When our daughter was attending Pepperdine University she came to visit us in Santa Barbara, CA. She had met this young man from Malibu, CA and was eager for us to meet her new boyfriend.   My beautiful daughter walked in with this strange young man tatted from head to toe with piercings in his nose, eyesbrows, tongue and ears. He wore a heavy chain on the world’s widest bellbottoms attached to his wallet. This jaw dropping experience left me with visual scars. From this day forth, I felt that I had a mandate from God to find Sonja a husband. This short journey got me in a lot of trouble.

The Interviews

I was on a missionary trip to the Czech Republic and I remember chasing after a priest with a prayer request to find the right husband for Sonja. This was a common occurrence, and wherever I traveled, I made it a point to include this prayer request. I was obsessed with this task and even got Mike involved. He arranged for a blind date with one of his younger golfing buddies. This was the biggest disaster ever! But did I learn my lesson? Nope, I continued to work diligently in meddling in all of my poor daughter’s affairs.

At another wedding, I did something so shameful that it pains me to write about it. I went as far as getting a young man’s phone number from Sonja’s cell phone bill and called him. This guy was a physical therapist and I came up with a creative opening  dialogue about my dog having a hip problem. From this conversation, I smoothly  transitioned into asking him how things were progressing with him and Sonja. The nerve of this young man, he never called Sonja again. Sonja got wind of this and I still did not understand why she was so upset. I was just trying to help.

I continued with my odd behavior until I received a dream. I was in the Holy Land when the Lord gave me this dream. In the dream Sonja was being fitted for her wedding dress, and she was standing on a riser in the bridal shop. I was lurking in the background and I could see how happy she was. The dress was beautiful, especially the bottom, which had intricate beadings and a lot of beautiful detailing. When Sonja and the seamstress left the room, I came in with a needle and thread and started to hem the dress myself. I heard them coming so I quickly ran out. Sonja started to cry, “Who would do this terrible thing? The most beautiful part of my dress is missing!” I woke up crying and prayed for forgiveness for all the meddling and embarrassment that I caused Sonja. After the dream I realized what I was doing was so wrong that my prayers were misguided and controlling to the point of witchcraft. What I mean by this is that I was not allowing God to do what was best for Sonja. My prayers were not efficacious and God set me straight in the dream. What I should have been doing was asking God to do His will in Sonja’s life, not begging for him to find her a husband.

The young man from Malibu turned out to be a sweet gentleman, but remember this was almost 20 years ago when piercings and tattoos were still frowned upon. I promise I will have nothing negative to say about people who choose to express themselves with tattoos but back then it was taboo.

Soon all was forgiven, and Sonja introduced us to Russ at our annual Tamale Party. Russ’s first appearance did not go over well with me because I was still that judgmental mother wanting the best for our daughter. I still had some controlling stuff I needed to get rid of. Russ had this huge hair thing going on, and it was way too long.  After a few dates, Sonja invited Russ over for breakfast. I remember  sarcastically asking him, “So do you even go to church?” Russ replied,”I’m Catholic.”  It was as if harps and heavenly trumpets went off in my head! From hearing this I knew he was the one that God had chosen for Sonja, and I had nothing to do with this union. Russ is a perfect fit for our family and we love him dearly.

My Prayer

Prayer for unmarried children: Heavenly Father, I know you have a perfect plan for sons/daughters future. I am asking that you bring the right person in their lives that are going to care and love them for who they are. Lord, you are in control of their lives, and all I’m asking is that they find the right helpmate and that this marriage be sanctified by you. Amen!

Mothers of the world, do not try to control who your children are going to date or marry. Remember, God has the perfect person for each one of them. Don’t mess with God’s plan.

This past week has brought me across three states, Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina. Mike had business in Atlanta so I joined him. While Mike was in meetings I drove to Irondale, Alabama, to visit my dear friend in Christ, Father Leonard.  Driving to Irondale from Atlanta was a good 2-1/2 hour drive, the roads were open, and once I got out of Atlanta it was pretty much a straight stretch, mostly with two lanes. I left early to allow time just in case I got lost, and you can’t get lost going straight. I texted Father Leonard to let him know that I had arrived. I visited the gift store and met Pat, a kind sales clerk. From there I walked over to the Chapel, and with the exception of a few people, it was pretty much empty. Much to my excitement, as I walked in, I noticed the Exposition of the Holy Eucharist (to Catholics this represents the presence of Christ). I prayed and found myself in such peace, a different type of peace, one with no thought or care, just quiet fulfillment. Father Leonard walked in and greeted me, and told me that he would concelebrate  the noon Mass. As it got closer to 12 o’clock the pews quickly filled, making standing room only. This was odd, and I rubbernecked to see many people standing.

After Mass, Father Leonard and Father Anthony and I went to lunch at a local eatery. I was double blessed to be in the company of such fun holy men. Once we returned to EWTN, Father Leonard took me on a private tour of the Global network. As we were going through the tour I kept seeing the same people that attended Mass earlier that day. It is not a requirement for the employees of EWTN to attend Mass, but many of the 300 employees were there.

This year has been a crazy year with politics and the women’s movement, but to me there is distinct difference in how a woman driven by the Holy Spirit can change the world for the better compared with those who are doing it for self gain.

In 1962 Mother Angelica started a monastery in Irondale, Alabama. This area is Baptist country with only 2% Catholics. Mother Angelica never got caught up in the demographics of this movement, but  just continued to move as God led her. Soon many Protestant  churches were inviting her to speak because her ecumenical gifts touched many.  Mother Angelica started writing small booklets that were printed by the nuns and distributed then for free. Mother Angelica made series programs at the CBS affiliate studio for CBC and PTL. She was at the station when she discovered that CBS was about to air a heretical story on the life of Jesus. This did not sit well with Mother Angelica and she complained to the station managers, telling them that if they were going to air this program,  she would no longer be part of the station. She went as far as telling the executives that she would start her own station. The executives laughed at her and told her she would never succeed. Mother Angelica transformed the garage of Our Lady of Angels Monastery into a television station. On August 15, 1981, the day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the station was up and running. At first it was just 4 hours per day, until 1985, when it grew to 8 hours, and by 1987 the broadcast was 24 hours per day of domestic air time. Nothing could stop this God-driven lady from completing what she started, and she never took no for an answer, being tuned to the voice of God. Her steadfast way of thinking was all in conjunction with instruction from God, and no man could stop this force.

In 1987 Mother Angelica founded the Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word, a holy order of Franciscan Priests and Brothers. Both Father Leonard and Father Anthony belong to this order. They wear the brown habits with a long white cord with three knots. These knots are a visual reminder of the vows that they took for their order. The knots represent poverty, chastity, and obedience, and they share in the mission of living the Gospel and serving the poor. Every Catholic Church in the Holy Land is controlled by the Franciscans.

God has called many people to come along Mother’s side, including Father Joseph, who was an engineer for General Electric. Father Joseph wanted to volunteer, but Mother Angelica would not hear of this because she believed that a paid employee would be more dedicated. Before long Father Joseph answered the calling to become a priest, and has been with that order since it first started. Today, because of Mother Angelica’s perseverance, over 500 radio affiliates in 145 countries air programs all over the world. Eight years ago EWTN acquired the National Catholic Register, a news agency that operates in the old fashioned way of telling the facts and reporting real news. EWTN is the largest and most viewed Christian station in the world; this was never Mother’s goal but it was a gift from God for all her dedication.

In 2001 Mother Angelica suffered two strokes and no longer had an active role with EWTN. It was during these years that EWTN grew to what it is today. Mother Angelica never stopped praying; even in her declining  state of health she prayed, her intercession being a testament of what a full life should be. EWTN’s growth is largely due to her constant prayers. Mother Angelica offered all of her suffering for the spread of the Gospel through EWTN, calling her suffering purification. I always tell my children please do not end my life if I become disabled or incapacitated because if I have breath, I am praying.

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I promised the kids that we would go to In-N-Out Hamburgers to eat if they helped with cleaning my house. Maddie was especially helpful because she wanted her friend Brittney to join us.

Will and I sat at a separate table and started talking about In-N-Out, and how they place Bible Scripture on their packaging. This built up a big curiosity that I was going to get answers to. I called the In-N-Out corporate Offices and spoke to Christy, Customer Service Supervisor.  Christy shared that Rich Synder, the former president of  In-N-Out, wanted to express his faith without imposing it on others. Christy emailed me the information on the twelve verses in all the  In-N-Out packaging. In-N-Out has been placing Bible verses for more than 20 years.

The Scripture on Will’s  chocolate shake  is from Proverbs 3:5, which reads, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your path straight.”  This powerful Scripture is witnessing to many as it is one of those Scriptures that does not need interpretation, providing simple guidelines for living a good life. Will also had fries, and on the fry boat was Proverbs 24:16, a Scripture which was recently introduced 2016, as follows “For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.” This message is profound and comes with a warning. The righteous will fall but with God’s help they will prevail, not the wicked, they will pay and repay for their misgivings. On Will’s hamburger bag was Rev 3;20, which reads,  “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” I determined that there was a special blessing on the food at In-N-Out, this verse being about Jesus standing at the door of our hearts, and lovingly waiting for us to respond. This same verse can also be found on the beach t-shirt located on the license plate of the Mustang. On the motorcycle t-shirt is Luke 10:27  (located on the trunk of the palm tree), And he answered , “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” This is what Jesus calls the two greatest commandments of the Old Testament, and is also part of Parable of the Good Samaritan.

The greatest discovery for me was that In-N-Out has Isaiah 53 on R-9 cups (used for water). Isaiah 53 is about the Passion of Christ.

Isaiah 53 is a part of the Dead Sea Scrolls  which were discovered by a Beoduin shepherd boy in 1947 in Qumran, Israel. Of all these treasured Scriptures found in Qumran,  Isaiah  is most intact, and is 1,000 years older than any previously known copy of Isaiah. In fact, it is the oldest group of Old Testament manuscripts ever found!  To Christians there is nothing more indisputable than this part of the Old Testament because it solidifies the prophecy of the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ.

In 1993, a terrible plane crash claimed the lives of  In-N-Out President Rich Snyder and Vice-President Philip West. The private jet that they were in returning from a stop made in Fresno for the opening of a new restaurant. The plane was going to Bakersfield where the team of executives were scouting for new locations. The jet stopped in La Verne, CA, where Esther Snyder disembarked at Brackett Field. Esther Snyder and her Husband Harry were the founders of In-N-Out. The Matriarch was spared her life that day so that she could get her business in order. Esther Snyder must have done a lot of praying in preparing the only heir to the throne, Lynsi Snyder, to take over the reins.

In-N-Out is a privately held company with Lynsi Snyder the sole owner. She is the only grandchild of this empire and continues to operate the way that is was originally established. Why would you change perfection? With the patriarch and matriarch gone, The Lord has placed a hedge of protection around Lynsi Snyder and In-N-Out. Their success will continue because this organization put God first.

My grandchildren are finally back home, but not before we experienced a break in before they left. It was about 3:00 A.M. when I heard the noise. Mike was out of town and Will was spending the night with his cousins, so it was just Maddie and I. Maddie and I were sharing the same bed, we said our prayers and Maddie fell immediately into R.E.M. I was still praying the Rosary when I heard the first sound. We have two cats and I am familiar with their annoying sounds. This was not a cat. My prayers were accelerating as I tightened my grip on the Rosary. Then a loud bang. My heart was beating out of my chest and I could hear muffled sleep talk coming from Maddie. I grabbed the St. Benedict cross with my other hand and realized that I had to face an intruder. I was in the middle of a Hail Mary when the door flung open and intruder, my grandchildren ‘s  stupid dog Rosie jumped into bed with us! So frightened that I could not scream, I rounded Rosie up and secured the gate in the family room, and was finally falling asleep when the cat started meowing. It was Maxine, the 19 year old cat. This cat’s sound has changed to an eerie sound of a newborn baby in distress. I got up and locked her in the kitchen. With all the excitement I finally fell asleep at 5 A.M.

I suffered waffle foot burns from the soccer tournament and my nose was so red that it looked displaced on my face.

We finally have our home back but I miss my grandchildren, I never thought I say that!

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