Saturday, August 26, 2017

Our Home - A Place Where You Are Always Welcome!

Hello out there! The clock just struck midnight and if I don't hurry I might turn into
a very sleep deprived and cranky gal! I received a wonderful gift today. My sweet
Aunt Carolyn will be staying with us for two, three, or more days - depending on the
the hurricane. I am sorry that she and her family had to leave their homes but I am
thankful that she is safe with us. Her daughter, my youngest cousin, and her two
children are staying with my son and his family. We heard that they needed to evacuate
and we told them to head this way - we don't like the circumstances but we are all
so happy to be together. I haven't seen my precious aunt in about five years. We
keep in touch on face book, we text, and sometimes we talk on the phone for a really
long time - but it was sure nice to see her beautiful smile and give her a great big hug.
I put a roast with a bunch of veggies in the oven this morning and stocked the fridge
with some drinks. They arrived about 1:30 and we put their three dogs in the backyard,
they seem to be adjusting well. They did bark at the sheep at first (they are in the field
right next to the backyard). I think our dogs are getting used to them also! I'm not so
sure about our cats! I hope that everyone who evacuated found a safe place to stay and
a place for their pets also.
My aunt and I have a special bond - we are both blessed to have been adopted at birth!
I am thankful for our lives and for the generations that will continue because of our
lives. Adoption doesn't just save one life - Adoption saves generations!
I better get some sleep - tomorrow will be busy - family time, lots of talking, coffee
drinking, good food cooking and eating kind of day!


                                                    Blessings to you and yours!

Thursday, August 24, 2017

Blessings To Those Near and Far - Peace Be With You Wherever You Are

Hello out there - I hope you are all doing well. It really warms my heart when I look at
the stat section on my blog and see that people from other countries read my stories.
It is so amazing that my stories, written in San Angelo, TX are read by people in so
many countries; Germany, Turkey, Russia, Albania, Brazil, Finland, Vietnam, Portugal,
Ukraine, Indonesia, Argentina,and Bangladesh. Thank you for reading my stories!
I never dreamed I would be able to reach so many people when I started my blog
back in March 2014.
I don't have much time to write tonight but I wanted to share The Luminous Mysteries
of the Rosary with y'all again. I love praying the rosary - the mysteries/scriptures
help me focus on things I need to pray about and people I need to pray for! I hope you
all have a peaceful evening, a restful night, and that your tomorrow is full of love and
blessings!


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 (This prayer is at the end of the rosary)
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.
Stained Glass - The Wedding at Cana


Let's get started!
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 Luminous Mystery is The Baptism of Jesus -
After Jesus was baptized, he came directly out of the water. Suddenly the sky
opened and he saw the Spirit of God descend like a dove and hover over him.
With that, a voice from the heavens said, "This is my beloved Son.
My favor rests on him." (Matthew 3:16-17) 
 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 Luminous Mystery is The Wedding at Cana -
His mother said to the servers, "Do whatever He tells you."......
Jesus told them, "Fill the jars with water." So they filled them
to the brim. (John 2:5-7)
 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."
9. Announce the Third Mystery -
The Third Luminous Mystery is Proclaiming The Kingdom -
"As you go, make this proclamation: 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'
Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without
cost you have received; without cost you are to give." (Matthew 10:7-8)
 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 Luminous Mystery is The Transfiguration -
While He was praying His face changed in appearance and His clothing
became dazzling white. Then from the cloud came a voice that said,
"This is My chosen Son; listen to Him." (Luke 9:29, 35)
 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 Luminous Mystery is The Institution of The Eucharist -
Then, taking bread and giving thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying:
"This is my body to be given for you. Do this as a remembrance of me."
He did the same with the cup after eating, saying as he did so: "This cup is the
new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you." (Luke 22:19-20)
 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 hope that you have been able to follow the steps and I really hope that you
have begun to pray the rosary! There is so much turmoil and hate in our world
right now. I truly believe in the power of prayer and I know that God will
answer us. May God bless you all wherever you are!

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Fill Your Homes With Love and Laughter!

Good morning out there! We are being blessed with rain right now. I love to listen
to the sound of the rain pouring down. I always thank God for watering my plants
for me! I'm also thankful that Jim and our son have a job indoors today. When you
are self-employed you go where the work is and last week it was outside!
Last night, while Jim and I were eating dinner, we talked about how much we enjoyed
our time together on Sunday. We had biscuits and coffee for breakfast and read the
newspaper. We looked over some business paperwork and we took a nap! We both
go full steam ahead all during the week and by Sunday we are both ready to rest -
like God wants us to do. We decided that a hearty soup sounded great for dinner so
we got busy. Jim peeled and cut potatoes and onions while I cooked the meat and
added all the seasoning. We combined everything, put a lid on it, and turned the heat
down to low. We got ready for Mass, turned off the stove, and headed to church.
We arrived early and prayed the rosary with those who were there. Being at Mass
was wonderful. I wish you could have seen all the families, all the toddlers and the
babies. I love seeing families together at Mass - that just makes my heart happy!
After Mass, Jim and I came home to a wonderful aroma of hearty beef and
vegetable soup with lots of spices simmered in! While he went outside and fed the
animals, I cut the left over biscuits from breakfast in half and toasted them with a little
butter to go with our soup. It was great! We always give thanks to God before we eat.
Well, I have to go and pay some bills and balance the bank statement now.
But first I'm going to attach a picture of the outdoor frame that Jim and I made two
Sundays ago. We just used stuff we already had and it was easy. Jim hung it on our
back porch and we think it looks really good! (I need to relocate the white electrical
cord!) That old radio is the one we listen to on Saturday nights!
Everyday is a gift - Always hug and kiss your spouse before they leave for work.
Hug and kiss your children before they head off to school and pray for them and
pray with them! Put notes in their lunch boxes and listen to them when they come
home! Take care of each other and let love and laughter fill your homes!
God bless you all!
                                                                            Bye for now, Sharla








Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Life Is A Journey - Each Day Is A Gift

Good morning out there! I am headed out of town for a few days - I am going to
San Antonio and Austin to try and promote adoption as a loving life option. I will
also be visiting some of the maternity homes while I am there.
I'm really praying that God will guide me to where I can be the most helpful. I'm
taking this trip on faith, truly feeling like the Holy Spirit is leading me to where the
abortions take place.
Since we don't have a Planned Parenthood or another abortion type facility in San Angelo,
I think we become complacent.
Thousands of abortions take place everyday and innocent babies are killed because of
someone's choice.
Please pray for me as I take this trip of faith - But most importantly,  please pray for
all the precious unborn babies and their mothers and fathers.
I want to get the message out there that help is available and that adoption is another
choice!
One of our dear friends passed away last Thursday. His funeral was yesterday and was a
beautiful celebration of his life. Every day is a gift and we don't know when or how
quickly our time might come. Hug your spouse, your children, grandchildren and
all of your loved ones. Tell them you love them. Forgive and be merciful. Be kind to one
another and spend time with your family. Be thankful and enjoy the sunrise, the sunsets,
the cool breeze, and look up at the clouds. Hum and sing uplifting songs as you go about
your day. And Smile! Smile at everyone you see - Rejoice and be glad - Thank our
loving God for everything! God bless you and your loved ones.


                                                                               Bye for now, Sharla




Jim's birthday was Sunday. We sat out on the back porch Saturday night and listened
to the good old country classics. We laughed and talked for hours. We talked about
our friend and his family and how close they all are. We also talked about their faith
in God and how they will lean on Him to help them through this difficult time in their
lives. Yes, everyday is a gift - Rejoice and be glad!