Long Overdue Court Update!

Well, court went well. We dropped the charges on the young man who broke into our home. His alcohol level was a 2.0 and admitted he had no idea where he was. He had wanted to come and apologize, but his attorney wouldn't allow him to come speak to us. We made it a point to go up to him before the hearing and ask him if he was ok. The look on his face was of GREAT surprise! I guess he was thinking "why on earth would these people be NICE to me after what I did?"

I prayed about it and just felt in my heart he didn't mean to harm us in any way. He did a stupid thing! That's it! He apologized and thanked us up and down for being so nice to him. When the Prosecutor pulled me aside, he asked me directly what I wanted to see come out of this...he said "the ball is in your court". I told the Prosecutor I didn't want this boy to have a criminal record.  The only thing he had ever been in trouble for prior to this was being caught with marijuana. I couldn't see ruining his future over something so trivial. I said "drop the charges". It was done.

He was charged with intoxication and disorderly conduct, but burglary was dropped. The judge looked at him and said "You are lucky this family didn't own a gun. They would have had every right to shoot once you crossed through their door" The judge was wonderful and told him "I hope you learned your lesson...you don't hold your alcohol well. Moral of the story...DO NOT GET SO DRUNK YOU PASS OUT!"

I told him a little about my past and asked him to PLEASE think about his future and stay away from drugs, alcohol and stupidity! He promised us he would! I'm sure he will party again...he leaves for college in November. :)

 I think the biggest thing I want him to remember is how there are people in the world who will give you another chance. Not everyone is out for revenge. We could have had the prosecutor throw the book at him, but that wouldn't have helped him in any way. I hope, the next time he picks up a beer, he remembers the kind family who helped him, and he can think about that before he acts. I told him, it's ok to drink...but you don't have to drink yourself sick. Be smart about it! Have fun without hurting others.

It feels good to know we showed this young man love, compassion and grace in court that day. feels much better than sending him off to jail. I keep praying for him and I know God is watching over him!

And they say God has no place in a court room...HA!

Court Hearing Today!

Well, today is the day we go to court to testify against the kid who broke into our home back in February. I say kid because he is only 19. We already know that drugs were involved and knowing what I went through at 19, I wish there was a way to help him. There was a warrant for his arrest prior to his breaking in here, so we still don't know what else he got in trouble for. But, drugs make you do stupid things. My hope is that whatever he is convicted for (besides our break-in) he will learn his lesson and clean himself up! He has his whole life ahead of him and it doesn't need to be spent in jail. Breaks my heart! I am praying for him and his family as we go through this process today and praying for a Judge who wants to help him.

On another happier note, the 2nd round of the NHL Playoffs begin today! And we now know the Flyers will play the Devils starting Sunday at 3! We SHOULD have this...but it's the Playoffs and you never know what will happen! So, all I can say is GOOOO FLYERS!!!!

A Change of Pace...NHL Playoffs

So, most of you who know me KNOW how much my family and I LOVE ice hockey! We are ALL die-hard Philadelphia Flyer's fans! As a kid, I learned hockey from my dad and my brother. We never missed a game and my brother would take me to their practices at the (then) Coliseum in Voorhees, NJ...so, needless to say I grew up LOVING hockey. Now, as an adult, it is still the ONLY sport I can seriously get into. And, of course, my boys have followed suit. Nothing like bonding with a bunch of teenage boys around a good hockey game. And, of course, our littlest hockey player...Gideon. he LOVES hockey and LOVES to play.

Future Flyer's Goalie!

The older boys shoot on him and he SAVES them. He is not afraid of the puck! At 4, he is sooooo talented. The problem with living on the Eastern Shore of Maryland is that there are NO ice rinks for the boys to play hockey on. The closest one is almost 2 hours away, but it might be worth it to get this little guy skating and playing!

Anyway, it's playoff season and we are LOVING it! The TV is constantly on hockey at night and the family couldn't enjoy it more! I promise to get back to my regularly scheduled programming of Aspergers and Catholicism...but right now, it's the playoffs...so

LET'S GO FLYERS!!!!!

We Are Home Owners!

WE GOT OUR NEW HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you, God! Answered prayer, for sure! We totally left it in God's hands, and the owner accepted our offer. I feel confidant God wants this for us!

I am soooooooooooooo excited!! We have official access to our new home July 1st. Now, let the de-cluttering and packing begin!

WOOT!!!

The Belardo Homestead!

We Shouldn't Question

How hard it is sometimes to have a logical mind that likes to over think things. Someone posted on "My Story" and it got me thinking how hard it is to have faith, at times.

My brain wanders...it's all part of the whole Aspergers thing. How can ONE major religion be right and the rest of the religions be wrong? Isn't it possible God showed himself to people in different regions in different forms?

The Baha'i Faith might be onto something. (if I wasn't Catholic...this would be my next choice of religion)

They basically believe that:

"Throughout history, God has revealed Himself to humanity through a series of divine Messengers, whose teachings guide and educate us and provide the basis for the advancement of human society. These Messengers have included Abraham, Krishna, Zoroaster, Moses, Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad. Their religions come from the same Source and are in essence successive chapters of one religion from God."

This just makes sense to me. I have always felt that there is ONE God, shown to many people in different ways and forms. It makes it hard for me to stay focused on MY Faith. But, that's where that FAITH word comes into play. Even if things don't make sense...we ALL must rely on our Faith.

Pray for me. I sometimes fall away, doubting all that I am doing. Am I right and everyone else wrong? Is my God different from YOUR God? Are ALL the other Religions going to fall away when MY God reveals Himself to everyone else?

UGH...my brain needs to settle down today! TOO MUCH THINKING!!!! :)

Off to do my reading and my prayers!

Happy Easter

Happy Easter to ALL my family and friends!

HE IS RISEN!

Most wonderful day of the year!

Little ones have their Easter baskets and big kids have their chocolate. Mom gets to cook the traditional ham later today...nice family day! Enjoy!