Easter 2008

Here's my angel "posing" at Easter. Thank God it was warmer this year.












but after several egg hunts this year, she was DONE...no more eggs mommy-













she wanted to blow bubbles...

My list

Okay so in reading the latest news from the Catholic church I had to respond.
most of those who actually read this blog know i grew up Catholic. I dont detest the church like i used to, but i cannot palate some of the stuff that "they" say either.
And today's list, the updated "thou shalt not" as yahoo referred to it, was actually thought provoking and insightful.

The list I especially like and wrote down to contemplate (I like to do that)
is the List of HOly Virtues:
-Chasity (okay too late, i've been married 12 years)
-Abstinence (turns out i gave up sex for Lent but that's a blog for another day)
-Temperance
-Diligence
-Patience (oh God i hate to even type that word)
-Kindness
-Humility
okay take a moment to let those words soak in. breath in. breath out. now, read it again.
its not like these things are impossible. that's what I like abotu this list. they ARE possible most likely not on our own accord. With God's help,
In the Methodist church, when someone joins the church or is baptized we read a prayer that I find meaningful, and it comes to mind while i read this list-
"With God's help, we will so order our lives, after the example of Christ...that this surrounded by steadfast love will be established in the faith, and confirmed and strenthened in the way that leads to life eternal".
Isn't that what it's about? With God's help, weWILL so order our lives. In ordering our lives, we have to practice patience with ourselves and others.
We have to show kindness to the person who cut us off in traffic,
We have to be temperant, not hostile.
The list kinda blends itself from one virtue to another- not a clear black/white set of boundaries of where one virtue begins and the other ends. Like humanity itself. We are all made in God's image.
anyway, wanted to share these ponderings.

Here's to you, Kristi

In a devotional I read recently, the question was posed,
"Do I take pride in a life of frenzy at the expense of my faith?"
I had to stop, write that question down and have pondered it since.
my knee jerk reaction is 'well, of course. it's the american way'
but then after chewing on it, i think my answer is still yes. but for a different reason.
originally i was thinking i'm like everyone else i know---too much to do, not enough time to do it and rest.
then i thought- no, it's what i'm spending my time doing that i should be focusedon. it's not that i drive Haley to and from everyhting. She does Ballet and her grandmother takes her- so that's not it.
My chief problem is my own priorities. cleaning the kitchen is THAT important to me- i like to get up in the morning and start my day with a tidy house, but esp a clean kitchen. i think i would begin twitching if it's weren't at least straightened, and no dishes in the sink.
but i've also long equated busyness with self-worth, or significance. they are not friends- my worth is not based on how much i do around the house, or how many events we are invited to/ attend.
I also know of too many 'gods' that occupy more of my mental time, than the God of all creation...TV and cleaning up has almost become my hobby- like Martha Stewart is really coming to my house...
Finally, i'm tired. no really, physically emotionally spiritually tired. If i kept my priorities in check, I would better spend my waking hours.