours for confidential services (Calif Family Code 6925). If my grandchildren suffer from a headache, the school cannot dispense an aspirin, but they can leave campus to get an abortion? For the full three minutes I pleaded my case. I ended my talk with informing the school board that they are not only accountable to the parents but also to God.

The irony of this meeting is that most parents are oblivious to these new laws. One school board member kept reiterating that parents have an opportunity to opt out, but even this is a half-truth. A parent can opt out of some of this so-called “sex education,” but not all.

This tactic is bullying to a new level, and parents should be in an uproar about this.

Ed Code 51932 (b) says parents MAY NOT OPT OUT or EXCUSE their child from any instruction that discusses gender identity or expression.

CSBA AR 6142.1 (also states NO OPT OUT)

This instruction can be for ANY GRADE LEVEL and parents do not need to be notified ahead of time when instruction is given.

 Another “great” teaching moment is telling our children that different genders exist and should be respected.

According to the California Teachers’ Association Magazine (California Educator) in the article “Embracing the Gender Spectrum” (March 2017, Vol 21, Issue 6, p. 21) , genders can fall in MULTIPLE CATEGORIES… (Gender Expansive)

They can be:

1)  GENDER NONCONFORMING– which means their gender expression is outside of  the their assigned sex at birth.

(pronouns used:  Feminine identity or Expression: she, her, herself Male Identity or Expression:  he, his, himself)

2) AMBIGENDER– meaning you can actually have BOTH GENDERS at the same time

(pronouns used:  they, them, their, themself)

3) AGENDER– They don’t associate with either gender

(pronouns used:  ze, hir, hirs, hirself)

4) GENDER FLUID– to  have no fixed gender (it can fluctuate back and forth between                                               male and female at anytime)

(pronouns used:  May fluctuate between Feminine and Male pronouns)

5) QUESTIONING– they are unsure of or exploring their gender identity.

Are we not already confused enough? I promise you that 90% of parents have never heard of these terms. These teachings should be left to the parents and not the government!

Colossians 3:20 “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” 

Some of the books that are going to be introduced, starting with Pre-K:

http://www.welcomingschools.org/pages/looking-at-gender-identity-with-childrens-books/

This is just the tip of the iceberg, because what this law is forcing explicit information, like teaching children that anal sex is safe. Dear God! Help Us!

Do not accuse me of any homophobic behavior! The government interfering with our kids, is like a stranger telling me that my mother has cancer. It is not their business!

Please watch the emergency board meeting video, which shows Brenda Lebsack, school board member, speaking about the need to protect of our children. This enables you to see for yourself the big mess we are in. Please watch the video in its entirety, and pray, pray, pray.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJOxKkUWNjM&sns=em

I woke up Mother’s Day morning with a dream holding me captive. I had my Eziekel toast with coffee and sat in my usual nook in the kitchen and cried. I wondered why God had not answered my prayers. Mike walked in and asked, ” Are you all right?” I answered “What do you think? I’m tired of praying for the same thing and still no answers!” I believe a dream set the stage for my Mother’s Day Pity Party, or getting off on the wrong side of the bed, either way, I did not feel like celebrating that day. I mopped the kitchen floor, and dragged myself upstairs to get ready for the day. I had planned to wear a linen top with black pants but when I tried the outfit on, it was all wrong and uncomfortable. Plan B required Spanx’s and that is never fun. My dress was made of thin nylon material  and it was a tad chilly, so the navy blue sweater was perfect, covering all the right parts of my body.

When we arrived at brunch, I still had that weird spirit that was on high alert and sensitive to any remark. It took a good talking from Mike to shake it off.

The brunch at Tap’s was excellent, and as much as I tried different dishes, for once I felt that I did not overdo my eating. My grandsons ate so many chocolate-covered strawberries that I worried that we might get complaints from the management. At one point William got tired of walking back and forth to the chocolate fountain that he filled a bowl with chocolate and brought it to the table. After the Bananas Foster, we exchanged our gifts and headed back home.

I ‘d missed morning Mass so I decided to attend the one at 5:30 P.M. I always parked the car a distance to allow for extra walking. So as I walked toward the church I felt a cool breeze moving my dress. I looked at my shadow and marveled at the flirty waves the dress was making, but it felt really breezy. I made all the way to the steps of the church when I heard the voice of a lady with a heavy Mexican accent saying, “Miss! Miss!” As I turned around, she said, “Your dress!” Boy, did I know what that meant! My flirty dress was caught up in my undergarment! In a panic I readjusted the problem dress, and I prayed no one else noticed, then quickly made my way into the  church.

Father Bruce was officiating the service, in which we were celebrating the Ascension of the Lord. That meant that we would be sprinkled with holy water to remind us of our Baptism. As Father passed me, it was as if God had revealed to him that I needed an additude adjustment. Father dipped the sprinkling brush into the water, and I got soaked! I smiled and said to myself, “Okay, Lord, I get it, You wanted to make sure that the holy water really washed away all the dross.”

Atfer Communion all was well, and I left with the peace of God.

The closing hymn at Mass was:

My prayer:
Dear Lord  thank you for this beautiful song,  I do love to sing your praises. I thank You for answering and making me wait for provision on unanswered prayers, because everything is in Your perfect timing. Through the waiting You are strengthening my patience and dependence on You. Forgive me, Lord, for behaving so selfishly, for my blessings are many! I think of all the homeless mothers I’ve encountered and pray for their safety and a forthcoming opportunity to be reunite with their children. Amen

The only thing I can share about the dream was that the Scripture of Isaiah 2:19 was given to me. I am still trying to interpret its meaning, I woke up long enough to write down the Scripture and went back to sleep.