tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28123081209037211652024-03-21T10:03:50.720-04:00The Not-So-Perfect CatholicHi! I'm Mary, an empty-nester who is NOT a theologian! Sometimes I'll have "AHA" moments from reading Scripture that I capture in a post; sometimes I talk about what it means to be Catholic (especially in the "Bible Belt") with some Catholic book reviews thrown in for good measure. Join me as we travel through this earthly life with the ultimate goal (Heaven) in sight.Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11533317405680450964noreply@blogger.comBlogger208125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812308120903721165.post-15467578193780735902024-03-21T09:51:00.007-04:002024-03-21T10:03:16.943-04:00Short but Sweet Thankful Thursday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbXJP2VVMnQw2dKKKsBddc9Gx9a7giQX44yO__0ckHl6o3i_6d98GGsgbjYikQL4Ydy50m0ouPgG5feSuVcgvDzwhDyd8xSHNPUP2qQoly0gVYfM6V22msYzLRdBCUh8RrKgqwdM8Hcb-2NL6cnB3qR5qPxUQiWm5rq-fZksQ14hhwsGwfkuRURlKTHQ/s778/Thankful.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="767" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbXJP2VVMnQw2dKKKsBddc9Gx9a7giQX44yO__0ckHl6o3i_6d98GGsgbjYikQL4Ydy50m0ouPgG5feSuVcgvDzwhDyd8xSHNPUP2qQoly0gVYfM6V22msYzLRdBCUh8RrKgqwdM8Hcb-2NL6cnB3qR5qPxUQiWm5rq-fZksQ14hhwsGwfkuRURlKTHQ/w197-h200/Thankful.png" width="197" /></a></div><p> <span data-mce-style="color:#000000;">It's time for some gratitude! Head over to</span> <a href="http://all4boys.blogspot.com/">Overflowing with Thankfulness</a> <span data-mce-style="color:#000000;">to get a huge dose of thankfulness from other bloggers.</span></p><p><span data-mce-style="color:#000000;">This week, I am thankful for</span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: left;">💚The beauty in this world that the passing of seasons brings. Each season has its own beauty, but don't you think Spring is the season that gives us hope?</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZ0Lyv71hl-aBzbpg2sGfFfHTqjWkueXeD6pVxWQTkeGvuopBD1BgWUop2NQGjk4IbnZLtZBpeFPDITQJ0P1ahCC1N8MoIar9grJa2n8XQ_iIFTIhrcjQk1n0kTLlfXwU1vjV4yOx7Z1_7gKcLkKuc73lvhoByEcq-Cw_ZOwVgnTYaXV_ZQbYVkFUmFI/s1356/0317241136b_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="1356" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZ0Lyv71hl-aBzbpg2sGfFfHTqjWkueXeD6pVxWQTkeGvuopBD1BgWUop2NQGjk4IbnZLtZBpeFPDITQJ0P1ahCC1N8MoIar9grJa2n8XQ_iIFTIhrcjQk1n0kTLlfXwU1vjV4yOx7Z1_7gKcLkKuc73lvhoByEcq-Cw_ZOwVgnTYaXV_ZQbYVkFUmFI/s320/0317241136b_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I love how the cherry tree is blooming in the background of the Bradford Pear whose blooms are just about spent<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />💚Friends who share my faith. I was chatting with one yesterday and she mentioned how nice it is to have friends like that. They get things I talk about and I don't feel like I'm being judged.<p></p><p>💚Running into said friends at Daily Mass. I ran into a couple who live fairly close to me but I haven't seen in a while. They own a tile business and did my kitchen backsplash when I remodeled my kitchen. Now I'm looking at having my back porch tiled and he's the guy to do it. It was great catching up with them...it was like I had seen them yesterday!</p><div style="text-align: left;">💚Songwriters who I swear can see in my heart and are writing just for me. I heard this song before but it popped up on my Spotify DJ playlist. I've played it over and over for the past 2 days. This is one of those songs that is just so pretty and says the right thing that it makes you cry. It says it all:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OoEr8BSsrxg" width="320" youtube-src-id="OoEr8BSsrxg"></iframe></div>What's on your thankful list this week?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11533317405680450964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812308120903721165.post-40439433513233601992024-03-14T10:54:00.004-04:002024-03-14T10:54:36.084-04:00A Grieving Thankful Thursday<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbNy90CzjhDE6t-1wQUyV0cOpv0sEsKNi9yI7vAr3LM41faM_fYJmtJubXVARnu3JzA6PGc3XCyzstPEXKw54G6zYfHvR5S6rhNNjWcq7xW5ECThyphenhyphenER6_mqT3qUWU4_sdn7qWGZbJo8HGvmrMINPXQSfteCXcsp5lu1GNFEdvJC9rzIAYmIohECu9ax8/s778/Thankful.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="767" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbNy90CzjhDE6t-1wQUyV0cOpv0sEsKNi9yI7vAr3LM41faM_fYJmtJubXVARnu3JzA6PGc3XCyzstPEXKw54G6zYfHvR5S6rhNNjWcq7xW5ECThyphenhyphenER6_mqT3qUWU4_sdn7qWGZbJo8HGvmrMINPXQSfteCXcsp5lu1GNFEdvJC9rzIAYmIohECu9ax8/w197-h200/Thankful.png" width="197" /></a></div>I don't even want to think about how long it's been since I've written a post for Thankful Thursday! <span data-mce-style="color:#000000;">Time for some gratitude! Head over to</span> <a href="http://all4boys.blogspot.com/">Overflowing with Thankfulness</a> <span data-mce-style="color:#000000;">to get a huge dose of thankfulness from other bloggers!</span><br /><p></p><p><span data-mce-style="color:#000000;">💛I'm so thankful for my family & friends who showed me such compassion and love during my husband's last days. I knew I could call on any of them anytime and they would be there for me.</span></p><p><span data-mce-style="color:#000000;">💛The Hospice Workers were absolutely amazing. The nurse we had for those few days was compassionate but stern with me when she needed to be for not getting enough sleep. She is truly an angel. She gave me the confidence to do what I needed to and assured me that I was doing everything right. </span></p><p><span data-mce-style="color:#000000;">💛I am grateful for the love that my husband had for me. Even though there were times in our marriage when we both thought we were done, looking back I realize what a gift he gave me. I am fortunate to have known that "once-in-a-lifetime" unconditional love that not everyone can experience.</span></p><p><span data-mce-style="color:#000000;">💛God gave us time. We were able to take one last month-long trip out west four months before his passing. While we didn't do as much as we would have liked, we saw a lot and had some special time together. My husband bounced back from a hospital stay enough to tie up some loose financial ends and spend individual time with each of our boys.</span></p><p><span data-mce-style="color:#000000;">💛I'm also thankful that through my faith this has not been a completely sad time. Yes, I'm very sad that he's not here with me, but how can I be sad all the time knowing that he is praying for me to get to heaven? (As I write this there is a cardinal looking in the window at me!) His funeral mass was filled with happy songs, just like he wanted. </span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span data-mce-style="color:#000000;">I have sad moments. I have moments when I miss him terribly, but I'm trying to live my life like he told me to. He made me promise him that I will travel and see the places that we didn't get to. I'd much rather do it with him, but looking back, I understand now why he left most of the travel plans to me. He was preparing me for when he is no longer here with me. He wanted me to live life to the fullest. It's going to be weird not having him physically beside me, but I have a feeling I'll be able to feel him right there!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPggmEPPcv9MkKblnqVM-Os1SLrk73yuxptoCJcc3Qy6hTS45RNhE2yOZ06yKHaItYpJGuSAzSiQyw753ovDwsnIUyT5QPI6JQNX0eqJYL-pLVjjQIb_iApdbRmnWLFnrmHeQkjq8bYO0WVHyA_BEqPSEtK-X5rvzF2KWVPSozkrO8ad1RnSy8zo6I7MQ/s3280/0718231249_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3280" data-original-width="2460" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPggmEPPcv9MkKblnqVM-Os1SLrk73yuxptoCJcc3Qy6hTS45RNhE2yOZ06yKHaItYpJGuSAzSiQyw753ovDwsnIUyT5QPI6JQNX0eqJYL-pLVjjQIb_iApdbRmnWLFnrmHeQkjq8bYO0WVHyA_BEqPSEtK-X5rvzF2KWVPSozkrO8ad1RnSy8zo6I7MQ/s320/0718231249_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Little Grand Canyon, July 2023</i></td></tr></tbody></table>💛I chose yellow hearts for this post because yellow was his favorite color. 💛<span data-mce-style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11533317405680450964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812308120903721165.post-68476823111942773162024-03-11T11:30:00.001-04:002024-03-11T11:30:13.987-04:00Distance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVazdMG6u3MDH_KvrNBXJHlbgLrrw3141vcrCdNBBfyhFJ0COpjiIaRF2tx0rSboi5BdHebwbrufKWMw3x3QeypEVq2hVI56BoMSWLXACfOyQ5QHy8sHIy6D3DqSWge84F896T_9E8wgU5BZYkFHUaaA-VXdAStKHdnDc_z1O9187vq_n53BQOLBX1z9c/s1080/Distance.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVazdMG6u3MDH_KvrNBXJHlbgLrrw3141vcrCdNBBfyhFJ0COpjiIaRF2tx0rSboi5BdHebwbrufKWMw3x3QeypEVq2hVI56BoMSWLXACfOyQ5QHy8sHIy6D3DqSWge84F896T_9E8wgU5BZYkFHUaaA-VXdAStKHdnDc_z1O9187vq_n53BQOLBX1z9c/w200-h200/Distance.png" width="200" /></a></div><p>After reading an entry in a <a href="https://ascensionpress.com/collections/the-ascension-lenten-companion-walking-with-jesus-to-jerusalem" target="_blank">Lenten Journal </a>about distance, I thought about how God has felt so near and distant in my life. More specifically, during my husband's illness and passing. All during my husband's illness, I felt that God was close by. He was there to see me through the rough times, the times when I didn't think I could continue to be a caregiver the way he needed me to be. I needed to feel that closeness for my husband. I needed the courage to take care of him without him knowing my insecurities. </p><p>After his passing, God seemed distant. I keep thinking about how, for roughly three months following my husband's passing, He didn't seem close. And I didn't understand it. He had been there for almost 3 years, why did He leave me when my husband did? I continued with my prayer life and with Daily Mass. I continued to do all of the things I was doing to get through the rough times when he was still alive. I knew God was there, but why couldn't I <i>feel </i>Him?</p><p>While meditating on the entry, it occurred to me that, during the illness and the preparation for my husband to return home, He was there. Now, after my husband's passing, it's up to me to fill the gap. Not just by going through the motions of my prayer life, but actually <i>being there </i>for Him. Not just "reading", but actually "praying". Actually getting to know God and having a real relationship with Him. Meeting Him halfway and not making Him do all of the work. </p><p>This is so completely different than when my parents passed away. I felt so close to God during that time. I didn't have to work at it, He was just <i>there</i>. Why is it different with my husband's passing? Could it be because the relationship is different? It was my parents instead of my spouse... a totally different relationship. My parents spent so much time in church; their lives were centered around our Parish. After my mother passed away, it took me about a year to make it through Mass without crying or tearing up. Two days after my husband passed away I attended Daily Mass...I felt like I needed to be there. It was a comfort to me; I was home and surrounded by the other usual attendees, people I knew prayed for us and continue to pray for us. But I didn't feel that God was near.</p><p>Again, I <i>knew </i>He was there but felt like He was distant. Now, on the fourth month anniversary of his passing, I'm bridging the gap. I'm putting in the work to become closer to God. I'm closing the gap and meeting Him halfway. I know He will meet me where I am, no matter <i>where </i>I am. I am choosing a relationship with Him. I'm choosing to have joy in my life. I know my husband is with Him, rejoicing, singing "Hosanna", and praying for me to join him. And I feel like the distance between God and me is closing.</p>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11533317405680450964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812308120903721165.post-50066579084621612172024-03-04T03:30:00.003-05:002024-03-05T10:50:13.123-05:00Hope Never Disappoints<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBjVKpxk6sU-Pw_l2mqvY1P81ZqsPbBzwlTwSn1TGvrzKLwmpWt4WeGesFOH1eUXdpgXjzw2bEXWnytaMUUCGCYfIQARL_w7KG02DzHh40haDFmNTimLYgEo8iC8BkMsxwTCgGH72R1RcnHBaifkThweGx_7ETQYKKNKoPqHPtrdG6NDumh2cIT4IkNW0/s2160/and%20hope%20does%20not%20disappoint....png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="2160" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBjVKpxk6sU-Pw_l2mqvY1P81ZqsPbBzwlTwSn1TGvrzKLwmpWt4WeGesFOH1eUXdpgXjzw2bEXWnytaMUUCGCYfIQARL_w7KG02DzHh40haDFmNTimLYgEo8iC8BkMsxwTCgGH72R1RcnHBaifkThweGx_7ETQYKKNKoPqHPtrdG6NDumh2cIT4IkNW0/w200-h200/and%20hope%20does%20not%20disappoint....png" width="200" /></a></div><p>Over the past 3 years, I've had so much hope. I hoped for a miracle, that my husband's cancer would be erased by the chemo. I hoped for more time. I hoped that he would return to the Sacraments. Lastly, I hoped for a happy death.</p><p></p><h3 style="text-align: center;">The Miracle</h3><div>I just knew if I prayed enough, God would hear me and answer me just as I wanted. I've never experienced such devastation in my life; how could He not take care of me with this request? I continued to hope for a miracle for 2 years. It wasn't until after then that my hope began to shift. </div><h3 style="text-align: center;">More Time</h3><div>Looking back over our life since his diagnosis, I realized we <i><b>did </b></i>get a miracle: God gave us the miracle of time. Over and over, he allowed us to have more time. We talked a lot and had some very difficult discussions. I'm not saying we didn't argue, because we did have more time for that as well! Just before my husband's passing, he had a hospital stay following an emergency colostomy. During that stay, he spent 5 days in ICU and another 5 in a regular room. Even his doctors were surprised that he improved enough to go home. During this time, he was able to tie up some loose financial ends. We also had more time for discussions and he had more time to spend individually with each of our sons.</div><h3 style="text-align: center;">Return to the Sacraments</h3><div>After hoping and praying for years that he would return to the Sacraments, a week before his passing my husband told me he wanted to speak with a priest and go to confession. This was without my prompting or asking him. I ran into our parish priest the following morning and he came by that evening. My husband and I shared his Viaticum. I wasn't going to receive the Eucharist since I attended Mass that morning, but he asked me to share it with him. It was an absolutely beautiful gift that he gave to me, more precious than anything else he could have given.</div><h3 style="text-align: center;">A Happy Death</h3><div>I spent the day of his passing saying a Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet. At that point, he was on comfort medications and was not able to speak or indicate that he understood what was being said to him. I asked the priest to come back by the night before and he administered the Last Rites as well as an apostolic pardon. My husband was surrounded by the boys and myself, as well as one of the girlfriends. At the moment of his passing, the boys and I were around him, with football on the TV (the sound was off) and the dogs in the room as well. He simply stopped breathing and his heart stopped beating. Each of us gave him permission to leave this world and greet his aunt, grandparents, my parents, and the Holy Family. He passed away at home in his recliner, which is exactly how he wanted it.</div><h3 style="text-align: center;">A Shift In Hope</h3><div>Now that he is gone, my hope is shifting. Maybe a little selfishly, my hope now is that God will show me His plan for the rest of my life and that I will be wise enough to follow it. I hope that the boys will find their way back to the Church, or at least back to God. Ultimately, I hope that I will have a happy death when the time comes, with my husband, parents, and the Holy Family waiting to welcome me home. </div><h3 style="text-align: center;">My Prayer</h3><div>Lord, may I never give up hoping to do Your will. May I keep hope in my heart as I look forward to the life to come. Thank you for my parents who taught me how to hope through Your love. Thank You for my husband: I saw first-hand what hope is for and what having hope does. Thank You for Your love; without it there would be no hope.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-V19gy72nQbCO4e5UJtsYGzoHMuoszA20SNih8YWjo-mgaihZxZVQXQ0z5y6OD0iS23AxKXQJgiJYb29WDgaug6-Yr3wMI87lq5lNbg7dQZbm114o1mJN9v8dwWWQrcL8G50GxQlNUzdlpukhMbv-lcOGVosRITr_fPy3TeM4F7f9kpwJ_rc56wm3MQ/s2460/original_47c007cb-f032-46a7-bfe7-d4db54c8dac3_0719231242a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2459" data-original-width="2460" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-V19gy72nQbCO4e5UJtsYGzoHMuoszA20SNih8YWjo-mgaihZxZVQXQ0z5y6OD0iS23AxKXQJgiJYb29WDgaug6-Yr3wMI87lq5lNbg7dQZbm114o1mJN9v8dwWWQrcL8G50GxQlNUzdlpukhMbv-lcOGVosRITr_fPy3TeM4F7f9kpwJ_rc56wm3MQ/w200-h200/original_47c007cb-f032-46a7-bfe7-d4db54c8dac3_0719231242a.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>This picture was taken at Arches National Park during our last trip together in July, 2023</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11533317405680450964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812308120903721165.post-8713678877479469632023-02-10T09:50:00.008-05:002023-02-12T09:56:45.153-05:00FMF: Access<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNC49Id2G_wJtrT9_pArm5YvMTcUKMDAGI5x083cVgGWxly2Kjz8boVwiMjITmDiu7-vePFGbNxvx92Orjh4YCzNFA_LISpJ-G5-aj34YINWNWBirzRB12yiUBbTtj9hmZFiW3_1LbbvXeh7Lx36OnBsoeenOtpvHPKEhMM0Nta3vzEaOIR0P-eB6r" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNC49Id2G_wJtrT9_pArm5YvMTcUKMDAGI5x083cVgGWxly2Kjz8boVwiMjITmDiu7-vePFGbNxvx92Orjh4YCzNFA_LISpJ-G5-aj34YINWNWBirzRB12yiUBbTtj9hmZFiW3_1LbbvXeh7Lx36OnBsoeenOtpvHPKEhMM0Nta3vzEaOIR0P-eB6r" width="240" /></a><br /><br /></div><p></p><p><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/community/" target="_blank">Five Minute Friday:</a> Kate provides a word every Friday. The writer sets a timer for 5 minutes and writes whatever comes to mind.</p><p>I did it again: I've overextended myself for Lent. There was a time not so long ago when access to Catholic study materials was very poor. We depended on our parish to provide us with Lenten materials. What and how much you received depended on the pastor. Times have thankfully changed. We have so much to choose from now. Every year I swear I won't overextend but most years I do.</p><p>The internet has given us a huge amount of access to materials we didn't have before. Podcasts do, too. Not to mention social media. There is so much out there, we just have to access it. There's so much that it's hard to decide because it's all so good. I think I could do year-long Lenten studies with the materials I have access to. </p><p>Let's not forget Zoom; it gives us access to national and international book studies! I recently completed a book study on <a href="https://paulinestore.com/bernadette-speaks-2938-115802.html" target="_blank">Bernadette Speaks</a>. Sr. Mary Martha led us through the book every Wed. night. We had people from all over the USA and one lady in England reading the book and commenting on it. For Lent Sister is leading us in the book "<a href="https://paulinestore.com/he-i-pbm-edition-3058-164553.html" target="_blank">He and I</a>" (Gabrielle Bossis). </p><p>Times up!!! How do people write so much in just five minutes? I'm a pretty quick typist but I can't get any more than what I wrote today in 5 minutes! </p><div style="text-align: left;">I have to include my list of Lenten studies:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://watch.formed.org/metanoia-a-journey-with-christ-into-conversion" target="_blank">Metanoia </a>(Fr. Dave Pivonka)- Some ladies in my parish are gathering once/week to discuss a video from this series.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://ascensionpress.com/products/the-ascension-lenten-companion-year-a-journal-2023" target="_blank">The Ascension Lenten Companion</a> (Fr. Mark Toups)-Fr. Toups is amazing with visualization. He has a way of using words to put you in the scene of what is happening in the Bible and applying it to your life.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.avemariapress.com/products/be-transformed" target="_blank">Be Transformed</a> (Dr. Bob Schuchtes-the <a href="https://www.abidingtogetherpodcast.com/be-transformed" target="_blank">Abiding Together</a> Ladies are leading this book study. They've done some <i><b>excellent </b></i>Lenten book studies in the past.)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/best-lent-ever-journal/BLEJ.html" target="_blank">Best Lent Ever </a>(<a href="https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/home" target="_blank">Dynamic Catholic</a>---I usually only watch the videos-which you can have delivered daily in your email- but a friend gave me the journal and I can't let it go to waste!)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://paulinestore.com/he-i-pbm-edition-3058-164553.html" target="_blank">He & I</a> (Gabrielle Bossis): This is the zoom book study by Sr. Mary Martha (<a href="https://www.paoline.org/?lang=en" target="_blank">Daughters of St. Paul</a>- the "media nuns"). The good thing about this study is that if I can't make the zoom on Wed., the sessions are recorded so I can catch up during the week. Gabrielle was a single woman in the early 20th century who, at the age of 62, began dialoguing with Jesus during her daily life. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What are your Lenten plans?</div>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11533317405680450964noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812308120903721165.post-78752139295430088842023-02-02T04:00:00.001-05:002023-02-02T04:00:00.149-05:00Thankful Thursday in a Different Spot<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBLOvpFwgn47C1GcpKJOo9ai0ouTG_35wlyqgDSU7W0NwGwQ6OWo36bypR4chIr198iJVsBadHVGSObGDUA-sxz466UlE_ldImUNqpG2tkh7-vomON18cVnzPtlFjqCAXtnDktElSs05OiYQlu9i_82vZ4Q_Z4aAWCL4kPW3eBLVigLjWEo26EhPh/s3024/Thankful.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBLOvpFwgn47C1GcpKJOo9ai0ouTG_35wlyqgDSU7W0NwGwQ6OWo36bypR4chIr198iJVsBadHVGSObGDUA-sxz466UlE_ldImUNqpG2tkh7-vomON18cVnzPtlFjqCAXtnDktElSs05OiYQlu9i_82vZ4Q_Z4aAWCL4kPW3eBLVigLjWEo26EhPh/w200-h200/Thankful.jpg" title="Thankful Thursday" width="200" /></a></div>I really need to get into the 'thankful' mode! I found out that "Thankful Thursdays" has a new home...or guest house. Thanks to Jennifer at <a href="http://all4boys.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Overflowing with Thankfulness</a> for keeping things going!<p></p><div>* Thank goodness for leggings! I had surgery a couple of weeks before Christmas and am just now (at the beginning of Feb.) able to comfortably wear "real" pants. (I'll probably stick with the leggings with long shirts as long as I can get away with it!)</div><div><br /></div><div>* I'm super thankful for my husband and son who took care of me while I was recuperating. I wasn't allowed to bend over or pick anything up for 6 weeks. They were real troopers, especially since I quickly developed a bad case of butterfingers after surgery. </div><div><br /></div><div>* Routines. I do so much better and feel so much better when I have them. I felt out of sorts before school started back. This past month hasn't been the most routine (with appointments and expected inclement weather days-where we were out of school because bad weather was in the forecast but didn't materialize) but it was more routine than December.</div><div><br /></div><div>* My siblings. I don't know what I'd do without them. Even though we don't see each other very often, I know I can (and have) pick up the phone and they'll listen. </div><div><br /></div><div>* I keep saying this, but I'm so very grateful for the gift of time. I don't know how long my husband & I have together, but I hope that we'll have enough time to make more memories after I retire in May. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks again to Jennifer for hosting!</div>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11533317405680450964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812308120903721165.post-48749356845041333912023-01-21T20:58:00.000-05:002023-01-21T20:58:06.543-05:00Heavenly Hugs<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6d2z8NFajtJ6A5oH3Tgom7--f-OktIioIlTeVXQN2-J2pQITaXhCFnOxSdODl31qRHjvLGJtmIgGTfpJCj5c_LLuMfaW-yr8Mg0G9xRZHwkDTHy3miXj8mK0iwUXkWAuzYhyoR-z6NgKrsIWKd9O7SW_KAqReoJR7Wch1433igIvOtf32pcLOQNGv" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6d2z8NFajtJ6A5oH3Tgom7--f-OktIioIlTeVXQN2-J2pQITaXhCFnOxSdODl31qRHjvLGJtmIgGTfpJCj5c_LLuMfaW-yr8Mg0G9xRZHwkDTHy3miXj8mK0iwUXkWAuzYhyoR-z6NgKrsIWKd9O7SW_KAqReoJR7Wch1433igIvOtf32pcLOQNGv" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: PlusJakartaSans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", Ubuntu, sans-serif; text-align: start; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Photo by <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/clouds-1431822/" target="_blank">Brett Sayles</a></i></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table>With the 2 year anniversary of my husband's cancer diagnosis looming, I felt the pressure of the insecurities and fear of living without him. The reality hit hard. It's been easy (for me anyway) to go about my life with a new routine since he started chemo. He is able to go to appointments without me and since I'm still working full-time outside the home, I'm not there to see just how badly it affects him. The worst days are a couple of days after his pump comes out. To look at him, you would never know that he is terminally ill. You wouldn't even know that he is sick at all. </p><p>Don't get me wrong: I'm ecstatic that God has given us this precious gift of time. But I know with each month that the sand is running out of the hourglass. I know I shouldn't mourn him right now; we have a lot of living to do while we still can. We have a lot of memories to make; we want to live life to the fullest until we can't. </p><p>So, yeah, I had a pretty pissy day the day before the anniversary. I went to the Adoration Chapel and spent more time there than I had in a long time. A friend gave me the booklet "<a href="https://nccw.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/nccw/product.jsp?product=220&" target="_blank">Pray the Rosary with the National Council of Catholic Women</a>". Each of the Mysteries includes several different themes to choose from. Since it was a Friday, I chose the "For Courage in Adversity" theme in the Sorrowful Mysteries. Those meditations were exactly what I needed. The words were <i>perfect</i>. They helped to console me and give me the hope I needed. </p><div style="text-align: left;">While in the Chapel I talked to God about how much I miss my mom, especially now. I know that she would have the right words to say to me; at the very least her hug would help ease my pain. My dad wouldn't know what to say (he was a man of few words) but his bear hug (even though somewhat awkward) would hit the spot. On the day of the anniversary, during my morning prayer time, the morning Reading from the Liturgy of the Hours included this verse:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>He comforts us in all our afflictions and thus enables us to comfort those who are in trouble, with the same consolation we have received from him. (2Corinthians 1:4)</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i> </i></div><div style="text-align: left;">I pulled out my <a href="https://us.magnificat.net/home" target="_blank">Magnificat</a>, read the day's Mass Readings, and then took a look at the meditation. I have to admit, I will often look at the author of the meditations. Sometimes I'll read it and sometimes I won't, based on who wrote it. The meditation on that day was from Mother Agnes of Jesus who is St. Therese's (of Lisieux) sister Pauline. My mom had a devotion to St. Therese of Lisieux so this meditation intrigued me. Man, am I glad I read it! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Let us not ask Jesus that suffering or some events </i><i>should not make us tremble—for that might perhaps</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>be a useful humiliation—but that we may always fol</i><i>low him step by step; and if we are so weak that we</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>run away for a time, that our hearts may remain unit</i><i>ed to him in continual prayer and confidence, and that </i><i>we may come back to him without delay. Never doubt </i><i>his love and mercy, for that wounds him to the heart...</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><div> He must therefore know that we are weak, that our exile is painful, that even the most strongly established virtue can fail, and that often every<i>thing around us seems to combine to make us weep,</i></div></i><div><i>seeing that we no longer have the strength to row because</i><i> the wind is against us. He comes to us in the night </i><i>of trial. We must do our best simply and humbly. How </i><i>beautiful it is, it is everything—littleness, the spirit of child</i><i>hood, humility. Let us ask just for these virtues at Jesus’ </i><i>crib. He will give them to us, and we shall be as happy </i><i>as is possible in the land of exile and then go straight to </i><i>heaven. You have only to acknowledge in the depths of </i><i>your heart that you are unworthy of so many blessings</i></div><div><i>and immediately you will be pure. “O my God, make </i><i>me more and more aware of my weakness, but at the </i><i>same time of your divine strength.”</i></div><div><div style="font-style: italic;">Mother Agnes of Jesus, o.c.d.</div><div style="font-style: italic;">Mother Agnes of Jesus († 1951) was the sister of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, and prioress at the Carmel of Lisieux for over fifty years.</div><div style="font-style: italic;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There are moments when I just want to run away. I just want to be left alone and not have to face what is to come. I want to run away to Ireland and hide out in the countryside. I heard a song about a week ago; these verses really hit home for me:</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>To run and hide would be so easy</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>You don't wanna stay and fight</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>If you don't give yourself completely</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>You won't get to see the beauty</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Waiting on the other side</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>It's gonna take some time</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Healing always does</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Embrace the road you're walking</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Be patient with the process</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>You're gonna make it out alive</i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/b8etOFIHd3E" width="320" youtube-src-id="b8etOFIHd3E"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm getting constant reminders that God is here with me. He's giving me what I need when I need it. Running away isn't an option. Instead of "Godwinks", He is sending me "heavenly hugs" just when I need them. God is good all the time; All the time, God is good.</div></div></div></div>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11533317405680450964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812308120903721165.post-37220028561171085502022-09-05T09:53:00.001-04:002022-09-05T09:53:46.273-04:00Why I Ditched a Popular Catholic Planner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0h6XrOWJUlkuWRT8is62kZZgZTIyHSHihOviCkdj64U5YolYETSnRjjR-ci7J0shw0PE1Csj8cUPcd0emJcnywLTj6RmRFWVrKxMRCsmkcLknMPYl_uyA-4B54GRtQ8X4Zzdy2mfvy9IdkJUyV3ct_eL9vhuvs15AA47JtM7LAI_gM2_EqVk0oIOH/s2713/0905220949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="laptop open to blog page with planner, and coffee cup" border="0" data-original-height="2712" data-original-width="2713" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0h6XrOWJUlkuWRT8is62kZZgZTIyHSHihOviCkdj64U5YolYETSnRjjR-ci7J0shw0PE1Csj8cUPcd0emJcnywLTj6RmRFWVrKxMRCsmkcLknMPYl_uyA-4B54GRtQ8X4Zzdy2mfvy9IdkJUyV3ct_eL9vhuvs15AA47JtM7LAI_gM2_EqVk0oIOH/w320-h320/0905220949.jpg" title="ElizabethClareShop Catholic Academic Planner in front of The Not So Perfect Catholic Blog Page" width="320" /></a></div><p>I've written a couple of posts about different Catholic Planners. In <i><a href="https://www.thenotsoperfectcatholic.com/2018/06/Review-of-two-Catholic-Planners.html" target="_blank">Which Catholic Planner is Better for You?</a> </i>I reviewed 2 different Catholic Planners: The <a href="https://blessedisshe.net/" target="_blank">Blessed is She</a> Planner and the <a href="https://www.catholicsistas.com/" target="_blank">Catholic Through the Year</a> (CTTY) Planner. In <i>I have a Winner in the Catholic Planner Debate</i>, I really thought I had a winner in the CTTY Planner. Gosh, I loved that planner! It actually had more than what I needed, but I <i>loved </i>the layout and the disc option. It was just about perfect. </p><p>When it was time to buy another academic planner for my last school year before retirement, I immediately went to the Catholic Sistas ETSY Store...but a planner for this school year wasn't there. A quick search on ETSY came up with no hits, so I think she may have closed her store. So, I went to their site...nope, not there either. I don't know what happened. Maybe they didn't sell, which is a complete shame because it's just about perfect. Or maybe Martina decided that it wasn't worth putting her time and effort into. Whatever the reason, it's not available anymore. So, I decided to go back to the BIS planner.</p><p>As a school-based Speech-Language Pathologist, I have specific needs for a planner. As a Catholic professional, those needs include keeping up with the Liturgical Calendar.</p><p>During my first couple of years using a Catholic planner, I purchased them from BIS, then I switched over to CTTY. I decided to go back to BIS because it's so wildly popular. At first, I was excited about it. Once I received the BIS planner and started filling it up with appointments and IEP meetings, I realized it just wasn't going to work. There just wasn't enough room for each day to put in everything I needed. (Click on the picture for a better view.)</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JXkhlDye_Xkko13fD_Lf8hD-cGgf9eNzFOivEd13f7EmX66GmbZpbQlcsg_zKUagbxY11e3A4eIucLY7mv2OrgIQo0FZ24ri4FYpajCEbYW8rcM_gObqasK6SziDXJ7Yzxvwzdq84_HDR6n3ulQ6X_UG4SPrKKZK2Q1BQO4RbFLUybf1QQj8Nfp8/s3024/original_5a481756-e12d-41a6-b3f2-0b5d17834a05_0905220652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1979" data-original-width="3024" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JXkhlDye_Xkko13fD_Lf8hD-cGgf9eNzFOivEd13f7EmX66GmbZpbQlcsg_zKUagbxY11e3A4eIucLY7mv2OrgIQo0FZ24ri4FYpajCEbYW8rcM_gObqasK6SziDXJ7Yzxvwzdq84_HDR6n3ulQ6X_UG4SPrKKZK2Q1BQO4RbFLUybf1QQj8Nfp8/w400-h261/original_5a481756-e12d-41a6-b3f2-0b5d17834a05_0905220652.jpg" title="Blessed is She Planner Weekly View" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Blessed is She Planner: Weekly View</i></td></tr></tbody></table>I considered just going to an office supply store and buying a regular planner, but I really like to support Catholic shops and I like to have the Liturgical Calendar at my fingertips without going to a separate calendar. I began searching online for other options and found the <i><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/260682011/2022-2023-catholic-planner-catholic-gift?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=catholic+sistas&ref=sr_gallery-1-1&pro=1&frs=1&sts=1&organic_search_click=1" target="_blank">2022-2023 Catholic Planner</a></i> (Half-size) from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/ElizabethClareShop?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=260682011" target="_blank">ElizabethClareShop</a> on ETSY. In the past, I have purchased stickers from her and have always been pleased. Elizabeth has been <i>very </i>quick to respond when I've had questions. This planner was the closest I came to find one similar to CTTY. And it was on sale with free shipping! I have plenty of room on the weekly view to write in all of my IEP meetings, appointments, and To-Do lists for school.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUR4qdHCIlHopLVRvRuccb5S2mNQnMWMZ32yNszLe-suGuEcd5T9e9SzFZUOAczysBCXwbDBc8m5TczIyjwFfQHDz5ezXD1jUJpAWNYSfrNaZ3Dyma8iWZ3zYy3OiMn_a-Ncmgwx8oevjznznlqu6YUa2Hey40QMC_t9smST4Jy3eDL_VpfBhpX0wq/s2631/original_89de46dc-4afa-41d8-9349-ec5fb5b6c4d2_0905220655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="2631" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUR4qdHCIlHopLVRvRuccb5S2mNQnMWMZ32yNszLe-suGuEcd5T9e9SzFZUOAczysBCXwbDBc8m5TczIyjwFfQHDz5ezXD1jUJpAWNYSfrNaZ3Dyma8iWZ3zYy3OiMn_a-Ncmgwx8oevjznznlqu6YUa2Hey40QMC_t9smST4Jy3eDL_VpfBhpX0wq/w400-h306/original_89de46dc-4afa-41d8-9349-ec5fb5b6c4d2_0905220655.jpg" title="ElizabethClareShop 2022-2023 Catholic Academic Planner" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>ElizabethClareShop 2022-2023 Catholic Academic Planner</i></td></tr></tbody></table>As you can see from the picture, I used washi tape to divide the days right down the middle. I put my IEP meetings/appointments/events on the right and my "To-Do" list on the left. It's working like a charm! Overall, I'm really happy with this planner.<div><br /></div><div>There are a couple of things I would have liked to have had in a planner. 1) Since the cover is heavy laminated cardstock, I'm hoping it's going to hold up until May. Time will tell on that one! 2) The tabs weren't already on the monthly view pages so I had to put them on myself. That is definitely not one of my talents.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN5HdC1Gu8l1Wg7AVZW-LYNClcnmAorymqh1UN9D02G8LHMxOt8R9pZq3qnIEqmwNwWQtodDkdspF3JUY58p266VK289RRuV-4ftiMPmynal77SILGUJzq9oDPAlYrsS2eEcJg0EUfEKK2qtcdZ6VXxoFyERnp2yIlhdd4bkdsoRWewfqleObYTkZP/s2963/original_647cd5fe-a765-4cbb-ae1f-e203644e6065_0905220654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="2963" height="88" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN5HdC1Gu8l1Wg7AVZW-LYNClcnmAorymqh1UN9D02G8LHMxOt8R9pZq3qnIEqmwNwWQtodDkdspF3JUY58p266VK289RRuV-4ftiMPmynal77SILGUJzq9oDPAlYrsS2eEcJg0EUfEKK2qtcdZ6VXxoFyERnp2yIlhdd4bkdsoRWewfqleObYTkZP/w640-h88/original_647cd5fe-a765-4cbb-ae1f-e203644e6065_0905220654.jpg" title="Monthly tabs from ElizabethClareShop 2022-2023 Catholic Academic Planner" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><div>It came with a guide, which helped, but as I was placing November, the tab stuck to my finger and tore. I like BIS' tabs, which are sturdy (and already fixed onto the pages):</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXnzrHJmvFThvGgimsVGoojv4549Vj33vsqRGL5RaO71MCK0adNrsaETjtmF0MSP4GOK81xnEc9Vv_40C9KJIKHgLXY8esygci2jdAlFfEmPxRiltZqe4BnFRfLSdHKctjf8v6-wtbC6kp7dbfS1EIzIKdUfysLdiLq0MaD-lFXDKqq32WBn3Izxd/s3024/0905220653a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="3024" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXnzrHJmvFThvGgimsVGoojv4549Vj33vsqRGL5RaO71MCK0adNrsaETjtmF0MSP4GOK81xnEc9Vv_40C9KJIKHgLXY8esygci2jdAlFfEmPxRiltZqe4BnFRfLSdHKctjf8v6-wtbC6kp7dbfS1EIzIKdUfysLdiLq0MaD-lFXDKqq32WBn3Izxd/w640-h134/0905220653a.jpg" title="Monthly tabs from the Blessed is She Academic Planner" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>One thing I really like about the EC Planner is that it is "no frills". The beginning of the planner has the year's calendar, 3 pages for notes, and a page that has space to write "My Rule, My Patron, My spiritual Practices, and My Goals. Then it jumps right into the calendar. The BIS starts out with a letter from Jenna, a whole page for Liturgical Mass Colors, another page for the yearly calendar, a page for the yearly feast days, a page for Holy Days and Novena Start Dates, a page for "How to Make a Holy Hour " and Friday Penance, 1 more for prayers, 2 pages on the Rosary, and another 2 for Examination of Conscience. That's 11 pages before the planner even starts! </div><div>The EC monthly view has the dedication of the month (for example September is "mother of the Seven Sorrows of Mary") Prior to each month there are a couple of pages.</div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXcxUbFzIj37gu1OLfPc7d8JEhSSETlPDld1jyv_62DtyaOtpzixDFTo_LhZ3j7wB4G7GMPj1eo0p17TFtJ2xw1bPOgJhoT5zy667dFHmy5LK3mDC7FuLKJh9YuQNNzSloUm5_8h8VZfs97w8htXxukD7OX-XjUTnKdNeDLSKQ728-hzwAvGzQ7nAv/s3008/0905220826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2203" data-original-width="3008" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXcxUbFzIj37gu1OLfPc7d8JEhSSETlPDld1jyv_62DtyaOtpzixDFTo_LhZ3j7wB4G7GMPj1eo0p17TFtJ2xw1bPOgJhoT5zy667dFHmy5LK3mDC7FuLKJh9YuQNNzSloUm5_8h8VZfs97w8htXxukD7OX-XjUTnKdNeDLSKQ728-hzwAvGzQ7nAv/w400-h293/0905220826.jpg" title="Blank pages from ElizabethClareShop 2022-2023 Academic Planner" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A page for goals/tasks and notes</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnAUb9lPoqywAuU8CLUP45r9w5-guwU12Q8RYpjnlbecXc4mnqvo1IDJ-cH4MImi3GrfxyWH027FYx-Rn7-yt5AhodcRb7S2SUwBPAOd9vf-IpMnefSqRCv1l6uVh_VSO-yavmZYPOcz_1wbYsaO7udXQ4EX2mH8eg5X7EH5-F6NpE14nKuLsmv3Z/s3024/0905220827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2202" data-original-width="3024" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnAUb9lPoqywAuU8CLUP45r9w5-guwU12Q8RYpjnlbecXc4mnqvo1IDJ-cH4MImi3GrfxyWH027FYx-Rn7-yt5AhodcRb7S2SUwBPAOd9vf-IpMnefSqRCv1l6uVh_VSO-yavmZYPOcz_1wbYsaO7udXQ4EX2mH8eg5X7EH5-F6NpE14nKuLsmv3Z/w320-h233/0905220827.jpg" title="Pages in the back of ElizabethClareShop 2022-2023 Academic Planner" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Novena dates/tracker, monthly confession check box, and a Scripture verse to ponder as well as a page for notes</td></tr></tbody></table></div>In BIS, prior to each month, there's a page for reflection and then a beautiful cover page with a quote from a Saint. The monthly views include the Liturgical Colors and the quote that was on the monthly cover. I find that this view is just too small to really make it effective for me. I do like that both planners have space on the side where I can write the IEPs and Re-evaluations that are due each month.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4wFN1Bg8uqSx2pN_-Mjk-68wbmA1fzvIcjkLXs0Q4y7192NzU7uNE6qQ3NBEgDnbbtBgMUO1IBSlMR8UdElPPjNIHaofXTDip6A5OCeTC57bH9BisfdwlHWHFHBbys2aE6iOXoWxl1UUi4DvQrCK6mkSQzY5KgBrvAMuldW_WPlheaV_fNHn3hSB/s2991/0905220824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2139" data-original-width="2991" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4wFN1Bg8uqSx2pN_-Mjk-68wbmA1fzvIcjkLXs0Q4y7192NzU7uNE6qQ3NBEgDnbbtBgMUO1IBSlMR8UdElPPjNIHaofXTDip6A5OCeTC57bH9BisfdwlHWHFHBbys2aE6iOXoWxl1UUi4DvQrCK6mkSQzY5KgBrvAMuldW_WPlheaV_fNHn3hSB/w400-h286/0905220824.jpg" title="Blessed is She Academic Planner Monthly View" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Blessed is She Academic Planner Monthly View</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQDRwu62dL4ruhfB6aiMwI3b_TYclYDDiJ4o1GCAkH_vRPnSD-5mK3Ddzgoj9xj2i08eepanQbp16V4LRk8ZBgTN1PGK9fdzHQfg4vSlIXdF0cMI2ochB7eUA9AyiVFCq6iE5DnX3j9wHJXhlP751Vy_XVpTuH5FNprd-Vx9ov0DUF6WEfMTOqOzbV/s2952/0905220825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2210" data-original-width="2952" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQDRwu62dL4ruhfB6aiMwI3b_TYclYDDiJ4o1GCAkH_vRPnSD-5mK3Ddzgoj9xj2i08eepanQbp16V4LRk8ZBgTN1PGK9fdzHQfg4vSlIXdF0cMI2ochB7eUA9AyiVFCq6iE5DnX3j9wHJXhlP751Vy_XVpTuH5FNprd-Vx9ov0DUF6WEfMTOqOzbV/w400-h300/0905220825.jpg" title="ElizabethClareShop Monthly View" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>ElizabethClareShop Monthly View</i></td></tr></tbody></table>At the end of the BIS Planner, there are 15 blank pages for notes. The back of the EC Planner includes:</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1N7jsUk03ftg-tiHhwbVMfK0AMu9INRzqm1rI-kVQm7nQbvRqi0wDdDXCaoepq821XsvscGjfqYl6g1nMx92539iiokCbygvAgB2Fy2lih7ROewEgo0uuvgVQeoaTCecrDxUlX_elrF8dKNWbLSv341IpubrFiZG_iBUE_utHfMzRT1fNvpBt5tQG/s3024/0905220828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2363" data-original-width="3024" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1N7jsUk03ftg-tiHhwbVMfK0AMu9INRzqm1rI-kVQm7nQbvRqi0wDdDXCaoepq821XsvscGjfqYl6g1nMx92539iiokCbygvAgB2Fy2lih7ROewEgo0uuvgVQeoaTCecrDxUlX_elrF8dKNWbLSv341IpubrFiZG_iBUE_utHfMzRT1fNvpBt5tQG/w400-h313/0905220828.jpg" title="Prayers in ElizabethClareShop 2022-2023 Catholic Academic Planner" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Catholic Prayers and the Rosary. I'm not sure why the Luminous Mysteries aren't included.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGY1zD9v7dCqTjObd6Z0Ls0l-uS4hCFTPetQ9Z7x-YI_qJIQDrX3Z6KJfwbguG3jRCq3jtGuWcewUD2UFZxvuO1NOrGwZ5zRfK-TGY5n40A8X64aRm1Fa7PJgIADjHqhToiAqHp51gasQh_MxSY-MU0082YtPiFuO9Xq1qYNlaKMB_SwCU92rQj_Y/s3024/0905220828a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2225" data-original-width="3024" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGY1zD9v7dCqTjObd6Z0Ls0l-uS4hCFTPetQ9Z7x-YI_qJIQDrX3Z6KJfwbguG3jRCq3jtGuWcewUD2UFZxvuO1NOrGwZ5zRfK-TGY5n40A8X64aRm1Fa7PJgIADjHqhToiAqHp51gasQh_MxSY-MU0082YtPiFuO9Xq1qYNlaKMB_SwCU92rQj_Y/w400-h294/0905220828a.jpg" title="How to use the ElizabethClareShop 2022-2023 Catholic Academic Planner, Catholic Practices, and symbol guide" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suggestions for using the planner, Catholic Practices, and a symbol guide.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtnN0EQScuGkU9BIbtBx-oq1plo7KQh8wm9LWu3I3SgEpDO46Kep-djyXGzMGNVK-MjbgSXThOHXkBUqWE2gO0dSq84Qn9qfzdqOJjpnhqby2czFOkUhwP8SNZ-wOQMsPV94_tt0P9EZ72qFZhmZsg3h2NSIog-nNjWY5bfp_5tG6n7VWmRVpPpdU/s2983/0905220829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2344" data-original-width="2983" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtnN0EQScuGkU9BIbtBx-oq1plo7KQh8wm9LWu3I3SgEpDO46Kep-djyXGzMGNVK-MjbgSXThOHXkBUqWE2gO0dSq84Qn9qfzdqOJjpnhqby2czFOkUhwP8SNZ-wOQMsPV94_tt0P9EZ72qFZhmZsg3h2NSIog-nNjWY5bfp_5tG6n7VWmRVpPpdU/w400-h314/0905220829.jpg" title="Note and future plan pages in ElizabethClareShop 2022-2023 Catholic Academic Planner" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note and Future Plans pages</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBev23jde7AcaVDcg7tWQ_HloxBlHH6L0mZ3otJazLTI9KmUd2GskCe7GQorFDKUc9ZLnYhCRGAaQBoWCbz0XM0TNb7uRNPx00I8FgTOVHNkjlkBUzjbQStD12WKD0jj3gdiZ2lEPnR2mGFjxVwmK4GdXF-_bERfQ6d75ok0bOifnUtIHwm-3GPeU/s2957/0905220829a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2219" data-original-width="2957" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBev23jde7AcaVDcg7tWQ_HloxBlHH6L0mZ3otJazLTI9KmUd2GskCe7GQorFDKUc9ZLnYhCRGAaQBoWCbz0XM0TNb7uRNPx00I8FgTOVHNkjlkBUzjbQStD12WKD0jj3gdiZ2lEPnR2mGFjxVwmK4GdXF-_bERfQ6d75ok0bOifnUtIHwm-3GPeU/w400-h300/0905220829a.jpg" title="Future year's calendar and Liturgical Colors from ElizabethClareShop 2022-2023 Catholic Academic Planner" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next year's calendar and the Liturgical Colors for this year</td></tr></tbody></table>I've found that I just don't need all of the information that is in the BIS Planner. I just need a planner where I can keep track of my meetings/events/to-do list, and be reminded of the Liturgical Calendar. I need a half-size planner...I have to carry materials between 2 schools so I don't need a planner that's going to take up a lot of space and weigh down my already too heavy backpack. (Both come in half-size.) Both have absolutely beautiful covers:<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqj4nWXsIePWx5iVvyd15MHwrYZ-KUCOrTYsa6Qmj2n6Y9cuqYgZcewuucg740np9lW-kCOijKH9KRiEeNvfO31zTmMbRTJk2S3x4ol_QUqc_a6X_Jro7FfULlQ62zqLZMcV2MDzWk425CCMFSR1rfshTllZ-vUZtUOcMY_tE1ZzRYOjXtWYHJQIK/s3027/0905220830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3027" data-original-width="2988" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqj4nWXsIePWx5iVvyd15MHwrYZ-KUCOrTYsa6Qmj2n6Y9cuqYgZcewuucg740np9lW-kCOijKH9KRiEeNvfO31zTmMbRTJk2S3x4ol_QUqc_a6X_Jro7FfULlQ62zqLZMcV2MDzWk425CCMFSR1rfshTllZ-vUZtUOcMY_tE1ZzRYOjXtWYHJQIK/w395-h400/0905220830.jpg" title="Cover of ElizabethClareShop 2022-2023 Catholic Academic Planner" width="395" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>ElizabethClareShop 2022-2023 Catholic Academic Planner</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk-J6KSsWAgVo1bdx9lfOlsxXQ82X8DCreDYl9Zu09zU8Mu_rfywGdBv1ayPy2uMH4T3KVpLq3W4OSRVHsv0-B_Y0OjOTj2dwrqJ6ZB2CI2VZfUjN3ba06lVkiWCjy7POrLx1QS7lZmuRqg249nfIuALP7BXqGp7dGhZ0aRz4tpSv1HVc_CI94H2RT/s2885/0905220831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2885" data-original-width="2599" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk-J6KSsWAgVo1bdx9lfOlsxXQ82X8DCreDYl9Zu09zU8Mu_rfywGdBv1ayPy2uMH4T3KVpLq3W4OSRVHsv0-B_Y0OjOTj2dwrqJ6ZB2CI2VZfUjN3ba06lVkiWCjy7POrLx1QS7lZmuRqg249nfIuALP7BXqGp7dGhZ0aRz4tpSv1HVc_CI94H2RT/w360-h400/0905220831.jpg" title="Cover of Blessed is She Catholic Academic Planner" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cover of Blessed is She Catholic Academic Planner</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><div>The ElizabethClare Planner's original cost was the same as the BIS, but with the 30% off the total price was $15 less. With ElizabethClare there is free shipping; BIS does not have free shipping unless your order is over $100. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>As you can tell, I definitely prefer the EC Planner. In my opinion, teachers would absolutely <i>love </i>this planner, especially itinerant education professionals. I would love to see an option given by CTTY: no holes punched so I could use my disc hole puncher and make it a disc planner. That also gives the option to choose what's in the planner. I really don't need all of the note-taking pages, but maybe someone else would use them. Plus, I could pop in a couple of folders that I had in my CTTY planner to hold my planner stickers. It's all about options!</div><div><br /></div><div>To wrap up, here are the features of the ElizabethClareShop 2022-2023 Catholic Academic Planner that made me ditch the Blessed is She Catholic Academic Planner:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>No frills</li><li>Lightweight (approximately 8 oz. lighter than BIS)</li><li>Large weekly view with plenty of room for IEP meetings/events/to-do list</li><li>Large monthly view that is readable</li><li>Few pages for notes </li><li>Compact Catholic Practices and common prayers pages</li></ul><div>I'd love to hear from you. What Catholic Academic Planner works best for you? Have you stayed with the same one for years, or like me, are you trying to find that perfect one?</div><p>**<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">I have to note that I found a planner on ETSY that is similar to the CTTY in the weekly format. It is only available in the calendar year and not the academic calendar, though. It looks as sturdy as the BIS planner with the CTTY weekly format, so if you're looking for a calendar year planner, the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/1277322810/pre-order-simple-holiness-2023-planner?click_key=da305c56cd96cb131a19fb140a871878ba472c85%3A1277322810&click_sum=4cd97c1e&ref=shop_home_recs_1&crt=1" target="_blank">Simple Holiness Planner</a> might be worth a look. </span></i><br /></p></div></div>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11533317405680450964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812308120903721165.post-81997153317520813332022-08-13T10:06:00.000-04:002022-08-13T10:06:42.396-04:00FMF Writing Prompt: Forget<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEih_2Ac_gp6CQ6P3loFeYRaYux1UAx7EuWwAy9bIZk1kuL1BD6fYzQKNgUt5P3LZnHOK2RI7FIVfsqMoYk8-mz5ZgtHq3zm-QXrTOKdhMjf-Ndsjqtxmx5l2GhMevBRX7iTSupv1Q98PQ2uApKGpKk3b-Zsp_6GYtKXAlR55_VpxAuixbXFvHL_zAC0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="520" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEih_2Ac_gp6CQ6P3loFeYRaYux1UAx7EuWwAy9bIZk1kuL1BD6fYzQKNgUt5P3LZnHOK2RI7FIVfsqMoYk8-mz5ZgtHq3zm-QXrTOKdhMjf-Ndsjqtxmx5l2GhMevBRX7iTSupv1Q98PQ2uApKGpKk3b-Zsp_6GYtKXAlR55_VpxAuixbXFvHL_zAC0" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2812308120903721165/611753023301971573#" style="font-size: 16px;">Five Minute Friday:</a><span style="font-size: 16px;"> Kate provides a word every Friday. The writer sets a timer for 5 minutes and writes whatever comes to mind.</span></p><p>Sometimes it's easy for me to forget that my husband is sick. It's easy for me to go on with my life and forget the heartache that is sure to be in my future; the loneliness that I will surely feel. I have to forget our plans for post-retirement...they will not happen and I'm mourning the loss of those plans. </p><p>When I remember that it's very possible that I will be alone in a few short years, it feels like the weight of the world is crashing down on me. I think that perhaps my sons are also forgetting just how sick their father really is even though to look at him you would never know it. It's so easy for all of us to go about our daily lives while forgetting what the future may very well hold.</p><p>It is so very scary to think about my life partner no longer being by my side. To have to navigate through my life without him is not something I ever thought I would be doing, but here it is. As I've written before, I'm so very thankful that God has granted us the gift of time. We have time to plan what life may look like when he's gone. Of course, I realize that those plans could very well change depending on just what His plan is. </p><p>Wow...five minutes flew by this time! I'm sure I'll be putting my thoughts to the screen again and again.</p>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11533317405680450964noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812308120903721165.post-69965502877744945052022-07-28T04:00:00.001-04:002022-07-28T04:00:00.167-04:00Digging Deep for Thankful Thursday<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbdAMcAlChbkmeoo0UuUf_o7siD44lS_z8xXCqs4NJZm1ANoWCwQhdeb0o3vewRhq-5BW1H2TIwl_nfrvYqnbjAL94R9m69SP1eU8LI3K-5sNzIJREzSheWCScQUaN39cXXKpkg7EH5uzkL-8Kn1p3w7rbjhGDkuMANwvCY35VDS7_fkahRV_NWbH/s3024/Thankful.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbdAMcAlChbkmeoo0UuUf_o7siD44lS_z8xXCqs4NJZm1ANoWCwQhdeb0o3vewRhq-5BW1H2TIwl_nfrvYqnbjAL94R9m69SP1eU8LI3K-5sNzIJREzSheWCScQUaN39cXXKpkg7EH5uzkL-8Kn1p3w7rbjhGDkuMANwvCY35VDS7_fkahRV_NWbH/w200-h200/Thankful.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>I really had to give some thought to gratitude this week. It's been a tough one, so I'm reaching back over the past couple of weeks that I missed posting.<p></p><p>😊 Much-needed rain. We've had some typical summer rains over the past few days which has been nice. It makes it a bit humid, but the grass and plants appreciate it.</p><p>😊 Home-grown tomatoes and cucumbers. There's nothing like being able to walk outside and grab some cherry tomatoes to throw in salads.</p><p>😊 Coffee. This was the first week back at school and coffee has definitely been my friend.</p><p>😊 Mid-week getaways. We went camping for a couple of nights last week and had the whole campground (all 7 sites!) to ourselves. I'm looking forward to being able to do more of that after this May.</p><p>😊 Last year of school. I'm so thankful that this is it and that I know without a doubt that I'm ready to retire. It's just the first week back to school, but I'm already not feeling the anxiety or stress that usually comes with the beginning of the school year. </p><p>Thanks, <a href="https://www.knitbygodshand.com/" target="_blank">Rebecca </a>for helping us look at the positives in our lives!</p>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11533317405680450964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812308120903721165.post-13487671548460612742022-06-23T10:34:00.006-04:002022-06-23T10:40:58.937-04:00A Quotable Thankful Thursday<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSI1prwTe-cdxVgGOlUjlefJQ_NrAWdJGSW3Mhl3bO4GHzHdLoL_srzhfxjtgjQYWI4NsmeZVay-w19TfUul7iA-srjtA--DZCwgWJ8mbTJeQ_GX8vqVD4UrSh3SPD_KiIT0emgoGlKrhOzaLhozPajThyfgFMcyeiCOgAlNFN4fZ1JIp_fpL2tim/s3024/Thankful.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSI1prwTe-cdxVgGOlUjlefJQ_NrAWdJGSW3Mhl3bO4GHzHdLoL_srzhfxjtgjQYWI4NsmeZVay-w19TfUul7iA-srjtA--DZCwgWJ8mbTJeQ_GX8vqVD4UrSh3SPD_KiIT0emgoGlKrhOzaLhozPajThyfgFMcyeiCOgAlNFN4fZ1JIp_fpL2tim/w200-h200/Thankful.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>I'm sippin' my coffee out of my "Thankful" mug, thinking about what I'm most thankful for this week.<p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>A couple of cool mornings this week. I usually walk in shorts and a sleeveless shirt but swapped it for a t-shirt those mornings. Unfortunately, it didn't last...today it was back to sleeveless.</li><li>New, free books!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXw56NBHVeW9EHSmOINAcwaCmGAQQOQsVRBIfa_XzrSAMvuiHB2nrQ8GXS7WaNnAcG00n_5htDdSzKhgQLyQPdL_y435wyddznSo_6BuPGrUuJmhM_vHX4G7QuRlvfBmWjfdOKw0o6RAyDqqA0kpNJKd5cFhc465muEz7JI_6u4UrStprfRe95VTKy/s2183/0623220937.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2182" data-original-width="2183" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXw56NBHVeW9EHSmOINAcwaCmGAQQOQsVRBIfa_XzrSAMvuiHB2nrQ8GXS7WaNnAcG00n_5htDdSzKhgQLyQPdL_y435wyddznSo_6BuPGrUuJmhM_vHX4G7QuRlvfBmWjfdOKw0o6RAyDqqA0kpNJKd5cFhc465muEz7JI_6u4UrStprfRe95VTKy/w200-h200/0623220937.jpg" title="Dynamic Catholic" width="200" /></a></div></li></ul>Well, technically they aren't "free" because I send in a small donation to <a href="https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/" target="_blank">Dynamic Catholic</a> every month to help keep the evangelization going. In return, I receive new books from time to time, and monthly videos from the founder, Matthew Kelly (see one of his quotes at the top of the blog page) and Alan Hunt.<p></p><p>Today's entry from The Wisdom of the Saints: <i>I believe though I do not comprehend, and I hold by faith what I cannot grasp with the mind.</i> --St. Bernard of Clairvaux</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Which brings me to my next thankful: my Faith. That probably should go without saying, but I love the beauty of the Catholic Church. I love that I can receive Jesus every.single.day. I also love that our Protestant brothers and sisters have taught us how to evangelize. I truly believe that, especially through converts, the Church is learning how to "get out there and do something" instead of keeping it to ourselves. Or, maybe I'm just more aware of it. Or it could be because I have chosen to surround myself with the Church. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPoT532IgeVOKHsH2tOSKYONJ4LLtGQ1mXJ58G3TZKhPvS6rCw_DLUkKbsd1my6ePDdeKuZguu8nS_XigDTHD_z0mZd2IJEGEchOGQ7bw7kKs01URREHEnEIPwI5qqhNDPlAcQLXioud7V0cZwhRjAI6IPy5DyRqkwZNaPFZJ9CpHPPo0VO7BgKwdL/s3024/0623220843_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPoT532IgeVOKHsH2tOSKYONJ4LLtGQ1mXJ58G3TZKhPvS6rCw_DLUkKbsd1my6ePDdeKuZguu8nS_XigDTHD_z0mZd2IJEGEchOGQ7bw7kKs01URREHEnEIPwI5qqhNDPlAcQLXioud7V0cZwhRjAI6IPy5DyRqkwZNaPFZJ9CpHPPo0VO7BgKwdL/w200-h200/0623220843_HDR.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>This is a statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Fountain. It hasn't been working in several years but a couple of men got it up and running this week and put a bench in front of it. Just in time for the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (which is tomorrow). The Solemnity of the Birth of John the Baptist is usually on June 24th (6 months before Christmas Eve) but since the Sacred Heart is on the 24th, St. John's Baptism was celebrated on June 23th. </li></ul><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Beautiful sunrises on my walk. </li></ul><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwxLWJaHRkPQcVbVROmmMEBcZ1kkKP8m4DUyYZu5skbL8jgWoktmXRevsD0nxwahNLt_B1Phckp3sRlNgGZHpr-mcTB3JgxDm7XCNOzMdxPgLbIM6hF9jOAECw7EGeMTWHeKlbOMNJvD5BgKBtz_zg_UXRsKPCRcQhQApCWUMga-FYlxnRPGmRWky/s3024/0623220552.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwxLWJaHRkPQcVbVROmmMEBcZ1kkKP8m4DUyYZu5skbL8jgWoktmXRevsD0nxwahNLt_B1Phckp3sRlNgGZHpr-mcTB3JgxDm7XCNOzMdxPgLbIM6hF9jOAECw7EGeMTWHeKlbOMNJvD5BgKBtz_zg_UXRsKPCRcQhQApCWUMga-FYlxnRPGmRWky/w200-h200/0623220552.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: left;">I turned around as I walked across the street and saw this beautiful scene. During my morning walks, I say the Rosary (if you aren't Catholic, you may be interested to know that the reason the prayers are so repetitive is so that you can meditate on different parts of Jesus' life) and meditate on Jesus' life followed by listening to the daily Mass Readings and a reflection. This morning (again, keep in mind it's the Solemnity of Birth of John the Baptist) went right along with the "Thankful Thursday" theme. The readings were Isaiah 49:1-6, Psalm 139, Acts 13:22-26, and Luke 1:57-66, 80; all about knowing that God made each of us with a plan in mind. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The reflection I listened to was (again) perfect for this Thankful Thursday:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>The more you are grateful and give praise to God, <b>that </b>is a measure that you've grown in humility.</i> ---Dr. Tim Gray, PhD, <a href="https://www.augustineinstitute.org/faculty-and-staff/tim-gray-ph-d" target="_blank">The Augustine Institute</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thanks, <a href="https://www.knitbygodshand.com/" target="_blank">Rebecca</a>, for traveling with us as we learn to become humble!</div><p></p>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11533317405680450964noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812308120903721165.post-267854743449057382022-06-16T04:30:00.005-04:002022-06-16T06:53:15.563-04:00Steamy Thankful Thursday<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi909tL8bkUC5rZothct5TfgyZQRfLl1VHNpSq2gFk6xySW0KrfXgSe8l502sVStzDo9bEKP393WwH_rGzas431JTwLTeMResB2nnxObs36X3oui1aEqDsjnX8MPooPwNI1_jNrvJ5-F3LCYP18TNM7n3DRIDzwe4EbrHy95y_pfST0y2sqvgOIOXPq/s3024/Thankful.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi909tL8bkUC5rZothct5TfgyZQRfLl1VHNpSq2gFk6xySW0KrfXgSe8l502sVStzDo9bEKP393WwH_rGzas431JTwLTeMResB2nnxObs36X3oui1aEqDsjnX8MPooPwNI1_jNrvJ5-F3LCYP18TNM7n3DRIDzwe4EbrHy95y_pfST0y2sqvgOIOXPq/s320/Thankful.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Time for some gratitude! Head over to <a href="https://www.knitbygodshand.com/" target="_blank">Knit By God's Hand</a> to get a huge dose of thankfulness from other bloggers!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">It's been a hot and humid week, y'all! As in, when I walk out the door to walk around 6 a.m., the humidity slaps me in the face. We're talking "real feel temps" in the triple digits because of the humidity. It's days like this when I'm thankful I'm in East TN and not in SC anymore. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">This should go without saying, but thank God for air conditioning. I'm not pleasant to be around when I'm uncomfortable, just sayin'. So, thank you, Mr. Carrier for your invention!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">On that same topic, I'm thankful for alternate cooking/baking options. I'm trying to cook supper using the air fryer, slow cooker, and electric skillet instead of turning on the oven. So far, so good! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">I'm so thankful for being able to catch up with childhood friends! I met a friend for noon Mass and then lunch. When I looked at my watch, it was almost 4:00. We've seen each other briefly at church but haven't had time to talk. I think we could have sat at the table for at least another hour or two. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm in a huge spiritual slump right now. There is a Catholic site "Formed" that has a lot of videos ranging from Bible studies to movies to books. I decided to do a self-retreat using one of the book studies to get out of this long dry spell. And it's working, so thank you, <a href="https://formed.org/" target="_blank">Formed</a>!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And thank you, <a href="https://www.taylortripodi.com/" target="_blank">Taylor Tripodi</a>, for the gift of your talent and beautiful voice. This song expresses what I've been going through for months!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0T6mhxQusm8" width="320" youtube-src-id="0T6mhxQusm8"></iframe></div><p></p>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11533317405680450964noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812308120903721165.post-52830412515270586242022-06-09T08:12:00.003-04:002022-06-16T06:53:54.360-04:00Slowing Down for a Thankful Thursday<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwE0PYCd18tyGq1So9LJe1ZJaLMC3yKz1cTEPsaDNv5PvkzEmMKZPyukY4YYD7v-lIYl3gfhIY9oBCdqkfiKFGm3lvvYrUNijNErn4DPhtjgqPNKjl7E4kexXcDY4H1DT5ZdzlvGkcwh6paaZJWuKZ4hClrU6ylGQ0U36oh6vDT5WB1xYJz1TOfJhu/s3024/Thankful.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwE0PYCd18tyGq1So9LJe1ZJaLMC3yKz1cTEPsaDNv5PvkzEmMKZPyukY4YYD7v-lIYl3gfhIY9oBCdqkfiKFGm3lvvYrUNijNErn4DPhtjgqPNKjl7E4kexXcDY4H1DT5ZdzlvGkcwh6paaZJWuKZ4hClrU6ylGQ0U36oh6vDT5WB1xYJz1TOfJhu/s320/Thankful.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Time for some gratitude! Head over to <a href="https://www.knitbygodshand.com/" target="_blank">Knit By God's Hand </a>to get a huge dose of thankfulness from other bloggers!</div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: left;">This week I'm thankful for:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>A job that allows me to have summers off. When the boys were young, that meant we could do things during the day, or do nothing. The only schedule we had was when we had supper and baseball practices/games.</li><li>Drives in the mountain with the hubby. We took a drive to my "happy place" (a.k.a. Cades Cove) but got caught in a bear jam for about an hour. The plan was to drive halfway through Loop Road then take a road that just opened back up after being closed for 6 years and take the long way home. But because somebody wasn't very smart with their kids (hence the bear jam) we ended up taking a side road, driving to the other side of the loop, then taking another side road to double back and eat lunch at my hubby's favorite lunch spot in the cove. </li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirvHYbpwrDiEyxe1iQG_yIbyNJPKks6oKZIkOo3UbznjQPi39S0UA33Oih9XuCBvyHVIUbftHugsxGC7CnVui4kngyAEvPrxAGE8yUA0-9PYTJ1vepdjhg0UP7gZUpf7hD1g7qRRpJHziD5ExIyL3_EwUct2TbHwfyewzKmqTUS_0_sibeboGM4pP5" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirvHYbpwrDiEyxe1iQG_yIbyNJPKks6oKZIkOo3UbznjQPi39S0UA33Oih9XuCBvyHVIUbftHugsxGC7CnVui4kngyAEvPrxAGE8yUA0-9PYTJ1vepdjhg0UP7gZUpf7hD1g7qRRpJHziD5ExIyL3_EwUct2TbHwfyewzKmqTUS_0_sibeboGM4pP5" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Wading in mountain streams. I haven't done this in years! The water was so cold that it took my breath away at first.</li></ul></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Krs2ot-8e7fOEhMDR0dxZQvjY2HuX-GQJCkEmeFOXn0IoxNym-GrRJUlnJl825GheaILB7Eb6CATiYSdYKJWs9ay2zZWfkxejtCRNejyDo_Onru6Mw05hOusmGBjlpqIv9UDYmHumJk3qlVkm5DyADAw87Mz4Gt3dcr-neBggkhmWqvwdTYhq28u/s3000/IMG_20220606_141209.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Krs2ot-8e7fOEhMDR0dxZQvjY2HuX-GQJCkEmeFOXn0IoxNym-GrRJUlnJl825GheaILB7Eb6CATiYSdYKJWs9ay2zZWfkxejtCRNejyDo_Onru6Mw05hOusmGBjlpqIv9UDYmHumJk3qlVkm5DyADAw87Mz4Gt3dcr-neBggkhmWqvwdTYhq28u/s320/IMG_20220606_141209.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>God's creation. From little frogs in the mountains to Red-Bellied Woodpeckers outside of my window, I'm always amazed at what He has created!</li></ul></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIkYhn6hb_MkAz3SEHGLT_Ts0RCBvOkjp-Uu6YOSq-581F_lAJUpNp_z8QE8_V5Z9lTUoiv6Mu7BL73IYs93D2GOxUPIQRIDhgADR0990PKAbEjEIJmOD3dYWHJAFxXgUG0TTBrdS7--rZwzIwulHQQyw3UUIESTU2UNvHC-vZqGPxUJ19eQXTSeUg/s1290/0604221236c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1289" data-original-width="1290" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIkYhn6hb_MkAz3SEHGLT_Ts0RCBvOkjp-Uu6YOSq-581F_lAJUpNp_z8QE8_V5Z9lTUoiv6Mu7BL73IYs93D2GOxUPIQRIDhgADR0990PKAbEjEIJmOD3dYWHJAFxXgUG0TTBrdS7--rZwzIwulHQQyw3UUIESTU2UNvHC-vZqGPxUJ19eQXTSeUg/s320/0604221236c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRjCJA2Q_pGkTTzpt4-Yogn0CLTRqdXrDhqgx-ydtC2WKPgyQcxmIOun7kyZEbw88ck02n67Xi6dldDDcYN46dpU8zPzbeijegZ3UNF8MLAQfNwdn62XoUHrL68A_ToQb3TLtfooHHy70-dZKqiQ6vtjSn4vio4On2tHX6tt2x1WwVy4QefytxFaA/s1471/original_3757d17f-3e12-43c6-964c-36fb4f90c655_0606221410a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1471" data-original-width="1470" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRjCJA2Q_pGkTTzpt4-Yogn0CLTRqdXrDhqgx-ydtC2WKPgyQcxmIOun7kyZEbw88ck02n67Xi6dldDDcYN46dpU8zPzbeijegZ3UNF8MLAQfNwdn62XoUHrL68A_ToQb3TLtfooHHy70-dZKqiQ6vtjSn4vio4On2tHX6tt2x1WwVy4QefytxFaA/s320/original_3757d17f-3e12-43c6-964c-36fb4f90c655_0606221410a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Irish Brown Soda Bread. I'm trying to tweak a traditional bread recipe, but it still doesn't taste the same as it did when we were in Ireland. It's good, especially with Irish butter, but it just isn't the same!</li></ul></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkuHAKQ0C-OnZ7wO3kerp2YN8IKmTJaMj-Yo2laSt337w7VdcNj07Xk26XfS_JTBT7vZAaxjQX97boVFkEF8VV7T3K4J9nm7sI_IkoJx_sXWoWh6E828MGqGPDwps25healZICXa_9oSVbhxKXW01keudxnKM3PWm8uQZFe4TtPaBNeEYLr-fc9ZHO/s3024/0605221733.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3023" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkuHAKQ0C-OnZ7wO3kerp2YN8IKmTJaMj-Yo2laSt337w7VdcNj07Xk26XfS_JTBT7vZAaxjQX97boVFkEF8VV7T3K4J9nm7sI_IkoJx_sXWoWh6E828MGqGPDwps25healZICXa_9oSVbhxKXW01keudxnKM3PWm8uQZFe4TtPaBNeEYLr-fc9ZHO/s320/0605221733.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>My motivation level is right at zero these days but I can still find some things to be thankful for!</p><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11533317405680450964noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812308120903721165.post-77328470341635885522022-06-06T03:00:00.011-04:002022-06-07T10:01:33.485-04:00What Should We Expect?<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMkCdf1pYjJNQMnB7IX12RcnHiUYEt1ttn_OP_XDwTk1J_K7x_U_9pVg0fadUP5vo7N_UBdAxeAHLgz0PdKOl8yHgD190j64gNKJZ6zov099jp2nBH982RhKBZD9QZxj6aV-_yhx6KubZJRbsKPMrf00j9VdW7DYtfBsM8J4bEOFfA6gLma-3nfSmR" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="3333" data-original-width="5000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMkCdf1pYjJNQMnB7IX12RcnHiUYEt1ttn_OP_XDwTk1J_K7x_U_9pVg0fadUP5vo7N_UBdAxeAHLgz0PdKOl8yHgD190j64gNKJZ6zov099jp2nBH982RhKBZD9QZxj6aV-_yhx6KubZJRbsKPMrf00j9VdW7DYtfBsM8J4bEOFfA6gLma-3nfSmR=w320-h213" title="Dark Fog Over Woods" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><a href="https://picjumbo.com/author/viktorhanacek/" target="_blank">Photo courtesy of Viktor Hanacek, Picjumbo</a></i></span></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>So much is happening in the news lately (the year is 2022) that is giving us evidence that the devil is attempting his last stand. What should we expect with parents not letting God into their homes, shutting Him out, and thinking they can do everything on their own? When children have never stepped foot in a church, let alone known what one is? (I had a student ask me "What's that?" after seeing a picture of a church.) When children grow into adulthood without being able to take control of their feelings and work out their frustrations and anger, then take those feelings out on innocent people? </p><h3 style="text-align: center;">Getting it Right</h3><p style="text-align: left;">Following the school shooting in Uvalde, TX, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick hit the nail right on the head: "Evil will always walk among us...It's God that brings a community together. If we don't turn back as a nation to understanding what we were founded upon and what we were taught by our parents and what we believe in, these situations will only get worse." (<a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/letter-from-the-southwest/after-the-uvalde-shooting-lifelong-residents-consider-how-to-stop-the-next-one" target="_blank">The New Yorker</a>) </p><p style="text-align: left;">Sister Lucia de Santos (one of the Fatima visionaries) stated in a letter to Cardinal Carlo Caffarro of Bologna that <i>the final battle between the Lord and the reign of Satan will be about marriage and the family. Do not be afraid, because anyone who operates for the sanctity of marriage and the family will always be contended and opposed in every way, because this is the decisive issue. </i>(<a href="https://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2015/06/cardinal-what-sister-lucia-told-me.html?m=1" target="_blank">Rorate Caeli</a>, <a href="https://insidethevatican.com/news/newsflash/letter-28-last-battle/" target="_blank">Inside the Vatican</a>, <a href="https://aleteia.org/2017/05/19/exclusive-cardinal-caffarra-what-sr-lucia-wrote-to-me-is-being-fulfilled-today/" target="_blank">Aleteia</a>) From the inception of the popularity (for lack of a better word) of artificial birth control in the 60's, we've been on a snowball course with the implications growing larger and larger until now we have school/mall/store shootings that seem to be unexplainable. Is restricting guns an answer or is that just a bandaid? </p><h3 style="text-align: center;">Lack of Respect</h3><p style="text-align: left;">I blame the lack of respect for human life on the fact that parents aren't taking their children to church. They aren't educating them about God. They're more concerned with extra-curricular activities, the latest video game, and material things. They've shoved God out of their lives and the devil is taking full advantage of his chance, of his crack in the door. He's pushing it wide open and is loving every minute. In my blog post <a href="https://www.thenotsoperfectcatholic.com/2019/06/what-has-happened-to-respect.html" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">What Has Happened to Respect?</a> I discuss the lack of respect during Mass. Ignorance, just pure ignorance. Parents aren't making sure their children are attending Faith Formation (i.e., CCD) and, more importantly, aren't educating themselves. Parents can't teach their children the beauty of the Catholic Faith when they don't know it themselves. </p><div style="text-align: left;">During a trip to Ireland, I took my husband by St. Mary's Well in Killarney. My SIL and I found it when we were there a few years before. On the previous trip, it was just beautiful but we commented on how sad it was that it was tucked away behind the buildings, in a parking lot. I was surprised when I went right to it with my husband. I was shocked at the unkemptness of it. There was trash, cigarette butts, and even some defecation on the steps. We didn't linger because of that, but what a pity. I sincerely hope that how we saw it isn't its normal state...we were there the day after St. Patrick's Day. For heaven's sake...this is a destination of pilgrimages since the 1300s and a place of baptisms and cures!</div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixUjZsr9sRjSKS4Bs_VbVWwd6Uq8vdT1vCsj8EBEZOgsyrYg7CQeRKDFVj6fV94TcOm-1JguBvcpkpobdIKrymmQ9TyWZvkRFIcKAyycZZSyj6mEn_VOyETrKMDNFCGjjBrvYiN1GjN4xN-GkWTsyapHWlrtR8uobDlb3o8h017SiKxbxV6VryshtHCw/s2157/1006171744_HDR%20(3).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2157" data-original-width="2157" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixUjZsr9sRjSKS4Bs_VbVWwd6Uq8vdT1vCsj8EBEZOgsyrYg7CQeRKDFVj6fV94TcOm-1JguBvcpkpobdIKrymmQ9TyWZvkRFIcKAyycZZSyj6mEn_VOyETrKMDNFCGjjBrvYiN1GjN4xN-GkWTsyapHWlrtR8uobDlb3o8h017SiKxbxV6VryshtHCw/w320-h320/1006171744_HDR%20(3).jpg" title="St. Mary's Well, Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">St. Mary's Well, Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland 2017</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table></h3><h3 style="text-align: center;">The Bottom Line</h3><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">What it all boils down to is the parents and their belief that they aren't the parents but are their children's friends. They refuse to parent the children; they refuse to put their foot down and tell them they're going to church. Maybe they're just tired and need Sunday to rest. That is certainly what God wants us to do, but only after we've given Him the worship and praise that He deserves. In order to be a practicing Catholic, one of the precepts is that we attend Mass every Sunday and on Holy Days of Obligation. But that's <i>the minimum</i>. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">I'm guilty of allowing my children decide if they wanted to attend youth group after making their confirmation. If I had to do it over again, I would have insisted on it. There are so many things I would do differently if I knew then what I know now. I feel that they have a good base with their faith, but that's another blog post. Getting back to the expectations of today's youth: it all boils down to the lack of God in families. I've heard the Catholic media blasting public education. Being a public educator, it makes my blood boil to hear the criticism of public education and the encouragement of homeschooling. I work with some very strong Christians who demonstrate their faith in the schools by being caring and kind to all students. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">What I'm saying is this: Don't blame the education system. Don't blame the guns. Blame the fact that God is not a part of these people's lives. How wonderful would our society be if we <i>did </i>return to the understanding of what this nation was founded upon. We have to stop pointing fingers at each other because our beliefs are different. We have to ask God to "cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the earth seeking the ruins of souls". (From the Prayer to St. Michael) We have to come together to fight the evil that is trying so desperately to destroy not only our nation but our earth. Maybe, just maybe if we did that, we'd have a fighting chance.</span></span></div>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11533317405680450964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812308120903721165.post-6117530233019715732022-06-03T09:34:00.003-04:002022-06-03T09:34:42.323-04:00FMF Writing Prompt: Danger<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjiQtTRio8aexImvMT9_hOWHKgwczIrMQql140sOnNE4e6kiZSXx4Shv3_1ZL7iy2u21W5NaVi7T8zQJr-3FuLVxQPnsruAnxq7dxU2jBe4sabSQzv-d_RglEMXNnGaDYAV9jdvAtZcEh5-yRwxqOxlYnPTqOehwgI2V2dSoFJ5wc6eS9MsZCMQC_D0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="402" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjiQtTRio8aexImvMT9_hOWHKgwczIrMQql140sOnNE4e6kiZSXx4Shv3_1ZL7iy2u21W5NaVi7T8zQJr-3FuLVxQPnsruAnxq7dxU2jBe4sabSQzv-d_RglEMXNnGaDYAV9jdvAtZcEh5-yRwxqOxlYnPTqOehwgI2V2dSoFJ5wc6eS9MsZCMQC_D0" width="238" /></a></div><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/2022/04/21/fmf-writing-prompt-link-up-run/" target="_blank">Five Minute Friday:</a> Kate provides a word every Friday. The writer sets a timer for 5 minutes and writes whatever comes to mind.<p></p><h3 style="text-align: center;">DANGER</h3><p>Just look around. Just watch the news. It's there. You understand what's happening, why can't others see it? The family is in danger. This is the evil one's last quest: to destroy the family. With every protest, with every shooting, with every lawmaker who goes against the law of God, it becomes clearer. The family is definitely in danger. </p><p>In a letter to a Cardinal, Sister Lucia (one of the visionaries from Fatima, Portugal) confirmed that the devil's last "hoorah" will be on the family. But what's to protect the family? We have to bring God back into families. Parents must parent, and in doing so bring God back. Forget about the sports training, forget about the video games. Just PARENT. Parents need to take their kids back to church, and they need to go as well. They need to learn about their faith, whatever it may be. It doesn't matter if you are Jewish, Protestant, Catholic, Buddhist, Hindu, etc.</p><p>There is a real danger out there trying to destroy us and keep us from Christ. What will you do about it?</p><p>Stop back by on Monday for an expanded post on this subject!</p>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11533317405680450964noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812308120903721165.post-40042784397274075612022-06-02T11:24:00.001-04:002022-06-02T11:24:36.281-04:00Thankful Thursday Summer Break<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ694c31uEo-IQJRw4VAcELUv-7-RsyF8f0nioTUkUygs8lGw_lINEiPDqB-EjXm6obPwvKOS4XGmv6aUSoVPzH7H3gUQ1qHMt_3Qo19kvwD8Ps-5sQVtMz6yL4C7K9nziqc555NuEoFpizSPWICZ0DVg5QpgW_ExgLBBVhwhsXV7RWdOZZcjtWXHjUA/s3024/Thankful.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ694c31uEo-IQJRw4VAcELUv-7-RsyF8f0nioTUkUygs8lGw_lINEiPDqB-EjXm6obPwvKOS4XGmv6aUSoVPzH7H3gUQ1qHMt_3Qo19kvwD8Ps-5sQVtMz6yL4C7K9nziqc555NuEoFpizSPWICZ0DVg5QpgW_ExgLBBVhwhsXV7RWdOZZcjtWXHjUA/w200-h200/Thankful.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Time for some gratitude! Head over to <a href="https://www.knitbygodshand.com/2022/06/when-6-8-weeks-is-going-to-hurt.html#disqus_thread" target="_blank">Knit By God's Hand</a> to get a huge dose of thankfulness from other bloggers!<p></p><p>This week I'm thankful for:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Daily Mass. Seriously. I've been getting up around 5:30, doing my 30-minute walk, and then getting ready for Mass this week. Well, except for Tuesday because there's a noon Mass on Tuesdays and Thursdays so I can sleep in a little bit. Our priests give amazing homilies (kind of like sermons but shorter!) that feed me for the rest of the day. </li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUDxthjStn4k7wmLS5s36V8vpzwYjOZenHUVVhn66zqm14o1eGu5KzkhHFIySxnGCdHAVS866IB8jLXMjK8UogL-6iKCAm3FjWwtRUrnhfYZPLgxP6f47exWPafXfLL5UarbiW9cNnXHeeSHE9griq7aS1nY2iL7HsrWbfoL-_wDtvrlvNAYpPX_Z8oA/s2272/0517181954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2272" data-original-width="2271" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUDxthjStn4k7wmLS5s36V8vpzwYjOZenHUVVhn66zqm14o1eGu5KzkhHFIySxnGCdHAVS866IB8jLXMjK8UogL-6iKCAm3FjWwtRUrnhfYZPLgxP6f47exWPafXfLL5UarbiW9cNnXHeeSHE9griq7aS1nY2iL7HsrWbfoL-_wDtvrlvNAYpPX_Z8oA/w200-h200/0517181954.jpg" title="Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Alcoa, TN, USA" width="200" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Surprise suppers with one of my sisters. One night my husband felt like eating a burger so we went to a local place where our youngest son took us on our anniversary. We walked in and one of my sisters was sitting down! She invited us to sit with her ladies' motorcycle group. We had a great time!</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>TV binging. I don't have time to binge during the school year, so I've taken advantage of not being motivated to do anything around the house to binge on Downton Abbey in preparation for the new movie. I've moved on to The Last Kingdom. I should include the internet here, also. It's interesting to google events or places in the show and see the real history. </li></ul><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Garden vegetables. Well, not quite yet but they're coming! The squash that our youngest son planted has taken over the little garden beside our porch. There are some tomatoes on the vines and some squash as well...now we wait for them to ripen!</li></ul><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHXLZw-AOt3uYu35Vfns8kZLFj_Jjlu6j7KA060heYRWQ3Sis2wnuYUOgzS_XIateTXkhe7uZL_CaxMwYzeh4itrbcnQduyyGWTLf3EXCYKFKQUBH6C2ckdN_-LvJ4lkuEjbpuDeXoIKuz2qRYwe-_GB7OehjvsMk7nydngv2w-uSsfnYBJT2ffzz9A/s4032/0531220831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHXLZw-AOt3uYu35Vfns8kZLFj_Jjlu6j7KA060heYRWQ3Sis2wnuYUOgzS_XIateTXkhe7uZL_CaxMwYzeh4itrbcnQduyyGWTLf3EXCYKFKQUBH6C2ckdN_-LvJ4lkuEjbpuDeXoIKuz2qRYwe-_GB7OehjvsMk7nydngv2w-uSsfnYBJT2ffzz9A/s320/0531220831.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Early morning sightings of the ducks. The male was hanging around the fountain a couple of mornings. It's so sweet to see the couple together and to see how the male watches out for the female to protect her.</li></ul><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYB_7qEg78XkC-MLVTEc89Lc1eqb9V5ET8p3j95vqjbZEIyocBUqliiv5GkfuUybFFGhzqPAJaTV2vGAmYc27MAqpTBBdbD2ol3q2vpTQ0-w94x1GRHijl8qFewVWHVX1OtV2EppjhVKx81RrRQYLFKRNsbc4FWyaRZ0FM_nmohJD6ELDPW6oAh3uGQ/s1885/original_a7fb45ba-8774-487d-9ef5-620646fd68be_0531220654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1884" data-original-width="1885" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYB_7qEg78XkC-MLVTEc89Lc1eqb9V5ET8p3j95vqjbZEIyocBUqliiv5GkfuUybFFGhzqPAJaTV2vGAmYc27MAqpTBBdbD2ol3q2vpTQ0-w94x1GRHijl8qFewVWHVX1OtV2EppjhVKx81RrRQYLFKRNsbc4FWyaRZ0FM_nmohJD6ELDPW6oAh3uGQ/s320/original_a7fb45ba-8774-487d-9ef5-620646fd68be_0531220654.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Summer breaks are the time for me to be able to slow down and really enjoy this life that God has given me!</div><p></p><p></p>The Not So Perfect Catholichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638381875389441358noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812308120903721165.post-1049024253671546462022-06-01T10:43:00.001-04:002022-06-01T10:50:15.854-04:00Praying with Scripture: RomansWhile reading the First Reading for Daily Mass one day, it occurred to me that Romans 12:9-16 would make a beautiful prayer. I read through it again, this time turning it into a prayer:<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Lord, let my love be sincere and allow me to hate what is evil and hold on to what is good.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>May I love others with mutual affection and anticipate others in showing honor.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Do not allow me to grow slack in zeal but to be fervent in spirit so as to serve You.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>May I rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, and persevere in prayer. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Remind me to contribute to the needs of the holy ones and to exercise hospitality.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>May I bless and not curse those who persecute me, rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Help me to have the same regard for others and to not be haughty but associate with the lowly. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Do not allow me to be wise in my own estimation. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I ask this through Jesus Christ, my Lord, and Savior.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you would like to print this prayer, click below and save and/or print to add to your prayer collection:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pIm9lOS25JDW1dUAmGNROafEwID_7OJu/view?usp=sharing" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="768" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6C6oqhAdiK1u0GaHI6gl-weyPGtnUt94qVlwTMwAwKaAIGy29vfzrKJZGbIG7eU_my9SfC1KO1eqIkBLAkxzzlZGV2pzNo9jN6foPpEh0ZZ5vtNSj_PJjnizXiglNCKWEvsQMGEWgqp_BMUvkENZ9Ai0T6Lor8zFCtWVSUtm25pE_fVPKWWccZb3vrA/w320-h200/Prayer%20from%20Romans.png" title="Prayer from Romans 12:9-16" width="320" /></a></div>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11533317405680450964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812308120903721165.post-67135370076250485532022-05-27T09:57:00.008-04:002022-05-27T09:57:53.886-04:00FMF Writing Prompt: Heal<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7r7pJDqMOaS2rTFi5AwtRksmFzhzxg7rmktKUCeKMUU3CKK4qFMbkp_qBhO5PpEhVt8Ln1wKN98fwQBksqsISoFJGuvTf4K999ZdPMtJWiaJBVus2FKuGcyHKZd9zebO02DM4JsuCX3QjhAF_XNFQ8gSh8pAgL0RTPnzh77hwY2_7SN1trTGcn0yA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="404" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7r7pJDqMOaS2rTFi5AwtRksmFzhzxg7rmktKUCeKMUU3CKK4qFMbkp_qBhO5PpEhVt8Ln1wKN98fwQBksqsISoFJGuvTf4K999ZdPMtJWiaJBVus2FKuGcyHKZd9zebO02DM4JsuCX3QjhAF_XNFQ8gSh8pAgL0RTPnzh77hwY2_7SN1trTGcn0yA" width="244" /></a></div><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/2022/04/21/fmf-writing-prompt-link-up-run/" target="_blank">Five Minute Friday:</a> Kate provides a word every Friday. The writer sets a timer for 5 minutes and writes whatever comes to mind.<p></p><h3 style="text-align: center;">HEAL</h3><div>Today's Mass Gospel Reading was from John 16:20-23. As I sat behind a family whose father had just past away, I understood the healing that they are going through, to suddenly losing their sweet father. Jesus tells us that we "<i>will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy</i>." (John 16:20)</div><div><br /></div><div>I remember driving to the store after my mom passed away. Everyone was going along with their daily lives while I mourned my mom. People don't know the grieving that the person next to them is going through. They don't know the healing that has to take place for them to eventually rejoice. </div><div><br /></div><div>The healing that this country is having to go through, once again, after the murder of children who should be safe in their school is insurmountable. What is the answer? The Lieutenant Governor of TX hit the nail right on the head: <i><b>The answer is God</b></i>. We have to bring Him back into our families. We have to dispel evil through God. During the Marian Apparition at Fatima, Portugal, our Blessed Mother told the children that the devil's last war will be on the family. Well, it's here.</div><div><br /></div><div>In order to heal, we have to pray. We have to ask God into our hearts and our families and pray that other families allow him into their homes. Otherwise, the evil one wins.</div>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11533317405680450964noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812308120903721165.post-19228236854451971762022-05-26T11:44:00.006-04:002022-05-27T09:30:30.883-04:00Thankful Thursday <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLukDJbAXMiHmtkI8Nh9SyrwRk0nXZn8eIVAN8rzUYMudnr-MuYEQPOS7V9OkrYZ7jRxs0EUFSr1yhU28qMvfSd61nnlzVSmU0XlsJDlvlQrv36eI3xJ4n2l7iRmUu4reFBX2qFQpTh4hGE8dyCPnKG2XRyG6aqcg2cZME9UfPpRytyqrm65fVdkD/s3024/Thankful.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLukDJbAXMiHmtkI8Nh9SyrwRk0nXZn8eIVAN8rzUYMudnr-MuYEQPOS7V9OkrYZ7jRxs0EUFSr1yhU28qMvfSd61nnlzVSmU0XlsJDlvlQrv36eI3xJ4n2l7iRmUu4reFBX2qFQpTh4hGE8dyCPnKG2XRyG6aqcg2cZME9UfPpRytyqrm65fVdkD/s320/Thankful.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This is my first time linking up with Rebecca Jo for<a href="https://www.knitbygodshand.com/2022/05/more-prayers-than-gratitude-today.html" target="_blank"> Thankful Thursday</a>, at least on this blog. It's been years since I've linked up through my Life in a Small Town Blog but since my life is moving in a different direction, I felt it's time to get back in the gratitude mode!<p></p><div style="text-align: left;">I'm thankful for summer! Coffee on the back porch (see the above picture) while listening to the <a href="https://ascensionpress.com/pages/biy-registration?utm_source=google&utm_medium=ad&utm_campaign=BIY&gclid=CjwKCAjwyryUBhBSEiwAGN5OCPp4oaX80svXl7hCcZg6TMIfvM_o01RPuVIu690WO4xLZMdj3ynWFhoCr9oQAvD_BwE" target="_blank">Bible in a Year Podcast </a>by Fr. Mike Schmitz (pssst....it's not just for Catholics!), Daily Mass, and walks with Gurl Dogg make up my summer routine (even if Gurl Dogg is refusing to come on early morning walks!).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm thankful that I purchased a <a href="https://blessedisshe.net/product/blessed-mini-liturgical-planner-2022-2023/" target="_blank">Blessed is She Academic Planner</a> for my last school year. This will be the last planner I purchase. When I first bought a Catholic Planner, it was this one. It has improved, is smaller, and has everything a working Catholic woman needs!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKBA74kwqhqG3ZVhDoG0Pd99akDOc1dHyx7SxWAcsAwduQfPuyF1R73yTyh7Zp-0-y2DHaGgqM4t4jFEiM-VhYmM4W9tZrqV7xVqe3oF0zKR_LUoPGXYf2pNLhux_GQpThl0q_ON7P5fBzb6PQBx8ga10rrU0fewZN163Iy-IzelUihLgCJtVwIrve" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="3023" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKBA74kwqhqG3ZVhDoG0Pd99akDOc1dHyx7SxWAcsAwduQfPuyF1R73yTyh7Zp-0-y2DHaGgqM4t4jFEiM-VhYmM4W9tZrqV7xVqe3oF0zKR_LUoPGXYf2pNLhux_GQpThl0q_ON7P5fBzb6PQBx8ga10rrU0fewZN163Iy-IzelUihLgCJtVwIrve" title="Blessed is She Academic Planner 2022-2023" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Blessed is She Academic Planner</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table>I am so thankful for Jenna Guizar for starting the <a href="https://blessedisshe.net/" target="_blank">Blessed is She</a> ministry!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Last, but certainly not least, I'm so very thankful for this man:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEge9jq5vNOhSwAveJZ5kVib4BGeCn-Yv7iIrgDONmvRMKlOWmGwKoySceJCqtRU2Y9MUu6fKS-tFMhEldu2rXtYE5mzEVBv5qEPenUcoPZH62Nv2bf-wBhFvtXIpRBLVAONoaJGHKEjTaDwp9iY2vC9nAIzHjpKcS7EYFvbhHmjmc1Zi8W4W17Vc2FJ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2460" data-original-width="2460" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEge9jq5vNOhSwAveJZ5kVib4BGeCn-Yv7iIrgDONmvRMKlOWmGwKoySceJCqtRU2Y9MUu6fKS-tFMhEldu2rXtYE5mzEVBv5qEPenUcoPZH62Nv2bf-wBhFvtXIpRBLVAONoaJGHKEjTaDwp9iY2vC9nAIzHjpKcS7EYFvbhHmjmc1Zi8W4W17Vc2FJ" width="240" /></a></div>Over the past 38 years, he has shown me that I do have a sense of adventure. He has shown me that I don't have to just dream about seeing things, I can actually get out and see them. He has given me the self-confidence I lacked when we first got married. He makes me mad at times but makes me laugh even when I don't want to. I'm thankful for the gift of time that God has given us. <br /></div>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11533317405680450964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812308120903721165.post-30288531033113007412022-05-21T08:12:00.003-04:002022-05-21T08:12:20.272-04:00FMF Writing Prompt: Know<div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWh-zgTlsiY9oKDomTuDa3-yrNKGh4-FQTeyvC6bC5hsixA2hGnIcQMzXd5ujCI05poUct4EMcpkxbNhz16-_aNVK2SinlrLE8kI6OOpdxejqVGTGbBPAUvzzFcIJjKCaTI_UdDZzGZHdfIOFgbyRPQ2z0ddLrtCT4vzCOQDrgCkmhdMcl0ZAqDBaO/s399/know.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="399" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWh-zgTlsiY9oKDomTuDa3-yrNKGh4-FQTeyvC6bC5hsixA2hGnIcQMzXd5ujCI05poUct4EMcpkxbNhz16-_aNVK2SinlrLE8kI6OOpdxejqVGTGbBPAUvzzFcIJjKCaTI_UdDZzGZHdfIOFgbyRPQ2z0ddLrtCT4vzCOQDrgCkmhdMcl0ZAqDBaO/w200-h199/know.PNG" width="200" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/2022/04/21/fmf-writing-prompt-link-up-run/" target="_blank">Five Minute Friday:</a> Kate provides a word every Friday. The writer sets a timer for 5 minutes and writes whatever comes to mind.</div><h3 style="text-align: center;">KNOW</h3><div>There are so many unknown things in my life (well, in everyone's lives):</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>I don't know God's plan for me</li><li>I don't know God's timeline for my husband's illness</li></ul></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>But what I do know is that He has a plan for me and He has given us the gift of time with "the illness". One of the Mass Readings this week was Acts 16:1-10. In this scripture, Paul, Barnabas, and Timothy wanted to go to Bithynia but the Holy Spirit told them no and told them to go to Macedonia instead. They listened and they followed. They opened themselves up to hearing the Holy Spirit and they obeyed. As I read and reflected, I realized what I already knew: I don't do that nearly enough. I don't trust in God nearly enough. I feel helpless with what is now my life and I don't like it. But I know that God is tenderly calling me to Him. He is calling me to trust in Him and to allow the Holy Spirit to work in my life. I absolutely hate not having control but I know that's His way of allowing me to come completely to Him. </div><div><br /></div><div>Deciding to retire after the next school year was a huge decision and I didn't take it lightly at all. I didn't base it on how I feel, but rather on what our lives over the next year <i>may </i>look like. Not knowing is so difficult. I'm a control freak (although I've done better over the past year). How do you know when the time is right to do <i>anything</i>? I know the answer is to allow the Holy Spirit to guide you. Open your ears, mind, and heart to His guidance. And most importantly, to obey and follow where He leads.</div>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11533317405680450964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812308120903721165.post-52668009435547489622022-05-14T09:46:00.002-04:002022-05-14T09:46:27.626-04:00FMF Writing Prompt: Vision<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9VTYnosO6_-7240H9nrFTCQgDSJW-QlUI5RXaS0AIyb-ycivbEZSPFx-5MAEflzAlU2Tv29kpZSJH23v-oUidRWh9vEAB_QSJ4SeIuVy_-GD02eLveRfMOLimZuQIsv_6I1YlAl8YjKY6s5aXmLwEf9GIm09L0j5iak4cxS4HEERt6XETZk09qKt/s402/vision.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="402" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9VTYnosO6_-7240H9nrFTCQgDSJW-QlUI5RXaS0AIyb-ycivbEZSPFx-5MAEflzAlU2Tv29kpZSJH23v-oUidRWh9vEAB_QSJ4SeIuVy_-GD02eLveRfMOLimZuQIsv_6I1YlAl8YjKY6s5aXmLwEf9GIm09L0j5iak4cxS4HEERt6XETZk09qKt/w200-h199/vision.PNG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/2022/04/21/fmf-writing-prompt-link-up-run/" target="_blank">Five Minute Friday:</a> Kate provides a word every Friday. The writer sets a timer for 5 minutes and writes whatever comes to mind.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: center;">VISION</h3><div style="text-align: left;">The vision for my retirement years looks very different than what I imagined. My husband & I have always been very healthy, rarely even having the flu or a cold. I've heard that you make plans and God laughs. Well, that's exactly what he's doing with our plans.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We thought I'd retire and continue to work through a travel therapy company. We'd travel around the country while both working since he was able to work from anywhere as long as he had a secure internet connection. We'd spend our free time exploring this beautiful country and enjoy traveling while we could.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">With my husband's illness, that has changed. People with good intentions tell me about people they know being cured of the same kind of cancer he has. What they don't understand is that my husband won't get any better than he is now. Our vision for our future now involves the maintenance of his cancer for as long as it is possible. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Am I worried? I try not to be. The unknown is quite scary. Padre Pio said, "Pray, hope, and don't worry". Yes, I pray, I hope, and I try not to worry. Matthew 6:34 says: <i>Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">We're learning to take each day as it comes. We're learning to be flexible. Most of all, I'm learning to not become frustrated because God's vision for my future is different than what I thought mine would be.</div><p></p>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11533317405680450964noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812308120903721165.post-82594194908830658332022-05-07T07:56:00.006-04:002022-05-07T07:56:36.493-04:00FMF Writing Prompt: Both<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIewmKwDZPhSN0Vb0aWZLj0eszZKeOihTITa1myrfUyieTm6yRfOL79Vl-AapLzVcsXbIfm7NF_7_77iR8dhgmDTYRG3pSHvHToxhBgoyMuSc-ijmSVxaq11jEpfIbwgXCKppvO33F72NDtsfYqDNQ0ChYOt2xKVgj5mmjukoTqA1zykZYclftvNRO/s402/both.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="402" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIewmKwDZPhSN0Vb0aWZLj0eszZKeOihTITa1myrfUyieTm6yRfOL79Vl-AapLzVcsXbIfm7NF_7_77iR8dhgmDTYRG3pSHvHToxhBgoyMuSc-ijmSVxaq11jEpfIbwgXCKppvO33F72NDtsfYqDNQ0ChYOt2xKVgj5mmjukoTqA1zykZYclftvNRO/w200-h199/both.png" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/2022/04/21/fmf-writing-prompt-link-up-run/" target="_blank">Five Minute Friday:</a> Kate provides a word every Friday. The writer sets a timer for 5 minutes and writes whatever comes to mind.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: center;">BOTH</h3><div>I wasn't going to join the linky this week, but Saturday morning the word "both" jumped out at me as I was praying the Liturgy of the Hours:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Both in life and death we are the Lord's. That is why Christ died and came to life again, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. --Romans 14:8-9</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>As I read the Daily Mass Readings, this was in the Psalm:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones. --Psalm 116:15</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>2 faithful men that I know passed away over the course of this week. During Mass, one would always pray that he be a good father to his children during the intentions. The other I would call a little "rough around the edges". The last time I saw him was during Mass. He and his wife held hands through most of it. One man's death was sudden, and the other as a result of cancer. </div><div><br /></div><div>My mom's death was sudden; with my father's each of my 9 siblings and I had time alone with him. God knows what He's doing when He calls us home. Each death is different but each is beautiful. Be faithful to God in life and He will be merciful in death. </div><p></p>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11533317405680450964noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812308120903721165.post-68605310195100376222022-04-22T17:27:00.007-04:002022-04-22T17:27:52.473-04:00FMF Writing Prompt: Run<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUZXQHuR_Z4VNNIAJkssFGWodJo9VfssBqd2pt2h-z350bIpMLSgSRbfEBo860lkb7_tswTKXucCmJL-83v6K5qxI5DtKuiLaH32gasFb8q5tYB0a2oYNkqemEHdj9qlS9NdiyZJkOa0xWIkwze687loKbep3rGlVJLe6suxFoP6JzLj1HTmsxR1n/s400/Picture1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUZXQHuR_Z4VNNIAJkssFGWodJo9VfssBqd2pt2h-z350bIpMLSgSRbfEBo860lkb7_tswTKXucCmJL-83v6K5qxI5DtKuiLaH32gasFb8q5tYB0a2oYNkqemEHdj9qlS9NdiyZJkOa0xWIkwze687loKbep3rGlVJLe6suxFoP6JzLj1HTmsxR1n/w200-h200/Picture1.png" width="200" /></a></div><a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/2022/04/21/fmf-writing-prompt-link-up-run/" target="_blank">Five Minute Friday:</a> Kate provides a word every Friday. The writer sets a timer for 5 minutes and writes whatever comes to mind. <p></p><h3 style="text-align: center;">RUN</h3><p>Adulting is hard, y'all, and I've been at it for over 35 years! There are times when I just want to run away from it all. The boys aren't acting like I think they should? I could just run away. Bad day at work? I just want to run away. Bad news? Yep, you guessed it: I just want to run away.</p><p>But what would running away do? I might be able to forget about the problems or the bad news for a while, but eventually, I would have to face reality and face the problems head-on. Sure, I prefer sticking my head in the sand and living in "Mary's World"...it makes things a lot less stressful. I don't watch the news; it's just too heartbreaking to see what's going on in our country.</p><p>So, what do I do? I run to the Cross. I run to the Adoration Chapel, my Galilee...the place where I can begin again. Things never seem quite so bad after I spend time in the quiet in front of the Crucified Jesus or in front of the Divine Mercy. Jesus, I do trust in You. It's hard though, isn't it? This whole trust thing with Jesus? The whole "giving it all to Him and not trying to take it back"? But I guess running <i><b>to </b></i>Jesus is a lot better than running <i><b>from </b></i>him. </p>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11533317405680450964noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812308120903721165.post-65863508162837000772022-04-15T13:21:00.004-04:002022-04-15T13:21:37.975-04:00FMF Writing Prompt: Deny<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1x7x5E31jcveQ7yn04xS1RCh9OQWefus9VeCOts7VtjCFApqT0Y1pkdydq1awOUzdabsJQTjjk2cBj3hPusLkc588JLo6VJIl_WgUeLEtyVF_AQUjJ5h7t_C8MpHoRzqKEGj9oV9qxbWY0MyISQR-i4eiz1id6AUu1I5yL_5pIN0R9tGwdrAvSQD/s400/Deny.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1x7x5E31jcveQ7yn04xS1RCh9OQWefus9VeCOts7VtjCFApqT0Y1pkdydq1awOUzdabsJQTjjk2cBj3hPusLkc588JLo6VJIl_WgUeLEtyVF_AQUjJ5h7t_C8MpHoRzqKEGj9oV9qxbWY0MyISQR-i4eiz1id6AUu1I5yL_5pIN0R9tGwdrAvSQD/w200-h200/Deny.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, Lucida, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">Join the link-up with your own five-minute freewrite on <a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/2022/04/14/fmf-writing-prompt-link-up-deny/" target="_blank">FiveMInute Friday</a>, then visit your link-up neighbor to read their post and leave an encouraging comment.</span></td></tr></tbody></table></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">The other morning during my prayer/devotional time, these verses from the Daily Mass Readings jumped out at me: </div><div style="text-align: center;">"<i>Will you lay down your life for me?</i>" --John 13:38</div><div style="text-align: center;">"...<i>from my mother's womb you are my strength</i>" - Psalm71:6</div><div style="text-align: center;">"...<i>my God is now my strength</i>" - Isaiah 49:5</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Will I deny myself and lay down my life for Jesus if asked? Aren't I asked daily to do that? Through my obsessions, my "time killers", I should be spending that time with my family, reading His Word or religious books instead of playing games on my phone or flipping through Instagram.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">That got me wondering what My mom's pregnancy with me was like. Was I an easy pregnancy? Did they know my name early in the pregnancy or did they wait? I do know that I was prayed for by both of my parents and my grandma as well as aunts and uncles. My parents gave me strength in my faith, my strength in God. I draw my strength in God from my faith. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Getting back to "deny"; Jesus isn't just asking us not to deny Him when we're asked about Him. He's constantly asking us to deny things in this world that draw us away from Him. He's not just talking about the big things, but little things. I deleted the games on my phone at the end of my "Jesus time". I'm being more mindful of picking up my phone and immediately going to Instagram. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In what ways do you feel Jesus calling you to deny yourself?</div><p></p>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11533317405680450964noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812308120903721165.post-58092013572496722592022-04-08T16:42:00.003-04:002022-04-08T16:42:48.890-04:00FMF Writing Prompt: Explore<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcXQh2XbONwPMHe1u3MxCzGjYn41YO4Q9Yws0oliHe7DBNR4SlNRLWIaJLydidAOEDY1x8bCSbqIrp3ai-5VYDgiX3aVtYIIzryEpSnhktECY18UFclQUe-FvoG_0dPtbA1rcLjK60eLvk1vpaDlGZIQtUr19aay9fmyhneeajY9MgkQX2KMPzDgjB" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcXQh2XbONwPMHe1u3MxCzGjYn41YO4Q9Yws0oliHe7DBNR4SlNRLWIaJLydidAOEDY1x8bCSbqIrp3ai-5VYDgiX3aVtYIIzryEpSnhktECY18UFclQUe-FvoG_0dPtbA1rcLjK60eLvk1vpaDlGZIQtUr19aay9fmyhneeajY9MgkQX2KMPzDgjB" width="240" /></a></div>I was excited to see today's writing prompt for the <a href="https://fiveminutefriday.com/2022/04/07/fmf-writing-prompt-link-up-explore/" target="_blank">Five Minute Friday link-up</a>. Now if I can just contain it to 5 minutes, I'll be doing great!<p></p><h3 style="text-align: center;">EXPLORE</h3><div>I love exploring as long as it's not too adventurous. After I moved back to my hometown with my husband and boys, my husband would take me to places that I'd never heard of, much less been to. Being a motorcyclist, he knew all the "off the beaten path" places. I knew I had a sheltered life, but with him taking me to new places I realized just how sheltered it had really been. </div><div><br /></div><div>The latest exploring we did was in Ireland. When I go somewhere new, I absolutely love to hear the history of where I am. You know, little-known facts about the areas. As I mentioned last week, we rented a campervan so we could travel at our own pace and take in the Irish countryside and people. It was quite an adventure, to say the least. We explored places where there were very few tourists. From our first night with some friends in Dublin to the Wicklow Mountains, the only time we saw tour buses was in Glendalough, a monastic city founded by St. Kevin. The exploration was done in little villages thanks to people we met from the area who told us where to explore. </div><div><br /></div><div>Dang! The timer went off! To see places in my backyard that I've explored, go to my <a href="https://www.marylifeinasmalltown.com/" target="_blank">Life in a Small Town</a> blog. There are also tabs for other places I've explored. The Ireland tab will be updated as soon as I start writing posts about this visit.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmQU_gjPJ9R-JAxDld40I3MTllKAZ3kakKD6zWUvoPURzpyyJuPsZfihbiZMXL74icMDsk4jlREbYEqAkuRwgF2TUXdA0xtOs05G-rOs5X7b-s0RXi-phMooyZAbtv595zwm6xszahRA3F51CwJncBq2Zt6RwETPyNBVaJVaOjSDcZOg3x9OwCvsr/s3280/0324221049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3280" data-original-width="2460" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmQU_gjPJ9R-JAxDld40I3MTllKAZ3kakKD6zWUvoPURzpyyJuPsZfihbiZMXL74icMDsk4jlREbYEqAkuRwgF2TUXdA0xtOs05G-rOs5X7b-s0RXi-phMooyZAbtv595zwm6xszahRA3F51CwJncBq2Zt6RwETPyNBVaJVaOjSDcZOg3x9OwCvsr/s320/0324221049.jpg" width="240" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5vCYDdKSr-6kxsT-rFYNbrE9z62y8_K6dhG4BJUtdxWWcKasMbGSUQYVbC05kYuDKuhvbhs3xp62_RA_CXpa3H0g6emKGaj1zN5rioBqF2HozrYMm_qe0iZxYXrwvf4JpzpMpexSCuiEd7NX_3I3RfIQLJFUx3nC495U8eLU-Y1Fl2I07NKyihLj/s5184/IMG_6946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5vCYDdKSr-6kxsT-rFYNbrE9z62y8_K6dhG4BJUtdxWWcKasMbGSUQYVbC05kYuDKuhvbhs3xp62_RA_CXpa3H0g6emKGaj1zN5rioBqF2HozrYMm_qe0iZxYXrwvf4JpzpMpexSCuiEd7NX_3I3RfIQLJFUx3nC495U8eLU-Y1Fl2I07NKyihLj/s320/IMG_6946.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div>Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11533317405680450964noreply@blogger.com13