7 Quick Takes

1.  This weekend there is a Rachel's Vineyard retreat in our diocese.  This retreat amazes me.  Briefly, it's purpose is to bring healing to those who have had their baby aborted. You can find out more at Rachel's Vineyard Ministries.   When it first began, I was in charge of the kitchen for the retreats.  I did not have much interaction with the retreatants but would greet them upon arrival and then go cook.  When they first arrived the level of pain and discomfort was apparent in the way they carried themselves and avoided making eye contact for more than a few seconds.  By the end of the weekend, the joy was so beautiful to see on their faces.  I don't cook for the group any more, but I do pray.  So, tonight and tomorrow I will make my way to the chapel, sit with Jesus in Adoration and pray for those on the retreat.  Please pray where you are too.
2.  It is seminary weekend!  I have some fun planned as well as some items to get off my to-do list.  Fun includes seeing friends, finish wall hanging quilt ,and fabric shopping.  To-do list is longer, , send a package to our daughter in Australia, clean my office at home, laundry, grocery shopping and work on Sunday.  Ugh, way to many to dos!  Anybody want to come and help me?
3.  We celebrated August birthdays in the office the other day.  All were men; ages 33, 45, 53.  So, sometimes the boss, aka our pastor, asks the question what were you doing when you were xx years old.  Since most of us were working there at 45, a few of us not yet 53, he asked about 33.  I was 33 in 1997 (47, I'll save you the math) and could not specifically recall what I was doing.  In general, I knew I was going to basketball games, scout meetings, involved in religious ed at my parish and all the other things parents do when their children are 10 and 8.  I couldn't remember where I worked so I looked it up on my resume.  I was teaching, but I don't know what or where.  At first this disturbed me, but then I realized it didn't matter. I was mainly being a mom, which I miss now.
4.  Today's readings include the parable of the wise and foolish virgins.  A reminder that though we may think we see signs all around us of doom and gloom and the end of the world is coming, "Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour."  Mt 25:13b
5.  There is a conference going on in Houston this weekend about using all the new media for the  evangelization of the Church.  I love their tag line, One Gospel, Many Channels!  Check it out!
6.  I have to write a brief testimony as to why I go to Adoration and present it at Mass this weekend.  It is part of our campaign to have Adoration every Friday instead of just once a month.  I really want to stress the peace I receive as the most important reason I go, but I don't want Adoration to sound boring.  I think I will pray and write about it while I am in Adoration, good plan, no?
7.  Hurricane Irene is heading to New York.  My mom called for advice.  She and my dad have different opinions as to what should be done.  So, I am sending a list.  Hopefully this will help my father understand that tying chairs together is not a good plan; bringing them inside is the way to go.

More Quick Takes at Conversion Diary!

Retraction

On Monday I posted this; I was wrong.  I forgot that my husband was starting school again!  He is taking Sacraments, Theology of Preaching and something else this semester.  Sacraments is Wednesday night and the other two are on the weekend.  We bought school supplies too, notebooks for a penny each.  He bought six and says they will last him until he finishes seminary.  At least I think that is what he said; clearly I am having recall issues!  At any rate, I'm retracting the statement that no one started back to school.  The thoughts and feelings though still stand.
So, I worked late, ran an errand and then had dinner all by myself.  The house is quiet and I have plenty of things to do, but I just feel like sitting and enjoying the lack of activity and noise.  Of course, that's if I can get the voices in my head to stop.  I have some writing to do for a brief (2 minutes) talk on Adoration for Sunday and an almost finished wall hanging calling out to me. 
These last few days it seems as if solitude has become very important to me.  Considering I am an extrovert in the extreme, I'm not sure what is going on but I am accepting this need and catering to it when I can.  So, I'm going to be alone now.  See you soon.

nook

I really like my new toy.  It has been quite some time since I had a new toy.  I like reading on it.  I like using the apps on it.  I like posting to Facebook from it.  My daughter is very disappointed in me.  She says I have gone over to the 'dark side' and she is not pleased. 

Let me first review the apps I like:  Evernote, Fliq Calendar and Conqu.  Evernote is what I use on my computer and now can use it anywhere.  If I happen to be in a wi-fi area, then it syncs automatically, if not, it syncs later.  Love that feature.  I am still learning about how to best use Evernote, though the little I have done has been helpful.  The Fliq calendar is very basic; displays by month, week or day plus a list of all upcoming events.  I rarely use that last feature, since it is slightly overwhelming to see it all at the same time.  I just added Conqu today, but I've already started my list of things to do.

Of course, I also read on my nook.  It is back lit so I can read in bed in the dark.  This is, of course, every bibliophile's dream come true.  It's probably a good thing this was not around when I was a child. 

I can borrow books from the library using my nook too.  The odd thing is that they have a limited number of copies they can loan this way.  I understand that when you are dealing with bound books, but why with electronic ones?  You can reserve books and then you receive an email and download the book.  No late fees with this system.  The book is pulled through cyberspace right back on its due date. 

So, with all these benefits, why does my daughter say it's the 'dark side?'  She says the beauty of a book is feeling the weight in your hands, opening it for the first time and getting the new book smell.  I can see her

point, but then I reminded her that all of her favorite books are sitting in her bookcase, while she is sitting in Perth.  If she had a nook, they could all be with her!

Matt Maher -Adoration

Back to school, so what?

Today was back to school for many, but not anyone in my house. I pondered this and realized that since 1963 one of us has always started school on the first day of school. For the record, I didn't start school in '63. Even when I graduated college, I started school because I was a teacher. Then, we had children, who started school every first day. Some years, we all started back to school together.


It is bittersweet, for certain, this no new start. I always liked cleaning and packing up at the end of the year and then starting fresh at the beginning. There was a defined time to purge the old and bring in the new. Now, I work all year round (like a grown up, ick) and I know I can clean my files, bookcases, and desk whenever I want but it's not the same as everyone doing it together.

It is also a very real reminder that raising my family is over. Of course, I can follow in my mother's footsteps and obsessively worry about my young adults, but I choose not to, mainly because it causes wrinkles. Even now, my mom's first words to me after hello when I call her usually are "What's wrong?" So, I try not to worry. I am in transition, even though no one has lived here at home full time for the past four years, this empty nest takes getting accustomed to for many reasons. Sometimes it feels just right and other times I am baffled at how quiet things are and how tidy the house stays.

I like change when I have a plan as to where and what, this time there is no plan. I am waiting on God to reveal it to me. I suppose I could say I'm in his school, waiting to be shown to class.

7 Quick Takes

More Quick takes over here!

Not sure if I'll get to 7, but here we go!
1.  I had the best day off yesterday.  I went to Orlando and visited Jesus,  Ikea, Millennium Mall;spent most of the day with a friend who is like a second dad to me.  We went to Mass together, had lunch and talked and talked about everything.  And, my phone did not ring, not once to interrupt anything I was doing.  We spent part of the day at Our Lady Queen of the Universe Basilica.    If you are ever in Orlando, maybe to visit the mouse, it's a great place to attend Mass.
2.  Too many meetings this week at work, three nights in a row and then Wednesday was a major staff meeting, 3 hours long.  UGH!  It's no wonder I enjoyed the solitude on my drive yesterday. This week, no meetings at night, plus seminary begins with class on Wednesday and the weekend.  Not hat I won't miss my husband, but I want to finish a few projects and this will give me some time.
3.  Our Thursday morning group is starting a new book next week, Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl.  I've read it before but it's been a few years, so I am looking forward to it. Plus, we always have great discussions.
4.  Did you miss me?  I took a little break for lunch.
5.  I had to follow my friend for one part of my travels yesterday.  If you are ever in Orlando, I can save you all the money you would spend on getting into Disney.  Just follow my friend for about five miles and you will feel like you've been on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Teacups, and Aladdin's Magic Carpet ride all in one!  I am NOT exaggerating. No turn signals, getting all the way over to the left on I-4 and then all the way to the right to exit, squeezing in between cars, and did I mention no turn signals. Yes, well, it bears repeating.
6.  When something happens I think my daughter would fine interesting or I have a question to ask her, I still think  for a fleeting second, "let me call Elisa."  Then I remember that she is in Australia and I can't call her.  I hope to have a skype date with her tonight.  Of course, by then, I will have forgotten everything I wanted to tell her about.
7.  Morning mass was celebrated today by one of my favorite priests.  To summarize the readings and his homily, it's all about loving God and one another.  I wonder what would happen if we all followed that mandate?

7 Quick Takes

1.  This morning at Mass this verse just jumped out at me:  "This is why you must now know, and fix in your heart, that the LORD is God in the heavens above and on earth below, and that there is no other."  Deut 4:39.  Truly, God is in heaven and on earth; God is God and we are not.  Good little reminder.
2.  Since it is First Friday, here is a video of Adoration  quotes with pictures and music.  Very beautiful.
3.  If you are interested in improving your blog, and writing in general take a look at some tips from Michael Leach at Why Stay Catholic.
4.  I have found a few new blogs, The Deacon's Wife, which is a slight misnomer she her husband has just been accepted into formation, but interesting nonetheless.  I like reading and hearing about things are doing in other dioceses in regard to almost everything, but especially the things I am also involved in personally.  A Penny Saved has realistic tips on saving money.  Most money saving tips blogs and articles are not very helpful to me, so finding one that actually seemed realistic was great! The tips I've looked at so far are things I actually do or would consider doing.  Last one, Imprisoned in my Bones, why?  she reminds me of myself and I love her blog title!

Virtual Tour

5.  Today the Optional Memorial for Mass is the Dedication of St. Mary Major in Rome.  This basilica was built under Pope Sixtus III (432-440).  It is one of the seven papal basilicas in Rome and each year the Pope celebrated the Feast of the Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary, August 15.
6.  I have invites to Google+, so if you'd like one, let me know.
7.  I'm excited that my husband has decided to join me in the weight loss adventure.  He is always supportive, but now that I have someone suffering doing it at the same time as me in the same house, it makes it so much better.

Go over and visit Jen at Conversion Diary for more!

In Another's Words

Sharing in the Nature of God 
We share in the nature of God when we struggle to make our homes happy homes, when we make sacrifices for the good of others, even and perhaps especially when the others really get on our nerves.                                                   — from Love in the Little Things

Retreat Reflection Report

We had a wonderful formation retreat at Our Lady of Florida.  The retreat leader was Deacon Alfred from Atlanta and he was a delight.  A master storyteller, he wove together the scriptures, life experiences and questions to discuss in a unique and engaging style.  We had time for group discussions both with and without our husbands.
The new class has five men in it, so now there are sixteen men enrolled in our diocese's formation program.
The Marian prayer service on Saturday evening was beautiful.  It was amazing how each reflection built on the other and in intensity; there was a cohesiveness due to the Holy Spirit working in each of us, since none of us had spoken to each other about the reflection at all.  I had some difficulty getting through the middle part of my reflection, but in the end, it all came together.  It was divinely inspired and helped me to heal a bit.
As always after a retreat, coming back  to the real world is difficult.  So, I bought a NOOK to distract myself.

Sharing (food, that is)

I've noticed something about myself this week.  I am not sharing like I usually do.  Why?  Well, I am on a very calorie restricted diet, so while I normally would say, "would you like a piece of apple or some strawberries?"  I just can't do it.  In my head I think, I don't get much to eat and so I am eating all of this, no sharing at all.  Is this right?  Or am I being selfish?  Or am I obsessing over something which I really need to put to rest?  I'm obsessing.  Probably need to let it go.  Besides, if someone really needed the food I would give it to them.  Okay, I'm over it, I ma doing this to take care of myself, which is a good thing.  Right?  Sure, it is!