Answered Advent Prayers

December 6, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Dad

It’s been a record breaking advent for us so far. Sure, we had planned for a grand family advent journey that reigned with simplicity, prayer, pilgrimage, and service. In addition, I entered Advent with several prayer intentions.

In regards to my marriage: “Lord give me time with Dad before the baby comes; Lord give me the grace to serve Dad joyfully, Lord, please free up Dad to be more assessable during my time of need (last trimester and labor); Lord, give me the grace to joyfully accept your will…” God listened and answered my prayers in the most unexpected and undesirable of ways, as He always does. For my plans are not His plans.

I now sit bedside in a hospital watching over Dad while he lays in the Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit (NSICU).

Dad fell off a ladder on Tuesday while doing his normal rounds of yard work at our parish. He fell from 8-10 feet high onto the concrete, face first. Father B was there to assist him. He went straight to the ER for assessment. Rose waited with him while I dropped off the littles with Nana and Papa. The drive was a bit longer than normal due to a storm, 1.5 hrs.

I arrived at the ER to be greeted by a bloody but blessed site, dad wounded in bed while he smiled and joked with Fr. B. Praise God!! Fr. B gave him a blessing before departing, four hours later.

Several tests were run while Dad was in the ER. At about 12am stitches were administered for his face wound. This time Fr. M watched eager to try to offer a hand. It was concluded that Dad did not suffer a spinal cord injury. He was admitted to the Neurosurgical ICU at 2am for further observation for some ligament damage in his neck.

I took Rose home in the morning to help with the littles and get some rest. I returned to the NSICU. More tests, more discomfort, more waiting – more opportunities for us to spend together and for me to serve him JOYFULLY.

We teased that our date weekends always seem to end up in a hospital. We gave thanks for the time together, even if it was kept in silence.

Dad remains in the NSICU for the time being as his bed is prepped in the main hospital. He desires to go home but is suffering from his concussion. He continues to vomit and is too nauseous to stand/walk. His discharge is uncertain at this time.

Dad’s recent consolation arrived in the form of Fr. L. Dad adores Fr. L, his spiritual director. They shared stories and Father wrapped up his short but intimate visit with a blessing. This blessing was much needed. The blessing covered all aspects of spiritual warfare – a powerful blessing for a vulnerable time.

I will be staying another night with Dad – more time together and more time to serve.

Please continue to keep our beloved Dad in your prayers. Please pray that I may JOYFULLY serve him, with my 29 week belly, swollen feet, and tired self. I rely on your prayers and His grace!

~~~

We shout in praise and thanksgiving for…

Dad’s injury – a reminder of what is important and that we should not presume that tomorrow will come.
Dad’s wellbeing – Yes, dad has taken a beating but we are fully aware of just how bad it could have been.
Faithful Priests – bringing His peace, sacramental, and offering consolation at our time of need.
Time together – in whatever form it may be, we cherish it.
Family – selflessly giving their time to take care of all my children on a whim.
Friends and prayer warriors – offering their prayers and acts of charity.
Stripping of self and plans – leading us one step closer to becoming His true servants.
Intercession of Our Blessed Virgin Mother & all the saints – leading to His peace, healing, and a spiritual protection.
His grace!

DEO GRATIAS!!!

***update***

12.6.12 – Dad is home. He has a follow up in four weeks with the neurosurgical team. Thank you for your prayers. We will continue to pray and offer sacrifices in return for your charity at our time of need.

Jesse Tree Ornaments from Swap

December 3, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Advent, Jesse Tree 2 Comments

My Jesse Tree ornaments from Jessica’s swap just arrived!

They are all so darling. The boys put the first two ornaments on the tree right away. We will try to patiently wait for the girls to return before we hang day three.

Thank you to all the crafters/participants. Advent prayers from my family will be offered for each of you.

~~~

Jesse Tree Resources and a Link-Up!

Christkindl ~ Prayer & Gift Exchange for a Friend

December 3, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Advent, Christkindl, Christmas, RMGS 2012-13 1 Comment

“Christ- Child”

Fr. B initiated a Christkindl for Rosa Mystica Girls’ Society. My co-leader and I coordinated our version of the Christkindl, using the Trapp Family model.

Our Chirstkindl will take the form of a prayer exchange with a small gift exchange after Christ’s Birth. You can take a look at our handout, here. Our handout included a prayer for friends, to be used in the case that the girls needed some guidance.

The beautiful thing about this particular custom is that the relationship is a reciprocal one.

The person whose name I have drawn and who is under my care becomes for me the helpless little Christ Child in the manger; and as I am performing these many little acts of love and consideration

for someone in the family I am really doing them for the Infant of Bethlehem, according to the word, "And he that shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me." That is why this particular person turns into "my Christkindl." At the same time I am the "Christkindl" also for the one I am caring for because I want to imitate the Holy Child and render all those little services in the same spirit as He did in that small house of Nazareth, when as a child He served His Mother and His foster father with a similar love and devotion.

~ Around the Year with the TRAPP FAMILY

~~~

Each girl was given a name of a fellow RMGS member, in secrecy.

The person whose name one has drawn is now in one’s special care. From this day until Christmas, one has to pray for her as often as one can. One has to provide at least one prayer every single day–without ever being found out.

Each girl will track her prayers with a Prayer Chart.

The prayer chart can be used in the home for your own version of the Christkindl. It’s merely a tool to help us keep on track – offering a daily gift for Christ among those who are before us.

The girls will reveal their Christkindl at our next meeting, Jan. 5 – Vigil of the Epiphany. They will also present their Christkindl with a wrapped gift, not to exceed a $5 value. The gift is meant to be something from the heart that reflects their prayers during Advent.

Jesse Tree Printed Ornaments

December 2, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Advent, Crafts, Jesse Tree 10 Comments

A Jesse Tree is a depiction of the genealogy of Jesus designed in such a way as to show that He springs from the “root of Jesse” per the prophecy of Isaias 11:1:

And there shall come forth a rod out of the root of Jesse [David’s father], and a flower shall rise up out of his root.

~~~

**UPDATE – I have included a link to a PDF of the coordinating scripture verses and O Anitphon reflections. The links are provided at the end of this post.

Frugality is a necessity in my home. I give thanks for this gift of limited poverty. It has helped me to slow down, simplify, detach, treasure what is right before me, to be content, and to foster creativity.

Needless to say, purchasing a Jesse Tree or any other supplemental has been out of the question for my family for sometime now. I made plans to print off a set of Jesse Tree Ornaments. I love the traditional images that capture the beauty of the Catholic Church.

I had a lovely pre-Advent blessing when I was able to join the Jesse Tree Swap that Jessica hosted. Rose helped me crank out 32 wheat ornaments within two days. Still, I opted to create ornaments from this printable. I also made plans to create additional sets of ornaments for Godchildren and Godparents, for a grand total of ten sets of Jesse Tree Ornaments.

~~~

I slightly altered Michele’s tutorial.

Supplies:

metallic gold paper (for 7-2 in cutouts)
metallic purple paper (for 17-2 in cutouts)
Jesse Tree ornament printable
2 in circular paper punch
2.5 in flower paper punch
scissors
1/8 in hole puncher
glue stick
tape
ornament hooks (24)
gold tassels (7 for the O Antiphons)
ribbon for embellishments

Directions:

print Jess Tree ornaments from Michele Quigley here – Page 1 and Page 2
cutout the printed ornaments using the 2in circle paper punch

cut out 17 flower shapes from the purple craft paper
cut out 7 flower shapes from the gold craft paper
hole punch ea. craft paper cutout (24)

trim tassels (7)
adhere tassel to gold flower (use tape)

glue Jesse Tree ornament cutout to the coordinating flower cutout (be certain that the O Antiphons go with the gold flowers)

~~~

Jesse Tree Ornaments – Gift Set

Be certain to include a copy of the coordinating scripture verses and O Anitphon reflections.

The scriptures are taken from the RSV-Catholic Bible. The O Antiphon content is from Fr. Z.

~~~

Jesse Tree Resources and a Link-Up!

An Intentional Advent

Peace in the Preparations: Advent 2012 Collection

Keep Calm Link Up

Sweetie’s Finger

November 30, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Sweetie

Sweetie sliced her finger while assisting Rose in the kitchen. Initially she was a bit dramatized. Dad to took her to the urgent care nearby our house. Rose accompanied Sweetie at her request. I stayed seated the entire time, praying to not pass out.

Sweetie managed to get her finger glued up and is back to her normal self.

Papi declared her bloody wrap, “A work of art.”

Start Your {Christmas} Novena

November 30, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: 11 November, 11 November Saints, Advent, Christmas, Novena, St. Andrew 1 Comment

This is a repost from last year to serve as a reminder.

Starts on November 30 (St. Andrew’s Feast Day) ~ Ends on December 24 (Christmas Eve)

I created a printable novena card. You may print and share, freely.

An updated printable novena card can be found here.

The following beautiful prayer is traditionally recited fifteen times a day until Christmas.

~~~

St. Andrew Christmas Novena

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour, vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen.

(It is piously believed that whoever recites the above prayer fifteen times a day from the feast of St. Andrew (30th November) until Christmas will obtain what is asked.)

Imprimatur

+MICHAEL AUGUSTINE, Archbishop of New York

New York, February 6, 1897

~~~

May this meditative prayer help us increase our awareness of the real focus of Christmas and helps us prepare ourselves spiritually for His coming.

***UPDATE***

Christmas Novena Chaplet

Thirty-five

November 27, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Birthday, Dad

Dad celebrated his thirty-fifth birthday during the week of Nov. 18. That’s right, in addition to declaring Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012 a first class feast day, he claimed the entire week.

His birthday meal (which never changes) consisted of tiramisu cake, baked chicken parmesan, and salad with homemade dressing.

We have all fallen in love with a new version of the traditional parmesan chicken. I plan to share, soon.

He was showered in gifts. The cutest gift was that which was initiated by Papi. Papi thought long and hard about what to get Dad. He was convinced that Dad wanted a new movie. But it wasn’t just any movie, it was…..VeggieTales: The League of Incredible Vegetables.

We were unable to get away as we did last year for his birthday. We made the best of it and created a weekend in. My sis invited the kids to spend the night so Dad and I could go out and relax as we chose. It was a carefree weekend with only the two of us to focus on.

We tackled our love envelope and reviewed our previous answers – covering our past, present and future in prayer.

Thank you Lord for Dad and another year to grow closer to You, with him.

Jesee Tree Ornament ~ Ruth

November 21, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Crafts, Jesse Tree 5 Comments

A symbol of God’s providence.

I created this ornament for the Jesse Tree Swap hosted by Jessica at Housewifespice.

inspired from here

Ruth and Boaz (Symbol: sheaf of wheat)
Ruth 1:16; 2:2, 8, 10-12; 4:13-14 – RSV

But Ruth said [to Naomi], “Entreat me not to leave you or to return
from following you; for where you go I will go, and where you
lodge I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God
my God.”

And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Let me go to the field,
and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall
find favor.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.” … Then Boaz
said to Ruth, “Now, listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in
another field or leave this one, but keep close to my maidens.”

Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to him,
“Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice
of me, when I am a foreigner?” But Boaz answered her, “All that
you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your
husband has been fully told me, and how you left your father and
mother and your native land and came to a people that you did
not know before. The Lord recompense you for what you have
done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of
Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!”

So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife … and the Lord gave
her conception, and she bore a son. Then the women said to
Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without
next of kin; and may his name be renowned in Israel!”

~~~

Supplies:

Dried Wheat (JoAnn – $4.99/15)
Scissors
Hot Glue gun
Raffia

Directions:

Soak the wheat stems in water (do not get the wheat head wet)
Remove the stems from the water, pat dry
Collect three like-sized wheat stalks to braid
Wrap the end of the braid to meet the start of the braid
Glue the braided stem into place (I also used a clear rubber band to secure the stem)
Trim and embellish as desired

~~~

Additional Meditation for this Reflection

found at Presentation Ministries

“Wherever you go I will go, wherever you lodge I will lodge, your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” —Ruth 1:16

Ruth the Moabite committed social suicide when she insisted on returning with her mother-in-law to Jerusalem after both of their husbands died. Being a foreigner, there was little chance for Ruth to be married and have a livelihood.

Prayer: Father, make me faithful in serving my brothers and sisters in Christ no matter how difficult the circumstances.

~~~

“May the Lord reward what you have done! May you receive a full reward from the Lord, the God of Israel, under Whose wings you have come for refuge.” —Ruth 2:12

The Lord rewarded Ruth’s faithfulness by giving her protection and provision in leading her to glean in the fields of Boaz.

Prayer: Father, by my faithfulness to You, may I give You an opportunity to reward me.

~~~

“The neighbor women gave him his name, at the news that a grandson had been born to Naomi. They called him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.” —Ruth 4:17

Ruth not only married Boaz; she also became the great-grandmother of David, from whose house came Jesus, the Messiah and Son of God. True victory, success, prosperity, and happiness are not attained by worldly means but by faithfulness to God and His people.

Prayer: Father, may I lose my life so I can gain it (Lk 9:24).

~~~

Be like Ruth. Stay with your Redeemer. Abandon your life into the hands of Jesus.

Putting Our Faith into Action

November 7, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: 11 November, Faith, Pro-Life

Alicia Van Hecke has created a wonderful list to remind us that we must put our faith into action, 100 Things You Can Do to the Make the Country More Pro-Life (and Catholic) No Matter Who is President. You can read her list and suggest updates at her blog, Living Differently.

~~~

100 Things You Can Do to the Make the Country More Pro-Life (and Catholic) No Matter Who is President

Not trying to get into a political discussion here, just an opportunity to remind ourselves what we are capable of regardless of the political situation. A list in progress (in no particular order), please share your own suggestions in the comments box…

1. Respond with Love.
2. In particular, keep the post-election conversations charitable.
3. Have children (and read about "The Roe Effect").
4. Support cool pro-life organizations like Save the Storks.
5. Talk to people. Keep it simple. Don’t try to fix everything at once.
6. Work on your prayer life and your relationship with God.
7. Watch how you talk about other people – especially people you don’t like.
8. Support the disabled.
9. Recognize what is good in others (and in our country and in our culture) and thank God.
10. Cut back on expenditures to share with others.
11. Donate to a pregnancy help center (a car seat or even a baby blanket can save a life).
12. Volunteer at a soup kitchen, food pantry or other outlet for the needy.
13. Live your life as a reaction to Christ’s love for you, not a reaction to the culture or the current political situation.
14. Live what you believe.
15. Pray for our politicians and for our country.
16. Remember that it’s not all up to you – you just need to do your part with love and leave the rest up to God.
17. Make friends with people outside your political or religious circles.
18. Cultivate joy in your family and in your community.
19. Adopt a baby or become a foster parent.
20. Help your parish become more life friendly.
21. Encourage each other!
22. Be Not Afraid!
23. Sponsor a needy child overseas (through organizations such as Caritas for Children).
24. Challenge yourself to be a better Christian.
25. Forgive someone who has hurt you.
26. Be a good witness to the Faith.
27. Love those who are suffering.
28. Donate your used belongings to organizations like St. Vincent de Paul Society.
29. Don’t just vote pro-life: think pro-life and act pro-life (to every person you encounter!).
30. Don’t despair at what is going wrong with our world – find what you can make better (and do it!).
31. Empower others with hope.
32. Stock your car with "Blessing Bags" to give to the needy.
33. "Replace Them".
34. Love Your Neighbor.
35. Share your gifts with others.
36. Be understanding, loving and helpful to those who have gotten themselves in desperate situations.
37. Cultivate hope in your own life.
38. Donate uplifting books about children with Down Syndrome (or other disabilities) to your public library.
39. Visit the lonely, the sick, and the elderly.
40. Tutor a disadvantaged or special needs child.
41…

~~~

Consecration of America
Immaculate Mary, most Holy Mother of God and of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we the people of the United States of America at this historic moment stand before you in a humbled condition of love, loyalty,
affection, and thankfulness. To your Immaculate Heart we recommit and dedicate ourselves throughout the entire American nation. To your Son Jesus Christ we pledge to serve His teaching, His church, and to work for His kingdom on earth. O Mary, to you do we flee for protection. Surround the American family with your maternal care; enfold us in your arms. Give to this American land, built on the blood and tears of so many faithful forebears, a peaceful and praiseworthy existence in truth, love, justice, and freedom. O Mary, we submit to you as the Patroness of our beloved country. O Mary, Help of Christians, enfold the Holy Father and the Catholic Church within your protective cloak; be our shield in the days ahead. Give to the Church true holiness and freedom. Obtain for our leaders holy zeal, the ability to face the truth, and the courage to correct all abuses. Stop the flood of atheism, greed, heresy, impurity, lukewarmness, materialism, and selfishness that threaten our nation. Show to those who have strayed from the Church the way to Our Lord Jesus Christ. Mother of God, accept our personal consecration to you and, through you, bind us forever to the Holy Trinity. Gather us all into your Immaculate Heart and unite us forever with Jesus. O Mary, we love you. Amen.
God Bless America!