JOYfilledfamily BLOG

Orate Pro Nobis

October 31, 2010 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: All Saints Day, Mother Teresa of Calcutta 3 Comments

“A missionary of Charity is a carrier of God’s love especially to the poorest of the poor, setting all on fire with love for HIm and one another, a healing touch of God that cures all diseases; a soothing smile of God that warms all hearts; God’s own language of love that all hearts understand.” ~ Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

I hadn’t planned on making any new costumes this year. I was just going to alter what I had on hand from the previous years. When I realized how much altering would be needed, I decided to see if someone wanted to be a Missionary of Charity – Mother Teresa. I’ve always wanted a lil’ Mother Teresa for All Saints Day. I didn’t have any takers so I ~~bribed~~ offered a nice incentive. Sparkles took me up on the offer, of course. She said that she is saving for presents and could use the incentive. Sweetie followed suite.

I intended to make both the girls a Missionary of Charity outfit. However, my boys and I are sick. I only managed to put one sari together.

I put my twist on a combination of techniques taken from Melody and Lacy. My intention was to sew the complete costume but my sewing machine would not cooperate – definitely not user error!

It was a no sew costume made from pillow cases purchased at the thrift store. I always look for nice linens to recycle for our embroidery projects. I had all the supplies on hand.

Sparkles designed her costume for St. Elizabeth of Hungary.

Rose took charge of the other children’s costumes. Papi will be St. Dominic Savio. Rose will be St. Gianna Molla with baby (Dragonfly). (to be pictured later)

I love that my children set their hearts and minds on faithfilled things at this time and are not consumed with worldly ways. Deo gratias!

I had a pleasant and timely surprise waiting for me when I returned home from my photo session. A dear friend sent my husband and I a great spiritual read. Sweetie was thrilled with surprise, too. She can’t wait to read them!

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, St. Dominc Savio, St. Gianna Molla, …. – Orate Pro Nobis

All Saints Party

October 30, 2010 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: All Saints Day, Crafts 7 Comments

We are anxiously awaiting All Saints Day, a time to give thanks and praise for all of the Church Triumphant.

We plan to attend our parish’s Annual All Saints Eve Party. It’s wonderful to celebrate the feast days at church.

Hopefully, I’ll have their saint costumes ready by this evening and I won’t have to pull off an all-nighter.

I did find time early this morning to create hand-painted goody bowls for a friend who will also be hosting a fabulous All Saints Eve party. I can’t wait to ~~have some candy~~ share this feast day with our parish community and friends.

Painted Pumpkins

October 30, 2010 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: All Saints Day, Fall, Pumpkin Patch 5 Comments

We decided to forgo pumpkin carving this year. The girls want to make pumpkin pie with their pumpkins and I’m a bit under the weather at the moment. We plan digging into the pumpkins at a later time, when all are well. For now, I pulled out the paint.

Sparkles decided to paint the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Sweetie chose St. Clare, of course.

Rose played it safe with her favorite JMJ design.

Papi took to a camouflage cross.

Check out Catholic Cuisine for more pumpkin creations.

Dessert & Prayers

October 30, 2010 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Recipe, St. Crispin

St. Crispin & St. Crispian

Oct. 25

Sparkles eagerly requested that dad make an apple crisp in honor of St. Crispin’s feast day. She loves all apple desserts.

We used Charlotte’s recipe since Rose’s favorite apple crisp recipe calls for oats, which we did not have.

St. Crispin is a patron saint of leather workers and is often depicted with shoemaker’s tools. Thus, we found it only fitting to offer prayers for our dear old friend, Pietro a shoemaker. He is in his 90s and is still making shoes in his little factory. He made Mother Teresa of Calcutta’s sandals. God bless his humble soul.

Time Flies

October 20, 2010 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Dragonfly

Dragonfly is already 5 months old. We’ve enjoyed every second but would like the time to slow down.

He loves being outdoors.

He’s two bottom teeth are prominent and his two top teeth are swollen, ready to break through, soon.

Sweetie is our go-to girl for helping with Dragonfly. Her specialty is putting him to bed. She bounces him to sleep on the exercise ball or on the couch. She is a pro!

Parties From the Past

October 19, 2010 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: All Saints Day 3 Comments

We have been attending our parish’s All Saints Day Parties for the past 5 years.

Here is a glimpse of the fun.

2009

the pumpkins were the creations of other saints from church

here are more pictures of…kids dressed up as saints….delicious carmel apples….pumpkin fun

2008

We participated in the Procession & Litany of Saints.

We hosted the St. Germaine’s Candy in a Haystack booth. We hid candy in the hay and each kid/saint was given an allotted amount of time to search for the candy.

Her appearance was such that her stepmother refused to allow Germaine to live in the house with her father’s new family and so she was quartered in a stable and slept on hay.

Saint Germaine died at the age of 22 alone at night in the barn where she slept.

2005

Rose ~ St. Lucy

~~~

A New Season

October 12, 2010 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Field Trip, Pumpkin Patch

Today was a blessed day, Divine Maternity of Our Lady. We were able to visit the Pumpkin Farm with friends and family. We gave thanks for Papi’s wellbeing. He was in the hospital during this time last year with pneumonia in both lungs.

It was Dragonfly’s first visit to the Pumpkin Farm.

Rose was a sweetheart, as usual.

Sparkles and Sweetie were especially fond of each other.

Sparkles was a hard worker; making a bail of hay, grooming sheep, inspecting eggs, brushing a horse and petting the goats.

Sparkles was night-n-day from the previous night when she was put on restrict. Her prayer to her Guardian Angel was fruitful.

Papi liked everything about the farm. Mom and dad liked the fact that it was gated and he couldn’t get far.

These are the days to remember!

Giveaway Winner

October 9, 2010 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Giveaway

Congrats…….

Rose and I have decided to award a necklace to all those who left a comment.

Evann, Gardenia and Jessica.

Please email me at JOYfilledfamily at gmail dot com with your contact info and specify which Marian picture you would like on your necklace.

Pax Christi, Lena & Rose

~To Jesus Through Mary~

Our Lady of Good Remedy GIVEAWAY

October 7, 2010 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Giveaway, Marian, Our Lady of Good Remedy

The Solemnity of Our Lady of Good Remedy is celebrated on October 8.

Our Lady of Good Remedy, holding her Divine Son Jesus, handing a bag of money to St. John de Matha. Her Feast Day is celebrated on October 8^th.

800 years ago Christians were being captured and sold into slavery by the thousands, and nobody knew what to do about it; Then,in the year 1198 a man had an idea. John de Matha founded the Trinitarians to go to the slave markets, buy the Christian slaves, and set them free. To carry out this plan, the Trinitarians needed large amounts of money. So, they placed their fund-raising efforts under the patronage of Mary. They were so successful that, over the centuries, the Trinitarians were able to free thousands and thousands of people, and to return them safely home. In gratitude for her miraculous assistance, St. John de Matha honored Mary with the tide of Our Lady of Good Remedy. This ancient devotion is widely known in Europe and Latin America, and the Church celebrates her feast day on October 8. Our Lady of Good Remedy is depicted as the Virgin Mary handing a bag of money to St. John de Matha. When in need, invoke the aid of Our Lady of Good Remedy, and you will surely experience the power of her intercession.

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Since I officially started blogging, a little over a year ago, I have won 4 giveaways. In fact, the first giveaway was the first “prize” I can recall winning, ever! More on that later.

Rose and I have planned a giveaway in honor of this Marian feast day. The blessed winner will receive a custom tile necklace of Our Lady of the Rosary.

It’s our way of spreading our love for the devotion to Mary & giving back to all those who offer us inspiration to building a faithfilled domestic church, (Ecclesia domestica).

the tile necklace may vary from the above creation

You can earn 4 entries to this giveaway.*

To Enter:

*Leave a comment telling us about your favorite Marian devotion, feast day, etc….

*Become a follower of JOYfilledfamily blog, then comment on THIS post that you did.

*Post this giveaway on your blog, then come back here and leave a comment on THIS post telling us that you posted to your blog.

*Post this giveaway on Facebook, then come back here and leave a comment on THIS post telling us that you posted to FB.

*Each entry needs a separate comment.

The winner will be selected by a random generator.

Thanks and Good Bless!

Giveaway closes Friday, October 8th @ 11:59 pm PST.

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Novena – Our Lady of Good Remedy

DEAR LADY OF GOOD REMEDY, source of unfailing help, thy compassionate heart knows a remedy for every affliction and misery we encounter in life. Help me with thy prayers and intercession to find a remedy for my problems and needs, especially for… (Indicate your special intentions here).
On my part, O loving Mother, I pledge myself to a more intensely Christian lifestyle, to a more careful observance of the laws of God, to be more conscientious in fulfilling the obligations of my state in life, and to strive to be a source of healing in this broken world of ours.
Dear Lady of Good Remedy, be ever present to me, and through thy intercession, may I enjoy health of body and peace of mind, and grow stronger in the faith and in the love of thy Son, Jesus.

Our Lady of Good Remedy, Ora pro nobis.

A Homeschooling Mom’s Best Friend

October 6, 2010 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Homeschooling

My sis told me about an inexpensive laminator being sold at Costco since we both have one our wish list. I’ve been sloooowly saving for my dream machine but decided I couldn’t pass up this machine.

I bought it last week and can’t stop using it. It’s my back-to school present from the Headmaster. ; )

The laminating machine is not listed on the Costco website. Be sure to call your store before making a special trip. I tried a Costco on my way home from Mass (in another town) and their shipment of laminators had not arrived.

It is a Purple Cow laminator for $18.XX at Costco. It comes with 100 laminating pouches. The rest of the details can be found here.

I love purchasing items like this from Costco because of their excellent return policy for defective products. No worries though, it’s a gem.

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