Friday Evening
Carl and Jess invited us over for pizza at their place. This was definitely a blessing for numerous reasons. It gave me a time that I’d have to finish working at my mom’s to be somewhere else, solved the what to have for dinner dilemma, and, best of all, gave us an opportunity to spend some down time with five of our favorite people (Carl, Jess, and their three young girls, whom I have the privilege of nannying three days a week). We had an enjoyable evening, which included watching an episode of the Dinosaurs TV show on the Terrible Twos. We used to love watching that show with my dad. He found it hilarious, especially the part where their infant always refers to his father as “Not-the-Mama.”
Friday Night
Kevin and I went to pick-up ice cream from our dear beloved brother’s favorite place, Gelati Celesti’s before we went over to the house to see him and his friend James. John and his friend came to Richmond for a whirlwind (less than 24 hours in town) trip from St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland, to serve at the special Mass when nineteen men in our diocese were ordained as permanent deacons. It was great to see John in person for the first time in two months.
Saturday Evening
We went over to see Purity,
the woman our friend James connected us with over a year ago because he knew about our involvement in
40 Days for Life.
She came to town this past weekend with her nearly one-year-old son Nathan and her mom (who’s been here from Kenya for a few months) to visit family and friends.
Sunday morning, we met Purity, Nate, and Esther for breakfast.
Of course, we had to get a few pictures.
Purity’s mom has to go back to Kenya Oct. 22, and she won’t be taking Nate with her as was originally planned.
I can completely understand how Purity can’t bear to part with her son for an indeterminate amount of time while she saves up money working at her job here.
The great news is Purity has moved closer to where she works, now has a full-time job working a normal five days a week schedule. She’s found affordable childcare nearby. She and Nate look like they’re doing great. Visiting with them reminded me that we never know how God might work in and through us when we’re willing to be vessels of His love.
It’s hard to believe that a year has passed since we gathered at my mom’s house for
Purity’s baby shower, which was a really fun party with plenty of Kenyan food, company, and traditions.
It was definitely a joy-filled occasion, blessed with love and reinforced with prayer.
Sunday Afternoon
One of my Christ Renews His Parish sisters had us over to her home for a delicious lunch and a discussion of the book Heaven Is For Real by Todd Burpo. I hadn’t seen Leslie, the hostess in several months, and brightened just to see her warm smile again. We sat out on their back deck eating soup and catching up. We watched a show that Leslie had recorded in which Colton Burpo, the boy who went to Heaven when he was extremely ill earlier in his life, appeared with his parents for an interview. Two other guests on the same show were an orthopedic doctor who had a near-death experience that completely transformed her from being a lukewarm Christian to a true prayer warrior. The third guest was the now teenage girl who painted the picture of Jesus that Colton Burpo said looks like the Christ he saw in Heaven.
I stayed for a little while after everyone else left, sensing Leslie wanted company.
We sat on the front porch and talked.
It reminded me that it’s been almost three years since the two of us paired off to go on our Emmaus Walk when we made our Christ Renews His Parish weekend.
Sunday Evening
Kevin and I usually go to 5:30pm Mass on Sundays and reserve most, if not all, of a row when we get there.
Carl, Jess, Vivi, Livi, and Sophie usually sit with us, and we want to make sure there’s room for everyone.
It means a great deal to me to sit with loved ones we know well at Mass.
It’s even better when some of those loved ones happen to be irresistibly cute and cuddly.
As she often does, Vivi spent much of Mass on my lap or in my arms.
She gave me lots and lots of her spontaneous hugs, the little snuggle bug.
She did a modified version of running from across the room into my arms, by opening her arms and mouth wide, then gripping me in a tight hug.
Very cute!
.
I finally couldn't help but burst into tears when Kevin took Vivi's hand when he walked up for Communion. Seeing them holding hands pierced my heart as I will probably never get to see my husband hand-in-hand with a child of our own.
After Mass: Gwen and Laura, two very loving, caring people came over and gave me great big hugs!
Lord, thank You for the many loved ones You have brought into our lives who bring joy, laughter, and hope.
Help us to be an encouraging, warm, supportive presence to others, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, when sowing in tears and harvesting while rejoicing.
Amen.
My memories of those years are filled with baby
showers and cute little clothes, peaceful nights rocking and nursing, reading
and singing to my babies. Each one was such a cherished blessing to our family.
So my heart goes out to mothers who do not experience that. I find it so
difficult to imagine how it would be to face a pregnancy with so much fear and
hopelessness – all alone, scared, and feeling like there was no one there for
me, so terrified that I saw no other choice but to have my child aborted. And
then the days and the years that follow that painful decision - and
the hurt.
Finally, when I learned about the sheer numbers of
abortions – they overwhelmed me. Over a million each year in our country alone
– 5,000 a year in my city of Richmond, Virginia. All I could think of to do was
to pray. So I joined with others who pray for an end to abortion. And praying
led me to discover that the first person transformed by those prayers – was me!
God changed my heart first, and then encouraged me to remain and pray that
others would have a change of heart, too. 
Life-giving Choices This is a message from a woman who took great joy in having each one of
her children and strongly believes that women deserve better than what society
offers as a solution for unplanned pregnancies: “Last night, several were blessed to attend
the fundraising gala for the new East End Pregnancy Test and Help Centerin Richmond. The organizers of the evening were so inspirational! But the
news that they bring is serious. In the 23223 area code where the new Center is
located, the abortion rate is over 60%. Yes, this is very serious.
The pastors who attended are sure that their congregations are being targeted
for abortion. Please pray for all those who have opened their doors and who are
working to assist the families most vulnerable to abortion in our
communities, the Pregnancy Resource Center, Catholic Charities, and
now the East End Pregnancy Test and Help Center.” –Ann Niermeyer (aka my
mom & Richmond, VA 40 Days for Life leader.)
May She Rest in Peace: My maternal grandmother (and last living grandparent) Marilyn Lohwater passed into eternal life January 31, 2013 early in the morning. Fortunately, Kevin and I had gone to visit her the night before. I’d held her hand, prayed for her, told her I loved her, and kissed her goodnight, thinking she’d at least make it to the weekend. Instead, she passed away peacefully that very night with my mom at her side and the Little Sisters of the Poor nearby lifting her up in prayer. 
Miracles and Cause for Celebration My grandmother led a remarkable life for many reasons, not the least of which, she had very strong will to live, a deep faith in God, a devout Catholic prayer life, a special devotion to the Blessed Mother, and she lived through a number of serious illnesses and complications during her 89 years on this planet. Here are just some of the miracles and causes for celebration. 
Very Thrifty Since my grandmother lived through the Great Depression and World Wars I and II, she had a special knack for being frugal, reusing, and recycling things. I can remember her re-wetting a paper towel and laying it out to dry. She would reuse aluminum foil. She laughed at expiration dates: those on food and those doctors gave her. She saved little scraps of paper to use for lists, bridge scorecards, or phone numbers. She would pick up things off of her carpet and put them in the trash for the exercise value and to keep from having to vacuum as often once she was getting up there in age. 
Well-Read My grandmother was one of the first women in our family to go to college at a time when that wasn’t something most women did. She was an active member of the Rochester chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). She absolutely loved to read books, magazines, newspapers, letters…which I’m sure greatly influenced my mom as well as me. Another thing my grandmother and I had in common was our rather atrocious handwriting. I’m not sure exactly what chicken scratch looks like, but one of us probably comes close. 
Hope in the Lord Of all of the gifts my grandmother has given us over the years, her faith and hope in the Lord is the one I value the most. She clung to God throughout her life, and though she had a number of life-altering challenges to face, losses to mourn, and illnesses to overcome, she stayed strong in Him. 
My Respect Life Work: I observed the 40th anniversary of the March for Life
doing what has for many years been part of my life's work and ministry: I
devoted my day to taking care of three precious little ones who required just
about all of the energy, patience, singing, dancing, answering of endless questions,
and good humor I had left by the end of this week. I prayed for the hundreds of
thousands who went to DC to take part in the March as well as for all single
moms, worn out parents, and tired caregivers.
Want to know?
You gotta go! Something that is an absolute must if you’d really
like to see what the pro-life movement looks like is go to the March for Life. There isn’t another way to
have it really sink in how many people of varying ages, ethnic backgrounds, socio-economic
statuses, religious affiliations, political parties, vocations, consecrated
religious, national and international respect life ministers, teens, college
kids, seminarians, and everyday people take part in the March for Life. Watching it on TV is not the same as
experiencing the synergy and prayer power of so many people gathered together
to stand up for the unborn, the post-abortive seeking healing, the adopted...all those who have no voice. This year is the 40th anniversary of Roe v Wade, and there was a record turn-out at the March. Click here to read about it and see pics. 
Pants Are Optional I have adopted my mom’s philosophy for young
children: let them be comfortable and easy to clean up. Fortunately, the family for whom I nanny is
of the same mindset when it comes to clothing.
On a normal day, the twins go from their pajamas into a Onesie (which, for those of you who don’t know, is basically a baby bodysuit). A diaper and Onesie are pretty much what they
wear every day unless we go for a walk or go out somewhere and more layers are
needed. Vivi often hangs out in her
nightgown or a T-shirt and a pair of Pull-ups.
If you come to hang out with us and are under the age of 5 years old, pants
are optional upon entry. That’s not to
say that there aren’t some days when you’ll come in and see babies in pants,
it’s just to say that comfort, warmth, and being able to move, roll, bounce
dance, fling food, get stinky, get messy, etc. are most important. 
-6-
We went over to see Purity, the woman our friend James connected us with over a year ago because he knew about our involvement in 40 Days for Life. She came to town this past weekend with her nearly one-year-old son Nathan and her mom (who’s been here from Kenya for a few months) to visit family and friends. Sunday morning, we met Purity, Nate, and Esther for breakfast. Of course, we had to get a few pictures. 
Kevin and I usually go to 5:30pm Mass on Sundays and reserve most, if not all, of a row when we get there. Carl, Jess, Vivi, Livi, and Sophie usually sit with us, and we want to make sure there’s room for everyone. It means a great deal to me to sit with loved ones we know well at Mass. It’s even better when some of those loved ones happen to be irresistibly cute and cuddly. As she often does, Vivi spent much of Mass on my lap or in my arms. She gave me lots and lots of her spontaneous hugs, the little snuggle bug. She did a modified version of running from across the room into my arms, by opening her arms and mouth wide, then gripping me in a tight hug. Very cute! . 
Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in our day of battle. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and by the power of God, cast into hell all evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
