Good Monday morning, everyone! Thank you, God, for everything, my life, family, friends, all the blessings we have received from you! Thank you, Jesus!
Sunday, yesterday, I was too tired to blog after a long day away from home. It started when my wife and I, together with our young adult daughter and my sis-in-law, attended the Sunday Mass at our parish, St. Paul's in downtown Portsmouth. As volunteer Extraordinary Ministers for Holy Communion (EMHC), my wife and I did the Cup 1 and 2, respectively, since we're scheduled to do the work yesterday. That is, we distributed, or gave out or shared, the consecrated wine or "blood" of Jesus Christ to our fellow parishioners.
Rev. Fr. David, our pastor of the four clustered parishes, was our priest-celebrant. As usual, he led us in the atmosphere of holiness. With the church choir, he sang with us. He led us, faithful believers, in prayer to and adoration, and worship, of our Almighty God. As always, he delivered a meaningful and inspiring homily, or "sermon," which dealt or touched on the main topic of yesterday's Bible readings and the Gospel (from St. John 6:24-35): Jesus Christ, the "Manna" or True Bread from Heaven, the Bread of Life. As always, he sent us out, at the end of the church service, with the message "Go in peace" and be the Light and Salt of the world, an inspiration to others.
After the Holy Communion or before the Mass ended, our daughter and my sis-in-law were out of sight in the church. It's because the former was scheduled to play the piano for a church service in one of the Christian churches in the area. And, for that, she gets paid. As usual, her aunt accompanied her to the place.
Meanwhile, after a brief conversation with Fr. David at the sacristy (where he was preparing to go to the next church to officiate Mass), and with a couple of parishioners at the facade of the St. Paul's, after the Mass, my wife and I decided to go to a dollar store to buy Sunday's newspapers prior to going to Seafood Restaurant where we're going to have lunch. You see, even if you're mindful of the things that you've planned to buy, there is this human tendency that you buy something else that caught your eyes to be appealing or fascinating. I know what you have in mind, folks, the words impulsive buyer, no self-control. You know what, folks, aside from buying some munchies or snack foods, I ended up buying also three new hard-cover books. Two of them are National Geographic pictures-laden Long Road South (The Pan-American Highway) by Joseph R. Yogerst and From The Front: The Story of War by Michael S. Sweeney. The other new book is Every Other Monday (Twenty Years of Life, Lunch, Faith, and Friendship) by John Kasich. What prompted me to buy these books? Curiosity and inspiration, and love of books. And a passion to learn more as I continue living and trying to enjoy life.
At Seafood Restaurant, we ordered Seafood Fest for all of us. The menu included 12 pieces of breaded fried fish, ten pieces of fried buttered shrimps, three pieces of breaded crab meat in a shell, ten pieces of hush puppies, a plate of french fries, a pint size of coleslaw. As always, for our drinks, we had a gallon of sweet iced tea. As always, too, we have 10% discount for attending church services, on Sundays.
Once our food was served, my wife and I prayed, as always before partaking and sharing the food. While we're waiting for the two, our daughter and my sis-in-law, to arrive, we started eating since the food before us was irresistibly tempting, sumptuous, and hunger-inducing. The aroma and smell of fresh fried seafood is, undeniably, a hit for me. The fact is that most of the time when I encounter a newly-cooked food, especially if I did the cooking, my tendency is to eat already and not to wait for, say, five or ten minutes or more. That's just me, you know. Anyway, we're mid-halfway eating when the two showed up. And their plates were ready for them already. Hence, they joined us. No, we're not the only diners there. There were already older diners when we arrived there. And there were more diners arriving. No, we're not the only ones who love seafood. That's unbelievable. A lot of people, worldwide, love seafood, I do believe. Wanna bet, folks? I'm sure you guys out there love it, too.
My sis-in-law had to leave us earlier while we're still at Seafood Restaurant because of her part-time job. After giving thanks to God for the food we just shared and enjoyed, and to the ones who prepared and cooked for us, in our short payer of thanks, my wife, our daughter and I agreed to go see a) the venue or place where my wife is going to attend a two-day seminar/conference, next week, sponsored by Pearson, b) at the airport, to inquire about some travel questions, requirements, and regulations for our forthcoming or future travel somewhere, c) if they still sell or carry Virginia peanuts on their shelves at a naval (amphibious) base Commissary, and c) if we have the time, to see that church in Norfolk where our daughter will play piano for the church services there next Sunday.
As always, for long trips/driving, my wife was behind the wheels. As usual, I tried to be on the lookout while enjoying being on the passenger side. Our daughter was in the back seat. On the road, we listened to the songs/music of the American Idol season 11 top ten finalists. I don't know about you, folks, but I have bought six CDs of the American Idol Season 11 at Walmart. I don't know why I'm so in tune listening to music of and watching the AI Season 11 singers as they're currently on tour and keep on performing and entertaining people like me. I tell you, I can't wait to buy the CD album of these young talented AI singers, especially Jessica Sanchez, once their individual album comes out in stores. I'd like to see what kind of singers they are going to be. I'm talking about their forte or style, their individuality as a singer, not a mere copycat of a famous singer. That's what I mean. I've got to find out, via their yet to be released album in the future. And with this note, I wish them all the best and success in their music career. I thank God for these young talented singers/musicians for sharing their musical talents and entertaining skills to us all. May God bless them and their families always!
Well, we accomplished our major objectives yesterday. We've seen the place/building where my wife will be next week for that Pearson-sponsored conference/workshop in Virginia Beach. We've been to the Norfolk international airport where our questions were satisfactorily answered, with help from one of the customer representatives of this airline. We've bought some peanuts and groceries at the naval base Commissary. We've filled the gas tank of our car. Now, the only thing we were not able to do (because I felt so tired walking around) was to go see that church in Norfolk where our daughter will play piano for the church services there next Sunday. My wife said that that can be done for another day. I said, Amen, to that idea.
It was past five in the afternoon when we arrived home. Though tired I was, I managed to cut slices of watermelon, in nibbling sizes. And, ate some. That was a relief for me---eating sweet, seedless, succulent, red watermelon. Crispy and fresh, so refreshingly delicious watermelon. I was able to slice three big bowls of watermelon, for the family. I can't imagine what life, in summer, would it be without watermelon. Thanks to God for fresh produce or harvest. Thanks to our hardworking, indefatigable farmers. May God bless them and give them strength and stamina to continue producing and supplying us with food in our table everyday!
Yesterday was a long, but blessed and productive, Sunday for me. What about you, folks? Did you have a restful, relaxing Sunday yesterday? Hope so. Anyway, I wish you all the best in life. Take care and try to enjoy the rest of your summertime. As they say, life is too short to worry about little things. I know, yesterday is gone. Now, it's Monday, another wonderful day, another opportunity to live and enjoy life. Thanks to God, we're doing well. Amidst all what's happening around the world, let us be grateful to be alive and well. And for those brothers and sisters who didn't make it, who became victims of unfortunate circumstances, may we pray Rest in peace, brothers and sisters! Peace to everyone!
This is all for now. I do hope you've learned something (about me or anything) from my blog post today. Until next time around, my friends. Take care and have a wonderful and safe summer, everyone!-chris a. quilpa, 06August2012
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