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

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!

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^~~

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!!!

The Navajo Rug

Picture by marymactavish

I found the most wonderful reflection today. I was reading Radical Grace: Daily Meditations by Richard Rohr, O.F.M. The subject is perfection. I readily identified with this. A lot of voices from the past started talking to me. "You got a 98% on the test. Why didn't you get 100%?" "You played that song well. But I heard a mistake as you began." From family to teacher to friends, we go through life looking for validation in one way or another and seldom find it.

The Navajo Rug

In a Navajo rug there is always an imperfection woven into the corner. And interestingly enough, it's where "the Spirit moves in and out of the rug." The pattern is perfect and then there's one part of it that clearly looks like a mistake. The Semite mind, the Eastern mind (which, by the way, Jesus would have been much closer to) understands perfection in precisely that way.

Perfection is not the elimination of imperfection. that's our Western either/or, need-to-control thinking. Perfection, rather, is the ability to incorporate imperfection! There's no other way to live: You either incorporate imperfection, or you fall into denial. That's how the Spirit moves in or out of our lives.

From Breathing Under Water:Spirituality and the 12 Steps

I believe I learned today that my life is a Navajo rug. It has it's flaws. But God made me. The flaws that occur are mine. The flaws are there because I "live." Though the ones who love me have long tried to mend and repair me in their own ways, I am the only one, with my God, who can truly make it right. It is consoling to know that the Creator's "Spirit moves in and out" of me.

Just as when I have completed a project and am most pleased with its outcome, some one will/would come to me and point out an error/errors. It used to embarrass me or make me angry with myself because I failed to find the mistake. But I soon learned that when this error was pointed out to me, someone had really paid attention to my work. Now, whether intentional or not, I get a certain amount of satisfaction in hearing about them as that means they READ it, noticed the work. Now, there are times I even do it do it on purpose. So, too, I can continue on the road to perfection without carrying most the old baggage by which I have been heavy laden. I can let go of it and start anew. Then the Spirit becomes the proof-reader of the next chapter of my "book."

So, feel free to proof read and make corrections!!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Simple Devotion

As she often does Suzy at Sailing by Starlight has guided me to a new and interesting site called The Simple Woman. There I have been challenged to THINK and REFLECT on scripture. I share this as part of her reflection.

Relish in the moment, the here and now. We know that times are hard and they will be...the end is written and the world is in travail, but we also know that we are never alone. Take comfort in this...

Philippians 4:8 (which is the "blueprint” verse for my life) it says “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” I just love this scripture and find the words very simple to understand. I find them healing to a burdened spirit that is hurting.

And you know I can. She reminded me that when things are burdensome I find myself singing or humming one of my favorite hymns, You Are Near. It becomes a prayer and then I appreciate the consolation derived from the nearness of God. What a grand opportunity to say Thank You and give praise to the Almighty.

I would ask you to visit The Simple Woman for she has a great deal to offer. Thank you to Suzy for leading me there.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks to be to God, always!!

THANK YOU

Well, it is with sincerity that I say "thank you" to all who prayed for me while I was giving my RCIA presentation. God has called, and these men and women have said, "Yes" to the Call to enter the Church. They appear sincere in their faith and grateful for those who are on the journey with them. And so it is with all those who in this process everywhere. I pray that the Spirit will guide those who instruct and that He will continue to be with those who inquire.

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For all who have entered my life and support they have given me, I say, thanks be to God.

In Concert

To Benefit Habitat for Humanity!!!

John Angotti will be here at St. John the Baptist Church December 14 to perform in concert to benefit the area's Habitat for Humanity. Habitat has been even more evident in our lives here since the tornado of November, 2005 destroyed so many homes. They have touched us with their diligence and generosity in housing those who are without homes or lost them as a result of that tornado. More important, Habitat also give us a perfect opportunity to do the work of God in participating in His beatitudes.

I would ask that you pray for the success of this concert. Better yet, if you can be here, come and give thanks, praise, and enjoy the gifts of our God in music!!! John Angotti is a dynamic performer and a zealous "worker in the vineyard".

~*******~

Thanks be to God.