Music Monday - Keep Christ in Christmas

This Music Monday meme is hosted by Shawntele at Saved By Grace. Join in by clicking on the Music Monday image in my sidebar. This is a great way to share your favorite songs and learn some new ones! St. Augustine said when we sing, we pray twice!

Tired of hearing about Holiday trees and Happy Holidays?!?! This video may help! I love the message!

Sabbath Sunday - Nov 29

Fr. Christian Mathis has a meme called Sabbath Sunday. You sign into Mr Linky on his site with the link for an old post instead of doing any blogging on Sunday. It can be an old post, not necessarily one from that week.
So if you wish to join in, read about Sabbath Sunday at the link above and then head on over to Blessed is the Kingdom to meet Fr. Mathis and other bloggers.

This week I am submitting a letter I wrote to Jesus about heart vs head knowledge.
Dear Jesus

Sunday Snippets - Catholic Carnival Nov 29

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:

Dear Jesus

Sabbath Moments - Gazing Heavenward

Sabbath Moment - Gazing Heavenward

Sabbath moments are the moments we rest in God, when we take time to just Be with God rather than Do. Sabbath moments are those times when we live in the moment and find the holy in the ordinary.I invite you to share your Sabbath moment(s) here on Saturdays. Be sure to sign into Mr. Linky below. If you don't have a blog, share about it in a comment! Hope you will join us!

Yesterday we celebrated Thanksgiving with our large extended family of over 40 people. (I posted about that yesterday). Today and the rest of the weekend will be with our two sons, a dil and a grandson. A smaller but very busy group!

By evening time today, I realized that I have had no alone time in two days and no quiet prayer time either other than a few quick conversations with God.
We were sitting outside (remember I am in Florida.) It is a bit chilly right now, down in the 40's and 50's when the sun goes down. My son had started a fire in his fireplace outside and we were all sitting around it, trying to stay warm.
I looked up at the clear sky above and saw the moon, so pretty, about a 3/4 moon I guess. I saw some rings around it and we had a discussion about the rings. My hubby and sons were watching football and I just stared up at the sky, feeling warm, feeling happy and taking that one little moment "alone" with God, to say - I love you. I thank you. And by the way, you made a beautiful sky tonight. 
I continued to stare up at the sky for a few minutes, in my own little world, happy to be alive.
Did you find a few minutes to sit with the Lord today or this week or everyday? Could you share one of them with us?

Touch of Our Savior's Hand - Thanksgiving

My blogging friend Karinann hosts Touch of Our Savior's Hand every Friday. This is such a beautiful meme because it helps us to be more aware of how and where and when we experience God every week. If you wish to participate or check out other posts, visit Karinann at her beautiful blog - Blessings For the Day.

I wasn't sure if Karinann would have her meme today, the day after Thanksgiving. In fact, I wasn't sure if I would be participating myself today. But I wanted to share this with you.
So I sit here, late at night, hubby sleeping, sons and dil out for a while, all quiet except for the occasional yapping of one of my son's dogs, writing this to you as a kind of special end to a special day.
Lord, You have revealed Your love to me in so many ways. I cannot count the ways nor could I repeat them all here now.
But today was special, as all my children and stepchildren were here, most of my grandchildren, some friends old and new. We did not do anything out of the ordinary. We sat and talked and laughed and told stories. And we ate - a lot!
It was like many Thanksgivings we have experienced as a family. So how was it special? It was an ordinary day made extraordinary by the love and closeness we all felt. It was an ordinary day made extraordinary by the fact that it was ordinary - for us.
For 17 years we have all met like this, blended families, stepfamilies, 3 to 4 generations together. We get together at my oldest stepson's home. 40 to 50 people. It is tradition for our family. We would not think of changing it. When my stepson moved out of town years ago, we continued to have it at his house. We spend a weekend instead of just a day. Still 40 to 50 people. Sometimes more.
Now mind you, these Thanksgivings do not always go smoothly. And they have not been without crises or controversies. But still...we get together every year like this. And we are reminded of our many blessings.
Today, before we said grace, my stepson stood up and told us how much we all meant to him and how he always looked forward to this day every year. There was not a dry eye in the house.
Coming from a childhood of abuse, feeling twinges of sadness for a couple of reasons, I have to say I needed that. I needed that sense of stability and tradition and love. And family. Especially family.
Thank you, Lord, for your loving touch.

Happy Thanksgiving

I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

Thankful for Blessings - Thank You Lord

Thank you to Judy at A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings for hosting this great meme! Remembering to give thanks everyday helps us have an attitude of gratitude. This week is extra special since tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day! Let us try to make every day Thanksgiving!
Be sure to click on this graphic on my sidebar to visit Judy's great blog and read others' lists of blessings. And maybe you would like to add some of your own! 

I am grateful for so many blessings including these:

Thank you, Lord, for each and every day. Each day is a gift. I pray that I see that and remember to thank you everyday.

Thank you, Lord, for my family and my friends. Thank you for those who love me and treat me with respect and caring. These loving people reveal your presence to me. Thank you for giving me people to love back.

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of faith. Thank you for leading me to the Catholic church where I have found a home. Or is it, you have found me?

Thank you, Lord, for helping me to feel better this week.

Thank you, Lord, for loving me and for giving me Life.

Your turn! What are you thankful for this week?

Dear Jesus

Dear Jesus,

I did not have a good week last week. I was tired. I was achy from my RA. I was cranky - out of sorts - moody.

I do not know if if is the holidays looming ahead. I do not know if it is just the rheumatoid arthritis. I do know that I have been stressed and I need you desperately.

It would be helpful, of course, if I took some time with you at the start of every day. It would be helpful if I took some time to be silent and just listen to you rather than my own whining voice. No wonder I have had such an attitude problem!

I wrote in another post about finally visiting you in the chapel. And while I had no strong sense of your presence, I felt at home.

The thing is, Lord -- you are my home. And when I am not putting you first, when I can only think of my aches and pains, I feel that separation. And I am so sorry, Jesus. Please forgive me.

Love

Music Monday - God is in Control

This Music Monday meme is hosted by Shawntele at Saved By Grace. Join in by clicking on the Music Monday image in my sidebar. This is a great way to share your favorite songs and learn some new ones! St. Augustine said when we sing, we pray twice!

This is a great song, a favorite of mine and very appropriate in these times we live in. Let us not forget, no matter how scary things get, with health care, abortion, our troops overseas, we are not the ones in charge. God is in Control. This song is sung by Twila Paris.

Sabbath Sunday - Nov 22

Fr. Christian Mathis has started a new meme called Sabbath Sunday. You sign into Mr Linky on his site with the link for an old post instead of doing any blogging on Sunday. It can be an old post, not necessarily one from that week.
So if you wish to join in, read about Sabbath Sunday at the link above and then head on over to Blessed is the Kingdom to meet Fr. Mathis and other bloggers.
I am submitting a post called Letter to Our Lady. It describes my relationship with Mary and how it has grown and the struggles I have had with it. 

Christ the King

"Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice." (John 18:37)

I wonder, with some of the issues in our country today - abortion, health care, Iraq, Afghanistan - who is listening to Jesus' voice? Who knows that He is king? Who knows that Jesus is the Answer?

Everyone who belongs to the truth listens. But don't we all think we belong to the truth? Don't we all think we have the answers?

How do we know we are listening to Jesus? How do we know we belong to the truth?

Lord, I pray with all my heart, that it is Your voice I hear. Your voice that I listen to. I pray that no other voices drown out Your voice. For I want to belong to the truth, I want to belong to You. Help me Lord to listen and to know You when I hear You.Amen.

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Sunday Snippets - Catholic Carnival Nov 22

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:

St. Peter's Revisited

Touch of Our Savior's Hand -Jesus is Home

Sabbath Moments - Resting with God

Sabbath Moments - Resting with God

Sabbath moments are the moments we rest in God, when we take time to just Be with God rather than Do. Sabbath moments are those times when we live in the moment and find the holy in the ordinary.
I invite you to share your Sabbath moment(s) here on Saturdays. Be sure to sign into Mr. Linky below. If you don't have a blog, share about it in a comment! Hope you will join us! 


1. At the beginning of the week, my hubby was gone overnight for a deacons' meeting. I was working on bills, etc, but then realized that I needed to spend some of this alone time with God. So I put down my work, did some spiritual reading and then just sat in my chair, resting and "wasting" time with God.
2. I was blessed to be able to go to adoration twice last night. I went first with my husband because we were out and about together when it came time for his hour. Later at 2 am, I went by myself. Two separate hours with the Lord, adoring Him in the Blessed Sacrament. What a blessing!

Touch of Our Savior's Hand - Jesus is Home

My blogging friend Karinann hosts Touch of Our Savior's Hand every Friday. This is such a beautiful meme because it helps us to be more aware of how and where and when we experience God every week. If you wish to participate or check out other posts, visit Karinann at her beautiful blog - Blessings For the Day.

I was having one of those weeks. Tired and stressed out. During times like this, it is often difficult to feel the Touch of Our Savior's Hand. Especially since I was not taking the time to pray. I was not spending time with Jesus.
So at work yesterday, I went to the chapel, and sat before the Blessed Sacrament. I looked at the stained glass window of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I closed my eyes and just listened.
I cannot say that I had a big revelation of some kind or an overwhelming sense of God's presence. I cannot say that I felt any strong feeling at all. It was more like a sense of being home.
I was tired. I was cranky. But I was home.

Small Successes - Less Stress

Our days are filled with "small successes." Danielle Bean, our hostess for this meme, says that "small successes can add up to one big triumph." Let's share them! To participate in this meme or to read other submissions, click on this graphic on my sidebar and visit Danielle at Faith and Family.

1. I stopped putting pressure on myself to blog every day. I really enjoy blogging and do not want it to become just another thing I have to do. I need to give myself permission to take a day off!

2. One day I was feeling a bit stressed and upset at work, so I took some lunch time alone. I did some spiritual reading and my attitude was much improved!

3. I went to bed early 2 nights in a row. (Gee whiz, there seems to be a pattern here with my successes. I must be over-tired!)

How about you? Do you have some small successes to share?

St. Peter's Revisited

Today's feast celebrates the Dedication of the Basilicas of Peter and Paul. When my husband and I went to the Holy Land a couple of years ago, we ended the trip with two days in Rome. I was so awestruck by St. Peter's. I think I could have spent the whole two days there. 

We made it in time to see the Pope. He was going to be giving his Sunday noon address and blessing! There he was, Pope Benedict, standing in his window. He was so far away, the only way we could know it was really him was by looking at the huge TV screens they had there, but it didn't matter.

I never thought I would get a chance to see the Pope. I was not prepared for the way I felt when I saw and heard the Pope. Very emotional. He spoke in many languages including English. Then when he blessed all of us there, I burst out in tears, I was overcome. All I could think of was - il Papa! 

Then I was able to really look at St. Peter's. All those pictures of it on TV do not do it justice. Standing in St Peter's Square and looking at the Basilica. Oh my. Goosebumps.

Our guide left us for the day. She said she was not allowed to speak out loud to explain things to us on Sunday because of all the Masses going on. So we stood in line for an hour in order to get inside.

While in line, we met a nice seminarian from Ohio. Then with such a big crowd, we lost sight of him til we got inside of St Peter's. Within minutes he found us again and told us he would be happy to give us a tour! God found us a guide!

We went to see the tombs of the Popes. We saw John Paul II's tomb. We saw where St Peter's bones are kept. We could not get too close, the gate was locked, but we were grateful to be right where we were. This was Peter for heaven's sake! Then our seminarian guide led us in prayer for our intentions, right then and there. Oh, my.

We saw the Pieta. We saw Pope John XXIII. His body is incorrupt (he died in 1960's!) and he is lying near the main altar of the church.

We stayed for 4 pm Mass and missed our bus because we just had to go to Mass at St Peter's. The Mass was in Italian but who cared? We were in St Peter's! And we were so moved, we figured God was probably translating it all to our hearts. As my hubby said later, that was the most powerful homily we have ever heard! 

Hope you enjoyed my trip down memory lane. What an unforgettable day. Blessings heaped upon blessings. Thank you, Lord.

Thankful for Blessings - Nov 18

Thank you to Judy at A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings for hosting this great meme! Remembering to give thanks everyday helps us have an attitude of gratitude. Be sure to click on this graphic on my sidebar to visit Judy's great blog and read others' lists of blessings. And maybe you would like to add some of your own! 
I am grateful for so many blessings including these:
1. Peace and Quiet. Don't you just love that phrase? I often say, "if I could only have some peace and quiet." I appreciate it when I have it. And I am sure to thank the Lord!
2. Sunrises and Sunsets. Ahhh. They are like beautiful shows that God has put on for us to watch.
3. My husband. I always include him on this list. He is my best friend. He turned 68 this week. Hard for me to wrap my mind around that. I try not to ever take him for granted.
4. Kindness. I love it when I see or experience the kindness of others. It warms my heart.
5. Roses. My favorite flower. I have 2 rose bushes outside my little home. They made it through the Florida summer. They remind me of St. Therese, the Little Flower. What a joy.
What are you thankful for today?

Music Monday - How You Live

This Music Monday meme is hosted by Shawntele at Saved By Grace. Join in by clicking on the Music Monday image in my sidebar. This is a great way to share your favorite songs and learn some new ones! St. Augustine said when we sing, we pray twice!

I was looking for a song for Music Monday and got it into my head (or He got it into my head) that I wanted a Point of Grace song and I found How You Live, a song that I have not heard before. I fell in love with it immediately. Hope you like it too!

Keep the Lord Always Before Me

"I keep the Lord always before me..." (Psalm 16:8)

I pray that I keep the Lord always before me. That I keep Him always before my eyes.

I pray that the Lord is the lens through which I see.

The ears through which I hear.

The mouth through which I speak.

It is my hope and desire that I put the Lord first, always,

By His grace.

Amen.

Sabbath Sunday - Nov 15

Fr. Christian Mathis, at his blog, Blessed is the Kingdom, has started a new meme called Sabbath Sunday. You sign into Mr Linky on his site with the link for an old post instead of doing any blogging on Sunday. It can be an old post, not necessarily one from that week.
So if you wish to join in, read about Sabbath Sunday at the link above and then head on over to Blessed is the Kingdom to meet Fr. Mathis and other bloggers.
I am submitting a post from July, called A Wedding Prayer. It was written in celebration of my husband's and my wedding anniversary. This week we are celebrating his birthday so I wanted to re-submit this post. Enjoy your Sabbath.

Sunday Snippets - Catholic Carnival Nov 15

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:

The Lord Sets Us Free 

The Mother's Handbook

Sabbath Moments - Nov 14

We need to take time with God. Time to Just Be. Time to rest and refuel. Time to be aware of His presence in our lives. I invite you to share your Sabbath moment(s) here on Saturdays. Be sure to sign into Mr. Linky below. If you don't have a blog, share about it in a comment! Hope you will join us! 
1. I took Thursday off and spent it as a Sabbath Day. Slept late. Spent the day reading, writing and praying.
2. On Friday I had my infusion to treat my rheumatoid arthritis. After being there for 3 hours, I felt like I needed some fresh air and sun. Picked my hubby up from home and we went for a drive in my convertible with the top down. It was truly a beautiful Florida day, cool and sunny with blue skies. We pulled over to a parking area near the Gulf and sat watching the birds, people fishing, the choppy water, talking and just enjoying the moment. No agenda. No place to be.
3. Friday night I went to Holy Hour at my church. Peaceful, moving, a blessed way to be with the Lord.
Your turn! Do you have some Sabbath moments to share?

Touch of Our Savior's Hand - Feeling Blessed

My dear blogging friend Karinann hosts Touch of Our Savior's Hand every Friday. This is such a beautiful meme because it helps us to be more aware of how and where and when we experience God every week. If you wish to participate or check out other posts, visit Karinann at her beautiful blog - Blessings For the Day.

I often experience the touch of Our Savior through my husband. Yesterday he cooked dinner, made some biscotti (he was trying out a new recipe for Christmas), wrote a homily, made plans to drive a lady to the doctor next week, helped me with a picture I was taking that I might use on my ebook, did the laundry and went grocery shopping.

He works 2 mornings a week, keeps busy with his deacon duties, takes care of the house and takes care of me.

I read the homily he wrote for a Sunday in Advent and tears came to my eyes. The homily was about what it meant for Mary to be blessed. It was beautiful and it touched me.

I am feeling rather blessed myself.

The Mother's Handbook

It all started the day my youngest son told me he had a question for me. Ask away! I told him.

"Mom, why is it that when YOU are cold, I am the one who has to wear a jacket?"

I thought a moment and then the answer came to me. "It's in the Mother's Handbook, son."

"What is the Mother's Handbook? Can I see it?"

"It is a book that lists the things we mothers are supposed to say and do in certain situations. And no, you cannot see it. It is for mothers only."

"Oh."

Aha. I finally had the answer to all those "why" questions that children ask that we do not really have an answer for or we just do not want to answer it. I mean, I could say, Because I said so. But I never really liked that.

So, over the years the Mother's Handbook came in quite handy.
"Why do you always tell me to eat my vegetables?"

"Why do I always have to go to bed earlier than ALL my friends?"

"Why do you make me do my homework before I can watch TV?"

"Why don't you let me watch MTV?"

Of course, my boys caught onto the fact pretty quickly that there was not a Mother's handbook. But that was OK. It still answered their question - It is just a mother's thing, son. And she isn't going to change her mind. 
And as they got older - 

"Why do you make me have a curfew?"

"Why do I have to get a good report card in order to play football?"
"Why do you always wait up for me when I go out at night?"

And then there were the times when I knew they were not my little boys anymore:
"Mom, why did you cry when I left home?"

Sigh. "It's in the Mother's Handbook, son."

"I know, Mom. I know."
Now that my two boys are grown and both married, I do not say those words much any more. However the other day my husband asked me, "Why do you like driving me crazy?"
Aha. 
"It's in the Wife's Handbook, hon."

Organizing Small Successes

Our days are filled with "small successes." Danielle Bean, our hostess for this meme, says that "small successes can add up to one big triumph." Let's share them! To participate in this meme or to read other submissions, click on this graphic on my sidebar and visit Danielle at Faith and Family.

1. Tuesday I woke up early in time to go to Mass which was being said for my stepfather. But my RA has been flaring and I was very tired so I had a little argument with myself. Should I go to Mass even though I have a very long day ahead of me, over 13 hours before I get home? Or do I sleep another hour? I knew what my stepfather would have said. It didn't seem like a good idea to begin my day feeling so tired. So I talked myself out of feeling guilty (which was not easy to do), stayed home and slept another hour. I went to work feeling rested.

2. For weeks I have wanted to straighten out the bookshelf in my bedroom. I finally got it done this week. What a relief!

3. I have been more organized with my writing schedule this week. I have felt a bit off balance lately. So I wrote my goals and ideas for this week and reviewed them each day. I prayed about it, trying to stay open to the Spirit, but having a list to begin my week seemed to help me make better use of my time and feel less out of whack!

Thankful for Blessings - Nov 11

Thank you to Judy at A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings for hosting this great meme! Remembering to give thanks everyday helps us have an attitude of gratitude. Be sure to click on this graphic on my sidebar to visit Judy's great blog and read others' lists of blessings. And maybe you would like to add some of your own! 
I am grateful for so many blessings including these:

1. Our visit with our son and his wife - had a wonderful evening with them. They live over 2 1/2 hours away so we do not see them as often as we might like but we certainly feel blessed when we do. We do not take our time with them for granted.
2. The USCCB coming out with their nationwide statement about the Health care reform bill and urging us to contact our congressmen. I felt like it was quite a moment, knowing the Bishops were united in their resolve to fight for the right to life. It was a moment in history and a moment in my heart.
3. Laughter - I love to laugh. I find it healing. I like to think of Jesus laughing. 
4. My husband - I cherish each day and each moment I have with him. (He was just making fun of me typing away and he made me laugh - See number 3!)
5. Books - what would I do if I could not read?!?!? I love books - all kinds of books - audiobooks, paperbacks, ebooks. Now I just need to find more time in the day to enjoy them!
O Lord, thank you for all of my blessings and please help me to keep an attitude of gratitude!
What are some of your blessings?

God Our Healer

Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, who took them in my arms.
I drew them with human cords, with bands of love; I fostered them like one who raises an infant to his cheeks;
Yet, though I stooped to feed my child, they did not know that I was their healer." (Hosea 11:3-4)

Sometimes we ask the question, Where was God? Sometimes we think we are all alone. Sometimes we think we survived something all by ourselves.
But faith tells me that I am never alone. Faith tells me that I did not survive anything by myself for God is always with me.
We parents are always doing things to protect our children and they have no idea we are doing so. When they were little, they did not know that we had put safety plugs in the outlets and removed dangerous medications and cleaning fluids out of their reach. How many accidents did we prevent by using gates in front of stairways and how about those car seats?
So how many times has God prevented an accident or a crisis in our lives and we did not know it? When did he protect us and love us though we were not paying attention?
That time I suddenly got strength enough to get out of bed when I was so depressed after my miscarriage, was that the Holy Spirit encouraging me?
The times I thought I was alone as a child, when I got the desire to read my Bible or to go to church so I was not alone, was it our Lord who drew me to Him?
Was it God whispering into my ear when I suddenly decided I wanted to become Catholic?
How many times did Jesus take me into his arms and I did not know it?
As Hosea says, it was God who taught us to walk. It was God who drew us to Him with love.
We did not know He was our healer. But He was and is and will be forevermore.

First published in Prayerful Morsels, October 23, 2009

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Music Monday - Grace Be With You All

This Music Monday meme is hosted by Shawntele at Saved By Grace. Join in by clicking on the Music Monday image in my sidebar. This is a great way to share your favorite songs and learn some new ones! St. Augustine said when we sing, we pray twice!

I have chosen Grace Be with You All, by Michael Card. It is based on the last chapter of Hebrews (Hebrews 13) which is has some great teaching and beautiful blessings and also the words - "Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever (verse 9)." The very last verse in Hebrews is "Grace be with you all." And that is what I wish for all of you!

The Lord Sets Us Free

"The Lord sets prisoners free." (Psalm 146:7)

There are different kinds of captivity. In many ways I was imprisoned by my past. I was stuck in my old ways of thinking and looking at myself and at life.

While my children were still young, I began to go to therapy and support groups. Both helped with some emotional healing from my childhood of abuse.

But most of my healing has come since I converted to the Catholic faith and began to have a real relationship with God. Once I began to experience the love and compassion of Jesus, then I started to even feel free.

Little by little, the chains that bind me are coming undone. Someday, I will see the face of God and I will be totally set free.

Lord, thank you for rescuing me. Thank you for getting my attention and not giving up. I am so grateful for my faith and for your presence in my life. Thank you for loving me through the people you have put in my life. Thank you for loving me for me.

I know I will someday be totally free, when you will wipe the tears from my eyes. Until then Lord, hold me safely in your arms. And do not let go.
Amen. 

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Sunday Snippets - A Catholic Carnival Nov 8

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:

We Long to See Your Face 

Touch of Our Savior - Save a Child

Sabbath Moment - The Air I Breathe

We need to take time with God. Time to Just Be. Time to rest and refuel. Time to be aware of His presence in our lives. I invite you to share your Sabbath moment(s) here on Saturdays. Be sure to sign into Mr. Linky below. If you don't have a blog, share about it in a comment! Hope you will join us!
I was driving home from work Thursday, listening to Christian music. It was beautiful weather, a bit cool. In other words, perfect convertible weather!

Having the top down on my car gave me a great view of the sky all around me and above me. I watched the sun set and saw many different cloud formations that were just beautiful in different shapes and colors. I took in deep breaths of clean cool air and prayed a silent prayer of thanksgiving. I felt so grateful that God helps me notice such things.
And then the perfect song came on - This is the Air I Breathe.
Wow.
Why not take a few Sabbath moments now and listen to the song and watch this video?

Touch of Our Savior's Hand - Save a Child

My friend Karinann hosts Touch of Our Savior's Hand every Friday. This is such a beautiful meme because it helps us to be more aware of how and where and when we experience God every week. If you wish to participate or check out other posts, visit Karinann at her beautiful blog - Blessings For the Day.

There is a saying in the Talmud that I had first heard years ago in the movie Schindler's List - “If you save a life you save the world.” In the past two weeks I have heard this quote three different times in three different settings. When this happens to me, I know that the Lord is trying to get my attention about something. So I have spent a long time this week pondering this quote. And I have come to understand the meaning of it for me in a couple of different ways. One way is as a Catholic. A pro-life Catholic.
Save a child. Save the world.
Have you ever wondered how many future scientists and doctors and teachers and priests and rabbis and inventors and heroes may have been killed in the womb before they had any chance at life?
Have you ever wondered how many millions of people who would have descended from these babies will not exist because of abortion?
Have we lost a future pope or the person who would discover the cure for cancer or a president who believed in democracy and peace and the right to life?
We sometimes hear of a woman who goes into an abortion clinic only to suddenly change her mind and come back out. Perhaps because of the people praying for her and her baby?
This is a different kind of post for me, I know. Especially for this meme. But that stirring in my heart can only be from the Lord. And so I realize that I cannot be silent and I cannot stop praying.
I called my representative yesterday and told him to vote no on the "closed rule" of HR 3962 and to vote against HR 3962. And I, the introvert, have told everyone I meet to do the same thing. And pray. We need to pray.
Save a child. Save the world.

Catholic TV for Your Blog

See my new widget on the right sidebar. It is Catholic TVjr! Click on it, and use the horizontal bar to choose different shows and you will see lists of episodes! So cool! You can find the widget at Catholic TV! Thank you goes to Fr. Fleming at A Concord Pastor Comments who posted about this!

Small Successes - Nov 5

Our days are filled with "small successes." Danielle Bean, our hostess for this meme, says that "small successes can add up to one big triumph." Let's share them! To participate in this meme or to read other submissions, click on this graphic on my sidebar and visit Danielle at Faith and Family.
1. I cut down on caffeine this week. I used to drink a lot of coffee, then I cut down on that and started drinking diet soda. Now I drink caffeine free diet soda. I have never been much for drinking water, but I am getting there!
2. I often expect too much out of myself. My to-do lists get pretty long. This week, I decided I needed to get a better handle on things and am cutting down those to- do lists. Time to be good to myself.
3. I cannot think of a third thing. Rather than get all in a "dither" about it, I figure I will just "let it go!" That is a success in itself!

Your turn! What are some of your "small successes" this week?

Thankful for Blessings - Nov 3

Thank you to Judy at A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings for hosting this great meme! Remembering to give thanks everyday helps us have an attitude of gratitude. Be sure to click on this graphic on my sidebar to visit Judy's great blog and read others' lists of blessings. And maybe you would like to add some of your own! 
Thank you Lord, for my many blessings, including:
1. My hubby - his sense of humor, his delicious cooking, his love for the Lord, his love for me!
2. My health - I am feeling better after the flare of my rheumatoid arthritis a couple of weeks ago. Truly a cause for gratitude and thanksgiving!
3. My parish - My church family is a close, spirit-filled community. I am grateful for the caring and love that I see and experience there.
4. Chocolate - OK, I cannot help it. I love chocolate. We had no trick or treaters and plenty of chocolate which we could not let go to waste (darn).
5. Sunsets - I saw a beautiful sunset on my way home from work Tuesday. What a gift! 
Your turn! What blessings do you want to share?

Music Monday - I Can Only Imagine

This Music Monday meme is hosted by Shawntele at Saved By Grace. Join in by clicking on the Music Monday image in my sidebar. This is a great way to share your favorite songs and learn some new ones! I also love it because St. Augustine said when we sing, we pray twice!

My song this week is I Can Only Imagine by MercyMe. It is a well known song and may have been posted in this meme but I just was drawn to it for All Saints Day yesterday and All Souls Day today. Just seems appropriate. I remember when I first heard that song, I was so moved and filled with joy. Just the thought of seeing Jesus in heaven overwhelms me. God bless all.

We Long to See Your Face

"Lord, this is the people who longs to see your face."

(Resp. Psalm based on Psalm 24:6)

It is All Saints Day. I am thinking of St. Therese of Lisieux. I have a strong devotion to her for many reasons, not the least of which was her spirituality of the Little Way.

In Story of a Soul, Therese writes about how badly she wanted to be a saint. She thought that was impossible. She was just, as she said, a little grain of sand. But then she realized that "God cannot inspire unrealizable desires. I can, then, in spite of my littleness, aspire to holiness. It is impossible for me to grow up, and so I must bear with myself such as I am with all my imperfections. But I want to seek out a means of going to heaven by a little way ..." (Story of a Soul, ICS publications, 1996) 
I don't think St. Therese was concerned with being canonized or writing a book. Her desire was for God alone. She desired to be a saint because she longed to see His face. 
Lord,

Help me to follow you, to do your will. Help me to be little like St. Therese was little. Help me to be like her, humble and full of confidence in your loving mercy.

Oh, Lord, I love you. And I long to see your face. 

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Sunday Snippets - A Catholic Carnival Nov 1

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:

Centering Prayer - Myth & Truth


Master I Want to See