Thank You Luncheon

Yesterday was a fun day. My fellow Awana commanders and I hosted a luncheon to thank our children's ministry staff. Each year we try to get them some sort of thank you present, but this year we decided to do something for them instead of buy something for them.

We asked our children's pastor, Gary, to set up a "meeting" at lunch time yesterday. When they got there, we had this table set up and waiting for them. Surprise!

We Vickey and Anne had lovingly prepared a meal of salad, bread, chicken parmesan, cavatini, cheesecake, and chocolate-covered strawberries--all made from scratch. Vickey had even monogrammed napkins with their initials on them.

I think everyone had a good time. It was nice to serve them for a change. Vickey, Anne, and I all dressed up in black and waited on them, trying to give them a fine dining experience (hoping they'd forget that they were really just in a Sunday School classroom).


Here is a picture of the three of us:



This is Karen threatening Melissa with a fork. Typical Karen. :)



The rest of the shots I got tended to have people with their mouths full or otherwise in silly positions, so I'll save the guests some embarrassment and not post them here. :)

While we were serving the VIPs, Anne's daughter Hannah helped with Isaac. She even brought a little dog stuffed animal for him, which he attached to right away.



Isaac even learned to say "Hannah" yesterday, although he calls her "Manna", which I think it adorable. Very biblical, you know.

Here are Hannah and Isaac in front of the second floor window, overlooking the construction of the new preschool building at our church.



We had a wonderful time yesterday. I feel so blessed to be able to work with such wonderful people. I truly love my church and these fabulous people! Thank you, Gary, Kristi, Karen, Vickie, Melissa, Connie, and all of those who have helped "behind the scenes" at Awana this year!

Yea, Mommy!

On Sunday night, I was running late to Awana. Yes, this happens often! Sundays are just jam-packed for us. We are at church in the morning from 9 until a little after 1, then we come home, eat, try to get Caleb to take a nap, try to get Isaac to take a nap, make sure I have everything ready for Awana, etc. Before we know it, it's time to leave for church again! Don't get me wrong, I love Sundays and I love serving at my church. I just always end up trying to cram too much into one day!

Anway, we were running late. Scott stayed home with Isaac, who was still napping. I finally got Caleb out the door and we arrived at church about 4:50. Awana starts at 5:00, so I didn't have time to take Caleb to his class before Awana started. So I took Caleb upstairs with me, gave him a ball to play with, and told him that Mommy was going to talk to the boys and girls for a few minutes, and to play quietly in the side of the room. I got Awana started as usual--pledges to the American flag and the Awana flag, announcements, and dismissal to their handbook groups. Caleb waited patiently and watched me, holding on to the ball.

When I was finished and the kids were leaving the room, I went over to Caleb. He held my hand as I led him to the back of the room to get his backpack. He looked up at me, wonder in his eyes, and said, "Mommy, you did a good job with the kids!"

Now that is adorable. My son, the encourager. I think I smiled (inwardly, at least!) for the rest of the night.

Christmas Eve 2008

I had such a good time on Christmas Eve. Mom, Dad, Grandma, Angela, and Rich came over around 4/5ish and we sat around eating some appetizers. Then we all went to our church's Christmas Eve service at 6:00. WOW! The church was completely packed. I think our new sanctuary seats something like 4000, but even that couldn't hold everyone. The choir loft was even stuffed. We ended up standing up against a wall in the back. Next year we'll know to get there earlier if we need seats I was content to stand in the back and sing carols about Jesus, swaying to the music with Isaac.

ON HOMOSEXUALITY

(In 1995, I was enrolled in Columban College in Olongapo City. One vacant period, as I was walking idly on the corridor, a female college student approached me and requested me to fill up a questionnaire on homosexuality she said was a requirement in her General Psychology class. I kept a copy of that accomplished questionnaire in my file and, thinking it might interest some readers, I am posting it on this blog.)

Question #1: In your own opinion, what are the causes of homosexuality?

Answer: I believe homosexuals are either born or made. That is, they are caused by two major factors: biological and environmental.

A born-homosexual from birth consistently exhibits such inherent characteristics as being awkward and effeminate. Later in life, he displays fondness and preference for members of his own sex towards whom his sexual urge is directed. But I also believe that this sexual perversion CAN BE CORRECTED by good rearing, education, love and compassion from supportive people, and strong religious faith.

On the other hand, someone, even if endowed with masculine attributes may find himself a homosexual someday due to the following reasons:

• association or perversive relationship with gay people
• having an overprotective or domineering mother or the absence of the father
• homosexual activities and experiences in prison and similar all-male institutions
• poverty--as a consequence, engaging in prostitution (male prostitution with gays)
• other extraordinary events in one's life that led him to becoming a homosexual

Question #2: Do you think it is right to condemn the homosexual person?

Answer: No—if the homosexual is not doing anything immoral but simply living his life, exhibiting homosexual characteristics—that is, acting awkwardly, performing feminine activities, showing fondness for members of his own sex or even caring or showing affection for males. For that is the nature of the homosexual and all those mentioned above which are expected of him are actually harmless.

However, like any individuals belonging to both sexes, the freedom a homosexual person enjoys has limitations. His freedom ends when it is already causing other people harm—such that when he engages in sex with another man, such an immoral act is condemnable—for such act has a lot of evil potentials and unpleasant consequences.

Question #3: What is the stand of the Church and the State regarding homosexuality?

Answer: Both the Church and the State accept homosexuals as members of society. Both extend to the homosexuals whatever support or help they can give—spiritual and otherwise—just as they do to other individuals—males and females alike. As long as homosexuals act in accordance with the accepted norms of conduct or as long as they do not practice sexual perversion (i.e., engaging in sex with another male), they do not offend God. It has been often heard that engaging in sex with another man is “double mortal sin”.

Question #4: How can we—as ordinary individuals—help homosexuals to be productive, desirable and morally upright members of society?

Answer: First, we must accept homosexuals for what and who they are—for all their strengths and weaknesses. We must show them that we care for them; that we appreciate them. Such acceptance will help enhance their self-esteem and make them feel important, wanted and needed. With such positive feeling and concept of themselves that our acceptance of them will give, how can they go wrong? How can they be unproductive, undesirable and immoral?

Comments and Suggestions:

In our present-day society, homosexuals are treated very unfairly. They are ridiculed, insulted and distrusted. In fact, the word “homosexual” itself seems to have been equated with wickedness, eccentricity or anything undesirable. They are oftentimes victims of sexual harassment and discrimination.

But I read somewhere (if I recollect it rightly, from a book titled The Story Behind the Gospels) that “we cannot understand a man unless we look into the many factors that have contributed in the shaping of his personality.” So, we must refrain from prejudging our unfortunate brothers. We must first find out the reason(s) why they behave in such a ridiculous and absurd manner. Who knows such actions are but outlets for their agony—for deep inside, they might be suffering although they prefer to hide those pains under a cloak of sophistication.

There are some homosexuals who want to lead a straight, normal life but are prevented from doing so by the “cruelty” of the people around them. It is thus very ironic sometimes that some homosexuals are condemned for immoral acts which they could have not done had their “normal/heterosexual” counterparts not induced them to do so.

Homosexuals, on the other hand, must try to be more tolerant with people ridiculing them. Instead of giving in to societal pressures, they should be firm in their desire to do good and win the love and acceptance of all. They must remember that they are what they chose to be and how people regard them are but reflections of what they showed them. Too, they must be aware that they have equal rights with everyone and that includes the right to be happy, to be respected, and to love and be loved. With all its hindrances, homosexuals should join and always strive to be good members of society.

Goddy A. Ramirez
Date: 11 September 1995