On December 14th, 2023 The Mary and Yelda Attisha Foundation and the Chaldean Holy Cross committee will be installing the Chaldean Holy Cross atop the mountain in Rancho San Diego/Jamul. This is the first cross in San Diego County for nearly 100 years, and the tallest at 36 feet. It is a steel cross wrapped in gold aluminum sheeting with beautiful red and blue accents. A special Chinook Helicopter will be transporting the cross and installing it on its foundation. Click here for a livestream link of the event
For more information visit The Chaldean Holy Cross
I was asked to come on board the Mary and Yelda Attisha Foundation by my father, Sam Attisha. But any time someone tasks me with something, I immediately feel a spotlight is shown on my weaknesses.
“Hey don’t you know I am quite the procrastinator…I don’t feel I have much to offer…Uhh, are you sure you want me to help you?”
But like in all people, we each have individual gifts and talents, bestowed upon us by God, our Creator. And what I do love, is digging deep, thinking, exploring the depths of my mind, and pulling, extracting, dissecting, and most importantly, feeling. And using those feelings to deliver a clear and concise flow of words that tells a story to the reader, that takes them on a journey.
And this journey is a beautiful one… it starts at the beginning of time, but for the sake of brevity I will fast forward a bit to memories of my grandparents, Mary and Yelda Attisha. Two awesome souls from Iraq that had seven children, and took upon the task, of teaching and sharing the love of the Lord to their children.
And I am the utmost grateful. For quite literally they built the familial foundation on love. And when you build something on God’s love you are like the house built upon the rock. And no matter the storms or the winds that beat upon the house, it will not fall.
There are some memories of my grandparents that stick out in my mind. I do recall the ticking sound in my grandma’s (Mama Mary’s) heart. She was one of the first to receive a heart transplant in Iraq. And I remember her retreating away from the family crowds many times to pray the rosary in a quiet area. It is probably where I got my introversion from. And when she passed away, I, at the young age of 7, put on some black leather pants, in solidarity with everyone wearing the solemn funeral attire, and trotted around in my backyard thinking I looked like Michael Jackson.
My grandpa Yelda (Baba Yelda) was a strong man. You never wanted to get too wild around him as a child or you would get yelled at. Despite his strong demeanor, his love shined through, and if you asked him for some of his beautifully cut tomato and cucumber salad he was always happy to share with you. I didn’t know why his orange juice tasted a bit funny as well, but I know, now, his drink of choice was a screwdriver. Baba Yelda was always smoking cigarettes, and us young cousins, always wanted to try one. Our dads would let us smoke, but it was just one time, and after a fit of coughing, we wouldn’t ask again. It was the cigarettes that led to his passing. But thankfully it led to my Dad quitting tobacco as well.
It was a joy for all of us cousins to congregate at our grandparents home, whether it was the older home in El Cajon or what seemed like to us, the big castle in La Mesa. I still today question our mother’s thinking, for sending us to Rosarito Beach, Mexico, with our dads, but it was the time of our lives. And lighting and sending fireworks as a child was quite the norm for us, and perhaps the coolest thing we got to share with one another, and by the grace of God, we all came away unscathed.
Looking back, it seems these memories were just a snap of the fingers in time. And I am reminded of the verse in James 4:14
…What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
Now this verse can seem a little disheartening to some, but to the one who hears God’s words and acts on them, this verse is reminding them that there is work we ought to do. And what my Dad is great at, is working hard for the kingdom.
And when you are working for the kingdom of God, and when you are doing things with love, with God’s love, there is no limits to how that love can move and shake and stir up the hearts of others.
Now, I cannot let these words pass, without giving credit to my Mom as well. And like the saying goes, behind every great man is a great woman. And I am truly blessed with such a great mother. And when her faith became ignited, it likewise, ignited the faith in all of her children.
My Dad was always ingraining in my mind that whatever you believe you can achieve. And what my Father has done is set out to create a beautiful monument, the Chaldean Holy Cross, for all of us to marvel at.
The Cross, the symbol of our redemption, in Christ Jesus.
The incredible, awesome, and amazing love that God has for us that he would send his only begotten Son to die for us, that we can know and love Jesus Christ, and share in the inheritance of Eternal Life.
The forgiveness and unfathomable mercy of Our God.
The most precious blood shed by our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ, that washes away our sins.
And our call as Christians to share the Good News with all in this world.
The installation of the Chaldean Holy Cross is not the end of this journey, but the beginning. And it will not be just humans praising the Lord when they see the cross, but all of the creation.
The mountains will be bowing in reverence.
The stars will be shining in awe.
The rocks will be crying out in silence.
The birds will be singing sweet praises.
I can go on and on, but I will end my words here. And perhaps, as you finish reading this, in the silence of your mind, you will begin to hear your heart singing praises for the Lord as well.
And it would be quite the challenge not to shout out loud for joy. And no matter how big or how small our work may seem, let us not put human parameters or human limitations on God’s incredible love. We are the channels by which God shares His love with the world. Let us continue to build upon and strengthen our foundation in Christ and share this with our children and future generations because there is no telling what amazing things you can do through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
So when we see this cross, and every cross, let us be transformed by the renewing of our minds, so that we may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:2). And let us all sing praises to our Lord.
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You, because by your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.
God bless you all!
Vianca Joy
Vianca Joy 