Deo Gratias - Rivers and Rainbows

If the only prayer you ever say in your life

 is thank you, it will be enough." - Meister Eckhart

Deo Gratias is Latin for "Thanks be to God." Remembering to give thanks for all of our blessings, big and small, helps us to find God in our everyday moments and gives us an attitude of gratitude! I invite you to share your blessings here on Wednesdays. Be sure to sign into Mr. Linky below and grab the button to put on your blog!

1. Balloons. I saw a hot air balloon this morning on my way to work! Gee, these trips to work have brought me lots of great sights! This balloon was sailing over the water as I crossed the river. Would have loved to take a picture, but not while I am driving over a river! Thank you, Lord.
2. Rainbows. I saw a rainbow on my way home from work as I crossed the river (go figure). We are trying to sell our house and move to the other side of the river so I am closer to work. But I will miss these sights every day! Thank you, Lord.
3. Hubby. My husband is doing much better. Thank you all for your prayers. Thank you, Lord.
4. Giftcards. I loved receiving giftcards for Mothers Day! Last weekend, hubby and I went out to eat at a favorite restaurant and then went to favorite book store. Had fun and got a book besides! Hubby got a new cookbook. There goes my diet! Thank you, Lord.
5. Blogging friends. I can't say it enough. I appeciate all my blogging buddies and all you do in your writing and sharing and praying. This blogging community is a great place to visit and make friends. Thank you, Lord.

Light in the Darkness - A Child Teaches Us

Maria at Four Blessings Academy is hosting an uplifting new meme for every Monday called Light in the Darkness. Here we share stories of hope and joy. We can link to a news article or video or tell a story from our own lives. Post about your story and then link to Maria's blog. There is enough negativity in this world. Let's spread some joy and light up the darkness!

Awesome story here. And a reminder to all of us to teach and spread the word!

Come, Holy Spirit!

"The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” - John 14:26

Jesus tells us that the Father will send to us an Advocate to teach us. An Advocate who will be with us always and will reveal the presence and the love of our Father.
An Advocate who will direct us, teach us to pray, and whisper in our hearts that we are the beloved children of God.
An Advocate who knows what is best for us and will help us to speak when we need to speak. And what we need to speak.
One time after giving a retreat, a woman I know through my parish came up to me and said that she was just amazed. She knew me only as someone who was rather introverted and quiet. "But today," she said, "I did not recognize you."
I told her that was because it was not just me speaking. I told her that she heard the Holy Spirit speaking through me to her heart. That it happened all the time when I gave retreats. I can almost tell the exact moment when I finally let go and trust and let the Holy Spirit give me the words I hope will move others.
She told me that she had never experienced that before. And tears welled up in her eyes. And in mine.
Lord, thank you for sending us your Spirit. Thank you for sending us the Holy Spirit who guides and teaches and reveals God's love for us today and every day. Help us to choose the right words when we need them. Help us to pay attention to the movements of the Spirit in our lives and in our hearts. Amen.

Sunday Snippets - May 19

This is the weekly Catholic Carnival! Be sure to visit RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing and check out some posts from other bloggers participating in Sunday Snippets this week. Why not join us and share a blog post or two from last week?

Here are my contributions for this week:

1. Sabbath Moments - Lectio Divina

2. Giving Joyful Witness

3. Light in the Darkness - A Joyful Reunion

4. Deo Gratias - Family Fun

Sabbath Moments - Little Moments

Sabbath moments are a way of taking time to rest in God, to enjoy God in silence or in nature. The word sabbath comes from a Hebrew word meaning "cease." And that is what we need to do sometimes, cease our activity and live in the moment and breathe in God.

I invite you to share your Sabbath moment(s) here on Saturdays. Be sure to sign into Mr. Linky below!

1. Read here about the new app launched by Pope Francis Friday! It is called Missio and will help user stay up to date on Catholic news from the Vatican and around the world. including the pope's daily homilies, etc. It is from Pontifical Missions society.
I include this here because some of my sabbath moments come from reading the Holy Father's homilies, whenever I can find them. Now I will have them right on my phone or ipad.
Plus, just the idea that Pope Francis is blessing this app and launching it himself really gives me the goosebumps! Another way of making us all feel a part of the universal church, the family of Catholics. It gives me that close "family" feeling.
2. Had a meeting of the Adoration ministry at our parish to plan our Corpus Christi Holy Hour. Shared some thoughts about adoration and read some quotes that were really moving, from popes and from scripture. Really an awesome time of sharing our love for for Jesus and His gift of the Eucharist.
3. Eucharistic adoration in the middle of the night. Love that silent peaceful time with the Lord.
4. Other than the hour of Adoration, I had a hard time finding quiet moments this week with the Lord. Too much going on! This is when I have to really pay attention and make it happen. And get creative. Conversations with God on my drive to work. Reading devotionals. Reading scripture in the quiet house after my husband goes to bed. I look for little sabbath moments.

Deo Gratias - Family Fun

If the only prayer you ever say in your life

 is thank you, it will be enough." - Meister Eckhart

Deo Gratias is Latin for "Thanks be to God." Remembering to give thanks for all of our blessings, big and small, helps us to find God in our everyday moments and gives us an attitude of gratitude! I invite you to share your blessings here on Wednesdays. Be sure to sign into Mr. Linky below and grab the button to put on your blog!

1. We had a big family party last weekend for my granddaughter who graduated from college. A lot of fun and tears of joy! Thank you, Lord.
2. I had a quiet Mother's Day which was fine for me as I was totally wiped out. But I heard from both of my sons and my hubby made me a special dinner! Thank you, Lord.
3. Weather has been less humid and therefore quite spring-like in the mornings and evenings which I just love. We do not have many spring days in Florida. Thank you, Lord.
4. I do not have a green thumb and I have tried to plant roses near my home but nothing doing. They never seemed to last long. However, there were 3 rose bushes here when we moved here several years ago and every once in a while, one of them will show off a rose or two. Well, one of them did this week! A beautiful red rose. Awesome. Thank you, Lord.
5. I am involved with Adoration ministry at my church. Besides going to adoration, I also call people together to plan holy hours like the one we will be having for Corpus Christi. It is such a blessing to be a part of it as I so love and adore the Eucharist. What a blessing God has given us! Deo Gratias!

Light in the Darkness - A Joyful Reunion

Maria at Four Blessings Academy is hosting an uplifting new meme for every Monday called Light in the Darkness. Here we share stories of hope and joy. We can link to a news article or video or tell a story from our own lives. Post about your story and then link to Maria's blog. There is enough negativity in this world. Let's spread some joy and light up the darkness!

I have seen this video many many times. If you have not seen it, you will be amazed. It is just a heartwarming animal story (animal stories grab me all the time and make me smile). If you want the full story, you can go to youtube and get a longer version of this.

Giving Joyful Witness

You are witnesses of these things. - (Luke 24:48)

The idea that the apostles would witness to Jesus' presence in their midst would have amazed me at that time. Before that day, they were too afraid to admit they even knew Jesus, never mind start telling others about him.
When they experienced the resurrection, everything began to change for them. Their eyes and hearts were opened. They were no longer afraid. They no longer felt abandoned or alone.
They had experienced his resurrection. They knew he was not really leaving them. They knew their lives would never be the same.
And not only did they give witness, but they did so with "great joy." (Luke 24:52)
An encounter with the risen Christ changes everything for us. Once we experience His presence in our lives, our eyes and hearts are opened. And we are made new.

And not only do we give witness, but we do so with great joy.
We can't help it.
Lord, I know you are here with me now. Help me to trust in that always. I know that one day I will see your face, but until that time, please help me to do as the apostles did - do you homage and praise you always. And witness to your presence with great joy. Thank you, Lord. Amen.

Sunday Snippets - May 12

This is the weekly Catholic Carnival! Be sure to visit RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing and check out some posts from other bloggers participating in Sunday Snippets this week. Why not join us and share a blog post or two from last week?

Here are my contributions for this week:

1. Sabbath Moments - Joy of Spiritual Direction

2. We Will Rejoice

3. Light in the Darkness - The Unselfish Gift

4. Deo Gratias - Grateful for Grandchildren

5. My First Audio Book

Sabbath Moments - Lectio Divina

Sabbath moments are a way of taking time to rest in God, to enjoy God in silence or in nature. The word sabbath comes from a Hebrew word meaning "cease." And that is what we need to do sometimes, cease our activity and live in the moment and breathe in God.

I invite you to share your Sabbath moment(s) here on Saturdays. Be sure to sign into Mr. Linky below!

1. Spent my Friday, reading and praying and writing. A wonderful sabbath kind of day.
2. Found a great book to curl up with. Usually I read Catholic books focused on prayer or Catholic spirituality, but I also love people's stories about their spiritual journey as well. This is a non-fiction book about a woman who was a food writer, became Catholic, became a stepmom and used cooking to help bring her new family together. Delightful book - Recipe for Joy. Reading it slows me down a bit.
3. Lectio divina. I am recording some audio tapes of scripture to put on my website for people to use to help them do lectio divina. I am going to record Sunday gospel readings as well as some random scripture passages. Anyone have a favorite passage they would like to suggest? I know what you are thinking, how is this a sabbath moment? Well, when I record these passages, I find myself doing lectio divina as well!