Moments on a Monday

I find myself:

::noticing God's glory

The garden is popping! I'm so enjoying watching the neighborhood come to life. Walking in the morning gives me a chance to soak it all in and to notice even the subtle day-to-day changes. 

::listening to 

The USA-Canada soccer match.

  

::clothing myself in 

Long shorts (short longs?) and a red tunic.

::talking with my children about these books

Since I'm going to share my own reading on Thursdays at needle and thREAD, I thought I'd share some reading from our family's choices. 

Patrick is reading Walking with God: A Journey through the Bible.

Mary Beth is reading Joy in the Ordinary.

Stephen has asked to read the Count of Monte Cristo.

Katie is annoyed beyond belief at how the movie version differs from the book version of Mr. Popper's Penguins.

Nick is still working through the Hunger Games trilogy.

And the little girls and I are gathering all our seashore picture books...

 

::thinking and thinking

When I wrote this piece, I received mail from several people asking about the difference between depression and spiritual desolation. It's not really a question I'm comfortable answering from afar. I think that a good spiritual director is essential in both circumstances and can help to discern the differences.

On a not altogether unrelated note, I also got mail about a post written by a friend of mine. To those folks, I gently reiterate what has always been true here. I hold my friends close and dear. I treasure them. We are all on a journey. I value the fellowship of my friends on that journey and I pray that I can be faithful and true to them every step of the way. When they shoulder a cross, I want to be the first to help them carry it, not the one who walks the other way. And yes, sometimes it hurts. I'm good with that. There's value in suffering.

::giving thanks for

my dear man, who truly did not rest this weekend, but offered me the opportunity to hit the reset button. He's sunburned and exhausted and so very loved.

::pondering prayerfully

"The mark of a Catholic is the ability to see the Divine where it is least expected: in a baby in the arms of his mother, in bread and wine, in prayers tolled on beads, in the voice of an old man in Rome." Fulton Sheen

::carefully cultivating rhythm

Rhythm kicked my tushie last week. After a week upended with Patrick's knee, we had a three day weekend that was about a million soccer games in the boiling heat. Laundry piled up. I got totally exhausted. I had a major house project happening. I might have even eaten pizza and had a cup of coffee. My thyroid went on a wild ride. And then, I totally crashed. Wiped out.  In a big way. I took the whole weekend to get back on an even keel. Much better:-).

::creating by hand

We are making new rosaries for everyone. I'd hoped to have them finished during May, but, um, see above. This week...

I made Karoline a darling sundress yesterday. Another Oliver + S pattern. I might be a Liesl Gibson groupie. She's amazing. Just wonderful. Pictures on Thursday for needle and thREAD. I've got Katie's all laid out. Hopefully, one for Sarah will also happen this week. Sewing makes me happy. Really happy. 

Speaking of needle and thREAD, I've promised myself an hour or so this afternoon to go visiting. I haven't read all the links in the last two weeks. I'm looking so forward to it!

::learning lessons in

discernment of spirits. More reading here.

::encouraging learning 

Summer schedule begins today. Some intensive math. IEW writing. Lots of reading.

::begging prayers

for all the people who have joined our weekend prayer community. I carried your requests with me to Mass and I will keep a candle lit for you throughout the week.

for lonely missionaries

for baby Truman, who drowned in a few inches of water , but was revived. Won't you watch and wait with us, keeping Truman, his doctors, and his beautiful family in your unceasingly prayers?

:keeping house

I deep cleaned the bedrooms of the 3 older boys last week. I also did 16 loads of laundry over the weekend. These two things are related. Yes, I think that's pathetic. It will never happen again. Mark my words.

::crafting in the kitchen 

Green Smoothies. Trying some recipes of Nissa's. Actually, I'm going green in a big way for all of June. We'll see if that helps the thyroid do its thing more efficiently.

 

::loving the moments

when every laundry basket in the house is empty. No, it didn't really happen. But if it did, I'd love the moment.

::living the liturgy

We finished  33 Days to Morning Glory  and the children did their Marian Consecration on the Feast of the Visitation. It was a lovely, lovely day.

This week is the Feast of Corpus Christi. Our mission is named Corpus Christi. I need to think of something good for this feast. Suggestions welcome...

::planning for the week ahead

Dance recital this weekend! Should make for an exciting week.