Sunday, May 31, 2009

Honeysuckle


The honeysuckle has overgrown our woodpile in the back yard. It is a gorgeous blanket of flowers. It has an exquisite sweet fragrance. Oh, my goodness!!! This is heaven!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!


Praise God!

All the things I have to praise the glory of God for today. It's early and the sun is only beginning to dawn. For these things I praise God!

~~1. For the celebration of Pentecost, that wonderful feast of the Holy Spirit

~~2. For the glory of the sunrise.

~~3. For the wonderful month of May.

~~4. For the phone that has allowed me to speak with family near and far. It brings them close to me.

~~5. For friends who gather weekly for grouping and offer support and pray.

~~5. For the support of a wonderful husband and helpmate.

~~6. In praise and gratitude for the gift of good health.

~~7. In praise of God who send laughter and joy into my life.

If you have reason to praise God, join us at Jennifer's house, My Chocolate Heart to add to the joy, wonder and glory of God.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks Be To GOD!!


Saturday, May 30, 2009

Monastic Cell of the Heart



Build yourself a cell in your heart, and retire there to pray. ~Saint Catherine of Siena~

I was personally bowled over by this quote. I struggle with prayer. Have for as long as I can remember. Disappointment, anger and sorrow are words I would use to describe how I feel about my prayer life.

I can't be quiet! How do you do that? I'm a babbling brook!!! Words running helter skelter through my mind. In conversations with friends I am even uncomfortable with "quiet pauses." I wonder if God "turns the volume down" when I start to communicate with him. Me doing all the talking.
.
Centering prayer is a time before prayer to allow focus. Sometimes that works for me and at other times I might as well turn on the radio and listen to the Beach Boys for all the good it does.

As I travel the Road to Providence I am certainly now more aware of His hand in my life. And even in my prayer life, I must give him credit. And why not, for he is the creator of ALL things.

Example, this week. I called my brother, Tom, to work out dates for our visit the end of the summer to see him and Kathleen. As we chatted he mentioned that Kathleen's mother was in the hospital with some serious heart problems and so Kathleen was away. For no particular reason that I can see, I had added Kathleen's mother to my prayers this week.

Two things struck me after I hung up the phone. First, I was called to visit Tom in his "aloneness." He was anticipating Kathleen's return, and was able to share with another his story. Second, the call to pray for Kathleen's mother obviously came from the Holy Spirit, and even though I didn't realize it at the time I was listening! [YES!] The God of Providence again made inroads into my "cell."

I am glad I was reminded of my "cell" today. I will reflect upon its use. And maybe I will be reminded to spend more time THERE when I pray!!!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!


Monastic cell at Convento de La Santa Cruz, Queretaro
Originally uploaded by schechter02

Friday, May 29, 2009

Sweet Anticipation



This song, a long time favorite of Ron's and really a Keller Family theme song, always heightens my excitement and anticipation for the journeys to be traveled.

Today I was reminded that, starting in June, we will begin one of the busiest vacation summers we have ever undertaken. It will be so busy that we didn't invest in potted summer plants this year because we didn't want the house sitter to have to be responsible for all the plants, too. It is exciting to contemplate these adventures. Yes, indeed, adventures!

Itinerary:

6/5~~To INDY for Lindsey's "Victorian Birthday Tea."

6/19~To Charlotte for Father's Day with the NC Kellers

6/27~To The Woods for Sister Dorothy's 50th Jubilee

7/3~~Off to Montana and Colorado for 10 days visiting Mom and family
Traveling by auto to see this glorious country

8/5~~Flying to Carson City, NV to visit brother, Tom.

I fully intend to cherish this precious time. I am privileged to have this time and I will not waste it.


And so I will close with my "Bad Haiku Friday" offering.

With the journey to begin
The visits soon to be shared
Life filled with goodness

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Training of Children, Job Description

The Keller Kids

I never fail to be surprised when I have been lead to a reflection. One that draws on so many memories, that there just doesn't seem to be enough time to take it all in. My children have been and still are a tremendous source of pride. I am surprised this time by a quote by Bishop Fulton Sheen.

Home life is the God-appointed training ground of human character, for from the home life of the child springs the maturity of manhood, either for good or for evil.
The Quotable Fulton Sheen

What is he saying? What he says to me is most important. My children have been given to me for the purpose of bringing them home to the Father. I have been charged with the training of these "special deliveries." Their father and I are charged with their care, nurturing and training. We are to be guides in the path of right and wrong.

These children are treasures! They have given us at times disappointment, anxiety, happiness, and joy. They are a never ending source of growth for me. They have brought me to maturity. I can only hope that the path we have traveled will bring us all to the same generous, compassionate, loving Father.

Now I have grandchildren. They, too are a source of pride and joy. But this time, I can only counsel, not mold or teach...Oh, my how difficult it is for me to keep my observations to myself sometimes. But step back I must for I am not the MOTHER this time.

I know you all have similar stories. Take time to reflect on those memories. They can be fulfilling. They may cause us to regret decisions we have made in the past. But if we can REALLY reflect on those times I truly believe you will be aware of the Holy Spirit's guidance. Though things don't always work out for us and our children the way we'd like, I know the source of strength of parenthood comes straight from the Wisdom of the Spirit!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!





Please visit NC Sue at IN HIM WE LIVE AND MOVE AND HAVE OUR BEING. She has a wonderful story about a "Cracked Pot." It is grand!!!

Monday, May 25, 2009

INDY 500 According to Maxine

~~~~~~~

Long before I moved to Indiana, there was no Memorial day complete with out THE race, the INDY 500. Even as a child growing up in Colorado, the race was the highlight of the celebration. The family would meet at Washington Park. Everyone would bring a dish and sandwiches to share. We all gathered round the picnic tables, said grace and chatted. Now keep in mind that this was not a televised race. The race was on the radio. After eating the women would sit around and talk, unless you were Aunt Mary. She and the menfolk would take their chairs and gather around the radio and listen to the race. It was fun as a child to listen to the men speculate and make predictions about the race. Gosh it was grand to hear the laughter and bantering.

Until recently, Wes, Annie and the Girls lived in Speedway. Yes, indeed, the town grew up around The Speedway. In the comfort of their family room we could sit watching the race on TV and open the windows and doors and LISTEN to the cars as they raced around the oval.

Times change, the enthusiasm for the sport has not. It is exciting, thrilling, and when gathered with family there is the wonderful experience of sharing cherished memories. Hope you all enjoyed the race yesterday! Happy Memorial Day!!!


~~~~~~~
*
~~~~~~~

Thanks be to God!

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Freedom

Washington, DC, 2007

Freedom is not just something with which we are born; it is something we achieve. America did not receive a perpetual endowment of freedom; it has had to struggle and fight to preserve it. Freedom is not an heirloom or an antique; it is a life that must fight against the corrosive powers of death and nourish itself on the daily bread of goodness and virtue.

The Quotable Fulton Sheen
Edited by
George J. Marlin,
Richard P. Rabatin,
and John L. Swan



****~~~~~~~
****~~~~~~~
****~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks be to God!!!!!


Saturday, May 23, 2009

A Memorial Day Poem


A Memorial Day Poem

by C W Johnson


We walked among the crosses

Where our fallen soldiers lay.

And listened to the bugle
As TAPS began to play.

The Chaplin led a prayer
We stood with heads bowed low.
And I thought of fallen comrades
I had known so long ago.

They came from every city
Across this fertile land.
That we might live in freedom.
They lie here 'neath the sand.

I felt a little guilty
My sacrifice was small.
I only lost a little time
But these men lost their all.

Now the services are over
For this Memorial Day.
To the names upon these crosses
I just want to say,

Thanks for what you've given
No one could ask for more.
May you rest with God in heaven
From now through evermore





~~~~~~~
***
~~~~~~~

Thanks be to God!



Friday, May 22, 2009

America For Me

Mt. Rushmore
6/2007


America For Me

by Henry Van Dyke


'TIS fine to see the Old World and travel up and down
Among the famous palaces and cities of renown,
To admire the crumbly castles and the statues and kings
But now I think I've had enough of antiquated things.

So it's home again, and home again, America for me!
My heart is turning home again and there I long to be,
In the land of youth and freedom, beyond the ocean bars,
Where the air is full of sunlight and the flag is full of stars.

Oh, London is a man's town, there's power in the air;
And Paris is a woman's town, with flowers in her hair;
And it's sweet to dream in Venice, and it's great to study Rome;
But when it comes to living there is no place like home.

I like the German fir-woods in green battalions drilled;
I like the gardens of Versailles with flashing fountains filled;
But, oh, to take your hand, my dear, and ramble for a day
In the friendly western woodland where Nature has her sway!

I know that Europe's wonderful, yet something seems to lack!
The Past is too much with her, and the people looking back.
But the glory of the Present is to make the Future free--
We love our land for what she is and what she is to be.

Oh, it's home again, and home again, America for me!
I want a ship that's westward bound to plough the rolling sea,
To the blessed Land of Room Enough, beyond the ocean bars,
Where the air is full of sunlight and the flag is full of stars.



~~~~~~~
Thanks be to God!!!

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Mini-reflection

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Washington, DC, 2006


There are some emails that cause one to reflect on the words. There are others that cause one to ask how someone could have thought of the words written. This one caused me to do both.

Without God our week would be

Sinday
Mournday
Tearsday
Wasteday
Thristday
Fightday
and
Shatterday



~~~^j^~~~

So it is that today I say,
"Thanks be to God~"