Rose – Page 2

Chorister

February 4, 2013 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Music, Rose, Sparkles 4 Comments

Rose and Sparkles received a ribbon and medal for their Chorister advancement on the feast of the Purification.

The annual Conferral of Medals and Ribbons of the Royal School of Church Music took place at our parish. Ten new choristers, including Sparkles, received the medal of the Royal School which represents two years of hard work in sight-singing, music theory, voice production and Gregorian Chant. Others received various colored ribbons representing further work and testing in the Chorister Training Program of the Royal School. Rose received her Purple Ribbon, signifying that she has successfully completed the entire training program. Deo Gratias!

Flower bouquet from Sparkles’ Nina

~~~

And by such music we express the spiritual joy of our hearts in this heavenly function, and excite ourselves therein to holy jubilation and devotion. Divine love and praise are the work of the heart, without which all words or exterior signs are hypocrisy and mockery. Yet as we are bound to consecrate to God our voices and all our organs and faculties, and all creatures which we use, so we ought to employ them all in magnifying his sanctity, greatness, and glory, and sometimes to accompany our interior affections of devotion with the most expressive exterior signs. ~Taken from Vol. III of "The Lives or the Fathers, Martyrs and Other Principal Saints" by the Rev. Alban Butler

What every homeschooling parent wants to hear…

January 18, 2013 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: College, Homeschooling, Rose, Rose GFG

…Ave Maria and congratulations! We are pleased to notify you that you have been accepted as a student of (desired college).

Rose has been accepted to a wonderful Catholic college! We are all offering prayers of thanksgiving for this very special blessing. Our Lady of Bethlehem, pray for us!

Our homeschooling unofficially started when when Rose was first born and it went into full throttle when she was 6/7 years old, in third grade. It’s been slightly over eleven years of “official” homeschooling for us. Our goal has always been to give Glory to God, foster family relations, and provide a sound education (according to God’s plan for us). Dad and I have always encouraged further education but were persistent that college is NOT the only way to go. The emphasize has always been on following God’s call.

Yet more has He done for you! He bestowed on you the inestimable benefit of a thoroughly good training. Under the parental roof the inexhaustible love of a tender mother, the wholesome severity of a judicious father, worked together, with the blessing of God, to educate you wisely and well. Perhaps you have also been fortunate enough to finish your studies in some excellent Catholic academy or college. Thus has God given proof of His special love and care for you. Be grateful to Him, love and serve Him!

~ Fr. Lasance, Catholic Girls’ Guide

As a family, we discerned some options for Rose as she focused on wrapping up her homeschool years. It was determined that it would be necessary to complete a college application to keep her options open as we continued our discernment. She did just that.

The discernment continues with another viable option to consider. DEO GRATIAS!! We now pray for further direction and His providence as Rose seeks God’s will.

We will make the announcement of the Catholic college once Rose formally accepts or declines the acceptance.

~~~

May Rose be a true follower of CHRIST, always.

“True followers of Christ were meant to be at odds with the world: The pure of heart will be laughed at by the Freudians; the meek will be scorned by the Marxists; the humble will be walked on by the go-getters; the liberal Sadducees will call them reactionaries; the reactionary Pharisees will call them liberals.”

~ Archbishop Fulton Sheen

Christmas Masquerade Ball {pretty, happy, funny, real}

December 13, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: {phfr}, Christmas, Rose, Rose GFG

pretty

Rose enjoyed a blessed time with friends at a Christmas Masquerade Ball. It was a beautiful, wholesome, and blessed evening hosted by fellow parishioners. ALL FOR!

happy

funny

The girls wanted to take a picture with their sis. Papi refused to get in on the group pic – he wanted a pic with rose, only. Dragonfly was out cold, recuperating from his five day stay with Nana & Papa due to our recent Advent blessings.

real

Rose had a blessed date night with Dad on 12.2. Two days later (on 12.4) he had a serious accident (fall off a ladder). By His grace Dad was able to see Rose off for her Christmas Masquerade Ball (12.7).

We have much to be thankful this Advent.

~~~

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

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

Rose’s Senior Pictures

October 10, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Homeschooling, Rose, Rose GFG

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.

My MarchBaby

March 26, 2012 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Lent, Pro-Life, Rose, Rose GFG

My MarchBaby and I went to view OctoberBaby for our birthday ~~retreat~~ date night. We invited friends, another mother and her two teen daughters. Dad and I usually do not permit any social dates during Lent but we thought that this occasion and cause warranted an exception.

I opted for this simplified birthday retreat as soon as March rolled in. The budget was already stretched and a heavy heart was made.

It was much more than just a retreat. It was an almsgiving of sorts. Dad and I knew that we would eventually watch OctoberBaby but we wanted to make a difference. We wanted to send a message to the entertainment industry that there are people out there who want wholesome movies and are willing to support a prolife message.

October Baby jumped into the overall top 10 despite its screen count, taking in $1,718,427….The film’s total is actually now $1,917,869… -IndieWire.com

OctoberBaby is a powerful movie that hit me on many levels. It had a similar impact on Rose and her girlfriends. I encourage all teens, parents, youth ministers,…all prolifers to take the time and money to view this movie.

~ Fr. Lasance, Catholic Girls’ Guide

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

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