Sad and Shocking Story

I just feel so sad today after reading in the newspaper of a young boy who committed suicide. Imagine at the age of thirteen, he committed suicide. He was found inside his closet and believed to hang himself. I knew it since last Friday because my husband told me about it. I had seen this boy whom I will call for short Andre two years ago in the German American Volksfest here in Hohenfels. . And I always see his picture everytime I visit my dentist. Yes this boy was the son of my dentist. He got a very kind and wonderful father and I believed a wonderful family too. I really can't imagine how he did that or what are the reasons why he ended his life. But whatever reasons why he did that, I just pray for the repose of his soul and may he rest in peace and join our Creator now.

He is young, very good looking boy, and helpful according to his classmates and schoolmate. Here is a short message from his friends and classmates according to a German Newspaper in our place.

Wir vermissen unseren guten Freund
Andre
der uns immer zum Lachen brachte und sehr hilfsbereit war.
Auch wenn Dein Platz in unserer Klasse leer bleibt,
wirst Du immer in unserem Herzen sein!

Deine Freunden and Klassenkameraden

I will try to translate it in English so that you can understand it better. here it is;

We miss our good friend
Andre
who always bring laughter and was also very helpful.
Even when your seat in our class is empty now,
you will always be in our hearts.

From your friends and classmates

Before I write this post, I was watching in Frontal 21, a ZDF German TV program that featured tonight about medicine or tablets for anti-depression but give side effects such as risk to suicide. Some tablets that are featured are Prozac and Strattera which are manufactured by Lilly from the United States and Zoloft from Pfizer. The Strattera which are taken by 3.5 million children around the world including Germany. Below are the following URLs of the ZDF TV program which I watched tonight in the television and also search it in the interent. This is in German and I suggest that you better search these tablets in Google or yahoo or whatever search engines, so that you will know exactly what are its side effects.

http://frontal21.zdf.de/ZDFde/inhalt/20/0,1872,7488820,00.html
http://frontal21.zdf.de/ZDFde/inhalt/0/0,1872,7488768,00.html?dr=1

I am just sharing this to all of you for you to be aware of the side effects of these products. Before you take these tablets, please think of it a thousand times. I just don't exactly know if Andre had taken one kind of these medicines before. I hope not! because I just really can't believe that this happened to him.

I know life is not perfect. There is always ups and downs. I was there. I know how it feels that sometimes you get really confuse why such bad things happened. As for me, I just keep on asking for help from Him though prayer. I know that without him this world is nothing. Don't lose hope! Keep praying! ..that is only our best defense! Always remember, No Matter what, this world is still a beautiful world to live in...Life is still beautiful!!

Lastly I would like to extend my deepest condolence to Andre's family. Wherever he is now, I hope and pray that he rest now in peace with the Lord.

Be Careful What You Ask For!

A married couple, both 60 years old, were celebrating their 35th
anniversary.

A fairy appeared to congratulate them and grant them each one
wish.

The wife wanted to travel around the world.

The fairy waved her wand and the wife had tickets in her hand
for a world cruise.

Next, the fairy asked the husband what he wanted.

He said, "I wish I had a wife 30 years younger than me."

So, the fairy picked up her wand and obliged.



The husband was immediately 90.

Beware of Lotto Scam or Fraud Mails in the Net!!!

This is not the first time I received this kind of mail in my inbox. I just don't know where this people get my email add..but anyway the most important thing is that; Never entertain this kind of mails because this is a fraud or a scam. If you want to know more about lottery scam just visit snopes.com and search for Lotto Scam and it will give you the answer.

I also posted in myWWW Addict another example of a mail which is also a lotto scam. If you answer their emails or if you call them, they will ask you to fill-up a form and telling you to transfer the money for the processing of the claims and winnings which will cost till thousand dollars.

Just take a look on this sample fraud mail below; The main address is from Africa but the email address is from Australia, just don't have time to search the country code of the phone number??any idea??

People who do this just want easy money in a bad way which is not good..

So please, just be careful with this kind of frauds and scam...NEVER ENTERTAIN THEM!!! IT IS A FRAUD!!! also tell your family and friends about this scam so they will be aware of it..

SAMPLE LETTER:

From The Desk Of Mr.Musa Bello

Senior Staff In File Department,
African Development Bank A.D.B
Ouagadougou Burkina-Faso
West Africa.

This is my private e mail (musa_bello5@yahoo.com.au)

Private Number......00226 78 78 08 53.
PLANE CRASH WEB SITE http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm

( "REMITTANCE OF $15 MILLION U.S.A DOLLARS
CONFIDENTIAL IS THE CASE")
Compliment Of The Season,

On a very good day. I am (Mr.Musa Bello) a senior staff in file department in African developent bank (ADB).I got your contact from a Yahoo google Search.

When i was searching for a foreign partner i assured of your capability and reliability to champion this businees opportunity when i prayed to God or Allah about you.In my department we discovered an abandoned sum of $ 15 million U.S.A dollars ( fifteen million U.S.A dollars) . In an account that belongs to one of our foreign customer MR Andrew Kim who died a long with his entier family in a plane crash on(friday december26,2003, 13:22 GMT 14:22 UK ).

Since we got information about his death,we have been expecting his next of kin to come over and claim his money because we cannot release it unless somebody applies for it as next of kin or relation to the deceased as indicated in our banking guidelines, but unfortunately we learnt that all his supposed next of kin or relation died along side with him at the plane crash leaving nobody behind for the claim. It is therefore upon this discovery that I and one official in my department now decided to make this businness proposal to you and release the money to you as the next of kin or relation to the deceased for safety and subsequent disbursement since nobody is coming for it and we don't want this money to go into the bank treasury account as unclaimed bill.

The Banking law and guideline here stipulates that if such money remained unclaimed after Seven years, the money will be transfered into the Bank treasury as unclaimed fund. The request of foreigner as next of kin in this business is occasioned by the fact that the customer was a foreigner, and a Burkinabe cannot stand as next of kin to a foreigner. We agree that 30% of this money will be for you as foreign partner, in respect to the provision of a foreign account, 10 % will be set aside for expenses incured during the business and 60 % would be for me, Therefore after I and my family will visit you in your country for disbursement according to the percentages indicated.

Therefore to enable the immediate trnansfer of this fund to you as arranged, you must apply first to the bank as relations or next of kin of the deceased indicating your bank name, your bank account number, your private telephone and fax number for easy and effective communication and location where the money will be remitted.Upon receipt of your reply, I will send to you by fax or email the text of the application I will not fail to bring to your notice that this transaction is hitch free and that you should not entertain any atom of fear as all required arrangements have been made for the transfer.

Your Full Name...........................?

Your Sex.................................?

Your Age.................................?

Your Country..............................?

Marital Status......................?

Your Photograph.........................?

Your Occupation..........................?

Your Personal Mobile N...................?

Your Personal Fax N......................?

You should contact me on my number 0226 78 78 08 53 immediately as soon as you receive this letter.And reply me with this e mail address (musa_bello5@yahoo.com.au)immediately with those informations i need from you, for me to process the text of application for you to apply to the bank.

Yours faithfully,

Mr.Musa Bello

POST SCRITUM:You have to keep everything secret as to enable the transfer to move very smoothly in to the account you will prove to the bank.As you finished reading this letter call me immediately so that we discuss very well over this business.Please call me and inform me that you received my mail, because i don't go to net always.

March First

march v. To proceed directly and purposefully. To progress
steadily onward; advance. To be arranged in an orderly fashion
that suggests steady, rhythmical progression.


Giving advice is easy. Giving really good advice is harder.
Providing an example is hardest but is usually the most effective
way of influencing both youth and adults. After all, adults are
simply older youths who were influenced by someone's example
early in life.

Our walk or march through life is the greatest teacher that we
will provide for others. Even Paul in the Bible said,
"Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."
(1 Cor 11:1 NIV)

Today is the beginning of the month of March.

Perhaps today should also be the beginning of a new walk.
A walk of direction and purpose. A walk worthy to follow.

March first.

Then advise.

from MountainWings

The Water

This story shed my tears...I seldom cry but this one just shed my tears..
it is quite a long story, but really very touching...Please read it too..
I wish everyone a nice weekend!!!!God bless us all!!


It was one of the hottest days of the dry season. We had
not seen rain in almost a month. The crops were dying.
Cows had stopped giving milk. The creeks and streams were
long gone back into the earth. It was a dry season that
would bankrupt several farmers before it was through.

Every day, my husband and his brothers would go about the
arduous process of trying to get water to the fields. Lately
this process had involved taking a truck to the local water
rendering plant and filling it up with water. But severe
rationing had cut everyone off. If we didn't see some rain
soon...we would lose everything.

It was on this day that I learned the true lesson of sharing
and witnessed the only miracle I have seen with my own eyes.
I was in the kitchen making lunch for my husband and his
brothers when I saw my six-year-old son, Billy, walking
toward the woods. He wasn't walking with the usual carefree
abandon of a youth but with a serious purpose. I could only see
his back. He was obviously walking with a great effort
...trying to be as still as possible.

Minutes after he disappeared into the woods, he came running
out again, toward the house. I went back to making sandwiches,
thinking that whatever task he had been doing was completed.
Moments later, however, he was once again walking in that
slow purposeful stride toward the woods.

This activity went on for an hour: walk carefully to the woods,
run back to the house. Finally, I couldn't take it any longer,
and I crept out of the house and followed him on his journey
(being very careful not to be seen...as he was obviously doing
important work and didn't need his Mommy checking up on him).

He was cupping both hands in front of him as he walked, being
very careful not to spill the water he held in them...maybe two
or three tablespoons were held in his tiny hands.

I sneaked close as he went into the woods. Branches and thorns
slapped his little face, but he did not try to avoid them.
He had a much higher purpose. As I leaned in to spy on him, I
saw the most amazing site. Several large deer loomed in front
of him.

Billy walked right up to them. I almost screamed for him to get
away. A huge buck with elaborate antlers was dangerously close.
But the buck did not threaten him...he didn't even move as Billy
knelt down. And I saw a tiny fawn lying on the ground,
obviously suffering from dehydration and heat exhaustion, lift
its head with great effort to lap up the water cupped in my
beautiful boy's hands.

When the water was gone, Billy jumped up to run back to the
house and I hid behind a tree. I followed him back to the house
to a spigot that we had shut off the water to.

Billy opened it all the way up and a small trickle began to
creep out. He knelt there, letting the drip slowly fill up his
makeshift "cup," as the sun beat down on his little back.

And it became clear to me. The trouble he had gotten into for
playing with the hose the week before. The lecture he had
received about the importance of not wasting water. The reason
he didn't ask me to help him.

It took almost twenty minutes for the drops to fill his hands.
When he stood up and began the trek back, I was there in front
of him. His little eyes just filled with tears.
"I'm not wasting," was all he said.

As he began his walk, I joined him...with a small pot of water
from the kitchen. I let him tend to the fawn. I stayed away.
It was his job.

I stood on the edge of the woods watching the most beautiful
heart I have ever known working so hard to save another life.
As the tears that rolled down my face began to hit the ground,
they were suddenly joined by other drops...and more drops...and
more.........

I looked up at the sky. It was as if God, Himself, was weeping
with pride.

Some will probably say that this was all just a huge
coincidence. That miracles don't really exist. That it was
bound to rain sometime. And I can't argue with that.
............I'm not going to try.

All I can say is that the rain that came that day saved our
farm...just like the actions of one little boy saved another.

This is not one of those crazy chain letters...if you don't
forward it to anyone, nothing bad will happen to you.
If you choose to forward it, you won't receive any riches in the
mail.

I don't know if anyone will read this...but I had to send it
out. To honor the memory of my beautiful Billy, who was taken
from me much too soon.... But not before showing me the true
face of God, in a little sunburned body.

~Author Unknown~

Why Women Cry

A little boy asked his mother, "Why are you crying?" "Because I'm a woman," she told him.


"I don't understand," he said. His Mom just hugged him and said, "And you never will."

Later the little boy asked his father, "Why does mother seem to cry for no reason?"

"All women cry for no reason," was all his dad could say.

The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why women cry.

Finally he put in a call to God. When God got on the phone, he asked, "God, why do women cry so easily?"

God said:

"When I made the woman she had to be special.

I made her shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world,

yet gentle enough to give comfort.

I gave her an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times comes from her children.

I gave her a hardness that allows her to keep going when everyone else gives up, and take care of her family through sickness and fatigue without complaining.

I gave her the sensitivity to love her children under any and all circumstances, even when her child has hurt her very badly.

I gave her strength to carry her husband through his faults and fashioned her from his rib to protect his heart.

I gave her wisdom to know that a good husband never hurts his wife, but sometimes tests her strengths and her resolve to stand beside him unfalteringly.

And finally, I gave her a tear to shed. This is hers exclusively to use whenever it is needed."

"You see my son," said God, "the beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart -- the place where love resides.

"NOT YET"

"I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster,
plans to bring about the future you hope for." Jr 29:11

"Not Yet"

Sometimes I ask the question, "My Lord, is this your will?"
It's then I hear you answer me, "My Precious Child... be still."

Sometimes I feel frustrated, cause I think I know what's best.
It's then I hear you say to me, "My Busy Child... just rest"

Sometimes I feel so lonely and I think I'd like a mate.
Your still small voice gets oh so clear and says, "My Child... please wait"

"I know the plans I have for you, the wondrous things you'll see;
If you can just be patient, Child, and put your trust in me.

I've plans to draw you closer. I've plans to help you grow.
There's much I do you cannot see and much you do not know.

But know This, Child... I LOVE YOU. You are Precious unto Me.
Before I formed you in the womb, I planned your destiny.

I've something very special I hope for you to learn.
The gifts I wish to give to you are gifts you cannot earn.

They come without a price tag, but not without a cost;
at Calvary, I gave My Son, so You would not be lost.

Rest Child, and do not weary of doing what is good.
I promise I'll come back for you just like I said I would.

Your name is written on my palm, I never could forget;
Therefore, do not be discouraged when my answer is... "Not Yet"

~Author Unknown~

d best time is aLways God's time..

for those whO hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles.

They will run and not go weary, they will walk and not be faint.

hope this wud inspire y'all. hav a bLeSsed day!

EIGHT LIES OF A MOTHER

This is a very touching one...esp. to children ....to all Mothers keep up the good work!!!

This story begins when I was a child: I was born poor. Often we hadn't
enough to eat. Whenever we had some food, Mother often gave me her portion
of rice. While she was transferring her rice into my bowl, she would say
"Eat this rice, son! I'm not hungry." This was Mother's First Lie.

As I grew, Mother gave up her spare time to fish in a river near our house;
she hoped that from the fish she caught, she could gave me a little bit more
nutritious food for my growth. Once she had caught just two fish, she would
make fish soup. While I was eating the soup, mother would sit beside me and
eat the what was still left on the bone of the fish I had eaten, My heart
was touched when I saw it. Once I gave the other fish to her on my chopstick
but she immediately refused it and said, "Eat this fish, son! I don't really
like fish." This was Mother's Second Lie.

Then, in order to fund my education, Mother went to a Match Factory to
bring home some used matchboxes which she filled with fresh matchsticks.
This helped her get some money to cover our needs. One wintry night I awoke
to find Mother filling the matchboxes by candlelight. So I said, "Mother,
go to sleep; it's late: you can continue working tomorrow morning." Mother
smiled and said "Go to sleep, son! I'm not tired." This was Mother's Third
Lie .

When I had to sit my Final Examination, Mother accompanied me. After
dawn, Mother waited for me for hours in the heat of the sun. When
the bell rang, I ran to meet her.. Mother embraced me and poured me a
glass of tea that she had prepared in a thermos. The tea was not as strong
as my Mother's love, Seeing Mother covered with perspiration, I at once
gave her my glass and asked her to drink too. Mother said "Drink, son! I'm
not thirsty!". This was Mother's Fourth Lie.

After Father's death, Mother had to play the role of a single parent.

She held on to her former job; she had to fund our needs alone. Our
family's life was more complicated. We suffered from starvation. Seeing our
family's condition worsening, my kind Uncle who lived near my house came to
help us solve our problems big and small.

Our other neighbors saw that we were poverty stricken so they often advised
my mother to marry again. But Mother refused to remarry saying "I don't
need love."

This was Mother's Fifth Lie.

After I had finished my studies and gotten a job, it was time for my old
Mother to retire but she carried on going to the market every morning
just to sell a few vegetables. I kept sending her money but she was
steadfast and even sent the money back to me. She said, "I have enough
money."

That was Mother's Sixth Lie.


I continued my part-time studies for my Master's Degree. Funded by the
American Corporation for which I worked, I succeeded in my studies.

With a big jump in my salary, I decided to bring Mother to enjoy life in
America but Mother didn't want to bother her son; she said to me "I'm not
used to high living."

That was Mother's Seventh Lie

In her old age, Mother was attacked by cancer and had to be hospitalized.

Now living far across the ocean, I went home to visit Mother who was
bedridden after an operation. Mother tried to smile but I was heartbroken
because she was so thin and feeble but Mother said, "Don't cry, son! I'm
not in pain."

That was Mother's Eighth Lie.

Telling me this her eighth lie, she died.

YES, MOTHER WAS AN ANGEL!

M - O - T - H - E - R

" M " is for the million things she gave me,

" O " means only that she's growing old,

" T " is for the tears she shed to save me,

" H " is for her heart of gold,

" E " is for her eyes with love-light shining in them,

" R " means right, and right she'll always be,

As you put 'em this way, they spell "MOTHER"-- a word that means the world to me.


For those of you who are lucky to be still blessed with your Mom's presence
on Earth, this story is beautiful. For those who aren't so blessed, this is
even more beautiful.

Who is in Control??

a very long time forwarded email last 2005 by a friend..
hope we also got a lesson from this story..very touching!!

TRUE AWESOME STORY

A man from Norfolk, VA called a local radio station to
share this on Sept 11th, 2001. His Name was Robert
Matthews. These are his words:

"A few weeks before Sept. 11th, my wife and I found
out we were going to have our first child. She
planned a trip out to California to visit her sister.
On our way to the airport, we prayed that God would
grant my wife a safe trip and be with her.
Shortly after I said 'amen,' we both heard a loud pop
and the car shook violently. We had blown out a tire.
I replaced the tire as quickly as I could, but we
still missed her flight. Both very upset, we drove home.


I received a call from my father who was retired NYFD.
He asked what my wife's flight number was, but I
explained that we missed the flight. My father
informed me that her flight was the one that crashed
into the southern tower. I was too shocked to speak.
My father also had more news for me; he was going to
help. 'This is not something I can just sit by for; I
have to do something.'

I was concerned for his safety, of course, but more
because he had never given his life to Christ. After
a brief debate, I knew his mind was made up. Before
he got off of the phone, he said, 'take good care of
my grandchild.' Those were the last words I ever heard
my father say; he died while helping in the rescue effort.

My joy that my prayer of safety for my wife had been
answered quickly became anger. I was angry at God, at
my father, and at myself. I had gone for nearly two years
blaming God for taking my father away. My son would never
know his grandfather, my father had never accepted Christ,
and I never got to say goodbye.

Then something happened. About two months ago, I was
sitting at home with my wife and my son, when there was
a knock on the door. I looked at my wife, but I could tell
she wasn't expecting anyone. I opened the door to a couple
with a small child. The man looked at me and asked if my
father's name was Jake Matthews. I told him it was. He
quickly grabbed my hand and said, 'I never got the chance
to meet your father, but it is an honor to meet his son.'


He explained to me that his wife had worked in the World
Trade Center and had been caught inside after the attack.
She was pregnant and had been caught under debris. He then
explained that my father had been the one to find his wife
and free her.

My eyes welled up with tears as I thought of my father
giving his life for people like this. He then said,
'there is something else you need to know.'His wife then
told me that as my father worked to free her, she talked
to him and lead him to Christ.

I began sobbing at the news. Now I know that when I
get to heaven, my father will be standing beside Jesus
to welcome me, and that this family would be able to
thank him themselves.

When their baby boy was born, they named him Jacob
Matthew in honor of the man who gave his life so
mother and baby could live."

This story should help us to realize two things:
First - that though it has been Four years since the
attacks, we should never let it become a mere tragic
memory. And second - but most important - God is always
in control. We may not see the reason behind things,
and we may never know this side of heaven, but God is
ALWAYS in control.

Please take time to share this amazing story with
those you love. You may never know the impact it may
have on someone. God doesn't call the qualified, He
qualifies the called.

Irish Luck

This is a pretty interesting story, if its true...actually it's a chain letter I received 3 years ago, just want to share it with you before I delete it...So just read it and have fun!!!

His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day,
while trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help
coming from a nearby bog. He dropped his tools
and ran to the bog. There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a
terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved
the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death.

The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse
surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and
introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved.

"I want to repay you," said the nobleman. "You saved my son's life."
"No, I can't accept payment for what I did," the Scottish farmer
replied waving off the offer. At that moment, the farmer's own son came to
the door of the family hovel.

"Is that your son?" the nobleman asked.
"Yes," the farmer replied proudly.
"I'll make you a deal. Let me provide him with the level of
education my own son will enjoy. If the lad is anything like his father, he'll no
doubt grow to be a man we both will be proud of." And that he did. Farmer
Fleming's son attended the very best schools and in time, graduated from St.
Mary's Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known
throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of
Penicillin.

Years afterward, the same nobleman's son who was saved from the bog
was stricken with pneumonia.

What saved his life this time? Penicillin.
The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill. His son's name?
Sir Winston Churchill.

Someone once said: What goes around comes around.

Work like you don't need the money.

Love like you've never been hurt.

Dance like nobody's watching.

Sing like nobody's listening.

Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

It's National Friendship Week. Send this to everyone you consider A
FRIEND. Pass this on, and brighten someone's day.

AN IRISH FRIENDSHIP WISH: You had better send this back!! Good Luck!

I hope it works...

May there always be work for your hands to do;

May your purse always hold a coin or two;

May the sun always shine on your windowpane;

May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain;

May the hand of a friend always be near you;

May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

A Chinese Blessing!!

A water bearer in China had two large pots, each
hung on the ends of a pole which he carried across his
neck.

One pot had a crack in it, while the other pot was
perfect and always delivered a full portion of water.


At the end of the long walk from the stream to the
house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the
bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of
water to his house.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its
accomplishments, perfect for which it was made. But
the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own
imperfection, and miserable that it was able to
accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.

After 2 years of what it perceived to be a bitter
failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the
stream...

"I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side
causes water to leak out all the way back to your
house."

The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that
there were flowers only on your side of the path, but

not on the other pot's side?

That's because I have always known about your flaw,
and I planted flower seeds on your side of the path.
Every day while we walk back, you've watered them. For
two years I have been able to pick these beautiful
flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just
the way you are, there would not be this beauty to
grace the house."

Moral:
Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all
cracked pots.
But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that
make our lives together so very interesting and
rewarding. You've just got to take each person
for what they are, and look for the good in them.

History of Saint Valentine

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY TO ALL MY BLOGGER FRIENDS,
VIEWERS, READERS AND COMMENTATORS!!
I really appreciate all your visits here!!
Please always feel free to leave comments and messages!!
My deepest apology if I cannot visit you one by one
but if given the chance
and time, I always wanted to!!!
Thank you very much for your patient and understanding!!

St. ValentinePatron of Love, Young People, Happy Marriages
269

St. Valentine

Valentine was a holy priest in Rome, who, with St. Marius and his family, assisted the martyrs in the persecution under Claudius II. He was apprehended, and sent by the emperor to the prefect of Rome, who, on finding all his promises to make him renounce his faith in effectual, commended him to be beaten with clubs, and afterwards, to be beheaded, which was executed on February 14, about the year 270. Pope Julius I is said to have built a church near Ponte Mole to he memory, which for a long time gave name to the gate now called Porta del Popolo, formerly, Porta Valetini. The greatest part of his relics are now in the church of St. Praxedes. His name is celebrated as that of an illustrious martyr in the sacramentary of St. Gregory, the Roman Missal of Thomasius, in the calendar of F. Fronto and that of Allatius, in Bede, Usuard, Ado, Notker and all other martyrologies on this day. To abolish the heathens lewd superstitious custom of boys drawing the names of girls, in honor of their goddess Februata Juno, on the fifteenth of this month, several zealous pastors substituted the names of saints in billets given on this day.

The Origin of St. Valentine

The origin of St. Valentine, and how many St. Valentines there were, remains a mystery. One opinion is that he was a Roman martyred for refusing to give up his Christian faith. Other historians hold that St. Valentine was a temple priest jailed for defiance during the reign of Claudius. Whoever he was, Valentine really existed because archaeologists have unearthed a Roman catacomb and an ancient church dedicated to Saint Valentine. In 496 AD Pope Gelasius marked February 14th as a celebration in honor of his martyrdom.

The first representation of Saint Valentine appeared in a The Nuremberg Chronicle, a great illustrated book printed in 1493. [Additional evidence that Valentine was a real person: archaeologists have unearthed a Roman catacomb and an ancient church dedicated to Saint Valentine.] Alongside a woodcut portrait of him, text states that Valentinus was a Roman priest martyred during the reign of Claudius the Goth [Claudius II]. Since he was caught marrying Christian couples and aiding any Christians who were being persecuted under Emperor Claudius in Rome [when helping them was considered a crime], Valentinus was arrested and imprisoned. Claudius took a liking to this prisoner -- until Valentinus made a strategic error: he tried to convert the Emperor -- whereupon this priest was condemned to death. He was beaten with clubs and stoned; when that didn't do it, he was beheaded outside the Flaminian Gate [circa 269].

Saints are not supposed to rest in peace; they're expected to keep busy: to perform miracles, to intercede. Being in jail or dead is no excuse for non-performance of the supernatural. One legend says, while awaiting his execution, Valentinus restored the sight of his jailer's blind daughter. Another legend says, on the eve of his death, he penned a farewell note to the jailer's daughter, signing it, "From your Valentine."

St. Valentine was a Priest, martyred in 269 at Rome and was buried on the Flaminian Way. He is the Patron Saint of affianced couples, bee keepers, engaged couples, epilepsy, fainting, greetings, happy marriages, love, lovers, plague, travellers, young people. He is represented in pictures with birds and roses.

THE ESCAPE

This post is the continuation of the post I had written last Saturday Feb. 09, entitled

Warning to All Pinays Who Want to Marry Foreigners.

If you read this post you might know then what I am talking to now. ....sorry just don't find time to write it immediately...So last Friday, we finally escaped or let say I helped Ana escape from her misery (is that really misery..just can't find the exact word now, but i guess so).....I already bought our train ticket to go to a certain place here in Bavaria, the state where I also presently live..

I also prepared a travelling bag full of clothes and the basic things she need like bath soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush and a lot more (thanks also to my pinay neighbor who contributed clothes) . She don't have anything with here that day except for a pack bag full of books which she use in the German language course. Her husband stayed at home all the time and if he will see her with a big bag, he might not able to escape. Besides that Ana, said that her husband really don't want to work now. He had his one toe operated last time so he can have a sick leave and don't can go to work. Her husband also told her that he really don't want to work and only want to stay at home watching TV while smoking and drinking.

Ana said that she have a wonderful mother-in-law, whom she help sometimes in the household chores like washing the clothes, grocery shopping and cleaning the house. The money that her Mother-in-law gave to her, she use it for buying bus ticket so she can go to the school. She said that her husband never gave her money. I even saw her wallet without any money except for family pictures.

During the plan escape, I met here in the school where she usually attended... Last Friday was also her last day in the German language course. I waited for her in the school office while she is bidding goodbye to her classmates. All of her classmates there are also foreigners just like her. Some even gave their phone numbers so when she need some help, they might help her too.

I also really appreciate her teachers (who were also my teachers before) who helped her. The secretary of the school also gave here some money aside from the small amount I gave her which she can really use because she even don't have a single centavo....what really a pitiful situation...

On our way to the train station, we were very careful that day because Ana said that her husband will go to the Post office and the post office is near the train station...we're playing like hide and seek because we had to stay to the place where it is not so visible to a lot of people.

Finally we arrived to the place where we also met another Filipina who will finally helped her with all what she need esp. the house where she will be staying temporarily. I thought, once I handed her to this Filipina, I am over since I also want to go walking around the city. But the other Filipina told me that I can go with her so I have an idea too, what's the next thing to happen...

That was really a good idea so I will also know where she will be staying..Until all the paper works were processed for the house where Ana will be temporarily staying, we also showed to her the grocery store where she can buy food and other stuffs she need. Yesterday, the other Filipina also helped her to process the different government offices who will help her situation besides that she also need a translator because she still don't speak good German and her English is also not so good.

I hope that yesterday was a successful day for them as they went to the different government offices. I knew there's a lot of paper works to do... but at least what is important now is that Ana is safe and her coming baby too...also wanted to contact her in the next few days..

It is just a very nice feeling when you help somebody esp. saving their lives....a help that don't expect for any return but simply want to help...a help that comes from the heart!!..what a wonderful feeling!! do you feel the same way???or do you help only somebody because you are expecting for a return..I hope not!!!

wish everyone a nice Monday!!! God bless us all!!!

Saint Valentine

Since Valentines Day is fast approaching..got here the story of St. Valentine..so for those who don't know yet its story..here it is...

The story of Valentine’s Day dates back to the third century.

Under Emperor Claudius of Rome, men were expected to volunteer and join the army to fight in wars. Unfortunately, many did not join because of the pain of leaving their wives and children. Emperor Claudius thought that if these men were not married, they would not mind joining the army; thus, he forbade marriage throughout his kingdom.

However, a priest by the name of Valentine did not follow this new ordinance. He continued to marry couples secretly. One night in a wedding ceremony, Fr. Valentine was arrested, put into prison and was sentenced to death. The priest, despite his condition, remained cheerful as young people came to visit, throw flowers and notes, and show support in his belief in love. One of these young people was the daughter of a prison guard. She would often visit and talk with him for hours. Thus, on the day of his execution, February 14, 269, the priest left his new friend a short note, thanking her for the friendship and loyalty. The note read, “Love from your Valentine.”

Thus, every year on February 14, young people, especially couples, remember St. Valentine’s sacrifice for love and friendship.

Warning to All Pinays Who Want to Marry Foreigners

This is a true story which is a very sad one. ..just wanted to share it with you guys esp. to all Pinays who might want to marry foreigners.... Each and everyone have its own luck. Others might have good luck but others might have bad ones. Well, I am not telling you that you are not going to marry foreigners but this serves only as a guide even a lesson for those who already experienced it. Remember everyone is unique and not all people are really bad..Besides the story of Maria is not always the same as the story of Eva....is that right???hope you agree with me..but then it's up to you to decide....anyway, this post is in relation to my previous post last Thursday..

Last week, I got a phone call from a school institution where this Filipina was taking a German language course. The secretary there already knew me and told me about the situation of this Filipina. Let me just name this Pinay, Ana...Ana is only five months here in Germany and she is three months pregnant as of now...(wow I envy her)..I've been married for almost five years but still did not get pregnant...just waiting for God's grace for me...

Ok let me continue....The secretary told me that Ana need immediate help before everything will be too late. ..I told the secretary of that school that I will be meeting Ana, which happened last Wednesday...and yup I met Ana that day and shared to me about her situation which is really very sad and depressing. She is married to this German guy who is irresponsible, lazy and even don't respect her as a person. His husband even telling her words that are so degrading.

Ana said that she is mentally tortured. She always tried her best to be a good wife but it is nothing to his husband. She do everything in the house like cleaning, washing clothes and cooking too. She said that she is treated like a maid but not a wife. If her husband don't like the food that she cooked, he let her eat everything. He even let her eat food that are almost expired....what a pitiful situation... As I look at her face while telling me about her situation, she looks pale and thin... and pregnant.

She said that her husband was not like that before as she met him in the Philippines. He was very kind to her and his family in the Philippines. They even communicated for four long years, before they got married in the Philippines. After they got married, she was able to obtain her visa to Germany after one year. That was a total of five years knowing each other.

The only bad thing that I can't really stand as she was telling her story was that, his husband wanted to abort the three months old baby in her womb so she can go back to the Philippines...Ana said that his husband is even making a contact to other Filipina at this moment, maybe as her replacement once she will be back to the Philippines. He really wanted to get rid of her. His husband even told her that once he will know that she is making contact and ask for help to anybody esp. for Pinays, he will even kill her. (Talagang nakakatindig balahibo).....such a scary and horrible story.

Those are the reasons why I really want to help her. I want to help whatever I can offer esp. saving the life of the unborn child in her womb. Last Thursday, I have to make a lot of phone calls to contact people and organizations who can offer her help. Thanks God that everything went ok. I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to those people who helped her.

.....to be continued under the title ....."THE ESCAPE".......

A Scorpion Moment..

There was a Filipino who saw a scorpion floundering around in the water. He decided to save it by stretching out his finger, but the scorpion stung him. The man still tried to get the scorpion out of the water, but the scorpion stung him again.

A man nearby told him to stop saving the scorpion that kept stinging him.

But the Filipino said: "It is the nature of the scorpion to sting. It is my nature to love. Why should I give up my nature to love just because it is the nature of the scorpion to sting?"


"Don't give up loving. Don't give up your goodness. Even if people around you sting."


....such a nice and touching story...what do you think??? got this from my friend in friendster...its worth sharing...

Talking and Listening

This story from Kyregma just touched me. This is regarding talking and listening. This always happens in our daily life. We utter thousands of words everyday. Everyday we talk and talk, but my question is??Are we also listening???

I might not be a good listener but I tried my best to listen to somebody who is talking to me, especially if that somebody have some good thoughts, ideas, opinions or informations which I can be used. I admit, I also I argue especially if the things or matter which I believed and knew is true and reliable and worthy of arguing.

I can respect other persons' opinions, ideas or beliefs even if it doesn't confirm with what is right and correct. Besides that's how he/she believed in it. Honestly speaking, the only thing I don't like is when you are sharing or giving the right opinion or advise to a person esp. based on your experience and still that person argued and even don't believe on you. It's really quite frustrating especially if you hear the same story again and the person seems don't want to listen.

Some people can be good talkers but not good listeners. Some can be good listeners but not good talkers. Some can be both. Which one you belong too???

Here is the story below, hope we can get some lessons from it. I already have some. How about you???


IN PROPORTioN

He also told them, “Take care what you hear. The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you...” – Mark 4:24

I have a friend named Danny. When he talks, people listen. Once he steps up to the podium, people are suddenly silent. He has this presence and personality that makes you want to hear what he’s going to say. He’s also very humble, and I believe He’s truly anointed. He’s a fantastic leader. I believed these were the reasons why people responded to him. But his theory was much simpler.

I told him once, “Bro, when you talk, people listen.” He answered, “I believe it’s because I also listen when people talk. It comes back to you.”

Basic principle. What you give, you receive in the same measure. What I realized then and there was that, too often, I myself do not give my full attention when someone is speaking. I was convicted, especially after recalling all the times when I felt people didn’t listen to me. And that’s happened a lot.

It’s the same with time and effort. What we put into our relationships is what we will receive. I’ve failed occasionally in this area as well. But I know that there’s always hope for improvement.

My resolution? Give more.

sharing by: George Gabriel

REFLECTION:
Are you getting little? How much do you give?

Lord, You gave all of Yourself. Help me to be more generous.

St. John BosCo – Model of a Christian Educator

Every January 31, the Church honors St. John Bosco, the founder of the Salesians, whose good work we also appreciate very much here in our country. His father died when John was only two years old. Because of financial difficulties it was not easy for his mother to bring him up and give him an education that would guarantee a successful future. But she was a pious woman and gave him a good humanistic and Christian education. What mothers can do – even in times of poverty.

John was ordained a priest at the age of 31 years old. Because of his difficult youth, he focused on the education of young men in a time when industrialization caused many problems especially for young people. As a skilled educator, Don Bosco formulated a system of education which today is still very helpful for our younger generation. For his motto was “Reason, Religion, Kindness.” He summarized his program for the youth with a brief sentence: “The young should know that they are loved.”

Unfortunately, many parents and educators today are not always present and so lessen their impact on the young. Don Bosco once told his boys: “Remember, whatever I am, I am all for you, day and night, morning and evening, at every moment.” He advised educators to love the young as they would love their own sons. One of his students became a saint, St. Dominic Savio, who once told a companion, “Here we make holiness consist in being very happy and in performing our duties as perfectly as possible.”

Don Bosco founded the Society of St. Francis de Sales. He sent out missionaries, especially to Latin America. He was known for his humor and inner joy.

We thank God for such a great saint, educator and model for all educators and especially for parents. Fr. Rudy Horst

Reflection Question:
What can I do to spread the ideas of Don Bosco among my relatives and friends?

Lord, today I pray for our educators, especially for all parents. May they realize their great responsibility and privilege to form their children for a better future. May they do it with love and kindness, as St. John Bosco did so well.

There's Something Crooked About 'Change'

The word "change" clings like ChapStick to the lips of presidential candidates these days. But if Hillary and the chaps knew the origin of the word "change," they might not stick with it.

"Change" first appeared as both a verb and noun in Middle English during the 1200s. In 1300, for instance, a piece of writing dubbed "Cursor M." (which would make a really cool screen name) included this sentence: "He chaunges crun or wede." After rummaging around in a Middle English dictionary, I discovered this means something like, "He changes gully and weed," a skill that might have come in handy during the Dust Bowl era.

In 1340, someone named Hampole wrote that "he ofte chaunged to and fra," which pretty much describes the shifting policies of today's presidential candidates. (Could "fra" be a prescient reference to Rudy Giuliani, who has changed his frau twice? Hmm ... ) The word "chaunge" was imported into Middle English from the Old French "changier," which, in turn, had been derived from the Latin "cambiare," meaning "to exchange."

But here's the game-changer: There's strong evidence that "cambiare" came from the Old Irish "camm," which meant -- get ready to wince, politicians -- "crooked."

So, over the course of 1,200 years, a humble Irish word meaning "crooked" went through a few changes itself, migrating from Old Irish to Latin to French and then back again to the British Isles, where it entered Middle English meaning "change." Perhaps the presidential administration of the change-loving candidate who wins should be dubbed "Camm-elot."

The candidates, of course, can choose among any number of synonyms for "change," but the trendiest terms related to mutability seem to be the adjectives "transformational" and "transformative."

Writing in the Atlantic Monthly, for instance, Andrew Sullivan described Barack Obama's candidacy as "potentially transformational." Last Thursday, Washington Post columnist George Will described the interval between the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary as "six transformative days."

And BBC reporter Justin Webb recently wrote, "The buzzword here on the subject of the 2008 presidential election is that it will be 'transformative.' ... I am at a disadvantage though: I am not sure what 'transformative' really means."

Maybe we should just stick with "change."


story by Rob Kyff

Words -- Just Words

Several years ago, while on a long flight, I was seated next to a flight attendant who had broken her leg in an accident. Eventually, we started talking, and I found her language to be shocking. It seemed so inappropriate; she was a vivacious, personable young woman. Frankly, filthy language offends me, so I commented on her choice of words. She, in turn, expressed amazement that I was offended and said they were "just words." I responded, "You're right. And I'm sure this is the way you talk in front of your parents." She responded, "Absolutely not!" So I commented, "Well, why not? They're 'just words.'"

The truth is that our language does betray us. Our words are a direct reflection of our thoughts, and anyone who is incapable of expressing himself without the use of profanity is becoming handicapped to an incredible degree.

It has been my observation that improper language bars individuals from certain jobs, organizations and social situations. In my lifetime, I have never heard of an employer instructing a personnel manager to hire an individual because of his filthy, vulgar language. I've never heard of a young girl going home and telling her parents that they must meet her date for the evening, pointing out that he has the "filthiest language" she has ever heard or that he tells the dirtiest jokes you can imagine. I frequently advise wannabe speakers to be very careful of their language, warning them that they never will get engagements because of vulgar, racist or sexist language but that inappropriate language will frequently crop them from consideration.

What all of this really means is that vulgar, violent, improper language or coarse, racist, sexist jokes will limit opportunities in the choice of a mate, the selection of a job, the building of a career and the establishment of friendships.

The message is clear: Learn the language rules. Practice them in your everyday life, and I will see you at the top, Zig Ziglar said!

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Grow/Swell

As a rookie salesman, I had a very difficult time getting started. However, once the ball started rolling, I enjoyed a spectacular four-year run of success. This led to a career change and a new job in New York City. It was exciting and rewarding but required that I leave home each morning before my two little girls were awake, and most of the time, when I returned at night, they were asleep already. I could not handle that style of parenting, so in just three months' time, we moved back to Columbia, S.C.

I got into a promotional-type business and temporarily enjoyed some success, which quickly evaporated. At that point, I stopped growing and started swelling, which led to 15 additional job and career changes within the following five years. I became a super-critic, a know-it-all and a very difficult person to work with. One of the companies I briefly worked for was an insurance company that had been in business for many years. This astonished me because they were obviously way behind the times, and I had some absolutely brilliant ideas that would revolutionize their business and expand their market share. They rejected these very significant ideas. I left in a huff, wondering how they ever would survive -- which, incidentally, they did.

After five frustrating years, I finally had a reality check and realized that the success I enjoyed earlier had come because I had committed myself completely to improving what I did instead of assuming I knew it all. I made a strong commitment to the new company I represented and worked hard and enthusiastically while continually acquiring new information from those who had beaten many paths before I came along. Interestingly enough, results were excellent and progress was steady, and just two years later, I was on a career path that has been most rewarding and satisfying.

I hope the message is clear. Keep growing. Don't start swelling. Listen to those who have had successful experiences.

by Zig Ziglar