Thursday's Small Successes

This week:
1. Vacuumed and dusted main floor.
2. Attended my son's school liturgy - surprised him, made him smile!
3. Planned family outing with hubby for FAMILY day weekend.

What are your small successes this week? I know you have at least 3....think about it. It's important to run through the good you have done or accomplished. Often times we get so caught up with what we didn't do, that we should've done. This is a good reminder to look on the bright side.

Help for HAITI

Help for Haiti

It’s been disturbing to me, the comments I have heard about the appeals made to all of us, to help and pray for the victims and survivors of the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti.

Most of the resistance I have heard is in the appeal to raise funds to aid the organizations that are organizing relief efforts and sending medical supplies, food, etc.,

The resistance I have witnessed has come from 3 separate angles, which I will address here.

1. “Will my little donation make a difference? Other people are being generous, I don’t have to be.” As we read in Luke 1: 1-4 even though it seems others have taken on a task that is so important, that it seems in the grand scheme of things our contribution will be minimal and insignificant. This sort of thinking did not stop Luke from writing his account of the life of Jesus, the account that would become one of the 4 Gospels, passed on for generations, so that thousands of years later you and I could read it! Well, sure if he hadn’t written it down, we’d still have 3 other Gospels, but Luke is the only one who includes the Visitation and Mother Mary’s song the Magnificat! You see it is clear that no matter how small our contribution may seem, only the Lord knows how He will use it. Remember the poor widow who only gave a penny, Christ said she gave more than all the others in Mark 12: 41-43

2. “Why did the government wait until such a tragedy to organize help? Haiti has always been in need of help?” While there may be some truth to this, my question is, “why would we use this to justify our own neglect of our personal aid to the present victims of the earthquake. We cannot control how others respond, or when, we can control our own responses, and we trust that God knows everyone heart. Unfortunately, for some it takes catastrophes like this for them to realize their compassion, their words, must be turned into action. As St. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 12:26 the Church is to be united as one body, if one part of the body suffers, we all suffer. In our suffering we remain united, in prayer and almsgiving.

3. “How do I know my donation is actually going to reach the people who need it?” I tremble at the thought, if we all refused to donate because of this way of thinking there would be no aid for anyone in need. It is so difficult for us to trust, especially in today’s world where dishonourable deeds, and misuses and abuses are quickly publicized. Discerning fact from fiction has become a daunting task for some. If I donate $10 and only $5 reaches the people in need, it was $5 more they have. “What happened to the other $5? If it was misused, that is on the conscience of those who misused. We give out of love of neighbour, out of understanding that we are all called to care for each other.

I don’t mean to say it is wrong for us to exercise prudence, and discernment in giving to a reputable, accountable organization, all I mean to say is that we shouldn’t allow these to become obstacles or excuses as to why we refuse to help our brothers and sisters in need. After all, tomorrow it could be you or I who are in need!

Read what our Holy Father has to say: BENEDICT XVI TO HAITI

God Bless!

All Things Are Possible with God

"I can do all things through Him, who strengthens me" - Philippians 4:13

With the new year approaching I have been looking back to this past year and recalling all the challenges, struggles and changes we have undergone as a family.

The challenges range from personal health struggles; crucial decisions made in order to keep my family first; working on this blog; starting a home based business. There have also been countless blessings!

In looking ahead, I still see so much to be accomplished, still so much work to do.

It makes me wonder, at times, HOW? How is it that I can possibly accomplish all that I have been called to?

Over the last few days, by sheer providence I have come across this scripture verse, numerous times:
"I can do all things through Him, who strengthens me" - Philippians 4:13

It brings me much consolation to come to the realization that as I attempt to fulfill the vocation God has called me to, He does not abandon me, and He works through me.

I am merely a tool, an instrument designed for His purpose. This is a very freeing thought, to surrender all control to Him.

So it is with a humble heart, that I prepare to enter into 2010 with my feet firm on the ground but my eyes set on Christ. My resolution is the same as last year, to continue to place my life in His hands. I am excited to see what He has in store for us.

Pray you have a blessed New Year, that you too may find peace, consolation and strength in the knowledge that all things are possible with God!

Happy New Year!

The Mystery of Godliness

I received this message as a Christmas greeting from dear friends, and just had to share it with you.

This is the great Mystery
Which we are now celebrating,
Of which mercy is the beginning,
And sanctity the end.
He who is purity came to an impure race
To raise them to His purity.
He, the brightness of God's glory,
Came in a body of flesh,
Which was pure and holy as Himself.
He needed not a human nature for Himself.
He was all-perfect in His original Divine nature,
But He took upon Himself what was ours for the sake of us.
He came in that very nature of Adam,
In order to communicate to us that nature as it is in His Person,
To make us partakers of the Divine nature;
To sow the seed of eternal life in our hearts;
And to raise us to that immaculate purity
And that fulness of grace which is in Him.

- Sermon 7, The Mystery of Godliness
Venerable John Henry Newman

Merry Christmas to All!

This year the theme for my Christmas card messages was all about preparing to welcome the Christ child into our hearts once again!

I have taken the time this Advent to reflect on the miracle of God with us! It is amazing to me, that God could have sent His son to start His journey on earth at any stage of life. Yet He chose to send His son to start the journey on earth as a new born baby.

A new born baby, born to a young, innocent girl, betrothed to an honourable, humble man who from a materialistic view, did not have much to offer this child. Joseph and Mary took on this mission without full knowledge or understanding of what it would entail, yet led by faith and trust in God, they moved ahead.

By coming to the world through a woman, God has dignified every stage of human life, which starts at conception. Every human life is precious, more so because Our Lord and Saviour, our God with us, was once a zygote, an embryo, a fetus, a new born baby, an infant, a toddler, and adolescent, a teenager and an adult.

At Easter, we are reminded of how Christ even dignified and gave meaning to suffering.

For now let us reflect on the hope that comes with celebrating the birth of the Christ child, let us welcome Him into our hearts.

As we recall the story of Mary and Joseph searching for a place to stay, the night of His birth. Let us ask ourselves, if we have left any room for Christ in our hearts. Have we been so busy with Christmas shopping, wrapping and baking that we’ve forgotten to make room for Christ in Inn of our hearts?

Once again our family welcomes The Pilgrim Queen of the Family Shrine ( Our Lady of Guadalupe) into our home this Christmas day, be assured that I will keep all of my readers in my prayers that you too will experience the joy, peace and love that Mary experienced that very first Christmas!

Twilight Untwisted: Would you read it?

I am attempting to get an idea from my blog readers, friends and family if you are at all interested in reading my review of the Twilight saga.

Please vote on the poll at my site:

Greatly Appreciate it!

Gaining Sanctification

So I have a question....is surviving a Canadian Winter enough to gain sanctification?

Probably not, but it sure does give me a whole lot to offer up when I have to walk through inches of snow, sleet and ice, and somehow manage to keep my head afloat and avoid falling flat on my r...

So why write about it. Well, as I started my trek through the snow, ice and the -20 C temperature this afternoon, I am dreaming about how nice it would be to have a second car I could be sitting in a nice, warm car, and picking up my boys from school in this nice, warm car, as well.

What do you think were the first words from my younger son’s mouth when he saw me? “Are we walking?” He lets out a loud sigh, when I respond with a resounding “YES!”

As we are walking, I try to keep our minds off the chilling wind on our faces, by engaging him in conversation about warmer things...I began to sing the jingle from the Polar Express...”Hot, Hot, Hot, Hot Chocolate...” which brings a smile to his face, albeit temporary.

As we are trying to avoid slipping on the patches of ice on the sidewalk, we take to walking on the snow covered boulevards, which is a more adventurous path for the boys anyway, and if they fall, well it’s part of the fun, so much so, at times I think they dived into the snow, purposefully.

As my older son is also resisting the temptation to complain about having to walk, he is reminded (by me of course) to “offer it up” and then I think, is this walk in the freezing cold weather, a way for us to gain our sanctification really?

It is such a small sacrifice in the grand scheme of things, but it is a sacrifice none the less. We take consolation in the fact that after our 20 – 30 minute walk, there was a warm, cozy home waiting for us, where we enjoy all the comforts of home, including of course, a rich, hot chocolate drink.

It got me thinking about all those, who are out in this freezing cold weather, with no warm, cozy home to go to, and then I remember that no matter how hard I think I have it, there is always something I can give, to help someone else who has less. I know I have an extra blanket, coat or sleeping bag, somewhere in this house.

It also brought to mind, how reflective this walk in the cold, is to our journey on this earth. For the most part it is filled with sacrifices and trials; we too can take consolation in knowing that our warm, cozy, love filled home is waiting for us. Our destination is heaven, our journey is long and arduous though along the way, as we try to make the best of it, we have those moments of joy and happiness, even if they are only temporary.