Full Communion

In such a strange twist of fate (or more accurately God's will) I was granted a dispensation to receive the sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion on September 21, 2016.

My eldest son accompanied me to Mass and sat alongside me in the pew with my beautiful friend and sponsor, Christi.

I almost always read the daily readings but that morning I ignored my email containing them and decided to wait until Mass to hear them. Of course, our Lord graced me with the most perfect readings possible for my day of full acceptance into the Catholic Church. As well as it being the Feast of St. Matthew...my eldest son's middle name and Matthew being quite the sinner (which I can relate too maybe a little to well).

Ephesians 4:1-7

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.

This entire passage from Ephesians corresponds exactly with the divine sacraments I received this day. I was called to walk with Him, not only to walk, but to walk in a certain manner. One worthy of the calling. Called to be little and humble, loving and patient, and always striving to maintain peace. The passage speaks directly of the Spirit. Confirmation strengthens you with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and obliges you to walk your faith more diligently. For a bit of information on the Sacrament of Confirmation please check this short article out.


11-13

And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ

This refers back to the grace given to us and the gifts we receive and what we are to do with them. Mainly to build up the body of Christ and the unity of His church through living the gospel and sharing it with others. You never know, you could be raising a future saint!

Matthew 9:9-13 

As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax office; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him. And as he sat at the table in the house, behold many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" But when he heard it, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."

Matthew listened. He did not say, "Hold on a second, I've got to put my money in the bank, or tell my friend where I am going, or grab a coffee." He got up and followed. We don't know much about Matthew but he as a tax collector is grouped with the sinners. He heard the call and he listened and his life was forever changed. I love where Jesus says that those who are well have no need of a physician when he is asked why he is hanging out with sinners. He has no need to call the righteous for they are already where they are supposed to be. It is the sinners he is calling to walk in that worthy manner.


I've hand written these readings in one of my numerous journals along with my experiences and meditations on the day. It is one I will never forget. I was finally able to join the feast and quench the thirst and hunger that I have experienced my entire life.

Blessed is she who comes to the table of the Lord.
Amen.

Sometimes I Say Yes

I'm a no Mom. Or at least I feel that way. But when Stella asked if she could have a tea party, I said yes. I surprised myself with my answer.

Eli came across the scene and asked for his own mug of tea before the girls got started. It's shocking to me, looking at these pictures and realizing how grown up he is getting.

Merry Christmas!

Here is hoping it is warm and bright!

2014 Gift Guide

It's the Friday after Thanksgiving. For the love of God, do not leave your house to go shopping. Please do not support the craziness that is Black Friday. Stay home and shop in your pajamas like normal people.

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For the stylish yet fitness obsessed female in your life, you cannot go wrong with an Athleta or Lulemon gift card. Or any one of these training journals would certainly be well received.

And for that dirty hippie in your family, soaps from The Tiny Farm Company. You can make up a basket full or just stuff their unwashed wool hiking socks with them.

Got a beer loving man, budding craft brewer, or whiskey distiller? Check out this stoneware growler, mini-beer pong set, or whiskey rocks.

Shopping for a foodie? Well how much do you want to spend? A great set of knives perhaps? A Cuisinart Food Processor?  A new cookbook? How about this super stylish cookbook/tablet holder for the home chef who already has a million cookbooks?

This sweet print would be perfect for child or gardener.

And for the person skilled in fiber arts. A gorgeous handmade yarn bowl.

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Gift giving doesn't have to involve stopping by your local Voldemart (the store which must not be named) and grabbing the first gift set that you see. Put a tiny bit of thought into your holiday gifts or at the very least just give a gift card to ensure that your offering isn't re-gifted or stuffed in a closet for all eternity. 

On Thanksgiving Eve

It's my birthday, so I'm indulging in seriously strong rum cake and seriously strong homebrew. This was going to be a wordless Wednesday, but I had words. Whoops.

Six

 

I honestly don’t know how six years could have gone by. Everyone says that, I know. They lament the swiftness of time. Wish they would have done this or that. Slowed down to enjoy it more.

At six, time is still crawling along at a snail’s pace. At six, life is pretty damn good. I wish I could keep you at six. Forever a smiling, silly, whip smart ball of energy.

But I can’t. So instead I will hug you longer. Kiss you more. Stop and really listen. The days are long for you but short for me. There is nothing more important, no chore or email or phone call that can’t wait for you.

Happy Birthday Stella.

What Easter Looked Like Around Here

I admit. I'm not that awesome at celebrating what I deem the "less important" holidays. I have little motivation to fuel the consumerism that is buying, decorating, then throwing away a lot of junk if it isn't a birthday or Christmas.

So for Easter this year, all my children got were cabbage dyed eggs and an ancient Easter tree along with perhaps the simplest offerings the Easter bunny has ever left.

I almost wanted to feel bad as I scrolled through each Instagram of elaborate baskets filled to the brim with goodies. But I didn't let myself. Instead I remembered my values and smiled about the fact my children were quite pleased with their little bit of chocolate, Lego Movie toy, and book. They loved the deep hues of our backyard brown eggs dyed naturally. They marveled over the old crafts that their grandma had hung on to for more than twenty years. After seeing their interest in those eggs I believe we might have to add to the collection next year.

Hi!

I honestly didn't intend to go so long in between posts. So quick catch up!

 

I went trail running. But its been a few weeks ago. The sunrise is especially

 awesome in the woods this time of year.

 

We did the whole Halloween thing. We hardly ever do this. My kids

can't eat the candy anyways so we usually avoid it. This year they were more

about the dressing up part. Stella had never ever had makeup on before. I think that

was her favorite part.

 

Vampire Princess and Harry Potter.

 

Naturally.

 

Maggie and I dressed as twins. Yep. We are dorks.

 

I took this picture in an attempt to show my sister that I do

indeed have chickens with sexy hair.

 

We went hiking with the dogs and this happened on the way. Allie is

a neurotic car rider. Boss just doesn't care.

The woods were extra beautiful on top of Rich Mountain.

 

We traversed the trail down to a late 1800's stone reservoir that once

serviced Queen Wilhelmina Lodge.

 

 

I'm telling you the colors were amazing.

 

And once you got back up to the top, the sky was pretty amazing as well.

 

 

Stella and I bundled up to watch the last soccer game of the year.

Can I get a hallelujah?

 

I got an early birthday present from Warren. I love real wood products.

 

There were numerous moments over the last few weeks that I have been

ever grateful for the opportunity to homeschool my children.

 

And we are just almost done with the kitchen. It just needs grout and then I can

share the full transformation.

 

Girls night! Stuffed shrooms!

 

My crazy friend Emily, whom I adore.

 

And man oh man! It is cold in Arkansas right now. We're talking tights, flannels, and woolen

socks with coffee in hand at all times cold.

 

See? Cash insisted on doing his math lesson bundled to the max.

 

 

Okay! You are officially caught up.