The Simple Woman's Daybook

Peggy hosts this each meme each week & you can read other Daybook's HERE.

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...bright sunshine & temps heading to the 90s today

I am thinking...stressing, & worrying about several things going on in our lives right now.

I am thankful...for family & friends who are there to help out when needed.

From the learning rooms...pretty much done for the summer! We'll take a break for a few weeks then catch up on a couple lessons we never got to & do some other fun things.

From the kitchen...tuna salad sandwiches for lunch & believe it or not, all four munchkins like it :)

I am wearing...cream colored capris, a light green polo, & bare feet

I am creating...yep, still working on that mental decluttering plan!

I am going...crazy - would you like to join me? LOL!

I am reading...Island Passage by Sherry Hartzler (she's an author from the Hocking Hills area - I bought her book at one of the shops there that showcases local artists), Beyond the Birds and the Bees by Gregory Popcak, & The Imitation of Christ.

I am hoping...for back relief & peace of mind.

I am hearing...a Scooby Doo DVD the munchkins are watching & the whirr of the ceiling fan

Around the house...laundry catch-up (mostly the munchkins' clothes)

One of my favorite things...when the munchkins are actually getting along & not yelling at each other

A few plans for the rest of the week...another session of Mom Therapy w/ my dear friend & her kids after I watch her kids in the morning, doctor's appt. for The Prophet this afternoon, Small Church Community gathering, my nephew's graduation & party on Sat., Confirmation on Sat. evening, & dinner w/ my BFF & her family Sat. night (I'm her daughter's sponsor)

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...The Archangel used some of his money to buy himself a digital camera. It's just one of the kids' cheapy type ones, but he loves it. This is one of the photos of him & Casinodad taken w/ that camera.

The Catholic Company Book Review - Recovering Faith: Stories of Catholics Who Came Home

In Recovering Faith: Stories of Catholics Who Came Home, Lorene Hanley Duquin profiles 18 men & women who had left the Catholic Church at some point in their lives only to return years later. She explains what caused their departure & what led them back. Some left due to the changes made by the Second Vatican Council. Some were lured away by fame, fortune, or Protestant ideals. Some never physically left the Church, but were not there mentally, only going through the motions.

I was familiar with a good number of the people profiled, but was surprised by a few. I had no idea that Dean Koontz, author of horror novels was a Catholic! And I knew that Martin Sheen was, but I didn’t know how faithful he was to the Church.

While each person had their own experiences of being drawn back to the Church, there seemed to be a common thread – each felt a pull or nudge. As they looked back on the paths their lives took, they could see those inner workings of the Holy Spirit.

I could see parts of my own faith journey in some of their stories. While I was one of those who never officially left the Church, there was a period in my life when I was just going through the motions. I didn’t worry if I missed Mass occasionally, I stopped going to Confession, & I really didn’t pray much. Once I started to question & doubt various aspects of the Catholic Church, I started to read more & it was then that I gained a better understanding of the Catholic Faith…my Faith!

There were several things I really liked about this book. First, it was comforting to know that it is okay to step back from the Church & follow a path that guides you to return to your faith. Second, at the end of each person’s story is a list of resources – books by that person & other books that helped them along their journey, as well as websites & blog links. I plan to delve deeper into many of those resources.

Third, interspersed in each chapter are footnote-type sections telling about various topics / ideas mentioned. While each is right between the stories, the footnotes enhance, rather that interrupt the flow of the text. The footnotes are there to help explain many of the things misunderstood by those who’ve left.

This is an excellent book to share with those people in your life who have left the Church, for whatever reason. The very last section explains steps to take to come back to the Catholic Church & it’s reassuring to know that it is never too late.

This review was written as part of the Catholic book reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Recovering Faith: Stories of Catholics Who Came Home. They are also a great source for a Catechism of the Catholic Church or a Catholic Bible.

Small Successes

Small Successes can now be found over at Sherry's blog, Chocolate for Your Brain.

1) Vegetable garden is planted...squash, tomatoes, peppers, green beans, carrots, & pickling cucumbers. I may still add another pepper plant or two & will plant watermelon seeds in another area, but the majority is planted.

2) We finally bought two new bathroom faucets & two new toilet seats to replace those that desperately need it.

3) I have all the school books needed for The Prophet & The Princess for next year. And, I registered The Archangel for Connections Academy online school.

A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings

My dear blogging friend, 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'm thankful I did not pass out or get sick after the 2nd test for my back facet joints.

2) I'm thankful for the beautiful weather this past weekend. We were able to get out & do some gardening...both flowers & veggies.

3) I'm thankful for the beautiful spring morning music outside right now. The windows are open, there's a nice breeze, & the birds are singing.

4) I'm thankful for the joy our munchkins fill us with. Yes, there are times of stress, trials, & tribulations, but seeing a joyful smile on their faces & being wrapped in their tight embraces makes it all worthwhile.

5) I'm thankful for my dear husband, Casinodad. I know I haven't been able to do as much around the house in the past year or so because of my back (only doing the minimum I can handle most of the time), but he has been so supportive & loving. I'm truly blessed to have him in my life.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Peggy hosts this each meme each week & you can read other Daybook's HERE.

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...the sun is trying to peek through the clouds after a morning of storms & constant rain, AGAIN!

I am thinking...of the beautiful weekend we just had - no rain, perfect temperatures, lots of outdoor time.

I am thankful...my BFF's daughter chose me to be her Confirmation sponsor. We had a retreat Saturday afternoon that included Confession & Mass afterwards. I've grown so much in my faith in the past few years & it is wonderful to share that faith w/ her.

From the learning rooms...mostly finished for the school year. The Prophet has just a couple lessons to complete this afternoon, while The Archangel & The Princess are done.

From the kitchen...my mom made me fried eggs on buttered bread, a breakfast treat I've loved since I was a child. She used to make it when we were sick or just needed some extra comfort. I have not mastered making it myself. She was here this morning watching the munchkins while Casinodad took me to my back procedure appt. Because I couldn't eat beforehand, I asked her to make it for me when I got home.

I am wearing...a black cotton skirt, a coral cotton T-shirt, & bare feet - I needed loose, comfortable clothes for the back procedure.

I am creating...still working on that mental decluttering plan!

I am going...to work hard today, testing to see if this back procedure worked for me this time around - changing sheets, laundry, cleaning, etc.

I am reading...Recovering Faith: Stories of Catholics Who Came Home by Lorene Hanley Duquin (my newest book review for The Catholic Company), Beyond the Birds and the Bees by Gregory Popcak, & The Imitation of Christ.

I am hoping...for back relief.

I am hearing...The Prophet's DS game music, The Princess playing & talking to herself, & The Saint playing on the kitchen floor w/ my waffle maker.

Around the house...because my mom was here this morning, the kitchen is it GREAT shape! Gotta love when moms come & help out!

One of my favorite things...having the windows open to enjoy a fresh spring breeze (& no manure smells yet!)

A few plans for the rest of the week...another session of Mom Therapy w/ my dear friend & her kids (they've been out of town for a few weeks, so we're making up for lost time!), & cleaning & de-cluttering

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...HandyGramps & HelpfulGrammy (or as The Saint calls them, Papa & Bama - We're working on changing the way he says Grandma!)