Ostrich Moments

Have you ever had an "ostrich moment"? You know...those times when you just want to bury your head in the sand until all the bad stuff reigning down on your life passes?**

I've been feeling like that lately, esp. after this past week. 

I went to bed Tuesday evening w/ a feeling of dread...knowing deep down that we would still have the same president for the next four years, one who has absolutely no respect for the sanctity of life from conception to natural death! So, Wednesday I spent in a depressive state of mind & in much prayer for our country.

Thursday, as we were leaving for The Prophet's band practice, the van sounded like we were dragging something. I stopped & checked underneath, but found nothing. We continued on our journey, but as I got closer to our destination, a loud grinding sound began & only got worse the more I braked. Of course, I just happened to get stuck at EVERY. SINGLE. RED. LIGHT. & then behind several cars that needed to turn. So, I took the van to our mechanic after band practice. While it was being repaired, we spent the day at HelpfulGrammy's, not getting anything done at home or w/ school work. (Although, I really enjoyed spending some quality time w/ my parents!) Almost $200 later, we now have new brake pads & rotors on the front of the van! CHA-CHING!

Friday morning, the four Blessings were not in very blessed moods! They were constantly arguing w/ each other & disobeying me left & right. Thankfully, I had a "Mom Therapy" session w/ my dear friend & the blessings got to play w/ their friends. I felt so much better after our afternoon together...the highlight of my week!

Friday evening, HandyGramps called to say they were heading to the hospital. They believed that HelpfulGrammy's only brother had a brain aneurysm. After some tests, it's been determined that he had a leaking vein. They are keeping him in a sedated state right now, de-sedating him occasionally to check for any responses. While they still have him on the ventilator, he is breathing on his own. He's still not out of the woods yet, so prayers would be appreciated for all the family!

In between all of these stresses & trying times, my ostrich moments increase when I read more & more news articles & links online... 

Obamacare will not be repealed

Texas is trying to get a petition to withdraw from the US 

a Nevada woman may be forced by courts to abort her baby  

...just to name a few.

They increase when I open up our checkbook & realize that we spent that last paycheck before it even came in, yet we still have bills that need taken care of. They increase when I try to make healthy meals (limiting GMOs & other harmful ingredients) yet the Blessings refuse to even try them. They increase when I can't get through to our Blessings that their fighting & disobedience is unacceptable. They increase when I go into work & see the poor souls who have no family or friends to visit them. 

I KNOW in my heart that God is in control. I KNOW I just need to put all my trust in Him. I KNOW that He has a plan for each of us, His children. I KNOW all will work out well in the end. I KNOW what I need to do...I need to stop trying to bury my head in the sand & lift my eyes toward my Heavenly Father. I need to look for His guidance & support. I need to read my Bible more, burying myself in His Word instead of those news links or the sand. 

It's time to walk away from that sand pit, which can quickly become the pit of despair. One of the things that helps, esp. at times like these, is my "Journal of Joy," a spiral notebook where I write down all the joys found amid the chaos & stresses of everyday life. They really are there, despite how I may be feeling. As my dear friend Judy & her husband say, the joy is there, you just need to find it!

 Despair Prayer to St. Jude

St. Jude, glorious Apostle, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the name of the traitor has caused you to be forgotten by many, but the true Church invokes you universally as the Patron of things despaired of; pray for me, who am so miserable; pray for me, that finally I may receive the consolations and the succour of Heaven in all my necessities, tribulations and sufferings, particularly

all of the above sufferings & stresses I've mentioned

and that I may bless God with the Elect throughout Eternity. Amen.

St. Jude, Apostle, martyr and relative of our Lord Jesus Christ, of Mary and of Joseph, intercede for us.

 **NOTE: Yes, I do know that ostriches really do not bury their heads. The myth is based on their ability to place their heads lower to the ground when they sense danger.