Prayers for a blessed Holy Week!

A very busy week.

Last week we were once again blessed with an opportunity to go to Breezy Point! All I can say is a very big "thank you" to those friends who so generously shared their time-share. The kids and I had a wonderful four days swimming, walking, relaxing and visiting with friends. This trip to Breezy Point coincided with the vacation of two other families we know from "mom's group" and it was a blessing to share our vacation with such good friends.

We headed to Breezy Point on Saturday, stayed until Wednesday morning. The boys had some appointments on Thursday and Friday we packed up again and headed out of town to my mother's. Due to a change in position for her job, she now has to work Easter Sunday. So, we had our Easter dinner yesterday, hid some candy filled eggs for the kids, and spent some time visiting.

Now we are trying to stay focused for a few days, get everything unpacked, get some school work finished, and clean up around the house.

Lent is almost over, Holy Week is already upon us and Easter will soon arrive. Another busy week ahead!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Well, we didn't have corned beef and cabbage, but, we had a little celebration for St. Patrick anyways. I made a big lunch with stuffing, baked chicken, and green beans. Even though this is not a traditional St. Patty's day meal, we did serve it all up on green dishes. We listened to the story of St. Patrick and had shamrock cookies (yes, I know... as you can see I took the easy way out and bought ready made cookies I just had to bake!) and we drank green milk (food color can turn lots of foods and beverages into holiday fare!) The kids thought it was fun and I heard lots of "thanks, Mom" so I know they are happy and that makes me happy!



St. Patrick's Breastplate

I bind unto myself today
The strong Name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same
The Three in One and One in Three.

I bind this today to me forever
By power of faith, Christ’s incarnation;
His baptism in Jordan river,
His death on Cross for my salvation;
His bursting from the spicèd tomb,
His riding up the heavenly way,
His coming at the day of doom
I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself the power
Of the great love of cherubim;
The sweet ‘Well done’ in judgment hour,
The service of the seraphim,
Confessors’ faith, Apostles’ word,
The Patriarchs’ prayers, the prophets’ scrolls,
All good deeds done unto the Lord
And purity of virgin souls.

I bind unto myself today
The virtues of the star lit heaven,
The glorious sun’s life giving ray,
The whiteness of the moon at even,
The flashing of the lightning free,
The whirling wind’s tempestuous shocks,
The stable earth, the deep salt sea
Around the old eternal rocks.

I bind unto myself today
The power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, His might to stay,
His ear to hearken to my need.
The wisdom of my God to teach,
His hand to guide, His shield to ward;
The word of God to give me speech,
His heavenly host to be my guard.

Against the demon snares of sin,
The vice that gives temptation force,
The natural lusts that war within,
The hostile men that mar my course;
Or few or many, far or nigh,
In every place and in all hours,
Against their fierce hostility
I bind to me these holy powers.

Against all Satan’s spells and wiles,
Against false words of heresy,
Against the knowledge that defiles,
Against the heart’s idolatry,
Against the wizard’s evil craft,
Against the death wound and the burning,
The choking wave, the poisoned shaft,
Protect me, Christ, till Thy returning.

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the Name,
The strong Name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same,
The Three in One and One in Three.
By Whom all nature hath creation,
Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
Praise to the Lord of my salvation,
Salvation is of Christ the Lord.

Saturday

This past Saturday (thanks to my mother-in-law for organizing) the kids and I joined some family members to pray outside Planned Parenthood in St. Cloud for an end to abortion. I believe our family count was 19 of us in St. Cloud and 3 more at a Planned Parenthood in Michigan during the same time period. We took an hour for the 40 Days For Life campaign. We enjoyed ourselves and, hopefully, our time there was fruitful. When I checked the 40 Days website the count was... day 28, 319 babies saved!!

Field trip

Since Myriah had Monday off at the high school we decided to go on a filed trip. We drove to St. Paul to visit the Cathedral and then went over to the Science Museum.

The Cathedral is truly a very beautiful church. The children were in awe as we walked around looking at the various statues and stained glass windows.

But... the highlight and, really, what prompted the visit to the cathedral in the first place:

An exact replica of Michelangelo's "La Pieta" (Italian for "pity")

After my first miscarriage, back in 1997, the Pieta became my greatest source of comfort. I was 17 weeks along and needed to be induced to deliver my baby. Holding little Lewis' body in my hands, all I could think of was Our Lady holding the broken body of her Son after His death for us, and in the suffering of my heavenly Mother I found comfort for my own. Through the 4 other miscarriages and the loss of my husband, the imagine of the Pieta and the Seven Sorrows of Mary have become very dear to my heart.


Unlike visitors to Rome, here you are able to walk around the statue, seeing it from all sides. What a beautiful piece of art! So hard to imagine how Michelangelo could take a hunk of rock and carve such a detailed wonder.

Look close and you see the scars in His side, in His feet, and in His hand.

Sitting and praying in front my Mother as she cradles her Son, I was struck with such a sense of awe. Such suffering depicted and, yet, such beauty to be found. It was truly a grace filled moment for me that day! A gift from my Lord and His Mother. I found myself wondering, would I ever find the beauty of my own suffering and truly be grateful for it?

Here is a picture of the plaque that stands beside the statue. Click on it to enlarge it. It is worth the read. You can also find more information here.

After visiting the Cathedral we headed over to the Science Museum for the IMAX film on Vincent Van Gogh. Although it could not compare to the time spent at the Cathedral, it was very informational and an enjoyable addition to the day. I never knew Van Gogh had produced so many paintings in his lifetime; 900 paintings and 1100 sketches and drawings (only selling one while he was still living.)

Finally, I return

It has been a very long time since I have take the time to post! Life has been twisting and turning and heading full speed ahead!

As many of you know, I started grad. school in January. As it turns out, the timing is not right for grad. school. But, not to worry. Grad school will always be there!

My oldest son has been diagnosed with Developmental Dyslexia and I have a few others that may have it as well. So, I am looking into specialized training so I will be able to tutor students and adults with dyslexia, starting with my own children. It is very empowering to finally have some very clear answers to some of the things we have been struggling with for years!

Since my last post the kids have been busy with school, but, finding time to enjoy the wonderful weather outside. Bikes, skateboards, and scooters have found their way out of the shed. Last weekend we all headed out to the wild life refuge. I wanted to take some winter pictures to go with our summer and fall shots. Unfortunately, after driving all the way there this is what we found!

So my photo was limited to a distance.

But we chose to find another trail still open to hikers and enjoyed our evening in the woods just the same!