In Memory of Margaret Shelkey

My friend, you are one of the few that would still read my spontaneous random silly blogs. 

I hope you found inspiration in them, as you always inspired me to be better. Thank you my friend for believing in me. 

Thank you for supporting me even in my own rebellious ways. I think that is why we got along so well, we were both always against the norm to go after our hopes and dreams because when didn’t look for the world’s approval. Only God’s approval.

Amiga, I’m gonna miss you. I’m gonna miss the breakfasts, or lunches, or dinners, the late nights, the work we did together, the conversations, and going to a random weekday Mass. 

Thank you! Thank you for being a spiritual director to me. I am a better man because of you, and will always be grateful. 

I’ll never forget you, and I’ll always pray for you for the rest of my life. I love you sweet lady. Please continue to pray for me. You know and I know how great God is. The Lord has done and will do great things, as long as we’re obedient to Him. 

I’m going to receive the sacraments today, and I know in my heart that you are experiencing the beatific vision that you always expressed so much hope for and you are reunited with your husband and loved ones. I know you are resting, but I know you are praying. 

Thank you for your friendship…Pray for us Margaret! 

I’m God’s Favorite

 I’m God’s favorite…

Do we have enemies? Yes. Why? We don’t back down. We’re Christian.

“Pray with me, but to play with me.”

“Try Jesus, don’t try me, because I fight. I don’t have a problem laying these hands.”

I’ve been looking for a chip on my shoulder. Here it is. My mother always referred to me as, “El Chilito piquín. Chiquito pero picoso.” Spicy af. Don’t play with me.

There are three types of people in this world. Those that see the cup half empty or half full, and then there’s people like me that sees it overflowing. My cup overflows.

“I have laid a table before you in the presence of your enemies…” How did I get so lucky? How am I His favorite?

Some people are always complaining. The world this or the world that. He or she this. They are always miserable. How? Are we not God’s favorite? Are we not grateful?

The world is in chaos right now and I just sit in the middle of it all in peace. Yes, peace, despite all the noise. You can be joyful and still be suffering. Offer up your suffering. Suffer with joy. We’re just passing through.

(At peace eating while the world is in chaos)

They’ll take back their words and their actions. Maybe I won’t ever get an apology, but their behavior will change. I will be able to witness it. It always circles back. “You couldn’t live with your own failure…” Poetic justice shall be served. This is part of the novel.

After all I’m God’s favorite.

To be honest, I fail at most things I do, but still I smile, I still push back. God still spoils me. Things still work out in the end. Even when I’m undeserving, I still have hope. I’m still His.

How did I get so lucky? I’m God’s favorite.

I Hope You’re Healing

 I hope you’re healing.

I hope you’re healing because the world needs you. They need your energy, they need your love, they need your fire.

People nowadays need examples of people who are fully alive. People who live authentically, and share the presence of Christ in their lives. 

Our bodies are our temples, and sometimes we forget that. However, our soul is more important then our temporary body. Let’s not forget that. 

I hope you heal in mind, body and soul so that you can help others. After all, iron sharpens iron. At the other end of this you will be stronger, talk about strong immunity. I hope you heal so that you can put that mind, body and soul to the test once again. Ignite those God-given passions and impact eternity.

We as a family, community, and nation need to heal. If we don’t heal from our wounds, we end up bleeding on everyone else. What are you doing to heal emotionally or mentally? What are you doing to heal physically? What are you doing to heal spiritually? 

It’s okay not to be okay at times. We’re all a little broken, beaten, and carry wounds. After the Resurrection, Christ showed his wounds to His disciples. It was Him, that went through the cross, His true authentic self. Embracing the cross and the process of healing is beautiful. There’s something beautiful about suffering because God is closer to us during that time. 

“Pain and suffering have come into your life, but remember pain, sorrow, suffering are but the kiss of Jesus, a sign that you have come so close to Him that He can kiss you.” -Mother Teresa  

We have a healer, be patient.

Keep going! Keep healing! 

There Will Be Miracles

There will be miracles

This past year has been difficult for everyone. Everyone suffered and made sacrifices one way or another. There is uncertainty, but most importantly there is hope.

Are we seeing the end of the pandemic? Maybe so. Are we seeing the economy recuperating? Maybe so. Is the anxiety diminishing? Maybe so.

Once thing that is for certain, on this day before Easter, is that there will be miracles. Miracles happen everyday. God does reward the faithful. We weren’t suppose to be in control, it is about abandonment to Divine Providence. It is about surrendering to His care. 

There will always be a group on the left side, right side, far left, far right, and moderate, but we are all one body of Christ. For a common cause we will unite, for everything else there will always be diversity. That’s the way it’s always been. That is what we know as normal.

There will be miracles. New witnesses, non-believers will become believers, but a special blessing will be given to the faithful ones. You’ll see an uprising happening, full conversions. Give it a few days, weeks, or months, but it’s soon. God will heal us PHYSICALITY, emotionally, and spiritually. Miracles happen everyday, if we pay attention. His will done once again, His will is only beginning with us.

There’s still uncertainty, but one thing that is always certain and to always believe: There will be miracles! 

2020 Pandemic

You’re probably wondering how we got here.


It’s no surprise, but most of the world was surprised. The world has its own agenda and loves feeding from people like parasites. This is the apocalypse alright. Yes, the exact same one we saw in zombie films, only this time these zombies didn’t come back from the dead out of their tombs, they actually came from their own homes. In this journey we call life, if you were living for the weekend, causing people harm, lying, stealing, cheating, then then you were probably blindsided by this worldwide pandemic. Maybe a change needed to happen. Maybe this was necessary. Maybe we needed to be isolated for a while to ponder for a bit.

This pandemic revealed more about everyone. It didn’t necessarily change people right away, it only exposed and magnified who we already were. Everyone is struggling, but some are struggling with great hope and peace, even in our own sinfulness. The lights are off, the stadiums are closed, and our audience remains the same people. What do we do during this time, do we become Karens, bitter, rotten, and toxic or do we become saints? Modern day saints are you and I saving the world by only having to stay home, follow rules, say our prayers, embrace the challenge, overcome sin, learn from our darkness, and fall in love ever more with our Lord. That’s what the enemy is afraid of. That’s why we are quarantined. This is suppose to be a weapon against us, to be kept in isolation, with little resources, away from the sun. This is a test. Survival of the fittest. Are we hoarding? Are we scared? Or are we loving starting with the person that is nearest? As Christians, our duty is not to step into the line of fire, not in this war, but to be still and continue to love.


You’re probably wondering how we got here.

We took ourselves here, it was not our government, a virus, the Chinese people, but only ourselves. Can we live with ourselves, can we be silent, can we use our time wisely, can we enjoy the darkness, can we suffer a little bit? If we haven’t done that before this war, then this is a time to start. Quarantine life didn’t begin in 2020, quarantine life began the day we were called to be disciples. If we haven’t done that well, or tried and failed, welcome back as a prodigal son or daughter because God’s will is about to be done. It's being done as you're reading this post.


I don’t wonder how I got here. I know how and I know why. I came here to die. I am not afraid of death anymore. In the words of Mother Angelica, I am more afraid of dying and having the Lord say to me, “This is what you might have done, had you trusted more.” I don’t seek glamour or the praise, like a decade ago. I only seek His will. My days are numbered and 2020 was a mighty sweet reminder. If you live well, death is sweet and precious. FML: ForMyLord.

Rebels of Love

Dear Journal,

Sorry I took so long. I have a great explanation. You see, I packed my belongings and moved across the country. This new home happens to be one of the biggest cities in the world. You know what’s crazy? To travel 10 miles would normally take about 15 minutes anywhere else, but not in this city it may take 1 hour at times if you’re lucky. Not the mention the new responsibilities acquired and the transition period. Which brings us to today, so please accept my apology once again.

A wise lady once said, “The best things in life, the riches things in life, the most beautiful things in life are challenging.” I’m loving the challenge I must add. As you know, this challenge was accepted long before it began. 

Another huge discovery is this: there’s a NEED here. Talk about a huge task. People are losing their Faith. To be completely honest, I personally find it difficult to have faith when everyone is doubting. Hence, there’s a bigger challenge at hand, to not be influenced by the environment for the purpose of adaptation. I give you a new chapter with a very familiar tone of rebellion. After all many Saints had done the same and turned away from society. I present to you, Rebels of Love.

Revolutionaries are historical and a key component of change. At least that’s what I got from the Social Justice lesson. Challenge accepted. To be a rebel of love for Christ means to reject the World aka the Culture of Death and to practice Christianity with our life and love promoting the Culture of Life. After all, they’ll know we are Christians...You get it, sorry I don’t want to preach to the choir. To be a rebel of love requires preaching to the unpreachable or to anyone open to the message. Sometimes is requires preaching to ourselves if you know what I mean. When necessary use words, major key. Yes, we listen or should I say watch?

Being a rebel of love hits different because it doesn’t leave you empty. There’s fulfillment in your heart that will set you free in order to surrender to His almighty will. Martyrdom is the highest level of this anti-cultural journey. The phrase, “Do not be afraid” takes a whole new meaning. I feel attacked. Saints had a way of using simple words for deeper meaning, after all they were rebels. If you’re reading this, pray for us! It starts here in the City of Angels. How ironic!

Peace! 

Your brother in Christ,
Erik

My Infinity War Part 2

Written April 2018
There I was fighting to survive. The dragon was spitting out fire as I held out my shield. I ran as fast as I could and tried to get it. I charged with my sword, but I got knocked down. I don’t know how I got up. I might have gotten a concussion that day. I couldn’t find the dragon anymore. It left, but will come back to try to finish the job. (God carried me; God removed the dragon)

Meanwhile, I continue to provide aid for others in need. My problems are small, small to a giant as myself (not literally). God is bigger than any problem or dragon. Plus, others needed my assistance. Every morning, I was the first one there. In the evening I was the last one to leave. If any kid or adult asked for my help, I always said yes. That was why I was there for. I live to fight another day. They still needed me!

The dragon came back. I was ready to dodge its every move, but I ran away from it, I just did not have time to fight it this time, since I had to be at another place. I wanted to run away, and I told the dragon to wait. In anger it tried to stop me. I guess we did have to fight at that moment. It seemed stronger. I rolled underneath it, which wasn’t smart, and it had the perfect opportunity to crush me. Somehow I was removed from that moment. Next thing you know, I’m in the middle of a lesson in a classroom. We shall do this again dragon. After all, I did tell it to wait. It wasn’t the right time to finish one another. 

(God removed me; God justified me)

I waited and waited and waited...What was I waiting for? A miracle? I wasn’t waiting for the dragon that’s for sure. It was waiting for me. It’s going to keep waiting! I’m not going dragon! Sorry dragon! Get away dragon, wit yo big ol’ self. I’m a child of God! ¡Yo soy hijo de Dios! In the mean time, I’m looking to build strength. I have other plans. I begin to plan my next move, and prepare for what’s to come. When our will and God’s will is the same, then we have found our true destiny and vocation. The dragon may not ever come back, and that’s ok. There’s more important things going on anyway. Besides, I think it got bored of fighting me, so it’s probably going to go pick on somebody else. History repeats itself, just like the Battle of San Jacinto, or the Alamo, learned in Texas History. I don’t recall anything mentioned about Abell or Goddard in the history books though. 

Written July 2018

“I needed to make you uncomfortable, otherwise you never would have moved.” -God 

Oh my gosh. This is actually happening. I’m closer than I’ve ever been in the past 20 years. It’s like my dream is right in front of me. I’m ready for the next challenge, new dragons, new adventures. Life continues, dragons keep being dragons, and dragon slayers, keep slaying. God is bigger than everything and everyone. ¡Dios es muy grande! This whole time it was Him carrying me and protecting me from fire breathing dragons. He knows the desires of my heart. It was Him who pulled me out of deadly situations. It was Him giving me the daily strength and the daily bread to carry on. Nothing was ever of my own doing. Poetic justice! There’s poetic justice in this (12 year as a professional 22 years total) literary piece. He was using me for His people. He’s going to take me where He needs me next. To bare good fruit! At the right time, His time. I’m thankful for my time in Texas. I’m thankful for the dragons, and the snakes, and the delicious sweet potato empanadas since they’re rare in West Texas. Every moment, I captured it, seized it, conquered it. I pissed off some people in the process, sorry not sorry, but I trusted the process. I trusted God!!! Finally, the vision my mother had in 1996 came to a realization.

Midland, Texas:

High School Diploma ✅

Associates Degree ✅

Learn and Practice Catholicism ✅

Bachelors Degree ✅

Teaching/Coaching Career ✅

Masters Degree ✅

Marathon Trainings ✅

Catholic Ministries ✅

Championship Experiences ✅

Travel Experiences ✅

Relationship Experiences ✅

and lastly Missionary (June 2018) ✅

I needed all of the above for in the next chapter. I left no stone unturned. I get to incorporate all of the above in my next endeavor. It was God’s plan in His time. 

I had to answer the call. The call within a call? ❤️

L.A. The City of Angels. ¡Los angelitos!

This is good. Good for everyone. Good testimony. Everything falls into place at the right time. Pray for me, I’ll pray for you because that’s what God intended to begin with. Called us to be in communion with Him and one another. 

It all makes sense now. I couldn’t have planned a better story. Wow!

My Infinity War Part 1

I’m running, all of a sudden, they turned off the lights, and I’m running in complete darkness. That’s kind of difficult because how do you watch your step when you don’t even know what you’re stepping on? I can’t do no right. Story of my life.

Thanos has all the infinity stones, the world is over. We’re doomed. Even the Advengers could not save us, but yet there wasn’t even an ending. We have to wait for Part 2? We have to wait! Story of my life.

I’m crawling to this finish line, waiting for change. I see a door wide open so I shoot my shot. I make a move for the first time in 12 years. I pray, and I act on my prayer. If it’s accordance to God’s will then that’s how the story is going to be told. This test becomes the testimony after all, I’ve been praying about it for over a year.

This is my cross, I have to carry it everyday, but I’ve been carrying it for about 7 years maybe longer. I’ve embraced it. No response. Now virtues have to be acquired. Patience, humility, and so forth. More super powers. Ok, been in this situation plenty of times, and God was there with me every step of the way. Stronger than yesterday at Heroes. I hear that voice again, “Am I not here who am your mother?”

We don’t know what the future holds, but we know who holds it. Faith is the greatest thing and everything else doesn’t matter. We live in a fallen world and I’m running through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, free of fear. Faith over fear in the name of Jesús, María y José (JMJ). I fearlessly trust in His will. Build anyway, be young and crazy anyway, love anyway, be yourself anyway. A better you, learn from mistakes, always improve. Name someone that has all the answers and has all their life together? I’ll wait...

We all need God, we need our Savior everyday of our lives, time heals all wounds, and we become better and stronger because of the hardships. A year from now I’m gonna look back at this race and I’m going to miss it because these are the exact moments, through the suffering, that put a smile on God’s face.

I’ll never deny any person or kid that asks for help. I’ll always help when I can if I can. Anyone who is crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do. Crazy enough to coach 5 sports, crazy enough to teach multiple subjects, have multiple majors, be in multiple ministries, have multiple jobs, do multiple workouts, and to run multiple miles. That’s me! All things through Christ. Crazy enough through Christ, and with Christ. In the words of Forrest Gump, I just felt like running. 

“Oh Lord, let me be the one to set them free. I will give them every part of me. Put my heart where everyone can see. They can call me whatever they want, call me crazy.”

Run Baby Run

I’m running this race...

People are throwing rocks, others are begging, others are yelling and making noise. I pass by some very familiar faces, but they’re quiet, they’ve remain silent until I start picking up speed, then I hear them again. When I get a taste of cheers and pick up a few fans, the rocks, the beggars, the noise makers, and silencers all begin another attempt to slow me down.

I fell and sprained my knee. I forget that I’m clumsy. I stopped, but still keep going fast, still keep fighting the bear.  Everyday is a new adventure. The knee is feeling a whole lot better, so now they’re in trouble. Lent season will begin, and I will go and hide into the dessert or by the sea, so I’m not really hiding, they know where I’ll be. I’m here! I call them out. They hit me with their best shot and I hit back. Hate is not greater than love, hate cannot conquer, love conquers all my friends! I move forward. They desperately want to be seen and heard, I look the other way. I continue the path. They made fun of me, but yet I continue the path. They doubt me, and I still continue the path. 

Another shooting, more illnesses, more messages from unknown numbers, the world is a becoming a horror movie. Meanwhile, I sit in my mess after a cold shower and drink some tea. The Lord lives in me! It’s been Him all along. I’m just an instrument. When I get called to a deeper and more profound love, I’ll still be His instrument. When I’m running through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, He is there, and along with all the angels and saints, it’s been all Him. He gives me the strength and the endurance during the race, so that by His grace I may earn the prize, not gold. Meanwhile another tragedy, people are getting hurt, and dying inside. I’m leaving town again, I’m never home on the weekends. These are the worst of times, these are the best of times.

It’s time to lace them up again..The path must continue. Only this time, I’m stronger. Something tells me, that they’ll test my new strength. It’s gonna be ugly before it gets lovely. I’m headed down a new road. It’s hideous. I must go. That’s the road less travelled, that’s where I’m being directed. I have allies. More and more are coming. Wait, I didn’t expect this. I’m used to fighting on my own. This is like the Advengers. This is squad goals. Young bloodz willing to fight with me and for me? I didn’t expect this. I’m going to wake up from this dream soon. Maybe that’s when I’ll stop my run. When I do, I’ll smell the pancakes, and the coffee.

In a Secret In a Quiet Place

“Virtuous/Intentional Friendships: it’s not on purpose it’s for a purpose, it’s because you recognize something in that person. You say, ‘yes,’ you look at someone else and you say, ‘that’s it, that’s the race I wanna run, that’s the fight that I want to be a part of, that’s the kind of person that I want to become.’ Would I rather be a faithful Catholic? Or just be known as one who’s the faithful Catholic? Would I rather be the good friend? Or do I wanna be known as the one who’s the good friend?

That stuff doesn’t happen in public, it happens in private, it happens in those moments when no one sees.

Belong to Jesus and that belonging to Him, doesn’t belong in a stage, it’s made in secret. Virtuous friendship doesn’t happen under a spotlight, it happens in secret, it’s hidden. It’s a lot like love, when you shine a light on it, it kinda goes away, but if you live it, it’s unstoppable. Who are you running with? Who are you racing with? Who are you fighting with? In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” -Fr. Mike Schmitz SLS18 Conference in Chicago, Illinois

Sounds like a paradox from setting the world on fire 🔥 because if you set it on fire, people see the flames. Flames are visible and sometimes loud, but setting it on fire like a SAINT can be visible and loud just to be done in secret.

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” -Saint Mother Teresa

Privately, one can throw a stone so ripples can spread across any body of water and it doesn’t need a spotlight or be broadcast on live TV, and essentially that’s setting the world on fire.” Nobody needs to know how you did it or when you did it. You just did, and it might have been loud and proud in the name of our Lord. Only those affected were the ones who heard loud and clear. Our treasure is will be stored in our hearts, better yet in Heaven. 

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in Heaven.” Matthew 6:1

How simple is it to just do God’s will, without announcing it to the world. There’s no pressure, there’s a sense of peace that resides within you because deep down in your heart and in your soul you have become a living breathing invitation to believe in bigger and better things than just oneself. 

Squat heavy...Run fast...Live full...Train hard...Love strong...Adventure often...Hustle always. Dream big...Compete daily...Make life count. @competeeveryday

ALL IN SECRET, then go back home and rest in a quite place because a clean conscience makes one fine pillow, but get your rest because tomorrow you have to live full again and spread the good news with your life in a secret...in a quite place. ❤️ This secret and quiet place that I speak of is not so much a secret at all, it’s your home, your school, your church, your backyard, the grocery store, even on social media where everyone has access yet not everyone visits, so it’s probably in a public place. Your ministry may not be quiet 🤫 because even when Jesus was performing miracles word started going around. To do God’s will in a secret and quiet place is to be humble, recognizing that we are sinners striving in our short lifetime to be saints. BE-A-SainT mode! Affect enternity! We are reaching for the highest goal, so that we might receive the prize in the Kingdom.

The Panic After the Storm

The storm has hit. We’re running, looking for shelter at the same time gathering supplies and preparing for the worst. Loving our neighbors, except mine, they’re weird, and America, Land of the Free, and don’t forget Mexico. Someone took a knee during the national anthem as a protest, and people are furious. The president denied visitations to the White House because of rebelling citizens and now there’s division in our own country. Segregation continues, this new revolution is taking a stand. Who’s to blame? The president? Canada? Juan? Who knows? That doesn’t hide the fact that we are still in a crisis! There was a tragic earthquake in Mexico and people are now getting worried. The world was supposed to end yesterday. It didn’t. People are still living for the weekend. They’re doing it wrong. We have to thank God every day, not just on Fridays. The quest continues, the Stang Gang is still going strong. Hope that you fall in love and it hurts so bad, the only way you can know, you give it all you have.  Recieved another text with lies, something tells me that I'll probably get a few more later. The Prophesy is being fulfilled. People are given one chance at life, one moment, to seize everything they ever wanted: they’re given the remedy, but still reach for the poison; they want to build a kingdom, but still seek attention from the village; they want an A but put in C effort; they talk a big game, but their words don’t match their actions. Don’t believe their lies; they pray for tortillas, then God gives them flour, baking powder, lard, salt, water, and a comal, then they get frustrated and leave the kitchen. Desperate times call for desperate measures, so don’t get distracted by people who have other hidden agendas. Their motive to team up with you may be for selfish reasons. See the signs: their actions will speak and look at the fruit they’re producing. Sometimes life doesn’t give you second chances, just a bunch of lemons, and what could have been moments, we’re screwed. We are in a crisis. Time is precious. People are selling fake products, and fake love, straight up, to your face, so don’t buy any of it. Buy natural fat burners, take your vitamins, have a meal plan, and stick with it. Results will come if you are committed. Commitment is the key, but it’s another issue. We still fear failure. We fear rejection. We fear clowns. WTFreak? Our greatest fear should be that we are powerful beyond measure. We are all meant to be special, talented, and sassy, for lack of better word. What would you do if you knew, you could not fail? I know what I would do. I’ll be pursuing it in a couple of months. Shh! I’m not allowed to say anything yet. Back to this crisis. How are we going to get the income to rebuild everything? Will there actually be a gas shortage or just a bunch of long lines again? When is the next solar eclipse so I can buy special glasses this time? Will the president get impeached soon? Will my Lakers make the Playoffs? Where's my Spanish 2 textbooks? Will I finally get a text back? Some things just remain unknown. We are in a crisis! ¡Estamos en una crisis cabrones!

Holy Spirit Power

I get stunned. I get stuck. Like I freeze. I'm not capable of carrying out the task at hand. On the volleyball court at the park Friday nights, basketball court at the YMCA or elsewhere, or any race course at the start line. Then I get this spark, like this Holy Spirit power takes over in the midst and I perform. In the classroom, on the field, etc. People are astonished, and that's what I feed off of. I live for those moments. Trying to impress the people we don't like, as if it matters. Trying to be a perfectionist and be the best as if that validates you as a person. I don't have to be the best. I just have to be me and people will love me for who I am, not for what I can or can't do. However, I still have moments where I feel incompetent, not good enough. Then, I meet kids like Kari, and Ryleigh and Peyton, and Erik and Andrew, and Andres and Miranda, and Luke and Maeson and they think I'm amazing. They think I'm to die for. And I want to do anything and everything in my power to provide for them. To give them a piece of myself that they can benefit from. No credit needed, if we win a championship I don’t want credit it was all them, I just want to discretely plant a seed that will allow them to grow and blossom as individuals. In fact, the Holy Spirit gets the credit. My strength comes from above. They may never know who believed in them and gave them that key that was once given to me. A better me, creates a better you. If I get this spark, you get this spark. If my seed grows, your seed grows. If I'm happy, you're happy. We have to take the necessary steps to become a better version of ourselves. The people in our influence circle benefits. Everyone wins! Love wins!!!

Ordinary people become extraordinary without even planning on it. Be ordinary, keep it real, one hunnid, be simple not complicated. It's not a math equation it's more of simply just being. Be noble, be true, say the truth, take your vitamins, and say your prayers! It's not complicated, it's easy as breathing, with a fire in our soul. Simplicity is a beautiful thing. Just simply be simple.

Less drama, more love and growing. A better me is blossoming and the people I'm surrounded with are also blossoming. It's like magic, as a kid, I believed in magic, but now I know it's Holy Spirit Power. I get this feeling inside my bones...I got sunshine in my pocket. Nope, it's a rosary, holding Mother Mary's hand. Queen of Peace...Gentle woman, peaceful dove, teach us wisdom, teach us love. People of good will, the righteous ones, have figured this out. In the end, peace makes one fine pillow. First comes doubt then comes peace! Oh sweet peace, how natural it feels to not be a nervous wreck and simply just be vocal, and not be timid but simply just keep my head high, and fix the tie on my shirt.

Oh sweet peace, I need you so, to carry this task at hand. OH MY LORD, YOU RESTORE MY SOUL AND YOU GIVE ME REST. And tomorrow I will do it all over again:
1. I get stunned, I get stuck, Like I freeze...😭
2. Mamba Mode...💪
3. Peace! ✌️

Holy Spirit Power! Powered by LOVE. Faith, hope and love, but the greatest of them all is love.

Majoring in Archeology

We have faith and work to complete in front of us. We don’t need an increase of faith or a new job. The grass is not greener on the other side. God calls us to use the faith that we already have and to perform the tasks that we were already given. Eureka! I figured it out, the job that we all have is to be archeologists, (arqueólogos) because we are to discover and study every single person we meet. Read their behaviors, their reasons, motivations, languages of love, fears, goals, likes, needs, wants. Listen to them. Let them speak. These are souls that are meant to cross our paths, maybe for an hour, a day, or even a year. Some may be for a lifetime. The length of time is not for us to figure out, but to make the time allotted resourceful in learning about someone.  After an encounter with an individual or individuals we should know more about them than they know about us. The ones are that meant to stay, the ones that find you appealing, will go out of their way as archeologists to get to know you more. That’s not the problem, we all want our story heard, but to hear the story of another and to write about it, and share it, and be a fan of someone besides ourselves is absolute love. Even if we don’t get the same love in return, love anyway. After all, it’s not about us. The world does not revolve around us. We are here to advance the Kingdom of God. Now I must excavate the ruins of West Texas and discover the unknown and their functions. Time to put on my Dora the Explorer funky @ss looking hat and go explore some people. “Vámonos” –Frankie J

Don’t stalk. Learn, observe, take notes, and ask questions, if they’re receptive and inviting welcome yourself in, in a natural comfortable way. Don’t be awkward. Don’t force yourself to learn about someone because some people don’t want to be discovered just yet. You will eventually, if you were meant to share together. It’s about building relationships, friendships for better understanding. Quit trying to search for love interests because love is not something you find, it finds you. It's ok to be friends with the opposite sex, it's a requirement. Ultimately, if you want to be a good spouse someday, a degree in archeology must be attained. In the mean time, you is an explorer mother freaker not Rico Suave.

Insert Romance Poem here:

Now, go and discover the undiscoverable, search in the ends of the world and do not leave any stone unturned.  Watch out for rattle snakes! They may have a different agenda, if you know what I mean. Appreciate them, watch them in their natural habitat, and admire their beauty because they were also created by God. We don't battle against flesh and blood, it's not the snake we should worry about, it's the evil one, the Father of Lies. Don’t worry too much though, know that Our Lady has already crushed its head.

Explore children of God! I hope I get to find you all, in a crowd of a million, in a million years, in a million places. I hope I learn a million things about you and love you a million times because that's what our Lord has commanded us. To love one another as He has loved us. To do that, we must be archeologists in this world.

Another Chapter Arises

I don’t know how I came out of the previous chapter alive…Somebody must have said a prayer for me, but I may never find out who. I’m beaten up, barely breathing, but I stand tall. All I could do is look up and say thank you. Thank you for the challenge. Even though, I’m sore, scarred, broken, and confused, I feel a whole lot stronger coming out of this difficulty. It was a trial that I had to go through in preparation for the next round.

 

There’s something big coming ahead. I must get refocused for the upcoming task: The journey of 1,000 miles. Another one? I just did 1,000. I’m not complaining, I would do it over 1,000 times again.

 

I’ve failed, but I know that failure leads to victory. For every champion there’s a few loses racked up, that added fuel to the fire. The pain of failure is necessary to appreciate the joy of success. You have to have some sense of urgency in your actions, in waking up, in loving others, and in everything you do because they take you a step closer to glory.

 

“Serial winners will create a chip to put on their shoulder – winning results in more motivation to win again.” –LaVar Johnson.

With newly found hope, I rise. With a new purpose, I run. This is not the end, because in the end mercy and love wins. I keep going. I going back to my roots to rediscover what I once found in the childlike state. As I enter the playgrounds and dig up the sand, I will find the lost treasure with the map that I will need for a better tomorrow.

 

“We’re never going to be effective witnesses of God’s mercy and truth unless we have had a profound encounter with it ourselves.” –Dr. Edward Sri

 

 

Partner in Crime Needed

In this life, you’re offered different chances, careers, jobs, education, and even relationship opportunities. We are filled with a myriad of options that may be quite overwhelming for some. So what do you do at that point? You snap the freak out of it, and make a decision. I accepted the challenge because in the end you only regret the chances you didn’t take. Sometimes we make a “wrong” choice, a “bad” decision, and we suffer the consequences of that selection. So what do you do? You grow the freak up and learn from it, let it form you in humility and faith and move on. Life’s too short people, quit feeling bad and dwelling over decisions, when there’s a championship to be won. The Finals are near and only those who have been tested and gone through hardships will be strong enough to persevere through the end. A true knight and shining armor carries battle wounds. We can’t try to live life perfectly, free of mistakes. I mean life is great when you do. When you’re single, you don’t have to respond to anyone, you’re stress free, and you enjoy spending time and money on building yourself. You are the biggest project that you’ll ever work on as you grow physically, mentally, and spiritually. Some accomplish this at the age of 20, some at 30 and others not until 40 or 50. It varies from person to person. God has a special plan for every single one of us. Plans to prosper, a promising future and hope. We are not alone though at some point we need community and perhaps a companion. Keep in mind, the ultimate goal is Heaven. The championship is Heaven, so every decision should get us close to reaching that goal. We're sinners striving to become saints. It's a lifelong journey to return home to God.

Truth is, life is meant to be shared. We can sit there and hide in our little bubble or we can openly invite somebody in to join us in this spiritual journey to accomplish the ultimate goal: love and maybe happiness without jeopardizing our ticket to Heaven. That’s why it’s a spiritual journey. That’s why it’s important to be on the same page in Faith. Those who know me know that I’m too competitive. I’m too obsessed about winning, and if you link that together in the spiritual aspect, I’m going to want to choose a partner in crime to get down to business. You know what? I would bet on myself to get the job done. To get my future spouse to Heaven, if God blesses me with kids, them too, and finally myself. That’s our goal. We’re at war. I’m not perfect, but I’d bet on myself to win. To take the last second shot. To properly prepare myself and family to battle for themselves. Anybody can compete on the field and on the court, but can they compete in this spiritual warfare? Can they be a Man of God, practice virtue, be so much in love with God that they will have to really think twice before they sin against Him, and when we fall short because we will, we must really feel guilty and run straight to the confessional. Yes, I said run! When it comes to running, I’d bet on myself. When it comes to receiving the sacrament of reconciliation, I’ve been there plenty of times. A man of God is a Eucharistic man, a man of prayer, a man of love and compassion for others because a man has to bring souls to Christ. A man is Jesus like, and anyone who meets this man should be able to see Jesus through him, and by the power of God have a conversion saying, “If Jesus was a lot like you, I can’t wait to meet Him.” I know I struggle with pride and I can be selfish, but I’m learning to be selfless. You know what? I’d bet on myself to acquire this. Wait? I’m supposed to be humble. Check out this paradox: I’m pretty good at being humble. Hahaha! You know what? Bet on it! I’m not trying to boast intentionally, but I dare you to put money on it. I don’t want to take anything away from this virtue, but God calls us to be fearless, not to be mediocre, and to protect our loves ones. He even trusted an ordinary man like St. Joseph to be the protector of Jesus and Mary who were the only ones conceived without original sin. He trusted him, not a sinless man, and He trusts us to carry on the task that’s within His will. It’s time to bet on ourselves and win, giving all the glory to God. St. Joseph, most chaste spouse, pray for us. Mother Mary pray for us, and in Jesus name I play. This is not a game. This is more than a game. In Jesus name I will win. I know that I'm in the right direction of where God is leading me. I’ll be right back I have work to do, people to love, and a city to build.