Happy Birthday, Gayle!

Today is my sister Gayle's birthday and also the 3rd anniversary of her memorial service after she died of pancreatic cancer. The picture above is a favorite of both my brother-in-law, Frank, and me.

In Gayle's honor, a wealthy friend set up The Dillenkoffer Endowment.

The Dillenkoffer Endowment was formed to support gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered teens with college tuition grants in Kansas and Missouri.

Gay teens across the country continue to face personal and academic challenges unlike those faced by their straight classmates. In addition to challenges at school, many face rejection by their families and the community at large as well as religious persecution. Even violence is not uncommon. Statistics show gay teens are more likely to abuse substances, drop out of school, run away from home, be involved in prostitution and attempt suicide.

The Dillenkoffer Endowment's mission is to:

* recognize and reward gay teens who are able to succeed in the face of personal and academic challenges;

* help them achieve even greater success through higher education; and

* provide them with the tools to be role models to others as they become young adults.

If you would like to learn more about the endowment or make a donation, click on the link above or scroll down and click on the dark blue plaque on the right sidebar.

Earlier today, I nearly fell out of my chair when I read the words below from the Lectionary reading from Wisdom. They are so right and true for me today.

But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God,
and no torment will ever touch them.
In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died,
and their departure was thought to be a disaster,
and their going from us to be their destruction;
but they are at peace.
For though in the sight of others they were punished,
their hope is full of immortality.
Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good,
because God tested them and found them worthy of himself;
like gold in the furnace he tried them,
and like a sacrificial burnt-offering he accepted them.
In the time of their visitation they will shine forth,
and will run like sparks through the stubble.

Wisdom 3:1-9

Below is a picture of Gayle at a party in her tuxedo-like outfit. By chance, we both bought very similar outfits of this type some years ago. She loved a party and liked the idea that the Mexican-Americans and Mexicans (along with a good many folks of non-Mexican heritage) in the US celebrated on her birthday. Today Grandpère and I will celebrate her life at a Cinco de Mayo party at a local Mexican Restaurant.

Latest On Roseann

Hi Mimi,

I was chatting with Roseann on Face Book this morning and while she has been diagnosed with double pneumonia, she sounded good and was very upbeat.

She is hoping to go home tomorrow and will have home health nurses coming to her 3 times a day. It is either that, or a rehab hospital, so she chose home with hubby, wiener dogs, and kitties. It is important for her to get out of the hospital before she can acquire any more hospital bugs.

She sends her love, and thanks everyone for their supporting and sustaining prayers.

Sue

Let's pray that Roseann recovers from the pneumonia, gets to go home, and that she stays upbeat.

Prayer Request From Ann

Prayers that we stay centered while the 1 year old grandson gets tested for why he had a seizure yesterday. He has been a breath-holder when he cries -- holding it until he passes out. Yesterday it ended in a seizure - so off to Children's Hospital to see if this is a new thing or just more of the other. Ann

One of my sons was a breath-holder, and when he'd turn blue and pass out, it was frightening, but he never had a seizure, which is surely even more frightening.

Heavenly Father, watch with us over your child, and grant that he may be restored to that perfect health which it is yours alone to give; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Book of Common Prayer, p. 458)

God, Father of mercies, give comfort, consolation, and your peace that passes understanding to guard the minds and hearts of this child's family, especially his parents and grandparents. We pray in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, in unity with the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Sorry, Archbishop Orombi

For the best take that I've seen on the rightness of the decision by the Anglican Consultative Council not to seat the Rev J P Ashey, who "is both a priest of the Church of Uganda and the COO of the AAC (American Anglican Council)" see Tobias Haller's post titled "The Peril of Musical Chairs".

I'm not sure what a COO is, but Tobias' post is eminently sensible.

Update 2 On Tigger The Cat

Tigger is now eating soft cat food on his own. He seemed to have to learn how to eat again. He also drinks on his own, in a somewhat awkward way, with a dipping motion and then licking the water from around his mouth.

My son called the vet to tell her the news, and she could not believe it. She said, "Bring Tigger in. I want to see this. He is a miracle cat." My son said, "I'll take him in, but I'm not paying for a visit." (He's close with his money.) The vet said, "Fine. I have to see him."

Thank you all for the prayers and good wishes. We're not even thinking long term, but, for now, we are happy people.

DON'T BLAME ME! BLAME DOUG!

Hi Mimi....

Remember when I told you that God has a sense of humor--and you doubted me :>)

Well, look what just happened!

A couple of years ago, when I was down in New Orleans, I heard a conversation where some one asked if America would ever have a black President.

The answer, with laughter, was "When pigs fly!" Well, here Obama has been President for 100 days, and swine flu!

Coincidence? I think not!

THROW THE ROTTEN TOMATOES AT HIM!

Please Continue The Prayers For Roseann

Just now, I talked to Gary, Roseann's husband. He said that Roseann was scheduled to go home today, but that she coughed quite a bit last night, and the doctors heard a rattle in her lungs that they did not like, so now they want to keep her in the hospital until that is cleared up.

Needless to say, Roseann was quite disappointed about not going home. It was good to hear Gary's voice, as I feel that I already know him a little. He can't be with Roseann as much as he'd like, because he must work. Pray for both Roseann and Gary. They've had more than their share of trouble.

Mass of Reparation - Part 2

From the Orlando Sentinel:

Upset by an honorary degree being bestowed upon President Barack Obama by the University of Notre Dame, Bishop Thomas Wenski presided over a "Mass of Reparation" Sunday to draw attention to the Catholic Church's opposition to abortion.
....

Wenski, the bishop of the Orlando Diocese, said Notre Dame's embrace of Obama undercuts the efforts of the bishops. Giving Obama an honorary degree from a Catholic university symbolizes support of his policies that run counter to the Church's teachings, Wenski said Sunday before the Mass.

"That's what it implies," he said. "He's [Obama] one of the most radical pro-abortion presidents we've ever had."

From the Washington Post:

There is a vocal and influential constituency of American Catholics who disapprove of the University of Notre Dame's decision to invite President Obama to speak at the Catholic university and receive an honorary degree in mid-May. But almost twice as many Catholics approve of the invite -- not a total shock since the majority of American Catholic voters cast ballots for the president.

(My emphasis)

MadPriest's Prayer List

The Rev. MadPriest posted a long prayer list. Please go over there and pray for the folks on the list. Mixed in with the bad news are bits of good news, for which you may give thanks.

Good News - Bad news

Here in our fair city, we are presently experiencing bad weather, much rain, lightning, and thunder. We were under a tornado alert, but I don't know if we still are. It looks bad enough still out there.

Some months ago, we bought two rather expensive battery-powered lanterns for the hurricane season. At the time we bought them, I suggested that we buy the batteries for them, but Grandpère decided that he was spending enough money on the lanterns, and that he would not buy eight D-batteries right then.

Several months later, we had a power outage which lasted about two hours, during which time we could have used the lanterns, but - alas! - no batteries, which was as much my fault as GP's by then. We finally bought the batteries, and today, we lost power again, but we were able to load the batteries into the lanterns, and - voila! - they worked. Power returned quickly, so we didn't need them, but we are ready for the next time. And it only took about nine months.

That's the good news. The bad news is that swine flu is nearby, and almost certain to be here in our area quite soon. There are confirmed cases in New Orleans and in Lafayette, Louisiana. Returning to good news, most folks in the US seem to be recovering, most without needing hospitalization. Thanks be to God.

Note: We bought green lanterns, not the camouflage version.