Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

I'm really mixed about sharing this here, so I'll probably just keep it up a few days...but, it captures so much of my heart right now. I hope you enjoy it, too.

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A Christmas Daybook

As visions of sugar plums danced in her head

The kids were sparkly during the Christmas Vigil Mass tonight. My youngest held my face in his hands and said "Merry Christmas Mommy! And Happy Birthday, Jesus!" during the final hymn. My heart is still all melty. The kids ran home (we live next door to Church, convenient, huh?) to open their one Christmas present they get to open on Christmas Eve. Even though they know it is pajamas every year, they still quiver in excitement over this first gift. My sweet girl fell asleep on the couch before we could get her into bed. She slept right through Santa's arrival (per Norad). I wish I could be the fly on the wall that gets to see her face when she wakes up in the morning. I suspect, it will be an early Christmas this year. How can you not sneak a peak when you are sleeping right in front of the tree??? And, once you peak, how on earth can you be expected to ever go back to sleep???

Merry Christmas, my friends. May you all have a blessed day full of Christ's peace, joy and love. And visions of sugar plums dancing in your sleepy heads. :)

You're Here Francesca Battistelli - Mary & Jesus Christmas Music Video

Holding on to peace

I've been finding it very difficult to find a moment to write here. And, to be honest, a moment to think. And a moment to pray. And, that my friends, is probably the whole of my problem.

Between out of town guests and a husband back to a normal ObGyn Intern's schedule (I'm not supposed to "exaggerate" his hours...so I just won't mention them. Use your imagination. Then double it) and finding out my son has a huge school project to catch up on before we can truly relax into Christmas break--I've been having trouble holding on to peace.

This morning, I've decided to let God's peace hold on to me instead. Yes, the children are loud and stir crazy (torrential rains on our side of the island this morning). Yes, my husband just worked a 28 hours shift (and no, he doesn't get time for a nap) and is now trying to catch a few hours of sleep before coming home. Yes, our visitor is still here and no matter how much you love someone and enjoy their company a month is a very long time to have a house guest.

Still, right now, in this moment, I'm turning my heart to a much more important Yes. A yes from a young woman not yet married. A young girl, really, who questioned the angel before her, but didn't run away. She said, Let it be done. To me. According to your word.

And my thoughts turn toward a long and uncomfortable journey toward Bethlehem (on a DONKEY, and I used to complain when I was pregnant about a long car ride..). A young couple, obedient to God's angels and to the law of their land.

What courage it must have taken that holy couple to keep asking for a room after being turned away again and again. What faith to deliver your first child. Alone. In a stable. Far from home.

I don't know if both Joseph and Mary were able to hold on to peace through all of that. But, I do know that the peace of God must have been carrying them each step of the way. The Prince of Peace was very present with them.

Prepare a way for him, we are instructed. And, we do. But, we must remember it is our Lord. Our King. Our Savior we are expecting! We were lost, but now we are found! We were once in darkness, but He is the light! He is the Prince of peace. Peace. We do not make that peace, my friends. We simply prepare the way... And, no lonely stable, or long work week, or uncomfortable donkey ride, or cranky kids can steal us away from Our Lord's peace.

So, I'm pouring a second cup of coffee. Curling up before the place there will soon be a tree. And perhaps making the best preparations of all by simply sitting. Still.

Thank you for listening as I sort through this heart of mine.

Christ's Peace be with you. Always.

P.S. The next place I clicked was to Elizabeth Foss's most recent column. Go be inspired about how we can say Yes to our children this Advent.

Constanly being saved...

Sometimes I happen upon something online that hits the nail on the head. The following article is from 2002, but I really feel compelled to share it. It is a question I've been asked often, all my life. And, I've come to understand the answer better as time goes on, but this article really spelled it out for me. Hope you enjoy too!


http://www.catholic.org/featured/headline.php?ID=105

We're still enjoying our special visitor, so I haven't found myself with much time to start writing the series anywhere other than in my head. In the mean time, I'm really enjoying reading the stories and thoughts of other converts on the web. I'll try to link to some of my favorites soon, too.

Ama Namin

My sister's Tagalog Tutor in the Phillipines just assigned the Lord's Prayer (in Tagalog) as homework. I found this on You Tube and now I want to learn it too! Race you to the finish line, Em :)

A sense of Faith

Being a convert, I have so many important people in my life who do not understand what I have possibly found to be "attractive" about the Catholic Church. It is so difficult to explain how one makes their journey toward Truth. It is so different for everyone. I am so excited about what I have found, so humbled by what I have learned and continue to learn about Christianity that sometimes it can be tempting to prattle on without catching a breath hoping that my words can somehow convince, persuade and convert. The truth is, only the Holy Spirit can convert anyone. Not me. Sure, I can be a witness, I can share this blog, I can try to share what I'm learning when someone is willing to listen, I can pray for others daily...but, I myself, cannot change a single heart. I am not the spark inside each person I meet, I can only pray my life and faith fans the spark of faith in others and hopefully never does anything to snuff it out. It comes back to that daily prayer to connect my actions to the intentions of my heart. A daily. Moment by Moment. Begin again and again. Prayer.

I want to start a series here where I can try to share my sense of the Catholic Faith. There are thousands of books written on our Faith, many hundreds alone on the spiritual and scholarly aspects of the Holy Mass. I am neither a scholar nor a theologian. But, I am a person who has always desired to have faith...to seek out Truth...and then to be obedient to whatever truth I come to find. It is my hope that I may paint a picture, albeit faintly, of what it is like for me to be Catholic. That, perhaps, some of my friends and family (and other readers) may gain a glimmer of the depth of my faith...the gratitude I have for this Church, that I believe Christ himself left for us here on earth.

I'm planning to begin by taking you step by step through what celebrating the Mass is like for me.
I'd also like to invite all of you to share your experiences in celebrating the Holy Mass and perhaps your questions. It may not be the Sistine Chapel, but it can still be a beautiful representation of our faith journeys.

In addition to the Holy Mass, I would like to share with you my experiences in praying the Rosary, living in communion with the saints,  living the liturgical year at home, continuing the formation of my faith, and being a Catechist.

If I err, gently correct me. If I offend, assume the best and know I would never purposely step on a fragile heart. And please, as always, pray for me!

Danielle Bean » Veni Veni Emmanuel

Danielle Bean just posted the most beautiful youtube. And with lyrics in Latin. Loving it. Deep, deep, sigh.

Danielle Bean » Veni Veni Emmanuel

A special visitor

 

We're enjoying Great-Grandma's visit so much,
She's staying until Christmas! :)
So, if the blog continues to be quiet(er)
You know where we are: listening to great stories of a 90 year old life. 

St. Andrew's Chaplet

I've mentioned it before...

But, it is worth mentioning again and again...

I am so grateful for the  

women who have graciously nourished my faith...

And helped me learn how to build our little Domestic Church...

It is only a couple of days late, 

but I made my first St. Andrew's Chaplet to accompany

the beautiful Novena we are praying through Advent.

It took 10 minutes to make this. 

And cost about $7.00. 

I plan to make one for each of us.

For someone who is not at all crafty,

I am quite pleased with how this turned out!

Simply Waiting

It need not be much...

Candles placed

An empty creche

Stones that pave a path...

...that lead to waiting stables

Places to pause and prepare our hearts

to empty ourselves of so much world...

And wait to welcome Him

Instead.