Prayers, Birds, and Light

Hello out there!

It is a sunny and windy day. The birds have all come back and I'm so happy to see them hip, hopping around my yard! They've been splashing in the bird baths and singing their songs! I haven't blogged in over a month - so much has happened - so I'm just jumping back in with a quick hello and warm wishes for you and yours! Praying for peace everywhere! Today is Thursday - I haven't prayed my rosary yet.  The Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary ( The mysteries of light!) We really need the light of Christ in our world. Go out and let your light shine! I'll share a link from my blog that includes the rosary with all the prayers!

https://adoptedandblessed.blogspot.com/2019/02/thursdays-luminous-mysteries-of-rosary.html

Peace and blessings, near and far, peace and blessings wherever you are!

Bye for now,

Sharla 

Psalm: 139:14

I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made!

Don't ever underestimate God's plan for you!

 Seek, pray, and listen - God is always with you!

Eight Years of Stories from My Heart - #480!

 Good morning out there! 

Today is a special milestone for me - my blog's 8th anniversary!

 Where does the time go? It's hard to believe that I've been writing posts/stories for eight years. This story is #480! Some years I've blogged more often than other years. I looked back through the months and years - stories of hope, posts with helpful information, funny/crazy stories, family stories, and the stories that came with tears. Words from my heart - thank you for reading my stories - thank you for encouraging me - thank you for reminding me when I haven't written in a while. I'm eight years older and I think wiser as well. My faith has grown much stronger - my stories tell the tale. We were blessed with two more granddaughters at the beginning of my second year of blogging. Ten grandchildren - eight girls and two boys. We have been blessed again, a grandson will be born in late summer - #11! Jim has one name for him and his parents have another name in mind! He will be and is already loved and with all of his older siblings and cousins, I doubt his feet will touch the floor - a late walker! For those of you who've read my blog since the beginning, you know all about our family - the trials and the triumphs - through it all, God has been with us. So here's to a new year of stories! but first, I will post some links below to a few of my favorites! You can even start at the beginning of my blog if you want to - March 22, 2014 - I never dreamed I'd have so many stories to share!

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

Bye for now, Sharla

9/1/ 2021 - https://adoptedandblessed.blogspot.com/2021/09/seeing-god-in-evening-skies.html

3/2020 - https://adoptedandblessed.blogspot.com/2021/03/through-it-all-god-is-with-us.html

9/19/2020 - https://adoptedandblessed.blogspot.com/2020/09/scripture-scrap-iron-roosters-and-goats.html

12/11/2016 - https://adoptedandblessed.blogspot.com/2016/12/a-season-of-memories.html

1/2015 - https://adoptedandblessed.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-cutest-little-percolator-i-received.html

And so many more - stories from my heart!

God loves you so much!

Prayers for Peace - Prayers for Families

 

 I haven't written a post in a while. There is so much going on in the world right now...                        My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Ukraine - My husband and I pray for you and your families throughout the day and the night. We pray the rosary for you and also, our own individual prayers.

The stat page of my blog shows a map of the world. It doesn't show cities, just countries. I knew that the United States would be highlighted since this is where I live and a few people I know read my blog posts. I was so surprised when I noticed other countries highlighted and listed on my blog stats. I was and am still amazed that you have found my blog. I am so humbled that you take the time to read my stories. It reminds me that God is in control. I always pray that my stories will touch someone's heart, will help them along the way. When I see other countries highlighted, I realize that God sends my stories wherever they need to go. Like seeds scattered, some take root and grow depending on where they land. Ukraine is one of the countries I see highlighted quite often. I have always placed my hand over the map of the world I see in my blog stats. I pray for all of those who read my blog. And when the invasion on Ukraine began I noticed that of course, they weren't highlighted anymore. My heart has felt so heavy but I still place my hand over the map and pray more fervently.  I just noticed the country of Ukraine highlighted once more - I cried and I prayed. I want to share words of encouragement but I honestly don't know what to say. So I will share the prayers that I pray for you. Please know that thousands of people are praying for all of you. 

Dear God, please watch over the people of Ukraine. I pray that those who are looking for somewhere to go, to find safe passage. I pray for mothers and their children. I pray for fathers who are staying to fight. I pray for children who have lost one or both parents. I pray for the elderly. I pray for the parents who have lost a child or children. I pray for those who are wounded. I pray for the doctors and nurses. I pray for peace.  
Please God, protect all innocent people and their families. 
Thank you, God, for our many blessings. Please be with all those who are in
need. Please God, show us and guide us to how we can best help others.
You created us all in Your image. Please help us to love and care for our neighbor, and to pray for those who seek safe shelter. O' Lord, please have mercy on us all. Amen.
 

I've been asking for St. Raphael and St. Christopher (patron saint of travelers) to intercede for all of those who are traveling to Poland and other countries.  I pray for your safe journey. I thank God for all the caring people and their open arms and the humanitarian aid in those countries. God is with you - I know He is. I also ask for Mother Mary's intercessory prayers for all of you. And I ask St. Joseph and St. Anthony of Padua to pray for you too! 

 

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

                                                    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.

 

Another prayer is "The Divine Mercy Chaplet." This prayer is for the whole world. You can sing the words or just pray them.

The refrain goes like this:
For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
To pray The Chaplet of The Divine Mercy:
(It is easier to keep up with if you have a rosary, but if you don't,
 you can count on your fingers.)
1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross, Pray (1) Our Father, (1) Hail Mary
and The Apostles Creed. (I'll include theses prayers at the bottom of my post in case you don't know them.)

2. Prayer - (Pray this 1 time) Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood,
Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ,
in atonement for ours sins and those of the whole world.   
3. Pray this refrain 10 times:
  For the sake of His sorrowful passion,
 have mercy on us and on the whole world.
You repeat steps (2) & (3) for a total of (5) times.
4. Conclude with (3 times)
  Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One,
 have mercy on us and on the whole world.
5. The sign of the cross and Amen.

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.

It is a beautiful, peaceful prayer. I find myself humming or singing it a lot.
I also pray it if I wake up during the night.
May God Bless you and keep you safe wherever you are, wherever you live.
May God help us to love and care for each other with kindness and compassion.

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

Bye for now, Sharla

 

 

Humbled and Blessed by God's Amazing Grace

 Hello out there! Just a quick post to share something that lifted my spirits and added some extra sunshine to my day! This afternoon, I had just filled my explorer up with gas and driven out towards the signal light. I noticed a jeep behind me as I pulled into the right hand lane. The light was red and the jeep pulled up next to me. I caught a movement out of the corner of my eye and turned and looked at the jeep. Two young ladies were waving and smiling. I rolled down my window and they said, "We love your bumper stickers, we agree!" I smiled and thanked them and then I told them that adoption was a loving option and that I had been adopted many years ago. They both smiled and said, "ahhhhhhhh!" I thanked them again and told them that they had made my day! I have two bumper stickers on the rear window of  my explorer. The one behind the driver side has a picture of a baby's face and says, "I'm a child, not a choice." The sticker behind the passenger side has a pink heart and says, "Love Babies, Born and Unborn."

The rest of the story - Those young ladies will never know how much I needed that encounter today.  Jim and I had a long talk after we got home from Mass last night. I told him how much I miss speaking to our youth about the miracle of life and sharing a positive message of respecting life from conception to natural death. 

The first scripture reading at Mass last night was from Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8. Verse 8 has stayed with me:

Isaiah 6:8  

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?"                      "Here I am," I said, "send me!"

I went to the noon Mass today. When Mass had ended and I was praying, I looked up at Jesus on the cross and I opened my hands, palms up and whispered quietly, "Here I am Lord, send me."                   That brief conversation with those young ladies was truly a gift from the Lord. I rejoiced and gave thanks - "Here I am, Lord, send me!"

Peace and blessings near and far, peace and blessings wherever you are!

Bye for now, Sharla 

(T-shirts are another way I share my pro-life message!)

I'm adding a picture of one of the bumper stickers -

Perseverance, Speaking Up, and Gifts from the Holy Spirit

 Hello out there! Peace and blessings on this beautiful new day the Lord has made! This morning I sat down with a cup of coffee at the kitchen table and began to read the daily scriptures from my Magnificat.  Jim had already read them - he gets up before I do! I began reading the scriptures for today and my eyes welled up with tears. I looked at Jim and he knew from the look on my face, that I was fixing to remind him of something, that I had a story to share. 

I wish this story would have a different ending but it doesn't. It's a story of perseverance, about not giving up even when things don't seem to change. The scriptures I read are the exact readings from a Sunday in mid-January 2013 and from a Pro-Life Mass in January 2019. I wrote a story for my blog after the Mass in 2019 and I will share it after I finish this post. 

 January 22, 2013 - the 40th anniversary of Roe v Wade - making abortion legal in all fifty states of the United States. January 22, 2019 - the 46th anniversary... and today is January 16, 2022 and this Saturday will be the 49th anniversary. I pray that there will not be a 50th anniversary, but whether there is or not the pro-life message must continue on until eyes are opened to see, and ears opened to hear, and hearts are touched to know that a baby is not a choice. The following phrase is one I repeat often on social media; Planned or unplanned, a crisis pregnancy or a much prayed for pregnancy, a baby is a baby. We must work diligently to teach our youth and society as a whole about the gift of life. I started my blog almost eight years ago because I wanted to share stories about life, families, marriage, faith, adoption, information, etc. and not necessarily in that order - I had so much I wanted to share, so much to say and sometimes my message may seem like a repeat but it's because what I share is the truth and sometimes you have to hear things over and over again before you get it - before your eyes are opened! I keep on persevering and so do thousands upon thousands of others because we know that an unplanned pregnancy does not make that baby's life less human than a baby who was planned! Respecting life from the moment of conception through natural death.

Isaiah 62:1-5

For Zion's sake I will not be silent, for Jerusalem's sake I will not be quiet, until her vindication shines forth like the dawn and her victory like a burning torch. (Read through verse 5 for the rest of the scripture from today's 1st reading)

We all have different gifts and talents. I have not always been a writer - I'm a homemaker and keep books for my husband's business. In July 2013 I read an article in the newspaper that put a fire in my heart and a response of words in my mind and on my lips. I could not write in my spiral notepad fast enough. The words rushed forth and that was the beginning - God had given me a gift I didn't even know I had until that day - and probably wasn't supposed to have until that day. God's time, not ours - I know you've heard that saying before. The next scripture is from today's second reading and I will share the share the whole reading.

1 Corinthians 12:4-11

Brothers and Sisters:                                                                                                                           There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. To one is given through the Spirit the expression of wisdom; to another, the expression of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another, faith by the same Spirit; to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit; to another, mighty deeds; to another, prophecy; to another, discernment of spirits; to another, varieties of tongues; to another, interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing them individually to each person as he wishes.

The Gospel reading for today is one of my many favorites - 

John 2:1-11

There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. When the wine ran short , the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." And Jesus said to her, "Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servers, "Do whatever he tells you." (Continue reading verses 6-11)

The wedding at Cana is a beautiful story and I hope you will read the rest of it - I stopped at the end of verse five because I want you to reflect on Mother Mary's words - "Do whatever he tells you."  Wow! What a message! Do whatever Jesus is telling you to do! Think about how the first reading from Isaiah and the second reading from First Corinthians and the Gospel reading from John all go together so well - these scriptures speak loudly to me - we all have different gifts from the Holy Spirit! What is your gift - have you asked? Do these scriptures speak to you? 

God is always with us and more times than not we just need to listen for His words, His voice, and not the words of this world.

If you read my post from 2019 I know you will see how this all ties together!

Sunday, January 20, 2019

Open My Ears, Lord - I Want to Hear Your Voice

Hello out there! I went to the Pro-Life Mass that was held at our parish last night.
The scriptures for last night really touched my heart. I listened to the words from
God and tears welled up in my eyes. I've read these scriptures before and they
always "speak" to me. Being a pro-life advocate is very important to me but there
are many times when I wonder if anyone is listening. In January of 2013 I asked
our priest if I could speak at the end of Mass. I wanted to invite people to come and
pray in front of the Planned Parenthood (which closed eight months later) on Fridays
during the Spring 40 Days for Life Campaign. I was given permission and spoke
after each Mass that weekend. I had a table with sign-up sheets out in the vestibule
and I would hurry out there as soon as I finished speaking. After the Saturday night
Mass only one person signed up - my sister-in-law. I went home and told Jim that
I just didn't know what to do. I didn't sleep very well that night. I tossed and turned
and prayed. I asked God to please give me the words because no one seemed to
be listening. The next morning I got ready for the 10:00 am Mass. Jim could tell
that I was down and he told me not to give up. To make a long story short, I ended
up being the Lector/Reader that morning. The person who was signed up did not
show up and I was asked to step in. I had not read the scriptures before hand because
I wasn't scheduled for that weekend. The following is the first sentence from the
first reading:
Isaiah 62:1-5
For Zion's sake I will not be silent, for Jerusalem's sake I will not be quiet,
until her vindication shines forth like the dawn and her victory like a
burning torch.
To this day, I remember how my heart began to beat as I realized, "God has given
me the words, these are the words! I will not be silent - I will not be quiet!"
Needless to say - my voice rang out strong as I invited people to sign up that
day - and you know what? - They did, they signed up and they came out and
prayed!
Six years has passed and my voice has grown stronger. Oh, there are days when
I am tired, frustrated, and just need a short break. But for the most part -
God's words - the words I asked Him for - keep me going, for when I am weak,
He is strong.
Let's put on our battle armor and vow not to be silent because the unborn babies
need our voices to ring out strong.
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.
Let us join our prayers together.
Please God, open our eyes to what You want us to see.
Open our ears to what You want us to hear.
Give us the courage and strength we need to do Your will at all times.
In Jesus' Holy Name we pray, Amen.

 

Memories and A New Year - Prayers, Love, Laughter, and Faith!

 Hola! Hello out there! I was looking through my blog posts from previous Januarys' - I'm always amazed at how some things have changed and other things seem to stay the same. I read this post/story from January 2017 - this is definitely one of my stories that remains pretty much the same - year in and year out! Blessings and peace to all of you, near and far, wherever you are! Hope you enjoy this story from five years ago!

I Pray That Your Year is Full of Love!

Hello out there! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! The days just seem to rush
on by.  A new year is upon us. I don't make new year's resolutions anymore. I do try
to figure out how I should go about changing some things I need to work on.
I think that sometimes we just give up because we set our expectations too high.
I'm going to work on my daily devotion time. I feel so much better when I begin my
day reading the daily scriptures from my Magnificat. The problem is - sometimes I
don't begin my day that way. The other night I picked up my Magnificat and read the
scriptures before bed because I had not read them that morning. I had to laugh as I
read the scriptures because I realized that the words I read really would have helped
me if I had just taken the time to read them that morning. It  just so happened that the
scriptures and prayers seemed to apply to what I needed to hear earlier in the day!
Once again I am reminded that God is always talking to me. Unfortunately, many times
I am too busy or preoccupied to listen. I have decided to make my morning prayer/
devotion time my first priority. Here are a few ideas if you struggle with this also.


1. If you don't already have some type of daily devotional book, get one and spend a
few minutes each  morning reading the scriptures and prayers.
2. If you want to pray the rosary but don't have time to pray all five decades - pray one
decade each  morning and maybe another decade before you go to bed. Praying the
rosary while you are driving is another way to get your prayer time in. I have a lot of
CDs on praying the rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Let me know if you would
like one. I have so many CDs and prayer booklets. I would love to give them to
others to use.
3. If your children are still at home, take the time to pray with them. Pray the Our Father
together. Pray for their safety and guidance. Let your children know that prayer is
important. Pray before meals, pray before bed, pray before they go to school!
4. Give thanks to the Lord for everything!


The last couple of nights have been really cold here. I cooked a big pot of stew on
Thursday. When Jim and I sat down to eat on Thursday evening I began to pray. I
thanked God for our warm meal, our warm home, and for the fire roaring in the
fireplace. Jim jumped in before I was through and began to pray for those who
have no home and no warm meal. We have both learned to be so thankful. We are
thankful for the many things we used to take for granted. Being able to walk into
our home and turn up the thermostat to heat up our home in the winter is a blessing.
Just like it is a blessing to be able to have a home at all. This time of year always
makes me nostalgic. Looking back and looking forward and being thankful for all
of the paths we have taken. Tonight I pray that God will open our eyes to the path
He has ready for us to take this year. I pray that I will listen to Him and not the world.


May God bless you all during this new year. I pray that the path you take is full of
sunshine and roses, little rain puddles and the songs of birds. I pray that your year is
full of children's laughter and great big hugs. But most of all...I pray that your
year is full of love!


                                                             Blessings to you and yours!
                                                                     Bye for now, Sharla

Stories from my Heart - Seeds that God has Scattered

 Good morning out there! Peace and blessings to you and yours, near and far, wherever you are! I begin this post with a very humble heart. Yesterday and this morning I looked at my blog stats. I am truly amazed and humbled that you read the posts and stories I write for my blog, words from my heart. When I started this blog back in March of 2014 I had no idea what I was doing. I just knew that I wanted to share a loving and positive pro-life and pro-family message. I had so many things I wanted to say and a personal blog is how I decided to try and share words of hope, of love, of encouragement, and most importantly, God's amazing grace, mercy, and love for each and every one of us - wherever you are - near and far - God loves you! 

Through the years, I've written and posted 474 stories - this story is 475. I am in awe of how God has helped spread my stories - I know it has to be Him - because I'm just a  happy homemaker who loves my family, my friends, and tries to be a little light that shines in the darkness. I never dreamed my stories would reach people in other cities or states, much less other countries. I pray before I write my stories, and ask the Holy Spirit to guide my hands and sometimes the words come rushing forth as my fingers fly across the keyboard. Sometimes I beg God to give me the words because I feel like my heart will burst if I don't say what is on my mind. I ask God to send my stories to whoever needs to hear the message, to please send my stories wherever they need to go. 

My stories have been read from people in Japan, Ireland, Romania, Great Britain, Russia, France, Canada, Australia, China, Moldova, and the list goes on - I am always amazed when I see the stats - and I know that it is God who takes my stories, my little seeds, and plants them where they need to be. I write these stories with love and faith and press the "publish" button and God scatters the seeds of my stories wherever they need to be be read - God scatters them near and far, because He loves us so much - wherever we are!

I write this story as tears stream down my face - I am thankful that God has given me the words that I pray will be like seeds that sprout and bloom and little candles that flicker and light the way - I pray that my stories lead you closer to God, enrich your family life, bring you healing and peace.  

Thank you for taking the time to read my stories - I place my hands over the countries on my stats page and I pray for you - I pray for all of you - near and far - and I think about how the world isn't really so big after all. I pray that somehow the story you read;  touches your heart, helps you, makes you smile, but most importantly, reminds you that God is always with us - He is waiting for us to call out to Him and He will say "Here I am!" 

Isaiah 58:8-9

Your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; Your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am!

Many blessings to you and yours on this beautiful day the Lord has made.

Bye for now, Sharla

The following pictures are from my blog stats for this past week. Our God is an awesome God!