Pam and Allen's Wedding Rehearsal and Dinner

This past Thursday afternoon, 27th of October 2005, the rehearsal for the October 29,2005 wedding of my daughter Pam, was held at Fairview Alliance Church.

There was a dinner reception that followed the rehearsal. The La Porte Grecque Restaurant was the venue for the reception- the food was superb, the service excellent.

Cast and crew: Espinosa and Smith Family, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, friends, loved ones.

Click on the picture link below to be taken to the Shutterfly album that holds the photos.



When you get to the Photo Album, click on cute little Taylor's picture, then click on the "Play" button to view the album as a slideshow.

[ Pam and Allen's Wedding Rehearsal and Dinner ] [ Previous Post ] [ Bridal Car ]

Tearing Down Walls In Your Life

Tearing Down Walls
" I know that God is in the process of tearing down walls in your life. God is in the process of tearing down that which holds you from being the person He's called you to be. He's in that process right now. There is a friend of mine, a doctor, by the name of Edward Taub. Years ago he wrote a smoking cessation program which has several steps to it. What is interesting about these steps is how people break down the wall that destroys their health. But at the same time you can use every single one of these steps, with the exception of one, to break down your walls in your own life. Let me go through the steps you can use.

To begin, set a date seven days from now where you are going to break through the wall, you're going to stop your addiction, you're going to build a bridge between you and your employer, you're going to build a bridge between you and your employee, you're going to build a bridge between you and your parents, a bridge between you and your children, a bridge between you and whomever that other person may be. You're going to set that date seven days from today. What date would that be? It’s going to be Sunday. It’s going to be Sunday morning. That is the day you’re going to start, seven days from today. So set a date seven days from today.

The next thing you're going to do is spend time in prayer. Several times a day you are going to go outside and just feel the natural breezes, feel the coolness of the night, feel the warmth of the day, feel the wind, feel the rain. Go outside and pray, at night you can look up and see the stars. You’re going to do that for seven days.

Next, you're going to eat raw food with every meal. That means you're going to eat raw nuts, not cooked nuts, you know that roasted nuts don't count, they have to be raw, you're going to eat raw vegetables, that means carrots and broccoli or whatever kind of vegetables you like, and raw fruits, that means not canned. You can have frozen foods but not canned foods, so you're going to eat something raw with every meal because most people do not get enough enzymes and that’s where all the enzymes live in the raw foods. Then you’re going to take a brisk walk, walk fast enough and hard enough to get your heart beating a little bit, so take a brisk walk and do that every day.

Next, you’re going to do something special for someone every day. So today would be a great day to start. You can do something like letting somebody who is behind you in the grocery line go ahead. My son was telling me on Valentine’s Day he bought a bunch of paper hearts and wrote little love notes on the hearts and scattered them on the bed for his wife. Isn't that romantic? Well who says that you’re only allowed to do that on Valentine’s Day? You could wash your husband’s or wife’s car. How about that? There are hundreds of things we can do that would be nice for someone, something special. Go out of your way to do something unusual for someone every day. Lastly, here’s the tough one, this is the one that gets people stuck. If you can do this you will break through all of the walls that are before you today. Make a promise to God that you’re going to break through the walls, and you’re going to do what you know you need to do and you’re going to make a permanent change in your life.

You have to make that promise and when you can do that, it changes. On the 7th day as the Israelites walked around Jericho seven times, Joshua gave the command and everyone shouted at the top of their lungs and the walls came tumbling down. I can’t tell you how badly I want to shout right now! Do you want to shout and bring those walls tumbling down? Well guess what, we're not ready to do that yet. Seven days they walked around before they shouted, that means in seven days from today we can shout and we can bring down our walls. Then, we can carry on with the life and the walk that God has called us to walk. "


[ © Copyright Hour of Power 2005. This message was delivered by Robert A. Schuller from the pulpit of the Crystal Cathedral and aired on the Hour of Power October 30, 2005. - The Rest Of The Message ]

Highlights from Thursday Night's Wedding Rehearsal

Thursday, October 27,2005, Fairview Alliance Church
Pam and Allen's Wedding, Rehearsal / Practice

Trish pretending to bump a volleyball :), seriously, she was pretending to hold the trail (not sure of the spelling) of Pam's wedding gown

Pastor Dave coaching his son Allen to say the words "I Do" :)

Pam, Ps. Dave, Allen

the future Mr. & Mrs. Smith

Marv, Len, Wena, Nil, Mom, Dad - Nick at the far left

Pam and Allen's Bridal Ride

No fancy limos - just plain brute force encased in a beautifully styled body,
the Chrysler 300.

I get to drive the bride of course. Why shouldn't I? I drove them (my kids) to school, doctor's appointment, plays, shopping, church, etc- why not to the church on their wedding day? :-)

That's Tito Lits for you :-)

Trish's Volleyball Game- highlights

Trish's first game of the season was at the CEGEP just in front of Mom and Dad's place. Isn't that cool?

Thanks Mom and Dad for preparing dinner for us- Dad's special spaghetti recipe.

Trish's team mate Amy getting to serve

There's Mom, Dad, Tita Nil, Paul, and Jane (Lalaine's sister)

Proud Mom, beaming with excitement, eager to see her daughter play her first volleyball game as a team member of the John Abbott College volleyball team.

L-R: Tita Nil, Pauly, and Jane

Trish serving

game over, congratulatory remarks and high 5s

[ Previous Post with link to Shutterfly album ]

Father Fernando Suarez Healing Ministry: Update

Father Fernando Suarez Healing Ministry: Home

Attention Friends of Fr. Fernando:
Mary Mother of the Poor and The Companions of the Cross Release Official Statement Regarding Cancellation of Fr. Fernando's Healing Masses in the Greater Toronto Area. (Published: Oct 26, 2005)

[ More ][ previous post ]

John Abbott College Women's Volleyball Team First Game

Trish's first game of the season














[ The rest of the pictures ]

Christmas is in the air at Costco

After picking up Pam's wedding dress from the Nauth's residence in Kirkland, we headed to Costco to pick up some household supplies.

Pam and I saw this huge Plastic Bubble with these snowmen inside while snowflakes float around inside the bubble.

Neat!

HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY ASHLEY

Wishing my niece, Ashley, a very happy birthday today!! It's all about you today Ashley girl!

Father Fernando Suarez Healing Ministry

Father Fernando Suarez Healing Ministry: Home

Fr. Fernando Suarez has an unusual vocation. His full-time ministry involves praying over sick people in Toronto and any diocese of the world that invites him. Suarez’s ministry developed because of an unusual gift.



When Suarez prays with people, they are sometimes healed instantly.

“It’s not me, I don’t know anything about how it happens. Up till now I don’t know how people get healed, but I know it’s God,” he told The Catholic Register. [ more ]

The National Center On Addiction and Substance Abuse

The National Center On Addiction and Substance Abuse: "TEN BENEFITS OF FREQUENT FAMILY DINNERS"

Ten Benefits of Frequent Family Dinners

The more often children and teens eat dinner with their families, the less likely they are to smoke, drink and use drugs. Children and teens who have frequent family dinners:



� are at half the risk for substance abuse compared to teens who dine with their families infrequently

� are less likely to have friends or classmates who use illicit drugs or abuse prescription drugs

� have lower levels of tension and stress at home

� are more likely to say that their parents are proud of them

� are likelier to say they can confide in their parents

� are likelier to get better grades in school

� are more likely to be emotionally content and have positive peer relationships

� have healthier eating habits

� are at lower risk for thoughts of suicide

� are less likely to try marijuana or have friends who use marijuana

Filipino Tennis Association of Montreal Quebec

Filipino Tennis Association of Montreal Quebec - Celebrates it's 25th Anniversary

The reception was held at the Buffet Olypmia Reception Hall in Dollard Des Ormeaux. There were perhaps close to 300 people who attended the celebration.

It was nice to meet some old basketball buddies who now have switched to either tennis or golf.

Saturday midday bike ride to Old Montreal & Old Port

all photos taken with my Nokia Phone Video/Cam

Place Jacques Cartier, Old Montreal, Montreal, QC

De La Commune St.

horse drawn carriages for Old Montreal explorers

De La Commune St.

wanted to have coffee and my favorite beaver tail but the place was busy and service was a little slow, so I just stayed a little bit to warm up my feet before heading back

Ikea- shopping

Tita Nil and I went shopping for some fixtures and new curtains for the bedrooms. Ikea is one of our favorite places to shop for household stuff. It's also a good place to have a meal, breakfast, lunch or whatever.

Our Daily Bread: A Daily Devotional

If you can't hate what is evil, you can't love what is good.

"Tell me what you hate and I can tell you a great deal about yourself. Hatred can be the strong side of righteousness, but it needs a sign written on it with large red letters: Handle With Care."

Dear Father, help us to handle hatred
with utmost care. Help us to direct our hatred
only at the things You despise. Teach us
what it means to hate the sin and love the sinner. Amen.

[ for the rest of the devotional ]

Thanksgiving 2005

A week ago we celebrated Thanksgiving (Canadian version). All the siblings and their children were present. Grace and Philip hosted the celebration. Here are some pictures from that get together.

My nephew Timmy, daughter Pam and her fiance Allen, my cousin- Uncle Pilo

There's Uncle Marvin (my sister's husband), my sister-in-law Chanty and brother Freddie, there's Mom beside Fidong (aka Freddie), there's brother Michael's daughter Erika (with a K), Nikki and Mom, Anna (sister-in-law, wife of my brother Nick)

my sisters Grace (asst. Head nurse at the JGH) and Rosie (CT Technician at RVH)

there's Anna with daughter Nikki, Tita Nil (my much improve, better half), Tita Bebot (Uncle Pilo's wife), and Tita Emilia (Uncle Pilo's mom)

Have some laughs

C'mon, laugh a little. Click on the picture below. Introducing, China's version of the Back Street Boys.



Have a nice day!!

Leadership Spiritual Retreat at Villa St. Martin

More pictures from the retreat - all the following photos taken with my Nokia phonecam; not bad.

I left my digital camera inside, too lazy to run back and get it.

Tito Lits with Jean and Agnes

Agnes, Jenny, Linda and Sharon (farther away), John and Jean

time to head back to our session

Agnes, Ardette, Pat, Jenny

Wendy and Earl

Leadership Spiritual Retreat at Villa St. Martin

The Leadership team of Fairview Alliance Church met for a spiritual retreat, October 14 and 15,2005 at Villa St. Martin Retreat Center, Gouin Blvd, Pierrefonds, QC.

What a beautiful and serene place to have a retreat. PTL- we're so blessed, we got to know each just a little bit more. We rejoice in the Lord always!!

backyard of Villa St. Martin

colors of autumn (Nokia phonecam)

peaceful, easy feeling (Nokia phonecam)

driveway of Villa St. Martin

the view of Riviere Des Prairie from Villa St. Martin (Nokia phonecam)

[ More pictures ]

Tita Nil's Pepper plant

Tita Nil's Pepper Plant

Our nephew Ricky gave this plant to Tita Nil a few years ago when we visited Toronto. Tita Nil likes to give Rick an annual update. Here it is Rick, still alive and well.

Here it is from another angle.

Thanks Rick and Jackie!!

Left Behind World at War : Official Web Site

Left Behind World at War : Official Web Site

Fairview Alliance Church
220 Hyman Drive,
DDO, QC H9B 1L8
(514) 684-0156

Showing date: October 22, 2005, Saturday
Time: 7:00 PM



"The Best – Bar none." -
Chuck Smith, Founder Calvary Chapels


The emphasis on prayer motivated my own communion with our Father. The image of the underground church made me appreciate the family of faith we have. Keep up the great work!! -
Max Lucado


"Bigger and Better with a clear witness to Jesus Christ." -
Ted Baehr MovieGuide


"as good as anything you'll see out of the traditional Hollywood studios." -
Paul Crouch Jr. TBN


"This is Christian film-making at its best -- gripping adventure, tense storyline, outstanding production and a solid portrayal of the Gospel. Great job." -
Tim Wildmon, President American Family Association


"Absolutely the Best." -
Ron Luce Teen Mania


"5 DOVES - This is the best Left Behind film so far. ... excellent acting and great special effects. I highly recommend watching this movie."
- DOVE FAMILY ASSOCIATION


"...a very creative, contemporary approach to understanding key concepts of the Tribulation and clearly inspires a response to the Person of Christ."
-Dr. Tony Evans Senior Pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship


"We highly recommend that churches make use of this prime opportunity to reach people for Christ. This movie is a “grade A” production, powerfully impacting in true Hollywood style. This action-packed thriller has a life-transforming message and is strongly evangelistic."
- John Zuch, Executive Director for Church Ministries, Christian and Missionary Alliance


"packed with action, drama, (and) suspense and delivers the gospel message clearly and passionately.... This is an action-packed, drama thriller that will encourage those with faith and convict every sinner." -
"Pastor John Hagee"


"It's about time Hollywood went to church....If I was a pastor I wouldn't even need to pray about this. To be able to show a Hollywood quality movie but yet with a biblical message, a message of hope, a message of salvation? Think about the people that would come to your church that would never have come before. Think about the great opportunity of a soul winning instrument that this could be."-
MARCUS LAMB From Daystar's "Celebration"

Jackie Chan sells garbage bags?

Jackie Chan selling garbage bags? Click on the picture link below.



Enjoy.

Miss International - THE WINNING ANSWER

Now it can be told....


Miss International - THE WINNING ANSWER

"MABUHAY - representing the democratic and freedom loving people of the pearl of the orient, I am Precious Lara Quigaman, from the beautiful country of THE PHILIPPINES"

(She was asked a very challenging question.)

Q: "What do you say to the people of the world who have typecasted Filipinos as nannies?"

A: "I take no offense on being typecasted as a nanny. But I do take offense that the educated people of the world have somehow denigrated the true sense and meaning of what a nanny is.

Let me tell you what she is. She is someone who gives more than she takes. She is someone you trust to look after the very people most precious to you - your child, the elderly, yourself. She is the one who has made a living out of caring and loving other people. So to those who have typecasted us as nannies, thank you.
It is a testament to the loving and caring culture of the Filipino people. And for that, I am forever proud and grateful of my roots and culture."

(She received a deafening applause from the audience.)

Pumapatak ang ulan

"Pumapatak ang Ulan" video clip



Click on the picture link.

Trish's Graduation Exercise at Riverdale High School

Here is the photo album link to my Shutterfly account. Just click on the photo link below.



Congratulations Trish!! We Love You!! We're Proud Of You!!

Trish's Graduation Exercise at Riverdale High School

October 6,2005, Riverdale High School
2005 Graduation Exercise

Congratulations Class of 2005

Awaiting the arrival of the graduates.

Tito Lits, Trish, Tita Nil, Pam

Pam, Tita Nil, Trish, Paul

Pam, Trish, Trish, Dad (Tito Lits)

Pam, Nil, Paul

Congratulations to my baby girl Trish- you're still my little girl!! :-)

the graduating students making their way into the auditorium

Pam, Paul, and Tita Nil

Trish, Mom (Tita Nil), Pam, Paul