We were very blessed to be able to go to Marquette for the weekend and participate in Divine Mercy devotions at St. Peter's Cathedral.
We left home on Saturday and enjoyed a beautiful drive to Marquette. Part of the way took us through part of the Ottawa National Forest where we spotted (I think it was) 23 deer. At the end of that road we stopped to get a picture of a sign for a restaurant called (no kidding) "UP Chuck's". We stopped in Ishpeming to visit the St. Vincent's thrift store that our neighbor raves about. We picked up a practically new baby swing, several baby outfits, shoes for Thomas (also practically new) and a pair of jeans for me for less than $12.
When we arrived in Marquette it was still too early to check in to the hotel, so we went to the Upper Peninsula Children's Museum. It was bigger than we expected, and really more of a huge playroom rather than a "museum". There were 3 birthday parties going on at the time we were there, and the place was pretty crazy. We had a lot of fun there, but even the children were ready to go after less than two hours.
After checking in at the hotel and getting some dinner, Chuck took the older children down to the hotel pool. They had a great time swimming! They came back and had another rare "treat"- they watched some TV while Chuck and I played cards. Bedtime that Saturday night was after midnight, so we thought for sure we would all be able to sleep in. Nothin' doin'. The kids started getting up at around 7:00.
We went to Mass at the Cathedral that morning. We thought Mass was at 11:00, but it was really at 11:30 so we had some time to visit the chapel. I got separated from the family and temporarily "lost". I found myself in the crypt where Bishop Baraga is entombed. If ever I am tempted to complain that the bad weather up here is a nuisance, I ought to stop and consider the example of this man who did not let a few feet of snow prevent him from crossing the Upper Peninsula on snowshoes! Mass was lovely. We went back to the hotel to check out, and then got some groceries for a quick brunch.
There is not much I can say about the Divine Mercy service except that the whole thing was just beautiful. By this time Mary was a bit cranky, Joseph and Daniel felt really cranky, and Thomas was tired of the "long church" and kept asking if it was time to go. Normally these things would have annoyed me to no end, but I felt such a peace despite the grumbles. Eventually the little ones settled down (Joseph fell asleep) and Daniel was lifted up with the chanting of the Divine Mercy chaplet. I had to walk Mary across the floor at the back of the cathedral, but that gave me the opportunity to admire the architecture and stained glass windows while we prayed.
After the service was over I was able to pass off the baby and spend a few quiet moments in front of the Divine Mercy image. I imagined the rays from Jesus' Heart penetrating into my own. I prayed that where there was darkness, Christ would give me His light; where there was sin I asked for His strength and peace.
I pray this same prayer for all of you, my loved ones. God bless and keep you all!
Monday, March 31, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
Jesus, I Trust In You
the official image, found at the altar of St. Faustina's monastery in Poland. Information regarding Divine Mercy Devotion
The Last Hope of Salvation by Mark Mallett
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Thomas' New Card Trick
"Okay, Mama, I have two cards here. Recognize them. I'm going to put them together. Now turn them over. Now I'm going back upstairs....."
[Thumping footsteps up the stairs; thumping footsteps down the stairs...]
"Now there's only one card! Isn't that a good trick!?"
[Thumping footsteps up the stairs; thumping footsteps down the stairs...]
"Now there's only one card! Isn't that a good trick!?"
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Christ is risen!
He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!
Thank you for your prayers. Chuck made it home extremely early on Saturday. We were able to go to the vigil Mass yesterday. This is the first time we've ever gone to the vigil with the children. Mass was beautiful!
May the risen Christ bless each of us and our families with His promise of light and peace.
God bless!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Prayer Request
Here it is the Tuesday before Easter and we do not know yet when Chuck will make it home. He's been in California for more than seven weeks now, and I am asking you to please say a heartfelt prayer for us. Thank you.
God bless!
God bless!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Beautiful Days
It's too early to say that spring is right around the corner. So let's say just one more block to go and then around the corner!
Yesterday was a wonderful day. We went to visit our friends, and to see their beautiful new baby horse. She was just the cutest thing, only three days old! She has a sweet little face and the softest coat. I think even Chuck could have fallen in love with this little girl! We had such a nice visit, though.
Today was another warm and mostly sunny day. By warm, I mean it got up to 45 degrees. That's still a little cool, but it's a whole 70 degrees warmer than Saturday morning's low temperature. So yeah- it felt really comfortable! There is still a lot of snow on the ground even though we haven't gotten any new snow in a few days now. We're supposed to get a couple inches tonight, but that's nothing. It is really funny how my definition of "snow" has changed. Two years ago, if it had snowed an inch we would have been shut down. Now anything under six inches doesn't seem to even count!
Tomorrow I go to the eye doctor so he can check my new contacts and make sure they are fitting right before the warranty expires. This will require me to shut down the house, pack up all the children, drive about 20 miles to Ewen, all while maintaining my peace and sanity. The bonus is that for a few minutes I will be sitting in a quiet and darkened room while my children are under the watchful eyes of adults other than me. (I warned the office staff that I'd have to bring my crew with me. She said she'd schedule me for a time when the office would be otherwise empty!) Considering this is the closest thing to a babysitter I've had since we moved here, I'll take it!
God bless!
Yesterday was a wonderful day. We went to visit our friends, and to see their beautiful new baby horse. She was just the cutest thing, only three days old! She has a sweet little face and the softest coat. I think even Chuck could have fallen in love with this little girl! We had such a nice visit, though.
Today was another warm and mostly sunny day. By warm, I mean it got up to 45 degrees. That's still a little cool, but it's a whole 70 degrees warmer than Saturday morning's low temperature. So yeah- it felt really comfortable! There is still a lot of snow on the ground even though we haven't gotten any new snow in a few days now. We're supposed to get a couple inches tonight, but that's nothing. It is really funny how my definition of "snow" has changed. Two years ago, if it had snowed an inch we would have been shut down. Now anything under six inches doesn't seem to even count!
Tomorrow I go to the eye doctor so he can check my new contacts and make sure they are fitting right before the warranty expires. This will require me to shut down the house, pack up all the children, drive about 20 miles to Ewen, all while maintaining my peace and sanity. The bonus is that for a few minutes I will be sitting in a quiet and darkened room while my children are under the watchful eyes of adults other than me. (I warned the office staff that I'd have to bring my crew with me. She said she'd schedule me for a time when the office would be otherwise empty!) Considering this is the closest thing to a babysitter I've had since we moved here, I'll take it!
God bless!
Monday, March 10, 2008
For a Limited Time!
Anybody who comes over to our house in the next five minutes will be treated to a FREE look at my clean bathroom! That's right- no mystery smudges on the wall, no toothpaste glops in the sink, and even that yucky place behind the toilet is odorless and glistening! There is even a clean drinking cup on the counter and a clean hand towel on the rack for your convenience! But hurry because time is running out!
Sunday, March 9, 2008
This and That
I thought I would give everyone a quick update. We have been doing well. The children are all healthy (amazing!) and Mary is getting so big. She sat completely alone for about 20 seconds yesterday before crumpling forward in a heap to chew her toes.
We had our coldest night yet since we moved up here this weekend. I don't even know how bad it got! Our atomic clock gives the outside temperature but when I got up Saturday morning it said "-OF.L" I'm pretty sure that means "Only Fools Live (here year 'round)." At about 10:00 after it had "warmed up" for a few hours it said -25.8. Fahrenheit. Seriously.
Daniel participated in the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time this weekend. I'm happy to report that it went well, he apparently remembered what to do, and now he is really looking forward to receiving first Holy Communion in April! I don't know if it is really typical for most children to be "scared" for these first sacraments, but none of our children have been. It is very sweet and inspiring to see the anticipation with which he awaits his first reception of Our Lord in the Eucharist. His first Communion will be April 20th, please keep him and all those receiving the sacraments for the first time in your prayers!
The bad news is my digital camera is broken, so I'm not going to be able to get pictures up for a while. The good news is that Chuck should be home by the end of this week! He told me today that he is getting sick of the "warm, sunny California days". Puh-leeze! ;-) I know he IS getting sick of it, though. He has been there six weeks now, and we are really looking forward to welcoming him home in time for Holy Week and Easter. It will be wonderful even if it is chilly.
God bless!
We had our coldest night yet since we moved up here this weekend. I don't even know how bad it got! Our atomic clock gives the outside temperature but when I got up Saturday morning it said "-OF.L" I'm pretty sure that means "Only Fools Live (here year 'round)." At about 10:00 after it had "warmed up" for a few hours it said -25.8. Fahrenheit. Seriously.
Daniel participated in the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time this weekend. I'm happy to report that it went well, he apparently remembered what to do, and now he is really looking forward to receiving first Holy Communion in April! I don't know if it is really typical for most children to be "scared" for these first sacraments, but none of our children have been. It is very sweet and inspiring to see the anticipation with which he awaits his first reception of Our Lord in the Eucharist. His first Communion will be April 20th, please keep him and all those receiving the sacraments for the first time in your prayers!
The bad news is my digital camera is broken, so I'm not going to be able to get pictures up for a while. The good news is that Chuck should be home by the end of this week! He told me today that he is getting sick of the "warm, sunny California days". Puh-leeze! ;-) I know he IS getting sick of it, though. He has been there six weeks now, and we are really looking forward to welcoming him home in time for Holy Week and Easter. It will be wonderful even if it is chilly.
God bless!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
