The Cajun Invasion

Sophie, Lucas, Jacob, Wil, Harris, Maya, Frankie, Reina, Nick, Michele, Russ, Sonja, Mikos, Jenny, Mike, Maddie, Me, Jo,Lindy, Mike, Ronda, Lee, Rong, Nick U., Nadia and Michael

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.

Michele and Sophie
Sophie, Harris, and Frankie

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.

Jo, Mike, Frank, Rong, Me, Nick U., and Nick T.
Jenny, Lee, Ronda, Sonja and Lindy
The diving contest, Nick T.
Drying towels the old fashioned way

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

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School Board Meeting

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

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They Have Names

Vernell and me

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.

Jane and Gary praying for Frank

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.

Gracie
Gracie’s cozy tent

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.

Ignacia and me

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.

 

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