Boxed up Giggles!

it’s the monday giggles….

IMG_8096

And we’ve so greatly enjoyed all the giggles shared, as we have prepared to host YOU!

IMG_7733
Two special ‘gigglers’ busy preparing Hotel Hospitality Boxes!

We are meant to show loving-kindness not only to people we know, but to strangers as well.

We are to be there for the cares and needs of others and always put out a helping hand.

Is hospitality fading?

I think not!

Just like many people welcomed Jesus in their homes with open arms, we should do the same! When we serve others we are serving Christ.

Hospitality is when someone feels at Home in your presence.

Hospitality isn’t about your house, it’s about your heart!

And we are so very grateful to be sharing our hearts with many throughout the duration of this Special Occassion!

We cannot wait until you discover what we have in store for you!!

Let brotherly love continue, Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

-Hebrews 13:1-2

Uh, oh.

“Helen, what’s the matter????”

(Giggle. Giggle.)

IMG_8119

Please don’t be sad there are no cookies in the box!

I promise we’ll talk about the cookies tomorrow!!

hugs n’ blessings to all those spreading hospitality around the world!

(With or without a cookie!)

 

 

8 weeks ago…

Image 5-1-16 at 11.14 PM

“God invites us today to live a great story with Him.”  -Lysa Terkuerst

IMG_6688 - Version 2

8 weeks ago…

Pen to paper.

Gold on Black.

8 weeks ago we asked.

Will you be there?

Can you come?

To see them married?

To celebrate as they become one?

Your replies amazed us!

Your love shown through!

So many of you  coming!

To witness love anew.

It won’t  be long now.

Wedding Week has begun!

God’s grace is abounding

#yatskogetmarried is about to get done!

Wedding invitations being made,

(our graphic designer was amazing!)

assembled,

(by so many loving hands)

addressed, mailed

IMG_8315

and at last all (rsvp’s) returned!

Image 5-1-16 at 10.56 PM

hugs n’ blessings for all the wonderful magic that happens in 8 short weeks!

“May you always be aware you are loved beyond measure and may you be willing to love unconditionally in return.” -Notes by Nora

A Mother’s love has no expiration date!

I love my mother.

Image 4-27-16 at 1.02 PM

Both of them!

The one God entrusted me to…

here on earth.

IMG_5095_0167
My mother is the most supportive person in the world.  (She’s magical!)

And the One who…

waits for me in Heaven.

(Our Virgin Mother, Mary.)

_MG_8981
When life gets hard and you feel all alone, remember you mean the world to someone.  And that someone is called Mother.

One of the reasons I love them, and count myself blessed to have them, is the constant support, guidance, and protection they have offered me throughout my life.

They have both been there to celebrate in my greatest joys!

But more importantly… to assist me in carrying my heaviest trials.

Image 4-27-16 at 1.52 PM
Photo courtesy of Pinterest

And in a culture that promotes “My Mom is Cooler than your mom,” or “My Mom is hotter than your mom,” I am grateful that my mother(s)’ example to me was not built on appearance or popularity but instead…

on prayer.

(Because nothing is more cool or beautiful than to see your Mother pray!)

Image 4-27-16 at 1.57 PM

It is the greatest example I have ever been given!

And it is the one strength I have run to the most in my own vocation of Motherhood. (For the power of a mother’s prayers cannot be easily defeated.)_MG_8910

No matter how old I may be it will be their voice I will hear consoling me.

Image 4-27-16 at 3.14 PM

So it was that several days ago I sought my Heavenly Mother’s voice as I entered into a Novena with her.  Each day she has reminded me of the beautiful gift, both have given me, in their love which holds no expiration.

Perhaps you too need the voice of your mother today!

Won’t you join me in prayer to find her there?

Unfailing Novena To The Virgin Mary Untier of Knots

Image 4-27-16 at 2.17 PM

How this devotion started?

To show us the mission granted to the Virgin Mary by Her Son, an artist Johann Melchior Georg Schmittdner painted Mary Undoer of Knots with great grace. Since 1700, His painting has been venerated in the Church of St. Peter in Perlack, Augsburg, Germany. It was originally inspired by a meditation of Saint Irenaeus (Bishop of Lyon and martyred in 202) based on the parallel made by Saint Paul between Adam and Christ. Saint Irenaeus, in turn, made a comparison between Eve and Mary, saying:“Eve, by her disobedience, tied the knot of disgrace for the human race; whereas Mary, by her obedience, undid it”.

But what are these knots?
There are the problems and struggles we face for which we do not see any solution … knots of discord in your family, lack of understanding between parents and children, disrespect, violence, the knots of deep hurts between husband and wife, the absence of peace and joy at home. There are also the knots of anguish and despair of separated couples, the dissolution of the family, the knots of a drug addict son or daughter, sick or separated from home or God, knots of alcoholism, the practice of abortion, depression, unemployment, fear, solitude…Ah, the knots of our life! How they suffocate the soul, beat us down and betray the heart’s joy and separate us from God.

Day after day, more and more Christians kneel to pray to Her as soon as they meet the Mother of the Fair Love. Many families have become reconciled! Many diseases have been healed! Many spouses have returned to the Church! Many jobs have been given! Many conversions have taken place! Many have been on their knees praying and giving thanks for graces received from our sweet Mother. For that reason, Mary Who undoes the knots, Who was chosen by God to crush the evil with Her feet, comes to us to reveal Herself. She comes to provide jobs, good health, to reconcile families, because She wants to undo the knots of sin which dominate our lives, so that – as children of the King – we can receive the promises reserved for us from eternity. She comes with promises of victory, peace, blessings and reconciliation.

Then, free from our knots – filled with happiness, we can be a testimony of the Divine Power in this world, like pieces of God’s heart or small bottles of perfume exhaling mercy and love to our neighbor. Like ambassador of Jesus Christ and the Virgin of the fair love, we can rescue those who cry without any consolation, those who are lonely, tied with knots, who have no God, no Father nor Mother.

Mother of the Rising Sun, Immaculate, our Advocate, Helper in moments of affliction, Mother of God and made by Him our Mother, this is how Mary, Undoer of Knots is presented. Above all, She comes as the Queen of Mercy, the one who knows all about us, who has compassion for us and hurries to rescue us, praying for each one of us to Her beloved Jesus.

(source: http://www.maryundoerofknots.com/history.htm)

For more information on this beautiful devotion:
http://www.desatadora.com.ar/titulo-i.htm
http://www.mariequidefaitlesnoeuds.com/GB/index

The Novena has the Cardinal ecclesiastical approval, receiving the “NIHIL OBSTAT and IMPRIMATUR
Imprimatur Paris Archdiocese

IMG_1551
Photo Courtesy of Kristyn Brown Photography!  Be sure to check out her stunning photos, especially The Saints Project.

hugs n’ blessings for every knot undone!

(As there can be no limit when untied through the love of a Mother.)

IMG_8805