Vanouver > Mexico City

Today Jennifer and I left for Mexico. We'll be here for the next 14 days. Our itinerary is roughly as follows:

* 2 days in Mexico City
* 5 days in Puebla (a few day trips are in the plans)
* 6 days in Cuernavaca with Ruben and Tatiana; Juanjo will also meet up with us here
* 1 day in Mexico City

Here are a few pictures of the flight:

Upon our arrival in Mexico City, we checked in at the Patio 77 Bed and Breakfast. Here's where we'll stay for 2 days now at the beginning of our trip, and then another day at the end:

Abrupt End

Today things came to a bit of an abrupt end with Charlene. Well, we were always just friends anyways, but it became clear today upon conversing with her that things are probably better for us that way. It's for the best.

On one hand, I'm a bit relieved: I don't know, I didn't have peace about us. But on the other hand, I'm a little sad: another relationship that didn't pan out.

Resurrection Sunday: Rejoice Now!

Rejoice now, heavenly hosts and choirs of angels,
and let your trumpets shout Salvation
for the victory of our mighty King.

Rejoice and sing now, all the round earth,
bright with a glorious splendor,
for darkness has been vanquished by our eternal King.

Rejoice and be glad now, Mother Church,
and let your holy courts, in radiant light,
resound with the praises of your people.

All you who stand near this marvelous and holy flame,
pray with me to God the Almighty
for the grace to sing the worthy praise of this eternal light;
through Jesus Christ his Son our Lord
who lives and reigns with him,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen!

Hiking With Jennifer & Alfonso

This morning Jennifer, Alfonso and I hiked the Grouse Grind. It was a gorgeous day, sunny.

Good Friday: Psalm 22

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me,
from the words of my groaning?
O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,
and by night, but I find no rest.
Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.
In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them.
To you they cried and were rescued;
in you they trusted and were not put to shame.
But I am a worm and not a man,
scorned by mankind and despised by the people.
All who see me mock me;
they make mouths at me;
they wag their heads;
"He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him;
let him rescue him, for he delights in him!"
Yet you are he who took me from the womb;
you made me trust you at my mother's breasts.
On you was I cast from my birth,
and from my mother's womb you have been my God.
Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is none to help.

-----

Psalm 22:1-11

Maundy Thursday: My God, And Is Thy Table Spread?

My God, and is thy table spread?
And does thy cup with love o'erflow?
Thither be all thy children led,
and let them all its sweetness know.

Hail sacred feast, which Jesus makes,
rich banquet of his flesh and blood!
Thrice happy he who here partakes
that sacred stream, that heavenly food!

O let thy table honoured be,
and furnished well with joyful guests;
and may each soul salvation see,
that here its sacred pledges tastes.

-----

Words by Philip Doddridge, 1702-1751.

Corn Chowder Soup

Mom visited me today. Together we cleaned my apartment. I also cooked a corn chowder soup I've been perfecting ever since I got the vegetarian cookbook a few weeks ago. This is my favourite soup, because it's so hardy. It's as thick as chilly!

Here are the ingredients (serves 8):
* 40 g butter
* 2 large onions, finely chopped
* 3-4 clove garlic, crushed
* 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
* 4 cups (1 litre) vegetable stock
* 3 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
* 1 can (400ml) canned creamed-style corn
* 2 can (341ml) fresh corn kernels
* 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
* 1 cup (125g) grated cheddar cheese
* salt and freshly ground black pepper
* 3 tablespoons cream (optional)
* 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives, as garnish

Here's the recipe:
1- Heat the butter in large heavy-based pan. Add the onions and cook over medium-high heat for 5 minutes or until golden. Add garlic and cumin seeds, cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add vegetable stock, bring to boil. Add potatoes and reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes.
2- Add the creamed corn, corn kernels and parsley. Bring to the boil, reduce heat, simmer for 10 minutes. Stir through the cheese, salt and pepper, to taste, and cream. Heat gently until the cheese melts. Serve immediately, sprinkled with chopped chives.

Airport

This evening I picked up Charlene from the airport. She spent the weekend in LA visiting her brother. The amazing thing is that she lent me her car while away. I didn't use it much, but still, quite a nice gesture on her part.

Anyways, it's nice that she's back now. I'm going out for dinner with her later this week, probably Friday.

An Afternoon At Nitobe

Jennifer and I spent a lovely afternoon at the Nitobe Garden today. Given the rift that's crept into our friendship lately, it was good to spend a few hours with a proven friend. I'm looking forward to our trip to Mexico at the end of this month.

I've always loved Nitobe. It reminds me of my 2nd year at Regent, when I was taking Classical Greek in the spring, and Mark and I would go there to spend a few hours relaxing, reading, or just talking theology. It's such a tranquil place.

Ralph In Surrey

As I mentioned a few days ago, there was talk that Ralph would be transferred to Surrey. That transfer happened 5 days ago on April 10th.

Yesterday I went to visit him, and he was not having a good day. He was coughing like crazy. It's frightening: when he coughs, it looks like he's choking. His lung is really giving him lots of trouble.

One feels so helpless. All we can do is hope and pray that his time is not yet up, and that the doctors and nurses would give him the best possible care (and they do).

Dad took these pics of our visit. The first one is of mom and me at Ralph's bedside:

The next one is of me, while the physiotherapist is working on Ralph's legs:

The last one I took of dad. Mom and dad are so formal when they stand at bedside. Dad in particular, is very stoic most of the time. He visits Ralph for only short periods of time, and doesn't say much at all. But as I think I've said before, his heart is torn deep inside. He loves Ralph dearly.

Complications Continue

My poor nephew. Just when one thing improves, something else goes awry.

The arm and clavicle are healing from the surgery, but his lung is leaking air, which makes it difficult for him to breathe. Now there's talk that he'll be transferred to Surrey Memorial where they specialize in lungs.

It's been close to 80 days now since the accident. Winter has come and gone, or at least, it's going. Spring is definitely on the way, as days are getting longer, and the sun peaks out more.

Still, Ralph does not speak, he seems awake sometimes when his eyes are open, but we just don't know. Doctors say that it's hard to know what his condition will be going forward. I learned a few weeks ago that boys/men are really irritable when they wake up, whereas girls/women are much more calm. So far, this distinction has not evidenced itself.

I'm worried about Ralph's family, and in particular, his mother. Melanie is visibly tired, she still works a few days a week, something she should probably reconsider if she wants to remain energetic. Whatever the journey will be like going forward, it's going to be a long one, so it's wisest to prepare for such.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on Ralph, a sinner.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us all, for we are all sinners.

Cheque

Today I went back to ICBC to pick up a cheque for my car. They gave me $4,500+. My goodness, I feel like a rich man now.

In the evening I met up for dinner. We're trying to move forward in our friendship. She's aware of Charlene now - she knew something was up - and after expressing her sadness and fear over it, we discussed it and settled a few things. The dynamics of our friendship will obviously need to change now.

Pancakes And Belongings

This morning I met up with Charlene for breakfast. We met at the Dutch Panekoek right by the Cambie Street bridge, and had some delicious pancakes.

Afterwards, I went to ICBC to pick up the belongings left in my car after the accident 10 days ago. There was too much for me to carry home on foot, so Charlene was kind enough as usual to drive me home.

Weekend In Seattle

I spent this past weekend (Friday-Sunday) in Seattle with Jennifer, Nicole, and Benja. We left Vancouver late afternoon, around 6pm, and while the rest came back on Sunday afternoon, I came back early on Sunday by Greyhound, in order to be present at my dad's birthday celebration. It was a fun, though rushed, time in Seattle with friends. Highlights:
* underground tour of city
* Pike's Place
* coffee at Le Panier
* dinner at Kingfish

Here are some pictures of our time together.

A rainy saturday morning, just after the underground tour:

Lunch at Kells:














Pike's Place Market:










































































































Le Panier:














Kingfish:






























Pijamas!

A Bittersweet Celebration

Today was a special day, as we celebrated my dad's 70th birthday (and my parents' 48th wedding anniversary). Mom asked me to do a short reflection on this special occasion. She picked Psalm 71 as a foundational text on which to reflect, not only because it address the theme of aging well (not to mention that it almost coincides with my father's age), but also because it's the 71st day after Ralph's tragic accident. We are still saddened, even numbed, by that horrible event. Suffice it to say, it was a bittersweet celebration.

Here's the reflection on Psalm 71, followed by a few pictures:

It is a great privilege to be here today, and be part of this celebration - and I think it is important that we call it a celebration: we are celebrating my father Ernst’s 70th birthday, we are celebrating my parents (Ernst and Adina)’s 48th wedding anniversary, and finally, we are celebrating friendship with you, a friendship that has shown itself to be true in the days and weeks following our beloved Ralph’s car accident. So ultimately, we are here to celebrate God’s goodness and his faithfulness, because all of these - birthdays, marriage, and friendship - are expressions of God’s goodness towards us.

To put this celebration in its rightful place, in its rightful context, however, I would like to look to Scripture and share some thoughts from a text, and particularly, the text that I will draw from is Psalm 71. My aim is to take a few minutes and draw out some thoughts from this Psalm, in the hopes that some of these words will encourage us to further contemplate the goodness of God.

Psalm 71 does not address birthdays, anniversaries, or friendships directly, but indirectly, by instructing us and encouraging us towards a particular way of being. Psalm 71 is a Psalm of wisdom, you might say, in which the Psalmist - probably King David in his later years - points us towards a particular way of living, and he shows us this way of living by way of personal examples, from a young age (71:17) to his current old age (71:9, 18). Actually, he even refers back to a time before he was born: “Upon you [God] I have leaned from before my birth; you are he who took me from my mother’s womb” (71:6).

David lists some of the difficult times he went through during his life, and there are many trials and tribulations: dealing with enemies who criticize and mock him (71:10), some who accuse him falsely (71:13), and others who want to hurt him (71:4, 24). Along the way, David has encountered doubt and helplessness, pain and shame.

And yet, amidst these “troubles and calamities” (71:20), David keeps a single-minded perspective on the Lord, he stays focused on God, who in his righteousness has done “mighty deeds “71:16), who is the author of his salvation (71:15, 23). So we have good reason for looking towards this Psalm for wisdom: wisdom in times of joy and celebration, but also, wisdom in times of adversity and great sadness: wisdom in the bittersweet moments of our lives.

There are 3 attitudes of heart in particular that are very helpful for us, that I would like to draw out. And they are: 1- trust in the reliability of God (71:3), 2 - hope that God will make right the things that are wrong (71:14), and 3- praise: the Psalmist praises God for his goodness (71:6). These attitudes are gifts that God grants us, absolutely, but they are also personal disciplines: disciplines that King David cultivated throughout his life, from a young age on.

For example, he says, “Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man. For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth” (71:4-5). He actually insists on God’s reliability right from the get-go of the Psalm: “In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame!” . . . “Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come” (71:1, 3) The word continually here indicates repetition: again and again and again. It’s like he’s saying ‘Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may come again and again and again.’

God as our refuge is like a young boy hiding behind his mother when in danger; God as our rock is like a young daughter holding on to her father while crossing a river. I saw a tv clip earlier this week, which showed a woman in Japan holding on to a tree, while the tsunami waves came in. While everything around her was moving - bicycles, cars, even airplanes and houses - she was holding on to this tree for dear life. She survived the disaster, because the tree was firmly rooted and withstood the waves. In the waves of life, God is our rock and our refuge.

Moving on to hope, hope that God will bring light despite of darkness all around, health and safety amidst great danger, and redemption in circumstances where all seems lost, the Psalmist is convinced he has good reason to hope that God will not leave him alone in trouble: “...I will hope continually...” (71:14). I will hope [in you] again and again and again...

His enemies thought that God was not present in suffering: “God has forsaken him; pursue and seize him, for there is none to deliver him” (71:11). But time and again, David moves the attention away from himself and his enemies, and upward (71:5): God will finish the work he started. In the midst of old age and weakness, David appeals to God: “Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent” (71:9). Throwing ourselves at the feet of God is never an escape from reality; it’s always an escape to reality.

Finally, a few words on praising God. This Psalm is full of praise, as most Psalms are. I believe only one Psalm - Psalm 88 - doesn’t have praise as its obvious aim. All the others include praise, and lead to praise.

The main tone of praise - and the centre of the Psalm - is towards the end of the Psalm (71:17-21):

O God, from my youth you have taught me,
and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.
So even to old age and gray hairs,
O God, do not forsake me,
until I proclaim your might to another generation,
your power to all those to come.
Your righteousness, O God,
reaches the high heavens.
You who have done great things,
O God, who is like you?
You who have made me see many troubles and calamities
will revive me again;
from the depth of the earth
you will bring me up again.
You increase my greatness
and comfort me again.

The Psalmist is eager to praise God, and proclaim to others the “wondrous deeds” (71:17) from which he has benefited in times young and old (71:17).

But he also does not lose sight of the big picture. He has experienced God’s faithfulness, in the same way that Israel has experienced faithfulness in the miracle of the exodus, when God led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt (71:19, cf Exodus 15:11). Many years later, the apostle Paul would teach us in a similar way, to relate our own personal difficulties within a bigger, fuller perspective (Romans 8:11):

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead
dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus
from the dead will also give life to your
mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

In God unapproachable majesty and light, meet with covenant love and compassion. In God love and faithfulness meet together, and righteousness and peace kiss one another (Psalm 85:10). It is no wonder, then, that the Psalmist concludes in an exalting theme of praise (71:21-24): God has delivered him, and silenced the enemy. Now David, embattled, weak, and tired, can rest his mind at ease: his faith is confirmed, and his fingers, lips, hands, and heart can continue singing the praises of God and the telling of his story.

To my father, to both my parents, to the rest of our family, and to all of you - our friends - who are gathered here on this bittersweet day, may these words serve as encouragement in our walk of faith: may we - along with the Psalmist and the rest of Christ’s church - trust in the character of God, hope in the fulfillment of his promises, and praise him for his goodness.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,

Amen+

_____

Source: Kidner, Derek. Psalms. An Introduction and Commentary. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries. D. J. Wiseman, gen. ed., Volume 14a. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1973.

No More Car

I found out today that as I'd initially thought, my car is a write-off.

For the past year's I've been telling my friends that the only reason I still drive a car is because I own one. If I didn't own one I'd just take transit everywhere. Well, now I don't own a car anymore. So if I stay true to my previous statements I should not replace my old vehicle with a new one.

I think I'll do it: no more car.

Here's 3 cheers to my now defunct VW Jetta that served me so well over the past 12 years: hip hip, hoorah, hip hip, horrah, hip hip, horrah!

Car Accident

Well, whereas yesterday was a fantastic day, today was horrible.

After the usual Holy Communion service at church I went hiking with Shane.

Then, on my way back, I rear-ended another car downtown (West Pender and Richards). There was some kind of parade going on, I got distracted, and before I could even react, BOOM, I hit the car in front of me! Thankfully, everyone is ok. The passenger in the car I hit (a woman) complained of mild neck pain and was taken away in an ambulance but I'm quite certain it was only for precautionary reasons. The driver, presumably her husband, wasn't freaking out or anything.

After filling out the accident report and answering some questions by the police, I was able to go home.

Once home, I immediately called Jennifer. My neck was sore, so she came over and accompanied me to a walk-in clinic to get it checked out. I think I'm fine, but will likely do a few massage therapy sessions to alleviate the discomfort.

As far as my car is concerned, I have a feeling that it's a total write-off. The airbag went off, and I've heard that the cost of repairing an airbag is around the $2,000 mark. The front end is also quite crunched, and so given that the car is 13 years old they likely wont fix it.

Rachmaninov With Charlene

Tonight was sort of a Russian themed night. Charlene and I went for dinner at a Russian Restaurant on Kingsway, and afterwards we went to the Orpheum for Rachmaninov's Vespers: a lovely evening.

I have listened to this sublime musical masterpiece many times before: indeed, it's my favourite musical piece (I have the cd with the performance of the St. Petersburg Chamber Choir, Olga Borodina, Vladimir Mostowoy, and Nikolai Korniev). It was special, therefore, to hear it live. In my view, the most amazing feature of this piece is in the beautiful way in which the soprano and bass combine. The sopranos take you to the heights of heaven, and the bass, well, they provide the perfect accompaniment for the journey! Perhaps Rachmaninov is the only one to be able to achieve such feats of glory.

And whereas a few weeks ago I had a hard time maintaining my distance from Charlene, tonight I didn't hesitate and put my arm around her quite often. Things went so well that by the end of the night she said "Are we still only friends?" Good question...

Spanish Bibles, Suitcases, Mexican Bakes, Haircut, And A Rift

Spanish Bible: today I went to the bookstore and picked up the Spanish Bible I'd ordered for Patri a few weeks ago. Very soon I'll be going for dinner with her and at that point I'll give it to her. My prayer is that she would find God in the pages of Scripture...

Suitcase: Jennifer and I are going to Mexico at the end of April. At the end of my World Tour last year my big suitcase was broken, so today I went to pick up a new one in preparation for our trip. It looks like our itinerary will be Mexico City - Puebla or Veracruz - Cuernavaca - Mexico City.

Mexican Bake: as planned, I tried a Mexican recipe from the new cookbook I got a few days ago. I'd rank the finished product a disappointing 5. Very bland. I will try it again with more spicy ingredients (the ones the recipe actually calls for!) and see how it turns out.

Haircut: Got my monthly haircut today.

Rift: even though Jennifer and I are planning to go to Mexico (the plan's been in the works for a while), there's a rift happening between us. The reason: Charlene. This should be no surprise. The rift is psychological on my part, because I have not mentioned anything to her yet at this point about Charlene and I, but that day is coming very soon. I have every intention to preserve our friendship but realize that this will be very difficult to do.

Angels Recognized

Today my family attended a ceremony at which the angels that saved Ralph's life were honoured by the police. They received plaques of merit. We are humbled by their unselfish acts. God bless them.

Here they are:

Vegetarian Cooking

A few weeks ago someone left a vegetarian cookbook at the "giveaway corner" of our apartment building, so I took it and have been cooking vegetarian since. This book's essentially a "gift" to me, because I've decided to give up meet for Lent, so vegetarian recipes is exactly what I need!

Here are the recipes I've tried so far (and the rating, out of 10):
* green pea soup (7)
* corn chowder soup (9)
* pasta with green peas and celery in a cream sauce (6)

Later this week I want to try and make a mexican bake. It looks delicious.

Just Like That

So I did it. I told Charlene this afternoon that I liked her. Just like that.

She came to my place for a visit, and while we were in the kitchen I told her. Maybe not the most romantic context, come to think of it, but I'm glad I did it.

As I suspected, the interest is mutual. We decided that for the time being, our relationship was best served by staying friends and continuing to get to know each other.

I briefly held her hand. I tingled all over. Her smile really is lovely.

Tingling

I have to say it: my interest for Charlene is getting more and more intense.

Yesterday we attended an Ash Wednesday service together at a local anglo-catholic church, and throughout the entire service I pondered holding her hand and putting my arm around her. I was completely distracted. My reason for attending the service was totally overrun by my psychosomatic urges. Good thing the season of repentance is only starting...

We've been out a few times - coffee, dinner, hiking, symphony - and lately we've been in touch more often, 2-3 times a week, on the phone or email. I have a feeling that our attraction is mutual, and that something's going to happen with us soon. Not sure what yet, but something...

But even so, there's still a lingering cloud of doubt over my head. We share the same faith in Jesus, but we look at the world from almost opposite angles (how is that possible!). In terms of our personalities, I think we're also very different, even opposites. I know that in some cases "opposites attract", but in this case I just don't know if attraction will see us through.

She has many good qualities: she's intelligent and attractive; she's friendly, gentle, and good-humoured. She's a woman of integrity and has many of the same concerns that I do: in a nutshell, she's on about the kingdom of God. Most notably for me has been her presence the past 2 months, since Ralph's accident. She's been there always, praying, encouraging, and supporting. No one has been more present to me the past few months.

And yet, on the other hand, we clash, and we clash often. Our biggest struggle in terms of how we view the world has to do with matters of gender relations. It's the usual problem: I'm not on-board with the direction Western society has chosen. Men and women are equal, but we're different, God has created us differently. And from a Christian perspective, approaching matters of human worth from the point of "rights", "justice", "skills and talents", and "fairness" is wrong-headed. Our conversations should be based on the premise of "service" and "self-giving". This goes for both, men and women. I'll leave it at that.

We've both acknowledged our differences all along, and we've tried to learn from one another rather than preach to each other, but in the end, our differences are still so vast that I see great difficulty in making things work.

But for the time being, I'm putting the cart in front of the horse. What I know right now is this: my body was tingling at the thought of holding her hand yesterday. Let's see how things go in our next few get-togethers.

Ash Wednesday

Joel 2: 1-2, 12-17: The Day of the LORD

1- Blow a trumpet in Zion;
sound an alarm on my holy mountain!
Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble,
for the day of the LORD is coming; it is near,

2- a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and thick darkness!
Like blackness there is spread upon the mountains
a great and powerful people;
their like has never been before,
nor will be again after them
through the years of all generations.

...

12- "Yet even now," declares the LORD,
"return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;

13- and rend your hearts and not your garments."
Return to the LORD your God,
for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love;
and he relents over disaster.

14- Who knows whether he will not turn and relent,
and leave a blessing behind him,
a grain offering and a drink offering
for the LORD your God?

15- Blow the trumpet in Zion;
consecrate a fast;
call a solemn assembly;

16- gather the people.
Consecrate the congregation;
assemble the elders;
gather the children,
even nursing infants.
Let the bridegroom leave his room,
and the bride her chamber.

17- Between the vestibule and the altar
let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep
and say, "Spare your people, O LORD,
and make not your heritage a reproach,
a byword among the nations.[a]
Why should they say among the peoples,
'Where is their God?'"

Accepted!

I found out today that I was accepted into the spring CPE unit. Yay! Thank you Lord Jesus!

Jennifer's Birthday

Today was Jennifer's birthday, and we celebrated her in good form: we took her for dinner at the Afghan Horseman! I've been there a few times now, and have never been disappointed. We ordered their specialty platters - both, vegetarian and meat - they really hit the spot. The pakarwas (potato slices fried in a batter) are divine. The afghan tea they serve there is not to be missed either!

For some people (ehemmmm) the highlight of the evening was the dancer who came out after dinner. :)

Anyways, happy birthday Jennifer!!!

Dinner On Bowen Island

Tomorrow is Jennifer's birthday. True to my form of-late, I bought a plant (zebra) for her as a birthday present. I also bought a croton plant for myself.

To celebrate her birthday we went to Bowen Island for dinner. When I'd visited the island late last year, I noticed that the Tuscany Wood Oven Pizza restaurant looked like a nice Italian restaurant to visit on a special occasion. So tonight I surprised Jen and took her there. It was quite a nice evening. Unfortunately we didn't take any pictures!

This wont be the last time I visit the island for a meal. It's very do-able. We drove to Horseshoe Bay, parked the car there and went by ferry. But there's no reason you couldn't take the car across, or for that matter, the best way to go is probably to leave the car at home and opt for the bus and ferry combo the whole way.

Taize

Over the past few months I've been learning about Taizé and have really come to love the music. I also went to a few Taizé services, and tonight I went to another one. I really enjoyed it.

I went with Charlene, and I really enjoyed her company again. She's quite gentle and she constantly smiles.

But again, whatever enjoyment we had with one another, it was matched by a difference in viewpoint on matters of theology: this time the issue was "our physical posture in prayer." I know I know .. I'm selfish.

Afterwards I visited Ralph. I got home after midnight.