For Meditation created by Deacon Joe and Easter Almuena:

1. TEMPERANCE: Hold the tongue when spoken to with an irritating tone
​or hurtful words. (Proverbs 21:23)
2. JUSTICE: Work for universal peace and for the common good. (Matthew 6:24)
3. PRUDENCE: Focus on the spiritual — my relationship with God — rather than the physical,
e.g., If you eat one chocolate, how about picking up the bible and read for
at least 10 minutes? (Psalm 62)
4. FORTITUDE: Pray the “Hail Mary” when facing difficulties, or, say “Thank you, Lord”
for big and little things that tend to be annoying. (2 Corinthians 12:9-11)
5. CHARITY: Say “I love you” often but most of all, ask how you may be of help.
(Beatitudes, Matthew 5:3-12)
6. FAITH: You’ve done your best, leave everything else to God. (Romans 8:28)
7. HOPE: Say or post on social media only words that build up the person and
the body of Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
​

My grandson Cuppy was very jealous of her baby sister when she was an infant. He had been replaced as the most loved child in the whole wide world, so it seemed, because he attempted to poke his sister's eyes many times. One time, as his mom was fixing lunch in the kitchen, she heard a loud cry. There, underneath, Cuppy's sister's eye was a red mark.

Things have changed since then. We have had the pleasure of being with Cuppy after a year for 2 weeks. Cuppy adores his sister. Cuppy is firmly and steadfastly in love with his sister. He guards her and looks for her when not in sight. Such is the love of God for us. Shall we not do the same?

I took a picture of my husband 
as he was fishing about a week ago in the beauteous grounds of Bellows.
He delights in sitting before the vastness of the ocean
while waiting for a fish to bite.
We have had so many memories of fishing with our 5 children
when they were growing up.
On several occasions, as we were fishing under the moonlight,
down in the water from the pier,
are silhouettes of hammerheads graciously moving about. 
The best part of those moments
is being together as a family, and, sometimes, 
actually catching a decent fish to cook and eat for breakfast.
Precious memories!

-Easter Almuena 

           Here is Deacon Joe, lost in awe of God's wonder. He loves connecting with God this way. ​

For meditation: 

How have I been a fisher of men?
How can God's call to me to be a fisher of men
be  more relevant to the needs of the present times?

If you find yourself
a little short of the goodness of life,
imagine the immensity of God's goodness and mercy.
Perhaps tap on an experience
when you intimately witnessed God's love and generosity.

You know this:
God's love is eternal; his love endures forever.

​-Photo art and reflections: by Easter Almuena.
Photo was taken at Ko'Olina.