Our Lady of Fatima Visions and Message

On May 13-October 13, 1917 the Blessed Mother appeared to three shepherd children, Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta, six times in Fatima, Portugal.  To read about the Message of Fatima she gave to the children and the world, click on this link to the Vatican website on these apparitions.   

   
Both of my parents and my grandmothers have often prayed the Rosary and turned to Mary, the Mother of God, to ask for her prayers and intercession.  Devotion to the Blessed Mother has been a tradition in our family since long before I was born.  

   
The two prayers that I prayed daily in hopes to bring about Kevin's return to the Catholic faith in which he was raised were the Rosary and "The Prayer to Mary for the Conversion of a Loved One," a prayer which I first came across in this amazing book.

   
Kevin gave me a beautiful pink crystal Rosary even before he returned to the faith, because I’d asked for one.  I once said another Rosary wouldn’t mean as much, though I now have another one that means a great deal to me.  The Rosary case I have is still the one my mom gave me years ago, and the Rosary I keep with me all the time belonged to my dad.  He used it a lot during his life, so I’m very grateful to carry on the tradition of the Catholic faith and devotion to the Blessed Mother by using it regularly to pray for family, friends, and all who are suffering in mind, body, and spirit.
   
Here is the trailer from the original film The 13^th Day: The True Story of Fatima is a beautiful portrayal of the events including and surrounding these apparitions:

      

Saint Teresa, Pray for Us!

     I’ve had my four favorite T sisters in Heaven (St. Teresa of Avila, St. Thérѐse of Lisieux, St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, and Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta) as well as my dear sister in Christ, Michele Morris, who entered a cloistered Carmelite monastery in California this past August have been on my mind today. (If you want to know more about the four Teresas, I highly recommend reading two books I read and enjoyed tremendously: My Sisters the Saints and/or  The Four Teresas.)

     Today, October 15, is the Feast day of St. Teresa of Avila.  Several months ago, my friend Michele was excited about this particular date, because the Reverend Mother of the Carmelite Sisters by the Sea, Mother Teresita, asked her to help plan a celebration for the feast day of this Doctor of the Church who reformed the Carmelite order.  Michele, who has often been the life of any get-together, was quite amused that her first long-term assignment as a postulant would be to help plan a party.       

      Because it’s the Feast Day of one of my favorite saints and a really special day for Carmelites around the world, I had Michele on my mind and prayers even more than usual, and I wanted to make a special effort to go to Mass.  I was thinking I’d go to noon Mass somewhere, but God led Kevin and me to a “Divine Appointment” that took us the entire morning (which I will write about in another post), so we weren’t able to get there. 

     This afternoon, I was smitten to discover I had time to get to Mass at the church where I’d first met Michele and where we’d most often gone to pray together.  I saw many of the regulars Kevin and I have prayed with at daily Mass when we’ve gone St. Benedict’s at 5:30pm Tuesday-Fridays over the past three years.  It felt good to be surrounded by a number of familiar prayer warriors and the faith community who welcomed Michele as one of their own.  St. Benedict’s was also the last place in Richmond where Michele performed Teresita, an original play she wrote based on the life of St. Teresa of Avila, a little over one year after the debut of her show at St. Benedict's School on July 17 (the Feast Day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel). 

     I’ve been missing Michele, lately.  Things are the same without her smiling face, amusing anecdotes, cheerful presence, spontaneous visits, and frequent texts, so it was nice to have a day that made me feel more connected to her in a number of ways.  I know that she’s out West throwing a great party for the Sisters by the Sea.    

     Lord, thank You for the gift of faith-filled, prayerful women who are focused on doing Your will in all areas of their lives.  Amen.  

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 95)

-1-

The Easter Triduum: By the time you read this, we will have started the three holiest days in the Catholic Church: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil.   

-2-

Proof of Miracles in Our Lives This is a very special time in the Church year when we reflect on Christ's Passion, death, and Resurrection. It is also a treasured time of memories for Kevin and me as we have journeyed together to grow closer to the Lord and one another. 
 

-3-

Stay with me, remain here with me This week I've made sure to pray some extra prayers for all parents and caregivers who are deprived of sleep due to caring for loved ones of any age.  There are times when we would like nothing more than to go to sleep, but a more pressing need it at hand.  While taking care of others especially when it means going without much sleep, consider that you are keeping Christ company in the Garden of Gethsemane watching, praying, and staying with Him. Lord, be close to these loving people and take care of them as they take care of others. Amen. 

-4-

40 Days for Life  It's still hard to believe it was snowing on Palm Sunday in Richmond, Virginia! We are continuing to pray for all around the world and in our town who are celebrating the wrap-up of another successful 40 Days for Life campaign. There were 601 children whose lives were spared (and whose parents were spared) from the tragedy of abortion, and those are just the ones we know about thus far. God is good! www.40daysforlife.com

-5-

Christ Renews His Parish & Sisters Last Saturday evening, one of my CRHP sisters hosted a going away party for another member of our group who is returning to her home in Eastern Europe with her adorable baby daughter.  As is often the case when we gather, there was lots of talking, laughing, sharing, plenty of good food to eat, lots of hugs, more laughing, more food, and some tears in there, too.  We will miss our CRHP sister, but we're praying she and her beautiful daughter will soon be rejoicing with family members eagerly awaiting them. 

-6-

Prayer Warriors  I felt very honored when one of my spiritual mentors asked me to pray for someone she knows who has been very sick and close to death.  Through the grace of God, this man has taken a turn for the better, so he's no longer in hospice.  God always hears our prayers, but it's such a joy to hear when they've help other be open to the Perfect Physician and Wonderful Counselor.    

-7-

Consider it done! One thing we can offer others no matter what is going on in our lives is prayer.  When someone gives me someone to pray for or God places someone on my heart who He knows needs some extra prayer cover, I lift the person and their family up numerous times throughout the day.  I have to smile when my mom asks me to say some extra prayers for her or one of my sisters, since they are the very people who are often on my mind and heart, and therefore several times a day are in my prayers.  Actually, prayer requests are one of the reasons I check Facebook. 

I pray you and your family have a wonderful Triduum and a glorious Easter!

  

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

We Have a New Pope!

My Prayer for Our New Pope: Lord, thank You for watching over the conclave and guiding the cardinals by the ever-present gift of the Holy Spirit as they discerned who our next pope should be.  

Jesus Christ and Blessed Mother Mary, keep your servant Pope Francis focused on the Will of the Lord above all else.  Give him the courage to carry out the tenets of the Catholic faith which protect and respect the dignity of human life from conception to natural death.  Make him a bright light and lasting inspiration for priests and laity as we do our best to live, teach, and preach the New Evangelization.  May his deep prayer life and joy in serving the Lord be an example for us all!  Amen. 

My Grandma's Hands

This morning

I held your worn red rosary

to pray the joyful mysteries

just before your funeral began.

You cared for so many

and prayed for so much.

This mourning

I must do alone.

I sift through your prayer books,

Miraculous Medals, Mass cards,

special intentions, and charitable deeds.

I’m not sure where

I fit in them now

you’ve passed from this life

into the next.

You’d cut up fresh fruit,

slice raw vegetables,

knit slippers for your grandchildren,

work in your garden,

play cards with your friends,

receive the Body and Blood

of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

You’d roll your hair in curlers,

put homemade cold cream on your face,

ponder for periods forming the longest words

when you played Scrabble.

 

You saved a pile of newspaper clippings,

stories from magazines, and articles

to pass on to a family member or friend

you thought might find them of interest.

I still have some of the garage sale

finds that you’d give us each holiday

along with a savings bond receipt,

put aside for our higher education. 

A passion for learning, current events,

international travel, new foods, and

exotic places kept you moving, tasting,

experimenting long after others

had slowed down, given up

or thrown in the towel.

You longed to be useful and needed

always wanting to know

what you could do to help.

You came to Mom’s rescue

when Dad was away

traveling for business,

or not available in some way.

Making meals, cleaning up,

decorating the church for holy days,

being one in the Legion of Mary

who interceded daily for many petitions.

Recycling pieces of foil,

scraps of paper, collecting

packages of salad dressing,

and reusing paper towels,

you didn’t waste or trash things

before their usefulness had run out.

Your eyes filled easily with tears

after all you’d been through—

the loss of your sister so young,

your mother, your daughter,

your long-suffering husband,

your health, your independence,

your memories—

quite a bit over the years. 

Ever-appreciative of a visit,

time spent outdoors,

bouquets of flowers,

spicy beef with broccoli,

chocolate candy,

a hearty laugh, a good book,

an old movie, a familiar song.

Now forever

won’t be long.

I wrote the above poem in honor of my maternal grandmother Marilyn Lohwater, on the day of her funeral & burial, February 9, 2013.

My Sisters the Saints: A Spiritual Memoir

Can women with very different lifestyles focused on doing the Lord’s will above all else be companions, true guides, and sisters for women of today?  Absolutely!

    
My Sisters the Saints illustrates the truth of the adage that you should choose your friends wisely because you will become like them in some interesting and unexpected ways. 

    
The six saints most prominent in Colleen Carroll Campbell’s life and spiritual memoir are holy women also very dear to me: Teresa of Avila, Thérѐse of Lisieux, Faustina Kowalski, Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), Blessed Mother Teresa, and Our Mother Mary.  The concept of considering female saints as sisters is one I believe in and have embraced wholeheartedly.  For many years, I have felt a greater closeness to some of the saints and my sisters in Christ than I have sometimes shared with my two biological sisters.
   
I have had a strong devotion to the Blessed Mother and a deep admiration for the four Teresas since I was young.  The bravery of saints named Teresa was one of the main reasons why I suggested Theresa as the name for my youngest sister 20+ years ago when I was still only in fifth grade.    

    
Sometimes I try hard to resist being affected by something I read, particularly when it surfaces a wellspring of pain, unanswered questions, and what feels like fruitless prayers, but with My Sisters the Saints, I couldn’t help it.
   
I expected to find some similarities between this Catholic woman’s journey and mine, but I didn’t think they would hit quite so close to home.  The challenges of keeping up a long distance romance relationship, deciding about education and career goals, watching the painful deterioration of family ultimately consumed by Alzheimer’s, being one of the main caregivers for my father as his health declined while I was still in my twenties, and mourning the loss of his life, are just some of the ways our journeys overlap.The depth of suffering and longing Campbell and her husband experienced is too powerful to overlook and too poignant not to react to on some level.

   
I love how Campbell describes and defines motherhood in a much broader sense than many people tend to think of it these days, and how she holds up the six saints that have been integral in her faith journey who lived out the feminine genius in their own lives of nurturing others in mind, body, and spirit. 

    
The inclusion of Catholic prayers and how they affected Campbell, her relationships with her husband, family members, work, and the Lord, make this book accessible to both non-Catholics and cradle Catholics alike.  Though Campbell is by nature an avid researcher and scholarly writer, she emphasizes the necessity of studying, then letting God speak to you in the silence of your heart in order to discern His will. 

    
By weaving Scripture verses, excerpts from related papal encyclicals, writings of and/or about the six female saints whom she considers to be her sisters, and the telling of her own struggles in faith, we are given a picture of what holy women now in Heaven can teach us about doing God’s will on while still on Earth. 

    
Infertility was a heavy cross that Campbell and her husband John carried for many years.  They were deeply hurt by well-meaning people who told them matter-of-factly that if you just do this or that, then you’d have children.  Again and again they were sorely tempted to give up hope that they would ever have a child of their own by means not morally objectionable to the Catholic Church (because they are not respectful of human life from the moment of conception). 

    
Why is it worth holding on and living out all of the tenets of the Catholic faith if it might rule out the possibility of having biological children?  Find out.  Here’s a hint: Nothing is impossible with God.

   
For more information about this spiritual memoir and/or to purchase your own copy, check out My Sisters the Saints at Image Catholic Books.

This book review post is part of a special virtual book tour you can read more about here.         

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 87) Grandma Edition

-1-

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. 

-2-

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. 

           

-3-

Choose Life: My grandmother was a strong pro-life advocate in all senses of the word.  For years, she took care of sick and elderly family members and joyfully welcomed each new baby and grandbaby. 

     She also was very proactive about her own health.  She ate nutritious foods, took vitamins, exercised (even when it meant taking an hour long walk around her neighborhood using two canes), kept up an active social life, engaged in some fun hobbies, developed an attitude of gratitude, prayed fervently, enjoyed a good laugh, and never gave up. 

     When doctors told her that she wouldn’t live less than a year, she was determined to do whatever she could to get better and keep on going.  When her oncologist basically told us it was pointless to keep treating her, we fired him and promptly got a physician who would respect the fact that she was still coherent and was not going to give up hope that she would recover. 

     She would join us at the 40 Days for Life vigils when she was still able to leave the nursing home without too much trouble, but once that became too difficult she’d pray in the Chapel or in her room for the international campaign. 

    

-4-

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.    

-5-

Her True Colors Grandma loved the color turquoise.  She was also a fan of deep brown and dark orange.  For a number of years, the one house we returned to no matter where we moved because of my dad’s job was my grandma and grandpa’s split-level in upstate New York.  We were always excited to pull into the driveway of the dark brown house with orange trim. 

-6-

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. 

-7-

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. 

     Lord, thank You for the gift of my grandmother.  Help those of us whose lives were touched by hers honor her legacy by drawing ever-closer to You.  Amen.

  Check out Producer and Reality TV star Jennifer Fulwiler's blog Conversion Diary for this weeks dose of her tradition of 7 Quick Takes Friday.

Ever feel like giving up?

    I have.  Years ago, in the not-too-distant-past, and even today I’ve questioned God’s greater purpose for my life.  Here’s what I came across at precisely the right time this evening. 

    If you have ever felt lost, alone, lonely, or like giving up…

Then watch this video

 

Read the excerpt from this soon-to-be-released book (click on link below)

Unstoppable: The Incredible Power of Faith in Action

 

Then listen to this song (click on link below)

"Something More"

 

Now, if you can find it in your heart, thank the Lord for loving you right where you are and for having a purpose for your life even when the darkness of the valley and the stream of tears have led you dangerously close to despair.  Hold on!  God’s not finished with you yet.

 

Don’t Despair: God + you= Unstoppable!

Fearless: The Undaunted Courage and Ultimate Sacrifice of Navy SEAL Team SIX Operator Adam Brown

Fearless is a full-throttle, no holding back, breakneck-paced true story of Navy SEAL Adam Brown.  Ever since his childhood, Adam Brown was a risk taker who loved pushing the limits.  This engaging account of his life is nothing short of breathtaking, earth-changing, and absolutely miraculous.  Eric Blehm, New York Times Best-selling Author of The Only Thing Worth Dying For, has masterfully illustrated and expressed the fascinating trials, triumphs, tribulations, and turmoil that defined a man hardwired with a mission to give everything he had and was in mind, body, and spirit in service to his country, his family, and his comrades.

     
One of the most remarkable aspects of Fearless, besides the literary prowess and the novel-like intrigue with which it’s written, is that Adam Brown encouraged others to share his entire story, in the event of his death.  He was selfless, courageous, brave, and faith-filled enough that he didn’t want any part of his life hidden, no matter how dark that time had been, because he knew that others would find hope and encouragement knowing what he’d gone through.  That has indeed been the case. 

     
Fearless is a portrait of a real American hero with some dark times in his past who, with the assurance of faith in the Lord, the love of family, and close friends, proves that “all things are possible for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

     

Adam Brown took the same approach to pretty much everything he did in life.  His philosophy for everything was: “Go hard or go home!”  And that’s precisely what he did.  He would give whatever or whoever was in front of him his all, and if that wasn’t sufficient he would push himself even harder until he reached (and usually far surpassed) his goal.  This approach to his life, military training, and faith earned him the respect of some of the most elite warriors in the U.S. Navy SEALS as well as those around him in the air, on land, in the water, in the barracks, overseas, across enemy lines as well as at home with his wife and children, and the family and friends he held dear back in his hometown of Hot Springs, Arkansas.  

    

Only God Himself could have come up with such a plan for one man’s life.  What a remarkable example of what we can do with God, for whom nothing is impossible.  Adam Brown experienced many instances of being incredibly broken in mind, body, and spirit, yet he grabbed onto his faith and used his gift of fearlessness to persevere.  When others did throw in the towel and accepted defeat, this man pushed forward relentlessly.  He was seemingly immune to pain, to giving up, to defeat…He gave everything he had and everything he was until he took his very last breath.  If that’s not the definition of a true hero, then I don’t know what is. 

     

I received Fearless for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.  To purchase your own copy of Fearless, click here.  To learn about how you can receive free books from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group, check out their Blogging for Books program here. 

     Watch the Fearless book trailor here!

The Day I Died: Finding Hope in Suffering

This family and community’s response in the face of tragedy proves the power of prayer, the necessity for hope, and trust in God that makes provisions for miracles.  Melanie Pritchard’s heart stopped, and that’s when some serious intercessory prayer started.  A slew of medical professionals at two different hospitals, including her very own brother, joined together to save this woman—while family and friends got the word out to anyone and everyone they could to pray for Melanie’s healing and complete recovery.

     
The Day I Died - Finding Hope in Suffering allows the reader a close look into the hearts and minds of Melanie’s family members and close friends as they face the prospect of losing someone they love dearly.  The suffering they experienced then and the pain since has been very great, but what has become even stronger is a deep sense of hope that has continued spreading.
     
Melanie’s story quickly went “viral” on cyberspace, hit the airwaves, and attracted attention, and, most importantly, prayer cover from around the world.  An amazing sequence of events only God could orchestrate transpired to bring about true metamorphosis in one woman’s body, mind, and spirit while instilling hope in people far and near with a renewed sense of faith in the Lord.  
     
You won’t want to miss this heartfelt account of how the Lord used significant suffering to bring about His greater glory in time and eternity!
     
This review was written as part of the Catholic book reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on The Day I Died- Finding Hope in Suffering. This is also a great online Catholic store for all your religious shopping needs, such as gifts for Confirmation and gifts for a baby baptism.

Fierce Beauty: Choosing to Stand for What Matters Most by Kim Meeder

“You were not created to be a princess of entitlement but a warrior, fighting to bring love and hope to the world.”  -Kim Meeder

Powerful true life stories, masterful writing, deep faith, and persistent hope are four of the elements that make Kim Meeder’s Fierce Beauty a masterpiece.  I’ve read quite a number of Christian books over the years that deal with the topic of physical beauty versus inner beauty, but not many have explored the related pain and conflicts involved with such vivid imagery, lyrical prose, and spiritual wisdom as does this prayer warrior/author.  
     
I was blown away by the gorgeous settings for these accounts.  Kim Meeder is a lover of God and a strong admirer of all of His Creations.  Her penchant for adventure and exploration has led her into some crazy encounters with the wilderness.  She’s come face-to-face with Galápagos sharks, grizzly bears, and wild horses (just to name a few) and lived to tell the tales. 
     
Meeder steps out to confront life’s challenges with courage, humility, and grace.  The depth of her compassion and love for all those whom God has put in her life is inspiring to say the very least.
     
Breathtaking scenery serves as a stunning backdrop for these stories of suffering, sacrifice, triumph, and hope.  In some ways, I felt so taken in by the descriptions of the places the author was visiting that the reading experience occasionally made me feel as enthralled with the natural world as I was when reading the Pulitzer prize-winner Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard. 
     
Her actions, her insights, and her writing all show that Kim Meeder isn’t afraid to get covered in muck if that’s what it takes to bring healing and hope to people as well as animals who have been used, abused, and abandoned.  As stated on the back cover: “Along with her husband, Troy, she owns and operates Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch in central Oregon, a nonprofit organization that rescues abused and neglected horses and pairs them with disadvantaged children, offering them a place of safety, peace, and hope.”
     
If you like true stories, deep faith, triumph over suffering, people who care about people, gorgeous descriptions of nature, outdoor exploration, animals, masterful writing, God, Christianity in action…then you will absolutely love Fierce Beauty!   
     
I’m definitely adding Kim Meeder’s three other books—Hope Rising, Bridge Called Hope, and Blind Hope—to my wish list, and my guess is as soon as you read one of her books you’ll want to get the other three as well.  I don’t know that I’m daring enough for some of the extreme outdoor adventures Kim Meeder’s gone on, but I’m positive I would absolutely love to go to her ranch and meet her in her element some day.
     
For more info about the book or to order your copy, click here.  To read the first chapter of Fierce Beauty, click here. 
     
I received Fierce Beauty for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.  If you’re a blogger interested in reading, check out their Blogging for Books program.    

Birthdays: A Life Chain Reaction

Last February my mom felt she was being called, yet again, to lead a 40 Days for Life campaign in Richmond, VA. John, who my husband Kevin and I refer to as our dear brother in Christ/best friend, decided he was going to promote the local campaign that was part of the international prayer vigil by talking with two of the groups that meet on Friday evenings. I offered to go with him to spread the word about our local efforts to end abortion through prayer and fasting.

    
A young man named James was attending the Charismatic Prayer Group meeting the night John and I spoke to the group at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church. James expressed an interest in taking part in 40 Days for Life, and he shared a story about how God had already used him to save two lives that had been in jeopardy.
    
Not too long after that, I saw James at St. Benedict’s daily Mass, and he asked if he could give my contact info to a friend of a friend who was facing an unplanned pregnancy in another city. Of course, I said yes, and thus began a new friendship and a sequence of Holy Spirit-inspired incidents only the Lord could have foreseen.
    
In the spring, John’s mom Cathy and I went out to meet the young woman, listen to her story, and provide her with the numbers of local pregnancy resources available in her area. We prayed with her and assured her that she would have our ongoing prayer coverage and whatever of other types of support she needed on the journey.

Fastforward to the Fall--->

    
On Saturday October 15, 2011 (during the Fall 40 Days for Life Campaign), Kevin, my mom, and I threw a baby shower for the young mother. It was wonderful to meet many of her friends and introduce her to many of our friends and family who have been praying for her and pitching in various ways since last spring.
    
The Holy Spirit showed up in some very powerful ways that day as we talked, ate, laughed, chased two little ones around the house, prayed, cried, sang, drank hot tea, then talked and prayed some more.
    
Lord, thank You for the gift of new life and for a number of people who have come together to support a young woman with no family in this country, so she would know the depth of Your love for her and for her son.

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 21)

-1-

Best Baby Shower Ever! Last Saturday we threw a baby shower for a woman from Kenya who is going to have a baby boy in the next couple of weeks.  She has no family in this country, has had quite a few struggles during her unexpected pregnancy, but she has a very strong faith in the Lord, a group of friends who have rallied around her, and many prayer warriors to lift her up.    The Holy Spirit was present in very powerful ways that day for all present to witness!  Her story reminds me of one of my all-time favorite songs by The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, “So You Would Know.” 

     Our prayers that the mother and her son would indeed feel God’s love and plans to give them hope and a future were answered in awesome ways!  Thank You, Lord Jesus!

-2-

Continued Computer Conflicts: We’ve been without a computer (that works) at home for over a week now.  I have lots of reading and writing to catch up on, but I’m still waiting for it to be fixed. 

-3-

Total Consecration: When I was 19, I made my first Preparation for Consecration, and I can honestly say that was a major turning point in my faith journey and in my life.  Yesterday, Kevin and I began doing the 33 day preparation for consecration to Jesus through Mary.  I never thought we’d be doing this together.  Praying this book of powerful prayers, the Rosary, and the Prayer to Mary for the Conversion of a Loved One are three of the main ways the Holy Spirit inspired me to intercede for Kevin’s mind, body, and soul when he’d fallen away from the Church and the Sacraments.  If you'd like to make your consecration or learn more about this proven method to bring you closer to Christ, check out www.myconsecration.org.    

-4-

Post-purchase jitters: After much heated debate, prayerful discernment, and hours of research and discussion, my husband is going to pick up the motorcycle I finally agreed he could purchase.  I'm doing my best not to flip out that I've agreed to a purchase I fear will harm our marriage and may result in serious injury.  I'm hoping in this case to have my fears that I'll be fighting a losing battle with a motorcycle for my husband's time and attention are proven absolutely unfounded.  Please join me in those prayers.  Thanks.   

-5-

Dad on my mind: Yesterday, actually a number of times this week, I've had my dad on my mind and heart, and therefore in my prayers.  I've been wearing a pair of his warm-up pants, one of his well-worn old T-shirts, and his fave Notre Dame sweatshirt when lounging around the house.  A friend came over yesterday to help me get our place organized, and I discovered a card from my dad in the process.  Our dear brother in Christ mentioned he was going to go to the gym to lift weights, which definitely made me think of my dad, since exercise was very high up on his list of priorities.  I recalled that the first time in 11 years that I arranged to spend time alone with my dad, we went to Arby's for lunch, then he took me to American Family Fitness to guide me in a work-out.  He took such pleasure in introducing me to the many friends he'd made there as his oldest daughter.  I was very grateful they'd become like a second family to him.   

-6-

Costumes Galore: As I've related elsewhere, my youngest sister had quite an affinity for costumes when she was little.  She had a number of Disney princess dresses in addition to a pretty wide selection of dance costumes my mom's best friend purchased wholesale at a nearby company.  I'm thoroughly amused that the little princess insisted on going everywhere in costume for a few years of her life, now that I'm no longer a teenager worried what others will think.  It's actually kind of funny that she still has a closet full of costumes that she wore in countless dance recitals and performances over the years.  Her attire for performances more recently hasn't been nearly as fairytale, princess, or diva-like as in years past, but she still has a closet full of costumes at home, which seems quite fitting for a baby born on Halloween while my other sister and I were out trick-or-treating.  Love you lots, miss you much, Theresa!  

-7-

Kenya hear me now: What a tremendous blessing it was this past weekend to be surrounded by so many amazing women and men of faith from Kenya!  Madrine,a dear friend of ours who moved here from Kenya with her two children when I was in high school, shared some wonderful stories about God's Providence and the miracles He's worked in her life, in part, through some of the others present.  This powerful prayer warrior had many of us in tears when she called down the Holy Spirit on those of us gathered that day.  Lord, please continue to bless Madrine and her unwavering devotion to do Your Will and glorify You.  Amen.

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 20)

-1-

Computer Woes: These are going to be really quick since our computer’s crashed again, so I’m using my mom’s laptop at her place, and it’s been a long week so I’m ready to crash. 

-2-

Just Like Newlyweds: This evening a woman at church asked Kevin and I how long we’d been married.  She was surprised to hear that it had been seven years since we act so much like newlyweds.

-3-

Co-ed Baby  Shower: Tomorrow’s the day we’re joining together some of the main people in our friend’s life to throw her a baby shower.  Please pray that all goes well and that the mom and son will feel the Lord’s love and plans to give her hope and a future.

-4-

40 Days for Life: I’m very grateful that my mom has been such an amazing prayer warrior and strong supporter of respect life efforts of all different types.  If it weren’t for my mom’s openness and involvement in the pro-life movement and our dear brother’s decision to go and speak to two different prayer groups at our church about 40 Days for Life last spring, a friend of a friend wouldn’t have thought to get in touch with me when someone they knew became pregnant.    

-5-

Swagger Wagon: is the fun Youtube video I’ve been playing repeatedly this week.  I’m digging the family friendly raps. 

-6-

Seeyasoon!  The adorable 19 month old I’ve been taking care of has a super-cute habit of saying: see ya soon, bye-bye as two words.  She’ll pick up her purse, or mine, and head to the front door saying: “Seeyasoon, ba-bye.”  Too cute!    

-7-

Kenya Connection: I’m very excited that tomorrow we get to introduce some of our friends from Kenya who now live in Richmond to some other friends from Kenya who are in the country for four years of college.  It will be awesome to have so many amazing, strong men and women of faith under one roof.  To God be the glory, honor, and the praise!