JOYfilledfamily BLOG

A Phase Filled with Healing

October 6, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Fitness, Health 1 Comment

My last phase update was in May.

This phase extended far beyond beyond my expectations, in more ways than I can list. I prayed to grow spiritually and produce His fruits. He provided many opportunities to go to my knees and always reminded me that this is more of a spiritual journey than a physical one.

Here’s the quick run down of this phase.

weight loss
lost training partner due to injury (Rose)
lost 2 toe nails
injured ankle that took 2 months to heal
gained a training partner and friend–sister in Christ
weight gain
pregnancy
more weight gain
miscarriage
prayer & fasting
spiritual healing
detox
weight loss
complete food overhaul
major lifestyle changes
restored health and relief from long-time ailments (partially due to my new lifestyle change*)
lost training partner due to injury
inspired my Mom to get moving. She participated in the 5k on my race day.
ran a 1/2 marathon (barefoot)

Here’s a more detailed look at my accomplishments that the Good Lord has allowed.

Plan of Action:

put the focus on the journey (spiritual and physical fitness) not the end result (weight loss).

ditched the all or nothing attitude

took it one week at a time. focused on weekly goals so that I did not become discouraged.

Goals:

30 min exercise 3x 2x week in addition to my running program.

passed on the races and donated the entrance fees to worthy causes.

lost a total of 20lbs including all my gains and losses but I’m not anywhere near my goal weight. I still have 20lbs to go.

lost inches.

Diet:

*After prayer and discernment, I made a major overhaul in my (and my family’s) diet. I’ve adopted a no gluten, sugar, grains, legumes and dairy diet. I eat only meat, fish, fowl, vegetables, fruits, roots, tubers (with modifications, of course).

ate small meals throughout they day – before I got into hunger mode.

only water. 10-14+ glasses a day. – O.k., I did add the occasional coconut milk to the list.

In addition to the above, each day of sacrifice was dedicated to a specific intention – many of which were provided by fellow bloggers.

I’m still re-grouping at this time and I’m not sure where I’ll go from here. I pray to remain focused on my ultimate goal, to glorify Him!

~~~

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

~Proverbs 3:5-8

Becoming Right Ordered

October 5, 2011 by JOYfilledWELLNESS Filed Under: Journal Entry Leave a Comment

1.4.11

I decided to forgo my workout for the day since it was my off day for running, I was already off on the classic plan, and I had a house full of sick little ones.

I was going to offer it up and then……I recalled something I just heard on EWTN. Mother Angelica was holding an interview with someone. I’m not sure, it may have been Raymond Arroyo. The question asked went something like this, “How do you know if you are doing God’s work?” Mother Angelica responded, “…does it give honor and glory to God? Is it for the good of the family? What are the fruits?”

I assessed my situation. Dinner was done, the baby was sleeping, the other children were relaxing in the schoolroom with a movie, and Dad was napping (he hadn’t slept all day since his night shift from the previous day). I knew that it would be easy for me to remain on the couch in a stupor but that more would be gained by working out. I prayed that the results of my workout would give glory and honor to God, that I would attain more energy to better serve my family, and that I would become a better steward of my body.

I chose to complete my workout video. I’m not sure what I was thinking. The workout was just as demanding for me as the program. I had to modify many of the exercises but I persevered and completed the workout. My lower back needed the extra stretching.

Tomorrow, I plan to return to the program.

As I sit here and recap about my day and discernment, I’m left questioning my choice to workout. Not that my working out was a bad thing, but, perhaps it was wrong ordered. My family did not pray our family Rosary today. Perhaps a better choice, more pleasing to God, would have been to gather the kids, wake dad, and pray.

Tomorrow is a new day! I will keep Mother Angelica’s simple discernment close and remember the words from my Spiritual Director, “Don’t make greater expectations than we should.” I pray to be right ordered and pleasing to Him, always.

This is NOT Our Home

October 4, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Consolation, Home, Prayers

We have prayed to simplify all areas of our lives. The Good Lord has answered our prayers in ways that we did NOT desire. Yet, we remained steadfast in His providence and He has showered His mercy on us.

We have been brought, once again, to a place of physical and spiritual detachment. It has been met with an outpouring of charity from family, friends, and strangers.

Through it all we have been reminded that this is not our home.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If any one loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides for ever. ~ 1 John 2:15-17

Please keep my parents and the S & P families in your prayers. Their charity towards us was a sweet consolation that has brought us to our knees in thanksgiving. Our God is a faithful God, He will never abandoned us. Trust always in Him and be open to the gifts that He places right before you. They are often in disguise and found in the most unexpected places.

Sancta Familia ~ Ora pro nobis

Living for God

October 3, 2011 by JOYfilledWELLNESS Filed Under: Journal Entry, Meditations Leave a Comment

1.3.11

I’m going to be working on not letting my fitness consume me. I do not want my prayer time to suffer. Nor do I want my time with the children to be compromised. I’m prayerfully going to take each step and remember that, although, I’m called to be fit (take care of my body), I’m also called to lie down my life for my family. I’m prayerfully seeking the intercession of Our Blessed Mother to guide me in this area of my life. May she show me what is too much and not enough. May I follow her example and wholeheartedly serve those who’ve been entrusted to me, without holding back for anything.

I will continue to meditate on the quotes below, I do not want to be disqualified.

~~~

We should not be surprised to find, in our body and soul, the needle of pride, sensuality, envy, laziness and the desire to dominate others. This is a fact of life, proven by our personal experience. It is the point of departure and the normal context for winning in this intimate sport, this race toward our Father’s house. St Paul says: “That is how I run, intent on winning; that is how I fight, not beating the air. I treat my body hard and make it obey me for, having preached to others, I do not want to be disqualified.” ~ St. Josemaria Escrivia, Christ is Passing By, 75

A disciple of Christ will never treat anyone badly. Error he will call error, but the person in error he will correct with kindliness. Otherwise he will not be able to help him, to sanctify him. We must learn to live together, to understand one another, to make allowances, to be brotherly and, at all times, in the words of St John of the Cross, ‘where there is no love, put love and you will find love’; and we have to do this even in the apparently uninspiring circumstances that arise in our professional work or in our domestic and social life. You and I must therefore seek to make use of even the most trifling opportunities that come our way, to sanctify them, to sanctify ourselves and to sanctify those who share with us the same daily cares, sensing in our lives the sweet and inspiring burden of the work of co-redemption. ~ St. Josemaria Escrivia,Friends of God, 9

Forget about yourself. May your ambition be to live for your brothers alone, for souls, for the Church; in one word, for God. ~ St. Josemaria Escrivia Furrow, 630

Defend Us, St. Michael

September 29, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: 09 September, 09 September Saints, Archangels, St. Michael

DEDICATION OF SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

Traditional Calendar ~ Dedication of the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel (Michaelmas Day)

New Calendar ~ Feast of Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels

DOUBLE, FIRST CLASS / WHITE

This feast commemorates the dedication to St. Michael of an ancient church at Rome at a date earlier than the sixth century. St.Michael the Archangel is honored as the supreme guardian spirit of the universal Church. In heaven Michael led the good angels against Lucifer and his rebel angels. The fallen angels pursue on earth that same war against the Man-God Christ which they began in heaven. Therefore Michael continues to direct the battle against them here on earth. The standard-bearer of the Church, he introduces the departed souls of her children into God’s holy light (Offertory Hymn of Requiem Mass). He also presents our prayers to God (Incensation at High Mass), conquers demons (Prayers after Low Mass), and pleads for us sinners (Confiteor).

INTROIT Ps. 102:20

Bless the Lord, all you His angels, you mighty in strength who do His bidding, obeying the voice of His commands.

Ps. 102:1. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and let all my being bless His holy name.

V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT

O God, who wondrously directs the services of angels and men, grant that our lives on earth may be guarded by the angels who stand ever before Your face ministering to You in heaven. Through our Lord . . .

LESSON Apoc. 1:1-5

In those days, God gave unto him, to make known to his servants the things which must shortly come to pass: and signified, sending by his angel to his servant John, Who hath given testimony to the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ, what things soever he hath seen. Blessed is he that readeth and heareth the words of this prophecy: and keepeth those things which are written in it. For the time is at hand. John to the seven churches which are in Asia. Grace be unto you and peace, from him that is and that was and that is to come: and from the seven spirits which are before his throne: And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the first begotten of the dead and the prince of the kings of the earth, who hath loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood.

GRADUAL Ps. 102:20, 1

Bless the Lord, all you His angels, you mighty in strength who do His bidding.

V. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and let all my being bless His holy name.

Alleluia, alleluia! V.

Holy archangel Michael, defend us in battle, that we may not perish in the dreaded judgment. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Matt. 18:1-10

At that time, the disciples came to Jesus, saying: "Who, thinkest thou, is the greater in the kingdom of heaven?" And Jesus, calling unto him a little child, set him in the midst of them. And said: "Amen I say to you, unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of heaven. And he that shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me. But he that shall scandalize one of these little ones that believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of scandals. For it must needs be that scandals come: but nevertheless woe to that man by whom the scandal cometh. And if thy hand, or thy foot, scandalize thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee. It is better for thee to go into life maimed or lame, than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thy eye scandalize thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee. It is better for thee having one eye to enter into life, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. See that you despise not one of these little ones: for I say to you, that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Apoc. 8:3, 4

An angel stood before the altar, having a golden censer in his hand; and there was given to him much incense, and the smoke of the incense went up before God, alleluia!

SECRET

O Lord, graciously accept the Sacrifice of praise we offer You. May it bring us closer to our salvation through the angels’ prayers of intercession. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Dan. 3:58

All you angels of the Lord, bless the Lord, sing a hymn of praise and exalt Him above all forever.

POSTCOMMUNION

We rely on the prayers of the blessed archangel Michael, O Lord, that the Sacrament which we have received upon our lips may always remain in our hearts. Through our Lord . . .

~~~

Resources:

Little Flowers Housekeeping

September 29, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Little Flowers

The Little Flowers group that I lead is up to 36 members. Praise God! This is, by far, the most girls that I have been blessed with in my five years of leading LF.

Currently, my LF group is open to 5-8 year old girls. In the past, I did not have an age requirement. Another mom and I started a group for fellow homeschooling families. It was a Little Flower co-op of sorts.

LF Ice cream social. My youngest LF, Sweetie at 2. – LF May Tea. My oldest LF, Rose at 14.

I have posted some forms and ideas I use to help keep things organized and parents informed.

Please feel free to download and print any of the forms that may be of use to you.

~~~

I host a private blog and Yahoo email loop for my Little Flowers. Both sources allow me to better communicate with the families.

Registration Form – each family must complete this form prior to their first meeting

Info Sheet – includes gen info, schedule, contact info, agenda, meeting checklist and fee info.

Snack & Volunteer Sign-up – these forms are used for ea. family to sign up to help. This is not a requirement for participation in Little Flowers. **

Order Form – spreadsheet used to record orders for ea year.**

** I delegate these tasks to moms. I would not be able to do what I do without the help of dedicated moms.

~~~

Additional LF Forms:

(I’ll be certain to add more forms here as I stumble across them in my archives or create them.)

Just One Drop

September 24, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: {phfr}, Beach, Consolation, Missionaries of Charity, Picture Recap, Relic

“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just one drop in the ocean, but the ocean would be less because of that one drop.” ~ Bl. Mother Teresa

~~~

Mother Teresa of Calcutta is a powerful intercessor for my family. The more our devotion grows to her and the MC way, the more we are drawn closer to Jesus Christ. It is not always easy to surrender on this journey that we are on but the Good Lord never fails to provide encouragement.

There is a quickening taking place in our hearts and home at this time. Praise God that He provided us with three (plus) back to back consolations within the same week.

The first consolation occurred on Thursday. It was followed, on Friday, by the second consolation, a glorious opportunity. Dad and I took the little’s for some service work when a priest (who knows of our devotion to Bl. Mother Teresa) eagerly pulled us aside. He invited us to take a moment to venerate a first class relic of Bl. Mother Teresa. We did not hesitate. (This was the second first class relic of a saint that was privately presented to me for veneration. The first occurred in early August. Rose and I were blessed with the opportunity to venerate a relic of Bl. Louis & Zelie Martin, the parents of St. Thérèse–Mother Teresa’s patron.) We prayed for the intercession of Bl. Teresa of Calcutta and for the graces from God to become a saint like Mother Teresa. We had a hard time leaving and desired to spend more time in the presence of Mother Teresa and Our Lord. We are still glowing from this experience.

The third consolation was the start of the finale. Dad and I used to take a monthly visit to the MC house in Pacifica. We would attend Adoration, recollection, receive spiritual direction and visit the Gift of Love (a home for the dying). On occasion we would take all the kids. Unfortunately, our visits have been limited due to our current situation. This weekend was really no different but we knew we had a choice to make. We were given the graces to say “yes” to a family visit and trust that He would take care of the details. We loaded up the car immediately when Dad arrived home from work and ventured off. We didn’t pre-pack or take the time to calculate for all of our potential needs. Yet, we were all at peace with our light load and early departure. We arrived to our destination after an event-free two hour car ride. (That, in itself, could have been a fourth consolation.) We entered for Adoration and Benediction. Sr. Joselia, M.C. visited with us prior to and post recollection. Her joy, encouragement, hospitality and love was another consolation that has helped sustain us to the present time. She radiated Christ just as Mother Teresa. We were filled spiritually.

We did not visit the Gift of Love since the baby was coming down with a cold and we didn’t want to put any of the residents at risk. We did, however, venture up the coast. Sr. Joselia, M.C. told us of a nice spot that is not heavily populated with surfers. She and the sisters have endearingly changed the name of the spot from Devil’s Slide to Angel’s Slide. It was indeed, the perfect spot for us. An angelic time was had by us all. It was a beautiful ending to a week of consolations.

We are indeed, only a drop in the ocean. We pray to become what He wills us to be

~~~

Burying bodies has become a beach tradition for us.

This was Dragonfly’s beach buddy.

Dragonfly was not fond of the sand or being too close the water. Dad found a solution, he brought the ocean to Dragonfly—Beach in a Bucket.

Someone wants to be just like dad!

Rose soaked in the fresh cool air.

As always, Dad created fun for us.

The little’s enjoyed dodging the waves while trying to fetch the kelp that dad would throw into the ocean.

Sparkles was the first to be caught by the waves.

Papi ran faster than lightning to avoid the waves. At one point he got caught by the wave. He was safe on the shore but fearful nonetheless. Upon realizing that he was safe, he professed to his big sis that he was swimming. This from the boy who won’t go in water deeper than 2 feet.

"Like Jesus we belong to the world living not for ourselves but for others. The joy of the Lord is our strength." ~ Bl. Teresa of Calcutta

~~~

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

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

Summer Swim

September 21, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Papi, Picture Recap, Summer, Swim 2 Comments

(One of my) Favorite Summer Photo(s)

This photo challenge is being hosted by:

More Than Just A Game

September 20, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: CYO, Fitness, Health, Sports 2 Comments

We have re-entered the CYO world after a hiatus. Dad is coaching Sparkles basketball team. Rose is assisting him and Sweetie is tagging along.

Over the past several years, we have been convicted to recommit our Sundays to the Good Lord. Thus, Dad followed this prompting and designated that his team would not be playing on Sundays. He received spiritual direction from multiple sources and covered this step with much prayer. He has found support and opposition in the most surprising places. Continued pray is needed.

2185 On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are to refrain from engaging in work or activities that hinder the worship owed to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s Day, the performance of the works of mercy, and the appropriate relaxation of mind and body. Family needs or important social service can legitimately excuse from the obligation of Sunday rest. The faithful should see to it that legitimate excuses do not lead to habits prejudicial to religion, family life, and health.

2186 Those Christians who have leisure should be mindful of their brethren who have the same needs and the same rights, yet cannot rest from work because of poverty and misery. Sunday is traditionally consecrated by Christian piety to good works and humble service of the sick, the infirm, and the elderly. Christians will also sanctify Sunday by devoting time and care to their families and relatives, often difficult to do on other days of the week. Sunday is a time for reflection, silence, cultivation of the mind, and meditation which furthers the growth of the Christian interior life.

2187 Sanctifying Sundays and holy days requires a common effort. Every Christian should avoid making unnecessary demands on others that would hinder them from observing the Lord’s Day. Traditional activities (sport, restaurants, etc.), and social necessities (public services, etc.), require some people to work on Sundays, but everyone should still take care to set aside sufficient time for leisure. With temperance and charity the faithful will see to it that they avoid the excesses and violence sometimes associated with popular leisure activities. In spite of economic constraints, public authorities should ensure citizens a time intended for rest and divine worship. Employers have a similar obligation toward their employees.

~Catechism of the Catholic Church

Sport is much more to us than a game. It is another means for us to glorify God. Dad is a gifted coach. He has a way with youth. He offers a fun but disciplined approach to teaching sport. He is constantly raising the bar for his players and always coaching each individual. He recognizes the physical and spiritual potential of each player. Most importantly, prayer and adoration is interwoven into Dad’s coaching. He is committed to serving Our Lord! (If you’re not sure where Dad and the team may be on any given game day, check the church!)