Wordless Wenesday

HABEMUS PAPAM FRANCISCUM

HABEMUS PAPAM FRANCISCUM I

What a historic event!

The College of Cardinals have elected Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, as Pope Francis I.

May God bless Holy Father Francis, and all the faithful!!

Pray for the Cardinals

“We must pray and pray much; for... no science, no human prudence can furnish a remedy to the evils that desolate the Church: the all-powerful arm of God is needed. 

We must pray to Jesus Christ that he may give us as the Head of his Church a man, less remarkable by his science and human prudence, than by his fervor and his zeal for the honor of God; a man, absolutely inaccessible to every intrigue, who is above all human respect. For, if we have the misfortune to have a Pope elected, who is not a man that seeks only the glory of God, the Lord will aid us but little, and in the present state of things all will go from bad to worse. 

Prayer, then, is the only remedy. 

I have, therefore, written to all the houses of our humble Congregation, and have enjoined upon them to pray with more than ordinary fervor for the election of a new Pope.... Such is the advice that can be given by a miserable man like myself.”

–St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori
Bishop of S. Agata dei Goti
Letter from Arienzo
24 October 1774

Bunch of Questions Meme

Since  Tracy and Jamie Jo played along with this meme (or Bunch of Questions), I thought I'd join the fun.

Here are The Rules:

1. Each person tagged must post 11 things about themselves.
2. They must also answer the 11 questions the “tagger” has set for them.
3. They must create 11 more questions to ask bloggers they have decided to tag.
4. They must then choose 11 bloggers and tag them in their post.
5. These “lucky” bloggers must then be told.
6. No tag backs

Eleven things about myself:
1.  I observed a milestone birthday last month.  The first digit is a 5, and the last rhymes with GO!  :-)  Craig was in Afghanistan, so that's why I observed it, and didn't celebrate it. I was really melancholy that day, but once the day passed, I don't feel any differently. 
2.  I have three grown, married children, and three younger kids at home yet. (My second crop, I tease.)
3.  I have 5 grandchildren, with number six due almost any day.  I love being a Grandma, but it gets tricky sometimes because Crash is only 14 months older than his oldest niece.
4.  I am currently enjoying the blissfully quiet house.  Dad and the 3 kids are deer hunting 'out back'.  The boys didn't make it home for deer hunting this year.
5.  We own 70 acres.  We need to reconfigure a few things, then we'll get more calves to raise for beef.  All is vacant in the livestock area.
6.  We currently have 31 hens and 1 rooster living in the chicken coop, and roaming the yard.  I also have an unintentional stockpile of eggs in the fridge.  Fresh eggs, any one?
7.  We used to live in Alamogordo, NM when Craig was stationed at Holloman AFB.  Loved it there.  We hope to go back to visit Alamogordo and surrounding area.  Last time we were there was October 1991... and that's way too long.
8.  We also lived in Wilmington, Ohio for 6+ years before moving back to Northern MN.  Like to go back there too....  I've been back several times since we moved. Last visit was in '02...   wow. Didn't realize that's been 10 years already.  Hmm, time to go back for a visit.  
9.  We have no home school group around us.  Kinda miss the camaraderie, and I know the kids would love to have other home schoolers to visit and befriend.  MN Catholic Home Education Conference is my one time each year to talk with, and glean ideas from, other home schooling moms.  I wish it'd last an entire week....  J/K (kinda).
10.  I've been making plans for Christmas already.  I was awake at 5am this morning, trying to figure out where everyone will sleep, as all the kids and grandkids will be home!  It'll be crazy-busy, but great.  We always enjoy the big family gatherings. 
11.  Craig and I were HS sweethearts, got married when I was 19 and he was 21, and we've been married for over 30 years.  Would I do anything differently, could I do it all over?  Nope, not a thing.  Love that man that God has blessed me with, and I thank Him.




Eleven Questions Tracy Made Up:

1. If you could go anywhere for one month, where would you go and why?  I'd love to go back to Hawaii, if cost was not a factor, and bring the kids with us this time.  Why? Have you ever hiked a mountain to see the sunrise over the ocean?  Felt so close to God I think I could've touched Him.  The atmosphere in Hawaii is just so relaxed and different, so soothing.  People actually slow down on the freeway to let traffic in!!!  It was amazing.
2. If you could move to another country, where would you move and why?  I'm not sure...  don't think I want to 'move' to another country.  I'd love to visit Italy, and Croatia, Slovenia, Poland... lands of my ancestors, but wouldn't want to move anywhere else.
3. If you could develop a talent for something, what would it be?  Maybe photography.  And listening.  I need to become a better listener.
4. What are three things you really want, but don't really need? hmm. Tough questions! Concerning our remodel, I want granite countertops, but will 'settle' for butcher block...     I want a separate school room, but will continue to school in the kitchen...   and I want all 231 items on my Amazon wish list!
5. What are your own, personal, smartphone rules? (stoplights, check-out lanes, during meals, in the presence of others, in the bed/bathroom)  Smartphone?!  Nope, just an old fashioned digital phone.  And we're mighty lucky to have service at the house!
6. City or country?  I love visiting the city, but country!!
7. Major or minor music?  Major
8. Cats or dogs?  Both
9. Red wine or white?  neither
10. What century and country would you have liked to live in?  I think the Wild West Era would have been amazing.
11. Are you still friends with your college roommates and bridesmaids?  College roommates, no.  We sent Christmas cards until just a few years ago...  My maid of honor was my sister, so yes to her but no, none of the other bridesmaids.

 

My Eleven Questions for you:
1.  What is your favorite, most vivid childhood memory?
2.  Whom do you admire most? Why?
3.  What is your ideal way to spend the day?  (Without concern about cost, chores, or other obligations.)
4.  What is your dream for your children?
5.  What is one dream your have for your spouse?
6.  What is your favorite pastime/hobby?
7.  If you could live a lifestyle other than the one you currently live, what would it be?
8.  Your favorite fictional character is?
9.  What is your one vice you'd love to be rid of?
10.  How would you like most to spend your Golden Years?
11.  What season or holiday do you enjoy most, and why?



Eleven Tagged Bloggers: Well, I am pretty sure I don't have eleven bloggers read my blog, so if you want to play along, consider yourself tagged!!  Or if you'd rather,  just answer in the com box.

Daddy's Home!!

When the military says Dad comes in from Afghanistan in the wee hours of the morning, we thank heaven we're very flexible. 

Here is Crash, patiently waiting. It was nearly 1am at this point...

  Once they landed and were brought up to the hangar, we were told to wait on this side of the roping.....  while the returning members were 'in-processed' on the other side.

There's Daddy! He's holding the manilla envelope.

But when you're a little guy, that 'suggestion' doesn't cut it...
and you just run under the rope.


Because when you are 5, the waiting is too hard and you just need to give Daddy a hug...

Especially when you've missed Daddy so much.

It was apparent that Daddy missed you too, because he was not willing to let you go without a good long hug.

Finally!!!  Daddy's HOME!!


 
The typical 'hurry up and wait' routine is all too familiar...

All the waiting, and the praying, and trusting paid off.  
We thank God for His loving protection and for answering our prayers.
He kept Daddy safe, and protected us here at home, too.  

Although we've been through separations like this many times before, it does not get any easier.

We sincerely thank everyone who remembered us during this deployment.  
Words cannot begin to express our gratitude for your prayers, and from the bottom of our hearts, we thank you.
May God bless you.


Most people really can't grasp the scope of the daily sacrifices made for this great country by wonderful, ordinary men and women in the US military.
May God bless and protect all our military and their families. 

And, especially as Election Day draws near, May God Bless America!

**Note:  All photos on this post were taken by our oldest daughter Candice.

Labor Day Love

Happy Labor Day, everyone!   

I'm posting the following video for your enjoyment, with loving gratitude to my dear husband, and every member of our Armed Forces.  Even though it is Labor Day here in the States, and many of us are enjoying a long weekend, our military members are hard at work.  My guy is working his usual 12-hour shift in the desert, a mere 7,000+ miles away from his family.

Thank you, Honey, for your hard work and your daily sacrifices you make not only for our family, but for our country.  I love you.  Stay safe and may God continue to bless you!

Wordless Wednesday