striving to radiate Him always
My family is blessed to be able to spend All Hallows Eve celebrating the Saints with friends and Priests in our parish community.
I usually make a cute sign out of scrapbook materials to let let all would be trick-or-treaters aware that we do not have goodies. Here is the sign that I will be posting this year.
HAPPY ALL HALLOWS’ EVE!
~~~
Vigil of All Saints
The Liturgical Year Vol.14 ~ Dom Gueranger Imprimatur 1927
Let us prepare our souls for the graces heaven is about to shower upon the earth in return for its homage. Tomorrow the Church will be so overflowing with joy, that she will seem to be already in possession of eternal happiness;but to-day she appears in the garb of penance, confessing that she is still an exile. Let us fast and pray with her; for are not we too pilgrims and strangers in this world, where all things are fleeting and hurry on to death? Year by year, as the great solemnity comes round, it has gathered from among our former companions new saints, who bless our tears and smile upon our songs of hope. Year by year the appointed time draws nearer, when we ourselves, seated at the heavenly banquet, shall receive the homage of those who succeed us, and hold out a helping hand to draw them after us to the home of everlasting happiness. Let us learn, from this very hour, to emancipate our souls; let us keep our hearts free, in the midst of the vain solicitudes and false pleasures of a strange land: the exile has no care but his banishment, no joy but that which gives him a foretaste of his fatherland.
~~~
Resources:
~~~
…Orate pro nobis!
Regardless of what type of birth you are planning, a birth plan is highly recommended. The birth plan is a written record of your desires for your upcoming birth. I have learned that
good doctors appreciate a written birth plan. It allows them to have a clear understanding of you as a patient and your specific requests. It will ultimately lead to better birthing experience for both parties.
A written birth plan should be reviewed with your physician (or midwife) prior to your last trimester. The birth plan will open further communication between your doctor and yourself. The doctor may offer suggestions, denials, and/or seek special permis sions to accommodate you. Always, request that the birth plan be placed in your medical records.
You should also bring several copies of your birth plan when you go to the hospital/birthing center. I usually give the admitting nurse another copy of my birth plan, post a birth plan in my birthing room, and have copies on hand to give to new nurses.
Be certain to review your birth plan with your husband – it is a representation of you both. The better your husband understands your requests, the better he can advocate for you at your most venerable time.
There are many online resources for creating a birth plan. It can all be a bit overwhelming. I have posted my most recent birth plan. This is a birth plan that I used with my first VBAC and one that I plan to use this time around if I opt for a hospital delivery. I had great success with this birth plan. I briefly reviewed my birth plan with my doctor (Asst. Chief of Staff) that delivered Papi. She sent me straight to the midwife once she took a quick look at my desires, stating, “You don’t want me. You want a midwife! I’ll be there if there is in fact a medical need.” Her humble admission and willingness to pass me off for care allowed me to secure the midwife team. My requests were heard and special permission was sought. All of which were put into my electronic medical files so that all staff members caring for me would have complete access to my requests and approval. It was my hospital-homebirth!
~~~
Here is a copy of my birth plan as a PDF. All personal identifications have been removed.
BIRTH PLAN
Name & Medical Number
Mother: ________________ Father:__________________ Siblings:___________________________
We appreciate your kind care and respectfully request the following for our labor and birth.
We recognize that true emergencies do sometimes arise, and we will be relying upon your skill in the event of such a circumstance. We hope to have full communication in that case, with you informing us of all our options. If there are items in our birth plan that cannot be accommodated please let us know immediately so that we may anticipate the change.
No arbitrary time limit, routine induction of labor, or stripping of membranes
Attendants and Amenities:
Labor (Stage 1):
Please do not offer me pain medication. I’ll request it if I need it.
Birth (Labor Stage II):
I’d like:
Birth (Stage III)
After birth, I’d like:
Postpartum:
After delivery, I’d like:
Misc.
~~~
***UPDATE***
~~~
This is day 10 of my pregnancy reflections. I realize that the idea of the 31 Days series was to have 31 posts on one topic within the month of October. Let’s just say that I’m functioning on my own terms these days. I won’t have 31 posts in October but perhaps I can manage 21 more posts before my baby is due – that’s 4 more months for 21 posts.
You can find the other posts of my 31 Days here.
~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~
{pretty}
Mumkins! We made three of these beauts for the RMGS bake sale. I saw the idea on BHG and Pinterest, of course. Here’s the best inspiration/tutorial that I found.
{happy}
Dad and the littles helped prep the pumpkins for the mumkins.
Dragonfly was less thrilled about actually putting his hand in the goo but would take an occasional stab at it, only getting one seed out at a time.
The RMGS Bake Sale was a success!
{funny}
This is Papi at the bake sale. He prefers nature’s candy. I found these pics on my camera when I went to upload. Turns out the girls from the bake sale tied him up in the kitchen. I’m not sure how long it lasted but he didn’t seem to mind. NO MORE FRUIT CUPS!!!
{real}
It’s official, our parish now has a Pastor. Deo Gratias!!
~~~
Melody has generously given me a blog award. I must say,
I share her sentiment…
I must confess that I am a terribly ungracious blog award-receiver in general. They often come with requirements and I usually procrastinate and then don’t end up acknowledging the kindness.
I’ve failed to follow the guidelines for blog awards for far too long. I apologize to all those who have graciously acknowledged my blog with an award in the past – trust that your intentions were added to my prayers.
~~~
This one is for you Melody! The good Lord has blessed me through your blog and even more so through your friendship. I will forever hold a place in my heart for you and your dear family. You have and continue to play an important role in my journey. You amaze me with your talents especially your way with words. You put a voice to my heart’s promptings and provide me solace, knowing that I am not alone. More impressive than your talents are your desire and willingness to lay everything aside for Him.
I will continue to hold you near in prayer. May the Good Lord give you the grace to live the radical life, inspire and lead many souls home.
I too, pray that we meet one day if it be His holy will. Until then, you know my number. 
7 Things about Myself
7 Other Bloggers
This is a tough one for me since I have many blogs that I follow and Melody and Tiffany have already been included with this award. I hope to be back soon with my 7 nominations.
~~~
The rules:
There is plenty that I could write on this topic but nothing more powerful than the healing received through prayer.
My soul is deprived of peace,
I have forgotten what happiness is;
I tell myself my future is lost,
all that I hoped for from the Lord.But I will call this to mind,
as my reason to have hope:
The favors of the Lord are not exhausted,
his mercies are not spent;
They are renewed each morning,
so great is his faithfulness.
My portion is the Lord, says my soul;
therefore I will hope in him.
~ Lamentations 3:17-18, 21-24
I’m passing along a tradition that I just became aware of, Wave of Light: Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day.
A tradition on this day is that at 7:00 pm in each time zone a Wave of Light will move across the country, and the world. All families who have lost a baby either by pregnancy or infant death should light a candle and leave it burning for at least one hour. The wave of light will serve as a reminder that there are those of us who still remember – and those who have not suffered a loss pause to surround us in love.
My family will be lighting five candles this evening in honor of our blessings in heaven.
May my beloved children and saints; Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Teresa Agnes, and Maria Luisa ~ pray for us!
I was directed to this tradition via FB friends and Catholic Sistas.
~~~
This is day 9 of my pregnancy reflections. I realize that I am a few days behind. I’m trying to own it and fight the urge to account my absence to placenta brain our sleep deprivation.
You can find the other posts of my 31 Days here.
Sparkles and Sweetie finished up the base of their costumes two weeks ago. Sparkles couldn’t wait to sew something after her first sewing project. Sweetie jumped on board.
I followed a simple tutorial for a tunic (Bible time costume) that I found on YouTube. My fabric is sheets from the thrift store.
The girls sewed their tunics and are gathering accessories. We hope to have every thing completed by the end of this week.
We opted to purchase the boy’s costumes this year. Originally, Papi wanted to be St. George and make Dragonfly the dragon. I almost went for it since Nana bought Dragonfly a darling dragon sweat suit like costume. Needless to say, I backed out of that idea – it just didn’t feel right having my lil’ guy representing the Devil. Good call, I know. 
Dad spotted the perfect costumes at Costco. We couldn’t pass them up at $24 a piece! It’s all about simplicity in our house these days!
The boys have been wearing their costumes daily since September.
Store up your love bank – take as many date nights as possible while you’re waiting for your new bundle of joy. Date nights will be few and far between for the first few months once the baby arrives.
~~~
I needed this reminder today. Dad came home and s
aid, “Let’s go out tonight.” I was still in my workout clothes from my 6am walk. My eyes were bloodshot and I politely declined his invitation so I could plop myself in bed. It took all about ten minutes for me to realize what I had just done – dissed my husband for no good reason. I give thanks for His grace to help me see things clearly – I have a husband who wants to be with me!
Deo gratias!!!
We had a short and sweet date night to the movies. We had plenty of conversation. Nonetheless, we’ll be certain to take our Date Night Questions the next time we go out.
Gift cards are one of the best gifts to give a couple with a handful of children. They make date nights an easy option without the guilt of spending money. Dad and I love gift cards!!!
~~~
This is day 8 of my pregnancy reflections. I realize that I am a few days behind, four days to be exact. I’m trying to own it and fight the urge to account my absence to placenta brain our sleep deprivation.
You can find the other posts of my 31 Days here.
The call to simplify has intensified with each pregnancy and birth. Perhaps it’s because, with each pregnancy I gain a better understanding of how inapt I am – I can do nothing without Him. He calls me to a simplicity that helps me to embrace my weakness and depend on His strength. It’s a spiritual and physical simplicity.
My prayer life is far from glamorous or saint worthy. It’s merely what I can do, when I an do it, with enough sacrifice that causes discomfort but does not have me stray from my vocation – a wife and pregnant mama homeschooling and nurturing five blessings. I give thanks to God for leading me here since this hasn’t always been the case. I trust that a new season will come my way soon enough, His grace will lead me through anything that is asked of me. I seek to find peace and joy in the moment before me, the present.
We call races and generations Houses; and the Hebrews were wont to speak of the birth of children as “the building up of the house;” as it is written of the Jewish midwives in Egypt, that the Lord “made them houses;” Exod. i. 21. whereby we learn that a good house is not reared so much by the accumulation of worldly goods, as by the bringing up of children in the ways of holiness and of God; and to this end no labour or trouble must be spared, for children are the crown of their parents.
~ St. Francis de Sales, Introduction to the Devout Life (3.38)
My material life is less clear for me. I have a prompting and charism that I am drawn to but I am always in need of direction from my husband and spiritual director since I have the tendency to be too austere for family life with little ones. Below are some of the areas that I am currently working on.
I am far from my goal but I remain steadfast in my journey, praying that it lead my family home and be done all for His glory.
~~~
We all are inadequate to live the heroism of life in Christ, but God’s grace is sufficient to make His power perfect in us in our weakness ~2 Cor 12:9
~~~
This is day 7 of my pregnancy reflections. I realize that I am a few days behind, four days to be exact. I’m trying to own it and fight the urge to account my absence to placenta brain our sleep deprivation.
You can find the other posts of my 31 Days here.
The time has come, Rose is wrapping up her homeschool years. We decided to have some fun after our school photo session.
~~~
We remain steadfast in prayer as she continues to discern His holy will.
~~~
PRAYER FOR YOUTH TO BEG THE DIVINE DIRECTION
IN THE CHOICE OF A STATE OF LIFE.
O ALMIGHTY God! Whose wise and amiable prov-
idence watches over every human event, deign to
be my light and my counsel in all my undertakings,
particularly in the choice of a state of life. I know
that on this important step my sanctification and
salvation may in a great measure depend. I know
that I am incapable of discerning what may be best
for me; therefore I cast myself into Thy arms, beseech-
ing Thee, my God, Who hast sent me into this world
only to love and serve Thee, to direct by Thy grace
every moment and action of my life to the glorious
end of my creation. I renounce most sincerely every
other wish, than to fulfill Thy designs on my soul,
whatever they may be; and I beseech Thee to give me
the grace, by imbibing the true spirit of a Christian,
to qualify myself for any state of life to which Thy
adorable providence may call me. O my God! when-
ever it may become my duty to make a choice, do Thou
be my light and my counsel, and mercifully deign to
make the way known to me wherein I should walk, for
I have lifted up my soul to Thee. Preserve me from
listening to the suggestions of my own self-love, or
worldly prudence, in prejudice to Thy holy inspirations.
Thy good Spirit lead me into the right way, and
Thy adorable providence place me, not where I may
be happiest, according to the world, but in that state
in which I Shall love and serve Thee most perfectly,
and meet with most abundant means for working out
my salvation. This is all that I ask and all that I
desire; for what would it avail me to gain the whole
world, if, in the end, I were to lose my soul and to be
so unfortunate as to prefer temporal advantages and
worldly honors to the enjoyment of Thy divine presence
in a happy eternity?
Most holy Virgin Mary, take me under thy protection.
My good angel guardian and patron saints, pray
for me. Amen.
Hi! I'm Lena, mama of JOYfilledfamily.
We are a traditional Catholic family striving to live for Jesus Christ in everything we do. We pray to completely surrender our will to His and to become His servants. Our mission of this blog is to share our JOY.
This blog serves as a journal of us making good memories, living the liturgical year, and our spiritual journey.
