I stayed late at work tonight to attend a lecture being sponsored by the UK Students for Life organization. The speaker was Rebecca Kiessling, a lawyer and pro-life speaker who was conceived in rape. For her full story, the stories of others who were also conceived in rape, and more, check out her website.
Her talk was great. She had a great style for speaking with college students and her story of discovering that she had been conceived in rape was truly amazing. To hear how it effected her perception of herself for so long was remarkable, especially how she moved beyond it. Most notable of course was her emphasis on putting a face on the issue of abortion. As someone who is a product of rape, she is a face for all those people who think abortion should still be an option in the case of rape.
I was struck by the connection she made so vividly between the value of every life (hers and everyone else in the room), the false promises of feminism, and the tragedy of abortion. The feminists tell women that they can't handle being a mom at that time of their life, that they aren't strong enough to deal with raising a child, and so on and so on, thus telling them that abortion is really their only option. All that does is make us feel weak and helpless. I don't believe that was the original idea behind feminism. Don't the struggles and challenges in your life make you a stronger person? Isn't it better to give life and give a child the gift of adoption than to murder that child? That child is precious and his or her life is valuable. All our lives are valuable.
But that doesn't mean that our lives always go as planned. Rebecca wanted to be a lawyer; she imagined owning a fancy car and being a wealthy partner in a fancy firm. She did not envision being a mom to five kids, driving a 12-person van, and practicing family law. Her perspective on life is different now because of her own journey of discovering herself and the value of her own life.
Why do feminists make women feel that they can't raise a child alone? Why are these women made to feel that abortion is their only option? Shouldn't the feminist movement be about building women up, helping them when they face difficulties and unplanned events in their lives that will make them stronger in the end? Rebecca is a woman, too. Why is it okay for people to tell her that her mother should have been able to legally abort her? She is here only because abortion was illegal at the time (1968/69). Norma McCorvey's daughter is also walking on this earth today because her mother was unable to obtain a legal abortion. (McCorvey is Jane Roe, from the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.)
I am pro-life, have been for a while. But I got a different perspective tonight. I saw a face on the abortion issue. I was reminded that there are many men and women around, not much older than me, who could have been aborted had abortion been legal at the time of their conception. It's heartbreaking to know that my generation and all those that have followed are missing many of our brothers and sisters.
Abortions in this country peaked at around 1987. When were you born? I sat in that room tonight with a bunch of college students, all of whom were probably born around 1989/90 or thereabouts.
I wonder how many more students could have been in that room tonight.
Monday, October 04, 2010
Friday, October 01, 2010
7 Quick Takes, vol. 5: Respect Life Month
Since this Quick Takes falls on the first of October, which we celebrate as Respect Life Month, I thought I would dedicate this post to that commemoration. For more Quick Takes posts, check out ConversionDiary.com.
One of my favorite Mother Teresa quotes:
Any country that accepts abortion is not teaching its people to love, but to use violence to get what they want. That is why the greatest destroyer of love and peace is abortion.
As you drive up one of the main roads that can be used to get to my church you come up the hill and find yourself at a fork, with the Church right in front of you. In the space between the where the roads split and the church building itself is a large green lawn. Every October we place white crosses in that large space as a tribute to all those lives lost to abortion. I have always found it such a great silent testimony for all those who pass by our church every day. I'm expecting that we'll start putting them out on Sunday after Mass. In the picture on the right from our wedding (we got married in October) you can see some of the white crosses in the lawn behind us.
The national campaign 40 Days for Life is also going on. Are you participating? My city has one abortion mill and we have people sitting outside of it every day praying for an end to abortion. I haven't been able to get myself to actually go there and watch people enter those doors. One day I hope I can, but to be sitting there knowing that I so want to be pregnant and have to watch others destroy the life they are carrying is too much for me right now. But I'm praying for all those who are there praying, all the women who feel that abortion is htere only choice (that they will be educated about their real choices), and for an end to abortion. If you can't participate yourself, I encourage you to offer some of your prayer time or make some sort of sacrifice for an end to abortion.
Did you know that 80-90% of children who are diagnosed with Down Syndrome before birth are aborted? 80-90%!!! That just blows my mind! This week I heard that the Down Syndrome Association of Central Kentucky was having a "Buddy Walk" this Saturday. I can't participate this year, but I am definitely planning on it for the future. I believe the Buddy Walk is a national event so there may be one near you too. It's worth checking out. If you can't do the walk, you can do what I did and make a modest donation (or larger if you are able) here. (That link takes you to my local DS Association, but if you explore the website some you should be able to find the one in your area.)
I find it fitting that Pregnancy Loss Remembrance Day is during the month of October as well. I'm not sure if that was intentional or not. It is held on October 15 each year and I have been participating in lighting a candle for my children the past two years and plan on doing it this year as well. Click here for more information on Pregnancy Loss Remembrance Day.
Abortion is one of the biggest tragedies in our nation today. However, Respect Life Month is much more than that. The focus on abortion is not meant to diminish the other life issues facing our society today. Not by a long shot. Abortion is just one of many issues, but it is also one that has a far-reaching effect, thus why there is such a focus on it. Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities, issued this statement on Respect Life Month. In it he addresses a whole host of life issues that we face today. Please take a moment to read it (it's only two pages).
Finally, I found a wonderful list of resources for Respect Life Month on this website. This was posted on the Diocese of Columbus website under their Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry. It's a very comprehensive list, totally worth checking out!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Who is Liturgy For?
Tonight my husband and I went to the first talk of four on the Liturgy. Through these four talks we’ll get a good history of the Liturgy in Christian worship that will lead up to a discussion on why the texts will be changing starting in Advent 2011. Next week the speaker will be discussing the changes that took place with the Council of Trent in the 16th century followed by a discussion the following week on Vatican II, and ending the final week with a discussion on some of the upcoming changes.
But to start things off, the Bishop gave an overview tonight of Liturgy from Judaic times to today. As always, he gave a great talk with a ton of information!! His vast knowledge is always so evident on any given topic. I always learn something.
He broke the talk down into seven parts, but I won’t reiterate all of those here. There were plenty of interesting points I could share (aren’t you glad I wasn’t taking notes!), but one really struck me. It had to do with why we participate in Liturgy and who the Liturgy is for. Are we there to “get something out of it?” Are we there to just rejoice and give praise? Or is there more to it?
So often when you talk to someone who is unhappy with the Catholic Church, one of the familiar lines you get is that they don’t feel they “get anything” out of Mass. But that’s totally missing the point.
In Exodus chapter 32 the Hebrew people are worshipping the golden calf while dancing and feasting and being merry. This section is often used to teach against idolatry. However, the Bishop pointed out tonight that it is much more than that. The Hebrew people had forgotten what God had asked of them and were trying to create a more tangible god, something visible and concrete. But they were only thinking of themselves and what they needed, or actually, wanted, out of that relationship with God.
They had also forgotten that what God asks of His people is non-negotiable. Go back to where Moses is asking Pharaoh to let God’s people go out of the land to worship Him. Pharaoh tries to negotiate, but Moses won’t. God gave specific instructions and it wasn’t up to Moses to negotiate, those instructions had to be followed.
The passage about the golden calf is a good example of what happens when we forget that God wants to be worshipped in a certain way. When we start making it about how we feel and try to turn Sunday worship services into entertainment, we forget what God has asked of us.
So what has he asked of us? He wants us to come together as community to worship Him in how He has instructed us. And those instructions aren’t up for debate. It is why the Catholic Church has celebrated the Mass in basically the same way for almost 2000 years. The Holy Spirit led the Apostles in the right form of worship and we continue that tradition today. Even with the changes that have occurred over the centuries, the basics of the mass have always been the same. (Check out St. Justin Martyr's description of how the Christian people worshipped: it’s the Mass!! And he wrote that in ca. 155 A.D.!)
Are we at Mass to “get something” out of it? Well, hopefully, yes. But ultimately it’s not about us. It’s about God and God alone.
Another quick point: the Bishop also talked about how our earthly liturgy may be imperfect, but it is a foretaste of the heavenly liturgy which we hope to participate in one day. He said that we are rehearsing here for what awaits us there. As a musician, that makes perfect sense! You can’t go to the performance without first doing the rehearsal!
But to start things off, the Bishop gave an overview tonight of Liturgy from Judaic times to today. As always, he gave a great talk with a ton of information!! His vast knowledge is always so evident on any given topic. I always learn something.
He broke the talk down into seven parts, but I won’t reiterate all of those here. There were plenty of interesting points I could share (aren’t you glad I wasn’t taking notes!), but one really struck me. It had to do with why we participate in Liturgy and who the Liturgy is for. Are we there to “get something out of it?” Are we there to just rejoice and give praise? Or is there more to it?
So often when you talk to someone who is unhappy with the Catholic Church, one of the familiar lines you get is that they don’t feel they “get anything” out of Mass. But that’s totally missing the point.
In Exodus chapter 32 the Hebrew people are worshipping the golden calf while dancing and feasting and being merry. This section is often used to teach against idolatry. However, the Bishop pointed out tonight that it is much more than that. The Hebrew people had forgotten what God had asked of them and were trying to create a more tangible god, something visible and concrete. But they were only thinking of themselves and what they needed, or actually, wanted, out of that relationship with God.
They had also forgotten that what God asks of His people is non-negotiable. Go back to where Moses is asking Pharaoh to let God’s people go out of the land to worship Him. Pharaoh tries to negotiate, but Moses won’t. God gave specific instructions and it wasn’t up to Moses to negotiate, those instructions had to be followed.
The passage about the golden calf is a good example of what happens when we forget that God wants to be worshipped in a certain way. When we start making it about how we feel and try to turn Sunday worship services into entertainment, we forget what God has asked of us.
So what has he asked of us? He wants us to come together as community to worship Him in how He has instructed us. And those instructions aren’t up for debate. It is why the Catholic Church has celebrated the Mass in basically the same way for almost 2000 years. The Holy Spirit led the Apostles in the right form of worship and we continue that tradition today. Even with the changes that have occurred over the centuries, the basics of the mass have always been the same. (Check out St. Justin Martyr's description of how the Christian people worshipped: it’s the Mass!! And he wrote that in ca. 155 A.D.!)
Are we at Mass to “get something” out of it? Well, hopefully, yes. But ultimately it’s not about us. It’s about God and God alone.
Another quick point: the Bishop also talked about how our earthly liturgy may be imperfect, but it is a foretaste of the heavenly liturgy which we hope to participate in one day. He said that we are rehearsing here for what awaits us there. As a musician, that makes perfect sense! You can’t go to the performance without first doing the rehearsal!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Question for Blogger users
If you follow my blog regularly you may have ntoiced that things keep changing everytime you visit. I'm experimenting with some changes, obviously. But I've run into an issue that I can't figure out. Can someone give me advise?
Just under my header you'll see a the word "Home" on the left. This is there because I added the "Pages" gadget in the hope that I could add a couple tabs up there to make it easy to find particular posts or whatever I decide to put there.
However, now that it is there, I can't seem to add anything else besides the "Home" tab. Which isn't particularly useful all by itself.
Anyone know how to add other items up there. I've tried dragging other gadgets over it when I'm in the design page, but it doesn't do anything. What simple thing am I missing?
Thanks in advance for any help!
Just under my header you'll see a the word "Home" on the left. This is there because I added the "Pages" gadget in the hope that I could add a couple tabs up there to make it easy to find particular posts or whatever I decide to put there.
However, now that it is there, I can't seem to add anything else besides the "Home" tab. Which isn't particularly useful all by itself.
Anyone know how to add other items up there. I've tried dragging other gadgets over it when I'm in the design page, but it doesn't do anything. What simple thing am I missing?
Thanks in advance for any help!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
What is Stewardship?
Apparently this is what I will be learning about for the next ... um, well I'm not really sure exactly. Few weeks? Months? I still have a lot of unanswered questions.
So let me back up a bit. For some time now I have been feeling a desire for a spiritual director. I need some direction in my prayer life and just some overall help in staying focused on what's important. I've gone back and forth about it for a long time and one of the problems is that I have been told that there is a lack of spiritual directors in my diocese. It probably doesn't help that, of course, all the priests and seminarians have to have spiritual directors and we have had pretty large deacon classes the last few years and they all need spiritual directors as well. So what spiritual directors we do have are already extremely busy. So it makes it hard to ask someone because I would feel guilty if they say yes when really they already have more than enough on their plates.
So finally one weekend I decided to email my parish priest and ask him if he knew someone I could ask. I figured that was a good way to go. After mass that Sunday, before I had a chance to say anything to him, I read his column in the bulletin and in it he mentioned having just gone to a conference and how inspired he was there and how he wanted to know if others were interested in coming together to continue building on that enthusiasm by journeying together in our faith lives. His words were much better than mine and for me they sounded like something that might fill that need I had for a spiritual director.
So I sent him an email to ask what exactly this "journey" was he was referring to. He responded just by asking if I was curious enough to come find out. So I took a chance and said yes. That was at least a month ago if not two. Tonight the group finally got together.
The topic was about stewardship. We started with prayer, then introductions, watched a video and filled out a worksheet as we watched, and then had two activities, one we did in the groups at our tables and the second was an individual activity. Then we ended in prayer.
The one thing that I took away from tonight, the thing I heard that has stuck with me was this: the Textbook of Stewardship is the Word of God.
Well!! I was convicted!
I've known for a long time now that I need to read more scripture. Yes, I hear lots of scripture at every Mass I attend, but I don't spend nearly as much personal time with God's Word as I should. That's what I learned tonight.
I have no idea how long this program is. I only know when the next meeting is and that's it. But it's all part of the journey, I'm sure. Wonder what will convict me the next time!
In the meantime, I think I need to start praying with the scriptures more.
So let me back up a bit. For some time now I have been feeling a desire for a spiritual director. I need some direction in my prayer life and just some overall help in staying focused on what's important. I've gone back and forth about it for a long time and one of the problems is that I have been told that there is a lack of spiritual directors in my diocese. It probably doesn't help that, of course, all the priests and seminarians have to have spiritual directors and we have had pretty large deacon classes the last few years and they all need spiritual directors as well. So what spiritual directors we do have are already extremely busy. So it makes it hard to ask someone because I would feel guilty if they say yes when really they already have more than enough on their plates.
So finally one weekend I decided to email my parish priest and ask him if he knew someone I could ask. I figured that was a good way to go. After mass that Sunday, before I had a chance to say anything to him, I read his column in the bulletin and in it he mentioned having just gone to a conference and how inspired he was there and how he wanted to know if others were interested in coming together to continue building on that enthusiasm by journeying together in our faith lives. His words were much better than mine and for me they sounded like something that might fill that need I had for a spiritual director.
So I sent him an email to ask what exactly this "journey" was he was referring to. He responded just by asking if I was curious enough to come find out. So I took a chance and said yes. That was at least a month ago if not two. Tonight the group finally got together.
The topic was about stewardship. We started with prayer, then introductions, watched a video and filled out a worksheet as we watched, and then had two activities, one we did in the groups at our tables and the second was an individual activity. Then we ended in prayer.
The one thing that I took away from tonight, the thing I heard that has stuck with me was this: the Textbook of Stewardship is the Word of God.
Well!! I was convicted!
I've known for a long time now that I need to read more scripture. Yes, I hear lots of scripture at every Mass I attend, but I don't spend nearly as much personal time with God's Word as I should. That's what I learned tonight.
I have no idea how long this program is. I only know when the next meeting is and that's it. But it's all part of the journey, I'm sure. Wonder what will convict me the next time!
In the meantime, I think I need to start praying with the scriptures more.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
The One Lovely Blog Award
A couple of weeks ago I was tagged by Nanette at The Crooked Halo with the "One Lovely Blog" award (pictured above). I posted the award on my blog (scroll down to see it on the right sidebar) and now I am passing it on to 15 other blogs. The rules for passing it on are simple:
1. Accept the award. Post it on your blog with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link.
2. Pay it forward to 15 other bloggers that you have newly discovered.
3. Contact those blog owners and let them know they've been chosen.
One of the neat things about this is that you should try and pass it on to 15 blogs that are new to you. So it provided me with the chance to check out some new blogs. I'll shortly be contacting the bloggers I'm tagging to let them know.
If I've tagged you, I hope you'll pass it on to some other blogs as well. However, everyone is busy, has full schedules, and lots of commitments already. This should be fun. If you only pass it on to a couple people, that's fine. If you would rather wait and do this at some other time, that's fine as well (there's no timeline). And if you just absolutely can't find the time to do this, that's okay too! Have fun with it if you can.
With that being said, here are the new blogs I've discovered that I am passing the "One Lovely Blog" Award on to (in no particular order).
Kathy at Faith on the High Wire
Beth at The Confused Homemaker
Angie at Many Little Blessings
Charlotte at Waltzing Matilda
Jen at Wildflowers & Marbles
Karen at Karen’s Catholic Journal
Nicole at My Endometriosis Story
Sarah at Fumbling Toward Grace
Elizabeth at That Married Couple
Sherry at Chocolate for your Brain
Charlotte at Cheeky Pink Girl
Abigail at Abigail’s Alcove
Secret Vatican Spy
Mary Ann at Les Femmes - The Truth
Nicole at Mothering with Mary
I'm looking forward to following these blogs. Check them out yourself!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
10 Surprising Things about Me
I got tagged to participate in the "10 Surprising Things about Me" by my friend at Percolating Petals. So during some downtime on my vacation I came up with this list. Hope you enjoy!
1. I am a night owl, but I am not able to keep a schedule that fits with my natural inclination. So I end up staying up later than I should, but then 6am comes (or 4:30 on some days) and I still get up. I think some of my insomnia issues may also come from going to bed (at a normal time, of course) before my body really feels ready. Naturally, I just tend to stay up late.
2. Growing up I always wanted to be a writer. I wrote short stories and even won some school-wide and county awards in elementary and middle school. I loved to read and make up my own stories. I kind of got away from it in high school but the dream is still there. Not sure if I'll ever write fiction as I had envisioned, but I do feel that I have something to share and I'm hoping I will one day.
3. Speaking of writing, I actually survived grad school and writing my master's thesis without coffee. I've actually never drank coffee in my life. I remember people telling me that I would once I hit those late-night thesis writing sessions with deadlines looming. Nope, not me! Instead I always kept a pound bag of M&Ms in the desk drawer in the grad student office and always brought some soda with me. So yeah, I had caffeine, just not coffee.
4. Okay, this one may surprise a lot of people: I was a cheerleader once upon a time. I was on a squad in elementary school. Cheerleading was definitely not my thing, but I did stick with it for two years.
5. And while we're on the topic of childhood activities, I also swam competitively for a few years. It was just on our neighborhood swim team, but it was a really good experience. I was certainly not a top competitor, but I enjoyed it and did well.
6. So swimming, I do like to swim, though I haven't done laps in years and years. I prefer pool swimming to ocean/lake swimming. So, I'm not really much of a beach person. I like the relaxing aspect of being at the beach, but really when it comes to swimming, I'd rather be in a pool.
7. Here's an odd one for you: I don't care for 3D movies. It's bothersome to me to have those silly glasses and I really don't care to be watching movies with things leaping out at me. Plus, movies are already expensive to go see, why should I pay an extra $5-$10 just to watch it in 3D? So whenever we want to watch a movie that is out in 3D, we usually choose the 2D option.
8. I want to learn how to knit! I've tried teaching myself a few times but still haven't learned a few essential tasks, like casting-off, kind of important. I had an opportunity to learn recently, but it was while I was going to be out of town. Hopefully I will have an opportunity again soon.
9. Sometimes I wish I had played the cello instead of the clarinet. I wouldn't trade any of my band experiences for anything. But I love the sound of the cello and have always thought it would be an awesome instrument to take up.
10. Although many people who know me now would disagree, if you've known me since I was a kid this is probably not a surprise. I am naturally a shy person, very shy. I've worked hard to appear more outgoing than I really am, though I still have some difficulties when around people that I don't know well. So yes, I am a shy person.
Time for me to also tag some others. So I will tag anyone who also wants to do this as well as the following bloggers I know:
Benotafraid at Analysis
Lynn B. at Feeding Souls
Nanette at The Crooked Halo
Let me know in the comments if you participated and leave a link to share.
1. I am a night owl, but I am not able to keep a schedule that fits with my natural inclination. So I end up staying up later than I should, but then 6am comes (or 4:30 on some days) and I still get up. I think some of my insomnia issues may also come from going to bed (at a normal time, of course) before my body really feels ready. Naturally, I just tend to stay up late.
2. Growing up I always wanted to be a writer. I wrote short stories and even won some school-wide and county awards in elementary and middle school. I loved to read and make up my own stories. I kind of got away from it in high school but the dream is still there. Not sure if I'll ever write fiction as I had envisioned, but I do feel that I have something to share and I'm hoping I will one day.
3. Speaking of writing, I actually survived grad school and writing my master's thesis without coffee. I've actually never drank coffee in my life. I remember people telling me that I would once I hit those late-night thesis writing sessions with deadlines looming. Nope, not me! Instead I always kept a pound bag of M&Ms in the desk drawer in the grad student office and always brought some soda with me. So yeah, I had caffeine, just not coffee.
4. Okay, this one may surprise a lot of people: I was a cheerleader once upon a time. I was on a squad in elementary school. Cheerleading was definitely not my thing, but I did stick with it for two years.
5. And while we're on the topic of childhood activities, I also swam competitively for a few years. It was just on our neighborhood swim team, but it was a really good experience. I was certainly not a top competitor, but I enjoyed it and did well.
6. So swimming, I do like to swim, though I haven't done laps in years and years. I prefer pool swimming to ocean/lake swimming. So, I'm not really much of a beach person. I like the relaxing aspect of being at the beach, but really when it comes to swimming, I'd rather be in a pool.
7. Here's an odd one for you: I don't care for 3D movies. It's bothersome to me to have those silly glasses and I really don't care to be watching movies with things leaping out at me. Plus, movies are already expensive to go see, why should I pay an extra $5-$10 just to watch it in 3D? So whenever we want to watch a movie that is out in 3D, we usually choose the 2D option.
8. I want to learn how to knit! I've tried teaching myself a few times but still haven't learned a few essential tasks, like casting-off, kind of important. I had an opportunity to learn recently, but it was while I was going to be out of town. Hopefully I will have an opportunity again soon.
9. Sometimes I wish I had played the cello instead of the clarinet. I wouldn't trade any of my band experiences for anything. But I love the sound of the cello and have always thought it would be an awesome instrument to take up.
10. Although many people who know me now would disagree, if you've known me since I was a kid this is probably not a surprise. I am naturally a shy person, very shy. I've worked hard to appear more outgoing than I really am, though I still have some difficulties when around people that I don't know well. So yes, I am a shy person.
Time for me to also tag some others. So I will tag anyone who also wants to do this as well as the following bloggers I know:
Benotafraid at Analysis
Lynn B. at Feeding Souls
Nanette at The Crooked Halo
Let me know in the comments if you participated and leave a link to share.
Friday, September 17, 2010
7 Quick Takes, vol. 4
Last Saturday I went to a baby shower! I haven't been to one in 4 years, mostly because many of my friends who have been having babies were already on their 2nd or 3rd babies. There was another one I could have gone to a little over a year ago, but it was shortly after my son died and only a month before what would have been his due date. Definitely not a good time for me to be celebrating someone else's good news. But this one was different!! This baby shower was for a friend who had thought she'd never get pregnant and had started the adoption process. She hadn't gotten far in the process when they discovered they were expecting. I know how hard this wait has been for her and I was delighted to be able to celebrate this time with her. Her and I took a picture together at the shower that I had hoped to post, but she hasn't sent it to me yet. ::smile::
Oh my goodness, what a rough week I have had. I could probably go on and on about this week, but it would just be too much of a downer. I had moments when I thought I was going to pull my hair out and other times when I just wanted to cry. I can't believe that having my email hacked on Monday was actually not the worst part of the week. But we have great IT people at work and I was pleasantly surprised when on Thursday they could pull a backup from Tuesday and recover some of the data I had lost through no fault of my own. In the end things worked out (and I was able to take today off!!). Glad this week is over though!
Speaking of computer issues, I also learned last week that the website I currently use to read all my RSS feeds is shutting down as of October 1. I had been debating on switching to Google Reader anyway, but wasn't expecting to be forced into the move so soon. Oh well, I still have my Bloglines account active, but I have pretty much switched to Google Reader now. Still trying to figure it out (for example, how many times do I need to unsubscribe/delete a feed before it actually deletes it?? Three times? Four??). Google Reader is a little more cluttered, I miss the clean look of Bloglines, but I think I'm starting to get into the right mindset for Google Reader.
Going on vacation? We are. What must be done before leaving? Using up all the leftovers! Hubby sometimes gets creative and he did this week. Early in the week he made apple turnovers, but couldn't get all the apple filling in them. So we had a little bit leftover. To use it up he baked up a couple of tortillas, essentially making cinnamon chips, topped them with the apple filling, added some vanilla ice cream in the center (had that sitting in the freezer too that needed to be eaten), and then he made a caramel sauce and drizzled it over all of it. It was yummy!! And now we have leftover caramel sauce. But we're working on eating that up too!
I think I'm becoming an insomniac again. ::sigh:: I don't nap during the day, never have, I'm exhausted when I go to bed, and yet I still lay awake for a couple hours (or more). I'm still getting up early, regardless of how tired I am. Oh, I hate this. One solution, I've been slacking on any sort of exercise for several weeks now. Maybe adding that back into my routine will help.
Some good news!! My promotion file is complete!! It better be, because today is the deadline and I'm not at work today, which is really another bit of good news! This is for my promotion to Librarian I (which is equivalent to full professor on the teaching faculty side). Now the wait begins. I should know the library faculty's decision by January (I think) and then the final decision is sent to the Provost's office. Sometime next spring I'll get the final decision. Yep, it's a long wait.
My second "job" is picking up. Actually it's my volunteer job with the Cursillo movement in my diocese. I'm the Pre-Cursillo chair and we have a retreat weekend approaching in a little over a month. All applications and deposits come to me, I keep in contact with all our sponsors and candidates as they all prepare for the weekend, answer questions, and arrange for transportation for everyone. With just over a month left, things are definitely picking up. Please help us by praying for all those who are making the weekend, for the Team members who are working hard on putting together their talks for the Weekend, and that the men who need to be at this retreat will listen to God's call and allow themselves to be led to this wonderful weekend. St. Paul, our patron saint, please pray for these men attending and working on this Men's Weekend.
To enjoy more Quick Takes, check out the list of blogs participating in 7 Quick Takes at Conversion Diary. Thanks to Jen for hosting!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Suffering and Motherhood
Today is the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, a feast day I never really paid much attention to in the past. It was brought to my attention about a month ago and I've had it in my head ever since. A fellow blogger recommended doing a novena to Our Lady of Sorrows. I was completely taken with that novena. It helped me focus my prayer life in a way I didn't think I would be able to again. Since doing that novena I have also felt a deeper connection to Mary.
So today. I wish I could say that I spent some time today reflecting on the sorrows of Mary. Or that I even went to Mass. Even a little bit of quiet prayer time? No, it didn't happen. Too much going on at work today, sad to say.
But that's why I'm writing this. I figured a post in her honor was needed. So here we are.
I love this picture I found! Notice there are seven arrows piercing her. You can't help but think of Luke 2:35. And of course the seven arrows represent the seven sorrows: the prophesy of Simeon; flight into Egypt; loss of Jesus in the Temple; meeting Jesus carrying the Cross; the Crucifixion; receiving the body of Jesus (the Pieta); and Jesus' burial and closing of the tomb.
It's often easy to forget about the suffering Mary as we read about the life and passion of her Son, Jesus Christ. Today is a day to think about her, to realize that her sufferings are also our sufferings. She was a mother who suffered greatly along with her divine Son. If anyone can understand the sufferings mothers go through it is Mary, our Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Sorrows.
On my way home from work today, a show on my local Catholic radio station was talking about suffering and motherhood. Specifically, what is the greatest challenge of motherhood? I was tempted to email in, but opted not to. I wasn't sure I could say something succinctly enough, or coherently enough. Really my comments would not have been regarding the challenges of motherhood so much as the suffering of motherhood.
I'm sure there are others out there who can list the many, many sufferings mothers go through each day. I'm not one of them. My sufferings are very different, but they are still the sufferings of a mother. And Mary understands. There is comfort in that.
Today is a day to recall the cross and then to look to Mary and see her standing by the cross. Did you notice that yesterday's feast was the Exaltation of the Cross? Interesting that these two feast days are right next to each other. We all have crosses in our life, mine is pregnancy loss. We carry those crosses to follow Christ, we unit our sufferings with the crucified Christ, and then we look at Mary. Standing at the foot of the cross, not cowering.
Losing a child is not easy. I have wanted to cower away in the corner, to cry until there are no tears left, to isolate myself away from the world because of my sorrow and suffering. But then I look to Mary and I see her suffering, her sorrow, and, of course, her strength.
Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Seeking Answers
In the midst of dealing with three pregnancy losses over the last few years I have also been struggling to understand why it sometimes seems to be difficult to get pregnant in the first place. I've always known that I had irregular cycles, but it wasn't until I started taking NFP classes that I realized just how weird they are. And then there is the frustration with doctors who do not understand NFP and barely glance at your charts when you bring them in. Just adds to the frustration.
In my area there are no NFP-only doctors. There is one about an hour or so north of us, but because I work for a university with its own health plan and its own Medical School and Medical staff, I am limited to using only the doctors in the University HMO plan. So if I want to see the NFP-only, NaPro trained doctor an hour north in Cincinnati, I would have to pay for the visit myself. I haven't gotten that desperate ... yet.
One of my frustrations is when we talk about using clomid so that I will ovulate and hopefully get pregnant. While this sounds nice (and the Church has nothing against it) I feel like we'd just be doing something to get a result I want and not really trying to fix the problem. If we can fix the problem, shouldn't I then be able to get pregnant without the help of drugs? Maybe, maybe not. But it's worth a try. My next appointment is in October. I've been referring to it as my "Clomid appointment" unless something happens naturally between now and then.
In the meantime, I've lost about 15 pounds and am now back to my weight when we got married. I still want to lose a minimum of 5 more (ideally 10). Weight issues I know can be part of the problem with irregular cycles (in some women, obviously not all). I have a history of very long cycles with occurrences of breakthrough bleeding, which just makes the cycles even longer. Once I finally do ovulate I have a luteal phase that is a very good length (13-15 days) and my temps stay up (both a good sign that my progesterone is doing what it is supposed to be doing.
If it wasn't for learning NFP and charting my cycles I wouldn't know any of this. I'd still be under the delusion that I sometimes have really long cycles and sometimes have really short cycles, not realizing that what I sometimes thought of as a period was actually breakthrough bleeding.
So, yes, the weight loss has been good. After this third loss I actually ovulated again only a two months later. A big improvement over the last two times. And so far in my current cycle, no breakthrough bleeding. But my question is, why am I not ovulating this time?
To answer that question I went back to earlier this year (before my last pregnancy) when I met with the priest who is the chaplain for the infertility group. He is also a former OB/GYN. He looked over my charts and mentioned the possibility that I could be estrogen dominant. That would explain the very long period of time between one period and the next ovulation. In a typical cycle the estrogen is dominant at the beginning, half way through it falls off and the progesterone takes over. This is when you ovulate. If no egg is fertilized and implanted, then the progesterone will fall off after 12-17 days (your luteal phase) and you'll get your period. Estrogen is back in the picture.
I didn't look into that possibility at all because I got pregnant again shortly after that meeting. But the other day I remembered that conversation and decided to do a bit of investigating. What I found was interesting. First Estrogen Dominance is most commonly thought of as an issue for women in menopause. But it's also becoming a bigger and bigger issue for all women. Mostly because of the chemicals that are all around us in our industrialized society.
Googling "estrogen dominance" brings up a lot of information, a little too much. Adding pregnancy as a search term and then doing the search again using infertility brought up some more relevant information.
An article that talked about an assortment of female problems linked to Estrogen Dominance was: Estrogen Dominance & Female Problems found on Nutrition Research Center.
A second article that I found useful was: Infertility: Estrogen Dominance on Shared Journey: Your path to Fertility.
There were plenty of other web pages out there, some with much more medical information on them. But those were also much longer. Eventually, I will go find those and read more, but these first two were a good start.
From reading these I learned a few things. Now, I'm a cautious person and I don't like to do anything without checking with my doctor first. So although supplements may be a good thing, I want to make sure that that I'm not taking too much of anything. I already take a multivitamin. So at this point, I'd like to see what other things I can do to that may make a difference until I can talk to my doctor.
First the weight loss is a help. Both articles mention that. So I'm still working on losing more. Second, there are environmental problems. There are estrogens or xenoestrogens all around is. Plastics are big culprits. As are estrogens in our water supply and just all around us, thanks in part to the *cough* wonderful *cough* Pill.
I started looking around me and realized that I eat fairly healthy, I drink mostly water so caffeine is not an issue (and I don't think I eat enough chocolate for that to be a consideration), and I do get some exercise. The only other thing is plastic. Ever thought about just how much plastic there is around you?
So I replaced the plastic cup I keep at work with a ceramic mug. I am going to get rid of the plastic-ware at my office and buy a set of real silverware to keep there. We are also going to get rid of all (or at least most) of our plastic containers and replace them with glass. We also won't microwave plastic anymore. This is probably all we can do at this point. I don't think it's possible to totally eliminate plastics from our lives.
I saw this article called "Is That Plastic Container Safe?" posted on Facebook today and it has a lot of good info on plastics. One of the most interesting was an explanation of the recycling numbers that are found on plastics. Definitely something to read and check out against the plastics in your life.
That's the current story on what I can do easily and naturally for now until I can get some advise on supplements to assist my cycles even more. But, this is also good information for all women to know about. I urge you to read the links I provided, especially if you notice any health issues in your own life.
As for plastic, any further suggestions on how we can use less plastics?
In my area there are no NFP-only doctors. There is one about an hour or so north of us, but because I work for a university with its own health plan and its own Medical School and Medical staff, I am limited to using only the doctors in the University HMO plan. So if I want to see the NFP-only, NaPro trained doctor an hour north in Cincinnati, I would have to pay for the visit myself. I haven't gotten that desperate ... yet.
One of my frustrations is when we talk about using clomid so that I will ovulate and hopefully get pregnant. While this sounds nice (and the Church has nothing against it) I feel like we'd just be doing something to get a result I want and not really trying to fix the problem. If we can fix the problem, shouldn't I then be able to get pregnant without the help of drugs? Maybe, maybe not. But it's worth a try. My next appointment is in October. I've been referring to it as my "Clomid appointment" unless something happens naturally between now and then.
In the meantime, I've lost about 15 pounds and am now back to my weight when we got married. I still want to lose a minimum of 5 more (ideally 10). Weight issues I know can be part of the problem with irregular cycles (in some women, obviously not all). I have a history of very long cycles with occurrences of breakthrough bleeding, which just makes the cycles even longer. Once I finally do ovulate I have a luteal phase that is a very good length (13-15 days) and my temps stay up (both a good sign that my progesterone is doing what it is supposed to be doing.
If it wasn't for learning NFP and charting my cycles I wouldn't know any of this. I'd still be under the delusion that I sometimes have really long cycles and sometimes have really short cycles, not realizing that what I sometimes thought of as a period was actually breakthrough bleeding.
So, yes, the weight loss has been good. After this third loss I actually ovulated again only a two months later. A big improvement over the last two times. And so far in my current cycle, no breakthrough bleeding. But my question is, why am I not ovulating this time?
To answer that question I went back to earlier this year (before my last pregnancy) when I met with the priest who is the chaplain for the infertility group. He is also a former OB/GYN. He looked over my charts and mentioned the possibility that I could be estrogen dominant. That would explain the very long period of time between one period and the next ovulation. In a typical cycle the estrogen is dominant at the beginning, half way through it falls off and the progesterone takes over. This is when you ovulate. If no egg is fertilized and implanted, then the progesterone will fall off after 12-17 days (your luteal phase) and you'll get your period. Estrogen is back in the picture.
I didn't look into that possibility at all because I got pregnant again shortly after that meeting. But the other day I remembered that conversation and decided to do a bit of investigating. What I found was interesting. First Estrogen Dominance is most commonly thought of as an issue for women in menopause. But it's also becoming a bigger and bigger issue for all women. Mostly because of the chemicals that are all around us in our industrialized society.
Googling "estrogen dominance" brings up a lot of information, a little too much. Adding pregnancy as a search term and then doing the search again using infertility brought up some more relevant information.
An article that talked about an assortment of female problems linked to Estrogen Dominance was: Estrogen Dominance & Female Problems found on Nutrition Research Center.
A second article that I found useful was: Infertility: Estrogen Dominance on Shared Journey: Your path to Fertility.
There were plenty of other web pages out there, some with much more medical information on them. But those were also much longer. Eventually, I will go find those and read more, but these first two were a good start.
From reading these I learned a few things. Now, I'm a cautious person and I don't like to do anything without checking with my doctor first. So although supplements may be a good thing, I want to make sure that that I'm not taking too much of anything. I already take a multivitamin. So at this point, I'd like to see what other things I can do to that may make a difference until I can talk to my doctor.
First the weight loss is a help. Both articles mention that. So I'm still working on losing more. Second, there are environmental problems. There are estrogens or xenoestrogens all around is. Plastics are big culprits. As are estrogens in our water supply and just all around us, thanks in part to the *cough* wonderful *cough* Pill.
I started looking around me and realized that I eat fairly healthy, I drink mostly water so caffeine is not an issue (and I don't think I eat enough chocolate for that to be a consideration), and I do get some exercise. The only other thing is plastic. Ever thought about just how much plastic there is around you?
So I replaced the plastic cup I keep at work with a ceramic mug. I am going to get rid of the plastic-ware at my office and buy a set of real silverware to keep there. We are also going to get rid of all (or at least most) of our plastic containers and replace them with glass. We also won't microwave plastic anymore. This is probably all we can do at this point. I don't think it's possible to totally eliminate plastics from our lives.
I saw this article called "Is That Plastic Container Safe?" posted on Facebook today and it has a lot of good info on plastics. One of the most interesting was an explanation of the recycling numbers that are found on plastics. Definitely something to read and check out against the plastics in your life.
That's the current story on what I can do easily and naturally for now until I can get some advise on supplements to assist my cycles even more. But, this is also good information for all women to know about. I urge you to read the links I provided, especially if you notice any health issues in your own life.
As for plastic, any further suggestions on how we can use less plastics?
Friday, September 10, 2010
7 Quick Takes: vol. 3
I recently had the opportunity to give a witness talk at a Cursillo meeting. I shared a little bit about the experience of giving that talk in my post Sharing my Story. I've recently decided that I should also share that story here on my blog. It needs some editing and I want to also make some of the images available that I used. It may take me a couple weeks, but I hope to share here soon.
I've been praying a Novena to St. Gianna with a whole bunch of people. We have a prayer and a long list of special intentions, mostly about pregnancy, conception, infertility, and other health concerns. Yesterday was the last day of the Novena to ask for St. Gianna's intercession. Today the group starts a novena of thanksgiving. This has been a great experience! And it's so powerful knowing that so many people are joining with us in these two novenas for all our intentions.
I posted yesterday about my experience getting to see and pray before the International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima. It was such an amazing experience I had to mention it again. Check out my post from yesterday to get the full story.
I mentioned Cursillo in #1. I made my weekend in 2009 and would really like my husband to also make a weekend. He's been reluctant. Of course, I don't want to "make" him do it, he has to want to, but I can't help but mention it whenever I get a chance. We have a Men's weekend coming up in October, the same weekend that I have a conference to attend out of town. So here's our conversation from last night:
Me: "What are you going to do the weekend I'm out of town?"
Him: "I don't know."
Me: "I have something you can do."
Him: "What?" (said with a big sigh, we currently have a long list of home improvement projects)
Me: "It doesn't involve any work!"
Him (much more interested): "Oh, well that sounds good. What?"
Me: "You can attend the Cursillo weekend!"
Haha! He just rolled his eyes at me. What can I say.
I've recently been reading about a particular medical issue that I discussed once with a former Ob/Gyn who is now a priest in our diocese. It helps to know him and be able to ask him questions since I do not have an NFP-only doctor nor is there one available to me through my insurance plan. I got pregnant shortly after he and I had talked about this so I never explored his suggestion. Since the miscarriage and then the weight loss I've managed to do and now watching how my cycles are starting to function again, I've started thinking more about his guess as to what one of my issues may be. This is a long way of saying that I did some reading this week and now I'm contemplating how to eliminate plastic from me life (probably not entirely, but as much as possible). Any suggestions? (And I have a feeling this topic will require fuller treatment in it's own post in the near future).
The weather is getting cooler!! I probably could have worn a light jacket to work today. Absolutely amazing!! I love the cooler temps, the feel of fall in the air. It's just magical. Football has begun and the days are slowing starting to get shorter. It just feels good! I love it.
Despite the wonderful cooler temps, I'm very much looking forward to our upcoming vacation! We'll be heading south to the shoe shaped island off the South Carolina coast to spend a week in a condo on the beach with part of my family. It'll be so nice to have a week with nothing to do but relax and enjoy spending time with people I love. We'll also be stopping along the way (it's a long drive for us) and spending the night with some great friends and I'll get to see my Godson! One more week!!!
For more Quick Takes head over to Conversion Diary where this series is hosted weekly. Many, many more blogs are waiting there for you to check out!!
Thursday, September 09, 2010
Veneration of the Virgin
I had what I believe is a once in a lifetime opportunity this week. The International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima visited my diocese. Up until I heard a discussion of it on the local Catholic radio (last week?), I had never heard of this.
Oh yes, I've heard of Fatima! But I hadn't heard of this statue. And the more I heard about it the more I wanted to get a chance to see it, pray before it, and offer my prayer petitions to Our Lady. And of course, the Cathedral, my parish, would have the statue visiting on part of her trip throughout the diocese.
The statue was going to be at my parish on Wednesday, which also happened to be the Nativity of the Blessed Mother. How perfect! Only, our bulletin was a bit misleading. Hubby and I planned on attending the 5:30pm Mass, I was going to get there early in order to have some quiet prayer time. That afternoon I decided to look up the website for the Pilgrim Virgin Statue and discovered on their calendar that the statue left the Cathedral at 10am!!
But I looked over the schedule and called hubby and we changed our plans slightly. Actually, I changed mine, his didn't really change much at all. Turns out the next stop was at the campus Newman Center, across the street from my office, and I had 30 minutes. So I went over there and got to at least see the statue, pick up a little booklet about Fatima and the statue, write out and put my petition in the box that accompanies the statue, and listen to a brief talk from the custodians of the Virgin statue. it was all very interesting! And then they started preparing for Mass and I left.
I was disappointed that I didn't really get a chance to see her up close and spend some time in prayer. But I still had to meet hubby at the Cathedral for the evening Mass. That meant walking clear across campus to my car and then back-tracking past the Newman Center and then over to the Cathedral. It's not really that far, but it takes forever at that time of day given our larger enrollment on campus this year (more students=more cars), not to mention that those roads are always busy anyway.
Then a friend told me that the statue would be at her church the entire next day. Thursday morning she emailed me the full schedule. I love having friends in all our the various parishes around me! I always know what's going on!! So after looking over the schedule I decided that a long lunch break was in order and I would head over there for the noon Angelus and the quiet prayer time that would follow.
It was perfect! Exactly what I had been hoping for. I was there for the communal prayers, then said a rosary. Just before I left, I moved up to the front row, right near the statue. I wanted a better look at her face. It was so peaceful looking and yet there was also a sadness in it. And beautiful! She was stunning.
Visit the website, read about Fatima, read about the statue. This statue has been touring the world since 1947. It was blessed by Pope Pius XII, it has actually shed real human tears on multiple occasions, and various cures and miracles have occurred in its wake.
It was such a blessing to be able to spend some time with it; to be there in front of this image of Mary and to ask for Mary's intercession for the intentions I carry in my heart. I pray only that she hears my pleas and brings those prayers to her Son.
Oh yes, I've heard of Fatima! But I hadn't heard of this statue. And the more I heard about it the more I wanted to get a chance to see it, pray before it, and offer my prayer petitions to Our Lady. And of course, the Cathedral, my parish, would have the statue visiting on part of her trip throughout the diocese.
The statue was going to be at my parish on Wednesday, which also happened to be the Nativity of the Blessed Mother. How perfect! Only, our bulletin was a bit misleading. Hubby and I planned on attending the 5:30pm Mass, I was going to get there early in order to have some quiet prayer time. That afternoon I decided to look up the website for the Pilgrim Virgin Statue and discovered on their calendar that the statue left the Cathedral at 10am!!
But I looked over the schedule and called hubby and we changed our plans slightly. Actually, I changed mine, his didn't really change much at all. Turns out the next stop was at the campus Newman Center, across the street from my office, and I had 30 minutes. So I went over there and got to at least see the statue, pick up a little booklet about Fatima and the statue, write out and put my petition in the box that accompanies the statue, and listen to a brief talk from the custodians of the Virgin statue. it was all very interesting! And then they started preparing for Mass and I left.
I was disappointed that I didn't really get a chance to see her up close and spend some time in prayer. But I still had to meet hubby at the Cathedral for the evening Mass. That meant walking clear across campus to my car and then back-tracking past the Newman Center and then over to the Cathedral. It's not really that far, but it takes forever at that time of day given our larger enrollment on campus this year (more students=more cars), not to mention that those roads are always busy anyway.
Then a friend told me that the statue would be at her church the entire next day. Thursday morning she emailed me the full schedule. I love having friends in all our the various parishes around me! I always know what's going on!! So after looking over the schedule I decided that a long lunch break was in order and I would head over there for the noon Angelus and the quiet prayer time that would follow.
It was perfect! Exactly what I had been hoping for. I was there for the communal prayers, then said a rosary. Just before I left, I moved up to the front row, right near the statue. I wanted a better look at her face. It was so peaceful looking and yet there was also a sadness in it. And beautiful! She was stunning.
Visit the website, read about Fatima, read about the statue. This statue has been touring the world since 1947. It was blessed by Pope Pius XII, it has actually shed real human tears on multiple occasions, and various cures and miracles have occurred in its wake.
It was such a blessing to be able to spend some time with it; to be there in front of this image of Mary and to ask for Mary's intercession for the intentions I carry in my heart. I pray only that she hears my pleas and brings those prayers to her Son.
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
Funny Fan Fight
Sometimes a couple's disagreement can be down right funny. Even to the couple!! Last night we climbed into bed, said our novena together, and then settled in. Hubby took off his glasses and put them over on his nightstand. Turns back to face me and then turns back toward the nightstand for a second and then back around.
That's when I noticed the speed of the fan seemed slower. The remote to the fan is on hubby's nightstand. "Did you turn the fan down?" I asked him.
"Yes, but it was set too high anyway."
"So this is medium," I asked skeptically, it didn't seem like medium.
"Yes"
"Are you lying to me"
"No"
"So it's at Medium?"
"Yes, it's a notch above off."
"That's low, not medium. You did lie!" (Of course, I'm laughing as I say this to him)
He's smiling now too, knowing that I like the fan on no matter how cool the room already is. (He was probably rolling his eyes at me too.) "No, low is off, medium is one high than low."
I laughed at this!! "There are three speeds and off isn't one of them. Off is off, then there is low, medium, and high."
He laughed at me and told me not to worry about it as I pulled the comforter off of us and threw it towards the end of the bed. "It doesn't need to be any higher, it's fine."
That's when he got up again to use the bathroom. And when I put things right! He didn't say anything else when he returned.
I'm glad we can disagree and laugh our way through the conversation! :)
That's when I noticed the speed of the fan seemed slower. The remote to the fan is on hubby's nightstand. "Did you turn the fan down?" I asked him.
"Yes, but it was set too high anyway."
"So this is medium," I asked skeptically, it didn't seem like medium.
"Yes"
"Are you lying to me"
"No"
"So it's at Medium?"
"Yes, it's a notch above off."
"That's low, not medium. You did lie!" (Of course, I'm laughing as I say this to him)
He's smiling now too, knowing that I like the fan on no matter how cool the room already is. (He was probably rolling his eyes at me too.) "No, low is off, medium is one high than low."
I laughed at this!! "There are three speeds and off isn't one of them. Off is off, then there is low, medium, and high."
He laughed at me and told me not to worry about it as I pulled the comforter off of us and threw it towards the end of the bed. "It doesn't need to be any higher, it's fine."
That's when he got up again to use the bathroom. And when I put things right! He didn't say anything else when he returned.
I'm glad we can disagree and laugh our way through the conversation! :)
Friday, September 03, 2010
7 Quick Takes: vol. 2
My week seemed full of blessings and I thought I'd use this Quick Takes post to share those with you.
Family and friends who want to pray with and for me!!
I started a novena this week with about 15 or more other people. What a blessing it has been already. It is such a wonderful thing to pray for all these ladies and know they are also praying for me! Whether any of our prayers are answered or not doesn't even seem to matter to me at this point, I just love the idea that we are all doing it together. Something about community in prayer! Beautiful!!
More prayers!!
I gave a talk Thursday evening to my Cursillo community and I was so amazed at the palanca I received from so many prayerful people in that community. I received emails from many of them telling me about masses they were offering up for me, fasting they were doing, other sacrifices, extra prayers, and other ways of lifting me up while I was preparing for the talk. Prayer is truly powerful!
The Talk!
Technically we call it a witness. And, I wasn't prepared for the results of my witness. I've heard many of these myself, but this was the first time I have given one. Wow!!! Just ... wow! I know the point was to share some experience in my life of how God is working in it, but I was amazed at the comments during the echo. And then Father's summary following all the other comments was amazing as well. I could feel the Holy Spirit in the room last night! And I think I was blessed by all the comments from everyone more than they could ever know. Just can't put it into words really. Like I said ... wow!
My awesome husband!
He's just a blessing to know. 'Nough said, really. I love that he loves to cook and is so creative in the kitchen. I had bought some little Kroger Brownie Bites that I planned to take with me to the Cursillo gathering on Thursday evening. He decided to dress them up some. So he whipped up a cream cheese icing and topped each one with a little of it. So good!! And I'm not the only one who knows my husband likes to cook. I walked in with them and the first question I got was, "Did Chris make that?"
Weight Loss!
I'm just thankful it's still happening despite the fact that I have been slacking big time on the exercise. And I'm so close to what I weighed on my wedding day! So close!! One more pound and I'll be there. As of Monday I was 14 pounds lighter than I was in mid-June. Hoping that by this Monday I can say for sure that it is 15 pounds. I think it is now, but Monday is official. So I have to be good for a few more days still.
A good work week.
It's hard to think of work as a blessing; there are so many days that you wonder why you do what you do. Lately I've been trying to focus on the things I like about work and it has somehow made me more productive. This week seemed particularly overwhelming, but I managed to stay focused and get things done. It's still overwhelming, but I'm grateful I have a job, I like my job, I'm working in a field that I actually went to school and trained for, and I am good at my job. Now if I could just get that promotion file completed and out of my head. It is what it is, I have to learn to let go.
The long weekend!
As much as I want to stay positive at work, I'm also very grateful for the long weekend that has now started! I love having three days off! I always have tons of plans in my head thinking that all the things I never get done in a two day weekend will surely get done over three days! How could they not? Ha! Why do I always set myself up for disappointment? Sure, one of these days I will go back and actually tag all my old posts, but it's not going to happen in a day. Regardless, I'll still enjoy the three days off! Two days of peace and quiet and a third ... well, I'll focus on the peace and quiet for now. :-]
What are your blessings this week??
Thursday, September 02, 2010
Sharing my Story
Tonight I gave the "witness" at a monthly meeting of my area Cursillo group. Cursillo is a lay movement within the Catholic Church. This monthly gathering is something we call Ultreya and it's a chance for the local Cursillo community to get together and share how our walk with Christ is going. In addition to small group sharing we hear a witness from one member. Tonight was my witness.
I spoke for about 20 minutes about my most recent struggles with pregnancy loss and how that has effected my faith journey. I was a bit nervous about sharing this story and how it would be received. My prayer for the past several weeks as I have prepared for this talk has been that God use me to say what He knows the people there needed to hear. I hope that's what happened.
As part of my talk I also shared some pictures and other momentos I have from each pregnancy. These included the certificate I got from the church in New York where I registered Casey's name in their "Book of Life;" the picture I have of Zachary from the day he was born; the certificate I received from the hospital that has Zachary's footprints on it; and two pictures I took of Brigit's box.
I was really amazed at the comments I received from everyone during the "echo" following my witness. It meant so much to me to hear those comments. It's also amazing how people can listen to your story and then tell you something about yourself that you never thought of before. There were many beautiful moments tonight.
I honestly think I probably got more out of this experience than those who I was speaking to. Between my time of reflection on my experiences, preparing the talk, praying about it, hearing the echo and Father's summary, I was truly blessed to be given this opportunity.
Thank you to everyone who prayed for me as I was preparing for this. For your offerings of Masses and your times in the Adoration Chapel, for fasting and singing prayers, and so much more!! What an amazing community of people you all are!
I spoke for about 20 minutes about my most recent struggles with pregnancy loss and how that has effected my faith journey. I was a bit nervous about sharing this story and how it would be received. My prayer for the past several weeks as I have prepared for this talk has been that God use me to say what He knows the people there needed to hear. I hope that's what happened.
As part of my talk I also shared some pictures and other momentos I have from each pregnancy. These included the certificate I got from the church in New York where I registered Casey's name in their "Book of Life;" the picture I have of Zachary from the day he was born; the certificate I received from the hospital that has Zachary's footprints on it; and two pictures I took of Brigit's box.
I was really amazed at the comments I received from everyone during the "echo" following my witness. It meant so much to me to hear those comments. It's also amazing how people can listen to your story and then tell you something about yourself that you never thought of before. There were many beautiful moments tonight.
I honestly think I probably got more out of this experience than those who I was speaking to. Between my time of reflection on my experiences, preparing the talk, praying about it, hearing the echo and Father's summary, I was truly blessed to be given this opportunity.
Thank you to everyone who prayed for me as I was preparing for this. For your offerings of Masses and your times in the Adoration Chapel, for fasting and singing prayers, and so much more!! What an amazing community of people you all are!
Wednesday, September 01, 2010
Lots of Prayers
I am always saying that I don't pray enough. I'm either too busy, or just not focused, or ... well, the list of excuses could go on. That's all it is though, excuses. I'm starting to move past the excuses and just do it. And I've had some friends, both old and new, helping me out.
It's so wonderful to get into a routine!! I need some sort of structure or I just wouldn't do it. And having a prayer partner helps as well!
So I've designated a spot for praying. It's now become my quiet spot for all sorts of things, but that's okay. In my living room is what I used to call my comfy chair. It was my "awesome deal" chair when I first bought it. Now it's my Prayer Chair. I've set up a TV tray next to it where my Bible sits, my Magnificat, and any other prayer book I happen to be using at the time. So nice to have this quiet spot!
So I've actually been praying more. And I've needed it!
First I got started with a novena, which I did with a new friend. She suggested the novena to do and it turned out to be a great one for me. We did the Novena to Our Lady of Sorrows. This was a great way to start trying to make my prayer more routine! It not only included some beautiful prayers, but also some of Hail Marys, some scripture verses for each day, and a short reflection at the end of each day.
Second, I am giving a witness on Thursday evening for a Catholic group I am a part of. I only have around 15 minutes, so I had to really spend some time reflecting on what I wanted to say and boil it down to the most pertinent stuff. I started praying about it. The above novena helped too. I really wanted to give this talk over to God and let Him use me. I hope my words will be exactly what someone needs to hear.
Finally, I was approached to join in on another novena and today was the first day. We made a list of intentions and I think we have about fifteen or more people all participating in this novena together. It will be nice to see what graces come from it.
I think I like the idea of praying with novenas. It creates an expectation that I have something to do for a set period of time, and I don't want to miss a day of it. Before now, I've probably only done about 3 novenas in my life. So this is still kind of new, but I'm liking it so far!
What are your favorite prayers or types of prayers? Do you have a favorite novena you'd like to share?
It's so wonderful to get into a routine!! I need some sort of structure or I just wouldn't do it. And having a prayer partner helps as well!
So I've designated a spot for praying. It's now become my quiet spot for all sorts of things, but that's okay. In my living room is what I used to call my comfy chair. It was my "awesome deal" chair when I first bought it. Now it's my Prayer Chair. I've set up a TV tray next to it where my Bible sits, my Magnificat, and any other prayer book I happen to be using at the time. So nice to have this quiet spot!
So I've actually been praying more. And I've needed it!
First I got started with a novena, which I did with a new friend. She suggested the novena to do and it turned out to be a great one for me. We did the Novena to Our Lady of Sorrows. This was a great way to start trying to make my prayer more routine! It not only included some beautiful prayers, but also some of Hail Marys, some scripture verses for each day, and a short reflection at the end of each day.
Second, I am giving a witness on Thursday evening for a Catholic group I am a part of. I only have around 15 minutes, so I had to really spend some time reflecting on what I wanted to say and boil it down to the most pertinent stuff. I started praying about it. The above novena helped too. I really wanted to give this talk over to God and let Him use me. I hope my words will be exactly what someone needs to hear.
Finally, I was approached to join in on another novena and today was the first day. We made a list of intentions and I think we have about fifteen or more people all participating in this novena together. It will be nice to see what graces come from it.
I think I like the idea of praying with novenas. It creates an expectation that I have something to do for a set period of time, and I don't want to miss a day of it. Before now, I've probably only done about 3 novenas in my life. So this is still kind of new, but I'm liking it so far!
What are your favorite prayers or types of prayers? Do you have a favorite novena you'd like to share?
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Crazy Monday
Monday's are always a little crazy for me. They usually begin at 4:30am with my alarm going off and my barely awake brain trying to reason staying in bed for just a little longer. This Monday was no different. 4:30 am is not the time to be debating just how fast I can get ready and still make it to church by 6am.
I wasn't very successful this time. By the time I pulled into the parking lot at church it was just after 6:00 and I noticed that my prayer partner's car was not in the parking lot!! So I hustled in as fast as I could so the poor people who had been there since 5:00am didn't start thinking that we weren't showing up. They are kind of used to me getting there a minute or two late, but ever since I finally got a prayer partner it hasn't been a problem. Not so much today.
The highlight of my Monday is spending that one hour of the morning before the Blessed Sacrament. To have that time to spend in the Real Presence of Christ is something I look forward to each week. When I tell people I have to be at Church every Monday morning at 6am, regardless of the weather, holidays, or whatever, they think I'm crazy. But who wouldn't sacrifice one hour of their time once a week to be in front of the Almighty!
The work day was good and I left around 4am to go do some errands. That's when the real craziness started.
First Babies 'R' Us. They could really organize that store better. When the registry lists an aisle number it would be nice if the item actually was in that aisle. And bottles! Oh my goodness!! How many different brands and kinds and sizes! I eventually left with the registry to take time to look it over, decide what I was going to get, and then come back later so I could be in and out. Yeah, right!
Next was a quick stop at Hallmark (I now have birthday cards for family members through March of next year!) and then to Meijer to print off some pictures from my flash drive.
I like the self-serve photo computer there. I went through all the steps and got my pictures loaded and ready to go. I noticed some were quite blurry but couldn't decide if they were actually blurry or if the computer I was using just wasn't showing me a great picture. I decided to go ahead and make the prints. Maybe my brain was still only half-awake! Well, ten minutes last my pictures finished and of course the blurry prints were indeed blurry.
Lesson learned: taking pictures off your Picasa account to print is not a good idea. In particular when you save a thumbnail! Maybe I never really did wake up on Monday?
So it was back to Babies 'R' Us. I finally found something and headed to the check-out. First I was asked if I had a rewards card, or something along those lines. I said no. Then she rings up a few items and says to me again, "did you say you had a rewards card or not?" No, I do not. So then she asks if I want one. No, I have no need for a rewards card, but I do want a gift receipt. (Isn't the fact that I handed her a registry and asked for a gift receipt enough to let her know that I'm not shopping for me!!??) Then she asks if I want something else (their credit card, or something?) so I can save 10% or whatever on my order. Uh, no, again, I don't have much need for anything from this store.
Seriously, I'm buying a gift! There was even a gift bag! I know you have no idea if I have kids or not, but how many times do I need to say no. I really had to bite my tongue to keep from being rude. I succeeded and she handed me my receipts and some coupons, letting me know when they will be good for use. Yeah, I really don't need those either. Guess what else the mom-to-be is getting from me? LOL!
Finally, all errands were done, called hubby to see where he was, and then headed to Chick-fil-A to meet him for dinner. Did you know Monday is kid's night at Chick-fil-A? I didn't. There was a giant cow there and lots and lots of children! I waited and waited! Hubby? Where are you?? He took a wrong turn at a confusing intersection, but he finally got there.
What a day! Mostly successful and long. I went home with the hope of catching up on email and Facebook and doing some Cursillo stuff only to find that we had no Internet. By the time we got it back it was 9:30. It ended up being a long night!
Today, I'm going back to Meijer to try to prints my pictures again. This time I saved them from the original source!! At least I learned something from my crazy Monday!
I wasn't very successful this time. By the time I pulled into the parking lot at church it was just after 6:00 and I noticed that my prayer partner's car was not in the parking lot!! So I hustled in as fast as I could so the poor people who had been there since 5:00am didn't start thinking that we weren't showing up. They are kind of used to me getting there a minute or two late, but ever since I finally got a prayer partner it hasn't been a problem. Not so much today.
The highlight of my Monday is spending that one hour of the morning before the Blessed Sacrament. To have that time to spend in the Real Presence of Christ is something I look forward to each week. When I tell people I have to be at Church every Monday morning at 6am, regardless of the weather, holidays, or whatever, they think I'm crazy. But who wouldn't sacrifice one hour of their time once a week to be in front of the Almighty!
The work day was good and I left around 4am to go do some errands. That's when the real craziness started.
First Babies 'R' Us. They could really organize that store better. When the registry lists an aisle number it would be nice if the item actually was in that aisle. And bottles! Oh my goodness!! How many different brands and kinds and sizes! I eventually left with the registry to take time to look it over, decide what I was going to get, and then come back later so I could be in and out. Yeah, right!
Next was a quick stop at Hallmark (I now have birthday cards for family members through March of next year!) and then to Meijer to print off some pictures from my flash drive.
I like the self-serve photo computer there. I went through all the steps and got my pictures loaded and ready to go. I noticed some were quite blurry but couldn't decide if they were actually blurry or if the computer I was using just wasn't showing me a great picture. I decided to go ahead and make the prints. Maybe my brain was still only half-awake! Well, ten minutes last my pictures finished and of course the blurry prints were indeed blurry.
Lesson learned: taking pictures off your Picasa account to print is not a good idea. In particular when you save a thumbnail! Maybe I never really did wake up on Monday?
So it was back to Babies 'R' Us. I finally found something and headed to the check-out. First I was asked if I had a rewards card, or something along those lines. I said no. Then she rings up a few items and says to me again, "did you say you had a rewards card or not?" No, I do not. So then she asks if I want one. No, I have no need for a rewards card, but I do want a gift receipt. (Isn't the fact that I handed her a registry and asked for a gift receipt enough to let her know that I'm not shopping for me!!??) Then she asks if I want something else (their credit card, or something?) so I can save 10% or whatever on my order. Uh, no, again, I don't have much need for anything from this store.
Seriously, I'm buying a gift! There was even a gift bag! I know you have no idea if I have kids or not, but how many times do I need to say no. I really had to bite my tongue to keep from being rude. I succeeded and she handed me my receipts and some coupons, letting me know when they will be good for use. Yeah, I really don't need those either. Guess what else the mom-to-be is getting from me? LOL!
Finally, all errands were done, called hubby to see where he was, and then headed to Chick-fil-A to meet him for dinner. Did you know Monday is kid's night at Chick-fil-A? I didn't. There was a giant cow there and lots and lots of children! I waited and waited! Hubby? Where are you?? He took a wrong turn at a confusing intersection, but he finally got there.
What a day! Mostly successful and long. I went home with the hope of catching up on email and Facebook and doing some Cursillo stuff only to find that we had no Internet. By the time we got it back it was 9:30. It ended up being a long night!
Today, I'm going back to Meijer to try to prints my pictures again. This time I saved them from the original source!! At least I learned something from my crazy Monday!
Friday, August 27, 2010
7 Quick Takes: Trying Something New
It's time for a new adventure. I've decided to join in on the "7 Quick Takes" hosted at ConversionDiary.com. Hopefully I'll get to check out some new blogs and meet some other bloggers!
Since we're talking about new adventures, I just recently volunteered for a committee at work. It's that time of year when new appointments are made and although I am still currently chairing a committee, I decided to go ahead and volunteer for a second one. Also, my chairmanship of the first committee is winding down (one more year), so might as well go ahead and start something new. I also think this particular committee may even give me a little more writing experience. I don't know when we'll actually hear about appointments, so it may not even work out. We'll just have to wait and see.
I'm currently working on a "witness" I am giving next week to my Cursillo community. I'm not nervous ... yet. I probably won't get nervous until I actually get there. In the meantime I'm trying to narrow down what I'm going to talk about. How much background to give? What's too much, what's not? Where are details important, where are they not? How much to talk about pregnancy loss? I'm torn between writing something out and just making notes of key points and talking from there. The first option would keep me within my time frame, the second leaves open the possibility of running too long. I only have 15-20 minutes!!
Something was different this week. Not quite sure what. The week went by quickly at work and I got a lot done. I think it's been a while since that happened. Like maybe March of 2008--prior to losing our first pregnancy. I can't quite say what's different, but I do like feeling productive and seeing things move out of my office more quickly. Now, if I can just get that productivity to carry over at home.
Explosion of glass!! Tonight after dinner I curled up in my "prayer chair" in the living room to start catching up on blogs, news, and email (okay, so it's not just a prayer chair, but you have to admit it's a catchy phrase!) while hubby started work on making an Apple Crisp, something he's been talking about doing all week! Suddenly I hear the sound of glass: first a little clinking, then a bit louder, then a "glass juggling" sound, before finally ... CRASH!! It literally sounded like an explosion. Sure enough bits of glass were spread over the kitchen floor and into the dining room, the family room, and the front hall. Two small, one-cup glass bowls broke, the other four survived. I was just so amazed at how far the glass spread! It really was kind of an explosion!
Another new adventure is starting in my life, but I'm still not quite sure what it is. One Sunday a few weeks ago, the rector's column in the Sunday bulletin intrigued me. He was talking about building a better relationship with God and going on a journey together ... or something along those lines. I emailed him to ask about it and he just asked if I was curious enough to attend a get-together to learn more. So I said OK. This week I finally got an email and the group is starting to form. Looks like about 15 people, we now have a Google Group, a name (Companions on the Journey), and a meeting scheduled for late September. Do I know what exactly this is? No. But hey, while I'm trying new things, might as well add this to the list, right?
Students are back!! The parking garage I park is now fuller than before. Walking across campus now includes the "dodge-the-texting-students-who-don't-look-where-they-are-going" game. Things are busier overall. I like the quiet, serene campus of the summer. But I do like the life infused campus as well. Fall is here!
My prayer intentions lately have all revolved around life. I'm praying for a friend going through a very difficult pregnancy; for other friends and family who are pregnant; for all those I know who are hoping to be pregnant one day and those who are waiting on adoptions to come through for them; for all women who are pregnant and considering abortion that they will hear what they need to hear to give their baby life; and I am praying that I too will get pregnant one day and be able to carry a pregnancy to term. So much to pray for!!
Thank you for stopping by! I hope to make this is a regular thing and I look forward to checking out some new blogs through more Quick Takes posts.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
The Joys of Home Ownership
When I was single I liked living in an apartment. I had no desire to own a house. If something happened, a fix was only a phone call away. Why would I need to buy a house?
After working for about 4 years I was finally convinced that I should take the plunge. I wasn't overly excited about it, but felt that it was a worthwhile financial investment. Otherwise, I would have been more than happy to stay in an apartment. In looking for a house, I stayed as close to apartment living as possible and looked only at condos or townhomes. And the requirement for the townhome option was that the association had to be responsible for outside yard maintenance, not the individual home owners (i.e. me). My realtor could probably vouch for that fact that my first question at every townhouse we saw was, "Who is responsible for the outside maintenance?"
As I told my husband when we got married: I don't do yard work.
So I bought a townhouse and I was happy with it. I also bought new construction, so I wouldn't have to deal with things breaking or falling apart too soon. Ease into home ownership, that was my philosophy.
Fast forward to now. I'm married and living in the house hubby bought when he moved to our current city (before we met) and my old townhouse is now sold and gone. Just in the last couple weeks we have been dealing with several house issues.
First one of the A/C units stopped working. This particular unit had some problems earlier this summer; someone came out and did a fix then but told us that there could be a larger problem. Yeah, there was. We called again and they came back and fixed it and now we have cool air again for our downstairs.
The same weekend that the A/C was out hubby thought he found termites. They certainly looked like them to me too. The day after the A/C got fixed the "bug lady" came to take a look. Turns out they weren't termites but were thief ants. So okay, we can put down some ant repellent, but otherwise, nothing to be worried about.
In the meantime hubby is battling the rabbits. He fixed a broken section of the fence, fixed the gate of the fence (mostly so I could actually open the gate!), and used some bricks to seal up another hole in the fence. The rabbit is still getting in. I told him to not bother for now because there are also baby rabbits in the yard. That Momma rabbit will find a way in as long as those babies are here. Sure enough he discovered where she has been gnawing away at a section of fence in order to get in. So he's conceded for now, but he'll seal up that fence one way or another once those baby bunnies grow up and move out.
Recently we made a list of all the things that need fixing before we get around to selling this house (hopefully, please, next summer!!). First on the list was figuring out why we have some water damage on a wall next to the fireplace. Hubby had me standing outside today with a hose pointing at the chimney while he was in the attic to see if water was coming in.
I stood there with the hose aimed at where he told me to aim it, the wind blowing the water back at me, and hubby calling me on my cell phone to give me further instructions. I kept thinking about how I never wanted to be a home owner. You don't have to do crazy things like this when you don't own a house. (For those who know my on Facebook, you now know why I posted the crazy comment today! LOL!)
After having both the A/C people and an exterminator visit just last week, we'll now be calling a roofing person as well. Who's next?
Do you think I can convince hubby to look into condo living?? No, I know, not likely.
After working for about 4 years I was finally convinced that I should take the plunge. I wasn't overly excited about it, but felt that it was a worthwhile financial investment. Otherwise, I would have been more than happy to stay in an apartment. In looking for a house, I stayed as close to apartment living as possible and looked only at condos or townhomes. And the requirement for the townhome option was that the association had to be responsible for outside yard maintenance, not the individual home owners (i.e. me). My realtor could probably vouch for that fact that my first question at every townhouse we saw was, "Who is responsible for the outside maintenance?"
As I told my husband when we got married: I don't do yard work.
So I bought a townhouse and I was happy with it. I also bought new construction, so I wouldn't have to deal with things breaking or falling apart too soon. Ease into home ownership, that was my philosophy.
Fast forward to now. I'm married and living in the house hubby bought when he moved to our current city (before we met) and my old townhouse is now sold and gone. Just in the last couple weeks we have been dealing with several house issues.
First one of the A/C units stopped working. This particular unit had some problems earlier this summer; someone came out and did a fix then but told us that there could be a larger problem. Yeah, there was. We called again and they came back and fixed it and now we have cool air again for our downstairs.
The same weekend that the A/C was out hubby thought he found termites. They certainly looked like them to me too. The day after the A/C got fixed the "bug lady" came to take a look. Turns out they weren't termites but were thief ants. So okay, we can put down some ant repellent, but otherwise, nothing to be worried about.
In the meantime hubby is battling the rabbits. He fixed a broken section of the fence, fixed the gate of the fence (mostly so I could actually open the gate!), and used some bricks to seal up another hole in the fence. The rabbit is still getting in. I told him to not bother for now because there are also baby rabbits in the yard. That Momma rabbit will find a way in as long as those babies are here. Sure enough he discovered where she has been gnawing away at a section of fence in order to get in. So he's conceded for now, but he'll seal up that fence one way or another once those baby bunnies grow up and move out.
Recently we made a list of all the things that need fixing before we get around to selling this house (hopefully, please, next summer!!). First on the list was figuring out why we have some water damage on a wall next to the fireplace. Hubby had me standing outside today with a hose pointing at the chimney while he was in the attic to see if water was coming in.
I stood there with the hose aimed at where he told me to aim it, the wind blowing the water back at me, and hubby calling me on my cell phone to give me further instructions. I kept thinking about how I never wanted to be a home owner. You don't have to do crazy things like this when you don't own a house. (For those who know my on Facebook, you now know why I posted the crazy comment today! LOL!)
After having both the A/C people and an exterminator visit just last week, we'll now be calling a roofing person as well. Who's next?
Do you think I can convince hubby to look into condo living?? No, I know, not likely.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
For your weekend reading enjoyment
Have nothing to read this weekend? Or maybe you do, but you want something different? Do you want to find a whole bunch of new blogs to add to your reading list? I have a suggestion that could keep you on your computer all weekend!!
Check out the 7 Quick Takes hosted at Conversion Diary.com. Not only will you get to read Jennifer's 7 Quick Takes post, but there are links at the end of her post to 70+ more blogs with their own 7 Quick Takes!! What a great way to spend the weekend!
I haven't read all the various posts, just clicked on several at random. There is so much good stuff out there. So many wonderful Catholic blogs, spiritual insights, and fantastic people sharing their journey's in life.
I've seen the 7 Quick Takes on other blogs I've followed over the years and have occasionally visited Conversion Diary.com and read her blog as well. I even remember Jennifer's blog under it's original title. But only recently did I finally set up a feed to it so I can get her regular updates. Now I'm considering diving into the 7 Quick Takes world as well. May be fun!
Go on over and check it out!! It could provide quite a bit of great reading this weekend!
Check out the 7 Quick Takes hosted at Conversion Diary.com. Not only will you get to read Jennifer's 7 Quick Takes post, but there are links at the end of her post to 70+ more blogs with their own 7 Quick Takes!! What a great way to spend the weekend!
I haven't read all the various posts, just clicked on several at random. There is so much good stuff out there. So many wonderful Catholic blogs, spiritual insights, and fantastic people sharing their journey's in life.
I've seen the 7 Quick Takes on other blogs I've followed over the years and have occasionally visited Conversion Diary.com and read her blog as well. I even remember Jennifer's blog under it's original title. But only recently did I finally set up a feed to it so I can get her regular updates. Now I'm considering diving into the 7 Quick Takes world as well. May be fun!
Go on over and check it out!! It could provide quite a bit of great reading this weekend!
Friday, August 20, 2010
Fun at Work!!
Seriously, I'm not joking! I had fun at work today. So much so, actually, that I didn't even get around to eating my lunch until about 2pm. What could possibly have been so much fun, you ask?
Detective work!!
I love playing detective! And I don't get to do it very often. As a technical services librarian I am mostly in the background, cataloging materials so that patrons can find them. And I love what I do, can't imagine doing anything different.
But every now and then, I do get asked something, it's usually a no pressure situation, and I get to have some fun. Today was one of those days.
A music librarian colleague from another institution emailed me this morning. He knew that I had contributed the clarinet section of a publication that is coming out later this fall and he was hoping that I was also a clarinetist and would be able to help him identify a piece.
He was cataloging a student recital from 2006 which contained an encore piece that was not identified on the program. Unfortunately the file he sent me wouldn't open. After some back and forth and me contacting my IT department I learned that the file needed to be open in Quick Time. Luckily for me my iPod Touch has Quick Time. So I opened my email on it and got the file to play.
Then I got stuck again, I didn't recognize the work. Of course, I suspected that I probably wouldn't recognize it, but my hope was that someone I knew would. Yet I persevered and with the help of one of our student workers (who is also a clarinetist) we took a guess at the composer, did a little searching online and in our catalog, pulled a few pieces off the shelf, and did some listening and score reading. I found it pretty quickly after that. Also found a CD of this composer's works and sent it to our music librarian to order for our collection.
I was so proud of myself for actually being able to help identify this piece of music. I was certain that if I could just get the file to open I could send it to a few friends who are more active in their clarinet playing and teaching than I am and one of them would know. But only being able to get the file to open on my iPod forced me to exhaust all my resources first. I'm still amazed that we found it!!
That was my fun today!! Overall, this was a small accomplishment, but it felt like a lot more. I not only helped someone else out, but I managed to accomplish a lot of other things as well today because that feeling of success carried over into everything else I as doing.
I'm glad I could end the week well, but I'm also glad the weekend is here. Time to relax and renew!
Detective work!!
I love playing detective! And I don't get to do it very often. As a technical services librarian I am mostly in the background, cataloging materials so that patrons can find them. And I love what I do, can't imagine doing anything different.
But every now and then, I do get asked something, it's usually a no pressure situation, and I get to have some fun. Today was one of those days.
A music librarian colleague from another institution emailed me this morning. He knew that I had contributed the clarinet section of a publication that is coming out later this fall and he was hoping that I was also a clarinetist and would be able to help him identify a piece.
He was cataloging a student recital from 2006 which contained an encore piece that was not identified on the program. Unfortunately the file he sent me wouldn't open. After some back and forth and me contacting my IT department I learned that the file needed to be open in Quick Time. Luckily for me my iPod Touch has Quick Time. So I opened my email on it and got the file to play.
Then I got stuck again, I didn't recognize the work. Of course, I suspected that I probably wouldn't recognize it, but my hope was that someone I knew would. Yet I persevered and with the help of one of our student workers (who is also a clarinetist) we took a guess at the composer, did a little searching online and in our catalog, pulled a few pieces off the shelf, and did some listening and score reading. I found it pretty quickly after that. Also found a CD of this composer's works and sent it to our music librarian to order for our collection.
I was so proud of myself for actually being able to help identify this piece of music. I was certain that if I could just get the file to open I could send it to a few friends who are more active in their clarinet playing and teaching than I am and one of them would know. But only being able to get the file to open on my iPod forced me to exhaust all my resources first. I'm still amazed that we found it!!
That was my fun today!! Overall, this was a small accomplishment, but it felt like a lot more. I not only helped someone else out, but I managed to accomplish a lot of other things as well today because that feeling of success carried over into everything else I as doing.
I'm glad I could end the week well, but I'm also glad the weekend is here. Time to relax and renew!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
God's Blessings in the Every Day
Do you ever wonder at some of the blessings you receive in your life? For me these are usually the big things. My husband, my job, my faith, a roof over my head, my wonderful family, etc. But there are so many other things too. Every day there are blessings bestowed on us that we don't even recognize as such! Lately I've been trying to focus more on those little things. Where are the little blessings in your life?
For the past several weeks I've been trying to post at the end of the week with the blessings I've received that week. Or, where I have been unable to recognize a blessings, at least mention some sort of good news or other accomplishment of the week. That's what this post is as well, but I'm trying to find those small things this time.
So what were the small blessings in my life this week?
So those are the little blessings. I've had some other good news this week as well, the biggest one being that as of Monday I am now about 12 pounds less from where I was in mid-June (and finally wearing some clothes I hadn't touched in way over a year)! The other two things were getting the A/C fixed and learning that what we thought were termites were actually thief ants. Yes, there is such a thing as thief ants (and I've been reflecting on that concept and may have something more to say on it soon--stay tuned!).
Let me here from you! What are your small blessings this week? Or big ones! I'll take anything. Post using the comments link below. (If you comment on Facebook, add your comment here as well for all those who aren't friends of mine on FB, we want to be able to share our blessings with everyone!)
For the past several weeks I've been trying to post at the end of the week with the blessings I've received that week. Or, where I have been unable to recognize a blessings, at least mention some sort of good news or other accomplishment of the week. That's what this post is as well, but I'm trying to find those small things this time.
So what were the small blessings in my life this week?
- On another blog that I follow, the author offered to pray for any of her readers and asked for intentions in the comments of her post. So I posted. She then sent me the sweetest email and offered to do a novena with me. I was so touched and got all teared up when I read her message. How amazing that someone who is pretty much a stranger would do such a thing!! This was truly a blessing this week. (I'm tearing up just thinking about it!)
- We had a day of cool temperatures this week. It was amazing! I love how God gives us these little breaks from the heat. And I appreciated it so much more than usual probably because one of our A/Cs had been out for several days. It hadn't just been hot outside, but also inside! Loved that foretaste of the Fall weather to come!
- I participate (mostly as a reader, but occasionally as a poster) in an online Catholic Moms forum. I've started posting a weekly thread there for everyone to share their good news or blessings of the week. It has been so great to see all the positive things going on in other people's lives and to celebrate those things together!! For me, starting that post each week has, in and of itself, become a blessing for me. It's so uplifting and been so helpful to me as I struggle to understand God's plan for my life.
So those are the little blessings. I've had some other good news this week as well, the biggest one being that as of Monday I am now about 12 pounds less from where I was in mid-June (and finally wearing some clothes I hadn't touched in way over a year)! The other two things were getting the A/C fixed and learning that what we thought were termites were actually thief ants. Yes, there is such a thing as thief ants (and I've been reflecting on that concept and may have something more to say on it soon--stay tuned!).
Let me here from you! What are your small blessings this week? Or big ones! I'll take anything. Post using the comments link below. (If you comment on Facebook, add your comment here as well for all those who aren't friends of mine on FB, we want to be able to share our blessings with everyone!)
Monday, August 16, 2010
God's Love is like rescuing Baby Bunnies
For the past several years we have had a nest of baby bunnies in our backyard. Two years ago we even got a few pictures of them once they were out and moving around. Last year, we found the nest, but never saw the bunnies. This year we had one again in the spring and again I don't remember seeing them, but then a second one popped up more recently. Two in one year. Yes, bunnies do reproduce a lot!
Those little bunnies get scared quite easily and once they get scared, they want to duck for cover. Unfortunately, on occasion, that has led to one or another of them running for cover under the lawn mower when they hear that big scary noise coming. Totally NOT where they should be going. Luckily, I've never had to witness this tragedy, just heard about it from my hubby.
Yesterday, hubby decides it's time to mow the lawn. I warned him to watch out for those little bunnies, but he assured me that they were still too small to be out of their hole. Well, he came in a few minutes later to let me know he had been mistaken, they were out and roaming around the yard.
I tried to convince him to not mow, but he insisted it had to be done.
So, we found a large aluminum bucket and I put a towel on the bottom to make the bunnies feel more secure. We found three in the yard. They were so tiny!! Their little ears were probably no more than a half inch tall and their whole bodies were about 4 inches long. They were trying to get up on the bottom beam of the fence and kept falling down. Obviously they were not totally steady yet. It was really cute.
We managed to catch two in the bucket (took a lot of coaxing) but the third wedged himself pretty tightly behind the corner post of the fence. So we had to leave him and hope he stayed there.
I left the bucket in a shady spot on the patio until hubby was done mowing. I came in as he started mowing and I looked out the window just in time to see the head of a tiny little bunny running across the yard away from hubby and the lawn mower. Thinking it was the little guy who had wedged himself into the corner, I went back out to catch him.
That little sucker did not want to get caught!! He put up quite a fight, with his little ears twitching in fear. "You just didn't know what's good for you," I told him. I was trying to keep him from harm and he kept wanting to run the other way!
I finally got him into the bucket with his other two siblings. I also checked the corner of the fence again and sure enough there was still a little bunny there too. So there were four total, or at least, four I could find.
But trying to round up those little bunnies to keep them safe while the yard was being mowed got me thinking some about God's love for us and, more importantly, our response to Him.
Think about it. God loves us all, you and me, and yet often we reject that love. He wants the best for us but we often turn away from that and think we know best. He tries to save us from harm, but we often run the other way. Whether it is with our fertility (using birth control, sterilization), premarital relations and/or living together before marriage, abortion, pornography, and so on and so on. We live in a relativistic society, where if it "feels" right it must be okay, where we can claim to be following our conscience so we must be doing "right" even when we don't have a properly formed conscience, and where the common thought of the day is that what is right for one isn't necessarily right for another which really ends up meaning that there is no right or wrong.
This line of thinking just separates us further from God's will for our life. The question we should be asking is: how often in our every day lives are we turning away from God, running in the other direction because we think we know best?
Just like those little baby bunnies. Sometimes God puts us on a path that looks a little scary or challenges our preconceptions of who we are or where we think we are going. At times like these we need to learn to trust God because he always has our best interests at heart.
In the end those bunnies were content in the bottom of that aluminum bucket. Their little ears stopped twitching and they calmly waited for what was to come. Once the yard was done and I released them they didn't run off (admittedly they were probably in a bit of shock), they just sat in the grass at my feet eventually getting up to quietly go back to exploring the yard. They no longer seemed scared.
I think trust in God does that to us too during those challenging times of our lives. Things may look scary, but we have to trust God; we go where He leads us and in the end we are no longer frightened of those challenges that were placed before us.
I'm trying to work on this more. I need more prayer time in my life to open myself up more to a better relationship with God, to also listen so I can learn His will for my life, and to recognize His love in all things. My biggest challenge right now is finding that time, or maybe the more accurate way to put it is making more time, for prayer.
I still don't know God's will for my life, but with more prayer I hope to be led down the right path, hopefully with more trust than fear.
Those little bunnies get scared quite easily and once they get scared, they want to duck for cover. Unfortunately, on occasion, that has led to one or another of them running for cover under the lawn mower when they hear that big scary noise coming. Totally NOT where they should be going. Luckily, I've never had to witness this tragedy, just heard about it from my hubby.
Yesterday, hubby decides it's time to mow the lawn. I warned him to watch out for those little bunnies, but he assured me that they were still too small to be out of their hole. Well, he came in a few minutes later to let me know he had been mistaken, they were out and roaming around the yard.
I tried to convince him to not mow, but he insisted it had to be done.
So, we found a large aluminum bucket and I put a towel on the bottom to make the bunnies feel more secure. We found three in the yard. They were so tiny!! Their little ears were probably no more than a half inch tall and their whole bodies were about 4 inches long. They were trying to get up on the bottom beam of the fence and kept falling down. Obviously they were not totally steady yet. It was really cute.
We managed to catch two in the bucket (took a lot of coaxing) but the third wedged himself pretty tightly behind the corner post of the fence. So we had to leave him and hope he stayed there.
I left the bucket in a shady spot on the patio until hubby was done mowing. I came in as he started mowing and I looked out the window just in time to see the head of a tiny little bunny running across the yard away from hubby and the lawn mower. Thinking it was the little guy who had wedged himself into the corner, I went back out to catch him.
That little sucker did not want to get caught!! He put up quite a fight, with his little ears twitching in fear. "You just didn't know what's good for you," I told him. I was trying to keep him from harm and he kept wanting to run the other way!
I finally got him into the bucket with his other two siblings. I also checked the corner of the fence again and sure enough there was still a little bunny there too. So there were four total, or at least, four I could find.
But trying to round up those little bunnies to keep them safe while the yard was being mowed got me thinking some about God's love for us and, more importantly, our response to Him.
Think about it. God loves us all, you and me, and yet often we reject that love. He wants the best for us but we often turn away from that and think we know best. He tries to save us from harm, but we often run the other way. Whether it is with our fertility (using birth control, sterilization), premarital relations and/or living together before marriage, abortion, pornography, and so on and so on. We live in a relativistic society, where if it "feels" right it must be okay, where we can claim to be following our conscience so we must be doing "right" even when we don't have a properly formed conscience, and where the common thought of the day is that what is right for one isn't necessarily right for another which really ends up meaning that there is no right or wrong.
This line of thinking just separates us further from God's will for our life. The question we should be asking is: how often in our every day lives are we turning away from God, running in the other direction because we think we know best?
Just like those little baby bunnies. Sometimes God puts us on a path that looks a little scary or challenges our preconceptions of who we are or where we think we are going. At times like these we need to learn to trust God because he always has our best interests at heart.
In the end those bunnies were content in the bottom of that aluminum bucket. Their little ears stopped twitching and they calmly waited for what was to come. Once the yard was done and I released them they didn't run off (admittedly they were probably in a bit of shock), they just sat in the grass at my feet eventually getting up to quietly go back to exploring the yard. They no longer seemed scared.
I think trust in God does that to us too during those challenging times of our lives. Things may look scary, but we have to trust God; we go where He leads us and in the end we are no longer frightened of those challenges that were placed before us.
I'm trying to work on this more. I need more prayer time in my life to open myself up more to a better relationship with God, to also listen so I can learn His will for my life, and to recognize His love in all things. My biggest challenge right now is finding that time, or maybe the more accurate way to put it is making more time, for prayer.
I still don't know God's will for my life, but with more prayer I hope to be led down the right path, hopefully with more trust than fear.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Assumption and New Catholics
Mass this morning was great! Mass is always a special time, but there was something extra special today about it.
First it was the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. This feast day always falls on August 15 and this year, because it is a Sunday, it takes priority over the usual Sunday readings. How awesome to celebrate the Assumption of Mary into Heaven on a Sunday!! I love the hymns we sing (Hail Mary, Gentle Woman is a favorite of mine) and the readings are fantastic (the section on the Woman and the Dragon in Revelation and of course the Visitation from the Gospel of Luke including the Magnificat). Anyone visiting a Catholic Church today who is not a Catholic and has a misunderstanding of the Catholic devotion to Mary may well come away believing that there is some truth to the myth that we worship Mary.
How interesting then that today should also be the day that we welcomed four new members into full communion with the Church. The honor we give to Mary is often one of the hardest things to accept for those either converting to Catholicism or coming into full communion with the Catholic Church from some other Christian faith. The myth that we "worship" Mary is pretty strong out there.
As I took everything in this morning I was really moved by it all. Can you just imagine the pleasure Jesus gets from seeing us honoring His Mother? Can you see Him smile as we sing her hymns and recount the story of her visiting her cousin Elizabeth? I imagine that Mary herself is probably embarrassed by it all. But that's not surprising, it is she who always points us back to her Son, isn't it? But we know that we need her and her intercession as well, so honor her we must. She will never let us lose site of what is most important. And that reason alone is even more reason to honor her.
And on top of all that, to also welcome four people into full communion with the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church! The decision to convert or come into full communion must certainly come with challenges (rejection or criticism from family members, friends), but those who persevere and take that step have received graces through God primarily, but also through the prayers of Mary and the other saints as well as (I'm sure) many people on earth. So how happy must Mary have been to see us welcome these four people fully into the Church on her feast day. I can just see Heaven overflowing with joy today! How awesome is that!!
Sunday Mass is always a joy to attend and commemorate the death and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. To have it also coincide with a Marian feast day just adds another level of greatness to it. And then to combine all that with the welcoming into the Church of four new members ... well, words just can't begin to describe it. Today was truly a blessing for those who received their confirmation and first communion and were welcomed into the one true Church. But I think it was even more a blessing for the rest of us who got to witness their joy and confirm for ourselves our own commitment to our Catholic faith.
Through the prayers and intercession of our most Holy Mother Mary, may more people feel called to look more deeply at the Catholic Church and desire to come into full communion with God's Church. May God continue to bless His Church and continue to draw His people to it!
First it was the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. This feast day always falls on August 15 and this year, because it is a Sunday, it takes priority over the usual Sunday readings. How awesome to celebrate the Assumption of Mary into Heaven on a Sunday!! I love the hymns we sing (Hail Mary, Gentle Woman is a favorite of mine) and the readings are fantastic (the section on the Woman and the Dragon in Revelation and of course the Visitation from the Gospel of Luke including the Magnificat). Anyone visiting a Catholic Church today who is not a Catholic and has a misunderstanding of the Catholic devotion to Mary may well come away believing that there is some truth to the myth that we worship Mary.
How interesting then that today should also be the day that we welcomed four new members into full communion with the Church. The honor we give to Mary is often one of the hardest things to accept for those either converting to Catholicism or coming into full communion with the Catholic Church from some other Christian faith. The myth that we "worship" Mary is pretty strong out there.
As I took everything in this morning I was really moved by it all. Can you just imagine the pleasure Jesus gets from seeing us honoring His Mother? Can you see Him smile as we sing her hymns and recount the story of her visiting her cousin Elizabeth? I imagine that Mary herself is probably embarrassed by it all. But that's not surprising, it is she who always points us back to her Son, isn't it? But we know that we need her and her intercession as well, so honor her we must. She will never let us lose site of what is most important. And that reason alone is even more reason to honor her.
And on top of all that, to also welcome four people into full communion with the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church! The decision to convert or come into full communion must certainly come with challenges (rejection or criticism from family members, friends), but those who persevere and take that step have received graces through God primarily, but also through the prayers of Mary and the other saints as well as (I'm sure) many people on earth. So how happy must Mary have been to see us welcome these four people fully into the Church on her feast day. I can just see Heaven overflowing with joy today! How awesome is that!!
Sunday Mass is always a joy to attend and commemorate the death and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. To have it also coincide with a Marian feast day just adds another level of greatness to it. And then to combine all that with the welcoming into the Church of four new members ... well, words just can't begin to describe it. Today was truly a blessing for those who received their confirmation and first communion and were welcomed into the one true Church. But I think it was even more a blessing for the rest of us who got to witness their joy and confirm for ourselves our own commitment to our Catholic faith.
Through the prayers and intercession of our most Holy Mother Mary, may more people feel called to look more deeply at the Catholic Church and desire to come into full communion with God's Church. May God continue to bless His Church and continue to draw His people to it!
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Follow the Leader
I've added the "Follow" feature to my blog, over on the right side of the page. I had been thinking about it for a while but had never bothered adding it. I finally gave in today. So if you're interested in "following" me (does this make me your leader?) click the button on the right and you'll be added as a follower of this blog.
As far as I know, you need to have a Google/Blogger account in order to become a follower. It's possible there are other ways of signing in, but I don't know what they are. Those of you who are familiar with the Follow feature will know better than I.
For all you Google Reader users out there, does becoming a follower of a blog automatically add that blog to your Google Reader? Any that I follow show up in my Blogger screen and then I also usually add them to my Bloglines account. So I guess I'm wondering if Google Reader will make things a little simpler. All feedback is welcome!
Happy following! Hopefully I'm not too bad of a leader. LOL!!!
As far as I know, you need to have a Google/Blogger account in order to become a follower. It's possible there are other ways of signing in, but I don't know what they are. Those of you who are familiar with the Follow feature will know better than I.
For all you Google Reader users out there, does becoming a follower of a blog automatically add that blog to your Google Reader? Any that I follow show up in my Blogger screen and then I also usually add them to my Bloglines account. So I guess I'm wondering if Google Reader will make things a little simpler. All feedback is welcome!
Happy following! Hopefully I'm not too bad of a leader. LOL!!!
Friday, August 13, 2010
Weekly Successes
This past week seems to have gone by in a fog. I honestly don't remember much about it. But I know I got something accomplished this week and certainly there have to be some blessings somewhere, right? Well, let's see what I can come up with.
So what are your successes or blessings this week? Leave me a comment to let me know!
- As of Monday I hit the number 10!! Yep, I've lost 10 pounds since mid-June! Quite an accomplishment for me. I'm still hoping to lose at least another 5 in the next few weeks. But for now I'm just happy to be where I am.
- Some things don't seem like blessings at times but are at other times. Funny how that works. That happened to me this week. Probably due to the weight loss, I actually was able to see on my chart a rise in temperature (if you chart you know what that means!), a long luteal phase (15 days!!), and this week my next cycle started!! The disappointment I have felt in the past when this has happened wasn't there this time. Part of me thought there could be a chance at a pregnancy, but I knew it was slim. But that's okay. The fact that I've had a 15 day luteal phase only two months after my D&C is amazing! Definitely seeing some benefits from the weight loss.
- Lastly I discontinued feeding posts from this blog into my Facebook Notes page. Some of the posts were showing up a week or more after they had posted here, so it just didn't seem worth it. So instead, I'll keep the blog separate from Facebook and my friends who like to see my blog posts will just have to come here. I actually had been meaning to do this for quite a while but wasn't sure how hard it would be. Turns out it was just the click of one button. Easy as pie!!
So what are your successes or blessings this week? Leave me a comment to let me know!
Saturday, August 07, 2010
Trek through the Swamp
My main form of exercise is walking. I walk on the treadmill at the gym, take evening walks with my ever patient husband, and sometimes take morning walks in the neighborhood (often alone, sometimes with hubby, often because there isn't time to make it to the gym and back). Friday night we went for a long walk and hubby mentioned that we should do the 4-mile loop around the outskirts of Masterson Station Park sometime. I immediately suggested that we do so the next morning.
He was reluctant at first, but then I pointed out how the weather was cooler and that if we went early enough in the morning it would be really nice, even a bit chilly. So he agreed.
Fast forward to 7:30am this morning and we were on our way out to walk the trail around the park. The sidewalk into the park is only a couple blocks from our house. And sure enough it was a bit chilly out. We finally headed into the park and started down the trail.
The last time we walked this entire trail was before we got married, so maybe 3 and a half to 4 years ago. But we have walked portions of it (the portion closest to the neighborhood) many times. So everything was good as we started ... well, most everything.
Since it was so early the grass was damp and the sun wasn't yet high enough to start drying out the dew. Not long into our walk I could tell my shoes were getting pretty wet. We had maybe walked a half mile when my toes were also starting to get a bit damp as well.
By the time we made it to the road that brings cars into the park my feet were pretty wet. Hubby's were also getting wet, but not quite as bad. My shoes have some mesh fabric on them to let your feet breath. Unfortunately it also lets water in too!!
After crossing the road we couldn't find the trail. This is a very big park. There are soccer fields, a dog park, a roller-skating hockey rink, jumps and practice areas for horses, picnic shelters, and an area where sheep dog tournaments are held. And you can be at one of these places and not see any of the others. The place is huge. So the trail around the edge is hard to pick out at times.
After a bit of searching we decided to walk down past some of the soccer fields and hopefully pick up the trail. Eventually I think we did find it. By which time my feet were soaked!!
From that point on nothing looked familiar and the trail was almost impossible to see. Even when on the trail (we think) the grass was very high, leading to more soaking of the feet as well as wet grass clippings up and down my legs. There were many times when we found ourselves looking over the rolling KY hills wondering where the trail had gone. It was amazing how you could be on it and then it suddenly disappear!! Thank goodness we were just in a park or we might have been seriously lost!
One note of interest, we did at one point happen upon a large stone with a plaque on it. The plaque indicated that on that spot Bishop Asbury held the first Methodist service this far west of the Alleghenies, in 1790. I'm guessing that he is who Asbury Seminary is named for.
Once we finally found the last portion of the trail we were back on the neighborhood side of the park. Even this didn't look quite like it used to because of new homes that had been built. Those houses hadn't been there the last time we did this (over 3 years ago!). At that point we decided we'd take the first exit from the park back into the neighborhood and just walk home from there. Luckily it came earlier than expected. Part of that newer section of the neighborhood had a path out to the street, so we took it.
I've never been so happy to be back on a sidewalk! My feet were completely wet and I'm sure I had a half inch of water in my shoes. Definitely felt like we had trekked through a swamp. It was a bit of a sloppy walk back to the house. Once home we took shoes and socks off on the porch and left it all there to dry in the sun. Even several hours later my shoes still weren't totally dry, but certainly a lot better.
What a morning!! After that long walk through what felt like a swamp at times, we decided a good breakfast was in order. So after some scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns, and toast we were very content.
What a way to start a weekend!! At least I got in my exercise for the day.
He was reluctant at first, but then I pointed out how the weather was cooler and that if we went early enough in the morning it would be really nice, even a bit chilly. So he agreed.
Fast forward to 7:30am this morning and we were on our way out to walk the trail around the park. The sidewalk into the park is only a couple blocks from our house. And sure enough it was a bit chilly out. We finally headed into the park and started down the trail.
The last time we walked this entire trail was before we got married, so maybe 3 and a half to 4 years ago. But we have walked portions of it (the portion closest to the neighborhood) many times. So everything was good as we started ... well, most everything.
Since it was so early the grass was damp and the sun wasn't yet high enough to start drying out the dew. Not long into our walk I could tell my shoes were getting pretty wet. We had maybe walked a half mile when my toes were also starting to get a bit damp as well.
By the time we made it to the road that brings cars into the park my feet were pretty wet. Hubby's were also getting wet, but not quite as bad. My shoes have some mesh fabric on them to let your feet breath. Unfortunately it also lets water in too!!
After crossing the road we couldn't find the trail. This is a very big park. There are soccer fields, a dog park, a roller-skating hockey rink, jumps and practice areas for horses, picnic shelters, and an area where sheep dog tournaments are held. And you can be at one of these places and not see any of the others. The place is huge. So the trail around the edge is hard to pick out at times.
After a bit of searching we decided to walk down past some of the soccer fields and hopefully pick up the trail. Eventually I think we did find it. By which time my feet were soaked!!
From that point on nothing looked familiar and the trail was almost impossible to see. Even when on the trail (we think) the grass was very high, leading to more soaking of the feet as well as wet grass clippings up and down my legs. There were many times when we found ourselves looking over the rolling KY hills wondering where the trail had gone. It was amazing how you could be on it and then it suddenly disappear!! Thank goodness we were just in a park or we might have been seriously lost!
One note of interest, we did at one point happen upon a large stone with a plaque on it. The plaque indicated that on that spot Bishop Asbury held the first Methodist service this far west of the Alleghenies, in 1790. I'm guessing that he is who Asbury Seminary is named for.
Once we finally found the last portion of the trail we were back on the neighborhood side of the park. Even this didn't look quite like it used to because of new homes that had been built. Those houses hadn't been there the last time we did this (over 3 years ago!). At that point we decided we'd take the first exit from the park back into the neighborhood and just walk home from there. Luckily it came earlier than expected. Part of that newer section of the neighborhood had a path out to the street, so we took it.
I've never been so happy to be back on a sidewalk! My feet were completely wet and I'm sure I had a half inch of water in my shoes. Definitely felt like we had trekked through a swamp. It was a bit of a sloppy walk back to the house. Once home we took shoes and socks off on the porch and left it all there to dry in the sun. Even several hours later my shoes still weren't totally dry, but certainly a lot better.
What a morning!! After that long walk through what felt like a swamp at times, we decided a good breakfast was in order. So after some scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns, and toast we were very content.
What a way to start a weekend!! At least I got in my exercise for the day.
Small Blessings
- The chance to spend an evening with faithful Catholics, sharing how we are working on our piety, study, and action; followed by a beautiful witness on how God is working in someone's life.
- A clean desk: old papers tossed (recycled, of course), surfaces dusted, important papers filed away, remaining items reorganized. It felt like a weight had been lifted!
- A wonderful husband who loves to cook and tries to be as helpful as possible while I try to lose weight. Love that!
- For having lost a total of eight pounds (roughly) as of last Monday!
What are your blessings from this past week??
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