Chris Tomlin - I Will Follow w/Lyrics

Embracing Your Second Calling - Book Review

I have had this book waiting to be read and reviewed for months.  I started it twice; it finally happened today, while I was home with a bum knee. I was very interested in reading this book since the title practically screamed at me, "This is for you!"  But after reading the book, it sort of says, "hmmm, maybe not for you after all."

The book begins with great promise, laying the foundation of Dale Hanson Bourke's life up to now.  She talks about approaching middle age and realizing that what satisfied her in the past, namely her career and accomplishments, no longer mattered as much.  She wanted to make a difference.  So she retired, a few times.  Like me, it took her a few times to really figure out what God wanted from her.  And while she admits her struggles, doors open for her in ways they do not for most people.  A few times she admitted that she had more options than most and I think she focused on herself too much.
The book is filled with great quotes, thoughts to ponder, and stories.  The personal stories though, are what turned me off a bit.  Most women embracing our second calling are not going to Africa, sitting on the board of World Vision, or becoming an AIDS activist.  I wished Bourke would have used more examples of ordinary women. 
I appreciated Bourke's honesty about her struggles with prayer and growing older.  To me, the book was more an autobiography than a way to get some advice as to how to get over this hurdle of learning what my second calling is going to be.  The examples were more distracting than helpful, though they certainly speak volumes of God's plan for us.
What I did pick up from the book though is that prayer is most important and that the past is over.  We can learn from our past, but we should not dwell there.
I received this book from Thomas Nelson publisher's as part of the booksneeze review program. I was not required to write a positive review.

Stewardship Video

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=9FC9CJNU

Flailing About, Feeling a Bit Empty

I had a strong realization about myself.  And I don't know what to do about it.  It started the other day when this book announcement found its way to my inbox at the office.  The announcement told me that Tami had nine children, taught school, volunteered at her parish, ran her household and more.  I felt like such a slacker.  What have I done?  What have I accomplished in life?  Why can't I be content?  Then I read Betty Duffy's post and realized I am not alone or all that strange.  I have many blessings in my life but I am so quick to dismiss them and focus on what is not there, which is not much at all.  Truth - there is nothing missing from my life except what I choose.  And, sometimes, when I listen to the voice in my head, I know I choose to keep things out so I can complain about my life.

Jaci Velasquez-On My Knees (Watch other videos on IHSGDF Channel.)

Chicken, Sausage and Potatoes

I had not cooked all week and Friday begins seminary weekend, so I wanted to prepare something good, but easy.  So, I searched my memory bank and remembered this:

5 boneless chicken thighs, cut into thirds
1 lb sausage, cut into the same size pieces as the chicken
2 baking potatoes, scrubbed and cut into chunks, same size as chicken
1 onion, peeled and quartered (I forgot this tonight, but it adds a good flavor)

Toss in a baking pan with olive oil and spices, pepper and a little salt.
Bake at 350 for about 40 minutes until it's all cooked.

Serves 4 or 5, depending on how hungry everybody is!

I also served roasted green beans.

It was enjoyed by all. This plus ironing the shirts scored me some bonus points.

Blogging as a Mom

I have been thinking for a while that I am not a "mom" anymore.  Our children are adults and while we speak regularly and see each other when possible, I don't feel like a mom as much.  I suppose it is only natural, they grow up and are pretty independent.  While our daughter still relies on us as her main, okay, pretty much only, financial support our son is on his own. 
And so, when I read blogs I seem to read mainly mommy bloggers and at first I thought I was being silly, but then, I read this and thought, "wow, she sums up my thoughts quite nicely."  While I am slightly further away from menopause, it's all in there.  The concerns that moms of toddlers and elementary aged children have are so far removed from my life.  I sometimes find myself thinking unkind things towards these people and then have to remind myself potty training is a big deal and so is bed wetting and trying to get your child to sleep and weaning and all of the myriad of others things moms think and/or worry about.  The other part though is this, I think those thoughts are odd because I really didn't have them, even when my children were young. 

I had a conversation with a long time friend, who has seen me raise my children.  She finally understood why I was so worried about my daughter getting into college.  P:  How much help did you give her filling out these applications? Me:  Not much. P:  But they are so time consuming. Me:  I guess, but she only filled out one.  P: ONE! No wonder you were so on edge about her getting in.  I kept thinking, back then, this is so unlike you. Me:  Yes, well, it really was the one time that everything was riding on one thing.

Pretty much, all the rest: weaning, potty training, bed wetting, thumb sucking, doing well in school, participating in sports and scouts, not a really worry.  I figured, it would all work itself out by the time they left for college.
And you know what?  It did!

So, really I don't blog as a mom, but just as me.  A faith filled, struggling on her journey, woman who loves her husband and children and would rather read, write, cook and sew than go to work every day.

Alms

"Give alms and behold, everything will be clean for you." Luke 11:37


At first glance it seem only natural that the stewardship director would like this verse. But, do not be quick as to decide why. When I heard it proclaimed it hit me that 'alms' does not mean only money or goods. I thought, "alms means everything I have, my thoughts, feelings, desires, needs, all of me; it's not so much about stuff but about me." I really thought about this all day and it makes such perfect sense. (Well, Jesus has that tendency now, dosen't he?)

If I empty myself, i.e. give alms, then I will be clean. And if I am clean, it means I am ready to be filled with what God has in store for me. I must detach from whatever keeps me from being clean. Of course, this is a process that takes prayer and time and dedication and grace. The best way is to frequent the sacraments, especially confession and Eucharist. Another way is to pray before the Blessed Sacrament. Ask God for the grace to detach, to give alms, so that all will be clean for you. I know I will be going to God in prayer for this grace.

The Prayer - Josh Groban and Charlotte Church

7 Quick Takes

More Quick Takes!

1.  Random things I've noticed:  A new food market named "Annie's Vintage Home Cooking." Okay, I get what they are trying to say, but vintage cooking really sounds odd.  My first reaction, "yuck, who wants vintage food?" The commissioner of the Florida Dept of Agriculture and Consumer Services is Charles Bronson. Yep, it's on every gas pump and every time I see it I chuckle.  There are lots of people driving in the middle of the day; I think the snowbirds have returned. In Polish, there are no determiners before nouns and so sometimes these Polish folks forget to  use them when speaking English.  I like it.

2.  Last week I was struggling with getting to daily Mass.  Basically no reason, just whining about it to myself.  But, then I remembered that how I felt about going was irrelevant and should do it.  So, I did.  The first day that happened I got a text message just as I was leaving the house, telling em about a friend who was having surgery that morning.  Well, my Mass was offered for her.  Then on Friday, I was tired, but went anyway.  I knelt down and saw no monstrance.  Problem since we have Adoration right after Mass every First Friday.  So, I check around in the day sacristy and can't find it.  I see our priest, ask him, he has no idea.  I go to the main sacristy, nowhere that I can see it.  Why?  It's in the safe.  I am praying to be enlightened as the combination at this point.  I try what I recall as the code, not correct.  I look around and see it and pray, because after 3 tries you are locked out!  It works the first time and I make my way back to the Chapel.  Crisis averted!

3.  Keeping our parish website up to date is a very big job.  I can spend an hour or two each day and then at least two hours on Fridays when I write reflections and so forth for the Sunday readings.  My other work is starting to suffer.

4.  I made some Halloween and Fall decorations with Ellen, our exchange student last night.  Then we decorated the house.  Looks festive and fallish, even if our air conditioner is still on every day!  I took pictures, but they are on my computer at home.

5. Took off Monday to recuperate from the crazy work weekend.   I had no meetings at night this week.  I should be calm, if not relaxed and yet, I am posting these quick takes to calm down because of the work all over my office and emails that keep coming.  My usual Friday help is away, so it's all up to me today.  Well, me and God!

6.  I learned how to make hearts on Facebook.  Very excited and happy to have gained this knowledfe.

7.  This verse hit me today at Mass:  "But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you."  Luke 11:20

Rosemary Parmesan Pork Chops

4 pork chops (I used center cut)
3/4 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon rosemary
pepper
1/3 cup flour
1 egg, beaten

blend bread crumbs, cheese, rosemary, pepper.
dredge pork chops in flour, dip in egg and then bread crumb mixture
brown and then place in a greased baking pan in a 450 oven for about 15 minutes or cooked through.

I toasted the leftover bread crumb mixture in the pan I browned the pork chops in for the green beans.
I served this with roasted green beans and polenta.  Excellent.

Polenta

I use Goya extra fine yellow corn meal.  The ratio is 1 quart of water to 1 cup of corn meal.

1 cup will serve 3-4 people.

Bring water and salt  to a boil, slowly add the corn meal, all the while, using a whisk to blend the water and corn meal together without lumps. Be sure to turn the stove down when you add the corn meal and use an oven mitt in case some of the polenta bubbles up, it is hot!  Once it is all blended cook a bit longer, add butter and lots of Parmesan cheese.  If you are going to serve sauce with it, you can omit the cheese.

Ginger Soy Chicken

1 lb chicken thighs, cut into strips
1/2 cup roughly chopped red onion
1 cup water
3 tablespoons light soy sauce
2 teaspoons ground ginger

Put all ingredients into a saucepan, cover and simmer until chicken is cooked.
Serve on buns or over rice with broccoli slaw.

Very quick, easy and tasty.

7 Quick Takes Friday

More 7 Quick Takes

1.  Yesterday was not the best day until my daughter posted to my Facebook wall that she is coming home Saturday to visit. Which is perfect timing since a friend just left to go back to Poland and I was feeling very blah.  Now, she's coming home and we'll go visit our friends to watch the Florida vs Alabama game.  She is a die hard Gator and our friends Alabama fans.  It'll be interesting, I guess, football is not something I have any interest in, but I can serve the snacks!
2.  Also in regard to my daughter coming home, I had to clean her room.  So, I finally did it and it looks very nice.  Amazing what plastic bins stacked neatly in a closet can do for me.  Now, please do not think I make a habit of cleaning her room.  The mess was from our summer frenzy of home projects when everything had to come out of all the rooms on one side of the house when we re-carpeted.  Now I only have to finish up "my room" which is my sewing, napping, reading, computer room.  I'll need some more bins!
3.  There is an often heard saying about friends that some come in for a season, a reason, a time, I forget how the rest goes, I used to think it was very nice; I don't anymore.  It is directly related to the fact that a  Jesuit from Poland (same as #1) was here for 2 months and he was such a blessing to our parish and to me personally.  I really did not want him to leave. He was intelligent, thoughtful, and very funny.  He would come into my office and sit in a chair across from me and make me laugh and laugh.  We also had many serious conversations about faith, spirituality, prayer, and of course, Ignatian spirituality.  I will miss him.  But, as my friends have said, he has really started us on a new journey, which is all part of God's plan.
4.  I want a Nook.
5.  I finished the parish prayer book and it will be distributed this weekend at all the Masses.  Now, I'd like to put together a Spanish version.  I hope that by praying together as a parish family, we will grow stronger and learn to be more diligent and faithful to prayer. 
6.  Today is October and the next 2 months are almost back-to-back activities every weekend, mostly for work.  I still have 10 days vacation to take and no idea when I can take off without it interfering with my work getting done.
7.  In honor of St. Therese's feast day, her Morning Prayer:
O my God! I offer Thee all my actions of this day for the intentions and for the glory of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I desire to sanctify every beat of my heart, my every thought, my simplest works, by uniting them to Its infinite merits; and I wish to make reparation for my sins by casting them into the furnace of Its Merciful Love.

O my God! I ask of Thee for myself and for those whom I hold dear, the grace to fulfill perfectly Thy Holy Will, to accept for love of Thee the joys and sorrows of this passing life, so that we may one day be united together in heaven for all Eternity. Amen.