A Simple Twist of Faith

The Imperfect Mommy

I know it has been awhile since I have written on this blog.  My vocation of wife, mother, teacher and caretaker has taken more time and energy then I ever anticipated.  At the beginning of this year, my youngest stopped taking naps and started learning how to read and write.  These changes flipped my weekly schedule upside down.  I miss the time alone I had in the afternoons to read my friends’ blogs.  I miss writing on this blog.  I know many Moms who can juggle much more than I do, however I am not very good at multi-tasking.  I reflect, I ponder, and ruminate. Writing for me, is a slow process.

Life is A Journey

Today, I have the honor of writing  at Mom to the Screaming Masses.  Recently, Carmen wrote about the different paths she had taken in her life, and the roads less traveled .  I definitely could relate to this post.  Life is a journey and I have traveled many paths in my 47 years.

To read more, click here 

A+B=C?

I have a friend who is older than me, and very wise.  I don't get to see her often but when I do she always gives me food for thought.

"Do you miss working?" she asked me straight out the last time I saw her.  I paused and thought, and said, "Yes, I do. But it is not for the reasons, I thought I would.   Money is tight, there is no doubt about that, but we have managed to live simpler and not go into debt.  I do miss my friends at work, but frankly my energy is now taken up with my children.  I love teaching my youngest to read and write, it gives me much joy to see her learn.  At first, I was starved for 'alone time', but I have grown use to the chaos, the unceasing chatter, and it seems too quiet when my girls are not here.  The one thing I miss is recognition for a job well done."

 

Rejoice Always

One of my New Year’s resolutions is to “Rejoice Always.”  (II Thessalonians 5: 16)  During the Christmas season, as I was rushing all over town in my mini-van, I hear a segment on the radio that has stuck with me.  The interview was on happiness.  In the conversation, the guest asserted that 50% of happiness comes from hereditary sources.  One is born with a sanguine or melancholy disposition.  10% of happiness comes from life circumstances. One’s finances, social, economic, and physical well being are included in this percentage.  That leaves 40% of happiness based on a choice, choosing to be happy.  40%!

What is Wisdom?

This morning, I read the following reflection on Psalm 37 in Give Us This Day  and thought I would like to share it with you, my friends:

"What then is wisdom?  It is concerned that life should have meaning, have a part in what endures.  Wisdom takes care that in the end a man should not stand empty-handed.  It is based upon the gift of distinguishing what is valuable and what is cheap, what endures and what passes, what is genuine and what is specious...

    But if we ask, "What then shall I do?  Wisdom, counsel me!" then wisdom replies, " You must learn to dstinguish.  You must bring into your life things that are of divine character, things that do not merely pile up or excite, but have value."

    And what has value? Wisdom replies, "the good!" When we have a duty, even though it is unpleasant, the situation changes, the action is past, but something remains: the good has been done.  This has divine character.

    Or if I act kindly towards a person, whom perhaps I do not like, try to understand him, help him-in this fulfillment of the divine command something takes place which remains...

    So we might speak of many things-also of this-ad it would not be unimportant-that it is a part of wisdom to be careful of one's own wisdom.  It is a virtue which is easily spoiled. If one is too conscious of it, or emphasizes it, then wisdom itself becomes folly, and a greater than that which it sought to overcome. "

Fr. Romano Guardini, The Wisdom of the Psalms

My "TO DO" List for 2012

I always like to start my New Year's Resolutions on Chinese New Year.  Chinese New Year celebration started on the new moon (January 23 this year) and is a 15 day celebration ending with the Lantern Festival on the full moon. 

I read this passage a few weeks ago, and have been pondering their implication in my life. 

Saint Paul always gives great advice.

Rejoice Always

Pray unceasingly.

In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

Do not quench the Spirit.

Do not despise prophetic utterances.

Test everything; retain what is good.

Refrain from every kind of evil.

(2 Thessalonians 5:16-22)

Let's see how I make out for 2012.   

 

 

Finding Joy

For the past ten days I have been M.I.A. from this site.  I apologize for the absence. I have been busy preparing for Christmas guests, and needed to focus on that task. This past weekend my best friend, her husband, and their three children, two of them my godchildren came to visit.  It was a wonderful low-key visit, well was low-key as it can be to have five children ages 4-10 and four adults in a 1,200 square foot house.  I am so glad we are friends, and have stayed friends for the past 33 years.  She is the perfect foil to me, a sunny optimist, and I love her for it.   

My sister is also coming on Friday, and I am really looking forward to her visit too.  She is taking the red eye in from the West Coast, so will be here in the morning of the 23rd and staying for a week.  She has never met our oldest daughter, Bumblebee, before so this will be a very special trip indeed. Both of my girls are very excited to see their aunt.

My little ones, especially my six year old, is bursting at the seams with excitement over the entire Christmas presents over the tree gig.  We have been trying to focus on Jesus' birthday, using our special Advent calendar, which chronicles the journey Mary and Joseph made from Nazareth to Bethlehem.  The spirit of Christmas can be difficult to find in the bustle and commercialism of the season.  However, they both have done a much better job than me.

From Death into Life Part 4

" Come Back to me"

 

Over the past several Sundays, I have been sharing my personal journey back to the practice of my faith and full communion with the Catholic Church. How I lost my faith in God, and how through God’s grace and loving care I was able to repair my relationship with God our Father and experience the loving care he has for me in my life.

Here is Part 1

Here is Part 2

Here is Part 3

and here is Part 4

Tackle It Tuesday # 14: Mammography Madness

Today was the day I was planning to tackle the doctor's appointment I have been avoiding most, my mammography.  Except after an hour of waiting, I was informed that the "script" given by my doctor's office was incorrect, and my previous films could not be found.  Normally, I would be very irritated about this oversight, however today was different.  

Fortunately, this morning I was on an emotionally high and nothing could let me down.  I had just complete the parent teacher conference for my oldest daughter, age 6.  The teacher was highly complimentary of my daughter, and how I prepared her for first grade. (As many of you know, I home-schooled her for kindergarten.)  It seems my Ladybug is excelling about school, academically and socially.  Her teacher encouraged me to keep up the enrichment activities we have been doing together outside the schoolroom, and feels "there are great things ahead" for my little Ladybug.  

So, I brushed off the mammography madness, and came home to share the good news about the conference.  The kids had the day off of school, so I entered another world of madness. I volunteered to take my daughters and three of their friends (ages 3,4,5,6,and 7) to Chuck E. Cheese.  The little girls were as good as gold, and had a great time. I was able to helped two friends, and felt good about that, and I will tackle that @#% mammography next Tuesday.

Thank heavens for little girls!

Check out 5 Minutes for Moms, for more successful Tackle It Tuesday entries!

Do Princesses Wear Glasses, Mommy?

My four year old asked me last night as she readied herself for bed.  She had already shed her Cinderella costume, and clothed in her purple Curious George PJS, was dutifully setting her purple frames on our buffet in the dining area.  

Today was the follow-up check of Bumblebee at the optometrist office.  Four weeks ago, she received her eye glasses to correct a very weak left eye.  Prior to the glasses, she could only make out the first two lines on the eye chart.  A month ago, her vision in her left eye with the glasseswas 20/60 up close, and 20/80 for distance.  The optometrist was warning there maybe an eye patch, or dilation for the right eye in order to strengthen the left one.