Conversion of Saint Paul

From the LOH this morning...

Homily by Saint John Chrysostom, bishop

"Each day he (St. Paul) aimed higher; each day he rose up with greater ardor and faced with new eagerness the dangers that threatened him. He summed up his attitude in the words: I forget what is behind me and push on to what lies ahead. When he saw death imminent, he bade others share his joy: Rejoice and be glad with me! And when danger, injustice and abuse threatened, he said: I am content with weakness, mistreatment and persecution. These he called the weapons of righteousness, thus telling us that he derived immense profit from them."

To have such zeal for the love of Christ. How can I, as I start my day, have such enthusiasm to embrace whatever He has planned for me? I struggle as the old me still clings to pride. I've asked Jesus to help me with this -- although I said it in a whisper just in case he decides to take me up on it and allow a boatload of trials designed to purify me:-) (SIGH) So thankful he never tires of me and my lukewarm ways.

Joy in the midst of suffering....

Today is one of those days...really like any other, that is full of joys and sorrows, blessings and struggles, wonder and confusion.

The sorrow of losing a child...not mine....but a young women my youngest daughters age (21) who is also a mother to a young child. I remember her mother who so inspired me as a young mom. One time in church they were sitting across from us....a family of five or so at that time (they have six children I believe). The children being so good, waiting patiently, the mom kneeling, and I could see her lips moving as she was reciting prayers, most likely the Rosary. That vision has always stayed with me as a source of inspiration to be a good mother to my children by example. This family has been given many challenges....and now another one. I pray to our Heavenly Father, our Blessed Mother and Good St. Anne to shower blessings, comfort and grace on this family to endure this newest trial. And as trials always do....has encouraged me to remember to continue to pray for my children, and to call and tell them how much I love them.

And the joy.....today I celebrate 31 years of marriage with a man I am so proud to call my husband. God blessed me the day he introduced us and I thank him for this wonderful gift - especially since we only knew each other for 3 weeks before we got engaged but that's another story for another time. God knew what he was doing even if we were young and didn't know it!:-)

Favorite Friday

I'm working on detachment of things....I really am....but there is just something about Mary:-) I wanted to share one of my favorite statues that my husband bought me for Christmas. Now, mind you, he didn't know he bought it for me until I showed it to him but oh, he was so proud of himself for choosing something so perfect (haha)! Anyway, I'm sure we all have favorite images of Our Blessed Mother and Our Lady Seat of Wisdom, holding baby Jesus so tenderly in her arms is one of mine (the other, The Sistine Madonna). I love this statue because it is all white....so fitting for our tender Mother.

"The last and greatest means of all, the most wonderful of all secrets for obtaining and keeping of Divine Wisdom, a tender and true devotion to the Blessed Mary."

~St. Louis de Montfort~

Haiti, Pat Robertson and Witchcraft

As I'm clearly not a great writer I'd like to point you to Fr. Longenecker's article with a bit of clarification on some of the facts.

Continued prayers for Haiti, and please donate if you can.

Catholic Relief Services

The Catholicism Project - NEW TRAILER

I really don't know much about this but saw it on a blog called Daily Grace (http://dailygrace001.blogspot.com/) and it just made me smile!

Beautiful St. Anne Chaplet

I wanted to share a beautiful St. Anne Chaplet I received from my internet friend Anne, Under Her Starry Mantle and Tota Pulchra Beads. She is so creative and uses the most beautiful combinations of colors, beads, texture, etc. Stop over and take a look at her beautiful jewelry, rosaries and chaplets.

A couple of my furry friends

I plan to broaden this blog a bit this year. My goal was to share my journey as a wife, mother, and Secular Carmelite (still in formation). I have shared some of this Carmelite way but as I have grown this path is not separate from my"other" life but very much becomes my life. Oh, I'm not good with words at all so I probably just sound cofusing. Those that have/are taking this walk understand what I mean. With that said, my plan is to share a little more of my daily (more likely weekly) life with all it's glorious twists and turns!

And again, my new internet friend, Robin at All Things Heart and Home, is starting a 365 day project where she takes a picture each day. I thought it would be a great idea (I promise, Robin, to not borow all your ideas!) -- I most likely will not share these picts. daily because I don't blog each day but am planning to take them and use them in some way - which just hasn't come to me yet! LOL

January 1 picture above - I could have taken many pictures yesterday. My oldest daughter and family came over to watch the big Duck game (boo hoo by the way). We ate so much junk f0od (drowning our sorrows) that I was almost comotose. But my husband took a picture of two of my favorite furry children. Seldom are they THIS close - Max, my ragdoll cat (love him dearly but really, don't pay for a pet...adopt one that is in need) has lately been "borrowing" Luna's dog bed. Luna, my toy poodle who I adopted from a rescue decided there was plenty of room for her too and was not to be ousted from HER bed!

My "Theme" for 2010

I've known my theme for some time.....but struggled with how to express it...how to word it. I read this yesterday as it was sent through a list I am on and the words were there for me...

Sr. Carmela of the Holy Spirit OCD to Jesus:

“I think of this new year as a white page given to me by Your Father, on which He will write, day by day, whatever His divine good pleasure has planned. I shall now write at the top of the page, with complete confidence: Lord, do with me what You will, and at the bottom I already write my Amen to all the proposals of Your divine will. Yes Lord, yes to all the joys, the sorrows, the graces, the hardships prepared for me, which You will reveal to me day by day. Grant that my Amen my be the Paschal Amen, always followed by the Alleluia, uttered wholeheartedly, in the joy of a complete gift. Give me Your love and Your grace, and I shall be rich enough.”

Divine Intimacy page 108 (HIGHLY recommend this book)

Sometimes I struggle, struggle against the blessings and grace our Lord wants to give me because it is usually combined with some struggle. I'm a wimp...plain and simple. So preseverance is my stance, combined with a yes to all He chooses to prepare for me.

Welcome 2010!!