Congratulations Michelle!!!!
For the past 8 months I have walked the RCIA journey with a SJA friend. Tonight, it was my honor to stand next to her while she was confirmed into the Catholic church. May God stand with you and bless you as you continue to grow in your Catholic faith, Michelle!
the sun is down,
Paschal candle is lit,
all candles begin to burn,
we listen intently to the Exsultet,
Liturgy of the Word fills the church,
baptism is renewed,
blessed with the Holy Eucharist!
He is Risen, Alleluia Alleluia!!!
It was an awesome night...The 1st time we took the children to the 2 hour Mass! They did beautifully!! So proud of my family and their devotion to their Faith!
Happy Easter to all!
Family
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Friday, March 29, 2013
Good Friday...
Interesting that we call today Good Friday, you would think it would be appropriate to call it Bad Friday given the all that happens to Jesus on this day....
Good Friday is just another reminder how awesome our Lord God truly is!!! Suffering for the GOOD of all his people is truly the most humbling act possible. Today, we celebrate His pain for OUR joy....and this is exactly the way He planned it!! Pretty amazing!!!
Read this and then really, really think about it, put yourself there (perhaps as Mary, Mother of God.) Think about how you (a mom/parent/aunt/friend) would feel watching the suffering of your only child/ or a special loved one. It is truly incomprehensible.
Good Friday is just another reminder how awesome our Lord God truly is!!! Suffering for the GOOD of all his people is truly the most humbling act possible. Today, we celebrate His pain for OUR joy....and this is exactly the way He planned it!! Pretty amazing!!!
Read this and then really, really think about it, put yourself there (perhaps as Mary, Mother of God.) Think about how you (a mom/parent/aunt/friend) would feel watching the suffering of your only child/ or a special loved one. It is truly incomprehensible.
Gospel: John 18:1-19:42
1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples across the Kidron valley, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered.
2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with his disciples.
3 So Judas, procuring a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons.
4 Then Jesus, knowing all that was to befall him, came forward and said to them, "Whom do you seek?"
5 They answered him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I am he." Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them.
6 When he said to them, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground.
7 Again he asked them, "Whom do you seek?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth."
8 Jesus answered, "I told you that I am he; so, if you seek me, let these men go."
9 This was to fulfil the word which he had spoken, "Of those whom thou gavest me I lost not one."
10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's slave and cut off his right ear. The slave's name was Malchus.
11 Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup which the Father has given me?"
12 So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews seized Jesus and bound him.
13 First they led him to Annas; for he was the father-in-law of Ca'iaphas, who was high priest that year.
14 It was Ca'iaphas who had given counsel to the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. As this disciple was known to the high priest, he entered the court of the high priest along with Jesus,
16 while Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the maid who kept the door, and brought Peter in.
17 The maid who kept the door said to Peter, "Are not you also one of this man's disciples?" He said, "I am not."
18 Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves; Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.
19 The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.
20 Jesus answered him, "I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together; I have said nothing secretly.
21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me, what I said to them; they know what I said."
22 When he had said this, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, "Is that how you answer the high priest?"
23 Jesus answered him, "If I have spoken wrongly, bear witness to the wrong; but if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?"
24 Annas then sent him bound to Ca'iaphas the high priest.
25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They said to him, "Are not you also one of his disciples?" He denied it and said, "I am not."
26 One of the servants of the high priest, a kinsman of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, "Did I not see you in the garden with him?"
27 Peter again denied it; and at once the cock crowed.
28 Then they led Jesus from the house of Ca'iaphas to the praetorium. It was early. They themselves did not enter the praetorium, so that they might not be defiled, but might eat the passover.
29 So Pilate went out to them and said, "What accusation do you bring against this man?"
30 They answered him, "If this man were not an evildoer, we would not have handed him over."
31 Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law." The Jews said to him, "It is not lawful for us to put any man to death."
32 This was to fulfil the word which Jesus had spoken to show by what death he was to die.
33 Pilate entered the praetorium again and called Jesus, and said to him, "Are you the King of the Jews?"
34 Jesus answered, "Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?"
35 Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me; what have you done?"
36 Jesus answered, "My kingship is not of this world; if my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight, that I might not be handed over to the Jews; but my kingship is not from the world."
37 Pilate said to him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Every one who is of the truth hears my voice."
38 Pilate said to him, "What is truth?" After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again, and told them, "I find no crime in him.
39 But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover; will you have me release for you the King of the Jews?"
40 They cried out again, "Not this man, but Barab'bas!" Now Barab'bas was a robber.
1 Then Pilate took Jesus and scourged him.
2 And the soldiers plaited a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and arrayed him in a purple robe;
3 they came up to him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" and struck him with their hands.
4 Pilate went out again, and said to them, "See, I am bringing him out to you, that you may know that I find no crime in him."
5 So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, "Behold the man!"
6 When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, "Crucify him, crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no crime in him."
7 The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and by that law he ought to die, because he has made himself the Son of God."
8 When Pilate heard these words, he was the more afraid;
9 he entered the praetorium again and said to Jesus, "Where are you from?" But Jesus gave no answer.
10 Pilate therefore said to him, "You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power to crucify you?"
11 Jesus answered him, "You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore he who delivered me to you has the greater sin."
12 Upon this Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, "If you release this man, you are not Caesar's friend; every one who makes himself a king sets himself against Caesar."
13 When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Pavement, and in Hebrew, Gab'batha.
14 Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, "Behold your King!"
15 They cried out, "Away with him, away with him, crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar."
16 Then he handed him over to them to be crucified.
17 So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew Gol'gotha.
18 There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them.
19 Pilate also wrote a title and put it on the cross; it read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews."
20 Many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek.
21 The chief priests of the Jews then said to Pilate, "Do not write, `The King of the Jews,' but, `This man said, I am King of the Jews.'"
22 Pilate answered, "What I have written I have written."
23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus they took his garments and made four parts, one for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was without seam, woven from top to bottom;
24 so they said to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be." This was to fulfil the scripture, "They parted my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots."
25 So the soldiers did this. But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Mag'dalene.
26 When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!"
27 Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
28 After this Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfil the scripture), "I thirst."
29 A bowl full of vinegar stood there; so they put a sponge full of the vinegar on hyssop and held it to his mouth.
30 When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, "It is finished"; and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
31 Since it was the day of Preparation, in order to prevent the bodies from remaining on the cross on the sabbath (for that sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him;
33 but when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.
34 But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.
35 He who saw it has borne witness -- his testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth -- that you also may believe.
36 For these things took place that the scripture might be fulfilled, "Not a bone of him shall be broken."
37 And again another scripture says, "They shall look on him whom they have pierced."
38 After this Joseph of Arimathe'a, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him leave. So he came and took away his body.
39 Nicode'mus also, who had at first come to him by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds' weight.
40 They took the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.
41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb where no one had ever been laid.
42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, as the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.
2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with his disciples.
3 So Judas, procuring a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons.
4 Then Jesus, knowing all that was to befall him, came forward and said to them, "Whom do you seek?"
5 They answered him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I am he." Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them.
6 When he said to them, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground.
7 Again he asked them, "Whom do you seek?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth."
8 Jesus answered, "I told you that I am he; so, if you seek me, let these men go."
9 This was to fulfil the word which he had spoken, "Of those whom thou gavest me I lost not one."
10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's slave and cut off his right ear. The slave's name was Malchus.
11 Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup which the Father has given me?"
12 So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews seized Jesus and bound him.
13 First they led him to Annas; for he was the father-in-law of Ca'iaphas, who was high priest that year.
14 It was Ca'iaphas who had given counsel to the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. As this disciple was known to the high priest, he entered the court of the high priest along with Jesus,
16 while Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the maid who kept the door, and brought Peter in.
17 The maid who kept the door said to Peter, "Are not you also one of this man's disciples?" He said, "I am not."
18 Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves; Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.
19 The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.
20 Jesus answered him, "I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together; I have said nothing secretly.
21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me, what I said to them; they know what I said."
22 When he had said this, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, "Is that how you answer the high priest?"
23 Jesus answered him, "If I have spoken wrongly, bear witness to the wrong; but if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?"
24 Annas then sent him bound to Ca'iaphas the high priest.
25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They said to him, "Are not you also one of his disciples?" He denied it and said, "I am not."
26 One of the servants of the high priest, a kinsman of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, "Did I not see you in the garden with him?"
27 Peter again denied it; and at once the cock crowed.
28 Then they led Jesus from the house of Ca'iaphas to the praetorium. It was early. They themselves did not enter the praetorium, so that they might not be defiled, but might eat the passover.
29 So Pilate went out to them and said, "What accusation do you bring against this man?"
30 They answered him, "If this man were not an evildoer, we would not have handed him over."
31 Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law." The Jews said to him, "It is not lawful for us to put any man to death."
32 This was to fulfil the word which Jesus had spoken to show by what death he was to die.
33 Pilate entered the praetorium again and called Jesus, and said to him, "Are you the King of the Jews?"
34 Jesus answered, "Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?"
35 Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me; what have you done?"
36 Jesus answered, "My kingship is not of this world; if my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight, that I might not be handed over to the Jews; but my kingship is not from the world."
37 Pilate said to him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Every one who is of the truth hears my voice."
38 Pilate said to him, "What is truth?" After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again, and told them, "I find no crime in him.
39 But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover; will you have me release for you the King of the Jews?"
40 They cried out again, "Not this man, but Barab'bas!" Now Barab'bas was a robber.
1 Then Pilate took Jesus and scourged him.
2 And the soldiers plaited a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and arrayed him in a purple robe;
3 they came up to him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" and struck him with their hands.
4 Pilate went out again, and said to them, "See, I am bringing him out to you, that you may know that I find no crime in him."
5 So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, "Behold the man!"
6 When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, "Crucify him, crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no crime in him."
7 The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and by that law he ought to die, because he has made himself the Son of God."
8 When Pilate heard these words, he was the more afraid;
9 he entered the praetorium again and said to Jesus, "Where are you from?" But Jesus gave no answer.
10 Pilate therefore said to him, "You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power to crucify you?"
11 Jesus answered him, "You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore he who delivered me to you has the greater sin."
12 Upon this Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, "If you release this man, you are not Caesar's friend; every one who makes himself a king sets himself against Caesar."
13 When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Pavement, and in Hebrew, Gab'batha.
14 Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, "Behold your King!"
15 They cried out, "Away with him, away with him, crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar."
16 Then he handed him over to them to be crucified.
17 So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew Gol'gotha.
18 There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them.
19 Pilate also wrote a title and put it on the cross; it read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews."
20 Many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek.
21 The chief priests of the Jews then said to Pilate, "Do not write, `The King of the Jews,' but, `This man said, I am King of the Jews.'"
22 Pilate answered, "What I have written I have written."
23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus they took his garments and made four parts, one for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was without seam, woven from top to bottom;
24 so they said to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be." This was to fulfil the scripture, "They parted my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots."
25 So the soldiers did this. But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Mag'dalene.
26 When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!"
27 Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
28 After this Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfil the scripture), "I thirst."
29 A bowl full of vinegar stood there; so they put a sponge full of the vinegar on hyssop and held it to his mouth.
30 When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, "It is finished"; and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
31 Since it was the day of Preparation, in order to prevent the bodies from remaining on the cross on the sabbath (for that sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him;
33 but when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.
34 But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.
35 He who saw it has borne witness -- his testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth -- that you also may believe.
36 For these things took place that the scripture might be fulfilled, "Not a bone of him shall be broken."
37 And again another scripture says, "They shall look on him whom they have pierced."
38 After this Joseph of Arimathe'a, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him leave. So he came and took away his body.
39 Nicode'mus also, who had at first come to him by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds' weight.
40 They took the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.
41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb where no one had ever been laid.
42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, as the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Holy Thursday
As our Easter Tridium begin, lets reflect on Christian love~
Jesus showed humility, LOVE, respect, bravery, and FAITH in His most awesome way on this day. For Freedom Christ set us free. (Gal. 5:1) He anticipated the the heavy cross, yet professed His love by giving His whole self through the Last Supper.
1 Corinthians 11: 23-26"...On the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." "In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.
Thanks be to God! How much FAITH He has in us, the people of His world. He gave us his only son!!! Jesus was never hesitant or scared. He never contemplated all the pain and suffering he would endure in order to save us. Our God, his only son, Jesus Christ showed perfection when teaching us how to Love fully.... think of ALL of the examples he has provided us.
The time is now for all of us to spread that love; complete, undeniable, all enduring LOVE to everyone (yes, that means everyone, NO JUDGEMENT) in this world! Pope John Paul II goes so far as to say, "Man cannot live without love. He remains a being that is incomprehensible for himself, his life is senseless, if love is not revealed to him, if he does not encounter love, if he does not experience love and make it his own, if he does not participate intimately in it." Redemptor Hominis 10.
Love is all we need. ~ Beatles
-------
My kids were angels today! They were fantastic at Mass (they both received compliments from the people behind us.) They were interested, engaged, and asked very good questions. My children are becoming AWESOME Catholic Christians!!!! So very proud of them!!!
Jesus showed humility, LOVE, respect, bravery, and FAITH in His most awesome way on this day. For Freedom Christ set us free. (Gal. 5:1) He anticipated the the heavy cross, yet professed His love by giving His whole self through the Last Supper.
1 Corinthians 11: 23-26"...On the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." "In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.
Thanks be to God! How much FAITH He has in us, the people of His world. He gave us his only son!!! Jesus was never hesitant or scared. He never contemplated all the pain and suffering he would endure in order to save us. Our God, his only son, Jesus Christ showed perfection when teaching us how to Love fully.... think of ALL of the examples he has provided us.
The time is now for all of us to spread that love; complete, undeniable, all enduring LOVE to everyone (yes, that means everyone, NO JUDGEMENT) in this world! Pope John Paul II goes so far as to say, "Man cannot live without love. He remains a being that is incomprehensible for himself, his life is senseless, if love is not revealed to him, if he does not encounter love, if he does not experience love and make it his own, if he does not participate intimately in it." Redemptor Hominis 10.
Love is all we need. ~ Beatles
-------
My kids were angels today! They were fantastic at Mass (they both received compliments from the people behind us.) They were interested, engaged, and asked very good questions. My children are becoming AWESOME Catholic Christians!!!! So very proud of them!!!
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
At this moment
St. Anthony Pray for Us.
Compassionate St. Anthony, you are called the "Miracle Worker" by those who
have been blessed by your special friendship. I ask you to look with favor on this special little person who is weak and failing.
Great St. Anthony, come to the assistance of this small angel. Obtain for him health in mind and body, and the strength to accept all suffering in union with Christ, our Savior.
Loving St. Anthony, console all those who are afflicted, and guide them to the heart of the Divine Physician, where they will obtain compassion, mercy and hope.
Amen.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Our wait... has been so much more
Our journey to Ethiopia has been a long road...and we still have a few miles to walk. At times, the sinner in me wants to place blame on something or someone for our extended wait but the truth is...this wait has given us many blessings in our life. Most importantly, our wait has renewed our Faith!!!
As our family continues on this journey of life (and to baby 'opia,) we are learning to look for, embrace openly, and enjoy the Lord's daily blessings. For a long time, I walked through everyday selfishly, fulfilling my every immediate need with material things, constantly trying to fill that 'void.' The truth is...that void can never be filled with worldly matters. The only thing that has curbed the feeling of wanting more, needing more... is my relationship with our Lord. As I began to enjoy the Peace in His Presence, the feeling of not measuring up, the emptiness, the craving for more....well, it disappeared!!
So...you see... If we trust God, we will learn He is ALWAYS there. We must welcome the wait.
March 26:
"Waiting on Me means directing your attention to Me in hopeful anticipation of what I will do. It entails trusting Me with every fiber of your being, instead of trying to figure things our yourself. Waiting on Me is the way I designed you to live: all day, every day. I created you to stay conscious of Me as you go about your daily duties.
I have promised many blessings to those who wait on Me: renewed strength, living above one's circumstances, resurgence of hope awareness of My continual Presence. Waiting on Me enables you to glorify Me by living in deep dependence on Me, ready to do My will. It also helps you to enjoy Me; in My Presence is fullness of Joy.
-Jesus Calling
Sarah Young
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They wil soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. - Isaiah 40:31
Monday, March 25, 2013
If I could... I would....
if i could, i would....
cuddle up in a blanket and write for hours.
----
the blanket would be soft and warm and oh sooo cozy...
there would be a cup of tea in arms reach...(in one of my new teacups given to me by my cousins. thank you prayers for 'opia committee!)
it would be quiet...(the kids are back to school after a week of break)
the snow would continue to fall...(yes, it's spring...and we just received a beautiful 7in thick blanket of snow)
i would write about how amazing my kids are...what their favorite things are right now...some of their best 1-liners...Chase...how Garyn loves to pray...how I love to pray...what my Faith has done for my mental and emotional well being!...how much our family wants the news of baby 'opia...how blessed i am to be surrounded by such wonderful people...... some of my favorite things, books, songs...
it would be lovely!
but..... reality is...we had a blast last week and now this Momma must go back to work too! So, I am off to do housework and make dinner!!
Ciao!
cuddle up in a blanket and write for hours.
----
the blanket would be soft and warm and oh sooo cozy...
there would be a cup of tea in arms reach...(in one of my new teacups given to me by my cousins. thank you prayers for 'opia committee!)
it would be quiet...(the kids are back to school after a week of break)
the snow would continue to fall...(yes, it's spring...and we just received a beautiful 7in thick blanket of snow)
i would write about how amazing my kids are...what their favorite things are right now...some of their best 1-liners...Chase...how Garyn loves to pray...how I love to pray...what my Faith has done for my mental and emotional well being!...how much our family wants the news of baby 'opia...how blessed i am to be surrounded by such wonderful people...... some of my favorite things, books, songs...
it would be lovely!
but..... reality is...we had a blast last week and now this Momma must go back to work too! So, I am off to do housework and make dinner!!
Ciao!
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Happy Birthday my Peanut Butter Pickle!
WOW!
so hard to believe my little girl is 5...
i remember the day she entered this world like it was yesterday...
she was tiny (and yellow) and ready to eat!!
not much has changed...
she is still tiny and still LOVES to eat (especially noodles, bacon, french toast, and grilled cheese)
she is so funny,
smart,
beautiful,
loving,
fragile,
strong,
and ready to start kindergarten in just a few months...
I love you my peanut butter pickle!!! You brighten my every day!! I can not wait to see you as an 'big' sister! You are going to teach your new sibling so much about this great big world!! I only hope your new brother or sister has your sense of humor!!! Thank you Mimi for letting me love you!!!
Love~ Mommy
so hard to believe my little girl is 5...
i remember the day she entered this world like it was yesterday...
she was tiny (and yellow) and ready to eat!!
not much has changed...
she is still tiny and still LOVES to eat (especially noodles, bacon, french toast, and grilled cheese)
she is so funny,
smart,
beautiful,
loving,
fragile,
strong,
and ready to start kindergarten in just a few months...
I love you my peanut butter pickle!!! You brighten my every day!! I can not wait to see you as an 'big' sister! You are going to teach your new sibling so much about this great big world!! I only hope your new brother or sister has your sense of humor!!! Thank you Mimi for letting me love you!!!
Love~ Mommy
Feast of St. Patrick
Our family has so much to celebrate on this Feast of St. Patrick...
As we begin our celebration, let's remember St. Patrick with this prayer.
In this prayer he asks for God’s help in various ways:
May the Strength of God pilot us.May the Power of God preserve us.
May the Wisdom of God instruct us.
May the Hand of God protect us.
May the Way of God direct us.
May the Shield of God defend us.
May the Host of God guard us.
Against the snares of the evil ones.
Against temptations of the world
May Christ be with us!
May Christ be before us!
May Christ be in us,
Christ be over all!
May Thy Salvation, Lord,
Always be ours,
This day, O Lord, and evermore. Amen.
May Christ be before us!
May Christ be in us,
Christ be over all!
May Thy Salvation, Lord,
Always be ours,
This day, O Lord, and evermore. Amen.
CELEBRATING ST. PATRICK!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIGI!!!
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
HABEMUS PAPAM
POPE FRANCIS I.....
I think it has a hopeful, peaceful sound....
May God Bless you, Most Holy Father
I think it has a hopeful, peaceful sound....
May God Bless you, Most Holy Father
WHITE SMOKE!!!
WE HAVE WHITE SMOKE!!!
WAITING..... WAITING..... WAITING....
3:01~ people as far as you can see in St. Peter's Square....
So excited!
WAITING..... WAITING..... WAITING....
3:01~ people as far as you can see in St. Peter's Square....
So excited!
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Church History according to Gigi
As Catholics this is an important time for us. For the first time in 600 years, Pope Benedict XVI, Peter's successor, has retired!!! His resignation was effective February 28, 2013. The Church is over 2000 years old, yet there has only been 265 successor's to Peter... and to be able to witness the Most Holy 'Chair' empty 2 or 3 times in my lifetime is incredible to me!
Pope Benedict will, I am sure, be remembered as a great Teacher-Pope. Theologian means, quite literally, "one who speaks of God." Ratzinger the great thinker turned out to be Benedict the great communicator of the Faith - a father in the sense of one who nurtures the young in faith. His unique command of the truths of Christian doctrine and his singular ability to make them come alive catechetically and homiletically were a great gift to us. He called us back to the foundations of faith in Scripture and Tradition, the Word of God alive and active in our day.- Religion and Ethics
As we patiently wait for the 'white smoke,' I am using this time to explain as much as possible about this incredible event to the kids. Garyn listens and goes about his business. He may ask a few questions here and there, but seems content with what I tell him. Gigi, on the other hand, spends more time with me (since she has been on break from school,) therefore, she has been listening to more news and the Catholic channel. She has been listening to everyone talking about the "smoke."
Today we were in the car and she said, "Mom, I am looking for the White Smoke...and I don't see any." I told her that it may still be a few more days until they name a new successor to Peter. She very matter a factly said, "They better hurry up because the Pope is always old."
Later on today, I was upstairs getting dressed and witnessed on TV the Black Smoke from the smoke stacks. I yelled to Ryan and Gigi, "Black Smoke." Gigi looks at Ryan and says, "Well Dad, Black Smoke, No Pope."
History.....let us never forget!
I'll take the slice of hope, please!
Yesterday we were offered a little slice of hope!!! Every 2 weeks or so we receive updates on the Ethiopian program through our agency. For the past year and longer, most of these updates were depressing and offering generic hope. The updates reminded us of another month of NO REFERRALS...not just for us, but for all waiting families.
Well, over the past few months there have been a small increase in referrals...but yesterday was our biggest slice of hope....
13 REFERRALS were received!!!!!!
THANKS BE TO GOD! THANKS BE TO GOD!
What does this mean for us....well, if this trend continues (again, no telling if it will) an addition to our family is looking VERY good for this year!!! WOOHOO!!!!!
Thank you for all the prayers!
Well, over the past few months there have been a small increase in referrals...but yesterday was our biggest slice of hope....
13 REFERRALS were received!!!!!!
THANKS BE TO GOD! THANKS BE TO GOD!
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:18
My heart rejoices!!! My heart is overflowing with joy...these orphans, these most deserving children are hearing the voice of our Lord!!!! He is showing them the wonderful and constant work of our God! (if this wasn't Lent, I would be screaming Alleluia!!!!!)
What does this mean for us....well, if this trend continues (again, no telling if it will) an addition to our family is looking VERY good for this year!!! WOOHOO!!!!!
Thank you for all the prayers!
Monday, March 11, 2013
Garyn had an A PLUS birthday party!
Yesterday Garyn celebrated his birthday with his friends at A Plus Gymnastics! It was 3 hours of energy releasing FUN!!!!
They jumped, flipped, zipped..... it was so much fun!
Thank you all for joining in the fun!!!
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Hitting Home
Cradle Catholics.... there are lots of them!
Dynamic Catholics...there are few of them!
As we grow closer to Easter, I am reflecting on my past year as a Catholic and again, rejoicing at our path leading us to St. Joan of Arc. This year I have had the honor and pleasure to sponsor a fellow adoptive mother on her journey to Catholicism. I have learn so much as an already Catholic...and yet as this year of RCIA comes to an end, I understand there still is so much for me to learn about our faith and tradition... I no longer want to be a cradle Catholic, I want to be a dynamic Catholic.
This past Thursday night we were priviledged to listen to Fr. Guy's thoughts and wisdom on the sacrament of reconciliation. I will reflect on many lessons from RCIA in the following weeks, but this morning I want to reflect on one statement he made that 'HIT HOME' for me.
(As probably all of you know, we have been on a very long journey to our meet our Ethiopian child. And on most days, the only thing I recall from the journey thus far is the WAIT... although so much goodness has happened during this wait period...)
The statement Fr. Guy made was simple, honest, and true. He said, "A thousand years is like one day for Jesus."
This statement immediately reminded me of the patience and understanding of Jesus. He fully understood the goodness that God grants to each and everyone of us. He never dwelled on any waiting period...
As we continue to wait a short wait, I will carry this statement in my heart. On days when I become impatient, frustrated and sad because selfishly I believe our family is ready...I will remember the calmness of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanks be to God!
Dynamic Catholics...there are few of them!
As we grow closer to Easter, I am reflecting on my past year as a Catholic and again, rejoicing at our path leading us to St. Joan of Arc. This year I have had the honor and pleasure to sponsor a fellow adoptive mother on her journey to Catholicism. I have learn so much as an already Catholic...and yet as this year of RCIA comes to an end, I understand there still is so much for me to learn about our faith and tradition... I no longer want to be a cradle Catholic, I want to be a dynamic Catholic.
This past Thursday night we were priviledged to listen to Fr. Guy's thoughts and wisdom on the sacrament of reconciliation. I will reflect on many lessons from RCIA in the following weeks, but this morning I want to reflect on one statement he made that 'HIT HOME' for me.
(As probably all of you know, we have been on a very long journey to our meet our Ethiopian child. And on most days, the only thing I recall from the journey thus far is the WAIT... although so much goodness has happened during this wait period...)
The statement Fr. Guy made was simple, honest, and true. He said, "A thousand years is like one day for Jesus."
This statement immediately reminded me of the patience and understanding of Jesus. He fully understood the goodness that God grants to each and everyone of us. He never dwelled on any waiting period...
As we continue to wait a short wait, I will carry this statement in my heart. On days when I become impatient, frustrated and sad because selfishly I believe our family is ready...I will remember the calmness of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanks be to God!
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Prayers for 'Opia
WOW!!!
I was reminded once again....GOD is in control.
He layed the path for Ryan and I to follow. He brought us to a place with such love and compassion. How blessed are we to have found the people of the St. Joan of Arc community! I will say it over and over and over, probably to nauseam...this is where we are meant to be!
Here is just one more example of the love that overflows at SJA!
A few weeks ago, our family had a surprise waiting for us on our doorstep... it was from The Prayers for 'Opia committee. I was so taken back by this out pouring of love and support for us during this LONG journey to Ethiopia... I wrote this to our agency and wanted to post it here too:
To all who read this,
I am overwhelmed with love at this moment and thought I should share why...today, I received a basket full of thoughtful, loving gifts. Attached was a card from "The prayers for 'Opia Committee." Apparently two of my friends took it upon themselves to create a committee called "Prayers for 'Opia." Every 2 weeks from now until Baby 'Opia (a name my children gave to our EthiOPIAn child) arrives, I should expect a gift. My friends and family know how long we have waited for baby 'opia, they know the life changes we have made, and in return are trying to make the rest of our wait a little easier.
I do not write this to 'plead' our case...I am writing this to let you know that our family is surrounded by love. So, when the time is right, when we receive our 'call,' no doubt should EVER be shed. This child will be loved more than words can express!
So, consider this a 'just to get to know me/our family/what's going on in our life' message. I know that Cindy knows my family well, but I feel like the ET team does not, so this is my effort to share a story to let you know a little more about our family. My friends have made great efforts to ease our wait and it is only fair you know!
Blessings,
Natalie Sanford
Words can not express how grateful we ALL are to have the love and support from The Prayers for 'Opia committee. I can not wait to share this story one day with baby 'opia! It will only make their story so much better!!
I love you ALL!!!
I was reminded once again....GOD is in control.
He layed the path for Ryan and I to follow. He brought us to a place with such love and compassion. How blessed are we to have found the people of the St. Joan of Arc community! I will say it over and over and over, probably to nauseam...this is where we are meant to be!
Here is just one more example of the love that overflows at SJA!
A few weeks ago, our family had a surprise waiting for us on our doorstep... it was from The Prayers for 'Opia committee. I was so taken back by this out pouring of love and support for us during this LONG journey to Ethiopia... I wrote this to our agency and wanted to post it here too:
Because we are loved...
To all who read this,
I am overwhelmed with love at this moment and thought I should share why...today, I received a basket full of thoughtful, loving gifts. Attached was a card from "The prayers for 'Opia Committee." Apparently two of my friends took it upon themselves to create a committee called "Prayers for 'Opia." Every 2 weeks from now until Baby 'Opia (a name my children gave to our EthiOPIAn child) arrives, I should expect a gift. My friends and family know how long we have waited for baby 'opia, they know the life changes we have made, and in return are trying to make the rest of our wait a little easier.
I do not write this to 'plead' our case...I am writing this to let you know that our family is surrounded by love. So, when the time is right, when we receive our 'call,' no doubt should EVER be shed. This child will be loved more than words can express!
So, consider this a 'just to get to know me/our family/what's going on in our life' message. I know that Cindy knows my family well, but I feel like the ET team does not, so this is my effort to share a story to let you know a little more about our family. My friends have made great efforts to ease our wait and it is only fair you know!
Blessings,
Natalie Sanford
Words can not express how grateful we ALL are to have the love and support from The Prayers for 'Opia committee. I can not wait to share this story one day with baby 'opia! It will only make their story so much better!!
I love you ALL!!!
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Maybe one day I will share......
maybe one day i will share....
this adoption journey has strengthen me beyond my imagination.
my faith....my GOD....thank you for carrying me when i am at my low.
Our God is in Control.....this song is perfect!
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