tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16378172740619656172024-03-19T08:32:02.915-04:00Beyond PearlsWhen one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls. Her husband, entrusting his heart to her, has an unfailing prize. Proverbs 31:10-11Darbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02463421245063306071noreply@blogger.comBlogger211125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1637817274061965617.post-88265515924946482392017-04-22T11:31:00.003-04:002017-04-22T11:31:45.143-04:00Help me, teach me, invite me<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>And they compelled a passer-by, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus to carry his cross. Mark 15:21</i></blockquote>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Simon of Cyrene, help me</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to come to the aid of others,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to overcome my reluctance when</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it seems too inconvenient;<br />
when I think I'm too busy</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or too afraid, or too shy, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or it just seems so awkward.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Help me when</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think I am better than the stranger,<br />
the accused, the shunned;<br />
when I think that they don't deserve my help.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Help me to overcome </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
my own exhaustion,<br />
my laziness,<br />
my feelings of inadequacy,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and uncertainty.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Help me to put aside my own interests,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
my prejudices and pride.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Help me so that </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I can step up to the task, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
without having to be dragged in.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Help me, dear reluctant saint,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to carry my own cross,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
my own brokeness,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so that I may help carry others.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dear Saint of Cyrene, pray for me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: left;">
<i>"Now, while Simon labours under the cross with Jesus, ... someone - a woman - forces her way through the rabble, even through the guard of Roman soldiers surrounding Him, and comes face to face with Christ. She is driven by compassion." <b>The Way of the Cross,</b> Caryll Houslander</i></blockquote>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Good saint of the veil,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
teach me your compassion for the suffering,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
especially when their appearance, all bruised and beaten,<br />
repulses me.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Teach me to recognize the splendor<br />
and the majesty of Christ</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
hidden there in their weakness,<br />
in their humility and in their shame. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Good saint of the veil,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
teach me your courage in the midst of chaos,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
your readiness to serve, to comfort and to console</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to wipe away the grime, the filth, the tears</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in all circumstances,<br />
but especially when it is not easy.<br />
<br />
Teach me to look with eyes of mercy<br />
upon the faces of the suffering<br />
and see Christ hidden there.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dear Saint Veronica, pray for me.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: left;">
<i>"Christ goes on His way; no word is spoken now; Mary follows Him in the crowd. ... Mary remains silent, she does not lift a hand; only when He is suffering no more will she anoint His body. She simply accepts this supreme gift of His love, His suffering given to her. It is a complete communion with Him. They are as completely one now as they were when He was the child in her womb, and her heart was the beating of His heart." <b>The Way of the Cross</b>, Caryll Houselander.</i></blockquote>
<br />
Dearest Mother Mary,<br />
Your acceptance, your yes,<br />
let it be my own.<br />
<br />
Invite me to walk the way with you.<br />
<i>He is the Way, the Truth, the Life!</i><br />
Invite me to see with your soul<br />
the good in that awful Friday.<br />
<br />
Invite me there, beneath the Cross,<br />
to see the good that comes from suffering,<br />
His and our own united to His.<br />
<br />
Invite me to become one with Him<br />
as you and He are one.<br />
Invite me into your deep and abiding<br />
trust and unwavering hope.<br />
<br />
When tempests<br />
arise and I'm tossed about,<br />
remind me that He is always there,<br />
in the midst of the storm;<br />
that I am never alone.<br />
<br />
Invite me there at the foot of the cross,<br />
to hold Him in my arms<br />
as you cradle Him, lifeless, in your own,<br />
knowing that Sunday comes.<br />
<br />
Invite me there to the empty tomb,<br />
to share your peace<br />
and your love,<br />
and to experience your joy<br />
at the Resurrection.<br />
<br />
And the Life to come.<br />
<br />
Dear Blessed Virgin, my Mother, my Queen, pray for me.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Darbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02463421245063306071noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1637817274061965617.post-2957599959646304322017-04-02T16:26:00.001-04:002017-04-02T16:26:57.864-04:00Love is Patient, but am I?<div style="text-align: justify;">
I<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">n the final chapter of his book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Heaven-Starts-Now-Becoming-Saint/dp/159325301X" target="_blank"><i>Heaven Starts Now: Becoming a Saint Day by Day</i></a>, Fr. John Riccardo instructs us to take a look at 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 and wherever the word <i>love</i> appears, he suggests we substitute our own name. He writes, " ... this can help us to see if these statements apply to us, and what it is that needs the most work in us."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This could be a very valuable and useful exercise as part of our nightly examen or as an examination of conscience before going to confession.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So, go ahead, insert your name wherever the word love appears in the verses below (and your corresponding prounoun in place of "it"). </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Pretty powerful, no?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Love</i> is patient, <i>love</i> is kind. <i>It</i> is not jealous, <i>love</i> is not pompous, <i>it</i> is not inflated, <i>it</i> is not rude, <i>it</i> does not seek <i>its</i> own interests, <i>it</i> is not quick-tempered, <i>it</i> does not brood over injury, <i>it </i>does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. <i>It</i> bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. <i>Love</i> never fails.</span></blockquote>
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Darbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02463421245063306071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1637817274061965617.post-79609524502209826792017-03-30T17:12:00.001-04:002017-03-31T11:02:33.401-04:00Here Where I Live and Love :: I'm Back!<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">After a very long hiatus, I've returned to my blog. I'm dusting it off, giving it a new look and I'm hoping that I will persevere and continue to write more generously. With God's grace I will! And so, just to get back in the saddle, I'm starting out simply, with the concise little snippets that the daybook provides. Now that I seem to be recovering from a severe and extended case of writer's block, I pray that I will continue to be inspired and motivated to share my thoughts with you here, dear readers. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Outside My Window ::</b></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We're 10 days into the official start of Spring and there are signs of it everywhere. Buds on trees and my grape hyacinths are in full bloom. Daffodils have been out for a while as are many other flowering trees and shrubs. On my daily walks I've noticed the cheerful, little faces of pansies adorning the gardens of many of my neighbors. I have not planted any. </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Today is cloudy and rather chilly, not unusual for March in Virginia. There's the promise of rain tomorrow - not only from the meterologist - but I feel it in the air.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>This Old House ::</b></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Jim and I have completed our plans for a remodel of the bathroom adjoining our master bedroom. The master bath or en suite as they say. It seems a daunting task, however it needs to be done if we ever wish to sell this place one day. Which we will want to do after Jim retires. Not very soon, yet soon enough, especially considering how long it takes us to complete a project. And then there's the kitchen and the floors and, well whatever else figures in to carrying us out of the 1980's design-wise. It never seems to end.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We did re-do the powder room, quite successfully, if I do say so myself! A small, but needed uplift to a very manageable-to-update room. And we converted Kevin's former bedroom into a home office. That project is still on-going, although it's mostly complete. All the difficult things are done - built-in shelves and cabinet that Jim built and the hardwood floor that he installed. </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm always struck by how crooked the walls are in this house. </span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>From the Kitchen ::</b></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Jim and I continue to try to eat as healthy as possible. I have recently added a little more red wine - one glass at dinner most nights - a little dark chocolate and a teaspoon of pure cocoa sprinkled in my morning coffee. Half way through Lent I decided to give up bacon and processed sausage. I'm eating less cheese only because my doctor says my LDL cholesterol is inching up toward the borderline level and I'm curious to see if it makes a difference along with abstaining from the bacon and sausage. I am waiting for a (used) copy of <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Great-Cholesterol-Myth-Cookbook-Disease-Naturally/dp/159233590X" target="_blank">The Great Cholesterol Myth Cookbook</a> </i>to arrive from Amazon. I've read a bit about it (the myth) and I am intrigued. My copy of <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Nourishing-Traditions-Challenges-Politically-Dictocrats/dp/0967089735" target="_blank">Nourishing Traditions</a></i> includes an interesting discussion of cholesterol as well. I'm just amazed at the advice of some healthcare professionals "out there" to still eat margarine instead of butter, and who make no mention of the benefits of consuming grassfed beef and the dairy that comes from it as opposed to conventionally raised beef. </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm not the best fish eater. I like some fish very much, but not all and I don't always know the best way to prepare it. However, I'm also adding more of it to our weekly meals. Trying to have it at least twice a week. You know, omega 3's and all that good stuff.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We are looking forward to the opening of our local farmer's market and to getting the vegetable garden growing again. Should I buy a quarter of a cow? <i>Jim says no!</i></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>I am Reading ::</b></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60403.Love_in_the_Ruins" target="_blank">Love in the Ruins</a></i> by Walker Percy -- I'm about 170 pages in. I love Percy's writing and <i>Love in the Ruins</i> unsurprisingly has some really excellent passages. Like this one: </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The sand trap and the clouds put me in mind of being ten years old and in love and full of longing. The first thing a man remembers is longing and the last thing he is conscious of before death is exactly the same longing. I have never seen a man die who did not die in longing. When I was ten years old I woke one summer morning to the sensation of longing. Besides the longing I was in love with a girl named Louise, and so the same morning I went out to this same sand trap where I hoped chance would bring us together. At the breakfast table, I took a look at my father with his round head, his iron-colored hair, his chipper red cheeks, and I wondered to myself: at what age does a man get over this longing?</span></i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <i><a href="https://www.ignatius.com/Products/WIJ-P/who-am-i-to-judge.aspx" target="_blank">Who Am I to Judge?: Responding to Relativism with Logic and Love</a></i> by Edward Sri</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am reading this for the book club I moderate. I've only completed about 35 pages or so. Thus far Sri has presented the problem of relativism and the methods by which many of us fall into it. I like and appreciate the questions at the end of each chapter. They make the preparation for book club meetings much easier! I'm looking forward to reading more and to the ensuing discussion with my book club friends.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Way-Cross-Caryll-Houselander/dp/0764808532" target="_blank">The Way of the Cross</a></i> by Caryll Houselander. I haven't read it yet as I'm saving it for Holy Week. I have to say that Houselander is one of my all time favorite Catholic writers. Her words move me like few others do. </span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>I am Hoping and Praying ::</b></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For a very, very special intention that I am not at liberty to mention right now. </span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>I am Grateful ::</b></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For St. Joseph's intercession concerning Jim's employment. Thanks be to God that he is able to continue to work for the same company. We're looking forward to good years ahead.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Our Father's Promise <i>(Am I listening?)</i> ::</b></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"></span>Jesus said to the Jews:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">"If I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is not true.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">But there is another who testifies on my behalf,</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">and I know that the testimony he gives on my behalf is true.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth.</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
I do not accept human testimony,</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
but I say this so that you may be saved.</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
He was a burning and shining lamp,</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light.</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
But I have testimony greater than John's.</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
The works that the Father gave me to accomplish,</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
these works that I perform testify on my behalf</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
that the Father has sent me.</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Moreover, the Father who sent me has testified on my behalf.</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
But you have never heard his voice nor seen his form,</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
and you do not have his word remaining in you,</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
because you do not believe in the one whom he has sent.</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
You search the Scriptures,</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
because you think you have eternal life through them;</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
even they testify on my behalf.</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
But you do not want to come to me to have life.</div>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">"I do not accept human praise;</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">moreover, I know that you do not have the love of God in you. </span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">I came in the name of my Father,</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
but you do not accept me;</div>
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yet if another comes in his own name,</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
you will accept him.</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God?</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father:</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
the one who will accuse you is Moses,</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
in whom you have placed your hope.</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
For if you had believed Moses,</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
you would have believed me</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
because he wrote about me. </div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
But if you do not believe his writings,</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
how will you believe my words?"</div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">John 5:31-47 </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Words to Ponder ::</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Getting older, he reflected, was about letting go: our youth, looks, athletic prowess, jobs, parents, other loved ones, various abilities, and eventually our independence. We let go so that we can turn to God's grace to know how much we are loved and look to Him as the destination of our journey. " - Fr. Mark O'Keefe, St. Meinard Archabbey Seminary, Indiana. (Excerpt from <a href="http://www.catholicherald.com/News/Catholic_Living/Retirement/Retirement__An_invitation_for_something_more/" target="_blank">Retirement: An invitation for something more</a> by Carolyn Woo)</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">More about this later ...</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Picture Thoughts ::</b></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We lost our dear dachshund Holly over a year ago to complications from intervertebral disc disease. At the very end of August we welcomed two of the sweetest, goofiest, cutest little canine beasts into our hearts and home. May I introduce Teddy and Roscoe, the Havanese half-brothers!</span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVqIzsatcw-5w8GQSBF-veJLcbUWHpjvwxjWX4QMesYGNHOmGGZOXfClEHgZd7tE9-mb1cGXmqBapFBHhXXu33QRbXzqL2pCDqqUaoeWvxqdXL-w4NOE6JmNiBG77PEJrUokP1Iev7EnY/s1600/DSC08624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVqIzsatcw-5w8GQSBF-veJLcbUWHpjvwxjWX4QMesYGNHOmGGZOXfClEHgZd7tE9-mb1cGXmqBapFBHhXXu33QRbXzqL2pCDqqUaoeWvxqdXL-w4NOE6JmNiBG77PEJrUokP1Iev7EnY/s640/DSC08624.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But the best news of all is that in 2016 we also welcomed two of the most adorable little grandsons who are loved beyond all measure.</span></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdcR2DidA9xsOKw1KH1OTk1oqrqUN0_dncEnEarfN8ITxNUcrRB_QGqiFFvKAdI3nWXAzp6_ltmkhtFQNzgu5v8vuVt-07lfBkP3I3BygBSUy0x1_kNHs6kGzxzZuMjdS8fZESJLwH-qo/s1600/IMG_5375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdcR2DidA9xsOKw1KH1OTk1oqrqUN0_dncEnEarfN8ITxNUcrRB_QGqiFFvKAdI3nWXAzp6_ltmkhtFQNzgu5v8vuVt-07lfBkP3I3BygBSUy0x1_kNHs6kGzxzZuMjdS8fZESJLwH-qo/s640/IMG_5375.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Killian Jacob Coffman</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MUzSRforhuBzCdUX-8RFkFd1j5zVhkzV1bfK2BFQvxTaMDE_vsBKlnQHhepasvTPx4wWUuA_amTaRhm9sHnoTFiRo-hG6xwz1W0zAsUpP6crFEFqWne3099_Luta9Uls-cS8b_BTJvg/s1600/IMG_5411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MUzSRforhuBzCdUX-8RFkFd1j5zVhkzV1bfK2BFQvxTaMDE_vsBKlnQHhepasvTPx4wWUuA_amTaRhm9sHnoTFiRo-hG6xwz1W0zAsUpP6crFEFqWne3099_Luta9Uls-cS8b_BTJvg/s640/IMG_5411.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Henry Jean-Marie Phillips<br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><br /><br />Our family is growing!<br />So sweet! So blessed!</span></td></tr>
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Darbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02463421245063306071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1637817274061965617.post-69669445725573961482016-01-24T16:24:00.001-05:002016-01-24T16:24:08.046-05:00Blizzard 2016 Photo DumpAs I dozed off to sleep last night it had been snowing nonstop at my house for approximately 34 hours. The wind was still kicking up at times, but clearly the big blizzard of 2016 was winding down. I ventured out of bed around 3 a.m., peeked out the window and was struck by the stillness and the luminescence of a full moon casting shadows upon the indulations of snow blanketing my backyard. It was so bright! And beautiful.<br />
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As typically follows a huge weather system, today dawned, crisp, clean and cold. The sun was shining! With anywhere from two to three feet of snow in our neighborhood, a driveway to shovel, and a street not plowed, there was no way we were venturing out. And probably won't be leaving the house anytime soon. Jim and I attended 8:00 a.m. Mass in our family room via the live feed from EWTN. Our bishop granted the faithful of our diocese a dispensation from our obligation to attend Mass, but asked that we do our best to keep the sabbath holy. Perhaps the digging out could be offered up as well! And that cabin fever, too?<br />
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I love snowstorms - particularly when I don't have to travel anywhere. I do not like driving in dicey weather conditions. I certainly have had my fair share of nerve wracking snow related driving experiences. They are not fun -- especially in the DC metro area. So mostly, I try to stay put before the snow flies.<br />
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And I love snow photography. There are many great photographs circulating the internet right now; on Facebook, Instagram, and being shared on print and television news outlets. Here are mine. I share them here for anyone who is willing to endure more snow pictures, but mostly for my Mom, as I know she enjoys my photos more than anyone. (Thanks, Ma!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1z68JRXkQ1NhaMFoNa9zMXeEVv2pPqC8gTEQAuWhqoN9wyb5EwDzXslixhgQaggaCVb5um_BP9CgKyjBMeH7UYg_w51OweJZJ_MWExJMFZr1Eek80F65NcmSIViI9brdpWa6ZOpEQRf0/s1600/DSC07896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1z68JRXkQ1NhaMFoNa9zMXeEVv2pPqC8gTEQAuWhqoN9wyb5EwDzXslixhgQaggaCVb5um_BP9CgKyjBMeH7UYg_w51OweJZJ_MWExJMFZr1Eek80F65NcmSIViI9brdpWa6ZOpEQRf0/s640/DSC07896.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The birds were very busy at the feeder throughout the storm.</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNhZBato6zQhAauYUl9BqI3jBGGdMDslzIHaDDO-8jjixqBBc6UHS0FMKZyDdATMMWs81-NXm4u1LQNNByaiP2E8Pxjg2S7H6p5z8Cpwj2gbcesT3pzDjX5tNbICJFI11PuMmRo10iUr0/s1600/DSC07897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNhZBato6zQhAauYUl9BqI3jBGGdMDslzIHaDDO-8jjixqBBc6UHS0FMKZyDdATMMWs81-NXm4u1LQNNByaiP2E8Pxjg2S7H6p5z8Cpwj2gbcesT3pzDjX5tNbICJFI11PuMmRo10iUr0/s640/DSC07897.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A junco</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEU6f6yahSObRcEV_PJDP5wnkbIbbGA7leQ1Rsk5ZHVjCP3gSJusdw7H0vTzDaj4Dg81-CJ9Fof_2_zyjHMoADTSg_FTFxHhHDAfBR6QLohfkw0nEyy-bZ2ME_0MOo-tZbgMKY9lbog9M/s1600/DSC07893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEU6f6yahSObRcEV_PJDP5wnkbIbbGA7leQ1Rsk5ZHVjCP3gSJusdw7H0vTzDaj4Dg81-CJ9Fof_2_zyjHMoADTSg_FTFxHhHDAfBR6QLohfkw0nEyy-bZ2ME_0MOo-tZbgMKY9lbog9M/s640/DSC07893.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A mourning dove hunkering down<br />
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Holly put up with the snow.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOf1m4puBpIRGN-mQR5SThmhRLKtKxFi1NtOaPuN9OxctBUU2mX5Q587u62pq5mRLDFtg5wm6Uovm-N-uZklim7Xt7qsv7uHKeFT65JUZDZVu07dCDhqioveuNIXzp0jmQrwNpVGinJyY/s1600/DSC07915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOf1m4puBpIRGN-mQR5SThmhRLKtKxFi1NtOaPuN9OxctBUU2mX5Q587u62pq5mRLDFtg5wm6Uovm-N-uZklim7Xt7qsv7uHKeFT65JUZDZVu07dCDhqioveuNIXzp0jmQrwNpVGinJyY/s640/DSC07915.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The snow piled up on the porch roof in front of the upstairs windows. I love how some of it stuck to the glass.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_MMwU1Kka2_X3eSu4O2H02YBk09e-eA1r2UzAYvWoKe9gcT3sVirhWnghJaT-etLfLZ941VThyphenhypheneenZmOv0TosrOLejg0_aKYAww8XDGS-C4kSA2upiPX1GU0Ct35HRvxhCI2Jan7kpkk/s1600/DSC07937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_MMwU1Kka2_X3eSu4O2H02YBk09e-eA1r2UzAYvWoKe9gcT3sVirhWnghJaT-etLfLZ941VThyphenhypheneenZmOv0TosrOLejg0_aKYAww8XDGS-C4kSA2upiPX1GU0Ct35HRvxhCI2Jan7kpkk/s640/DSC07937.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Still snowing at 10:00 p.m.</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">And then, a new day dawns ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">And the great dig-out begins ...</span><br />
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<br />Darbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02463421245063306071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1637817274061965617.post-68714393310198667022015-11-30T17:31:00.001-05:002015-11-30T20:08:31.124-05:00Daybook for Advent :: Week One<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Outside my window</i> :: There appears a stark, grey, dreary wonderland of cold drizzle which makes inside all the more cozy and warm.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I am wearing</i> :: a seal upon my heart. And grey sweats. And well-worn slippers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I am listening</i> :: to The Piano Guys holiday station on Pandora</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>This old house</i> :: We have a brand new basement floor! It's a grey laminate that I chose from Lumber Liquidators - Delaware Bay Driftwood. But now the room begs for a comfy conversation area with a small sofa and a few chairs pulled together by a sweet little area rug, a couple of cozy lamps and pictures on the wall. All in good time, I suppose. After all, it took roughly 20 years for Jim to finish the room! :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>From the kitchen</i> :: There is homemade turkey soup bubbling away on the stove. (Duh! Of course there is. It's four days past Thanksgiving!) It's steaming up the windows and filling the house with it's scrumptious aroma. Perfect weather for it, too!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I am hearing</i> :: The washing machine churning away the sweat of hard work and the grime of the week gone by, but, no, not the memories of sweet, gooey grandbaby kisses, and the warmth of family and friends gathered in gratitude for all our many blessings. And some really good food!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I am hoping and praying</i> :: That I am able to give my heart and soul, freely, in total abandon, to Jesus this season of Advent, so that when Christmas comes I'll find Him swaddled there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I am grateful</i> :: For really, really good friends.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Our Father's promise</i> :: from Isaiah</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Come, let us climb the Lord's mountain,</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">to the house of the God of Jacob,</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">That he may instruct us in his ways,</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and we may walk in his paths. </span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Words to ponder</i> :: Today is the Feast of St. Andrew and so from today's Office of Readings:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">From a homily on the Gospel of John by Saint John Chrysostom,
bishop</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i></i></span><br />
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<i><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We have found the Messiah</span></i></i></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>
<o:p></o:p></i></span>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>After Andrew had stayed with Jesus and had learned much from
him, he did not keep this treasure to himself, but hastened to share it with
his brother. Notice what Andrew said to him: We have found the Messiah,
that is to say, the Christ. Notice how his words reveal what he has
learned in so short a time. They show the power of the master who has convinced
them of this truth. They reveal the zeal and concern of men preoccupied with
this question from the very beginning. Andrew’s words reveal a soul waiting
with the utmost longing for the coming of the Messiah, looking forward to his
appearing from heaven, rejoicing when he does appear, and hastening to announce
so great an event to others. To support one another in the things of the spirit
is the true sign of good will between brothers, of loving kinship and sincere
affection.</i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Notice, too, how, even from the beginning, Peter is docile
and receptive in spirit. He hastens to Jesus without delay. He brought
him to Jesus, says the evangelist. But Peter must not be condemned for his
readiness to accept Andrew’s word without much weighing of it. It is probable
that his brother had given him, and many others, a careful account of the
event; the evangelists, in the interest of brevity, regularly summarize a
lengthy narrative. Saint John does not say that Peter believed immediately, but
that he brought him to Jesus. Andrew was to hand him over to
Jesus, to learn everything for himself. There was also another disciple
present, and he hastened with them for the same purpose.</i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>When John the Baptist said: This is the Lamb, and he
baptizes in the Spirit, he left the deeper understanding of these things to
be received from Christ. All the more so would Andrew act in the same way,
since he did not think himself able to give a complete explanation. He brought
his brother to the very source of light, and Peter was so joyful and eager that
he would not delay even for a moment.</i></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Picture words</i> ::</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Realizing there's some catching up to do, here are just a few pictures from Megan and Jake's North Carolina April wedding. </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">All photos are courtesy of <a href="http://www.katemary.smugmug.com/" target="_blank">Kate Mary Photography</a></span></div>
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Darbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02463421245063306071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1637817274061965617.post-90813028163300223362015-11-20T17:06:00.001-05:002015-11-20T17:28:22.025-05:00One Christ Loving Himself<br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">An event that my husband and I have squarely locked in our sights is our retirement. Jim turned 60 this year so the light of this new stage of our lives continues to shine a bit brighter with each passing year. We certainly hope that it will become a reality in the next five, six or maybe seven years tops. We are mindful about saving and making investments for a future free from financial worry. Additionally, it seems we are always searching for new places to settle in our golden years away from the rat race of the Washington DC suburbs. We often dream of a quaint cottage near the ocean or in the mountains or, my husband's preference, situated on a glistening lake, yet definitely not too far from our children and grandchildren. We plan, we save, we dream. But does all the effort we put into ensuring that our material needs will be met in our old age, all of the careful planning, the scrimping and the saving and even the dreaming of lakeside living distract from focusing on our ultimate goal?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Our retirement shouldn't be an end in and of itself, our final reward for a life of hardwork and dedication. Certainly it will be a well-deserved and very much appreciated stage in our lives. And it is prudent to do what we can now to take care of our future material needs. However, if we're not careful our focus can become so narrow that we lose sight of our heavenly home and perhaps miss opportunities for growth here and now. We end up not being able to see the forest for the trees. For example, sometimes I catch myself growing super excited, like a kid who can't wait for Christmas, as I peruse the online real estate listings in rural areas and as I blissfully daydream about what life will be like down the road. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But am I so caught up in planning my worldly future that I fail to appreciate what God is doing in my life right now and how he's preparing me for a future with Him? Sometimes I am so easily distracted from what's most important.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm sure the longing in our hearts to escape the bustle and busyness of our work-a-day lives reflects our true desire for our heavenly home. And no matter how much we plan for our earthly future, we won't be truly satisfied until we rest there eternally. Which is why it is important, here and now and every day, to take notice of God's presence in our lives and to consider what is necessary to ensure we are welcomed into Paradise. My efforts to grow in holiness should never cease, now or tomorrow or every day for the rest of my life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As we approach the end of the liturgical year, our readings at Mass are a stark reminder of the inevitability of the end times, if not for all mankind, then most certainly of our own. We don't know the day or the hour, but must remain viligant and ever ready. <i>"But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."</i> (Mark 13:32)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Who knows if I'll even make it to retirement? I may not. I hope Jim and I are given that time together, but there's no guarantee for either one of us. Assuming that we do make it, I anticipate many challenges ahead, but I hope and pray that they will simply be opportunities for sanctification and will provide what is truly necessary for my final journey. And I pray that I willingly respond to the grace to do whatever I do, today, tomorrow, next week, or ten years from now always with great love. Throughout the centuries great saints have taught us that love is the key to holiness - our union with God. Saint Therese of Lisieux, Blessed Mother Teresa, and Venerable Solanus Casey just to name a few. They tell us to do everything, even the most miniscule thing, with great love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But it's not the sort of syrupy, overly sentimental love that is often portrayed on the Hallmark Channel. It is an intense, life altering, <i>supernatural </i>love. It is the love that we can only receive from God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When a pharisee in Matthew's gospel asks Jesus which commandment is the greatest. Jesus says to him, <i>You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.</i> And then he says something very striking, <i>The whole law and the prophets <b>depend</b> on these two commandments.</i> Without love nothing else matters. Nothing even makes sense. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Saint Paul explains it to the Corinthians:</span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing.</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">How do we acquire this love; how do we, weak as we are, love God?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Dom Eugene Boylan, OCSO writes in his magnificent book, <i><b>This Tremendous Lover</b>: </i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For the love by which we love God is given to us by God himself. It is in fact a special effect produced in us by the presence in our souls of the Holy Spirit, who is the subsistent love of God for Himself. As a great disciple of St. Bernard, William of St. Thierry, puts it: "Thou lovest Thyself in us, when Thou sendest the Spirit of Thy Son into our hearts. ... Thou dost make us love Thee; or rather it is thus that Thou lovest Thyself in us. ... We love Thee beause we receive from Thee Thy Spirit. ... Who transforms us ... in perfect conformity with Thy love. This produces so great an attachment and union that ... our Lord, Thy Son, called it unity, saying: That they may be one in us ... as I and Thou are one. We love Thee, or Thou lovest Thyself in us; we by our affections, Thou by Thy power. And Thou dost make us one by Thy unity, that is by Thy Holy Spirit, whom Thou hast given to us." (Deo contemplando Deo) </span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Boylan continues, a<i>s one modern commentator summing up the doctrine of William of St. Thierry, puts it: "We love God through God, and all supernatural love constitutes, so to speak, on God loving Himself in Jesus Christ." ... We in our self-sufficiency try to love Him with our own strength and with our own heart. He wants a love like to His own; and He offers us Himself so that we may use His love to love Him. His prayer to the Father is: That the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them. (John 17:26) Thus the Two Persons of the Blessed Trinity are in our souls to help us to live and to love."</i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The season of Advent is nearly a week away. It is the time we prepare our hearts and souls for the coming of Christ. John the Baptist exhorts, <i>He must increase; I must decrease. </i>No matter our state in life, we must stop being so full of ourselves and all that separates us from our Lord. We need to empty ourselves and allow Him in, to allow His heart to replace our own, so that He can love Himself in us! And that is how we are capable of loving our neighbor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Boylan writes, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>We hurry from one thing to another; we exhaust our ingenuity in divising new amusements to capture our jaded fancy; we plunge deeper and deeper into the mire of self-satisfaction; and we're further away from peace than ever. For our hearts are made for God, and they cannot rest till they rest in Him. ... He pursues us and He uses His providence to draw us away from all else, and to draw all else away from us, so that we may be driven to listen to His voice, and cast ourselves upon His heart.</i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And finally, I hope to keep these wise words of Boylan's close by to re-read and contemplate every now and again, as a reminder of where I ultimately need to set my sights:</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If we would but be convinced that there is but one answer to the riddle of life and if we would accept our vocation to divine union as the sole end of our life, then immediately everything falls into perfect harmony; the whole scheme of things down to every detail of our lives acquires a new meaning, for all things have been accepted by the will of our Redeemer and made to co-operate in leading us to union with God. All things work together for good to those who love God, for it is His purpose and plan to re-establish all things in Christ. ... We must realize that God is our tremendous lover, that He is our all and that He has done all our works for us. ...We have to accept the self, and the surroundings, and the story, that God's providence arranges for us. In humility we must accept our self - just as we are; in charity, we must accept and love our neighbor just as he is; in abandonment, we must accept God's will just as things happen to us and just as He would have us act. Faithful compliance with His will and humble acceptance of His arrangements will bring us to full union with Christ. For the rest, let us gladly glory in our infirmities, that the power of Christ may dwell in us. In our weakness and in our love we shall thus become one with Him, and there shall be one Christ loving Himself.</span></i></blockquote>
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<br />Darbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02463421245063306071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1637817274061965617.post-54219863946718314652015-07-22T10:21:00.001-04:002015-07-22T10:21:36.378-04:00Reform and Renewal Starts with Us - Crisis MagazineThis.<br />
<a href="http://www.crisismagazine.com/2015/reform-and-renewal-starts-with-us#.Va-mtKO6y_I.blogger">Reform and Renewal Starts with Us - Crisis Magazine</a>Darbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02463421245063306071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1637817274061965617.post-8105104412245081332015-04-03T09:45:00.001-04:002017-03-31T10:37:32.550-04:00Meditation for Good Friday<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;">The mob closes in, seething, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">with fists raised and clenched </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">around their signs,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">and placards </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">choosing Barabbas,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">even now, this day!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">With lips curled, they scorn and roar </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">like lions starving.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">O Lord, our Strength, do not forsake Your own.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Grant us fortitude and humility,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">to walk alongside You</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">amid insults, mockery and spitting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">O Lord, our Strength, give us the grace</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">to carry our cross in Your Holy footsteps;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">to mingle our tears with Your own;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">to uncurl our own fists there</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">with You on the Tree of Life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Crown us O Lord, our Strength, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">with the Joy and Peace of knowing that </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">the Victory is ours!</span></div>
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Darbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02463421245063306071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1637817274061965617.post-38919908815048106532015-02-27T17:47:00.001-05:002015-03-02T15:42:30.431-05:00Therefore Do Not Worry About Tomorrow<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Jim's prostatectomy is in five days. As his surgery day approaches, I've been a little bit resentful that he was called away on a business trip this week. I've just wanted to be near him, to feel his strength beside me in the evening. To awake in the dark of night to listen to him sleeping and to wonder what his dreams are made of. He arrives home this evening, thank God. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We're not concerned, he nor I, about the spread of the cancer or of it making an ignominious, wretched comeback once the prostate is removed. We are grateful, very, very much so, that this cancer is one that can be and is mostly entirely beaten, particularly at this early stage. The odds are that something else will do Jim in, in the end, but not this dreaded disease. And that is good! A reason to rejoice, indeed!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">And so, we shouldn't worry about anything. We shouldn't, but we do a little bit. We wonder about the post-surgery "what-ifs." There are, after all, potential side effects that could be long term. Admittedly, the concern these days is somewhat less than when procedures and surgeries were not as precise as they are now. And Jim's overall health and relatively young age are both in his favor. "Besides," the urologist reassures, "if you do have any problems with intimacy, there are medications that will help." We have all seen the advertisements for them on television. So, not to worry, right? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Yes, that is the goal. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">But all this has made me think deeply about our 30 years together as husband and wife and how throughout the years we may have taken our most intimate moments for granted. And how, now, I wish that I had back those moments when I had refused him for whatever reason, thinking that well, there's always tomorrow. Another day when I'm less tired, more amorous, less preoccupied. And now, I'm appreciating more fully (than I ever thought possible) just how poignant and beautiful those intimate moments were and are. The two truly becoming one every single time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">This experience is also forcing me to face yet another new chapter. And I really don't know why I am having so much difficulty turning the page! Sometimes, I just want to stop time from advancing so damn fast. Stop it - dead in it's tracks. Interiorly, I don't feel old, truly. But the outward reminders are constantly there, as when I gaze at myself in the mirror. Sometimes I don't quite recognize the face peering back. Startled, I demand, "Who the hell are you?" Or when that twinge in my knee or ankle remind me that my joints are getting a tad rusty. So, this thing with Jim? It's just another stinging reminder that we are not as young as we once were. I do hope we are wiser. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">And anyway, isn't this all just part of our journey? We're all on it, although we likely tread different paths. I honestly do not want to become so blasted discouraged. <i>I am desperate for God to help me <b>love</b> every moment.</i> To embrace each moment, each breath, for the gift that it is. To never lose hope. And in all circumstances to always, always be grateful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>For I know well the plans I have in mind for you ... plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope. When you call me, and come and pray to me, I will listen to you. - Jeremiah 29:11-12</i></span></blockquote>
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Darbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02463421245063306071noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1637817274061965617.post-21539420022484805242015-01-31T15:34:00.001-05:002015-02-01T08:39:41.990-05:00Some news about my Jim<div style="text-align: justify;">
Have you ever experienced moments when you can't quite remember how to begin a prayer or start a song that you've known since childhood? Well, that's a little bit like this post, although I'm not having trouble remembering anything. The thoughts have been swirling around in my head and held in my heart for weeks. I simply don't know how to start. I guess I'll just say it.</div>
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My husband has prostate cancer.</div>
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Blurting it out like that is so shocking, as if I had uttered a profanity. The truth is, I am still a bit taken aback by the diagnosis. It came so suddenly, unexpectedly, without warning or even the slightest suspicion. And I haven't quite figured out how to share this news comfortably, gracefully. I've never been good at sharing bad news. Certainly, there is a bright side which helps soften the blow. The cancer is confined to the prostate, it has been caught early and the prognosis is very good. We are truly, truly grateful for that!!</div>
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Some have said, "Well, if you're going to have cancer that is the kind to have." Perhaps, but no one wants any kind of cancer, right? And some men have died from prostate cancer. My grandfather is one and I have heard of others. I know of one man who currently has advanced prostate cancer and is in the fight for his life. It is, like all cancer, an ugly, horrible disease. But as I said, we are grateful that in Jim's case it was discovered early, before it was given a chance to grow into a more serious problem.</div>
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In November Jim had a routine physical with his primary care physician. During the exam she felt something odd, a small lump or polyp on his prostate. He followed up with a urologist, who determined that the lump was nothing more than a benign cyst or calcium deposit located near the prostate but not actually on it. Nothing to worry about. However, as an added precaution the doctor opted to proceed with further blood testing. Lo and behold, the blood work came back abnormal, so a biopsy was scheduled for mid-December.</div>
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The morning of the biopsy, I dropped Jim off at the surgery center and waited at home as we reside a mere five minutes away. The nurse called me when it was time to go pick him up. The procedure went well and Jim recovered quickly. We busied ourselves with our typical Christmas preparations as we waited to hear the results. Honestly, we were expecting everything to be fine, so we were a bit surprised when the urologist called Jim on the Sunday after Christmas. We had just returned from Mass and Jim was fixing himself a sandwich. In fact, we normally head to the parish hall after Mass for "coffee and doughnuts" and to visit with friends, but I had a strong inkling to head straight home. We would have missed the doctor's call if we had stayed. The urologist explained that out of the 12 samples biopsied one of the them tested positive for cancer, even so he seemed optimistic. He used words like slow-growing, a small area, not very aggressive, caught early. All the words meant to soften the blow, to keep up one's hope. A follow-up appointment was made for a little more than a week later. In the meantime, other tests were being evaluated and an oncologist would be consulted. By the way, Jim's PSA was normal, there was no enlargement of the prostate or any other outward signs indicating any problems.</div>
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One of the blood tests measures the patient's genetic tendency toward the disease and Jim's came back on the high end. Another opinion was rendered by a second pathologist who discovered cancerous cells in not one, but two of the biopsied samples. The final result of all of the further testing and consultations is that the risk level for Jim is actually higher than originally thought and the best option for him at this stage in the game is to have the prostate surgically removed sooner rather than later.</div>
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His surgery date is March 4.<br />
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If all goes well, Jim should be fully recovered and in good shape for our daughter's wedding April 25, as well as for a later surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff. Yep, that's right, but I think we'll deal with that one after the wedding!<br />
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We truly appreciate the prayers, love, and support of all our family and friends and hold each and every one of you in our hearts and prayers as well. We are forever grateful for the gift of faith and for the love and mercy of our Father whose generosity can never be surpassed.<br />
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That's all for now. I hope to share more of what's on my heart in the coming days and weeks. There's a lot there.<br />
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Darbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02463421245063306071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1637817274061965617.post-58235775465714300682014-11-07T16:09:00.002-05:002017-03-31T13:00:34.420-04:00November <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">And I swoon at the memory of you.</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>Where love will wipe all sorrow away</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>and cast our tears, yours and mine, </b></span><br />
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Darbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02463421245063306071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1637817274061965617.post-43328513390181213762014-10-29T15:22:00.004-04:002014-10-29T15:22:58.024-04:00Sometimes there are no words ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<br />Darbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02463421245063306071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1637817274061965617.post-33919077878459251892014-10-09T13:39:00.001-04:002014-10-29T14:34:18.821-04:00The blessings that Away brings<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The four bedroom doors are mostly closed these days, as if that will shut up the memories that linger there. The hallway that once, in vain, tried to contain the laughter and tears, the tantrums and playful squeals of four rambunctious, lively children now holds only distant echoes. Except when the grandchildren come to make their own way where once their mama dreamily envisaged babies of her own. Then never imagining the depth of the love that now fills her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">And so the heart likes to dally there, but knows still that life forges on thus it cannot remain. There are too many blessings in the moment. And a future to contemplate. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">And a husband to love here and now and forever. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We, he and I, find it necessary to reconnect. To simply be. To be in one another's presence and in the presence of our God. And in it we find a silver lining to children growing up and leaving our home to make their own. And we come to appreciate that this is how it is meant to be.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We headed out in my little, blue Honda at about 1:00, traveling under a mostly cloud-covered sky. Arriving at Lake Anna State Park a little beyond 3:00 p.m., our weekend far from television, traffic, and the clutter of our lives had begun. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">After unpacking and setting up house-keeping in our small yet sufficient cabin, we ventured out to explore the surroundings. The wooded area in front of the cabin had been cleared a bit allowing easy access to the lake via a gently sloped yard. Holly explored this area to her doxie heart's content. We strolled around the loop of cabins before settling down to pray Evening Prayer and to sip wine as we gazed out over the lake. That evening Jim grilled salmon for dinner and we spent some time reading and chatting before retiring to bed as a heavy rain began to fall. My only disappointment thus far had been that I had forgotten to bring my pillow from home! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Saturday dawned bright and beautiful. After breakfast we struck out on a four mile hike along a few of the many trails meandering through the park. It is here where I found joy in the silent moments and in listening to leaves crunch beneath our feet, to acorns and walnuts dropping from the sky. In reconnecting with God's creation, the sheer awe of it all. In watching a butterfly tease Holly as she pounced and bounded after it, all to no avail. </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Joy, too, in the conversation along the way and in the rosary praying and in the playful silliness. </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">And in discovering one another anew, away from the distractions, the noise that so often gets in the way of simply being together. Of simply loving, of</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> being one.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A smokehouse along one of the trails. <br />
It is what remains of an old plantation that once overlooked the North Anna River.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fall just beginning to show off her glory.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Temperatures dipped low on Saturday night, but we remained toasty warm before a roaring fire. We sipped tea and chatted long, about nothing really. And the nothing was just fine. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">In fact, it was even better than just fine. It was perfect.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCm-esmxmF7tn6RXK-toSjsgYFjJS6Pe8q_TbkEVNCEXCtuXNLedubYwWSrvNKVmdjeZvHAYexsHXdFa0Lh3vOT7V84RAt06ANxNp85sYazFtfhGvVKuGChMKBs0XNKM9NJr0XtMgFvsI/s1600/IMG_1812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCm-esmxmF7tn6RXK-toSjsgYFjJS6Pe8q_TbkEVNCEXCtuXNLedubYwWSrvNKVmdjeZvHAYexsHXdFa0Lh3vOT7V84RAt06ANxNp85sYazFtfhGvVKuGChMKBs0XNKM9NJr0XtMgFvsI/s1600/IMG_1812.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglkNrwBj7-kou7YzNdyuCB5eZ8Yf20_nXFczmGEZoeuvfHi_prUdwNyVLaFbAL5dZ-G10Vz9oeoUllhA6o2WBStPTqsOewGJK0WEJc2Wy48_tYi0FSNAjBYuDt-C-Fw0WWcpqUR8Sle_M/s1600/IMG_1813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglkNrwBj7-kou7YzNdyuCB5eZ8Yf20_nXFczmGEZoeuvfHi_prUdwNyVLaFbAL5dZ-G10Vz9oeoUllhA6o2WBStPTqsOewGJK0WEJc2Wy48_tYi0FSNAjBYuDt-C-Fw0WWcpqUR8Sle_M/s1600/IMG_1813.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunday morning mist beginning to lift.<br />
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<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I belong to my lover, and my lover belongs to me; he feeds among the lilies. </i></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: center;"> - Song of Songs 6:3</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">P.S. Some added charm on our way home:</span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpc1GGudvYdHly0UeaFtZ3-Afa2rsnzaEQEQlt0waUrn5Q2OwdX0ddIpKJRW-aeu50f5IHCXxB2zWzuSMPZQbV11pGsyFfR5Q8lqhVsMUfoN2X3PPPBi5BRcVNBb48TuY-Ny1pB4_LuE/s1600/DSC07353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpc1GGudvYdHly0UeaFtZ3-Afa2rsnzaEQEQlt0waUrn5Q2OwdX0ddIpKJRW-aeu50f5IHCXxB2zWzuSMPZQbV11pGsyFfR5Q8lqhVsMUfoN2X3PPPBi5BRcVNBb48TuY-Ny1pB4_LuE/s1600/DSC07353.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This beautiful, quaint, old church is <i>The Winston Family Chapel</i> in Culpeper County, Virginia.<br />
As one might expect, there is a <a href="http://www.aiava.org/membership_news/dilapidated-church-with-romeo-and-juliet-story-inspires-documentation-project/">story</a> hidden there beneath all it's charm. <br />
A story of family feuds and forbidden love.<br />
The chapel called out to me as we drove past and I just had to stop to snap some photos.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXg51JEdIFrUl__5wgZY2CBTH5iQoiewyQ_Fr3_W5CncQARTEa-040g8R2gVAtAuOIKuNRly_C_c1fDYNIIlAjTOPfrBKx21McPI13Ow3l4EyDUStF7xvfbDLDniel2RoJ_zdP4F4H8Xk/s1600/DSC07355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXg51JEdIFrUl__5wgZY2CBTH5iQoiewyQ_Fr3_W5CncQARTEa-040g8R2gVAtAuOIKuNRly_C_c1fDYNIIlAjTOPfrBKx21McPI13Ow3l4EyDUStF7xvfbDLDniel2RoJ_zdP4F4H8Xk/s1600/DSC07355.JPG" height="340" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The windows are lovely.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />Darbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02463421245063306071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1637817274061965617.post-81426643009225647492014-09-22T14:01:00.000-04:002014-09-22T14:01:57.154-04:00That she may walk with Christ<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"><i><b>Heavenly Father,</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"><b>In your love you have called us to know you, </b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 17px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"><i><b>led us to trust you, and bound our life with yours.</b></i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 17px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"><i><b>Surround this child with your love, protect her from evil.</b></i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 17px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"><i><b>Fill her with the holy spirit and receive her into the family of your church, </b></i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 17px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"><i><b>that she may walk with us in the way of Christ, </b></i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 17px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"><i><b>and grow in the knowledge of your love.</b></i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 17px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"><i><b>Amen.</b></i></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 17px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 17px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>With unfathomable joy</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 17px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>the Church welcomes you,</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 17px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>dear, sweet</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Genevieve Marie-Josephine!</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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Darbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02463421245063306071noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1637817274061965617.post-62715249791174661202014-09-11T14:24:00.000-04:002014-09-11T14:24:15.453-04:00Daybook for mid-September <i><b>Outside My Window:</b></i><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Autumn is approaching. The summer annuals are beginning to look a little tired and heavy with leggy blooms. The days have grown shorter, temperatures are falling and crickets have begun their seasonal nightly serenade. On my drive back from the Carolinas earlier this week I passed by a roadside stand displaying small pumpkins and mums. Something I would not have expected so early in September. But spying them made me smile.</blockquote>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4tHfTn-3uL1f5i_mRknNLuDNDc-1_iTlbOXrQpnA04dmCSMgizmKlX-XLAF2gAWdodxc3jl0Cfz76cJekkR4vI5bus-irjYaQcGNZbt7QITM89aX_N3oqUXUzhuGtUkj3UlpZ1X0-Lmw/s1600/DSC07222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4tHfTn-3uL1f5i_mRknNLuDNDc-1_iTlbOXrQpnA04dmCSMgizmKlX-XLAF2gAWdodxc3jl0Cfz76cJekkR4vI5bus-irjYaQcGNZbt7QITM89aX_N3oqUXUzhuGtUkj3UlpZ1X0-Lmw/s1600/DSC07222.JPG" height="508" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<i><b>I am wearing:</b></i><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Jeans, sleeveless cotton blouse, bare feet.</blockquote>
<i><b>On Pandora:</b></i><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Steel Wheels Radio and some George Winston, too.</blockquote>
<i><b>This old House:</b></i><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
So many plans for the house! First though, I need to do a deep cleaning out of stuff we no longer need (much of it we never really needed to begin with!). I will start in the basement laundry room where we store many odd items - household, outdoor, old clothing, and miscellaneous junk. Planning to begin this project very soon.</blockquote>
<b><i>From the Kitchen (& Garden): </i></b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Lots and lots and lots of tomatoes! Yum!</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Lettuce and peppers, too. A few yellow squash and cucumbers. My herbs (other than the mint) are getting leggy and worn. The thyme died off. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
And there are wee, baby carrots! </blockquote>
<b><i> I am Hearing: </i></b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Cicadas</blockquote>
<b><i>I am Reading:</i></b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Time for God </i>by Jacques Philippe (The 5th book I've read by him - He is Awesome!)</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Death Comes for the Archbishop</i> by Willa Cather for Book Club. Pleasant, enjoyable read. I like it very much.</blockquote>
<b><i>I am Hoping and Praying:</i></b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
For peace in our world. For the end to terrorism on this planet and in the womb. For the conversion of our most vile enemies.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
That the many intentions others have asked me to pray for are answered. Especially those who are suffering deeply. That they know they are loved beyond all imagining. That they be still and just let God love them.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
For the temporal and spiritual well-being of all my family (including my son-in-law to be!).</blockquote>
<b><i>I am Grateful: </i></b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
For my kids. God has given my the greatest privilege of becoming their mother and I am humbled.</blockquote>
<b><i>Our Father's Promise:</i></b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Raising his eyes toward his disciples Jesus said:</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">“Blessed are you who are poor,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
for the Kingdom of God is yours.</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Blessed are you who are now hungry,</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
for you will be satisfied.</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Blessed are you who are now weeping,</div>
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for you will laugh.</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Blessed are you when people hate you,</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
and when they exclude and insult you,</div>
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and denounce your name as evil</div>
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on account of the Son of Man.</div>
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<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">Rejoice and leap for joy on that day!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Behold, your reward will be great in heaven. </div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
For their ancestors treated the prophets</div>
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in the same way.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">But woe to you who are rich,</span></span></div>
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</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
for you have received your consolation.</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
But woe to you who are filled now,</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
for you will be hungry.</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Woe to you who laugh now,</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
for you will grieve and weep.</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Woe to you when all speak well of you,</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
for their ancestors treated the false </div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
prophets in this way.”</div>
</span></span></blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Luke 6:20-26</div>
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<b><i>A few Plans:</i></b></div>
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We have a wedding in April! Enough said.</blockquote>
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<b><i>Words to Ponder: </i></b></div>
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"Our main task in praying is to love. But in our relationship with God, loving means first of all <i>letting ourselves be loved.</i> This isn't as easy as it might seem. It means we have to believe in love, and often we find it very easy to doubt it. It also means we have to accept the fact that we are poor." - Jacques Philippe, <i>Time for God</i></blockquote>
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<b><i>A Picture Thought (or two):</i></b></div>
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The pure<b><i> <span style="font-size: large;">joy</span> </i></b>this child brings (complete with peanut butter smudges) ...</blockquote>
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Darbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02463421245063306071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1637817274061965617.post-3598294629171407262014-09-01T16:48:00.003-04:002014-09-01T16:48:45.321-04:00Welcome to the World, little Genevieve<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We are over the moon in love with this sweet cherub and we are beyond delighted to announce her arrival. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Our world just keeps getting better.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Welcome </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Genevieve Marie-Josephine</i></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio0XYRjAP6-NXHQYCo3hfSa3XsZ3YOWgijszfCAAgaQemX382JBOorUajRq5sj70fJErNWK7Rl_zbGMbsf11VcFumHDP6Y9a73bnSo59j4vJp9EZrldbBRKA3TDarIyeNUz1AKctz9MEQ/s1600/DSC07250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio0XYRjAP6-NXHQYCo3hfSa3XsZ3YOWgijszfCAAgaQemX382JBOorUajRq5sj70fJErNWK7Rl_zbGMbsf11VcFumHDP6Y9a73bnSo59j4vJp9EZrldbBRKA3TDarIyeNUz1AKctz9MEQ/s1600/DSC07250.JPG" height="640" width="456" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With her beautiful Mama</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hSTk7GHejUyHw0QJ9-8_7pfAU9aeIV_cwhFHdy-F07RWEmsMLDrcMtvqRCmYsJthA78BNPP58jfXsNHPyCMIPn-ahBJOhTtB3kppSIpQAoThoqffcBviNza2ONY5_IOMsK7K3tTn_uQ/s1600/DSC07157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hSTk7GHejUyHw0QJ9-8_7pfAU9aeIV_cwhFHdy-F07RWEmsMLDrcMtvqRCmYsJthA78BNPP58jfXsNHPyCMIPn-ahBJOhTtB3kppSIpQAoThoqffcBviNza2ONY5_IOMsK7K3tTn_uQ/s1600/DSC07157.JPG" height="640" width="492" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proud Grandpa Jim</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbVhw6E0udO18TiVN1uwuHitAj3c3Iw9poD9f_C7Sxp3BSWruoUC5hwsY24wvDSj2WvN_5HlL7BaqHNubnqSO1tYOJBjH2te7FKYpx88s0ug50TGqOM9rumcKI5CdfbnECHo8M-2OqPg/s1600/DSC07219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbVhw6E0udO18TiVN1uwuHitAj3c3Iw9poD9f_C7Sxp3BSWruoUC5hwsY24wvDSj2WvN_5HlL7BaqHNubnqSO1tYOJBjH2te7FKYpx88s0ug50TGqOM9rumcKI5CdfbnECHo8M-2OqPg/s1600/DSC07219.JPG" height="464" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfriic0-wuqTtQuUIHW32vnBN6C6IRdsYfvQgHu25OtoPkJklr0jYDfyl0nrbtoBP1EjN9NdW25hofKVKRmwfkprtS68unX2BAjJ8_lr38TEJPfj62sVs5FMWS1MLIqbm8Jnx6WMwOJI/s1600/DSC07159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfriic0-wuqTtQuUIHW32vnBN6C6IRdsYfvQgHu25OtoPkJklr0jYDfyl0nrbtoBP1EjN9NdW25hofKVKRmwfkprtS68unX2BAjJ8_lr38TEJPfj62sVs5FMWS1MLIqbm8Jnx6WMwOJI/s1600/DSC07159.JPG" height="460" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Get a load of those cheeks!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0W0x8W3vkMIZrj8SvfaCGjKvhd7J7PCe3rkHgB1bxM_GDciU-QAQzW9PgBv5vPDBDjvINZHVx2i8BYaDzEfvsFInf4Qe-Fv9rkRPlND0niVKX5HumFjxhY5JlKI1SUd6BRSMXUnlTN3Y/s1600/DSC07153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0W0x8W3vkMIZrj8SvfaCGjKvhd7J7PCe3rkHgB1bxM_GDciU-QAQzW9PgBv5vPDBDjvINZHVx2i8BYaDzEfvsFInf4Qe-Fv9rkRPlND0niVKX5HumFjxhY5JlKI1SUd6BRSMXUnlTN3Y/s1600/DSC07153.JPG" height="514" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Auntie Erin</td></tr>
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Darbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02463421245063306071noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1637817274061965617.post-37802270533894781802014-05-26T11:22:00.000-04:002014-05-26T11:22:06.802-04:00Welcome to our crazy family, Jake!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On May 17, 2014 our Megan (who decided on a whim to go to college) graduated <i>with honors</i> from Belmont Abbey College. We are so proud of her! And if that didn't provide enough excitement for all of us, directly following the ceremony her boyfriend asked her to spend the rest of her life with him! And she said <i>YES!</i> We couldn't be happier for them. You would be hard-pressed to find another couple more in love than these two! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here are a few captured moments from that very special day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Best wishes, Megan! And Congratulations, Jake! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Love you both so much!</span></div>
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Darbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02463421245063306071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1637817274061965617.post-56858535532251552502014-04-28T09:52:00.001-04:002014-04-28T09:52:49.308-04:00Carpets of Blue<div style="text-align: justify;">
Jim and I have been in the habit of taking our wee hound, Holly, out on a weekly excursion to a regional or state park in our area. It provides an opportunity for all of us to enjoy being out of the house, to get some exercise and to experience the many lovely trails northern Virginia has to offer. Once winter set in for the long haul, our walks were relegated to the paths and sidewalks in our neighborhood when weather permitted. </div>
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Well, spring has finally sprung and yesterday we were blessed with a simply scrumptious afternoon. This time we hiked the Virginia Bluebell trail at Bull Run Park. Although we're fairly acquainted with the park, I'm truly astonished that we haven't visited this particular site before now. Over the years, I've enjoyed the photographs and stories of family hikes through this park that friends and acquaintances have shared on social media. I'm really not quite sure why we never thought to go ourselves. Katie and Sam took their two (three if you count the little one 'in the oven') on Saturday and were blown away by the beauty of the<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mertensia_virginica"> bluebells</a>. Katie encouraged us to go and I'm so glad she did!</div>
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Darbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02463421245063306071noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1637817274061965617.post-776259130957178982014-04-25T17:14:00.001-04:002014-04-25T17:14:14.175-04:00Saint John Paul, the Great<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">On Sunday, April 27, the worldwide Church will be celebrating the canonization of two much beloved, holy men: Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II. Not to take anything away from our dear John XXIII, I have to admit I'm <i>super excited</i> especially by the elevation of John Paul II. Having been elected Pope in October 1978 while I was a freshman in college, he is the Holy Father of my journey through young adulthood. A journey spent questioning, doubting, rebelling, (i.e. searching) and finally accepting, understanding and growing in my faith and love for the Church and for God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I cannot adequately express my love for Saint John Paul II. He changed my life. Through him I've learned so much.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Here are just a few of my favorite John Paul II quotes:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">"The theme of beauty is decisive for a discourse on art. It was already
present when I stressed God's delighted gaze upon creation. In perceiving
that all he had created was good, God saw that it was beautiful as
well.(4) The link between good and beautiful stirs fruitful reflection. In
a certain sense, beauty is the visible form of the good, just as the good
is the metaphysical condition of beauty. This was well understood by the
Greeks who, by fusing the two concepts, coined a term which embraces both:
kalokagathía, or beauty-goodness. On this point Plato writes: “The
power of the Good has taken refuge in the nature of the Beautiful”.(5) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">It is in living and acting that man establishes his relationship with
being, with the truth and with the good. The artist has a special
relationship to beauty. In a very true sense it can be said that beauty is
the vocation bestowed on him by the Creator in the gift of “artistic
talent”. And, certainly, this too is a talent which ought to be made
to bear fruit, in keeping with the sense of the Gospel parable of the
talents (cf. <i>Mt</i> 25:14-30). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here we touch on an essential point. Those who perceive in themselves
this kind of divine spark which is the artistic vocation—as poet,
writer, sculptor, architect, musician, actor and so on—feel at the
same time the obligation not to waste this talent but to develop it, in
order to put it at the service of their neighbour and of humanity as a
whole." <i>Letter to Artists, 1999</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;">“We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures, we are the sum of
the Father's love for us and our real capacity to become the image of
His Son Jesus.” <i>WYD 2002, Toronto</i></span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“<span style="color: #274e13;">It is Jesus that you seek when you dream of happiness; He is waiting
for you when nothing else you find satisfies you; He is the beauty to
which you are so attracted; it is He who provoked you with that thirst
for fullness that will not let you settle for compromise; it is He who
urges you to shed the masks of a false life; it is He who reads in your
heart your most genuine choices, the choices that others try to stifle.</span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #274e13;">It
is Jesus who stirs in you the desire to do something great with your
lives, the will to follow an ideal, the refusal to allow yourselves to
be ground down by mediocrity, the courage to commit yourselves humbly
and patiently to improving yourselves and society, making the world more
human and more fraternal.”
<i> WYD 2000, Rome</i></span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">"<i>Prayer is a search for God</i>, but it is also a <i>revelation of God</i>. Through prayer God reveals Himself as Creator and Father, as Redeemer and Savior, as the Spirit who "scrutinizes everything, even the depths of God" (1 Cor 2:10), and above all "the secrets of human hearts" (cf. Ps 43[44]:22). <i>Through prayer God reveals Himself above all as Mercy </i>- that is, Love that goes out to those who are suffering, Love that sustains, uplifts, and invites us to trust. The victory of good in the world is united organically with this truth. A person who prays possesses such a truth and in a certain sense makes God, who is <i>merciful Love</i>, present in the world." - <i>Crossing the Threshold of Hope</i></span></span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I started browsing through my heavily highlighted copies of <i><a href="http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_letters/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_15081988_mulieris-dignitatem_en.html">Mulieris Dignitatem</a></i> and <a href="http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_25031995_evangelium-vitae_en.html"><i>Evangelium</i> <i>Vitae</i></a> to find quotes to share here. There are just too many excellent choices so, I've decided to suggest you read these works for yourself or reread them if you haven't in awhile. Also, my daughter, Megan, is currently borrowing two monumental works that have had a profound influence on my view of love, relationships, sex and marriage: <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Love-Responsibility-Karol-Wojtyla/dp/0898704456">Of Love and Responsibility</a></i> and <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Theology-Human-Divine-Parish-Resources/dp/0819873942">The Theology of the Body</a></i>. These works took what was distorted in my mind, shedding light on what was 'broken' if you will, and then restored my understanding of true femininity; of what it means to be a woman, wife and mother. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Pope John Paul II taught me how to hope, to forgive and to embrace mercy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">He taught me that I'm beautiful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Saint John Paul, the Great, pray for us.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><strong>Prayer to St. John Paul II</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">O, St. John Paul, from
the window of heaven, grant us your blessing! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Bless the church that you
loved and served and guided, courageously leading it along the paths of
the world in order to bring Jesus to everyone and everyone to Jesus. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Bless the young, who were your great passion. Help them dream again,
help them look up high again to find the light that illuminates the
paths of life here on earth.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">May you bless families,
bless each family! You warned of Satan’s assault against this precious
and indispensable divine spark that God lit on earth. St. John Paul,
with your prayer, may you protect the family and every life that
blossoms from the family.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Pray for the whole
world, which is still marked by tensions, wars and injustice. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You
tackled war by invoking dialogue and planting the seeds of love: pray
for us so that we may be tireless sowers of peace.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">O, St. John Paul, from heaven’s window, where we see you next to Mary, </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">send God’s blessing down upon us all. Amen.</span></span></div>
Darbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02463421245063306071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1637817274061965617.post-34166070985697658422014-04-23T14:34:00.004-04:002014-04-23T14:34:57.871-04:00You gotta Love with all you got<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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<i>Hear, O Israel! The L<small>ORD</small> is our God, the L<small>ORD</small> alone! Therefore, you shall love the L<small>ORD</small>, your God, with your whole heart, and with your whole being, and with your whole strength. Take to heart these words which I command you today. Keep repeating them to your
children. Recite them when you are at home and when you are away, when
you lie down and when you get up. Bind them on your arm as a sign and let them be as a pendant on your forehead. Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:4-9</i></div>
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Do I love God beyond all else?</div>
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This has been a life-long question/challenge for me. And it's not something I like to admit. Sure, I love God, but is it the way He commanded us to love him? As a teen, I even penned a cringe-worthy poem about it. It read in part something akin to, "Ya know you gotta love with all you got, or you won't find your place in heaven child." <br />
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Is it that we love the gifts and forget the giver?<br />
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I once remarked to a friend how the intensity of my love for my children almost seemed sinful sometimes. My friend, a fellow mom seemed to have no trouble understanding where I was coming from, however, another friend overheard my comment and protested sharply. How could loving someone, especially a child, be sinful? I explained to him (a single male), that the love for my family was so strong that it made me wonder how my love for anyone else including God could surpass it. It troubled me deeply, because I <i>wanted</i> to love God more, but how?<br />
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<i>Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” <span class="bcv"></span>He said to him,“You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. <span class="bcv"></span>This is the greatest and the first commandment. <span class="bcv"></span>The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. <span class="bcv"></span>The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40</i>
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I was thinking about this problem again recently and realized how much my love for God has grown since my earlier parenting days. What had transpired over the years to bring me to this greater sense of love? One afternoon, I turned on EWTN to see and hear this AWESOME reflection by the late Father Leo Clifford, OFM, who hits the nail on the head:<br />
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How do I love God profoundly, above and beyond the gifts He has given me? By knowing I cannot love him with my own fickle, "puny love," but rather with His own Love! That supernatural Love that He has given me through the Holy Spirit. It is that Love that I breathe in, soak up and give back to the Father in deep <i>gratitude</i> for everything.</div>
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It is that same supernatural Love that makes it possible to love my neighbor. And myself, especially when the very thought seems impossible.</div>
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Thank you, Jesus, for loving me and for giving me the grace to Love you.</div>
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Darbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02463421245063306071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1637817274061965617.post-56446147742121579072014-01-27T18:07:00.002-05:002014-01-27T18:07:31.774-05:00Holiness in the ordinary<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>O, how everything that is suffered in love is healed again.</i> Saint Teresa of Avila</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Over the years as I was raising my family I often wondered how I could ever possibly attain holiness amidst runny noses, surly children, broken appliances, mountains of dirty dishes, my own crankiness, cabin fever and loneliness? How is holiness possible, after barking at your spouse because he failed to read your mind (again)? How is holiness even possible when all you want to do is run away, even though you absolutely haven't the energy to do so? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Not to run from <i>them</i> so much as to flee from your own <b>failure </b>to make everyone happy, to keep from pulling out your hair, or to keep up with the laundry, and the cooking, and the driving hither and yon, or simply to scrub the sparkle back into your sinks and shower walls? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Especially when you know, more than anything, that you really need to scrub that sparkle back into your soul?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">You know, HE loves <span style="font-size: small;">us</span> in those difficult moments (in <i>all</i> moments), more than anyone else does or is even capable. He loves us - <i><b>you</b></i> - infinitely and eternally.
Despite yourself, just the way you are. Right here and now, where you are, knee-deep in
struggle or maybe even over-your-head.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">He invites you to holiness despite, and especially in, the ordinary, every day. In those up-hill battles you
wage with your loved ones, but mostly with yourself. In your failure to love your family and yourself perfectly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">He invites you to offer yourself and not only all that is good - when you easily find joy and life runs smoothly, but all that seems bad, too, - the hardship that you may experience on any given day and in any moment. All of your ennui, frustration, disappointment, discomfort, pain and sorrow. He never refuses the suffering you pour out to Him to unite with His own. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">He invites you to Love in the ordinary </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> and in so doing, you will become holy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Jesus remind me that your most important work took place </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>during your passion and death. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Draw me to your Holy Cross, so that I may enter into your salvific work. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Hide me within your wounds.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Remind me that I am made holy as I feed my hungry family and give drink to the thirsty toddler.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Remind me that I am made holy by washing and drying and ironing their clothing </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>so that they don't go naked. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Because sometimes I forget.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i> </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Remind me that I am made holy by providing them shelter </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>and caring for them when they are not well, even when they're all grown up. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Remind me that I am made holy when I do my best to instruct them in the faith </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>and counsel them when they are doubtful. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Because sometimes it's hard. Very hard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i> </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Remind me that I am made holy when I comfort them in their sorrow </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>and when I forgive them for hurting me.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Remind me that I am made holy when I offer prayers for them - multiple times a day. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Remind me when I whisper those prayers to you with a heart that is still</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>and when I shout them to you in tears full of exasperation.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i> </i>Because sometimes I am way too hard on myself. <i></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Remind me, dear Jesus, of your infinite Mercy and your forgiveness when I do fail.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Because sometimes I have difficulty believing it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i> Remind me of your enduring Love.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>And let me never forget your invitation, your call, to conversion.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>And remind me, dear Jesus, to always answer that call.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Because sometimes I forget.</span></div>
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<br /><br />Darbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02463421245063306071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1637817274061965617.post-65442785161985694182013-12-29T16:03:00.001-05:002013-12-29T16:03:16.735-05:00He waits<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"He has entered our history; he has shared our journey. He came to free us from darkness and to grant us light. In him was revealed the grace, the mercy, and the tender love of the Father: Jesus is Love incarnate." ~ Pope Francis</blockquote>
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Through nights grown long we waited. </div>
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With our hope and our longing carried by prayers that we whispered into the frosty air, </div>
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we journeyed toward stars ancient and wise. </div>
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Toward the promised glory. </div>
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We waited for the light to come, to dispel the darkness, to set us free. </div>
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To offer mercy and forgiveness. </div>
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And He did come. Love eternal came down to fill our souls grown weary, </div>
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to take all our burdens as his own, to show us a way out.</div>
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The way. </div>
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A tiny babe born hungry, hoping we turn to glance, to see him there waiting.</div>
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Waiting with nothing - no armies, no material wealth, no crib adorned with jewels - just his arms outstretched, waiting. </div>
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For us.</div>
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Our savior. Our king and our God. </div>
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Still he comes.</div>
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Still he waits.</div>
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Darbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02463421245063306071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1637817274061965617.post-78571281780748651752013-10-28T12:00:00.002-04:002013-10-28T13:42:01.455-04:00October camping on the James River: my survival story<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Last Friday afternoon Jim and I embarked on a three hour drive south to the James River State Park for a two night camping trip. It was our first time camping in several years and the first trip without our kids. Our menu was planned, supplies purchased and our old camping gear - plus a brand new tent - was packed carefully in the back of our van. We were ready and excited! Having never been to the James River State Park, we weren't quite sure what to expect, but from the description on the Virginia State Park website it promised to be the perfect spot for turning life down a notch or two; an opportunity to truly relax and enjoy communing with nature. Jim even considered doing a little fishing.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRPSLnNQpMETVp41tbbOHVGX5UmyRpDPQichH7fM3Vi9n_Gq1HtIwyHHdaybV5J_wCuhryoaRhEkruFXPryzL2gls2AvIHpaA3Y_pOK6_HmiRtssgbYFNX99SCJsH4FjlrvN4_0k2hDw/s1600/DSC06557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRPSLnNQpMETVp41tbbOHVGX5UmyRpDPQichH7fM3Vi9n_Gq1HtIwyHHdaybV5J_wCuhryoaRhEkruFXPryzL2gls2AvIHpaA3Y_pOK6_HmiRtssgbYFNX99SCJsH4FjlrvN4_0k2hDw/s640/DSC06557.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our campsite looking up toward the parking area from the bank of the river</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I had reserved our spot a few months earlier based on our availability to get away and the availability of campsites at the park. For about 10 days prior to our weekend, I had been eying the weather forecast, wondering about how cold it was going to get at night. Based on the reports, there was no doubt that it was going to be cold. So we prepared for it by packing warm clothes, including extra socks, long johns, scarves, hats, gloves and winter jackets. We had very warm sleeping bags and an extra quilt. We stocked up on coffee, tea and hot cocoa. We would stay warm and toasty no matter what - no problem! Even Holly donned a new sweater and we packed her fleece doggy jacket. She had lots of blankets to snuggle up in, as dachshunds do not like to be cold.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Well. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Man, oh man. Boy, oh boy. Did it get cold! Freezing, cold.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We arrived at the campground around 5:00 as the sun was going down over the James. A truly gorgeous sight. It was nice to have daylight to set up camp, but by the time we built a fire and sat around eating our soup supper it was dark and quite chilly. I switched my down vest for my winter jacket, and put on my hat and gloves. As we were sipping hot beverages later that evening and inching closer and closer to the fire, we decided to call it a night. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset over the James River</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Here is what I ended up wearing to bed that night: two pairs of socks, long johns and fleece sweat pants, a long sleeved t-shirt, a pull-over sweat shirt, a wool scarf, gloves, a fleece hat, and my winter jacket. And I was still COLD. I was in my 30 lb sleeping bag (which happens to be way too warm in the summer, by the way) and I had a comforter on top of that. Holly, in her sweater, was snuggled up against my belly. I ended up putting one of those hand warmer packets that are designed to go inside your gloves or mittens inside my underwear. You may laugh, but it helped A LOT! I think it actually saved my life. Kuddos to whomever invented those little treasures. I figured out that the cold air was traveling down into my sleeping bag from the top, so I tried to close it up around me. What I need is a cocoon style bag - like my husband has. He claims he was warm enough except for his feet. And he attributes that to 'old age'. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I finally dozed off - only to be awakened a few times by the passing of a freight train on the railroad tracks situated across the river, then lulled back to sleep again by the baying of country dogs off in the distance. I prayed I didn't have to get up in the middle of the night to go potty. Thankfully, I did not. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Around 7 a.m. a few of the campers in the neighboring site began stirring and woke me up. Then I really did have to go potty. The latrine was just up the road a piece - not really far - but not really close either. I slipped on my sneakers and unzipped the tent. The door of the tent crackled. Oh.my.gosh. A fairyland of frost and ice greeted me. Everything was frozen. The water in Holly's dog dish, our dish washing soap, our hand soap. Everything. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I dragged Holly up to the latrine with me. She took care of her business on our way up and back. As soon as we arrived back at our tent, she made a b-line for Jim's sleeping bag to hunker down and snuggle up. Smart dog. She didn't emerge until she smelled the Canadian bacon and eggs cooking and the sun had inched a little higher in the sky. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8cAjMSUr8lPhhagitZnrlPBK4ib8wdeyjCTikPfU53d09Lhaegy1DrOEyT4HxHlfjhA6oJXlTKCP6ghOLUlUJhD0rZzINvsaAfwhh_xcGqeok_J13ZdLyPr8jE0r2EadLD476tftWPs/s1600/DSC06546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8cAjMSUr8lPhhagitZnrlPBK4ib8wdeyjCTikPfU53d09Lhaegy1DrOEyT4HxHlfjhA6oJXlTKCP6ghOLUlUJhD0rZzINvsaAfwhh_xcGqeok_J13ZdLyPr8jE0r2EadLD476tftWPs/s640/DSC06546.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holly goes back to bed</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saturday morning fire</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJwrmmHXixpUdGkGL3tQMw2oIliNWj-oESenmtrW38d4K_ZbpF3czmPiaPeiPDdGGxq0NUXQgRQUplaOfA1O5DHf0FNvEWhyTjtf0TshS1ZyTnkbMIJwUwlLobXeT4GMWgutNVkis8c4/s1600/DSC06553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJwrmmHXixpUdGkGL3tQMw2oIliNWj-oESenmtrW38d4K_ZbpF3czmPiaPeiPDdGGxq0NUXQgRQUplaOfA1O5DHf0FNvEWhyTjtf0TshS1ZyTnkbMIJwUwlLobXeT4GMWgutNVkis8c4/s640/DSC06553.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are small rapids up river producing little puffs of foam that float along the current. On Saturday morning the foam was frozen.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWEFQ4TgCWJXDiyE1aZ0mRu1usi4BjbBzOMZyinSHBoHNKhEPKyQ9AsMcg5_dlrwIlvPhWyGiM8gGCK3n8D4b5FbeCMHs5Y1_t3jhw8WY1oFFgaM-3wRM4CmWhsXn6TDnWR5TLBCOi6DE/s1600/DSC06554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWEFQ4TgCWJXDiyE1aZ0mRu1usi4BjbBzOMZyinSHBoHNKhEPKyQ9AsMcg5_dlrwIlvPhWyGiM8gGCK3n8D4b5FbeCMHs5Y1_t3jhw8WY1oFFgaM-3wRM4CmWhsXn6TDnWR5TLBCOi6DE/s640/DSC06554.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An early morning mist</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWAuILTcKPdk6CCId_NFOqyA1pQvdgNZQVBTCG4-T4jpurscJLKrLNk66GwMIG85McuWDOW6unoC3zkD-24KMbf42wI4Wud3A1ft3rqsYSgfNWapDsTBCTpkEzcy9W2lpqVNChgDBIIfg/s1600/DSC06555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWAuILTcKPdk6CCId_NFOqyA1pQvdgNZQVBTCG4-T4jpurscJLKrLNk66GwMIG85McuWDOW6unoC3zkD-24KMbf42wI4Wud3A1ft3rqsYSgfNWapDsTBCTpkEzcy9W2lpqVNChgDBIIfg/s640/DSC06555.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the campsite was gorgeous</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">After breakfast we hiked a few of the beautiful trails that meander through the park. Our five mile trek warmed us up nicely, but somewhere along the way, I convinced Jim that we should break camp and head back home that afternoon. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVWEOVt2iOi0zu0JlBX7K9DBlVzH22QUmkdN81HRSm7fljptjQ_sOwJ44qi375HNzowprkvIdwnTTltQGIzOn-48Upt3VsV4w0y65GK6PTW-H33qjG6TgTmh925h4l2s7hPsZsNmiCSw/s1600/IMG_0530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVWEOVt2iOi0zu0JlBX7K9DBlVzH22QUmkdN81HRSm7fljptjQ_sOwJ44qi375HNzowprkvIdwnTTltQGIzOn-48Upt3VsV4w0y65GK6PTW-H33qjG6TgTmh925h4l2s7hPsZsNmiCSw/s640/IMG_0530.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sun streaming down on the frost-covered trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhN6WXJ7XzsIq3DiqZiVyUCr7b-gI3a8gpNDud5rVDmN7V2bHAtvIn0aEmgTfImWK3V1ma6ssOdWDprV9iRm0D8yBudzvNa5Dk_waiT3xWBuwGBBvCwqnOEZgx5WDGvki7bw0QQbKuhY/s1600/IMG_0538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhN6WXJ7XzsIq3DiqZiVyUCr7b-gI3a8gpNDud5rVDmN7V2bHAtvIn0aEmgTfImWK3V1ma6ssOdWDprV9iRm0D8yBudzvNa5Dk_waiT3xWBuwGBBvCwqnOEZgx5WDGvki7bw0QQbKuhY/s640/IMG_0538.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canadian geese enjoying the chilly waters of the James</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7EO2-M-rN0_Rg-3nPXaw3BZcRKlJNLsBYUaB3eG-m62f0B5bv2upSoKzE0Kcbw74F93ovJ3qLp1dV7v6LvL8mmdV_vCX2JvRwUt58hSkI1Vhej8922Tm9WkUsiDSVSjPepXZ_jGv6BI/s1600/IMG_0541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7EO2-M-rN0_Rg-3nPXaw3BZcRKlJNLsBYUaB3eG-m62f0B5bv2upSoKzE0Kcbw74F93ovJ3qLp1dV7v6LvL8mmdV_vCX2JvRwUt58hSkI1Vhej8922Tm9WkUsiDSVSjPepXZ_jGv6BI/s640/IMG_0541.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beaver habitat along the trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB6XiLbixSTbma-pIPcm8_yQtr3AI1bSpF6QAgvyrfAHjhH8C9OuoXYzQkWmIKf9bBYn84WeCCcuc8uFQKXeY-1TIslOzJxpjSRHozobNWIuq96eW0fIXN8Dj2R4yHL3oqiCWstBbx4L0/s1600/IMG_0543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB6XiLbixSTbma-pIPcm8_yQtr3AI1bSpF6QAgvyrfAHjhH8C9OuoXYzQkWmIKf9bBYn84WeCCcuc8uFQKXeY-1TIslOzJxpjSRHozobNWIuq96eW0fIXN8Dj2R4yHL3oqiCWstBbx4L0/s640/IMG_0543.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim and Holly taking in the view</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDv13uy7wdakmKAam4rNxBHXFSdCdkWb_eoMA8XJiUY4j27IuK5fyYyyXJQ152vp-6Cai_bGCWQVpLvH0L1GLl9cNPAbRx_lmEF60HDK-o4AyCC7mAqufeGthe6woMEQcySc5qtLXVY8s/s1600/IMG_0544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDv13uy7wdakmKAam4rNxBHXFSdCdkWb_eoMA8XJiUY4j27IuK5fyYyyXJQ152vp-6Cai_bGCWQVpLvH0L1GLl9cNPAbRx_lmEF60HDK-o4AyCC7mAqufeGthe6woMEQcySc5qtLXVY8s/s640/IMG_0544.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous. The James River State Park is beautiful. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">By the time we got back to our site, the wind had picked up significantly and although the sun was higher in the sky and invitingly warm, the windchill made it seem much colder. After lunch we packed it all up and headed for home. I guess I wimped out. I just couldn't stand the thought of another night of trying to keep from freezing to death. Kind of takes the fun out of it, you know?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Before exiting, Jim and I explored other areas of the park. It really is a lovely place. There are campgrounds for folks with horses, RV's, and another primitive tent site tucked way back in the woods (where I would definitely consider camping for purposes of more privacy and for the distance away from the train tracks). There is a loop of very nice looking cabins perched on high ground. The westerly facing cabins have a gorgeous view across the mountains. In the summer months, the park purportedly is a great place for tubing on the river and for canoeing and kayaking at any time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I would definitely go back. Perhaps in May or June. Although a cabin in the fall or winter would suit me just fine!</span></div>
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<br />Darbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02463421245063306071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1637817274061965617.post-91511801390916223232013-10-23T15:05:00.002-04:002013-10-23T17:27:17.443-04:00He was there<div style="text-align: justify;">
Last Sunday, Jim and I rose before sunrise; we showered, shaved and dressed. After taking care of a few last minute chores and packing, we grabbed our coffee to go and hit the road. It was a beautiful autumn morning and we chose to drive a little out of our way to avoid a reported detour along I-95 (that we learned later turned out to be misinformation). Our more westerly route through the country turned out to be very pleasant with no traffic hassles. It dumped us onto I-95 in Fredericksburg. From there we sped south heading for North Carolina. It's a familiar road as we've traveled it well over the years and one that normally causes us much angst, particularly during the summer months when traffic back-ups are an all too common occurrence. Sunday mornings in mid-October are a different story (at least the further away you are from northern Virginia!) and it was smooth sailing for us this time. Somewhere near the state line, I had begun to grow weary, apparently my caffeine fix had worn off. I pulled off the highway and into a gas station where we switched drivers. </div>
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Back on the road, the highway was soon flanked on either side by stately rows of tall pines like sentries guarding our way. Peeking through and beyond the trees, I spied miles of snow-white fields of cotton, most certainly ready for harvesting. <i>Little Blue</i> (our Honda Fit) carried us across bridges spanning brackish swamps and rivers named Neuse and Tar. I knew then that we were closer to our destination and before long we were exiting the interstate, driving through the quaint, small southern town of Benson making our way west passed farmland and country homes toward Buies Creek. </div>
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Shortly before one o'clock we arrived at Campbell University where Erin is enrolled in the School of Osteopathic Medicine. Students and family members were already entering the convocation center to await the start of the class of 2017's White Coat ceremony, scheduled to begin at two o'clock.</div>
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Having never experienced a White Coat ceremony, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. It turned out to be a beautiful, moving experience. The presentations and the keynote address were interesting and truly inspiring, but the ceremony itself was the most poignant. The student doctors lined up with their advisers, waiting for their names to be called. As his name was called, the student walked across the stage, handed his coat to his adviser and he/she and the dean of the medical school "coated" him. If a student happened to have a relative or mentor who was a physician he or she was invited to "coat" the student doctor. After some time, it occurred to me that if Jim's dad had still been alive he could possibly have been there to "coat" Erin. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJ0BGgE-89bJCTCpRMUqRKdQ3F6nTEHzvOuTlCWYmR9ZE-K58qdMjTfsAUXWAIeH6UznaoOMbFoJFFEeEZfUvOjUqouYv22E87GYlt4cC0oM1ukFGsYrqCeGJ5NCcSjE6PAlx_9qzwTs/s1600/DSC06487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJ0BGgE-89bJCTCpRMUqRKdQ3F6nTEHzvOuTlCWYmR9ZE-K58qdMjTfsAUXWAIeH6UznaoOMbFoJFFEeEZfUvOjUqouYv22E87GYlt4cC0oM1ukFGsYrqCeGJ5NCcSjE6PAlx_9qzwTs/s400/DSC06487.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Grandpa Fred was a pediatrician and a great inspiration to Erin. He was the kind of doctor one rarely meets these days; the kind of doctor Erin hopes to be one day. He devoted generous chunks of time to his patients and really got to know them and their families. He did not define his patients by their various ailments or illnesses; he recognized each patient's inherent dignity and treated them with compassion and love. He was gentle and fun.</div>
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Sitting there in Campbell University's convocation center Sunday afternoon, I thought about how proud Grandpa would have been of Erin, and my missing him at that moment caused tears to pool and my chin to quiver a bit. When I was able, I leaned over and whispered my thoughts to Jim. He smiled, shook his head in agreement and his eyes, too, brimmed with tears. It was a raw, beautiful moment. </div>
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It was a truly joyful moment as well; we couldn't be more proud of Erin. We knew, too, that Grandpa <i>was</i> there. I could feel him there. I could see him, smiling broadly (<i>he had the best smile</i>), "coating" Erin and drawing her to him with those marvelous hands of his; those hands that had healed so many and so often offered comfort and an invitation to trust. </div>
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Yep. He <i>was</i> there.</div>
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<br />Darbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02463421245063306071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1637817274061965617.post-37276039621894506282013-10-15T13:44:00.001-04:002013-10-15T13:44:22.618-04:00Misty Morning :: Daybook<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Outside my window ::<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Low flying geese lift an early morning mist as they pass overhead, giving way to blue skies and delightful sunshine by midday. A lovely breeze sends the fallen leaves tumbling across the yard. The accompanying chill, though slight, warns of coming November gales. Soon and welcome.</blockquote>
I am wearing ::<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Black yoga pants (although I do not <i>do</i> yoga), a kelly-green t-shirt, gray zip-up sweatshirt and my old Nike sneakers.</blockquote>
On Pandora ::<br />
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George Winston Radio</blockquote>
Around the house ::<br />
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Work on our basement resumes. J installed a very nice looking french door to replace the slider. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I'm not sure I can live with the wall color. It definitely did not turn out as I had hoped. It hums violet or mauve under the influence of the basement lighting. Hmm.</blockquote>
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From the kitchen and garden ::<br />
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I've been making lots of soup lately. We're still harvesting tomatoes, so I made Ina Garten's cream of tomato soup. Very yummy! The recipe is on the Food Network website. I also recently made an acorn squash soup that was to die for and a beef, Italian sausage vegetable soup that was also very good. I have my eye on a beautiful butternut squash currently taking up residence in a large, wooden salad bowl on the kitchen counter. </blockquote>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
J made pickles on Labor Day weekend, as he does every late summer. This year, however, he had to buy a bushel of cukes from a lady at the local farmer's market as tragedy struck our garden mid-summer. His poor cucumber plants fizzled out. Over-watering is our guess.</blockquote>
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Resting by the front door are two very large pumpkins plucked from our vegetable garden a few weeks ago. A smaller one, that grew up between the bushes in front of our porch, went home with two happy tykes - Isaac and Margaret - late last week.</blockquote>
I am hearing ::<br />
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Holly tittering about. Little doggie nails, click-clacking along the wood floor. I suppose she wants to eat as I have yet to feed her.</blockquote>
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I am reading ::<br />
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I just started a book by Joel Salatin - <i>Holy Cows and Hog Heaven: The Food Buyer's Guide to Farm Friendly Food</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I've only read the Foreward (by Michael Pollan), the Introduction and Chapter One. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I will share my thoughts as I go along. For now here's only one of the many striking thoughts from Pollan's Foreward:</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Why should local - rather than, say, organic - be the linchpin to this revolution? Because a farmer dependent on a local market is far more likely to raise a variety of crops, rather than specialize in the one or two plants or animals that the national market demands. That system wants all its apples from Washington State, all its lettuce from California (and make that Iceberg, please) and its corn from Iowa. Well it turns out the people who live in Iowa can only eat so much corn and soybeans; if Iowans were eating locally, rather than from the supermarket, their farmers would soon learn how to grow a few other things besides. And as soon as they gave up on their monocultures of corn and soy, they would quickly discover they could also give up on their pesticides and chemical fertilizers, because a diversified farm will produce its own fertility and its own pest control.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Almost all of the problems of our industrial food system flow from the original sin of monoculture. Monoculture may be a powerful industrial idea - it produces economies of scale and all sorts of other efficiencies - but it runs diametrically counter to the way nature works, which nothing in this world can do indefinitely. Insect resistance, agricultural pollution, food-borne illness, and antibiotic resistance are what happens when the logic of monoculture runs up against the logic of nature. Monoculture can't survive this encounter without one industrial Band-Aid after another - beginning with chemicals and ending (well, one can hope) with genetically modified crops and irradiation. The answer to the problems of monoculture is polyculture, and, to get back to where we started, the way to support polyculture is by buying food from local farms that practice it."</blockquote>
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I am hoping and praying ::<br />
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For safety, spiritual and physical, for Megan as she travels far and wide beginning tomorrow.</blockquote>
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I am pondering ::<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
When big government fails (as is currently the case) and (extra)ordinary citizens and state and local jurisdictions jump in to right the wrongs, it gives me a glimmer of hope and restores my faith in humanity. Neighbor helping neighbor, as Christ teaches - that's what will save this country not piling on more and more federally funded and sponsored entitlements. </blockquote>
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I am grateful ::<br />
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For God's love and mercy. </blockquote>
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A few plans ::<br />
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J and I are driving down Sunday to witness Erin's and her fellow medical students' white coat ceremony at Campbell University. So very proud of Erin and we're looking forward to being a part of the festivities. </blockquote>
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<br />Darbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02463421245063306071noreply@blogger.com1