Painting Again

I am so glad that I have this inspiration to paint again. This time, I am doing The Sacred Heart Of Jesus and Immaculate Heart Of Mary. I outlined in pencil the Sacred Heart Of Jesus and I am so happy that it came out beautiful. One problem though is I have difficulty in drawing the hands, which is usually the most difficult in painting a portrait. After several erasures, my son is not too happy with the outcome yet. Maybe I will have better luck tomorrow. But I am happy with the face of Jesus already which exudes holiness. I had my share in the past of painting Holy images. I painted Saint Claret, Mama Mary with the child Jesus, and the crucifixion for Claret Seminary. Also, I painted a priest during consecration with Jesus at the background for an Indian priest who was a friend. For Santa Rafaela House Of Spirituality, I painted a Lady, worshipping God, with the Bible in her hands. I also painted the Holy Family which I donated for the raffle in celebration for the Feast Of San Bartolome, or Saint Bartholomew, one of the apostles of Jesus. He described the apostle as "without guile"...

Painting Holy Images makes one meditate. The act of painting itself becomes an offering to God. It is like returning back to Him the fruits of the talents that God has endowed a person with. I think I will go back to painting Holy Images again which gave me so much joy before.

The Tasks Are Too Many

The tasks are too many
They seem to defeat me
I must return to the fore
And get my rightful score

Must have everything done
All that is under the sun
Every deed must I accomplish
Each chore done to the finish

There is no chance to tarry
Even though I am weary
Every step I must plan
In accordance to the Mighty One

Alternative Medicine For Cancer

My husband was diagnosed to have stage III cancer of the Tongue last February 2. The doctor said that the best treatment was for him to cut off Art's tongue before he will undergo chemotherapy and radiation. Or he will just undergo chemo and radiation without his tongue being cut off but his chance of survival will be much less. My husband refused to have his tongue cut off nor subject himself to the conventional treatment and instead opted for the alternative medicine my son and I researched in the internet. He is given twice a day, together with his lunch and dinner, asparagus, brocolli, cauliflower, carrots, and guyabano fruits (sour sop) The vegetables are steamed and is processed in the blender, with very little water. They are served individually in separate glasses for them to retain the original taste. They are very good and Art is enjoying in taking them. For his drinking water the whole day, he is taking lemon grass tea. Besides these, we ordered from the States Apricot seeds. Three seeds are grinded and given to him every hour. We also ordered Essiac Tea, a medicine, composed of 4 herbs, discovered by a native Indian in the 17th century which was passed on to a nurse who in turn passed it on to others. Essiac and Apricot seeds are supposed to reduce the size of the tumor and cure the cancer also. With all these and with prayers, we hope to battle this dreadful disease.

Way Of The Cross

I am so happy that I was able to help organize the Way Of The Cross that was held in our subdivision last Palm Sunday, March 5. I arranged for the priest that lead us in the prayers and provided for his transportation. I also looked for a megaphone to borrow to be used in the affair. The fourteen stations commemorated the passion of Christ up to his death and ressurection. We were assigned in our house the 5th station where Jesus Received the Cross. We started with the first station at the house of the organizer, where a picture of the first station, the Last Supper was displayed at the gate on a table with white linens, flowers, and lighted candles. The host read the first station using a booklet guide and the crowd answered, reading the guide also. The crowd sang at the end of the reading. Then the crowd walked to the next station, on the gate of another house, and recited the rosary while walking. When it was time for the fifth station at our house, my son lead the prayers. After the fourteen stations, the crowd gathered at the multipurpose hall of the subdivision, where the final prayers was lead by the priest, who also delivered some sermon on the importance of meditating on the passion of Christ.

The Fourteen Stations are the following:

I. First Station, The Last Supper
II. Second Station, The Agony In The Garden
III. Third Station, Jesus Before The Sanhedrin
IV. Fourth Station, The Scourging And Crowning With Thorns
V. Fifth Station, Jesus Receives The Cross
VI. Sixth Station, Jesus Falls Under The Weight Of The Cross
VII. Seventh Station, Simon Of Cyrene Carries The Cross Of Jesus
VIII.Eight Station, Jesus Meets The Pious Women Of Jerusalem
IX. Ninth Station, Jesus Is Nailed To The Cross
X. Tenth Station, The Repentant Thief
XI. Eleventh Station, Mary And John At The Foot Of The Cross
XII. Twelfth Station, Jesus Dies On The Cross
XIII.Thirteenth Station, Jesus Is Laid In The Tomb
XIV. Fourteenth Station, Jesus Rises From The Dead

The Station Of The Cross are usually prayed by the Catholic family in the church, in front of the images of the different stations, before or after the mass. This is the way of the faithful of meditating on the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, during the lenten season.