My Catholic Roots are showing -

School Board Meeting

June 5, 2018 3 Comments

Our grandchildren: Maddie 7th grade, Will 5th grade, Jacob Kindergarten, and Lucas 2nd grade; all attend public school within the Orange Unified School District

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

Feeding The Homeless

They Have Names

May 29, 2018 1 Comment

When I stared to pray for him, I had to move his long dreadlocks to the side so he could hear me. The Lord revealed to me that he was a singer. I spoke the words that God was giving me, as they were prophetic. Though I never conveyed this on my Blog, this time it was different, and this is the only way of explaining the holy encounter. His name is Vernell. His sweet voice was shaky when he started to sing a beautiful praise song. As Vernell continued to sing, we could see the sadness lifting. I told him to go on with singing his praise songs, as much healing comes from praise music. Vernell was a gospel singer, and I knew that with prayer, he would soon be singing in a choir again.

Psalms 59:16 But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.

His name is Frank, and he could not get up because the night demons got a hold on him. Gary and Jane prayed for him. Whatever happened to Frank broke him and he is a rut of lies. That’s what the Devil does, talking to them and reminding them that no one cares and that this is their lot in life. God’s plan is never for a person to end up Skid Row.

Psalm 102:17 He shall regard the prayer of the destitute, And shall not despise their prayer.

Her name is Gracie, and she is waiting for housing. In the meantime she keeps a pretty tidy tent. Gracie is organized and her dwelling is not only impeccable but has a special interior decorator’s touch.

Robert, Leah, me,Daniel, James, Jane and Gary

His name Daniel. His appearance would scare many, but what we saw was his beautiful heart. His red bloodshot eyes filled with tears as we prayed for him. To the world, Daniel is on a downward spiral, leading nowhere, but to us there is hope for him. The Lord revealed to me that he had a calling from the age of five, I reminded him not to give up, that God was not done with him yet. Daniel’s lack of love was evident, but for a moment his loneliness was lifted with gratitude.

Her name is Ignacia, she is Cuban, and she is not homeless but her sons are. Ignacia spends many hours on 5th street watching over her boys, who were both asleep in the tent. It is very sad to see a mother do this, with the guilt-driven spirit that keep her captive to her sons.

Mary,Tamysha,me, Cheryl, Robert, Leah, and Gary

Her name is Tamysha. Before we parted ways we prayed, and as Robert was leading the prayer Tamysha approached us. We broke from holding hands to allow Tamysha to join us in prayer. This sweet baby was so broken that she cried through the entire prayer. She showed great respect and reverence to the devotion. I held her tightly and we could not let each other go. We cannot imagine what she left to come to this living hell, Tamysha’s yielding to the prayer was a supernatural experience.

Psalm 109:22 For I am poor and needy, And my heart is wounded within me.

We leave blessed, not a Facebook blessed, but an honest to goodness feeling of great accomplishment. Thank you, Lord, for Jane, our logical brain of the team; Gary, our passionate warrior; Robert, our mighty spiritual intercessor; Mary, your hand and eyes bring healing; and Leah, our powerful woman of God and long time Skid Row partner.

We do this as a group and at no time could do we go on our own. It takes a team of dedicated intercessors to be used in this ministry, but in the end we are the ones that are transformed. We can change the paths of homeless persons through prayer, and they are converted through love.

We as a team will continue to pray for Vernell, Frank, Daniel, Ignacia, Gracie,Tamysha, Cheryl, and all the countless others not pictured. So many positive divine appointments that our hearts are overwhelmed, so please join us in lifting these precious souls in prayer.

Funny Stuff

Mothers Against Parties

May 18, 2018 1 Comment

When our son Mikos was a sophomore at Villa Park High School, I was part of an unpopular grassroots movement. Another mother and I formed a club called MAP, an acronym for Mothers Against Parties. Some of us moms knew that our boys were being exposed to alcohol at local parties, so we wanted to inform other parents of the parties that were being thrown with booze being served to kids.

Four of the party boys, Mark, Carter, Brad, and Mikos

Sheryl and I were the moms that spearheaded the club. Sheryl was unable to attend the first meeting, so I made sure to nominate her for president, and me as the vice-president. We made flyers and arranged for the other meetings. In the meantime, the word had spread about the new club at the high school. Mikos and Mark (Sheryl’s son) were being bombarded with questions about MAP.

We met with several interested parents, but they were skeptical of the new club, so the few meetings that we had were pretty much a disaster. The goal was to form a network of parents, and as soon as we found out about a party, we would call parents to warn them. During this time parties were being given with the full knowledge of parents serving alcohol to minors. We were aware that at some parties an admission was being charged. I could not believe that parents were so irresponsible in allowing this in their homes. I would not be a part of this. Little did I know that our son was already in a pre-party-animal mode.

Sweet 16 party for Mikos. Aaron, Mark, Mikos, Carter, and Brad

Mikos was 15 years-old, which meant I was the taxi. Once Mikos and his friend Carter (our second son) needed a ride to a friend’s house. I drove them and dropped them off at the house. As I made my way around the cul-de-sac, I noticed there was a party at the end of the street. Mikos and Carter were still in the front yard of the house when I drove by. I rolled down my window and yelled, “Don’t even think of going to that party!” For sure my son would respect this command, as after all I was the VP of MAP. Sonja was in the back seat of the car, and she would never miss a opportunity to rat out her older brother. She said, “You know they are going to the party!” Carter and Mikos not only went to the party, and that decoy house where I dropped them off was that of a stranger. That is why they were still in the front yard when I drove by.

Soon the the short-lived club of MAP dissolved due to lack of interest. Both Mikos and Mark were the talk of Villa Park High School, and this just added to their popularity and more party invitations.

When Mikos turned 16, we bought him a car. The red Jetta came with personalized license plates “Mikos” and was also known as the Mikosmobile. It was not even two weeks later that he and Carter were traveling on the 91 Freeway, when a Highway Patrol officer pulled them over. Mikos got his first speeding ticket. It was not until just few days before his subsequent court appearance that he would share this information with us. I accompanied Mikos to court, and as we were standing in line, I asked to see the ticket. Mikos hesitated, but finally handed it to me. My son and his friend Carter were driving 90 miles per hour! As much as I wanted to scream, “What the hell were you thinking!” I held my tongue. I told Mikos to get his license out and to put it into his shirt pocket because the judge was going to take it from him. The judge gave Mikos two choices, guilty, or not guilty. Mikos answered not guilty. The judge said, “Young man, I commend you for your response but hand over your license.” This was sweet poetic justice and redemption for all that I went through with MAP. Of course I had to pay the price and become the taxi for the duration of Mikos’s suspended license.

I believe that all that we were put through in these teenage years made me become the Holy Roller that I am today, and I thank God for family therapy as well. Mikos followed in my footsteps and is the VP of sales for a (very) large organization.

Proverbs 29:17 Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.

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