Deciding for Joy

It is not easy today is it?  We all know families who are really struggling w/ money, jobs, illness and worry.  Perhaps it is ourselves in the fight of our lives.

Seek out joy - if you can.  I am not talking slapping on a smile and telling everyone all is well when it is obviously not.  What I am talking about is deciding that no matter how awful it is around us, that God remains a loving, generous and merciful Father.  This thought can allow joy to rise up in your soul to carry through the rough times.  You have someone who loves you unconditionally no matter what circumstances whirl around you.  God knows that the awfulness of your life at this time does not define you nor determine you.  You are His child and as such there remains grace for the hard times and heaven as your final end.  

I hope you find joy today. 

Please read Catholic Exchange

I have said before that www.catholicexchange.com is one of my favorite sites.  Today is no different.  Please take the time to read Fr. James Farfaglia on "Being a Professional Catholic".  He both encourages us and admonishes us to the need to put as much effort into a relationship w/ Christ that we do in our professional careers or educational pursuits.  

Imagine that world - what would a world of Catholics who actually lived out the Gospel look like?  It would not be perfect as we are not perfect but it would certainly be better.  And I am not just talking about the pretend Catholics such as politicians who are 'personally opposed to abortion but...."  I am talking about me and you. 

Give it some thought this weekend and take his advice.  

The Joys of Ordinary Time

Welcome to Ordinary Time.  I will admit that I like the sound of that.  While I truly enjoy all the feasts, music and excitement of Advent, Christmas and soon to come Lent and Easter, there is a calm about Ordinary Time that I crave.

During the holy days of the holidays I can get so caught up trying to make sure I do it all that I can end up in a tizzy of activities w/ no follow-through or thought.  I do a St. Lucy's day event but do I ponder what it means.  No even so much for my kids but for me.  Jesus as Light of the World!

Ordinary time is different. While there's a saint for everyday to celebrate and learn from, I feel no pressure to make sure I do.  I can go more calmly through my days, walking with Christ from day to day rather than running with Him from moment to moment.

I like to think of Jesus walking in the country-side w/ his followers, telling them stories and listening to theirs.  They pause in the heat of the day to rest in the shade of a tree.  They spend time together between the commotion of the stable and upcoming pain of the cross.  May we do the same.

Check out Catholic Exchange today

I just wrote that CE is one of my favorite on-line places - www.catholicexchange.com.  Today is no different as their cover piece, "Of Treacheries, Tykes, and the Trinity" is a wonderful overview of the 'overpopulation' movement, population control and more.  If you have any older girls you may decide to talk about the piece with them as there are names there they should know including Thomas Malthus and Margaret Sanger.  

Our children's generations have been forever changed by the loss of peers and playmates.  As we look at how great our children are and what potential they have to truly change the world, I wonder what the lost children of abortion may have accomplished given the chance.

Give it a read, you may learn something new or just be given the confirmation of strength in knowing that the teachings of the Church are true.

These are a few of my favorite things...

Without much else to write about - a bit of writer's block, I guess - I thought I would let you know things I like so you might know a bit more about me.  These are coming in no particular order but just as they fall out of my head....

In regards to my faith life - I really like www.catholicexchange.com.  At times, I even have a piece there but I really like the other authors as well.  I am becoming more of a fan of St. Francis de Sales.  We are pleased to have their 'retirement' home nearby so our parish often has these marvelous priests as weekend help.  I am a big fan of praying constantly and can be found mumbling intercessions for my children as I pair up their socks.

In my free time (what a phrase that is coming from a homeschooling mother of 11!), I like to read, watch movies and just be w/ my husband.  (boy, do I sound like a personal ad, or what??!!).

I like to wear skirts most of time unless it is really cold - like it is right now - then I wear pants. I also like cardigan sweaters - something that really annoys my 14 yr. old daughter who will now not wear them because they are 'mom clothes'.

I like to cook but I am not great (I tend to dry out meats if I am not really careful).  I love to bake but rarely make time to do anything more than cookies or quick breads.

But most importantly, I really, really like being a mom of a large family, Catholic and married to my husband.  And beyond that, whatever I may like or not like those items are the most important. 

Cross Blogging

As many of you know, I am a regular blogger at Dr. Greg and Lisa Popcak's site - www.exceptionalmarriages.com.  We lovingly call our site - the HMS - which stands for Heart, Mind and Strength.  I posted a blog today that I think is helpful here as well.  Greg put up a link to a very good list of 'helps' to making resolutions work.  

Knowing that many/most of us take advantage of the new year to make some changes in our lives, I found this article really, really helpful.  

Take some time to check me out over in my other neighborhood - www.exceptionalmarriages.com while the article/site Greg linked is found directly at 

http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2008/12/29/5-tips-to-make-your-resolutions-stick/

Making changes is a necessary, albeit difficult part of being a follower of Christ.  This list will certainly help making the necessary changes easier to accomplish.