Joy

It is a gift to be home. At any moment in the day, I am receiving love and have multiple opportunities to give love in many forms. It is living heaven on earth. Someone may read that and immediately say, "Your life is perfect?" I would answer, "No, but it is through the suffering, sacrifice and joy to give in the present moment that makes every. single. day, so worthy to live for Him." Without God's grace, guidance, forgiveness and constant calling me back to Himself, I would be completely lost. I am so grateful for our children who give me the opportunities to serve and to see just how much I lack...so that I can be filled. Our children teach me more than I could ever imagine learning elsewhere; this is another example that motherhood and fatherhood are God's designs not ours, because they are endless fonts of love, grace and learning. If I were to capture the moments of joy throughout the day in a visual, I would never set the camera down. Everywhere I turn, a little one is giving love. And, the words they say, melt my heart. Hearing, "I love you, Mama," from Marta before nap, or  "I love you so much," from Penny as she leans her head on her pillow before nodding off, or getting a kiss on the shoulder from sweet Cal during Rosary, or Lottie's sweet kiss on the cheek and a "I have te-woo" (books for nap); Pita's "Can you come see me?" before she falls asleep and a "I love you, Mommy" before she goes to sleep, or Maddy's whispers to her siblings of how they can help or enjoying her morning hug and her arms wrapped round my neck as I kiss her goodnight...joy. Thank you to God ad my husband for the gifts of life. They are total gifts.

Dad's birthday

Although out of order in the posts, this day cannot be missed: your birthday. We love you. We are grateful to God for you and for His goodness in blessing my life, now our lives, with your life. Thank you for being you and for sharing your goodness with us all. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jer. 29:11)

St. Joseph's Feast Day

Oh St. Joseph whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires. Oh St. Joseph do assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your divine son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, our Lord; so that having engaged here below your heavenly power I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of fathers. Oh St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms. I dare not approach while he reposes near your heart. Press him in my name and kiss his fine head for me, and ask him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, patron of departing souls, pray for us.
Amen.

Thank you, Lord, for such a dear father, a universal protector, doer and guide. Blessed St. Joseph, how great was your worth, the one chosen shadow of God on earth; the father of Jesus....(Danny Schneible)

Again, we are blessed with the beautiful feasts that Jesus gave us in the Catholic Church. "We are an 'Easter People!'" - St. John Paul II. We had a beautiful day with Mass in the morning, school and a house full of good smells and a lot of action as we cooked for the feast day before setting up our St. Joseph altar. 

St. Patricks. Day 2019

Christ within me, Christ before me. Christ behind me, lest I stray. Christ beneath me, Christ above me. Christ to shield me through the day. Christ on my right side, Christ on my left side. Christ in my sitting, Christ in my sleep. In peace surrender all of my sorrows, Christ when I rise my soul to keep. Christ in the hearts of those thinking of me and in the mouths of all who speak of me. Christ in every eye that sees me and ear that hears me, Christ shall be. - St. Patrick

...A blessed day in our home on St. Patrick's Day after Sunday Mass and a walk near the Shenandoah.