Why Wear The Habit?

Standing on My Head: Get in the Habit: "That's the value of the habit. It's an evangelistic outfit. It preaches on it's own. It says to the world, 'There is another set of values. There's another set of beliefs. There's another way of looking at everything.' It says to the world, 'Think again. Stop, Look and Listen.'"

I LOVE to see religious in the habit. I prefer them to the polyester pants, sweater and large crucifix on chain, I see many women religious wear instead! We are very lucky to have a monastery for the Poor Clare's nearby. My kids, my girls especially are mesmerized by the nuns there. When they see them behind the "wall" (the metal screen divider) in their full (very elaborate) habits they feel like they just got a peek at a great mystery! And what do ya know? They did! For myself, seeing the sisters (my sisters in Christ) there wearing there long heavy habits is so moving. I actually tear up and feel so much joy/relief/comfort/love just from the sight of them! I found a great post on the wearing of the habit at http://gkupsidedown.blogspot.com/2007/04/get-in-habit_27.html That's where the above QUOTE comes from...

May - Month of Our Mother - Mary

My entire conversion and the subsequent conversion of my husband, Tim (then boyfriend) is due to the intercession and help of Our Blessed Mother! She is the reason I am here today! She is the humble servant who went to her Son and pleaded my case before Him. She is my Most Merciful Mother. She saw good in me when I didn't see it in myself and she must have lifted me up and opened me to grace a million times over. My (earthly) mother is a dedicated pray - er of the rosary. Whenever I come to her with some trouble or concern of mine her response is always the same. "Are you praying the rosary?" Sadly, most often my response is something like "Well, not very much." It's a scandal in the circles I run in to admit that you don't regularly pray the rosary. Rightfully so I believe. You'd think that considering all that this Woman has done for me and my family I would take on the simple task of praying the rosary. It only takes 20 minutes. Why don't I make the commitment and stick to it? Laziness? Pride? Lack of self discipline? All of the above. The rosary in this house is often attempted, rarely finished. We will get to the third Hail Mary of the second decade and someone or something will inevitably interrupt us. I should pray it by myself at least then you say. Right. I'm 33 years old and the mother of 5 and still I lack enough self discipline to sit down and be still and quietly pray for 20 minutes! What's wrong with me? Now, I don't neglect prayer. I pray. Often I tearfully pray. I call out to my Jesus and speak to Him. I speak to My Mother and tell her how much I love her. I sometimes can get so filled by the Holy Spirit that I actually feel like I will explode! I am awestruck, emotional, and lifted up very high in times of prayer. But I just can't seem to conform to the rosary. I think he ( the guy who I won't speak his name) helps to keep it that way. I'm sure "he" wants me to continue to avoid the rosary. Considering that it is considered the most powerful prayer there is only second to the Holy Mass itself!, I know why "he" likes it that I don't and my family doesn't pray it enough. Padre Pio is said to have called his rosary "his weapon". He'd say "go! get me my weapon!" Indicating that he wanted his rosary so that he could pray. I, myself have told my kids that with each Our Father and each Hail Mary they help to create a chain that binds up "him" and weaken "him". Fr. Corapi, Bishop Sheen, JPII, and many others whom I love and respect ALL speak of the importance and power of the rosary. I MUST commit to it again this month of May. I will try to pray it daily. I owe her - My Queen that much. Oh, and the things that she can, and will do with those prayers! She is truly a good and merciful Mother to us! If only we would use her simple prayer, her rosary, to ask for her help. No one has the ear of the Son like His Mother! Mary - I love you.

The kitchen I wish I had

Just a quick note on how annoying it is for me to feed my kids and have to settle a fight every time over who gets to sit at the island. You see our island seats two and there are four little rear ends that want those swivel stools for themselves! If I had it to do all over again I'd have told Tim to forget about buying our (way over priced) extension table that seats 10 and just put an enormous island in its place with a whole line of stools! Our dinners here often end up with me workin' the "griddle" and servin' up the plates "diner style" anyhow. Along with the diner type counter I'd like an industrial sized dish washer as well. Our dishes always require two loads instead of one! And just think, I have a SMALL family compared with many of the moms I know!! How do they do it?

A Challenge To All

Well folks, I just couldn't control myself. I had to add more! I guess that either means I am an extremely complex and "deep" person. Or I am indecisive and prone to going to extremes. Hmmmm......for those who know me well they may well say the latter!
read on...

I have hundreds and hundreds of images that I have saved over time. Some are relevant to certain topics I like to talk about and others I just found moving or beautiful. But most ALL of them "SAY" something about me and who I am. That got me thinking....if I couldn't use words but only images, how would I describe myself? That's tough. But I thought it would be interesting to try. So all these images are an attempt to describe myself without using words or without using ACTUAL photos of myself, my family, or friends. It was tough - really tough. I'd love to see what kind of image collages other people would put together... Please give it a try and post your images on your blogs! Happy image hunting!