WIWS: All In For Jesus

Hot dog, hot dog, hot diggity dog, I'm linking up two weeks in a row with the ladies at Fine Linen & Purple for a little What I Wore Sunday action. Hanging our heads in sane shame here as we split Masses again. I'm under the weather and the Hubs had to work so we decided it would be best not to involve ourselves in a bout of wrastlin' this a of m. He went at 7:30 and then I ran out at 9 to a totally different parish than we normally attend. 

Had the pleasure of seeing Fr. Patrick who was ordained earlier this year celebrate Mass. We have known Fr. Patrick since his days at the seminary through a prayer group we try to frequent. As a Deacon he was placed in the parish that is affiliated with the high school where the Hubs works. This young, exuberant, holy priest is ah-mazing. He had an entire parish chanting at Mass. Loudly. A Catholic parish. Oh, I should clarify. I don't mean Gregorian or Taize. I mean sporting event chanting. No worries, it wasn't for the parish team or anything. He just wanted Jesus to know we were all in. "All in for You!" I have to admit I did fall prey to the giggles at one point watching people get into the chant. My little charismatic rally loving soul was pretty happy, which is a feat when I feel pretty crummy otherwise. Thank you Lord for an answer to prayer! 

I also realized how much I allow my musical preferences to become a stumbling block to me in prayer and Mass. Watching Fr. Patrick's honest enthusiasm for the whole celebration of the Mass was such an inspiration to simply praise God however we are able, whatever the musical style, whatever the parish flavor. It was a much needed reminder that we are there in praise and worship of our Maker, offering ourselves, all of ourselves, and allowing Christ to transform us by this encounter. We are taking in our Lord so we might better reflect His likeness than our fallen natures. So, bluegrass Mass or not, praise God for this grace.

And now, drumroll please....here's what I wore!

Shirt: Thrifted

Pants: Thrifted

Jacket: Thrifted

Boots: JC Penney's

Glasses: Costco

Necklace: GroopDealz

Earrings: Target

Hair: Wind blown 

Makeup: Nonexistent 

Closeup of the pretties

Now I'm going to try to relax and enjoy the rest of naptime at the Casa whilst the Hubs schmoozes at the high school open house. Hope your Sunday is filled with holy rest!

Beatitude Attitude {vol. 4}: Noisy Coffee

Has it been a week already? Time flies when you've got little people running about!

1) Blessed am I when God breaks me down, because He builds me up stronger.

2) Blessed am I that others are patient with me as I try to find my way.

3) Blessed am I that others see me through the eyes of God, especially when I can't.

4) Blessed am I when the whining and crying of little people turns to laughter.

5) Blessed am I that spring seems to finally have stuck so we can play outside more!

6) Blessed am I when I am jolted out of my self absorption in time to catch moments of joy and beauty.

7) Blessed am I when the house is filled with noise - it is a reminder of life and joy and how richly we are blessed. Don't remind me of this when I am pulling my hair out later. :)

Bonus blessing: husbands who understand a need for coffee...

Yesterday

Today

What are you thankful for this week?

Worship Wednesday {vol. 7}: God of Wonders

On this week containing ye olde Earth Day festivities, here's little ditty to honor the Creator instead of the creation. Enjoy!

Beatitude Attitude {vol. 3}: Rejoice Always

The last week has contained a few days that have left me wondering exactly what the netherworld wants with me. In the wake of news that could leave anyone feeling as though the light might be fading, I am reminded that we are called to praise Him through the storm.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

And so we give thanks and recognize the blessing hand of God in the midst of chaos and rubble, of tragedy and heartbreak, of simply crummy days we think may never end. Here are my seven praises for this week:

1) Blessed am I to have a husband that shares my sense of humor, who I can laugh with, cry with, pout with, and grow with, knowing that at the end of the day, we will wash off the day and start anew tomorrow.

2) Blessed am I with healthy children, even with their own little ailments. This week I am reminded that not every parent is so lucky.

3) Blessed am I to have meaningful work.

4) Blessed am I that God is patient and gentle in his correction of me.

5) Blessed am I to have some holy men as good shepherds in both our home parish and our "backup" parish who preach the name of Jesus, challenge us to live the Gospel fully, and preach the hard message of truth in our times.

6) Blessed am I that spring is coming here, and the sun has been shining at least a few times a week allowing for outside time with the littles.

7) Blessed am I to have joyful children who savor life and know Christ at such a young age, even through their tantrums and growing pains. I am amazed by them daily if I shed myself of the blinders of selfishness and busy-ness

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Join me in praising God through the storms of life and link up with this post below!

Easter Isn't Over: B is for Blessings & Beatitudes

I've shared before that I can be a bit of a "the glass is dirty" kind of person. In this Easter season, the challenge for me is to live as a woman of the beatitudes, counting my blessings in all circumstances and helping my family do the same. Often, I get discouraged if things turn out differently than I expect, even when it isn't categorically a bad thing. To live in the beatitudes is to see the blessing in each circumstance, to see God's work at hand.

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; 

and after he sat down, his disciples came to him.

Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 

for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, 

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you 

and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, 

for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:1-12

In our poverty, we get a glimpse of heaven. If we do not have need of anything, if we are not poor in any way, we have no need of heaven or of God and do not long for him. In our grief, in our sorrow, in our troubles, God is with us. Being faithful doesn't mean we do not mourn or experience sorrow. It just means that we look to God for his peace and comfort instead of wallowing in our sadness. In all things good and bad, God is with us and worthy of our praise. Our joy, not to be confused with a false appearance of happiness, rests in Him. As one of our favorite songs goes:

Blessed be your name in the land that is plentiful, where your streams of abundance flow, blessed be your name.

Blessed be your name, when I'm found in the desert place, though I walk through the wilderness, blessed be your name...

This Easter I need to do a better job of resting in the blessings of the Lord, in abundance and in the desert place. That he provides for us in great abundance is reason for great joy. That the desert places make us thirst more deeply for Him is a blessing in itself. I want our children to live out of a spirit of gratitude for everything, even hardship. I want them to be adept at recognizing the blessings that pour down upon them even in the valley. I want them to be able to praise God through the storm so the can be beacons of light set upon a hill for the whole world to see. I want them to radiate Christ, who was at his most radiant in the midst of the cruelest suffering. If I want this for them, I need them to see it in me.

Perhaps I will go back to having a blessings book to help me reflect on the blessings of each day. Perhaps we will make it a family book or better yet, a family board so it remains visible as a constant reminder that we are blessed beyond belief. Do you have any practices or traditions that help you to live out of your blessings either as a woman, mom, or family? I'd love to hear them!

Worship Wednesday: Vol. 5 [Casting Crowns, " Until the Whole World Hears"]

In the spirit of the mission given to the first apostles to go and make disciples, here is Casting Crown with "Until the Whole World Hears."

"Ready yourselves, ready yourselves
Let us shine the light of Jesus in the darkest night
Ready yourselves, ready yourselves
May the powers of darkness tremble as our praises rise

Until the whole world hears, Lord, we are calling out
Lifting up your name for all to hear the sound
Like voices in the wilderness, we're crying out
And as the day draws near
We'll sing until the whole world hears"