A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings - Holy Week Edition

Judy over at A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings, hosts this meme every Wednesday. Simply list five things (or a prayer or any thoughts) for which you are truly thankful this week. Voicing my thanks helps put my life in perspective & realize that, no matter how bad things might be, there is still MUCH good surrounding me.

During this most Holy of weeks, I am most thankful for the huge sacrifice Jesus made for me...a sinner. At any time, He easily could have asked God to relieve Him & take the burden away. During the Agony in the Garden, He prayed, "Father, if You are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not My will but Yours be done." But, He knew the tremendous effect His sacrifice would have on the whole world. He knew that by dying on the cross, He was saving all of us from our sins.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for opening the gates of Heaven for me. May I always remember this sacrifice of Yours.

Small Successes

"It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that."

Oops! Missed this last week, too! So, why am I having so much trouble thinking of my successes. I should have two weeks worth, right?

1) I've been doing well this Lent in keeping away from Facebook & constantly checking blogs that I read.

2) I cleaned our master bathroom sink, counter, mirror, & toilet. 'Nuff said!!!

3) Other than Tuesdays when Lost is on, Casinodad & I haven't been turning the TV on in the evenings. We try to spend that extra time talking, reading, or just sitting together.

Your turn! Share your successes at Faith and Family Live. While you're there, check out others' successes.

A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings

Judy over at A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings, hosts this meme every Wednesday. Simply list five things (or a prayer or any thoughts) for which you are truly thankful this week. Voicing my thanks helps put my life in perspective & realize that, no matter how bad things might be, there is still MUCH good surrounding me.

Oops! I missed this meme last week, but I'm back w/ many things to be thankful for!

1) I'm thankful for a wonderful visit w/ dear friends yesterday. It's always tough to coordinate our schedules due to illness, homeschooling, & other activities, so the times we do get together are very fulfilling. Our kids get along so well. We sit & chat about all kinds of stuff.

2) I'm thankful for my job. Even though I'm away from home, casinodad, & the munchkins for most of Saturdays, I feel refreshed once I arrive home.

3) I'm thankful for books & the opportunities to share my favorites w/ others.

4) I'm thankful for hugs & kisses from my munchkins, & casinodad too, of course!

5) I'm thankful for my loving, forgiving God. No matter how many times I may stumble in my walk w/ Him, He's always there waiting to help my up.

The Gospel Spoke to Me (Part Three)

I've noticed that the more time I spend reading & reflecting on the Bible, the more I'm "hearing" God speak to me. You can read my previous sections here: Part One & Part Two

Since I wrote the first one, I've been trying to figure out exactly what God has been trying to tell me about my calling to serve Him. In Luke 5:1-11, Jesus called Peter as one of His first disciples. Peter's response? "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!" Peter was not perfect.

James Martin, SJ says in his book, My Life with the Saints,

"...a perfect man might never have been willing to set down his nets and follow Jesus....A perfect man would never have denied Jesus and therefore would never have understood the human desire for forgiveness. A perfect man would never have argued with the other disciples and therefore would never have understood the need for reconciliation. A perfect man would never have realized how desperately he really needed Jesus, and would never have understood how this truth is the basis of all discipleship....Sometimes I wonder if Jesus chose Peter not despite his imperfections but because of them."

So how does this effect my understanding of this Gospel passage? I, too, am not perfect! I'm sorry, did I surprise you there w/ that statement?!? Well, here's another one...you're not perfect either! None of us are & we're not supposed to be! In my neverending quest to achieve perfection, many times I compare myself to others. "Her children are ALWAYS perfectly groomed, well-mannered, and pleasant to be around! Her house is ALWAYS in order, nothing out of place & so clean, you can eat off the floor! And, she is ALWAYS well-dressed, NEVER has a hair out of place, & NEVER has an argument with her husband!"

In the conclusion of the above mentioned book, James Martin, SJ uses the example of a young mother lamenting the fact that she does not have a holier life for herself between her husband, two children, & full time job. She compares herself to Mother Teresa & wishes she could be more like her. "...in reality, she might be lousy at the type of work that Mother Teresa used to do. To underline this point, Mother Teresa might have been lousy at the work that this working mother is doing!"

This point really hit me. I don't have to be perfect. I don't have to be just like that OTHER mother. I don't have to do it all. There will be plenty of perfection in Heaven. So for now, I will try to focus on fixing my imperfections by NOT comparing myself to others. I know God will continue to work on me & there is definitely a LOT of work cut out for HIM. But at the same time, I have a LOT of work cut out for me too! Don't we all?

Small Successes

"It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that."

1) I finally finished a book I've been reading for several months...My Life with the Saints, by James Martin, SJ. Taking some saints & other famous holy people, he compiled this book to share how each of them had an effect on his life. It was an easy read. I think it took me longer between regular mother/household stuff & wanting to take time to absorb it.

2) We've had a great week in catching up on The Prophet's schoolwork. We'd gotten quite behind due to illnesses, doctor appointments, & life in general. His K12 teacher set us up on a schedule to catch up. While I didn't use hers exactly, we have managed to make a huge dent in his lessons.

3) The Princess & I hosted a very nice tea party on Saturday to celebrate her 5th birthday. It was just her grandmothers, aunts, & the two of us. She was such a little lady, daintily drinking her tea & opening her gifts. We dressed up, listened to Baroque music (Vivaldi's Four Seasons), had three different types of tea, & had a small luncheon of finger sandwiches, veggies, & fruit.

Check out the ladies at Faith & Family Live for more successes.

A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings

Judy over at A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings, hosts this meme every Wednesday. Simply list five things (or a prayer or any thoughts) for which you are truly thankful this week. Voicing my thanks helps put my life in perspective & realize that, no matter how bad things might be, there is still MUCH good surrounding me.

1) Thank you, Lord, for opening my eyes & ears to Your Word each morning. I've struggled for a long time, trying to hear You. While I'm not anywhere near 100%, the more I read the more I seem to find You in the day to day things.

2) Thank you, Lord, for The Prophet learning to use my coffee maker. He makes a great pot of coffee for me to enjoy!

3) Thank you, Lord, for the sunshine finally appearing (even though it's raining today). It's been a long, snowy winter & I am ready for Spring.

4) Thank you, Lord, for a quick physical this morning. (I pray my tests come back w/ good results.) The nurse came out to get me while I was still at the window paying my co-pay. Although, I was looking forward to getting a little personal reading time in! (Why is it that we wait a LONG time for the munchkins appointments, but when it's just me, I get right in?!?)

5) Thank you, Lord, for reconnecting w/ a long, lost friend through Facebook. She moved suddenly in 3rd grade & I never knew what happened to her. She found me & we've been corresponding lately.

The Gospel Spoke to Me (Part Two)

A few weeks ago I posted about a Gospel reading that spoke to me (see here). I'm still trying to figure it all out, but like I said, I may never completely get it. I do have some more thoughts that I will post soon, but for now...

He's not giving up!

Yesterday, in my morning Bible time, I read Matthew 25:14-30, the one where the man hands his funds over to three servants while he goes away. The first two take their shares & invest them, doubling the amounts for the man's return. The third, however, buries his share & in turn, had it taken away when the man returned.

I've read & heard this passage many times in my life, but never really understood it. It didn't take me long to "hear" what God was trying to tell me in this parable this time around. God is the man going away for a time, I am one of the servants, & my children are the "funds" entrusted to my care. Which servant am I? I would love to say that I am one of the first two, investing everything to make sure their faith & love for God multiplies over time. However, I'm not sure God would see it that way. I get selfish & lazy at times. I get wrapped up in my own activities & don't want to be "bothered." I KNOW it's wrong & try to do better.

One of my focuses this Lent has been to reduce my internet time. This has been a tremendous effort on my part & I think I have done quite well. It's enabled me to spend more time w/ the munchkins. I've also tried to stop yelling at them...another tremendous effort. There have been many opportunities & while I haven't been perfect, I've really reduced the volume of my voice. I am trying to be more present in their lives instead of observing from the sideline. Many of the problems we encounter come from my attitude & actions. I've made many mistakes in the past, but am desperately trying to rectify them & change MY ways.

Through much prayer, reflection, & personal choice, I CAN & WILL be one of those first two servants!

Munchkin School Time

The Prophet just asked if he could take a break from school & teach The Princess while I make lunch. I said that would be fine. The Archangel wanted to join them. As the three of them headed into the living room I heard The Prophet say, "We'll have Circle Time first, but actually it will be Triangle Time. You sit there, you sit there, & I'll sit there to make a triangle!"

Small Successes

"It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that."

1) At the Women's Conference on Saturday, I went to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This was a HUGE step for me as I have not been in a LONG, LONG time.

2) I loaded up the back of our van (& the passenger seat) yesterday w/ about 1/2 of the recyclables from our garage & took them to the fire station's drop off. They've been piling up lately & we haven't been able to make it because of the snow.

3) Several times this past week, I've had the opportunity to respond to Casinodad in a not-so-nice way, but consciously chose not to.

What's your week been like? Check out Faith and Family Live to share & see other successes.

A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings (#5)

Judy over at A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings, hosts this meme every Wednesday. Simply list five things (or a prayer or any thoughts) for which you are truly thankful this week. Voicing my thanks helps put my life in perspective & realize that, no matter how bad things might be, there is still MUCH good surrounding me.

1) I am thankful for the WONDERFUL Catholic Women's Conference I attended this past Saturday. Dr. Colleen Kelly-Mast was the Keynote Speaker. Her talk brought both laughter & tears. The other two speakers were Mother Assumpta Long of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist (Her order was recently on Oprah.) & Terry Polakovic, Executive Director & Chief Editor of the ENDOW Study Guides. Mother's talk was GREAT & very humorous...YES, sisters can be funny, too!

2) I am thankful that The Archangel is taking an interest in the Rosary. On Monday, he sat on the couch while I was in the middle of praying mine. He joined in, holding each bead along w/ me. Yesterday, he didn't want to pray w/ me, but when I was finished he wanted to use my CD (that I bought at the conference) to pray on his own.

3) I am thankful for the older siblings who love to spend time w/ their toddler brother.

4) I am thankful for great deals at Kohls! When I went the other day, I found a nice skirt, a blouse to match, & on a last minute run-through of the clearance rack, a cute blouse for $3.60.

5) I am thankful that a big weight has been lifted from my shoulders regarding our homeschooling for next year. This has been a big stress for me lately & I think we may have found a solution through much prayer & a catalog in the mail. More info to come in later posts as we firm up our decision.