Knee Deep in the Water

Sounds like the title of a song...Not really, but after a weeks adventure in computers that's about how far I am in the process, knee deep in the water. I don't think I'm "in over my head"yet. I've managed to learn a LOT of tasks in a short time, but there is a LOT more to learn. I heard Professor Higgins (My Fair Lady) singing "She did it. She did it. . .All the time I knew she could (paraphrased) each time is did a task "all by myself". Dr. Kris has nearly all his templates replicated and so far so good. I just have to remember to check my "mail boxes", for lack of a better term, so that I get referrals made and labs done...But still not a bad week.

Thanks for the prayers. All seems well!!!!!

My Dear Friend Is At Peace.

Margaret Stepenson Wallace

September 21, 1931-April 6, 2007

Last night we shared in Margaret memorial service. There was singing and family tales and beautiful scripture readings. I particularly enjoyed "Swing \Low Sweet Chariot." Today though was her final farewell. The funeral Mass was really beautiful. I am reminded of the Lady and Gentleman who first asked Ron and me to help with the Couple's Night Out by helping to serve the dinner. Then followed the Christ Child Ball for the Right to Life. The weekends we work at Mother Teresa's. The week we spent on the road with Margaret and Bill to and from Quebec...Laugh and then laugh so hard you cried. My goodness how I will miss her...especially on those Tuesday nights when we gathered to pray and share our week's experiences in our attempt to be faithful followers of Christ. She is an example to me, much as my mother is, a model of perseverance and faith. Thank you, Margaret!

~~~~~
Thanks be to God!

Easter Picture Gallery

Wally and Duchess waiting for Aunt Mimi's return.

Neil decorating the cookies.

Duchess wants to help color eggs...

You can never have too much help when coloring Easter Eggs...

so everybody pitched in!

Ainsley and Lindsey in their Sunday Best!

He Is Risen! Alleluia!! Alleluia!!

Easter Vigil was as always glorious and awe-inspiring! As we hear the readings in the dark of the church with only candle lit from the newly blessed Easter candle, there is comfort in the midst of my worshipping family.

The time comes when the lights come up and the Gospel is proclaimed..."Peter got up and ran to the tomb, bent down, and saw the burial cloths and; then he went home amazed at what had happened." Luke 24:12

The baptisms, the blessing, the confirmation of my baptismal vows...Glory be to God, Alleluia!!! The Liturgy of the Eucharist sung, the incense, all the senses experiencing to blessedness of the moment, fill me with a longing to be more Christ-like, more compassionate, more caring and loving. A prayer sincerely prayed.

This morning I was privileged to participate in the proclamation of the Word. To see the community of faith up and singing at 7:00 a.m. is in itself a wonderful experience. I always pray that the spirit will guide His words through me to the community. The privilege is in being "used". How often can that be said.

Yes, indeed Christ is risen, Our Lord is truly risen!!!

Happiest of all Easters!!! And the may the Blessings of the Almighty be on you all!!!

An Email Gift

I believe that things happen in God's good time...I was meant to read the reflection by Pope John Paul II today. I was not supposed to read an e-mail my mother sent me until today (I passed over it yesterday). And this is why...I really love these "God given surprises"!!!

Psalm 55:2 -- you really need to read this.
"Friends are God's way of taking care of us."

This was written by a Metro Denver Hospice Physician:

I just had one of the most amazing experiences of my life, and wanted to share it with my family and dearest friends.

I was driving home from a meeting this evening about 5, stuck in traffic on Colorado Blvd., and the car started to choke and splutter and die - I barely managed to coast, cursing, into a gas station, glad only that I would not be blocking traffic and would have a somewhat warm spot to wait for the tow truck. It wouldn't even turn over. Before I could make the call, I saw a woman walking out of the "quickie mart" building, and it looked like she slipped on some ice and fell into a Gas pump, so I got out to see if she was okay.

When I got there, it looked more like she had been overcome by sobs than that she had fallen; she was a young woman who looked really haggard with dark circles under her eyes. She dropped something as I helped her up, and I picked it up to give it to her. It was a nickel.

At that moment, everything came into focus for me: the crying woman, the ancient Suburban crammed full of stuff with 3 kids in the back (1 in a car seat), and the gas pump reading $4.95.

I asked her if she was okay and if she needed help, and she just kept saying " don't want my kids to see me crying," so we stood on the other side of the pump from her car. She said she was driving to California and that things were very hard for her right now. So I asked, "And you were praying?" That made her back away from me a little, but I assured her I was not a crazy person and said, "He heard you, and He sent me."

I took out my card and swiped it through the card reader on the pump so she could fill up her car completely, and while it was fueling, walked to the next door McDonald's and bought 2 big bags of food, some gift certificates for more, and a big cup of coffee. She gave the food to the kids in the
Car, who attacked it like wolves, and we stood by the pump eating fries and talking a little.

She told me her name, and that she lived in Kansas City Her boyfriend left 2 months ago and she had not been able to make ends meet. She knew she wouldn't have money to pay rent Jan 1, and finally in desperation had finally called her parents, with whom she had not spoken in about 5 years. They lived in California and said she could come live with them and try to get on her feet there.

So she packed up everything she owned in the car. She told the kids they were going to California for Christmas, but not that they were going to live there.

I gave her my gloves, a little hug and said a quick prayer with her for safety on the road. As I was walking over to my car, she said, "So, are you like an angel or something?"

This definitely made me cry. I said, "Sweetie, at this time of year angels are really busy, so sometimes God uses regular people."

It was so incredible to be a part of someone else's miracle. And of course, you guessed it, when I got in my car it started right away and got me home with no problem. I'll put it in the shop tomorrow to check, but I suspect the mechanic won't find anything wrong.

Sometimes the angels fly close enough to you that you can hear the flutter of their wings...

Psalms 55:22 "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee. He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."