The Dominican Sisters Appearing on Oprah Tomorrow (2/9/10)

Hey People: Is the Duggar Family Too Big or Are Our Hearts Too Small?

The Treasure Hunt

As a mother of many children, attending the divine services is a matter of constant movement. My arms are rarely empty and, as far as I can recollect, I have never ended a service standing in the same spot in which I began. Long ago I let go of the naive notion that the distraction of caring for young children amounted to missing the spiritual benefit of attending the services. Quite the contrary. The situation of having my will repeatedly cut off has proven far more profitable than the peace and quiet that I desire.

Women shall be saved in childbearing (1 Timothy 2:15).

Yes, she will be given the opportunity to learn to live for another person besides herself.

My spiritual father often reminds me that mothers must learn to be creative in prayer. It's a matter of taking utter chaos and, by God's grace, using it to affect the ordering one's heart. This is the creativity of motherhood. Nursing a sick child in the middle of the night becomes an opportunity to keep vigil. The repeated interruption of a meal in order to serve a hungry child becomes an opportunity to fast. An overflowing basket of laundry becomes a reminder to pray for each member of the family as each piece of clothing is folded and put away. Little ways to capture grace in the smallest of moments.

I spent the first decade of motherhood waiting for a moment of quiet. As soon as the children are older, I can pray. As soon as the house is clean and organized, I can be at peace. As soon as we get through this trying time, then I can be the kind of wife and mother that I truly want to be.

Always missing the opportunity to engage the present moment and instead, living for an imaginary one.

The older I get, the more the present moment becomes a treasure hunt. Where is it? Where is the grace of this moment? God is here. Where is He in this moment? While I used to hunt for quiet, I now spend my time as a mother learning to listen amid the noise and have made it a practice to creatively search for any opportunity to catch a brief spiritual word of encouragement.

It's amazing how much better you can hear the quiet of God's voice when the noise of one's complaining ceases.

For instance, if I had to guess, I would say that on average I typically hear about five minutes of a 20 minute homily on any given Sunday. Yet God is infinitely creative and somehow that brief word proves to be the one that I most needed.

My five minutes today were probably more like two. Nevertheless, having no idea of the context in which they were posed, I found something to ponder in these questions:

When my children are disobedient do I first stop and pray for them? Does my pain of heart lie in that they are doing something that might cause them to loose the grace of God? Or does my irritation rest in that they have not done my will?

I wonder how a family would be blessed if a mother were to keep a watch over her heart, constantly asking these three questions of herself.

I think I'll test it and see. With God as my helper.

And the treasure hunt continues.

Thanks, Evlogia!

Also be sure to sign the petition to support CBS and its decision to air the Tim Tebow ad. Learn more about it at Life Site News.com.

FOR TODAY...January 27, 2010

Outside my window... the sun is finally shining! Yay!

I am thinking... it's been a really long time since I've posted anything on the blog!

I am thankful ... that Brian is feeling a lot better and is able to return to work.

I am wearing... my cozies.

I am remembering... that I need to call my mom before she flies out to VA to help out my about-to-give-birth sis.

I am going... to burn my mouth on this soup if I don't let it cool down more.

I am reading...Black as Night: A Fairy Tale Retold by Regina Doman and Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul by John Eldredge.

I am hoping... to get some serious spring cleaning done.

I am hearing... John-Paul's breathing coming from the baby monitor.

On my mind... the upcoming construction to convert the garage into another bedroom.

Noticing that... I forgot to recharge my iphone.

From the kitchen... I see a big bag of tomatoes that doesn't know if it wants to be a batch of marinara sauce or salsa.

Around the house... are Thomas the Train engines.

One of my favorite things... an email from an old friend that you were just thinking about.

Pondering these words... A tweet I read this morning: "You can't EXPECT to get a woman like Mary if you're not willing to step up and be a man like Joseph."

From my picture journal... John-Paul turned 5 months old this week. Here he is having his first baby cereal.

There are a number of charitable organizations accepting donations for the people of Haiti. It seems the most common and easiest way to donate is to text "Haiti" to 90999 which will send $10 to the Red Cross. 100% of your donation passes through to the Red Cross for Haiti relief. Your cell carrier keeps nothing.

There are also a number of Catholic organizations giving aid. You can find a list of them here - CNS: Catholic Aid Agencies Accept Donations for Haitian Quake Relief.

Here is a Christmas reflection from Brian's blog.

A Christmas Reflection

Eternal Word of the Father
Heavenly Light dispelling all darkness and gloom
Come, Come and enter our hearts

Holy baby of Bethlehem
God with us!
Pure and undefiled
Love Incarnate

We worship You!
We praise You!
We adore You!

Little One, lying in a manger
Poor and humble
Have mercy on us!

Baby Jesus, Son of Mary
Conquer our richness with Your Holy Poverty
Conquer our pride with Your Holy Humility

Light of the world
On Christmas Day
clothe us with peace, joy and hope!

Amen.

Hi Bobbi,

Any way to get this information out there? This singles group is recommended by Fr. Benedict Groeschel. People are signed on from Australia, Germany, Ireland, and the USA. Half the group registered are men so far!!!

Feel free to call me for more info! God bless! Thank you and best wishes for Blessed Christmas!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Catholic Singles' Pilgrimage to Fatima & Lourdes March 10-20, 2010

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Join Anthony Buono, Fr. Peter Stravinskas & Ave Maria Singles, March 10-20, 2010, on an 11-day Marian pilgrimage to the shrines of Fatima & Lourdes. Pray at the Grotto of Lourdes and bath in the healing waters; celebrate Mass at the Chapel of the Apparitions in Fatima; visit the birthplace of St. Ignatius of Loyola; walk in the footsteps of pilgrims to the Cathedral of St James de Compostela; visit the stunning cathedrals of Leon, Burgos, Fatima, Lourdes, and Santiago de Compostela. Sample the extraordinary cuisine of France, Spain and Portugal!

Don't miss this fabulous opportunity to meet other Catholic Singles and to experience the spiritual wonders and graces of Fatima & Lourdes! Only $1,999 per person (air not included)! Call Corporate Travel, (800) 727-1999, extension 121, for more information.

Here it is, Carmen! I'll also post it on Twitter!

The "Madonna and Child" cards are blank on the inside and approx 5"x7" folded with envelopes. The cost is $2.50 each or bulk rate of $1.50 each for 10 or more. Shipping is $3 for orders below 10 cards and $5 for orders of 10 cards or more. Make checks payable to Maria Rangel. Orders can be mailed to 310 S. Jefferson St. #49A, Placentia, CA 92870.

Mystic Monk Coffee

Mystic Monk Coffee is roasted by the Carmelite Monks, a Roman Catholic monastery in the silence and solitude of the Rocky Mountains of northern Wyoming. The monks live a hidden life of prayer and contemplation in the pursuit of God. The monastery is inundated with young men who seek to leave everything to pray for the world, in a tradition at least a thousand years old. It is the monks' great joy and privilege to share the fruit of their life with you in every cup of Mystic Monk Coffee.