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