7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 117)

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Flashback Fridays Kevin and I have made a point of going to the traditional Friday night Fish Fry.  The Long Pond Family Restaurant has been our Fish Fry place of choice.  They have a yummy beer-battered fish fry on Fridays that comes with soup, salad, French fries, and the proper fixings (which I practically never use).  The broiled fish with a baked potato is also available and was much to my liking.

 

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Are You New Here? Kevin and I have made a habit of going to daily Mass at Holy Cross, a church near Charlotte Beach, on many weekdays.  We’ve made a friend or two there over the years.  It was hilarious to see the look on one woman’s face who was setting up the altar and happened to glance in our direction.  She was positively shocked and utterly delighted to see us.  She thought maybe that she’d missed our visit since she hadn’t yet seen us this summer.  The gentleman who has been sitting behind us pretty much every day we’ve gone to Mass there introduced himself to us yesterday and asked if we are new at the parish.  We explained we come up here every year on vacation, but that we don’t live here.  He seemed a bit disappointed we weren’t here to stay.  It’s so nice to feel wanted and welcomed!

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Grandfathers in the Faith One of the many reasons Kevin and I look forward to going to Mass at Holy Cross is that they have a couple elderly priests who are really remarkable men of faith.  They are both very friendly, genuinely enthusiastic about their love for Christ and dedication to inspire others to live the Gospel.  I wonder if these two men know how dear they are to our Lord and their faith community.  How could you not love such endearing, devout elderly priests who are giving their all at the altar well into their 70s and 80s?!  Wow!

 

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Flea Market Finds So perhaps a two week car trip when we don’t pack light isn’t exactly the best time for me to come across some inexpensive breakable items to put on the display shelf on the half wall of our apartment, but I did, so we will find a way to pack them so they make it back to Richmond in their purchased-forms.  (I’d like to experiment doing some art projects with broken glass, but these aren’t the pieces I plan to use). 

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Can I go, yet? It is really quite entertaining to play Mexican Train Dominoes with Kevin’s family.  Our after-dinner game last Sunday was no exception.  There were a number of times that we were absolutely in hysterics between Kevin, his sisters, and brothers-in-law it is hard to keep a straight face even if you end up coming in dead last (that would be me).   

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Must Have Chocolate My sisters-in-law are women after my own heart when it comes to chocolate.  All of them love it!  Kevin’s sister Chari made a beeline for the chocolate candy bag in the kitchen cupboard the second she and her husband arrived at the cottage though there were a number of things they had to bring in from their vehicle.  Throughout the evening, she would reach in her pocket and pull-out yet another Tootsie Roll.  It was quite amusing.  Glad I’m not the only one who’s serious about wanting chocolate.
    

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The Badminton Debacle I can’t really think of any other way to describe it.  Kevin and I have been using badminton rackets and birdies, but I don’t think anyone would deign to refer to what we do as actually “playing badminton.”  Suffice it to say that we have fun using badminton equipment (minus the net) to get exercise, and we inadvertently end up entertaining the neighbors and anyone else who happens by while we’re out on the lawn.

     
Don’t tell my mom this, but we actually have had more fun doing our version of badminton than we have in spending time splashing around in the lake.  My mother spends every minute she can in the lake when she’s here.  Kevin and I have been in swimming all of two times while we’ve been here, and that doesn’t really bother us.  There's more than one way to enjoy Rochester, and this is how we roll! :)

                  

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

Two Veterans Riveting True Stories

Kevin and I both have a number of family members and friends who have served in the armed forces over the years. We would like to thank all of them for their dedication to serving and protecting our country.

FEARLESS

This past summer I read a very powerful book I believe all military personnel and their families and friends will want to put towards the top of their readings lists.  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.  To read my full book review, click here.

    
To listen to the song Fearless by Mark Dowdy, click here.   

The Shadow of His Wings

     
I read The Shadow of His Wings after hearing a friend sing its praises time and again. Though I’m not one to read many tomes that are predominantly about war, I took exception to this story and am grateful I did. Never before have I read about such profound faith being lived out in such unbelievable ways in the midst of a soldier in the midst of battle…

     
There were times when reading that I laughed aloud at the complete and utter audacity of this priest/soldier/nurse. Though steadfast in faith, boldly outspoken, and extremely courageous, even this man was amazed by how prayer and intercession made the impossible possible when it came to a number of circumstances. His journey to priesthood is not by any stretch of the imagination normal, nor are the ways he lives out his call to be a man of the cloth once he does finally get ordained.
     
Among my favorite examples of his unorthodox approach has to be when he held a bishop at gunpoint who failed to believe he was a priest and honestly wanted to be let into the church to obtain Communion, so he could bring it to his comrades on the battlefield. The minute the bishop concedes, the first thing Fr. Gereon Goldmann wants to do is have the bishop hear his Confession.    
     
Not only did this man dodge bullets to save soldiers physically and/or spiritually, but he also reserved using his weapon in order to gain access to the sacraments. He is a remarkable role model of faith fine-tuned in some of the most horrible circumstances. His missionary work after the war proves God had miracles upon miracles to bring about through this man dedicated to doing God’s will at all costs. I hope Fr. Gereon Goldmann’s life and service to God will be studied and that he will be considered for sainthood.

On Our Minds, In Our Prayers

     
The following is an excerpt from a letter I wrote to a dear family friend before he left for Afghanistan:  “Many times it is much easier for me to see Christ in others than it is to see and accept that He dwells within me, too.  There is a quote by Henri Nouwen that perfectly sums this up: “You are here for just a short time...to discover and believe that you are a beloved child of God."

As I’ve been praying for you this week, it’s come to me to remind you that first and foremost you are a beloved son of God.  Your service and submission to the Lord will always be most important in life wherever you are and whatever you’re doing.  God the Father, the Blessed Mother, and Jesus Christ are the only ones who will be with you wherever you go, who will never leave you, never give up on you, and never stop loving you. 

     
My guess is that some of the hardest battles you’ve fought and things you’ve been through have come from your own thoughts and feelings, most often, the lies you’ve believed about God, yourself, and others.  I know I’ve often been my own worst enemy.  Stay close to the Lord.  He will guide you even in what seems to be your darkest hour.  Don’t forget that even more important than your fidelity and service to the US Military is your role as a child of God put on this Earth to be and do things no one else can. 
     
God can take any situation, any place, any group of people, and any circumstances and use them to help you become the best version of yourself.  You never have been and never will be the “property” of the US government.  They have you on loan from the Lord.  Keep God at the center, and everything will come together.  That’s not to say there won’t be suffering, pain, and struggles, but it is to say that God’s Love, mercy, forgiveness, Truth, and peace will prevail.”

Follow-up note: We are very grateful that this friend has since returned safe and sound to the United States from his deployment.   

My Prayer for Veterans and Their Families: May God bless all those who are mourning the loss of loved ones and may He protect all of those who are in harm's way, and give their families courage to continue on.
     
Lord, guide us closer to You in all areas of our lives. Help us not lose hope no matter what situation we find ourselves in or how severely we are tested in mind, body, and/or spirit. Jesus, we trust in You. Amen. 

Vocation Discernment & Encouragement

The Cursillo Contingent

     This Saturday morning Kevin and I attended our first deacon ordination Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral.  It was very exciting to see so many people we know well gathered for the Sacrament of Holy Orders and the Eucharist.  A number of the eighteen gentlemen (and their wives) being ordained are part of our Cursillo family.  Quite a few other Cursillistas presence contributed to the love, encouragement, and joy that filled the sanctuary.  De Colores indeed!

     A sea of familiar faces, those of prayer warriors, parishioners, clergy, and dear friends all together to confirm and affirm what God has been doing and will continue to do in these men’s lives, families, churches, and ministries shine with the light of Christ.  We are all uplifted when those around us say yes to God’s call to serve Him.  We glorify the Lord and help bring others closer to Him when we are willing to lay down our lives to submit completely to what God wants for us to be and do to build the Kingdom.    
     Before Mass started, we gave a warm greeting to someone who has been very instrumental in our Cursillo faith journey and in our understanding of what it means to be a FROG (someone Fully Relying On God).  Once in the diaconate formation himself, God has led this man, his wife and family in a different direction, actually many different directions in regards to ministry.  I once told him in all honesty and still believe that God knew that it would be easier for this husband, father, and prayer warrior to continue serving in a variety of ways and minister to several people around our diocese as a layperson who’s very open to the Holy Spirit rather than as an ordained deacon. 

Marriage Vocation Affirmation

     It was a great reminder that God knows what will help make us holy and sanctify us.  He knows what roles, people, situations, vocations, ministries, circumstances, and opportunities will best prepare our hearts for Him.  The best thing we can do at present is to glorify the Lord through the vocations which we’ve already discerned while having an openness to additional ways He may want for us to be Christ to others. 

     A couple who belongs to our parish and who for a number of years led the Office of Marriage Formation in our diocese, was sitting near us.  Seeing them reminds me of the importance of glorifying God through the gift, covenant, and sacrament of our marriage.  It can be so very easy to downplay the importance of that vocation.  Kevin and I will get caught up in the nitty-gritty of daily life, and on some level forget that by living out our covenant and the sacrament of our marriage, we’re growing closer to God and bringing others closer to Him. 
     When I see some of the other and/or additional ways people are called to serve, I can become distracted and forget how sanctifying it can be (for our marriage and for those around us) to submit completely to God and put my spouse second, only to the Lord.  In a sense, this was a reminder that brought me back to the “small things with great love” lesson.                                                          

Fostering Religious Vocations   

     Our beloved brother John received special permission to come to town from St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore for the deacon ordinations to serve at the Mass.  At one point Kevin looked over at John, who was dressed in clerics and wearing a white alb for the occasion, and holding back tears said: “I’m really proud of him.”  Of course, we are very proud of John for growing in God’s love, drawing closer to Christ, and after serious discernment, dedicating himself as a seminarian.

     Our dear friend Michele, who in the not-too-distant future will be entering a cloistered Carmelite community, was sitting to our right.  She’s another person we’ve been close friends with during her discernment process and time leading up to becoming a nun.  It struck her while we were sitting there that she won’t be able to attend John’s ordination since she will have made her initial vows and won’t be able leave. 

“What Do You Want of Me?”

     Michele has been traveling around Richmond, Virginia, and along the East Coast performing her original play Teresita which is based on the early life and vocation discernment of Carmelite nun and Doctor of the Church, St. Teresa of Avila.  She was led to write and perform the play Teresita as a fundraiser to pay off the student debt she incurred from going to seminary to study the Christian faith in greater depth.   A poem called “In the Hands of God” written by St. Teresa of Avila which Michele includes in the program for her performances is quite powerful and has really struck me as Kevin and I continue on the path of life-long discernment of God’s will for us.  You can read entire poem here. 

     The refrain of the piece is “What do You want of me?”  It’s a pertinent question we must keep asking God.  It’s certainly something that the men ordained this morning and their wives have been open to asking throughout this process of formation.  God’s will is what all of us are called to follow.  We need to pray and listen, because God’s plan for our lives is going to be different from everyone else around us.  We have unique gifts, talents, and strengths, connections with certain groups and people, and spiritual charisms that are tailored to grow into abundant fruit that will feed others.  When we take the time to be still and know God, to listen in the silence, then we will be in a better place to receive the specifics of what our ministry is supposed to be.  All of us are chosen to serve.    

“Be Still and Know I Am God”

     One thing that really hit home for me today is that I haven’t been as good about setting time aside for silent prayer.  I’ve been too caught up in the doing that I’ve lost the peace and trust in the Lord that only comes from being still in His Presence.  I’ve needed this reminder as Kevin and I have really felt that we’re in another period of serious discernment of what God wants of us, who He wants us to be and the specifics of how He wants us to live that out. 

     When I think about how I need to spend some time in prayer and listen to God in order to discern what’s best and what’s next, I get this sense that He’s already telling me what He wants me to do: “Trust.”  And what is my initial response?  Basically, the same as Scar’s reply in The Lion King: “NO! No.  Anything but that!”
     Today Kevin and I are going to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament from 12:30-1:30pm at St. Benedict’s so we can sit in silence before God and just listen.  Thank, You, Lord for drawing us closer to You each time we start thinking we can figure things out on our own.  Amen. 

Life Without Limits: Inspiration for a Ridiculously Good Life

     I’m truly amazed by this man’s story, his life, his commitment to helping others, his ability to have fun, and his mission to give other’s hope.  I might not have heard about Nick Vujicic if I weren’t a book reviewer for Waterbrook Multnomah’s Blogging for Books program.  I received an e-mail from them publicizing Nick’s book Unstoppable that’s hot off the press this month.  I watched the video trailer for his new book, checked out a music video he’d done, and watched a couple of his speaking engagements on Youtube, and I was absolutely certain I’d not only want to read his new book, but that I had to get my hands on a copy of his first book Life Without Limits immediately if not sooner.

     I can’t say enough good things about Life Without Limits which is probably part of the reason it’s taken me so long after reading the book, and trying to digest it, before I’ve sat down to write the review.  Again, Nick, his incredible journey, positive attitude, strong faith, and perseverance have really inspired me at yet another time in my life when I’m wondering if, how, and for what greater purpose God can use me. 
     The suffering and pain Nick has experienced isn’t sugar-coated or watered down, which I appreciate.  I believe it’s important to let others know that our lives aren’t perfect, that we have difficult periods, and that we need to keep learning and growing like everyone else.  There are some books in which the subject of suffering is treated in a way that seems to encourage pity or sadness because of what the author has been through.  Nick is honest about the hurt he’s experienced in a way that is human, humbling, and vulnerable instead of approaching things with a “poor, pitiful me” attitude.  Though I can’t imagine facing most of the major challenges that he has conquered in life, he never seems to approach or talk to others in a “my suffering is clearly worse than anything you’ll ever go through, so stop feeling sorry for yourself” manner. 
     Nick understands that there are many different types of suffering, some far worse than anything he’s experienced, and it’s for those people who think their lives are pointless, worthless, or uselessthat he keeps going. 
     One of my favorite aspects of this book (and there are many) is that it is both well written and edited.  The stories in it are fresh, original, personal, and the suggestions, guidance, and examples of how to have “a ridiculously good life” are actually relevant and make sense.  There are some motivational speakers/authors who repeat a few messages over and over without really making them fresh, personal, or easy to connect with on a deeper level.  In the past, I’ve been disappointed by some of the books written by internationally known speakers, because they are so poorly edited that it would have been better if their book hadn’t gone to press.    
     Life Without Limits has really thrown me for a loop.  Yet again, the Lord has seen fit to guide me to a person of faith with a message of hope when so many of my dreams and ambitions seem to have been postponed, cancelled, or completely ruined. 
     Truthfully there have been times that I have felt more depressed after reading this book, because I have gotten into the downward spiral of thinking that I should have done something more significant with my life by now.  I should have made a bigger difference in the world, given more people hope, brought more people to Christ.  Another great thing about this book is that Nick doesn’t limit the ways that people can love, minister to, and encourage others.  He affirms that all of us have something to offer regardless of our obvious or not-as-evident weaknesses and flaws. 
     It’s always a pleasure to read a book written by someone you know you’d love to meet and talk with for a while.  I just know my husband and I would have a blast visiting with Nick Vujicic. 
     In a lot of ways, Nick’s done what I’ve wanted to do on a larger scale for quite some time, take what I’ve been given and use it the best way I can in order to glorify the Lord and bring others closer to Him by loving, encouraging, and supporting them.
     There’s also the theme of “all things work for good for those who love God” from Romans 8:28 running through Life Without Limits that quickly spoke to me as I’ve identified that as one of my life verses and certainly a central one in my relationship with Kevin as we’ve gone from best friends, to a couple, to husband and wife.  
     They say hope floats, but now we see that vessels of this gift from God can also swim, fly, surf, write, and inspire millions.  If a man born without arms or legs can overcome such tremendous obstacles and become such a faith-filled example for others, then it is clear that, with God, we, too, can be the source of love and hope who He has created each of us to be.
     To learn more about Nick Vujicic and his organization Life Without Limbs, click here.  To read an excerpt from his book and/or buy or download a copy of your own, click here.