Falling on His Grace

January 2, 2011 Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord Reading 1 Is 60:1-6 Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the LORD shines, and over you appears his glory. Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance. Raise your eyes and look about; they all gather and come to you: your sons come from afar, and your daughters in the arms of their nurses. Then you shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and overflow, for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you, the wealth of nations shall be brought to you. Caravans of camels shall fill you, dromedaries from Midian and Ephah; all from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the LORD. Reading 2 Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6 Brothers and sisters: You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that ...

Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God January 1, 2011 Reading 1 Nm 6:22-27 The LORD said to Moses: “Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them: This is how you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them: The LORD bless you and keep you! The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace! So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them.” Reading 2 Gal 4:4-7 Brothers and sisters: When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. As proof that you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then also an heir, through God. Gospel Lk 2:16-21 The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, ...

I'm a little late posting these because of Christmas. Merry Christmas to everyone! I hope you all had a very merry and blessed Christmas Day and that your Christmas is continuing to be very blessed. Christmas Day Reading 1 Is 52:7-10 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings glad tidings, announcing peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation, and saying to Zion, “Your God is King!” Hark! Your sentinels raise a cry, together they shout for joy, for they see directly, before their eyes, the LORD restoring Zion. Break out together in song, O ruins of Jerusalem! For the LORD comforts his people, he redeems Jerusalem. The LORD has bared his holy arm in the sight of all the nations; all the ends of the earth will behold the salvation of our God. December 25, 2010 The Nativity of the Lord Christmas Mass During the Day Reading 1 Is 52:7-10 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings gl...

5 months until Andy graduates! That's only 22 weeks as of this last Saturday. I started my countdown around 22-23 months , and now it's down to 22 weeks . We're so close, yet it seems so far away. It is so easy, looking at how little time we have left, to focus on that whole time... which is still so very overwhelming. The challenge is to focus on one day at a time. Though we still need to think about the big picture. Andy has started to apply for work for May/June... he's sent two applications to companies in this area so far. We're not expecting much since he's not available to work for 5+ months, but it doesn't hurt to try. It won't be long before he will be more seriously applying for work. He's also starting to study for the first part of two of his licensure exam, which he will take the week before the next semester starts.

Reading 1 Is 7:10-14 The LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying: Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God; let it be deep as the netherworld, or high as the sky! But Ahaz answered, “I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!” Then Isaiah said: Listen, O house of David! Is it not enough for you to weary people, must you also weary my God? Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel. Reading 2 Rom 1:1-7 Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised previously through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, the gospel about his Son, descended from David according to the flesh, but established as Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness through resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord. Through him we have received the grace of apostleship, to bring about the obedience of faith, for the sake of his name, amo...

It was -15 out this morning. Brrrr.... The boys put the figures where they wanted them, with just a little coaxing from me to group the kings together and the shepherds together. I think I actually placed the two kings on the right side of the picture. Notice how the rest of the figures are facing Jesus (who at that time was in the manger, later taken out until Christmas day). I think the boys have the right idea here; it's not as visually pleasing this way, but I'm leaving it as is.

From My Daily Bread , part 1, chapter 34: Christ:"My child, there is one thing that stops many from making spiritual progress and keeps them from improving themselves. It is a fear of the difficulties or of the work required by their effort. The people who rise highest in holiness are those who are brave enough to fight against whatever holds them back from Me, no matter how hard or disagreeable the effort may be. The more you try to master your feelings and blind desires, the greater are the graces which I offer to you. If you keep on trying, you will gain as much success as I desire of you. "Different men have to face different obstacles. Yet, a diligent and zealous person will make greater progress in virtue, even though he may have to fight more defects than others. Some people have fewer defects to overcome, and still they do not advance in holiness because they are less fervent in the pursuit of virtues. [our response]: " Many are frightened by the thought of chang...

Reading 1 Is 35:1-6a, 10 The desert and the parched land will exult; the steppe will rejoice and bloom. They will bloom with abundant flowers, and rejoice with joyful song. The glory of Lebanon will be given to them, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God. Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak, say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing. Those whom the LORD has ransomed will return and enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy; they will meet with joy and gladness, sorrow and mourning will flee. Rea ding 2 Jas 5:7-10 Be patient, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the ...

Reading 1 Gn 3:9-15, 20 After the man, Adam, had eaten of the tree, the LORD God called to the man and asked him, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden; but I was afraid, because I was naked, so I hid myself.” Then he asked, “Who told you that you were naked? You have eaten, then, from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat!” The man replied, “The woman whom you put here with me she gave me fruit from the tree, and so I ate it.” The LORD God then asked the woman, “Why did you do such a thing?” The woman answered, “The serpent tricked me into it, so I ate it.” Then the LORD God said to the serpent: “Because you have done this, you shall be banned from all the animals and from all the wild creatures; on your belly shall you crawl, and dirt shall you eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will strike at your head, while you strike at his heel.” The man ...

Reading 1 Is 11:1-10 On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD, and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD. Not by appearance shall he judge, nor by hearsay shall he decide, but he shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the land’s afflicted. He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. Justice shall be the band around his waist, and faithfulness a belt upon his hips. Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; the calf and the young lion shall browse together, with a little child to guide them. The cow and the bear shall be neighbors, together their young shall rest; the lion shall eat hay like the ox....

THE SERENITY PRAYER God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next. Amen. --Reinhold Niebuhr

I'm going to take a break for a while from blogging, at least until after Christmas or after the new year. I need to focus on what's going on around here, and, while I don't post often, each time I post takes a chunk of time away from other things I could be doing and need to be doing, and time spent with family. I will probably still post messages from Our Lady of Medjugorje and the Sunday readings but little else. Hopefully I still will get to catch up with all of your blogs as I have not done that recently. Wishing you all a very blessed Advent and Christmas!

I'm a day or two late with these. I want to try to post the readings for each Sunday, partially in attempt to read them myself before Mass. The readings will be taken from the USCCB website , New American translation. Reading 1 Is 2:1-5 This is what Isaiah, son of Amoz, saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. In days to come, the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills. All nations shall stream toward it; many peoples shall come and say: “Come, let us climb the LORD’s mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.” For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor s...

I love Romans 8:28. "We know that all things work together for good for those who love God." Well, He has proven that to be true once again! I had a very difficult time with this miscarriage, being angry with God for having put me through this again . Well, I also have recognized a recurring theme in the last year. Have you noticed it?? (you don't really need to tell me if you have). The theme has been this: complain, complain, complain. Hopefully I really haven't been that bad, but truly I have been frustrated with my need to work, my thyroid and hormonal problems, my kids' behavior... I won't go on. Meanwhile, my husband says, "It is what it is." Often. Alright, alright, I get it... or I thought I did. No, really, I didn't get it like I should. It's not so much that life isn't fair (as in, it's not fair I have to work; it's not fair I have to deal with all these imbalances). Fair Smair. What is fair? (And I don't really h...

Thanksgiving is over, and Christmas is right around the corner. It's hard to believe Advent is starting in two days already! Andy and I are hoping to get our Christmas cards done and ready to go out earlier than usual this year (earlier than our usual anyway!) (47) We bought matching sweaters for the boys (on huge sale!) - how much longer will they let us dress them in matching outfits, after all? Today we went out to try to find a Christmas tree to take a picture near. No one had theirs out except retail stores, where price tags were hanging off all the ornaments... a little tacky, perhaps. But we're hoping Church will have their Christmas trees up on Sunday, since it is Advent, so the boys can wear their special sweaters to church. Next step, finding a place to have the cards made. I've been happy with Shutterfly's service, and they have many cards that say "Merry Christmas" rather than "Happy Holidays." And bloggers get 50 free Christmas cards i...

"We are called to love our husbands with the love of the Father loving our husbands through us. Oh yes, our human love is important, but our human love does not have the power to heal; our human love does not have the power to convict; our human love does not have the power to convert. But God's love, flowing in us, through us, to our husbands, to our children, to every person that we meet, has the power to do all of that and so much more. That is what the sacrament of matrimony is all about. That is why God raised the sacrament to be precisely that... an outward sign instituted by Christ to... give us grace.... "Our matrimony is our vocation. And a vocation has two missions. A vocation has an interior mission, and a vocation has an exterior mission. The interior mission is about our sanctification... our marriage is the path to sanctity that the Lord has chosen for us and that that path is to be lived with another individual, and that we are to both serve each other by ...

6 months today until Andy graduates! Amazing! I started this countdown around 22-23 months, at least in my head; I didn't check if I had started posting at that point. 6 months does not seem like a long time really, in some senses, though lately it seems to be much too long still. But this time will pass. A few weeks ago, I was starting to realize there may be a few things I will miss about working and about other things that may change. Then my miscarriage happened, which once again pointed out some of the disadvantages of being a working mom. Realizing the stress, my boys started misbehaving again, and I longed even more to stay home to get them back to normal faster. And I grew more frustrated than I had been with having a boss who discourages me from talking with anyone at work about my thyroid, depression, hormonal issues, or miscarriages, for fear of upsetting the other staff . I don't need to talk about it a lot, or with everyone there, but I'm female. I need to tal...

Today, Archbishop Raymond Burke was formally named a cardinal, one of 24 new cardinals elevated today. He grew up in western Wisconsin and had a zeal for priesthood from an early age; he was in seminary in La Crosse Wisconsin and later became the diocese's bishop (1994?). In 2004, he was named Archbishop in St. Louis. Cardinal Burke has also been very involved in the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, the Church's highest court of Canon Law (from my limited understanding). From 1989 to 1994, he served s the defender of the bond for the Apostolic Signatura, and from 2006 to 2008 (while still Archbishop in St. Louis), he served as a bishop-member of the Signatura then was named as its new prefect in 2008. He has also been a member of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, the council which authentically interprets Canon Law and a member of the Congregation for the Clergy, which regulates the formation and training of seminarians and those being trained for the pe...

Since I posted my first Marian Mondays post, perhaps a month ago, I have been trying to figure out what direction to take those posts in, as I would like to continue them. But there is so much information on the internet about Mary's apparitions, and I have not yet found it to be very well organized or easy to find really good, basic information (if you have a site you particularly like, please do let me know, even for my own reading, or for posting). I had started reading St. Louis de Montfort's The Secret of the Rosary fairly recently and picked it up again tonight. Perhaps, until I am done reading this little book, I will pull a few quotes from it every so often to post. One I found to be interesting is from the "Seventh Rose" (or "chapter" 7). St. Louis de Montfort says this: "The chronicles of Saint Francis tell of a young friar who had the praiseworthy habit of saying the Crown of Our Lady (the Rosary) every day before dinner. One day for some re...

Thank you for your continuous support and prayers and your kind and encouraging words! You have helped to lift my heart during this time. I'm doing better today than I have since I heard about my low hCG numbers last Wed. Gosh, does is seem like it's been a long time since then, but it's really been only 5 days! What a week! I am saddened, of course, that I will not be able to hold my own little one in my arms in July but hopeful I someday will be able to hold another little one. But I am also relieved to know the answer. And I am relieved that my decreasing hCG levels indicate a miscarriage, rather than an ectopic pregnancy - which would be likely if my numbers were continuing to slowly climb as they had been. There is something about being in limbo, not knowing the answer, that bothers me and really irritates me and causes great impatience. Does anyone else find that they feel similarly? It is a real cross for me and but one that I need to work through and, with God's...

Well, it seems I have my answer. My hCG, which should double every 24 hours, has dropped from 196 on Thursday to 192 today. A miscarriage is pending. My doctor told me I can stop taking prometrium/progesterone. And the miscarriage will likely happen within the week (though last time it seemed to take longer than that). She also told me we'd be looking into other reasons I may be infertile, and perhaps then other treatments such as shots of hCG on months we're trying to conceive. We'll also retest my basic progesterone/hormonal levels again in either December or January. We are blessed, though, in that we have two beautiful children here with us and now two beautiful children in Heaven. I also blessed in that I am in good hands in the doctor I am seeing. She is a wonderful Catholic woman and mother and works with infertility using the Creighton method and NaPro technology. She and her partner at the clinic are so very good at what they do and so very caring. If anyone you kn...

I feel very "hugged" by prayers today. Thank you for all who are praying for me and my family during this time! I don't know any more than I did yesterday, but, besides the prayers, I am also feeling better because I am allowing myself to hope that this child may still be alive. If I don't hope, staying on the progesterone and continuing all the lab tests feels to be for naught and does nothing except prolong the "inevitable," and that is very frustrating.

Well, I'll start with the good news. God is answering my prayers: He is helping me to become more patient and trusting and giving Andy a chance to practice being sensitive to my needs and communicate about his feelings. Just not the way I was hoping He would do it. Nine days ago, I found out I was pregnant... need I say more?? But I will anyway. Excited, I called my doctor. She ordered two hCG tests, 48 + hours apart, to be done quickly because of my recent history of miscarriage (Feb 2010) and because I'm on progesterone to help with pregnancies and cyclical hormonal levels.  Didn't hear anything, so figured they were normal (really didn't even think about it), then heard the levels were too low (86 and 92) and didn't quadruple as they should have. So another was ordered, which I did yesterday. It was somewhere between 160 and 200 (a week after the first lab, so it should have doubled seven times, or been about 260 times the first number)... can't remembe...

A conversation in the car today, after picking Blaise up from kindergarten: Me: It's such a nice day out, let's all play outside before it gets dark. Isaac: Ok. Blaise: But I want to go inside. And I want you to inside with me, Mommy. Isaac: Mommy, will you play baseball with me? Blaise: But I want you inside, in case I do anything wrong. Me: Silent and dumbfounded. (In the end, both boys decided to go inside and watch a 30 min movie. I got to sit in the front stoop for 20 min to catch the last little bit of sunlight before the movie was over.)

  The boys recently started a learn to skate program in preparation for playing hockey at the local ice arena. Here they are in their pads the afternoon before the first lesson.   Ready to go on the ice. Both boys are pumped! Blaise did a great job! He just keeps getting better!   Isaac, on the other hand, was afraid of the ice and sat in the chair pouting the whole time. The coaches were great with him, though, pushing him around in the chair and also on his bottom on the ice (trying to help him get over his fear of ice). This last weekend, he and I did a little experiment. We put water into a tupperware container and put it in the freezer. Isaac was excited when he discovered that it turned into ice! Ice is only cold water! Nothing to be afraid of. So this last week, he was a puppy, tongue hanging out, moving around the ice on his hands and knees. Well, it's progress, anyway. Hopefully next week we can get his skates on the ice!

Glory Stories are back, at Holy Heroes. I'm not the best for explaining what they are for those who don't know, as I just found out about them myself... but apparently they're an awesome way to teach kids about the saints. A friend of mine was SOOOO excited when I told her about these, because her kids (6, 4, 2, and baby) LOVE the one CD that they have and have been asking for some time for more. Katie, please explain this better if I do a poor job. The CDs teach about saints in story form, with conversation and hold the kids' attention. The CDs available now include St Juan Diego, Mother Theresa, St. Faustina, St. Martin de Porres, St. Cecilia, St. Rose of Lima, St. Maximilian Kolbe, and others. Alright, now for my story, how I found these... or more truthfully, how I was led to them. Blaise and Isaac have been interested in super heroes... Superman, Batman, Spiderman, etc (boys... sigh). I, of course, am not thrilled with this interest, and wonder where they lear...

Just over a week ago, Blaise decided he wanted to pack up some toys to give away because he and Isaac have too many toys. OK!!! So we took out a paper bad and did a good job filling it with toys to give away. He was really pretty generous with what he wanted to give away: he even wanted to give away one or two pieces of his foam hopscotch set - I had to talk him out of that one! (What would someone do with one piece from a hopscotch set??) I gave him the option of bringing the bag to St. Vincent de Paul to donate or selling the toys at our local resale shop for babies and young kids. He wanted to sell them. Ok. I would have preferred he say give it away at that point, but I figured we'll sell it and perhaps use the money for one toy rather than having a bag full of toys we don't need. So we brought the toys to the local resale shop a week ago, after school. On the way, I asked Blaise what he wanted to do with the money. Should we look around that store or another store for so...

Isaac turned 4 yesterday. Happy Birthday to our sweet boy. Unfortunately, he was sick yesterday, on his birthday. He was running a temp all day and was tired and was laying down on the couch or in bed a good portion of the day. We were unable to go bowling as we had wanted to. He went to bed with a 103 degree temp and ibuprofen and luckily woke up this morning doing much better. Luckily, my parents came to celebrate the night before and Andy's parents and Isaac's godparents are coming today, so he's getting plenty of celebration. Happy Birthday, Isaac!

I was drawn to read Luke's passage about the Transfiguration - Luke 9:28-36 - and a reflection on the reading from a book I have mentioned before - The Better Part , by John Bartunek, LC. It is not often that we have the opportunity to witness a true miracle - Christ acting in all His power - and especially not with such pizazz as was the Transfiguration. Wouldn't it be wonderful if Christ would reveal Himself to us is such splendor? Wouldn't it make faith so much easier? Yet, look at Peter's reaction to the Transfiguration: he had no idea what to say! He was overwhelmed and really not at peace. No, God has a better idea. Instead of coming to us in all His splendor, He chooses to come to us quietly. He comes to us most often in times of quiet prayer, in solitude, even over a sink full of dishes. One of my favorite places, though, is in a quiet church in front of Christ in the tabernacle. Though a quite stream is quite nice too. To find time in a church or in nature for ...

I am now 3/4 of the way through Carmen Marcoux's second book, Surrender . I must say that as much as I loved her first book, Arms of Love , I am enjoying the second even more. The one issue I had with the first, I am finding not to be the case with the second: the characters in the first were just too good at everything. In the second, the characters are much more believable and more enjoyable; you begin to see their flaws, but, because it is a wonderful Catholic book, you see their flaws in the light of Christ's love and mercy. And it still has that quality of making one want to be a better Catholic; of making one strive for a deeper faith. The book follows Joanie, the oldest daughter of 8 children, and her marriage to Brandon and pregnancy, and also the discernment process, which is turning out to be quite enjoyable, of the next two daughters, Maggie and Amie. I also enjoy the parents, John and Judy, as they are great examples for us parents (I wish I could learn more about ...

Please pray for us, all you angels and saints, that we and our families may grow in holiness and love our God as you did in your lives, and that we may see Him and know Him in fullness in the next. Please pray for our world, that true peace and love may enter all hearts, and that all may give our Father glory. Thank you for your beautiful examples of faith and of acting out your faith, of persevering in times of difficulty and often persecution. I give thanks to our Lord for blessing you and keeping you close to His heart. May He also do the same for us, and may we follow your shining example as we live the lives God has set before us and try to bring our families and others to Him. Please help us and pray for us. Please pray for us, all you angels and saints, that we and our families may grow in holiness and love our God as you did in your lives, and that we may see Him and know Him in fullness in the next. Please pray for our world, that true peace and love may enter all hearts, and ...

I mention quite often how anxious I am to stay home and how much I dislike working. I've been trying to find reasons God may be wanting me to work despite it being on my heart to be home with the boys - and to hopefully have more children. And so I would like to share my new appreciation for my working with you, in the form of a list. 1. My working right now, even part time, is preparing my heart to truly appreciate being home. My desire to be home grows stronger as time continues to march on, and as I continue to work outside the home. I do realize being home with children is not easy, and when I am home full time, I know I will realize more fully just how difficult it can be. Yet, looking back at my working days, remembering just how I longed to be home and to give myself to my children, I will be more grateful and appreciative of the gift of being home - hopefully even on the difficult days. A wonderful priest I recently talked with told me it's like a high school or college...