Long over due update with multiple ramblings!

The last several months have an very busy. I'm so thankful for one of the best summers that I've had. I was able to visit my son in California , visit my friend's daughter in Nashville, visit relatives in New Jersey, visit my daughter several times in Columbus and watch my son childhood friend to get married!

My journey to 500 miles has not grown a lot but I'm thankful for the 58.27 that I have been able to walk. I truly believe that events and people are put in our lives for a reason. I just found a walking buddy to walk a couple mornings a week. This will definitely improve my health and help my walking journey. Also at work they have started a biggest loser contest. That will surely help with some accountability for this journey.

Several years ago I was able to participate in a  CRHP retreat process. In this process you attend a retreat and the following year you put a retreat on to help with the faith lives of others. as the years continue on your particular group also helps provide meals and care letters for others. I just wanted to share a little prayer square that I crocheted to give to the most recent retreat group:

The same prayer is for those of you reading! 

Blessings~

Norma

Dynamic Catholic

I just started reading a book called, "The 4 Signs of a Dynamic Catholic". I have barely gotten started but the book so far is very very good. One of the signs is prayer. It has really made me think that I need to dedicate more purposeful time to my prayer life. It also started me thinking on how to help others with their prayer life. We have an abundance of old T-shirts in our closets. I decided to make a prayer pillow. 

I will be giving this to my daughter to use for herself or give to a friend. I also have some other ideas that I found on Pinterest that I will be working on to share with you at a later time! 

Have a good week and pray!

Many Blessings!

~Norma

Many thankfuls!

                                     

Last week, my daughter and I were so fortunate to be able to visit her brother, my son in California! Because of working schedules it was just a 3 full day, 4 night trip. We packed a lot into those 3 days! My son is an excellent planner.  He had an itinerary with the places that we most wanted to see and do. I just have to say that God worked overtime designing the coastline! My favorite part of the trip other than being able to spend time with both of them, was driving with his convertible top down on the Pacific coast highway! The view was breathtaking! I am thankful for the treasured time and the beauty that we were able to view.

My daughter has spent the last several years working as an intern and volunteer for her local parish in Ohio.  She has wanted to be a youth minister for 6-7 years now.  She has prayed about it and so have many others.  Several weeks ago, a friend went on a pilgrimage to Medjugorje. She took along prayer requests and left them there. One of my prayers that I asked for intercessory prayers from our Blessed Mother  Mary was for my daughter to be able to be in ministry full time. Last night, my daughter was offered her dream job as a young adult / middle school age minister at her local parish.  I am so thankful for answered prayers and having the Blessed Mother on our side! 

For my journey I am now at 466.85 miles to go! Walking a lot in California helped! 

Life is good because God is good! 

First steps

I am proud of the work so far this week. I am down a couple of pounds and taken some miles off my 500 goal. I have walked a little over 15 miles this month. With missing a couple of weeks before my head got in the game I have some miles to make up to stay on track.

I have to say that I am thankful for my job. The last several weeks have been tough with cuts to my job but I just heard yesterday that my friend is being cut to part time and lost her insurance. This is happening so often in my little corner of Ohio. I ask for prayers for all those who are worrying about their livelihoods.

Long time and new goals -actually old goals revisited

Last year I created a vision board. The vision board contains dreams and goals that I had hoped to accomplish the year of my 50. I missed the boat tremendously.

Starting my summer vacation off this year with a lot of down time and wasted time I decided that it was time to re-create and kick myself in the rear. I have so many things of which to be thankful for a great family a nice home and a job. I have my health which will start to go down hill if I don't start working on making my dreams and goals come true.

I am a person who needs accountability. So I'm going to tackle one of the goals on my vision board. You'll see the number 500. That is how many miles I wish to walk between now and next year at this time. Each week I will post update as to how I am progressing withmy goal. My second goal is each week again to remember to post the things that I am so thankful for.

A lot of this stems from a terrible tragedy this week to family member's brother. While the two were voting the boat experienced technical trouble. Unfortunately while attempting to fix the boat my cousin in law's brother drowned. While I'm sure he is in heaven with our Lord, his family is grieving. This really has me thinking that we need to try to make each and every day the best we can be. And a lot of that can be fostered by setting goals.

I hope you'll follow me in my journey.

Grateful for my Dad

This past weekend my dad called me early in the morning to ask if I had read the book, "Rediscovering Catholicism" . I told him that I have read portions of it but never sat down to read the book cover to cover. You could almost hear tears in his voice when he encouraged me to read the chapter about the grocery.
On the way to dinner on Saturday evening I picked up the book to take with me and I read the story. It was so touching and by the time I got to the restaurant I could not stop crying. This story describes a gentleman who met Mother Teresa while on a flight. He was fortunate enough to be seated beside her. Mother Theresa and her traveling companion held up their groceries and begin to pray the rosary on the flight. When the flight ended Mother Teresa questioned the gentleman about whether or not he prayed the rosary. She gave him her rosary and told him that now he would. The story goes on to explain that this rosary was passed around and lives were changed. While I believe in the power of Mary's intersession, I agree with the author that possibly lives were changed because of the renewed spirit. This renewed spirit only comes through prayer.
It took a while for the tears to stop flowing after I read this story. I am so thankful that my Dad was moved enough by the story to call and share with me. I am so thankful for the reminder of how prayer can truly renew our spirit.

Beware

I just wanted to make all of you aware that for some reason I have Spaanem coming up on my blog reading list. I am unable to get rid of it. I've attempted to contact blogger for support and have been unsuccessful. Please know that if any of the shows up on your blog in relation to mind it is not of my doing. If you have had this happen to you and have any experience on how to get rid of it I would be appreciative thank you and may God bless you!

Follow Me

This weekend I attended St. John's Catholic Church in Delphos Ohio. The homily brought back so many memories of a great song and musician. We were asked to remember the song "Follow Me" by John Denver as a conversation with God. I can't even think of anything else to add to this. I'm sharing it with you. I hope some of you will have a wonderful walk down memory lane as I did and also take a new meaning from this beautiful song.

John Denver — Follow Me

It's by far the hardest thing I've ever done
To be so in love with you and so alone

Follow me where I go what I do and who I know
Make it part of you to be a part of me
Follow me up and down all the way and all around
Take my hand and say you'll follow me

It's long been on my mind
You know it's been a long, long time
I've tried to find the way that I can make you understand
The way I feel about you and just how much I need you
To be there where I can talk to you
When there's no one else around

Follow me where I go what I do and who I know
Make it part of you to be a part of me
Follow me up and down all the way and all around
Take my hand and say you'll follow me

You see I'd like to share my life with you
And show you things I've seen
Places that I'm going to places where I've been
To have you there beside me and never be alone
And all the time that you're with me
We will be at home

Follow me where I go what I do and who I know
Make it part of you to be a part of me
Follow me up and down all the way
Take my hand and I will follow you

Lyricsfreak.com © 2009

Life takes over!

It is been a long time since I've posted on here. It's not for lack of things to be grateful for. Just a few: My son is safely settled in California. We had a wonderful Easter with family. It was a little rough with this being the first holiday that my son was not home. But we were able to talk to him via FaceTime. Oh how wonderful is technology! I am managing to stay about three or four days ahead of all of my paperwork. I.
work in the schools and typically this is the roughest time of the year for end of the year paperwork.
What prompted me to post today was being at church last evening and witnessing a wonderful site. We had neat 80-year-old substitute minister. Watching him sing the Psalms of response with the cantor was touching. He had his eyes closed and was singing with every ounce of praise he had. What a great role model he is. That is my gratitude thought for the day. How blessed we all are to have mentors and models in our lives to help us lead prayerful and blessed lives.
I hope you all are enjoying a beautiful day. I'm thankful for the sun and 65° temperatures here in Ohio. I'm going out to work in the yard!

Be with me Lord

The last couple of weeks have seemed exhausting. I am entering into one of the busiest seasons for my work. I have also been working extra at my casual pool jobs to earn money for my upcoming trip. Needless to say many days I feel tired and exhausted. Yesterday was no different. Adding to the exhaustion and worry was that phone call that parents dread. My child was in pain and hurting. His friend was in pain and hurting. When something like this happens with one of my children I picture scenes from the movie The Passion. I picture the agony on Mary's face as she watched her son on His path. I picture Mary on her knees wiping up His blood. Those images comfort me to know that I'm not alone in wanting to protect my adult children.
At church I began to pray for the intercession of the Holy Spirit to guard and protect my child and his friends.  I imagine a holy light coming down to surround and protect them. After hearing our
responsorial Psalm for the weekend, "Be with me Lord when I am in trouble", I said my prayers with more fervor. I prayed with myself in mind as well because my heart is in trouble observing and hearing my child's pain. At first it felt selfish. Then I remembered how God gave Mary comfort at the foot of the cross. He knows too my heart was hurting and will be with me.

What is your calling? I would love to hear your answers.

This past week I was asked to lead our Bible study group, while our leader was on vacation.  We are studying the Psalms of ascent, by Beth Moore. (For those of you who have completed the study it is a beautiful study for those of you who haven't encourage you to look at it.) Of course I said yes.
I spent hours reading and reviewing the homework to make for sure that I could effectively lead. I was not prepared however to respond to a major concern of one of our participants. She explained how she didn't know a loving God like we all do. She felt left out because a harsh upbringing left her to question a loving God.  She was overtaken with being unable to make peace with the mother that fostered this belief. I was fortunate that many women in our group spoke up to comfort her. Unfortunately this monopolized the Bible study. I was torn between offering comfort and staying on track with our projected work for the week. Needless to say, I left the study feeling like I was not the leader this group needed. I was ready to throw in the towel in case I was ever asked again to lead. I am just not cut out for it.
This week's readings focused on answering your calling.  From Isaiah, "Here I am Lord, send me". This really helped me to refocus on why we should answer a call. The purpose is for the glory of God not the glory of me. As I prepared to lead the study this past week, I'm not sure that that's what my focus was on.
So I ask myself, will I lead our group again if asked? The answer is yes. The answer will be yes to other opportunities to serve. My prayer will change. I will ask God to help me serve Him for His glory not my own.
What is your calling? How do you serve God? Are you willing to say "Hear I am Lord send me"?
I would love to hear your answers.
Many Blessings to you today!
Norma
P.S. I still consider my greatest calling is to be a good mother, especially now that my children are adults.

Journeys

This week I've taken a great deal Comfort from Psalm 121. We are studying this in our Bible study. We are working on Beth Moore's study of the Psalms of  Ascent. 

I lift my eyes to the hills where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord the maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip he who watches over you will not slumber indeed he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you the Lord is your shade at your right hand, the sun will not harm you by day nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from harm- he will watch over your life;

 the Lord will watch your coming and going both now and forever more.

Over the next several weeks both of my children, Kate and Adam, will be going through their own journeys. Kate is taking the plunge and purchasing her first car. And Adam will be moving to California. After studying this Psalm over the last week I have really tried to keep the focus on the fact that the Lord, our God, will be watching over my children. I wish it were easy. It's not. 

Life is Truly about change and journeys.  I pray this week, that you will have comfort in your journeys. 

Please keep me in your prayers as well as I help my children with their journeys.

Service

Today's readings were from first Corinthians chapter 12 verses 4 to 11. This is a beautiful reading regarding the gifts that we are given from God via the Holy Spirit. Verse 11 speaks to the fact that we are all given gifts and he gives them to each one of us as he determines. So that does mean we all have our special gift that we are able to share. Sometimes I find myself thinking I don't have a lot to share. Today's reading reminds me that no matter what I think or feel I have been given very special gifts. It is my choice what I do with those gifts. There is nothing better to do with the gifts that we are given than to share them somehow through service.
This morning I opted to go to a nearby parish, St. Rose in Lima, Ohio. Fr. Dave gave a beautiful homily regarding how service has changed throughout the years. He started with examples of how years ago when you went to a gas station was called a service station. Not only did they give you gas, they cleaned your windows and checked your oil. So many other things that he's talked about this morning also made me smile and laugh at remembering how things used to be. Even though I'm only 50, I've heard stories and have seen some of the things he discussed. His last comment that was what hit me right between the eyes. He talked about the service that we provide to different organizations, from the symphony to our churches, are a reflection of our faith in Jesus Christ and the knowledge of the gifts that the Holy Spirit has bestowed upon us.
My prayer for today is that all of us can take advantage of the gifts that we have to offer. I pray that we can offer them as service to ourselves and to others.  This week my offerings of service are to make a hat for one of my students and to volunteer to prepare the music for our weekly Bible study. For myself, I'm offering to exercise at least 15 minutes every day and to eat a more balanced diet.
What are your offerings of service for this week?

Thank you for taking the time to read today. I hope you have a wonderful week and I look forward to hearing your comments.

Wishing you the Lords blessings,
Norma

Grow your blog party!

Hello Everyone!
My name is Norma and I have joined others in a grow your blog party.
It is sponsored by Vicki at www.vicki-2bagsfull.blogspot.com

I started this blog to share some of my spiritual journey and to fellowship with others in their journey.  My original intent was to do a weekly post that referred to the readings at mass that week. But I have not always been able to keep up with that.  It is still my intent to share what I learn from church or my Bible study.  More readers would make me more accountable!

I do have two adult children - my life's blessings! 2 of many blessings! I work full time as a physical therapist specializing in children with developmental disabilities. I love my work.  I live in a small town in west central Ohio.

My prayer is that you come here often and  share your experiences with me!
Thank you for taking your time and stopping by!

Norma

Happy 2013!

This is a thankful jar that was posted several times on facebook and I am sorry not to remember the reference.  I had the perfect jar to start my own today!   I look forward to next New Year's Eve - reading through the notes of blessings that I put in it this year.  

This holiday season has gone by quickly.  It has been a good season for our family.  We had some great times to add to our memories.   

The reading for yesterday's Gospel triggered the feelings of letting go of your children.  Luke 2: 41-52 tells the story of Jesus being lost from his parents but all the while he was in the temple, his Father's house.  Mary reprimanded him when she questioned him about why he had had stayed behind.  She let him know how she was worried about him.  While listening to this I thought of how Mary had to start letting go of Jesus at a very young age.  And now I have to let go too of my children more than just dropping them off at college.  Kate, my 25 year old, is well settled into her own life in Columbus, Ohio (only a 100 minute drive away).    She was home for the holidays but this is not her home- she has her own duplex, own church, own family of friends there.  And now in 7 short weeks, Adam too will be making his own home much farther away in California.  I am so excited for him considering the adventures that lie ahead for him.  But I cannot help but remember the worry even Mary had as she began the letting go process.  Jesus had his purpose as both my children have their purpose.  I pray that I may be more like Mary as she kept the words of her child in her heart and let our heavenly Father take the lead in fulfilling the purpose for which her child was born. 

I welcome comments and prayers about the process you may have gone through in letting go of your children.

Happy New Year!

~Norma