Fourth Sunday in Advent Daybook

Outside My Window
It is cold and dark. Our neighbors have put up their Christmas lights. On Christmas Eve, our entire neighborhood will have luminaries on the street. It looks so cool when we drive home from Mass.

I am Listening
to the giggles of my girls. We have a train set up under the Christmas tree. The girls have placed a camera on the train and are recording its ride.

I am so Grateful for
the time to spend with my family this weekend.

I'm Reflecting on
“Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.”
- St. Francis de Sales

This just seems so appropriate with the busyness that surrounds these final days of Advent.

I am Reading
A Darcy Christmas.

My Advent Reading
is Advent and Christmas Wisdom from G.K. Chesterton.

I am Thinking
that I have 4 more days left to finish all that I want to accomplish before Friday. Not much time really.

I am Creating
joyful anticipation for Christmas. We've all felt like this has been different than our other Advents. The girls are growing and getting involved with various activities. We don't have all those days and evenings at home like we use to have. I have a few surprises for them up my sleeve. :-)

Education
We'll continue to focus on the joys of this season.

Rhythm and Beauty
A final cleaning and baking of cookies will happen this week. Fresh greens need to be cut and put in vases.

I am Wearing
tan jeans, cream turtleneck, and my dad's barn red, wool button down shirt. I "borrowed" it from him in high school and then it became mine when I moved out. I just love how warm it keeps me.

To Live the Liturgy
We've added the O Antiphons to our evening prayer this week. It is a sure sign that Christmas is approaching.

I'm Thinking
that I'll need to reassess our Advent plans next year. I want to sit down with the girls to see what worked/what didn't work this Advent.

I am Inspired
by those who take the high road.

I am Hoping and Praying
for continued good health.
those who are facing lay offs.
those who miss loved ones especially during the next two weeks.

In the Garden
Vince did a final sweep of the leaves and branches. The tractor and yard are officially winterized now.

Around the House
Everywhere I look I see signs of children playing and creating. There are trains, Little People Christmas Village and Nativity characters, a half painted nativity set, cookie tins, and Christmas books. Now just to get them where they belong...

From the Kitchen
Our Christmas Eve menu is set: Hot hors d'oeuvres, Chicken Marsala, salad, and a surprise dessert.

One of My Favorite Things
is making Springerle cookies. I love challenge of making the imprint from the wood block. The smell and taste of these cookies remind me of Christmas from my childhood. I'm so happy to know that my girls enjoy these cookies as much as I do. It's always nicer when I can share with others.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week
I'm pretty much planning on sticking close to home this week. Vince will take a day off of work. We'll work on finalizing Christmas preparations together. And maybe, just maybe, we'll have enough time to go to Waterloo.

Emmanuel and I

Bare.

Completely pruned.

Emmanuel. God with us.

Fear.

Completely vulnerable.

Emmanuel. God with us.


I trembled before the throne of God.


Begging for His healing touch,

Pleading for another chance,

Knowing that today is the day,

My heart and soul opened.


I felt His hand upon my face.

He lifted my chin.

I lowered my eyes.

I didn't want to see His pain.

"Look at me."

I looked into His eyes and saw Love.

Pure. Unconditional.

I was loved.

"Take courage. Have hope."

"Fear is useless. What is needed is trust."


I trembled before the throne of God.


Praising Him for His healing touch,

Thanking Him for another chance,

Adoring Him for the wonderful gifts,

My heart and soul soared.


Growth.

Deeply rooted.

Emmanuel. God with us.

Courage.

Fully trusting.

Emmanuel. God with us.


Hand in hand. Step by Step.

We walk this journey together.

Day by Day. Month by Month.

We walk this journey together -

Emmanuel and I.

Feast of St. Lucia Daybook

Outside My Window
It is cold, windy, sunny and snowing a bit.

I am Listening
to the wind blowing.

I am so Grateful for
*the smell of fresh cut Christmas trees.
*the taste of Hershey's homemade hot cocoa.
*the sight of joyful faces when I ask at the last minute, "You girls up for getting a Christmas tree now?"
*the sound of Harry Connick Jr. Vince Guaraldi, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole. Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without their voices.
*the ability to walk and lift things.
*time spent with my family.

I'm Reflecting on
"Wisdom enters through love, silence, and mortification. It is great wisdom to know how to be silent and to look at neither the remarks, nor the deeds, nor the lives of others." -St. John of the Cross I've read this before but the quote has returned to me.

I am Reading
A Darcy Christmas. Ok, so it's a little sappy but honestly, I needed something fun and light-hearted after reading The Lost Art of Reading by David Ulin. That book was more like a political book. It was nothing like I expected.

My Advent Reading
is Advent and Christmas Wisdom from G.K. Chesterton.

I am Thinking
that it really is true that the time with your children goes by so quickly. Advent is just so different for me this year. The girls have been busy with practice for the Christmas play for the last three weeks. Add in basketball and the parade preparations and it seems like we're hardly home as a family this year. I'm going to hang on every last minute I can with Clare.

I am Creating
a wrapping center. The girls and I will be wrapping gifts soon. I have the wrapping paper, tape, bows, ribbons and scissors together. I'm hoping this makes things go quicker for us.

Education
This week and next week we'll focus on the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas. Of course, we'll add in some taste testing.

Rhythm and Beauty
It's funny how Advent looked like it was going to be calm. This is one of the busiest Advents yet. When the girls got speaking parts in the Christmas play, that meant play practice three times a week. It's been hectic balancing school with play practice and other activities. This is the last week of play practice. I'm looking forward to a slower pace.

I am Wearing
navy yoga pants with a grey oversized QVC sweatshirt.

To Live the Liturgy
Today is the feast of St. Lucy. My girls enjoy reading Kirsten's Surprise.

I'm Thinking
how nice it was to sit back and watch the girls decorate the tree with their ornaments we gave them each Christmas. It was neat to see their expressions and hear their stories about the ornaments or Christmases past.

I am Inspired
to keep on striving for simplicity. I tend to make more work for myself. I'm seeing the fruits of keeping things simple.


I am Hoping and Praying
for continued good health.
those who are facing lay offs.
those who miss loved ones.

In the Garden
I am tempted to plant a holly tree. I wonder if there is a miniature species available. Growing up, we had one in our front yard. It was nice at Christmas but a pain, literally, when I had to cut the grass around it.

Around the House
I really want to make a plan to sort through the things that have been accumulating in our basement. Our shelves are in need of organizing as well. I see a shopping trip to Target with lots of Rubbermaid totes in my future.


From the Kitchen
11 days are left until Christmas Eve. I need to finalize the menu for the party and make a shopping list. I think we'll also bake some cookies and perhaps make a batch or two of cookie dough.

One of My Favorite Things
Seeing the smiles on my girls when they unexpectedly ran into friends at the parade on Saturday. It was like seeing long lost friends.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week
Baking, planning, shopping and the Christmas play are all in the planner.

Feast Day of St. Nicholas Daybook

Outside My Window
It is dark. The icicle lights are blowing back and forth. It was a very blustery day with intermittent snowflakes.

I am Listening
to the turning of pages as Aislinn studies for her Latin test.

I am so Grateful for
a warm house.
Lands' End coats with hoods.
warm cars.

I'm Reflecting on
"Try to commit yourself to a plan of life and to keep to it..."
- St. Josemaria Escriva Getting to Know God #149

I am Reading
The Lost Art of Reading by David Ulin. I just picked this book up yesterday at the library.

My Advent Reading
is Advent and Christmas Wisdom from G.K. Chesterton.

I am Thinking
that every time I think I'm done shopping for Christmas gifts, I remember someone else. So many people have come into our life this year. It's important to me that I show a token of appreciation. I really do need to make a master list for next year.

I am Creating
a Hansel and Gretel Christmas tree. We have candy canes, faux gingerbread cookies and a real gum drop wreath garland. I hope to add sugar cookies to the tree and maybe a few more surprises. We have a Hansel and Gretel gingerbread house too.

Education
We are working on an Advent Alphabet book. Last week was A-E. This week the letters are F-J. We'll have to double up a few letters next week and the week after.

Rhythm and Beauty
We eat our meals in the dining room which opens up to the living room. I've noticed since putting the Christmas tree in the living room that we've been eating breakfast by "tree light." A little elf has been turning on the tree lights and plugging in the fireplace mantle lights. It really does look nice at 6 am.

I am Wearing
tan Lands' End jeans, a red turtleneck and my old comfortable Esprit navy wool sweater. Is Esprit even around anymore?

To Live the Liturgy
Today is the feast of St. Nicholas. One of my favorite books to read is A Baker's Dozen.

I'm Thinking
how blessed I've been to spend so many Advents with my girls and to create memories. I didn't realize how fast time would go and how fast things change.

I am Inspired
by the book A Fairy Tale Christmas. I love creating magical moments with my girls.

I am Hoping and Praying
for continued good health.
for all those souls that have gone before us.
in thanksgiving for a friends recovery from back surgery.

In the Garden
I trimmed back the boxwood to use the branches for decorating the auction rooms last month. Now I don't have much for decorating my own home. I did notice that there are two very tiny boxwood plants that are growing in the front garden. I'd like to transplant those in the spring.

Around the House
I'm finishing up my current decluttering mission. I'm filling up the van with bags and bags of clothes, toys and household items. I can not wait to bless others later this week.

From the Kitchen
We made Specuulas cookies in the shape of St. Nicholas. I outlined the cookie and added the miter and staff with icing.

One of My Favorite Things
the picture in my mind of Clare wearing sneakers and her pink winter coat over her striped pajamas. Too, too, cute...

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week
I'm on a costume search with every other church and school doing a Christmas play. I need to find female generic Jewish attire for the upcoming Christmas play. I know I don't have the time to make these items.

First Sunday in Advent Daybook

Outside My Window
It is cold and dark. I see the reflection of the mini white lights hanging from the mantle.

I am Listening
to the girls playing with the Fisher-Price Little People Christmas town and Nativity set.

I am so Grateful for
laughter.
a warm home.
mini white lights.

I'm Reflecting on
“Joy is the holy fire that keeps our purpose warm and our intelligence aglow.”
- Helen Keller

I am Reading
Tea with Jane Austen . The Austen family had to keep their tea and sugar under lock and key due to the high cost of these items. I'm glad I don't have to do that.

My Advent reading is Advent and Christmas Wisdom from G.K. Chesterton. I'm looking forward to spending time with Chesterton.

I am Thinking
that I really need to exercise more often than I have been. I can not believe how sore I still am from the Black Friday shopping and wrapping.

I am Creating
a warm, inviting place to prepare our hearts and home for the Christ Child. The Advent candle has been lit. I have the Advent Calendar and the Jesse Tree ready. This year we will read Destination Bethlehem as our family devotion. This is my absolute favorite time of year.

Education
I think we will look at how Christmas is celebrated around the world. We'll use lots of Christmas picture books.


Rhythm and Beauty
We're decorating with candles, mini white lights and some greenery right now. It's very simple looking now. Little by little, we'll add to the decor.

I am Wearing
jeans and a brown argyle sweater with a pink turtleneck.

To Live the Liturgy
Today is the start of the new liturgical year. The gospel readings will be from St. Matthew this year.

I'm thinking
that kindness goes a lot further then rudeness. Why do people continue to be rude?

I am inspired
to slow down and keep Advent simple so that I can enjoy this time with the girls. I can not believe how much they continue to grow and change.


I am Hoping and Praying
for those prayer intentions that have been given to me.
for continued good health.

In the Garden
we have put mini colored lights over the bushes.

Around the House
I'm sorting through drawers and cabinets. We have so much but use so little. It is time to give these things a new home.

From the Kitchen
I can smell the sugar cookies the girls made today. I hope to make a few batches of cookie dough this week. I will be gathering the ingredients for the St. Nicholas cookies. I think we'll make them next weekend.

One of My Favorite Things
is Black Friday shopping. I generally despise shopping but there is something about getting up early one day a year and shopping for bargains that energizes me.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week
Basketball practice, the Jane Austen Book Club and our Christmas Fairy Tale tea will happen this week. Our Fairy Tale tea theme this year is Hansel and Gretel. I will finish decorating the living room and work on the tea menu.

All Saints' Day

I absolutely love this version of the Litany of the Saints. This is from Pope Benedict's visit to the United States in 2008.

Blessed Damian of Fulcheri, OP

Today is the feast day of Blessed Damian of Fulcheri, OP also known as Blessed Damian of Finaro.

Damian was born in Finaro, Italy in the 1400's. When he was a baby, Damian was kidnapped. Frantic, Damian's parents sought the intercession of our Blessed Mother. Those searching for the missing baby saw a light which caught their attention. Upon further investigation of this light, they discovered the kidnapped baby. The baby was brought back to his parents. They rejoiced at the wonderful site of their baby. Many talked for days about the miraculous light. When he was older, Damian became a well known Domincan preacher.

I think Blessed Damian would make a good patron saint of kidnapped children.

Doing It All with God's Help

"If you have too much to do, with God's help, you will find time to do it all."
- St. Peter Canisus.

This was on my home page one day not too long ago. I read it first thing in the morning and chuckled to myself, "If you have too much to do, then you have too many things on your list." I close out my home page and began my morning work.

Mid morning I had some computer work to do. Unfortunately, I couldn't access the internet. There was a problem with the filter. 3 service calls and 4 hours later I still hadn't resolved my problem. My work list was hardly touched and I had 30 minutes to get things done.

Then that quote from earlier in the morning came to mind but in a different light. I felt like God was teaching me a lesson about laughing at such a quote. My list to do was suppose to be managable but I didn't anticipate being sidetracked with a 4 hour computer issue. I quickly said a prayer for wisdom to know what had to get done in those 30 minutes and what I could do the next day. Sure enough, God showed me what could be done in those 30 minutes.

October Daybook

Outside My Window
it is raining and windy.

I am Listening
to Monday Night Football. The Giants are beating the Cowboys (38-20) on Monday Night Football.

I am so Grateful for
my husband who knows just how to get me laugh so hard that I cry.
beautiful autumn days.
DVRs. I love how I can fast forward through commercials and record a program that I'd normally miss.

I'm Reflecting on
"If you have too much to do, with God's help, you will find time to do it all." - St. Peter Canisus. I've been working on streamlining my "to do" lists: Needs vs. Wants. Sure does change my perspective

I am Reading
Emily of Deep Valley by Maud Hart Lovelace. I discovered this author a few years ago and just loved her characters of Betsy, Tacy and Tib. I loved reading about the early 1900's and how things were changing with so many inventions. It reminded me a lot of where we are now with inventions constantly changing our lives.

I am Thinking
that somehow I quietly became a "meat and potato" girl and lost my taste for "champagne and cavier." I'm not sure when or how it happened but it did. It's a good thing.

I am Creating
menu plans for the next few weeks, including Thanksgiving. I'm trying to take advantage of the grocery store sales.

Education
We're going to St. Charles Boremeo Seminary this week for a tour.

Rhythm and Beauty
We're decorating with Autumn in mind. Lots of pumpkins are around the house.

I am Wearing
plaid pants and my gray University of Penn. sweatshirt.

To Live the Liturgy
I've been reading To Be Like Jesus by Sr. Ann Shields. It's been wonderful to tie in the Sunday Gospel Readings with this book. I sure hope that there will be another book to go with the 2011 Ordinary time readings.

I'm thinking
I spend waayyy too much time worrying about what others think of me. Yet, I don't spend enough time wondering what God thinks of me. Hmm... Got to work on that.

I am inspired
by ordinary people leading their lives in extraordinary ways. Heroes are amongst us everyday.

I am Hoping and Praying
for those prayer intentions that have been given to me.
for continued good health.

In the Garden
I'm trying to get to the weeds before they completely take over.

Around the House
I'm working on going through books and giving away those that we don't "love."

From the Kitchen
Menu Planning is helping out a great deal. It's really making me think about what we have in the hosue and what we need to get. Life is much easier with menu planning

One of My Favorite Things Baseball - World Series - Rangers vs. Giants. Go Cliff Lee!

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week
We have the last soccer game of the season this Saturday. Halloween is around the corner and we're still figuring out costumes. I bought the candy (Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, York Peppermint Patties and Kit Kats) a few weeks ago while shopping at Target. I've learned the hard way that it is better to buy early than to buy late.

July 8th Daybook

Outside My Window
The grass is turning brown where it doesn't get shade. We've been having temperatures in the high 90's all week and no rain for almost two weeks.

I am Listening
to the gentle breathing of Clare while she sleeps. She doesn't want me to leave her side. Clare woke up at 5:30 this morning not feeling well. Clare hasn'ts been able to hold anything down this morning. Her little body is exhausted.

I am so Grateful for
for air conditioning. I can only imganine what life was like for my ancestors during these hot and humid days.

I'm Pondering
"Before you speak, it is necessary for you to listen, for God speaks in the silence of the heart."
-Mother Theresa

I am Reading
Inner Compass: An Invitation to Ignation Spirituality by Margaret Silf
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

I am Thinking
that those farmers and shopkeepers in Concord, Mass. and the "rag tag" army of the Revolutionary Army were much braver men than I ever gave them credit. That's all I seem to think about these last few days. It was David vs. Goliath - 1776 Style.

I am Creating
or at least I am trying to create an atmosphere at home where my children can speak to me and I listen, not hear, but truely listen to what is on their hearts. 

Education
Watercolors, real ones!  It's a learning curve figuring out the blending techniques.

Rhythm and Beauty
I have brought out my strawberry and blueberry scented candles to light in the fireplace. Candles bring peace to the room and remind me to pray whenever I see them throughout the day.

I am Wearing
a navy "West Philly Habitat for Humanity" t-shirt and denim shorts. This is the second out for the day.

To Live the Liturgy
Getting to the Liturgy of the Hours has been a real struggle. When life is going well, it's easier to find the time to do the prayers and readings. It's when life throws me a curve ball, like an unexpected illness or a family need, that I loose the time and momentum to open the book. I find it ironic because that's the time that I most need those words to minister to my heart and soul.

I am Hoping and Praying
for healing.
for peace among the nations.
those grieving the loss of a loved one.

In the Garden
Vince has built a trellis for the grape vines. Though this 8 ft by 10 ft. manly, metal trellis is not at all feminine, I love it. It was built out of love and was a surprise over the weekend.

Around the House
Our bathrooms and floors are sparkling and it's not because of my good housekeeping. Two of my children have had a stomach virus during the last two weeks. A towel and beach bucket go from room to room. There have been 3 weeks in the last 3 months where no one was sick. Shortly after the First Holy Communion, the girls started to get sick. An illness in one form or another has going on almost ever since.

From the Kitchen
It's too hot to eat much this week. All I'm interested in eating are foods that can be served cold: cole slaw, mixed salad, fresh seasonal fruit, raw vegetables. Popsicles always seem to help us cool down too.

One of My Favorite Things
On these hot days, I love tending to the garden at 6 am. There is a newness to the day which brings me much hope.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week
Inaugural Jane Austen Book Club Meeting this weekend
A sweet 16 birthday party

July 4th Weekend Daybook

Outside My Window
Hostas with their lavender flowers are blooming.  Small American flags are interspersed between the hostas.  Independence Day is near!

I am Listening 
to the birds singing.  Clare yells out, "Sing with me, birdies."  She hears them sing back to her.  "Thank you, birdies," she replies.

I am so Grateful for
my health.
electricity.
a break in the humidity.
a husband who is able to help out with doctor visits.
wisdom to say the encouraging words my daughters need to hear.

I'm Pondering
"Walk with simplicity in  the way of the Lord and do not torment your spirit. Learn to hate your faults, but to hate them calmly." - St. Padre Pio

I am Reading
The Jesuit Guide to Almost Everything: A Spirituality for Real Life by James Martin, SJ
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

I am Thinking
that I should start to declutter our basement.  We have way too much stuff that could be used and loved by others.

I am Creating
this daybook so that I can be more intentional in my daily living.  I also like the idea of looking back to see where God has been with me in the good times and the bad times.

Education
We've been enjoying bible camps and history camps these past two weeks.  Lots of fun and learning going on here. 

Rhythm and Beauty
I've been pouring through seasonal recipe books for new summer meal ideas. I like to keep the foods simple, fresh and chilled in the summer.  I just need new ideas for presentation.

I am Wearing
Tan shorts and a 3/4 length peach shirt.

To Live the Liturgy
My morning and evening quiet times have gotten shorter with the longer days.  I'm struggling with reading the Liturgy of the Hours with our summer schedule.

I am Hoping and Praying
for healing. 
for peace among the nations.

In the Garden
The ground hog and rabbits are eating whatever fruits and vegetables are not protected by a cage.  I am not a happy gardener.

Around the House
We are getting ready for the 4th of July weekend.  We have flags, music and the Patriotic Little People toys out.  

From the Kitchen
Watermelon and fresh strawberries with milk are a favorite snack this week. 

One of My Favorite Things
Listening to my girls dream of their future jobs.  They are so full of hope.  I need to hear hope in their voices when the television and newspaper scream anything but hope for the future. 

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week
Holiday weekend food shopping and cooking
Snow cones
Fireworks

The Paradoxical Commandments

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.

- Dr. Kent M. Keith

Mother's Day Daybook

Outside my Window
there are "helicopter seeds" all over the yard.

I am Listening to
the sound of "gemstones" being put into a glass jar.

I am so Grateful for
my husband who guided all of us through the various snake lines at the airports.
a safe trip to Disney and back.
wisdom to say the encouraging words my daughters need to hear.

I'm Pondering
From The American Experience show at Epcot - "So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance." - FDR

I am Reading
The Gift of an Ordinary Day - a Mother's Memoir. I can relate to a lot of what the author shares about her life.

I am Thinking
how much happier I am when I don't have to deal with heat and humidity on a daily basis.

I am Creating
a garden plan of some sort. It's been another busy spring. My garden plans have been lacking but now is the time to plant.

Education
We'll be working on our travel journals and maps to recap our vacation.

Rhythm and Beauty
I need to work on my menu plan again. I let that slip with vacation preparations. I will look for some new seasonal meals.

I am Wearing
Yoga pants and a top.

Living the Liturgy
I haven't done the Liturgy of the Hours for the last week or so. I want to get back to that this week. It anchors me to God throughout the day and helps me to regroup so that I can be a better person.

I am Hoping and Praying
that my husband and girls get well soon.
for peace among the nations.

In the Garden
The hostas are huge this year! It's been nine years since I planted them. They are covering up the tulips. No tulips this year. I'll have to transplant the tulips to a different location.

Around the House
I had fresh flowers in vases for the last month or so. It really made a difference. I'd like to bring in flowers from the garden this spring.

In the kitchen
Fresh fruit salad was a surprise dessert the girls made tonight. Delicious!
One of My Favorite Things
Watching Clare hug her sisters makes me smile.

Looking Ahead
We host the Little Flowers meeting on Thursday. Four more meetings and we finish the program. I sometimes wondered if the program was for the moms as well as the daughters. There has been so much that I learned about saints and virtues over the course of the last three years.

Litany of Humility

One of the things that was brought to mind during my Lenten journey was the fact that I lack humility. It's hard to admit but it is true.

I found this prayer to be very helpful. It was written by Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val. He was the Secretary of State for Pope Saint Pius X.

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.

From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being loved...
From the desire of being extolled ...
From the desire of being honored ...
From the desire of being praised ...
From the desire of being preferred to others...
From the desire of being consulted ...
From the desire of being approved ...

From the fear of being humiliated ...
From the fear of being despised...
From the fear of suffering rebukes ...
From the fear of being calumniated ...
From the fear of being forgotten ...
From the fear of being ridiculed ...
From the fear of being wronged ...
From the fear of being suspected ...

That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be esteemed more than I ...
That, in the opinion of the world,
others may increase and I may decrease ...
That others may be chosen and I set aside ...
That others may be praised and I unnoticed ...
That others may be preferred to me in everything...
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should…

Daybook

I'm thinking that children ought to act like children and adults ought to act like adults.

I am inspired to slow down and smell the roses. The flowers on the trees and in the garden are just stunning right now.

I am reading Pray and Never Lose Heart by Sr. Ann Shields.

I am looking forward to taking a day off and spending it with Vince.

I am wearing jeans, aqua/peach plaid shirt and a peach hooded sweater with white Keds.

I am listening to my girls singing a song that they composed themselves and laughing at the silliness of the lyrics.

I am reflecting on how wonderful it is to teach my daughters about the gift of Eucharist and God's Divine Mercy through Reconciliation.

I am grateful for a loving and supportive family and friends who prayed me through my Lenten journey.

I am hoping to bring some more beauty to my day by having fresh cut flowers in the house.

Troubles

You are worried.

Listen: happen what may in your interior life or in the world that surrounds you, never forget that the importance of events or of people is very relative.

Take things calmly; let time pass; and then, as you view persons and happenings dispassionately and from afar, you will acquire the perspective that will enable you to see each thing in its proper place and in its true size.

If you do this, you will be more objective and you will spare yourself many causes of anxiety.

– St. Josemaria Escriva, The Way, #702

An Unexpected Gift

Oh, how I love the Christmas season, a time of hope, joy and peace.  The candles and tree lights shed light in the dark and give warmth in the cold.

It was the last day that the church would be decorated for the Christmas season. I knelt in the pew when I returned from Holy Communion. In front of me was the creche with a beautiful Infant Jesus.

Silent Night.  Holy Night. All is calm. All is bright.

Calm. That's how I felt. Deep peace rested in my heart. The Christmas trees twinkled with small white lights.  Red berry clusters were tucked into the branches of the Christmas tree. It was a picture I wanted to remember.

I closed my eyes and thought about Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, and the Magi. They were all there at the stable to worship the newborn King.

When I opened my eyes, I was drawn to the crucified Christ. How quick and abrupt a scene from the one I just was pondering about seconds earlier!

New Life

to

Death on a Cross

to

New Life again.

I was filled with such an awesome feeling of being in the presence of Holiness.  Like the figures in the creche, I was worshipping the King of Kings. What a wonderful gift to receive.

I can only imagine
What it will be like
When I walk
By your side

I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When your face
Is before me
I can only imagine

I can only imagine

[Chorus:]
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus or in honour of you be still
Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine

I can only imagine

I can only imagine
When that day comes
When I find myself
Standing in the Son

I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever
Forever worship You
I can only imagine

I can only imagine

[Chorus]

I can only imagine [x2]

I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever, forever worship you

I can only imagine

St. Francis de Sales

For the past few years, I've been picking a saint that I'm drawn to and learning more about that saint. This year it is St. Francis de Sales. A priest recently quoted St. Francis de Sales and at that moment, I knew that 2010 would be the year that I devote myself to learn about him.

“Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections.”
-St. Francis de Sales

I think I'm going to like this year.

Living a Dream and Letting It Go

Growth.

It is happening all the time.

Even when I don't want to see it, it is happening.

My girls are growing right before my very eyes.

When I was a toddler and I hoped that what ever was in front of me would disappear, I'd close my eyes, tight, real tight.

Whatever "it" was, it never did go away.

I've been trying that technique now for several years.

It's not working.

I've closed my eyes real tight and thought that maybe, just maybe, my girls will just stay the same age. They didn't.

They grew and changed.

I am sad.

All of those years of hoping and dreaming of a family... It's here. I am living my dream

and

yet

I am sad.

My dream is passing by so quickly. I hold on so tightly. I don't want to let it go. It starts to slip from my finger tips.

No. Please. Not now.

I'm not ready.

It's gone.

My dreams are no longer my dreams.

They are God's dreams.

He has dreams for my daughters.

"No," He tells me. "They are not your daughters. They are my daughters."

He has dreams for His daughters?

He has dreams for His daughters. I repeat it over and over.

HE has dreams for HIS daughters!

I'm elated! I am filled with joy, excitement, anticipation!

I kneel before my King and slowly open my fists that held those dreams ever so tightly. I raise my open hands and I praise my King.

Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

Courage

Stillness.

God has called me to be still and know He is God. It is humbling.

He has pruned me to where I feel completely bare. I look and wonder. Will there be new growth? Ever?

I rest in my Lord's arms. Then slowly, cautiously, I get up. I look at myself and see that there is new growth. The tiniest hint of green on the brown stem. I am thrilled.

I am scared too. How do I keep this little hint of life from dying? Oh, Lord, please, tell me.

Silently, in the quiet of my heart, He tells me. I need the Son, His Son. I need Water, the Living Water. I need good soil. I need to be rooted in His Word.

I am still. Again. How do I do this? What if I make a mistake? What if I fail? What if...

Courage. That is what I need.

That is I will be seeking this year. Courage.


Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

-Deuteronomy 31:6