What is your "theme" this year?

Yesterday I read a post, Looking Back ~ Looking Forward, by Robin at All Things Heart and Home where she shared that each year she asks God for a theme for the coming year. And as expected, or unexpected:-) the Lord reveals lessons in magnificent, painful, glorious, tough ways....blessings full of eternal joy. I thought this was a wonderful idea and hope to hear the "theme" God has planned for me as well!

If you have a theme you think Our Lord is asking of you, pop on over and share it with Robin!

Holy Cards

If you have not seen this blog...

Holy Cards For Your Inspiration...please do so. Each day a new card is shared....I love the vintage ones! This one (today) is just gorgeous --- Mary, angels, baby Jesus and little lamb just really spoke to my heart.

Monday, Monday..

I always sort of dread the week after Christmas. I feel kind of....well....sick....after days and days of baking and eating yummy things with way too much sugar. The stress of hosting family for the holidays always tends to encourage my consumption of the self-medicating substance. Although if you put a bowl of some sort of crunchy, salty combination in front of me it can also soothe my frazzled nerves. Oh who am I kidding....many times I've indulged in the sweet only to then find myself digging for something salty to "balance" it out, LOL!

So today is the day when I go cold turkey and prepare myself for the inevitable withdrawal. When I don't eat sugar...I don't want it...am fine without it. A little chocolate here and there I can deal with but after the holiday sugar blitz it is a little harder to get it under control:-)

And then there are the decorations! Yesterday, hubby asked if I wanted to start putting things away. I feel like I just barely got done getting the house ready so decided to wait another day....maybe tomorrow even:-)

Hmmmm....as I sit here looking at all the decorations that must now be put away I'm feeling a little........anxious.........and those little round cookies covered in powdered sugar are really yummy with a cup of coffee......

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you, my friends and family, a very Merry Christmas and abundant Blessings this coming New Year!

Hearing on the eve of Obama's trip to China

I can't even find words to convey how this hurts my heart.....I have one such beautiful child from China in my care and am so thankful for the brave woman who gave her life....

A Humanitarian Disaster

Meditation Book + Divine Intimacy Calendar Schedule

Surfing around yesterday I found a site to the OCDS Proper of the Liturgy of the Hours as well as a "Divine Intimacy" reading schedule for 2009/2010.

OCDS Proper of the Liturgy of the Hours

Divine Intimacy reading schedule for 2009/2010

The cutest turkey EVER!

This little guy just makes my heart happy! (Hope Mom and Dad don't mind I copied a picture...ssshhhh)

Fragrance from Alabaster

The Holy Spirit is the Sanctifier. It is His mission to purify and to elevate the soul that it may be joined to Him in the closest union. Whatever may be our weakness, our faults, or imperfections, the power of the Holy Spirit is unchanging. If we yield ourselves to His influence, like the apostles we too shall be recreated, and strong in His love we shall run with joy the ways of perfection. ~~ Mother Aloysius of Concord Carmel~~~

All Saints Day

I love this image...

A wonderful day in honor of are Saints!

The Discalced Carmelite Students in Rome...

The Discalced Carmelite Theology Students in Rome.

Click the picture to be taken to their blog...

The Pioneer Woman Cooks!

Oh I'm definitely getting this.....because.....well.....because she makes me want to cook yummy looking food but also because she makes me laugh!

The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl

Novena to St. Teresa of Avila

I'm a day late in posting.....day one was yesterday.....sorry!

Novena to St. Teresa of Avila

Pray especially beginning on 6 October and ending on 14 October, the eve of the Feast of St. Teresa. This Novena was written by St. Alphonsus of Liguori.

First Day:

O most amiable Lord Jesus Christ! We thank Thee for the great gift of faith and of devotion to the Holy Sacrament, which Thou didst grant to Thy beloved Teresa; we pray Thee, by Thy merits and by those of Thy faithful spouse, to grant us the gift of a lively faith, and of a fervent devotion toward the most Holy Sacrament of the altar; where Thou, O infinite Majesty! hast obliged Thyself to abide with us even to the end of the world, and wherein Thou didst so lovingly give Thy whole Self to us.

Say one Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be.

V. St. Teresa, pray for us:

R. That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ.

Let us pray: Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation! that as we rejoice in the commemoration of the blessed virgin Teresa, so we may be nourished by her heavenly doctrine, and draw from thence the fervour of a tender devotion; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

Second Day:

O most merciful Lord Jesus Christ! we thank Thee for the great gift of hope which Thou didst grant to Thy beloved Teresa; we pray Thee, by Thy merits, and by those of Thy holy spouse, to give us a great confidence in Thy goodness, by reason of Thy Precious Blood, which Thou hast shed to its last drop for our salvation.

Say one Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be.

V. St. Teresa, pray for us:

R. That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ.

Let us pray: Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation! that as we rejoice in the commemoration of the blessed virgin Teresa, so we may be nourished by her heavenly doctrine, and draw from thence the fervour of a tender devotion; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

Our Lady Of The Rosary

Our Lady Of The Rosary

Memorial

October 7

Quotes from Brother Lawrence...

“We do not always have to be in church to be
with God. We can make of our hearts an oratory
where we can withdraw from time to
time to converse with God. Everyone is capable
of these intimate conversations with God,
some more, some less.”

Prayers needed....

For my daughter Annie......please storm heaven for her! I wish I could share but I don't even know where to begin.

Novena to St. Therese begins today

Today begins the Novena, ending on September 30 which is also a fast day for OCDS members. You can get the Novena here...

Little Flower Novena

Big Miracles and Tiny Shoes

I have a very wonderful friend, filled with the Love of Christ who shared something today and it was just what I needed to hear!

Mary said..

"My ministry is not in performing big miracles. My ministry is in tying small shoes."

Thank you, Mary, for reminding me of the important job we do, and that we are Christ's hands when we are tying those small shoes and wiping those runny noses! God truly blessed me when he blessed our friendship.

EWTN Honors Padre Pio, September 26

Watch Saturday, September 26, 8PM Eastern Time (set those DVR's)

EWTN Honors Padre Pio

Mary Day By Day

Now you are light in the Lord, Walk as children of light, for light produces all goodness and justice and truth.

~~~Eph 5:8-9

Reflection: For those who believe in our Lord Jesus Christ, for those who believe in the Church, behold the Mother: Mary!

Prayer: O Mary, you give light to everything in our lives. Enlighten my mind and open my heart so that I may learn and carry out the things that are pleasing to your Divine Son.

Just For Today, Ronald Knox

I bought a new book (sigh -- I really need to get a handle on this addiction, LOL) and wanted to recommend it to my friends. It's called Just for Today, Introduced by Ronald Knox. It is a book of daily readings (two readings), one from St. Therese of Lisieux and one from The Imitation of Christ and it blends the two together.

From The Right Reverend Monsignor Ronald Knox...

"The compiler of this anthology has been happily inspired to sit between two treasure chests, dealing out to us a jewel first from this then from that, like matched pearls."

If interested just click on the book cover...

Still recovering....

I know I haven't posted much lately but I've been sick for weeks now and have found out I have pneumonia. There were a couple of days where I thought I was on the road to recovery but then it hit harder -- such is life!

My youngest daughter is moving back home for a few months this weekend so I could use a few prayers -- we tend to have a stress filled relationship when she lives with us!:-)

Have a wonderful weekend!

An opportunity to go on a pilgrimage..

In April my Priest and our Archbishop are going to Assisi, the Holy House of Mary in Loreto, the shrine of Padre Pio in San Giovanni Rotondo, the shrine of St. Nicholas in Bari, the Benedictine monastery of Montecassino, and a scheduled Papal Audience at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

This has been a dream of mine and oh how I want to go! Please pray for me!!!

St. Pio Daily

From Air Maria, August Theme: Spiritual Aridity

“You will greatly encounter the pleasure of God, and mine as well, by not omitting your spiritual exercises on account of the aridity and interior languor that often returns to you; because not wanting to serve God and love Him save for His pleasure and love alone, and being more pleasing to Him, the service that we render Him amidst the pains of aridity, rather than those we render Him amidst the sweetness, we must likewise receive them [these pains of aridity] willingly, at least with our upper will. And even though, according to our pleasure and our self love, the gentleness and tenderness seems sweeter to us, aridity, according to the pleasure of God, is more useful, as dry food is more useful for those with dropsy, rather than moist food, even though the latter always tastes better than the former.”

Altar Serving 101

Discaled Carmelite Friars
www.fatheradam.blogspot.com

I've had the pleasure of hearing Father Robert speak at one of our monthly Carmelite meetings. I remember everyone at my table got out their paper and pens to take notes and after about...oh.....a minute.....we all just stopped as we didn't want to miss a single thing he was sharing. When he was done we all just thought "wow" as we were truly blessed..........thank you Heavenly Father for all our Priests and please bless them.

Obama and Body Language

A very telling article here at American Thinker......

"That's why I think this image will have genuine resonance. It captures something that older Americans in particular can relate to. The President presses ahead with a program that will tell them to take painkillers instead of getting that artificial hip."

Fragrance from Alabaster

To be always kind in thought, word and deed, one must practice real mortification, for one must constantly repress the natural which is in us all and which is quick to see the fault in another.

We must practice that faith which sees beneath the surface, recognizing the divine in every soul; we must realize that what is said to another is directed to our Lord, Who associates Himself with each one so closely as to be one with her.

The virtues of faith and love are within the reach of all of us. They are the two wings by which we can fly to God on countless occasions, and these occasions are provided by our Lord Himself just to have us do so.

In using these happenings, we shall find countless opportunities for overcoming our natural self, so given to irritation when things contradict our will, and so ready to think that annoying circumstances justify our showing annoyance. We forget that the occasions do not make us frail but they show what we are.

It is only the light of faith that can enable us to see through the various circumstances we meet with and see in them God and His permissive Will. To one under the influence of our Lord's Spirit instead of her own, these little trials show her our Lord asking for love; and if nature is tempted to complain, the soul that loves is not depressed or discouraged. Rather in this very reaction it sees its weakness, a tendency to watch; and the lover blesses God for the light thus given to know what she must work at, what she must overcome, if she would be pleasing to Him.

~~Mother Aloysius of Concord Carmel~~

St. Pio Daily - Battles

"How can you not rejoice in seeing yourself engaged in so many battles, knowing that for every victory you carry off, a degree of glory corresponds?”
~~St. Pio~~

Sometimes it is so difficult to rejoice in and for the battle. Holy Spirit...give me the perseverance and courage in this struggle.

Discover the presence of God - have a prayer life

Linking to a post by an OCD sister at louange de sa galoire....

Discover the prsence of God - have a prayer life.

Is aborted fetal DNA in our children's vaccines?

My mouth is open...is this true? I have never heard this! Regardless of whether or not this is linked to Autism...this just shouldn't be happening!

Is Aborted Fetal DNA in Vaccines Linked to Autism

Thank you, Gretchen for sharing the article.

The End of the Present World

I have had this book....The End of the Present World on my "to read" list for awhile so imagine my surprise while reading the preface that Father Donald Kinney, a Carmelite Priest had a copy of this book (after searching for seven years) written in the original French language which was used to translate into english. Many in my OCDS community know him well and talk of him very fondly. I've met him a few times and was excited to see his name in this book!

"Reading this book was one of the greatest graces of my life."
~~St. Therese of Lisieux~~

Feeling very blessed!

Just sharing two of my favorite faces....this is my oldest daughter and my favorite grandson (who was VERY HOT and tired). I can say he's my favorite because...well....he's the only grandchild I have at the moment! But you have to admit...he's soooooooo cute!

Happy Feast Day of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

I'm running late but just had to take a moment to say I will remember you all in my prayers today! God Bless!

Practice of the Presence of God

I read this post Faith and Reason at louange de sa gloire and the reference made to the Carmelite ideal of living in the presence of God at all times is timely as I just read the below excerpt from one of Father Bruno Cocuzzi, OCD homilies.

"There is an exercise of soul, closely akin to Mental Prayer, which is compatible with the faithful fulfillment of our daily duties and which renders us receptive to the influence of the Holy Spirit. It is the practice of the Presence of God. Since we have likened Mental Prayer to the spontaneous, informal, loving encounter of two well-beloved spouses, we can compare the practice of the Presence of God to the activity of mind and heart of a young housewife as she goes about her work in the home while her husband is away during the day.

Because she lives in his house and is entrusted with the care of it, and especially because she is responsible for the care of the children, a young housewife is keenly aware of her estate, that is, of her relationship to her spouse. He is indirectly present to her because of her immediate concern with persons and things that have a direct or indirect bearing upon him. He is present to her memory because she can’t help thinking of how he looks, of the sound of his voice, of his touch, etc. He is present to her intellect when she adverts to certain facts concerning him: he is so handsome; he is so kind and affectionate toward the children; he is such a hard, unselfish worker. Then, when the nature of her work absorbs her mind completely, when she cannot be mindful of him, she keeps him present to her will by applying herself to the task at hand with diligence for love of him. It is the last named means which can always be practiced, and which escapes the ability of no one.

The practice of the Presence of God, then, is the deliberate effort to keep God and related things present to our faculties of mind and heart. First of all it requires that we remind ourselves at stated times during the day that we are the children of God, co-heirs with Jesus Christ of the Kingdom of Heaven. We have to keep in mind that, even though we may own things outright, that we are stewards in God’s household. In particular, we have to get into the habit of seeing all persons as children of God for whose salvation and spiritual welfare we are to some degree responsible. We keep in the presence of God by remembering what we have read or heard concerning Him, by recalling images and incidents taken from the Gospels. Having sacred images in the home is a great help in this regard. We keep God present, too, by means of our intellect, when we make acts of Faith: God loves me; Jesus died for me, gave me Himself as my spiritual sustenance, gave me His own Mother; the Cross is necessary; a heavy Cross is a proof of signal favor, etc. And when the nature of our work makes this kind of mental activity impossible, we keep God present in our hearts by doing all things for love of Him. It is the minimum, but it is essential."

Have a blessed day!

Prayers for your children...

I've posted this before and this is really a reminder to myself to always pray for my children (you can replace "daughters" with children or sons).

Holy Mary, mother of God and mother of all the faithful, I place my daughters under your motherly protection. To you I completely consecrate them, body and soul. Take them under your care and keep them always. Guard them and keep their hearts pure, their thoughts ever holy and directed to God and the things of God. Protect them always throughout life - in their joys and sorrows, in successes and failures, in dealings with others. Always and in all things be a true mother to them, Mary, and preserve them. I commend them entirely to you. Remember, Mother Mary, that through this act of consecration they become in a special way your children as well as mine; guard them and keep them as your very own. Amen.

Saint Teresa of the Andes

One of my favorites!

St. Teresa of the Andes

Thoughts from Mother Aloysius of Concord Carmel

"Try to see our Lord working out His plan for your holiness through the vexations and annoyances you meet with. Give yourself sweetly and generously to their purifying action; thus His transforming love can make you His living image; His Father will see in you another Jesus seeking only His glory. "

~~Fragrance from Alabaster~~

Novena to our Lady of Mt. Carmel (Second Day)

Most Holy Mary, Our Mother, in your great love for us you gave us the Holy Scapular of Mount Carmel, having heard the prayers of your chosen son Saint Simon Stock. Help us now to wear it faithfully and with devotion. May it be a sign to us of our desire to grow in holiness.
(pause and mention petitions)

Say: Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.