The Joy in Tea Talk

Strange how a teapot can represent at the same time the

 comforts of solitude and the pleasures of company.

~~Author Unknown~~

I'm having...Chia Latte  I was drinking this last week! I think I hooked!!

My teacup...is my white dinner mug.

I'm feeling... I'm feeling excited about my participation in Christ Renews His Parish this weekend.  I've not made one before.  Making is will be part of my Lenten "projects."  Many who have participated before tell of the fulfillment they have felt.

On my mind... Getting the laundry done as well as packing.  There is also the upcoming trip to Carson City that I need to get organized for.  We leave on next Wednesday which doesn't leave much time to get it together with work and other meetings staring me in the face.

Please join Ruth at Tea Talk today.

~~~~~~~

Today I also join Meri for Share the Joy Thursday.   For I believe we need to find it in my life every day no matter the realities in which we live.  God is Good in so many ways even in times of trial.

Joy comes in many forms.

And this day has the potential of
being just as grand as

as an award.  I must be open to it!

As Victor at Time for Reflections says,  "The Lobster Award is an honor given to those Bloggers who visit you regularly, no matter how feeble, tiresome, long-winded and sleep making your posts may be, and who leave a word of encouragement or good cheer in your Comments Box."  And so it is my pleasure to award this to a few comment providers to my blog.  This is more difficult that I thought because there are so many who visit and do not accept awards.  But know that you are all a treasure and your visits mean so very much to me!!!!!


Eileen

Peggy

Helen

Ruth

Proudly copy The Lobster Award logo above on your Blogs and in turn feel inspired and encouraged to nominate others who visit and leave regular messages in your Comments Box.

The rules for nominations are simple:

1   Nominate someone who regularly visits your Blog and leaves a message in the Comments Box.

2   Tell them about their nomination.

Hoping everyone is having a wonderful week and are looking forward to this weekends respite as much as I am.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!

Cathy

After the Storm

 

Sunlight after the Storm

Awoke this morning to sirens warning of a tornado.  Went downstairs with Duchess and waited.  Heard  nothing but heavy rain.  Got a call from Ron and he was concerned t hat there had been a tornado touched down.  Told him I didn't think so all I had heard was heavy rain and lots of wind...Turned on the television and sure enough one had touched down and not far from where we live.  It's frightening how I am so nieve that Ithought it was only high winds and heavy rain.  Whew!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!!

Cathy



Sunlit Sunday and Mosaic Monday

o

When the sun rises

There is joy and warmth in it

Wonders never cease

I looked around the house today and saw that my Valentine's Day was still here.  Bringing Spring even closer to fruition.  I love it when the wonder of God's creation lingers on.  Happy Day to you!!!

~~~^j^~~~

Thaks be ot God!!!!

Cathy

Karen has invited us to join her on Sunlit Sunday.  Stop by and offer your bit of sunshine today.
And please visit Mary at The Little Red House and share in the beauty offered there.   And though I hve nothing to offer at  Macro Monday  Lisa has a wonderful time planned for you.  The pictures all are an inspiration!

Haiku My Heart

Pondering God's love
Reflections on salvation
Glory be to God

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

Cathy

Please visit Rebecca at recuerda mi corazon for Haiku My Heart. There is always more beautiful words  there to enchant and encourage!!! 

Ash Wednesday, 2012

Dear ones,

I offer this letter as an inspiration to those who are preparing for the beginning of Lent as I am.  Wishing all a journey of introspection and growth in your journey to the Cross and the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Lent – 2012

A Journey to the Light of Christ

My dear Providence Associates, Candidate-Associates and Companions,

A few years ago I sat in my office having just unlocked the church and school doors.  I heard the slamming of car doors more than usual as women and men dashed out of their cars to get into the Church for the 6:30 AM Mass.  It was still very dark outside and I heard the voices say, “I am here for the Ashes – what time do they give them out?” The school parking lot was full throughout the day,  another Mass and more Ashes were given to the individuals, followed by two more prayer services where everyone received their Ashes and the phone constantly kept ringing and the voices would say, “What time will Ashes be given today?”

Yes, that is the exterior sign of Ash Wednesday!  But what about our interior, what about our heart and soul, can we calm our mind down to simply Be Still and Listen?  That is the challenge for me this Lent! It would be much easier to go to the desert filled with quiet, filled with solitude and simply wait to hear what God has to say to us.  Wouldn’t it be nice if life were that easy?

Most of us do not live in the desert; we live in the middle of the chaos of busyness, noise, running to this meeting, hurrying up to make dinner, going off to work, carrying for children, carrying for parents, carrying for a loved one and it just doesn’t stop. 

As this Ash Wednesday approaches, perhaps we can take a little time to think of ourselves, to think of the sacred vessel that Christ has made us to be.  Think of the interior gifts that lie deep within each of us.  As each day begins, take something positive from within yourself – in your running make time to see your beauty.  Name it and thank God for that wonderful gift.  As each day passes by, Lent comes to the glorious moment of the new light and new life we see within each of us.  We will truly be the sacred vessel Christ made us to BE.

I don’t sit in that office anymore – you all know where I am today!  It is not about the exterior we long to see – it is the interior, the real humanity that Christ himself took on to show us the way. Our own St. Mother Theodore did not have time to sit in the desert; she plowed through the dense forest of the unknown, just as we plow through our busy days of the unknown.  Let us open our hearts and souls to these days of Lent and honor and recognize the beautiful gifts that Christ has given us.  On Easter morning there will be a transformation within you.

Together, let us hold one another in prayer as we walk these 40 days of seeking the positive within ourselves.  Please know that Debbie Dillow, PA and I will be walking with each of you as together we seek the brightness within each of us.  What an Awesome Gift!

In God’s Providence,

Sister Diane Mason. SP

This is an opportunity for me to travel with the Savior from his temptation in the desert to  his crucifixion.  And then we can really feel the exultation of His resurrection and our salvation!  

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Cathy