Monday, July 29, 2019

Summer Memories - Faith, Family, Food, and Fun!

Good morning out there! It is a beautiful day! Blue skies, a slight breeze and the
birds are singing to me! Last night I went for a walk in our neighborhood. Jim
was outside feeding all of our assorted animals; dog, cats, chickens, sheep,
and goats! I walked and prayed and visited with neighbors as I passed by their
homes. As I circled the block and headed back home two friendly dogs ran up
to me and joined me for the rest of my journey. I asked them if they were my
protectors as I walked down the road with a dog on each side. Jim told me that
he saw me coming down the road with the dogs and hoped that they would
continue on their way! They did, it was like they just wanted to make sure I
made it home safe!
Our granddaughters who live out of town were with us all last week. Our oldest
son came down on Saturday and he and the girls left right before noon yesterday.
We had a great time. On Saturday afternoon our other children and grandchildren
came over to visit and we cooked out; brisket, chicken, pork chops, beans, zucchini,
mini bell peppers and corn on the cob! Our motto is "If you are still hungry when
you leave our home - it's your own fault!" Thank you, Jesus! We always have
plenty plus leftovers to share! Last week I was in what I call, "Super Nana Mode."
To the swimming pool, the library, and shopping we went. Frozen yogurt one
night and milkshakes at Aunt Jess's on another. We listened to "Dork Diaries"
(number 7) an audio book while we ran errands and made dinner. I don't know
who laughed harder; me or them! They helped at the Sack Lunch Ministry and
went to the Noon Mass with their Pa. We made homemade pumpkin muffins -
their favorite! Those are a few of the highlights last week.
Another one of my granddaughters, who lives close by, turned twelve last week.
I had been working for quite a while on a memory book for her. It is full of
pictures and little notes. It is packed with love and life, family and fun, blessings
and awesome memories! She loved it!
I'm so glad that I took the time to make it for her. I've made three so far and they've
been a big hit. Something sentimental that they can each keep forever!
I have seven more memory books to make and I will start on them soon.
We've enjoyed looking through the memories together. My babies are growing up!
It was quiet at "The Ynostrosa Hacienda" last night. This morning Jim and I
went to Adoration and spent a quiet, peaceful, prayerful hour with our Jesus.
God is so good! We are so thankful! Hug your kids, hug your spouse and
have an awesomely blessed day!
                                                                         Bye for now, Sharla

Friday, July 19, 2019

Letter in Response to Abortion Filibuster

Hello out there -


I'm re-sharing this letter I wrote six years ago. Someone tried to look up the link
in the newspaper and it doesn't pull up the article.


On July 1st of 2013 I wrote a letter about Wendy Davis and her "abortion up to
24 weeks filibuster" in Texas.  I tried to share the link from the newspaper but it
must be outdated. I took a picture of the article so that you can read it.


The following is from a blog post I wrote back in February of this year (2019):
When the Straw Breaks and You Find Your Voice
Hello out there - It is absolutely beautiful outside.
Yesterday I spoke at the Day of Mourning Event that took place at the courthouse
in San Angelo. One of the things I talked about was how to get involved -
how to speak up and be a voice for the unborn. Writing letters is one way and I have
learned that sometimes you just have to keep on trying. Submit articles to your local
newspaper, write letters to your city, state, and government leaders. Wear a pro-life
t-shirt. I have lots of pro-life t-shirts, I wear them often. Share pro-life posts on social media/Facebook. Stop worrying about hurting someone's feelings - babies are dying -
speak up! But when you speak up, know what you are talking about - be diplomatic
but mean what you say. If someone asks you a question that you don't know, it is okay
to say, "I don't know the answer to that." But then say, I will find out and get back with
 you on that issue/topic. And then, make sure you do find out the answer and get back
with them. This blog, all of my posts and stories are another way
of speaking up for the most innocent among us. There is a difference in saying,
"yes, I am pro-life" and rolling up your sleeves and being a pro-life advocate.
I realized many years ago that I wanted to get off the sidelines and jump right in the
middle of it. I believe that there comes a time when the final straw breaks whatever is
holding you back and you "find your voice" - that is what happened to me.
Sometimes we're just not sure where to start or what to do.
I found my voice and  stepped out of my comfort zone on July 1, 2013.
There was an article in the newspaper about the filibuster by Wendy Davis, she wanted
abortion to not only be legal up to twenty weeks in Texas but up to twenty four weeks.
I am thankful that did not pass but in the newspaper that Monday morning, on the first
page it talked about all the people from all over the world calling to congratulate her.
I was appalled and my letter writing to the newspaper began. That wasn't enough so
I started my blog, and then I got on Facebook, and if you read my blog - you know the
rest of the story! But my story is still going - it is not over - I will continue to speak
up and now,  I'm asking you to think about what you can do. Because now, abortion
has been legalized up to birth (for any reason) in New York and other states are
quickly joining in.
The straws should be breaking right and left, that camels back is beyond broken!
Find your voice - the babies need you.


                                                                                       Bye for now, Sharla

Sunday, July 14, 2019

Sunday Blessings to You and Yours!

Hello out there! I hope you all are having an awesome day!
We went to Mass this morning - always a blessing!
I am going to share some of the scriptures I've read over the past couple of days.
"But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not
speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things
that are coming." John 16:13
In my Magnificat (Daily Scriptures), the following is the Psalm for today.
The response is, "Your words, Lord, are Spirit and Life."
Psalm 19: The Law of the Lord
The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul;
the decree of the Lord is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple.
R: Your words, Lord, are Spirit and Life
The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
the command of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eye.
R: Your words, Lord, are Spirit and Life
The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever;
the ordinances of the Lord are true, all of them just.
R: Your words, Lord, are Spirit and Life
They are more precious than gold, than a heap of purest gold;
sweeter also than syrup or honey from the comb.
R: Your words, Lord, are Spirit and Life


Rejoice and be glad always! Take some time to rest today!


The picture I am sharing today is from the cover of my Magnificat (July edition).
This picture really touched me. A mother praying with her children before bed,
holding her youngest daughter's hands together, teaching her how to pray. The older
daughter is kneeling with her head slightly bowed and her hands together. I can
see that the mother is tired after a long day but she takes the time to pray with her
children because she knows how important it is. Our children and grandchildren need
us to pray with them and for them.






Blessings to you and yours,
Bye for now, Sharla


Wednesday, July 3, 2019

Straw Hats or Sombreros; Mama Mary, St. Anthony of Padua and St. Francis of Assisi

Hello out there - I hope you are doing well and staying cool in this hot summer weather!
I took some pictures yesterday morning that I'm going to share after I tell the story
that goes with them.
We have three statues in our front yard. They were given to me as Mother's Day presents,
one statue at a time for three years in a row. The St. Anthony, Mother Mary, and
St. Francis statues are strategically located in our yard. I can see the statue of Mother
Mary when I look out my kitchen window. The statue of St. Francis is by the bird
bath (Patron Saint of animals). My St. Anthony statue is closest to the front door.
There is a  long story about St. Anthony and our home but I won't go into that today.
I love seeing these statues and when I water my plants and fill up the bird bath I'm
always singing and praying.
Sometimes the birds are not very respectful when they "do their business" and we try
to keep the "bird poop" off of the statues. My husband thinks of the craziest or maybe
the most creative ideas. I came home one day  last summer and noticed that there were
straw sombreros on my statues. I couldn't get used to the sight of my saints wearing
those hats. Jim explained that it kept them clean and cool. The wind blew the hats off
and I put them up in the garage thinking, "Well, that took care of that!"
Monday night I noticed that my statues were once again adorned with straw hats, but
now they have a piece of leather attached and they fit snugly under the chins of my
statues. Yesterday morning Jim left really early and after I took the trash out I looked
at the statues and decided that maybe the sombreros aren't so bad after all-at least for
the summer.
Mama Mary
St. Anthony and Baby Jesus
St. Francis of Assisi
and my feather duster plants.


Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks!



Blessings to you and yours!
Bye for now, Sharla