Family - Sticking Together No Matter What

It's hard to define family nowadays. Everyone comes from different backgrounds and situations. When I was growing up most families were about the same. Nuclear, mom and dad, kids, the dog. Once my friend's parents separated for a summer and then got back together. It was very exciting and romantic. All the makings of a soap opera but with a happy ending.

When my youngest was in grammar school, a cute little boy in her class had a less romantic story. Her father had murdered his mother and was now in prison. The little guy lived with his grandparents.

With all that can and does happen, it makes sense to find out about your relationship's family before making any commitments. But hardly anyone does. Love is supposed to "take care of things". We don't want to be suspicious because it makes us seem petty and small. Plus, what can happen?

Turns out, plenty. In the case of my daughter's boyfriend, a real doozy. Zach is still here with us and may be for another month. For now we are court appointed guardians in charge of daily baby care, his preemie appointments, and taking Elizabeth back and forth so she can see him. Our dog Trixie pictured above is brings Zach's pacifier when he cries.

Why do we do this? We are a family. We do not give lip service about how family oriented we are and then back off when things get tough. Plenty of people do this. I call them fake families. They look real on the outside but inside resemble stage sets made out of plywood. Many families, even good Christian Catholic ones turn their backs on daughters who made bad choices with men. But would Jesus?

Bad people can enter our lives through many means. Evil is a relentless stalker and we have no immunity. Some people believe that if we are good, God is somehow obligated to give us a happy and prosperous life, safe from evil. What malarkey!

If evil is destined to touch us somehow what can we do as a family? The glue that binds a real family is love. Love for each other in the love God has shown to us. It is a privilege, not a chore to give to each other. Forgive, wipe the slate clean regularly, and circle the wagons around those in danger. If we love, truly love someone, we participate in their destinies. Wherever that may take us.

There are not as many verses in the Bible about happy family making as one would imagine. Most of them deal with honoring and obedience. Jesus gives the example for us to love through sacrifice. We can learn and be inspired about real love from Him.

Love never fails...

Summer is coming! Let's choose to still dress modestly.

Standards of Modesty in Dress

Imprimatur dated Sept. 24, 1956

"A dress cannot be called decent which is cut deeper than two fingers breadth under the pit of the throat; which does not cover the arms at least to the elbows; and scarcely reaches a bit beyond the knees.  Furthermore, dresses of transparent materials are improper."

The Cardinal Vicar of  Pius XII

I always know summer is around the corner because the church bulletin has an announcement that requests (basically pleads) for girls and women to dress modestly for Mass during the summer months. I always found it weird that one must be reminded to not wear revealing clothing to a sacred place for worship. Not trying to be judgmental or anything. Our culture has alot to do with it.

But how much? Shouldn't we instinctively know that showing our cleavage, midriff, and most of our legs is not appropriate? And I am going to go out on a limb and say not just to Mass, but anytime.

The quote by Pius XII may seem outrageous to some but these are almost the exact same rules we had at my private, all dress wearing high school. The only difference is that we were allowed to wear short sleeves above the elbow but no tank tops under any circumstance. They would send you home.

And you know what? We managed to dress attractively in spite of these restrictions. We respected ourselves and the guys learned how to respect us also. Women were not created to be objects.

What are some excuses we hear for dressing immodestly:

The way I dress is my business. If anyone has a problem with it, too bad.
Actually, as long as you are in public, the way you dress is everyone's business.

I can't help it if men look at me.
Isn't that what you are going for? Don't deceive yourself.

It's what is in my heart that counts, not what I am wearing.
Very true. What is in your heart when you choose to dress like a hoochy instead of a lady?

It's too hot to dress modestly.
In the desert countries that is exactly what people do to keep cool.

I'm too young to dress like that. It's time to flaunt it!
Youth is a time to start learning to make good decisions and develop a healthy self-respect. It will stay with you the rest of your life!

Modest means frumpy and I won't dress that way.
It does not have to mean frumpy! You can dress very attractively and still be modest.

I don't own any modest clothes.
Start with a couple of skirts. Make sure they are at least slightly below knee length. They come in every color and fabric under the sun and you can usually pair them with a simple top. If you have trouble finding a modest top try a nice tee shirt that is not skin tight or see through.

Let us respect our churches and our Mass. Dress appropriately.

Postpartum Depression

It’s been a rough month. A few weeks ago we took Zach home with us and he has remained these last three, going on four weeks.  We didn’t know what to think. My daughter had her on-again off-again boyfriend move in with her when he showed up for the birth. She honestly thought it was the right thing to do. Idealism at its most deceptive.

We were against it. If he wants to live with her he can marry her, we figured. Not that we wanted that, if we were honest with ourselves. He was not someone we want in our family despite his being our grandchild’s father. My parents were not so hot on a marriage either when they met him. The guy gives off a bad vibe.

On the one hand we are devout Catholics, believe in family, and especially believe in the sanctity of human life. Zach is such a blessing. We also know this guy is no good. And he has spent the last six weeks proving how “no-good” he is.  Things culminated when he threatened to kidnap Zach. We got him that night and a few days later a judge ordered him to stay with us until this matter is resolved.

Now something is off with my daughter. At first she missed him and came down on her days off work to be with him. Now she doesn’t seem to want to see him. She told me she is too busy to come up this week. A whole week! We know something is wrong. Really, really wrong.  

I spoke to some of my CNA pals at work. They have been along for the whole ride from pre-eclampsia, preemie birth, to here. They believe my daughter has post-partum depression. Of course, why didn’t I think of that! Who wouldn’t be depressed after all she has gone through?

Now we just need to get her some help. I know it won’t be easy but we will persevere. Things are still unresolved with the boyfriend which is a bummer. But at least we know where to turn.

"charity beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things" (1 Corinthians 13:7).

Living With Contradiction: An Introduction to Benedictine Spirituality by Esther de Waal

Life does not add up:  the longer I live, the more that is brought home to me.



     This book is recommended reading for Benedictine oblates at the Mt Angel abbey near my home. It speaks of our deep need to be healed and whole in life. Indeed, the world gives us many books, classes, and ways in which we can be healed once and for all. The Benedictine way shows us how to find balance and rhythm in living with the contradictions, unresolved issues, and paradoxes of life.

The greatest paradox of all is the paschal mystery; Christ's death and resurrection.

The Christ on the cross is the ultimate contradiction, holding together the vertical, pointing towards the Father, and the horizontal arms stretching out to the world. This is the Christ to whom St. Benedict is pointing.

     We need not be caught between naive hope and meaningless despair. This book emphasizes contemplation, service for others, and balance within myself and my relationships. Listening rather than imposing our own agendas helps us to love and appreciate others.

     Another aspect of Benedictine spirituality is humility. Humility is facing the truth rather than hiding behind illusions and self-deceptions. Humility is letting God be God. Shedding false ambition and pride and other destructive tendencies is the beginning of real communion with God.

     This is the first book I have read on Benedictine spirituality and found it quite liberating. It does not deny the tough stuff, try to gloss over pain, or give simple answers to life's often agonizing questions. So much of the Christian healing seems steeped in denial and it was refreshing to see St. Benedictine's way does not go down this same tiresome road. I am looking forward to reading A Guide to Living in the Truth: St. Benedict's Teaching on Humility by Michael Casey.

Saved In Hope: Spe Salvi by Pope Benedict XVI

"... it is the great hope based upon God's promises that gives us courage and directs our action in good times and bad."

     Saved in Hope is Pope Benedict's second encyclical to the Catholic Church. For those who don't know, a Papal Encyclical is a letter addressed to the bishops or a wider audience regarding a matter of doctrine or significant issue.

     The title is taken from Saint Paul who wrote "in hope we have been saved" and speaks of the courage to face the challenges of life with the hope that comes from knowing God.

     But it goes much farther than that. Pope Benedict talks about our responsibility to be a community as opposed to having a individualistic faith. He speaks of how individualism is prevailing with the help of "reason" and "progress" brought about by enlightenment theories starting several centuries ago. Faith in God turns into faith in progress which can lead to terrifying consequences which he calls "the perverse end".

If technical progress is not matched by corresponding progress in man's ethical formation, in man's inner growth, then it is not progress at all, but a threat for man and for the world.

   The Pope is not opposed to progress. In fact, he encourages Christians to use technology for the purpose of doing good. Benedict answered questions online during a Good Friday service and will be calling the Endeavor, led by mission commander Mark Kelly, while it is in space. However he feels that moral growth must match that of progress in order to truly differentiate good and evil.

All serious and upright human conduct is hope in action.

     Absolute love exists with absolute certainty. I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself up for me. Hope survives our own personal failures and even a "breakdown of historical significance."

Only the great certitude of hope that my own life and history in general, despite all failures, are held firm by the indestructible power of Love, and that this gives them their meaning and importance, only this kind of hope can them give the courage to act and to persevere.

     I cannot say enough good things about this inspiring book. I highly recommend it to my fellow Catholics and Christians from other faith traditions. 

Happy Easter!

He is risen! Alleluia!

I've Ordered Some New Books!

We are putting most of our tax return into savings. But we decided shoes for Jim, a sewing machine for me, and a few goodies would not put our finances out of whack. I wanted to expand our Catholic library just a bit and here are some good deals I found. I loved the stories of the Desert Fathers and others from the first few centuries. The Fathers includes Saint Clement, Bishop of Rome, Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Origen of Alexandria, Saint John Chrysostom, Saint Basil, Saint Gregory Nazianzus, and St. Maximus of Turin. I can't wait.

God is Love got great reviews. It seems like such a simple concept but so many miss it. Here is a quote from the book.
"In a world where the name of God is sometimes associated with vengeance or even a duty of hatred and violence, this message is both timely and significant. For this reason, I wish in my first Encyclical, to speak of the love which God lavishes upon us, and which we in turn must share with others."

Pope Benedict's second encyclical takes its title from St. Paul, who wrote, "In hope we have been saved". A good quote from the book is...
Hope enables us to look to the next life, but it also inspires and purifies our actions in this life.

As a Catholic and lifelong Christian, I am baffled by some of my brothers and sisters in Christ and their absolute unwillingness to modify their beliefs in the seven-day Creation story. It has become so dogmatic that they actually piggy-back belief in God onto it! I saw this book and thought, thank God. I can't wait to read this.

I love the Divine Office and am slowly learning to be faithful to it. Truthfully, it goes in fits and spurts. I wanted to see what Phyllis Tickle does with it. My husband and son get up in the middle of the night to deliver papers and I am up early for work. The Night Offices intrigues me since I have never prayed them. This will be a new experience for me.

I am excited about my new books. They should be trickling in one by one for the next couple of weeks. Perfect!

A Preemie Post

Goodness, it feels like I have been gone for such a long time! But it has been pretty busy around here. Early in March, my daughter was admitted to the hospital for preeclampsia and had an emergency c-section on the 16th. We welcomed Zach, our 2 lbs. 13 oz. grandson who was briefly shown to my daughter before being whisked away to NICU.

They injected her with steroids beforehand which helped with his lung development. He never needed special breathing aids. The tube in his nose is for breastmilk to go directly to his tummy. Mostly he had the occasional apnea, (scary!) a touch of jaundice, and learning how to suck and breath at the same time.

Here is me holding Zach with Elizabeth standing by me. The thing stuck to his head measures for jaundice, in case it comes back.

Today he is going home at last. We have seen blessings and God's love everywhere from Zach's amazing condition for his tiny size, to the wonderful NICU staff, to my daughter's love for her new son. What an exhausting, amazing journey it was.

Grandchildren are the crown of the aged,
and the glory of children is their fathers.

Prov. 17:6

Happy New Year!

I was trying to think of a hymn that described the new year for me. I thought of ones on hope, faith, our eternal home. But really the new year is about Jesus. He is my hope, my faith, my friend. He is with me in trials, temptations, and when I don't deserve His love and grace. He loves people and I love this picture of Him blessing these children. This year is about Jesus.

What a Friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge,
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you;
you will find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to
Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there
will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship
will be our sweet portion there.

Happy New Year!

Morning Sickness

Poor Elizabeth. She has it bad. Yesterday when I picked her up she got car sick on the way back to our house. We had to pull over suddenly and she threw up in the gutter. Not pretty. Then she took a 5 hour nap on our bed, got up, said she was starving, and ate two bites of dinner. It's so bad that she says she never wants to have another baby. I didn't say anything because she is suffering so much.

I googled "morning sickness" and found the Wikipedia article on it. It's pretty informative but the solutions are the same as ever. I think she will just have to ride it out. She is very close to the three month mark although that is no guarantee it will stop then. I hope and pray it will. This is not turning out to be a beautiful, special time for her. I pray that the verse below will hold true. I believe it will.

"A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come;
but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish
because of her joy that a child is born into the world."John 16:21

---

The Simple Woman's Daybook - October 18

Outside my window the early morning fog is just lifting. I can see patches of pink sky.

I am thinking about taking a shower.

I am thankful that my husband is at work. This is his second day at his new job!

From the kitchen I can smell coffee just brewed. I need to finish my cup.

I am wearing pajamas and robe. I wore brightly striped, fuzzy socks to bed last night and they are still on.
I am creating a beautiful cross stitch and will be working on that this morning.

I am going to stay home this morning because the lady is coming to tune my piano. Finally!

I am reading Lo Michael by Grace Livingston Hill. She wrote over 100 Christian romance books from 1900 to 1946. I love to pick them up periodically and reread her lovely stories.
I am hoping to get some rest now that the real estate agent, landlord, and house inspectors have done their thing. After the piano tuner leaves I will have the house (practically) to myself.

I am hearing the sound of furnace. I can't believe how much the temperature has dropped.
Around the house I am happy to say it is clean.

One of my favorite things is to play the piano. We found a beautiful and good sounding one on Craigslist for 300 dollars. Wow, God is good!
A few plans for the rest of the week: I will be playing my newly tuned piano, cross stitching, taking the dogs out in this crisp fall weather, and enjoying my last week with my hubby. He has a meeting this morning than comes home for the rest of the week to do some more online classes, this time for his company. So much training! He starts working in earnest next week.
Here is picture for thought I am sharing:

The New Copernican Revolution

The Ptolemaic Model of the Universe before the Copernican Revolution

We all remember Copernicus, right? He was the one who first postulated that the Earth revolves around the sun. Up until that time it was assumed that the Earth was the center of the universe. His theory was called the "heliocentric theory" and initiated a powerful shift in the way people thought and how they viewed the universe. Ever since, this has been known as the first Copernican Revolution.

The new Copernican Revolution would be this: instead of seeing ourselves at the center of everything with God revolving around us, we would take a different view of things. We are invited to see God as the center of our lives. Just as the earth receives life from the sun, we receive everything from God. He is our life, our energy, the very source of our existence. He is not someone or something "out there." He calls us to change our our way of thinking, to experience a new Copernican Revolution.

The second book of Kings gives us the story of Naaman, a pagan military general. Though he commanded an army and was used to getting his way, all the gods he thought he had at his beck and call could not cure the skin disease he had. In desperation he asked Elisha to help him. Elisha told him that in order to get healed he had to acknowledge that the God of Israel was the one true God. At first Naaman was reluctant, even indignant, but as his leprosy threatened to consume him he decided to do something courageous. He swallowed his pride and praised God - and his affliction left him. Naaman then said, "Now I know there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel."

Naaman experienced something like a Copernican Revolution. He realized that he was not the center of the universe, though he commanded many men. God the God of Israel, the one true God, is the center of all.

"Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth,
who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains."Psalm 147:8

Hot Chocolate Mix

Hot Chocolate Mix

6 1/2 cups powdered milk

1 (5 ounce) package non-instant chocolate pudding mix

1 cup powdered chocolate drink mix (Nesquik)

1/3 cup powdered non-dairy creamer

3/4 cup confectioners' sugar

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Place ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Pour in large container.

To make: Out 1/3 mixture into a cup or mug and add hot to boiling water. Mix well. Top with marshmallows or whipped cream.

She Stretcheth Out Her Hands to the Poor

yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. Prov 31:20

Our church has been doing a series on The Dignity of the Human Person. It encompasses many challenges from crises pregnancies, end of life decisions, and the poor. For Catholics, pro-life is not just for unborn babies. It is a seemless garment of life that reaches from conception to natural death.

The poor are always included because during life, they have the least amount of dignity. That is why we have what is called a "preferential option for the poor". This means that the Christian faithful, through words, prayers, and deeds one must show solidarity with and compassion for the poor.

Although it can seem overwhelming, we have an obligation to help the poor. This is one of the many ways a Proverbs 31 woman shows her mettle.


The Cry of the Poor
The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
Blessed be the Lord.

I will bless the Lord at all times,
with praise ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the Lord,
who will hear the cry of the poor.

Let the lowly hear and be glad:
the Lord listens to their pleas;
and to hearts broken, God is near,
who will hear the cry of the poor.

Ev’ry spirit crushed, God will save;
will be ransom for their lives;
will be safe shelter for their fears,
and will hear the cry of the poor.

We proclaim your greatness, O God,
your praise ever in our mouth;
ev’ry face brightened in your light,
for you hear the cry of the poor.

As often as you did it to one of the least of My brothers and sisters, you did it to me.
Matt 25:40

Be Thou My Vision

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

Frugal Find - A Piano

We were not able to fit my piano on the truck when we moved and I was determined to be a good sport about it. What could we do? We all made sacrifices

But after several weeks we realized that playing classical music as well as an enormous hymn collection is an important part of our family life. Now with a grandchild coming we want to instill the beauty of good and sacred music to him or her. Elizabeth is already talking about her child learning to play an instrument.

The point is we missed that piano badly. It turned out to be too much of a sacrifice and our regret at leaving it behind stung. But God is so faithful. We began looking around and found several good ones that were much less than the $1600 we paid for our piano. But they were still  near $1000. Gulp! They were worth it and in a couple cases much more, but were being liquidated because of a poor economic climate. But still it is a chunk of cash.

So we went on Craiglist. This piano was listed at a staggering $300. I was sure something had to be wrong. But my husband talked to the owner and had a good feeling about it. He wanted to rent a truck and take it to this man's home; he was ready to buy it and load it up. Trust your husband's instincts ladies! This piano is fantastic! It needs tuning but the sound and key action is better than my last piano. Much better.

I am very happy with my new piano. I made an appointment to have a lady come tune it but I've started playing again. My hands feel a little sore but I'm excited to have God's great music pour into our home once again. Praise the Lord!!

The picture on top of the piano is called "Recital" by Fredric Meizen. He lived in Victorian times and had a very musical family. The two young ladies are his sisters. He has several other paintings with his sisters and mother, who played the violin.

Crewel Embroidery - A Class From the Past

I love old pictures and photos of quilting bees and sewing circles. It is a rare thing in most areas these days and I miss it.

When I was in the seventh grade our public middle school had electives for crewel embroidery and sewing. Yes, public school! If nothing tells my age, that does! It was the best, most memorable class I ever took. For the first six weeks we learned crewel embroidery. Crewel has many different stitches that are make to look like flowers, petals, and give decorative touches. You see it in crazy quilting.

These types of quilts are so much fun to do. But what we did in my class was to actually stitch a design of our own choosing that was completely crewel embroidery. I did a forest glen. But the fun of the class was the actual class time itself. It was an all girls class and as we arrived we pulled out the tubs with our projects in it and settled down at big tables to work. We chatted away the entire time, except when the teacher showed us a new stitch. She also came around to check our individual work and make a suggestion or two.

The only requirement was to be done with our projects by a certain day. Then, if modern minds can wrap their heads around this, the finishes were proudly and artfully displayed in the school hallway built-ins. They were kept in there for months. Yes, the school was proud of girls learning embroidery!

I do cross stitch now instead of crewel. But I really think it is important that girls should be taught embroidery along with the other fiber arts. This is a beautiful, very old art form that shouldn't disappear or be left to just a scattered few. Embroidery on special clothes or items can be a beautiful family heirloom. Time taken to do such work is a way for us to show the importance of family and our homes.

Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls..." (Jer. 6:16).

Hearty Chicken Pot Pie

This is a recipe I created when our growing family needed a much heartier version than the standard "pie crust topping" pot pie. It is so simple to make and can whipped together quickly and if using a rotisserie chicken, it is even faster.

For chicken mixture:
1 whole chicken or three chicken breasts, cooked, cooled, and diced,
2 TBS butter or vegetable oil
1 cup minced onion
2 ribs celery, sliced
1 TBS flour
2 potatoes, small dice
4 cups chicken broth, homemade or store bought
1 cup frozen corn
2 TBS chopped fresh parsley
salt, pepper

Topping:
2 cups Bisquick
1 cup Parmesan cheese
2 cups milk

In a medium saucepan heat butter or vegetable oil and saute onions and celery until soft, about 3 minutes. Add salt, pepper, and flour and stir for a minute. Add chicken broth and potatoes, bring to a boil and cook, covered until potatoes are tender but not all the way done, about 10 minutes. Add, chicken, frozen corn, and parsley. Remove from heat and carefully pour into a 9 x 13 Pyrex dish.

For topping place Bisquick and Parmesan cheese into a bowl and add milk, stirring until it is a thick pancake like consistency. You may have to adjust the milk for nice thick results.

Drop topping by teaspoonful onto the chicken mixture until it is covered. If there are a couple spots missing, that is OK, it grows as it bakes.

Bake at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes or until top is nice and brown. Let stand for a few minutes then dig in!

See how the topping bakes together. It is nice and thick and well flavored with the Parmesan cheese.

Easy Alterations From Dress to Jumper

I bought this dress at a great price from Christian Coverings, which is a wonderful place for mainly head coverings and sometimes gently worn clothes for a great price.  Please visit the ladies there. It needed to be altered because it had a kind of blouse sewn in and the dark purple color just wasn't right. If I could just remove that it could be used it as a jumper with a lighter shirt or blouse underneath.

So I removed the sleeves and the blouse bodice part. I don't have pictures because it was painstaking stitch by stitch work. All I can say is that Christian Coverings makes a good garment! After the stitches were out I cut the purple fabric away very carefully. One wrong cut and the dress would be ruined!

Then I went out to my garage/work space. Here I am with all the raw edges showing on the sleeves and partial neck. This is not my best dressed outfit even for an average day,because it is Friday cleaning day.  Khaki skirt and tee shirts are the outfit of choice because bathrooms and mopping are done today. But I quickly finished the chores to get to the main event.

I carefully cut away the serged edges. At first I was going to keep them but they got too bulky. Then I pressed a narrow hem twice under and pinned the seams at top and bottom to hold in place. My husband was making me laugh here.

Then I just hemmed it up by hand. I have some of my sewing things in an old train case my husband found for me at an antique store. I just love it! And of course, accompanied by my boon companion, Poods our Maltese and resident snuggler.

And that's all there is to it! Now I have a new jumper and a pale peach top to go under it.

We Found A Church Home!

What a blessing! We have been attending one church since we moved here and for some reason did not put in our registration. Honestly there is nothing wrong with it, just a feeling that this is not where we want to be.

While at the library last week we noticed another church of our faith tradition across the street and decided to visit this Sunday. And wow! We knew this was our new home almost immediately. How do you know, you might ask? The same way we knew not to register at the first church. You just know.

My husband is so happy; we walked to the car afterwards talking about it excitedly. We are calling tomorrow to register. Praise God!

"I was glad when they said unto me,
Let us go into the house of the LORD."Psalm 122:1