tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12809201536973413312024-03-13T14:58:58.926-04:00Prints of GraceTrisha Niermeyer Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08182059599089630731noreply@blogger.comBlogger980125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1280920153697341331.post-50578838546482034372023-12-28T19:58:00.001-05:002023-12-28T19:58:00.122-05:00Christmas Celebrations ContinueI've thoroughly enjoyed having Christmas celebrations continue though December 25 has passed. The memes I've seen inviting people to come join the Catholics in our observance of Christmas are great. Here's one of them: <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrYz3jUoTuvJ-cmXzBk_uFmR6kGgPAwHiMWXT4Ab_Ibkdp-wHK7vdJ2jpArBvSYMXAsPzWlk7mMq2dUSyP78k2pLly4Cseulx8YtbuMD95-TlNjhkVnDqLRuYyClGGo0CcFGbAEj20JVkTrnyKESu4B5-c4BADd8RFh_vEBCB_XvbJoT0pn_26Ajpuin_/s750/FB_IMG_1703686050174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="750" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrYz3jUoTuvJ-cmXzBk_uFmR6kGgPAwHiMWXT4Ab_Ibkdp-wHK7vdJ2jpArBvSYMXAsPzWlk7mMq2dUSyP78k2pLly4Cseulx8YtbuMD95-TlNjhkVnDqLRuYyClGGo0CcFGbAEj20JVkTrnyKESu4B5-c4BADd8RFh_vEBCB_XvbJoT0pn_26Ajpuin_/w320-h230/FB_IMG_1703686050174.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Contrary to popular and secular belief, the Christmas season begins on December 25 and lasts (at least) until the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6. Are you feeling down now that your company has left and your calendar full of upcoming festivities is empty? Cheer up! We've got you!<div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4hntHL_15vrLUDaU8nDwKUhYbWc8k0n7k3W79mNFrr_L6nVKfmc3cngxIsCEE-lKpzC45RjRIAsdj4dRaQra-SuJ2AQzoy9sJFFNEktUkDAi24t04Hd_dk3_Mf5_lbQSxiAjjvLcUYsAabTGr16c1QFTsTWK-qVQ9oxDYjWwsATcUNv0B-Fy4fGxqRGy/s550/IMG_20231222_213625_924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="440" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4hntHL_15vrLUDaU8nDwKUhYbWc8k0n7k3W79mNFrr_L6nVKfmc3cngxIsCEE-lKpzC45RjRIAsdj4dRaQra-SuJ2AQzoy9sJFFNEktUkDAi24t04Hd_dk3_Mf5_lbQSxiAjjvLcUYsAabTGr16c1QFTsTWK-qVQ9oxDYjWwsATcUNv0B-Fy4fGxqRGy/w160-h200/IMG_20231222_213625_924.jpg" width="160" /></a></div><br /></div><div>The daily Mass readings are good reminders that we are meant to keep contemplating the Nativity this week into the next. My husband and I are still watching our growing list of favorite Christmas movies, and we're listening to our top three Christmas albums: Charlie Brown, Amy Grant, and Chicago. In fact, they're playing as I type. We are still munching on Christmas cookies and holiday treats.</div><div><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></div><div><h4 style="text-align: left;">The Advantage of Advent </h4><div><br /></div>Advent is the beginning of the liturgical year and is meant to give people time to prepare for the Incarnation. I have been reading four different books this Advent that have gotten me into the Christmas spirit. The first of them is called: <a href="https://www.avemariapress.com/products/messages-of-patience-for-advent-and-christmas-2023" target="_blank">Messages of Patience for Advent and Christmas 2023</a>. The next one is titled: <a href="https://www.avemariapress.com/products/draw-near" target="_blank">Draw Near</a>. The other two are guided journals which I have written in each day of Advent and into the Christmas season. <a href="https://www.avemariapress.com/products/adore" target="_blank">Adore</a> by Fr. John Burns and <a href="https://www.avemariapress.com/products/prepare-your-heart" target="_blank">Prepare Your Heart</a> by Fr. Agustino Torres, CFR are the names of the other two treasures by <a href="https://www.avemariapress.com/" target="_blank">Ave Maria Press</a>. I recommend all four of them. </div><div><br /></div><div>Although we only had four presents under our Christmas tree at home this year, Kevin spread out opening them, so they lasted even longer. I'm happy to say that he loves everything he received! My favorite gift for him is a memoir by the lead singer of one of his favorite bands: RUSH. I find it quite helpful that he has something he wants to read since what I want to do during much of my own free time is read books. You might not know yet that I'm a voracious reader, but you will soon if you meet me or peruse my blog. </div><h2 style="text-align: left;">In case I haven't gotten to say it to you in person or you haven't heard it since December 25, continue having a very </h2><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #38761d; color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b>Merry Christmas!! </b></span></h2></div>Trisha Niermeyer Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08182059599089630731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1280920153697341331.post-21825125972706014702023-12-02T21:44:00.001-05:002023-12-02T21:44:00.117-05:00Looking at Advent Again<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ol-g93Z-vzPtvbgtAEL09UH9l3Gf_8ay-8H16ekfYGRuJa9uMR-yq264RRYDPkw7zB5dv8Lu9UKxR7uW1v5inD3OxLAiHBFqzgEqlISrdElir7QX8i2T5Z4qgmemNq7nBiPoqevBOqDbCtnX1xejlYBruahyphenhyphenLG1Ith-1lL8-Y54DRez9dY-gyYfFpIg4/s3348/20231202_203942.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2511" data-original-width="3348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ol-g93Z-vzPtvbgtAEL09UH9l3Gf_8ay-8H16ekfYGRuJa9uMR-yq264RRYDPkw7zB5dv8Lu9UKxR7uW1v5inD3OxLAiHBFqzgEqlISrdElir7QX8i2T5Z4qgmemNq7nBiPoqevBOqDbCtnX1xejlYBruahyphenhyphenLG1Ith-1lL8-Y54DRez9dY-gyYfFpIg4/s320/20231202_203942.jpg" width="320" /></a>
</div>
It's yet again time for Advent, the beginning of the liturgical year. I think
I'm ready this time, even if my Advent wreath candles are a little warped and
melted. I'm ready for a new start, some old family traditions, and some ancient
Advent practices. How about you? <div><br /></div><div>Several years ago I did a series of seven Advent
posts based on suggestions to make the most out of this special season. I was
rereading some of those ideas this evening and thought I'd share them once more
with family and friends. If I've needed these reminders, perhaps others will
benefit from them as well.</div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Excellent Advent Advice Reflection Series</span></i> </span></h4><div><br /></div><div>Part I:
<a href="https://printsofgrace.blogspot.com/2011/12/excellent-advent-advice-part-i-stay.html" target="_blank">Stay Awake</a>
The Scripture readings lately have often mentioned the importance of being
alert, staying awake, being ready. I find this rather ironic considering that
this is often the time of year when people run themselves ragged doing things
that they feel are part of getting ready for Christmas… </div><div><br /></div><div>Part II:
<a href="https://printsofgrace.blogspot.com/2011/12/excellent-advent-advice-part-ii-seek.html" target="_blank">Seek Him Who Seeks You</a>
…So often, we think of it being our responsibility to seek the Lord, spend time
learning about Jesus Christ, and communing with the Holy Trinity in prayer. When
we consider that we are so loved and precious to the Lord that He seeks us out,
draws us closer to Him, and creates opportunities for us to know Him better,
it’s reassuring… </div><div><br /></div><div>Part III:
<a href="https://printsofgrace.blogspot.com/2011/12/excellent-advent-advice-part-iii-hold.html" target="_blank">Hold on to Hope</a>
…I’m still utterly amazed that she made it through such a difficult period while
hiding some very painful secrets by holding on to a pinpoint of light and hope.
Her story is further proof God never gives up on us or stops seeking to have a
relationship with us that allows us to walk in the Truth… </div><div><br /></div><div>Part IV:
<a href="https://printsofgrace.blogspot.com/2011/12/excellent-advent-advice-part-iv.html">Celebrate the Season</a>
…The house was so warm and inviting. Christmas music was playing. I could smell
the soup cooking in the kitchen. Each time the door opened, another one of our
CRHP sisters entered and made her rounds to greet everyone with smiles and hugs… </div><div><br /></div><div>Part V:
<a href="https://printsofgrace.blogspot.com/2011/12/excellent-advent-advice-part-v-rejoice.html" target="_blank">Rejoice and Be Glad</a>
“At times life is pure joy!” is what’s written on one of the mugs at my mom’s
house with a drawing of Snoopy and Woodstock dancing on the front. When I was a
baby, my Godmother Marcy decided I looked a bit like... </div><div><br /></div><div>Part VI:
<a href="https://printsofgrace.blogspot.com/2011/12/excellent-advent-advice-part-vi-give.html" target="_blank">Give the Gift of Quality Time</a>
I have found the gift I treasure most is that of quality time with loved ones.
Add some yummy food, and the experience is downright delightful regardless of... </div><div><br /></div><div>Part VII:
<a href="https://printsofgrace.blogspot.com/2011/12/excellent-advent-advice-part-vii-wait.html" target="_blank">Wait Patiently</a>
Around the holidays, we are often made to wait. We wait in long lines to take
advantage of a slew of sales, mail packages, purchase Christmas gifts, visit
Santa, buy ingredients for holiday meals, and baking festive goodies...
</div>Trisha Niermeyer Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08182059599089630731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1280920153697341331.post-21079088066606630242023-04-11T08:00:00.006-04:002023-04-11T08:00:00.200-04:00Easter Sunday Festivities<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjMnjJZDi96vksjRvPAuW2LsRs1xqbiopRJPbBB4MHWCNs92GdQbUUOCmsMVKdMSMuivWUMd81dM1jxV87XoOJwLjVB5A1T2wj2_FxnCRd_66QJSADy-0g8Q7rYMcbIyL79rs1edAQsOAAliiFgGYYhpHdtMpiKCzjP4DLsJamgaHy8HA2RYzYliutg/s4032/20230409_171316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjMnjJZDi96vksjRvPAuW2LsRs1xqbiopRJPbBB4MHWCNs92GdQbUUOCmsMVKdMSMuivWUMd81dM1jxV87XoOJwLjVB5A1T2wj2_FxnCRd_66QJSADy-0g8Q7rYMcbIyL79rs1edAQsOAAliiFgGYYhpHdtMpiKCzjP4DLsJamgaHy8HA2RYzYliutg/s320/20230409_171316.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3gYFknfNFZMy9TB7W2qBabfeV6U1kF0NNYvu2xVomrHxEG_F1fTvGl_TkRtpRiskA627CqhnD5LRJAFU3noDDXS6xP9jFsqCx99kgP9n7iTUAcWtxLqn7eow4Cnzz1sCxKZOxLEAAD59JDGfoczxDKhR3JJYdoTJxvdRSx8rT9hIYvmflHCqp_0tUg/s1600/Easter%20Egg%20Hunt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3gYFknfNFZMy9TB7W2qBabfeV6U1kF0NNYvu2xVomrHxEG_F1fTvGl_TkRtpRiskA627CqhnD5LRJAFU3noDDXS6xP9jFsqCx99kgP9n7iTUAcWtxLqn7eow4Cnzz1sCxKZOxLEAAD59JDGfoczxDKhR3JJYdoTJxvdRSx8rT9hIYvmflHCqp_0tUg/s320/Easter%20Egg%20Hunt.jpg" width="240" /></a></span>My mom had us over for a family feast at her place. Kevin and I arrived first and helped my mom polish off some of the hors d’oeuvres she’d prepared. My youngest sister, her husband, and their 16-month-old
little boy arrived soon after we sat down at the dining room table. We had organic ham, mashed potatoes, green beans,
and broccoli along with our traditional Pillsbury Crescent Rolls. We ended up
with plenty of leftovers to take home, plus we got dessert to go: slices of key
lime pie my mom got from Wegman’s bakery.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My sister “hid” some Easter eggs in the yard behind my mom’s
apartment for my brother-in-law and youngest nephew to find and put in their baskets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She made the egg hunt even more festive by putting
music on and blowing bubbles with a wand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The little man collected some eggs without much fanfare, but his eyes
got big when he saw that inside the brightly colored eggs were blueberries and
some of his other favorite snacks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The slightly
larger eggs held little toys for him to play with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In one, there was a little train and, in
another, a frog that squirts water.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When Kevin and I got home, we finished watching Part IV of
the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Nazareth-Robert-Powell/dp/B075B2G56S/ref=sr_1_2?crid=YWAR7Y9LO8Z1&keywords=Jesus+of+nazareth+tv+miniseries&qid=1681213635&s=instant-video&sprefix=jesus+of+nazareth+tv+miniseries%2Cinstant-video%2C74&sr=1-2" target="_blank"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Jesus of Nazareth </i>TV miniseries</a> we had started watching earlier
in the week. We both thought they did a
really good job of portraying much of Jesus’s life and ministry. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We went to sleep that night feeling that we’d
had a very full and meaningful Easter weekend.</span></span></p>Trisha Niermeyer Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08182059599089630731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1280920153697341331.post-50461001498635123692023-04-10T21:44:00.005-04:002023-04-10T21:44:00.190-04:00Holy Week, Easter Triduum, Some Firsts, and a 23rd Anniversary<p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyjHb_R7nviUmO-zj-u6xTg3n25puNw9iW685MwW-Gky6_8lqeWYXwz9WasmUmdp3kZ7rrMu8wSt_ATMaaGcDgc4r2Fp8gsdWfl9pROggXLinI-1GEZs_D5wld_bROm2SEa_tSilaIUjXdeP-We7n_wqrQB3NTsgrC5hJMzW7y1VT30a-En_9-OznlBQ/s4032/20230408_200457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyjHb_R7nviUmO-zj-u6xTg3n25puNw9iW685MwW-Gky6_8lqeWYXwz9WasmUmdp3kZ7rrMu8wSt_ATMaaGcDgc4r2Fp8gsdWfl9pROggXLinI-1GEZs_D5wld_bROm2SEa_tSilaIUjXdeP-We7n_wqrQB3NTsgrC5hJMzW7y1VT30a-En_9-OznlBQ/s320/20230408_200457.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The altar at our home parish on April 8, 2023.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Holy Week is very
special to Kevin and me for several reasons. Twenty-three years ago (in
April 2000), Kevin drove over 600 miles in his black Chevrolet Monte Carlo to
come visit me at Hollins University during my Freshman year. It was Holy
Week, but he was determined to come see me anyway. He came knowing
full-well that I would be spending the bulk of the time I wasn't in classes in
church. The effects of the decisions he/we made during that brief visit
changed the trajectory of our relationship and the rest of our lives. It's also when the parish priest assigned to our Catholic Campus Ministry named him: <a href="http://printsofgrace.blogspot.com/2011/04/fond-memories-of-holy-week.html" target="_blank">"The Patron Saint of Boyfriends."</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6f10-DYD-FrAFnebqMJ-MIuEMjixl3a40opgweTsyUh7EmKAdobQ2n15ls7W89DL_zztAJwR5neO9ee9opEzH1CJCF3NewKfuqGQ8_foMInZfpFsGNTFTi-GTbuwjljwrPlNob-7VOjRf2svTKKKTq1h-dEqCz_4wQ4qRkRb0_e1TkUkVGb9H7RBnw/s547/Patron%20Saint%20of%20Boyfriends%20slide.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="547" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6f10-DYD-FrAFnebqMJ-MIuEMjixl3a40opgweTsyUh7EmKAdobQ2n15ls7W89DL_zztAJwR5neO9ee9opEzH1CJCF3NewKfuqGQ8_foMInZfpFsGNTFTi-GTbuwjljwrPlNob-7VOjRf2svTKKKTq1h-dEqCz_4wQ4qRkRb0_e1TkUkVGb9H7RBnw/w200-h150/Patron%20Saint%20of%20Boyfriends%20slide.png" width="200" /></a></div><p></p>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Holy Thursday</b></span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2wu-4d9EzKU4oQX07tdbdUqvedWsv1C-iJ3LaY7RKoouXBbC4hqtOnBIcODjC7kJehKKq6_tyeBw04Ug0eNgF6UL5WuIbC5mwcCupcyjC7XHuPrjTQgSmc7l8FpreojiNWKJpGMK9wKcl3DnQrEpPRVmOyn8OSNk_Yg8-7eqx_pd90S_71CblcGBtA/s2048/P1230301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1363" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2wu-4d9EzKU4oQX07tdbdUqvedWsv1C-iJ3LaY7RKoouXBbC4hqtOnBIcODjC7kJehKKq6_tyeBw04Ug0eNgF6UL5WuIbC5mwcCupcyjC7XHuPrjTQgSmc7l8FpreojiNWKJpGMK9wKcl3DnQrEpPRVmOyn8OSNk_Yg8-7eqx_pd90S_71CblcGBtA/s320/P1230301.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">I was the sole person
from my family who made it to church that day. Kevin had planned on
joining me, but he had too bad a headache to go out. Two of the five
<a href="http://printsofgrace.blogspot.com/2016/06/Do-You-Know-How-Much-I-Love-You-My-Nanny-Diary.html" target="_blank">silly sisters</a> came to the <a href="http://printsofgrace.blogspot.com/2013/03/christ-has-risen-alleluia-easter.html" target="_blank">Holy Thursday</a> Mass with their mom. We all sat
together for the beginning of the <a href="http://printsofgrace.blogspot.com/2014/04/The-Three-Holiest-Days-of-Year.html" target="_blank">Easter Triduum</a>. It made my heart happy
to hear the girls singing along with each of the songs. </span><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://printsofgrace.blogspot.com/2012/08/baab-baptisms-glowing-godparents-light.html" target="_blank">My Goddaughter</a> came up
with me for the foot-washing. Someone from the congregation washed her
feet, then she carefully washed mine and dried them with a clean towel from the
pile. It made me think of years past when I'd gone up with the oldest of
the silly sisters for the foot washing or when a dear friend of mine whom I've
known since 5th grade and I washed each other’s feet. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At the end of the Mass,
we sing the <a href="https://www.stmarysilverbay.org/documents/2020/4/Hymns%20and%20Readings%20for%20the%20Sacred%20Triduum.pdf" target="_blank">"Pange Lingua Gloriosi"</a> while processing from the main
church into the Day Chapel. That is where the Blessed Sacrament remains
exposed for Adoration until midnight. The four of us waited until it
cleared out a bit before we went in to pay our respects. We knelt on the
ground and prayed in silence for a few minutes.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYm9_R1wfpCg16Ebwk5VE-V82HwiwrVRqjyGxcw-g9CQJRkynCLn8Xu0KpjuCk3iGcqQBakhpIf2rxzR-Tjtr3y_4xFHsS5XNk6AAUDk2Jb5U5NaUj0Xt9Xslc9-zVC-PZRN9WeWhETKkgSwyyPM7WYVLxUjAo7eDlmMXFzuk-DtbDWAPdb5Bybc-t2w/s400/Eucharist%20in%20hand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="400" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYm9_R1wfpCg16Ebwk5VE-V82HwiwrVRqjyGxcw-g9CQJRkynCLn8Xu0KpjuCk3iGcqQBakhpIf2rxzR-Tjtr3y_4xFHsS5XNk6AAUDk2Jb5U5NaUj0Xt9Xslc9-zVC-PZRN9WeWhETKkgSwyyPM7WYVLxUjAo7eDlmMXFzuk-DtbDWAPdb5Bybc-t2w/w200-h160/Eucharist%20in%20hand.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Once we'd parted ways, I
went back in and stayed for another hour in front of the Blessed
Sacrament. I sat on the floor along the back wall of the chapel near
another woman deep in prayer (who I would later find out was about to be
Baptized at the Easter Vigil). Our pastor and several members of the
office staff wandered in one at a time to pray on one of the kneelers set out
closest to the altar. I prayed for each one of them, thankful for the
many ways they serve our congregation.</span><h3 style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Good Friday</b></span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I picked up one silly
sister who was interested in going to <a href="https://www.catholic.org/prayers/station.php" target="_blank">Stations of the Cross</a> with me.
There were lots of people there both walking the Stations (which are placed
around the inside wall of our worship space which is built in the round) and
those who remained in their seats to participate in the powerful
meditation. We got there early enough we each got a worship aid, but we
gave one of ours away when the crowd grew, and we were asked to
share. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbddmE4vqJ4Buu-PIJzhSSB-rvghYJeuItC3u5lq2dSanTrwpZi1_lhzgiaQ36SJ6SNQpbCbEORbSiR1jZw227n_QEzhojYKUqN7agd7JC8ZWJ2asKyVZkrmTuDll405-KJyfes6kuFozbXGArYEx1O3U6LcMrreRGP4hlgfnAtKSLwby5LLB16D8zg/s2048/Dad's%20funeral%20weekend%20066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbddmE4vqJ4Buu-PIJzhSSB-rvghYJeuItC3u5lq2dSanTrwpZi1_lhzgiaQ36SJ6SNQpbCbEORbSiR1jZw227n_QEzhojYKUqN7agd7JC8ZWJ2asKyVZkrmTuDll405-KJyfes6kuFozbXGArYEx1O3U6LcMrreRGP4hlgfnAtKSLwby5LLB16D8zg/w200-h150/Dad's%20funeral%20weekend%20066.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The leader would start
each Station with: "We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You."
The two of us and several others responded by genuflecting as we said: "Because
by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I've done this
particular set of Stations of the Cross many times over the years. On every
occasion, I am deeply moved by the experience though the Gospel readings,
songs, meditations, and prayers remain the same. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On the way back to her
house, I told my partner in prayer about the year when I had attended Stations
with her grandma and her uncle John, who is one of our best friends.
After Stations of the Cross that day, John and I went to the grotto and prayed
the <a href="http://printsofgrace.blogspot.com/2015/04/Divine-Mercy-Sunday-Reflections-and-Resources.html" target="_blank">Divine Mercy Chaplet</a>, the Rosary, and talked until the three o'clock hour
when Jesus died. It was a very meaningful, prayerful way of observing the
day. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This past Friday
evening, Kevin, two of the silly sisters, their dad, my mom, and I sat together
for the somber service. We sang some solemn, haunting hymns as everyone from the congregation went up in groups to venerate the cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two men and a woman processed in with the big
wooden cross. The next night all three of them received at least one
Sacrament of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. <o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcJrYZa4yrvy4U4LakikhfZTRcrj9L_ukaD18FRJ3J0dYyyhk03wFTi1kbjhZlwui8QpeiEVUopRUXDEMLvA4eNgilEDcuDGD9e-NIDUDrIbwKd9hS6f8euBu1vPaTupWMQILorrUqzw50X4jKuQsl2GjtJ6GaFr-nbvDKOI8CGE4GSvHCXBQI6SDkA/s547/Easter%20Triduum%20slide.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="547" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcJrYZa4yrvy4U4LakikhfZTRcrj9L_ukaD18FRJ3J0dYyyhk03wFTi1kbjhZlwui8QpeiEVUopRUXDEMLvA4eNgilEDcuDGD9e-NIDUDrIbwKd9hS6f8euBu1vPaTupWMQILorrUqzw50X4jKuQsl2GjtJ6GaFr-nbvDKOI8CGE4GSvHCXBQI6SDkA/s320/Easter%20Triduum%20slide.png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">One year, when John and
another gentleman from our diocese were still in seminary, the head of our liturgical ministry asked me if I would like to help them <a href="https://printsofgrace.blogspot.com/search?q=easter+triduum+revisited" target="_blank">carry in the cross during the Good Friday</a> service. I gratefully agreed. Kevin and I have
been an integral part in John's vocational discernment, so it was an honor to
assist the two seminarians in carrying their cross (figuratively and literally).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Easter Saturday</b></span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We eagerly anticipated
the culmination of the Triduum. I observed the morning in quiet prayer
and meditation, doing <a href="https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading" target="_blank">the daily Mass Scripture readings</a>, and other spiritual reflections. I've
been reading and reflecting using two books during Lent. In addition to
the daily Mass readings, <b><i>Jesus, Companion in My Suffering </i></b>by
Joyce Rupp and <b><i>Restore: A Guided Prayer Journal for Reflection
and Meditation </i></b>by Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT were the most
helpful prayer aids I used. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl67XpkoRmuqxwHKU1N8i92xVTUDfIeFksAizfq2M7GXAT1a3OIxlivERqbqWa9cAHz7A4ky9peZHrxPrp-1PX4SAHGCOzUGgImD6NyV0KYMzcwnIj4jHsHhEnH4ZPvRS11aVn1OeKni0tSP1JD1dRxpKg4nhkZKhsEaZq009Czg54pfz-xoKUH0tlaA/s2048/Baab%20twins%20Baptism%20Aug.%2020112%20080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1154" data-original-width="2048" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl67XpkoRmuqxwHKU1N8i92xVTUDfIeFksAizfq2M7GXAT1a3OIxlivERqbqWa9cAHz7A4ky9peZHrxPrp-1PX4SAHGCOzUGgImD6NyV0KYMzcwnIj4jHsHhEnH4ZPvRS11aVn1OeKni0tSP1JD1dRxpKg4nhkZKhsEaZq009Czg54pfz-xoKUH0tlaA/w200-h113/Baab%20twins%20Baptism%20Aug.%2020112%20080.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The three musketeers circa 2013.</td></tr></tbody></table>Kevin and I spent the
afternoon with our best friend and dear brother in Christ, John. It was
wonderful to catch up with him in person, share a meal, and reminisce.
He's one of the few people Kevin and I can and have talked with about anything
and everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The three of us used to
spend a lot of time together when John still lived in town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so good to be reunited! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h3 style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Easter Vigil</b></span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Two of the silly sisters
decided they wanted to accompany us to the vigil. They'd been given fair
warning it would be extra-long, but they still wanted to come. We're so
grateful they did! There's nothing like attending the Easter Triduum in
its entirety! This is a reality I can’t impress enough upon people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So many who consider themselves hardcore Catholics
miss out on this great opportunity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
forever grateful Kevin agreed to come with me twenty-three years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was <a href="http://printsofgrace.blogspot.com/2013/03/easter-triduum-observation.html" target="_blank">his first Easter Vigil</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was the first Easter Vigil the twins had
ever attended. We were extra excited for them! <o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_hbsixJ1iHJHlHurwtC0kBg7FoKSPOvV4jYT45d4MGJLABTBfQn8Qs8QJFVyS3op6C9jdQLMB5VcTZSi3k0Sth3qsgfLgIHK_idX87xNhHq96S8PxLl8RP-RH8Zz_dweJmdPxR5_6F2tQlKc4X3F5cOdPRmazpVE8r0H4QyE8OfClg6Iz_CnfGQrXoQ/s3648/20230408_200406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_hbsixJ1iHJHlHurwtC0kBg7FoKSPOvV4jYT45d4MGJLABTBfQn8Qs8QJFVyS3op6C9jdQLMB5VcTZSi3k0Sth3qsgfLgIHK_idX87xNhHq96S8PxLl8RP-RH8Zz_dweJmdPxR5_6F2tQlKc4X3F5cOdPRmazpVE8r0H4QyE8OfClg6Iz_CnfGQrXoQ/w320-h240/20230408_200406.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We arrived early so we
could secure the seats we usually sit in for Mass on Sundays. The girls
were very chatty when we arrived, especially once they discovered they'd each
get to hold a lit candle during the service. There were people sitting
directly in front of us when we started, but they soon moved further down the
row. I can't help but think it had something to do with overhearing the girls
talking about inadvertently setting things like themselves and the church on
fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately, they calmed down a
bit before the greatest liturgy of the year began.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The three of us joined most of the
congregation outside for the lighting of the new Easter candle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kevin was patiently waiting for us when we returned.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The girls had to leave a
few times during the liturgy, but they were real troopers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think the beautiful music, <a href="https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/who-we-teach/christian-initiation-of-adults" target="_blank">RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults)</a> Baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations, along with
the liturgical dance, and the opportunity to sign someone with the holy water
mid-Mass helped them stay engaged during the two and a half plus hours we were
there.</span></p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My Goddaughter seemed
particularly tired, so she rested her head on my shoulder for some of the
time. At one point, one of the twins was leaning on her sister who was in
turn leaning on me. I put my arm around both of them and enjoyed the
opportunity to share God's love in a tangible way. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Both girls sang along
with all of the songs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition to a
main cantor, a pianist, bassist, and drummer, we had a huge choir and impressive strings and horns/woodwinds sections.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The music
ministry at our church is really quite amazing! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We all held hands for
the Our Father, and I got a hug from each of them in addition to my kiss from
Kevin at the Gesture of Peace. When we dropped them off at home that evening, I peaked my head in really quick to wish their parents a Happy Easter. The other three silly sisters were sleeping soundly in their beds.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #ff00fe; font-size: large;">HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_x6fjq1OqJQziiLvhI3dbHLEWfak8AAmrwoeclumjW_zf1sufnrF9W3F9vwJ725pT4889eG3NhVF0YSi96NG6HLf3YsX7tj23I8EVXn1f3ZrYeygQRlUHdSlUVVQwznx7hXEuhaPffSxICOoLDlZXOOmgAHOp4bsCgnU2KWNjCEdrlyutZs-MeypiDQ/s689/Christ%20is%20Risen%202016%20graphic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="689" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_x6fjq1OqJQziiLvhI3dbHLEWfak8AAmrwoeclumjW_zf1sufnrF9W3F9vwJ725pT4889eG3NhVF0YSi96NG6HLf3YsX7tj23I8EVXn1f3ZrYeygQRlUHdSlUVVQwznx7hXEuhaPffSxICOoLDlZXOOmgAHOp4bsCgnU2KWNjCEdrlyutZs-MeypiDQ/s320/Christ%20is%20Risen%202016%20graphic.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #ff00fe; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>Trisha Niermeyer Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08182059599089630731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1280920153697341331.post-48413203455081148212022-04-03T21:44:00.001-04:002022-04-03T21:44:00.188-04:00It's Never Too Late to Apologize<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWcnDXZZgcaRRpFhypel9U9yPIUvM-anO64l3p5YfYrcaendOThV__dlgpfOWhGHnbhNbge2hsihJ3yRqop18wv5BPqCwz9yLdh3e6PcbtBfph9zugrwU0Bl53xoUXvJxL8ZsP2xSOmpwBhTcPoPEln632393JP-6G3rWQjAg6LL1tt0Ap0lxBFw_tA/s3648/P1320344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWcnDXZZgcaRRpFhypel9U9yPIUvM-anO64l3p5YfYrcaendOThV__dlgpfOWhGHnbhNbge2hsihJ3yRqop18wv5BPqCwz9yLdh3e6PcbtBfph9zugrwU0Bl53xoUXvJxL8ZsP2xSOmpwBhTcPoPEln632393JP-6G3rWQjAg6LL1tt0Ap0lxBFw_tA/s320/P1320344.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I guess I should begin with an apology. I'm sorry I've been away from blogging for so long. I know that I have a few faithful followers who have wondered where I've been. <div><br /></div><div>I feel it's appropriate that the Sunday before this one we heard the story of the Prodigal Son. I can relate. I have not gone off to a faraway land to squander my inheritance. Neither have I turned my back on God, but I have been away from something the Lord called me to a while ago: writing. </div><div><br /></div><div>The message that it's never too late to apologize came across loud and clear through the story of the Prodigal Son when the forgiving father welcomed him home with open arms. I've been away from blogging for some time. Truth be told, lately, I haven't even been reading as voraciously as I used to, but I've been reminded that doesn't mean I can't return to such callings and passions of mine.<div><br /></div><div>I was rereading a few of my older blog entries, and it struck me anew that one of my vocations is still to write. In recent months, I've written more personal cards, letters, and journal entries than anything else. </div><div><br /></div><div>A dear friend nudged me to get back to blogging. She said she misses reading my posts. If one person is encouraged by what they read here, then I figure on some level that I am serving God through my vocation of writing. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for the nudge my dear glory bee friend. </div></div>Trisha Niermeyer Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08182059599089630731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1280920153697341331.post-87559871884709791722020-04-17T12:34:00.001-04:002020-04-17T12:34:56.593-04:00Jesus, Friend of My Soul by Joyce Rupp<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GolqfwiOcRA/XpnaNJg_O1I/AAAAAAAAM7Q/9utvwUZe-pcHp7pUH_WJ-0CsQEof4lK8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Jesus%2BFriend%2Bof%2BMy%2BSoul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="464" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GolqfwiOcRA/XpnaNJg_O1I/AAAAAAAAM7Q/9utvwUZe-pcHp7pUH_WJ-0CsQEof4lK8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Jesus%2BFriend%2Bof%2BMy%2BSoul.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
I was excited the moment I saw that Joyce Rupp had come out with another book. I've enjoyed everything I've read by her. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Friend-My-Soul-Reflections-ebook/dp/B082YM43RL/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2MDDNZ4JDF1XX&dchild=1&keywords=jesus+friend+of+my+soul+by+joyce+rupp&qid=1587138562&sprefix=Jesus+friend+of+my+%2Caps%2C164&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Jesus, Friend of My Soul</a> was no exception. In addition to doing morning prayer and the daily Mass readings using the <a href="https://us.magnificat.net/online/" target="_blank">Magnificat</a>, I kept up with these "reflections for the Lenten journey."<br />
<br />
The purpose of this book is to examine, meditate on, and try to live out the qualities Jesus showed during His life. Each day there is a brief Scripture passage, a short reflection, a personal prayer, and an affirmation that relates to one of Christ's attributes. For example, over the first four days, we are looking to the "One Who..." invites, is disciplined, who prays, and who sees good in others.<br />
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For the second day of Lent, the title of the day's reflection is "One Who Is Disciplined." The following is the prayer included:<br />
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"Bearer of the Cross,<br />
no one wants to have burdens and afflictions,<br />
yet they come into our lives and weigh us down.<br />
I can learn from you how to shoulder my troubles<br />
and find my greatest source of strength in you. <br />
Help me to deny myself when it is required."<br />
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Then the affirmation for the day is: "I choose to accept the cross of my difficulties."<br />
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I highly recommend <a href="https://www.avemariapress.com/product/1-59471-965-9/Jesus-Friend-of-My-Soul/" target="_blank">Jesus, Friend of My Soul</a>. Using it as a Lenten companion was a bit like having a cup of coffee with a Christian friend each day. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. For more info or to order your own copy, <a href="https://www.avemariapress.com/product/1-59471-965-9/Jesus-Friend-of-My-Soul/" target="_blank">click here</a>.<br />
</div>
Trisha Niermeyer Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08182059599089630731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1280920153697341331.post-434800155998463442020-03-29T10:17:00.001-04:002020-03-29T10:17:43.695-04:00Pray Fully: Simple Steps for Becoming a Woman of Prayer by Michele Faehnle and Emily Jaminet <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Walk with the saints and be accompanied by two strong women of faith to bring your prayer life to the next level. <a href="https://www.avemariapress.com/product/1-59471-973-X/Pray-Fully/" target="_blank">Pray Fully</a> is the first book I've read by either of these two authors, but it won't be the last.<br />
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Each of these women shares wisdom about how to become a stronger follower of Christ through prayer. Michele and Emily are both busy working married mothers who can identify and have struggled with many different obstacles to prayer. <br />
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One aspect of this book that I enjoyed is that it encourages writing in a prayer journal, something I used to do on a regular basis. I'd gotten out of the habit, but this inspired me to get back into it. There are several self-reflection questions throughout that would also be wonderful for group sharing if you were so inclined.<br />
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In most chapters, there is the brief bio of a saint included along with some simple tips to deeper prayer which that person lived out. In <a href="https://www.avemariapress.com/product/1-59471-973-X/Pray-Fully/" target="_blank">Pray Fully</a> the authors explain how some basic prayer practices of the Catholic faith done regularly can make a tremendous difference in your spiritual life. These include the daily Examen, doing Lectio Divina, praying the Our Father, Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament as well as praying the Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.<br />
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To be honest, there wasn't a prayer type in here that I have not encountered somewhere else, but being reminded of the power of getting back to basics is something I for one could certainly stand to benefit from.<br />
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I highly recommend this book. For more info about <a href="https://www.avemariapress.com/product/1-59471-973-X/Pray-Fully/" target="_blank">Pray Fully</a> or to obtain your own copy, <a href="https://www.avemariapress.com/product/1-59471-973-X/Pray-Fully/" target="_blank">click here</a>.</div>
Trisha Niermeyer Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08182059599089630731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1280920153697341331.post-25309852879902407912020-03-05T19:48:00.001-05:002020-03-05T19:48:29.104-05:00Undone by Carrie Schuchts Daunt<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I love the many titles for the Blessed Mother, but one of the lesser-known ones I have an affinity for is Our Lady Undoer of Knots. Daunt has written a book that speaks to the ability of Mary to untie the complicated knots of fear and shame in our lives. <br />
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In <a href="https://www.avemariapress.com/product/1-59471-969-1/Undone/https://www.avemariapress.com/product/1-59471-969-1/Undone/" target="_blank">Undone</a>, she includes personal stories from fifteen women that deal with the different roles we play in life: daughter, sister, bride, and mother. With each story there's a related verse from Scripture you're invited to read reflectively three times, thus doing a form of Lectio Divina. Then you're asked a series of questions that you're encouraged to answer in a journal.<br />
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This book pleasantly reminded me of a women's retreat I attended that focused on Mary, Undoer of Knots. As one activity on the weekend, we tied a knot and said a prayer for each major difficulty in our lives. In the days and weeks to come, we took someone else's string and untied their knots while lifting them up in prayer. It was a great way to visualize Mary working on our knots.<br />
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The stories are powerful and address quite a range of tough topics. The message of hope is one we all need to hear. The shorter length of the stories makes this an easy book to read. The Lectio Divina and journaling help the reader meditate on Scripture and contemplate how God's been at work in our own lives.<br />
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I recommend <a href="https://www.avemariapress.com/product/1-59471-969-1/Undone/" target="_blank">Undone</a> for all women--not just for those who are married with children.</div>
Trisha Niermeyer Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08182059599089630731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1280920153697341331.post-14994381873115036222019-11-13T09:44:00.000-05:002020-01-31T10:10:16.390-05:00Ella's Promise Great Love-Great War Series Book 3 by Ellen Gable<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><i><a href="https://printsofgrace.blogspot.com/2017/11/Julias-Gifts-Great-War-Great-Love-Series-Book-1-by-Ellen-Gable.html" target="_blank">Julia’s Gifts</a></i> and <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HYJD3RV/" target="_blank">Charlotte’s Honor</a></i> are the
first two books </span>in Ellen Gable’s Great War-Great Love series. Like the other novels, this one is set in France during WWI and the main character is a
young woman who has volunteered to serve the victims of war needing medical attention. </div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">With more
medical training and experience than Julia or Charlotte, Ella is able to do
more to help the soldiers in need of treatment for injury or illness than
either of her friends could. Ella’s fluency
in German also makes her the perfect candidate for a couple of reconnaissance
missions in the field. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">I liked that
poetry and letters from the family are included in the text. They add flavor and another perspective to the prose. After recently reading an anthology of popular
short stories published in the last twenty years, it’s refreshing to read about
characters who have morals by which they attempt to live.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">A few of the
coincidences in the book walk the line between being believable versus a little
too trite and predictable. That being
said, Ellen Gable is one of the very few authors whose romance novels I’m
willing to read. There’s a lot of smut
out there which I can’t and won’t pick up. Someone's written a series of historical fiction love
stories without severe moral depravity? Sure, sign me up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="line-height: 21.4667px;">I have enjoyed a number of Ellen Gable’s other historical fiction novels. Among my favorites are: </span><i><a href="http://printsofgrace.blogspot.com/2012/09/in-name-only.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration-line: none;">In Name Only</span></a></i> and the sequel <i><a href="https://printsofgrace.blogspot.com/2014/06/A-Subtle-Grace.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration-line: none;">A Subtle Grace</span></a></i>.</b></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">I read and
reviewed <i>Ella's Promise</i> as part of a virtual blog tour. </span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">Ellen Gable is
an award-winning author of ten books, editor, self-publishing book coach,
speaker, <a href="http://fullquiverpublishing.com/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration-line: none;">publisher, </span></a>NFP teacher, book reviewer,
transcriptionist, and instructor in the Theology of the Body for Teens. Her
books have been collectively downloaded 750,000 times on Kindle. Some of her
books have been translated into Portuguese, Italian, Spanish, and French. The
mother of five adult sons and grandmother to one cherished grandson, Ellen (originally
from New Jersey) now lives with her husband of 37 years, James Hrkach, in
Pakenham, Ontario, Canada. For more information about the author, click
here. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">To purchase
your own copy of <i>Ella's Promise</i>, click here.<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Virtual Book Tour
Stops/Links<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">November 3 Carolyn Astfalk </span><a href="http://www.carolynastfalk.com/category/my-scribblers-heart-blog/"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">My Scribbler’s
Heart Blog</span></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">November 4 Steven McEvoy </span><a href="https://www.bookreviewsandmore.ca/"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Book Reviews and More</span></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">November 5 </span><a href="https://www.theresalinden.com/blog"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Theresa Linden</span></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">November 6 </span><a href="https://www.catholic-fiction.com/reviews-news/"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Therese Heckenkamp</span></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">November 7 </span><a href="http://spiritualwomanthoughts.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Patrice
MacArthur</span></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">November 8 </span><a href="https://aworldsuchasheavenintended.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Amanda Lauer</span></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">November 9 </span><a href="https://www.sarahreinhard.com/"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Sarah Reinhard</span></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">November 10 </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><a href="https://mollymcbrideandthepurplehabit.com/blog/" target="_blank">Jean Egolf</a> </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">November 11 </span><a href="http://amazingcatechists.com/lisa-mladinich/"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Lisa Mladinich</span></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> <span lang="EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">November 12 </span><a href="https://lesleawahl.com/blog/"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Leslea Wahl</span></a><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">November 13 </span><a href="http://printsofgrace.blogspot.com/"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Trisha
Potter</span></a><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">November 14 </span><a href="https://christophercblunt.wordpress.com/"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Yeoman Farmer, Christopher Blunt</span></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> <span lang="EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">November 15 </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="https://harvestingthefruitsofcontemplation.blogspot.com/">Michael Seagriff</a></span></div>
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Trisha Niermeyer Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08182059599089630731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1280920153697341331.post-24486642781081495682019-10-11T08:38:00.003-04:002019-10-11T08:38:49.117-04:00Laughter of Angel's by Sherry Boas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It's hard not to fall in love with the main characters in <a href="https://caritaspress.org/authors/about-sherry-boas/" target="_blank">Sherry Boas</a>' books, so don't bother trying. The flow of her prose, the detail of her descriptions, and her lovable leading ladies are among the reasons I enjoy her novels so much.<br />
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In <a href="https://caritaspress.org/authors/about-sherry-boas/" target="_blank">Laughter of Angels</a>, Verdi travels to Shanghai to meet the woman who saved her life when she was a baby. She discovers a great deal about herself and her relationships through Sun Yong and those individuals the elderly woman introduces to her during their visits.<br />
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Boas explores a number of prolife issues in depth. Of course, the one child policy in China is discussed, but there's a significantly more to the all lives matter (from womb to tomb) debate in her stories.<br />
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What counts as love? Who is worthy of love? Can people determine the worth of other people? These and several more questions are taken into consideration.<br />
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The story is compelling and interesting. I guessed parts of the ending before reading it, but that didn't bother me.<br />
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I highly recommend <a href="https://caritaspress.org/authors/about-sherry-boas/" target="_blank">Laughter of Angels</a> and the <a href="https://caritaspress.org/authors/about-sherry-boas/" target="_blank">Lily series</a> of novels by Sherry Boas.</div>
Trisha Niermeyer Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08182059599089630731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1280920153697341331.post-24831255471514486332019-05-30T10:29:00.000-04:002019-05-30T10:29:10.085-04:00The Grace of Enough Pursuing Less and Living More in a Throwaway Culture by Haley Stewart<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Grace-Enough-Pursuing-Throwaway-Culture/dp/1594718172/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1KE2KOKX2P0RY&keywords=the+grace+of+enough+haley+stewart&qid=1559226317&s=gateway&sprefix=the+grace+of+enough+hale%2Caps%2C131&sr=8-3" target="_blank">The Grace of Enough: Pursuing Less and Living Morein a Throwaway Culture</a> is a great book about getting back to basics—nature,
family, community, shared meals, local farms, Natural Family Planning, moral
values, neighborliness, and faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What wholesome elements are missing from your
life?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This book will help you not only
identify what those areas are, but also gives practical suggestions of what you
can do to get back to a lifestyle that is more family/relationship oriented.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Much of Haley’s inspiration comes from Scripture and
the encyclical exhortation <a href="https://printsofgrace.blogspot.com/2016/02/Pope-Francis-Encyclical-Letter-On-Care-for-Our-Common-Home-Laudato-Si.html" target="_blank">On Care for Our Common Home: Laudato Si by Pope Francis</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her many quotes from Laudato Si
make me want to go back and reread my copy of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A year-long stint on a farm really opened up Haley,
her husband Daniel, and their young children to what’s important in life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They lived in close quarters with family,
were immersed in nature, and found themselves knee-deep in community living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their family thrived and together learned
many lessons in love, kindness, compassion, how to be a tighter family as well
as better stewards of the earth and its resources.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Grace-Enough-Pursuing-Throwaway-Culture/dp/1594718172/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1KE2KOKX2P0RY&keywords=the+grace+of+enough+haley+stewart&qid=1559226317&s=gateway&sprefix=the+grace+of+enough+hale%2Caps%2C131&sr=8-3" target="_blank"><br /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I highly recommend <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Grace-Enough-Pursuing-Throwaway-Culture/dp/1594718172/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1KE2KOKX2P0RY&keywords=the+grace+of+enough+haley+stewart&qid=1559226317&s=gateway&sprefix=the+grace+of+enough+hale%2Caps%2C131&sr=8-3" target="_blank">The Grace of Enough</a> for anyone
who wants a closer family, better relationships in general, a closer connection
to nature, and/or a deeper sense of community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
To connect with Haley Stewart, check her out on Facebook at Carrots for Michaelmas or follow her on Instagram @HaleyCarrots</div>
Trisha Niermeyer Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08182059599089630731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1280920153697341331.post-40818259412653766472019-05-21T09:49:00.001-04:002019-05-21T21:07:19.484-04:00One Beautiful Dream by Jennifer Fulwiler<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sDTMlyn3s9A/XOP_qq3V18I/AAAAAAAAMoo/ZWJhSPDXHDMnp60GpV_Pi6h7Ee9QdN6nQCLcBGAs/s1600/One%2BBeautiful%2BDream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="265" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sDTMlyn3s9A/XOP_qq3V18I/AAAAAAAAMoo/ZWJhSPDXHDMnp60GpV_Pi6h7Ee9QdN6nQCLcBGAs/s320/One%2BBeautiful%2BDream.jpg" width="208" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/One-Beautiful-Dream-Rollicking-Personal/dp/0310349745" target="_blank">One Beautiful Dream</a> is in the style and includes the
great humor I came to expect of <a href="http://jenniferfulwiler.com/" target="_blank">Jennifer Fulwiler</a> when reading her blog
Conversion Diary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Among other things,
Jen is a great storyteller.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have
always enjoyed her wacky anecdotes about raising little ones, grappling with
faith, pursuing her writing, and dealing with one crisis after another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This book addresses the very real struggle
many women face when they attempt to raise children while also pursuing their
dreams and passions in life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In Jennifer’s first book, <a href="http://printsofgrace.blogspot.com/2014/06/something-other-than-god.html" target="_blank">Something Other Than God</a>,
she details her conversion from atheism to Catholicism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a very good read, but much more serious
than I thought it would be after following her journey on Conversion Diary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://printsofgrace.blogspot.com/2014/06/something-other-than-god.html" target="_blank">Click here to read my review.</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I was laughing out loud at some of the situations Jen
found herself in while pursuing her “one beautiful dream.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some stories brought back fond and others
not-so-great memories of being a nanny for young children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The chapters entitled: “Poopocalypse,” “Beer
Bong Playdate,” “Advent Rock,” and “Decibel” all elicited memorable incidents I’ve
had with little ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During a retreat, Jen got some great advice from a
priest named Fr. George.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He suggested
that she “[do] the work that God is calling you to do, but do it as one part of
something bigger—your family” (p. 129).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>From then on she looked at her “blue flame” (what brings her joy) of
writing as something that she could include her family in as she did it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This change in perspective helped her stop
thinking as an individual and unite her passions to the overall mission God has
for her family as a whole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As <a href="http://jenniferfulwiler.com/" target="_blank">writer, Sirius XM Radio Host, and budding comedian, Jen Fulwiler</a> concludes in her book and her daily life that you can
have it all—family and dreams—if you’re willing to rethink exactly what that
looks like and when everything will come to pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I recommend this book for anyone who has or works
with children, is a Christian, and/or needs a good laugh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">See the latest updates on the Fulwiler family at <a href="http://onebeautifuldream.com/">OneBeautifulDream.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">You can connect with this author/mom/radio show host/comedian on Instagram @JenniferFulwiler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Trisha Niermeyer Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08182059599089630731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1280920153697341331.post-24335089040988958172019-05-20T10:24:00.000-04:002019-05-20T10:24:40.906-04:00Blessings Abound: Confirmation, Ordination, and First Communion<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lQM0I2WFLj0/XOK215Y2fxI/AAAAAAAAMoI/sAXc3JUyz7gE-Sm_c3mlI4pu0fhiTalPQCLcBGAs/s1600/Vivi%2BFirst%2BCommunion2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lQM0I2WFLj0/XOK215Y2fxI/AAAAAAAAMoI/sAXc3JUyz7gE-Sm_c3mlI4pu0fhiTalPQCLcBGAs/s320/Vivi%2BFirst%2BCommunion2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vivi receiving her First Communion from<br />
Fr. John Baab, her uncle and Godfather.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the past two weeks I’ve witnessed a number of
joyful occasions filled with blessings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On Wednesday, I was inspired to go to daily Mass at St. Mary’s Church at
9am. I was delighted when I got there and found out it was a school Mass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I attended St. Mary's School during 5th, 6th, and half of 7th grade before we moved again. </span>The new principal and his wife and
three children were there to witness him coming into the Catholic Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He received his Confirmation and First
Communion at the Mass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a beautiful
thing to witness as a church and school community!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Thursday evening, Bishop Knestout came to St.
Michael the Archangel Church to confirm 93 of our youth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the fall, I’d taken a slip of paper with the name of a Confirmand and a prayer on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I promised to pray for the person during the months leading up to his or
her Confirmation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the first time
ever that evening, I got to meet the gentleman for whom I’d been praying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I next to the youth minister who I served
with at Church of the Epiphany years ago soon after Kevin and I were married there. She remembered my youngest sister Theresa's Confirmation and that I had been her sponsor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WfQjLgP1xLI/XOK3LuGcQpI/AAAAAAAAMoQ/ASS3e53TkQseN0FAimw5hMcJRSNtLYxlwCLcBGAs/s1600/Anthony%2BFerguson%2BBishop%2BKnestout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WfQjLgP1xLI/XOK3LuGcQpI/AAAAAAAAMoQ/ASS3e53TkQseN0FAimw5hMcJRSNtLYxlwCLcBGAs/s320/Anthony%2BFerguson%2BBishop%2BKnestout.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deacon Anthony Ferguson and Bishop Knestout after<br />
the Ordination to the Diaconate Mass.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Saturday morning, my mom and I went to the </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16px;">Cathedral of the </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sacred Heart to celebrate the ordination to the diaconate of Anthony
Ferguson.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Mass was again quite
beautiful and filled with graces.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sunday
morning, I returned to St. Mary’s with my mom for Deacon Ferguson’s first
Mass.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">He gave an amazing homily, really
knocked it out of the park.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Sunday evening, I was back at St. Michael for Vivi’s
First Communion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s the oldest of the
silly sisters for whom I nannied for several years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her uncle/Godfather Fr. John Baab presided
at the Mass and had the privilege of serving Vivi her First Communion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A number of family members and friends in the
area were there to support her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> We all enjoyed a meal at our favorite Mexican restaurant afterwards.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Lord, thank you for the many opportunities you’ve
given me this week to celebrate and rejoice in the Sacraments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please bless all who have come into the
Church, received their First Communion, and been Confirmed with a deeper sense
of Your unconditional love and limitless mercy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6piB2FLxeKo/XOK4M4A0csI/AAAAAAAAMoc/DbOvTQfzsJMl2GVFcMiYbhSubMV0cf0KgCLcBGAs/s1600/St.%2BMary%2BChurch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6piB2FLxeKo/XOK4M4A0csI/AAAAAAAAMoc/DbOvTQfzsJMl2GVFcMiYbhSubMV0cf0KgCLcBGAs/s320/St.%2BMary%2BChurch.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Mary's Church on Wednesday morning May 15, 2019.</td></tr>
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Trisha Niermeyer Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08182059599089630731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1280920153697341331.post-31911866510750613112019-05-19T15:44:00.000-04:002019-05-21T20:57:16.948-04:00The Heart of Perfection by Colleen Carroll Campbell<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o4DPukJegwk/XOGvvX28S8I/AAAAAAAAMn8/8_r1_hG8oVAB0LlzibMi4FmOMF_tCjRDACLcBGAs/s1600/The%2BHeart%2Bof%2BPerfection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="700" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o4DPukJegwk/XOGvvX28S8I/AAAAAAAAMn8/8_r1_hG8oVAB0LlzibMi4FmOMF_tCjRDACLcBGAs/s320/The%2BHeart%2Bof%2BPerfection.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Perfection-Saints-Taught-Perfect/dp/1982106166/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3KOGAOT6JYAEU&keywords=the+heart+of+perfection&qid=1558486386&s=gateway&sprefix=the+heart+of+perfection%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-1" target="_blank">The Heart of Perfection: How the Saints Taught Me toTrade My Dream of Perfect for God’s</a> is an amazing book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colleen’s prose have a literary quality often
missing from other Christian nonfiction books I’ve read and reviewed over the
years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can identify very well with her
sentiments as a recovering perfectionist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m sure the only way she has managed to balance a successful career
with being a homeschooling mother of four has been through the grace of God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This look into the lives of certain saints comes
through the lens of a working mother, recovering perfectionist, and an honest
sinner who’s sharing the wisdom she’s gleaned through living and
struggling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love how she weaves
Scripture and the biographies of several key saints into this in-depth study of
why and how we should “trade [our] own dreams of perfect for God’s.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Colleen treats the saints as imperfect friends and
mentors rather than holding them up as flawless models of humanity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She shows how they needed God’s grace in
order to seek and do His will every bit as much as we need it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Though very well-researched, this book has a
welcoming vibe rather than a stilted academic feel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colleen goes deep into the lives of saints,
sinks her heart into Scripture, and willingly examines her own life in light of
perfectionist tendencies and human failings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">She has an acute awareness of how much our attitudes
towards God, ourselves, and others have a profound effect on our
relationships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we’re spending most of
our mental energy critiquing our every fault and flaw, then were likely to pass
that dissatisfaction on to others. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we
accept God’s grace as a necessity, then it’s easier to deal in a gentler way
with our loved ones, friends, coworkers, neighbors, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Colleen illustrates how growing spiritually requires
heaping helpings of grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can’t make
progress in the faith life without first acknowledging our desperate need for
God’s love and mercy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once we accept
those two freely given gifts, we have the foundation we need to grow closer to
Him, and, thereby, help others do the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“There’s something about God’s love that simply can’t breathe unless we
share it with others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the more we
share it the more His joy floods our hearts.” (p. 76)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">One of the chapter titles really caught my
attention: Stalking Joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This concept of
actively seeking joy appeals to me a great deal since I easily forget how much
God wants us to be joyful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are
much more attractive as Christians when “the joy of the Lord is [our] strength”
(Nehemiah 8:10).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colleen writes that “We
need to pursue and protect joy, to recognize it as a source of supernatural
strength without which we can’t hope to love others or God.” (p. 74).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We need the communion of saints and the people
around us in order to grow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Admitting
you need the companionship of other Christians striving for holiness isn’t
elitism; it’s a mark of humility and spiritual maturity.” (p. 61)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This book brings up the topic of holiness and
through comparisons and stories reminds us that we are called to be
saints.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It made me think of a beautiful
song by a music missionary I love named <a href="https://daniellerose.com/" target="_blank">Danielle Rose</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://youtu.be/yQGMce76JcU" target="_blank">“The Saint That Is Just Me”</a> is written about how
aspirations to be holy need to be in line with our own call and sanctification,
which won’t look exactly like anyone else’s. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I highly recommend <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Perfection-Saints-Taught-Perfect/dp/1982106166/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3KOGAOT6JYAEU&keywords=the+heart+of+perfection&qid=1558486386&s=gateway&sprefix=the+heart+of+perfection%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-1" target="_blank">The Heart of Perfection</a> for any
Christian who struggles with perfectionism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Colleen Carroll Campbell’s other book My Sisters the Saints is one I
read, reviewed, and loved as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Click
here to read that review.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Perfection-Saints-Taught-Perfect/dp/1982106166/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3KOGAOT6JYAEU&keywords=the+heart+of+perfection&qid=1558486386&s=gateway&sprefix=the+heart+of+perfection%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Click here to order your own copy of The Heart ofPerfection.</a></span></div>
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Trisha Niermeyer Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08182059599089630731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1280920153697341331.post-39335351144369744662019-04-28T15:14:00.000-04:002019-05-14T09:51:01.132-04:00Courageously Uncomfortable by Lisa J. Goins<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G53i9JA928U/XMX36P6pIhI/AAAAAAAAMno/dPU-UTK2AUMVP1Ab3VqPUiVpl8UH6qhtQCLcBGAs/s1600/Courageously%2BUncomfortable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="683" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G53i9JA928U/XMX36P6pIhI/AAAAAAAAMno/dPU-UTK2AUMVP1Ab3VqPUiVpl8UH6qhtQCLcBGAs/s320/Courageously%2BUncomfortable.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There’s a pattern in what I’ve been reading, watching, and listening to lately: they all include aspects of courage and vulnerability. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the past, I’ve written about <a href="https://printsofgrace.blogspot.com/2010/08/living-lie-that-everythings-fine.html" target="_blank">Living the Lie that Everything’s Fine</a>. I’m familiar with the concept and how it can easily play out in my own life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It’s true. God often calls us to step out and step up in ways that are outside of our comfort zones—at times way outside of them. By examining the stories of certain women in the Bible, <a href="https://lisajgoins.com/" target="_blank">Lisa J. Goins</a> illustrates how we can get beyond our sinful, sordid pasts to do something great for God, which He has always intended to accomplish in, for, and through us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The four questions at the end of each chapter are thought-provoking, and, at least in my case, would take a page or more of journaling to answer in earnest. I didn’t write in this book because when something inspires me, I like to pass it on. These questions made me uncomfortable, which tells me I’ve got lots more work to do in this area of my life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Lisa uses personal examples as well as from those in her “squad,” but I would have liked to see a few more in-depth stories from her own life, particularly regarding what she’s overcome in the past with the help and forgiveness of the Lord. She alludes to an array of challenges, but she doesn’t go as deep as she could about any one. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I appreciate the author’s sense of humor incorporated into the book, specifically when she is telling her own tales of woe and woah. I admire Lisa for putting herself out there through writing, publishing, and promoting her book. All of those steps require courage and mean overcoming a certain level of being uncomfortable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I recommend reading <i><b><a href="https://lisajgoins.com/book/" target="_blank">Courageously Uncomfortable</a></b></i> if you happen to be a Christian woman who struggles to feel worthy, lovable, capable, and/or useful to God. </span></div>
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Trisha Niermeyer Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08182059599089630731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1280920153697341331.post-52996890968722504412019-03-21T10:01:00.001-04:002019-03-21T10:01:34.785-04:00The Book of Joy by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu with Douglas Abrams<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-im61siuwFnU/XJOZMi5rWZI/AAAAAAAAMnA/cTL9OxE7WxoIAc4BcuFhY-Gp7iGszAVtwCLcBGAs/s1600/The%2BBook%2Bof%2BJoy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-im61siuwFnU/XJOZMi5rWZI/AAAAAAAAMnA/cTL9OxE7WxoIAc4BcuFhY-Gp7iGszAVtwCLcBGAs/s320/The%2BBook%2Bof%2BJoy.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
A Christian woman of faith who devours books like I do recommended that I read<i> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Book-Joy-Lasting-Happiness-Changing/dp/0399185046/ref=sr_1_1?hvadid=241889817012&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9008461&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=12031689532589485885&hvtargid=aud-676677759484%3Akwd-245372264452&keywords=the+book+of+joy&qid=1552993299&s=gateway&sr=8-1&tag=googhydr-20" target="_blank">The Book of Joy</a></i>. I'm so glad that she did. It's a wonderful look at what brings true joy into our lives by two spiritual prayer warriors of our time.<br />
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For Christmas, my mom gave me <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Joyful-Surprising-Ordinary-Extraordinary-Happiness/dp/0316399264/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?crid=1200W9H9LXYH5&keywords=joy+by+ingrid+lee&qid=1548020228&sprefix=Joy+by+in%2Caps%2C213&sr=8-1-fkmrnull" target="_blank">Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness by Ingrid Fetell Lee</a>. I read and loved the practical suggestions and explanations for what brings us joy. I figured I'd keep on reading on the same theme only from a spiritual perspective.<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Book-Joy-Lasting-Happiness-Changing/dp/0399185046/ref=sr_1_1?hvadid=241889817012&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9008461&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=12031689532589485885&hvtargid=aud-676677759484%3Akwd-245372264452&keywords=the+book+of+joy&qid=1552993299&s=gateway&sr=8-1&tag=googhydr-20" target="_blank">The Book of Joy</a> includes some wonderful exchanges from two very well-known spiritual leaders of different faith traditions. They are dear friends who have a deep respect for one another and a profound reverence for God. <br />
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They share their own spiritual practices, how they have overcome significant oppression and hardships, and the ways that they maintain a joyful existence regardless of outside circumstances.<br />
<br />
I highly recommend reading this book. It's a beautiful account of a long-term friendship between two elderly men from whose wisdom we can all learn. </div>
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Trisha Niermeyer Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08182059599089630731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1280920153697341331.post-44421129705335918902018-12-31T22:31:00.001-05:002018-12-31T22:31:18.280-05:00Happy New Year from Trisha and Kevin<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ioY7dCMwVNk/XCrePSDRVAI/AAAAAAAAMmc/e5rRhbOTRyQ_kHwOkvxXuIKS001CQbj_ACLcBGAs/s1600/Happy%2BNew%2BYear.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1237" data-original-width="1600" height="494" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ioY7dCMwVNk/XCrePSDRVAI/AAAAAAAAMmc/e5rRhbOTRyQ_kHwOkvxXuIKS001CQbj_ACLcBGAs/s640/Happy%2BNew%2BYear.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;">We hope and pray that 2019 </span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;">is filled with even more </span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;">blessings, laughter, and joy </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: purple;">than the previous year. </span> </span></div>
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Trisha Niermeyer Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08182059599089630731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1280920153697341331.post-38074179805925268942018-12-31T12:08:00.001-05:002018-12-31T12:08:22.509-05:00Merry Christmas to All From Our Family to Yours!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YG2I6a_fHhk/XCpMIqPsUaI/AAAAAAAAMmQ/NaE5OEbtDP8zkK73J2npOMDPkjU1ubJvQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Merry%2BChristmas.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1237" data-original-width="1600" height="494" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YG2I6a_fHhk/XCpMIqPsUaI/AAAAAAAAMmQ/NaE5OEbtDP8zkK73J2npOMDPkjU1ubJvQCEwYBhgL/s640/Merry%2BChristmas.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gMBggyo7QMI/XCOxHLSxUII/AAAAAAAAMlI/XMi2LQpv2YQs-Z6esI2F8YH3Rxob2aOawCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG951777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1236" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gMBggyo7QMI/XCOxHLSxUII/AAAAAAAAMlI/XMi2LQpv2YQs-Z6esI2F8YH3Rxob2aOawCLcBGAs/s320/IMG951777.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As always, we gathered at my mom's to decorate homemade<br />
Christmas cookies. I even got Kevin to decorate one this year.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qLv-BZdz3dk/XCOxdCn2T4I/AAAAAAAAMlk/Dx9c5piTWV8HIioOuGa5Rmz0-KtWqrRoQCEwYBhgL/s1600/20181219_194651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qLv-BZdz3dk/XCOxdCn2T4I/AAAAAAAAMlk/Dx9c5piTWV8HIioOuGa5Rmz0-KtWqrRoQCEwYBhgL/s400/20181219_194651.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin and I enjoyed a beautiful night at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4sl1ZB20aLA/XCOxdj-oRPI/AAAAAAAAMlk/A3ca-ct_IAA5G1KeUILWQBL0hCW5cCmHACEwYBhgL/s1600/20181219_203615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4sl1ZB20aLA/XCOxdj-oRPI/AAAAAAAAMlk/A3ca-ct_IAA5G1KeUILWQBL0hCW5cCmHACEwYBhgL/s320/20181219_203615.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This miniature chapel was one of the displays<br />
in the Lewis Ginter Library.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v2sg3FGGK_U/XCpMXusq_cI/AAAAAAAAMmM/pzwrmK3h4xktZB4qT1F1Xx9hsshml_jPACLcBGAs/s1600/Resized952018122595152157953468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1111" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v2sg3FGGK_U/XCpMXusq_cI/AAAAAAAAMmM/pzwrmK3h4xktZB4qT1F1Xx9hsshml_jPACLcBGAs/s320/Resized952018122595152157953468.jpg" width="222" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our nephew loved the red headphones that<br />we gave him. Theyd been on his wish list for months.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cf0oRCklbfg/XCOxfPWbAWI/AAAAAAAAMlc/YpyyDbz6na8i1IE5SsL0F5wEJ-FrLy-tACLcBGAs/s1600/20181225_104208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cf0oRCklbfg/XCOxfPWbAWI/AAAAAAAAMlc/YpyyDbz6na8i1IE5SsL0F5wEJ-FrLy-tACLcBGAs/s320/20181225_104208.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Theresa and the purple princess playing with the purple Playdoh<br />
her brother gave her. </td></tr>
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Trisha Niermeyer Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08182059599089630731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1280920153697341331.post-50672598661678544392018-12-10T10:44:00.001-05:002018-12-10T10:44:35.637-05:00First Snow Day of the Season, 2nd Week of Advent, Let It Snow!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Michael the Archangel Advent wreath in the sanctuary.</td></tr>
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We went to an earlier Mass than usual this second week of Advent since it had already started snowing. We stopped at Kroger beforehand for some fresh produce (neither of us drink regular milk or eat regular bread) and got out unscathed.<br />
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We played Scrabble while listening to Christmas music and sipping hot chocolate. Kevin makes his with a coffee base while mine is a peppermint tea/hot cocoa masterpiece.<br />
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The little Christmas tree our friend John gave us is lit up, though, bare of decorations as of yet. Our homemade Advent wreath and the wooden nativity set from Uganda are both still in our closet.<br />
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This past Friday evening we went to the Advent Concert at our parish. They've had it along with a spaghetti dinner put on by the Knights of Columbus for the past 15 years, but this was our first time going. It was wonderful! If only we hadn't sat right behind a disruptive boy in the children's choir, we could have enjoyed it even more. The kid would not stop talking, and it was driving Kevin and me nuts. Ironically, the song I got on video was "Let There Be Peace on Earth (and Let It Begin with Me)." <br />
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Saturday we went to Mass for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (when the Blessed Mother was conceived without sin) and got to sit with the Baab family. People commented on how happy Kevin and I are when they're around. It's true. More than one person assumed they are our nieces. I explained how I used to nanny for the girls and that we've been adopted by the Baab clan.<br />
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It was snowing enough I didn't think we'd be heading over to my mom's to <a href="http://printsofgrace.blogspot.com/2013/12/christmas-merry-making-mishaps-series_11.html" target="_blank">decorate the family tree</a> Sunday afternoon like we'd originally planned. We'll have to do that tradition and the one of making and <a href="https://printsofgrace.blogspot.com/2013/12/christmas-merry-making-mishaps-series_10.html" target="_blank">decorating Christmas cookies</a> together some other time. <br />
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Today is our first snow day of the season. I'm fine with that. I just finished reading a good book and have two more from the library. There are plenty of Christmas movies old and new for us to watch. We're stocked up on soup, hot chocolate, tea, and paper products, so let it snow.<br />
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If you're interested in reading more about our family's Christmas traditions or could use a laugh if your events with family and friends are less than Hallmark perfect, check out my series on Christmas Merrymaking Mishaps featuring: <a href="http://printsofgrace.blogspot.com/2013/12/christmas-merry-making-mishaps-series.html" target="_blank">Caroling</a>, <a href="https://printsofgrace.blogspot.com/2013/12/christmas-merry-making-mishaps-series_10.html" target="_blank">Cookie Decorating</a>, <a href="http://printsofgrace.blogspot.com/2013/12/christmas-merry-making-mishaps-series_11.html" target="_blank">Tree Selection</a>, <a href="http://printsofgrace.blogspot.com/2013/12/christmas-merry-making-mishaps-series_12.html" target="_blank">Nativity Sets</a>.</div>
Trisha Niermeyer Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08182059599089630731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1280920153697341331.post-26275871124196578342018-10-30T08:24:00.000-04:002018-12-01T13:46:45.064-05:00Open the Door: A Journey to the True Self by Joyce Rupp<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We all go through many doors during each day, but do we think about the significance of them? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I didn’t ponder this nearly as much until reading this book that is meant to be read over a period of six weeks, but which took me significantly longer to get through. The imagery, invitations to meditation, original prayers, and passages are so rich I didn’t want to rush through <b><i><a href="https://www.avemariapress.com/product/1-933495-14-6/Open-the-Door/" target="_blank">Open the Door</a></i></b> and possibly miss some of the ah-ha moments I reached through reflection over a period of several months.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I began reading <b><i><a href="https://www.avemariapress.com/product/1-933495-14-6/Open-the-Door/" target="_blank">Open the Door </a></i></b>last May. I filled up two pages of my journal contemplating the type of door there is to my heart, one of the suggested exercises presented early on. Another question that kept me writing for a while is: “Who are the significant people who helped you find the concealed door to your deeper self?” My list contains a number of family members and friends as well as those children for whom I nannied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Using the metaphor of doors to our heart, <a href="http://www.joycerupp.com/" target="_blank">Rupp</a> talks about the importance of being intentional regarding the spiritual life. There have been a number of times over the past six months that I haven’t been good about setting time for prayer, reading spiritual books, or sitting in sacred silence to discern God’s Will. I’ve felt distant from God though I have been able to be present and fully participate at Mass. Reading this book and answering the questions within has helped me identify where, how, and why some changes could make things better in my faith life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Regardless of where you are in your spiritual journey and what the door to your heart looks like right now, there is something in this book, probably many things, that will inspire you to move into a deeper relationship with the Lord and a better understanding of yourself. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I’d definitely add this to the list of <a href="http://www.joycerupp.com/" target="_blank">Joyce Rupp</a> books that I absolutely love which includes but is not limited to: </span><a class="K3JSBVB-c-g" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1280920153697341331#editor/target=post;postID=8771047072692526525;onPublishedMenu=template;onClosedMenu=template;postNum=7;src=postname" style="border: 0px; color: #00838f; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap; width: auto;">Fresh Bread and Other Gifts of Spiritual Nourishment</a> </div>
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<a class="K3JSBVB-c-g" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1280920153697341331#editor/target=post;postID=5868125789481316110;onPublishedMenu=template;onClosedMenu=template;postNum=2;src=postname" style="border: 0px; color: #00838f; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap; width: auto;">Prayer Seeds: A Gathering of Blessings, Reflections, and Poems for Spiritual Growth</a></div>
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<a class="K3JSBVB-c-g" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1280920153697341331#editor/target=post;postID=4474181372623102511;onPublishedMenu=template;onClosedMenu=template;postNum=1;src=postname" style="border: 0px; color: #00838f; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap; width: auto;">Boundless Compassion: Creating a Way of Life</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> To find out more about </span><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i><a href="https://www.avemariapress.com/product/1-933495-14-6/Open-the-Door/" target="_blank">Open the Door</a></i></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> or to order your own copy, </span><a href="https://www.avemariapress.com/product/1-933495-14-6/Open-the-Door/" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;" target="_blank">click here</a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. </span></div>
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Trisha Niermeyer Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08182059599089630731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1280920153697341331.post-50669592432616589792018-05-04T09:44:00.000-04:002018-05-04T09:58:51.944-04:00Seven Sacred Pauses: Living Mindfully Through the Hours of the Day by Macrina Wiederkehr<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LNeYyNsIqCQ/WuxgQQEow8I/AAAAAAAAMh0/E9AmG7DragAZkhCuotu-4x92tq_v0G4gQCLcBGAs/s1600/Seven%2BSacred%2BPauses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="464" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LNeYyNsIqCQ/WuxgQQEow8I/AAAAAAAAMh0/E9AmG7DragAZkhCuotu-4x92tq_v0G4gQCLcBGAs/s320/Seven%2BSacred%2BPauses.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I first discovered and came to enjoy the reflections of Macrina Wiederkehr several years back through her multiple entries in the magazine <b><i><a href="http://www.livingfaith.com/index.php" target="_blank">Living Faith</a></i></b>. <b><i><a href="https://www.avemariapress.com/product/1-933495-24-3/Seven-Sacred-Pauses/" target="_blank">Seven Sacred Pauses</a></i></b> by this author is a collection of prayerful, lyrical meditations on the <a href="https://divineoffice.org/welcome/" target="_blank">Liturgy of the Hours</a>. It’s not a how-to book describing the right way to pray them, but instead, an offering of contemplations on those special times of the day. Who better than a Benedictine sister who lives in a monastic community to put a new spin on an age-old tradition.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There are original prayers, poems, and personal stories included for each of the seven sacred pauses that are filled with beautiful imagery and profound ponderings. Reading this book was praying for me. It calmed me, made me contemplate many aspects of faith, love, charity, service, and mindfulness. <b><i>Seven Sacred Pauses</i></b> opened my heart to new possibilities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The closest I have come to praying the <a href="http://universalis.com/" target="_blank">Liturgy of the Hours</a> has been when I’ve used the <b><i><a href="https://us.magnificat.net/" target="_blank">Magnificat</a></i></b> magazine for my daily prayer times. I’ve never had my own breviary, and I worry it would make me anxious to have so many prayers I’d feel like I should fit into the day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I could certainly handle picking one prayer from each of the suggested ones in <i><b><a href="https://www.avemariapress.com/product/1-933495-24-3/Seven-Sacred-Pauses/" target="_blank">Seven Sacred Pauses</a> </b></i>and use those to help me “live mindfully through the hours of the day.” I could make my own little prayer book to use or I could put my favorite prayers that I haven’t yet memorized on my phone. I could also pray the Liturgy of the Hours using an app and cease to stress over how many of the prayers I manage to get to each day. We'll see how God leads me to more time with Him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I highly recommend <b><i><a href="https://www.avemariapress.com/product/1-933495-24-3/Seven-Sacred-Pauses/" target="_blank">Seven Sacred Pauses</a></i></b> for anyone who would like a fresh perspective on the Liturgy of the Hours. <b><i>Seven Sacred Pauses: Singing Mindfully Dawn Through Dark</i></b> by Velma Frye is a companion CD available to go with this book. I have not heard it, yet, but I’d like to. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I received a free copy of this book from <a href="https://www.avemariapress.com/" target="_blank">Ave Maria Press</a> in exchange for an honest book review.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For more information or to purchase your own copy, <a href="https://www.avemariapress.com/product/1-933495-24-3/Seven-Sacred-Pauses/" target="_blank">click here</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Macrina's musings can also be found on her blog www.macrina-underthesycamoretree.blogspot.com</span></div>
Trisha Niermeyer Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08182059599089630731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1280920153697341331.post-46020644899095844772018-04-12T10:12:00.000-04:002018-04-12T10:12:36.258-04:00Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone by Brené Brown<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Being brave, courageous, and also, vulnerable are challenges I continue to face and appreciate reading about. <b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Braving-Wilderness-Quest-Belonging-Courage/dp/0812995848" target="_blank">Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone</a></i></b> by Brené Brown is another book well worth reading, as all four of her other books have been. There’s an art to standing up for yourself, yet still being kind and gentle with others. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Through personal stories and using examples from her ample research, Brené talks about how confronting shame, embracing the desire for true belonging, and forging ahead are necessary steps for fulfillment in life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The four main principles of the book are:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">1.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">People are hard to hate close up. Move in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">2.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Speak truth to BS. Be civil.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">3.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Hold hands. With strangers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">4.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Strong back. Soft front. Wild heart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> So what are the characteristics of a wild heart? </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“The mark of a wild heart is living out the paradox of love in our lives. It’s the ability to be tough and tender, excited and scared, brave and afraid—all in the same moment. It’s showing up in our vulnerability and our courage, being both fierce and kind” (p. 155).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The title and wording of this book make me think of a movie I saw many years ago that spoke of bravery, courage, and standing up for yourself. The movie that came out in 1991 is called <b><i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103262/" target="_blank">Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken</a></i></b>. In the film, a young woman with a passionate spirit goes against what everyone else is telling her is possible and advisable. What she does is both very daring and very dangerous. The stakes are high, but her spirit isn’t broken even after a serious accident. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She’s definitely left standing alone as she pursues her dreams. Vulnerability, bravery, and courage are necessities she doesn’t have the luxury of leaving behind. <b><i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103262/" target="_blank">Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken</a></i></b> is both a statement about certain horses as well as the female lead of the film. It’s also a message loud and clear in <b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Braving-Wilderness-Quest-Belonging-Courage/dp/0812995848" target="_blank">Braving the Wilderness</a></i></b>. We can triumph over adversity if we remain unabashedly true to who we are regardless of the situation or circumstances. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">For a researcher-storyteller-professor-public speaker like Brené, that’s sometimes meant wearing jeans and cowboy boots when the prescribed dress code calls for business attire and saying no to speaking engagements that would compromise her integrity because they’d be limiting what she talks about and how. For the rest of us, bravery and courage might look completely different. The point is that we discover who we truly are and refuse to deny that identity when others are upset, confused, or bothered by it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Our call to courage is to protect our wild heart against constant evaluation—especially our own (p.158).”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I am often reminded of how vulnerability and courage can go hand-in-hand as I listen to the talks the women on team for the upcoming May Cursillo have given during our formation process. It is nothing short of astounding what some of these women have lived through. Their courage in sharing their witness with others is both brave and inspiring to me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I highly recommend reading <b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Braving-Wilderness-Quest-Belonging-Courage/dp/0812995848" target="_blank">Braving the Wilderness</a> </i></b>along with Brené’s other books. For more information about the book or Brené Brown, <a href="http://brenebrown.com/" target="_blank">click here</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Trisha Niermeyer Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08182059599089630731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1280920153697341331.post-4101351982482984052018-04-09T10:20:00.000-04:002018-04-09T10:20:26.862-04:00An Enjoyable Team Overnight at Shalom House<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This past Friday, the team preparing for the May 17-20, 2018, Cursillo had our overnight at Shalom House. Being back there always holds good memories for me as I was there for the last team on which I served in April 2014 as well as for each of the retreats we had during our Spiritual Direction Institute two-year course. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We didn’t have assigned rooms, so I plopped my things down in a front bedroom without knowing who would claim the other twin bed. While waiting for the rest of the team to arrive, I went and sat in the hammock, gazing up at the trees. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> I thought about how I’d rather be an evergreen tree instead of the kind whose leaves fade, turn brown, wither, and fall to the ground. Having sustenance, being able to provide shade and beauty year-round seems more desirable. I know in reality my faith more closely resembles a deciduous tree. At times, there are little buds and leaves sprouting after a long, barren winter. During other periods, the leaves are full and green before they go out in a blaze of glory. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qau-4xmMd80/Wst1VW9fneI/AAAAAAAAMhI/TuDMxBMtg8ArDJbDCffGwCCBlBAvGXuBwCEwYBhgL/s1600/P1310348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qau-4xmMd80/Wst1VW9fneI/AAAAAAAAMhI/TuDMxBMtg8ArDJbDCffGwCCBlBAvGXuBwCEwYBhgL/s200/P1310348.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We had a delicious dinner of stuffed shells with meatballs that one of the team members who is on staff at Shalom House prepared. Dessert was angel food cake with strawberries and whipped cream. The food there is always very good! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Reconciliation service we held in the living room of the house where we were staying. Fr. David Stanfill, who is one of the spiritual directors on our weekend, was there to hear confessions. He was joined by Fr. Alexander Muddu, who is the pastor of Our Lady of the Annunciation in Ladysmith. Another one of our spiritual directors, who is also our main man for music, Mike Walsh, played guitar throughout the service. Sometimes we would join in singing various hymns. We also read aloud a series of examination of conscience reflection questions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OMMcNXvZWqA/Wst1VeMe90I/AAAAAAAAMhM/9e9_8EbYQygWzFeuHSuCVWjbB_2ApV4jQCLcBGAs/s1600/P1310343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OMMcNXvZWqA/Wst1VeMe90I/AAAAAAAAMhM/9e9_8EbYQygWzFeuHSuCVWjbB_2ApV4jQCLcBGAs/s200/P1310343.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Several people hadn’t finished their homework for the weekend, so they were up late talking, laughing, and hurriedly writing. I used the time to relax, journal, and draw. I rejoined the gang in the living room for a bit before turning in for the night. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">In the morning, we shared breakfast together and then did affirmations for each person. One of the ladies gave us her talk. Lunch was a Shalom House favorite: taco salad. Before heading out, our various groups had break-out planning sessions. I’m serving on the Liturgy team this time. I drove home feeling a deeper bond with the team and with greater anticipation and excitement for the upcoming Cursillo. Mission accomplished.</span></div>
Trisha Niermeyer Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08182059599089630731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1280920153697341331.post-44741813726231025112018-04-08T14:44:00.000-04:002018-04-08T14:44:24.407-04:00Boundless Compassion: Creating a Way of Life by Joyce Rupp<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://www.avemariapress.com/product/1-932057-14-5/Boundless-Compassion/" target="_blank">Boundless Compassion: Creating a Way of Life</a></span></i></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> by Joyce Rupp, a six-week program towards deeper awareness, attitude, and action, has been my companion over the past couple of months. <b><i><a href="https://www.avemariapress.com/product/1-932057-16-1/Prayers-of-Boundless-Compassion/" target="_blank">Prayers of Boundless Compassion</a></i></b> is a perfect complement and extra resource to this process. <a href="https://www.avemariapress.com/author/145/Joyce-Rupp/" target="_blank">Joyce Rupp</a> has for many years been one of my favorite authors, so I was thrilled when given the opportunity to read and review two of her latest books.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Her beautiful prose and prayerful poetry kept the literary side of me content, while the concepts, questions, and reflections on compassion challenged me to keep growing. I have a long ways to go to grow into a person of unconditional love and boundless compassion, but Joyce Rupp presents some basics to jumpstart the journey. For me, the concept of needing to have three things in place for there to be compassion—awareness, the right attitude, and subsequent action—really opened my eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I still have little scraps of paper near where I sit to have my breakfast in the morning to remind me of the four principles that are the foundation of compassion toward self as well as other people: mindfulness, forgiveness, nonviolence, and nonjudgment. If I took nothing else away from this book, I could easily remember three things needed and the four foundational aspects of compassion. With those memorized, I can be quickly drawn back into the lessons I’ve learned. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Each day begins with a quote and ends with reflection questions, a prayer, and a Scripture verse. There are six topics, one for each week of the study. On the seventh day of the week, there is an invitation to reflect and review the material from the previous six days. I moved rather slowly through <b><i><a href="https://www.avemariapress.com/product/1-932057-14-5/Boundless-Compassion/" target="_blank">Boundless Compassion</a></i></b> because I wanted to spend time with each of the meditations and prayers. I was often inspired to journal my answers to the reflection questions, as they really provided some food for thought. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As I read the daily reflections, I also chose a prayer or two each day to pray from the <b><i><a href="https://www.avemariapress.com/product/1-932057-16-1/Prayers-of-Boundless-Compassion/" target="_blank">Prayers of Boundless Compassion</a></i></b> book. I would highly recommend using the two books together. I did the study on my own, but the way it’s set up, it would be perfect for a group as well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I rarely reread books unless they really speak to me. There were several passages I read more than once, and I plan to hold onto both books as a resource for future prayer on my own and with faith groups of which I am a member. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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It is my sincere hope and prayer that one day I will get a chance to meet Joyce Rupp in person and take one of her workshops on Boundless Compassion. </div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Click on the following for more information about <a href="https://www.avemariapress.com/author/145/Joyce-Rupp/" target="_blank">Joyce Rupp</a> or to order your own copy of <b><i><a href="https://www.avemariapress.com/product/1-932057-14-5/Boundless-Compassion/" target="_blank">Boundless Compassion</a></i></b> or <b><i><a href="http://prayers%20of%20boundless%20compassion/" target="_blank">Prayers of Boundless Compassion</a></i></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Trisha Niermeyer Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08182059599089630731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1280920153697341331.post-69867308064917702262018-04-01T12:32:00.000-04:002018-04-01T12:32:29.354-04:00Our 18th Triduum as a Couple: The Memories, the Anticipation, and the Joy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RrCT10SrQ0o/WsEIm3PvJoI/AAAAAAAAMgM/iE5AqXua6y4_hP84urOcJuUdO_8ZveXdgCLcBGAs/s1600/Easter%2Blilies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="543" data-original-width="963" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RrCT10SrQ0o/WsEIm3PvJoI/AAAAAAAAMgM/iE5AqXua6y4_hP84urOcJuUdO_8ZveXdgCLcBGAs/s320/Easter%2Blilies.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On Monday of Holy Week, we had a special EDGE night for our middle schoolers. We set it up so they could get a taste of what they would experience if they came to take part in the three holiest days of the Church calendar, the Holy Triduum. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Each middle schooler and their small group teachers got a chance to pray the Stations of the Cross in the sanctuary, wash each other's feet (or hands), and then they came to the parish hall where I talked with them about the significance of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil, and Easter Sunday. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For my presentation, I used some PowerPoint slides I’d made and some pictures from a very special Holy Week in 2000 when Kevin had come down to spend the Triduum with me. It was after that whirlwind of church services together that led Kevin back to the Catholic faith in which he was raised and away from which he’d fallen for decades.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I ended my presentation with a photo of Kevin to which I’d added a halo for dramatic effect. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">After all, the priest ahead of our Catholic Campus Ministry when I was at Hollins University had found out he’d driven over 600 miles to spend four days going to church with me and aptly named Kevin, “the patron saint of boyfriends.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This year, Kevin and I were grateful we were both well enough to participate fully in our 18<sup>th</sup> Triduum as a couple. It’s hard to believe it’s been that long since Kevin returned to the church and began going to Mass on his own. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Thursday night we went to a different parish in order to hear our dear brother in Christ, Deacon John Baab, preach. Friday night we returned to our parish, St. Michael the Archangel, for the Veneration of the Cross. We were awed and amazed by the beauty of the service. It was extra special that Vivi, the oldest of the silly sisters for whom I used to nanny, was there with her dad. It was her first time coming to Good Friday service, and she did well. At one point, she fell asleep on my lap for a little while. It was very sweet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Easter Vigil was quite the event. There were several Baptisms, Confirmations, and First Communions in addition to the usual series of readings and songs that serve as a summary of the Catholic faith. The environment, liturgy, and music were nothing short of breath-taking. Kevin and I were grateful to be there and happy I’d been able to talk my mom into joining us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
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<span style="background-color: magenta; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">GOD'S NOT DEAD, HE'S SURELY ALIVE! ALLELUIA!</span></span></h2>
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Trisha Niermeyer Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08182059599089630731noreply@blogger.com