HAPPY HOUR

CURRENTLY LISTENING TO:

Tenderness - General Public ( http://bit.ly/hpzhtP )

( You've gotta listen to the song while you read this.  It'll make this experience a million times better )

Last Week: ( http://bit.ly/h9TGam )

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It's no secret.  I love food.  I love all kinds of it.

Food makes me happy and I'm sure it does the same for you.  There's just something about a steaming bowl of pho, fresh pot of adobo, well prepared sushi, or a plate of beef sliders and a basket of fries that has an uncanny, indescribable, unbelievable ability to put a permanent smile on anyone's face while bringing you to a state of uncontrollable bliss.

FEED ME!

Imagine that craving feeling, excited anticipation of driving up to the restaurant, ordering, waiting, and finally being able to sip in that first few spoons of broth, or chomping away at that chicken breast soaked in perfect sauce, or dipping those fries in some ranch sauce.

Food has the ability to make grown men cry tears of joy.

For those that exercise and try to eat right most of the week, we all have at least a day or two where we chow down on whatever we want called a "cheat day".  Pizza, .99 cent Chicken Sandwiches with Buttermilk sauce from Jack In The Box, Meatball Sandwiches, an entire bag of Doritos with a jar of cheese dip - by yourself, 5 pieces of Turon and Mango ice cream, the list can go on and on.

I definitely had a cheat week.

I'm always up for a few servings of spare-ribs, 2 or 3 or even 7 hot-dogs with cream cheese, mayo, & grilled onions, or maybe even a large pepperoni from Pizza Ragazzi - by yourself.

Hey, food makes us feel good.  Darn good.  Period.

A old friend of mine said: "I need to be a health nut... ya know, I'm a just die young but at least I'll be happy." Well said my friend.  Well said.  So if your happiness depends on it, then go ahead and eat that five cheese pizza, or that six layer lasagna, or the monster burrito that's the size of a baby's leg.

Don't even think, just eat it.

Have a good week ya'll and happy eating!  Cheat day schmeat day.

I just read this over and got hungry.  Again.  I'm now going to find an open Taco Bell.  4th Meal, wait, 7th meal, here I come.

With Love,

Brian Franada, Founder

Noble House Foundation

1st Corinthians 16:13 - "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong."

TRANSFORM LIVES • RENEW HOPE • LIVE LOVE

AGAPE

CURRENTLY LISTENING TO:

Hold My Hand - Michael Jackson, feat. Akon ( http://bit.ly/g3K01n )

Last Week: ( http://bit.ly/fOUpEB )

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Holding hands is a symbol of a companionship, inside smiles, and warm feelings in waiting hearts.  It's amazing how much power there is when two people hold hands.  There's a special connection that you get to share in that moment, with that one person, when your hands touch.

When someone is falling they reach out their hand for help.  When someone is calling out to someone in a way words aren't enough, they hold out their hands for emphasis.  During anxious or scary moments, the feeling is relieved when you hold the hand of the person next to you.

Something as simple as holding someone's hand has the power to erase fear, calm spirits, build confidence, make your mind go blank, and even skip a beat in your heart.  No user names, passwords, logging in, or waiting for a signal.

It's an instant connection.

When I see grandparents holding hands you can’t help but see the bond of two hands that helped shape the world.  Those hands made meals, held babies, mowed lawns, and fixed cars.  They held faces, went places, called friends, and touched stars.

They impacted another life.

They tried and built and grew together.  They lived and learned and loved together.  Seeing grandparents holding hands is a simple expression of long lasting affection that fills our hearts with hope. They show us a future world exists of tied-together hearts and long lives lived with someone we love.

It's a sign of hope.

We will be sending over 20 care packages to Manila to aid those still suffering from Typhoon Ondoy.  Our team spent hours planning the fund-raiser, sending out letters, hosting the event, collecting donations and items, and finally packing the items.

I told my team that hundreds of people we may never meet will benefit from this act of love.  Giving from the heart is a type of love that is unconditional, self-sacrificing, active, volitional, and thoughtful.  We may never be able to hold their hands, but we hope that when they play with the toys, eat the food, and wear the clothes, they can feel the love we're sending their way.

This is our way of reaching out our hands to another person on the other side of the world.  Join us.

With Love,

Brian Franada, Founder

Noble House Foundation

1st Corinthians 16:13 - "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong."

TRANSFORM LIVES • RENEW HOPE • LIVE LOVE

DEAR DAD

CURRENTLY LISTENING TO:

Light Up The Sky - The Afters ( http://bit.ly/eZXjeA )

Last Week: ( http://bit.ly/guk7sB )

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Dear Dad,

I went to visit you today.  I've made that trip a thousand times and every single time I get choked up.  I know if you were here you'd tell me to stand tall and to be strong.  Eventually the tears stopped coming.  It's like I ran out over the last 6 years.

It rained today.

Ever since you left, the sun hasn't been as bright.  Ever since you left, the sky hasn't been as blue.  Ever since you left, the days blend together.  Ever since you left, I've looked forward to dreaming so that I may be able to see you even for a brief moment.

It hasn't been the same.

I want to let you know that Mom, Rob, and I are doing our best down here.  We have good times, as well as bad.  We fail and succeed.  We win and lose.  Regardless of what happens, we're doing our best and we're doing it as a family.

We want to make you proud.

You taught me to have purpose in every thing I do.  To have purpose with every word I speak and that even my very step should mean something.  You taught me to live with honor and integrity.

Your very presence was more than enough.

Someone once told me, "You were blessed to have a man like that as your father.  Not a lot of people got that chance."  I used to wonder why God took you so early, but that's changed to thanking Him for even giving my brother and I over 20 years with you.

One day.

I hope one day people will hold me to even half the esteem they held you / and still do.  I hope one day I can be respected like you were / and still are.  I hope one day I can be half the man that you were.  I hope when my turn comes, they remember me like they remember you.

Words will never be enough.

Even though you're gone, I want everyone to know you.  Even though you're gone, I want everyone to know your name.  Even though you're gone, I want them to know the type of impact your life made to other people.  I want them to know that I ate and walked next to one of the greatest people to ever live.

Thank you.

Happy Birthday dad.  You'd only be 57 today.  I hope they made your favorite food for you up there in heaven.  I hope you have a baseball glove, because we're playing catch as soon as I get up there.

Allow me to re-introduce: Romy Penera Franada.  My father, my hero.

With all of my heart, soul, and being, I love you.

Your Son,

Brian

1st Corinthians 16:13 - "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong."

TRANSFORM LIVES • RENEW HOPE • LIVE LOVE