2 years.

Marking another milestone.  Thanks be to God for an even better year, full of much joy and laughter and changes for our good.  Praise Him, He truly is merciful - we offer Him ourselves and our lives.

"I am my Beloved's and my Beloved is mine."  Song of Songs 2:16

"With this ring I thee wed...in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."

"It takes three to make love in hearts~the Lover, the Beloved, and Love. What binds lover and beloved together on earth is an ideal outside both. As it is impossible to have rain without clouds, so it is impossible to understand love without God."
Archbishop Fulton Sheen

We wait in joyful hope.

Advent around our home...



The Advent Wreath; circle=God's eternity/liturgical cycle of the Church, greenery= sign of hope in winter, 4 candles=4 weeks of the Advent season, purple=penance, and rose=joy.



The Jesse Tree tells the story of our Lord's lineage. 
Mom made this beautiful one for us.



Counting down to His birth!



"And Joseph too went up from Galilee...to the city of David that is called Bethlehem...with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child." Luke 2:4-5



"We are waiting for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; he will transfigure our lowly bodies into copies of his own glorious body." (Phil 3:20-21)

O Savior of nations, come into our hearts!

Hail Mary, full of grace.

Today is the beautiful feast of the Immacualte Conception - the day on which the Church celebrates Mary's arrival into the world free from that stain of original sin with which all other humans were born.  Of course, God would provide Mary, the Mother of God, with this grace, because of course, the Son of God should be provided with the purest and holiest of mothers.  We too were granted the priveldge of calling her our mother when our Lord, on the cross, gave her as mother to the human race, with the apostle John standing in place of all mankind..."Behold, your mother," (John 19:27)  How fortunate we are to have such a model of perfect obedience, humility, and love in her...she yearns to bring all of her human children closer to her Son.  Indeed the fastest way to Jesus is through His mother, and by giving her to us as mother, He shows that He does indeed ask us to revere, honor, and emmulate her.

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.

Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving season, everyone!  We pray that God continues to move within your lives to draw you ever closer to Him, and that you give thanks for the sufferings and the joys which inevitably assist that process! :)  Our fall has been intense with some sufferings and changes in our life but we give thanks even for those as we see how God continues to bless us when we strive to follow His holy will - our love for Him and for for each other has immeasurably deepened.  Despite all, we've been having so much fun enjoying each other as life companions - so, I thank you, Lord, and thank you, Hubby!  The love and support of our friends and my family, especially, has been invaluable; thank you all! 

We had a lovely little Thanksgiving weekend.  Laura and Dilanji Co. came down Tues-Sun; it was great to have them all here for sharing, laughs, games, loving precious boys, and of course, baking!  Laura and I cooked dinner together - exhausting but delicious!  Andrew unfortunately got food poisoning from eggnog the day after, so sadly we missed a day at the beach with them - but overall it was a wonderful weekend.  (Miss you guys already!)  Here are a few images from around our house this past weekend... 



Music and love.

(I just realized I never posted this entry...)

Just stopping in to say hello - we've been very very busy with our respective jobs but have been squeezing in some fun as well!

We have been attending some good concerts and performances lately, as a Naples lady graciously donates tickets to Ave Maria University faculty and staff for Naples Philharmonic events.  We're thankful for these opportunities - an evening to go out, enjoy dinner and each other and bask in some great (free!) music.  This past Sunday we saw Rossini's opera La Cenerentola (Cinderella) performed by the Sarasota Opera who brought it to Naples to pair with the Philharmonic. 

Here we are beforehand....

We thank Him for this kind of love...

"I create for My Kingdom"

"You see, the child lives. Instead of the wind he hears the sound of angels singing before My throne. Instead of the beauty that passes he sees everlasting Beauty—he sees My face. He was created and lived a short time so the image of his parents imprinted on his face may stand before Me as their personal intercessor. He knows secrets of heaven unknown to men on earth. He laughs with a special joy that only the innocent possess. My ways are not the ways of man. I create for My Kingdom and each creature fills a place in that Kingdom that could not be filled by another. He was created for My joy and his parents’ merits. He has never seen pain or sin. He has never felt hunger or pain. I breathed a soul into a seed, made it grow and called it forth.”

I am humbled before you, my Lord, for questioning Your wisdom, goodness, and love. I speak as a fool—forgive me. I acknowledge Your sovereign rights over life and death. I thank You for the life that began for so short a time to enjoy so long an Eternity. – Mother M. Angelica

 <3 Little Hope <3

In Paradisum.

Andrew was asked to sing the bass solos in the Ave Maria University of Music Department's Fall Concert this semester, and I had the privilege of attending the first one last night. Scheduled near the Feast of All Souls, the AMU choirs appropriately sang works from various composers centered on themes of death, judgement, hope, eternity, and salvation. They did a great job. Andrew participated in Bach's Cantata No. 106 "Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit" and Gabriel Faure's Requieum in D Minior.

Texts from the Bach have been resonating within me all weekend..."God's time is the very best time. In him we live, move, and are, so long as he wills. In him we die at the right time, when he wills....Ah, Lord, teach us to think that we must die so that we become wise...Today you will be with me in paradise...With peace and joy I travel there in God's will, my heart and mind are confident, peaceful and calm. As God has promised me: death has become my sleep."

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis. Requiescant in pace. Amen (Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let your perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.)

Thankful.

Thankful for lovely time spent with a sister and 3 precious nephews this past week...
thankful for the cooler weather...
thankful for a loving and caring hubby...
thankful for a special sister-in-law who listens so well and says the right things...
thankful for technology/Skype, which allows me to feel close to my family...
thankful for the jobs that keep us so busy but allow us to survive...
thankful for a wonderful holy pastor/boss...
thankful for the love and companionship of friends...
thankful for the examples and intercession of the saints...
thankful for God's grace and for prayers answered this weekend...
indeed it is time to give thanks and praise Him.

Also dwelling on these words of Padre Pio..."Pray, hope, and don't worry."

His eye is on the sparrow

"Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins?  Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God.  Even the hairs of your head have all been counted.  Do not be afraid.  You are worth more than many sparrows."

Luke 12: 6-7

"O my Lord, how obvious it is that you are almighty!  There's no need to look for reasons for what you want.  For, beyond all natural reason, you make things so possible that you manifest clearly there's no need for anything more than truly to love you and truly to leave all for you, so that you, my Lord, may make everything easy..."

~ St. Teresa of Avila

The better part.

"The Lord said to her in reply, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her."

 ~ Luke 10: 41, 42

There are so many worries, foolish cares, and distractions in our simple and jaded view of life.  We must not allow ourselves to be so wrapped up in our bubble that we forget Who stands nearby awaiting our love, and that our attention must first, foremost, and always be centered on Him.  How tragic when we allow those petty cares we grasp so tightly to interfere with our devotion to our Lord.  Better to remain always at His feet then to be rushing in and out of His presence because there is "so much" to be done.  So silly of us, of me. He should be at the desk, at the stove, sink, and laundry room, in the car; always on our minds like the Beloved He is.  Our daily work will indeed even go much smoother, be more peace-filled, and feel less like drudgery if we consciously keep Him at the center of all that we do.  A perfect opportunity also to offer Him love and consolations instead of wasting time uselessly bemoaning our own tiny, tiny problems.  The reward? He will provide us with the grace to plow through our duties, and peace to sooth our frantic minds and weary spirits.  We struggle even to offer Him so little, and He gives ten-fold in return.

  

PS.  St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us.

Too cute not to share.

A fellow blogger-friend posted a link to this blog, and hubby and I spent a good 5 minutes oooing and chuckling over these photographs.  I love the fabric, composition, creative thought, and of course, the baby, that went into this little hobby.  Moms, if you find yourself getting bored during your child's naptime, try this! :)  Below are a few of my favorites...



Princess and the pea



Gone Fishin'



Pippi Longstockings

Bookworm



Precious Pearl



Mary Poppins



Angel of healing

On this feast day of three great archangels; Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, we ask for their protection, prayers, and inspiration, especially from St. Raphael, an angel whose name and significance is close to our hearts - he is one of our special patron saints. :)  Also a very appropriate intercessor for me especially during this time of healing.  

Glorious Archangel Saint Raphael, great prince of the heavenly court, you are illustrious for your gifts of wisdom and grace. You are a guide of those who journey by land or sea or air, consoler of the afflicted, and refuge of sinners. I beg you, assist me in all my needs and in all the sufferings of this life, as once you helped the young Tobias on his travels. Because you are the "medicine of God," I humbly pray you to heal the many infirmities of my soul and the ills that afflict my body. I especially ask of you the favor {mention your petition} and the great grace of purity of prepare me to be the temple of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Saint Raphael of the glorious seven who stand before the throne of Him who lives and reigns, angel of health, the Lord has filled your hand with balm from heaven to soothe or cure our pains. Heal or cure the victim of disease, and guide our steps when doubtful of our ways.

Daybook.

FOR TODAY

Outside my window... Hot, muggy, and grey. Fall, where are you? 

I am hearing... Billie Holiday on Pandora and distant thunder...we're not yet out of storm season.

I am pondering... about whether or not I should audition for the alto lead position for the Southwest FL Symphony Chorus.  I would love to sing under Dr. McDonnell again (who extended the opportunity to Andrew and me), I do miss singing in a chorus, and the rehearsals are pretty close to home, but do I want to sign away an evening out of my week for that, not to mention time on various weekends for performances?
   

I am creating... a clean house and a little office/craft corner for myself.

I am thankful for... life's hard moments which force us to grow and cast ourselves trustingly into the Father's arms.

From the kitchen... Yeast sitting, bread about to be made.

I am going... to the grocery store and library. Exciting, huh? :)

I am reading... looking through a few dried flower craft books for arrangement ideas. 

I am hoping... that I really am kicking this nasty cold and cough and that it is not just wishful thinking.
   

Around the house... Laundry waiting to be folded. Slowly getting things back in order after a crazy last month.

One of my favorite things... for the past couple weeks, I've enjoyed a big bowl of fresh fruit for breakfast every morning - the peaches really have been terrific this season.
Also, we came across a brand new Charles Dicken's series, Oxford-edition, at Goodwill this past weekend.  Although it was missing 4 of the most popular books, we got the other 17 for a mere $20! What a steal - this set retails new around $500, and used $200.

A few plans for the rest of the week: finalizing decorative ideas for the house/patio, searching Craig's List for a few items, hanging out with a gf, choosing honeymoon pictures to print out for the scrapbook, and if it clears up, I would love a few hours on the beach.

Here is picture thought I am sharing... just happy us.

The little loves in my life.

My nephews and nieces (4 of them, godchildren) have been on my mind this week.  Thankful for their smiles, sweet innocence, unconditional love, joy, precious childish insights, and infatuation with life.  Also thankful for Skype which allows me to see these cute faces at least once a week!  Their little souls are always in my thoughts and prayers...

Kieran, Elias, Aidan



Gabrielle, Declan, Nehemiah



Embracing the cross

We know that life is inundated with a variety of a million crosses to be dealt with and born.  Suffering, disappointments, hurt feelings, financial struggles, temptations of the flesh, relationship conflicts - each and every result of original sin.  It is easy to lose heart, complain, wallow in self-pity, question the number and nature of crosses which appear to be useless upsets in our lives.  Sure, we have a choice and can approach frustrations with a bitter, resentful attitude if we so choose, but who truly wants to add misery to their lives?  (Ironically, some do.)  

Doesn't the noble path call for acceptance and trust that everything works together for good in the Divine Plan?  Those who have gone before us witness that this is indeed true.  The martyrs chose the Lord over life itself.  He was their portion and their cup, and that was reward enough for them.  The saints embraced life's troubles with joyful, outstretched arms; they knew from whence strength would come and what treasure  awaited them at the completion of their good fight.  We have it much easier than most of those good people did, and still we grumble when the merest of things does not go our way.  More often than not, it is more than just a mere thing to the scope of our poor, simple intellects, and we permit our emotions to run amuck because our dreams/plans are not playing out as we desire.

Who holds all things in the palm of His hand?  Who gives motion to life itself?  Why are we so silly as to bewail life if it does not unfold as we hope - why do we stubbornly persist in attempting to orchestrate our lives to such astronomical degrees?  Suffering and troubles are thus necessary, to "gently" remind us to Whom we belong and to Whom we owe life itself.  Can we not bear our burdens in obedience out of love for Him?  I think so.  Especially when we know the cross was followed by the resurrection - pain and suffering will be followed by eternal rapture.  And, we need not be discouraged thinking that rewards will not be merited until after we are released from the physical world; He does draw near to us now, to comfort our soul, provide strength, draw us up again and again, and ever nearer to Himself.  Each time we embrace the crosses He permits us to suffer, we are all the more closely embracing Him and becoming more like Him.  What a reward in itself! <3 

How sad for those who choose the way of misery and self pity, viewing suffering as a useless waste of time and energy - if only they knew the peace that comes from taking up the cross as did He, and trusting in the Father's design.  Suffering is indeed a tremendous blessing, for without it, we would be at a loss as to how to both emulate and unite to, our beloved Lord.  We struggle as it is to follow in His footsteps in the way of virtue, as there are a myriad of temptations and distractions to either cause our failure or dilute our fervor.  So, we should rejoice when forced with suffering, for it has a simple approach - pick up the cross, carry it to completion, and lay it at His feet. 

"We are not discouraged; rather, although our outer self is wasting away, out inner self is being renewed day by day.  For this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to what is seen but to what is unseen; for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal."  ~2 Corinthians 4:16-18 

A new Blessed & a wonderful Holy Father!

Today in England, Pope Benedict XVI beatifies a man who sacrificed all in his quest for truth and in order to follow God's will in everything.  A former Anglican converted Catholic, ordained priest, and later cardinal, John Henry Newman is appropriately being honored as an example of perseverance in the path to sainthood.  He said, "A good man seeks to please himself, not necessarily seeking to offend God, but a saint is one who seeks to please God in all things, no matter what the cost."  The Holy Father used Newman's life as an example as to how we should be answering Christ's call in our own lives.

"Newman's life also teaches us that passion for the truth, intellectual honesty and the genuine conversion are costly. The truth that sets us free cannot be kept to ourselves; it calls for testimony, it begs to be heard, and in the end its convincing power comes from itself and not from the human eloquence or arguments in which it may be couched."

"We know that in times of crisis and upheaval God has raised up great saints and prophets for the renewal of the Church and Christian society; we trust in his providence and we pray for his continued guidance. But each of us, in accordance with his or her state of life, is called to work for the advancement of God's Kingdom by imbuing temporal life with the values of the Gospel."

"Christ had need of families to remind the world of the dignity of human love and the beauty of family life.  He needs men and women who devote their lives to the noble task of education, tending the young and forming them in the ways of the Gospel."

"Ask our Lord what he has in mind for you. Ask him the generosity to say yes. Do not be afraid to give yourself totally to Jesus.  He will give you the grace you need to fulfill your vocation."

 

These are only a few gems from this amazing address; read it in its entirety here.  What a wise and holy pope we have in Benedict XVI.  I have not had an opportunity to read much of his writing yet, but this short speech alone is peppered with Benedict's great humility, strong desire for the continuous conversion of souls, and an overflowing love for Christ and His Church - I believe I will be reading much more Benedict in the future.  A great affection for our dear late Pope Paul II was fostered in my heart during my childhood thanks to my father's constant praise of, and explanation of his documents, faith, and love for God's people.  And now another spiritual giant to lead us - much needed strength and wisdom during this time when Christ's Church and people are under so much attack.

 

Blessed John Henry Newman, pray for us, that we will seek to please God in all facets of our daily life in order to become saints.

Lately

- Last week was a busy one with going back to the job(s) full swing after surgery.  God's strength is limitless!

  - Incisions are healing well; I've found that Vit. E really helps with the itching.

- Had some lovely days with this one - beach, errands, lots of movies, games, heart to heart talks. 

Discovered that she really enjoys her desserts! We shared some tasty ones.

Sanibel/Captiva Islands were beautiful.  Only 7 people on this particular beach! Want to go back soon.

- Post Catherine's visit, I have been swamped with catching up tasks around the house and for work.

So much music from the church to organize/sort/file, but making headway.

- With hubby's school and jobs also settling into full swing alongside mine, I appreciate more the time we have together. And I miss him more often! :)

- Realizing how much guidance, love, and affirmation young people need...I pray and hope that I am able to be some source of these things for my students.

- Slowly, slowly, settling into a routine, but now fighting off a cold, so organization and scheduling have been on the back burner. Hoping to get there soon...

- Been able to catch up with a few dear friends lately and it's been wonderful!

I am so blessed in the way of friendships.

- Laura is coming to visit for a few days next week with the adorable nephews; I have Friday off, so we have some fun activities planned.

I.need.rest. On that note...

"Now glory be to God! By His mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope."

 Ephesians 3:20

Labor Day...

My Labor Day was spent in Sarasota where I met up with Catherine & Laura's gang at Uncle Bruce's. We hung out at the beach, enjoyed playing with and watching the boys, and catching up with the Uncle's family.  Then I took our dear Catherine back home with me and she's here until Saturday!  She has a bit of a sore throat right now, so I think we're going to take it easy today and keep her well dosed with vitamins.  I do have to go back to teaching this week (tomorrow) so we are going to try and make the most of today and Thursday.  Love having siblings come visit!! (hint hint!)

Uncle Bruce having "breakfast" with Elias

They love Aunt Catherine!

Lunch

So glad you're here!!