Dear Loved Ones,

Pleasant Greetings from Sacramento, CA! With all the Blessings from our Almighty God, we hope we all started the year with joyful thankfulness for His Love and generosity as we share them with people around us; and prayers for those who are suffering in natural calamities!

On our monthly Catholic Lunch Club held on January 15 at the Radisson, the guest speaker was Ned Dolejsi, Executive Director, California Catholic Conference. His topic was The Human Person, The Common Good, and Public Life. He presented a catholic commentary on issues from Health Care reform to Marriage, Education and Poverty.

He led a lively discussion about the current issues and the role of the laity and the Church in public life. Some insights affirmed: God is Good; Life is precious; World is grace-filled; Family is important; Community is essential; Remain with the issues as man of Faith, not ideology; seek and want the good, objective truth, natural law. Where do you abide? Journey of the human person vs. autonomous individual; Define, discern and remain with the good! Revealing statistics: 50% of blacks / Latinos do not graduate high school. On Prop 8 and Health care: What is the good? We are pilgrim people in global crisis on our Journey of Faith!

On Jan. 16, we participated in the surprise birthday party for my Ate Nen held at the condo and mainly organized by her daughter Maria in the Berkeley area. It was a pleasant surprise for her to find some friends from Sac and Oakland area at the condo party room by noontime. Attended by 15, we feasted on catered Thai food and enjoyed updates on each others’ lives. People are complimenting on my ‘fashionable winter get-up’ – Express tops over black tights, leather coat, with knee-high boots and hat – copied from my very smart New Yorker Sarah; mother like daughter – truly feels good!

We started our 24-sessions Bible study class last Jan. 12 on Adventures in Matthew: The King and His Kingdom, with video by Jeff Cavins and Sarah Christmyer. Our leader Claude has an effective way of inspiring and motivating the 15 participants to be faithful in attendance and doing their assignments. This is my 7^th class with the group and I am deeply growing with them in this Journey.

Some of the books I read last year which made me a better person by the nuggets of wisdom absorbed include the following:

* The Promise; by Fr. Jonathan Morris; Harper Collins; 2008

* Happy for No Reason; by Marci Shimoff; Free Press, Simon & Shuster, 2008

* Ageless Memory; by Harry Lorayne; Black Dog Leventhal, 2007

* Financial Security in Troubled Times; by Ric Edelman; Stratford Publishing, 2007

* Happier; by Dr. Ted Ben-Shahar; McGraw Hill Books, 2008

* Forgive for Love; by Dr. Fred Luskin; Harper Collins; 2007

* How Full is your Bucket? by Drs. Tom Ruth & Donald Clifton; Gallup Press; 2008

* The Difference Maker; by John C. Maxwell; Thomas Nelson Inc.; 2007

* The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous & Broke; by Suze Orman; Penguin Group; 2007

* A Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity; by Bill O’reilly; Random House; 2008

* A Family Christmas; by Caroline Kennedy; Hyperton Books; 2007

* The Success Principles; by Jack Cranfield; Harper Collins; 2006

* Become a Better You; by Joel Osteen; Simon & Shuster; 2007

* Your Best Life Now; by Joel Osteen; Faith Words; 2008

* Love Your Life; by Victoria Osteen (wife of Joel); Simon & Shuster; 2008

* Gut Check; by Tarek Saab; Ransom Books; 2008

* Faith & Politics; by Sen. John Danforth; Viking-Penguin; 2008

* The Talent Code; by Daniel Coyle; Bantam Book; 2009

* Strength in What Remains; by Tracy Kidder; Random House; 2009

* 7 Lessons for Leading in Crisis; by Bill George; Jossey Bass Books; 2009

* The Art of Happiness, 10^th Anniv. Edition; The Dalai Lama & Howard Cutler; 2009/1999

Attached are 4 photos of: More on Sean’s grad, Christmas / Birthday get-together. Let us continue to pray for our country and people. Peace and Joy to You and God Bless Us All!

Much love and Best Regards!!!

SUSAN BG