Merry Christmas!

Yes,   It's true, that the Christmas a Season lasts until the Baptism of the Lord, liturgically speaking.  It's great to not rush the actual season.  I hope that you all enjoyed your special Christmas.   Ours was definitely full and busy.  It actually went much smoother than previous years, with the exception of the series of unfortunate events the two days before Christmas. I got over that bad luck quickly, so it's not worth writing about! ☺️  (Although you may find it entertaining....)


The one thing I would like to include is a message from a friend of mine, who gave me permission to use her Facebook post just before Christmas... I will have to add this in after I get onto my actual computer, so check back.  The point is: you're frustrated. You are at a breaking point. You're not even close to feeling that Christmas Spirit.... Poor you. Everything's going wrong.... Why? Why? Why!?  Christmas won't ever feel happy and cheery.... Have you ever told yourself that? Felt like a God left you out high and dry at the "most wonderful time of the year"?  Imagine your most frustrating Christmas times or struggles, then keep reading. When my unfortunate events took place, I remembered her.  I wanted to share it before Christmas, but lo, I got too busy.  So I will go back, and say what I wanted to say anyway.  First, here's an awesome message I'd like share from Knights of Truth Media about Christmas: http://youtu.be/dYCyI3zK-5I

Take a look!

So, preparing for Christmas usually involves just the surface.  The decorating, the day after "Thanksgiving",  (which Is ironic in a way), the garland the tinsel, the trees, the lights, the red, the blue, the gold, and the silver, the snowmen, need I add the yard blow up things, the wreaths, etc., etc., etc.  Usually, I think' that is at the forefront of many minds when it comes to preparing for Christmas... 

But, I'd like to propose  another way to prepare for this special day. Think of how Our Lady and St. Joseph prepared for Jesus.  The bare basics.  Then right before His birth, they had to hop on the donkey and head all the way to Bethlehem.  How did John the Baptist prepare? He went into the desert and fasted on locusts and honey and prayed before Jesus' ministry officially began.  Both of these events seem an awful lot like the picture of sacrifice to me.... Think about it- Mary and Joseph went from door to door- found no place to be warm and comfortable to receive Jesus,  and so the place of His holy birth was in the lowest state imaginable.  They weren't really "festive" until it was actually happening.... So to speak. And so many of us rush this precious season! The day after--- how many trees do you see on the curb or hear neighbors already put their decor away? Christmas actually lasts 12 days- technically until the Baptism of Christ. So why not enjoy Christmas during Christmas instead of Advent "Coming"? Let's keep Advent a time of waiting as much as you can stand.... Advent is our time to be " preparing" not only on the outside to a point, but spiritually.... 

Be prayerful. Plan well, so you're not overwhelmed. People go bonkers preparing at Christmastime so everything's perfect, and they wrestle with frustration! Let go- we all try to make it perfect for everyone else, but Christ is the only one who makes it perfect. Be at peace. Like a priest said recently in a homliy I heard: "Be peaceful. Don't kill yourself over Christmas. Funerals are no fun at Christmas."  And I know- my great uncles funeral was just this year two days after Christmas. (It wasn't related to stress of the holidays, but either way, it's so sad.)

What a Summer and Fall! But Hello Again!

You know how everyone seems to get super busy in the Summer?
Like with friends and family.... weddings... .. reunions..... parties.... etc? 

My cousins and I-- I have since chopped my hair!

Well, I am back, but after a looooong---too long---- break, I suppose.  Between raising 8 kids, and throwing in the excitement from having one with special needs, (which btw he is doing FABULOUS- so it kind -of doesn't count), and one with continued trouble with "moderate Crohns" at age 9, a wedding, and travels, and homeschooling all summer--- ick--- yep.  I was exhausted and could  NOT bring myself to get on the computer when all I really wanted to do was indulge in my own relaxation. ???

It has been quite an eventful Summer and Fall.  For sure! My kids have done very well in this year's XC season, and have since, qualified for the 2014 National XC JUNIOR OLYMPICS.  I thought that it would be super fun to take them (all the way in SC!), but now I am feeling stressed and RUSHED- above all things- with Christmas.  Exactly what I was hoping to avoid.  I like to be honest on my blog, because "normal" people aren't perfect, right?  We have been having some tough spots this season.

My husband recently left his job with a mega- millions kinda' company to start off on his own.... It has been a leap of Faith.  Definitely.  No jokes here.  We are adjusting to some minor changes, but God has been taking care of the bills, at least.  So that is good. 

Sebastian (our son with Down's) has been doing so great!  He is growing up and is amazing.  I will share a video of how lovely his presence is in our life: 

 

I hope you will enjoy.  It documents his first year right up to before his first bday... (which btw was VERY special.)  :)

 

 

 

 

So, Nathan, who is my sick 9 year old-- we still have to see an actual remission from him.  He is taking pills, and gone off  steroids,  and gone back on them, to be weaning to the final dosage now.  I have started him on a gluten-free diet, and  hope to see SOMETHING go in to a positive direction. ... planning on adding "Essential Oils", too. . .  At least he is a good sport when it comes to not giving up in his running-- he gets very frustrated with his Crohn's though.  :- /

 

I have to say. . . no matter the family values, or what you have going on in your family, dealing with a sick child takes a TOLL on you.  On all the members.  This has been my breaking point.  Several times since my last posts, I have been wondering where God is.  Is He listening to me?  Does He even care? Why is this happening to me and nothing seems to change?  TIRING? ABSOLUTELY!

I realize that what if this is St. John of the Cross's "dark night of the soul"?  Uhhhh... Lord? Maybe come back then? That's how I feel.  I know that many struggle with a whole lot of worser things than me.  But it's still a challenge.  Especially since I still homeschool throughout it all.  Do I have to get up in the morning? IS it really past the latest time I can sleep?

 

I know that there are people who have gone before us and done it.  I read this amazing book, called "QUOTABLE SAINTS"  by Rhonda De Sola Chervin, which gives a lot of encouragement.  But, I am still here, and still on the journey, still hurting and waiting for a drink of cold water and a rest.  Why must the Good Lord push us so? I truly believe in redemptive suffering, for if we are to die with Christ in order to rise again with Him, it must count for something.  We must all walk our own "Little Calvary" in a sense.  You may or may not agree, but our suffering cannot go to waste.  Other words, our prayers are useless as well. 

 

Here are some of my favorite quotes I have leaned on recently.

 

 

"Do something good for someone you like least, today." ~ St. Augustine

 

"Without work, it is impossible to have fun." ~ St Thomas Aquinas

 

"He that complains or murmurs is not perfect, nor is he a good Christian." ~ St. John of the Cross

 

"We should not engage in fruitless or controversial discussions." ~ St. Basil

 

"Disorder in society is the result of disorder in the family." ~ St. Angela Merici

 

"Christ made my soul beautiful with the jewels of grace and virtue. I belong to Him whom the angels serve." ~St. Agnes

 

"Let us learn to cast our hearts into God." ~ St. Bernard

 

"Anything that does not lead you to God is a hindrance." Root it out and throw it far from you!"

~ Venerable Jose Escriva

 

"I am concealing Myself [Christ] from you, so that you can discover by yourself what you are without Me." ~ St. Margaret of Cortona

 

This last one hits me hard every time I feel He left me.  We aren't anything without Our Precious Lord.  But we are so stubborn, aren't we? That we dare to think we can take care of ourselves.  It's a tough one for sure, but we have to know even in our roughest moments, that although it appears He has forsaken us --- even Jesus felt that way, as He cried out on the Cross--- he is only awaiting the moment of Glory-- through us --solely for Himself.  That's hard to accept, especially since we are proud, trying to be humble!

 

I hear all the time how lovely my kids are.  Its a snapshot, usually. But not one of our regular struggles at home.  I have to laugh in honesty when people compliment us because I know.  I "KNOW" the truth, haha.  It hurts sometimes, but we all have it.  The Truth is available to everyone who accepts it, of course, but we also know our  "truth".  That is where God tests us I believe.  Can we walk away and attempt to continue to change?  Or do we fall into despair and circle around ourselves getting nowhere like a dog who chases his tail?

 

photo from Wikipedia

 

 

I hope that you are all well.  I hope that you can be lifted up to enjoy this Christmas Season.  We all struggle, but PEACE is coming.  Its so close.  We must prepare the Way for The Lord.  Make straight His Paths.  Let's cast our troubles onto Him, and take rest in His Peace.  I know I will have to do the same.  We must strive for holiness.  And that comes from TRYING; He knows our hearts. 

 

God Bless you.  Check back, as I will have an Advent Post in a few days. 

 

You can also check out my post on Preparing for the Savior.  You will enjoy it. 

Holy Motherhood! *So let there be children!*: How am I preparing for Jesus' Coming/Christmas?#links

 

J. M. J.

 



Feast of Saint Claire of Assisi




Photo Pintrest.com

St. Claire knew it.  It's all part of our Christian calling, right?  Through the Sacrament of baptism, we die and rise with Christ.  But we must die to ourselves through self-mortification throughout life.  We can certainly choose WHO or WHAT we want to become, or become like.  If we wish to be like Christ, and perfected in the way He is, it requires that dying to self.  Holy cow, is it hard, though.  Certainly.  Do we want to give up sometimes? Yes.  But we must keep going.  He knows our efforts, for sure.  I love the fact that she fought off an army of men with just the Holy Eucharist. That's amazing.  She knew Jesus was the only way. I am thinking of Fr.'s homily yesterday at Mass: He was talking about how Elijah was growing weary and wanted to give up after the fact he knew that Jezebel wanted him dead, and he killed the 400 men in a "standoff" over the false god Baal. Peter also grew anxious in the storm while he was walking on water with Jesus, and began to sink.  So many of life's storms can distract us away from keeping focused on God, and we think we can do it alone without him.  But we can't.  Or at least, we cannot go as far as we could if we kept close to Him.  And, of course, I believe it directly reflects how our joy will be filled in eternity.  (*You can read my last post on my take on overflowing cups.)

Photo Pintrest.com

My late uncle passed away on this day 21 years ago.  His death was hard on the family at the time, but we all heal a little easier with Our Lord beside us.   I remember my dad today, as today marks his 5th month since parting us.  He can comfort us in those times when we turn to Him.  When I think of my dad's passing, I recall the same thoughts, and for sure, it was the reason we could have Hope.  Uniting that with the cross, truly.  And then we realize what a beautiful thing it truly is to die with Christ.  It's a deeper idea than one would typically think could be.

I think most people tend to be afraid of  "Dying with Christ". . .  but, it can be.  It means giving up a whole lot of US.  There are many Christians in the world, today, suffering for their faith.  Our brothers and sisters in faith in Israel are persecuted.  We must remember how "deep" that bond should go.  We must be wearing our faith OUT LOUD so that others can SEE and HEAR "WHO" we REPRESENT.  Only then, can we find true peace, and change the world over and over through Him. 

I would like to give an update on my life happenings, but will do so in another post.  There is a good reason I have been away from blogging this past summer.  Illness, recovery, wedding, vacation, and fun among other things.  It's that season.  I will post pictures and joys of life in another coming post, and the MARY GARDEN---is gorgeous! 

God bless you all.  Be Loud. 
In Christ!

J.M.J.

Overflowing Barrel or Teacup of JOY for the Lord

 

photo zazzle.com

All this week, (It's only Tuesday, I know! But it's been since last week really), I have been talking to my kids about what we have been reading together from THE FAITH EXPLAINED by Leo J. Trese-- Why did God make us?  Why are we here?  Simple question, but lots of room for talk.  Well, I just wanted to explain our latest talk that has been from this week.  We have been talking about how we will experience our JOY in Heaven, and how it depends on how we love God here, on Earth, first.

Yes, if we are lukewarm, we already know from His Word that we cannot attain Heaven.  We cannot merely "think" that "God is cool; Go God!", but 1) not be even baptized 2) Do nothing to grow closer to Him, such as lead a prayer filled life, and think we can have Heaven.  Luke warmness is best described as having one foot in, but purposely keeping one foot out because we cannot live without the world, or the things of the world.  We will respond to the Lord and Heaven as we respond to Him here.  Think about it: Take your relationship with God NOW.  How do you feel about Him NOW? Are you totally on fire for Him? Or are you just kind-of eh about Him?  When we see Him later, after there is no turning back, we will tend to have the same response. 




photo itsadeliverything.com

Think about this for a minute:  How many of you out there LOVE classical, instrumental music?  Are you totally MOVED by it? Or are you kind of waiting for it to end because you aren't "in" to it? If you continue for years to try to appreciate it, perhaps you will find some kind of positive respect for it, and enjoy it more than you first did.  If you continue to change the station as soon as you hear it, with no real care for it, because "it's not for you",  then when you are before the grand Performance, it will not be too enjoyable for you.  This is a very good analogy for how we love God here and now and what will come afterwards. 
We will similarly respond to God when we meet him.  Those of us who truly chose Him throughout our life will have our joy to the full, as He promised. Those who give everything to serve Him will feel a barrelful of joy: they are the ones that classical musical brings tears to their eyes, and some will experience their joy, by a full teacup; they are generally moved by the music.  There is a difference, yes, but we will all have our "cup", no matter the size, full. 

My kids of course, want to have their "cup" be a barrel.  They want to experience God's Presence to the MAX.  I do too!  We must become so in LOVE with Him though.  This is where self-mortification comes into the equation.  Dying to self.  And giving every last item of ourselves and our lives to HIM.  If we hold anything back, perhaps we are choosing a smaller  "cup" for Jesus to fill later.  If we completely empty ourselves out to HIM, and give him a barrel to replace our lives with, we will be receiving that barrel in LOVE in return later.


I really feel like I haven't had a good as this post in a long time.  Thank You, Dear Holy Spirit.  And I pray that the Holy Spirit move these readers to give more of themselves in some way to You, and Your Will.  J.M.J.