Motto

October 7, 2011 by JOYfilledWELLNESS Filed Under: Journal Entry, Motto Leave a Comment

1.4.11

(this is a response to a post by my friend/accountability partner)

You have a gift for writing. Deo gratias! You seem to say everything that I feel but cannot articulate. Your post on Gentleness led me to revisit the word that has been lingering on my heart.

My word is Charity. I think we have the same application of the two words, to treat others the way He has treated us.

Do ordinary things with extraordinary Love.
Let us love one another as God loves each one of us. And where does this love begin? – In our own home. How does it begin? – By praying together.
“God told us, “love your neighbor as yourself.” So first I am to love myself rightly, and then to love my neighbor like that. But how can I love myself unless I accept myself as God has made me?” ~ Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Thank you for your gentle words of support and encouragement. I pray to have all my JOY rooted in Him so that I do not lose peace over any trial or accomplishment.

Once again, I’m taking your lead. I too, will post the following in my home and all prominent places so that I can be constantly reminded of His call for me. I’m thinking it may even become a new set of family rules for 2011. +AMDG+

Be Charitable.

Be Useful.

Be Gentle.

Be Joyful.

Forget about yourself.

ALL FOR!

**Follow-up**

JOY helps me to better reflect on my internal JOY for Jesus, the JOY that needs to be freely shared with all, especially my family. Mother Teresa has not failed to guide us. it has been providential that our family’s patron saint for 2011, St. Josemarie Escriva, shares a very similar message.

“May you know how to put yourself out cheerfully, discreetly and generously each day, serving others and making their lives more pleasant. To act in this way is to practice the true charity of Jesus Christ.” ~ St. Josemaria Escriva, The Forge, 150

Basic Homeschooling Mission

July 23, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Homeschooling, Motto 2 Comments

I have meditated on my homeschooling journey and mission but none has been as simple as my first homeschooling mission. It is one that has stuck with us and is a daily prayer for me.

My early mission was born when I went shopping for pro-life checks. It was during the early part of my first year of homeschooling. God was speaking to me and I took heed. I bought the checks and adopted the mission – GOD, FAMILY AND EDUCATION.

Prayer – With God, All things are Possible
Reading – Holy Bible
Science – The Earth is Full of His Glory
History – Noah’s Ark
Creation – God Made Me Special
Math – Count Your Blessings
Music – Sing Unto the Lord
Sports – God’s All Stars

GOD, FAMILY AND EDUCATION. This simple line remains our foundational mission. I have to return to it for direction and comfort. Dad is always helping me to remember this early call. I’m in need of constant reminders!

~~~

The purpose of Catholic home schooling is the teaching and training of children at home in order to preserve the Catholic Faith in the family and to preserve the Catholic Faith in our country.

~ Fr. John Hardon

~~~

Here are my past three yearly homeschooling reflections.

Keep your eyes on Him!

July 20, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Humility, Motto, Prayer, Spiritual Reflections

I’m saddened when I hear that someone thinks that I have it all together. I don’t! I post my family’s highlights on my blog. It’s easy to do since the pictures speak for themselves and require few words. It’s serves as my family scrapbook and a way to share my joy. These postings also help me to better appreciate the simple blessings that He has given me. I don’t have the gift for writing and I don’t have a camera on hand to snap me when I lose guard of my tongue, discipline out of frustration, neglect my household duties, or any other one of my many trials –the list of my failings is endless.

I am a miserable sinner, married to a miserable sinner. Together we are raising miserable sinners. We strive to become saints. I pray that we keep our eyes on Him!

~~~

"To me Jesus is the Life I want to live, the Light I want to reflect, the Way to the Father, the Love I want to express, the JOY I want to share, the Peace I want to sow around me. Jesus is my everything."

~Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Reflections For The New Year

January 5, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Charity, Motto, New Year, Word of the Year 4 Comments

It’s a new year and I desire to be transformed, to live each day as though it were my last. I pray to die to self and become a true slave to Jesus through Mary.

A new year, a new creation in Christ. – Time is a Treasure!

A word was imprinted on my heart many years ago…….JOY. I was called to embrace the JOY of Christ and share it with all those around me, especially my family. I’m nowhere near where I need to be but continue to pray for this grace on a daily basis.

I desired (for some time) to add an additional word, virtue to my journey. This word has come to the forefront of my heart and mind for the past several months. I delayed in embracing it because I doubted my readiness and sought perfection with the need to create a JOYfilled heart. Then I surrendered and was reminded that perfection is not possible while on this earth. I must continue to prayerfully move forward and treasure each moment that I have been blessed with, to grow closer to Him. I trust that my new word will help me on this journey. My word is…….CHARITY.

Thanks to a providential friend, I was motivated to take action. She came up with a simple list that summed up our prayers and recent meditations. I adopted it for myself and immediately posted it in my kitchen, for all to see.

Thank you God for sending me Melody, to offer me inspiration and accountability, on this journey!

~~~

2011 Motto

Be Charitable.

Be Useful.

Be Gentle.

Be Joyful.

Forget about yourself.

ALL FOR!

click here to create your own Wordle.

~~~

You too can be inspired my Melody. Here’s a recent fav of mine and here she is at CatholicMom.com.

~~~

“Time is a treasure that melts away. It escapes from us, slipping through our fingers like water through the mountain rocks. Yesterday is gone, and today is passing by. Tomorrow will soon be another yesterday. Our lives are so very short. But what a great deal can be done for God in this short space of time!” ~ St. Josemaria Escriva, Friends of God, 52

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