Doing What I Should

This morning as I sat at the computer I wrestled with myself as to whether to write a thoughtful post to join Ann for Walk With Him Wednesday or to walk with Him by waking, feeding, saying morning prayers and teaching my children.
I chose to walk with Him by doing what He wants me to do and I know what He wants, because it is my vocation, the vocation given to me though the sacrament of Matrimony. This vocation is one I embrace and am so thankful for. Having grown up in a divorced home I knew from a young age that I wanted to be able to stay home with my children if I were to be blessed with them. So today my day has been filled with Him, in the eyes of my children, in a phone call from the oldest son, in the strong,loving voice of my husband telling me he would remember me at daily mass that he was attending. I am wrapped up,embraced and overwhelmed by Him.

266. Fresh yogurt, strawberries and banana smoothies
267. Great new finds at my favorite "boutique"
268. Laughter around the dinner table
269. A mini trampoline that we are all having fun with
270. Sweet-smelling blossoms on our orange and lemon trees
271. Unexpected visit
272. Mountains of clean laundry to fold
273. Trusting in God
274. Coupons that are current and good sales to use them with
275. Another cold, cloudy day, one I will look back fondly on when it is hot and dry in July
276. A warm sweater
277. An owl outside our window
278. Hungry tummies
279. A chance to help a very kind woman
280. The opportunity for my husband and boys to play basketball with other friends from church
281. Being still
282. Reading
283. Unexpected gift in the mail which reminded me that God,My Father will provide
284. Green grass
285. Redbud trees!!
286. Putting together list for co-op order
287. Tales of my grandchildren's antics
288. Inspiring movie
289. Listening to my daughter tell me a story
290. Remembering to unclench the fist and relax shoulders

20{4}40 To Be Content

Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn, whatever state I may be in, therein to be content. Helen Keller

All my life I have been in awe of Helen Keller, she is an amazing woman and her life shows how valuable each soul is. I do not want to take anything for granted, ever!

241. School day, done and finished
242. Raw honey
243. A cheerful husband, in spite of all he has to deal with
244. A cold early spring day
245. Roast cooking and making the house smell yummy
246. Thoughtful neighbors
247. A peaceful home, when there is so much unrest
248. hugs from my daughter
249. Honesty
250. Good report from the dentist
251. 2 fresh eggs from our chickens
252. Enough, even when I worry there won't be
253. My porch, it's still red and still makes me happy!
254. Thoughtful children
255. Beauty,it's everywhere
256. Cheerful dogs who make me laugh
257. Hauntingly beautiful music (yes, I'm listening to my music on my blog, my daughter says it's depressing but I love it and the love that causes people to write such lyrics
258. For this list of thanksgiving,making me more and more grateful as I write
259. Conveniences that make my life so much easier
260. A beautiful new charm for my bracelet that leads my thoughts to God and to His Mother given for no reason, except that my husband loves me
261. Loving my husband so deeply that I would be stretched out on his grave if he were to leave me (second song on my blog music,if you would like to hear of this type of love)
262. Boys, who will be coming in soon from Rugby,tired, muddy, hungry and full of noise
263. Lock burns and scraped knees and sons who will put medicine on them even though they don't want to
264. The Psalms and praying them
265. The gift of life and given abundantly

Joining Ann and Jenny

20{4}40

I continue to count...

221. A lit candle, prayers, and uniting mine with hers.
221. Beautiful Gregorian chant
222. Rugby match in the cold and mist
223. Yummy lunch and good company and a place to get warm after the match
224. Joyful news of a new soul entering this world,welcome Sophia Elizabeth!!!!
225. A wonderful afternoon with my husband and then mass,dinner and casual conversation with our wonderful Bishop, Bishop Slattery.
226. Spiritual direction
227. Holding a precious baby
228. Seeing family from our of state, unexpectedly, at mass
229. Getting up earlier than usual
230. Oatmeal and freshly ground wheat soaking for tomorrow
231. Seeing my friends at coffee and donuts
232. Watching a godson at mass well loved
233. A church family who loves well
234. A quiet Sunday afternoon
235. Children sharing ice cream (it is Sunday!)
236. Souls all clean,fresh from the confessional
237. An Easter dress found for my Promised from God daughter
238. Peaceful home
239. My opened heart,willing to hear
240. The Eucharist

The Annunciation

I love this picture of the Annunciation, showing the archangel Gabriel kneeling before Mary, the queen of heaven and earth. Humility is reflected on her face and in her posturing but yet Gabriel is kneeling as befitting his acknowledgment of his queen. What beauty this image holds.

My heart overflows with gratitude..
191. The Annunciation
192. A call from the Strong son who has done well on his comps for his masters!!!
193. The humility of Our Lady
194. A good day of school
195. Simple procedure on the Joyful son's foot that went well
196. An extra gallon of fresh milk available
197. Making yogurt from the extra milk
198. Beer bread
199. First class feasts during Lent
200. Cooking for my family
201. A cheerful husband, happy to be home for the week
202. Anticipating Stations of the Cross tonight
203. A new book to read just arrived in the mail
204. Tulips just bloomed in the yard
205. A kiss from my husband
206. A pink shirt that lifts my spirits
207. Dinner made by my brother-in-law and niece
208. A call to Jenny that always lifts my spirits
209. Rugby game to go to tomorrow
210. Rereading One Thousand Gifts, sooo good
211. A cold morning, blossoming into a warm blessing of a day
212. Meniere's attack finally easing today
213. Skype, an amazing way to keep in contact with my darling grandbabies
214. Being content
215. Being mindful of unfurling my soul to the Son
216. My sweet Jesus
217. The suffering my Lord suffered for me
218. A stray dog we rescued that has brought such joy to us
219. The week-end
220. Good music

Joining Jenny

In all things give thanks

Continuing my journey of thanks

161. Sisterly advice
162. A guide to reading the Bible in 2 years, more my pace than doing it in one year. Thanks Lisa
163. The music on my blog
164. My daughter saying that she liked that we were eating healthier, Thanks to Nourishing Traditions cookbook
165. Meniere's Disease, keeps me praying and it can't kill me! lol
166. Losing weight and lose clothes
167. Praying the Monastic Diurnal
168. A busy afternoon, so busy that only 2 parents can make it happen
169. A husband so willing to help make #168 happen
170. Leftovers
171. The hope of rain
172. Chickens laying eggs again
173. A 10lb dog snoring louder than a grown man!
174. Finding new blogs to explore
175. The people who find and read my blog
176. A slow morning to help me get my balance See #165
177. Medicine that helps
178. Quiet
179. The morning smiles of my children
180. The morning call from my wonderful husband
185. Clean, hot water for morning showers
186. Clean, cold water for drinking
187. Amazing comforts that so many in the world do not have
188. A young man, heading to Afghanistan (can he really be old enough?) and all of us mothers praying with his mother for his safety
189. Lent
190. Crosses that sometimes feel to big but have been chosen especially for each one of us

Small Successes

“God makes three requests of his children: Do the best you can, where you are, with what you have, now”

1. I chose to handle a situation in our honeschooling with joy and patience.

2. I have been reading The Liturgical Year by Abbot Guernanger,OSB daily.

3. I let go of a situation I have no control over, went to mass and confession and now am trying really hard not to take it back. ;)

Yes, Lord

Yes, Lord I will...
Today, I will walk with you.
Today,I will strive to talk softly with great charity.
Today, I will love passionately the souls you gave to me.
Today, I will remember that I must live each moment to it's complete fullness before rushing onto the next.
Today, I will be still inside to hear You.
Today,I will try to remember that each moment is a prayer.
Today, I will unclench the fist and live unfurled under the warmth of Your most generous love and acceptance.

Joining Ann