Winterr's words

Update: to read the latest posts from me about Schapelle Corby click HERE
Sign the petition to bring Schapelle Corby home, it does not matter what country you live in.
Schapelle has no criminal background and all evidence that could have proven her innocent was taken from her. She could die by a firing squad and is only 27, she may never come home, have children nor have a life.
I urge you to sign this petition HERE

This is the month of the Virgin Mary!! Here is something for you

"The mood of springtime informs the church's interior; nature's
blossoming, the warm air of May evenings, human gladness in
a world that is renewing itself -- all these things enter in.
Veneration of Mary has its place in this very particular
atmosphere, for she, the Virgin, shows us faith under its
youthful aspect, as God's new beginning in a world that has
grown old. In her we see the Christian life set forth as a youth-
fulness of the heart, as beauty and a waiting readiness for
what is to come."
-- Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, Seek That Which is Above
(Ignatius, 1986), pp. 95-96.

VICTORIAN prisoner John Patrick Ford has asserted that Schapelle Corby was "a victim of domestic drug trafficking run by petty criminals and cowards". He told a Bali court yesterday some people in the drug world thought it was a joke that she was "going to get done for it".In two hours of evidence at Ms Corby's Bali trial, the 40-year-old said he had heard two other prisoners, whom he named only as Terry and Paul, talking about drug trafficking and about how the drug's owner had lost some more marijuana en route from Brisbane to Sydney.He could not remember the surnames of Terry or Paul, but Mr Ford named the man he said was the owner of the 4.1kg of marijuana found in Ms Corby's boogie board bag as *****.But he refused to name the man he says actually put the drugs there."I am 100 per cent certain if I mention this person's name connected to this case I will be killed, very likely Ms Corby as well, just to prove a point," he said, when pressed by the judges on why he had told them he was willing to be a witness but now refused to name the man he says is the true culprit.Mr Ford explained his reticence by saying he had already been threatened, and so had his daughter.He is on remand in Port Phillip Prison on charges of aggravated burglary, making a threat to kill, common law assault and recklessly causing injury in what he said was "a domestic incident".He said the charges against him had been cut from 18 to four.In a quiet, at times barely audible voice he said he had come to Bali to give evidence at "great personal risk", and there was no benefit to him.A distraught Ms Corby, 27, arrived at court in a flood of tears and was highly emotional throughout, crying as she sat beside her lawyers listening to the evidence they said was her best chance of being declared innocent of charges that carry a maximumpenalty of death.Mr Ford said he heard several conversations in jail, about last September and November, but initially had not believed them, saying "90 per cent of prisoners talk rubbish 100 per cent of the time".He said that in a November talk, Terry and Paul told him they thought it was "funny" the drugs had ended up in Indonesia.Asked if he might be mistaken as to who or what they were discussing, or whether he might have assumed this after seeing a TV program on Ms Corby's case, Mr Ford said: "No, it was definitely Ms Corby's bag . . . they found it quite funny ***** lost more drugs between Brisbane and Sydney."Asked by Chief Judge Linton Sirait if ***** ever told him he owned the drugs, Mr Ford said: "No, I never heard him say that. I understand he is denying that to police."The judge then asked if this meant he had just presumed it belonged to the man. "It is more than that. I know it belongs to him, based on what he said when I first met him, and based on what he said to other prisoners."After two hours, Mr Ford was asked if he had anything to add, and he launched into a spirited defence of Ms Corby."All I can say to the court (is) there is no way on God's earth Ms Corby is a drug trafficker," he said."I know better than that. I think the court can see that as well." My belief in that is so strong I will put my personal safety at risk, and I am not asking anything in return. I just want to see justice done."Next week prosecutors will outline what sentence they say Ms Corby should receive if she is convicted.

Life is so precious, and babies are so innocent, and cute of course, I like this picture and thought it was good for posting .....

Schapelle Corby did not move the judges with her plea for freedom 2 days ago. I don't know who could not be moved by this.
Chief Judge Linton Sirait said that he knew what Schapelle said but offered little hope. He said "Not enough, he or she has to prove that he or she is not guilty, every inmate would say they are not guilty" I guess they don't believe in innocent until proven guilty.
The police who found the marijuana did not finger print Schapelles boogie board bag where the marijuana was found, nor did they weigh her bag for proof that her bag weighed different when weighed in Australia.
Schapelle has not been treated fair by the police, they chose not to finger print her or weigh her bags, which is what disturbs me the most.
The federal government is continuing to seek a prisoner transfer agreement with Indonesia, which will allow Schapelle Corby to serve any jail term she receives at home in Australia.
Here is the VIDEO where you can hear some of her plea and what reporters are saying
Also visit
Help Schapelle Corby
and also visit this site here
Don't Shoot Schapelle Corby

I have had a lot of time to read a little and find out some more about our new Holy Father Benedict XVI
A lot of you may already know where he stands on many things, but for me I did not know all that much about him, apart from a few things, and most of what I knew I agree with and like.
Here are things that might interest you some, if you don't already know where he stands on some things, and it's also a look on how Pope Benedict will confront the major challenges facing the Catholic Church:

ON OTHER FORMS OF CHRISTIANITY
"They are not Churches in the proper sense, however, those who are baptized in these communities are, by Baptism, incorporated in Christ and thus are in a certain communion, albeit imperfect, with the Church."


ON U.S. POLITICS
"A Catholic would be guilty of formal cooperation in evil, and so unworthy to present himself for holy Communion, if he were to deliberately vote for a candidate precisely because of the candidate's permissive stand in favor of abortion and or euthanasia"

ON HOMOSEXUALITY
"Although the particular inclination of the homosexual person is not a sin, it is a more or less strong tendency ordered toward an intrinsic moral evil, and thus the inclination itself must be seen as an objective disorder...As in every conversion from evil, the abandonment of homosexual activity will require a profound collaboration of the individual with God's liberating grace."

ON WOMEN AS PRIESTS
"Such priestly ordination constitutes...a grave offense to the divine constitution of the Church....and is an affront to the dignity of women, whose specific role in the Church and society is distinctive and irreplaceable"

ON RELATIONS WITH THE MUSLIM WORLD
"the rebirth of Islam is due...mainly to the knowledge that is able to offer a valid spiritual foundation for the life of it's people, a foundation that seems to have escaped from the hands of old Europe...what offends Islam...is the wests lack of reference to God, the arrogance of reason, which provokes fundamentalism...Europe appears to be at the start of its decline and fall" It must recover its Christian roots if it truly wants to survive"

ON OTHER RELIGIONS
"Objectively speaking, they are in a gravely deficient situation in comparison with those who, in the Church, have the fullness of the means of salvation."

ON CONTRACEPTION
"We cannot resolve great moral problems simply with techniques, with chemistry, but must solve them morally with a life-style"

ON THE SEXUAL ABUSE SCANDALS
"I am personally convinced that the constant presence in the press of sins of Catholic priests is a planned campaign, as the percentage of these offences among priests is not higher than in other categories"

"How much filth there is in the Church and even among those who, in the priesthood, ought to belong entirely to him"

Update: For the more up to date stories that I have written on Schapelle Corby including her recent conviction
click HERE

I watched Schapelle Corby's plea on the news for her freedom. For those of you who don't know, Schapelle is the woman who was convicted of drug smuggling in Bali, she says she is innocent.
I certainly feel that she should be brought home to Australia.
Her plea was so sad, I hope that they can find her innocent, watch the video
Here about her, she does not deserve the death penalty which she may just face. Pray for her

Here I am, back in Australia safe and sound. I had a great time in the USA, Ohio is the most beautiful place, I got to see all the spring colours, and we had a day of snow too, so I got a bit of everything.
Of course seeing my fiance and spending time with him was the best part of it!!
But leaving is so hard, it's really difficult to say goodbye knowing that I am going to be so far, but it's all worth it and we will be together soon.
We got to celebrate the day we saw the new Pope elected, which was awesome, I read a lot about him on the way home (well I had 24 hours to kill) and will be writing some of my new found knowlegde about him.
God bless you guys...

The mother of a twin who survived abortion seeks compensation from the hospital, for not successfully killing both babies. She also plans to tell her daughter (Jade) what happened when she is old enough.
Stacy Dow is now raising 3 year old Jade and says "I have a child now that I wasnt planning to have, and I believe the hospital should take responsibility for that"
Thanks to
prolife blogs for this story.

Lately I have been left feeling so sad about things I see in the news lately, missing children, murders, sex offenders, children getting violent in schools etc.
These stories really show some of the disrespect of life out there, more and more people dont see the value in life, others are pro choice and say it's ok to choose abortion as if it's their right to choose life or death.
Another thing is that some Churches say it's ok to be pro choice, gay and marry the same sex.
Life is being disrespected more and more it seems and some say it's ok.

I am pleased to hear that we now have our new Pope, and I am more glad that he is a conservative man, although this will not be good news to the liberals of the world.
This is a great day, congratulations Pope Benedict XVI.

PRAYER FOR THE POPE

Lord Jesus Christ,
You willed to build Your Church on Peter the Rock
and the Popes who have suceeded him through the ages.
Pour forth Your grace on our Holy Father
that he may be a living sign and an indefatigable promoter
of the unity of the Church.
Help him to proclaim Your message to all people
and to listen to the message that comes to him
from the consensus of all it's members
and from the world You made.
make him serve others after Your example
and in accord with his traditional title
"Servant of the servants of God"
Unite us closely to him
and make us docile to his teachings

I'm still here in the USA, enjoying everything about it too!! Which is why I haven't blogged a great deal, there is so much out there in the news so I certainly have a lot to write about.
The Terri Schiavo death was pretty sad and I am still dissapointed with the outcome, but as a Christian I do know she is in good hands now, lets not forget her family who are left behind and been through so much.
Lets also not forget to pray for the new Pope, whomever it may be, as we remember John Paul II who we miss so much already.
My fiance and I went to a pre-cana semminar, it's a semminar for engaged couples, we had a great time and it was a very worthwhile experience. He writes on it herehere
Although I havent written much I am still reading all of your blogs on my links list and more.
Take care everyone!!!

I read that connecticut's Episcopal Bishop has warned 6 priests in the state who opposed the election of the first openly gay bishop, that they could be removed as rectors of their parish by friday.
Bishop Andrew D. Smith says that they have abandoned the communion of the Church.

Personally I do not agree with much of anything the Episcopal Church stands for.

Last night I had the pleasure of going to see Bill Mallonee in concert with Jonathan and David
I had not heard of him before and it was great! He has a great musical talent and also makes some neat conversation.
What I really liked the most were his lyrics, I would say everyone would relate to some of his songs.
He is a Catholic and also mentions the Lord in his music.
It was a great night and he gave Jonathan and I a free CD after we mentioned we are engaged.
I had a great time and can now enjoy his CD
His site is here

It's just so wrong, yet again we hear about another person being killed by the cruel means of nutritional deprivation.
Here I talk about Mae Margourik who is not terminally ill. Read more of the story at
Life Matters

I have arrived in the USA!!! Will write soon

We will never forget you

The heartbreaking news about Pope John Paul II's death this morning came as a surprise, even though I knew it would happen.
I became a Catholic late last year, and the Pope is one person I had to look at before I made my decision.
I needed to know who he was, where he stood morally and what he did for the world, if I wasnt going to see something Godly and special in him then I certainly could not be a part of the Church.
After knowing more about him, I felt comfortable and secure, I knew that this was a great man.
Rest in peace wonderful Holy Father , thank you for who you were and your work, continue to your work in heaven.
This is such a sad day

I took a vote on http://ninemsn.com.au and it was about whether Terri Schiavo should have been allowed to die.
The majority voted "NO" it was a more pleasant vote that I have seen in the past, the most surprising one was that 70% of Americans thought Terri should die.

I thought the statement brought out by the Schindler family was wonderful, all the thank you's the voice for Terri etc, it was just so heartwarming.
This family did all the could for their daughter and sister, what a remarkable love
You can read the statement
HERE

The condition of the holy father seems to have gotten worse, I didnt think that it was as bad as I have read it is.
He has been great and has battled on so well.
Keep him in your prayers at this time