Ash Wednesday

As I prepare to go to Mass today, Ash Wednesday,

there is a slight heaviness in my heart that I know will

become heavier through the lenten season, but eventually

lighten up as Easter nears.

Ash Wednesday is a day for me to contemplate the beginning of our Lenten 

observation in preparation for Holy Week and Easter.

We will attend Mass today as a family 

(however, Mr. Fixit, went early because of work)

and receive our ashes.

These ashes that will be placed on our foreheads

are a solid, visible reminder that we were

made from dust and unto dust we shall

return.

Remember that thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt return.

Genesis 3:19

 Our children will receive their ashes as well. 

The older 2 know of their meaning, however, the 3 younger ones

won't quite gt it, and probably call it "dirty".

 That is okay.  One day, they too will understand the meaning.

We are reminded also that we are to:

Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.

Mark 1:15

 During the day, we will abstain from meat, and fast from extra food.

We will prepare ourselves and sacrifice these small pleasures,

knowing it is for the glory of God.

I will spend more time in prayer, and contemplate the Holy Season that is upon 

us. I look forward to having the children grow in their faith as they get older and

gain more knowledge and understanding of the faith as well.  It brings me joy that the 

children do attend Mass on a regular basis, and can say the rosary, know their basic prayers, 

and are not afraid to talk to their Heavenly Father when they feel the need.

It does sadden my heart that there are some out there that do NOT know how good our 

Lord is.  They do not know all the wonderful things He can do for them.

 

If we have something in our heart or on our soul that needs to be confessed,

there is no need to be afraid.

He can help us in our time of need, we just have to come back to Him. 

He loves us more than we can fathom.

We just need to go to Him and confess our sins, do our penance and not do

that sin again, and avoid sin as much as possible.

God made us human with free will, He knows the struggles we will have, but

He wants us to come to Him with our problems and our joys.

I pray for any family members or friends this Lenten Season that you will come back

to God...I would love to see former Catholics return to full communion with God

this Easter Season, and that will be my prayer as it has been for a long time now.

I know with God, miracles can happen and this can too.

And when it does, I will give Glory to God, and be happy for him that

He has found a lost sheep!

Have a blessed Ash Wednesday, and a very reverent Lenten Season,

there is much for you to contemplate in your lives, so why not start

today???

God Bless, and go get your ashes!

SILENCE

You may be thinking, "Silence?!?  How/when does that household have silence?!?"

Well, I'll tell you when we have silence:

1) when the children are snug in their beds

2) when the children are playing nicely in their room or living room

(yes, it does happen!)

and

3) in the early hours of the morning

As the children in quiet mode, there are things I contemplate...as they sleep, I thank God for how busy they

were during the day, how healthy they are and what joy each one brings us. 

When the children are doing school, playing with their toys and games, or drawing and creating, I see the world through their eyes...the intensity with which they work/listen show they really are interested in what their current task happens to be.

During the early morning, before every one wakes up, I go downstairs, start a fresh pot of coffee and make my husbands lunch, thankful that I can provide a meal/snack to nourish him physically throughout the day.

Then when that is done, I have a few moments to just sit and let my heart open for the Lord to hear or

see what I may not be able to put into "proper" prayer.

The quiet of the evening and morning have become a very reflective time for me.  I am thankful that I have my Thursday evening Holy Hour to be with the Lord and give all my problems/concerns/thanksgiving to Him 

 

with no distractions of the little ones needing help, 

HOWEVER, I know that I can go to Him

even in the busiest moments of our day and offer up a quick pray and He will hear it.

So, you see, no matter how many children we have, no matter how busy our lives are,

you can always find time to have some silence in your life as I have in mine!

My prayer for you today is to find time to sit and 

listen to your heart, or let the Lord listen to 

what is on your heart.

and.....

EMBRACE THE SILENCE!

Weekend is for family time!

As we are coming to the end of the week, I can only say thank goodness.

It has been a long week, with many trials.  I am learning to take these trials that God is giving us

Chocolate World 

2012

and seeing or trying to see the good in them.

Having said that, I am truly looking forward to having 

family time!

We will spend our Friday evening being together in the house, maybe

doing different things in different rooms, but in the same building.

Only time will tell what Saturday will bring for our family to do.

If there is snow and it isn't too cold, maybe a sledding trip

or playing outside.

It could be a trip to Cabelas or Chocolate World, or just

staying home and playing games-time will tell!

 Sunday is a special day for us. We will go to the Traditional Latin Mass in

Girardville. On that day, we will celebrate with Father Connolly the fact

that he recently celebrated a birthday AND Sunday is our

anniversary.

The boys are looking forward to a cake to celebrate their parents,

and I'm looking forward to celebrating a bit myself, nothing big, 

just a cake but that is fine with me!

Christmas 2010, In love

So, as I sign off the blog today, please say a special pray for Father Connolly to 

have many more happy years, and for Brian and I as we celebrate our marriage.

I will pray for you all that you have a wonderful weekend and find time

for some

FAMILY TIME 

time of your own

trust me, you'll enjoy it.

God Bless,

Marie