Easter Weekend

It has been more than a month since my last post. Several good things have happened since then I got my sticker. Within the same week that I got the sticker, the designation of my friend as the Consul General of our Embassy was approved! All of these through work and constant prayers.

On Easter weekend, we all travelled to Peloponesse. The group included embassy staff and their families. We stayed at Anigraia apartments in Kato Vervena, Arcadia. The owner brought us to their village church to witness Good Friday. The residents were all very accomodating and friendly.

On Easter Sunday, the owner, Mr. Mavrias, showed us how the lamb is prepared and cooked for the celebration. He also introduced us to his family where we had bread and wine.

During the day, we were treated to Greek dance by his family.

Our Easter weekend at the Peloponnese with the Mavrias family is a unique experience I will never forget.

The Lord is Risen! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Pleasant Surprise!

On March 22,  I got a pleasant surprise! Zha, one of my friends and I went to the Municipal Office to follow up the release of my sticker, or the permanent residence visa. I applied for this 6 months ago, last September 2011. I was told that Greek red tape is such that the sticker would not be released in a month, two months or even six months. In fact, one of my friends whose temporary visa is about to expire next month has not received his sticker.

So we did not want to be disappointed, we just wanted to know when my sticker would be released. But surprise, surprise! I was told by the office that I already had my sticker !  I could not believe what I just heard. After only 6 months, I had my sticker, ahead of all the others in the embassy.

Thank you, Papa Jesus. Thank you, Mama Mary. And now, I specially wish to thank St. Expeditus, the Advocate in Urgent cases. In fact, I had been praying to him for Charmaine's exam and designation as Consul General. And through his intercession to the Virgin Mary, I had my sticker in 6 months, not 1 year as the others. And on the same day, the designation of Charmaine as the Consul General was also released.

God is really good all the time!

My friend passed her Exam!

Today my friend received a formal notice from the Department of Foreign Affairs Office of the Undersecretary that she passed the Career Minister exam. A number of her batchmates did not make it. After taking the exam last December, she told me that it was very difficult. In fact, she was not able to answer everything. But i told her that we will pray to Jesus through Mama Mary. I was confident even then that she would make it.

Beauty, our friend in the Marian devotees group and my sister joined me in praying that she would pass it. And today is the confirmation of our hopes and the grant of our prayers.

I never wavered in my belief. Thank you, Mama Mary. Thank you Papa Jesus.

"Thanks, O mother, for having remained among us, your humble and devoted children"

Another prayer granted!

For several years now since my daughter left for the United States. I have been praying that her citizenship application be approved. Maribelle, now 27 years old is my only child. She was petitioned by Jun, her father before she turned 18. She has been living there since then, studying and working at the same time.

I was able to visit her about 8 years ago on a visitor's  visa. But that was only for one month since I had to return to work. I wanted to visit her again after two years, but my application for US visa was denied. In fact, it was denied three times due to the fact that my daughter is in the US. And since I declared Jun as my husband even though we are separated, the more I was not given a visa. It didnt matter to the officer at the US Embassy that I have travelled to California, New York, Chicago, Florida on the basis of tourist visas granted to me on three different years.

Everyday and every night, in fact, every single moment, I would pray and cry out loud to Mama Mary to intercede to Jesus for me: that Maribelle's citizenship be approved soon. After that, she could already petition me. I learned that the petition for a mother would take only from three to six months waiting. I implored also to St. Expeditous and all saints for their help. I know they feel how I miss my daughter.

Last Saturday, February 18, Jun replied to my email.I remember I must have emailed him a thousand times with no replies. This time, he did and told me that Maribelle is already a citizen! I almost cried with joy. Finally, after a long wait, one of my prayers has been granted.

Thank you, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. Thank you for beng there always for me. Even in those times when everything seemed dark, I always believed that you would not forsake me.

These photos were taken in our house, December 2012.