Dear Loved Ones,

Pleasant Greetings to everyone! We praise and thank God for the wonderful blessings of new season of hope – fall, cooler climate, campaign for election advocacies, joyful anticipation of travel to Pinas and Christmas season, among others!

The sudden change of weather with the fall season means cooler wind in the mornings, hence bringing out jackets and sweaters from the closet and changing to appropriate attire. On our Catholic Breakfast Club meeting, the invited speaker was Mr. Tom Peterson, president & founder of Catholics Coming Home.org, on the topic ‘Love Somebody to Heaven’. He is an award-winning advertising executive, regularly appearing on EWTN, who has been following his true vocation: to evangelize souls using the power of media, producing TV commercials like ‘my father, my hero’, ‘the movie’, etc. which encourages others to seek God’s plan for their lives, to help change our world for the better. Statistics show that of the 25% Catholics in America, only 1/3 are actually going to church, thus the need for programs to entice people to become active Catholics (returning/coming home); you can visit the website. During his presentation, he narrated how his efficient Filipina assistant Aurora Sarmiento served as effective sounding board giving final approval to their commercials; pointing out to me being the only Asian in the audience of 100. Naturally, I stood up as they applauded, and felt proud of our Filipino catholic faith/service which is globally recognized, for which I truly thank God always!

On Oct. 13, we (my Ate, her husband and I) participated in the festivities (recitation of the Rosary by schoolchildren offering flowers after each bead, candle-lit procession, then Benediction) in honor of our Lady of Fatima attended by the biggest crowd gathered at St. Mel’s church, organized by ever-active Pinoy Fr. George. Parishioners’ faith are really energized and inspired to serve in God’s church.

It’s almost election day and whatever the outcome, I can say that I made a stand on a vital issue on hand – campaigning for the ‘YES to Prop 8’ – to decide to restore traditional marriage to become permanent in CA; to favor NO means to allow for ‘gay marriage’. As part of our ‘Yes to Prop 8’ advocacy, my participation include sending out campaign materials, flyers and bumper stickers; phone call reminding, especially for prayers; distributing and putting up yard signs and flyers. The flyers came in 10 languages, one in Tagalog. Following is the flyer text in Pilipino:

􀀻 OO sa Proposisyon 8

Ito ang buong laman ng Proposisyon 8. Walang “fine print” o itinatagong kahulugan.

“Ang kasal sa pagitan ng isang lalake at isang babae ang tanging may bisa o kinikilala sa California.”

Ano ang kahulugan ng Proposisyon 8:

Ang “OO” na boto = ang kasal ay sa pagitan lamang ng lalake at ng babae

Ang “Hindi” na boto = ang kasal ng magkatulad na kasarian ay pinapayagan

OO ang iboto sa Proposisyon 8 sa November 4.

Paid for by ProtectMarriage.com – Yes on 8, a project of California Renewal. Major funding by Knights of Columbus, National Organization for Marriage California Committee and Focus on the Family.

BTW, the results of my annual medical screening and lab tests conducted this month all indicated ‘negative’ and ‘within normal limits’, which means I am successful in my health management program earning a remark of ‘excellent’ from my primary health care physician, thanks God!.

Attached are photos of: 1) myself with yard sign ‘Yes on 8’; 2) during my birthday; and 3) getting colder at home. Let us continue to pray for our country and people and for America – guidance for the elections. I will be in Pinas Nov. 16 – 30, 2008, so see you there. Peace and Joy to You and God Bless Us All!

Much love and Best Regards!!!

SUSAN BG