I had absolutely nothing to do with any of the planning, It was a concerted effort during family dinners as to which excursions we would take. I showed up and, surprisingly, it all worked out well. As a family we bonded.

The Ship

In 2019 several of my cousins and I took a weekend cruise into Ensenada, Baja Mexico. So I thought this cruise would be similar. It was not. I did not know what to expect on this massive monstrosity of a ship. We sailed with over 4,300 passengers and nearly 2,000 crew members.

Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of The Seas was built in Meyer Werft Shipyard in Papenberg, Germany. The Quantum-class ship is made of all metal. It first set sail in April 2014. Durning our summer months it cruises along the Alaskan coastlines,, from there is sails to Australia for excursions, which includes sites in New Zealand.

Sometime last year I watched a special on the volcanic eruption in New Zealand’s White Island. This was part of an excursion that Ovation of The Seas offered. 47 people were on the island when the volcano started to erupt; among those were 38 passengers and crew. The eruption killed 22 and injured 26. The ship remained docked for several more days and every passenger on board received a  refund. I had no idea that this was the same ship.

All The Amenities

We took advantage  of many of the amenities that the ship had to offer. To better familiarize ourselves, Sonja and I attended a short seminar about Juneau. We participated in a family trivia session and also took the class on how to fold napkins 10 different ways. I believe I got one down.  I played Bingo with Maddie, Jacob, Jenny and Sonja.  The boys played Pickle Ball and Ping pong and Will was in a basketball tournament, so on the days that we sailed we were kept pretty occupied.

Sonja made sure that we had reservations for all of our family dinners together. Two of these nights were “dress to impress” evenings. It was fun getting dressed up and posing for photos,  followed by dinner.  On some nights the meals were better than others. The lobster dinner was my favorite. After a few days we all had our different breakfast hangouts. Shamefully, I ate bacon and eggs daily with toast and hash browns. Needless to say I came beck with extra baggage wrapped around my waist, four pounds to be exact.

The Crew

How do you train every single crew member to be so kind? These people were exceptionally accommodating to all our needs. Even though our cabins were equipped with hair dryers, Sonja brought hers from home. She ended up knocking out the electricity for about 10 cabins on our floor. David, our housekeeper who is from India,  informed Sonja to hide the dryer because they were going to search her room and possibly fine her. We had adjoining rooms so the hair dryer was placed in Mikos and Jenny’s room.

The Excursions

After listening to the Juneau seminar,  all I wanted to do was eat crab legs. I was dressed for cold weather: an undershirt, topped with a turtleneck plus my raincoat. When I got off the boat the sun played me dirty. It was so hot that I had to purchase a t-shirt. I changed right outside the store and Mike graciously took my turtleneck along with the raincoat back on board. While the rest of the group took a nature hike, Mike and I strolled the streets of this quaint town.

Mikos instructed  us to meet him at the Russian Orthodox Church, but it was a hike up a steep hil.  By the time we arrived I was winded and needed to catch my breath. Then I discovered directly across the street the beautiful Co-Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Jacob and I lit a candle and prayed for our loved ones.

This was going to be a full day because we had scheduled a salmon bake. I do not like salmon, so I ate ribs instead. By the time evening rolled around, it was cold. Sonja lent me an extra jacket she had in her backpack.  For the sake of those who do read this blog. I did not mention the numerous times I complained.

The following day was another adventure–Skagway.

Skagway 

We were going to need our passports for this adventure because part of this journey involved going across the Canadian border. This bus tour led us through  beautiful water falls and the suspension bridge. But the best part was seeing a bear in the wild! I can finally check that off my list.

Can someone please explain why in a town of 1,200 inhabitants there are six jewelry stores?   No doctors or dentists and forget about a hairdresser, but jewelry stores they have.

Sitka

On this day our family, excluding Mike and me, rented bikes and went on an adventure, but I saw it as a triathlon. There were two casualties: first Jenny fell over her handle bars, causing injury to the palms of her hands; then Sonja followed with a fall . It seem she got tangled up in her bike. Her foot and arm were very bruised. When they showed us the photos, Russ was carrying two bikes over some big boulders. In another picture all the boys were in a boat paddling to who knows where. When they met us at the bear habitat, they still had to ride back into town! Not us, we hopped on the bus.

While Mikos gorged on crab legs, and Mike on halibut, Russ and I had the best fish and chips made with fresh halibut. It was time to board the ship.

Entertainment

Aside from the demonic New Age show, the entertainment was excellent. Traumatized from the previous show, some of the family stayed behind for their production of Dreaming. Dreaming was as entertaining as any Broadway show in New York. The singing, dancing and the sets were amazing.

Goodbye, Alaska

By the time October rolls around,  75 percent of the stores in these villages will close for winter. Overall I did see a bear in the wild, but no whales or eagles; so we must return. Part Two will be described next week.

My Prayer

Thank You, Lord, for this wonderful trip with our family. despite all of our differences and personalities and many recited  Hail Mary’s we became a unit of love. Amen.

The Shakedown

Attempting to make an appointment to visit Mario on Friday was fruitless. This was my fourth visit, so I was no longer a novice. I know the visiting rules, but that didn’t matter because I still got it wrong. First of all, due to the heat, we were being checked inside the razor-wired, locked gates. I had all my stuff ready: dollar bills, quarters, sports bra, etc. The woman officer made note of my jewelry, and told me that I could only wear one bracelet. “Really? Because the last time it was two,” I replied. She made no eye contact when she rudely said, “Read the notice; it has always been one.” It didn’t matter because they will always win any argument.

I had forgotten that I was wearing my prescription  sunglasses, and I got called out for that too. This rude lady officer sternly said, “You can’t wear sunglasses!” I replied, “But these are prescription.” “Do you have the prescription  with you?” she asked. I do not know one sane or insane person on earth who carried their sunglasses prescription, so of course I had to return to my car for my regular glasses.

The Tables

When Mario called the night before, I asked him if he wanted to sit inside or outside. He said he wanted to sit outside. It was a hot day, over 90 degrees so when I got to the counter for the second shakedown I was asked if I wanted inside or outside. I said, “Outside but in the shade if possible.”  “Ma’am, there are no guarantees, whatever table you’re assigned, you must stay there the entire time.” I explained that direct sunlight gives me headaches. He didn’t care.

As I walked back to the assigned table #55, I passed so many empty tables that were in the shade. Table #55 was in direct sunlight for Mario. Mario got up and talked to the officers in charge; surprisingly, we were moved insdoors. Table #6 was directly in front of two large sized, noisy fans. These tables are so short that my knees were hitting the edge. These sawed-off tables are so that the officers can see the inmates’  hands at all times.

Bad Bible Studies

Mario has been attending Bible studies on Tuesdays, but heen has not be satisfied with the teachings. This Protestant preacher has been dealing with internal family turmoil and is expressing his negative pain in his misguided  teachings. His wife, who recently died, was two-timing him. In every example of a woman in the Bible, this man interprets the characters to be sinful. Many times, because Mario is knowledgeable about the Word of God, he has recognized this preacher’s misinterpretation of the Bible. Because of this preacher’s wife’s concupiscent behavior, he has twisted the truth and now is teaching in his anger. These inmates are victims of a poorly catechized preacher. I use this example for Mario to turn to the Catholic faith. Our church was established by Jesus Christ.  If you don’t believe, me ask Alexa.

Because “The Good News Bible” was behind two large fans, it was impossible for me to reach. Like everything else in this place, you need to ask for permission, so one of the inmate helpers got it for us. We started to read the Book of Wisdom, which  was written about 50 years before the coming of Christ. The author is unknown, but was said to be a Jewish sage from the community of Alexandria, Egypt. These words are profoundly written and are meant to help us understand the splendor and worth of divine wisdom.

Mario’s Education

Registering for five classes was a desire of Mario’s heart. Norco College offers these classes to inmates, and Mario is slowly getting closer to receiving his AA. He is taking a sign language class to fulfill a requirement. English, history  and several computer classes were also part of his curriculum. Please pray that he gets into these courses.

Turkey

Remember Mario’s friend Turkey?  I wrote about him in our first visit. Mario asked that I pray for him because he was deported to Turkey. It seems that at this facility inmates from foreign countries are being deported to their homeland. As surprised as I was, though I felt bad for Turkey, our country should not be paying for incarcerated individuals from foreign countries. It cost taxpayers in California an average of $105,000 per inmate.

The Avocado 

I eat avocados on a daily basis; to an inmate this is a treat. Mario shared with me that he received an avocado. “A whole one?” I asked,. “Yes, and the next day I got a tomato and made guacamole!” he replied. The things we take for granted are treasures for inmates. It made my heart glad that he had guacamole. God is Good!

My Prayer

Dear Lord, I am asking favor for Mario to receive all of the classes he signed up for. Keep his mind on You, and make his time in prison pass quickly. I am also asking for continued prayers for Ricky because he needs a miracle. Lord, heal this precious young man! Amen.

This past week was one of my busiest.

After a five-day hospitalization from COVID in 2021, I asked the Lord to help me with a meaningful project. He gave me the word “nonprofit.” I was uncertain as to what that entailed, I asked again and I heard the word “backpacks.” So this is how the Ciriza/Driscoll Project got its start. We started with 50, but have now expanded our project to 75 backpacks. This is our fourth year.

The Great Deals

After we had delivered all the backpacks to  five different schools, we were well pleased with our efforts.

The following week, when I went shopping, I noticed that backpacks were on sale at Marshalls, Ross, TJ Maxx and Macy’s. On different days I started to purchase them; some were marked down as low as $9.00, and if there were five available I purchased all of them. Before long, I had accumulated 26 backpacks that I needed to hide from my husband Mike. This  merchandise filled three large-sized bags that I had to store. I kept this tiny secret from Mike for two weeks.

Our attic is not a safe area for someone  my age to venture into. I always bump my head on the wood beams and sometimes I can hear the plywood crack under my feet. Regardless, the attic is very large, so without telling anyone, I stored the bags there. No one needed to know until next summer; besides, we rarely go into the attic. Shortly after storing them, for some strange reason Mike went into the attic looking for something. When he came out he asked me about these large bags in the attic. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I answered. “There are three large bags in the attic, who put them there?” he asked. “How should I know?” I lied.

The Confession

My guilty conscience got the better of me, so I went to confession. After confessing all my transgressions about the backpacks and lying to Mike, I received penance. But now my confessor told me that I had to come clean and tell Mike the truth. My character is a lot like that of Lucy Ricardo from the I Love Lucy television show. Lucy was forever getting into trouble, and Ricky would always come to her rescue. That’s how it works for us, as Mike will, at first, get upset, but then  he quickly forgives me.

I cannot hide supplies for 75 backpacks and, since Mike is one of the major donors, I started to  include him in the ordering. When we work together everything falls into place. For the greater part of this week our home will be a mess, but soon all will return to normal.

We got a late start  ordering supplies. I was in a panic; so many of the bulk items had to be picked up at Walmart because I’m still boycotting Target. On the way to Walmart I made a few phone calls to ask for donations. My grandson Jacob, who was with me, asked, “Why are you calling people and asking for money? That’s embarrassing, grandma.” I quickly answered, “Embarrassing? No, it’s an opportunity for them to get blessed as well.” Then he said, “Either way, it’s still wrong.” I ignored him and made a few more calls.

We needed two shopping carts for all  the supplies. Both Jacob and I were taking careful inventory and clearing some of the merchandise off the shelves. As I was checking for the best price on Bic pens, a stranger approached me. “What are you doing?” he asked. “I’m purchasing supplies for 75 backpacks” I answered. “What do you do with them?” he asked. “We distribute them to local schools to help parents who cannot afford to purchase school  supplies for their children,” I answered. Then the man pulled out his wallet and said, “I want to bless you. How much money do you need?” I think my eyes must have dilated with this surprising generosity from a complete stranger. “Whatever the Lord leads you to give,” I replied. He gave me $120 in 20-dollar bills. My eyes filled with soft, grateful tears as I hugged him and thanked him.

As I turned the corner with the shopping cart I looked over at Jacob and said, “I forgot to ask his name!”  So I went back to get a photo with him and his son. This special young man’s name is Emery, and his son’s name is Levi. He was shopping with his beautiful mother, whose name is Celeste.

This gracious act of kindness taught Jacob a great lesson on benevolence. Sometimes when we distrust and question God about important matters, He always confirms our doubts with a favorable miracle. This is how our Lord works. He also directs us to pray for those in need.

Praying for Ricky

My cousin Rick’s 42-year-old son, Ricky,  is at Loma Linda University Hospital  fighting for his life. After several attempts to reach Rick, I finally got through. I asked if I could visit Ricky and pray for him. Rick welcomed the gesture, so on Wednesday I drove to Loma Linda University Hospital. When I arrived, I could not believe the grave condition of Ricky. I had a blessed St. Jude medal, some water from Lourdes, and some anointing oil from the lamps of the tomb of Jesus at the  Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. I made it clear that I was not there to give the anointing of the sick; but to  pray for Ricky’s healing. Ricky needs a miracle, so I will continue to stand alongside  his family in asking God to intervene on his behalf. Jesus, we trust in You!

For those of you who do not understand the powerful intercession of the  saints, St. Jude will change your mind. He is the saint of the impossible. For is the reason  all the St. Jude Hospitals all over the world are named in his honor . Saints are our heavenly example of how we should live our lives. To put it simply, we Catholics ask for their intercession. The great divide is this: Protestants believe we pray to the saints. We do not! We know Who our Lord and Savior is, and we pray to Him directly.

My Prayer

Dear Lord, thank You for sending Emery and blessing our ministry with his kind donation. Continue to bless him and his family. Heavenly Father, my cousin Rick and his family are at the foot of Your Cross, asking for a miracle for Ricky. I am asking for anyone who reads this prayer to come alongside us in agreement. Lord, nothing is impossible for You. Amen.