Jesus on Water

Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened;and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter,and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying,“Truly, you are the Son of God.”

Matthew 14:29-33

Weekend Market

JM cooling off with coconut ice cream after a long walk at the weekend market.

Looking around and playing at the same time was fun, the humidity made him stop for a moment to find a way to cool and quench his thirst.

JM looking at giant aquarium fishes. The idea of bringing one home sounds interesting to him, but I won't allow. Nobody has the time to take care of a pet.

Olympic Mascots

Want to see the cute Olympic mascots ? Click here

Yellow Bulbs and Purples

Blooming purple orchids give an exotic look to our mini garden. Beautiful !

Last year , we planted a medicinal plant that was just a few centimeters high. That plant has now grown into a young tree. Although we've never used its leaves for any medicinal purpose, we are now enjoying its flowers, hanging beneath multiple sepals and looking like yellow christmas lights in bright sun. The nice thing about this plant is that it bears flowers daily, lots and lots of it, giving our mini garden a holiday look.

Morning View

A view of Bangkok one early and quiet Sunday morning.

Photo taken on August 3, 2008 at the Memorial Bridge, Bangkok

My Sister's Birthday

Belated happy birthday to my sister Susan, who celebrated her birthday yesterday, the 30th of July. May all your wishes come true and God Bless You !

Comforting Shade

Thank God for the comfort the shade of this tree gave me one hot weekend afternoon.

Sunday at the Park

Sunday is a time to go around and see interesting places. We found this new park not so far from where we live. It's got a lake, a playground and fitness equipment available for everyone who wishes to workout.

It's time for lunch at the lakeside.

I found a good place to run around and play, to rest and breath some fresh air.

A good week to one and all !

I Love Looking at These

I have a hobby of taking photos of flowers during trips to the park and nature preservation areas. They are lovely, sweetly scented and and I'm always tempted to cut some and bring home to decorate every corner of my house. Posted today are recent photos I took of some flowers. Enjoy them !

The Kingdom of Heaven

"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. What is bad they throw away. Thus it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.

Matthew 13:44-50

This Sunday at Saint Peter's

Abundantly growing all around the shrine, this white herbal bloom symbolizes purity.

JM and dad at the shrine's garden.

JM posing with his toy gun at the garden.

The facade of St. Peter's Church looking like the hull of a ship.

Gigantic statue of Saint Peter holding the key to heaven.

Life in Water

JM and dad watching fish and other water animals in the pond.

Photo taken at Rose Garden Golf and Country Club

July, 2007

The Mustard Seed

"A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. Whoever has ears ought to hear."

Matthew 13:4-9

I Dream of Ireland

I dream of visiting this beautiful country one day, to see its perpetually green countrysides, to experience its peaceful monastic life and find out if leprechauns do really exist.

Blue Monday

The beginning of a new week, loads of teaching and office work, the never ending deadlines, tension, traffic and all things which make the start of each week something I never want to face. I manage to survive by starting each day with prayers, living each day at a time and accomplishing as much as I can with the best of my ability. I've got something to look forward to . . . . the next weekend.

Faith Begins At Home

Parents teaching catechism to their own children at home is very enriching not just in knowledge but as a life experience in itself. It’s not just about teaching catechism to young children, but it also serves as a reminder and revision for us, the parents. We were surprised. There were so many things we thought we knew until we opened up the catechism text and realised otherwise. While the children were being taught, we too were rejuvenated.Faith becomes alive as we try to live a Gospel life. We have to constantly remind ourselves to practice what we preach. As a result, we are doing things differently and the children notice and ask questions. At times it is the children who remind us to turn to God and lead us onward to pray together as a family. Never underestimate the young ones. They are our lifelines especially when we are weak. In times of crisis, we sometimes depend on our own logical thinking while our little ones entrust themselves totally to Him. So, I encourage you to catechise your children. Embark on it! “Be Not Afraid!”

Old, But New to His Sight

He's never seen anything like this before, an ancient way of getting the days supply of water. He knows purified and bottled water, but he never knew that in the old days in Thailand , people get drinking water from a deep well. Water drank as is, no boiling or purification required. It's fun to get water this way, he thought, but he'd prefer purified water from home.

My Burden is Light

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

Ancient Siam

A glimpse of the past . . . . of ancient Siam

Photo taken at Ancient Town, Samutprakarn, Thailand

January , 2008

First Friday and First Saturday Devotion

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary, I CONSECRATE myself and my whole family to you. We consecrate to you: our very being and all our life. All that we are. All that we have. and all that we love. To you we give our bodies, our hearts and our souls. To you we dedicate our home and our country. Mindful of this CONSECRATION, we now promise you to live the Christian way by the practice of Christian virtues, without regard for human respect. O most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary, accept our humble confidence and this ACT OF CONSECRATION by which we entrust ourselves and all our family to you. In you, we put all our hope and we shall never be confounded.

MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS, HAVE MERCY ON US. IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY, BE OUR SALVATION.

Orchids Galore

Posing with exotic orchids arrangement at the State Towers. Too bashful to smile at this pictorial.

JM at 7 yrs.

Saint Thomas the Apostle

Lord Jesus, Saint Thomas doubted Your resurrection until he touched Your wounds. After Pentecost, You called him to become a missionary in India, but he doubted again and said no. He changed his mind only after being taken into slavery by a merchant who happened to be going to India. Once he was cured of his doubt, You freed him and he began the work You had called him to do. As the patron saint against doubt, I ask him to pray for me when I question the direction in which You are leading me. Forgive me for mistrusting You, Lord, and help me to grow from the experience. Saint Thomas, pray for me. Amen.

Weekend at the Lake

Happiness is . . . . taking a stroll along the lake on a warm Sunday morning . . . with the pigeons.

Sights

In Thailand , goods are sold not only in fresh markets, supermarkets , weekend markets etc. Commonly seen in canals are boats peddling fruits, vegetables, ice cream, noodles and other commodities. When boats selling various goods group in one area of a canal, Thai people call this a Floating Market.

One of the common sights you can find here in Thailand is canals , making this country the Venice of Asia. Canals are used for agricultural, business , transport , cultural and tourism purposes. The photo above is not a canal but a river located in a province near Bangkok.

Busy Evenings

This is how a typical after school evening is like at home. Always busy with homework.

Sunday's Gospel

Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

Matthew 16:16-19

Bedtime Blessings

Heavenly Father, Bless JM and keep him in Your love. Grant him a good rest tonight, And send Your angels to protect him . In the Name of the Father, And the + Son, And of the Holy Spirit.Amen.

Altar Server

I will serve the Lord with all my heart, all the days of my life.

JM , 10yrs.

Contrast

A contrast of the old and the new. . . .

The New 7 Wonders of the World

An interesting website for those teaching geography, history, culture and architecture, gives updated information on the new seven wonders of the world.

Today's Artwork

Boy Scout by JM, 10 yrs.

Painting

The contemporary painting "The Crucifixion" by Eva Kaiser, on loan to the Redemptorist Church of Saint Mary's on the Banks, Vienna, Austria. On display until October, 2008.

A Visit to An Ancient Chedi

JM ringing one of the temple bells.

Last May, we took JM to a sightseeing trip in a nearby province famous for its ancient chedi, called Nakhon Pathom Chedi. Constructed by a king , long time ago , in memory of his father whom he murdered, the peak of the chedi as the ancient people describes , reaches the heavens. The nearby temple also houses the relic of Buddha.

Rain

Thank God for the rainy season is upon us once again. A cooling relief from last summers heat, we're looking forward to cooler months ahead.