7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 121)

-1-

Grace is…the patience needed to take care of others when severely deprived of sleep, the inspiration to offer up your struggles united with Christ’s on the Cross for those who are suffering in mind, body, and/or spirit, soaking up the precious moments when all three kids are playing together, laughing, and giggling, a loved one who you’ve had on your mind a lot calling you out-of-the-blue…

-2-

Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WWME) was a wonderful experience for Kevin and me.  It gave us the opportunity to get away from the daily grind and really focus on one another and our vocation of marriage in a way that nothing else has—even vacations!  I invite you to consider and pray about attending this powerful retreat designed to strengthen the vocation to marriage or the priesthood.  Without much time to devote to just the two of you as a couple, this is a great opportunity for strengthening your marriage, rekindling your faith, and giving you the tools and energy to continue being a loving couple and great parents.  To learn more or to find a WWME in your area, click here.

-3-

This Is How We Do It! I couldn’t agree more with the Applebaum Training Institute FB post today: “Children must learn to be responsible to succeed in life. If they get everything they want, whenever they want it, they don't learn the joy of earning it, & think everything will always be handed to them on a silver platter.” 

     I find this to be so very true! One of the great things I've learned from working at a Montessori school is how many things children are able to do if shown how, given the tools they need, and held responsible for the things they are reasonably expected and able to do on their own from a very young age.

           

-4-

Make Jesus Happy Here’s a great article about how the mother of a beautiful child who happens to have Down Syndrome entices her daughter to go to Mass caught my eye.  What a great way for us to think of how and why we do what we do to love and serve God.  I can’t think of a better, more simplistic way of explaining why we gather to break open the Word and share the Eucharist.  If you enjoy this story and this woman’s writing, you will love the Lily Trilogy she has written.  Check out my reviews of the books here: Until Lily, Wherever Lily Goes, and Life Entwined with Lily's.

-5-

Life-giving Choices This is a message from a woman who took great joy in having each one of her children and strongly believes that women deserve better than what society offers as a solution for unplanned pregnancies: “Last night, several were blessed to attend the fundraising gala for the new East End Pregnancy Test and Help Centerin Richmond. The organizers of the evening were so inspirational! But the news that they bring is serious. In the 23223 area code where the new Center is located, the abortion rate is over 60%. Yes, this is very serious. The pastors who attended are sure that their congregations are being targeted for abortion. Please pray for all those who have opened their doors and who are working to assist the families most vulnerable to abortion in our communities, the Pregnancy Resource Center, Catholic Charities, and now the East End Pregnancy Test and Help Center.” –Ann Niermeyer (aka my mom & Richmond, VA 40 Days for Life leader.)

-6-

Manipulated Again Kevin had a shoulder procedure, a “manipulation” is what they call it, on Wednesday of this week.  When they did his left shoulder many moons ago, he neglected to read all of the paperwork, so he ate a banana that morning and had a cup of coffee in the waiting room, so they numbed his arm, waited a bit and did the whole thing with him completely awake and lucid, with me standing there watching and listening, before taking him back over to the house where I was taking care of “my little guys” for the rest of my work day.
     At least we learned from some of our mistakes, but not all.  This time I had an entertaining book to read and took the entire day off of nannying, but we ended up sitting in the waiting room the from before 11am to after 5pm, because this time Kevin ate on purpose the morning of (though instructed to fast from midnight on) in an attempt to keep them from putting him under as well as keep his blood sugar from dropping dangerously low.  Worked last time.  Why not do it that way again?  Didn’t happen, but the procedure went well.  Kevin’s recovery and pain management has gone far smoother than last time.  Thanks to all who kept us in prayer!

    

-7-

A Hilarious Parody & Video by Weird Al Yankovic

                  

Check out Jen Fulwiler’s tradition of 7 Quick Takes Friday at her tremendously popular blog Conversion Diary.

Sharing is Caring (My Nanny Diary)

This morning I came out of the kitchen with Wheat Thins on a plate.  Sunshine asked me for one right away and once she said please, I immediately gave her one.  Her sisters were playing on the other side of the room and hadn’t spotted me, yet, which made it all the more impressive when big sis broke two small pieces off of her already little cracker to give to each of her sisters.  Wait, it gets even better.  She did this without me asking her to and before her sisters even realized there were Wheat Thins to be had. 

    
I praised Sunshine up, down, and sideways for being so thoughtful and sharing right away with her sisters without even being asked (more like begged or nagged) to do so.  It’s moments like those you have to treasure and keep in your heart, especially for those days when the oldest is racking up time-outs like it’s her job.  Fortunately, she only required one time-out today, and interestingly enough, it was not too long before her shining moment of sharing.    

    
This reminded me of an incident with “my little guys” that was heartwarming then harrowing while I was at the kitchen sink washing baby bottles.  I looked down and saw one of them offer a cup to his buddy.  I said something about how nice it was that he was sharing with his friend.  I looked at the bottles I was washing for a few seconds then back and the one who had kindly been sharing his cup was now bonking his buddy over the head with it.  A similar food incident that occurred more than once when I was nannying for the boys inspired me to write “A Parable of O’s and Fishes.”

    
The girls enjoy both Cheerios and Goldfish crackers as well as pretty much whatever I’m eating.  I typically bring enough of everything I eat while I’m there to feed all three of the girls.  Their parents have a well-stocked refrigerator, cupboards, and freezer, but the girls always want whatever I’m having whenever I’m having it, so Kevin and I have learned to shop for the two of us and the three of them.  When I pack my lunch and snacks in the morning, I do so with them in mind.  Lately, I’ve been bringing two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, which has made lunchtime significantly smoother because they love some PB and J!  They’re also amused by both versions of the Peanut Butter and Jelly song that I sing to them.  This is the one I was taught growing up: 

The second version is the one which Kevin found on Youtube to which I changed the lyrics in order to let Sunshine know when it was time to high-tail it in and use the potty.  You can find this gem at this link (It’s #3 of the 7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 84) along with the Youtube video of Peanut Butter Jelly Time).  Warning: The song itself and my modified version can become quite annoying if you’re asked to sing them a bazillion times a day, but you probably already figured that out, as the most popular kids songs are often those that make you want to poke your eyeballs out after a while. For a more complete picture of our potty training adventures, you might want to check out “Once Upon A Potty Training.” 

   
I’ve discovered that graham crackers are a persuasive bargaining chip with the girls, so I bring a whole stack to ration out over the days I’m taking care of them each week.  They are very fond of fresh fruit, so I try to bring a good variety of that, especially on days when I’m particularly worn-out and exhausted before I even arrive at their place.  Yeah, I know it’s a form of bribery for better behavior, but at least it’s with healthy foods.  Now that the two youngest are taking every possible opportunity to climb to greater heights, I’m willing to pull out a few stops at mealtimes to keep them strapped in a little longer. 

I figure the best way I can teach them about the importance of sharing is the best way to teach them about anything else: show them by doing it consistently myself.

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 120)

-1-

From Womb to Tomb “My dear friends, you are called to care for human life from its beginning stages. Remind everyone, through actions and words, that in all its phases and at any age, life is always sacred and always of quality. It's not just a matter of faith, but of reason and science!” –Pope Francis

-2-

Heartstrings Michele Morris, my friend who entered a cloistered Carmelite monastery this past August, has been on my mind and heart a lot lately.  I’ve been wondering how she’s doing, then out of the blue I received an e-mail from her mom in which she included the following message for me from Michele: “Hi, The glory bee you gave me has been adopted by all the Sisters.  Love, Hugs and Glory Bees........Michele” I’m taking this to mean that not only has the community been accepting of the little stuffed animal “glory bee” I gave her, but that they are also, and far more importantly, welcoming her warmly, lovingly, and enthusiastically into their fold. 

-3-

Can He? Could He? Would He? Did He? These are some of the lyrics to a catchy little song I learned and had to perform in front of the other teens and chaperones at a lock-in I attended with a Christian friend of mine back when we were in high school.  It seems a good time to get back to the basics, which I see as returning to ALL we have and ALL we need: God.  

     Kevin and I have both been feeling lost and wondering what’s next for us in pretty much every single area of our lives.  A major consolation is that there are some things we are sure of: 1.) we want to do God’s will 2.) we’re not quite sure what that entails as of yet, and 3.) we both need to be grateful that the Lord has brought us together and is bringing us closer to Him and one another (which is part of my prayer for the two of us every day).            

-4-

Walking with Mary My husband and I both relished the approachability, wisdom, and the subtle humor found throughout Walking with Mary: A Biblical Journey from Nazareth to the Cross. Edward Sri is a very knowledgeable, well-read, and engaged student of the Blessed Mother.  His approach is intriguing and far more compelling than a strictly academic study of Mary’s role in salvation history.

Walking with Mary is so insightful and inspiring that I read it twice.  I rarely reread a book unless I absolutely love it and/or really want to share it with my husband Kevin.  The second time through, I read Walking with Mary aloud to Kevin, and we were both fascinated by how author/professor Edward Sri explains the role of Mary in God’s plan for our eternal salvation through close examination of Old and New Testament Scripture passages from G-R (Genesis through Revelation).  A clearer picture and more in-depth explanation of the culture and customs of families and society in the time she lived are what really set this book apart from others about Mary, who is the ideal model for all Christ’s followers…Read more here.

-5-

Soap Suds This evening I finally did something Kevin and I have considered doing for 15+ years and had never gotten around to: I melted down the bar of soap we gave him with a tugboat in the middle of it.  My mom, sisters, and I presented this gift of soap with tugboat in it after Kevin had been so kind to take all of us out on his family’s boat while we were there visiting.  We chose this particular bar of soap from one of our favorite shops in Rochester, Parkleigh, because one of the times Kevin had taken us out on the boat, he’d been intent on finding a sunken tugboat he assured us was in the area.  None of us ever spotted it, so we hassled him by getting him this submerged tugboat soap.  I think it’s really adorable that he kept it all these years.  (Don’t worry he’s used lots of other soap since.)  We presented him with this gag gift before he and I were even dating.  Now I have unearthed the tugboat (the one pictured-isn't it cute?!), and it’s on one of our corner shelves along with some other items from soon after we first met and became friends.

-6-

My Mama Showed Me There have been a number of things that I’ve learned from how my mother has lived since we were little.  Praying, reading, writing, listening to God, respecting life from conception to natural death, finding joy in spending time with the young and the old, singing, dancing, laughing, having fun, being silly, hanging out with friends, and encouraging others are all important aspects of life I have learned from the way my mom lives her life.
   
Lord, I ask that you would inspire all parents, caregivers, nannies, child care providers…to take joy in the gift of their children, and turn to You for guidance and the unconditional love necessary to do what’s best for the little ones entrusted to our care. 
 
If you love little ones and are a person of prayer, see what you can do to support parents and young ones near you.
    

-7-

How to Listen so Kids Will Talk I read this book a while back as part of my training hours for the school where I work.  I know some of you are thinking that you’d really be more interested in finding out how to get kids to stop talking, but I have found this to be one of the very best books I’ve ever read in terms of listening.  I highly recommend getting a copy of this book to read and reread and read again.  Most communication problems have to do with people’s inability or unwillingness to listen.  This book covers the steps and necessary aspects of active listening.  If you want to improve your relationship with anyone—not just children—read this book and do what it says.  Actually, the companion to this book How to Talk To Kids so They Will Listen is a good read as well, but interestingly enough, it wasn't nearly as life-changing for me.  One of my favorite pieces of advice from the woman and her son who started Applebaum Training Institute is: "The more you connect, the less you correct."  It's so incredibly true!!  The more you connect, listen, and really interact with kids (and anyone else in your life), the more likely they are to listen to you and what you have to say.    

                  

Check out Jen Fulwiler’s tradition of 7 Quick Takes Friday at her tremendously popular blog Conversion Diary.

Walking with Mary: A Biblical Journey from Nazareth to the Cross by Edward Sri

My husband and I both relished the approachability, wisdom, and the subtle humor found throughout Walking with Mary: A Biblical Journey from Nazareth to the Cross. Edward Sri is a very knowledgeable, well-read, and engaged student of the Blessed Mother.  His approach is intriguing and far more compelling than a strictly academic study of Mary’s role in salvation history.

  
Walking with Mary is so insightful and inspiring that I read it twice.  I rarely reread a book unless I absolutely love it and/or really want to share it with my husband Kevin.  The second time through, I read Walking with Mary aloud to Kevin, and we were both fascinated by how author/professor Edward Sri explains the role of Mary in God’s plan for our eternal salvation through close examination of Old and New Testament Scripture passages from G-R (Genesis through Revelation).  A clearer picture and more in-depth explanation of the culture and customs of families and society in the time she lived are what really set this book apart from others about Mary.    

  
Mary is seen as the ideal model for all Christ’s followers.  This book is a wonderful reminder of the various ways the Blessed Mother says yes to God and keeps doing so throughout her life.  She is a perfect model of trust and discernment: someone who always seeks, listens for the will of God, and does whatever He asks of her. 

  
As Sri points out: “Mary’s command to the servants at the Wedding at Cana—‘Do whatever he tells you’ (John 2:5)—are her last recorded words in the Bible. And they are like a last will and testament to all of us who wish to follow Christ.  Through these words, Mary exhorts us to trust Jesus completely just as she abandoned herself to God’s plan step-by-step throughout her life as the humble servant of the Lord.”

  
Walking with Mary is an interesting book for someone who has read a lot about and spent quite a bit of time praying with the Blessed Mother as well as someone who isn’t well-versed in Scripture or as familiar with Mary’s role in salvation history.  Protestants and Catholics alike will appreciate this intimate look at Scripture as a way to learn about Mary and become better disciples of Christ. 

  
For more information about Walking with Mary, to read an excerpt of the book, find out more about the author Edward Sri, and/or to order your own copy, visit the Image Catholic Books site here. 

     Click here to read an interview with author Edward Sri about Walking with Mary.

     Check out Edward Sri’s Facebook page here.

This post is part of a Virtual Book Tour.  To read some of the other reviews and reflections on Walking with Mary, an interview with the author, and the first video in the series Edward Sri is doing to go with the book, click here.     

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 119)

-1-

Book Lovers Unite! I absolutely love, love, love books!  I read a whole stack of them while we were up in Rochester on vacation, and it was great!  I could enjoy each one, devour one after another, and I didn't have to write a single review.  I could just enjoy, write in my journal if I wanted, and open the next one in the stack.  There was one book in particular that I was especially taken by that I do believe I'll write a review of in the days to come.

Stuck in Neutral is a short Young Adult novel that is incredibly well-written, riveting, and thought-provoking.  It was serendipitous that I even came across the book.  I found it on the shelf of award-winning young adult novels in the used book shop they have in the library nearby the cottage.  I am always so incredibly excited to find truly well-written books I probably wouldn't have heard of had I not happened upon that little shop.  

-2-

Love is… Kevin cleaning up the kitchen after I spilled most of the smoothie I'd just made on myself, the cupboards and the floor, letting me go and change into pants and socks that weren’t spattered in mixed berry (I generally prefer to arrive at work not covered in stains, even if after 9+ hours with three small children make it virtually impossible that’s how I will leave).  Later in the day, Kevin came to visit me and the girls and brought me a huge smoothie, my favorite kind the Cherry Picker from Smoothie King (other than those I make myself and manage to consume without incident).
   
What's funny is that he went to get a blended coffee drink out that same morning and the girl working there told him she couldn't make it because they couldn't find the top to the blender.  Throughout the day, Kevin was calling me “Smoovie.”  A judge on America’s Best Dance Crew used to crack us up when she told people they were “smoove” as opposed to smooth.

All of the above made me think of one of many great quotes from the 1992 comedy movie My Cousin Vinny: “Oh yeah, you blend!”  Here’s the link to the movie clip.

-3-

How are you feeling?! Kevin and both I have both been feeling what he calls "grumbly." It's a combination of feeling crummy, grumpy, and like grumbling. He's feeling this way due to the job situation (he lost his job on Labor Day), and I am because I have the nasty cold/virus (whatever it is that the girls have been passing around) and by late afternoon, I feel pretty awful. At least Kevin and I are still kind and loving to each other and can make each other laugh from time to time. Lord, please continue to bless our mess!

-4-

God is Working Even Now I started singing a song by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir with these lyrics in it to Kevin the other day when he was telling me about having talked with someone who might be a good connection in his job search.  Kevin’s familiar with the song, and waited for me to finish singing: “God is working.  He’s still working.  God is working even now…” before he quipped: “Well, that’s good, cause I’m out of a job.”

     
Here’s the song and video in its entirety.  It’s a good one. I love me some Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir praise and worship music! 

   -5-

Climbing to New Heights I knew the time would come and probably sooner than later for these two, but oh-my-goodness, watch the heck out, the twins are climbing and scaling stuff!  By the time I’ve taken one of their trays into the kitchen, someone’s usually standing up on the sofa or the recliner trying to launch herself over the top of it.  This week the twins have become proficient in climbing up into their highchairs, the recliner, the sofa, chairs, and if given the chance, will begin to scale them.  It’s time to batten down the hatches, put plug covers in every socket that isn’t being used, lock-up the poisonous substances, latch the heavy furniture to the walls, and thank the Lord for guardian angels. For the full scoop on the climbing phenomenon, the latest entry in My Nanny Diary, click here.

-6-

Snot Slingers Extraordinaire I’ve been sick this week with a nasty cold or virus.  It’s no fun being sick and having to take care of three little ones, two of whom are not only sick, but also teething.  I brought over a box of Puffs Plus tissues with lotion (we buy them in bulk), so my nose isn’t completely red and raw by the end of the day, just on its way to a Rudolph-like glow.  I wasn’t surprised that the girls didn’t respond any better to having their noses wiped with softer, gentler tissue than they usually do.  You’d think I was using sandpaper to wipe off their faces the way they protest.  If the neighbors aren’t familiar with young children, they probably think I’m actually torturing them by the way the scream and shriek like banshees when snuck up on or ambushed with a tissue.
    
The Lord gave me special grace this week and helped me through by having Kevin be available and willing to come hang out with us for a while even though we’re all extra snotty right now.  He’s always interested in hearing about the girls’ latest tricks and escapades, and he’s also been incredibly understanding when I get home in the evenings ready to collapse. 
    
I’ve found it humbling and entertaining that one little pumpkin has become quite adept at imitating the sounds with her mouth that I make when blowing my nose.  I’m glad my being snotty can somehow amuse and encourage her in her language/sound effects learning process.    
    

-7-

Walking with Mary A truly inspiring book came out this past week, and I am one of the bloggers on the Virtual Book Tour taking place at this time.  I will post my reflections of the book on Tuesday, September 17, so please check back.  For more info about Walking with Mary and to read the other reviews on the Blog Tour, click here.

                  

Check out Jen Fulwiler’s tradition of 7 Quick Takes Friday at her tremendously popular blog Conversion Diary.

Climbing to New Heights (My Nanny Diary)

I knew the time would come and probably sooner than later for these two, but oh-my-goodness, watch the heck out, the twins are climbing and scaling stuff!  By the time I’ve taken one of their trays into the kitchen, someone’s usually standing up on the sofa or the recliner trying to launch herself over the top of it.  The other day, one little livewire had climbed up into one highchair and had one foot in her seat and her other in her sister’s highchair, and she was looking upward likely wondering the best way to scale the wall.  Fortunately, her mom and I were both in the room watching her while we were talking, so we took turns pulling her down from her new favorite perch.   

    
Every stool, chair, sofa, shelf, toy of a certain height is an irresistible temptation for this dynamic duo.  With Sunshine using the potty and, at times, staying in the bathroom forever and a day “dawdling” (at least she knows a sophisticated word for what she’s doing), I often worry about making sure she closes the door while she’s in there and once she’s finished.  Her sisters make a beeline for that mostly off-limits room whenever they get a chance.  The step stool Sunshine uses would only give them extra help in falling headfirst into the toilet.  Since we have a little one using the potty somewhat frequently a child safety lock on the toilet would probably cause more accidents than it would be worth, so hyper-vigilance is definitely in order.   

   
They already trip, fall, roll over toys, run into furniture often enough that I can’t always pinpoint which particular incident it was that resulted in the bump on their head, the latest bruise on their arm, or scratch on their legs.  Heck, most of the time, I can’t even pinpoint exactly when I got most of my bumps, scratches, and bruises after a day with them. 

    
I never realized that I’d ever recall a little wistfully the days when I took care of two infant boys for several hours at a time predominantly in the kitchen and the bar room/area next to it when we were at one of the boys’ homes.  There wasn’t a whole heck of a lot for them to climb on.  They got to do most of their climbing at the nearby playgrounds in the neighborhood. 

    
Only in retrospect am I able to appreciate how convenient it was that the furniture in that section of the one house where I took care of them was so very sparse.  Two very tall chairs and a tall end table in between them (all too difficult for them to scale, thank goodness) were the only pieces in there when I started.  Eventually, a big leather bench and two highchairs were added along with a chair brought in for me from another room.  (Spending most of the eleven hours I took care of them sitting on the floor did not bode well for my back even when I was still in my twenties). 

    
When the boys got old enough to walk, everything (except for the bench that weighed probably over a 100 lbs) they regularly moved around both rooms.  The toy box they could climb up on and jump off of without getting hurt, and though they’d deposit lots of toys into the silver trash can where the dog food was kept, they weren’t able to scale it (or at least they refrained from doing so in my presence).  The safety issue there was the interesting allure of partaking in the dog’s sustenance, which was just big enough that it was a significant choking hazard. 

    
My toddler tagteam rearranged what little furniture they had access to more times than Martha Stewart probably does for a photo shoot.  I figured it was all good since they were building their muscles, keeping active without being violent or causing harm to anything, and their escapades weren’t leaving any marks on the tiled floor.  There was a time when I amused myself with the thought of hiring them out as moving guys because they became so efficient at it.  It got to a point when I’d be sitting in a chair reading to them one minute, then I’d get something from the kitchen and return to find my chair on the opposite side of the room.  Come to think of it, they couldn’t have been hired out as movers because they were actually efficient and didn’t break anything.  (Truth be told, my family has moved a ton of times, and we’ve had some incredibly hard-working, very careful movers over the years which mostly balance out those who have been a bit more lackadaisical when it comes to working and breakable items.) 

This week the twins have become proficient in climbing up into their high chairs, the recliner, the sofa, chairs, and if given the chance will begin to scale them.  It’s time to batten down that hatches, put plug covers in every plug that isn’t being used, lock-up the poisonous substances, latch the heavy furniture to the walls, and thank the Lord for guardian angels.

Walking with Mary Virtual Book Tour

    

     I’m really excited that my blog is one of the stops on the Virtual Book Tour that begins Tuesday, September 10, 2013, the day the book goes on sale and ends Thursday, September 26. Walking with Mary is a beautifully written book about the one person who knew Jesus Christ most intimately, the Blessed Mother.  The stop at Prints of Grace will be on Tuesday, September 17.  Each day of the tour a new blogger will be hosting for that day and providing additional insights about Walking with Mary.  The schedule and list of all blogs featured on the Virtual Tour is below.

Tour Schedule

Sept. 10: The Catholic BookBlogger

Sept. 11: Catholic Bibles

Sept. 12: Snoring Scholar

Sept. 13: Karen Edmisten

Sept. 14: Snoring Scholar

Sept. 15: Abigail’s Alcove

Sept. 16: Integrated Catholic Life

Sept. 17: Prints of Grace

Sept. 18: CatholicMom

Sept. 19: Where Have We Been and Where are We Going

Sept. 20: Brandon Vogt

Sept. 21: The Joe Sales Blog

Sept. 22: Single Catholic Girl

Sept. 23: Stuart’s Study

Sept. 24: Random Acts of Momness

Sept. 25 – Feminine Genius

Sept. 26 –The Catholic Book Blogger

     For more information about the book Walking with Mary, the author Edward Sri, and/or to order your own copy, visit the Image Catholic Books site here. 

     Click here to read an interview with author Edward Sri about Walking with Mary.

     Checkout Edward Sri’s Facebook page here.

     Do you love books and have a blog of your own? Yes, then you might want to become a member of the new and improved Blogging for Books program.  Click here to read more about it and/or register to get free books.   

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 118)

-1-

Anniversary No. 9 Kevin and I are still awed and amazed at all that God has done in our lives since we first met and became friends back when I was just sweet sixteen.  I guess it makes sense that I can’t imagine my life without Kevin since he’s been an integral part of it for so long.  A new friend, a best friend, a boyfriend, and for the past nine years my husband.  Wow!  I never in a million years would have thought we’d be where we are now: LAUGHING TOGETHER, wanting most to do the Lord’s will, and glorify Him through the gift, the covenant, the Sacrament of our marriage.  I love you, Babe, and there’s no doubt: you’re still the one! 

-2-

Harry Potter’s Birthday The real Harry Potter was born on Labor Day weekend in 1927, and he passed away on Memorial Day weekend in 2005.  Kevin’s father was a very loving, caring man.  He was an incredibly devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle, neighbor, and friend. Going with Harry to visit Joyce (his wife and Kevin’s mom) was when I witnessed one of the most loving encounters I’ve ever seen between a husband and wife.  Joyce was living in a nursing home because she was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s.  Harry went every day to see her.  He’d feed her lunch, trim her nails, change her, and was so incredibly gentle and tender, it would melt your heart.  All of this, and Joyce was too sick to speak or open her eyes.  The only way I knew for sure that she knew he was there was by the power of his love.  We love you and miss you, Harry!  Thank you for bringing me even closer to your only son.

-3-

Laid-off on Labor Day?! At some point we might be able to find it humorous that Kevin found out on Labor Day that he has been let go from the job (along with a slew of other people from a number of other sites that the company’s closing) but we’re not quite there, yet.  He’d been there for four and a half years when he got the call.  Fortunately, the supervisor is a friend who had the decency to wait until we were back from vacation to call and talk with him.  

     We have been talking about changes and being open to God’s will for our lives.  It’s a frequent discussion we have based on many different areas of our lives.  After hearing some of the things his nephews and cousins have been working on lately, Kevin’s been wondering if/when/where/how he’ll again be able to use the invention-rich, mechanically, and electronically-inclined parts of his brain.  He’s got some great ideas and too many skills in too many areas to put on a regular résumé.  He’s genuinely been asking the Lord what He wants him to do with the gifts and passion he’s been given.  We’d really appreciate your prayers as we continue listening to God and following where He leads us.  Please and thanks! 

-4-

Haiti Rummage Sale This Saturday there is a very special event taking place at our church all the proceeds of which will go to our Haiti Twinning Ministry.  If you’re in town or thereabouts, come check it out.  They’ll have everything from furniture and housewares, bikes and books, clothes and toys on sale all under one roof.  Come one, come all this Saturday September 7, 2013 from 7:00am to noon at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church 4491 Springfield Road 
Glen Allen, Virginia 23060 (FYI, the people pictured here are extremely dedicated to this fundraiser and are really fun to be around.  Look for them Saturday doing it up!)

-5-

Can We Talk Discernment? It occurred to me in writing about the Rummage Sale that it was after helping pack up and clean up following that event  some four years ago that John and I had our first heart-to-heart about vocation discernment.  I guess that makes this weekend another anniversary of sorts.  God has brought some really amazing people into our lives over the past four years. 

     We’ve been very blessed to be on part of the journey with two of our siblings in Christ and best friends as they prayerfully discerned the next step God was calling them to take towards their life-long vocations.  John just started his second year of seminary at St. Mary’s in Baltimore, Maryland, and Michele entered the cloistered monastery in Carmel, California known as the Carmelite Sisters by the Sea on August 6, 2013.  In some ways, it kind of feels like Kevin and I are empty nesters now.  I said to Kevin the other day that I wonder who else who is discerning God will put in our lives next.    

-6-

Must Love Dance! I know something really inspires me when after 9+ hours of taking care of my three favorite cuties, two of whom are feeling sick and snotty, doing "We're going on Bear Hunt" full-out twice in addition to all the other typical running around, I have the energy to move and dance throughout most of a movie (Step Up 2). My youngest sister's the one who's a senior dance major at Ohio State University, but let me tell you she's not the only one who looooves to dance!
    

-7-

Prayer Warriors Unite! Last Friday, I received a text from my spiritual director requesting major prayer cover for a Cursillista named Joan who is in critical condition.  Please join me in praying for Joan, her family, and all who are suffering in mind, body, and/or spirit as well as those who care for and about them.  (Just so you know, I’m always open to receiving prayer requests, so send them along.)  

                  

Check out Jen Fulwiler’s tradition of 7 Quick Takes Friday at her tremendously popular blog Conversion Diary.

Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World

     Yeah, I know this book’s been out for ages and the hype around it’s died down, but I can’t very well keep up with all the latest and greatest books coming off the Christian presses and read every bestseller that’s made it big, now can I?  The correct response is: no, of course not.  Anyways, I’ve heard great things about Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World ever since the book came out, but I forgot about wanting to read it until recently when meeting with my spiritual director.  She mentioned she had a copy of it. 

     I enjoyed the book, just as I imagined I would.  The more in-depth, story-like approach and commentary on the trio at Bethany was easy to read and the author’s personal struggles to balance work with worship I could identify with all too well.

     For years, I’ve had trouble with living out the “be still and know I am God” (Psalm 46:10).  It’s easy in a world in which your worth is based on what you’ve accomplished, how much you make, the awards you’ve won or the possessions you’ve accrued to believe the lie that your value comes from what you do rather than who you are as a child of God. 

     After having read The Better Part by Thomas Keating a while back, I’d spent some time contemplating the necessity of quiet time spent in prayer as an essential ingredient to loving and serving others generously.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve focused so much on what I’m getting done that I neglect to spend time in “the Living Room” as Joanna Weaver puts it—sitting at Christ’s feet listening attentively. 

     Matthew Kelly talks about the need for “carefree timelessness” in our relationships with others, particularly our loved ones.  That same element is needed to develop and maintain an intimate relationship with the Lord. 

     It can be awkward and uncomfortable spending time alone, in silence with God when we’ve been away for a while or haven’t ever cultivated a personal relationship with the Lord to begin with.  Listening and listening well is quite possibly the most important aspect of intimacy, yet it’s hard to do it well, on a consistent basis, and frequently enough that we remain connected on a deeper level.

     Author Joanna Weaver gives a number of good suggestions and practical solutions for common excuses for not making time for prayer and/or neglecting the service aspect of living life as a Christian.

     The Bible Study included in the book is a great resource for groups as well as individuals seeking to apply these ideas and principles to their own lives and see how they have been and could be affecting their journey of faith as well as their personal relationships. 

     The concept of balance between prayer and service isn’t new, but it’s one I know I”ve often needed to be reminded of over and over again. 

     Quiet prayer takes discipline and practice, as does the service we’re led by God to carry out (versus the things we do for recognition or reasons other than out of pure selfless love for God and our neighbor). 

     I highly recommend Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, especially to Christian women striving for a healthy balance in the pursuit and living out of holiness.  For more information on this book or to purchase your own copy, click here.