Welcome to Lotus Rainier
A Sister’s Farewell: Celebrating Kay’s Life of Miracles and Love
With my brother-in-law's permission, I am able to post this story on social media. Maria Kaufman approached me, after a hi and introducing myself as Rachel's sister, now I am the eldest, the Ate in the family of 7, now just 3 sisters left. #sisterslove #rememberingkay...
Happy Father’s Day to Our Man in Motion: A Celebration of Family, Fitness, and Fun
Happy Father's Day to the love of my life, my fiercest critic, my supporter, my writing prompt, our healthy example/guru who exercises everyday, makes power green juices for the family since 2008, sixteen years now, enabling us to keep moving, as his brothers, CJ and...
Oh My Gulay! The Lumpia That Conquered Three Hearts
#princess2015la likes #lumpiangshanghai, it is her all-time favorite. I tried handing one to #maharlika2023la and he loved it. He kept dipping it into the sauce. Down to last three and I said, "Ever the last pieces." Guess what happened? Her brother, barely 15 months...
Mountain of Sadness, Fluttering of Hope: Finding Comfort in Grief
I am feeling enormous mountain of sadness. My younger sister, R passed away few days ago. I was thinking of my grandchildren and children. Then, out of the blue, my beautiful daughter called, "Mom what are you doing? Are you free? Can the kids come over?" Of course, I...
Embracing the Kiwi Pace: Nourishing Body and Soul with Mindful Meals and Relaxed Living
A new way of eating. Vegetables in the am with breakfast oatmeal with chocolate and blueberries, and an omelette using the leftover veggies with olive bread toast for dinner. A more relaxed way of eating, giving ourselves more time for rest and relaxation, just like...
A Shadow’s Passing: Reflections on Grief and Gratitude
It is challenging not to share about my sadness, my grief, and how death seems to be a shadow for now: a family member, a human rights advocate/inspiring pilgrim, and the irreversible chance of not being there to convey my parting words. Of late, I told a friend to...
Sweetness in Every Pore: A Kiwi Odyssey of Family, Nature, and Gratitude
There's a sweetness even with nature. Though dreary, gray, these clouds stay for just a bit of the morning. Sun appears and stays with blue clouds until late afternoon. In our travels, we saw rainbows early in am, twice and another in the afternoon. This is what my...
Rainbows, Rain, and Reverence: Finding Joy and Community in a Blessed Corner of New Zealandpen_spark
Can it get even more beautiful than this, to be greeted by the rainbow and light rain? Washing off the dust and grime just before walking? Gosh, if I can just transport all the lovely people in my life here, this would be my desired place to live in. Folks here are...
Embracing the Holy Trinity: Unity, Love, and Community at Hibiscus Coast Parish
Most Holy Trinity by Fr. Ranjit Ekka at Hibiscus Coast Parish His homily:"Doctrine of Trinity there's one God, three persons, one God in perfect unity. It has 3 sides, one triangle, indivisible. Father is not son, Son is not Hoky Spirit, they existed with each other....