martha, martha, martha @ phases of womanhood

New post up at Phases of Womanhood. Please leave a comment and let me know what you think. I love hearing from you.

Happy Reading!!

Mary

Martha, Martha, Martha

endings and beginnings...

Tomorrow ends the "Year of St. Paul" and what a year it has been. In our family St. Paul has a special place. He is Jonathan's confirmation saint. When our pastor was interviewing Jonathan for his Confirmation six years ago he asked him why he chose St. Paul. Jonathan answered with his trademark frankness.

"Well Father if God could save such a HUGE sinner like St. Paul, then maybe I have a chance too."

Ah, my boy calls them like he sees them. I laugh every time I think about that interview. Because he's right. If God could save St. Paul and work with all his flaws to bring about His glory then maybe, just maybe he can work with all of mine. 

As for new beginnings, on Sunday I will begin a five year tenure as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist at my parish. I am humbled at the thought of this new ministry. I am not worthy but by God's grace he has called and I answered. Please keep me in your prayers. I just don't want to trip or drop anything. I know silly things to pray about, but human all the same.

I think the song below expresses where we are today with all the challenges we have faced this past year as a family. These words say it all. I have been carried ALL my life and I do forget that all too quickly. God Is God and I am HIS!

St. Paul Pray for us!

Blessings, 

Mary

"Hope Now"

sung by 

Addison Road

If everything comes down to love

Then just what am I afraid of

When I call out Your name

Something inside awakes in my soul

How quickly I forget I'm Yours

(PRE-CHORUS)

I'm not my own

I've been carried by You

All my life

(CHORUS)

Everything rides on hope now

Everything rides on faith somehow

When the world has broken me down

This love sets me free

When my life is like a storm

Rising waters all I want is the shore

You say I'll be ok and

Make it through the rain

You are my shelter from the storm

(CHORUS)

And everything rides on hope now

And everything rides on faith somehow

When the world has broken me down

This love sets me free

You've become my hearts desire

I will sing Your praises higher

Cause Your love sets me free

Your love sets me free

Your love sets me free

(PRE-CHORUS)

I'm not my own

I've been carried by You

All my life

(CHORUS)

Everything rides on hope now

Everything rides on faith somehow

When the world has broken me down

This love sets me free

This love sets me free

Your love sets me free

This love sets me free

Your love sets me free 

Your love sets me free

Your love sets me free 

dbpnvgimxf

"beautiful" message...

I heard this song on the way home from daily Mass yesterday. I looked it up when I got home and was moved by the video. It shows two beautiful young woman during a fashion shoot. It gives an inside view at how skewed the magazines are when it comes to the images we see.

The song is written and sung by Johnny Diaz, a new Christian Inspirational artist. The words speak to today's young women who are struggling with body image and pressure to be "the pretty one". Each of us is made in the image and likeness of God and we must not forget that we are perfect in His sight.

Thank you Mr Diaz for your beautiful words of encouragement for our youth. May they hear it and let the message seep deep into their hearts.
Blessings, Mary

More Beautiful You

written and sung by Johnny DiazLittle girl fourteen flipping through a magazine
Says she wants to look that way
But her hair isn’t straight her body isn’t fake
And she’s always felt overweight

Well little girl fourteen I wish that you could see
That beauty is within your heart
And you were made with such care your skin your body and your hair
Are perfect just the way they are

There could never be a more beautiful you
Don’t buy the lies disguises and hoops they make you jump through
You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
So there could never be a more beautiful you

Little girl twenty-one the things that you’ve already done
Anything to get ahead
And you say you’ve got a man but he’s got another plan
Only wants what you will do instead

Well little girl twenty-one you never thought that this would come
You starve yourself to play the part
But I can promise you there’s a man whose love is true
And he’ll treat you like the jewel you are

So turn around you’re not too far
To back away be who you are
To change your path go another way
It’s not too late you can be saved
If you feel depressed with past regrets
The shameful nights hope to forget
Can disappear they can all be washed away
By the one who’s strong can right your wrongs
Can rid your fears dry all your tears
And change the way you look at this big world
He will take your dark distorted view
And with His light He will show you truth
And again you’ll see through the eyes of a little girl

simple summer sewing...

The above pictures are of my little friend Nicole, who needed some new summer skirts. These came together in less than four hours from cutting to finishing the elastic waists. No pattern required. I am now making a few for Courtney who is in need of summer skirts for church. The skirts I am finding in the store are either too long or too short. Dressing a child who is in a wheelchair 80% of the day can be challenging. 

Here are the instructions:

1. measure waist

2. measure desired length (take the measuring tape and place it at the waist. Pull down to where you wish the finished length of the skirt to be)

3. add 1 1/4 inch (or 1 3/4" for teen and adult) at top for elastic pocket and 1 - 1 1/2 on bottom for desired hem. If you wish to make a band out of another fabric ( I usually use a 3"-4" band depending on the age/height of the child/adult) factor that measurement in.

4. cut fabric 2 1/2 times the width of waist measurement at the proper length.(You may have to piece together two widths of fabric. This will create side seams. If the child is small enough you will only have one seam in the back of the skirt.) 

5. if you have a banding fabric, do the same. Your length measurement will be how wide you wish the band to be + hem length.

6. sew hem.

7. sew elastic pocket, leaving an opening to thread elastic through. I use 1" elastic for children and 1 1/2" elastic for teens and adult skirts. 

8. thread elastic through. try on child. adjust if needed. Sew elastic together and opening closed.

That's it! Enjoy for months to come. I used thicker quilting cottons for this project so I didn't have to line the skirts for modesty. If lining is needed, than I use a white/cream thin muslin and treat the colored piece and muslin as if it is one piece of fabric. It's just easier that way.

Feel free to comment or email me any questions. I have never written out sewing instructions before, so I apologize if anything is confusing. Next time I will take pictures of the process. I promise! This is so simple even a beginner seamstress can handle this. 

Happy Sewing!

Mary

father's day delayed...

After returning from church on Sunday, I "took to my bed" with a migraine headache, one of the lovely side effects of early menopause. I know, I know...TMI. So Jerry's Father's Day dinner was a day late but worth the wait.

The menu was inspired by a Saturday morning with Paula Deen. The episode was called "Meat Me in Savannah". It had everything that Jerry loves...bacon, beef and blue cheese followed by a dose of chocolate. I knew that I had my menu for his special day.

Bon Appetite Y'all!

Mary

Father's Day Menu

Lady and Son's Salad

Roasted Fingerling Potatoes

Southern Style Steaks

Paula's Volcano Cake

cooking 101 ~ "best quick tomato sauce"

This past week brought a new adventure to my kitchen. Cooking lessons for my son and some of his college friends. When Jonathan arrived home after completing his freshman year at Franciscan University in Ohio six weeks ago, he declared that one of his projects this summer was to learn how to cook. This week, the lovely Emma, who is quite kitchen challenged herself, joined us. Growing up with six brothers and one sister, I spent many hours in the kitchen learning how to cook. I loved it. I was not alone in the endeavor. My mother made sure all of my brothers learned how to cook the basics as well. I have to say, they rock when it comes to chili. Each has their own twist.

For our inaugural event, I chose a simple pasta recipe from a reliable source to start with. "Best Quick Tomato Sauce" from Cooks Illustrated, June 2009 lived up to it's name. I had them practice their knife skills as well as introducing some new ones (Chiffonade anyone?). We also went through basic kitchen utensils and cookware that everyone should have available. Emma and Jonathan worked as a team and the meal came together fairly quickly. We had a blast.

Jonathan showed off his new skills two nights later with another pasta dish, this time with no help. I am one proud Mom. Next week, we tackle fish. Care to join us?

Blessings,

Mary

Chiffonade anyone?

Rocking the garlic!

Emeril watch out! Their on their way!

"best quick tomato sauce"

The finished product from the post above. It was light and tasted as if we used fresh tomatoes instead of canned. It was quite delish!

"Best Quick Tomato Sauce"

Cooks Illustrated, June 2009

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/4 cup grated onion. from one medium onion

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

table salt

2 medium garlic cloves, minced or pressed (about 2 teaspoons)

1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes (They recommend Tuttorosso or Muir Glen brands)

1/4 cup sugar

2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh basil leaves

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

ground black pepper

Heat butter in medium saucepan over medium heat until melted. Add onion, oregano, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid has evaporated and onion is golden brown, about five minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in tomatoes and sugar; increase heat to high and bring to simmer. Lower heat to medium-low and simmer until thickened slightly, about 10 minutes. Off heat, stir in basil and oil; season with salt and pepper. Serve.

into "marvelous light"...

I received so many emails over the last post. So many of us struggle with discouragement. I encourage you to run to the "Marvelous Light". May it transform us all. 

Blessings, 

Mary

Marvelous Light
written and sung by Charlie Hall

I once was fatherless,
a stranger with no hope;
Your kindness wakened me,
Awakened me, from my sleep
Verse 2
Your love it beckons deeply,
a call to come and die.
By grace now I will come
And take this life, take your life.
Pre-chorus
Sin has lost it's power,
death has lost it's sting.
From the grave you've risen
VICTORIOUSLY!
Chorus
Into marvelous light I'm running,
Out of darkness, out of shame.
By the cross you are the truth,
You are the life, you are the way
Verse 3
My dead heart now is beating,
My deepest stains now clean.
Your breath fills up my lungs.
Now I'm free. now I'm free!
Bridge
Lift my hands and spin around,
See the light that i have found.
Oh the marvelous light
Marvelous light
Lift my hands and spin
See the light within...

seeking...seeing...shining...

We got the call yesterday from the neurologist with the results of Court's 24 hour EEG. She is having lots of seizures we are not catching, especially in her sleep. So the recent increase in meds was definitely justified. The doc wants to wait for four weeks and see how she does before he adds or subtracts from her current drug regimen. We will chart her seizures and look for patterns. He will take a closer look at the results and get back to us with any further testing he may want to do. So we hurry up and...wait. We are very good at this. We have had almost 17 years of practice. 

As some of you may know and have read here in the past few weeks, I have been struggling with the "burdens" of life. This round of medical tests has been exhausting and I find that the path for Courtney is becoming much more challenging. There are no new meds to try. She has taken them all. She has finally reached a place where we have to measure quality of life versus adding medication. We have been here before, but then a new drug or treatment would come along and rescue us. Not so this time. Now there is nothing on the horizon medically speaking but more drugs which take away little pieces of my daughter every time we mess with them. 

So what do we do? How do we go forward? How do we NOT lose hope and give into despair? How do Jerry and I make the right choices for our daughter trying to give her the best quality of life she can have? How do I stem the tide of worry in my heart that we are coming to the end before we are ready to let her go? This has turned around before, many times.  Will God chose to turn it around again? How do we find that trust one more time to let go and let God have it?

There is only ONE answer...to seek HIM, through prayer, praise and adoration. 

One thing I have been abundantly blessed with for the past ten years is a group of Godly woman who walk this path with me everyday. They pray for me and my family as I do for them and theirs. On Monday nights, the seven of us  gather in each others homes and share how God has touched our lives and shown us his tenderness and mercy. We discuss what God is teaching us and how He is forming our hearts and minds. What did we do for someone or say to them that evangelized and spread the Good News of the Gospel in the past week? How can we direct ourselves into a more perfect union with Him? How do we direct our spouse and children? Are we saying "Yes" to all God is asking us to do?

This past Monday was an emotional one for me. I shared some struggles I have been having in finding the joy in the midst of great pain and heartache. My friends surrounded me with prayer then and continue to do so now. Having children requires mother's to have a healthy and robust prayer life and I have fallen down on that lately. These prayerful woman have picked up the slack and carried me through this tunnel of darkness. I am finally beginning to see the light, only because they keep shining it upon my path with their resolute faithfulness and steadfast love. My life is forever changed by their loyalty and friendship. 

One of these lovely gems, Cathy C., sent me the following email yesterday afternoon that pierced my heart and it confirmed something that had come to me earlier that day in prayer. The words "sufficient grace". I read this message and was "stunned" that God chose this way to reveal himself to me. Through an email of all things!  I thought to share a part of: 

"Hi Mare,

I thought of you at several points while watching them (Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar)  talk. Perhaps these two things that Michelle said will bring you food for thought and some comfort. 

Michelle said that a wise woman once told her, 

"Don't question in the darkness what God has shown you in the light."

She also said that she had a turn of heart years ago through this bible verse. She was doing laundry at 1:30am  and feeling inadequate to manage the lot she'd been given. She heard God's voice say the first sentence of this verse, and she replied with the second sentence.

2 Corinthians 12:9

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Ah, there is that light and grace I was just writing about and had heard in prayer. How cool is God's timing? That's a pretty powerful email from a passionate prayer warrior that I am lucky enough to have praying for me. I am humbled to learn this lesson once again. God's grace is enough, always enough. What God has shown me through these ardent prayer partners of mine is that His light shines through each of us always reaching toward His intended target. Today that was me, tomorrow maybe I can pass it along to someone else in need. 

So I wanted to take a moment and publicly thank  Lynne, Cathy B., Therese, Bridget, Maureen and Cathy C. for bringing Christ's light to me. May He continue to shine His light upon you and those you love. Thank you for being my Sisters In Christ.

Blessings, 

Mary

i'm not that strong...

Today was Graduation Day at Court's school. It was such a moving ceremony for the four families involved. They have been through so much to get their disabled children to this point. There was much to celebrate! The heart breaker for me was the remembrance of Court's classmate , Katie, who passed away earlier this year. She would have graduated today at the age of 22. Her sister received her diploma for her. Tears streamed down my eyes as we watched the dedication video the school staff had made for her family. With all of Court's medical struggles of late, it hit a little too close to home. I heard this song on the way home and I knew I had to post about it.

We are all broken, in one way or another. It's what we do in this brokenness and how we ask God into heal us that we are able to once again put one foot in front of the other seeking to fulfill whatever task Our Lord places before us. I need Jesus in my life every moment of every day. I am weak and I stumble all the time. I'm not alright...but one day I will be. When I rest with Him who made me. 

Blessings,Mary



I'm Not Alright
Artist(Band):Sanctus Real
If weakness is a wound that no one wants to speak of
Then "cool" is just how far we have to fall
I am not immuned, I only want to be loved
But I feel safe behind the firewall

Can I lose my need to impress?
If you want the truth I need to confess

I'm not alright, I'm broken inside
And all I go through, it leads me to you

Burn away the pride
Bring me to my weakness
Until everything I hide behind is gone
And when I'm open wide with nothing left to cling to
Only you are there to lead me on.

'Cause honestly, I'm not that strong.

I'm not alright, I'm broken inside
Broken inside
And all I go through, it leads me to you
Leads me to you
Closer to you
Closer to you
Closer to you

I'm not alright I'm broken inside
Broken inside
I'm broken inside, Broken inside
And all I go through leads me to you
Leads me to you

I'm not alright, I'm not alright
I'm not alright ... that's why I need you.

dbpnvgimxf

walnut blueberry muffins...

Some yumminess to inspire you on a Saturday morning. The original recipe calls for raspberries, but I didn't have any so...in went the blueberries. I also added the rind of one lemon. So good!

Bon Appetite!

Mary

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Walnut "Blueberry" Muffins

recipe found in "Taste of Home" Magazine

Feb/Mar 2006

Ingredients:

2/3 cup cream cheese, softened

1/3 cup butter, softened

1-1/2 cups sugar

2 egg whites

1 egg

1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup buttermilk

2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries (or raspberries)

1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg whites, egg and vanilla; beat well. Combine the flour, baking powder and baking soda; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. Fold in the raspberries and walnuts.

Fill paper-lined muffin cups three-fourths full. Bake at 350° for 20-24 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Serve warm. Yield: 1-1/2 dozen.

barefoot bloggers ~ curried couscous

This weeks Barefoor Bloggers recipe was chosen by Ellyn @ Recipe Collector and Tester. This recipe gave me an opportunity to use curry powder and turmeric, two of my all time favorite spices. I paired it with grilled chicken breast and a spinach salad for a lovely and light summer supper. It was delightful.

I am so sorry I don't have photos, but hubby has the camera today at his conference. Go ahead and take a peek at Karen's or Meryl's efforts. Both look scrumptious.

Bon Appetite!

Mary

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Curried Couscous
Copyright, 1999, The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, All rights reserved

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups couscous
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups boiling water
1/4 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup good olive oil
1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon curry powder
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup small-diced carrots
1/2 cup minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/2 cup dried currants or raisins
1/4 cup blanched, sliced almonds
2 scallions, thinly sliced (white and green parts)
1/4 cup small-diced red onion
Directions
Place the couscous in a medium bowl. Melt the butter in the boiling water and pour over the couscous. Cover tightly and allow the couscous to soak for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.

Whisk together the yogurt, olive oil, vinegar, curry, turmeric, salt, and pepper. Pour over the fluffed couscous, and mix well with a fork. Add the carrots, parsley, currants, almonds, scallions, and red onions, mix well, and season to taste. Serve at room temperature.

done...done...done...

Yea! The EEG is over and Courtney is now ensconced in her favorite Tweety Bird pj's with a full tummy. Hair is washed , the tape residue scrubbed off and she is one happy girl! She had one major seizure and several small jumps during that period, so hopefully the docs got what they needed, because I sure don't want to have to do this again anytime soon.

Thanks so much to all of you who were praying for her and me. I do not take those prayers for granted, ever. They are treasured jewels to me and my family. 

Now I need to catch up on a few things around the house. May your day be filled with lots of laughter and love.

Blessings, 

Mary

off to bed...

Courtney is sound asleep and I hope to follow soon. Still waiting for that second seizure. She was actually laughing at me today in my frustration with keeping her from scratching her head. Oh my daughter, what to do with you!!

Doc says we can take it off in the morning no matter what. 24 hours is enough. Thank goodness!

Peace, 

Mary

we're off...

Okay, Courtney has had one seizure lasting four minutes. She breathed through the whole thing, Praise God. Now we need one more, and the doc says we can take the EEG contraption off. Oh the things I am praying for today!

Mary

all hooked up...

We are home an all hooked up. Courtney is not happy about this at all. I think the majority of my day will be spent trying to keep her hands down and away from her head. Yea for me!

I have already burned dinner since I was so distracted by my girl and her octopus arms. I guess it's pizza tonight. Lord help me through this day!

OK bring on the seizures...let's get this party started!

Mary

a chuckle or two...

Courtney and I are heading off to the doctors to begin the EEG. I thought I would post something I wrote two weeks ago in the midst of a seriously busy weekend. I think it adequately describes my feelings today. I am really struggling with my heart being happy these days. I am seeking God in every situation, I am. I just feel so out of control sometimes. I know that God is working with me on this issue. It just keeps popping up. So I will be obedient to Him today and serve as best I can. I have a question though. Do you ever feel like your the "Tidy Bowl Man"?

Enjoy...I will chime back in when we return all hooked up...

Blessings, 

Mary

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Flushed Away

5/31/09

Life has been extremely challenging lately. For the past six weeks Courtney's seizures have increased steadily and after her fifth EMT call while on the school bus, hubby and I have decided that I am driving her to and from school for the rest of the year. It's just safer that way.

So, with my son starting his new job this past week, hubby working as well and only two cars, the past five days have been trying to say the least. I feel like all I have done is watch Courtney seize and drive the van. On top of that, the wheelchair lift broke yesterday afternoon, I have a retreat dinner for 50 to prepare today, dinner out with friends on Saturday night and company for dinner on Sunday. Any of these things by themselves would be manageable but ALL together and then adding to the house is a disaster, laundry has started to pile up, clutter is out of control and trying to juggle three work schedules and one school schedule with only two cars is pushing me toward InSAnitTY! When coupled with Courtney's drama and adding one grumpy, tired teenager and an even grumpier husband, my very last nerve is fried.

Remember the Tidy Bowl Man commercials in the 70's with the blue water and the little captain in his boat floating around so happy and calm. Then someone flushes and down he goes. That's me...I am the Tidy Bowl man being flushed away in the clean, crystal blue water. Every time I come up for air, someone flushes again and down we go. It's one heck of a ride! Swirly anyone?

So here is what I want to know? What do you do when the latest tornado that is your life is chasing you down, nipping at your heals trying to pull you into the vortex? What do you do when you know you have consumed over the legal limit of dark chocolate trying to cope with all the stress? It is an antioxidant after all!

I pray the rosary daily and get to daily Mass as often as I can. Shouldn’t that make me immune from some of this stuff? Someone told me today that God must really trust me. He knows I can do everything He is asking of me. Really? Seriously? I can do this…I can do this…WAIT.ONE.MINUTE. I KNOW WHO TO TALK TO!

Dear God,
Could you please stop flushing? I can't quite catch my breath.
Your Loving Servant,
Mary

inspiration and prayers...

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

First I want to direct to Jennifer's blog today. She has posted an inspirational interview with a lovely family, the Berger's. Their daughter Sunni will make your heart so very happy. Her parents views on living with a child who has a severe disability will inspire and amaze you.

When Less is More: Finding Inspiration in Severe Disability @ Conversion Diary

I also need to ask for prayers for our own ray of sunshine. Courtney will begin a 48 hour EEG tomorrow morning (Wed) . If you could pray for wisdom for the doctors and lots of patience for Mom, I would appreciate it. We need her to have several seizures so the doctors can see what's going on. Lately this doesn't seem to be a problem as our seizures have really spiked in the last two months without much control. But Courtney has a habit of being very well behaved during testing, and not seizing. I swear she does it on purpose, just to irritate all of us as only a 16 year-old can do.

Oh well, we love her anyway! Also prayers for her to NOT want to scratch her head for two days, thereby removing the leads. That would be a miracle, but my God is BIG enough to answer that prayer, so storm those gates!

Thanks everyone. I will keep you posted.

Blessings,

Mary

new post up @ phases...

I have a new post up at Phases of Womanhood celebrating Father's Day. I hope you go and take a look. There are fabulous articles and blog postings on every phase of womanhood. It is a tremendous source of encouragement for all of us.
Blessings,Mary

turn it into praise...

Recently I was speaking with my spiritual director about the many storms that seem to be swirling around in my life and my struggles to keep things on an even keel. I feel under constant attack these days. He gave me a piece of advice that I am just now, several days’ later, understanding. 

He said:
“Turn it into Praise. Whatever hardships come your way; whenever you feel overwhelmed or unprepared for what is happening next, turn it into praise. Stop for a moment and begin to praise God for everything in your life. Every good thing, every challenging thing, praise Him. Ask for grace, wisdom, and strength. Praise Him for giving you those immediately. Whatever is happening in your mind and heart, turn it into praise and give it back to God.”

I chuckled as an image popped into my head of me raising my hands in the air praising Him in the middle of a disagreement with my 19-year son or during a seizure with Courtney. That just sounded a bit out of my comfort zone. What did he mean, exactly? I know what he meant intellectually, but what did it look like, feel like, sound like “to turn it into praise”?

I am a person who lives viscerally though the five senses. I want to know what it looks like, tastes like, and feels like. It is hard for me to imagine something that is intangible. I believe in One God, I do, but I also identify so completely with Doubting Thomas who said, “show me Lord, and I will believe it is you.” Therefore, my prayers usually begin with “help me in my unbelief”. Being an ever faithful God, He has again and again. God has shown His face, mercy, love and grace to me so many times over the years, you would think that praising Him wouldn't be difficult and it's not most of the time. But then along comes a challenge or hardship and I feel like I'm standing on shifting sand. 

So I meditated and prayed about it and eventually God spoke to my heart saying:

“This is a choice. To see me in each situation, in every challenge you face, I am there. In all of it, I am there. I will not leave you; I will not abandon those you love. I am there.”

It’s a CHOICE. Life is a CHOICE. How you live it. How you love. How you serve. How you chose to respond to ANY situation is a CHOICE. So “to turn it into praise” is making a choice to find God in the midst of the chaos. Find Him in the face of anger and frustration. Find Him in the middle of great sorrow and trial. Find Him in the daily toil of life. He is there. He is ALWAYS there.

So, I praise Him in the prayer I say over my daughter as she fights for each breath during a seizure. I praise Him for the advice of a friend who holds my hand and prays with me during a great trial. I praise Him for the look of love and devotion my sweet husband gives me each night as we wrap our arms around each other, knowing we have survived another day. I praise Him for my son as he carries his crippled sister to bed with gentleness and love. I praise Him for the serving hands of my mother as she helps me ready my home for company, having fallen behind once again in the busyness of life. I praise Him when I am faced with someone who challenges my patience or mocks my faith. I praise Him for the spirit of perseverance in running this race of life with dignity and grace. I praise Him for the gift of the Eucharist I am privileged to receive. I praise Him for the wise counsel of a priest who challenges me “to turn it into praise” and give it all back to God. Praise Him I shall.

How have you seen the face of God this week? How has he carried you through? How have you “turned it into praise”?

Blessings, 

Mary

"tired of going through "the motions"...

On this rainy Friday morning my thoughts have turned inward. I have been wondering for some time about the passion of living life fully and completely for Christ. It is something that I struggle with in today's culture, surrounded by so many things NOT of Christ. I heard this song below and it moved me in a way that has not happened in many years. I DON'T want to just go through the motions. I DO want to live fully and completely for HIM and in HIM who gave me life. No matter what is going on, the trials or tribulations, the joys and celebrations, I want to live it for Him. For without God who are we? 

I want to know that at the end of each day, I have given my all for HIM. How do I do that? How do you do that?

Just a few things to nibble on this morning...
Peace and Blessings,Mary

"The Motions"

written and sung by Mathew West

This might hurt, it's not safe

But I know that I've gotta make a change

I don't care if I break,

At least I'll be feeling something

'Cause just okay is not enough

Help me fight through the nothingness of life

I don't wanna go through the motions

I don't wanna go one more day

without Your all consuming passion inside of me

I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,

"What if I had given everything,

instead of going through the motions?"

No regrets, not this time

I'm gonna let my heart defeat my mind

Let Your love make me whole

I think I'm finally feeling something

'Cause just okay is not enough

Help me fight through the nothingness of this life

'Cause I don't wanna go through the motions

I don't wanna go one more day

without Your all consuming passion inside of me

I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,

"What if I had given everything,

instead of going through the motions?"

take me all the way (take me all the way)

take me all the way ('cause I don't wanna go through the motions)

take me all the way (I know I'm finally feeling something real)

take me all the way

I don't wanna go through the motions

I don't wanna go one more day

without Your all consuming passion inside of me

I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,

"What if I had given everything,

instead of going through the motions?"

I don't wanna go through the motions

I don't wanna go one more day

without Your all consuming passion inside of me

I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,

"What if I had given everything,

instead of going through the motions?"

take me all the way (take me all the way)

take me all the way (I don't wanna go, I don't wanna go)

take me all the way (through the motions)

take me all the way

I don't wanna go through the motions

"unafraid"

My prayer for this day is that all of us will LOVE...

May it make you UNAFRAID to answer God's call...

No matter what...

Blessings, 

Mary

A Hard Day...

Last night our beloved dog Roxie had to be put down. She had been in failing health for several weeks and had stopped eating five days ago. We knew that the time was coming where we would have to make a decision and I dreaded every moment of it. Yesterday was the day. We took her to the vet and with Hubby and I holding her, she went peacefully.

I was surprised at how emotional I was. You see, I am not an "animal" person. I didn't grow up with them, never enjoyed the whole "licking thing", was NOT a fan of the pooper-scooper and don't get me started on the whole carpet thing! But for the past fifteen years this lovely creature has kept things interesting here at Chez Lenaburg. 

She had a rough start with two surgeries on her hind legs in the first year. She rightfully earned the title of "million-dollar dog". She was allergic to grass of all things. Only my dog would be allergic to grass. There was the famous Thanksgiving stuffing incident where she ate an entire pan of stuffing while we were playing dominoes in the other room. The there was the raspberry cake incident that ended similarly. We Lenaburg's LOVE our carbs!

She was a patient dog who loved Courtney. She was by her side for every seizure she ever had in this house. She just knew that Court needed comforting and so she was there. It didn't hurt that dinner time was her favorite time with Court. All those yummy morsels falling to the floor. Score!

On our way to the vet this evening Hubby and I laughed and cried as we remembered all our misadventures with Miss Roxie. We were privileged to care for her. She will be missed. 

Had to Share...

You MUST check this out! Too funny!

Thanks Anchoress for the heads up.

Happy Tuesday, 

Mary

Channeling Your Inner Fashion Designer...

Calling all aspiring fashion designers...

The lovely Betty Beguiles has details on a new contest being sponsored by the lovely ladies at Christa-Taylor, a phenomenal modest fashion retailer. 

So get out those sketch pads and let the creative spirit flow freely. Rules and guidelines can be found here. 

Good luck and happy drawing!

Mary