HAVE FAITH...

June 22, 2008
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Matthew 10: 26-33
"So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.”

Whose Shoes will they follow in???

Whose shoes will they follow in? As I look at my little ones and wonder who they will follow…I am so blessed to have them still believe and trust me. It worries me more when my teens give me the look when the little kids are loud, running through the house in their undies, or I am screaming at someone about doing their jobs or school work. Will they want lots of kids? Will they want to homeschool? Will they stay close to the Catholic Church? All I can do is pray and beg God to stay close to them in good times and in bad. Pouring His precious blood over them to protect and guide them. Asking our blessed Mother to pray and guide them along with St. Joseph the quiet one who listened to the Holy Spirit for wisdom on raising the Son of God.
Thy will be done…+JMJ+

GREAT FOR KIDS...

http://www.ewtn.org/ewtnkids/index.asp

Great games for kids, light a candle, send a prayer intention...
No membership required.
Have fun being Catholic!!!
+JMJ+

GOING TO SEE MY PAPA...

We got tickets see the Pope!!!
2 from the raffle at Church,2 for the teenagers in Youth Group,2 from my Father in love's work...(box seats!!!)
We are so excited!!! It reminds me of the joy I felt 12 years ago when we saw JPII in Baltimore!!!

Can't wait to post more with photo's...

+JMJ+Thy will be done...

Dwelling in the House of the Lord...

Responsorial Psalm27:1, 4, 13-14: One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.

This morning started off great!!! I got to spend an hour with our precious Lord. Sometimes I get tons of inspiration, other times I just sit and bask in HIS PRESENCE.

After having some time in the Chapel with HIM, I came home to find everyone still sleeping...so I got to go to church and receive HIM in the HOLY Eucharist. What a treat, hopefully all these graces will rub off on my family and we will have a great day!!!

Thank you Lord!!!

A FAMILY SCRAPBOOK...

My husband and I had the opportunity to go out to eat with some of our family this weekend. It came up about how we have time and why we do blogs. I shared that it was my opportunity to make a family scrapbook (with out the mess) for my kids to see when I am gone. A chance for me to remind them of what I think is important with out nagging...

Or as another family we know whose children are growing, moving, having babies,etc...it is their way of keeping in touch, sharing photo's, finding recipes, reminding of birthdays, family traditions,etc...

Of course they will just read their dad's blog because as usual...he is much cooler and funnier than I will ever be....and cuter!!! And my least favorite-skinner!!! You IRON MAN you!!!+JMJ+

Feast of the Annunication

Thy Will Be Done...

Luke 1:26-38


The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee named Nazareth , to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. Upon arriving, the angel said to her: “Rejoice, O highly favored daughter! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women.”

She was deeply troubled by his words, and wondered what his greeting meant. The angel went on to say to her: “Do not fear, Mary, You have found favor with God. You shall conceive and bear a son and give him the name Jesus. Great will be his dignity and he will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father. He will rule over the house of Jacob forever and his reign will be without end.”

Mary said to the angel, “How can this be since I do not know man?”

The angel answered her: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; hence, the holy offspring to be born will be called Son of God. Know that Elizabeth your kinswoman has conceived a son in her old age; she who was thought to be sterile is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible with God.”

Mary said: “I am the maidservant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say.” With that the angel left her.

Easter Monday...

Christ has risen, He has risen indeed!!!

Lights for the day:
1.Lord please heal my cracks!!!
2.Don't put limits on what Christ can do with you...you can be amazing...be happy with your state in life...don't compare yourself, your husband, your kids, or your home with others!!!
3.We can have an intense spiritual relationship with Christ just keep fostering total trust and confidence in HIM!!!

Exercise: one hour on tread mill(3 lbs Easter Sunday-yikes)

HOLY SATURDAY...

Today I am pondering the BALANCING ACT we as Catholics, wives, mom's, and homeschoolers must do. How do you keep the seriousness of Good Friday in your mind with the happiness of Easter Sunday just around the corner.

I find my self at a constant state of juggling. As I celebrate yet another Easter, did I accomplish what I set out for this Lent? Is my spirit, family, and home made better by the little sacrifices I made?

I find myself dealing with the daily struggles of being Mary and Martha...I tend to be so much like Mary...just wanting to sit at our Lord's feet and soak in His words...but in the mean time "my domestic church" is crumbling around me with my little saints going crazy.

As with each season in my life the gift of flexibility must reign. I must be able to meet the needs of my apostolic nature as well as my state in life as a wife, mom, and homeschooling housewife of 11 wonderful kids.

That means not being drawn to the computer to just escape the dishes, laundry, or child that needs my attention. That means throwing out that clutter that is taking up too much space in my home. It also means not eating all my kids leftovers and rationalizing that I am doing it not to waist. Because my waist doesn't agree.

It is hard to do all the wonderful things we set our selves up for and still stay sane in the end. As I approach my 40Th birthday I think back to my 19 years of marriage, my 18 years of parenting and homeschooling and I think what is it that makes it all work? Being Balanced and Flexible...

When I think about being balanced I think of my husband. God sent him to me for this as well as many other reasons. If it weren't for him I would be crazy and my poor kids would have no sense of humor. He keeps me laughing and my kids safe from my crazy antics.

I can give people advice on how to be a good Catholic, a better wife, a fun mom, and a creative homeschooler...but I can't give them the initiative or strength to do it. I struggle every day with just doing it. Most of the time I fail greatly. But as I meditate on Christ getting up after each fall I hear HIM cry to me not to give up...keep going...you can do it...baby steps...

RESURRECTION ROLLS:
Preheat Oven to 350 degreesIngredients:Crescent rollsMelted butterLarge marshmallowsCinnamonSugarGive each child a triangle of crescent rolls. The crescent roll represents the cloth that Jesus was wrapped in.Read Matthew 27:57-611. Give each child a marshmallow. This represents Jesus.2. Have him/her dip the marshmallow in melted butter. This represents the oils of embalming.3. Now dip the buttered marshmallow in the cinnamon and sugar which represents the spices used to anoint the body.4. Then wrap up the coated marshmallow tightly in the crescent roll (not like a typical crescent roll up, but bring the sides up and seal the marshmallow inside.) This represents the wrapping of Jesus' body after death.5. Place in a 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes. (The oven represents the tomb - pretend like it was three days!)6. Let the rolls cool slightly. The children can open their rolls (cloth) and discover that Jesus is no longer there, HE IS RISEN!!!! (The marshmallow melts and the crescent roll is puffed up, but empty.)Now read Matthew 28:5-8Explain: At the tomb, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary saw an angel, who told them not to be afraid. No one had taken Jesus' body, but He Had risen from the dead! The angel told the women to go and tell the disciples what they had seen, that Jesus had risen from the dead. They were so excited, they ran all the way home to tell the disciples the good news! He is risen from the dead! Alleluia!After that Jesus appeared in person to Peter, then to the 12 disciples and after that, to more than 500 people. Jesus' appearance to eyewitnesses, those who saw Him with their own eyes, would give support and prove that Jesus rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3-6).By rising from the dead, Jesus proved once and for all that He was the Messiah, the Savior of the World, the Chosen One, and the Lamb of God. By dying on the cross and rising from the dead, Jesus did what no other had ever done before. As both God and man, He overcame sin, death, and hell. And now because of what Jesus has done, these things no longer have any power over those who believe in Jesus and allow His Spirit to lead and direct them. Rather than being slaves to sin and death, Christians ( those who love and believe in Jesus) are free to obey God and do good ( Romans 6:17-18). The Bible says in John 8:36, "If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed."However, we will only obey God if we listen to the Holy Spirit our helper. He enables believers in Jesus to do the right thing. It is important that we read the Bible (God's Word) because one of the ways the Holy Spirit helps us obey God is by reminding us of what He says to us in His Word. God's Spirit will never go against his Word. In fact, when we read God's Word, we are listening to the Holy Spirit. Of course, you won't always do the right thing; the Bible says this ) 1 John 1:5-10). But that is why we need to continue to confess our sins knowing that God forgives us, based on what Jesus did on the cross. This is also a reason we need to spend time with other believers in Christ so they can encourage us in our faith.May you have a blessed and meaningful Easter!

And I say to HIM...THY WILL BE DONE LORD!!! +JMJ+

Were You There...

Preparing for Holy Week...

I HAVE NOT COME TO CALL THE JUST; I HAVE COME TO CALL SINNERS TO REPENTANCE. Luke 5:32
As we prepare for Holy Week let us prepare our hearts and homes by refining our habits for the Lord. It is a great time to get rid of the things that lead us away from time with Christ, our families, or those that need our love. It is a time to rid our vices whether they are tangible or spiritual. It may be cleaning out our homes from vices that distract us, like drugs, alcohol, and pornography. Or less obvious things like clutter, unnecessary attachments, bitterness, compulsive behaviors, addictions, pride, vanity, or sensuality. Maybe we should be fasting from things that pull away our time like the computer, phone, eating in obsession, or nagging others. The one small vice we can give to God this Easter will clear our minds to grow into the amazing person we were created to be.

Let Go and Let God...

I just got off the phone with one of my big sisters. She had to remind me to "let go and let God", as I try to control situations out of my reach. Especially the fact that I have one away at school, one going away, one who doesn't want to talk to me, and two about to become hormonal messes, another who is trying to be cool, the other five still like me (at least I think so)...I keep telling myself and others a mom who is potty training and nursing should not have to deal with growing teenagers!!! Obviously, I am not getting much sympathy from others who know how blessed I am to have all these wonderful kids.

So, I guess I have a new Lenten sacrafice to work on...

+JMJ+