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Prayer & Fasting

by Filed Under: Journal Entry, Lent, Miscarriage 2 Comments

I continue to fall and He lifts me up.  I trust it is His will for me.  It requires me to keep my eyes on Him.  I can do nothing without His grace.Holy Slavery

I have recently experienced another miscarriage.  This is my second miscarriage in six months, fourth in two years.   I continue to grieve and pray for a complete healing, Thy will be done.  I will continue to journey down this path that He has led me, a healthier lifestyle that will help me to better live out my vocation.

I took some time “off.”  I didn’t binge or completely deviate from eating healthy.  Instead, I accepted what was before me and prayed that it would nourish me in the way that He desired.

I find myself right where I started, physically and spiritually. I am vulnerable and in great need of His grace.

Sept. 2011 – My flesh was weak and the trails continued. I was not able to make the necessary radical changes in my lifestyle. My sad normalcy continued. Eventually, my prayers were answered in the most undesirable way—I miscarried for the third time. My heart was broken and my womb ached. Still, I trusted that the Good Lord was leading me to something more. I prayed to surrender completely. I could not go on alone.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities; for when I am weak, then I am strong. ~2Corinthians 12:9-10

I needed to be in full union with Our Lord. He called me to fully unite myself to Him. I sought direction and rallied my prayer warriors. I went forth to the desert to hear Him speak to me.

I will return to the desert, where He calls me and where I am able to hear Him most clearly. My flesh is weak and my stay will solely depend on His grace.

Please keep me in your prayers.

Ad Jesum per Mariam,

Lena

{pretty, happy, funny, real} Lenten Edition

by Filed Under: {phfr}, Lent 5 Comments

{pretty}

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My littles have become an assembly line for Empty Tomb Gardens every since they I introduced the craft for a Little Flowers meeting.  They’ve been creating gardens as gifts for family and neighbors.

I managed to veer them away from wheat grass long enough to help me with a different type of Easter Garden.  This garden was inspired by Ann @ A Holy Experience.

I love to turn off all the lights and let the candle light of this garden illuminate my living room.

It’s a beautiful reminder that through the suffering and crosses comes beauty – beauty that only He can provide.

{happy}

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Dragonfly initiated his move from closet crib to big boy bed in brother’s room.  He couldn’t be happier. 

He has slept for the past 13 days in his big boy without a fuss – dad and I couldn’t be happier.

{funny}

3.12 papi praying at the clinic

I could classify this picture under all the categories but it gives me a chuckle every time I see it. 

We’ve been praying a hour at the local clinic every Monday for 40 Days for Life.  Papi hold’s a sign when he want’s to and prays from his stroller prime spot when he’s not walking the sidewalk in prayer. 

He used to hold a sign that read “I vote PROLIFE first.”  Papi refused to show the reverse of the sign that read, “I am the PROLIFE generation.” 

Here’s from a prolife voter who is only 4 years old, your baby loves you!

{real}

There is no picture to reflect the reality of my soul.  There is an emptiness that only His grace can fill.

I entered into Lent meditating on the following words of St. Chrysostom, "What folly to leave our goods where we cannot stay, instead of sending them before us where we are going — to heaven!”  This meditation has taken on a whole new meaning for me this Lent as I face the possibility that I have one more treasure going to heaving.  I pray that I accept His grace and truly surrender.  I desire to see Him and all my treasures.

I pray…

Hail Mary…

As for my part here below, I wish for no other than that which was thine, to believe sincerely without spiritual pleasures, to suffer joyfully without human consolation, to die continually to myself without respite, and to work zealously and unselfishly for thee until death, as the humblest of thy servants.

The only grace I beg thee, for me, is that every moment of the day, and every moment of my life, I may say “Amen, so be it, to all that thou art doing in heaven. Amen, so be it, to all thou did do while on earth. Amen, so be it, to all thou art doing in my soul,” so that thou alone may fully glorify Jesus in me for time and eternity. Amen.

~ Excerpt from St. Louis De Montfort’s Prayer to Mary

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{pretty, happy, funny, real}

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

Empty Tomb ~ Easter Garden

by Filed Under: Crafts, Easter, Lent 11 Comments

Almighty and ever living God, whose Son Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene in a garden and called her to be the first witness of his Resurrection:  we beseech thee to bless this humble garden wherein we have a remembrance of the mighty acts by which we have been saved; grant that all those who see it may ponder and adore the glory of the Cross and the mystery of his Resurrection and may sing with joy the victory hymn; through Jesus Christ our risen Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen ~Station at an Easter Garden

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This a wonderful Lenten/Easter project for the entire family.  All ages will enjoy it.  I recently used this as a craft for my Little Flowers’ study on the virtue of fortitude.

The Empty Tomb Garden provides a visual reminder of what we are preparing for during Lent, Christ’s Resurrection.

An Easter garden has three essential features:  a mound with at least one cross to represent Calvary; a stone or stone structure to suggest the empty tomb; and lots of live greenery/flowers.

The children will have an opportunity to tend and nurture their gardens during Lent and beyond.  They can meditate on Christ’s passion and offer an ejaculation while tending to their garden.

We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.
Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.

The grass will grow within days.  It is wheat grass and can be eaten.  It symbolizes new life.

The children will remove the stone on Easter morning and rejoice.

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I found my inspiration throughout the internet and Pinterest.  House of Joyful Noise provided a great tutorial.

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Supplies:

Garden

  • Seed Starting Jiffy Mix ($3.80/bag – 1 bag made 14 mini gardeIMG_1052ns)
  • Decorative rocks ($5.59/large bag of Mountain Granite from HomeDepot – 80+mini gardens.  $1/small bag of decorative rocks from the Dollar Store – 2-3 mini gardens)
  • Gravel (this is used as a bottom layer, not much is needed.  I took my rock from my home gardenIMG_1048)
  • Wheat Berry ($.77/lb – 2lbs – 40 mini gardens.  I found my wheat berries at Winco in the bulk bin foods.)
  • Dessert Plastic Plates or shallow pots ($9.89/100 plates.  I used plastic plates because they were the most economical choice for a large group.  I found my plates at Smart-n-Final)
  • Mini Terracotta Pots ($.24/ea at WalMart)

Crosses

  • Popsicle sticks ($1/150 sticks at the Dollar Store)
  • Brown Paint
  • Hot Glue Gun

Misc.

  • Water
  • Bucket
  • Spray Bottle
  • Hand Shovel

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Directions:

Garden

mix the seed starter with water

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position tomb/terracotta pot in desired location on plate/pot

lay down the gravel on the plate, securing the pot into place.slightly build up the gravel for your hill.

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top the gravel with soil

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cover the entire soil with the wheat berries.  press the wheat berries into the soil.

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add a layer of soil on top of the wheat berries.  press down firmly.  (this step is optional.  it will slow the growth of the wheat grass.)

clean the plate.  remove the wheat berries from areas that you do not want grass to grow.

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create a path from the tomb with decorative rocks.  this represents how the disciples ran to the tomb on Easter morning.

add decorative rocks as desired

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insert the crosses

papi

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The grass grows faster with less top soil.  The garden in the left of both pictures had a thick top soil packed tightly over the wheat berries.

Crosses

Paint the popsicle sticks your desired shade of brown or create crosses from sticks and twine.

I chose popsicle sticks since I had to make over 100 crosses. I did not hand paint each stick.  Instead, I created a paint wash.  IMG_1041

add water to brown paint in a plastic pin.

run popsicle sticks through the paint wash.

IMG_1044bake at 350 for 5-8 min for a quick set of paint

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break off the tips of the popsicle sticks for the small cross section.  break the stick in thirds.

break off the tip of the popsicle stick for the vertical piece.  the round part will go into the soil

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hot glue the cross together

~~~

We made larger Easter Gardens for the home.

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inspired by Ann @ A Holy Experience

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This garden sits on our front porch.  It will serve as a reminder to all who enter that we are preparing for Christ’s resurrection.

~~~

Empty Tomb/Easter Gardens:

Lenten Link Up ~ Catholic Icing

An Invitation to Love

by Filed Under: Uncategorized

“As Lent is the time for greater love, listen to Jesus’ thirst…’Repent and believe’ Jesus tells us. What are we to repent?  Our indifference, our hardness of heart.  What are we to believe?  Jesus thirsts even now, in your heart and in the poor — He knows your weakness. He wants only your love, wants only the chance to love you.”  ~Blessed Teresa of Calcutta
~~~
i thirst
Click on the picture to view the I Thirst For You Prayer

Prayers have been answered and I have been brought closer to You.  You have done so in the most direct way, a complete stripping of physical and spiritual joys.  I ache from the pain that fills my entire being.  I desire only to satiate Your thirst.  I pray that my love is enough.  I have nothing else to give.  I beg You for Your grace and love as I try so desperately to remain steadfast at the foot of Your cross.

May the Blessed Mother dispose of me and this offering, all for Your glory.

~~~

Jesus, love me.
love me in my brokenness
love me in my disappointment
love me in my sorrow
love me in my weakness
love me in my pain
love me in my nothingness
love me in my misery

St. Thomas Aquinas

by Filed Under: 01 January Saints, 03 March Saints, Doctor of the Church, St. Thomas Aquinas

"Regard yourself as more vile and miserable in the sight of God because of your faults than any sinner whatsoever, no matter what his sins." ~ St. Thomas Aquinas

~~~

stthomas

SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS
Confessor and Doctor of the Church

WEDNESDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK IN LENT ~ Feria in Lent

Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite ~ March 7

Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite ~ January 28

Commemoration of SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS
Thomas Aquinas (1226-74), a child of noble lineage, was educated at the Abbey of Monte Cassino and as a youth entered the new Dominican Order at the University of Naples, to become one of the greatest philosophers and theologians of all times, and in his day one of Europe’s most popular preachers and teachers. To extraordinary gifts of mind he added a prodigious capacity for work, complete singleness of purpose, and a profoundly mystical holiness of life. His Summa Theologica and Summa contra Gentiles constitute the most reasonable and comprehensive defense of Christian doctrine ever produced, and his Eucharistic prayers and poetry are enshrined in the Church’s liturgy. He is the patron of Catholic education.

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"Grant me, O Lord my God, a mind to know you, a heart to seek you, wisdom to find you, conduct pleasing to you, faithful perseverance in waiting for you, and a hope of finally embracing you." ~St. Thomas Aquinas

ELT2007120601403336125881_28_aquinasSt_Thomas_Aquinas

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Resources:aquinas1

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St. Thomas Aquinas ~ ora pro nobis

 

St. Julie Billiart ~ Fortitude ~ Hyacinth

by Filed Under: 04 April Saints, Little Flowers, St. Julie Billiart, Wreath III

“Oh, how good God is!” ~St. Julie Billiart
Ah, qu’il est bon, le bon Dieu
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Saturday was the seventh Little Flowers meeting for 2011-2012.  There are only two more meetings to go for Wreath III, not including our participation in the Marian Procession.
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“By union with God we shall gain hearts…. Without this union we will but make a little noise.” ~ Saint Julie Billiart

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SAINT JULIE BILLIART
Religious
Old ~ Feast Day – April 8
Sixth of seven children of peasant farmers Jean-François Billiart and Marie-Louise-Antoinette Debraine. She was poorly educated, but knew her catechism by heart at age 7, and used to explain it to other children. At age 14 she took a private vow of chastity, and gave her life to serving and teaching the poor. At age 22, she was sitting next to her father when some one shot at him; the shock left her partially crippled for 22 years. During the French Revolution, a group of her friends helped organize the work she’d started. Julia was miraculously healed of her paralysis on 1 June 1804, and resumed her work. Her organization became the Congregation of the Sisters of Notre Dame (Institute of Notre Dame; Sisters of Notre Dame), dedicated to the Christian education of girls, formerly established in Amiens in, the first vows being made by Saint Julia and two others on 15 October 1804. The Congregation By the time of her death the Institute had 15 convents. ~SQPN
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I discussed the life of St. Julie Billiart with the girls.  They were immediately drawn into her pious life as a young girl.  The girls also were excited to hear that she was part of a large family with seven children.  Many of the girls come from such a family.  C’s family has 12 children with one in heaven.

The girls could not believe that during St. Julie’s life one could not receive First Holy Communion until the early teen years.

We discussed the specific times in St. Julies life when her fortitude was most noticeable.  Then the girls thought of ways to work on fortitude in their home.  Mrs. D offered an example for the girls to work on fortitude.

“Doing school work to it’s completion, in a timely manner, with a cheerful smile, and to mom’s satisfaction.”
“Fortitude is the moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good. It strengthens the resolve to resist temptations and to overcome obstacles in the moral life. The virtue of fortitude enables one to conquer fear, even fear of death, and to face trials and persecutions. It disposes one even to renounce and sacrifice his life in defense of a just cause. “The Lord is my strength and my song. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” -CCC: 1808

Our discussion on fortitude led us to the craft of the month – Mini Empty Tomb Garden.  I thought this was a perfect craft for the Lenten Season and the virtue of fortitude. (I hope to create and link to a tutorial within the week.)

Jesus’ fortitude that culminated in His death and resurrection.IMG_1107
The girls were instructed to say an ejaculation to the Good Lord every time they water/care for their garden.
We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.
Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.
“How good is the good God.” ~St. Julie Billiart
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The girls created beautiful Mini Empty Tomb Gardens with the help of several moms.  A special thanks goes out to all the moms and siblings who offer a hand at the meetings and to those who work behind the scenes.  This is truly a group ministry.  Praise God!
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We returned to the room for our closing.  Father L gave us a visit.  He spoke about the Lenten Season and took time for questions.  The girls received their blessing and gave Father a farewell.  The older girls of the group presented Father with His own Mini Empty Tomb Garden.
S and her mom passed out the second snack, cupcakes in honor of S’s birthday on Monday.  There are three other LF who will be celebrating their birthday in March, including myself.  Birthday Blessings to all the March birthdays.
St. Julie Billiart ~ ora pro nobis
~~~
Handouts:

Resources:

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“I ought to die of shame to think I have not already died of gratitude to my good God.” ~St. Julie Billiart
“Let us pray more and more that the Kingdom of God may spread everywhere in the hearts of all. The harvest is great but there are no labourers. Let us work at becoming good labourers!” ~St. Julie Billiart
“The good God will give you grace and light to know what is right at the time.” ~St. Julie Billiart
“Days of darkness are perhaps our best and happiest days for glorifying the good of God.” ~Julie Billiart

Getting the Kids on Board

by Filed Under: Clean Eating, Education, Kids in the Kitchen, Lent, Resources

I knew that my family needed another push in the way of healthy eating so I used a gift card to purchase Paleo Pals: Jimmy and the Carrot Rocket Ship.  The book was intended to excite children about a healthy lifestyle of eating fresh, whole, unprocessed foods.

Piper, Phoenix and Parker are not ordinary children, they are super heroes that travel the land helping other children learn about living the healthiest, most exciting, most super lives possible. They are known as The Paleo Pals, and this is a story about how they help out Jimmy, a little boy who is not sure if eating paleo food is even one tiny bit exciting or super. Climb into the carrot rocket ship, travel to brilliant green farms, and live Jimmy’s exciting adventure with Piper, Phoenix and Parker, The Paleo Pals!

It’s always my goal to teach my kids why we do what we do, whether it be our faith, dress, daily diet, or etc…  It’s important to me that their hearts and minds be cultivated to discern what is good and pleasing in all areas of their lives.

I had managed to educate them the best I could since the start of our clean eating.  I would simplify what I was learning to guide them in our journey to a restoration of health and optimal nourishment.  They began to question the food that was being offered to them by friends and family, politely declining when needed.  They even became pro-active and would pack their food for outings.  My kids truly desire to eat what is good for them.   Still, I find it necessary to step up their nutrition education.P2220377

My husband and I found it fitting to incorporate nutrition into our Lenten Plan – Health & Fitness.  Dad began reading Paleo Pals to the kids during afternoon snack on Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent.  He will continue to read it throughout the first part of Lent since it is rather lengthy for the littles to get through in one sitting.

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I have enjoyed listening to the reading sessions and seeing my kids excitement.  They are thrilled to see other children eat the way they do.  The boys are especially tuned in to the superheroes.  There are challenging words and concepts, none of which are foreign to my children.  I did find the book to be a bit on the propaganda side, at times.  Dad and I take the time to discuss the images and story line.Recently Updated70

the littles snacked on their carrot rocket ships – organic carrots fresh from the farm.

There has also been an opportunity to discuss other issues such as attitude, obedience to your parents, giving thanks for what you have, table manners, and other things of the like.  Dad and I have woven in our faith so that the littles can better appreciate why we are choosing to eat the way we are – to glorify God with all that we have, given the means that we have!  ALL FOR!

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my littlest guy has been making some great improvements.  he is slowly venturing away from his pureed squeezies.  wednesday it was carrots and friday it was fish mixed up in shredded cheese, of course.  we’re taking baby steps!

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‘Food’ Purge

by Filed Under: Clean Eating, The List, Wellness Challenge 3 Comments

wellness-plate-better-my-plate-recommendations

It’s Day 3 for the Wellness Challenge in my home.  The pantry and fridge are in need of a quick purge.  I have allowed some items in that don’t belong.  I did so out of convenience and celebration of a feast day—what was I thinking?  I’m offering it up and moving on!

I will be using this check list below to get my pantry back in order.

 

Wellness Mama Challenge – Purge the Pantry

  • As a general rule, if it comes in a package, box or bag, it counts
  • If it contains grains, sugars, chemicals, ingredients you can’t pronounce or has a color that doesn’t exist in nature… it counts
  • If feeding it to a small animal could induce a diabetic coma… it counts
  • If it says “low-fat” or “Heart healthy whole grains” – it definitely counts
  • If it is in a can and has ingredients other than fish (tuna, sardines, etc) or vegetables- it counts
  • If it is an oil that comes from a food that does not produce an oil when squeezed (corn, soybean, canola, etc) it counts

In the Kitchen

by Filed Under: Clean Eating, Lent, Veggies 3 Comments

{pretty, happy, funny, real} food edition

 

{pretty}

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these beauties were waiting on my door step this morning. 

 

{happy}

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these were one of my pre-Lenten requests.  my husband and eldest daughter made these grain-free blueberry muffins for me the family.

 

{funny}

my lil guy couldn’t resist the fresh fruit.

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that’s his hand reaching for something juicy.

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yumm!! this was the perfect apple – juicy, crisp, mildly sweet, and cool.  organic fuji.

 

{real}

Ash Wednesday meal

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~~~

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

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