08.17.2021
Verse of the Day
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).
Silent Freedom, A Memoir of Service
The book is in the final phase of editing, and I can’t be more excited to let you know it’s coming and it’s worth the wait. You’ll see…
2021 Summer Olympics
Most people were focused on the Olympics the past few weeks. Many people thought it was impossible to start the 2021 Summer Olympics due to COVID-19. But the games successfully finished on August 8 and the USA won 113 medals! I am proud of the weightlifter from the Philippines, Hidilyn Diaz, who won the country’s first ever Olympic gold medal in the Tokyo games. She’s very strong!
COVID-19 did not stop the Olympics. The citizens of Tokyo desperately wanted the Olympics to be canceled due to the fear of having people from all over the world coming into the host city at the same moment it was having a surge of COVID. It wasn’t just the citizens of Tokyo who were concerned about the spread of COVID. Olympians were also concerned about returning home. Depending on the home countries’ regulations, some participants in the Olympics face days or even weeks in quarantine when they return from Tokyo. Some countries require a quarantine or allow travelers to avoid it with vaccination, testing, or both, and some countries require isolation regardless of vaccination status.
The Pandemic
I have heard people call the virus a creation of evil. If it is, did God send vaccination as a cure? If so, why is it that there is still a multitude of people not wanting to get vaccinated? Some people have said that the vaccines are not FDA approved. And the media confirm that right now the COVID-19 vaccines do not have full FDA approval, but instead, they have something called emergency use authorization. However, health experts say COVID-19 vaccines are safe despite no FDA approval.
I have been fully vaccinated since February 2021 and, so far, people around me are safe and have not shown any signs of the virus. Do the vaccines work despite the lack of an FDA approval? It has worked for me and others who have received it, but will we need more vaccines in the future to be immunized against the pandemic?
Despite the pandemic, most people have been enjoying this summer. I know people who have traveled within and outside the borders of the United States. They came back with a lot of experiences to tell. Some say that as long as people wear masks, they are protected. Others say they were required to be fully vaccinated before they could make the trip because it was mandatory and they were quarantined before and after. I also know of some people who were deadly serious about not going to the mall for fear they could get contaminated by the virus, especially the highly contagious Delta virus.
Summer Cooking
In spite of the pandemic, others are fully content with barbecued hamburgers, hot dogs, and chicken at home. Some people even cook pork bellies and savor their juicy tenderness. According to my readings, the best American BBQ dishes are homemade mac and cheese that is made from scratch, BBQ chicken wings smothered in a sweet and tangy homemade BBQ sauce, classic BBQ sauce, pulled pork sandwich, burnt ends, brisket, baked beans, and creamy potato salad. Tell me about your favorite summer cooking on my Facebook!
