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August 27, 2013
MARRIAGE & FAMILY LIFE
By Chris & Ann Aguilar Worldwide Marriage Encounter My husband and I began creating a vision statement for our marriage after learning about the idea from another couple. I’m the kind of person who appreciates having a map and directions when I’m going somewhere. A marriage vision statement is like creating a map for life’s journey together. Vision statements are used in the business world to help define a company’s values and direction. Each spouse in a marriage also has personal values, whether they’re aware of them or not. Married couples need to first be thoughtful about their personal values and those of their spouse. Next, together they can decide which values are most important to them as a couple. These shared values can be the foundation for creating a united direction for their marriage. When we were completing the exercises to create our marriage vision statement, we first listed what we value as individuals. I wrote that I strive to be patient, to be humble, and to put my husband first. Chris wrote that he strives to be united and intimate with me, putting our couple relationship as his priority. We then melded these ideas into one statement. What we came up with sounded a
T he Valley Catholic
lot like 1 Corinthians 13:4-8: “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” This passage was read at our wedding, 23 years ago, but the words have greater meaning for us now that we’ve been reminded of their timeless truths and agreed to make these words our directions for keeping each other on the right path to Heaven. For more information on creating a joy-filled marriage, visit: www.lovemoredeeply.org.
My father is my unsung hero
By Jim D. Pham He was determined to be reunited and, “I have the strength for everything despite the dangers, he crossed the through him who empowers me.” Cambodia border. He was captured (Philippians 4:13) and imprisoned for three more years My father was a Vietnam War vetat Chí Hòa, South Vietnam. eran. His fortitude and courage still He was again released and still amaze me. I am proud to be the son determined to be reunited with his of this courageous veteran. family. He ventured into the CamboThe war destroyed many lives dia border, wandering through dense and families. Many South Vietnamjungles and rugged mountains. After ese people fled the country in fear two months, he managed to purchase of prosecution by the Communist a small boat and rowed to Thailand, army. In 1954, many people like my where he was sent to a refugee camp. father migrated from North Vietnam In 1990, my father was reunitto South Vietnam. My father, like his ed with my family in the United forefathers, had endured a generation States. Eventually, he found work of constant war. as a handyperson, doIn the chaos of that ing home repair, until painful day in 1975, my my mother had a stroke The war father made a decision wh ic h pa ra lyzed her destroyed to remain with his army and was confined to a unit to defend the city wheelchair. My father many lives and of Long An, South Vietstayed home to aid her. families. nam. By the time the Then he had a massive Commun ist army arstroke and passed away. rived in Long An, most I once asked my father South Vietnamese soldiers had blendhow he dealt with the painful events ed with the civilian population and in his life. He said through fortitude, others had already fled the country. endurance, hardiness and ingenuity. My father remained with his army Most of all, love and sacrifice were unit and defended Long An until they his encouragement. He was willing were captured. to die for our sake. It is love that takes My father was sent to Communist us everywhere we want to go. Love reeducation camp for 13 years, from never fails. Lào Cai, Yên Bái, North Vietnam to Chí My father’s lifetime of service to Hòa, South Vietnam. He left behind his home country and love for his a young wife and five children. Our family shows that duty comes with family struggled for a daily meal and responsibility. Now, I am a father and moved from place to place. My mother I want to tell my children the story of endured struggles to raise us. We all their grandfather. My father taught me missed my father. through his actions. My father is my My mother visited my father in role model, my hero. My father, like his the reeducation camp and he advised forefathers, made sacrifices so that our her to find a way to take us to another future would be brighter. country. We eventually escaped VietI thank you