Notes

My dear Linda,

What awesome news I received about your attending the ACTS Retreat this weekend. It will be a beautiful, spiritual experience for you.

In one of my spiritual reading this past week, I was reflecting on "Jesus' question to us: Will you let me be your friend?" And I think of how you are accepting Jesus' invitation to participate in this retreat. For it is Jesus who is calling you to open your heart this weekend and let God's love consume you! You are truly letting Jesus be your friend. And he will bless you for giving up this entire time to be with Him and experience His closeness ... His presence in your life.

Retreats were a very special time in my life ... a time for spending time with God and really, really, feeling His presence, and getting closer to Him.

Jesus wants to fill our lives with love and joy but this doesn't mean He guards us from all sorrows. We experience the loss of family and friends. But "the will of God will never take us where the Grace of God will not protect us." I believe that it is through these toughest times in our lives that we need to turn to Christ, to seek His consolation and love. There is joy to be found in His Presence. So when we are experiencing hard times of whatever nature, we turn to God. Our belief in Him, our true faith and love, and the ultimate peace He gives us from within ... and our belief in the power of prayer ... this gives us the strength we need to persevere.

So, Mi Hija, please know that you are loved and remembered. You are special to me and to God. You are such a good Mom! ... a good wife ... and a good daughter... and a good sister.

May you experience change in your life as you discover Christ each day.

With so much love in my heart for you ... I ask God's blessings on you today, and all the days of your life. You are being remembered in all my prayers.

The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord
let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!
The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!
Always, auntie