I finished up Edith Steins book Self Portrait in Letters right before Christmas. She was heavily influenced by Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross. I am now reading The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, Volume 1. I've found the introduction by Kieran Kavanaugh O.C.D. to be very helpful for me in understanding the times of St. Teresa of Avila.
I keep a notebook of quotes from books that I read. If time allows, I'd like to transfer some of the notes to here.
"His main sickness was a very severe pain in his shoulders which never left him. Sometimes it hurt him so much he was in agony. I told him that since he was so devoted to the memory of when the Lord carried the burden of the cross that His Majesty thought He would like to make him experience something of what He suffered with that pain. This comforted my father so much that it seems that I never heard him complain again. " - Chapter 7, section 16
Monday, December 31, 2007
Enjoying the Christmas Season
This is our Christmas photo. We had so much fun planning and setting up for the photo shoot. We ended up using the first picture snapped since the rest show a baby rolling over and trying to crawl away.
I am so glad I listened to that inner whisper back in November. I had one of the most wonderful Advents in spite of everyone being sick. Now that we are in the Christmas season, we are still dealing with illnesses but we are feeling the joy of our Saviour's birth.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Emmanuel - God with Us
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
2 Corinthians 12:8
During my prayer time today, I realized that I’ve overcome a huge obstacle in life this week. When I worry, I become paralyzed in fear and then end up getting sick and often feel like fainting. It’s a horrible thing that I struggle with every time one of my children is sick or gets injured.
On Monday, I called the doctor about my baby who was running a fever for a few days. I set up an appointment for that afternoon. I drove the two of us to the appointment. That was big!
You see, my dh has taken the children to doctor appts. for the last 6 yrs. because of my fears. I didn’t think anything of it, when my dh came home for the appt. I was preparing the diaper bag and getting the insurance information together because I was going. When my dh came home, he thought he was going. Of course, dh was a bit dumbfounded when I said that I’d go. I just felt that I should be going this time.
As soon as I got on the road though, I began to feel queasy. “Oh, dear God, please not now. Let me get to the doctor’s appt.,” I prayed. The feeling went away only to resurface once I got to the office. Then the queasiness happened again while waiting for the doctor. The pain was so excruciating, I thought I was going to double over. “Please God, be with me.” The pain went away and I was fine again until I had to go to the pharmacy. The pain started up again. “Please, God be with me.” 15 minutes later, I made it home, exhausted from the stress of the appointment and the pharmacy run.
It only took me a few days to realize that I did something wonderful that I didn’t know I could do. I went to the doctor’s with a sick baby and I did it by myself. Well, not really. I made that trip with Emmanuel. God was with the baby and me that afternoon. He sustained me in my weakness. How appropriate for this to happen during Advent.
2 Corinthians 12:8
During my prayer time today, I realized that I’ve overcome a huge obstacle in life this week. When I worry, I become paralyzed in fear and then end up getting sick and often feel like fainting. It’s a horrible thing that I struggle with every time one of my children is sick or gets injured.
On Monday, I called the doctor about my baby who was running a fever for a few days. I set up an appointment for that afternoon. I drove the two of us to the appointment. That was big!
You see, my dh has taken the children to doctor appts. for the last 6 yrs. because of my fears. I didn’t think anything of it, when my dh came home for the appt. I was preparing the diaper bag and getting the insurance information together because I was going. When my dh came home, he thought he was going. Of course, dh was a bit dumbfounded when I said that I’d go. I just felt that I should be going this time.
As soon as I got on the road though, I began to feel queasy. “Oh, dear God, please not now. Let me get to the doctor’s appt.,” I prayed. The feeling went away only to resurface once I got to the office. Then the queasiness happened again while waiting for the doctor. The pain was so excruciating, I thought I was going to double over. “Please God, be with me.” The pain went away and I was fine again until I had to go to the pharmacy. The pain started up again. “Please, God be with me.” 15 minutes later, I made it home, exhausted from the stress of the appointment and the pharmacy run.
It only took me a few days to realize that I did something wonderful that I didn’t know I could do. I went to the doctor’s with a sick baby and I did it by myself. Well, not really. I made that trip with Emmanuel. God was with the baby and me that afternoon. He sustained me in my weakness. How appropriate for this to happen during Advent.
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