As I said, the day after our trailer was robbed, Dan's uncle passed away. Remembering that old wives' tale about bad things coming in threes, I was dreading what could possibly come on Thursday. Dan was travelling to Michigan. Would that be the badness? Would something go wrong?
Ah, worry. You come so naturally to me.
It wasn't the badness.
In fact, no badness came on Thursday. Only goodness came on Thursday. I was meeting with a student regarding academic probation and what had contributed to poor performance. As we talked, I felt led to ask about the student's spiritual life (which rarely happens). The student shared that she didn't have one, but really wanted one. It was a great time to share, to listen, and encourage. I offered that if she was ever interested in learning more, I would be willing to meet with her.
It was such a blessing to my heart. I needed that, on that day, in that week. Too much had happened too quickly to have me doubting our call, our place.
In the past year, two very special men have passed from this life. Shortly after both, I have 'divine appointments' as I like to call them (since they are advising appointments), where students approach me in a position of needing spiritual advice, not just academic. These are opportunities are true gifts - treasures - for me. To have this depth of impact and influence, that is truly special to me.
This is what I imagine happening up in Heaven around this time. Our loved ones go to Heaven and get to have a special meeting with Jesus. During their special one-on-one time with Jesus, He says, "So, F.C.," or "So, Conrad, who would you like to bless today? Who of your loved ones needs special encouragement, to hear from me?"
That's what I imagine. We don't know quite know what Heaven will be like, but based on my recent experiences, I'd like to imagine that as we worship at the feet of Jesus - that we get the opportunity to intercede in prayer for those on earth and to converse with our Lord.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Sleepless
Well, it's 4 am here; friends in family in Iowa and Michigan are just starting their days and I am wondering why mine isn't continuing in slumber. This is now the 3rd night of 4 where I have awoken in the early morning hours, unable to get back to sleep. So, I have used the time to pray, to journal, to worry, to read.
Not sleeping when I should makes me anxious. Especially when I am sick - and right now I am recovering from a cold. I took yesterday off to rest and recuperate since yesterday morning I awoke at 2 am and didn't get back to sleep until around 4:30 or so.
Anyway, I didn't really come on here to lament about my present state, but rather to just wonder and commemorate what God has done in the last 6 weeks.
Six weeks ago, our cargo trailer was stolen (which I wrote about in our last blog). The following day, while getting ready for work, we received a call that Dan's Uncle Conrad had passed away. He had fought a long battle with health, and I know that he is now at rest with God. However, that never makes our losses (here on earth) easier to take. He loved to talk about farming, to which I never had much to offer, but I enjoyed listening to Dan and him.
I loved him. He didn't want anyone being bothered about him, or to put any one out (again, like my grandfathers) - and I think that's why I wanted to give him special attention. Everybody wants to be listened to, and that was a gift that I could give.
Dan was able to travel back to Michigan for the funeral. It was really important to us that we go - well, at least one of "we." Conrad was important to and loved by us both; we wanted to recognize his life and acknowledge its importance. We didn't "have" to; we chose to. We honor those in our lives by the time that we give them, in life and in death.
Not sleeping when I should makes me anxious. Especially when I am sick - and right now I am recovering from a cold. I took yesterday off to rest and recuperate since yesterday morning I awoke at 2 am and didn't get back to sleep until around 4:30 or so.
Anyway, I didn't really come on here to lament about my present state, but rather to just wonder and commemorate what God has done in the last 6 weeks.
Six weeks ago, our cargo trailer was stolen (which I wrote about in our last blog). The following day, while getting ready for work, we received a call that Dan's Uncle Conrad had passed away. He had fought a long battle with health, and I know that he is now at rest with God. However, that never makes our losses (here on earth) easier to take. He loved to talk about farming, to which I never had much to offer, but I enjoyed listening to Dan and him.
I loved him. He didn't want anyone being bothered about him, or to put any one out (again, like my grandfathers) - and I think that's why I wanted to give him special attention. Everybody wants to be listened to, and that was a gift that I could give.
Dan was able to travel back to Michigan for the funeral. It was really important to us that we go - well, at least one of "we." Conrad was important to and loved by us both; we wanted to recognize his life and acknowledge its importance. We didn't "have" to; we chose to. We honor those in our lives by the time that we give them, in life and in death.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
February Lessons: robbed
As I sit here on nearly the last day of February, I wondered why I felt so exhausted. Then, I looked back on our month and remembered that it has been one intense month. Thank God it was short.
On January 31, we met with a mortage lender in Tucson and found out what sort of loans we could qualify for, how much would need to be put down, so that we could purchase our first home. What a high! That weekend, I got knocked out with the stomach flu and didn't leave the house for 2 days.
On Tuesday morning, February 5th - we discovered that the cargo trailer my dad purchased for the wedding and my big move to Tucson was gone. Gone? STOLEN. Right from in front of our house. Locked and everthing. GONE.
I couldn't believe it. The best way to describe the feeling felt that morning would be violated. Trespassed upon. Ripped from our grasp. Lost. Alone. Isolated.
That morning, I had read this from Hebrews 12:4: You have not yet struggled to the point of shedding blood.
In the midst of my tears and anguish, I found some shreds of hope as I journaled. Here is what I wrote:
Today, we discovered that our cargo trailer had been stolen.
Frustrating; maddening; scary; disheartening.
We lost stuff: gifts given to us for use in our new home, for our new life together; gifts given in love. [4 place settings of our china; 45-piece set of our 'every day dishes'; the entire Willow Tree nativity]We lost some heirlooms [2 quilts made my great-aunt and great-grandmother; an apron made by my great-grandmother]; some very precious gifts [the ornament Dan used to propose to me].
Things that we won't get back. The good news? The love in which those gifts were given, we have that. We hold that in our hearts. That cannot be taken or stolen from us.
It makes me sad. mad. It makes me loathe this place; compare it to my beloved Iowa. This would never happen there.
The thing is...break-ins happen in Iowa. Would a trailer be stolen out of someone's yard? Probably not. But, is that the point?
I struggle with being here. Only recently have I started to come to peace with putting 'roots' here for a while; to make this place my home. Then, this happens. And I am disheartened. discouraged. ready to throw in the towel.
And I think of today's reading from Heberws:
"Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we press on, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith - who endured the cross - scorning its shame - and has been seated at the right hand of God. Let us consider him, and strengthen our feeble knees and weak arms. We have not yet been tried to the point of shedding blood."
I can choose to be disheartened, discouraged, angry and bitter. OR I can look to my Jesus, my Savior, and find a hope beyond this life.
When stuff gets stolen, our sense of security is shaken - shattered. But, God has protected our lives. And, I believe that He has plans for us; He has plans for us IN Tucson. I believe that He can make good out of all circumstances.
So, on this truth and hope, I stand. I have a God who is faithful, merciful, loving, just; He is Redeemer; He makes streams flow in deserts; He makes love bloom and light shine in even the dark and hopeless places. Come, Lord Jesus; reign in this heart.
On January 31, we met with a mortage lender in Tucson and found out what sort of loans we could qualify for, how much would need to be put down, so that we could purchase our first home. What a high! That weekend, I got knocked out with the stomach flu and didn't leave the house for 2 days.
On Tuesday morning, February 5th - we discovered that the cargo trailer my dad purchased for the wedding and my big move to Tucson was gone. Gone? STOLEN. Right from in front of our house. Locked and everthing. GONE.
I couldn't believe it. The best way to describe the feeling felt that morning would be violated. Trespassed upon. Ripped from our grasp. Lost. Alone. Isolated.
That morning, I had read this from Hebrews 12:4: You have not yet struggled to the point of shedding blood.
In the midst of my tears and anguish, I found some shreds of hope as I journaled. Here is what I wrote:
Today, we discovered that our cargo trailer had been stolen.
Frustrating; maddening; scary; disheartening.
We lost stuff: gifts given to us for use in our new home, for our new life together; gifts given in love. [4 place settings of our china; 45-piece set of our 'every day dishes'; the entire Willow Tree nativity]We lost some heirlooms [2 quilts made my great-aunt and great-grandmother; an apron made by my great-grandmother]; some very precious gifts [the ornament Dan used to propose to me].
Things that we won't get back. The good news? The love in which those gifts were given, we have that. We hold that in our hearts. That cannot be taken or stolen from us.
It makes me sad. mad. It makes me loathe this place; compare it to my beloved Iowa. This would never happen there.
The thing is...break-ins happen in Iowa. Would a trailer be stolen out of someone's yard? Probably not. But, is that the point?
I struggle with being here. Only recently have I started to come to peace with putting 'roots' here for a while; to make this place my home. Then, this happens. And I am disheartened. discouraged. ready to throw in the towel.
And I think of today's reading from Heberws:
"Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we press on, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith - who endured the cross - scorning its shame - and has been seated at the right hand of God. Let us consider him, and strengthen our feeble knees and weak arms. We have not yet been tried to the point of shedding blood."
I can choose to be disheartened, discouraged, angry and bitter. OR I can look to my Jesus, my Savior, and find a hope beyond this life.
When stuff gets stolen, our sense of security is shaken - shattered. But, God has protected our lives. And, I believe that He has plans for us; He has plans for us IN Tucson. I believe that He can make good out of all circumstances.
So, on this truth and hope, I stand. I have a God who is faithful, merciful, loving, just; He is Redeemer; He makes streams flow in deserts; He makes love bloom and light shine in even the dark and hopeless places. Come, Lord Jesus; reign in this heart.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
LAME-NT
What is the most popular discussion during "Happy Hour" on a Friday after a long week? WORK. We love it; we hate; we love to lament about it.
For those working with college students, we lament about the students. In particular, we like to lament about how this generation is SO different from us! We were never self-righteous, indignant, lazy! NEVER! We certainly weren't grade-grubbers. We took the grades that we earned - good or bad.
Well...maybe, a look in the mirror is necessary. http://users.ece.gatech.edu/mleach/myturn/makingthegrade.html This particular article notes quite well the behavior I notice in my students. However, it was written in 1996! That means this way of thinking and acting was alive and active even during the "golden era" of college (i.e. the years 1998-2002 when I was an undergrad).
Maybe I wasn't a grade-grubber...but, self-righteous? Indignant? Lazy? Yes.
It took some really good instructors to work that out of me. I didn't love learning when I entered undergrad - but I did by the time I exited. I didn't know what learning was as a freshman! Certainly, I had learned lessons from life, and I had acquired knowledge from classes. However, my mode of "learning" was to memorize information, regurgitate onto the test - and then, rinse & repeat for the next round. I was pretty good at that. (Even good instructors can teach the the self-righteous out of me.)
Those good instructors introduced me to something new: thinking. Thinking about learning. Defending my decisions/thoughts/opinions with reasons. Sure, I thought a lot. But, I didn't think about what I was learning (in class). This idea of reflecting - of becoming an active participant in my learning (and thus my grade) - this was a new concept. This idea of making meaning from experiences and then applying this meaning to understand concepts - and other experiences - this was new.
I take my role as an instructor very seriously. It is my opportunity to teach my students how to learn; my attempt to "teach out of them" that laziness, indignant behavior...but, I can't do it alone. They have to be an active participant...and so far, I've found that 95% of them are willing.
For those working with college students, we lament about the students. In particular, we like to lament about how this generation is SO different from us! We were never self-righteous, indignant, lazy! NEVER! We certainly weren't grade-grubbers. We took the grades that we earned - good or bad.
Well...maybe, a look in the mirror is necessary. http://users.ece.gatech.edu/mleach/myturn/makingthegrade.html This particular article notes quite well the behavior I notice in my students. However, it was written in 1996! That means this way of thinking and acting was alive and active even during the "golden era" of college (i.e. the years 1998-2002 when I was an undergrad).
Maybe I wasn't a grade-grubber...but, self-righteous? Indignant? Lazy? Yes.
It took some really good instructors to work that out of me. I didn't love learning when I entered undergrad - but I did by the time I exited. I didn't know what learning was as a freshman! Certainly, I had learned lessons from life, and I had acquired knowledge from classes. However, my mode of "learning" was to memorize information, regurgitate onto the test - and then, rinse & repeat for the next round. I was pretty good at that. (Even good instructors can teach the the self-righteous out of me.)
Those good instructors introduced me to something new: thinking. Thinking about learning. Defending my decisions/thoughts/opinions with reasons. Sure, I thought a lot. But, I didn't think about what I was learning (in class). This idea of reflecting - of becoming an active participant in my learning (and thus my grade) - this was a new concept. This idea of making meaning from experiences and then applying this meaning to understand concepts - and other experiences - this was new.
I take my role as an instructor very seriously. It is my opportunity to teach my students how to learn; my attempt to "teach out of them" that laziness, indignant behavior...but, I can't do it alone. They have to be an active participant...and so far, I've found that 95% of them are willing.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Tops in 2012
A friend of mine with a wildly successful blog mentioned the usefulness of reviewing your top posts from the past year to determine what people really enjoy reading.
Without further ado:
1. What’s my season? TWO-HUNDRED EIGHTY-EIGHT views and counting! BTW – this past fall my preceptor and I decided that I am most likely a deep winter based on complexion colors. But, I wear more from the “clear winter family” – and really, what’s the biggest difference between the two? NOT.MUCH.
2. Friday Fail. 58 views. Either you like posts about REAL life (which I’m sure you do), or you were just attracted to that awesome picture of the rotisserie chicken.
3. Holy Thursday. 53 views. Speaking of real life, Christ is life. Message clear: you like reading about real life experiences and reflections.
4. FC’s Impact. 48. Another example of real life – recognizing the impact my college mentor had upon my life, grieving in gratitude for the man that he was and the life he now has.
3-way tie for 5th place
5. DIY Gallery Shelves. 47. This speaks for itself. Since the advent of Pinterest, anything DIY blow up the views. 
…and, in the coming year, I hope to be EVEN MORE creative – so be on the look-out!
5b. Kiesling Kitchen. See comments on the shelves. Cooking is DIY, after all! This even garnered my first comment-from-the-outside-world (i.e. someone I have never met).
5c. Tetanus Tuesday. You LOVE my dramatization of our lives! That’s great because I tend to be dramatic.
Tie for 8th: You like hearing about what we’re up to. That’s nice, since distance separates us.
8. Mother Goose & Michi-Gander. 41 – examples of what a visit to Tucson looks like.
8b. Juno
…and #10: Mini-moon, March Madness…like so many other of the top posts, you like hearing about our life. I’ll keep that in mind and try to post more!
Monday, January 21, 2013
Painting & Wine: A Perfect Girls Night
A few years ago, a friend of mine attending a “wine and painting” night. I saw pictures on Facebook and fell in love. Some day, some where, I was going to paint and drink wine, too! After moving to Tucson, I figured that there must be a place in this city that would offer such a deal. Then, what to my wondering eyes should appear? But a Living Social deal, for half-off a wine & painting class for me and a dear!
I knew that Dan was not the ideal companion for an evening like this. Instead, it would be perfect for my friend/colleague Maureen, Allison and Meredith. Indeed, it was! We had an excellent time and came home with lovely finished products.
We were “assigned” a rooster. While we could have chosen another subject, it was highly recommended to paint a rooster – because it could be easily finished in 2.5 hours. This was my first time using oils – and I really enjoyed it. The experience really brought me back to my high school art classes, the best part of my day. Being able to create and be expressive – with friends – was such a great night & an excellent end to the semester.
First, we outlined the chicken and feathers. Then, we chose a time of day: morning or evening. Can you guess what mine was?
Above left: Allison; Above right: Maureen; Bottom left: Meredith
There was also a couple on a date joining us.
You Can Paint is using this for all of their date night group photos! Such a trendsetter.
Here’s a closer of view of my painting. Today, Dan told me that this is most impressive thing I’ve done (creatively) – since we started dating AND that he wants to display this in his office.
Grandpa’s Pillows
A few months after my Grandpa passed away, while my cousin Valerie and I were helping my Grandma sort through some of his things, I was inspired. While we could have donated his clothes to Goodwill or let my boy-cousins sort through for things they would want, I had an idea of what could be done: pillows. Pillows made from some of my grandpa's old ties, shirts, and handkerchiefs.
Originally, I had the plans to make them in the style of a "crazy quilt" -- odd shapes and sizes. This proved to be 1) too time consuming and 2) not the right design for the materials. After hours of cutting, pinning, and sewing (and 3 football fields worth of thread), here are the fruits of my labor:
First row: the first 2 pillows I made. When sorting through Grandpa’s items, I came across several of the LIFE roses. Grandpa always had a rose secured to his suit coat. The rose represents the Knights of Columbus campaigns to defend the right to life. A fitting reminder of his Catholic faith and life of service. Additionally, I came across 13 of Grandpa’s campaign buttons when he ran for the Iowa House of Representatives.
As you can see, the tie styles span the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s.
The backs of the pillows were made with “USA” material obtained from my Grandma’s fabric closet. It was a fitting choice; my grandpa loved America.
On the left, is the pillow I felt was ‘most creative.’ I love the blend of the denim shirt and the ties. It’s a fitting representation of a farmer-turned-representative.
The pillows on the right have embroidered “K” handkerchiefs, in addition to the shirt/tie combo.
Now, every Kremer cousin, aunt, uncle and Grandma Ellen have their very own “Grandpa Joe” pillow. It such a fun labor of love!
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Why not today Tuesday? ...I love my Husband
I start lists. I write blogs in my head. Only a few ever make it to the screen. I think that for something to be effective, it should be a grandiose, start-to-finish, loooong list. This means my faithful readers only see a tiny portion of the goings-on in my head. Only a smattering of my grand ideas are seen to completion.
I want to embrace the idea: "Why not today?" Why do things have to be perfect and complete to be shared? This is a blog after all - not my term paper.
A friend of mine is starting a "Why I love my Husband" series on her blog, in the effort to counteract the culture by building up - not tearing down. As one in need of practice building up, and rehearsing the good, I'm jumping in.
There are many things I love about Dan. For today, I will share a story about why I really love him.
This morning, we were completing our daily readings and Advent prayers/reflections. Today's scripture readings are from Isaiah and Matthew, and both focus on the Shepherd and his sheep. At the closing of the gospel, Dan said, "Today's readings are brought to us by the American Lamb Council, reminding us to 'eat American lamb from American land.'"
Love.
That man makes me smile...and we fit so well together.
I want to embrace the idea: "Why not today?" Why do things have to be perfect and complete to be shared? This is a blog after all - not my term paper.
A friend of mine is starting a "Why I love my Husband" series on her blog, in the effort to counteract the culture by building up - not tearing down. As one in need of practice building up, and rehearsing the good, I'm jumping in.
There are many things I love about Dan. For today, I will share a story about why I really love him.
This morning, we were completing our daily readings and Advent prayers/reflections. Today's scripture readings are from Isaiah and Matthew, and both focus on the Shepherd and his sheep. At the closing of the gospel, Dan said, "Today's readings are brought to us by the American Lamb Council, reminding us to 'eat American lamb from American land.'"
Love.
That man makes me smile...and we fit so well together.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Christ The King & Rite of Welcome
This past Sunday was "Christ the King" Sunday. Two years ago, I received the Rite of Welcome from the Catholic Church on Christ the King Sunday. This caused me to go back to my "other blog" and remember the occasion. Now, I am sharing those thoughts with you, here:
I wanted to recount a little bit of the Rite of Welcome service. It was so powerful and beautiful - beyond anything that I had expected. What exactly I had expected, I'm not sure. But I didn't think it would be so powerful or captivating. Certainly, Sister Lorraine had kept back most of the details because she wanted us to be caught up in the moment. As a few of us "planners" were lamenting this prior to the service, (because we need to plan to be spontaneous) she was right. We needed to NOT know all the details, so that its beauty could captivate our senses.
As she described it, we would each state what we ask of God and His church; then we would all grasp the cross; then be signed with the cross. Bada-bing, bada-boom, done. So, we thought the hardest part would be coming up with something to say. (Which wasn't that hard, it just required really thinking about, "why am I here?") I said something to the effect of, "to share in the fullness of their faith and for a place to serve, to give, and to love." Of course, I could've said much, much more - but we were limited to a sentence. (see how I joined two sentences with that lovely conjunction "and"? Yep, always getting around those rules, I am!)
As a group (there were 10 of us), we grasped the cross in response to the question, "Are you ready to take up your cross and follow Christ?" Then, we moved onto the signing. I thought it would just be a one-time sign and we'd be done. But noooo...
Our sponsor (someone who is already a member and will serve as a mentor for us through the next phase) signed us with the cross. The priest would read what I am about to write, Mary would sign me, and then the choir would sing, "Christ will be your strength, learn to know and follow Him."
"Receive the sign of the Cross on your forehead. It is Christ himself who now strengthens you with this sign of His love. Learn to know and follow Him."
"Receive the sign of the Cross on your ears, that you may hear the voice of the Lord."
"Receive the sign of the Cross on your eyes, that you may see the glory of God." (at this point, as Mary signed my eyes - I felt such heat and was reminded of something that a friend prayed about my eyes once.)
"Receive the sign of the Cross on your lips, that you may respond to the word of God."
"Receive the sign of the Cross on your heart, that Christ may dwell there by faith." (which reminded me of the time I was in 1st grade and wanted to see Jesus, so I closed my eyes and 'looked into my heart' and saw Him calming the waves.)
"Receive the sign of the Cross on your shoulders, that you may bear the gentle yoke of Christ."
"Receive the sign of the Cross on your hands that Christ may be known by the work you do."
"Receive the sign of the Cross on your feet that you may walk in the way of Christ."
After each sign, I would look out at Mary - and the joy that radiated was incredible. The joy that radiated from me was incredible. I really have no way to completely capture what I felt - but I have never felt so welcomed, so loved, so connected, so much a part of something so much bigger than myself. As I took part in this, I really felt connected to all who have gone before me, throughout the centuries, those now, and those to come.
I truly feel part of the Body of Christ. I know that, yes, before this I was a Christian and I was a part of it...but, trust me, I now KNOW it deep within...that I am connected to the communion of saints, which has strengthened my bond with the head, which is Christ.
To close, an appropriate Psalm for today:
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
Serve the Lord with gladness: come into His presence with singing!
Know that Lord, He is God; it is He that has made us - not for ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise; be thankful unto Him and bless His name.For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to all generations!
(Psalm 100)
I wanted to recount a little bit of the Rite of Welcome service. It was so powerful and beautiful - beyond anything that I had expected. What exactly I had expected, I'm not sure. But I didn't think it would be so powerful or captivating. Certainly, Sister Lorraine had kept back most of the details because she wanted us to be caught up in the moment. As a few of us "planners" were lamenting this prior to the service, (because we need to plan to be spontaneous) she was right. We needed to NOT know all the details, so that its beauty could captivate our senses.
As she described it, we would each state what we ask of God and His church; then we would all grasp the cross; then be signed with the cross. Bada-bing, bada-boom, done. So, we thought the hardest part would be coming up with something to say. (Which wasn't that hard, it just required really thinking about, "why am I here?") I said something to the effect of, "to share in the fullness of their faith and for a place to serve, to give, and to love." Of course, I could've said much, much more - but we were limited to a sentence. (see how I joined two sentences with that lovely conjunction "and"? Yep, always getting around those rules, I am!)
As a group (there were 10 of us), we grasped the cross in response to the question, "Are you ready to take up your cross and follow Christ?" Then, we moved onto the signing. I thought it would just be a one-time sign and we'd be done. But noooo...
Our sponsor (someone who is already a member and will serve as a mentor for us through the next phase) signed us with the cross. The priest would read what I am about to write, Mary would sign me, and then the choir would sing, "Christ will be your strength, learn to know and follow Him."
"Receive the sign of the Cross on your forehead. It is Christ himself who now strengthens you with this sign of His love. Learn to know and follow Him."
"Receive the sign of the Cross on your ears, that you may hear the voice of the Lord."
"Receive the sign of the Cross on your eyes, that you may see the glory of God." (at this point, as Mary signed my eyes - I felt such heat and was reminded of something that a friend prayed about my eyes once.)
"Receive the sign of the Cross on your lips, that you may respond to the word of God."
"Receive the sign of the Cross on your heart, that Christ may dwell there by faith." (which reminded me of the time I was in 1st grade and wanted to see Jesus, so I closed my eyes and 'looked into my heart' and saw Him calming the waves.)
"Receive the sign of the Cross on your shoulders, that you may bear the gentle yoke of Christ."
"Receive the sign of the Cross on your hands that Christ may be known by the work you do."
"Receive the sign of the Cross on your feet that you may walk in the way of Christ."
After each sign, I would look out at Mary - and the joy that radiated was incredible. The joy that radiated from me was incredible. I really have no way to completely capture what I felt - but I have never felt so welcomed, so loved, so connected, so much a part of something so much bigger than myself. As I took part in this, I really felt connected to all who have gone before me, throughout the centuries, those now, and those to come.
I truly feel part of the Body of Christ. I know that, yes, before this I was a Christian and I was a part of it...but, trust me, I now KNOW it deep within...that I am connected to the communion of saints, which has strengthened my bond with the head, which is Christ.
To close, an appropriate Psalm for today:
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
Serve the Lord with gladness: come into His presence with singing!
Know that Lord, He is God; it is He that has made us - not for ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise; be thankful unto Him and bless His name.For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to all generations!
(Psalm 100)
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Mother Goose & Michi-Gander visit
Dan's parents have been visiting us for the last ten days. It's been wonderful spending time with them and catching up. Here's a run-down of a few of the things we've done.
Whew! Tomorrow, they're on the road to California for a few days...and we're going to relax. :)
- Welcomed them to town with a dinner at Reilly's Pizza - wood-fired, gourmet pizza in a revamped funeral home. (You could never tell what it'd been it's past life.) DEEElicious!
- Celebrated my birthday with a home-cooked meal.
- Watched Lincoln on its opening weekend. EXCELLENT. You must go see the movie!
- Took in our first opera. One of my students gifted me with 2-free tickets to La Traviata. It was a first for all of us - and maybe not a last for all of us.
 |
| Dan and I after the opera. |
- Enjoyed being treated to home-cooked meals and not doing dishes....
- Treated Dean to some Papa Murphy's Take-and-Bake pizza.
- Made 2 pies (pumpkin and pecan), green bean casserole, and Grandma's cranberry salad for our Thanksgiving feast at my aunt's.
- Attended mass - 3 times this week.
- Scrap-booked (finally got that wedding one started) and crafted for the girls.
- Watched football (including atteding the UA-ASU game) for the guys.
- Checked out breakfast at Frank's - always a treat to enjoy good breakfast on a patio in November.
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| Good ol' Franks by Day; Francisco's at Night. I got to have 1 banana and 1 chocolate chip pankcake - delish combo! |
- Visited the Tucson Botanical Gardens. Definitely worth many happy returns.
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| Michi-Gander and Mother Goose are enjoying the balmy "fall" weather! |
Whew! Tomorrow, they're on the road to California for a few days...and we're going to relax. :)
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| Some of us have already started relaxing.... |
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