Saturday, July 29, 2017

I'm Just A Happy Homemaker!

Good morning out there! I hope your week was full of blessings! You all know how
much I love to bake! Yesterday, with the help of my daughter and her oldest
daughter (grandchild #3), we made a Chocolate Coffee Cake from scratch. It is
delicious! The cake batter has two sticks of butter, (the real kind), six eggs, sugar,
flour, baking powder and two teaspoons of vanilla! The filling is one cup of melted
chocolate chips with more butter and two more teaspoons of vanilla, cinnamon,
nutmeg and another cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips! Spoon half the batter in a
greased 9 x 13 baking dish. Spread the melted filling over the batter and then sprinkle
the rest of the chocolate chips all over the top. Spoon the other half of the cake batter
over the filling. Then you sprinkle the yummy topping of brown sugar, butter, and flour
all over the top. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 45 minutes. While the cake
is baking you need to make a fresh pot of strong coffee (that is not in the recipe but
it's pretty much mandatory in our home!) The cake was barely out of the oven before
we cut a piece and dug in! It was so good. Jim was working in the shop out back and
our granddaughter took him a piece - he loved it!
Doesn't it look good?
I have to go now!
I just wanted to say hi and that I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
I love being a homemaker! Come on over and I'll make a fresh pot of coffee or a pitcher
of iced tea! It's a beautiful day - I pray that you and your loved ones are blessed
beyond measure!
                                                             Bye for now, Sharla

Tuesday, July 18, 2017

My Prayer for Each One of You!

Good morning out there! I don't have much time to write today - my grandkids
from out of town are down for a visit! But I wanted to check in and say hello
to y'all and post a prayer that is at the end of my book. It is my prayer for each of
 you!


I pray that your day is full of blessings.If you are sick, I pray that you will get well.
If you have lost a loved one, I pray that you will be comforted.

If you are anxious, I pray that a feeling of peace will wash over you.
If you are lonely, I pray that someone  will reach out to you, I pray that you
will know that even though I may not know you,  I really do care.
If you are struggling financially, I pray that God will send you what you need.
If you are struggling with addiction, I pray that God will give you strength
and courage to give up whatever is holding you hostage.

If you are in a crisis pregnancy, I pray that you will be directed to the path of life,
and guided to all the help that is available for you and your baby.
If you are a caregiver, I pray that you will get the rest you need, and know that it
is ok to take time for yourself.
Dear God, I pray for peace all across the whole world. I pray for peace in every

country. I pray for those who seek refuge.
I pray for those who are hungry and thirsty. I pray for the homeless and the lonely.
I lift all the intentions I've listed above to You, God our Father.
I pray for anyone and  everyone who might be suffering or going through any
of the things I've written  about.
Please God, show us how to take care of each other, to love one another and
help us to be discerning in all that we do. Thank you for today, please guide us and
help us to live the way you want us to. Please keep us safe and help us to look to
You, and not the world for direction and answers.

 In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.
                                                                 Bye for now, Sharla

Thursday, July 13, 2017

Unexpected Blessings Bring Joy to Your Heart!

Hello out there! I hope you are all having a great day. I've wanted to sit down and write
this post since this morning but I had so many other things to accomplish first. Now, I
can take the time to write this story that has been on my heart.
I sat down this morning with a cup of coffee and my Magnificat. I read the scriptures,
psalms and morning prayers. While I was praying, someone very special came to my
mind. His name is Jerry and I haven't seen him in a long time. He is probably in his
mid twenties and he used to hang around our parish, Sacred Heart Cathedral, quite a
bit. Sometimes he would come and get a lunch and other times he would ask for $2.00.
He would tell you that he needed the money to go and buy a soda. Jerry would go and
buy a large soda and sometimes he would bring it into the sanctuary. We would explain
to him that he couldn't bring the drink into the sanctuary. Sometimes it would even
be during Mass. What I remembered this morning was something that really touched
my heart. Many of us gave Jerry his soda money including the priests, especially
Father H. and Deacon Steve. This is what happened back in December of 2015 -
During Advent, there is a penance service held in the evening at different Catholic
Churches on different dates. Several priests are on hand at the penance services to make
sure that everyone is able to go to confession. There are always a lot of people standing
in line in the sanctuary. I was in line and there were only a couple more people in
front of me when Jerry walked in. He looked around and I could tell that he was
confused. He saw me, came over and stood next to me and asked what was going on.
I explained that people were in line for confession. He asked where Father H. was and
I pointed to the confessional and told him that he couldn't talk to him right now. I
asked him what he needed and he told me $2.00 so that he could go and buy a
soda. By this time, I was next in line. I told Jerry to sit down in the pew and wait for
me. Jerry sat down and I went to confession. When I was through with my confession
I walked over to the pew and sat down next to Jerry. I got some money out of my
purse and gave it to him. He immediately put his arms around me and gave me a
big hug. I smiled and told him to remember to say his prayers. I figured that he would
get up and leave so I knelt down to pray and complete my penance. All of sudden I
felt someone kneel right next to me. I turned my head and it was Jerry. I still get
teary eyed when I remember that sweet young man kneeling next to me. I reached
over and patted his hand and we both finished our prayers. I felt so humbled at that
moment and tears streamed down my face. This morning, as I remembered this
special story I also thought of another time that Jerry touched my heart, and Jim's
too, even though he probably won't admit it. Jim and I were at Mass and we were
sitting together, which is rare, because he is always an usher. Anyway, we were sitting
together and Mass had already begun when Jerry walked in the side door, started
walking down the aisle, spotted me, and scooted into the pew next to me. Jim
looked at me and shook his head. He does that a lot. I smiled at Jerry and patted his
hand. He asked me for money so that he could go and buy a soda. I whispered to him
that we were in Mass and that he needed to be quiet and wait for a little bit. He sat
still for a little while and then we stood up to recite the Prayer of the Faithful.
Jim said in a whisper, go ahead and give him some money now, that way if he leaves
it won't be as obvious since we are all standing. I gave Jerry the money, he gave me
a hug and scooted back out in front of Jim and left. A little while later on during Mass,
Jerry came back, with his soda and sat back down with Jim and I. He left when we
went up to receive Communion. Jerry touched all of our hearts and we would
always wonder where he was when we hadn't seen him in awhile. I prayed for him
this morning and maybe we'll see him again soon. My life has been so blessed by
the people that God sends my way.
"Open the eyes of my heart, Lord. Help me to always see You."
I have to go now. I'm driving to Miles to watch four of my many blessings
 (grandchildren) perform during the final evening of Vacation Bible School!
                                      Blessings to you and yours! Bye for now, Sharla



Love One Another!

Monday, July 10, 2017

Faith, Hope, and Love

Good morning out there - I don't have much time to share this morning but I need
to re-post something I wrote on July 28, 2014. My life is so busy right now and I
have so much to say but I don't always have the time to sit and write. Some of you
have been reading my posts since I started this blog a little over three years ago.
Please understand when I re-post some stories if you've already read them. For
those of you who've just started reading my blog posts - I hope these stories from
the past will be an insight to my pro-life mission.
I hope you all have a wonderfully blessed, sunshine filled day! Live life with joy
in your heart!




July 28, 2014
The world we live in today believes that a woman's choice is more important
than a baby's life,  and that is a lie. The world we live in today believes
"live and let live," unless you are a baby in  your mother's womb. If  you are
pregnant, there are two lives to think about now, two lives to  take care of.
Please, choose life for your baby. I've talked to women and men who are still
devastated over an abortion that took place years ago. It has taken decades
for some women to finally heal after an  abortion. I've read articles, and heard
testimonials, I've cried with women as they have shared their stories with me.
I write this blog not only to save the baby, but to save the young woman from
the heartache, and guilt she feels after having an abortion. No one wants to talk
about this subject because it just isn't very comfortable, it is certainly not
politically correct unless you are pro-abortion, and people just don't want to
get involved. So, here I am, because I truly care, I truly want to make a difference.
I want to get the message out there, abortion is an ugly lie. I'm not saying that
choosing adoption for your baby will be easy, and I'm also not saying that raising
your baby will be easy. But I believe if you choose life for your baby, once you
hold your sweet baby boy or baby girl in your arms, you will make the right
decision for both of you.
One of the definitions of mother in the dictionary is:
To care for or protect as a mother does............That's just it! A mother does what
is best for her baby, she protects her baby!
A baby's heart start beating just 18 days after conception, listen to your heart,
place your hands over your stomach and think about the baby boy or baby girl
that is growing inside you, that tiny little life is a miracle, and needs you.
Listen to your heart, don't listen to the world. You are strong enough to take care
of your baby, and if you choose adoption, you are doing what you feel like is best
for your baby. Please choose life for your baby, there are people out there who
will help you.
     
So many people shared their grief over a past abortion that I posted websites for
Rachel's Vineyard Retreats - Please share these websites, you never know who
might need them.
  www.rachelsvineyard.org
www.hopeafterabortion.com
www.abortionrecovery.org





Friday, July 7, 2017

Following A Different Route - Same Destination - Just A Little Outside Of The Box!

Good morning out there! Happy Friday to all of you! I have a lot on my heart today -
Sometimes things just don't go your way. Even when you are trying really hard to do
what you think is right - it doesn't always work out the way you want it to.
But don't give up. I have a hard time with change. If something is working well, why
should we fix it or change it up? Well, for me, I had to make a decision. Either I find
another way - or I just give up. After a lot of prayer, our loving Lord, helped me find
another path. It wasn't even a path very far off from where I was already headed, just
a different route. I guess it is time for me to explain the situation.
I have truly been blessed to be part of the 40 Days for Life campaigns. We have held
five campaigns in our parish courtyard. If you've read my posts during the
campaigns you know what a blessing they have been. The faithful people who have
spent so many hours praying for the unborn, praying for families, praying for people
all over the world, have touched my heart and truly blessed my life in ways they will
never know. After the fall campaign in 2016, we decided that we needed to think of
a way to get more people involved. We did not officially participate in the spring
campaign. While the 40 days spring campaign was going on worldwide, we had a
faithful group of prayer warriors that met in the courtyard after the noon Mass on
Fridays. We prayed the "Rosary for the Unborn" and some more prayers together.
We would also talk about what we wanted to do this fall. We decided that we would
pray for the unborn during the month of October. We are going to call this month of
prayer, Rosary for Life. We haven't decided the exact hours but we do plan on
having people pray everyday throughout the month of October. We are also moving
to a new location for our month of prayers.



St. Mary's Catholic Church in San Angelo, TX has graciously and enthusiastically
said, yes, and will host this month long pro-life prayer campaign. Once I heard that
we were given the okay - the plans started spinning in my brain! As we began planning,
new and really creative ideas were thought up - not from me, but from other people
who are going to help us! I am very excited and thankful that God helped me to see
that change is okay and sometimes really needed! St. Mary's Catholic Church has a
beautiful grotto where we can pray in front of. Chairs and prayer books will be
provided or you can pray your own daily devotional prayers. There is also a playground
for the children close to the grotto. We will have sidewalk chalk! The kids and some
adults (me included) really enjoyed writing pro-life messages with the chalk!
We are going to have a kick-off rally but we're not sure what night. We still have a lot
of planning to do but the great thing is - we will be praying for the unborn and their
families this fall! I will keep you posted and I hope if you live in San Angelo or the
surrounding areas that you will come and join us!
Another thing that has been weighing very heavy on my heart is not having the
Sack Lunch Ministry. I'll just go ahead and tell y'all what we tried. My daughter and I
were talking about this last week. We thought up a plan and decided to do a trial run
this past Sunday morning. She and her family picked up half of the supplies and Jim
and I picked up the other half. They came over on Sunday morning and we set up
a sack lunch making station! Our five year old granddaughter was in charge of
filling snack size bags with two cookies each. Our eleven year old granddaughter and
I fixed the hot dogs (all beef) and wrapped them up. Our daughter put everything into
the sacks (hot dog, chips, cookies, cutie oranges). Jim, our son-in-law, and our
two year old granddaughter put ice and bottled waters in the ice chest and loaded
everything up for us. My daughter, oldest granddaughter, and I headed to the down-
town area. We gave one sack lunch to a man who was selling newspapers, another
lunch to a man who was walking along the store fronts, and then we gave another
lunch to a man who was riding his bike. All three of these men had been regulars at
our Sack Lunch Ministry and we were happy to see them. The man on the bike said
that everyone from the Sack Lunch Ministry would always have a special place in
his heart and of course that touched our hearts! We went down to the park and
unloaded a wagon and put the waters and lunches inside. We walked along the side
walk and gave out some more lunches. A couple of people just wanted a bottle of
water. We loaded everything back up and gave out a couple more lunches on the way
to the Salvation Army. We donated the lunches that were left to the Salvation Army
and headed back home. We felt like it was a good trial run. I'm not sure when we
are going to do it again. We may try a different day and we thought about making
breakfast burritos next time. Oh, I forgot to tell you - the man who was walking in
the front of the store fronts - he told my daughter that he appreciated us thinking
about them. All the people were very thankful.
I guess the point I'm trying to make is that if you feel something really strong in your
heart - do it! Praying for the unborn. Being a voice for the voiceless is not an option
for me, it is truly what God has placed on my heart and my husbands also. I just had
to get out of my comfort zone - think outside of the box - take that other path - that
old saying, "Where there is a will, there is a way!" I had to decide how strong my will
was and then God helped me find a way!
Back to going out and feeding the poor where they are at. I don't know if it's the right
solution or the right path - but for right now, until we figure out something else - it's
a start.
There are days that I would like to go back and just be a devoted wife, mother,
mother-in-law, and grandmother of ten precious blessings. The good Lord knows
that my family and our family business keeps me busy enough. But for some reason
He has placed these two important missions on my heart and has let me know that
I need to do this also.
Four years ago I wrote a letter to the newspaper and they published it. That letter,
no, the reason for that letter - touched my heart and changed my life. I had to decide
that if I felt that strong about being a voice for voiceless I needed to move forward.
I prayed and Jim prayed and we took one step at time.
Four years ago I wasn't even on Facebook. I didn't have a Blog. I had a flip phone
and did not hardly text at all. I think back to the words I wrote in that letter -
The following is the last two paragraphs of the letter that was published in the
Standard Times Newspaper on July 4, 2013. -
Today I make a vow to you, the innocent babies in the womb, I will not be silent,
I will not give up.  I will continue to pray that your mothers and fathers see what a gift
from God you truly are. As a pro-life Catholic I have never voted for anyone who is
pro-choice, and I never will.
Sweet tiny babies in your mother's womb, I will fight for you, I will weep for you,

I will pray for you until I draw my last breath. I am woman hear me roar-
Wendy Davis does not speak for me!
If you want to read the whole letter here is that post - this the link:
https://adoptedandblessed.blogspot.com/2014/06/good-morning-out-there-we-have-been.html
 Be careful what you say - Since that letter was published, God has found a way and has
helped me keep my word to the innocent babies in the womb.
If you are sincere - God will find a way!
Here I am, Lord. I come to do your will! Amen.
Please know that you and your families are all in my prayers. I place my hand on the map
each day I look at my blog. My hand covers all the countries of where each of you are.
I lift you and your family up in prayer and I pray that somehow my simple posts, my
little short stories warm your heart and make you smile. God bless you all.
                                                         Bye for now, Sharla







Thursday, July 6, 2017

Blessings To You!

Hello out there! I hope that you are having a truly blessed day. We have been blessed
with rain and it is a cloudy, not too hot, nice summer day. We have also been blessed
by spending a lot of time with our family! Lots of happy memories are made at Nana
and Pa's home! Great food, we love to cook out! Yummy desserts, I need to go walk!
Water guns and plastic wading pools, a swing set that Jim fabricated for OUR kids
about thirty years ago (the swings and slide have been replaced!) Our trampoline
jumpy thing has a big tear and is not jumpable right now! Our daughter-in-law
ordered a replacement jumpy cover and it will be here soon! Today is our daughter-
in-law's birthday and the grandkids are going to hang out at Nana and Pa's this
evening so that they can go out and eat by themselves! When you have five children,
going out to eat without them = yay! You can actually eat without jumping up to
help the little ones and your food stays hot, or at least warm!
I hope you all had a wonderful and safe 4th of July and if you live in another country -
I hope you have had a wonderful and safe week also!
I have to go to the grocery store and run a few more errands. I just wanted to check in
and say hello!
                                                           Blessings to you and yours!
                                                                         Bye for now, Sharla


So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do,
do it all for the glory of God.       1 Corinthians 10:31





 

Monday, July 3, 2017

Living Life With Joy In My Heart!

Good morning out there! It's a beautiful day! Jim and I began our day by going to
Eucharistic Adoration at St. Margaret's Catholic Church. That really is the best way
to start your day! We had a great weekend. Super busy but awesome! Our youngest
grandson turned seven on Saturday. Where does the time go? My precious little red-
headed boy is growing up! His birthday party was lots of fun - Star Wars was the
theme! Two baby lambs were born Saturday night and they are so cute. Spending
time with our family is always a blessing. Last night at Mass I looked behind me as
I was going up to receive the Eucharist and our youngest granddaughter/youngest
grandchild (she is 27 months old) was running to catch up with me. She had taken
her shoes off and she had a baggie full of Captain Crunch cereal in her chubby little
hands. I grabbed the baggy full of cereal before it came open and then swooped her
up and held her on my hip. Our daughter and her middle daughter were close behind.
Our life is full of excitement - even at Mass!
I just wanted to check in and say hello! I hope you all have wonderfully, blessed week!


One more thing - Today is Monday - The Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary!
Are y'all ready? Let's get started!
The following are the prayers of the rosary -
The Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Apostles' Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in
Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died,
and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from
the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the
Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
Our Father
Our Father, who art in heaven; hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come;
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and
lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for
us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory Be To The Father
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Hail, Holy Queen
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope,
to thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our
sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears; turn, then, most gracious
Advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us, and after this, our exile, show unto us
the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises
of Christ.
Now that you have the prayers of the rosary, the next step is teaching you how
to pray the rosary.
Since today is Monday we will pray the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary.
1. Make the Sign of the Cross and then say the "Apostles' Creed."
2. Say the "Our Father."
3. Say three "Hail Marys."
4. Say the "Glory Be to the Father."
5. Announce the First Mystery -
The First Joyful Mystery is The Annunciation -
And when the angel had come to her, he said, "Hail, full of grace,
the Lord is with you." (Luke 1:28)
Then say the "Our Father"
6. Say (10) "Hail Marys"
7. Say the "Glory Be to the Father." Then say the following prayer -
"O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all
souls to Heaven, especially those in  most need of Thy mercy."
8. Announce the Second Mystery -
The Second Joyful Mystery is The Visitation -
Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said,
"Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb."
(Luke 1:41-42)
Then say the "Our Father"
 Say (10)"Hail Marys"
 Say the "Glory Be to the Father." Then say the following prayer -
"O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all
souls to Heaven, especially those in  most need of Thy mercy."
9. Announce the Third Mystery -
The Third Joyful Mystery is The Birth of Jesus -
She gave birth to her firstborn Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and
laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7)
Then say the "Our Father"
 Say (10) "Hail Marys"
 Say the "Glory Be to the Father." Then say the following prayer -
"O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all
souls to Heaven, especially those in  most need of Thy mercy."
10. Announce the Fourth Mystery -
The Fourth Joyful Mystery is The Presentation -
When the days were completed for their purification according to the law
of Moses, they took Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord, just
as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb
shall be consecrated to the Lord." (Luke 2:22-23)
Then say the "Our Father"
 Say (10)"Hail Marys"
 Say the "Glory Be to the Father." Then say the following prayer -
"O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all
souls to Heaven, especially those in  most need of Thy mercy."
11. Announce the Fifth Mystery -
The Fifth Joyful Mystery is Finding the Child Jesus in the Temple -
After three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the
teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. (Luke 2:46)
Then say the "Our Father"
 Say (10) "Hail Marys"
 Say the "Glory Be to the Father." Then say the following prayer -
"O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all
souls to Heaven, especially those in  most need of Thy mercy."
12. Say the "Hail, Holy Queen" after all five decades are completed.
13. Make the Sign of the Cross and say Amen.
I will post the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary tomorrow (Tuesday).
Everything else (the prayers and the order) will stay the same.
 The Joyful Mysteries are said on Mondays  and Saturdays;
 The Sorrowful Mysteries are said on Tuesdays and Fridays;
The Glorious Mysteries are said on Wednesdays and Sundays;
 and The  Luminous Mysteries are said on Thursdays.
 (I have been known to say the Joyful Mysteries on the Sorrowful Mysteries day
 and vice versa depending on what is happening in my life - the most important
 thing is to - Pray the Rosary on a daily basis!)
Pray with your family, Pray by yourself, Pray as a couple,
Pray with a group of friends!
God bless you all!