Saint Teresa of the Andes and Carmelites of Chile

Juanita Fernandez Solar was born to a wealthy family on July 10 1900, in Santiago, Chile. Devoted to her faith and inspired by the autobiography of Saint Therese of Lisieux, she entered the cloistered community of the Discalced Carmelites ... She was given the name of Sister Therea of Jesus. Her deep spiritual life was revealed in the many letters she wrote while in the convent.

But Teresa's life as a religious was to be short. She died...less than a year later during Holy Week, on April 12, 1920, a few months before her 20th birthday.

She was canonized in 1993.

The Little Black Book
Lent, 2009

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Thanks be to God!

April Fools Day Humor

Art by Mary Engelbreit

With all the jokes and pranks yet to be pulled today, I thought I would offer this one. Sent me by a friend, I hope you will enjoy it and chuckle a bit.

FLORIDA COURT SETS ATHEIST HOLY DAY

In Florida, an atheist created a case against the upcoming Easter and Passover holy days. He hired an attorney to bring a discrimination case against Christians, Jews and observances of their holy days. The argument was that it was unfair that atheists had no such recognized days.

The case was brought before a judge. After listening to the passionate presentation by the lawyer, the judge banged his gavel declaring, "Case dismissed!"

The lawyer immediately stood objecting to the ruling saying, "Your honor, how can you possibly dismiss this case? The Christians have Christmas, Easter and others. The Jews have Passover, Yom Kippur and Hanukkah, yet my client and all other atheists have no such holidays."

The judge leaned forward in his chair saying, "But you do. Your client, counsel, is woefully ignorant."

The lawyer said, "Your Honor, we are unaware of any special observance or holiday for atheists."

The judge said, "The calendar says April 1st is April Fools Day. Psalm 14:1 states, 'The fool says in his heart, there is no God.'

Thus, it is the opinion of this court, that if your client says there is no God, then he is a fool. Therefore, April 1st is his day. Court is adjourned."

So it is that we are grateful for a sense of humor. Laughter is healing and beneficial, so today do not loose that sense of humor and be sure and laugh at yourself. Don't take yourself too seriously. Frown lines will develop if you do!

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THANKS BE TO GOD!!

It's My Anniversary!

Today I have been blogging for two years. Come celebrate with me, friends! Have a cup of tea or coffee and a slice of banana nut bread. We can chat and share old memories! It's been a grand journey and I want to thank you all for sharing it with me!

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Thanks be to God!

Peace

"Peace be with you."
Luke 23:36

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Thanks be to God!

Sam and Duchess, 3/29/2009

Angel Food Cake From Heaven

angel food cake from heaven
Originally uploaded by regan_parks

Juliene sent this to me. A reflection in what it means to allow God to work in our lives. As she put it, food for thought.

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Sometimes we wonder, 'What did I do to deserve this?' or 'Why did God have to do this to me?' Here is a wonderful explanation!

A daughter is telling her mother how everything is going wrong: she's failing algebra; her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend is moving away.

Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the daughter says, 'Absolutely, Mom, I love
your cake.'

'Here, have some cooking oil,' her Mother offers. 'Yuck,' says her daughter.

'How about a couple raw eggs?' 'Gross, Mom!'

'Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?'

'Mom, those are all yucky!'

To which the mother replies: 'Yes, all those things seem bad by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!

God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!

God is crazy about you. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning.

Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart.

If you like this, send this on to the people you really care about. I did.

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.

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So take some time and reflect on your "recipe." You'll find, like I have, that He did mix the ingredients altogether and he has given me many an "angel food cake."

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Thanks be to God!

Picture by Regan Parks

Transcending: Words on Women and Strength by Kelly Corrigan

I have to tell you that this treasure, sent to me by a new friend, Peggy, both touched me and lifted me up! I was privileged to meet Peggy on retreat last weekend. You know sometimes you just know when you've met a soul mate, a sister.

When I watched and listened I thought of all of you, and you know who you are, and I thanked God for you! God has blessed me with your love, your tenderness, your ever present listening ear.

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Again I say, Thanks be to God!

It's Friday!!!

To all my friends I offer you a cup of coffee and an apple danish. Then it's off we go on the adventure offered us this day. God Bless!

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And thanks be to God!

Stripped in the Desert

Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
picture by Steven L. Pierce

This is the title of a reflection from the book Radical Grace by Richard Rohr, O.F.M. It truly speaks to me today.

The Hebrew people entered the desert feeling themselves a united people, a strong people, and you'd think that perhaps they would have experienced greater strength as they walked through. But no! They experienced the fragmentation and weariness; they experienced divisions among their people. They were not the people they thought they were.

When all of our idols are taken away, all our securities and defense mechanisms, we find out who we really are. We're so little, so poor, so empty--sometimes, even so ugly. But God takes away our shame, and we are able to present ourselves to God poor and humble. Then we find out who we are and who God is for us. The desert is where Israel experienced its sinfulness, that it was weak and unable to do any good. Our temptation is always to shorten the time, make our timetable God's timetable. We want to get out and get it over with. But we cannot rush the journey of faith. We have to attune ourselves to its times and seasons. You can't bake a cake quicker by turning up the heat to 450 degrees, nor can you slow it down by lowering it to 200. It will flop either way.

from Great Themes of Scripture
by Richard Rohr, O.F.M.

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He was talking to me. I trust we all have been here. Some for longer than others. I'm still such a slow learner or stubborn that only a gentle kick in the rear will bring me back to reality! Yes, sometimes a stiff KICK in the rear. DUH! Then the light comes on and I see how God has been there all the time fine tuning and pruning what I thought I was bold and wise enough to do by myself. Yes, indeed, there it is, The Hand of Providence. So if any of you were wondering, it was a fruitful and wonderful retreat at the Woods!!!

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Thanks be to God!

A Real Eye Catcher!!!

I have found the most wonderful book and just have to share it with everyone. It's called The Sacred Sisterhood of Wonderful Wacky Women by Suzy Toronto. Her art is bright, bold, and colorful. Her words are dynamic! Please allow me to share one of her offering with you.

She Who
Stands for Something

She chooses the purity
Of truth over popularity...
Everything.
Possessing the moral courage
To make her action consistent
With her knowledge
Of right and wrong,
She knows that the choices
She makes today
Will shape her into the woman
She will be tomorrow.

This woman's life defines
Such words as love,
Forgiveness, charity,
Service, compassion and godliness.
For she knows who she is
And what she believes.

Her integrity is founded
On unswerving principle.
She is beyond reproach,
And her courage is unsurpassed
As she carries the banner of truth

Everyone knows
She stands for something.

by Suzy Toronto

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Good day to you all
and
Thanks be to God!

Art by Suzy Toronto from book The Sacred Sisterhood of Wonderful Wacky Women.

The Simple Women's Daybook

Today I have off because of it's spring break here. I took the time off so I could do some spring cleaning. Well, you can see where I am...Honest!!! I will begin as soon as I post this little bit of Monday. So after you have stopped by here please visit Peggy at The Simple Women's Daybook.

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1. Outside my window...Sam is meowing, letting me know that he'd like to come in.

2. I'm thinking...this is the first time I have ever done this later than 5:00 a.m.

3. I'm thankful for...having spent a wonderful weekend at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods in retreat.

4. I'm wearing...Sweater, pants and warm socks.

5. From the Kitchen...Baked macaroni and cheese with smoky links, broccoli and fruit.

6. I am creating...Still working on the counted x-stitch. Are you as tired of hearing about this as I am about telling you about it? It was purchased as a kit in England and now there is not enough thread. I'm now on-line comparing Anchor and DMC threads.

7. I am reading...The Sadness of Christ by Thomas More.

8 . I'm hoping...to rest in the memory of the retreat.

9. I am hearing...Birds chirping outside.

10. Around the house...The crocus, daffodils, and tulips are starting to bloom

11. Few plans for the rest of the week...Enjoy time off, resting and enjoying the quiet.

12. One of my favorite things is...gather pictures and make them into photo books. Since I had trouble with "Simon" during the holidays I haven't gotten those pictures done yet.



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

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Thanks be to God!