Finding Time for Silence in a Noisy World

 Good morning out there!

My weather report for today is:

Cool morning breeze, blue skies, and a sun shiny day!

Jim and I were out of town over the weekend. Before we headed home on Sunday, we found a Catholic Church nearby and went to the 11:00 am Mass. We walked into St. James Catholic Church, dipped our fingers into the holy water, made the sign of the cross, and found a place to sit. We were early and had time to kneel and say our prayers and also take in the beauty of the church. The silence and peace filled my heart. A young man, kneeling at the other end of our pew caught my eye. I could almost feel the intensity of his prayer. I began to pray for him and tears filled my eyes as I thought about how much God loves us. The following scripture came to my mind.

Matthew 11:28-30

"Come to me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon your shoulders and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. Your souls will find rest, for my yoke is easy and my burden light."

My heart filled to overflowing as I saw families, large and small, couples, young and older, and single people fill the pews. Tears spilled down my cheeks with joy and hope as I thought about all the churches all across our country and around the world full of people seeking God.

The choir sang a song that has stayed with me and I've been singing parts of it for the past two days. I tried to find it in an old music missal and finally called the church. The secretary was so sweet. She is going to have the Cantor call me back! The part I remember is "Long have I waited for your coming, you belong to me..." "Return to me, with all your heart..." (that's what I've been singing and humming, anyway) If he calls me back...I'll post the name of the song.

A little quiet time, some silence in our lives is important and truly needed. I have a corner in our living room that is full of plants where the morning sun shines through the window. A small statue of an angel holding a bird in her hands sits among the plants. On a table opposite the plants is a statue of Jesus, the Good Shepherd and a Crucifix hangs on the wall above it. Sometimes I put my phone on silent and sit across from my "Secret Garden" and pray. And then there are times when I just sit in silence, listening for God's voice, His guidance, His reassurance.

Make your own little prayer corner in your home. 

Jim likes to sit at the kitchen table and read the daily scriptures and prayers from our monthly devotional, Magnificat. He wakes up early and goes into the kitchen while I'm still fast asleep and has his quiet time. We keep our bible, the Magnificat, and some other prayer cards on the table. We have a Mama Mary and Baby Jesus night light that sits in the kitchen window and is always on whenever we are home. We also have a picture of the Holy Family hanging on the wall across from the table.

Many Catholic Churches are open during the day before and after daily Mass. If you don't have time to stay for Mass, look for a church close by, find out what time they're open, and go inside and spend some quiet time in prayer. 

In a world full of noise, find a place and time for some silence.

Matthew 7:7-8

"Ask, and it will be given to you;

seek, and you will find;

knock, and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks receives;

the one who seeks finds;

 and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."

Peace and blessings to you and yours,

near and far, wherever you are!

Bye for now, Sharla

This is another picture that is in our kitchen. 

"The Dearest Mortals"

 Good morning out there!  

I've been trying to sit down for over a week and write this story. I have my Kleenexes and told Jim the story I was going to share today...no interruptions! 

 I'm sharing a poem that was written for me when I was about six months old and in the hospital with pneumonia. We lived in a small town and the people really cared about each other. I wasn't even two years old when we moved away, but memories and stories were shared and some of those friendships remained strong throughout the years. 

I've shared how the people blessed my family with a baby shower when I was adopted, the story about the banker, the story about the sweetest cards, etc. My dad was a high school teacher at that time and he also drove the school bus. 

The young man who wrote this poem had just finished his freshman year of high school. (1964) I came across the envelope it was in as I was going through some old pictures and memorabilia. I hadn't read the poem in years. The poem is written in cursive, on notebook paper. The faded print on the small, white envelope simply says, Sharla Kay. 

I share this beautiful poem for all the precious babies in this old world. To all the babies who are planned and to all the babies who are unplanned. To the babies still in their mother's wombs and to the babies who have been born. You are all:

"The Dearest Mortals"

The dearest mortals on this old earth

Are all the babes, both sweet and dear

The ones who grant this world its mirth

We'd feel quite lost if they were not here.

Babies are made of pure, sweet love

As clean and white as the purest dove

The little dears are all so nice

They give this old world a lot of spice.

Babies never anyone's feelings hurt

Babies never utter an unkind word

Nor do they do an unkind deed

And when they do a real smart trick

Their parent's pride is like that of a steed.

The little emblems of God's dear love

Rest sweetly, securely in His arm

Someday will go to Him above

And eternally be kept from all harm.

Yes, we must all agree

That if we looked for eternity

In and out of life's many portals

We could not find a more perfect mortal creation

For babies are the Dearest Mortals.

But of all these precious mortals

Who in their cradles lay

There are none sweeter

Than your Sharla Kay

Get Well Soon!

This isn't much, but it's the best I could do,

 so please accept it with feeling of love and friendship for all of you.

Love, Danny Martin

When I found this poem I knew I needed to share it. I wanted to share it in honor of his memory. 

Danny was killed in a car accident when I was six years old. May he rest in peace.

Hug your spouse! Hug your kids! Hug your grandkids! Be thankful for another day! Go out and be a light to others! 

Peace and blessings to you and yours,

 near and far, wherever you are!

Bye for now, Sharla

2025 - Reflection, Prayers, and Still Following a Star

 Hello out there! No weather report - just jumping right into my story for today! 

This morning I was sitting at the kitchen table, drinking a cup of coffee, and looking at my Nativity Scene that is still on the bottom shelf of my china hutch. Yesterday afternoon, I replaced the batteries in the string of small, white lights I have above my Nativity Scene. Jim and I finally took our tree down yesterday. I had already removed the decorations but the white lights and star were still on the tree and I enjoyed having the lights on when we were at home. I told Jim that it looked like we had a large tree with pinecones in our home and that it should just stay up awhile longer...he told me that he had time to help me take it down and went and got the ladder! The tree has been put away. But the string of lights in my kitchen window above the sink are still twinkling, and my Nativity Scene in the hutch will be there awhile longer! I decided that today I was going to spend some time sharing stories and memories! I remembered that I wrote a post last year about my Nativity Scene - I looked back and it was the exact same date, just another year! I'm going to post the story below. 

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

The picture below is my Nativity Scene, about five years ago, before I had a china hutch.       

    (Last year's story is below the picture!) 

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

Merry Christmas, Holly Jolly Mint Coffee, and Family Gatherings!

 Hello out there!

 Merry Christmas! 

Peace and blessings to you and yours on this beautiful day the Lord has made!

I have all these thoughts, and memories, and stories to share! This will definitely be one of my all over the place blog posts - probably not in any type of order! 

I didn't take the time to sit down and type any stories during the Advent Season, the time of preparation. I told Jim last night that my plan for today, the day after Christmas, is to catch up on laundry and blog! 

I got up this morning, made the bed, cleaned the microwave, got a load of laundry washing, paid some bills over the phone, and sat down to blog...Jim called and asked if I would make some sandwiches and bring out to the job site about 12:30 where he, our son, and grandson are working. I said yes, of course, but it will probably be closer to 1:00 pm. In my mind I was thinking - "This is why I never get to blog anymore!" But I am going to finish this blog post today - I'll just have to step away for a little bit!

Our lives are full of stories; like a patchwork quilt or a huge puzzle. Each patch and puzzle piece represents a small part of our lives - memories, traditions, family, work, vacations, happy times, sad times, and hopefully, much love and laughter! 

I'll share a quick story from long ago before I take a break to make some sandwiches and deliver them to my hungry, hard working, guys!

When my kids were young we would sometimes go and visit my mom's best friend who lived about 90 miles away. She and I stayed close after my mom passed away and was very special to me. She and her husband were both retired teachers and he was also a farmer. Lucille was a wonderful cook. Her fried okra was the best! She always cooked a big breakfast and dinner. One time while we were visiting it was getting close to noon and we were out running errands. I asked Lucille if we needed to get back home so we could fix Hank some lunch. She laughed and said, "Sharla, I told Hank along time ago, that I married him for better or worse, but not for lunch!" I laughed and laughed! She told me that he was probably at the domino hall with the other farmers and would order a hamburger from the place next door. Yes, there are times I repeat that message to Jim, but not today. So I'm taking a "lunch making break" and I plan on finishing this post when I get back home!

I made turkey sandwiches, with a slice of sharp cheddar cheese, and a slice of pepper jack cheese. Two with miracle whip and one with real mayo and mustard! I added chips, cookies, and three little cutie oranges to the bag along with napkins! They have drinks in their ice chest. I drove out to where they were and just sat in my car a minute and watched them work. Three generations - Jim was standing on a tall ladder next to some scaffolding that our grandson was standing on and they were adjusting a heavy piece of channel iron and clamping it to the upright. Our son was on the opposite side of the carport on another tall ladder. I said a prayer and took some pictures. A scene from a movie we watched years ago popped into my head. If you've seen, "Betsy's Wedding" with Alan Alda and Madeline Kahn, the parents in the movie, you might remember when she takes him lunch and the ladder falls and he's hanging from the roof...yep, thankful for our Guardian Angels! And thankful none of my guys were  hanging from the roof!

I've got to share my new coffee recipe - I'm calling it, "Holy Jolly Mint Coffee!" Large mug of coffee (I use Folgers), one packet of Splenda, a splash of Half and Half and four - six Jr. Mints. Super yummy! We had some left over boxes of candy from our Bingo game prizes on Christmas Eve. I found a box of Jr. Mints that was still half full while I was zapping a cup of coffee in the microwave yesterday afternoon. I decided to add a couple to my coffee to see how it would taste and I liked it. This morning I did the same thing and decided that it would be a Christmas Coffee tradition! The Jr. Mints would probably taste great in hot cocoa also! 

I love the Season of Advent, all the preparations, the lights, the decorations, sending out Christmas Cards, singing Christmas carols, and baking, etc. I am blessed to have a large family. One of the things I learned this year is to not worry so much about planning and having exact time schedules. To go more with the flow of everyone's activities and just enjoy the time we do spend together. Whether it's all of us at once, or some of us one day and the rest of our family on another day. Our grandchildren are growing up! Jim and I were blessed to spend time with all of our children and grandchildren during this past week, some on different days, but that was okay.  Our son, who lives out of town, arrived with his daughters on Saturday and left on Monday morning. We had a wonderful visit! Our other children and some of their children dropped by at different times. We laughed and shared memories, we hugged, ate good food and desserts, and went to Mass. We love being at Mass with our children and grandchildren! Such a huge blessing!

Our Christmas Eve gathering moved back to during the day instead of the evening. Our daughter and her family, and son and his family, who all live here were able to be with us. We ate, played bingo for prizes, had a table set up for decorating cookies, and/or cones like Christmas trees. Icing and sprinkles galore! The older kids played pickle ball outside, although a couple of times I looked out and thought it looked more like dodge ball! The three youngest granddaughters took turns holding our statue of baby Jesus before I laid him in the creche, with the statues of Mother Mary and Joseph on each side. My  young granddaughters asked me where "everyone else" was? I have a large Nativity Scene that includes an Angel, the Three Wise Men, a donkey, cow, and lambs. This year I only have the Holy Family out front. I told them I just decided to keep it small. They weren't impressed with that answer. Christmas is more than just one day, and "everyone else" may show up this weekend! Or not! We'll have to see what happens! One more thing! Our son-in-law came inside the house and told me that there was a chicken on top of my roof! He showed me a picture he took, and sure enough, one of my little hens was on the roof! Life at the Ynostrosa Hacienda is always full of surprises!

On Christmas Day, Jim and I went to the mid-morning Mass. It was beautiful. My heart swelled as I saw all the families, the children, people I've never seen before, and people I see all the time. Mass is always such a blessing; the Nativity Scene, wreathes, Christmas trees with white lights, poinsettias, and all the decorations, my favorite Christmas Hymns, the readings, and communion, I love it all. 

Luke 2:15-20

When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.

I pray that you are blessed throughout this whole Christmas Season. Our decorations will stay up through the Epiphany. On these short days, where it gets dark so early, the extra lights I have throughout our home give off a special warm glow. The hustle and bustle of shopping is over. Take some time to enjoy the peace of the season. I call this the, "All is calm, all is bright" time. Fix yourself a cup of Holly Jolly Mint Coffee! Or Half Coffee and Half Cocoa - I call that the Holiday Blend! 

It's 6:14 pm - I started writing this post at 11:30! I hit save every time I had to stop writing and go with the flow of life and daily activities. Thank you to everyone who takes the time to read my stories - may God send them wherever they need to go. 

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

Bye for now, Sharla

National Adoption Month! Adoption Saves Generations!

 Hello out there! It's a beautiful day!

 My weather report is:

It looks and feels like fall, y'all!

November is National Adoption Month! 

And today is National Adoption Day! 

I decided I better sit down and type out a post/story since I'm adopted! As I sit here and think about what story I should share...I realize that I will just be repeating what I've posted before. So I'm going to add the links to previous "adoption story" posts and you can click on them if you have not read those stories or if you would like to read them once more.

My home office has a desk with a hutch above it. And the wall of the hutch that connects to my desk is covered with snap shot pictures of my grandchildren, when they were younger. I have a piece of paper that sticks out from the pictures where I've written the refrain from one of my favorites hymns:

"Lead me, Lord, lead me, Lord 

by the light of truth to seek and to find the narrow way. 

Be my way; be my truth; be my life, my Lord, and lead me Lord, today!

I also have an old "Baby Blues" cartoon that I cut out of the newspaper many years ago - It is taped up above one of the pictures. There is a picture of St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta tucked in with my photos. On my desk I have a candle with a picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe and a small wooden Crucifix standing next to it. I have a bible, a dictionary, and a "Today's Missal - Music Issue " from 2015, and some pro-life information that is stacked between my computer and the outside wall of the hutch. My office is the perfect place for me to sit and write. I have my dad's old pictures of the beach, and ships hanging on one wall. A beautiful picture of Mother Mary and baby Jesus hangs on another wall. And then I have hand written notes, and pictures the grandkids have colored for me hanging on the wall next to my desk. My office is full of memories near and dear to my heart. 

And yes, it is also where I keep the books for our family business! Besides my comfy, very worn, old office chair - I have a wooden chair that Jim sits in when we discuss "work things" and sometimes he is the first one to read my blog (or I read it to him!) He usually gives me a thumbs up but sometimes he will remind me of something to share!

Links to previously written stories about my adoption:

https://adoptedandblessed.blogspot.com/2024/02/thankful-for-my-life-and-gods-plan.html

https://adoptedandblessed.blogspot.com/2022/07/once-upon-timestories-about-life-family.html

https://adoptedandblessed.blogspot.com/2014/12/every-baby-should-be-able-to-grow-up.html

And...If anyone would like one of my books; "Adopted and Blessed: Words from my Heart"             first two years of my blog stories - March 2014- June 2016. I have a handful and would be happy to give you one.

I'm thankful for my life! I'm thankful for my family! 

Adoption didn't just save my life, it saved generations of lives!

 Pray and Trust in God, His timing, His plan!

And as always,

Peace and blessings to you and yours,

near and far, wherever you are!

Bye nor now, Sharla

A Bed in the Kitchen - Family Time, Memories, and Prayers!

 Hello out there! It's feels like fall, y'all! The wind was quite blustery earlier but it has died down. I love fall weather but it sure gets dark early! I've been dealing with writer's block or maybe it's been writer's blah - either way, I'm ready to reset and start sharing my pro-life/pro-family/pro-faith message again.

 I've been writing stories for my blog for ten and a half years now. This one is #500 something! Sometimes I feel like I've said it all, shared it all, and don't know what else to say. Other times I want to say things that I know I shouldn't...!  And then there are times when I feel like I'm not able to type the words fast enough. 

I've been praying for God to please let me know if I need to continue writing, if I'm still on the right path, or has this chapter in my life come to an end. Do these stories help anyone? Is my message getting across? Etc. I went to the noon Mass today and sat towards the back. One of my friends stopped to say hello after Mass, and after we asked about each others family, she mentioned that I hadn't shared a blog post in awhile. I told her my prayer and she smiled and said that maybe this was a little push from God. (not exact words, but I got the message). It's so reassuring to know that God hears us and He speaks to us in different ways, reminding us that He is near. I pray that my ears will always be open to His voice, that my eyes will be open to His path, and that my stories will continue to be like seeds, that depending on the message, will be spread where they need to grow.

I love the following memory and the simplicity it represents:

My grandmother, on my mother's side, had two sisters and they all lived in the same town. We would go and visit about three times a year. I would usually stay one or two weeks with my grandparents in the summer. One of my cousins, who was also adopted, and not quite a year older than me would usually be in town during the same time. Our grandparents had the cutest house, but it was small; a two bedroom, one bath, foldout couch in the living room, large kitchen, and one land line phone that was a party line. They shared the phone line with a widow lady who lived down the street. Since most of you probably don't know what a party line is...let me explain. I would pick up the phone to call someone and Mrs. Widow Lady, (I think her name was Mrs. Keeler?)would be talking to someone so I would hang up and keep checking until I picked up the phone and got a dial tone! My grandparents had cable (12 channels) - we did not (3 channels) - so I thought that was pretty cool. Angie, my cousin, and I would stay up after everyone had gone to bed and watch tv. We'd go into the kitchen and cook chocolate pudding on the stove. Warm chocolate pudding tastes so good! Or other times we would get saltine crackers and break them up in a glass and pour milk over the crackers and eat that with a spoon - super good! We played cards, board games, etc. Sometimes we would go and spend the night with one of our great aunts. Aunt Nowny, her first name was Velma, so I don't know who came up with that name but it was before my time! She was the sweetest woman and she had been a widow for many years. She also had a small, two bedroom, one bath house, and a tiny living area. But she had a large kitchen and there was a full size bed right next to the wall! I thought that was amazing! Angie and I would sit cross legged on the bed and play cards while our grandmother, and both great aunts would visit. It was always warm in the kitchen and it smelled so good when they would cook. Aunt Nowny made the best tuna fish sandwiches; she added chopped up boiled eggs, onions, celery, apples, and even pecans! I learned how to play Solitaire in that kitchen, my other great aunt taught me how. Her name was Cleo and we called her Aunt Cleo. With the accent people say I have, (a Texas twang) it always sounded like I was saying, Aint Nowny! Aint Cleo! And so on with all of my other aunts! When my other cousins were in town we got dropped off at the swimming pool and miniature golf course, and we were pretty rowdy! And in the fall, we would rake up all the leaves and then jump in them!

Jim's grandma lived in a small house also and she had a bed in the living room! It was a full size, wrought iron bed. We were blessed to have been given that bed when she passed away. Our children were young and that became our son's bed. The box springs and mattress have been replaced quite a few times but we still have that wrought iron bed and it is still slept in today. When my great Aunt Cleo passed away, almost twenty seven years ago, we were given one of her bedroom sets; a full size bed, dresser, night stand, and rocking chair. Jim and I have used that bedroom set ever since, just changing out the box springs and mattress when needed. That rocking chair has been in our living room all these years, and every one of our grandchildren have been rocked in it. 

We don't have a bed in my kitchen, but we do have a large table and chairs, a bar and barstools, and a comfy chair in the corner. The kitchen is where we are most times. Cooking, baking, laughing, sharing a meal, stories and sometimes tears! My home office sometimes doubles as a spare room when we have a full house. Our home may not be large but we always make it work. Everyone has a place to sleep, plenty of blankets and pillows, full tummies, and bedtime prayers. Plenty of memories, I hope they one day will share.

Peace and blessings to you and yours,

near and far,

wherever you are!

Bye for now,

Sharla

St. Monica and St. Augustine, Please Pray for Us!

 

Faith, Intercessory Prayers, Scriptures, and Christian Warfare

Hey Y'all - I wrote the following post back in June of 2021. Today is the perfect day to re-share this story and the beautiful scriptures and prayers! Peace and blessings!

 Hello out there! I've been doing some research for this post - I've jotted down notes, scriptures, and websites. Saint Monica and Saint Augustine, type their names in the search bar and you can find all kinds of information.

 Intercessory prayer, the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, Patron Saints, and fighting against the evil and wickedness of this world. The topics for my blog today!

A quick story that will explain why I'm writing about St. Monica and St. Augustine: Jim and I were in south Dallas on May 29th. We were going to his cousin's funeral and had arrived early. We like to visit Catholic Churches when we are traveling. I looked up Catholic Churches in the area. St. Augustine Catholic Church was only a couple of miles away. We drove to the church and hoped the doors would be unlocked, they were. We walked inside and it was so peaceful and beautiful. We were the only ones in the church. We walked up to the front pew and knelt. A feeling of peace washed over me. Tears began to flow down my face, I looked at Jim and said, "This is where we are supposed to be." I began to pray for all the people who have asked for our prayers for their children, their loved ones who struggle with alcoholism, drugs, failing marriages, etc. I asked for St. Augustine to please pray for them, for him to intercede on their behalf. I thought of St. Monica and how she prayed so diligently, so fervently for her loved ones. I asked for her intercession for the mothers and fathers who are praying so hard, whose hearts are breaking. Isn't it amazing how God leads us to where we need to be?

The scriptures I share in my blog today are from our family bible, Saint Joseph Edition of the New American Bible.

Christian Warfare:                                                                                                                           Ephesians 6:10-17

Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. Our battle is not against human forces but against the principalities and powers, the rulers of this world of darkness, the evil spirits in regions above. You must put on the armor of God if you are to resist on the evil day; do all that your duty requires, and hold your ground. Stand fast, with the truth as the belt around your waist, justice as your breastplate, and zeal to propagate the gospel of peace as your footgear. In all circumstances hold faith up before you as your shield; it will help you extinguish the fiery darts of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, the word of God. 

Assiduous Prayer:   ( I looked up the word, assiduous - it means, diligent, steadily attentive.)                 Ephesians 6:18-20

At every opportunity pray in the Spirit, using prayers and petitions of every sort. Pray constantly and attentively for all in the holy company. Pray for me that God may put his word on my lips, that I may courageously make known the mystery for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may have the courage to proclaim it as I ought.

I am guilty of thinking, "I know that scripture" so I will just glance over it. As I typed the scriptures from Ephesians, I read them over and over. It made me think about Paul, and how he worked so hard to share the gospel, the faith and determination he maintained. The following is the last four verses in his Epistle to the Ephesians.

Conclusion:                                                                                                                                  Ephesians 6:21-24

Tychicus, my dear brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will keep you informed as to how I am and what I am doing. I have sent him to you for the very purpose of giving you news about me for your hearts' consolation.                                                                                                                        May God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ grant the brothers peace and love and faith. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with unfailing love.

I don't think I've ever read those last four verses - They are so full of hope and love - The final verse, "Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with unfailing love."  I say, "Amen and amen"!

The St. Michael Prayer is one my family and I repeat on a daily basis - and sometimes, this prayer is prayed multiple times!

                                                                         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.

I looked up Saint Monica to find out more information about her life. I typed in her name and several links popped up. The following information is from this link:

Angelic Warfare Confraternity

Dominican Friars, Province of Saint Joseph

The Tears of St. Monica 

St. Monica is a Patron Saint of:

Alcoholics

Conversion

Mothers

Wives

I'm going to summarize what I read: Monica was married to a pagan, Patricius, he had a violent temper, and did not treat her very well. Her mother-in-law lived with them, the link said she was cantankerous. These are my words, and if that wasn't bad enough...her oldest son, Augustine was living an immoral life. St. Monica prayed and her tears flowed for her family. She had two other sons. Her husband and mother-in-law finally came to know and believe in the Lord. Her husband, Patricius, died one year after he was baptized. He died in 371.  If you don't already know the rest of her story, go to the above website, it is very thorough. It does say that almost all we know about St. Monica is in the writings of St. Augustine, especially in his, Confessions. 

As I read about St. Monica I thought about how she continued to pray and pray and pray. She never lost hope that her prayers would someday be answered.  We must pray without ceasing for our loved ones - God hears us, and our tears have not gone unnoticed! Pray for one another. It isn't always easy and sometimes our prayer needs to be for ourselves - to be able to continue praying, for perseverance and strength in dealing with situations that break our hearts.                                          

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

COME, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love.

Galatians 5:22-23

In contrast, the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patient endurance, kindness, generosity, faith, mildness and chastity. Against such there is no law!

BUT WAIT! Read what comes before verses 22 and 23!

Galatians 5:13-21

Proper Use of Freedom: (Wow and Amen!)

My brothers, remember that you have been called to live in the freedom-but not a freedom that gives free rein to the flesh. Out of love, place yourselves at one another's service. The whole law has found its fulfillment in this one saying: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." If you go on biting and tearing one another to pieces, take care! You will end up in mutual destruction! My point is that you should live in accord with the spirit and you will not yield to the cravings of the flesh. The flesh lusts against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh; the two are directly opposed. This is why you do not do what your will intends. If you are guided by the spirit, you are not under the law. It is obvious what proceeds from the flesh: lewd conduct, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, bickering, jealousy, outbursts of rage, selfish rivalries, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, orgies and the like. I warn you, as I have warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God!

I had to get out my dictionary and look some of the words in the above scriptures up!

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit:

Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, Counsel, Fortitude, Piety, and Fear of the Lord

I went to LoyolaPress.com/catholic-resources and found the definition for each one of the gifts. I wrote them in my notes but I'll let you look them up!

I will close with the following scripture from Isaiah:

Isaiah 11:2-3

The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, A spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord, and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord.

                Pray without ceasing!                

Peace and blessings to you and yours!

Bye for now, Sharla