Sunday, February 4, 2024

Thankful for My Life and God's Plan

 Hello out there! The weather forecast for today is - Sunshine and Skirt Alert! It is windy outside!               I've been thinking about how to begin and write this post all week. I'm praying that God will guide my hands as I type these words that come from deep within my heart.

The phrases that come to my mind as I sit here today are:

 Life is a gift. Life is like the pieces of a patchwork quilt or the pieces of a puzzle.

 Bloom where you are planted. Rejoice and give thanks to the Lord! Etc.

I'll begin with the title of my blog: Adopted and Blessed

I was adopted when I was three days old. I've always loved the story about the day my family came to take me home. I was given my name on that day. Last weekend, my brother and sister-in-law stopped by for a visit as they were traveling through town. During our visit my brother gave me some special cards he found while going through some old paperwork. We looked at the beautiful congratulation cards given to my family from their friends in our home town. My brother is eight years older than me and he remembered most of them as we looked at their names. We laughed at how different times are now, they were all signed, Mrs. (the husband's first name and their last name). I'm pretty old fashioned so I'm proud to be called, Mrs. Jim Ynostrosa. The design of the cards is amazing and just so sweet! One of the cards is signed from all the ladies who blessed my family with a baby shower. I already had the newspaper clipping from that shower and I showed it to my brother and sister-in-law. I was so happy to have the card that went with it. I paper clipped the small article from the paper to the card. There was also a dainty, printed white napkin with my name, Sharla Kay. One of the cards was like a little booklet and the title says: 

God's Masterpiece 

(and next is the words on the first page)

From graceful lilies pure and white, God fashioned lovely skin;

Forget-me-nots He chose for eyes,

Then formed  your baby chin.

Each page describes how precious a new babe is - the following are the last two pages:

For dainty little fingers dear

And precious, tiny toes,

He used the slender daisy frills;

A snowdrop made your nose.

This world and all within it

He created here for man;

But Baby was

"God's Masterpiece"

Since time and life began!





My brother also gave me my original birth certificate, the one from the hospital where I was born.     I've always had my official birth certificate, the one that lists my name, my parent's name, and the county I was born in, and the time of my birth. There's a dash (-) for the name of the hospital. I showed them the certificate I had and we looked at the one from the hospital - another piece of the puzzle.   Now I know what hospital I was born in. The original certificate shows my footprints. I paper clipped the two birth certificates together and thanked my brother for bringing these treasures to me. 

I didn't have time to show these special, keepsake memories to my husband until the next day, Sunday. We sat down and looked at them together. As I looked at the birth certificate from the hospital, I realized that for three days no one called me by my name. There are many lines left blank. No name listed. The certificate only has my footprints, and lists the time of my birth, day and date, my weight and length, and of course that I'm female. I went into our room and prayed. I thanked God for my guardian angel who was right by my side. I thanked him for the nurses who held, rocked and fed me. I thanked God for my family who came to take me home. I prayed for my birth mother, as I've done before, asking God, if she wondered about me, to let her know that I'm okay, and have been much loved, and blessed. I pray that she was much loved and blessed also. 

I was a happy child, I never met a stranger, and loved everyone. I've always been joyful and  thankful - the kind of person that makes lemonade out of lemons, and thinks it's okay to dance in the rain (unless it's lightening or raining really hard!). I know without a doubt that God has been with me my whole life. I found this scripture from Psalms about five years ago and I love it -

Psalm 22:11

From my mother's womb; you have been my God.

I share this personal story because I want people to understand that we need to respect life in and out of the womb. I pray that this story about a time not so long ago, will be a seed that will be planted in fertile soil, and that we will water this seed of life and help it grow, and that it will spread and that all babies will be seen as "God's Masterpiece" and family life and marriage will be important once more. Yes, I have high hopes, but with God, all things are possible. When I look at my hospital birth certificate, full of blank lines I don't see unplanned or despair... I see God's mercy, His grace, and a small part of the patchwork of my life. I have bloomed where God has planted me. Yes, I'm adopted, thankful, and so very blessed!

Friday, January 19, 2024

The Blessings in My Life

 Hello out there! No weather report today - but will share that the four goldfish in my oblong, redneck birdbath/stock tank have survived! Yay and Yee haw! I went to throw some scraps to the chickens and walked over to the tank that had finally thawed out. I tentatively looked at the top hoping they weren't floating and they were down towards the bottom swimming around! I said something like, yay - so glad y'all survived and then ran to the mailbox and darted back inside because it's cold outside! I was also on the phone talking to one of my friends - multi-tasking! 

Now I'm going to share a story I wrote three years ago. This story is about my life and explains why I've tried to share a positive pro-life message and how truly being pro-life begins in our own homes with our own families. My babies are growing up and I'm so thankful for each and every one of them! 

Thursday, January 21, 2021

The Blessings in my Life from Conception to Natural Death

 Respecting life from conception to natural death begins with our own families. Being pro-life means that you understand that planned or unplanned, a baby is a baby. I was adopted when I was three days old, really at birth, but my parents couldn't come and take me home until I was three days old. I grew up knowing that I was adopted and my parents explained how much I was loved and I have always been very thankful for my life. I'm a joyful, glass is half-full type of gal! I love to laugh and sing and am definitely a people person! Now, getting back to the reason for this story. When my husband and I got married I was expecting our first child. Abortion had been legal for ten years. Having an abortion never even entered my mind. I was and am very blessed to have a wonderful husband. We immediately picked a date and planned a small wedding. Fast forward to a couple of decades later. Our adult children are very supportive of my pro-life work. In 2006 we were blessed with three precious grandchildren, two of them were unplanned. That summer all three of our children and grandchildren were at our home. I took a picture of the three grandbabies together. Years later, after I became involved in the pro-life mission I thought about that picture and so many more pictures with all ten of our grandchildren. They are all such gifts! We are so blessed! We are thankful for each and every one of our ten grandchildren. One time someone asked me why I fought so hard, why I cared so much. I started thinking about all the statistics I know and then I said, "Let me tell you a story." This woman knows my children and my grandchildren. After I finished my story I asked her which two of my grandchildren shouldn't be here? Could she pick out the ones that weren't planned? She began to cry and squeezed my hand as tears streamed down my cheeks also. I've learned through the years that sometimes you have to tell your own life story for people to understand why you do what you do. I've actually had people who don't know me say, "You're pro-life until it happens to you or to your kids!" And my reply has always been, "Do you have a minute? Let me tell you a story."

Respecting life until natural death - I've spoken to some RCIA classes about my pro-life work. I shared the following story two years ago. Blog Post January 19, 2019

2 Corinthians 5:7
We walk by faith, not by sight.

On Thursday, January 10th, I was blessed to share my pro-life message with the
RCIA Class at Sacred Heart. The core part of my message was that we need to
respect life from conception through natural death. I get pretty animated when I speak.
I walk back and forth and my hands are this way and that way - sometimes I make
people laugh (especially when I share my, "You might be Catholic if" stories) and
sometimes the truth of what I say will bring tears to your eyes (and mine too). I talk
about my adoption story and how thankful I am for my life. I share pictures of my
children and grandchildren because I want people to understand that adoption saves
generations. The grim reality on the other hand is that abortion ends generations.
I shared a story about my father this time - it's the first time I've spoken about it
publicly. The story is about respecting life until natural death.
I have to tell you this - when I sat down today I really wasn't sure what I was going to
write about and I'm constantly amazed at the words, the memories that God places
on my heart. So...let me tell you a story:
If you've read the stories from my blog you know that my mother died when I was twelve.
My dad was the sweetest man and he took such good care of my mom, she had cancer
and was sick for a long time. When I moved away from home, got married and was
blessed with a family of my own, my dad would come and visit.
He would go and visit my brother and his family and then come and stay with us.
I have so many memories of him being with us. He would sit at the bar in the kitchen
and chop onions and peel potatoes for me when I was cooking. He liked to watch TV and
in the fall he would shell pecans for me as he watched the football games. He would run
errands with me and we had the best visits - always talking! My dad developed
Alzheimer's in his later years. He had stopped calling me by name about three years
before he died. He recognized me but whether he realized I was his daughter or not I
don't know. I cherished our visits. He lived in a nursing home for the last year and a half
of his life. I would go and see him and put an old movie on - we loved watching
John Wayne Westerns and old war movies. Our favorite John Wayne movie was,
"McClintock." Jim would always buy candy bars before he would stop in to see dad.
He loved seeing his great grandchildren, his eyes would light up.
My brother and his wife would come and visit and he was always so happy to see
everyone. I don't know who dad remembered or if he remembered that we were his
children or not. The point I stressed was that whether my dad remembered who I was or not,
I knew who he was - he was my sweet dad and I will always be thankful for the time I spent with him.

Respect Life from Conception to Natural Death
Blessings to you and yours,
Bye for now, Sharla

Thursday, January 18, 2024

Reflection, Prayers, and Following a Star

Hello out there! It's my first post of 2024 - Happy New Year! May you and yours be blessed! 

The weather has been crazy! Freezing cold from Sunday through Wednesday and the high for today is 74! Tomorrow's low is expected to be 27  with a high of 45 degrees - Texas weather! I have been "under the weather" since Monday afternoon and I'm finally feeling better today - not very much energy but more like myself!

I know that today is January 18th but I still have my small Nativity Scene on the bottom shelf of my china hutch. When I sit down at the kitchen table, the Nativity Scene is where I can see it. Looking at the scene always touches my heart, helps me to reflect and reminds me to be thankful. About an hour ago, I was  drinking a cup of hot peppermint tea and the lights on my Nativity Scene turned off. I looked at the small statues of Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus, the shepherd holding a lamb, the three wise men, and reflected on their humble beginnings, their humble and obedient life. The wise men following a star, the shepherd finding the babe swaddled and in a manger lay. Joseph and Mary looking down at their son; and different hymns filled my head; What Child is This, Silent Night, Away in a Manger, Joy to the World, etc. And then tears filled my eyes as I thought about the times I've grumbled and complained (most times not out loud) about little things that I should not let bother me. I need to be more humble! I whispered a prayer of thanksgiving, asked for guidance, and decided what I was going to cook for dinner tonight - because sometimes my mind just works like that! Homemade potato soup - peeling potatoes is a good way to put things in perspective! I pray that I will be a light in the dark, a listening ear, a shoulder to lean on and someone you can share a laugh with!

The following are the first and second verses of  one of my favorite hymns, "The Servant Song" by Richard Gillard

Will you let me be your servant, Let me be as Christ to you; Pray that I many have the grace to let you be my servant, too.

We are pilgrims on a journey, We are travelers on the road; We are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load. 

This year I am saying no to drama! My prayer is that I will not be the spoon that stirs the pot! I have a hymn for this one too! I'll share the 1st and 2nd verse:

Prayer of St. Francis

Make me a channel of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me bring your love. Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord, And where there's doubt, true faith in you.

Make me a channel of your peace. Where there's despair in life, let me bring hope. Where there is darkness - only light, And where there's sadness ever joy.

I'm always humming or singing a hymn or an old country and western song - But I love the way my prayers bring a hymn to my mind and how the words fill my heart!

I will put my little Nativity Scene away sometime soon (or not) - but for right now, it's a visible reminder for me to follow the star, look for the light of Jesus in all situations and to keep a song in my heart!

Peace and blessings to you and yours, 

near and far, wherever you are!

Bye for now, Sharla

 This is a picture of my Nativity Scene when it was the center piece on our kitchen table. 


Saturday, December 9, 2023

Preparation, Lights, Snowflakes and Joy!

 Hello out there! The weather has been wonderful during this first week of Advent. Cool mornings, sunny days, star filled nights and the winter wind blowing the leaves from the trees. I'm wearing my fluffy red sweatshirt that says, "holly jolly" in white letters and that is how I feel today! I looked back on some of my blog posts from previous December years. Although each year is full of different activities the thread that holds each story and every memory together is love. 

Our home is full of twinkling lights, an Advent Wreath and statue as a centerpiece on our kitchen table. Nativity Scenes, my snow family set, and memories fill our home. We even have a leg lamp! We went to see that movie, A Christmas Story, when it first hit the theaters, the day after Thanksgiving in 1983! And we've watched it almost every year since then! 

Tomorrow is the Second Sunday of Advent

Some ideas for gifts, meals, activities, reflections and peace during this season of preparation!

1. Gifts - I'm not a crafty gal. I love to bake and write stories and I do like to make snowflakes (the kind you cut out from folded paper)! My older grandkids usually ask for gift cards. That's fine, but it's not very personal. I decided that I would hand write a couple of their favorite recipes with their name at the top and signed from, "The Nana" and add a favorite memory or story about them. I'll probably pick a cute folder to put the recipe, story and gift card in - that will be from, "The Pa"! Maybe tape a picture of us from Christmas past on the front. Definitely tape one of my snowflakes on there somewhere!

Use your gifts and talents to make your gifts extra special!

2.  Meals - I made a big pot of potato soup earlier this week. My new favorite topping is "Crispy Fried Onions" the kind you put on top of green bean casserole - Yum!                                                                  Taco night can be a fun way to get your family involved - Cook the meat and get everyone to pick their favorite toppings; cheese, sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes, taco shells, tortillas, and/or chips!                  Buy a chuck roast and cook in oven or crock pot - makes great burritos for busy nights or add vegetables for a more traditional meal; potatoes, petite carrots, mini bell peppers, jalapenos, etc.

3. Activities - It sure gets dark early! Go outside and look at all the stars, find constellations, look at the moon, etc. Buy a holiday themed puzzle - I've learned to look at the box and make sure I'm getting the kind with regular pieces! The puzzles with weird shapes just aggravate me! We all like to work on the puzzles. Designate a "Movie Night" and pick a family favorite, make hot cocoa and popcorn! 

4. Reflections and Peace - Begin and end your day with prayer! Daily devotionals full of scripture, meditations and prayers are a blessing for every day of the year! We're a Catholic family and the daily devotional we use is, "Magnificat' and "The Word Among Us" is another great devotional. Be honest with yourself and with your family - write out a budget for gifts and stay in those guidelines. 

The following scripture is from the evening prayers in our Magnificat on the Second Sunday of Advent

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting encouragement and good hope through his grace, encourage our hearts and strengthen them in every good deed and word. Amen.

Peace and blessings to you and yours during this beautiful season of Advent!

 Jesus is the Reason for the Season! 

Count your blessings everyday and give thanks to God - He loves us all so much!

Bye for now, Sharla








Saturday, December 2, 2023

A Stranger Wearing a Red Bandana Mask Printed with Marijuana Leaves

 Hello out there! I have to share this memory that I thought of yesterday.

Back in February 2021 - right after "Snowmageddon" - I was headed to our son's home to help take care of our grandchildren. I left on a beautiful, cold but sunny, Sunday afternoon. There was still snow on the ground in most places. As I drove through Big Spring I decided to pick up pizza to take with me for dinner that night. I pulled into Little Caesars and placed my order. The young lady at the window asked if I could pull forward and wait until my order was ready. I drove out into the parking lot, turned off the engine and decided to roll down my window and get a little fresh air. I noticed a young man as he walked past my car. He turned to me and said, "Hey there, do you have any spare change for a hungry traveler?"  I smiled at him and replied, "I sure do."

The young man had curly, shoulder length, brown hair and wore a red bandana printed with marijuana leaves as a mask. (The mask mandate was still in effect at that time.) He had pulled the bandana down to his chin as he spoke to me. He asked me where I was from and then told me he was from Tennessee. My response was, "Tennessee, son, what in the world are you doing in Big Spring, Texas?"

I still remember his excitement as he told me about his trip to Grand Canyon National Park. He and some of his friends traveled out there to camp out, and see the stars. He asked me if I had ever been and I told him that no, I had not ever been there. He told me about their first night and he raised his arms in the air and said, "It was like Simba in the movie the Lion King." I smiled as I listened to him describe the beauty of the night skies and how he hopes that he can go back someday. Then he told me that his van had broken down and the delay on getting it fixed, etc. I handed him some money and told him to be careful and that I hoped his van would be fixed soon. He took the money, smiled at me and said, 
"Thank ya darlin, you have a blessed day." I watched as he walked back to Little Caesars and as he opened the door to go in, a young lady was coming out to bring me my order.

I smiled and thanked God, because I realized that I was supposed to meet that young man that day. I pray that my eyes and heart will always be open to the people and angels God sends my way. I knew yesterday that this was a story I had to share. I hope this brings a smile to your face and touches your heart ! May you be blessed with angels along your life's journey.

Peace and blessings to you and yours, 

near and far, wherever you are!

Bye for now, Sharla



Thursday, November 30, 2023

Many Blessings during the Season of Advent - A Time of Preparation

 Hello out there! Good morning blessings to all of you, near and far, wherever you are! The season of Advent begins this Sunday! I love this time of year. The dark nights are lit up with Christmas lights galore. I wrote a post last November, "How Advent Should Feed Our Lives." I'm going to re-share that this morning. I hope the message will be a blessing to you and yours!



The following post/story is from November 13, 2022

How Advent Should "Feed" Our Lives

Hello out there! It's a little chilly outside right now but the sun is shining and it is a beautiful day!

I was invited to give one of the talks at an Advent Retreat yesterday. The topic / theme they asked me prepare for was "How Advent should "feed" our lives!" I prayed and wrote notes and prayed some more and looked up scripture and then God helped me put it all together! The retreat was wonderful and definitely, "Full of the Holy Spirit!" I decided I would tweak my notes a little bit and share the message with you. 

I 've always thought about how Advent is a season of preparation. When we are prepared for something, a trip, a family gathering, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, etc. we are more at peace. At least I am. I like to have a plan A, B, C and sometimes I wish I had a plan D! Because you always have to be prepared for the unexpected!

It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away and then we celebrate the First Sunday of Advent, just two weeks from today, Sunday, November 27th. Oh my goodness, how time flies.

I looked ahead in my Magnificat at the readings for the First Sunday of Advent. I'm going to read a couple of the scriptures from the morning prayers.

Romans 13:11-12

It is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is advanced, the day is at hand. Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Wow! Throw off the darkness and put on the armor of light! 

 I love this time of year. I know that it can also be crazy, hectic, and stressful! But I have learned through the years to take things as they come. As you all well know, our plans, our ideas, our dreams, don't always work our like we had hoped, planned or prayed for. 

But  through all things, God is with us. So I want to share some memories and ideas that have helped me to grow in my faith, to be fed, during the season of Advent - a season of preparation.

My husband Jim and I have been married 39 plus years. This will be our 40th season of Advent. As I look back through the years, I see how my faith has grown. I now understand that the Season of Advent is not just about decorating our homes and buying gifts for Christmas but about changing our hearts and minds, about focusing on our relationship with God. What are some ways we can do this within our families and in our homes - in this world where everything is so commercialized?

First things first - Our lives are not Hallmark Movies! Oh, don't get me wrong, I like those movies. I like movies with a happy ending but those movies are entertainment, they're not real life. Our lives are complicated, some days are great, and somedays are not. And while some Advent seasons have been less complicated than others, the journey is different each year.

So what do we need to do to be "fed" during this season of Advent?

We need some really good road maps to guide us along the way. The Word of God feeds us. Instead of hollering out, "Hey Google, or Siri or Alexa"  how about "hollering" out to God! I'm pretty sure everyone has a good Catholic bible or a regular bible - if not - get one! The "Magnificat" and "the Word among us" are both great daily devotionals! Pick which one works for you. They both have the Catholic Mass Readings for every day of the month and daily meditations. The Magnificat also has morning prayers, evening prayers, and stories about the Saints. There are also several aps for your phone; Laudate, etc. Begin your day with scripture! My husband is really good about this - he gets up really early and reads the daily Mass readings, prayers, and meditations from our Magnificat. Let me be honest - I'm not quite as diligent. But my day is better when I begin with the scriptures. Jim will say, "Sharla - make sure you read the meditation for today" or "Make sure you read the readings because there are some hard names in the first reading and you need to be ready!" (I'm a reader/lector at Mass)  Thank you Jesus, for my husband, who helps keep me on track!

I am so thankful for my faith - and as a convert - I am so thankful for my CATHOLIC faith! I've learned through the years that making things more simple, and thinking about what really matters, has been a huge blessing for me.

Keeping things simple and focusing on what is important brings me peace and that peace "feeds" me.

Pick a couple of different nights and go outside and look up at the stars and the moon and reflect on God's creation. If your children or grandchildren are with you, they will love this. I love looking at the evening and night skies! Sun rises, sun sets, listening to birds singing, stop and find joy in the moment.

Count your blessings! Smile and give thanks to God! And share that joy with your family! 

This is the time of year when many of us feel like "Martha" - Let's be like Mary, also!

Luke 10:38-42.

Mary and Martha. On their journey Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed him to her home. She had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord's feet and listened to his words. Martha, who was busy with all the details of hospitality, came to him and said, "Lord, are you not concerned that my sister has left me to do the household tasks all alone? Tell her to help me." The Lord in reply said to her: "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and upset about many things; one thing only is required. Mary has chosen the better portion and she shall not be deprived of it."  Luke 10:38-42 (Saint Joseph Edition of the New American Bible)

It is important to prepare and get ready for family gatherings but if you take the time to be like Mary, also, you'll be much happier! Ask for help! Don't try to do everything by yourself. Use paper plates, plastic cups, and good plastic silverware. And if you don't have time to bake a pie from scratch - pop a frozen one in the oven! Or ask someone to pick one up from the bakery!

Back to today - Thursday, 11-30-2023

I pray that during this season of Advent, this time of preparation, you are filled with peace, hope, joy, and the light of Christ.

God bless you all!

 Peace and blessings to you and yours,

 near and far, wherever you are!

Bye for now, Sharla

Friday, October 13, 2023

Prayers for Peace - Prayers for Families

 Hello out there! I wrote a post about six years ago - I re-shared it last October. I'm sharing it again today. Prayer and Peace - Faith and Hope - Forgiveness and Love.

Please God, have mercy on us and on the whole world. Amen

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

A Praying Kind of Day!

 Hello out there! The weather forecast is...it finally feels like fall! Cool mornings, shorter days, cool evenings, hooray! I wish this was going to be one of my crazy all over the place stories but sometimes my heart just says, "Pray! and share a prayer!" There is a lot of sadness in our world right now. I found a post I wrote five years ago. I'm going to copy and paste it below. The prayer is for people all over the world. 

And as always,

Peace and blessings to you and yours, near and far wherever you are!

May God have mercy on us and on the whole world.


Just thought of another prayer I want to share! The Saint Michael Prayer!


St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world 
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.


Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet - A Prayer for People All Over the World


Hello out there - The news at home and abroad and all across our world has been so
heartbreaking.  The violence is never ending and sometimes you feel really helpless.
People all over the world need our prayers. Things change yet they stay the same.
The following is a post I wrote last summer - I'm feeling today like I did then.


  
Because of all the fighting/wars and terrorist attacks that are going on, I worry about the
people in many of the countries I see come up on my blog stat section. I hope that they
are ok. I just want them to know that I am praying for them and for their families.
I don't know their names, I don't know what they look like, but for some reason, they
read my blog. I have seen a large increase in people from different countries reading my
posts.  I place my hand over the map each day I see their country listed and pray for
them and I place my hand over the map each day I don't see their country listed and I
pray for them. I pray for their safety and well being.
There  are so many wars going on in our world right now, so much violence, so much
evil - We need to turn back to God.

Dear God, please watch over all these countries where war has broken out.
Please God, protect the innocent people and their families. Please protect us
all from the terrorist's plots, attacks and threats.
Thank you, God, for our many blessings. Please be with all those who are in
need. Please God, show us and guide us to how we can best help others.
You created us all, please help us to love our neighbor,
care for one another, and to pray for those who seek a better life.
 In Jesus Name I pray, Dear Lord, Amen.
As a Catholic, I pray The Divine Mercy Chaplet. This prayer is for the whole world.
It is really beautiful when we sing this Chaplet. (I'm singing this as I'm typing)
The refrain goes like this:
For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
If you listen to your local Catholic radio station, they sing the Divine Mercy Chaplet
at 3:00 pm each day.
To pray The Chaplet of The Divine Mercy:
(It is easier to keep up with if you have a rosary, but if you don't,
 you can count on your fingers.)
1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross, Pray (1) Our Father, (1) Hail Mary
and The Apostles Creed.
2. Prayer - (Pray this 1 time) Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood,
Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ,
in atonement for ours sins and those of the whole world.   
3. Pray this refrain 10 times:
  For the sake of His sorrowful passion,
 have mercy on us and on the whole world.
You repeat steps (2) & (3) for a total of (5) times.
4. Conclude with (3 times)
  Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One,
 have mercy on us and on the whole world.
5. Make the sign of the cross and say Amen.
This is a beautiful, peaceful prayer. I find myself humming or singing it a lot.
I also pray it if I wake up during the night.
May God Bless you and keep you safe wherever you are, wherever you live.
May God help us to love and care for one another.
                                                 Bye for now, Sharla