ballerina tip-toes and fairy houses on the trails,
blanket forts, milkshakes and movies on rainy days,
barn boots, lip-sync, and feather-bed fluffs,
early morning birthday cakes,
bedtime stories with fairytale glitter,
and (of course)
Bun-Bun!
“Whenever a woman is in labor she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world.”
“You mean you’re not taking me with you to watch The Draft?”The NFL Draft, New York City, 2010
Our “very-own” calling the Steeler’s 6th round Draft Pick, Running-Back Jonathan Dwyer, circa 2010
Our family enjoys watching Sports!
(Well….except this guy.)
“I’d rather watch this water filter.” JDS
Preferably the Sport of football. Followed closely by basketball.
You will occassionally see us watching Hockey or Baseball but only Cuppycake finds pleasure in watching the sport of Golf.
(This is like watching paint dry for me!! ZERO enjoyment on the fun-meter!)
We both hold out hope that we will continue to travel around the country and watch these two particular sports, at the Collegiate level. We think it will be a WON-wonderful hobby for us to share together now that we are officially empty-nesters!
We’ve already visited a plethora of campuses & marked them off from our list, due mainly in part to THIS guy!
Army Wins the Armed Forces Bowl! 2010
And this girlie…
And even this cutie-pa-tootie too.
(Yes, the Debate Team is considered a Sporting Event.) Well…kind-of.
We can’t wait to get out our calendars & plan for the Campuses we shall visit this Season and the games we shall be cheering at!
It was no surprise then to find a few of us “Sports-Faithful” gathered together to partake in sharing the excitment of watching The Draft together!
Drafts for The Draft!
This guy shared all the necessary details regarding the pros & cons, stats & stories, as each player was chosen by their prospective new teams.
“This guy” with his Dad.
We love the part of listenting to the stories…but know we will have missed seeing them play now that they have moved into the professional arena of the Sport. The Collegiate level is where our hearts remain and how we enjoy watching the Sport. (Not that we still don’t enjoy watching anything Black & Gold with a Pittsburgh, Pa affliation! But mostly through the vehicle of a Telly. Giggles.)
How many little boy’s dreams were made as they heard their names called that night! How proud those who love them must have been to see this dream achieved. I pray they honor this new blessing they’ve been given…that they remain humble, that they give back to others (especially those who helped them along the way.) And that they MOST ESPECIALLY remember to give all the glory & honor to Him, who entrusted this talent to their care…
The arena of Sports is not the only opportunity for pride in our abilities.
In today’s culture Sports and Entertainment APPEAR to garner the most attention; however, there are many opportunities to exalt His name. I am convinced God uses ordinary people to carry out His extra-ordinary plan in the game of life.
Although this Weekend we were able to watch, yet once again another NFL Draft, we were truly blessed to watch three young men carry out His plan in very extra-ordinary ways!
And I couldn’t help but be so proud to watch them each be “Drafted” to do His will.
Our “very-own” promoted to Captain in the Army!
Hooah!
And two dear-friends newly Ordained as Deacons of the Diocese of Erie, Pa!
Amazing Grace!
God truly does use us in various ways!
hugs n’ blessings to all those using their talents on His playing field!!
If our prayer is “Dear God, please use me to be of Service,” then that is what we will be. And it is not for us to judge either the size or value of our gifts. Our job is to try to get out of the way, to defer to the Spirit moving within us and to become open channels for the flow of God’s love.” Marianne Williamson
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.)
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.
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 morecool or beautiful than to see your Mother pray!)
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.)
No matter how old I may be it will be their voice I will hear consoling me.
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
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 usto Her beloved Jesus.
hugsnblessings 