tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63030431316950374952024-02-07T22:05:58.125-08:00A Little BirdGianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710775815620872458noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303043131695037495.post-31426155405962255672014-04-28T14:10:00.004-07:002014-04-28T14:14:33.835-07:00Mary's MonthJust wanted to repost this for Mary.<br />
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Click on the this link <a href="http://alittlebirdbygian.blogspot.com/2012/04/our-ladys-month.html">May the Month of Mary</a> to read an old post I wrote about the month of Mary.<br />
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Gianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710775815620872458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303043131695037495.post-19175774239703713642013-04-17T14:53:00.001-07:002013-04-17T14:53:35.020-07:00The Reason<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">W</span>hy I haven't been blogging lately and my etsy shop is practically empty:</span></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rog_RUG2xTmhWcX4fvCq0vh8qxgd0WqcufQ0W7dyWrdX5oNyjEfwfZV7tYr8CrYtqFpx9fP_bkyVp9vv4av0i_qgibB8mNtTTXrgbvQcECDSbCd6cHctPbgnfvufwr5ji72SVnzPbK4/s1600/100_4511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rog_RUG2xTmhWcX4fvCq0vh8qxgd0WqcufQ0W7dyWrdX5oNyjEfwfZV7tYr8CrYtqFpx9fP_bkyVp9vv4av0i_qgibB8mNtTTXrgbvQcECDSbCd6cHctPbgnfvufwr5ji72SVnzPbK4/s320/100_4511.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Herb Garden Planter</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1hHewQJJxIXwTIKtpHeSQlAVHSf3qDvqcDZMNOqvrvO706sKqfqzQBrcebvH45BsnVEJ-z_EMoFLpsNEtjC8X2J-hgJg-Nz326d14dgTqPmk_XCUU1FLCGBcXyd0IPsxToJTTsxc4tE/s1600/100_4512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1hHewQJJxIXwTIKtpHeSQlAVHSf3qDvqcDZMNOqvrvO706sKqfqzQBrcebvH45BsnVEJ-z_EMoFLpsNEtjC8X2J-hgJg-Nz326d14dgTqPmk_XCUU1FLCGBcXyd0IPsxToJTTsxc4tE/s320/100_4512.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Potato plant</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Succulents :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJXQokbV1X1nMQq5Tj3WYiwISZw9S0XsuqNUW3EhvOdCiDSyb6JoIIEg0431C363QiIpwwpjNLyk0y4sm2V5S-it4XxzPT2xY0UkzTSTWhyphenhyphenmj9I_b9PIMkVGHkZcTKAET23xnweP6mQrI/s1600/100_4517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJXQokbV1X1nMQq5Tj3WYiwISZw9S0XsuqNUW3EhvOdCiDSyb6JoIIEg0431C363QiIpwwpjNLyk0y4sm2V5S-it4XxzPT2xY0UkzTSTWhyphenhyphenmj9I_b9PIMkVGHkZcTKAET23xnweP6mQrI/s320/100_4517.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lettuce Mix</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfp8TH0UDXcz6fAfduRKrk4pbSe9zL53p2K4VrY5qZaJD4aKdHri1jUzmOjDhc7T-7TDZyPHf85VnlaWe0DXwW797PT8xP-97F7GWtIKjC0aSt2D6j8CZNWh934nPGYV-AFwvvR9SgD2o/s1600/100_4521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfp8TH0UDXcz6fAfduRKrk4pbSe9zL53p2K4VrY5qZaJD4aKdHri1jUzmOjDhc7T-7TDZyPHf85VnlaWe0DXwW797PT8xP-97F7GWtIKjC0aSt2D6j8CZNWh934nPGYV-AFwvvR9SgD2o/s320/100_4521.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomatoes and Flowers </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trusty Garden Gloves and Snail Killer</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hqHURxixT3O5EcJIljrfRGrMvAOXKKjdZMVmiTENeOMCPLL6M-g-KVxkzGoQkwacTN1zYI-F3lYed_Yel-HgNIMkv9FXb7ERZf87evx0VnPkRAyOVNsVRPsD7YPD1-RB-04v-5C376E/s1600/100_4523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hqHURxixT3O5EcJIljrfRGrMvAOXKKjdZMVmiTENeOMCPLL6M-g-KVxkzGoQkwacTN1zYI-F3lYed_Yel-HgNIMkv9FXb7ERZf87evx0VnPkRAyOVNsVRPsD7YPD1-RB-04v-5C376E/s320/100_4523.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New plants and Blueberry bush</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGt4uvQogMACKY5AWeEaQ5KvU4qbp_4i2x9MmDf_ofGwzv4LQsWhR-707029ZHlVFpmUmJIaCg5xnK3tfJ3faHMmmAPeIWq_sd6rKGSCxkVDoYu1flThxBwXL46VN3X09cPO7O1AidpHo/s1600/100_4524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGt4uvQogMACKY5AWeEaQ5KvU4qbp_4i2x9MmDf_ofGwzv4LQsWhR-707029ZHlVFpmUmJIaCg5xnK3tfJ3faHMmmAPeIWq_sd6rKGSCxkVDoYu1flThxBwXL46VN3X09cPO7O1AidpHo/s320/100_4524.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Garden</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWY6-FVzLFzB0L4n4Ax8lW5BHOASBa-egRud1wfx6aGieBzFhhAeUe7NfCFsMJaXjl6ASjUhagzuvTOkIIkshHmeikqE3c1ajZm8IlcYlBsv-oV07781447QdOx1MAe29cOgMBEUbKpiU/s1600/100_4526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWY6-FVzLFzB0L4n4Ax8lW5BHOASBa-egRud1wfx6aGieBzFhhAeUe7NfCFsMJaXjl6ASjUhagzuvTOkIIkshHmeikqE3c1ajZm8IlcYlBsv-oV07781447QdOx1MAe29cOgMBEUbKpiU/s320/100_4526.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Garden</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrRcqTAKnwwsxCQ-U-1Ca3PAlypH0UW2Cc_zCY3olGOuFpj5fjB683KlxlXDLm9A6bp3TxdQ7e1AquM8eXfTPvpp3r3gWnwUQQK39ccB0PJLVD89O9Q8GxD-4_kKETj9I1CGg7rtfBNY/s1600/100_4528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrRcqTAKnwwsxCQ-U-1Ca3PAlypH0UW2Cc_zCY3olGOuFpj5fjB683KlxlXDLm9A6bp3TxdQ7e1AquM8eXfTPvpp3r3gWnwUQQK39ccB0PJLVD89O9Q8GxD-4_kKETj9I1CGg7rtfBNY/s320/100_4528.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtj90qbxInXSeB3nHi45adPbn5x6gvXN0jgL23RfuBztA8FBAYcJsLASywu4337yPibb1ZhrUgNzmcT_Br8Qzr6YGll4XoDuVQqExzH6-CJBhj6gSwfmirh3JARsjaEcP5vf0vjdVNAlY/s1600/100_4529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtj90qbxInXSeB3nHi45adPbn5x6gvXN0jgL23RfuBztA8FBAYcJsLASywu4337yPibb1ZhrUgNzmcT_Br8Qzr6YGll4XoDuVQqExzH6-CJBhj6gSwfmirh3JARsjaEcP5vf0vjdVNAlY/s320/100_4529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple Tree</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSo7wnVje3ykDDpvsIJdpr9-L0-le0K3DpD3xldi_3O4LVsRUHY84II3-tZbD2rD1T52LE24GV2sPxxXE1xlTX-6kMtg8IjCbF6HyxRSxPPtHnnEZYzJAigLUpua8Nyrz0ZPOfu7DXw4/s1600/100_4530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSo7wnVje3ykDDpvsIJdpr9-L0-le0K3DpD3xldi_3O4LVsRUHY84II3-tZbD2rD1T52LE24GV2sPxxXE1xlTX-6kMtg8IjCbF6HyxRSxPPtHnnEZYzJAigLUpua8Nyrz0ZPOfu7DXw4/s320/100_4530.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watermelon Sprouts</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiou1AphWlL5UuaHxBVM2qDwN5vu9MImg8p0yBXRR2Xs1lTJ8-Lbt7iVqFftRpigr2580nYqPmV-WC9V4dRhUJUqMqZKUdTyh_PZLpIl6igsP4cXCOT318glskox53rRExRtygmvmlXhts/s1600/100_4531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiou1AphWlL5UuaHxBVM2qDwN5vu9MImg8p0yBXRR2Xs1lTJ8-Lbt7iVqFftRpigr2580nYqPmV-WC9V4dRhUJUqMqZKUdTyh_PZLpIl6igsP4cXCOT318glskox53rRExRtygmvmlXhts/s320/100_4531.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strawberries</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBXwZPWKjxPkxqwACKJMcHNSZYdCL-WfCliF7DIEuAH3t-BvuxB6LUOJRwAd2X9XV0W2Qz8JqxEw1MfDyduafelgw6668o1PSHendhu_6yUmDOrhdAVB_h2krtBMwvnyEGPTZnbNGD7I/s1600/100_4533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBXwZPWKjxPkxqwACKJMcHNSZYdCL-WfCliF7DIEuAH3t-BvuxB6LUOJRwAd2X9XV0W2Qz8JqxEw1MfDyduafelgw6668o1PSHendhu_6yUmDOrhdAVB_h2krtBMwvnyEGPTZnbNGD7I/s320/100_4533.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pineapple Plants (hopeful they will grow after killing 3.)</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjroUlFfKxrYtFqZwNwX3wTbgXqP1WcUKKOwS1d13WXkhbie_WbyLWoMWJOSgG83sjUc3ipY2Hub4w0MKFcO3k79nN2COg3pmfL8sJ_2cxlYmIcJ4CQ7eyzknhyphenhyphenTv_DmjCxAKru8OXCHOQ/s1600/100_4535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjroUlFfKxrYtFqZwNwX3wTbgXqP1WcUKKOwS1d13WXkhbie_WbyLWoMWJOSgG83sjUc3ipY2Hub4w0MKFcO3k79nN2COg3pmfL8sJ_2cxlYmIcJ4CQ7eyzknhyphenhyphenTv_DmjCxAKru8OXCHOQ/s320/100_4535.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lemon Tree</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCmf-ZqW46wTCkZ03v2Guj684KajXk-TC86VENwJ_-yFIYaVfOeYsR3y9GHAnEIZLX3ZHIWBrdLvg1g3yfwbwqdasuo_9P3sWHjuj_IUbWcmxxAQ6r6hkcqktyeZvuCjC6Nktu18qV1Tk/s1600/100_4534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCmf-ZqW46wTCkZ03v2Guj684KajXk-TC86VENwJ_-yFIYaVfOeYsR3y9GHAnEIZLX3ZHIWBrdLvg1g3yfwbwqdasuo_9P3sWHjuj_IUbWcmxxAQ6r6hkcqktyeZvuCjC6Nktu18qV1Tk/s320/100_4534.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New favorite hose</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9BSQ0uDxvoPDE2PZNzVlbYp9k313F9gYl6sfCuk-Y6Cr2L2GvHbyaUJQ0Yoh6UHdig09lLRDaUmK5s23Ku0rFdB8srv60Di854AS0QsLLZSSKOU9jAjiKuXpK2lh4dbRO-ncNfZR4mgo/s1600/100_4536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9BSQ0uDxvoPDE2PZNzVlbYp9k313F9gYl6sfCuk-Y6Cr2L2GvHbyaUJQ0Yoh6UHdig09lLRDaUmK5s23Ku0rFdB8srv60Di854AS0QsLLZSSKOU9jAjiKuXpK2lh4dbRO-ncNfZR4mgo/s320/100_4536.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grapes</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfV5-jnLzlYcHOVkuEXC3GuNcwQJIWmoV-d434VaMgoxykX_knQnOnPL24W3F-WaB82HheR0wjMB1fFtAf0noKXGgBst0KwNODE2irSRLpO-bm2uSkqjxxW9eSi_cc2tMuSrTPh0PmCs/s1600/100_4564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfV5-jnLzlYcHOVkuEXC3GuNcwQJIWmoV-d434VaMgoxykX_knQnOnPL24W3F-WaB82HheR0wjMB1fFtAf0noKXGgBst0KwNODE2irSRLpO-bm2uSkqjxxW9eSi_cc2tMuSrTPh0PmCs/s200/100_4564.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large weeds :)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2T3xDgVVwBqKfoJp9gOQKZc3y1-sUCfuq76pxqggy84HrYdrAYs5XLtuBv3r1-7LbsWjrrv-YTNR6L_Khn8i4d37gZzSBeHcXZTyHpOol3m-JbC_6OLSsw_zQzRMRxKXT5yA8YBZMP7k/s1600/100_4558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2T3xDgVVwBqKfoJp9gOQKZc3y1-sUCfuq76pxqggy84HrYdrAYs5XLtuBv3r1-7LbsWjrrv-YTNR6L_Khn8i4d37gZzSBeHcXZTyHpOol3m-JbC_6OLSsw_zQzRMRxKXT5yA8YBZMP7k/s200/100_4558.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Weed. :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A Little Story </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was picking up after my kids the other day
and the thought came to me that I am very lucky to have messes to clean
up at all. If I did not have my beautiful children, my life would be so lonely, sad and empty compared to what it is now. Sure, I 'd have more time to do the things I wanted to
and it wouldn't take me hours to do simple everyday tasks, but what
about all the wonderful moments my children enrich my life with? I would
have missed out on so much joy and happiness. And they are still so
young! Who knows how much more beauty and love they are yet to bring
into my life and into my heart? So back to the story, there I was sitting on the floor
picking up a horrendous mess and actually smiling about it for a minute.
:) (Just so you know, I do not smile every time I have to pick up after my kids, in fact, my thoughts are usually very negative about the whole thing). I felt so thankful for them in that moment. Thankful for the mess, the toys, the yelling, the work, the things I take for granted, everything. It was the silver lining on my big grey cloud.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They are a lot of work, true, but I wouldn't trade them or their messes and
trials they come with for anything. And I encourage all mother's to think of how lucky you are to have children the next time you are cleaning up after them or they are driving you a little nuts. Enjoy the precious time you have with them and make sure they know how much you love them. Not the easiest task but well worth every effort.</div>
Gianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710775815620872458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303043131695037495.post-81773155488619925742013-04-06T08:05:00.000-07:002013-04-06T08:05:01.901-07:00Divine Mercy Sunday<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvbKdS7qdHUn3mOgkl6p1LNNT65rbVGwUEXD_YkRM0bhBTyxjNeIE4aj0CYvOCgJPLkRERv_BiwdivoD66s5TzsKhjRduapjIG1ObO8EAJSZRbtVzrlpmMb6km-C5uI2HPj1wqueOgxU/s1600/100_3032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvbKdS7qdHUn3mOgkl6p1LNNT65rbVGwUEXD_YkRM0bhBTyxjNeIE4aj0CYvOCgJPLkRERv_BiwdivoD66s5TzsKhjRduapjIG1ObO8EAJSZRbtVzrlpmMb6km-C5uI2HPj1wqueOgxU/s400/100_3032.JPG" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my prayer card images.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Divine Mercy Sunday is tomorrow. I just came across a beautiful image of Jesus and His<br />
Divine Mercy in a Spanish Calendar and was able to find it online to share.(not the image you see here.) You can find it at this link<br />
<a href="http://www.catholicphotographer.com/p925902954">Divine Mercy National Shrine Photos</a><br />
it is the 13th photo on the page but there are many other pictures of the shrine you might like also.<br />
<br />
Happy Divine Mercy Sunday everyone!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://thedivinemercy.org/message/devotions/praythechaplet.php">How to pray the Divine Mercy</a>Gianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710775815620872458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303043131695037495.post-47337155044377742672013-03-25T23:03:00.001-07:002013-03-25T23:03:39.037-07:00Prayers of St. Catherine of SienaThankful for this Saint in my life right now. <br />
Saint Catherine of Siena, Pray us.<br />
<br />
<i>"Lord, take me from myself and give me to yourself."</i>
- St Catherine of Siena
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Prayer to the Holy Ghost by Saint Catherine
of Siena</b></span><br />
Holy Spirit, come into my heart; draw it to Thee by Thy
power, O my God, and grant me charity with filial fear.
Preserve me, O ineffable Love, from every evil thought;
warm me, inflame me with Thy dear love, and every pain will
seem light to me. My Father, my sweet Lord, help me in all
my actions. Jesus, love, Jesus, love. Amen.<br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;">Prayer of Saint Catherine of Siena to
the Precious Blood of Jesus</span></b><br />
Precious Blood,<br />
Ocean of Divine Mercy:<br />
Flow upon us! <br />
Precious Blood,<br />
Most pure Offering:<br />
Procure us every Grace! <br />
Precious Blood,<br />
Hope and Refuge of sinners:<br />
Atone for us! <br />
Precious Blood,<br />
Delight of holy souls:<br />
Draw us! Amen.<br />
<br />
- Saint Catherine of Siena Gianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710775815620872458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303043131695037495.post-67260058263570881132013-03-25T22:59:00.002-07:002013-03-25T22:59:36.878-07:00Happy Annunciation Feast Day!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNOsIbQQUdUIO5xdEVifj1LpXu0ZC_YyhLSoMkkaNpKZYVhondYZck0lzAs5D9-yFxL2sLwwLZY-d60hfS0JTXLJyuEsEZ0fjO3-1HWTMmSuYptU9NVC-PGU1mPO2eIHtakf77AXzktI/s1600/100_2802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNOsIbQQUdUIO5xdEVifj1LpXu0ZC_YyhLSoMkkaNpKZYVhondYZck0lzAs5D9-yFxL2sLwwLZY-d60hfS0JTXLJyuEsEZ0fjO3-1HWTMmSuYptU9NVC-PGU1mPO2eIHtakf77AXzktI/s400/100_2802.JPG" width="303" /></a>Hail Mary, Faithful Virgin<br />
Hail Mary, Mother of Mercy<br />
Hail Mary, Full of Grace <br />
Pray for us! <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Sorry not so many posts lately. It's been a busy, but very good Lent. God bless.<br />
<br />Gianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710775815620872458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303043131695037495.post-18342367120225717012013-03-09T09:27:00.001-08:002013-03-09T09:27:50.614-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img class="rg_i" data-src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSxS0buqG4cYLKHjcM83Xpmv6px7PFCM_c6mT-E9Wg33tHdh2hNvw" data-sz="f" height="256" name="5Wbx--tjl0ZpuM:" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSxS0buqG4cYLKHjcM83Xpmv6px7PFCM_c6mT-E9Wg33tHdh2hNvw" style="height: 180px; margin-left: -6px; margin-top: 0px; width: 281px;" width="400" /> </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Novena To St. Catherine Of Siena </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"> April 29th</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><b><b><b><b><b><b></b></b></b></b></b></b></b></span></span></div>
<pre><span style="font-size: large;"><b><b><b>
</b></b></b></span></pre>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Heavenly Father, your glory is in your saints. We praise
your glory in the life of the admirable St. Catherine of
Siena, virgin and doctor of the Church. Her whole life was
a noble sacrifice inspired by an ardent love of Jesus, your
unblemished Lamb. In troubled times she strenuously upheld
the rights of His beloved spouse, The Church. Father, honour
her merits and hear her prayers for each of us, and for
our whole parish family dedicated to her. Help us to pass
unscathed through the corruption of this world, and to remain
unshakably faithful to the church in word, deed, and example.
Help us always to see in the Vicar of Christ an anchor in
the storms of life, and a beacon of light to the harbour
of your Love, in this dark night of your times and men's
souls. Grant also to each of us our special petition . .
. (pause to pray for your own intentions). We ask this through
Jesus, your Son, in the bond of the Holy Spirit. Amen. </span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">St. Catherine of Siena, Pray for us. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Found this prayer very appropriate for the times.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Read a little more about th<span style="font-size: large;">is saint at these web<span style="font-size: large;">sites:</span></span> </span><br />
<a href="http://www.catholicdigest.com/articles/faith/saints/2010/04-01/st-catherine-of-siena">http://www.catholicdigest.com/articles/faith/saints/2010/04-01/st-catherine-of-siena</a><br />
<a href="http://st-catherine-medal.com/prayers-to-saint-catherine.htm">http://st-catherine-medal.com/prayers-to-saint-catherine.htm</a>Gianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710775815620872458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303043131695037495.post-60458178619794499122013-02-13T13:11:00.000-08:002013-02-13T13:11:50.994-08:00Ash WednesdayHappy Ash Wednesday everyone! I hope and pray that we all have good and fruitful lent filled with hope, love, fasting, prayer, repentance, joy and the fruits of the Holy Spirit.<br />
<br />
Last Sunday at mass I had a little "AH Ha" moment and realized how as being parents we are a reflection of God and His relationship with us in that as He came down to be with us, and teach us and show us the way, we too are called to come down to our children's level to teach them in words they understand, be with them and show them the way of Jesus as best we can with God's help. The Holy Family and the Trinity are wonderful examples of what a family is and how it was made to be, full of unconditional and sacrificing love. Hope this makes sense and is helpful to someone. :)<br />
<br />
For anyone interested, here is a Free Lent Activity/Prayer Calendar.<br />
<a href="http://alittlebirdbygian.blogspot.com/2012/03/something-for-lent.html">http://alittlebirdbygian.blogspot.com/2012/03/something-for-lent.html</a><br />
<br />
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<br />Gianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710775815620872458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303043131695037495.post-26800402151333920402013-01-15T11:51:00.004-08:002013-01-15T11:51:49.509-08:00Hello Again!I have not had time to write much lately but just found a minute to say, I'm still here! :) It is a beautiful day and a happy new year! Thank you God for all your blessings and good gifts!<br />
I have been going through little transformations and am very grateful for God's great love, mercy, forgiveness and patience with me.<br />
There is an idea a little bird told me about that I am working on. It is about emptying myself of worldly things, desires and anything that is not pleasing to God. I can't say I'm doing a good job of it at all, (mostly because I'm not) but it's something I am trying to grasp and put into practice. Here's the idea: I am a visual person so I literally start by thinking of myself as a kind of vessel, as though I were a jar or vase of some kind filled with things that I have put inside myself and then I imagine taking everything out and just being empty and open. Waiting for God to do with me what He will and fill me He pleases. This is mostly just an idea for me right now. I think about it more and more and hope to spiritually become an empty vessel for God. I pray for everyone who needs Your grace and ask that you please mercifully send us your Holy Spirit to guide us, not as we will, but as You Will.<br />
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Come Holy Spirit, teach me what I am, and what Thou art.Gianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710775815620872458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303043131695037495.post-21281444357819924522012-12-06T18:22:00.000-08:002012-12-06T18:23:15.346-08:00I Get To<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZjKGMofo0THFgtsj8W3n0lzbEA9gfKWtAAtFUB-CssSyGjyZSsJ2MYWIClot41IoUPNK4_qLQPchIMtTjQm0MKfT0NMxtaxrdvMylSf4clPznUNd0GfGfQlXSeSijA27G1VxU75OnXA/s1600/100_3676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZjKGMofo0THFgtsj8W3n0lzbEA9gfKWtAAtFUB-CssSyGjyZSsJ2MYWIClot41IoUPNK4_qLQPchIMtTjQm0MKfT0NMxtaxrdvMylSf4clPznUNd0GfGfQlXSeSijA27G1VxU75OnXA/s200/100_3676.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
It's funny how you can learn great lessons in the most unlikely places and unexpected times. While watching Say Yes To The Dress on TLC one day, I learned an unexpected lesson about being grateful for our many everyday blessings and privileges. The show featured a young woman who was just discharged from the hospital for a gunshot wound to her back that left her paralyzed from the waist down. She was just crossing the street with a friend one day, then <i>bang!</i> her whole life was changed by one stray bullet. Now here she was, her first day out of the hospital, looking for her wedding dress for a life with her soon to be husband that was going to be very different from what she had planned. She said something about how she would give anything to just be able to stand up one more time again and I suddenly felt very guilty for the many, many things I take for granted every moment of my life. Like the use of my legs and being able to stand and walk whenever I want to. It really opened me up to the fact that I have so much more to thank God for with each new moment, than I will ever be able to truly thank Him for. So now, as an attempt to have a more grateful attitude, when I run through the things I have to do or get done each day, I try to say, "I get to" instead of "I have to". I get to make the beds. I get to do the laundry. I get to change my sons diaper. I get to clean the house. I get to make dinner. I get to raise my children. I don't have to do these things, I get to do them and I am blessed with an endless amount of these beautiful burdens. Gianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710775815620872458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303043131695037495.post-1633639237281198392012-11-28T12:06:00.001-08:002012-11-28T12:06:24.792-08:00Free Family Advent Activity Calendar List <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0KBfFnDfBU3MMN0w57_woVIzvrlq2XPLzWFQOcGNRnJhfICGdlosUOKe7PhDyIwmHf9IAhY8zSluEVZUJem9-tYJJcDpvL-xHeISCahNT0FNp1IQcxICTC1R3vSow9TLcNinh_Vmf0QU/s1600/Advent+list.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0KBfFnDfBU3MMN0w57_woVIzvrlq2XPLzWFQOcGNRnJhfICGdlosUOKe7PhDyIwmHf9IAhY8zSluEVZUJem9-tYJJcDpvL-xHeISCahNT0FNp1IQcxICTC1R3vSow9TLcNinh_Vmf0QU/s400/Advent+list.jpg" width="308" /></a>I was inspired by St. Teresa of the Andes to make this little Advent
Calendar thing. Please feel free to print it out to your hearts desire.
:)<br />
My family has always had the tradition of putting one piece of hay into a little manger for every kind act we do during Advent to prepare a soft place for Jesus on Christmas day. This Calendar is a variation of our tradition but gives specific ideas of things to do for Jesus.(and you can still incorporate the tradition of putting hay in the manger.) It is nice because it works with any schedule. You can do as many or as few things a day as you want and there is no one set thing to do each day.<br />
As Mother Teresa said, let us take God at His word, What we do to the least of our brethren, we do it to Him. <br />
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I wish everyone a very hopeful Advent and a Joyful Christmas this year!<br />
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God blessings and Peace to all!Gianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710775815620872458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303043131695037495.post-74824652971955407852012-11-20T16:25:00.001-08:002012-11-20T16:25:54.140-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitYRPeiRe8DFNC1gK1Ccnb7-nTnmz0bw3AvFaooZa_lpkMi7c2o5YKX9WTJCBy8qw5xZ_Lp5se532lj8Pb_kTKgpfP9_v6hamvKc8KqEAjoOzp79bLBjmBwX2-D_Wq9mMZofGMNnzCK7g/s1600/100_4128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitYRPeiRe8DFNC1gK1Ccnb7-nTnmz0bw3AvFaooZa_lpkMi7c2o5YKX9WTJCBy8qw5xZ_Lp5se532lj8Pb_kTKgpfP9_v6hamvKc8KqEAjoOzp79bLBjmBwX2-D_Wq9mMZofGMNnzCK7g/s400/100_4128.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">After reading <span style="font-size: large;">a book that listed Mary's 10 primary virtue<span style="font-size: large;">s, <span style="font-size: large;">I go<span style="font-size: large;">t an itch to write them down somewhe<span style="font-size: large;">re I could see them and meditate on them. Here is where I decide to write them, on an old <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">pie<span style="font-size: large;">ce</span> of Oak floor <span style="font-size: large;">board</span></span></span>. When I<span style="font-size: large;"> read them, it fe<span style="font-size: large;">els</span> like a praye<span style="font-size: large;">r and I hope <span style="font-size: large;">they inspire <span style="font-size: large;">and t<span style="font-size: large;">ouch your heart like <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">they have mi<span style="font-size: large;">ne</span></span></span>. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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An early Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! We have so much to be grateful for. God please help us to always have a grateful heart, especially when it is hardest for us.Gianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710775815620872458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303043131695037495.post-57671578624697776732012-11-01T10:19:00.002-07:002012-11-01T10:19:50.382-07:00All Saints Day<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Happy All Saints Day! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">All you good and holy <span style="font-size: x-large;">Saints, Pray for us!</span> </span></div>
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Gianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710775815620872458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303043131695037495.post-70362358846711833612012-10-22T09:58:00.000-07:002012-10-22T09:58:05.095-07:00October Month of Mary and the Holy RosaryThis month is dedicated to Our Lady and The Holy Rosary. Saying the rosary daily is one of the ways we can celebrate this month and there are more ideas at this <a href="http://www.how-to-pray-the-rosary-everyday.com/month-of-the-holy-rosary.html">Link</a>. The rosary is a wonderful gift and powerful prayer. And please remember to continue to pray for life until November 4th with people around the country and <a href="http://40daysforlife.com/location.cfm">40 days for life.</a><br />
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Here is a great link for more information about this month and how to pray the rosary: <a href="http://www.how-to-pray-the-rosary-everyday.com/month-of-the-holy-rosary.html">http://www.how-to-pray-the-rosary-everyday.com/month-of-the-holy-rosary.html</a>Gianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710775815620872458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303043131695037495.post-91797776571785103982012-10-02T12:50:00.001-07:002012-10-02T12:50:33.478-07:00Childlike<span style="font-size: large;">Recently we have started saying evening prayers as a family. It has been a blessing for our family, but sometimes during our prayers (which we try to keep very short and simple) my kids seem to turn into uncontrollable blobs of energy and are very fidgety and unfocused and can't seem to stay in one place for 5 seconds. Well, as surprising as it may be, this tends to drives me crazy and I start to say silent prayers for more patience in between our evening prayers. Especially since it's the end of the day and I'm ready for bed too. So there I am trying to get through one short prayer and I feel like I am trying to say grace with 2 hungry, wild, playful and adorable puppies instead of children. Anyway, I was thinking this morning and all the sudden I realized how very much like a my children, I pray at times. Now, I may be able to stay still and say the prayers I want to, but really, there are many times my thoughts seem to run around and jump and are just plain old noisy while I am saying my prayers. All too often I allow my thoughts get in the way of really praying my prayers. I'm sure it will be a ongoing battle, but I pray for the grace to really be present and quiet in body and mind when I pray. And for the patience to pray with my kids! :)</span>Gianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710775815620872458noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303043131695037495.post-9163368173230527362012-10-01T08:48:00.002-07:002012-10-02T12:51:15.466-07:00A Thought<span style="font-size: large;">If we suffer much, we have been given the opportunity to love much. Jesus proved His love for us as he hung upon the cross for our sins and He invites us to imitate Him and offer our little sufferings for our brothers and sisters.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Feast Day of St. Therese of the Child Jesus and The Holy Face ( The Little Flower)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">St. Therese, Pray for us!</span>Gianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710775815620872458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303043131695037495.post-80310897334183558542012-09-27T18:22:00.000-07:002012-09-27T18:22:00.582-07:0040 Days of Prayer and Fasting Across the United States<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDG_XWX84NnzSgXt0a5aDVdS6rkoiQ63RD59k6HXYv-1frvY5tObIAZ4lsc-sVOx0kElcpWLzfIXgmeVuo_vYyhyJ-LcyLfgC0P90h05I6nf765jG0sjft2rH005LcCiQwV6g-PBPaSvQ/s1600/100_3183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDG_XWX84NnzSgXt0a5aDVdS6rkoiQ63RD59k6HXYv-1frvY5tObIAZ4lsc-sVOx0kElcpWLzfIXgmeVuo_vYyhyJ-LcyLfgC0P90h05I6nf765jG0sjft2rH005LcCiQwV6g-PBPaSvQ/s320/100_3183.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one of my baby's precious feet.</td></tr>
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I just heard about this today and would like to welcome and encourage all to join in this worthy cause. People all over the country will be fasting and praying for life over the next 40 days.<br />
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If you would like to get involved with a group near you or want more information check out their website at <a href="http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=3239">40 Days For Life.com </a><br />
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Remember, you can always participate at home and with your family and friends if you don't have a lot of extra time. Please share and spread the word!!<br />
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wish I could write more, but wouldn't you know it, I'm holding a baby that wants a little attention. :)Gianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710775815620872458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303043131695037495.post-34389638263552550732012-09-24T14:53:00.000-07:002012-09-24T14:53:58.722-07:00Questions For The Heart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Some thoughts that have found their way to my little ear that I would like to echo back into the world:<br />
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Do we allow others to change for the better? Or do we hold who they are now or have been against them? <br />
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Do we desire good for others, especially those we do not like or agree with? Or would we rather see some people fail and experience bad things?<br />
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Do we accept people as the beautiful creation of God that they are and love them in spite of their faults? Do we pray for those who are in most need of prayer?<br />
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Do we strive to love as God loves. Do we love as God asks us to love others and Himself?<br />
<span class="highlight"> Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole strength.</span>
[<a href="http://drbo.org/x/d?b=drb&bk=5&ch=6&l=5#x">Deuteronomy 6:5</a>]<br />
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Are we living what we know to be true? And if we are not, why? <br />
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How far above our ways are Your ways, O Lord, and how far above our thoughts are Your thoughts. Help us to love as we should, dear Jesus, and guide us all safely home to you. Grant us the gift to live in your beautiful, and most loving, Sacred Heart. That our hearts may be consumed within yours, burning with Your love for all the world and those in it.<br />
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Holy Spirit, move in us and open our hearts to know and do the Father's will.<br />
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Blessed Mary, pray for us! We are your children and are always in great need of our Mother.Gianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710775815620872458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303043131695037495.post-18140820397108340012012-09-12T09:17:00.003-07:002012-09-12T09:17:50.346-07:00Holy Name of Mary, Our Lady of Perpetual Help<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today is the feast of the Holy Name of Mary. Here is a lovely little prayer to honor our Blessed Mother and her Holy name today. Happy feast day everyone!<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">O Mother of Perpetual Help, </span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">grant that I may ever invoke Thy most powerful name, which is the safeguard of the living and the salvation of the dying. </span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">O Purest Mary, O Sweetest Mary, let Thy name henceforth be ever on my lips. </span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Delay not, O Blessed Lady, to help me whenever I call on Thee, for, in all my needs, in all my temptations I shall never cease to call on Thee, ever repeating Thy sacred name, Mary, Mary. </span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">O what consolation, what sweetness, what confidence, what emotion fill my soul when I pronounce Thy sacred name, or even only think of Thee. </span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I thank God for having given Thee, for my good, so sweet, so powerful, so lovely a name. But I will not be content with merely pronouncing Thy name: let my love for Thee prompt me ever to hail Thee, Mother of Perpetual Help.</span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">~Recite Nine Hail Mary's.~</span></span></i></div>
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<br />Gianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710775815620872458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303043131695037495.post-51594619089348693342012-08-29T13:44:00.001-07:002012-08-29T13:44:49.258-07:00Look what I found outside my window yesterday. :) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90fe9qpfdQ3UUpRLyqADqUIytemqTLacO41_xZW54GfXgKKCW3Kxl4SRTM7FRa16thulQQ7pCA4dltVy8kiyhkmZDuh14vgla1ZG946PE_sfc4benDtnAwvcR3_hIM-Dy5gOeF4spR68/s1600/100_3608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90fe9qpfdQ3UUpRLyqADqUIytemqTLacO41_xZW54GfXgKKCW3Kxl4SRTM7FRa16thulQQ7pCA4dltVy8kiyhkmZDuh14vgla1ZG946PE_sfc4benDtnAwvcR3_hIM-Dy5gOeF4spR68/s640/100_3608.JPG" width="480" /> </a></div>
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<br />Gianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710775815620872458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303043131695037495.post-29912737857742903772012-08-28T11:25:00.000-07:002012-08-28T11:25:08.979-07:00A Quote From Pope John Paul II<span style="font-size: large;">"People are made for happiness. Rightly, then you thirst for happiness. Christ has the answer to this desire of yours. But he asks that you trust him. True joy is a victory, something which cannot be obtained without a long and difficult struggle. Christ holds the secret of this victory."</span><br />
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-Pope John Paul II ~World Youth Day 2002</div>
Gianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710775815620872458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303043131695037495.post-68137819586176491822012-08-22T12:43:00.003-07:002012-08-22T13:09:38.251-07:00Fight Bad Habits With Good HabitsIf you want to stop a bad habit, start a good habit in place of the bad one.<br />
How often do we try to overcome a bad habit all on our own and eventually just go back to it or replace it with another bad habit? And how much more successful would we be if we asked for God's help and put a good habits in place of bad ones? For example, if I often yell and lose my temper, instead of just trying not to do these things I could add a good habit every time I feel myself getting upset and pray to God to be with me and help me to do what is right.<br />
I heard this idea at Mass on Sunday and it rang true in my heart, like a clear and resounding gong of a church bell calling out to us wherever we may be to remember and think about and adore our God, if not at church, at least in the temple that is our body, in our heart, upon which He has written His law. Anyway, I really wanted to share this because I think it will be very helpful in my life and could be helpful to others too.<br />
I pray that day by day, we can all spend more time with God, than in the world and with ourselves. That He dwells in our hearts always drawing us closer to Himself. And please, dear God, through Mary's unblemished hands and the Divine Heart of Jesus, help us to overcome all our bad habits and every evil in our lives. Amen.<br />
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Here are some more ideas for good habits:<br />
Praying the Rosary<br />
Morning prayer and offering<br />
Evening prayer and Examination of Conscinece<br />
Spiritual reading, especially the Bible<br />
Smiling :)<br />
Praying for the people we see and hear about throughout the day<br />
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament<br />
Confession<br />
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Something I've been thinking about:<br />
God wants us to be free from sin, but He also wants us to be free to be who He created us to be and to be in union with Him. So really we should get to know Him and build our relationship with Him while we are here on earth and maybe that is a way for us to have Heaven on Earth. <br />
<br />Gianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710775815620872458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303043131695037495.post-5571105897302047122012-08-14T08:46:00.000-07:002012-08-14T17:30:25.280-07:00St. Maximilian Kolbe<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A new prayer card for a great Saint.The M.I. is what he would sign after his name and it stands for "Soldier of Mary Immaculate". <br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "High Tower Text"; font-size: small; line-height: 119%;">Patron Saint of prisoners, drug addicts, families and journalists</span></div>
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Today, August 14th, in the year of our Lord, 2012, is the feast day of Saint Maximilian Kolbe.<br />
I read his story recently (St. Maximilian Kolbe, A Man For Others) and was really moved by this dear Saint. He was a Franciscan priest and did amazing and wonderful things. He also did many ordinary things with great love and patience. He loved our Mother, Mary and did all things through her. He called Mary his "little Mother". He spread the love of God, devotion to Mary and the church's teachings through a magazine publications using printing presses, which was cutting edge technology then in the early 1900's. He gave much and asked for little. He was very smart and knew different languages. He trusted himself entirely to our Mother's care and protection and she never let him down. She was with him till the end when he gave his life for another man in a Auschwitz concentration camp in 1941. <br />
Thank you God, for this good and holy Saint.<br />
Little Mother, please help us to walk closely in his footsteps that they may guide us closer to Heaven.<br />
St. Maximilian Kolbe, pray for us!<br />
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Here are two prayers I am going to use for his prayer card:<br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "High Tower Text"; font-size: 12.0pt; language: en-US; line-height: 119%; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "High Tower Text"; mso-default-font-family: "High Tower Text"; mso-latin-font-family: "High Tower Text"; mso-ligatures: none;">St. Maximilian Kolbe, so patient and full of love for God and our “little Mother” Mary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Intercede for me that I too, may love without limits and do good to all men. Upon my knees I pray that I may<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>follow your good example, always trusting completely in God, through Mary, who will certainly lead me safely through all difficulties. Help me, good saint, at all times to see the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>loving hand of God at work in my life, to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>answer all things with prayer, and to suffer<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>every hardship, great of small, willingly for God with patience and love. That I may be a light in the darkness of life. </span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "High Tower Text"; font-size: 8.0pt; language: en-US; line-height: 119%; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "High Tower Text"; mso-default-font-family: "High Tower Text"; mso-latin-font-family: "High Tower Text"; mso-ligatures: none;">Feast day: August 14th</span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "High Tower Text"; font-size: 8.0pt; language: en-US; line-height: 119%; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "High Tower Text"; mso-default-font-family: "High Tower Text"; mso-latin-font-family: "High Tower Text"; mso-ligatures: none;">Patron Saint of prisoners, drug addicts, families and journalists</span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Castellar; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Castellar; mso-default-font-family: Castellar; mso-latin-font-family: Castellar; mso-ligatures: none;">The Immaculata prayer by Saint Maximilian Kolbe</span></div>
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O Immaculata, Queen of Heaven and earth, refuge of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>sinners and our most loving Mother, God has willed to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>entrust the entire order of mercy to you. I, (name), a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>repentant sinner, cast myself at your feet, humbly imploring you to take me with all that I am and have, wholly to yourself as your possession and property. Please make of me, of all my powers of soul and body, of my whole life, death and eternity, whatever most pleases you.</div>
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If it pleases you, use all that I am and have without reserve,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>wholly to accomplish what was said of you: “She will crush your head,” and “You alone have destroyed all heresies in the whole world.” Let me be a fit instrument in your<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>immaculate and merciful hands for introducing and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Increasing your glory to the maximum in all the many strayed and indifferent souls, and thus help extend as far as possible the blessed kingdom of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus. For wherever you enter you obtain the grace of conversion and growth in holiness, since it is through your hands that all graces come to us from the most Sacred Heart of Jesus.</div>
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Allow me to praise you, O Sacred Virgin. Give me strength against your enemies. Amen.</div>
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Another prayer by Kolbe:<br />
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Immaculate Conception<br />
Immaculate Conception<br />
Immaculate One of God <br />
Immaculate One of God<br />
My Immaculata<br />
My Immaculata<br />
Our Immaculata<br />
Our Immaculata<br />
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"Take Christ's hand in one of yours and Mary's in the other. Now even if you are in darkness you can go forward with the confidence of a child guided by it's parents."<br />
-St. Maximilian Kolbe<br />
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This post is dedicated to a dear friend of mine and I wish her a very happy anniversary today!</div>
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Gianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710775815620872458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303043131695037495.post-78557581416880244532012-08-13T13:11:00.000-07:002012-08-14T08:48:03.248-07:00Precious Blood<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday my son was baptized and during the mass I saw something that words cannot do justice.<br />
Since my son was being baptized we were sitting right up front in the first row of seats and during communion some of the precious blood happened to spill on the floor just feet away from us near the Eucharistic minister who had the cup. Having just come back from receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus, I looked up and saw the Precious Blood spilled on the ground and watched as the alter boy cleaned up every little drop with great care and respect. The boy was probably about 10 or 11 years old and he carried himself with a level of goodness and maturity that seemed out of place and uncommon for a boy of his age. As he bent down on the floor, he seemed not to be aware of, or concerned about anyone else in the room. Then as he took some white cloth with a small red cross in the middle and gently pressed it into the floor, it quickly soaked up the blood making a striking contrast of deep purple and white. When he had finished cleaning and made sure there was none left behind, he slowly and carefully folded each cloth and took them away. As I watched him do all of this, my heart beheld an image of our Blessed Mother, Mary and how tenderly and sorrowfully she must have done the same thing for her son when she saw His blood spilled out upon the ground. What a mysterious and beautiful gift we have that the very same blood that bled from Jesus' most Sacred Heart, as it was lifted high on the cross, is the very same blood that he continues to pour out for us to receive at every Mass. I am so thankful to have seen this with my heart and not just my eyes as i have many times before. I will keep this memory like a precious little jewel and lock it away in my heart. It will be a fragrant reminder of God's love and goodness, much like the holy oil that is still on my son's head that is reminding me of of his happy baptism. It smells so GOOD! :)Gianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710775815620872458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303043131695037495.post-48205500849409898102012-08-04T10:41:00.000-07:002012-08-06T11:35:11.497-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 119%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Wanted to share a prayer that was given to me yesterday and some words from our Lady. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 119%;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My
mom keeps this quote from our lady of Guadalupe on the fridge so I have
been reading it often. Her words have been comforting me and uplifting
me and I try to hold them in my heart throughout the day. It is easy for
me to forget that Mary is here with me and always ready to help and
pray for me, so I am grateful for the little reminders that come my way. :)</span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; line-height: 119%; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; mso-default-font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; mso-latin-font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; mso-ligatures: none;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; font-weight: bold; line-height: 119%;">“Let nothing discourage you, nothing depress you.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; font-weight: bold; line-height: 119%;">Let nothing alter your heart or your countenance;</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; font-weight: bold; line-height: 119%;">Do not fear any illness or vexation, anxiety or pain. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; font-weight: bold; line-height: 119%;">Am I, your Mother, not with you?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; font-weight: bold; line-height: 119%;">Are you not under the shadow of my protection?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; font-weight: bold; line-height: 119%;">Am I not you fountain of life?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; font-weight: bold; line-height: 119%;">Are you not in the folds of my mantle, in my crossed arms?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; font-weight: bold; line-height: 119%;">Is there anything else that you need?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; font-weight: bold; line-height: 119%;">-Our Lady of Guadalupe </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">O Mary,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">bright dawn of the new world. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mother of the living,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">to you do we entrust the cause of life</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Look down, O Mother,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">upon the vast numbers of babies not allowed to be born,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">of the poor whose lives are</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">made difficult,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">of men and women who are </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">victims of brutal violence,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">of the elderly and the sick </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">killed by indifference of out</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">of misguided mercy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Grant that all who believe in</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">your Son may proclaim the</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Gospel of life with honesty and</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">love to the people of our time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Obtain for them the grace </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">to accept that Gospel </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">as a gift ever new, the joy of</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">celebrating it with gratitude</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">throughout their lives and the</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">courage to bear witness to it</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">resolutely, in order to build,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">together with all people of good will,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">the civilization of truth and love,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">to the praise and glory of God</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">the Creator and lover of live.</span></div>
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Evengelium Vitae~ Pope John Paul II</div>
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<br /></div>Gianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710775815620872458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6303043131695037495.post-79947878596607055892012-07-27T14:23:00.000-07:002012-07-27T14:23:04.251-07:00Offering Our Suffering<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My husband recently brought home a CD about offering our sufferings daily to God by Kimberly Morey. I was able to listen to it a couple days ago and it really helped me to see suffering in a more positive way. I've known for a while now that suffering can be a very good thing and that we should do it with love, but hearing Kimberly talk about it, gave me a clear way to set about actually doing it and answers to why and how it can be good. I think it could be very helpful for anyone who suffers in small or great ways and help us to draw closer to God and fill our lives with more love.<br />
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This is a link to listen to Kimberly Morey talk about her message on a radio show: <br />
<a href="http://www.catholic.com/radio/shows/the-act-of-offering-your-suffering-3841">http://www.catholic.com/radio/shows/the-act-of-offering-your-suffering-3841</a><br />
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And here is a link to her prayers that have a Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur:<br />
<a href="http://www.newce.com/suffering/">http://www.newce.com/suffering/</a>Gianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03710775815620872458noreply@blogger.com0