Picture Puzzle Day

Do you have time to play today? If you do please take some time to rest here and put together the puzzle. I'm offering you some quiet space in which you can play and not be expected to do anything but enjoy your time here. There are no calculations to be done here or any serious concerns to be addressed. No bookkeeping or bills to pay. Just stay and play! And when you're finished with mine, wander over to the side bar and enjoy the Winter Berries.

Backyard Spring

Please join the fun and offer us one of your pictures so we can play along. Please leave a comment and then link us to your Picture Puzzle Day. Thank you!!!!!

The Seven Pillars of Catholic Spirituality

The lesson last night was an instruction in how to move our Catholicity to a higher level. I have had this book for two years. In that time, I have used it as a resource in my preparation for my RCIA presentation numerous times.

Quick story...I received my copy of Rediscovering Catholicism two years ago when we visited our son, Jimmy, for Christmas in Alpharetta, GA. His parish, Saint Brigid Catholic Church, gave this book to the entire church, members and visitors alike, for Christmas and was distributed Christmas Day. I took it home, read it and was awed.

A couple of months later I used it in one of the RCIA classes as part of the topic on Reconciliation. When all was said and done, the Director of RCIA, asked where I had gotten the book. I pulled a postcard from the book that suggested one could get 2 free books to share with others and so she took it to see if she could get those two plus purchase enough for the class...about 10 candidates. The next time I saw Bev I asked her if she was able to get the books. She told me that, not only was she able to get those two books, but she was sent free of charge enough books for the rest of the class and each of the sponsors.

Enough said! This man practices what he preaches!

So that brings us to those Seven Pillars...This topic is an entire section of the book.

Those pillars are:

Reconciliation
Contemplation
The Mass
The Bible
Fasting
Spiritual Reading
The Rosary

When I heard these topics explained I realized that by integrating each of these pillars sincerely into my life I can't help but become "The Best Version of Myself." It's got to be laborious, for nothing good can come from stagnation and laziness. I say, "Give it a TRY." You and I certainly have nothing to lose and everything to gain!

Wishing you a GRAND day!!

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Matthew Kelly and A Better Version of Myself

We came home last night, after hearing Matthew Kelly, invigorated and hope filled . When the lesson is offered in positive manner, when the instruction is given without condemnation and when you are sitting in the midst so many on the journey hanging on every word, it's hard not to come away with the intention of making every effort to, as Matthew said, "Become a better version of yourself."

He's right! I am too busy. And because of this busy-ness, I neglect ME!!! When I neglect ME then there are so many things that suffer. I was hearing last night that there are many positive ways for me to improve this "version" of me. I can only tell you that when I hear Matthew speak in a way that affirms I am important, then I WANT to do something about it. When I take care of me then I am able to care for others more efficiently and compassionately. It's not being selfish to want the best for yourself, for when you are at your best then you can offer the best to others!!!

It was truly a GRAND experience last night. I'll be back again tonight!!! Wishing you a wonderful day!! In the meantime you can visit his website, Matthew Kelly Foundation.

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

The Simple Women's Daybook

Weekends of late have been grand and glorious. Fall colors are showing and the glory of the rose is still apparent in the garden. The Mums are in bloom and the Cardinal is roosting in the Burning Bush. Oh my, what a fresh breeze is blowing.

~~Outside my window...it is early, but the mother cardinal is flitting about.

~~I am thinking...Will wee Daniel be born this week?

~~I am thankful for...challenges that keep me alert and open to change.

~~From the kitchen...leftovers. They are good at times.

~~I am wearing...my long-sleeved nightgown.

~~I am creating...nothing special. Only continuing to work on my x-stitch project.

~~I am going...to meet with Sr. Dorothy this Wednesday for spiritual direction.

~~I am reading...A Call To Joy by Matthew Kelly. I have read others of his but this is the first.
~~I am hoping...the weather continues to be so glorious.

~~I am hearing...Duchess barking.

~~Around the house...the gardens need pruning in preparation for winter, but when to do it?

~~One of my favorite things...grouping on Tuesday night! A time to gather and pray with friends.

~~A few plans for the rest of the week: 1) Work on my vacation journal (still);2) write my reflections for spiritual direction with Sr. Dorothy, and 3) Read the Bible Study lesson for Thursday,

~~Here is picture thought I am sharing...





After you visit here please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman and journey along the path of life we all share. It will always be a journey worth sharing!

~~~^j^~~
Thanks be to God!

The Simple Women's Daybook

I haven't' done this in such a long time I think perhaps I might give it another try. I had such a wonderful weekend that I just wanted to share it with you all. After you visit here please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman and journey along the path of life we all share.

~~Outside my window...it's dark, for it is only 5:00 a.m.

~~I am thinking..."Glory be to God, it's a grand morning!"

~~I am thankful for...Family near and far!

~~From the kitchen...I can hear the kettle boiling for my tea.

~~I am wearing...My robe and nightgown

~~I am creating...The Book of Wit 'n' Wisdom for Jimmy and Kelly's Wedding

~~I am going...to Carson City, NV this weekend to visit brother, Tom, and wife, Kathleen.

~~I am reading...Zapped by Carol Higgins Clark

~~I am hoping...the weather continues to be so glorious.

~~I am hearing...the humidifier running. The humidity is still 75%.

~~Around the house...Ron is putting up the molding on the stairway finished last Fall.

~~One of my favorite things...is to do counted x-stitch. I have a project I trying to finish now.

~~A few plans for the rest of the week: 1) Send out the letters to participants in Christ Renews His Parish on 9/12/2009; 2) have laundry finished by Wednesday so I can pack for the trip; 3) attend group, share and pray with dear sisters in Christ.

~~Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Glorious Color
From
A Friend's Garden

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Hoping

Hoping this is just another step in my life as a maturing Christian, I have started another blog, simply for journaling. It's called Provident God, and a place I know I can go to put down my feeling.

Since I have failed in journaling with paper and pencil, perhaps I will be more successful in this media. I HOPE so. I would invite others to do the same. It is not for validation, support or justification. It is simply my thoughts on my personal journey for me. If others find themselves at Provident God and wish to comment they may do so via email.

I would encourage others to reflect in this way, either in this media or with paper and pencil. All of us need to look inside and learn a little more about who we are. It's not always a pretty picture, but you can't fix anything without looking at it.

So now I have two blogs...I hope in this case "expansion" is good. Please stop by Sailing by Starlight and Holy Experience who have wonderful examples to offer.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!!

National Day of Prayer

Tomorrow it National Day of Prayer. It is most important that we take time out to pray for this country of ours. If your church is offering a prayer service please plan to attend. If there is an opportunity for you to pray with others wherever it may be please avail yourself of this opportunity.

My parish of St. John the Baptist here in Newburgh is having a small meal and then we adjourn to the church for our prayer service and for a homily by our guest, Father Alex Zenthoefer. It's a real opportunity as a community to offer our petitions for this nation to the God who watches over us.

God has been so good to us! We have been blessed in so many ways. Though we certainly are not perfect and we have our faults this nation is built on a foundation of prayer. Though some would like to think otherwise, I truly believe that we are obliged by our giftedness to offer thanksgiving for what we have and ask for the Creator's intervention in all our needs. We have an obligation to serve this country in many ways. One of those ways is through communal prayer.

~~~^j^~~~

For the the freedom to
participate in communal prayer,
Thanks be to God!

The Simple Women's Daybook

It's been so long since I've done this I"m not sure how this will turn out...It requires some thought and reflection on what my week may be. so to begin.

After you visit here please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman and journey along the path of life we all share.

1. Outside my window...it's dark again. Last week the sun was rising, but today its will be coming up as I start for work.

2. I'm thinking...this week should be less demanding as I have fewer meeting to attend and less projects that require immediate attention.

3. I'm thankful for...having spent quality time with David and the rest of the Charlotte Kellers via the webcam. It's finally up and running again.

4. I'm wearing... robe and slippers.

5. From the Kitchen...Will come Tuna Helper, green beans and fruit for desert. Lent is a good time for reflecting on being satisfied. I need to remind myself the being full is not comfortable, but being satisfied is.

6. I am creating...the work of counted x-stitch Laura gave me to make for her birthday 3 yrs ago. I'm embarrassed! I think it's one I would not have chosen and it's hard to finish...But her birthday is in May and I am determined to finish it!

7. I am reading...Mother Theodore Guerin A Women for All Time by Penny Blaker Mitchell

8 . I'm hoping...we will have the opportunity to travel to INDY to see our granddaughter Kellie perform with her Winter Guard Unit from Memorial High School.

9. I am hearing...Duchess snoring. She is asleep on the floor next to my feet.

10. Around the house...It's decorated for St. Patrick's Day. Sure and won't that be a grand time.

11. Few plans for the rest of the week...Grouping with my Cursillo friends, baking some MORE Irish Soda Bread, preparing to spend time with family this weekend.

12. One of my favorite things is...Watching old Charlie Chan movies. Had time to do that this last weekend as I worked on the x-stitch. It was most relaxing.

13. Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

The Hope of Spring.

+
~~+++~~
+

Thanks be to God!

God, Our Companion On the Journey

A gift to me, I have tried to adapt this into my prayer life, some days more successfully than others. It's a wonderful text that calls one into prayer, guiding and affirming.

Today as he left for work, Ron, for the first time, voiced his concerns about his workplace. A BIG meeting is scheduled for day after tomorrow and he is anxious. Let it be known that The Kellers have been tested and survived. Certainly not as painfully as some, but tested none-the-less. God has ALWAYS provided us with the grace and courage to succeed in answering his call. Though anxious, we have every reason to be sure that whatever the outcome we will be provided for. In our life together there has never been a time when he has not guided us along the next step of our journey.

And so it was, when I opened my prayers this morning with this source, that I was led to Tobit 13: 1B-8. I just want to share with you the verses that comforted me.

If you turn to him with all your
heart and with all your soul,
to do what is true before him
then he will turn to you
and will no longer hide his
face from you.
So now see what he has done
for you;
acknowledge him at the top
of your voice.
Bless the Lord of righteousness
and exalt the King of the ages.

Tobit 13: 6

I take comfort in these words. For:

O God, you search me and you
know me. all my thoughts lie
open to your gaze. When I walk or
lie down you are before me ever
the maker and keeper of my days.

Bernadettte Farrell
Text based on Psalm 139

Comforted by this I go out today, knowing that, indeed, he cares about us and we can rely on his justice and mercy. Wishing all a joy filled day!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Bad Haiku Friday

"When you're at a loss,
Don't know where you are going.
Give me a call"...God

It's funny how things come together. He gives you the words and then sends you to the instruction. And so He did this day. I was just going to post this and that would be that. Then I picked up Archabbot Lambert Reilly's book Latin Sayings For Spiritual Growth.

Here is where I was led:

Pedibus compensunda est memoria
("A forgetful head makes a weary pair of heels")
Traditional
~~~

The cook who has her ingredients ready before she turns on the stove has a much easier time of it than the one who must bustle about the kitchen, opening boxes, measuring, chopping; and cleaning all at once. The teacher who doesn't plan spends more time on discipline than instruction. The shopper who heads to the mall without a list on the day before Christmas is bound to lose his holiday spirit by dusk.

We can waset a lot of time vainly spinning our wheels, not only in the practicalities of life but to our spiritual lives as well.

We think that because we are unique and our sense of God is so personal and lies so deep within, that we are completely on our own when it comes to prayer. We flounder and wander, thinking that no one else can help, that no one else can understand our particular challenges.

It's just not so. Not one of us is the first person alive to seek intimacy with God. Millions have gone before us, and innumerable others have written about their journeys. Fellow friends of the Lord in our own parishes and homes surround us. Their stories, their experiences with prayer, can be of great value to us. In forgetting the gifts our fellow Christians have to offer, we make our solitary journeys all the more weary.

Archabbot Lambert Reilly, O.S. B.
St. Meinrad Archabby
St . Meinrad, IN

~~~

And so, my companions-on-the-journey I offer this as reflection today. I, too, will contemplate these words. My thought, as I read this, was "How gracious God is to lead me to the gentle lesson of the Archabbot and how wonderful it is to be reminded that I am not alone on this journey and that you all have a great deal to teach me. What a comfort that is and it makes me less "weary."

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Prayer for Strength

One of the books I use most for reflection is A Catholic Woman's Book of Days by Amy Welborn. Finding that her husband, Michael Dubriel, had died unexpectedly has left me saddened as it has many. So I went to her reflection for today. This I offer as a testament to her wisdom and courage.

Even though you intended to do harm to me
God intended it for good, in order to preserve
a numerous people, as he is doing today.

Genesis 50:20
**+**

This ends the story of Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers. The harm they intended him was turned by God into a great good as the people of both Egypt and Israel were rescued from famine by Joseph's gifts.

God's ways among us are mysterious, but one thing we do know is that turning misfortune or weakness into good is just what he does. I've seen it countless times in my own life, and there are probably just as many times i haven't because I wasn't looking.

***

Loving God, today I'll pay attention to what you
have to show me about the painful parts of my life.

As she has offered me hope through her words, I offer my prayers to her and her children. If you wish you may offer your condolences at Fr. Z's Blog.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

The Journey Continues...

_MG_2265 Eagle Approach
Originally uploaded by Joe McCabe

to pray for the Pro-life movement. Because we have completed the Pro-Life Rosary Novena and the Pro-Life Novena sponsored by the Knights of Columbus this Holy Crusade must continue. I am grateful to all who have assisted and participated in these nine glorious days of prayer...BUT do not STOP the prayers!!!!! This "army" travels on the wings of prayer. Let us continue to fly!

~~~^j^~~~

Thank you again
and
Thanks be to God!!!

A Visit With St. Paul

I have neglected my reading of the reflections on St. Paul. Thought today I would begin again and try to be more diligent. Only time will tell. The message of hope in this reflection is one I feel compelled to share because, although, every year this season brings us most vividly to the Hope we all have in a bright future, this year seems to demand Hope be a part of who we are. It is imperative the we manifest this hope in all we do and say and live. Please "listen" to Sister Mary Thomas Noble, O.P. from Praying With Saint Paul.

~~~~~~

O Blessed Hope!

***

"We await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of
the great God and of our savior Jesus Crist, who gave himself
for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for
himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good."

(Ti 2: 13-14)

***

What part does hope play in my life? Do I hope mainly for things or for people? Or do I hope for events? As a child I once hoped for a rubber ball with all my heart. It was exactlly the size I wanted and had swirls of colors on it, all the right colors. I showed it to my mother in the store. It cost twenty-five cents. She pointed out to me several bigger, better balls, but I couln't have cared less. I knew what I wanted. No other ball would do. When I tore the wrappings off the little rubber ball on the morning of my eighth birthday and tossed them on the breadfast table, I know an unadulterated and absolute content such as I have rarely experienced since I dashed outdoors with my sister before school and threw it, threw it, threw it back and forth across our front lawn in a kind of ecstasy. Hope fulfilled! Such a small hope, just my size. God would like to stretch our longing hearts to hold much more, even himself. Will we let him do it? "We await the blessed hope..." Do we? "...the appearance of the glory of the great God, and of our Savior Jesus Christ..." How high do we set our sights? Do we have hopes to match God's hopes for us? His is a radiant hope. There is glory ahead for us, there is deliverance, there is an indescribable purity to be achieved only through his blood. Each one of us would be totally, uniquely his, were he to have his hopes fulfilled. Our sights would be set on doing "what is good" beyond all our wildest imaginings, empowered as we should be as "his people." His hopes for us will lift us to the blessed vision of himself. Where he will hold us, and we shall not fall.

***

O God, stretch my heart wide with blessed hope, to hold the all that you would give me--your very self!

I find as I reflect on this that my hope and expectation are pretty limited. Perhaps I fear that my hopeful expectations will not be realized and disappointment will insue. The lesson for me is to have high expectations. If the results seem less, they are better than none at all and if they are greater than hope for what joy I can experience. I should be hope-filled, not just hopeful.

*

~*~

~*~*~

~*~*~*~

=

~~~~~

Thanks be to God!

Wordless Wednesday for me...

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Just a brief post...

We had a storm Sunday, three days ago with high winds. Knocked out the electricity in the city of Evansville and Newburgh. Today there are some who still have no electricity. The Kellers being among those. Will post more when MY computer is up an running again. All have a good day!

~~~~~~~

And thanks be to God!!!

Humility

I am inspired today to write about humility. There is a reason for this. And this reason has brought me closer to the realization that God is truly working in our lives and though we do not see it all the time there is no where he cannot be found!

On my roof at this time, even as we speak, there are 7 men and Ron putting on the new roof. Ron has spent all day with our friend, Bill Wallace, taking off shingles from the front half of the roof. The story really begins when Ron asked Chris , whose family works in building contracting, at Bible study last spring if buying shingles would be wise with the rise in gasoline prices. Chris said it would be well to do that, and when was Ron going to put the roof on. Well, Ron told him not soon, but we would have the shingles when we could budget the roofers. Chris came back a week or two later and told us if we could get the shingles off he, his dad, and brothers would put the roof on sometime in the fall. Right now in Christian charity and kindness these men and Ron are putting shingles on the roof. Well, Ron is still removing shingles from the other half of the roof. Twenty years ago Ron was part of a work crew that helped put a roof on another parishioners house. Perhaps a work repaid.

I feel certain when James was writing his letter he was speaking of such things as this (James 2: 14-26). These are faith filled men who by their works, honest and good, witness to their faith. It causes my heart to swell to be the recipient of such agape love. Tears well in my eyes as I realize the wealth we have in the goodness of God and our fellow pilgrims.

May we always be blessed with charity and faith. And the hope that we will be worthy stewards of the gifts offered and received. The three virtues are all integral to the life of a Christian!

~~~~~^j^~~~~~

My heart is so full, all I can say is,
"Thanks be to God!"

China Little Flower

It time for the most recent newsletter for China Little Flower. Shannon is home for a short 10 days then she returns to China to care for her wee ones. It's especially important that we all pray for Shannon, the caregivers and the children in their care as they have to move yet again.

Please visit Prayer, Poetry and Praise and see how you can contribute to China Little Flower and get a lovely book of poetry at the same time. Ann is generously donating her proceeds to Shannon's cause.

~~~^j^~~~
Thank you all
and
Thanks be to God!

Urgent prayer request...

Please visit Exuberance for the full details but Sr. Celeste is in need of our prayers! There is nothing like the power of prayer and if we mobilize this army can prevail. My sincerest thanks!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God

Latin Moment

Sunset leaving Dublin, 2005

I felt the urge for some Latin this morning as part of my reflection, so I went to my favorite book Latin Sayings for Spiritual Growth by Archabbot Lambert Reilly, O.S.B. To this I was lead.

Si Deus pronobis, quis contra nos?

("If God is for us, who can be against us?")
St. Paul ( Romans 8:31)

~~~+~~~

God has revealed His love for us in the person of Jesus Christ. St. Paul tells us that "neither death, nor life, nor angels, not principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38, 39)

Suffering could be added to the list. God does not promise freedom from suffering for His friends. In fact, there's no doubt we will suffer, as Jesus Himself did. "The Cross is the gift I give to my friends," is what the Lord told St. Terese of Avila.

Although that which is difficult will be regularly ours, God's sustaining power enables us to conquer in His name, which means through His presence within us.

So here's where our hope lies: If God is with us--and the difficulty is a sign that He is--we can endure and overcome. No enemy has a chance if he is opposing God, and if God is with us, no enemy has a chance to conquer us. +

***

Hope, that gift so often hidden. Hope, that I will be the best God has to offer to others. Hope, the will to start a NEW day!

~~~~~~~

Thanks be to God!!!

China Little Flower

It's time for the monthly update. And with the Olympic Games coming to China, I thought I would share the notes from Shannon and the pictures she sends. Please pray for her and all who assist her in her work with these lovely children of God.

~~~~~
Thank you
and
Thanks be to God!