Beginning Anew

"First do what is necessary, then do what is possible and before long you will find yourself doing the impossible. " ~ St. Francis of Assisi.

Good morning my Lord!

As I was thinking what to do to start the new calendar year, this is the first thing that I read.

Because you speak to me in such ways, I know it is your advice on what you want me to do this day. So, I will begin with what is necessary as I look around my home. There are always many things that I have let go so I will begin with the most necessary. 

Thank you for such prudent advice and for granting me the grace to hear you speaking to me.

"One is never too old to be surprised by joy." ~Magnificat, Vol 21, pg 440.

Another verse that brings joy to my heart, my Lord. Thank you.

This verse was about Anna, who after waiting faithfully for many years finally got to see the Messiah. 

I also experienced the joy of seeing the Christ child, albeit very minutely, today during Mass. I actually felt and saw the Holy Infant.

Praise be to God.

Amen. Alleluia!

Christmas, 2019

Thank you, Lord for the blessings you have bestowed on us. The gift of your son is so special and wonderful. 

Thank you.

Advent Day 24, 2019

The Anticipation grows as the day of our Savior's birth draws nearer. 

Come Lord Jesus, come. I love you. 

Advent Day 23, 2019

Today as I was praying the St.Andrew Christmas Anticipation prayer, I was struck with the sense of how much trust you put into Mary and Joseph.

Father, you trusted them with your infant son!

You had every reason to doubt them, although it would be easier to trust a person who was not subject to original sin, as was Mary.

Still, Lord, it gives me a sense of peace knowing that you are taking care of those I love and have entrusted to your loving care.

Thank you so very much for trusting Jesus to Mary and Joseph and also for taking care of those I love who are in your care.

Advent Day 22, 2019

I have spent many Christmases pondering what gifts would be given me, hoping and praying, wishing and hoping some more for gifts that I desired.

It has been a slow and long journey to this Christmas where I do not desire anything for myself, other than that my family be saved and that my prayers for the healing of others be granted. 

How could I have spent so many years in such selfish desires?

Oh, God Almighty Father, thank you so much for the most precious gift of your Son and his blessed Mother. Those are truly the best gifts ever. 

I also have spent many Advents trying to give you a gift you would desire. I see now how meager my offering is but it's what I have to offer. 

I have not spent the time I need to make it a better gift, so it's all I have to give. Please accept it and know that I offer it out of love.

Please imbue all the gifts I have given with love that the recipients know how very much I cherish them.

Advent Day 21, 2019

Thank you, my Lord and my God, for my life, for my family, for my friends, for my faith. Thank you for sending your Son to be born of the Virgin Mary that we might be saved.

Thank you, Lord for everything. 

Advent Day 20

I love the words Mary proclaims in response to Elizabeth:

"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant." ~ Luke 1:46

I am indeed a lowly servant and in need of a Savior. My Lord, Let me begin anew this day to try to live my life as you want me to and as I dream of doing.

My Lord, please forgive me for my lapses in my Advent penitences. 

Advent Day 19

Oh my Lord!

Please forgive me this day the lapses of my prayers. Help me to do better tomorrow. 

You are the most awesome and wonderful God. I don't deserve your loving kindness and forgiveness, yet I earnestly seek it and want to become who you want me to be.

Advent Day 18

I love you, my Lord.

Advent Day 17

Oh, my Lord! I am so much in need of your mercy. I am such a faithless servant...neglecting you for wasteful time spent in pursuit of worldly concerns.

Please forgive me and help me to do better this day. 

I love you, even if I have a difficult time staying on course. 

Advent Day 16, 2019

Blessed be the Lord, oh my soul! I am so very thankful and joyful this evening, my Lord!

Advent Day 15, 2019

What beautiful vistas you give me, my Lord and God. 

Thank you.

Advent Day 14, 2019

Thank you for everything you do my Lord and my God. Thank you for your love. 

I offer to you the small sufferings I experienced today and ask that you remind me to be ever grateful for EVERYTHING You send my way, including physical aches and pains.

Advent Day 13, 2019

Today I felt such sadness and such thankfulness at the same time.

A friend shared a with me that her daughter wants to have no contact at all with her. My heart breaks for her.

At the same time, I am so thankful and grateful that the Lord has not asked this suffering of me. 

Lord, please lift this burden of pain from my friend and her daughter. Heal their brokenness and let them joy in one another.

Also pour out your blessings on my children and let them know how very much they are loved. 

Advent Day 12, 2019

Bless the Lord, Oh my Soul! Even when clouds cover the heights and the winds blow cold.

11 Day of Advent, 2019

"I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel,

In the night also my heart instructs me.

I keep the Lord always before me because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved." ~Psalm 16: 7-8

Thank you, my God and my Savior. Help me to do better tomorrow at loving those you have given me. Amen.

10th Day of Advent, 2019

The astounding beauty of Your love for this world and your children  especially me astonishes me daily. These photos of this mountain are a different view of the same mountain. 

My gift to you...an attempt to capture this beauty via a photograph. 

Ninth Day of Advent, 2019

To hear that God loves you and forgives you is one of the best blessings I have ever received.

Thank you, my Lord and my God for the gift of confession. It is wonderful to unburden oneself and hear that you love and forgive me.

Advent Day 8, 2019

"May the mountains bring forth peace for the people and the hills, justice." Psalm 72: 3

7th Day of Advent, 2019

"Then He summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness." ~Matthew 10:1

One of my prayers has been to be given the grace to heal "every illness." This passage from today's Gospel reading gives me pause. Perhaps I need to pray for the authority to heal...or perhaps it is not a gift for me? 

Please give me your guidance here, my Lord and God, that I may know if I am praying for something that is not your will for me.

Although in the same reading, you speak of the harvesters being few. I do wish to be of help in finding souls for You..and helping them find you. 

Does that mean I need the gift of Your authority? If so, and if it be your desire, please grant that to me.

I love you my Lord and my God. Please help me to always seek you first in all situations. 

6th Day of Advent, 2019

My soul rejoices in God my Savior!

Thank you my Lord for this day. Thank you for all the blessings of this day.

5th Day of Advent, 2019

Yesterday my aunt died. She was elderly and ready to let go of her life here on earth but she wasn't a believer.

Still, as I was sitting beside her deathbed, I offered prayers for mercy and prayers that she would die peacefully.

She did. She just let go and slipped from us as we were remembering her life.

It was poignant and sweet.

"Trust in the Lord and He will help you."

~Proverbs 20:22

3rd day of Advent, 2019

Advent, 2019 First Monday

"Oh, Lord, I confess your great power. If you are powerful, as you are, what is impossible for you who can do everything?" ~St. Teresa of Avila

The thrust of St. Teresa's petition in this writing is for her salvation because she thinks she has responded late to His call.

I, too, have responded late and often times only half heartedly to your call, My Lord. Forgive me and guide me to living fully your call this day.

My Child,

You know how much I love you and desire all good things for you. You have felt the power of my love in your life and are aware of it even when you are neglectful of my wants, needs and commands. 

Although you may not see the progress you make, you are climbing my mountain and streaming toward Zion.

I do forgive your transgressions. Be at peace and continue the climb.

"The Lord is not scandalized by our unworthiness; he looks for the faith that welcomes his presence." ~ Magnificat, 2019; Vol 21, No. 10 pre Mass verse for Monday, Dec. 2.

Advent 2019, Day 1

It's been a year since our daughter died.

I have missed her so much. The pain of losing my firstborn child is indescribable and yet I would not have missed it for anything. 

The fourth joyful mystery speaks to my heart this day as I remember that Mary was forewarned of the heartbreak she would experience when her firstborn will suffer death. 

Blessed Mother, please help me to help others who may suffer the loss of a child, as you have helped me.