Christmas Joys!

This Christmas was perhaps the most relaxing and lovely Christmas we've ever had! There was no traveling, no entertaining---simply being a family and focusing on the real reasons for the season: Jesus and Joy! This year we didn't even have very many gifts under the tree. We told the kids that Jesus only received 3 gifts for His birthday from the wise men, so 3 should be the max for them under the tree too. So rather than playing with tons of new toys, we spend the majority of our holiday experiencing old joys, such as making snowmen and snow angels, playing outdoor hockey, sledding, and dusting off our old Scrabble game. It was delightful. Unfortunately, I don't have very many good pictures to share because my snapshot camera doesn't take the greatest photos... But my sweet husband came to the rescue and surprised me with a more professional-grade camera for Christmas! I am eager to start experimenting with it...so be prepared for some great photos soon! I truly had a blessed Christmas in so many ways, and I hope each of you did too! And may God bless your family and mine in the New Year as we keep our hearts and minds fixed on Him!

The joy of Christmas morning!


The joy of skating outdoors!

The joy of making a snow angel!

The joy of "trying" to play hockey!

The joy of making an All-Star snowman!

Wrapped Up in the Season

I feel like I need to apologize for my lapse in blogging (as if you've all been desperately waiting to hear about my exciting life and profound thoughts!) :) I have to admit that I've been wrapped up in the busy-ness of the season...it's simply impossible to escape it. This week alone we've had the boys' Christmas piano recital, the school Christmas program, making costumes for the Christmas program, Paul's office Christmas party, hockey practice, last minute shopping, and trying to find inspiration (and time) to write my Christmas letter (which I think is turning into a New Year's letter because of the afore mentioned items). Despite the busy-ness, I still feel like I'm experiencing the joy and wonder of Advent. The list of items I previously mentioned were all fun (except for the costumes), my kids are healthy and filled with Christmas cheer, my husband and I are enjoying special time together, and how I love to see our lighted tree with Christmas music playing in the background. So anyway, I just felt like I should check in and let everyone know that I haven't abandoned my blog. I'm simply trying to simplify during this busy and blessed season. So "Merry Christmas" to all of you if I don't have time to blog again before the New Year!

Holy Day of Opportunity

"St Anne Conceiving the Virgin Mary"

by Jean Bellegambe (Flemish painter c. 1480 - c. 1535)

Today is the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception, a feast day that most Catholics sadly can't properly define. Many faith-filled (and not-so-faith-filled) folks seem to think we are celebrating the day that Jesus was miraculously conceived in Mary's womb. However, this day truly defines the day that Mary was conceived immaculately (without sin) in her mother Anne's womb. I'd be curious to see how many of my Catholic high school friends remember that important bit of theological trivia...I'm sure we covered it in Miss Heinz' religion class :)

The Church even elevates this feast day to the status of a "Holy Day of Obligation." My wise and witty husband likes to refer to these days as "Holy Days of Opportunity." :) And he is so right. Every Sunday and special feast days like this one are considered holy days of obligation, but the church is only trying to set these rules to provide us with beautiful opportunities to grow in grace and holiness. Today's Mass at the Cathedral reminded me just what a special privilege it is to hear the Gospel, to gather with other believers, to receive Christ's real presence in Holy Communion, to worship in song, and even to breathe in the holy smell of incense. I remember despising the smell of incense as a child (maybe because it made me sneeze), but now as an adult I love it (even though it's spicy aroma still tickles my nose). Incense is an Old Testament tradition, and only the very traditional Catholic churches ever seem to use it. It is used to bless the Sacred Scriptures before the priest reads the Gospel, it is used to bless the altar before the priest consecrates the bread and wine, and it is used to bless the congregation. My very limited understanding is that it symbolizes our prayers being raised (like the smoke it creates) to God in Heaven. I think I appreciate incense now because it truly seems to take me back in time, to a place more reverent and full of awe at God's majesty. Oddly enough, it also takes me forward in time, to what I imagine Heaven to smell like, with angels surrounding God's throne (and trying with all their holy might not to sneeze!) :) Thank you, God, for these holy days of opportunity, days that bring me another step closer to understanding just how awesome You are.

Who Needs Toys?

The other day I let Dominic play at the sink while I was getting supper ready. I forgot how much kids love playing in water! He kept himself entertained for nearly an hour...which kept his mommy happy too! I got so much done, and I'm sure he learned more playing with water than he would've watching a video or playing with other over-rated, fancy toys! It was a reminder that kids truly don't need "toys," they just need household items to foster their creativity!

Advent Message from Mary

The following is the latest message that the Blessed Virgin Mary gave to one of the visionaries in Medjugorje. The message is so fitting for this Advent season and simply too beautiful not to share. For those of you unfamiliar with Medjugorje, you can click here for the history of these miraculous apparitions that have been occurring daily since 1981. I was very blessed to be able to visit Medjugorje my junior year in high school (1995). I had the privilege of meeting 2 of the visionaries, and was present in St. James Church church during one of the daily apparitions of the Blessed Mother. I went to Medjugorje right after Christmas, so this time of the year always brings back very warm memories of my pilgrimage there.

"Dear children. At this time of preparation and joyful expectation I, as a mother, desire to point you to what is the most important, to your soul. Can my Son be born in it? Is it cleansed by love from lies, arrogance, hatred and malice? Above all else, does your soul love God as your Father and does it love your fellow brother in Christ? I am pointing you to the way which will raise your soul to a complete union with my Son. I desire for my Son to be born in you. What a joy that would be for me as mother. Thank you."
(December 2, 2009 Message to Mirjana)

Retreat Revisited

OK, I think it's been long enough for me to pull my thoughts together and share with you what I learned on my Cursillio retreat. This Thanksgiving weekend reminded me how thankful I am to have experienced such a beautiful time away with the Lord. A person should really participate in a retreat every year to simply be still and be reminded that God is God. I have to honestly say that I went into the retreat with fairly low expectations and selfish motives. I had done many SEARCH retreats in high school which follow a very similar format to the Cursillo retreats, so I thought that I knew all the “surprises” to expect. I also felt that I already had an intimate relationship with Jesus, so I was mainly attending the retreat to “escape” from my motherhood routine and responsibilities for a few days (is that so wrong?).

Well, I have to say that I truly was surprised by what God whispered in my heart over the weekend. He exceeded my expectations in ways I did not expect. He showed me that I still have a lot to learn about loving Him and the depth of His love for me. He showed me many souls who were completely broken when they came on the retreat and who were healed with His love and grace by the end of the weekend. He also showed me that He wants me to be His hands and reach out to those broken souls too. He showed me that I am His bride when I come to the altar to receive Him in the Eucharist. He showed me that He is truly present in the consecrated Host and that he wants me to consecrate my life to Him daily. He showed me how intensely my husband loves me and convicted me to be more thankful for him in my life. He showed me that my children can survive just fine without me and that I need to let them feel their daddy’s love by getting out of the way more often. :) He also showed me that I need to get out of the way in my marriage and let my husband be the spiritual head that God has called him to be. I am in awe by what God is doing in my heart and in my husband heart because of our Cursillo retreats. I am so thankful that Paul and I both said “yes” to the Cursillo experience so that we can share the fruits of it together. God is good. How refreshing to be reminded of that in such a real way. A couple of weeks have gone by since my retreat, and I can already feel Satan trying to steal away my joy. Please help me pray that I can continue to live out what I have learned and share the joy of the Lord with the world!

Full of Thanksgiving

Here is a powerful YouTube video that highlights the amazing visit from David Bereit, the National Director of 40 Days for Life, to Kalispell, MT last Friday. He came to celebrate the CLOSURE of Kalispell's Planned Parenthood, which I truly believe occurred due to the 24 hour prayer vigil of 40 Days for Life participants there. I was able to attend this exciting event, and if you look closely during the video, you may see glimpses of me in my long, light blue coat and winter hat :) I became quite emotional at the event...truly in awe at our awesome God who chose our beautiful state of Montana to show his glory and his might by closing down an abortion mill. David Bereit very eloquently and humbly gives God all the glory and compares this pro-life battle to the battle of David and Goliath. I pray that you listen to his words and find hope and encouragement, as well as another reason to be thankful this Thanksgiving season! (In order to hear the YouTube clip, you'll need to scroll to the bottom of my blog to turn off the music that I have playing in the background.)




Here are alternative links, in case the video above doesn't work for you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kd8N_baKbFY
http://www.youtube.com/user/dbereit

Loveable and Huggable

I just had to share this adorable picture! Don't you just want to squeeze this precious boy!? After being away from my boys for 4 days, I just can't get enough of them this week. When I saw them at the closing ceremony at my retreat, I just could not stop crying and hugging them. They looked at me like I was a freak, but I couldn't help myself. Someday they will understand why mothers do the crazy things we do :} I'll share more about my retreat experience soon...I'm still processing it all. For now, I'll just say that God exceeded my expectations and I'm overwhelmed with love and gratitude. Our theme was "BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD." I certainly know He is God and He is good more than I ever have before. God made me feel so lovable and huggable during my retreat, which is exactly how I'm feeling about my children and husband this week too. Funny how that works. He filled me with his love, and now I find myself reflecting His love more perfectly.

Bittersweet Birthday

I was in the midst of packing for my retreat today, and suddenly had the bittersweet reminder that tomorrow is the birthday of our baby Frances who left my womb and was welcomed into Heaven a year ago. During my retreat, I'm sure that memory will be hard for me, but hopefully it will remind me that I have 3 beautiful babies up in heaven praying for me and helping me grow closer to Christ. I'm not sure what Heaven will be like, but I sure hope that when I get there I will be able to hold my babies and thank them for all their prayers that they showered upon their mommy while I was on earth. Perhaps God knew I needed their extra prayer support, which is why He took them to Heaven so soon.

"St. Frances, pray for me!

I love you!

Help me love Jesus more and more!"

Deep Thoughts on Humility

Over the past few months, God has been teaching me to grow in the virtue of humility, and I have been a very reluctant student. God has convicted me that I am vain and selfish, but thankfully He has been gently showing me the only way to cure such vices: true humility. A dear high school friend of mine, who is now a priest, once told me that the quickest way to humility is through humiliation. I can now say that I know exactly what he means. I can't say that I've enjoyed the process, but I can now say that I am thankful for the opportunity. Here's a brief synopsis of my petty, but nonetheless real, journey towards humility:

About 6 months ago there must have been a shift of some sort in my hormones because my skin started breaking out with acne like never before. I thought acne was for teenagers, not for 30 year olds!? Anyway, months went by with no improvement and I was really starting to struggle with my self-esteem because of it. As vain and silly as it sounds, I have to admit I spent many hours crying and praying over this small cross. It's funny how sometimes the smallest crosses can seem so huge when you lack the humility and faith to respond rightly. Anyway, I finally went to a dermatologist who told me the only way she could help me was if I was willing to go on birth control. I said "not an option" and continued trying to pray my cross away. More weeks went by, and I finally decided to go to another dermatologist who was extremely compassionate and helpful. She gave me some products that should help clear up the acne without compromising my convictions about contraception. I did have one humiliating bump in the road when the medication that the dermatologist prescribed caused an allergic reaction due to the cleanser I was using. So for about a week I not only had terrible acne, but I also had bumpy, scaly skin from the allergic reaction. It was so bad I couldn't even wear make-up...the horror! I've often prayed that someday I wouldn't have to wear make-up anymore, but this what not exactly what I had in mind. More tears, dying to self, and learning the virtue of humility. But I am happy to report that it's been a few weeks now, and I think I am starting to see some improvement in my skin. But, I have to admit that the real victory is how I have grown in humility on the journey. I no longer shed tears when I look in the mirror, I simply say a prayer of thanksgiving for this humiliating opportunity to grow in holiness, this opportunity to weed vanity out of my soul, this opportunity to share in the suffering of Christ (even though my cross is like a sliver compared to His!). So that's my story. It was humbling for me to share it, but I thought it might help root out some more pride and vanity :) The following prayer has always been a favorite of mine, and it really has been helpful for me on this journey. Perhaps it will be meaningful to you, as well.

LITANY OF HUMILITY

(by: Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val (1865-1930), Secretary of State for Pope Saint Pius X)

O Jesus! Meek and humble of heart, hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, deliver me Jesus
From the desire of being loved, deliver me Jesus
From the desire of being extolled, deliver me Jesus
From the desire of being honored, deliver me Jesus
From the desire of being praised, deliver me Jesus
From the desire of being preferred, deliver me Jesus
From the desire of being consulted, deliver me Jesus
From the desire of being approved, deliver me Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated, deliver me Jesus
From the fear of being despised, deliver me Jesus
From the fear of suffering rebukes, deliver me Jesus
From the fear of being calumniated, deliver me Jesus
From the fear of being forgotten, deliver me Jesus
From the fear of being ridiculed, deliver me Jesus
From the fear of being wronged, deliver me Jesus
From the fear of being suspected, deliver me Jesus
That others may be loved more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it
That in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

Retreat Recap

Thank you for showering my husband with prayers this past weekend! Your prayers worked and he came home truly "filled" with extra graces and faith. The boys and I attended the closing ceremony at the retreat, and it was so touching to see such a Spirit-filled group of men! It was also fun to watch the men giving countless hugs to each other as it was time to say good-bye. I don't think Paul has ever been hugged so much in his whole life! For those of you who know my husband, he grew up in a house full of brothers, so hugging is a bit out of his comfort zone :) I am so thankful that Paul said "yes" to this opportunity to grow in his faith and to seek Christian fellowship with other men. He will probably join a prayer group/bible study with a group of the guys, and I think that will help all of them to keep fanning the flames of faith that they received at the retreat. As Jesus said: "I have come to set the world on fire and how I wish it were already ablaze!" (Luke 12:49) Thank you, Lord, for filling my husband with the fire of Your love!

P.S. Now all of you can start praying for me, as I make the Women's Curcillo Retreat this coming weekend! :) I am really looking forward to it and I hope it fans the flames of my faith as it did for my husband.

Cursillo Retreat

My sweet husband is attending a Catholic Men's Retreat (called "Cursillo") this weekend. The Scripture theme for the retreat is "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening." (1 Samuel 3:10) Please help me cover my husband in prayer...that he grows closer to Christ and can hear that still small voice that will help him see God's will and purpose in his life in a deeper way. Thank you!

Recent Eucharistic Miracle

I just came across this amazing article in the National Catholic Register, the most widely read Catholic newspaper, and thought it was worth sharing. I find myself completely awed that the God of the Universe loves us so much that He continues to give us not only His Holy Spirit to guide us, but also His body and blood to feed us (John 6:52-58). In 2003, Paul and I were able to see a Eucharistic miracle in Orvieto, Italy which dated back to the 13th century. Apparently, the priest celebrating the Mass was having doubts about the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, and when he raised the host in the air, it started to bleed! There are over 130 documented and scientifically studied cases of Eucharistic miracles. The one mentioned in this article below is the most recent I've heard of. The book called "Eucharistic Miracles" by Joan Carroll Cruz is an inspiring collection of many of the most famous Eucharistic miracles. As Catholics we believe that Jesus is always present in the Eucharist, but it's such a blessing when He gives us miracles to help us believe more fully (He must know our human nature so easily doubts! Just like Thomas, we sometimes need to see to believe.) These miracles are beautiful reminders that Jesus is truly present in our world today and wants to fill us with His love and His Real Presence. Thank you, Jesus!

If reports from Poland are true, an alleged Eucharistic miracle that took place a year ago may have merit. According to a Polish blog, the Metropolitan Curia of Bialystok has announced the results of the investigation of an Ecclesial Commission appointed by Archbishop Edward Ozorowski on March 30, 2009.

Father Andrzej Kakareko, Chancellor, writes that on Oct. 12, 2008, a consecrated host fell out of the hands of the priest distributing holy Communion. The priest picked it up and placed it in the vasculum in the tabernacle. After Mass, the vasculum and its contents were transferred to the safe in the sacristy. Seven days later, after opening the safe, a red stain was seen on the host. Ten days after that, the vessel with the host was transferred to the tabernacle in the chapel of the rectory. The next day, the host was removed from the water and placed on the corporal in the tabernacle.

On Jan. 7, 2009, a sample from the host was sent to the University in Bialystok for analysis. According to two medical professionals, professor Maria Sobaniec-Lotowska and professor Stanislaw Sulkowski, the sample, in their opinion, most resembled the myocardial (heart) tissue of a living organism.

While unusual in this day and age, the Church has a long history of Eucharistic miracles. The Vatican International Exhibition’s “Eucharistic Miracles of the World” documents more than 130 worldwide miracles of the Eucharist, demonstrating that Jesus Christ in the Eucharist — body, blood, soul and divinity — continues to make his presence manifest at unique times and places in history.

Perhaps the most famous and well-known, is the Miracle of Lanciano, which occurred about A.D. 750. It bears repeating, as it closely resembles the alleged Polish miracle. During Mass, the celebrant doubted the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. During the consecration, the host transformed into flesh and blood. Subsequent investigations confirmed the authenticity of the human tissue. An investigation, as late as 1970, found the flesh to be cardiac tissue and the blood to be type AB.

Full article: http://www.ncregister.com/daily/eucharistic_miracle_2009

A Night of Sacrifice

Last night was one of those nights of parental sacrifice. Child #1 woke up in the middle of the night coughing every 3 seconds and needed medicine and extra TLC. Paul was gone on a work trip, so I (stupidly) let Coughing Child snuggle in bed with me. Once he finally stopped coughing on me (an hour or two later), he started snoring so loud that I got evicted out of my own bed. My brain must not fire on all four cylinders in the middle of the night, because I (stupidly) decided to camp out on the floor in the hallway between all three rooms, thinking that was the perfect place to be able to hear any of the children if they woke up. In case you were curious, the floor is no longer comfortable after you turn 30. Did I forget to mention that Child #2 and Child #3 also woke up sometime after my eviction too? One needed to pee, the other had a bad dream. I told Bad Dream Child, "Sorry, my bed's already taken. Go tuck yourself in your own bed again." Apparently, sleeping on the floor sucks all the compassion right out of ya. I might seriously need a nap today, in my own soft, comfortable, bed.

40 Days for Life Miracle

I just had to share this amazing email I received today from the National Director of 40 Days for Life... It is miraculous, it is encouraging, it gives me hope that we may be seeing the beginning of the end of abortion!


"With man this is impossible, but with God all thingsare possible." -- Matthew 19:26

I've known about this for the past few weeks, but nowI can finally share the HUGE NEWS! The director of the Planned Parenthood abortion facility in Bryan/College Station, Texas -- where 40Days for Life first began -- has resigned her job,experienced a profound conversion, and joined our pro-life efforts. AMAZING!

Here's what happened ... Abby Johnson worked at Planned Parenthood in Bryan,Texas for eight years. She was there when the first-ever 40 Days for Life campaign was conducted outside of her workplace in the Bryan/College Station community in 2004. She was there for the next 40 Days for Life effort aswell -- the one that helped to launch the first nationally coordinated 40 Days for Life campaign in the fall of 2007. And she was there for the one after that, and the one after that, and the one after that -- and the one after that! In fact, Abby was able to look out the window of Planned Parenthood and see 40 Days for Life campaigns on six different occasions -- as well as the regular year-round prayer presence organized by the local Coalition for Life, under the leadership of our own 40 Days for Life campaign director Shawn Carney. For all those years, people outside the clinic prayed for Abby. And with all those prayers, Abby finally had a change of heart. She said, "Over the past few months I had seen a change in motivation regarding the financial impact of abortions," she said, "and I reached my breaking point after witnessing a particular kind of abortion on an ultrasound." She quit her job and went across the street to the headquarters of the Coalition for Life where Shawn has been helping her over these last few weeks. Fox News just reported on Abby's conversion, stating: Abby Johnson, 29, used to escort women from their cars to the clinic in the eight years she volunteered and worked for Planned Parenthood in Bryan, Texas. But she says she knew it was time to leave after she watched a fetus "crumple" as it was vacuumed out of a patient's uterus in September. "When I was working at Planned Parenthood I was extremely pro-choice," Johnson told FoxNews.com. But after seeing the internal workings of the procedure for the first time on an ultrasound monitor, "I would say there was a definite conversion in my heart ... a spiritual conversion." Johnson said she became disillusioned with her job after her bosses pressured her for months to increase profits by performing more and more abortions, which cost patients between $505 and$695. "Every meeting that we had was, 'We don't have enough money, we don't have enough money — we've got to keep these abortions coming,'" Johnson told FoxNews.com. "It's a very lucrative business and that's why they want to increase numbers."

Read the whole story (and see Shawn with Abby) at: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,571215,00.html Abby finally saw the truth. The truth which Planned Parenthood often tries to hide -- even from its very own management staff. She left on good terms, and says that Planned Parenthood tried to offer her more money to stay. "But this was not about money or me being angry," she said. "It was about my change of heart on abortion." Planned Parenthood has responded by going to court to seek a restraining order against both Abby and the Coalition for Life. The requested court action warns against disclosing any "confidential information." An initial court hearing is set for November 10, so please keep Abby, Shawn, and the Coalition for Life in your prayers. Seeing is believing, and you have to see this video report aired by KBTX-TV in Bryan/College Station: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=502

Abby's amazing conversion demonstrates the importance of a constant, persistent, peaceful prayer presence in front of abortion facilities. From that first campaign in 2004, we've prayed forAbby -- and for all abortion workers -- that they would come to see what abortion really is, and that they would leave the deadly business. In this case, those prayers have been answered. We are so proud of Abby's courage to leave the abortion industry and publicly announce her reasons for leaving. And now a familiar face has been seen praying outside Planned Parenthood in Bryan/College Station duringthe final days of this fall's 40 Days for Life --yes, Abby Johnson. God can and will do amazing things -- if only we ask! We must continue to pray and fast for more conversions just like Abby's. In fact, we WILL continue. In the days ahead, you'll learn how -- together -- we will keep this amazing momentum growing. In all, eight clinic workers left their jobs during the 40 Days for Life campaign that just ended -- and reports are still pouring in from across the 212 participating cities, so it could be even more! I have another updated total for you as well. The number of babies (and their moms) spared from abortion during this campaign is now up to ... 542! Praise God for ALL these miracles!

For Life, David Bereit
National Director40 Days for Life

A Holy Halloween!

Our family tradition of celebrating All Saints Day instead of the secular Halloween holiday is becoming more fun every year! We are so thankful that the school our boys attend also believes in focusing on "things above" rather than "things below!" The K-2 grades dress up as saints and give saint reports to the large group of families who come to the Fall Festival party at the school. The kids learn so much about a myriad of saints, and hopefully it plants seeds in their hearts to imitate those holy saints. After all, we are all called to be saints! On Halloween evening, we invited other Catholic families to join us at our house to celebrate the saints with us. We began the party by praying a traditional Litany of the Saints, asking for their intercession to help us grow closer to Christ. After our meal, the kids played three fun saint games: Pin the Halo on the Saint, Throw the Halo on the Saint, and the St. Therese's Drop Roses Game. Prizes were awarded to the winners (and the losers), and then the kids beat the tar out of some unsaintly looking pinatas that the boys and I made. We may not believe in trick-or-treating, but we still believe our little saints deserve some fun and sugar :) Here are some photos of our "saintly" family and friends at our All Saints Day celebration. I love having holy fun!

Here is Joseph, dressed as St. Hubert the hunter-turned-bishop, with some other saintly friends at the school Fall Festival

Here is our adorable Dominic dressed as St. Francis. Dominic loved being covered with his favorite stuffed animals, just as St. Francis loved preaching to the animals who surrounded him

Here is our ivory-skinned Michael dressed as the dark-skinned St. Juan Diego, the saint who received the miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe on his tilma

Here is my truly saintly husband dressed as St. Padre Pio, the saint who received the stigmata and many other miraculous gifts to bring others closer to Christ

Here I am trying to look like St. Elizabeth, the wealthy queen of Hungary who often gave bread to the poor, but when the King tried to stop her, the bread miraculously turned into roses and caused her husband to become a Christian

Here is Joey C. playing the St. Therese Drop Roses game. His rose landed closest to the picture of St. Therese, so he won 1st prize

Here is Grace, dressed as Blessed Mother Teresa, playing the Throw the Halo on the Saint game

Here is Agnes, dressed as St. Bernadette, very gently tapping the Black Widow pinata, just as the timid St. Bernadette probably would've done

Here is Michael smashing the pinata in a not-so-saintly-fashion

Here is Joseph, dressed as St. Hubert, with the remains of the deer pinata on his head. I was shocked to see the bright shining "cross" between his antlers, just like the real story of St. Hubert and the stag. It is said that St. Hubert was hunting on Good Friday rather than attending Mass, and just as he was about to shoot the giant stag it turned to face him with a shining cross between his antlers and said, "Hubert, unless you turn from your sinful ways, you will surely go to hell." St. Hubert quickly converted after that experience and eventually became a bishop.

Good, holy fun had by all...

all for the greater glory of God! :)

A Doublely Blessed Day

Today was a day of DOUBLE blessings! First, those praying at our Planned Parenthood this morning were blessed with a visit by Fr. Benedict Groeschel, a very holy man of God who is well-known for his preaching on EWTN, a Catholic television station. He is also well-known for his pro-life convictions, and he truly put those convictions to practice today by braving the bitter-cold Montana weather (in his Friar Tuck sandles no less!) to pray with other vigilers for an end to abortion. Today was the scheduled abortion day at Planned Parenthood, so his prayerful presence gave all of us renewed hope, on a day that is usually clouded with despair. Fr. Benedict encouraged us with these words: "Keep up the good fight and don't loose hope. After all, Mother Teresa said that we are not called to be successful, only to be faithful. God will do the rest."

Later in the day we received a second huge blessing. Hundreds of 40 Days for Life participants had been praying for young local woman who was receiving pressure from her boyfriend to abort their baby. Today, we received the exciting news from the young girl's mother that her daughter has decided to choose life for her child! That is our first confirmed local save in our town! Even though the save did not occur at the abortion facility, I truly believe it was because of the outpouring of prayer from the 40 Days for Life participants that helped the young girl make the right choice. All we did was faithfully prayed, and God did the rest. That's what 40 Days for Life is all about. And blessing upon blessing is the result. Today, my heart is overflowing with gratitude and hope!

The Truth About Yawning

The other morning when Dominic had just gotten out of bed he did a huge yawn, and said with conviction:

"The sleep came out of my throat!"

Cute and kinda true :) I love it when my kids make me laugh. I really need to laugh more often.

I Got Published!

Well, shockingly, our local newspaper published my Letter to the Editor. Not so shockingly, they gave my piece a liberally slanted title by using the phrase "Anti-Abortion Rally" rather than "Pro-life Prayer Vigil." Figures. If you'd like to read the piece, here's the link:

http://www.helenair.com/news/opinion/readers_alley/article_b38920e6-bd37-11de-8046-001cc4c03286.html?mode=story

40 Days for Life Candlelight Vigil

I am very blessed to be the Vigil Coordinator for our city's 40 Days for Life fall campaign, and this week we had a Candlelight Prayer Vigil at our local Planned Parenthood to mark the mid-way point of our campaign. It was bitter cold, but a very blessed evening. Young and old alike, of many different faiths, attended the prayerful event, and it was an evening filled with music, prayer, and hope that someday the tragedy of abortion will end in our country. For those of you unfamiliar with 40 Days for Life, it is a pro-life movement that is striving to peacefully end abortion one soul at a time through prayer, fasting, and being loving witnesses for life outside of abortion clinics. Since 40 Days for Life began in 2007, more than 1700 babies and their mothers have been spared from the pain of abortion (and those are just the ones we know about)!!! To learn more about his amazing campaign happening in over 212 cities across the globe, visit: http://www.40daysforlife.com/.

This is the 3rd 40 Days for Life campaign we have held in our town, and each campaign we try with all our might to get the media to cover any of our events...always to no avail. I feel certain it is because the abortion issue is so contraversial and the liberal media simply doesn't want to cover conservative stories. I thought the media was supposed to be fair and balanced and cover any newsworthy events objectively??? So why is it that they will cover a gay pride parade, but not a pro-life prayer vigil??? I was so irritated by this discrepancy that I wrote a letter to the editor last night. I'll let you know if it gets published, although I highly doubt it will. Here's what I wrote:

I find myself frustrated that “politically incorrect” issues often do not get media coverage, so I feel compelled to highlight a local event apparently deemed “too sensitive” for the media to touch. The heartiest pro-lifers in Helena braved the bitter cold on October 12th to celebrate the half-way point in the “40 Days for Life” fall campaign. To me, the most touching part of the event was the 2000+ birthday candles that participants lit and blew out as they prayerfully circled Planned Parenthood. The birthday candles represented the number of babies in Montana not celebrating their first birthdays this year. The multitude of candles graphically gave a sense of the sad prevalence of abortion in our country, even here in Big Sky Country. How many birthday candles would it take to represent those babies nationwide who will not have birthdays this year? I truly believe that because of 40 Days for Life campaigns happening all over the nation, next year there will be far fewer birthday candles needed. As of day 22 of this fall campaign, there have been 251 confirmed reports of babies and their mothers being saved from the pain of abortion nationally. Now that seems newsworthy to me.

Remembering Sebastian

Two years ago today our little Sebastian was born and brought to Heaven. The memory of that day stirs up many emotions, but this year I am thankful that some of the sorrow has dissipated and has been replaced with peace. I keep picturing holding his little body, perfectly formed, in my hands. He was beautiful. And now I know how beautiful it is to have a saint up in heaven interceding for our family. I will try to focus on such thoughts rather than the pain of missing him and our 2 other children in heaven. This photo is a painting called "Escort to God" by Melissa Dayton. My friend Denise gave me this print when I miscarried, and it brings me so much comfot to picture my babies being escorted to God by angels. I can't wait to get escorted to Heaven someday and hold each of my heavenly children in my arms.

"The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away,

Blessed be the name of the Lord."

Job 1:21