Summer Prayer Buddy Reveal

I had the pleasure of praying for M of A Maiden's Tale during the Summer session of Prayer Buddies.  It was a honor to prayer for her and her family.

I prayed for M.'s intention during my morning and evening offerings.  I also prayed before the Blessed Sacrament that she would know Christ's love and peace deep within her heart.

I was not able to view her blog (it's private), and at first it was a little disconcerting but I came to see the opportunity ~ to focus on the hidden crosses in peoples lives.  That in a sense anyone I meet could be struggling with health or financial worries; the grumpy person in the grocery store, the unsmiling clerk at the bank.  I hope M. felt some blessing or grace from my prayers ~ I know my heart was changed.

My thanks to Marie of Joy Beyond the Cross and Mrs Henderson of Still Standing for arranging this wonderful opportunity!

Quick Takes #92: September Memories!

--- 1 ---

Watching a certain 1 year old destroying his 'Elmo' cupcake. Overall I think his birthday celebrations went well, it was low-key, fun and in no way freaked out our somewhat timid little one.

--- 2 ---

Lisbeth's first day of nursery school, slightly bumpy start as Daddy was out of town and her favorite backpack was a no go due to school rules ~ but she pulled it together and had a great day.

--- 3 ---

A visit from G-ma usually means a visit from her wonderful dog and this visit was no difference. The adults got to keep their reflexes in shape trying to keep Liam out of the dog's bowl of water.

--- 4 ---

Began a Water Babies class with Liam; he loves it and I'm loving hold and splashing around with him.

--- 5 ---

Lisbeth is currently really into puzzles. So much fun to sit with her and do a puzzle ~ and over the course of the month watch her come to understand the concept of finding the corner pieces, which pieces go on the outside, etc.

--- 6 ---

Last weekend we went to a Creperie for dinner with friends and while I was ordering Lisbeth's crepe I asked for 'light' chocolate in the hopes of minimizing the mess as she is very definite about feeding herself. Overhearing me, she proclaimed "But I like dark chocolate!" I assured her that the crepe would contain dark chocolate and all was well.

--- 7 ---

Have of late found amusing, (as I observe their feast days) to imagine a conversion between Saint Jerome (today) and St. Therese de Liseaux (tomorrow).

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

A moment of silence ~ and Michaelmas

While we are taking a moment in this corner of the blog-o-sphere I did want to let you know about the wonderful post by Sara of Fumbling towards Grace about the upcoming feasts ~ and that Thankful Thursday is being hosted by Rebecca over at The Road Home.

Quick Takes #91: Quick Links

Seven posts which have warmed my heart and filled my tank in the last week:

1. Having left the altar: Prayer
2. Michelle of Endless Strength: Working
3. Sara on VirtuousPlanet : Vocation

4. Almost Not Catholic: Mary
5. Little Catholic Bubble: Eucharist

6. Elizabeth of That Married Couple: Community
7. Kaitlin of More like Mary, More Like Me: Celebrating Life

Please visit Conversion Diary hosted by Jen for more of this week's Quick Takes

Thankful Thursday: September 22nd

1. The roof does not currently seem to be leaking
2. Lisbeth had a good first day of nursery school
3. Pumpkin: muffins, lattes, candles
4. Pockets of time this week to think and pray
5. Many happy memories of my Dad
6. The love of my Heavenly Father

My thanks again to Rebecca of The Road Home for hosting

Ten on Tuesday: September 20th

Hosted by Chelsea of Roots and Rings
Not actually 10 questions, this will be the only time we break the 10 question format. This is a good All About You questionnaire.
A. Age: 38
B. Bed Size: Queen
C. Chore that you hate: Dishes 
D. Dogs: None now, but 3 while growing up
E. Essential start to your day: OJ, and a hug
F. Favorite Color: purple
G. Gold or Silver: Depends
H. Height: 5 feet 4 inches
I. Instruments you play: None currently, viola as a child, learning guitar
J. Job Title: SAHM
K. Kids: Yes 2, Lisbeth & Liam
L. Live: in Pennsylvania
M. Mother’s Name: Mireille
N. Nicknames: Joyful
O. Overnight hospital stays: 3-4
P. Pet peeve: Holding a grudge, nit-picking
Q. Quote from a movie:  "Have fun storming the castle!!" 
R. Right or left handed: Right
S. Siblings: 3 ~ 2 sisters, 1 half-brother
T. Time you wake up: kid-dependent
U. Underwear: Yes
V. Vegetable you hate: Waxed beans
W. What makes you run late: family craziness 
X. X-Rays you’ve had: teeth, hand, ??
Y. Yummy food that you make: Spinach quiche
Z. Zoo Animal: Zebra, giraffe

Why I Love My Husband Vol. 4

1. He happily grills for us, and rarely teases me about being afraid of our grill ~ 3 years later
2. His willingness to take his turn with wide-awake children at 3 am
3. His amusing text hugs when my day needs a pick-me-up
4. His laughter

My thanks again to Kaitlin of More like Mary for inspiring this meme

Happy Birthday Liam!

Some pictures from Sunday's party:

       
                Love you ~ Thank you for coming into our world ~
                          Many, many more sweet boy!

365 days

First Birthday tomorrow!
Bring it on!





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Thankful Thursday

Inspired by Rebecca of The Road Home, the return of Thankful Thursday

Giving Thanks this Thursday for:

     Baby giggles
     Time spent playing pretend with my little lady
     Ice Coffee
     Joined meals cooked with my husband
     Pink Sky sunrises
     Love everlasting and Grace abundant

What are you giving thanks for this week?

Wordless Wednesday: Swing Time!

The Mass in Scripture: a review

             In The Mass in Scripture, the author, Stephen Binz, used the traditional five steps of lectio divina
(listening~ a scriptural passage, understanding~ explanation of background history to help put the passage in context, reflecting ~ questions about how what was just discussed might change the experience of that part of the Mass, praying ~ a prayer is given with suggestions for how to continue in your own words, and finally acting ~ ways to apply the lesson in your daily life) to explain the scriptural influences for the format and prayers of the Mass.

           The lessons are interesting, the pace is good, by using responses from the new missal the book gave me a preview of changes coming this Advent. Building well on themes of covenant, sacrifice, and celebration from the Old and New Testaments, the author does a good job of explaining why the Eucharist is both "a sacrifice and a banquet", giving me a better appreciation for why we speak of both offering the mass and celebrating together. It can easily be done as a group study; in addition to the reflection questions at the end of each section there are discussion suggestions for use in a group. I am curious what other topics are offered in the Lectio Divina series, and would recommend this one to anyone interested either in this type of bible study or in some of the scriptural roots in our celebration of the Mass.

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 Lectio Divina Bible Study: The Mass in Scripture . They are also a great source for a Catechism of the Catholic Church or a Catholic Bible.

Quick Takes # 90

1. Maine was wonderful; great weather, good food and enjoyable time with family. Pleasures included time at the pool, ocean, and making s'mores ~ one of which was offered to Liam for a taste test.

2. Given that we were there and not here, we did miss the earthquake. Reports from family were interesting and somewhat amusing; for example that shaking was initially blamed on my nephew by my mom until he pointed out IT WAS AN EARTHQUAKE!

3. This being an interesting week weather-wise we did cut our vacation short to avoid traveling during the worst of the hurricane. We largely succeeded in that we arrived home ten minutes before we lost power!

4. Not anticipating a storm we had done the usual pre-vacation eat down the fridge and so were in need of some food. Upside ~ less food went bad, Downside ~ husband driving in tropical storm winds in search of an open store while I try and convince our 3 year old that despite the noise outside and the fun of walking around our house with flashlights she really does want to go to bed.

5. No power for 48 hours ~ creative menu planning, gratitude for battery powered entertainment options, and intensive education on candle safety with a certain little girl.

6. If it is September then I'm mom to a nearly one year old. How? I remember this phenomena with Lisbeth, the newborn period a tiring blur, the search for a routine and the new normal, and suddenly a year has gone by.

7. Happy Weekend!

Please visit Conversion Diary for more of this week's Quick Takes