Lena {JOYfilledfamily}

Keep your eyes on Him!

July 20, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Humility, Motto, Prayer, Spiritual Reflections

I’m saddened when I hear that someone thinks that I have it all together. I don’t! I post my family’s highlights on my blog. It’s easy to do since the pictures speak for themselves and require few words. It’s serves as my family scrapbook and a way to share my joy. These postings also help me to better appreciate the simple blessings that He has given me. I don’t have the gift for writing and I don’t have a camera on hand to snap me when I lose guard of my tongue, discipline out of frustration, neglect my household duties, or any other one of my many trials –the list of my failings is endless.

I am a miserable sinner, married to a miserable sinner. Together we are raising miserable sinners. We strive to become saints. I pray that we keep our eyes on Him!

~~~

"To me Jesus is the Life I want to live, the Light I want to reflect, the Way to the Father, the Love I want to express, the JOY I want to share, the Peace I want to sow around me. Jesus is my everything."

~Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta

CATHOLIC Homeschool

July 14, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Homeschool Freebies, Homeschooling

This conference is an answer to many prayers. I had been offering support to a friend who was inspired to coordinated a local homeschooling conference. We became a bit deflated when we realized that the planning today would not yield a conference until a couple years down the road. Within a day of this realization came an email, an answer to prayers – a nearby CATHOLIC homeschooling conference.

Praise GOD! I’m not willing to pass up spiritual opportunities that are offered in my backyard. My spiritual bank is full, thanks be to God, but I know how suddenly it can be emptied. I trust that this conference will yield a nice reserve in my spiritual bank. All food for the soul is welcome!

I’m blessed to have a husband who supports, encourages and raises me up. Dad will be managing the home front with five kids while coordinating their participation at a City-meet and graduation party. Thank you Lord for his humble headship of our family.

I pray that this Catholic homeschooling conference will be fruitful to His Church Militant who have chosen the call to homeschool. I pray that I be inspired to better live out my call, to live as the Holy Family lived – a life of JOYful sacrifice. Lastly, I pray for graces for all the husbands who lead their families to know and follow God’s will. Cause of our JOY, pray for us!

Our Lady of Mount Carmel ~ ora pro nobis

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

July 14, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: {phfr}, Picture Recap, Summer

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~
Every Thursday, here at Like Mother, Like Daughter!

~~~

Sweetie played her last soccer game on Saturday. Her team placed second in the end of the season tournament.

Sweet Tooth (AKA Papi) was caught on camera trying to sneak some candy.

It’s a guy thing! Dad and Father L took dibs on who got to take the first ride on the new mower. Father won, of course.

The girls took a break from cleaning at our parish.

The kids enjoyed some water fun with the home-made slip-n-slide. This is a step up from our days as kids. Dad and I used black garbage bags. We were inspired to bring out the tarp from these dear kids.

Dragonfly can’t have just one. He is convinced that he needs a sucker for both hands.

We’ve been enjoying the Women’s World Cup.

Summer Birthday Gift

July 12, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Gifts, Summer

There’s been a bubble craze in my home since this episode. We have been blowing bubbles almost everyday and couldn’t resist sharing some fun.

I was inspired last year by this display of homemade bubbles. (Yes, it usually takes me that long to get moving on my inspiration. What can I say, it’s one of my many crosses.)

I created this Bubble Bucket as a present for a lil’ guy.

~~~

My Bubble Bucket Included:

White 2 gallon bucket (found at Lowes for $3.27. I personalized this bucket with paint pens and embellished wit with ribbons.)

Bubbles (found at Wal-Mart for $3.00)

Joy Detergent (found at Wal-Mart for $2.97. Add a couple of squirts to the bubble solution to help make the bubbles last.)

Bubble wand (Made out of 1 wooden dowel, cut in half. Attach an eye screw to the top of each wooden dowel. Thread 2 cotton strings through the eye screws. One string will be shorter than the other. Tie the string on each side. Be sure to attached a washer to the longer string.)

~~~

Directions:

Pour some bubble solution into the bucket. A thin layer of bubbles will suffice.
Add some Joy to the solution. You do not need to mix.
Dip the bubble wand string into the solution. Avoid creating suds in the solution.
Pull out the bubble wand with dowels together. Slowly separate the two dowels and blow or use the wind. Bring the two dowels together to detach the bubble from the wand.

Here is a demonstration.

ENJOY YOUR BULLES!

Little Flowers Retreat ~ All for Jesus, through Mary!

July 9, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Little Flowers, Retreat, Summer

This is the Little Flowers room, ready for the 2011 Retreat. Details on the first half of the meeting can be seen here.

We attended Mass at noon.

We ate lunch and had some free time while the workers set up the next station, tie-dye.

Each girl brought a white shirt from home. I had white handkerchiefs on hand for those who forgot their shirt. Rose and I prepared the shirts while the girls ate lunch.

The girls were eager to create a masterpiece for the Sacred Heart of Jesus. They worked in two groups of 3-4. My two helpers each ran their own station. My remaining mom helper conducted story time in the room for all the girls in waiting.

Next, was an outdoor rotation — bubbles. I had planned the second half of the retreat to consist of a rotation between outdoor activities and indoor crafts.

My plan was not His plan!

Father and the seminarians were passing by and I invited them to give the girls a bubble demonstration. They jumped on the invitation and were delighted to share in some recreation. The girls were thrilled to have the clerics as playmates.

Fr. M, Mr. M, and Mr. O became bubble pros.

The gracefilled bubbles were such a hit with the clerics that I invited them to give another demonstration for the girls. Fr. M volunteered to hold the sand bucket before I could announce the object of the game.

The seminarians were beyond excited to have their shot at Father.

Too bad the water wasn’t more refreshing. It was poured into the buckets at the beginning of the day and the 90+ degree temp. brought the buckets of water to a near boil. The clerics never grumbled about the water temp. I made the discovery on my own when I went to re-fill a bucket.

Small things for Jesus!

Father had to leave to attend to his duties as Pastor. He managed to sneak a water fight in prior to his farewell.

Father picked on Mr. O and Mr. M showed no mercy to Father.

Father directed the seminarians to stay with the Little Flowers.

It was a blessing for the girls to see the clerics at play.

The girls got in on the water fun. They even attacked the seminarians, just as Father did, after their competition.

Mr. O graciously played along with the girls as they drenched him and Mr. M with water. However, Mr. O couldn’t leave on that note. He went for the water hose. I gave him a little help.

I distracted the girls with a game of Simon-Says while Mr. O set his plan of attack. The last call was, “Simon-says to turn around.” Mr. O took his queue and blasted the girls.

It was just the refreshment that they needed.

The girls were exhausted and in need of a break. They thanked Mr. O and Mr. M and excused themselves.

They were served a snack outdoors. Then we discussed the Glorious Mysteries and prayed one decade of the Rosary. The girls were to focus in on the most important part of the Hail Mary, the name of Jesus. They practiced showing reverence and bowed when they heard the name of Jesus.

The girls were allowed free-time once they cleaned up. The girls decided to take their free-time in doors. We did not have enough time for my structured crafts that I had planned but the girls were given full reign of limited craft supplies. The littlest Little Flower came up with craft that all the girls loved, pipe cleaner jewelry. The girls used bright colored pipe cleaners and pony beads. The big-sis helpers supervised and joined in on the crafting fun.

It was a blessed day for all.

I pray that the girls grow in virtue and seek to do all things For Jesus through Mary!

——

I received a beautiful consolation that same evening of the retreat. My kids were all in bed and I sat downstairs with my feet up, ready to pass out, as I prayed and shared my day with Dad. I got a call from a parent. She had other business to discuss with me. Just as we were about to say good-bye, she offered me a sweet story. She said, “Before I go, I wanted to share with you what my LF did on the way home…She began to sing, “If you want to get to heaven be obedient. If you want to get to heaven be obedient.” She song this line over and over. She sang it to the tune of If You’re Happy and You Know It.”

I could hear the LF voice singing those sweet words in my head. They were not my exact words from the retreat. They were her inspired words, from her heart. They filled me with thanksgiving and I gave praise to God.

The work I do is ALL FOR HIM. The fruits that are made are ALL HIS. The blessings I receive are returned to Our Blessed Mother, for her disposal. Always, ALL FOR JESUS THROUGH MARY!

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