All is Calm, All is Bright - Merry Christmas to You and Yours!

Hello out there! Merry Christmas to you and yours! I pray that this joyful season has
been full of love, light, hope, and forgiveness! I enjoy the whole season - from the
First Sunday of Advent all the way to the Epiphany! The day after Christmas through
the Epiphany is (for me) the "All is calm, all is bright" part of Silent Night. The gifts
have been bought, wrapped, and opened. The baking has been done and the (as in our
case) big family celebration is over (until the next get together)! We actually had two
big family get togethers this year:
Saturday, December 22nd, our oldest son and granddaughters drove in and arrived
about noon. By 2:30 p.m. the rest of our family began to arrive. We were blessed to
spend the afternoon and evening with all of our family; our children, their spouses, and
all ten of our grandchildren. The kids ranging in age from three years and nine
months to almost thirteen years old had a blast. The weather was perfect and it was a
beautiful day! They played basketball and hide n seek. They jumped on the trampoline
and played cards. I bought a new 300 piece puzzle (Nativity Scene) and placed it on the
card table in the living room. The puzzle was finished by the time everyone left. Our
son brought some homemade eggnog and it was great. We have our own traditions and
they change a little each year! Tamales and tortillas, beans and taco meat with all the
fixings (grated cheese, sour cream, hot sauce) chili con queso and chips! The motto in
our home is: "If you are hungry when you leave - it's your own fault!" Thank
you, Jesus, we always have plenty of food for our large family and for anyone else
who stops by! We had a "crazy sock exchange" and it was lots of fun. Everyone had
some type of decorated socks (Jim picked out "Wylie Coyote" and mine were the little
space guy). You fill one sock with small little items; candy, cards, lip balm, hot wheels,
gift cards, etc. and everyone picks a number - like a White Elephant Christmas gift
exchange. Anyway, there was a lot of laughter and we all had fun. Our oldest son
and granddaughters left on Sunday afternoon. Their visits are always too short but we
were so happy they were able to be with us! We decorated waffle cones with green
icing before they left. They looked like Christmas Trees! The cones were upside down
and we pressed M & M's into the frosting for decorations and we used gummy worms
for the garland! We really like that activity and the best part was you could eat them
when you were through! Jim and I went to Mass on Sunday evening and arrived early
enough to pray the rosary before Mass began.
Monday, December 24th, Christmas Eve - I still had a lot to do! I wrote out my list
and checked it twice! I was so happy when everything was done. We went to the
Christmas Eve Mass at 6:00 pm and it was beautiful, joyful, full of song and light!
Tuesday, December 25th, Christmas Day - Happy Birthday Jesus!
Jim and I made four loaves of beer bread. He sliced the ham and I put the beans on the
stove. The presents were all wrapped and the food was ready and our family arrived
once more. We were blessed with another "awesome weather day" and we gave thanks
to our Heavenly Lord. We stood in a circle in our living room and prayed together before
the grandchildren opened their presents. We reminded them to always be thankful and
to be kind to others. Our four youngest granddaughters handed out all the presents and
then the excitement began....pajamas and boots and books, oh my! Wrapping paper and
boxes were quickly picked up and out the door they ran. Our Christmas Day Meal is
not traditional but it works for us! You eat when you're hungry and there is plenty to
choose from; ham on beer bread or ham on Hawaiian Rolls (every kind of mustard and
mayo to choose from). Sausage balls, a bowl of beans, or a bowl of caldo (soup) or both
and or all of the above! Tamales left over from the Saturday before, chips, and quesadillas
made to order, are on the Ynostrosa Menu for Christmas Day and we thank God for it all
because we truly feel blessed!
We made edible Christmas Trees out of waffle cones once more; marshmallows, sprinkles,
gummy worms and M & M's, oh my! With green icing everywhere we sent them outdoors!
A lively and kind of rough basketball game ensued between the parents and the older
kids! My two J's (both of their names begin with J) he is 8 and she is 6 came in and
complained to me about the basketball game. I fixed them a drink and made them a
quesadilla and they sat side by side at the bar and ate. Their spirits picked up and I took
a cute picture of them - Nana knows how to make everything turn out all right! That's
my job - taking care of all my babies, my precious gifts from God.
It was a little after 9:00 pm when our home was quiet once more - Just Jim and I and
a peaceful, silent night. The hymn I love so, especially on Christmas Night!

Silent Night, Holy Night

All is calm, all is bright

I pray that this Season of Christmas brings you joy, love, and light!

Wherever you are, near or far

May God bless you and all those you love!

Christmas Peace and Blessings, Sharla

                   

Following the Light and A Time of Reflection

Hello out there! I hope you are having a wonderfully blessed day! I sat down to catch
up on my bookwork and finally had time to look at my blog. I just haven't had the time,
the energy, or even the right words or really any words to write lately. But this morning
I received the motivation I needed. I won't bore you with the details because it would
probably sound kind of silly but I will say it was like a bonk to the head and involved
a lot of tears! And so..... let me begin with something that happened last month.

Thursday, October 25, 2018
I received a phone call from one of my closest friends (more like a sister). Her husband
and my husband have been best friends since they were in ninth grade, their family is
our family and our family is their family. Their son is our Godchild, they are Godparents
to two of our children - you get the picture. His mom has always been like a second
mom to my husband. They moved away many years ago but we have always stayed in
touch. We drove down there last spring to visit with all of them. Jim has called her
almost every Sunday for many years. We get to see our friends a little more often but
we have always made the time to travel and see his mom and dad for special occasions.
She (mom) had been battling cancer for quite a while.
I received the phone call at about 4:15 pm letting me know that she might not make it
through the night - we were already planning to drive down and see her the next day.
I called my husband and told him the news - he said that he would call them and for
me to get gas in the car and pack an overnight bag. We left our house at about 5:45 pm
and headed East - we hoped to be there by 10:00 pm. Jim was tired so I drove. We
stopped in Brady and grabbed a couple of sandwiches and got back on the road. It
was dark and as we drove towards San Saba the most beautiful Harvest Moon began
to rise in the sky. It looked orange at first as it passed in and out of the clouds. I
began praying the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary. The symbolism was so perfect -
The full moon rose higher and it was so bright. The light of the moon - the Luminous
Mysteries of the Rosary - I felt like we were following the light - that Mother Mary
was right there with us. We arrived in time to be with our friends and we were able
to say our final goodbyes. We were so thankful that we had made it. We stayed for
awhile but had to get back  home. We arrived home at 4:00 am and Jim was at work
at 7:00 am. The funeral was the following Monday and we were all together once
more - saying our goodbyes and remembering all the good times.


Friday, November 2, 2018
Another trip - we headed south east this time - a fun trip - to visit our oldest son and
our granddaughters. We weren't able to leave until after lunch because Jim had a job to
finish. We arrived that evening and spent some time visiting and catching up before
we went back to the hotel. We met for breakfast on Saturday morning and then
went to a neat place that taught you/reminded you about nature; bee keeping, gardens,
herbs, plants, etc. Then we headed to the big city to watch our younger granddaughter
play softball - she is really good! We enjoyed the game and said our goodbyes.
We were heading back home because the Closing Celebration for the
2018 Fall 40 Days for Life Campaign was going to take place on Sunday,
November 4, 2018 at 3:00 pm. Everything was planned and organized. I drove the
first three hours and then Jim took over. I started sending out text messages reminding
everyone about the closing celebration. We were about three hours from home and
driving through a small town - the light was green and as Jim entered the intersection
another car decided to turn left right in front of us.
I just remember the awful noise, Jim pulling the airbag off of my face, and that my
lower legs hurt. Thanks be to God, we all walked away from the accident - the other
people were okay also - just shaken up. We had to spend the night at a hotel and
our son-in-law came and picked us up the next morning. My lower legs were hurting
where the lower airbag hit them. Jim took me to the ER when we got back to San Angelo,
we didn't make it to the closing.  The 40 Days for Life Closing Celebration went
on as planned and the ladies in charge did a great job!
The wreck has made me think about things - how quickly things can change, how quickly
life can end, and plans made are not always going to go as "planned"! Life goes on!
The next day, the following morning to be exact - Jim and I were at the hospital because
he was scheduled to have a procedure. I prayed while his biopsy was taking place. The
thing that touches my heart when I look back is that when we walked out the door and
crossed the street we were leaning on each other. My left leg was very swollen so I
walked with a limp, and he had an ice pack taped to his throat - we both laughed and
reminisced about another time we were leaning on each other many years before.
Since that day three weeks ago tomorrow  - a lot has happened; special time with our
family, Thanksgiving, a Thanksgiving Meal for those we serve at the St. Francis
Sack Lunch Ministry, friends and family checking on us, and some prayerful
reflection.
Last night Jim and I watched, "A Christmas Story" the one about the little boy
who wanted the Red Ryder BB Gun - we actually saw it at the movie theater
when it first came out. We ate homemade potato soup and watched that funny
show. Life is a gift - spend time with your loved ones and put down the phones!
Life is full of ups and downs and our faith and our family, is why I write.
Telling our stories of hope, love, commitment, faith, family, and perseverance.
These stories will mean something to our children and grandchildren years from now -
memories full of guidance, love, and how God must come first in our lives.
I'm headed to pick up my Ford Explorer tomorrow - they were able to repair it.
A little nervous about the drive, which seems so odd because I've always just jumped
in my vehicle and taken off here, there, and everywhere. An accident can change
your perspective - it has sure changed mine. Tomorrow is Monday and I will pray
the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary as I head southeast once more. Mother Mary
will be right there with me as the morning and afternoon sun light the road up
ahead. God is always my guiding light and I am so thankful for that!
God bless you all, near or far, wherever you are!
I love the following scripture - it is one of my favorites - and I always think of my
marriage to Jim - so blessed, so very blessed!








Genesis 2:21-24So the Lord God cast a deep sleep on the man, and while he was
asleep, he took out one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh.
The Lord God then built up into a woman the rib that he had taken from the man.
When he brought her to the man, the man said:
"This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh;
This one shall be called 'woman,' for out of 'her man' this one has been taken."
That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and
the two of them become one body.

Sharing a Story About Adoption - November is National Adoption Month

Hello out there - November is National Adoption Month! I wrote a story about my
adoption in January 2014. I kept hearing about the Roe v Wade Anniversary and I
wanted there to be a different story in the newspaper - an uplifting story about life.
I submitted my story and they published it. In March of 2014 I started my blog and
shared my adoption story again.
In case you haven't read my story or wouldn't mind reading it again...…..

I've always loved the stories about my adoption. When I was a little girl, my dad would tell me how they got the call sooner than they expected, and how they had to stop and buy diapers, bottles and clothes on the way to get me from the hospital. My mom, dad, big brother and my grandmother all drove from Stephenville, TX where my grandparents lived, to Ft. Worth, TX to pick me up! My dad would say that they picked me out special from all of the babies in the hospital, of course as I grew older I realized that part of the story was a very sweet addition. When I started asking more detailed questions, my mom said that my birth mother wasn't able to take care of me, and so she gave me to a family who could. My mom also told me that being adopted was special, and that I should always be thankful, and I am.
After I grew up and had a family of my own, my dad told me how they paid for my adoption.
I was born in the evening on December 30, 1963. My parents received a phone call on New Year's Eve morning that there was a baby girl ready for them. Not expecting the call quite so soon, they had to come up with the money so that they could bring me home. I need to give you a little history here so that you get the whole picture.
My dad was a science teacher in Sudan, TX. He also drove the school bus. Sudan is a very small town close to Lubbock, TX. My dad called the banker in Sudan to request a loan, and told him that he needed the money immediately. The banker asked if he had any collateral and Dad said, "Just my name." So the banker asked my dad why he needed the money and my dad told him that they were trying to adopt a baby girl and they were suppose to pick me up on January 2.
This is my favorite part, the banker said, "Well, go and get her, we'll figure it out when you get home." Isn't that awesome, I love it!  I also have an old, yellowed newspaper clipping from the Sudan newspaper telling all about the baby shower that the wonderful, gracious people gave my parents. The clipping says "Little Miss Sharla Kay, recently adopted daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. Nelson, was the honoree at a shower on Saturday afternoon at the home of....."
Just writing about this makes me emotional, I've been so blessed. There is just no way to describe how thankful I am for my life. But what breaks my heart is that you don't hear about adoption anymore, unless it's for an animal. We need to get the message out there that adoption is and should be the only other option. So many couples aren't able to have children, and want children.
Children are gifts from God, they are not a choice, they are a life.
I love that story, and I pray that there will be more people like that banker. I pray that we
will be able to get the adoption message out there. I look at my children and my grandchildren
and I am just so thankful that I was given the chance to grow up and share my story. Adoption
is a loving life option and adoption saves generations!
Please spread the beautiful truth about adoption and help me save more generations.
                                                               Blessings, Sharla

Rejoice and Give Thanks - Everyday is a Gift!

Hello out there! The sun is shining and it is a beautiful and chilly fall afternoon.
I have a lot on my heart right now and I know that I need to write because when
I look back - this blog is full of memories - things I never want to forget.
Life is a gift and we should never take it for granted - every day is a blessing -
that second chance to love more, do more, be more, help more, give more, and
thank God more!

Today is a new day and I give thanks to the  Lord!
Please pray for the homeless, the unborn, the children who are in foster homes, and
those who are waiting for someone to adopt them. Please pray for couples who are
praying to be blessed with a child of their own.  Please pray for couples who are on a
long waiting list trying to adopt a baby boy or a baby girl, a son or a daughter.
Hug your kids and hug your spouse. Call your mom and dad if you are still blessed
to have them. Call an aunt or uncle you haven't spoken to in a while. Reach out
to someone today! Little things mean so much! Write a note and put it in your
child's lunch box and if possible, go up to the school and eat with them, they grow
up so fast! Treat your spouse with respect and let them know that you love them!
Be a light that shines for all to see! Spread happiness and cheer to all you meet!
                                             God bless you all!

Leaning On Others For A Little While!

Good morning out there - It has been so long since I have written a post. I have a lot
to share but my stories will have to wait another couple of days. We are okay - but Jim
and I were in a wreck this past Saturday evening while we were traveling back home
from a trip to Houston. We were going through a small town west of Austin and another
vehicle turned right in front of us as we were going through a green light. Thanks be to
God, we all walked away from the accident. I couldn't understand why my legs hurt
so bad and why they were bruised up - the bottom airbag deployed and hit my shins
and my left calf muscle. I am okay - but I have to elevate my left leg on a regular
basis because of the swelling - looks awful but it will heal - no broken bones!
Everyone has been so helpful - we are blessed with an amazing family and friends!
I am carless for awhile but that is quite all right!
I didn't get to attend the 40 Days for Life Closing Celebration on Sunday. It went very
well and we are thankful for all those who were able to attend. I was talking to Connie
on the phone and we were going over what needed to be done. Jim was driving me to
the emergency room just to be on the safe side and I was crying because I wasn't going
to be able to be at the closing. I know that sounds silly but I was emotional and just
wanted to be with everyone. They sent pictures and looking at all the faithful people
made me smile.
It looked like such a wonderful closing celebration; music, a procession to the Grotto
with roses, the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary prayed in English and Spanish,
fellowship, and a special blessing from our Bishop Mike Sis. And my awesome 40
Days Teammates; Candi, Connie, Dorothy, and Stephanie knew just what to do!
I guess I'm going to have to get a laptop so that I can write from my recliner! Just kidding!
I'll be vrooming back and forth before you know it! I'm closing with a prayer that I've
written before - please pray for all the families who have lost their loved ones over
the last two weeks of tragedies.

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 lift all the intentions I've listed above to you.

 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 Holy Name I pray, Amen.

Blessings and Peace to you and yours!

Bye for now, Sharla

Hello Out There!

Hello out there! It is raining, it is pouring and I have a pot of stew simmering on the stove!
Please pray for all of the people who are in flood areas and those who have lost so much!
Just a quick post tonight - wanted to check in and say hello and that I hope you are all
doing well wherever you are near or far!
I shared this on Facebook yesterday or maybe it was the day before and I realized that
I needed to share it with y'all - I hope my crazy stories make you smile and/or laugh!
You probably read these and think, wow, Jim has a lot of patience!


Early Friday morning Jim and I were praying at the Grotto. When we were leaving I stopped
by the two-sided frame that holds these banners. I said, "Hey, we (meaning Jim) should flip
this thing around since we are about half way through!" Jim looked at me and said,
"Hey, do you know how far I drove those stakes into the ground to hold this up?
The people in China can feel them coming through!" I laughed and said,
"Well, maybe we (meaning Jim) can bring some kind of tool to help pull them out of the
ground." He just looked at me and shook his head!
It has been raining all week and I think that the frame will have to stay put! The pictures
of the banners are below: Jim fabricated the frame so it is HD (heavy duty)!
Have a great day and remember to pray for the babies and families everywhere!

This Post is Full of Love - Something Our World Needs Alot More Of

Good morning and hello out there! I've missed writing my stories and visiting with
y'all! I hope you are all doing well. There is so much going on in the world right now.
The news is full of sad, scary, heartbreaking, and violent stories. I try to keep my
stories uplifting because we all need to hear about good  and positive things too.
I will begin with some Happy Fall Y'all pictures!

I know that I've shared this one before but.....Snoopy and Woodstock playing in the
leaves is definitely a fun, fall for all, y'all!


I looked at the stat section of my blog right before I started writing this post. It is very
humbling for me to see the colors light up on the map and list the countries where
people live who read my stories. It never ceases to amaze me when I see that people
who don't even know me take the time to read my stories. Once again, as I do each time
I see this, I placed my hand over the map on my computer screen and as tears ran down
my face I prayed -
Dear God, please give me the words that I need to say to touch their hearts in what
ever way is needed today. And then I prayed the words I've prayed so many times
before:

"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."

The above verse is the Refrain from the hymn "Lead Me, Lord" and is my constant prayer.

I am going to list the countries that lit up in my stat section for this week - please know

how much it means to me that you read my stories - wherever you are, near or far, you

and your families are in my prayers and in my hearts. My dreams are full of people I have

never seen, different races, and children - oh the children who reach out to me. Last night

I dreamed I was with a family and one of the little girls reached out and touched my cheek.

I don't know these people but I am so blessed by these dreams.

To the people in Armenia, France, Germany, India, Kazakhstan, Macedonia, Poland,

Russia, United Kingdom, and the United States - God bless you all and thank you, thank

you for making me want to keep writing during those time I wonder if it my stories make

a difference at all. I think I will begin listing the countries of my readers each week - I

am always thankful and amazed.

I want to share the following scripture with all of you:

That is why I kneel before the Father from whom every family

in heaven and on earth takes its name; and I pray that He will

bestow on you gifts in keeping with the riches of His glory.

May He strengthen you inwardly

through the working of His Spirit.

May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith, and may

charity be the root and foundation of your life.

Thus you will be able to grasp fully, with all the holy ones,

the breadth and length and height and depth of

Christ's love, and experience this love which surpasses

all knowledge, so that you may attain to the fullness of God himself.

To Him whose power now at work in us can do immeasurably more

than we ask or imagine -

to Him be glory in the church and in

 Christ Jesus through all generations, world without end. Amen.

Ephesians 3:14-21

(Saint Joseph Edition of the New American Bible)

Yesterday was a busy day at the Ynostrosa home. It had rained hard all during the night

and we were thankful that we didn't have any of the rain water flow into our home. We

did receive several alerts on my phone about a Tornado Warning - we were still asleep

and I told Jim what was going on - I said a prayer and dozed back off, Jim did too.

When we woke up - I immediately began mixing up banana nut muffins for the youth

bake sale at our parish (Fall Craft Fair). Jim made the coffee and we headed out the door

as soon as the muffins were cool enough to wrap up. We parked in front of the church and

as soon as we got out of the Explorer (I still want to say truck) we saw our daughter,

son-in-law, and their three girls. The oldest one is in the youth group and she was helping

out. We all went inside and quickly (because Jim was with me) looked at all the neat

items at the booths. We purchased some goodies and went on our way. We stopped at

the bridge on Irving Street and watched the water from the Concho River as it flowed

over the flood gate. We visited with some other people who were taking pictures and

watching the water also (this kind of thing doesn't happen very often in San Angelo).

We are always praying for rain because it is usually so dry. We left there and headed in

a different direction to pick up some metal that Jim needed for a job, and then we were

going home. We had bought a couple of cinnamon rolls at the Craft Fair and that was

going to be our breakfast. As we turned the corner, I saw a man who comes to get a

sack lunch. I told Jim and he found a place he could turn around. I remembered that

I had an unopened bottle of water and I grabbed it, smoothed out a paper napkin, and

Jim handed me the cinnamon rolls - the man was very thankful. Jim took me out to eat

breakfast and then we went to pick up the metal he needed and then we came home.

He went outside to work and I decided to bake a couple of loaves of beer bread.

The craft fair was going to be open to the parishioners after each Mass so I wanted to

contribute some more baked goods for the youth. Beer bread is really simple to make

and it smells wonderful while it is baking. Our daughter and her family came over

right before the bread came out of the oven. Their oldest daughter, grandchild #3, said,

"Nana, it smells like Christmas." That comment really warmed my heart. I pulled the

bread out of the oven and it was still hot when another granddaughter, grandchild #7,

told me that she needed to eat some of that bread because it smelled so good. Yes,

it does have a can of beer in each loaf of bread, but the alcohol evaporates while it is

cooking. I decided that I would donate one loaf of bread and we would snack on the

second loaf. While it was still too hot to cut - I cut it anyway - butter and jelly and

exclamations of "this is hot, this tastes good" filled my cozy little kitchen. And then,

our son and daughter-in-law and their children arrived (five more of our grandchildren).

More bread was sliced and slathered with butter and jam. The kids were eating the candy

and chips that Pa/Jim had bought for them the day before. He bought brown paper bags

and wrote each of their names on a bag and then filled them with chips, candy,

Ritz Cheese and Crackers, and mini Moon Pies. The grandkids loved it.

The adults were in the kitchen laughing and eating warm bread and talking about

"Confession" of all things - Saint Padre Pio had been the subject and so confession

came up. Lots of laughing, all of us crowded in my cozy little kitchen, and my heart

just grew and grew.

                                                         Blessings to you and yours!

                                                                    Bye for now, Sharla