Thursday, July 31, 2008

The Reunion That Never Ends...

Today's reflection in Praying with Saint Paul, edited by Father Peter John Cameron, O.P. reminded me of two things. First, family though not near, is always family. And memories of family, even after the reunion are precious and dear, if not emboldening. And then that the family of God is always near. They, too, support, encourage and support us. A family in every way!!!

Family Ties
by
Father Gary Caster

"Conduct yourselves in a way worthy of the gospel of Christ, so
that, whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear news
of you, that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind
struggling together for the faith of the gospel, not intimidated in
any way by your opponents."
Philippians 1: 27-28

Saint Paul's words to the Philippians remind me of something my parents used to say to me and my brothers and sisters whenever we were going to be away from home or our on our own: "Behave yourselves." This was their simple way of reminding us to be the persons they raised us to be, and not to be "intimidated by whatever conflicting influences we might encounter. Unfortunately, there were times I failed to do so. It was then they would point out how my behavior didn't faithfully reflect the way I had been raised. Saint Paul uses similar words to encourage his spiritual children. He wants them to remember that in all ways and at all times they are members of the Christian family. Their conduct should therefore reflect "the way of the Gospel" in which they have been raised. as sons and daughters of God, their actions should depend--not on whether Paul is with them--but solely on the truth of who they are in Christ. Standing firm in this is a positive safe-guard against difficult situation and opposing voices. Saint Paul know they don't have to be told how to behave; they simply need to be reminded who they are. As Christians, our conduct, should flow naturally from the one spirit that binds us together as a family. The way of the Gospel requires a unity that goes beyond personal preferences, social bonds, or individual comfort levels. as one that draws us together in good times and in bad, In sickness and in health, in riches and in poverty. Only as a family united in mutual and loving concern, only as a family--one in mind and heart--can we live in peace undisturbed by those who fear, reject or are opposed to the way of the Gospel.

Heavenly Father, through the power of your spirit, let me alway live according to the truth of who I have become in Christ, never forgetting who I am, standing firm before the world ever confident in your love.

So I am encouraged, in many ways, to thank my family for the love, support, encouragement and loyalty. I can say I have never doubted their love. Then I thank my family in Christ through which this very same love, support, encouragement and loyalty has been shown to me. Through these loving people I have been guided in a mutual love of God and would be lost without them.

~~~~~

Finally, I say heartfelt and sincere,
"Thanks be to God!"

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Who'd have thought...

First Class


Ron and I have traveled some in our 40 years of marriage, though not extensively and it has mostly been to visit family. So when this summer's vacation itinerary was adopted we knew it would be exciting and challenging...

The first trip to MT started off a little rocky with a storm delay in INDY that caused us to miss our scheduled flight out of Minneapolis. Northwest took great care to make sure our flight and plans were not disrupted to dramatically. As a matter of fact, when we got off the plane in Minneapolis they already had our tickets to Billings available to us and much to our surprise we were up-graded to 1st Class.

The next trip was to the Stubbs Family Reunion in Santa Fe. All went well in our travels until our flight home. It seems the American Airlines plane that arrived the night before from LA had smoke in the cabin and it needed to be test flown to make sure it was safe to carry passengers. We were going to be late leaving Albuquerque by about 1 1/2 hours. American was great and had our flight to INDY scheduled without too much delay. When we arrived in Dallas, Marianne noticed that there was an earlier flight to INDY and so we decided that since we would not lose our seats if we chose to fly stand-by we'd give it a shot...Well, we made the stand-by flight and much to our surprise and delight we were again seated in...YES, 1st Class.

Knowing this may never happen again, Ron and I have laughed and shaken our heads in delight. It will be known as the Summer of 2008 Keller's Great Travel Adventure that began and ended in FIRST CLASS!!!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!

Monday, July 28, 2008

The Unspectacular Quirk MEME



My daughter-in-law, Kelly, tagged me. And it's only fair that I respond because I have tagged her so many times...

So, here goes...

1. I always have cold hands...Mother said the only reason I got into nursing school was because I passed "the cold hands test."

2. I was reminded this last week just how much I dislike hominy. It was served with every Mexican food dish I ordered this weekend. (Ron was in "hog heaven" because he got to eat all of mine!)

3. I hate to iron...Thank goodness for Downy Wrinkle Release Spray.

4. I love to travel but darned if I know why I clean the house before I leave. I'm not going to enjoy this while I'm gone.

5. I realllllly hate good-byes!

6. I become distraught when newscasters and reporters cannot use proper grammar. I throw my hands up in despair and frustration. Does that bother anyone else?
~~~~~~~
So, there they are, and now I will charge 6 others to do the same, including, but not limited to , No Body Said Life Was Fair..., Crocus in the Valley, A Truckers Wife, Aussie Coffee Shop, Made for Joy, and A World of Beauty.

It's so good to be back. When I get the pictures all sorted and ready to show from the wonderful travels I have enjoyed, you'll be the first to share them!

~~~^*^*^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Feel free to check my grammar...I usually need help, too.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

VAGABOND MOTEL


VAGABOND MOTEL
Originally uploaded by dudaleite67
The vagabonds are off again this week to Santa Fe. It is Ron's family reunion so I'll be gone a short time once again...

REALITY CHECK...This is the last "trip" until Thanksgiving! Better enjoy it while I can! Know you will all be thought of often and will be in my prayers!!

For all of you I say! Thanks be to God!!!

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Feast of St. Mary Magdalen

When he had risen, early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.
~Mark 16:9-11~


The Magdalene, most of all, is the model I like to follow. That boldness of hers, which would be so amazing if it weren't the boldness of a lover, won the heart of Jesus and how it fascinates mine!

~Saint Therese of Lisieux~


~~~~~

Oh, to have the faith of such a woman. The humility to say I have sinned and then to repent of our sins with such determination as to follow Jesus with a "bold" heart as Saint Therese suggests. I can only pray that the Holy Spirit will embolden me in much the same way!

For all the graces granted to me,
in so many ways,
Thanks be to God!

Monday, July 21, 2008

Funny Squirrels

Because of the diligence of Lisa at Are We There Yet I found out that when I first posted this it was routed through G-mail. I have found it and am trying again.

It is so funny, yet awesome, that this animal could learn these feats.

~~~^j^~~~

So I ask you all to enjoy

and

Thanks be to God for humor!!!

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Simply Amazing...

Ron and I are married 40 years today! Through the years we have had our ups, downs, saddness and joys, yet there is no one with whom I would rather spend my time and my life. He is my very best friend!

So it is on this morning I began my reflection from Praying With Saint Paul, edited by Father Peter John Cameron, O.P. Actually, I was reading ahead, when much to my delight I found what I was reading must have been written for just Ron and me. And it brings comfort and joy, knowing that all these years the "Light" of Christ is the beacon by which we have been guided and secure. So it is, to family and friends, I say thank you, too.


Love and Service
John Janaro

"Be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ."
(Ephesians 5: 21)

This text establishes the ultimate contrast not only for most intimate human relationships (those within the family , and especially those between husband and wife) but also for all human relationships. Human beings are called to live in communion with one another with a unity that comes from God and reflects his glory. Thus human relationships witness to the mystery of God insofar as they are constituted by love. Love is simple, and yet in this life it seems to complicated even for Christians. We are commanded to "love one another" and yet this love seems like an ideal to strive for rather than an established reality among us (thus we are exhorted to "forgive one another" continually). The "new law" of life in the Spirit is, indeed, a law of love. What is the real mystery of love? The law of love is self-giving. It is affirmation of the other person in a way that made the lover transcend himself and place himself "at the disposal" of the beloved. The radical nature of love in any relationship consists in each person giving himself to the other in love, and divesting himself of self-centeredness in order to "make space" for the one who is loved. Thus each person becomes capable of giving himself fully and receiving the gift of the other person by "emptying" himself. Christian "subordination" is defined ultimately by the self-giving love of Jesus Christ. The One who created all things freely took the lowest place in order to give himself to everyone and made space withing himself for everyone. Human being find themselves in a variety of relationships that imply different kinds and different levels of "authority" and "obedience." Christian love transforms both into self-surrendering love of Jesus, in whom we discover that "to server is to reign."

Almighty God, transform all our relationships according to the pattern of Jesus ' obedience to you and to the gift of himself to us

__________________________________________________________



Thanks Be to God!!!

~~^j^~~




Friday, July 18, 2008

"Back Home Again in Indiana..."

What a trip!! We had adventure, magnificent weather, and family fun! Montana is a great place to visit! It started off a little bumpy in INDY as we were delayed for over an hour because of severe thunder storms. So, we missed our first flight to Billings. When we landed in Minneapolis Northwest Airways already had us booked on the next flight and we were up-graded to 1st class...Have never flown 1st class and probably never will again, but it was GRAND!


There is so much to tell you and so little time (I'm doing the laundry as we speak), so I thought I would share one of the unique sandwich places to which my brother, Phil, took us. Actually, he and Ron ate at the same place in Bozman the day before...Ron just had to have another sub so they took Mom and me the next day.

It is from the Pickle Barrel...



This is just 1/2 of the Cougar Sandwich and Mom and I only ate 1/3 of it...
Whew!!! But is was good!!
~~~~^^~~~

To which we all said after lunch,
"Thanks be to God!"


Thursday, July 10, 2008

Off to Visit Mom...

My Mom


Will be leaving Saturday to visit Mom, Phil, Deb and Megan in MT for a few days. As a result I'm posting today as I will be busy getting organized...

I am still amazed how I am guided to appropriate offerings for this post. I am reminded of my mother and how we were taught. Many evenings while helping with the dishes. I remember her patience when she would remind us that one does not end a sentence with a preposition. (Question: "Where is the milk at?" Answer: "Behind the 'at'") Spelling was a game we would play and Scrabble, the ultimate game and time with Mom, was played with vigor and intensity.

I want to leave you with the reflection from Praying With Saint Paul, edited by Father Peter John Cameron, O.P.

A Mother's "Word-Box"

"And [Christ] gave [...] teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ, so that we may no loner be infants,tossed by waves and swept along by every wind of teaching arising from human trickery, from their cunning in the interests of deceitful scheming."
~Ephesians 4:11-14~

I had always considered by sister-in-law toe an outstanding Christian mother, lovingly attentive to the needs of her children. On day I noticed something that helped me to understand a deeper dimension of the vocation of motherhood. as her elder daughter was soon approaching school age, my sister-in-law decided to begin teaching her reading and vocabulary skills. Not willing to allow the television to do such important work, this loving and attentive mother developed her won word game (she called it the "word-box.")

In his 1988 encyclical letter Mulieris dignitatum, Pope John Paul II described the uniqueness of the vocation of the mother as one who "is filled with wonder at this mystery of life and understands with unique intuition what is happening inside her." Indeed, my sister-in-law was responding to the graces of Christ in nourishing and educating her children, ever attentive to their particular needs.

Saint Paul reminds us that Christ gives his holy one the graces to build up his Body, the Church. When we participate in the building up of the spiritual edifice which is the Church, we are preserved from the emptiness that the world offers. When parents respond to the graces of their vocation, their children grow in knowledge and love so that they can resist worldly deceptions. My sister-in-law was building up both her own family and the whole Body of Christ in knowledge and love.

~~~~~~~

Lord Jesus, giver of the gift of motherhood, grant that all mothers may respond to your wondrous graces as they care for their children.

And so, dear mothers and friends, I leave you for several days to ponder, pray, and give thanks for your gifts of motherhood. Christ has indeed blessed us with his graces in so many ways. And you have all blessed me! Indeed, I thank you!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!



Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Sorting and Cleaning...

One cannot sort and clean without being distracted by magazines once read but somehow forgotten. Such was the case of the St. Anthony Messenger, February, 2008, sitting on my desk, lo these many months. So I thumbed through it and what a surprise...

And so it is with a brain mushy from the humidity and eyes watering and itching from allergies that I send you this bit of humor! I wondered how the "little buggers" survived in the off season. (Who would have thought, mosquitoes in February? Ingenious!)

Wishing all a grand and glorious day!!!

~~~~~~~
Thanks be to God!

Monday, July 07, 2008

How do you decide who to marry...

I hope you will laugh as heartily as I did after I received this as an email...Whew!!! Kleenex anyone?


HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY? (written by kids)


-You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.
-- Alan, age 10

-No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with.
-- Kristen, age 10
2. WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?
Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.
-- Camille, age 10
3. HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?
You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.
-- Derrick, age 8
4. WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?
Both don't want any more kids.

-- Lori, age 8
5. WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?
-Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.

-- Lynnette, age 8
(isn't she a treasure)

-On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.
-- Martin, age 10
6. WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?
-When they're rich.
-- Pam, age 7

-The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that.

- - Curt, age 7
-The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do.
- - Howard, age 8
7. IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?
It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.
-- Anita, age 9 (bless you child )
8. HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?
There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there?
-- Kelvin, age 8

And the #1 Favorite is ..........
9. HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?
Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a dump truck .
-- Ricky, age 10
~~~~~~~^j^~~~~~~~

For children and their veritable
wealth of knowledge I say,

"Thanks be to God!"
And to my friend, Karen!



Saturday, July 05, 2008

Twas a Grand 4th of July...

The Keller Clan was on a mission...So much so they wouldn't stop to have a picture taken.
We gathered at the Ohio River here in Newburgh.

Marianne and fiancé, Eric.

Kellie...

Laura, Neil and Roy. (Grandpa is in the background) for a magnificent evening of fireworks.
Early in the day we shared a meal in the cool breeze of an Indiana 4th...not always so cool.


I had a difficult time deciding which of the movies I
took that would be the best. It was a GRAND
show. So here is the one I thought you might like
the best.

And so I say, God bless America, the Flag and...
Motherhood!!!

~~~~~~~/*/*/*~~~~~~~

Thanks be to God!!!

Thursday, July 03, 2008

Celebrate!


We have much to celebrate this 4th of July Weekend. Perhaps, taking time out to take stock of our lives is a good start to that celebration. And then thanking the Author of this celebration is essential. After offering words of gratitude, then turn our prayers to others.

This is not a lesson on prayer as, I for one, have difficulty expressing how to pray. But I have found another's lesson I'd like to share with you.

Pray for One Another

We often wonder what we can do for others, especially for those in great need. It is not a sign of powerlessness when we say: "we must pray for one another." To pray for one another is, first of all, to acknowledge, in the presence of God, that we belong to each other as children of the same God. Without this acknowledgment of human solidarity, what we do for one another does ot flow from who we truly are. We are brothers and sisters, not competitors or rivals. We are children of one God, not partisans of different gods.

To pray, that is, to listen to the voice of the One who calls us the "Beloved," is to learn that that voice excludes no one. Where I dwell, God dwells with me and where God dwells with me I find all my sisters and brothers. And so intimacy with God and solidarity with all people are two aspects of swelling in the present moment that can never be separated.

~~Here and Now
The Only Necessary Thing: Living a Prayerful Life
by Henri J. M. Nouwen
compiled and edited by Wendy Wilson Greer


So it is that on this weekend when we Americans have so much for which to be grateful, I encourage you all to stop and pray for each other. Pray for me! I will pray for you. Pray for peace and understanding. When we do this we know we have a captive audience, an attentive ear. Why not take advantage of it?!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!


Wednesday, July 02, 2008

FOUR, FOUR, FOUR, FOUR MeMe


I've been tagged again. This time by Lisa. The daunting FOUR, FOUR, FOUR,FOUR! It was a lot of fun and now you know even more about me...I'm also learning more about me with each new MEME. Please feel free to laugh and make comments!

A. Four places that I go to over and over:

1. Church
2. Work
3. Target/Kohls
4. To the Ackerman House because we are lucky they live so near, otherwise I'd be at all the kids houses all the time.

B. Four people who email me regularly:

1. Kay
2. John (Ron's brother-in-law)
3. Karen
4. Catherine

C. My favorite 4 places to eat:

1. Rafferty's
3. Cracker Barrel
4. Olive Garden

D. Four places I would rather be right now:

1. Visiting all my kids wherever they may be.
2. Visiting Mom in Montana
3. The mountains of Colorado
4. On the road with Ron to wherever the travel takes us.

E. Four people I think will respond:

1. Bia
2. Cy
3. Tracy
4. Linda

F. Four TV shows I watch all the time:

1. Masterpiece (Mystery) Theater
2. NCIS
3. Monk
4. Journey Home (EWTN)

G. Four words that describe you:

1. inquisitive
2. considerate
3. gullible
4. funny (well, I think I am)

H. Four favorite "old school" Hollywood actors/actresses:

1. Jimmy Stewart
2. Paul Newman
3. Katherine Hepburn/Audrey Hepburn
4. William Powell/Myrna Loy

I. Four favorite "old school" television game shows (since I went back to work 22 years ago I not sure if some of these are still on TV:

1. The Price Is Right
2. Concentration
3. Hollywood Squares
4. Password

J. Four favorite "old school" television shows:

1. Perry Mason
2. That Girl
3. Alfred Hitchcock Presents
4. Bonanza

K. List four things you liked best about Christmas when you were a child:

1. The decorations
2. Putting up the Nativity set
3. Christmas music
4. My birthday and dinner out with Pat, my dad's cousin.

L. List four things you liked best about Halloween when you were a child:

1. The school Halloween Party
2. Candy (though it was never very much because we were only allowed to Trick-or-Treat in our neighborhood.)
3. Answering the door to see the "scary costumes" and give the candy
4. Listening to everyone's tales and adventures the next day at school

M. List four things you did not like about growing up:

1. Ironing
2. Tennis lessons (I wasn't very good and I can be too competitive)
3. Practicing the piano when my siblings got to play outside
4. Having to walk to school when friends were driven to school

N. List 4 events that impacted your life:

1. The assassinations of John Kennedy/Martin Luther King/ Bobby Kennedy
2. My marriage
3. Wes' diagnosis of diabetes at age 9
4. The privilege of being the mother of 5 children, who cause me to thank God daily for each and the treasure they are to me.

The Five Little Kellers And How They Grew
(adapted from the book, The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew)

I tag those listed in letter E.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!