Unless otherwise specified, all writing here on my blog is my own original work. If you refer to something I've written here, please be sure to give me proper credit.

COMMENTS ARE MODERATED: Please don't let that deter you from commenting, though. I LOVE to read your thoughts! I only ask that you keep it clean & respectful.

Monday, March 30, 2015

Blogging Break Notice!

It's Holy Week! I'm taking a blogging break this week (not that I've been posting much in recent months other than the Light in the Darkness & Deo Gratias link-ups, w/ an occasional extra post thrown in).

My goal is to resume these regular link-ups next week & try to add at least one other post each week. I've got lots of ideas in my head, it's just a matter of getting them out there!

Have a blessed Holy Week! May the Passion of our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ, draw you closer to Him & envelope you in the love of God! 

PEACE!

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Planks & Specks in Marriage!

Recently, I finished reading "Love is a Flame". It is a compilation of true stories collected by James Stuart Bell. Each story is told in the words of the one who experienced a rekindling of love in his/her relationship.

In many of the stories, the writers share how much they wished to change their spouse. One even said that her plan was to get her man to the altar, then once married, she would alter him!

Wives would complain about how many hours their husbands worked, how much time he spent on his own pursuits, how little they communicated w/ one another. Husbands complained that their wives spent so much time & energy on the children &/or volunteer activities, then not have anything left for meeting his needs. 

At some point in the litany of complaints, a revelation would be made. The complainer would realize that one cannot change another person. 

You can only change yourself. Responsibility for another person's actions does not lie w/ you...only they can change themselves. You can certainly pray for them & if it be God's Will, they can be led to change. 

The Gospel of Matthew came to mind at this point, specifically Matthew 7:5. This is the verse where Jesus admonishes hypocrites to remove the plank from their own eye. Only then will they be able to see clearly enough to remove the speck from their brother's eye.

Once these individuals realized that they could only change themselves, removing the plank from their own eye, something amazing happened...they no longer had a need or desire to remove the speck in their spouse's eye. 

Incredible! I wonder if that was part of Jesus' plan all along!
 

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Deo Gratias

  https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmWC0xzWdo85CoaTymct-DPUVIesyQO84RARauQ38_rEGBhogYluEZH0R8VbLnHEOrcNWHuTcxoRUiJ_8p4-UWgU7JFjHOfY939JA4yvSH5rL9aPljyuu_1ysGsch71M0FyqBkT2ZUMI/s1600/deo-gratias+buttom.jpg
"If the only prayer you ever say in your life is thank you, it will be enough." - Meister Eckhart


Colleen, from her inspiring blog Thoughts on Grace, hosts this wonderful meme each Wednesday. She says, "Deo Gratias is Latin for Thanks be to God. Remembering to give thanks for all of our blessings, big & small, helps us to find God in our everyday moments and gives us an attitude of gratitude!"

Each week, I join Colleen in remembering & sharing the many blessings in my life. This is such a great exercise for me, helping me to focus on the good that truly is happening in my life, no matter how many trials & stresses I may have.
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1) Starting next week, I will be doubling my hours at work. My supervisor has been on maternity leave since Jan. & has decided to accept a job closer to her home. Because of that, one of the other receptionists will be taking her place, leaving extra hours for me to pick up. Deo Gratias! 

2) Spring Break! Due to another receptionist who's on vacation, I've picked up extra hours this week. Since I'll be gone every evening, I decided to give the Blessings an extra week for their break, in addition to Holy Week. Deo Gratias!

3) It's amazing what you can accomplish when you give up Facebook for Lent! Combine that w/ Spring Break...so far I've cleaned all three bathrooms, done numerous loads of laundry, painted the oven range cover to match the rest of our kitchen appliances, & started working w/ The Princess on her first quilt. Deo Gratias! 

4) Our older three Blessings have really done a wonderful job in helping HandyGramps w/ Stations of the Cross & Benediction at his church this Lent. Deo Gratias!

5) In planning for Reconciliation this Lent, I've been focusing on the Ten Commandments. It's amazing how even little sins can fit those wonderful commandments! Deo Gratias!

Monday, March 23, 2015

Light in the Darkness


"All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle." ~ St. Francis of Assisi

Let us be that single candle, spreading light into a dark world!

Welcome to my Light in the Darkness meme! (If you missed my post on the inspiration for this meme, you can read all about it HERE.)

This is the place to share good things that are happening in our world...whether it's a link to a news article/video, something from your personal experience...anything good that can bring light into darkness!
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Most of my family & friends are well aware that I am not a sports fan in any way, shape, or form. HandyGramps loves to tease me if I happen to call him while he's in the middle of an NFL game. After seeing our number on caller-ID, the first thing he says is what the score is! He doesn't even say "Hello!" LOL

However, regardless of how I feel about sports, I DO know good sportsmanship when I see it...and that is exactly what this high school team has!



Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Deo Gratias!

  https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmWC0xzWdo85CoaTymct-DPUVIesyQO84RARauQ38_rEGBhogYluEZH0R8VbLnHEOrcNWHuTcxoRUiJ_8p4-UWgU7JFjHOfY939JA4yvSH5rL9aPljyuu_1ysGsch71M0FyqBkT2ZUMI/s1600/deo-gratias+buttom.jpg
"If the only prayer you ever say in your life is thank you, it will be enough." - Meister Eckhart


Colleen, from her inspiring blog Thoughts on Grace, hosts this wonderful meme each Wednesday. She says, "Deo Gratias is Latin for Thanks be to God. Remembering to give thanks for all of our blessings, big & small, helps us to find God in our everyday moments and gives us an attitude of gratitude!"

Each week, I join Colleen in remembering & sharing the many blessings in my life. This is such a great exercise for me, helping me to focus on the good that truly is happening in my life, no matter how many trials & stresses I may have.
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1) Our old kitchen light fixture wires were starting to fray, so we purchased a new one & had it installed last week. It's so beautiful & much brighter in our kitchen now! Deo Gratias! 

2) Monday's temperature was in the low 70s...a perfect time to meet some dear friends at a local park! Deo Gratias!

3) I gave up shopping at my favorite thrift store for Lent, but made an exception yesterday so I could take the Blessings to get Easter outfits. We found some great ones & I didn't look at anything for myself at all. Deo Gratias! 

4) I got called for jury duty again! This is a mixed blessing...I really enjoyed my experience the first time around, but it's not the best of timing. I could try to postpone, but w/ our luck, it would be right in the middle of Matt's finals! Deo Gratias!

5) Our church choir's Holy Week & Easter music are coming along quite well. We have some beautiful, reflective pieces for Holy Week & some fun, uplifting ones for Easter. Deo Gratias!