Welcome to Lotus Rainier
From Rustic Warmth to Sacred Grace
You felt warmly welcomed in a rustic, country-feel, beautiful space. Then, something transformed our dinner from ordinary to a 4-course special dinner of crab and corn soup, beet salad, pesto pasta and chicken and salmon with diced zucchini and chocolate banana loaf...
45 Years of Love and Laughter: A Memorable Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles
Flower delivery, in walks Jaime, a 22yo nephew of Ed Rame. How beautiful to see long-stemmed 45 red roses, a gift from Enrique de la Cruz for our 45th wedding anniversary. I was all smiles and had a simple breakfast: coffee and lemon blueberry loaf, which I baked and...
Remembering Remarkable Women: Lessons in Love and Loss
Losses of Great Women: Depths of Grief are measures of How much we loved them! Back to back losses of great women, Roslynn at 42yo, Sokie at 62yo, Zenaida, 87yo, May at 100yo, all selfless women of substance. I got these life lessons from them: Roslynn - keep...
Joyful Holiday Moments: A Heartwarming Christmas Gathering with Family, Delectable Delights, and Cherished Stories
What a beautiful, relaxing, engaging Christmas gathering with my family: husband, children, partners, nephew, niece, and grandchildren with stories to share, and plenty of food offerings like portugese tarts, chinese chicken salad, and top of the line excellent...
When lion and lamb lie together, by Fr. Brian Castaneda
Christmas Day 2023Fr. Brian CastanedaSt. Brendan's It started with a question to Leo Nobleza , what time is mass, he responded and gave 1130 a.m. as the time he and his friends from Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Los Angeles are singing. I was welcomed by Albert Lao...
Choosing Christ: Unveiling the Good News in Fr. Parker Sandoval’s 9th Simbang Gabi Homily
9th Simbang Gabi 2023 Fr. Parker Sandoval, Vice-Chancellor I have to admit, 9th day is a challenge. I was tempted to stay home. But the effort to come is lesser than the effort not to come. This 9th day of Simbang Gabi is significant as all 8 prior masses built up to...
Embracing the Playpen of Life: Bishop Albert Bahhut’s Inspirational Homily at the 8th Simbang Gabi
8th Simbang Gabi Bishop Albert Bahhut The day started with no rain waters gushing down the streets. Just a colorful mural, saying Next was my theme for the night. And a purple lighted Christmas tree in Glendale. Bishop Albert Bahhut was greeted and welcomed warmly by...
Simbang Gabi Reflection: A Tapestry of Faith, Community, and Tradition
7th Simbang Gabi Fr. Ramon Reyes* After pouring thunderstorms for several nights, the dark clouds cleared up and layers of tulle-like clouds appeared. With colors. White to light hot pink, not quite the intense hot pink sunsets of Costa Rica nor the golden horizons of...
From Good Fridays to Resurrections: Fr. Paolo Garcia’s Proclamation of Hope in Simbang Gabi 2023
6th Simbang Gabi 2023 Fr. Paolo Garcia* Intermittent rains, a downpour in the morning to early afternoon. I took advantage of the break in the rains to commute to where the mass is, an hour away with traffic. Starting early cuts the commute but increases the wait...