FILOMENA'S BLOG

As the Christmas season comes upon us and we begin to prepare for the celebration, while things get hectic many of us forget what we are really celebrating.   Though every day we should say thank you to God for everything in our life, this is a time of year we should be thankful for so much more.

If this season seems difficult, sad, or hard to celebrate for you, be sure to look deep into your heart and reach for the one thing that brings joy, a moment that made you laugh, a sweet gesture from a stranger, or maybe you need to look deeper into your memory to remember something special so it reminds you to never forget.   Take a second and think about that time.  Why was it such a special moment?  Try to remember what actually made you happy during that event even if it was just a brief moment in time.  Fill your heart with that memory and “Be Grateful for it”.

The main reason why we celebrate Christmas is the birth of Jesus.  Now look again at the holiday season, what did God give us?  He gave us His Son Jesus.  That is a lot to give to someone, but yet God with His open arms gave us Jesus who is unconditional love, a love that no man will ever know or understand.   God is always in charge no matter what life brings, but we are partially in control because He gave us freewill.  God only asks in return that we are grateful, that we trust in Him, that we continuously pray to Him, and follow in His Son Jesus’ footsteps. He wants us to be faithful with the hope of giving to others because it is all about trusting our Lord and giving from your heart.

If you can’t think of anything to be grateful for, look around even if it is the shirt on your back that’s torn or the one plate of food in front of you or a blanket that may be keeping you warm for one night.  As you are thinking about how grateful you are about these simple things “again remember the Christmas season and what it is really about” it is about Jesus our Lord, trusting Him and giving back.  It’s about, who you made laugh or when you did a sweet gesture, whose plate you put food on or who you gave a blanket to and who you prayed for from your heart.  It is being grateful for everything in your own life and a willingness to give even if it is the simple things in life.  But remember Christmas is mainly about what God gave us, His Son.

Make a list this Christmas season not of presents you want or are buying, but a list of things in your life you are thankful for and so grateful for.

Make a separate list of; what can I do for others in this New Year?

Make a third list; what can I do on Christmas that Jesus would do for me if I was in need?

Now be sure to follow through!

So when you are shopping for presents or planning your meals and getting stressed over it “remember Jesus”.   When you get up on Christmas morning, thank God for sending Jesus to us all and thank Him for everything in your life every day forward even if it is only the warm blanket for one night.

Remember what’s most important in your life, God, Jesus, and all His Divine Beings, your family, friends, and the stranger you met for a brief second.  Living selflessly, praying to God, following in Jesus’ footsteps, and by giving from your heart; this alone is the biggest present we can give to ourselves.

Don’t forget what you are celebrating during the holiday season.

Wishing all of you a Blessed Christmas!

Filomena

Who are the Angels?

Angels are “Messengers of God”.   Angels love everyone unconditionally and always look past the surface and not at our faults.   They are beautiful luminescent Divine Beings who do not judge and do not have an ego.

Angels true Divine Guidance never speaks in terms of blame, guilt, or whether someone is right, wrong, good or bad.  Angels always seed a win-win resolution to conflicts.  Sometimes to protect you they may steer you away from an unhealthy relationship or close a door to a friendship whose purpose has been served.  Sometimes they may even reunite an old friendship into your life when both of your lives have changed in the same direction.

Angels will help everyone who calls upon them, no matter what and their assistance is free of charge.  Angels are truly non-denominational; they work with everyone in any religious or spiritual path.  You never need to feel like you are not worthy of their help.   We are all God’s children and we are all deserving of His love.

Sometimes people are concerned about lower spirits giving guidance and not being the angels.  But you needn’t worry about being “tricked” by a lower spirit as the angels characteristics are of God’s love and light and can’t be faked.  They are truly gifts that come directly from God.

Angels are Pure Divine Love!

Blessings,

Filomena

Special thanks to Doreen Virtue

To be completely honest, when my children were young I never thought I could ever love someone else’s child but when we got our foster children… I did.

My husband and I together raised two wonderful children of our own, now both adults and living on their own.   We love them dearly.  When my children were young, I would hold them close to my heart and the immediate bond I felt for them at birth was unbreakable.  Their love and innocence just shined brilliantly.  I never wanted to let them go and to this day I occasionally wish I could turn back the clock to hold them one more time in my arms.

Special moments are when your baby starts to coo, babble, or vocalizes spontaneously, grips your finger, plays with his or her toes, or just smiles to be friendly; it is a beautiful experience!  As they grow, not only their physical and mental characteristics change but their personality traits begin to develop, an increase in social and emotional characteristics blossom too.  These are all precious moments to enjoy!  It is a very special blessing it is a gift from God.  It is a love that only a true parent knows in their heart.   Those happy moments are irreplaceable! They can bring positive emotions during rough times.

Raising a child is never easy and can be a challenging task at times, but by focusing on the positive it can be very rewarding. Is anything really easy in life? In the end your child is a creation of you, they become your work of art, they are the result of all your hard work.  Many times they are just like you, habits, morals, values etc.  The bond is never severed.

Now take a child who was taken from their parents and comes into your home scared, alone, lost, sad… the list just goes on, but they are still a child; a child of God, a child that you can give hope.

Fostering someone else’s child is different and more difficult.  You don’t have the basic assurances that you have with your own child.  You do not have the bond that was created at birth.  They come into your home as is.  It’s whatever the mold that was created before you ever met him or her, whatever the difficulties that they have bared, they bring it with them. You just never know what “that” is and suddenly they live with you in your home.  Then you have to learn to live with the way he or she is.  You take him/her with the hope that he will get better through your efforts and your love with no guarantee.

When we got our three foster children, it was not easy. With our hard work teaching each of them many things like academics, manners, morals, values, respect etc.  “And” managing all the unexpected challenges involved in foster care all at the same time.  After a short while without realizing these children became part of our family.   We began to realize we loved them too.

It just happened.  I can’t tell you exactly how or why, it just did.

We wanted to protect them as if they were our own.  We wanted to take away all their pain. We worried about them.  We held them in our arms and rocked them to sleep, we laughed together, cried together, we had fun together. They too became a very special part of our life.  There will always be a special place in our hearts just for them.  Just because we did not share the initial bond at birth as with our own children, it was a different kind of bonding. We even feel a connection with their bio family and feel compelled to be there for them too.  Why….there is no explanation.

Now they have moved on and doing great back home.  We continue to pray they will always be safe and hope they took what they learned while living with us; while all the bad that had ever happened to them and their family in the past is just dust in the wind.  “Only good will enter into their life from now on”

So the answer is YES, you can love someone else’s child, no doubt about it.  You just need to open your heart!

You can call upon God’s Angels, anytime, anywhere, anyhow… they always answer.  Sometimes they respond to our cry for help with direct intervention, but most of the time through Divine Guidance.   They will always intervene in a positive way.

Once we ask for their help, their answers will come to us in one or more several different ways.  It may be though intuitive feelings, new ideas, a vision or signs or even in a dream.   When you are seeking an answer it is always a good idea to pay attention to your inner feelings, thoughts and outer surroundings. Those answers could be right in front of you and you could miss out on it if you are not paying attention.

I would like to tell you a story of one of my clients who was having a difficult time finding a teaching position.  When she graduated, she finished top in her class with honors.  She applied to every position out there that was related to early childhood education, but jobs were limited.  Her husband kept telling her not to worry she will find something by a specific date.  She believed him but with some doubt.

I spoke with her prior to that date, I was told to tell her to ask Archangel Michael and Archangel Gabriel because they are always there to protect her, guide her and to find the right words to say.  Both Angels confirmed that the date her husband said was correct, they also said the number 2 is a significant number for her, and to look for work South of where they live.

The Angels proceeded to tell me to give her this information… sometimes we don’t think we are worthy of certain things, so we give that away and things don’t work out for us.  We have to get rid of that fear and know that YES we are worthy and are deserving of God’s gifts.

Finally, just before that date she got a call for an interview and the interview was set up for the day before the date her husband told her.  Several days later she started her new job.  The number “2” was the grade she was to teach and it was South of their home.

The other significance of the “2” also means:  Everything’s fine and will continue to be so.  Keep believing, especially since your feelings of hope lead to more positive outcomes.  The angels can buoy your faith if you’ll ask for their help.

When you release your fears and know that you are worthy and deserving of God’s gifts, He will fill your heart with joy.

“If” we ask for Divine assistance, the Angels are ready and willing to help!

Many Blessings,

Filomena

Visit my website:   www.888angels.com

After fifteen years of illness, it was Thanksgiving morning 1988, a morning I will never forget.  It was the day my dad went to heaven.  My husband and I returned home after a long night at the hospital.  As we pulled into the driveway of our home, we parked the car and I immediately got out of the vehicle.  I could not cry or speak, I believe I was in shock.  I realized what had just happened while my husband held me in his arms and close to his heart.  I had just lost my dad. Thoughts were rumbling through my mind.  I suddenly realized I would never physically see my dad again.

Even though I knew he was sick for a long time and knew the day was to pass, it never seems that we are truly prepared.  I know I wasn’t.  Even though I knew his pain was over and I trusted he was going to a beautiful place, my faith seemed small.  I felt emptiness in my heart.

Months had passed and the pain I felt inside of me was unbearable.  Even with my gift of seeing and communicating with other peoples deceased loved ones, I still didn’t know how to release this connection with him so I could move on with my own life.   I loved my dad so much that I remember when he was in the hospital for the last two months of his life, I prayed so hard to myself.  No one knew I prayed not only for his healing but I had asked God to take me in his place.  But God didn’t listen.  That was not my destiny I had chosen for myself.  While being young and on my own journey in life, experiencing challenges, and making choices, I had a lot yet to learn about that.

As time passed the pain in my heart eased a little, but I wanted so badly to hear his voice as a reminder he is still around.  Every so often he would come into my dreams at night, he said God would only let him stay for a short visit then he had to return to heaven.  I would wake up feeling like I just spent time the entire day with him having conversations like we did when he was alive.

Shorty after his passing, a movie came out called “Eddie and the Cruisers.”  I am sure a lot of you remember it.  Well, I would listen to the music that John Cafferty sang for that movie.  When my spirits were down from missing my dad, I continuously played “Tender Years” and “only the very end” of “Season in Hell.” The words in the very end of this song are…”Can you hear the sound, Can you see the light, Can you feel the whole world around…”

Toward the end of that part of the song, I started hearing someone saying something which was not there when I purchased the tape.  The more I would listen to the song the clearer it became.  After several months, it became clear as day.  It was my dad’s voice saying “Mena”.  Everyone in my family who heard it and would recognize my father’s voice, instantly knew, it was him and clearly heard what he was saying on the cassette “Mena”.

Years later when cassettes were becoming extinct and CD’s became more popular we purchased a CD of “John Cafferty, Eddie and the Cruisers”.  Low and behold, the voice and words of my dad were clear as day; “Mena” my nickname.  If you are E & the C movie fan, just listen to the song in the movie it is NOT there, but listen to the CD it is there, if it is not, then it’s only on mine.

I am not saying this can happen to every person who is grieving over a loved one, for me it restored my faith and gave me hope in believing once again.  It clearly showed me there is life on the other side and my loved ones are with me when I call upon them.

God did hear my cry.

Don’t assume our loved ones are gone forever.  That my friend is far from the truth!  If you have lost a loved one, I wish with all my heart you could hear their voice just one more time like I did.  Believe, keep the faith and trust that they are still with you because they are.  Listen to your thoughts, keep the memories and feel their presence.

We just can’t physically see them like they were here on earth.

Many Blessings,

Filomena

Visit my website at:  www.888angels.com

I wanted to share this story with you, because it has not only touched my heart it happened to me and my husband during a very difficult time in our life some time ago.  Here is goes!

My husband’s was out of work and my health wasn’t the greatest.  We were not only worried about losing a roof over our head, but paying medical bills, keeping the house warm in addition to other daily necessities like how we were going to put food on the table.  We were on the verge of losing everything we worked so hard for.  Our entire world seemed to fall apart over night.

We tried asking our family members to help without giving them the details of the situation because of the immediate judgment.  Family can sometimes be very cruel unintentionally.  To us it was embarrassing, humiliating, and scary all at once, even though it was beyond our control.  In the end not one family member reached out to help, they all said “no” “sorry no can do” while we watched the food in our pantry become scarce.  We even had ignorant and jealous acquaintances that laughed and judged us because they never had what we were about to lose, so their answer was we shouldn’t have it either.

It’s similar to what Jerry Lewis said on a talk show many years ago… when you are climbing a pole and you are at the top, some people start taking pot shots at you, not because they want to pass you or be up there with you, but because they don’t want you to be up there at all so they try and knock you down.

Like so many people we too never thought this could happen to us, life was great but it did.  My husband and I felt very alone, like everyone abandoned us.  At times we felt the only thing we had left was our love for each other.  But later we realized that was far from the truth.  We didn’t know it, but God was on our side.  He always is.

When I was at my ends wit, I finally broke the barrier and told my sister the extent of the situation, she didn’t send us any money for food, but gave us the emotional support and prayers.  I would accept anything at that very moment.  Both my husband and I never before knew how strong prayers can be especially when you pour your heart out to God in tears of desperation.  As difficult as it was, we still had a little tiny sliver of hope.  That hope and continuous prayers are what got us through.

As the days came upon us the situation continued to get worse, but we decided to take one day at a time.  But one day I would have a good day, and my husband’s spirits would be down and then he would have a good day and my spirits would be down.  Sometimes I felt, maybe my husband was stronger than me, because at times I just wanted to crawl up and die, but I didn’t, I am still here years later.

When the “heat” was on and boy did it get hot, I decided to take a walk in nature.  I cried the entire way, praying for God’s help.  I decided to sit on a rock to pray out loud to Jesus, I said to Jesus, “I can’t handle this anymore and I no longer want to handle it, I give it all to you to take care of it.  I release it all to you God.”  I then closed my eyes and felt a sigh of relief.  After a few moments I got up to walk again, I heard a voice beside me it was Jesus beside me.  He said to me “we have never abandoned you before; we will not abandon you now.”

The next day or two my husband and I were in the garage packing our things and trying to see what we can sell to buy food.  Suddenly a little while later our dogs were barking but we didn’t see anyone.  We walked back into the house to look again and noticed someone did arrive but left quickly.  All we found was an envelope left at our door.

It was from dear friends who knew we were going through difficult times, but they too had no idea to what extent.  They left us a beautiful card with $500 check to buy food.  They didn’t even know we couldn’t afford to buy food.  Both my husband and I had tears of joy.  We immediately called his cell phone to have him come back to the house.  When he arrived he told us he and his wife prayed over it and they were told to bring this to us.  We couldn’t thank them enough.

Our friend listened to us from his heart while we poured our hearts out in tears.  A little while later we all held hands and we prayed together.  Not many days after that, one by one small miracles began to happen one right after the other.  Then after a very long struggle the big one arrived and everything was resolved.

God sends Angels to us, both in spirit form and human form.  When my husband and I ever go through difficult times, I think back to this time in our life and know that we are always protected from harm.  We remember that God is always on our side, that He and His Divine Beings are always here to help us we just need to ask, be open to receive, and have faith.

We have to believe, have hope even if it is just a little bit, pray and release it all up to God, keep the faith and all will be in our favor with His unconditional love.

I can never thank our friends enough that knocked at our door that day.  It was truly a miracle sent from God.  They had touched our hearts in such a way not because of the money but their sincerity, and compassion.  That little bit of love was a lot and it restored our faith, our faith in God and humanity.  These friends were human angels who God had sent to us in time of need to let us know he hears our prayers.  That moment will never be forgotten and will be a reminder always.

May God always bless both of them and their family Gary and Debbie.

Many Blessings,

Filomena

Please visit my website: www.888angels.com

I got up early one morning

And rushed right into the day;

I had so much to accomplish

That I didn’t have time to pray.

Problems just tumbled about me,

And heavier came each task.

“Why doesn’t God help me?”

He answered, “You didn’t ask.”

I tried to come into God’s presence;

I used all my keys at the lock.

God gently and lovingly chided,

“My child, you didn’t knock.”

I woke up early this morning,

And paused before entering the day;

I had so much to accomplish

That I had to take time to pray.

Our lives can become so hectic that at times we forget the important things in life.  Besides familys spending less time together, prayer seems to get neglected.   Prayer is a way to communicate with God, He answers directly or indirectly through His son Jesus, Angels, and other Divine Beings.  God is always willing to help us through difficult times, to help us to accomplish things, and keep us protected. All we have to do is ask, seek or knock.  God wants us to be happy; we are His children, just as a parent would want the best for their child, He wants the best for each and every one of us.

We all have free will, but even God will not interfere.  If you want Divine intervention and are open to receiving, God will make sure all His Divine Beings are working in your favor.  You just may not know it at the time or see the signs yet.

Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened unto you.”

Blessings,

Filomena

www.888angels.com

If a child lives with criticism, He learns to condemn.

If a child lives with hostility, He learns to fight.

If a child lives with ridicule, He learns to be shy.

If a child lives with shame, He learns to feel guilty.

If a child lives with tolerance, He learns to be patient.

If a child lives with encouragement, He learns confidence.

If a child lives with praise, He learns to appreciate.

If a child lives with fairness, He learns justice.

If a child lives with security, He learns to have faith.

If a child lives with approval, He learns to like himself.

If a child lies with acceptance and friendship,

He learns to find love in the world!

Spiritan Arts

This is such a beautiful poem and so true, hope you enjoy it!

Many Blessings,

Filomena

Please visit my website at     www.888angels.com

To provide the basic necessities of life—physical, social, emotional, and spiritual.

To provide family members from physical, social, and emotional harm.

To nurture family members in love and kindness

To teach family members the principles and values that empower them to have rich, rewarding relationships and joyful, fulfilling lives

When a family has shared vision and when the family is of one heart and one mind, family members see and understand the purpose and supreme importance of the family.  When each individual sees how his or her role helps to fulfill that shared purpose.   Solutions to challenges and concerns engage the creativity and support of all.  The way the family sees is at the root of what the family does and the results the family gets.  The key is to work together until there’s unity in the way the family sees.   When family members talk together, share feelings and ideas, work through different concerns and viewpoints, they eventually come up with something everyone agrees upon.   It could talk weeks or even months, but the process will actually bring the family closer.

By doing this the door of communication opens.  It touches and draws out the deepest desires and feelings of each family member.  It refines and clarifies vision as a complete family.   The final result can take almost any shape or form: a written document, a poem, a piece of artwork, or a song.

When a family has no shared vision, the family members essentially go their own separate ways, operating out of their individual values and agendas.   Then resentment and misunderstanding are then created, priorities  are not shared, the understanding of core values are no longer of importance.

This is why parents roles and leadership is so important to keep a family together.   Together they can create a shared vision and a sense of value in the minds and hearts of all family members.

Something I would like share with you.  When our children were young teenagers, we moved to Colorado.  My husband who was in construction, taught our boys like his father before him.  We wanted to build our own home and through a process of ten years, we built our home from start to finish.  The difference is we didn’t hire out, we did it as a family, we designed it together, we built it together and we learned together.   Each of our desires, thoughts and feelings went into the design of the home and our physical labor together to create something very special to all of us.  Everything we did was a shared adventure.  My point is…this is one example of my family’s experience…if we didn’t have a shared vision in all that we did, we would have never stayed a close family, sharing  the importance and purpose of what a family truly is.  Now they are grown men and have taken those important values with them to share with their own family.

Many Blessings,

Filomena

www.888angels.com

Acknowledgement:   Thank you to Stephen R. Covey/ Life Matters

1. Show affection to your wife and be truly faithful to her.
2. Do not nag or abuse her, avoid prolonged arguments.
3. Always kiss and make up before retiring.
4. Compliment your wife liberally.  It makes her a better cook and a finer companion.
5. Treat your wife occasionally to a dinner or a show or both.
6. Drink and eat moderately.
7. Plan your budget together.
8. Admit your mistakes with regret.
9. Keep your business problems and troubles where they belong.
10. Pray together and stay together.

I believe these rules are also for a Happy and Successful wife!

Blessings,

Filomena

www.888angels.com