Divine Mercy Sunday

The church was full, and it was beautiful. Husband and I prayed the powerful novena that starts in Good Friday. We prayed for our children, and how powerful to be there in prayer with so many like-minded parishioners, trusting in God’s mercy. 

 

Today’s psalm

 

The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.

Number Four off to Japan

 He was home for over a month on leave and worked on so many projects-- many small ones that did not get photographed! Fixing the gate, the ice maker, the dishwasher, helping painting, spreading the huge pile of mulch etc. The big ones we made sure to photograph such as the S-shaped path in the backyard, planting the iris bed, hanging the metal bird plaque I gave Husband for Christmas. 

Now he is off to Texas to spend a few days prior to departure checking in the base, and hosted by uncle Dave and Aunt Sue. Then it is off to Japan for a year!

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A happy Mother's Day!

Cards, flowers, a great gift from Number Five, and a Zoom meeting with the kids--a joyful day! 

Lord of Love, keep ours and all families united in love through this time of trial and separation. 

Day of Prayer and Fasting

We are participating today in the diocesan Day of Prayer and Fasting. Lord, have mercy on us.

At Adoration, last time

It was the last opportunity to step into the church, as it is now closed until further notice. Husband and I and Number Seven spent and hour with the Eucharistic Lord and it ward to leave.

"The most fruitful hour today.

Take the fears and worries, Eucharistic Lord, and bring us your peace and protection.

We are thankful!"

Pentecost

With Number Seven in Chicago enjoying the Arts Fest with Number One, we have had a quiet weekend, a taste of the empty nester life to come soon. We did some (unsuccessful) house hunting and have also progressed in our intermittent fasting. This morning at church the choir was out of this world--doing the usual beautiful pieces (such as the De Angelis Gloria) and filling the church with beauty as they sang the gorgeous Veni Sancte Spiritus sequence and athe Sicut Cervus at the end.

Urban sunrise

Morning Prayer

The first yellow iris

The Dawn of Grace

Never as this Christmas I sensed the power of the feast: the dawn that came filled with grace, a most-prayerful time, like an even-wider door into the heavenly pouring of Love and Life. I took this picture as I came down, the house still under the blanket of silence and sleep. Photos never capture the spiritual weight of a prayerful experience, but they serve to remind us of it. I posted this photo under the caption "The Dawn of Grace".

Christmas 2016

I pass by their photo on the shelf... and realize all I do for the family at Christmas--the baking, cooking, shopping, wrapping etc etc--is because they taught me the importance and meaning of this season. With a heart brimming of gratitude I ask them, from heaven, to help me able to pass this treasure to my own dearest family.

Half-Mast

I read somewhere that out country is unraveling... and somewhere else that it isn't that God has forgotten the USA, but this is what a country that has turned away from God looks like.

There is a sadness in the heart, a mourning. Hard to write about it--but easy to take it to God, and keep asking Him to guide us.

Happy Fourth!

In Iris heaven

First rose-colored iris opening this morning.

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good!

Happy 17th birthday, Number Six!

Happy birthday to a most beloved daughter! She bakes, she plays for friends and for the elderly, and sings too, she reads voraciously, and writes even more... she goes on diocesan trips, and gets stranded in the snow during some of them... she receives some amazing academic awards... and she plays Shakespeare, and has the funnest siblings, plus the nicest friends! Plus three loving and beautiful sisters. And does so much more... all with intelligence and wisdom.

Above all, she is a daughter of God, faithful and dedicated to growing in His love. Husband and I are continually humbled and thankful for her presence in our lives! May God continue illuminating and guiding your life's paths, dearest Maria!