Show us your Mercy, Lord

From the Liturgy of the Hours, Morning Prayer....

Show us your mercy, Lord; our misery is known to us. May no evil desires prevail over us, for your glory and love dwell in our hearts.

Love as God Loves

As a Christian, as a Catholic, as a Carmelite....we are called to love as God loves. While there is a part of me, that very human part that understands the jubilation at the death of Osama Bin Laden....we must understand that God doesn't love me or you more than he loves him. In fact, on the very day of Divine Mercy I can only hope that Osama Bin Laden prayed, asked forgiveness and received the mercy that I have faith that God will give each one of us if we truly and humbly ask. Love as I have loved you.......praying that God increases my love and your love today.

Divine Mercy Sunday

I have been away from my blog for a very long time for various reasons. Today I'd like to share a post from someone who has been such an inspiration to me (though she most likely does not know it:-). I see myself in her writings at times and as is God's plan, she encourages me to continue, to move forward, to listen, and to allow our Lord's peace and mercy comfort my soul.

One of my favorite people and blogs....one day I hope to meet her in person:-)

Carmelitemom

No Greater Love

Looking forward to seeing this very, very soon!!!!!

Ignatius Press will have this available.....and Amazon has it available for pre-order.

Our Lady Of Mt. Carmel Novena, Day One

First Day

O Beautiful Flower of Carmel, most fruitful vine, splendor of heaven, holy and singular, who brought forth the Son of God, still ever remaining a pure virgin, assist us in our necessity! O Star of the Sea, help and protect us! Show us that you are our Mother!

(pause and mention petitions)

Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.

Bl. Zelie and Louis Martin

Bl. Zelie and Louis Martin, July 12

Lord, you have given to Blessed Louis and Marie Zélie the grace to lead a life of holiness as Christian spouses and parents. Grant that through their intercession and example each of us may be able to love and serve you faithfully, living worthily our own vocation. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

Missed my monthly Carmelite meeting.....

Well, so the last few weeks (OK maybe month) has been......challenging. Just the twist and turns of life. I don't know how people without faith in Divine Providence get through -- it certainly gave me a peace through my dad being ill, an Aunt passing away and then two days later an uncle passing away. Years ago...I most likely would not have seen the beauty in some of these events, so I know our Lord is working in me as that's all I saw. Sadness...grief.....definitely, but also joy and beauty.

And then this is kind of funny......I hurt my foot by falling off of a very, very large metal box (OK...so it was 5 inches x 2 inches x 1 inch - but sounds better the other way) about 1 1/2 weeks ago. I've been hobbling around on this black and blue foot and it was getting better but was a little surprised that it was still so sore. Yesterday, I went to get on my knees to help the children pick up their toys and I just slightly rolled onto my toes (SERIOUSLY, ever so slightly) and I felt a POP. After I composed myself I pulled off my sock and had a mysterious bump on the top of my foot. Decided to get an x-ray and yes....broken bone on the top of my foot -- just HOW does one get a broken bone on the TOP? LOL Most likely I fractured it 1 1/2 weeks ago and that little roll just made the final break. They said to stay off of it until next week when I can see the doctor. I was a little disappointed that I have to wait to see the doctor...but they said the swelling needed to go down anyway before they can decide what to do.

So, missing my monthly Carmelite meeting -- I'm disappointed as I really look forward to seeing everyone and it has become very important when trying to persevere on this path. But I have great friends who will be taking notes for me and will fill me in as best they can after the meeting. Praying for them as I know they are for me!

He is Risen!

Our Redeemer has risen from the tomb; let us sing a hymn of praise to the Lord our God, alleluia!

I have missed you all! Lent, and especially Holy Week was definitely a time of "pruning" for me and I'm so thankful for a merciful Lord. I'm also very thankful for you, my friends and I can't wait to catch up on your blogs!

May God Bless You ALL Abundantly!!!!

Something about Mary!

OK, so I started checking on my friends and just felt inspired to write ONE more little post, LOL! One of my favorite blogs (and fav cyber friend) is called the Beautiful Gate. I took a peek at her blog the other day -- Mary is her name and she always inspires me in my walk with Christ. Just as quickly I started thinking about the "Mary's" in my life and realized that every Mary I have been blessed to know has a very special place in my heart. From our Blessed Mother who truly saved me by leading me to her son and then again to my (hope to be) Carmelite family, a long time Mary friend from high school, another long time Mary friend who I consider probably my best friend because at the center we share our love of Christ, to my new cyber friend Mary who shares her heart bravely with her readers. Going to spend some time in prayer today thanking our Lord for the "Mary's" in my life...even those that aren't really named Mary:-)

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.

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.

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

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~~~

The Discalced Carmelite Students in Rome...

The Discalced Carmelite Theology Students in Rome.

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

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...

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.

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~~

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!