I give thanks to the Good Lord for a blessed Lenten season full of loss, mercy, family time, and service.
My family adopted two quotes from Bl. Teresa of Calcutta as our Lenten motto.
Never let anything so fill you with sorrow as to make you forget the joy of the Christ risen.
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Do ordinary things with extraordinary love.
Here is a recap of some Lenten happenings in my family.
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Shrove Tuesday 2.20
Visiting the elderly on Shrove Tuesday is a family tradition that was started some years ago with the prompting of a sister in Christ. My family shared this tradition with our parish community this year.
Park Days
kite flying and fence climbing
40 Days for Life
We prayed for the unborn babies and an end to abortion every Monday in front of the abortion clinic.
Family Start-Up 2.28
It’s official! We filed our paperwork for our start-up LLC. We have much more work ahead of us but we are all excited about the possibilities that await us as we grow this family business.
We pray that this business will lead us to financial freedom, be a source of income for our children in whatever vocation that they are called to, allow us to become providers for family as they enter full retirement, permit us to start a ministry, create jobs for families desiring to work out of their home, and fund the call that our Heavenly Father has placed on our heart – All for the greater glory of God.
Loss & Healing
Maria Louisa’s face was not seen but her love will remain forever imprinted on our hearts.
Dad and I were moved to share the reality of our five saints with the littles. For whatever reason, we did not find it fitting to do so earlier. We trust that our angels are not for us alone and we desire for all of our children to form bonds with all their siblings.
Maria Louisa has also led us to further discern something big that the Good Lord has been prompting us to. We pray to cooperate with His grace and move forward with unwavering faith – Ad Jesum per Mariam.
St. Patrick’s Day 3.17
no pictures since there were no free hands
Dad took the lead from Fr. L and helped to coordinate a parish clean-up day. The day started with a Solemn High Mass since St. Patrick’s day is a first class feast day in our diocese. Then the work began with many helping hands. The day ended with a BBQ potluck.
Hair Cut 3.20
I like my boys with long hair but couldn’t tell Papi no when he requested to “look like” dad.
Job Shadow 3.21
Rose participated in a job shadow with the HR department at the University of the Pacific (my alma-mater). She walked away with more than the average participant, the normal goodie bag with a shirt and a job offer.
Birthday Date Night 3.24
Consecration Renewal 3.25
My family made our renewal on 3.25 (Feast of the Annunciation) since we knew that we would not be able to attend Mass on Monday (Feast of the Annunciation for 2012) as a family.
Passion Sunday 3.25
Potty 3.29
Dragonfly started using the potty, sporadically.
Uma 3.29
We got a new family member.
I really don’t know what I was thinking when I responded to the email.
I want to offer an 8 yr old AKC registered chocolate lab. She was spayed last week. She is very calm, does not bark much, and does not chew. She is housetrained, leash trained, fetches, swims, travels well, loves kids. She is really a great dog. Her one problem is that she does not get along with other dogs. I have had to keep her separate from my other dogs. She needs to be someone’s only dog.
This was not planned but she needed a new home and as it turns out, we needed her.
Confirmation 3.30.12
Confirmation was scheduled on my birthday this year. Dad gave me the ok to sign up to help with the reception since he knew that I desired to be serving on my birthday.
Rose and I were in charge of the cakes. We ordered them from Costco.
Rose and her confirmandi who chose St. Thecla as her patron.
Birthday Blessing 3.30
Rose and I received our birthday blessing by our spiritual director, Fr. M. A fun side note, Fr. M is the same age as Dad and I. In fact, is one day older than Dad.
Palm Sunday 4.1
Mass, Blessing of Palms, and Procession
Birthday Celebration 4.1
Rose and I celebrated with family on Sunday.
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AD JESUM PER MARIAM
sarah says
I love the two Mother Teresa quotes. The first is one I have on my prayer dresser/bedside table and the second I had not heard before but is a blessing to me. It reminds me of the Stations of the Cross prayer “Clothes us with genuine love of others, that nothing we suffer may ever fill our hearts with anger or bitterness.”
Your family is beautiful.
It was hard sharing with my youngest about our two little ones in heaven, since he didn’t remember, and it came as a bit of a shock to him.
I keep little baby dolls about the size they were when they went to heaven at the foot of an Infant of Prague statue in my bedroom. It’s a source of comfort to me.
Grace and Peace
Tridentine Wife says
I just love your blog and so happy to have finally met you. You have wonderful, inspirational ideas for the liturgical seasons! Can you send me your email address so I can add you to my private blog? My address is hmaso84 at gmail dot com
Jessica says
Happy Easter, Lena! And Happy belated birthday to you and Rose! I loved seeing all these beautiful pictures. I hope you and your family have a very blessed Eastertide.
Gardenia says
dear Lena, Happy Blessed Easter! God’s graces to you and your family. You have such a spirit and heart for Our Lord, and even carrying your family’s cross of loss this season, you show joy and love. Happy Birthday to you and to Rose. Congratulations to Rose on her confirmation and her job offer !! I love the photos of your little guys holding the pro life signs.
Kim says
Happy Easter to you and your family! And happy belated birthday to you and Rose. May Our Lord bless you all abundantly.
CC Jen says
Looks like you had a busy and blessed Lenten season!