A Grand Celebration

   It was such an honor and a delight to see my wonderful friends from Covington this weekend.  My family went there to celebration our friend Cory who finished his PhD in theology, just having defended his dissertation.  We have been praying alongside him through these many years.  To successfully complete this task, while raising SEVEN children is nothing short of miraculous.  And who is the miracle attributed to?  God, Cory, and his wife Jennifer.  Without Jennifer, doing without him night after night after night, summer after summer, raising these kids herself for such long periods while he wrote his heart out, this project would not have been completed.  It was our great pleasure to go out there and celebrate them for their grace-filled achievement.
    Here are my wonderful friends, who shaped my faith and so much of my life for the better!

Jake's Big Coup

      Somehow, Jake's newspaper is really taking off!!  This is the latest coup: one of his classmates is about to publish an article that is a personal interview with Jordan Spieth, the new greatest golfer in the world!
      Jake's got lots of middle schoolers subscribed, not to mention the adults whom he's carried for a year or more.  He is clear about all the finances, and he pays his writers. . . what a joy!!

Celebrate!

   Today is Divine Mercy Sunday.  It is the Sunday, ending the first week of the Easter season.  It is a celebration of mercy, one of God's divine attributes.
    All day, all I could think was, "Celebrate!  Be grateful to God for His mercy!"   I beg His mercy often.  I beg for His help for others, too, often.  But how often do I just celebrate?  I feel the Holy Spirit saying, "It's time to celebrate!"

A Blessed Easter

    We had such a blessed Easter.  After a long Lent of fasting, we had a wonderful feast, replete with lamb, ham, and cheesecake.  The best part was how personal it was.  We had a wonderful exchange with Dad, whom I declared participates in the Divine attribute of the Resurrection.  Dad helps people's relationships "resurrect" from the dead and find new life.  God makes all things new.  Dad helps people make their marriages new.  I think that is amazing, and part of God's work.  Dad was very touched.
    The Mom asked me to tell her how my writing is going, and she asked me to explain it all to Uncle David, who did not know much about my project.  I gave an overview of the past 7 years, how God has lead me, asked me to wait, given me a baby, and has taught me many things so far about trusting Him and letting it be God's initiative and work.  Both Mom and Uncle David were so validating, and really heard me.
    It was a true blessing to exchange on that level, and have such a rich, holy time.
    I wonder what the banqueting table in heaven will be like.  Perhaps something like that.  

Holy Thursday

   I burst into tears at the beginning of Holy Thursday Mass last night.  The beginning musical introit was something like: "Only in the cross of Christ is my glory."  I cried.  I feel like only God understands.  Only Christ sees what I am going through.  I feel at home in the liturgy, where the cross is celebrated and embraced.  I do not embrace my cross well.  But I try, everyday.  I fail.  I try again.  So to be in a liturgy in which that effort is celebrated and encouraged goes right to the heart.  I love the mass!!!

Oh the joy!

     The struggles with Sebastian weaning, that disrupting his sleep, and consequently, that disrupting my sleep, have been a challenge.  But then I only have to look at him and I soften and coo at him.  He is so, so precious.
     It is amazing how well the older children are doing.  Jacob has gained 10 pounds in 2 months, is chasing a 4.0 in school, and his newspaper is taking off among his peers.  He is so happy and confident.  It is such a joy.
     Mary, too, is adjusting to school so well.  She is thriving.  She looks so beautiful.
     The wondrous thing about being a mother is how hard it is everyday, and yet how that struggle gives way to new life that is breathtaking.