Delights

It's always a delight when Father Eugene Plasse comes over and dines with us. Last night we had a wonderful time listening to family stories and then a game of cards. Father has been doing genealogy on his family, we are in there too so we also get to know the distant relations as well. Family history can be interesting, or it can be heartbreaking when there is no known family to look back to. Anyway it was a great evening.

On my way home from work I did get to meet up with a new priest that made his ordination last year at this time. Father James Longe I had the grace to know his love for God. I look forward to visiting the parish he is at and attending Mass on the weekends, now that I know they have an evening Mass and the parish he belongs to. It's too bad that many young people today stop going when they have priest that are there for them. The one's who answered the call of a lifetime. We all answer the call to different vocations, it's up to us to follow his will in our life.

Being in Love

There is something quite beautiful in life when love for God is ever present. It is the desire to love him and be loved by him. This morning the reflection I began to ponder about love. It was a moment where I knew most of all that my greatest longing is to give all my love to God and know his love for me. That moment of reflection is hard to put into words what went through those thoughts, what I wrote doesn't come close. It's like a yearning to be the closest a person can ever get to the source of their desire.

In a way it's like when a husband and wife are deeply in love and seek the mutual affection of the other from the heart. The love that is shared. The beauty of being love. When we see couples who have this abiding love between them and the faith that they have in God, they mirror his reflection. The joy of his heart. Loving God is very beautiful, being in love with God is even more enchanting. So many loose out knowing the love God has for them, because they don't truly let him in their hearts. Sometimes I think people are afraid to love God, afraid he may transform their lives. What are they truly afraid of, that perhaps they might have to truly be kind to one another. Or is it the fear that he may transform them from the desires of the world, the flesh and so much more. They don't realize the freedom they would find in the heart of God.

Always Good

One thing that is noticeable is the way our Beloved Pope is stressing the need to use the Sacraments. The urging of Unity among faiths. I loved the mentioning of his giving communion to participants who are kneeling and taking it by mouth. A reflection to the early days when I remember receiving it this way brought back the sacredness of his presence at the banquet feast. Recognizing him in the breaking of the bread will always delight the heart. A hope for mankind.

Awesome Day

This one is looking toward the old sugar shack and the relic of a farm tractor. That path was heavily grown in.
This one is heading toward the overgrown and filled in with sediment small pond, err stream now. This too was a narrow walk.
This is the over grown pond stream with freshly cut back grass and tall weeds as well as some of those wild rose picker bushes. At one time we could walk along the stream. But those picker bushes grew to fast to keep them clear. Now it will be a chore to make a walking path. This spot was quite nice when my grandfather was alive, he cleared a lot of brush and made it so pretty. Thirty years has a way of growing back nature when we don't keep it up.

These past two days have been busy one's. Yesterday after tackling the laundry, it was a nice drive to Keene, New Hampshire to meet up with Sister Juanita. I think that meeting went well. It turned out to be a nice day and a nicer ride home.

But this morning I was out the door after 8 this morning to get the mowing done. I finally finished late afternoon. This was a major mowing since we have the riding one back. What a difference it makes. But I still used the push mower for areas that are closest to the woods. Last week I was able to prune back some rhododendrons, this week it was pick up the cuttings. I didn't get a chance to prune some more since it took me over 5 hours to mow and clean up last weeks mess of clippings.

The pictures are of the overgrown area that once looked like a park, now it looks like nature at it's best. When I pruned a bush yesterday I was able to see a cute lime green frog clinging to a branch. That's the first time I've ever seen one like that. God does have a beautiful way of arranging nature and making critters.

My vegetable garden is all natural this year, a tiny tomato has made it's appearance, the lettuce is growing in containers this year. No fence around the garden, and good thing the lettuce is not there either. The area rabbit has eaten the kale and brussel sprout plants. They might come back since I put the leaves from the rhodies around them to hide them. I don't know if that will work but it's worth a try. The chipmunk has been having dessert with the strawberries.

Then when all that wonderful yard work was completed we dined out and now I finally am relaxing. One thing I enjoyed was the physical yard work. I never felt so alive as I did outdoors with God and the clean air from the trees. I noticed that yesterday also on my drive home, the difference where there are more trees and in the areas there are less. Maybe that's why Jesus loved the mountains so much. It was not only cooler but fresher in air and much closer to God.

From An E Mail

I received this in an e mail, I couldn't resist and wanted to share it with others.

This is absolutely adorable.....








A nurse on the pediatric ward, before listening to the little ones chests, would plug the stethoscope into their ears and let them listen to their own hearts. Their eyes would always light up with awe, but she never got a response equal to four-year old David's comment.
Gently she tucked the stethoscope into his ears and placed the disk over his heart. "Listen", she said..........."What do you suppose that is?" He drew his eyebrows together in a puzzled line and looked up as if lost in the mystery of the strange tap - tap - tapping deep in his chest. Then his face broke out in a wondrous grin and he asked, "Is that Jesus knocking?"

Blessings

May the Baby Jesus be a blessing to all who visit blogs.

God's Presence

How truly possible it all is. To think back upon moments of God's presence in my life, I know more than anything how impossible it all seems to others and to me how very possible it all was. Even I had those moments of thinking how impossible it is to have been part of God's plan. No one can ever take away the fact or the cherish memory when I had that visit of His Divine presence. The impossibility of even seeing what I saw made it all the more possible. I didn't look for it nor did I wish to see what I saw in the first place. How can it be then and that is the beauty of God and His Word. How he manifest those moments when we understand what he has done for us. Not many will understand the importance of these words unless they too were given a grace where the possible happend in a time of their life when nothing seemed possible.

I can look back and look forward to the most significant part of understanding how tremendous an act God did for me and maybe for others as well. My testimony is not for me alone but to give hope to others in the truth of God's Word and His presence in our lives.

Prayers

There is a lot of sickness in the world. Many people I come across have some form of illness that causes them to suffer. Is there anyone out there who has no illness whatsoever. The young become afflicted either from genetic history or from doing something they know will cause damage to their mind or body. In the long run causes many problems. Then we have aging problems, so many to list as our bodies tend to go through the process. Today I would like to offer up prayers for all those who suffer illnesses. That God would ease their suffering. Prayers are often answered when prayed in faith and complete trust that they will be answered.

I haven't blogged much lately, I've been trying to take care of many things and placed their importance above blogging. Kind of sacrificing in a way of fasting. Since food fasting is not good for a diabetic, it must be done in other ways. Like giving up television or something that is enjoyable. Anyway there has been much going on and by the time I get on here I pretty much am tired. Anyway have a blessed day.

Love Is The Answer

Angel Food Ministries

Chris Disckson over at Portiuncula: the Little Portion mentions a food ministry called Angel Food Ministries. I found it interesting and worthwhile to check out. I hope many others do to.

My Blessing

A moment yesterday brought to mind a person who was a blessing to me. I need to take care of a special thank you that I have put off until the right time and until I could afford to deliver it. Anyway it was odd that I thought about and mentioned it out of the blue, but when I did my readings this morning it hit home exactly how it fit in.

I don't expect anyone to understand the unique way God moves in my life and how it is brought home the gift of His Word in the Bible. I have noticed time and time again that prior to or sometime after a unique thing would either be said or done. I call this living faith in action. And today I can reflect on those times in my life when an angel in disguise brought confort and solace to my plight. I often wonder if many others experience God's gift in this way or do they pass it off as something else entirely. My friend has known me and my family for a very long time, pretty much since I was in the single digits. Now with that in mind I wonder if we are angels in disguise for others or are we little devils instead. Do we as the king of Salem in Genesis 14 offer others the same blessing that has been bestowed on us by God and from him through others.

People

I am always amazed at how kind and caring the people I work with are. Two people are currently out on illness and the love and support that they show is wonderful. They are generous in how they reach out and help each other. I've never seen a place run quite like this one, with everyone's welfare in mind for their neighbor. They are curteous beyond belief. But the best is their good natures, in the laughter they provoke at odd moments. A blessing to be sure. On that note I had found out that the one who runs the place, they are deeply involved in their Parish as Sacristans, I think I spelled that right. Well anyway, there is a unique blend of terrific people that I work with, and they are all good.

They are teaching me to be a better person, and I value that when we can learn from each other. I don't have much to offer or give to them other than my love. Most of these people have come a long way themselves and struggled to get where they are. Those paths aren't always easy for anybody. I love their personalities and their wit, but mostly I value their honesty about their lives. Since I'm not much of a talker I enjoy their chatting among each other, it teaches me the art of communication, something I never really learned to do. They have a way of soothing those nervous jitters when talking. I am grateful to work with some of the finest people I've ever met.

Roses

This morning just as I was about to do some mowing, the wild roses that are now in bloom smelled so beautiful. The air was warm and allowed for the heady fragance. Every year I keep thinking it's time to cut back much of those lovely picker bushes to help maintain my parents property, but at this time of year they smell great. I think these are the one's that also produce rose hips after they are done flowering.

I've always wondered what people think when they smell fragrant flowers. What crosses their mind when they smell a rose or gardenia or whatever flower that draws their nose to it. What is the first thing that generally comes to mind? Amazingly but this came to mind this morning when I was mowing the lawn and all I could smell was the flowers. That thought entered in and next thing I was thinking of our Heavenly Mothers fragrance. The blend of roses and some other delightful scent that makes such a unique odor. Smelling flowers brings thoughts of what is of heaven. I don't think of the time I received flowers or from whom or for whatever occasion. My thoughts are where they should go. That does not necessarily mean it's to be this way with others. It's just something that is apparent with me and my thinking process.

I was supposed to make lemon chicken for supper, but since there was some leftovers from the other day it will wait until tomorrow. It's so light tasting, I am looking forward to making it and also having asparagus as a side vegetable, maybe with some couscous to go with it or lemon potatoes lol now that would be different. Nope skip that one, my mom had put some lemon in the potatoes one time to keep them from turning before cooking. But she put in way too much lemon and the potatoes were a wee bit lemony. My mom is a wonderful cook, that's why I am a bit on the overweight side and then some. I definitely need a refined diet and much more exercise than I am doing, such as more walking. It's something that should be done no matter what.

On that note I have been attempting to fix my side bar photo problem. Originally I had used google to upload photos but for some reason I had a problem with it. And then I did flicker and I had some problems with it as well. Tonight I was able to go through my photos and remove extras and some that I don't use, hoping it would free up disk space if that is one of the problems. I didn't get a chance to do much with it today other than try to change templates and re upload meez, that I get a kick out of. It was a busy day, with mowing, laundry, going to work for a few hours, off to get some prescriptions then finally relax. During it all there is always moments when spending time with our Lord comes through, and thoughts are always centered and focused.

Technical Difficulties

I am having a few problems with keeping a few things loaded on my sidebar. Site is temporarily down.

Work

I've placed some pictures from work in the sidebar on flicker. I work with a wonderful group of people. They are an amazing bunch. I told them I write, but haven't mentioned the names of my blogs as yet. They do know of my experience with the Eucharist and have seen the pictures, well at least two of them do. I'm not certain about the rest of them. I was telling two them about the observations I have made with the past jobs and what I wrote. It's not just in those places either it's in the check out line, it's waiting for a light on a busy street, or it could be just about anywhere. We are all not alike in how we treat each other, but we do see how our actions don't always line up with words spoken.

I remember at a book signing at a Catholic function how true it was. The person behind me was oh so nice, but when as we approached the autographer I was given the push to hurry up. The gesture was one of impatience from a Catholic. This was just a minor thing, but I have seen how others are treated as a bystander. Throughout my life I have made it a point to stick up and stick with those who are treated poorly by others. Not because they are different in looks or size or class, but out of the fact that they were judged unwisely and treated like an outcast when acceptance from their peers was not there. I took them for my friends and gave them my love when no one else would. If there was one wish that would ever be granted it would have to be a huge blessing on all those who have been cursed by those who thought they were better than others.

Unity

I'm always happy when others receive blessings in their life. I'm always happy when people work together and accomplish what needs to be done in unity. How can we be happy though when we see people singled out and poked fun at and treated differently. So many obstacles in our lives but some of them are due to others and not necesarily ourselves. Why do we as a people united to God treat others without love and respect. This is one area I never could quite understand why people are so vicious yet claim to love others. Their actions have always showed the truth of their hearts more than their words have.

Of Service

It was a delightful evening spent with others in prayer for vocations. I met two other women who are also contemplating the Religious Life. It's always good to meet up with others who are traveling the path of following Jesus. I'm not rested this time around, the one day off this week went by too fast, especially spending part of it driving two hours one way. I love driving, it's refreshing to see many sights on the way. I was asked to work on one of my days off so that too had placed needed rest on the back burner.

But when it comes to serving others there is no rest, it reminds me of Martha and Mary at times. How we choose which role at certain times in our lives to play. Or better yet what vocation is ours. Will it be one of service or one of contemplation. Will it be in the way of deep prayer or meager offerings. One thing I know for certain, working on weekends places us in the role of Martha, where we would like to be at the feet of Jesus but find ourselves serving others instead.

Pondering

Treasures of our life, those moments of growing up when we recall later in life and find life's most funniest memories. But when they happen it's another thing altogether. A red faced moment! But those are the treasures of learning. For me anyway. Maybe not for others. It's funny in a way when we make blunders, how at the moment it seems so dire. But later it's not seen in the same light. None of us are so perfect in our daily living that we don't make some sort of blunder. Anyway, our actions in life are what we often regret as well as the words we speak. Sometimes not always with thought either. And then there are those who are wolves and prey upon the weak and cultivate more predicaments in a life than what is supposed to be natural in it. Is our motive pure when we go places and do things. When we work do we set out to cause another strife because they are different. The moments we see others causing another hurt by their actions. Don't we fail at times to own up to our own behavior. Moments of pondering lifes treasures can often yield laughter or tears.