With Much Gratitude!

Laura at Catholic Teacher Musings kindly offered them this beautiful award. Though like all the others I'm not sure exactly what it says. It is still a delight to have gotten it.


I would like to offer this award to Bia, Danette, and Deborah.





Linda at ~~A Trucker's Wife~~ kindly gave me this award.
Those who know her, know how sensitive and generous she is.
If you've not met her please stop by and see her.

The rules for this award are:
1. Pick ten people and pass this award to them.
2. Then contact them and let them know that you have chosen them and their blog for the award.
3. Also link back to the person who gave you the award.

This task gets more difficult every time I do it.

Kimberly
Kathleen
Marie
Cy
Kaila
Tracy
Esther
Autumnrose
Dorothy
Easter

You all, each and everyone of you lift me up. You are joy to me. Thank you!!!!

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

Friend of the Soul

I have been trying to find a way to explain what the process of becoming an Associate of the Sisters of Providence is like and having a companion on the journey. Now I have only been on this journey for a short 4 weeks. This morning, however, I have found the most beautiful answer. The journey is made with a companion, a friend, who will journey and share the process with you. She will guide and advise.

My answer came in the the guise of a book suggested to me some months ago by Ann at Prayer, Poetry and Praise. But of course I only just picked it up to read it. So, if you will allow him, John O'Donohue will explain in the most beautiful of words what a "companion" is.

In Celtic tradition, there is a beautiful understanding of love and friendship. One of the fascinating ideas here is the idea of soul-love; the old Gaelic term for this is anam cara. Anam is the Gaelic word for soul and cara is the word for friend. So anam cara in the Celtic world was the "soul friend." In the early Celtic church, person who acted as a teacher, companion, or spiritual guide was called an anam cara. It originally referred to someone to whom you confess, revealing the hidden intimacies of your life. ...This friendship was an act of recognition and belonging. When you had an anam cara your friendship cut across all convention, morality, and category. You were joined in the ancient and eternal way with the "friend of your soul."

In everyone's life, there is great need for an anam cara, a soul friend. In this love, you are understood and you are without mask or pretension. The superficial and functional lies and half-truths of social acquaintance fall away, you can be as you really are. Love allows understanding to dawn, and understanding is precious. Where you are understood, you are at home. Anam Cara, A Book of Celtic Wisdom, by John O'Donohue, pg. 13-14.

Sister Dorothy has been my anam cara for a long time. But now there is a beautiful way of expressing it. Let it also be said that I find that after 40 years I can call Ron, my anam cara. For he was that before those who were to follow. I can say that my life has been blessed with a number of anam cara, but until today I had not had it so beautifully expressed to me.

So, to Ann I say thank you! Now that I have begun the book, I will surely finish it. To everyone, I wish you all the love of your anam cara.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Thanks be to God!

(My friend above is fondly named Father Thomas Daniel)

The Simple Women's Daybook

This is the second week in a row! This may not happen too often, but I think this is the first time I've actually done consecutive "Daybooks". After you visit here please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman and journey along the path of life we all share.

1. Outside my window...there seems to be the makings of a cold, but sunny day.

2. I'm thinking...today really does seem like fall. Brrrrrr!

3. I'm thankful for...a glorious weekend in which I had time to spend with Laura, Kellie and Marianne.

4. I'm wearing... robe and slippers. (Yes, the very same.)

5. From the Kitchen...Baked macaroni and cheese for dinner.

6. I am creating...my next lesson for RCIA Wednesday night. (Actually, it's written, I'm just editing.)

7. I am reading...A mystery, The Missing Madonna by Sister Carol Anne O'Marie. I just discovered her and it's fun reading. (I just discovered the author...)

8 . I'm hoping...that this week will be quiet and uneventful.

9. I am hearing...the leaves falling to the ground as I walk outside with Duchess.

10. Around the house...The leaves have finally carpeted the yard and now it's time to mulch. And there is "glitter" on the grass this morning.

11. Few plans for the rest of the week...Spiritual Direction with Fr. Gene, get my annual mammogram (have you gotten yours?), give my RCIA presentation, and complete Bible Study. (OOPS! #6 is already out dated!)

12. One of my favorite things is...doing counted cross stitch and have had a few minutes to do that lately.

13. Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Family at Beni Hana.
It was such fun and
food was so good.

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

What's My Line?

I had my first meeting with Sr. Dorothy on Wednesday. We meet once a month as companions on the journey in my discernment in becoming a Provident Associate. This month's topic for discussion was "The Story." I read the story of St. Mother Theodore Gueren and the Sisters of Providence. Then I was asked to write my "story." And so I did.

Sr. and I met for lunch and then discussion. She asked me to read the story, instead of reading it herself. I thought I was being cute when I titled it "What's My Line?" after the old TV show of the 50's and 60's. Well, it soon became apparent that what I had written was not as humorous has I had tried to make it out to be. When I really "heard" the words I wrote, I couldn't hold back the tears. They flowed freely. After a bit she asked me why I thought I was crying. And as I reflected I told her it seemed I was crying because I missed the people and times I have already lived. Though not always perfect and without some ordeal, they were not bad times and the people who are now gone were good and had a profound impact on my life. They help mold me into who I am. They are the one's who lead me and guided in my faith. They loved me and cared not just for my physical well-being but also my spiritual health. It was truly a growing experience and I learned that my story really is important, if to no one but me.

Taking time to write your story is a worthwhile endeavor. It's not important that it be an in depth memoir. Certainly after the initial attempt you might want to write an autobiography. It's a worthwhile endeavor because it opens your soul and mind. It allows you to see the value in your life and how other have molded you into the person you are. Think about it and then do it.

On that note, because I see this as a gift to ME, I would direct you to the story Sojourner has to tell about her incredible life at A Journey Through His Garden. Please visit and read her essay. Thank you!

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Premio Dardos

I'm privileged to have been awarded this award by Marie at View From The Pews and Esther at A Catholic Mom in Hawaii. To them I offer my sincere thanks, for these are two grand ladies. This award acknowledges the values that every blogger shows in his/her effort to transmit cultural, ethical, literary and personal values every day. Both Blogs truly exemplify these values!

The rules to follow are :1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person that has granted the award and his or her blog link.
2) Pass the award to other 15 blogs that are worthy of this acknowledgment.
Remember to contact each of them to let them know they have been chosen for this award. (Sorry, but I may not have the time to do this).

This is the difficult part. Not giving 15 but finding 15 who have not already been gifted with this award. So, I will do my best.

This I Do
Made for Joy
Eileen on Him...At least I try!
Unexpected Journey
Tea Time With Melody
Sonflower
Musing at 85
Are We There Yet

The Best Nest
Catholic Teacher Musings

Christ's Rose
The Dutchess
~~A Trucker's Wife~~
A Catholic Notebook
Decrease to Increase

Congratulations to you all!

~~~+~~~
Thanks be to God for both Marie and Esther. And Easter
who earlier granted me the Hot Blog Award I also
say Thank You! I credited her sister Esther for
that one...I have found "humility" to be my friend
and companion this week.

Again!!! Thanks be to God!!!

Give this heart to everyone you care about including me if you care. Try to collect 5. Its not easy. I may not be the most important person in your LIFE. I just hope that when you hear my name you smile and say, THAT'S MY FRIEND!

~~~^j^~~~
Know that for all of you I say,
"Thanks be to God!"

The road to recovery is sublime...

As the sun was going down this evening on my way home from work, I noticed the glow of the trees in all their glory. It seemed their color alone could light the way. That, the Glory of God.

Tonight as Duchess and I went outside for a few minutes while she sniffed the fresh air and scouted the back yard, rising was not only the moon, but also Venus and Jupiter. That, the Glory of God!

Healing has come. The throat is less sore and the cough less frequent. Today the beginning of antibiotic therapy. That, the Glory of God.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!

A Simple Woman's Daybook

While it's been a while since I've done this I do visit those who contribute. So after you visit here please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman and journey along the path of life we all share.

So I begin.

1. I'm thinking...the trees still are in all their glory. God is allowing us to appreciate them a little longer this year..

2. From the Kitchen...and this morning it's hot oatmeal.

3. I am creating...and have nearly completed my presentation for RCIA Wednesday night.

4. I'm wearing... robe and slippers. (Some things never change.)

5. I am reading..."The Words we Pray" by Amy Welborn, again.

6. I'm hoping...I'm completely over this sore throat by Wednesday and tha I don't sound like an old fog horn. It is still sore and the cough is such a nuisance.

7. I am hearing...Duchess, the dog, snoring.

8. Around the house...There are signs that Thanksgiving is just around the corner.

9. Few plans for the rest of the week...Get it readiness for my 1st meeting with Sister Dorothy and we journey the road to my becoming a Providence associate.

10. One of my favorite things is...the color of trees this time of year tha remind me that they are again preparing for a new resurrection in the Spring.

11. Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God

China Little Flower

This letter from Shannon at China Little Flower is just a reminder to all that we are entrusted with the care and nourishment of souls that cross our paths. In this month in which we give thanks for all our blessing. Please take time to investigate how you can personally become involved in the lives of those in most need. God will be good to you just as he has always been.

I received this gift from Esther. I am pleased she thinks this blog is HOT. So, I will pass it on to some other Hot Blogs. Thank you Esther!!!

1. Mike at This I Do
2. Angie at Sonflower
3. Joy at Norwich Daily Photo
4. Tracy at A Catholic Mom in Minnesota

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

A reason be to QUIET...

Well, wouldn't you know? The Feast of Saint Blase isn't until February 3. Can't remember the last time I had a sore throat like this. It feels like I had my tonsils removed all over again...Dr. Kris said the best thing to do is just rest my voice for the weekend as I have had this for about 4 days now and being quiet would help. (A boss's gentle way of saying,"Be still.") The cough medicine worked now if only the honey and lemon would do their part...

You all have a restful, holy weekend and perhaps by the time I am due to lector tomorrow, all will be "well."

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!!!!