Marcus Moran 1989-2007

Last night, we were honored to be present at the Eternal Birthday Celebration for my cousin Marcus Moran. Last year, on Feb. 22, 2008, Marcus was finishing his practice scrimmage for the FEAST basketball team when he collapsed on the court. Help was on hand immediately. EMS was at the scene in 10 mins, but he was already gone. He was only 17 years old. We later found that he had a damaged heart. Thank God, he and his family are strong Christians. Marcus lived his life with Christ in his heart. He accepted Jesus on September 11, 2001. He always had scripture written on his basketball shoes. His favorite bible verse, or you can say his "life verse" was Matthew 21:22- If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. His dream was to play ball with the seniors (he was a Junior) on the FEAST basketball team, then go to the college level and maybe even professional. He loved basketball and died playing the game. He was a hardworking boy who wanted to do better with each practice. He is missed greatly.

Rick (my uncle), Grace (my aunt), Sam (cousin), and Anjelica (cousin) have all been leaning on God's strength and peace. They hosted the celebration yesterday, on the court where Marcus died, with smiles, and tears of joy and sadness too. All who were present were able to praise God for His goodness... for always being in control and for giving His children such peace and strength. It was such a testimony to see so many people touched by one young man's life. Also, to see how Rick, Grace, Sam and Anjelica are all looking to God for continued guidance, peace and strength through this time. God was in our midst last night.

Rick (my dad's brother) spoke, with Grace, Sam and Anjelica all by his side. They thanked their family and friends for the continued support and love. They were touched by so many lives that were changed for the better by Marcus' death. They continue to give God glory and praises.

"Drumroll please..." Uncle Rick said.Marcus' number and FEAST team jersey was retired.

(I didn't take good pics because we were far and I couldn't zoom.)

Sleeping Beauty

My Sleeping Beauty is sick. :( She has had a cough since Monday afternoon. She started to have fever non-stop since Tuesday at noon. She is doing relatively well, just doesn't feel good. She has a cough that comes and goes. I hate to see her sick. Just an hour ago, she fell asleep in my arms after eating lunch while I finished watching the News at Noon. It was sweet, but I wanted her to get a good rest, so I put her in her crib. Here she is snoozing. Poor baby has to keep her mouth open alittle to breathe. I just love the way she hugs her puppy, Leah. (Yes, we named her puppy dog Leah, after our first doggie.)

The Cross- a symbol of faith.

Though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God.
2 Corinthians 13:4 (NKJV)
Devotional by Max Lucado:
The cross. Can you turn any direction without seeing one? Perched atop a chapel. Carved into a graveyard headstone. Engraved in a ring or suspended on a chain. The cross is the universal symbol of Christianity. An odd choice, don't you think? Strange that a tool of torture would come to embody a movement of hope. The symbols of other faiths are more upbeat: the six-pointed star of David, the crescent moon of Islam, a lotus blossom for Buddhism. Yet a cross for Christianity? An instrument of execution?...

Why is the cross the symbol of our faith? To find the answer look no further than the cross itself. Its design couldn't be simpler. One beam horizontal--the other vertical. One reaches out--like God's love. The other reaches up--as does God's holiness. One represents the width of his love; the other reflects the height of his holiness. The cross is the intersection. The cross is where God forgave his children without lowering his standards.

Wow, I've never thought of the cross like that. Max really knows how to put things into words that touch my heart and stick in my head! I'm so blessed to be able to hear his sermons each week.