Blessed John Paul the Great

Saturday Vigil in our home

Today we rejoiced and thanked God for the gift He gave to us, the faithful, in the person of Karol Wojtyła.

Viva Papa

Did you know that Pope John Paul II's official title was Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor of Saint Peter, Head of the College of Bishops, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, Patriarch of the West, Primate of Italy, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman Province, Sovereign of the State of the Vatican City, Servus Servorum Dei, Pope John Paul II?

The tribute in our living room

So we rejoiced and celebrated and remained in a joy-filled atmosphere today.  And we thanked God again for His gift of this man, and continue to ask his intercession daily.

Blessed John Paul the Great, Pray for us!

Thoughts during Easter Week

Isn't this the most beautiful image?

I came across this image while doing a Google image search for Regina Caeli.  I just love that transcending chant, and am printing the words in Latin on card stock so we can read it while we sing.  Of course, the hope is that this will be permanently embedded into our brains, so that we (meaning the children) will be able to sing it any time we want for the rest of our lives!   So I printed the words out in Latin on card stock, added the above image, and viola!  Instant learning tool.  

The fact that we get the privilege to sing the Regina Caeli during the Easter Season is one of my favorite things about Easter...  I love that chant.  Do you need a little something to help jog your memory?  Try this. It's almost angelic in its simplicity. 

Now while I was searching that for you, I came across Sandi Patti singing Via Dolorosa.  Wow.  I may have heard it before, many years ago, because there was something familiar about it.  Chills, I tell you.  I got chills, and goosebumps, and teary-eyed, too. 

Then I began thinking.  Do we live our lives according to the purpose of His calling?  I mean, thinking again about what the Lord has done for each of us,don't we just spend each day of our lives doing what we want to do, without regard to what He wants of each of us? Considering all the blessings God has poured into our lives/my life, I really need to try to serve and glorify Him more.   

The world must know that I love the Father and do everything as the Father has commanded me.  John 14:31

Wishing you a very blessed Easter Season, friends.

Hopeful...

Out my window at lunchtime, after yesterday's snowfall:

Thank you Lord!  I remain hopeful that spring will actually come... (dare I say) soon.

On Being Thankful

May I introduce you to my newest grandchild?

On the blog, I'll call her Noelle.  She was supposed to be born just before Christmas, but she had other plans.  (I am absolutely certain this is not the only time things will go her way.)  She is only 4 1/2 pounds, and her lungs are not quite developed yet, so she is in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.  We're thankful that Noelle is receiving excellent care.  We are also extremely thankful that Noelle is doing so well, but are also praying that she gets well enough to leave the NICU and go home.  Soon.  We want to hold and cuddle her.  Mommy was able to finally hold her for about 30 minutes on Saturday, when Noelle was two days old, and on Sunday for a little bit again. We all are extremely thankful for that!  There have been a few little concerns, but -thankfully - nothing major so far.

 This is Big Brother Harvey visiting the NICU.   Mommy was introducing him to his little sister for the first time when I took this picture.  So far he likes her.  As long as she stays in the NICU, things might be ok between them.  But when she goes to live at his home...  he might decide that she isn't really that great.  Maybe.  Time will tell.

Right now Harvey is staying here with Nana and Grandpa.  Thankfully he likes his Nana.  His Uncle Crash is a built-in playmate.  And Nana is very thankful for Aunties that help so much!!  Our plans have been re-written slightly, and we're very thankful that we homeschool and are rather flexible.  

Between now and the end of the Christmas Season, we're planning to have all the kids and grandkids here, and our parents, too, at one time or another.  I hope to be ready for everyone's visits so that I am not rushed or distracted when our family is here.  There is nothing quite like the hustle and bustle of an ever-growing family packed into a small house.  And I am so very thankful that everyone still enjoys coming home for the holidays.  I love having everyone gathered in our home.  No matter the season, my most enjoyable times are when we're all here together.