Changing Driving Laws

There is a bill before Congress that, as I understand it, will propose to raise the driving age from the current 16 to 18 as well as raise the permit age from 15 and 1/2 to 16. I believe this is short-sighted and potentially will cause more harm than good.

I am a driving instructor, aside from the jobs implications across the country for many losing their livihood, this places the time when teens will be independently driving to the same timeframe that they leave home. At the current limits, drivers typically learn to drive when they are in High School, when they live at home under the supervision of their parents. Currently, students are supervised and restricted by parental authority for about 2 years after receiving their licenses.

If the age is raised, students will be independently driving at the same time they are typically leaving home. There will be no parental guidance that will guide them through two of the most influential years of their lives, giving them gradual independence as they learn to drive. Children will be thrown into driving independently as they move into dorms and into their own apartments.

As well, typically teens begin working and gaining independence coinciding with obtaining their licenses, after the permit period. Because of the time restraints on parents’, many do not pursue this step toward added responsibility until they have their full license. This will be, yet another, step postponed until after the student leaves the household and is an ‘adult’, either living on campus or away from parental supervision.

In the effort to save children’s lives, I think that this provision would only serve to sacrifice more children, though later. It would postpone and magnify. If anything is needed, it may be more structured instruction and, possibly, encouraging insurance companies to provide more benefits to safe drivers. If there has to be laws enacted to restrict citizen’s rights, maybe look to actual statistics and use those as starting points. Maybe restrictions of 17 year boys in brand new Mustangs?

26th Anniversary of the death of Grandma McGrew

On August 30th, 1984, Wilma McGrew breathed her last. I was blessed to see her before she passed away. I am the oldest grandson. Wilma was 64 years old, having been born in March of 1920.

Aunt Claudia, Shirley (mother) and Grandma McGrew at mother’s graduation from NSU in May, 1974

Wilma is pictured with husband Bob, Bobby Lee and Shirley in the late 40's

Bob and Wilma, 1930’s and 1970’s

My Grandma was special to me and I have missed her every day since losing her to heart disease in that Broken Arrow hospital. This day taught me that we don’t ‘get over’ losing someone really special, we just get used to having the hole in our hearts.

This was the last picture of Wilma before she died on August 30, 1984 - This was taken in May, 1984 while J was on break from Seminary with the Jesuits.

I miss you, Grandma and I never stopped loving you.

J.A. (“Tony”) Arroyo

Happy Birthday, Linda

Linda and I had a fantastic weekend! On Friday, August 6th, 13 years ago, Linda celebrated her birthday with friends at this little bar at 21st and Garnett. Luckily, I happened to be there and the rest is our family history! To celebrate this weekend, we went out to the Casino and Looney Bin! We had a blast this weekend.

Today, August 9th, she celebrates her birthday and the first day of the rest of our life together. Happy Birthday, Precious from your family.

BENEDICT XVI'S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR AUGUST

VATICAN CITY, 30 JUL 2010 (VIS) - Pope Benedict's general prayer intention for August is: "That those who are without work or homes or who are otherwise in serious need may find understanding and welcome, as well as concrete help in overcoming their difficulties".

  His mission intention is: "That the Church may be a 'home' for all people, ready to open her doors to any who are suffering from racial or religious discrimination, hunger or wars forcing them to emigrate to other countries".

BXVI-PRAYER INTENTIONS/       VIS 20100730 (90)

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Reunion

Linda and I hosted my father and step-mother, Jose’ and Frances Arroyo, last Saturday. I must admit that it was with some nervousness, on our part and I am sure, on their part, as well. It has been over a decade since we have had contact and so this was a reunion, and meeting. I cannot begin to describe how the healing process started but I am certainly glad that we took the steps to make it happen.

I think, and hope, it is the first step in many to come. Linda and I certainly enjoyed ourselves and Dad and Frances had a great time as well. It is rather funny, I think that Linda is the reason why I was able to make these steps, Linda is the reason that I can begin to understand Frances, Dad’s wife. Before I remarried and began to look at a “step-parent”, I didn’t really understand why Frances did many of what she did. I can begin to see, after she has been at his side almost 30 years, how much she loves my father and can be so protective of him. Linda has done the same for me over the years.

Andrew Graduates from Dove Science Academy

We are very proud of Andrew tonight! Here are some of the pictures from his graduation:

A Happy Mother's Day

Michael and Linda share a moment at Braum's on Mother's Day

Kayla with Emersyn on Mother's Day.

Kayla looks on as husband, Landon, shows Kadence something at Braum's.

Grandma tells Kadence about her gift.

Judge Declares Prayer Unconstitutional - Here's What You Can Do

 

Dear family and friends,

Last week, Barbara Crabb, a federal judge appointed by former president Jimmy Carter, declared that the National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional. Bizarrely, she said it is a violation of the First Amendment.
Yet the tradition of national days of prayer goes back to our very first congress and our first president. Just two days after members of Congress passed the First Amendment, they asked President George Washington to declare a national day of thanksgiving and prayer. In response to this request from Congress, President Washington, less than a week after passage of the First Amendment, issued just such a proclamation on October 3, 1789.
From a merely historical point of view, this makes it clear that it is preposterous to suggest that there is anything unconstitutional about a national day of prayer. Judge Crabb seems dangerously unaware of American history and the true meaning of the First Amendment, which was designed to protect freedom of religious expression, not stamp it out.

On Thursday, May 6, I invite you to participate in Meet At City Hall from 12:20 pm to 12:40 pm during the National Day Of Prayer. At thousands of city halls across the country, individuals will gather to pray for a moral rebirth in our country. The National Day of Prayer is an annual event established by an act of Congress which encourages Americans to pray for our nation, its people and its leaders.

Your participation in Meet At City Hall is very simple. Simply show up at your local city hall at 12:20 pm on Thursday, May 6. There will be others present. Spend the 20 minutes in prayer.

If you want to help promote Meet At City Hall, we suggest you invite members of your Sunday School class or church to join together and organize, as you desire. You can invite some public officials, local pastors, church choirs, etc. to participate. The amount of organization and promotion is entirely up to you. Let us unashamedly take our Light from underneath the basket and set it on a table.

Sincerely,

Tim Wildmon, President
American Family Association

Weekend with the Grandkids!

Linda and I had a fantastic time with the Million children and Kadence. Michael has been around lately while he has been working nights at WalMart.

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Alec had a blast helping Grandpa work on blowing leaves from the garage!

Rainee's Slumber Party

This might be a bit late, but Rainee had a slumber party last weekend (Before the Easter Weekend) and had her friends over. Here are some pics of the girls having a good time.

Brody Visits

Brody and Lillie - she is so content to lay next to Brody

Brody is out for a drive in his car. Does anyone look so serious???

I am not sure but it looks like he has something on his mind!

Anniversary Getaway

This past weekend marked our 12th Anniversary (March 14th). Linda and I had a wonderful time getting away to a local Bed and Breakfast, the Crow’s Rest, going out for Steak and Lobster at Elements and spending an evening at a casino (we didn’t come home rich!). I included a few pictures from the Crow’s Rest.

 

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We definitely want to thank Landon, Kayla and Kadence Morris for making our getaway possible. While we were away, they volunteered to take care of our dogs and really made it a worry-free weekend.

ChilderMas Today…. Remember our Innocent Children today.

In centuries past, Advent season began with Martinmas (the feast of St. Martin on November 11). Advent was "the little Lent" that prepared the faithful for the celebration of Christmas (Christ's Mass).

Christmas was in turn followed by Childermas (the Mass of the Holy Innocents) and continued until Candlemas (the Mass of Blessed Candles), also known as the Feast of the Presentation. In ancient times, great celebration centered not around Christmas, but around the Feast of the Epiphany. Indeed, in the eastern churches, the Mass of the Nativity was celebrated on the Feast of the Epiphany, for the earliest Christians said it was only fitting to celebrate God's revelation of His Son to the pagan Magi on the same day that His Son leapt out of the inner sanctuary of Mary's womb into the larger world itself.
Today, apart from Christmas, most of the "-mas" days have been forgotten. But there is one laudable custom which should be retained. As the song notes, there has long been a tradition of small gift-giving during the first twelve days of the Christmas season, the period between Christmas and Epiphany, Dec 25 and Jan 6.

Today is ChilderMas - a day to celebrate our children and honor the gift that God gave us in our children. God Bless you all!
J

Merry Christmas!

This year, for the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord, Tulsa has had a White Christmas. Unfortunately, this has caused many of us to miss Mass. We did not have the Honor Guard at Holy Family last night. The good news is that those that would have attended did not get out in this weather and risk injury or death on the roads. Linda, myself, our children and grandchildren pray that you have a safe Christmas celebration with your families and all return to your homes safely. It is the gift from our Creator of a helpless child, God Himself, that we remember today. This is not a “holiday” but the Holy Day that we recall this incredible miracle which led to hope and our very salvation.

Merry Christmas! and Vivat Jesus!

J.A. and Linda Arroyo

A Year in Review

Merry Christmas!

This has been an eventful year. As for the career in teaching, it did not do so well the latter half of the year. I have been doing driver’s education which has been paying the bills. Zarrow was a challenge which, when the contract was over, I was more than happy to leave. Unfortunately, I found that my former boss was not very professional when it came to parting ways. Apparently she has been more than happy to embellish things when it comes to reference calls.

Enough on that. Linda has worked this year to create a new business, 2 Ladies Cleaning has been doing rather well. Though it has been a challenge having a partner, she has been doing quite well for herself.

We continue to struggle with our children’s personal issues. Linda and I do what we can to be the support that our children need and be there for our grandchildren. We have found, like probably most grandparents, that we are not the parents so we definitely have a challenge. Isn’t it fun when you know the answer but you often have children that won’t take the answer? Why do they ask the question? LOL

Some children we see, some we do not. The door is always open but we sometimes wonder if it is wide enough to get their attention!

I had a chance to renew old friendships at the high school reunion this year! It was our 30th and about time! It came at a rough time personally but, in the process of renewing friendships, we also renewed our marriage. It can be rough to go through a marriage when your children are being battered by the elements and easy to lose sight of each other. We realize that this is the first day of the rest of Our lives and we need to be there for each other.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of our old friends, new friends, and family. May you all keep sight of what is really near and dear this holiday season!

Linda and J. Arroyo

A Christmas History

In centuries past, Advent season began with Martinmas (the feast of St. Martin on November 11). Advent was "the little Lent" that prepared the faithful for the celebration of Christmas (Christ's Mass).


Christmas was in turn followed by Childermas (the Mass of the Holy Innocents) and continued until Candlemas (the Mass of Blessed Candles), also known as the Feast of the Presentation.
In ancient times, great celebration centered not around Christmas, but around the Feast of the Epiphany. Indeed, in the eastern churches, the Mass of the Nativity was celebrated on the Feast of the Epiphany, for the earliest Christians said it was only fitting to celebrate God's revelation of His Son to the pagan Magi on the same day that His Son leapt out of the inner sanctuary of Mary's womb into the larger world itself.

Today, apart from Christmas, most of the "-mas" days have been forgotten. But there is one laudable custom which should be retained.

As the song notes, there has long been a tradition of small gift-giving during the first twelve days of the Christmas season, the period between Christmas and Epiphany, Dec 25 and Jan 6.

This year, we would like to encourage you to give a gift to seminarians!

Christmas Approaches!

Yesterday, Rainee, Chloe, Alec, Grandma and Grandpa went to the Knights of Columbus Christmas Party. Things were a bit hectic so they actually missed a visit from St. Nick but, even with missing him, they all had a great time. I am going to include a couple of videos and pictures from the festivities. Alec had the chance to sing along with Santa again this year (he loved that last year and was looking forward to it again this year.)

Rainee and Chloe met some new friends and had a great time building a puzzle and playing with these girls. We had a great dinner and enjoyed the evening out. Grandma and Grandpa, however, were well worn out by evening’s end and were happy to bring the little ones home and relax at home!

Alec and Santa

Alec Singing along with Santa

The day before, Grandma, Rainee and Chloe began working on a Gingerbread house.

Getting ready for the holidays!

Well, the Arroyo family is getting the lawn decorations and the inside decorations up for the holidays. Yes, this is the Christmas season! The season where we remember a supreme event which makes us complete, the birth of our Savior! ‘Tis the Season – not for shopping, but for remembering how we are not condemned by our faults but redeemed by Our Lord.

A chance to get out

Linda and I went to see Mister Pistol Friday night in Tulsa. It was a chance for us to take part in a 'mini' Reunion of my 1979 High School class. Several of us, that live in and around Tulsa and Claremore, were able to get together to listen to another classmate, John Page and his band, Mister Pistol. Linda and I had a wonderful time and I actually had the chance to go dancing with my wife. Wow! Dating is FUN!

A Princess!

Chloe is all dressed up like a princess!