I am so happy! I have become a really big fan of racing and have my favorite drivers. Last evening was the first practice for the Sprint Unlimited which will run tonight. And today there are two practices for the Daytona 500 next Sunday. I’m excited for Kasey Kahne to have a really good year and get some wins.
Author: Wanda
I am a Catholic widow, mother, grandmother, friend and according to my kids just a little bit crazy. My faith is paramount in my life. Spending time with my family, especially my four grandchildren is one of my most treasured blessings. I love Redskins football, Phillies baseball, NASCAR, quilting, genealogy, and am a bibliophile and struggling blogger.
I Forgot A Review
I was just updating my reading data and I realized I never posted this review. 🙂
Forever in Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I usually listen to audio books when I go to bed. This was a good choice for bedtime listening. I thought the book was OK. I guess if I had read all of the series in order it might have been better for me. Just giving it 3.5 stars.
Happy Birthday Isabella Rosa!
Today at 11:11 AM my granddaughter Isabella was born. She weighed 6 pounds 11 ounces. We were not in Miami when she was born and I am just dying to hold her. My son is on top of the world right now and I am so pleased for him. We will be there soon. Grami and Pop Pop are on the way.
Isabella Rosa
She is beautiful and healthy and I am filled with joy and gratitude that she is so. Mommy is doing well too. 🙂
Ash Wednesday
Today is the beginning of Lent. A time to reflect on what distracts us and keeps us from growing closer to God. It’s a time to give those distractions up and allow Jesus to enter our hearts and then live the way God created us to live. To reevaluate our priorities and put what is really important first. It is a time of giving up. It is a time for letting go. It is a time for sacrifice. It is a time for forgiveness and mercy. It is a time for listening.
There are several online organizations that offer reflections and suggestions for improving your Lenten experience. I have listed some of them here.
Bishop Robert Barron founder of Word On Fire will send a daily reflection to your inbox. Click on the link to sign up.
MyConcentration.org run by Anthony Mullen offers a Lenten Mercy Challenge here.
L.E.N.T. In the Desert e-book.
Katie Warner has resources on her website.
Catholicism About.com has many good articles on Lent.
Pray More Retreat offered by Pray More Novenas. This is an online retreat. This is just a few resources I have found.
Book Review
Ludwika: A Polish Woman’s Struggle To Survive In Nazi Germany by Christoph Fischer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres. A wonderful story about the struggle of one woman’s attempt at securing her family’s safety, and what it cost. I am always awed by the strength of survivors of Nazi Germany. This did not disappoint.
View all my reviews
Started My Second Book For February
“Ludwika: A Polish Woman’s Struggle To Survive In Nazi Germany” by Christoph Fischer, David Lawlor. Start reading it for free: http://amzn.to/1L6cM5s
Musing
Sitting at my computer, I find myself reflecting on the above quote of St. Therese. I suppose literally she means that we are only here on earth for a short time, and then we go home to heaven. I think if we look at what she said before she died, “I will spend my heaven doing good upon earth.” we would gain a better insight to her true meaning.
While we are on this ship of life, we should do as much good in the world as we can. Now St. Therese was the saint of the “Little Way”. She was a simple person doing simple good for her God. Now that is something we can all accomplish. We can do all things of our daily life with love in our hearts for one another and for Our Lord. We can volunteer at church or community. We can visit the elderly or the sick. All done with love in our hearts and a smile on our face. This will truly bring us home.
Visitors This Morning
I was in the back of the house going through the baby clothes I had saved from my kids. All of a sudden I hear my friendly neighborhood geese out front. They were making a lot of noise hoping for a treat. We usually have a big bag of corn in the ready to feed them with. After throwing a healthy portion out for the geese, I wanted to get a little moving of them. So, I ran inside and grabbed my phone. It was dead, dead, dead! So by the time I grabbed my camera they were already on their march home. 😦 I did manage to get a little clip of them walking down the street to their home. I love how they always walk one behind the other when they are coming or going.
The Holy Family
In the Catholic Church the different months of the year are dedicated to Our Lord, His Blessed Mother or to a particular saint. I had decided for 2016 that I would honor whomever’s month it is with a specific devotion for the month. Last month, was dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus & the Infancy Jesus. I prayed the Chaplet of the Infant of Prague daily when I said my night prayers.
Chaplet to the Infant Jesus of Prague
The chaplet to the Infant Jesus of Prague has 15 beads. It consists of 3 Our Father beads said in honour of the Holy Family and 12 Hail Mary beads in memory of the 12 years of the Infancy of our Divine Savior.
“Divine Infant Jesus,
I adore Thy Cross
and I accept all the cross
Thou wilt be pleased to send me.
Adorable Trinity,
I offer Thee
for the glory of Thy Holy Name of God,
all the adorations of the Sacred Heart
of the Holy Infant Jesus.”
Before each Our Father and Hail Mary, say the following prayer:
“And the Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us.”
At the end of the Chaplet, say,
“Holy Infant Jesus, bless and protect us.” Amen.
This month is dedicated to the Holy Family. Lent begins during this month, and it is the time of Jesus’ public life and ministry. I have decided to pray the Holy Family Chaplet for the month.
The Holy Family Chaplet
Medals/Beads:
The chaplet of the Holy Family has 3 sets of 3 beads each, a Holy Family medal and a crucifix.
C 000 000 000 M
Method:
Begin With:
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give you my heart.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with me in my last hour.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul in peace with you.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man.
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy.
Blessed be St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse. Amen.
On each set of 3 beads:
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Join me in praying the chaplet of the Holy Family. God bless.
Happy February!
Today is the feast day of St. Brigid of Ireland. She is the Patron Saint of Ireland, dairymaids, cattle, Midwives, Irish Nuns, and newborn babies.
Saint Brigid Hearth Keeper Prayer
Courtesy of SaintBrigids.org
Brigid of the Mantle, encompass us,
Lady of the Lambs, protect us,
Keeper of the Hearth, kindle us.
Beneath your mantle, gather us,
And restore us to memory.
Mothers of our mother, Foremothers strong.
Guide our hands in yours,
Remind us how to kindle the hearth.
To keep it bright, to preserve the flame.
Your hands upon ours, Our hands within yours,
To kindle the light, Both day and night.
The Mantle of Brigid about us,
The Memory of Brigid within us,
The Protection of Brigid keeping us
From harm, from ignorance, from heartlessness.
This day and night,
From dawn till dark, From dark till dawn.
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