A Few of My Favorite Things

So it's been a while since I've written. We've dealt with sickness (all five of us had a virus), play dates, Elizabeth Ministry meetings & gatherings, our oldest son's birthday (the big 0-5!), party planning then party canceling, family visiting from out of town, and most importantly, rejoicing in Jesus rising from the dead!


About a month ago, my very dear friend chased Mr. Faithful down after a Sunday Mass. She dared him...and I am so very glad he accepted the dare.
On the way home that morning, before telling me, he dared me. He said it with a smile (I love that handsome smile by the way!), "I want us to do this together...I need you to trust me and accept the dare first before I tell you exactly what it is." So I trusted my husband and accepted it. He then proceeded to tell me, The 1,000 Things I'm Grateful For Dare. What we have done over the last 4 weeks has been life changing for the better. We have experienced a joy in our home that we feel has never been!


I'm so very grateful for Faithful Friend...so I want to make a point right now to tell her...I LOVE YOU!!! I LOVE YOUR UNCONDITIONAL FAITH AND LOVE FOR CHRIST AND I ADMIRE HOW YOU JUST KNOW WHEN YOU ARE BEING CALLED!!!!!


Seeing my husband have joy in his eyes again makes me well up with (happy!) tears! Watching him enjoy his time with our Faithful Boys brings me a happiness I can never explain in words. God's love is ever present in our home, and now Mr. Faithful is finally 100% on board with our family's journey to Christ!


For those who have not been keeping up with my blog, Mr. Faithful went through quite a bit of health problems last year. From two cancer scares to possible Chron's Disease to finally a diagnosis of low testosterone, he was mentally and physically not available to his family, friends and co workers. He finally decided to heal himself spiritually (and medically for the testosterone) and wow, what a difference! And now the Dare has brought him even to a better state of being for not only himself, but for our marriage and children. 
We have always figured out a way to triumph over obstacles...this time it was not our doing...this was definitely the Holy Spirit blessing us with such a fabulous gift! I believe God has granted us this joy because of how faithful we have been to Him through the hardships we have endured. I thank You, Heavenly Father, for sending us Your love through Your faithful followers and through this Dare! 


So, with all this being said, do you feel the need to be a better person for Jesus, your spouse, children, friends? Do it, I dare you. 

Who We Are Defines Us...Who Are You?

In this land of internet waves and seas of profile pics, jumping comments that let us know when Jane has arrived at the grocery store and how far along Allison is in pregnancy, who are we? We can't really (and I mean REALLY) know 300 people, can we?

What happened to face to face conversation in lieu of texting?

What happened to picking up the phone and actually talking?

I try look for the good in everyone...even if they judge me and see no good in me. I have reminded myself that when someone is judging me but never calls or talks to me, all they know me from are my facebook posts...or other people talking about me. How sinful are we as humans that we could do this to each other? I am at fault with gossip and false witness as well. I try not to, but sometimes that devil is tricky.

'A false witness will perish, but a good listener will testify successfully.' (Proverbs 21:28)

I think this passage is very powerful for all of us...even those that do not feel the same about Christianity can attest how they feel when being talk about by someone who really does not know them.

When we get to REALLY  know each other, we see people in a different light.

"I didn't know how much I had in common with Sue."

"Wow, James is so different than I am, I'd like to learn more about our differences!"

Yet, even sometimes, the people whom we should be closest to are complete strangers! How is this possible? How could that happen? People grow up, live different lives and start families of their own. Sometimes it is hard for us as humans to be outgoing for others in a time where life is passing us by with diaper changes, sleepless nights, teething, soccer games, Sunday Mass, marriage. Sometimes we have to be the person to start. Who are you thinking of while reading this? Pick up the phone and call them; better yet, go over to their home and talk face to face if you can! Xoxo.

Real Feminism

I am a woman.

I was granted the gift of labor pains and birthed three times...thanks be to God!
I have noticed the everyday miracles...God exists in everything!

I am a woman.

I cry at simplistic things...I am blessed at times to see through Christ's eyes!
I learn more every day...thank You, Jesus, for humbling me!

I am a woman.

I love my children and know they teach me...God works through my children.
I love my husband and will always support him in all he does...God called us to the vocation of marriage, a sacred sacrament we will never give up on; thanks be to God for being the center of our union!

I am a woman.

I support other women and friends with their decisions...thank you, Blessed Mother Mary and Elizabeth, for modeling what women need to do to create a community of supporters!
I create friendships in places I never expect...thank You, Jesus, for keeping me on a better path to know You!!

I am a woman.

I have a choice...I choose life for ALL people, born and unborn alike...thank You, Heavenly Father, for showing me Your way to life!
I plan to be a doula and lactation specialist...thank You God for helping me empower women to have their perfect birth!

I am a WIFE, I am a MOTHER, I am a FRIEND, I am an AUNT, I am a SISTER, I am a DAUGHTER, I am a MINISTER, I am a LEADER.

I AM A WOMAN.

Sshhh!!!

Quiet now
Not another peep!

For all my babes
Are fast asleep.

Sand man's come
And drowsed their eyes.

Dreams of happiness;
And purple skies.

Hush now please,
For they cannot wake.

Oh how I love them
Makes my heart ache!

To see their sleeping,
Angelic faces,

Dear Lord, I do thank thee
For granting me these graces.
 


Written by Faithful Mama 3-7-12

Stuck in a Rut

Yep, that's me...I am stuck. Two weeks ago I was on fire with the Holy Spirit! Now I feel as though I am clawing at the side of a cliff trying to hang on.

I somehow, selfishly, have tried to grab the reigns from my Father's Hands. I don't even know how to drive on my own.

Every minute of every day I have to remember that I am never in control. If I have an inkling of negativity, what I SHOULD do is silently ask Jesus for help. What I NEED to do is offer those icky feelings so that I can be at peace with any given situation.

Why am I not doing this?

It seems so easy written down on paper.

What is wrong with me?

Do you feel this way too???

As I humble myself, as I lose my pride with recognizing my selfishness, my true original sinful behavior, I realize that this is my cross to bear during this Lenten season. As Jesus was in the desert, my 40 days is learning more about my place in this world as a Catholic woman and as a spiritual warrior.

I must take each day as it comes. Each valuable lesson my children can teach me, I must open my eyes to and see what Jesus sees. I have been looking with eyes of the flesh and this is why I have been so negative lately!

A REVELATION!!!!!!

 

Two weeks ago during Sunday mass, I had knelt down for prayers after receiving the Eucharist. All of a sudden, I just wanted to cry for no reason at all...I opened my eyes and I just looked around at all my brothers and sisters in Christ. I was seeing them through Jesus' eyes!!

I cannot explain to those who have never felt this. I was filled with the Holy Spirit!!!

I know God wanted me to see with unconditional love to all my family (in this instance it just so happened to be my Catholic community). It was a wonderful feeling!!

Now I understand why He wanted me to experience that!

He needs me to be the woman I am meant to be.

All I needed was to sit and explain my experiences to you, dear Faithful Ones! THANK YOU!!!!!

What does God expect of you?

Are you at the side of a cliff barely hanging on or are you standing on top of it?

I share my experiences with you in hopes that you will reflect on your own personal intimacy with Christ. Everyone has a calling, a vocation. Everyone is called to do something great. All we have to do is be open and listen. Xoxo.

As We Grow

So I've taken this past week to learn more about my faith, my children, my husband, and myself. I have become more humble and I feel I have gained even more empathy for my brothers and sisters (by this I mean all human kind). I have come even closer to Christ as the Holy Spirit has worked through my Faithful Boys for me just yesterday. I knew God wanted me to build a prayer corner in our home for a reason!

I found out that one of my best friends whom I've known for 15 years is learning that his newborn baby (born literally yesterday) has complications and is currently in the NICU. After I found out, I asked my two older Faithful Boys to help me pray for Baby Faithful. As soon as I asked that, with no hesitation, both of them ran to this corner, knelt down and began to pray for him. I was amazed and proud! I started to cry *I am a big emotional lady, I cry at everything - just sayin'* Oldest Faithful Boy wrapped his arms around me, placed his head on my shoulder and said, "He'll be ok Mom, don't worry." My not even 5 year old said this to me! I cried more because I knew that was the Holy Spirit!

God certainly works through children, and I am humbled and honored that my children are babes of Christ! I like to think that as I get older, the more I realize how dumb I really am. How ignorant to the splendor that is Jesus Christ!! He places everyone and everything in exactly the precise spot at just the right time!

Those who trust in Him will understand truth, and the faithful will 

abide with Him in love, because grace and mercy are upon His

 elect, and He watches over His holy ones. ~ Wisdom 3:9

I have learned so much in just this past year about my own Catholic faith. I am proud to say that! I look back on what I've done in the past and shake my head in shame, but then soon realize that I am forgiven by God Himself!  

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just, to forgive us

 our sins, and to cleanse us from all iniquity. ~ 1 John 1:9

I am praying for Baby Faithful to be ok. I am praying for my good friend, his wife, and their other children to stay strong in their faith to know that God will get them through this trial. God knows exactly what to do. If we allow Him to be in control, we will be protected. Sometimes it doesn't feel like God is on our side; sometimes bad things happen to us. But there is always a reason. 

Consider it joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. ~ James 1:2-8 

Remain faithful. Trust in the Lord, even during the most difficult of times. Those times are when Jesus hugs us the tightest if we let Him. Xoxo.

Love Life Don't Just Live

We all die a little more each day;

So let us learn to laugh more and play.

Run in the fields with no shoes on!

Laugh with the kids more,

For their life's just begun.

Instead of thinking of what needs to be done,

Remember life's short.

Remember to have FUN!

Everyone has a job to do,

But leave work at work

And you'll be renewed!

You'll soon see what you need is right there...

In your heart.

Money is needed to pay your way.

Laughter is really needed each and every day.

To love is divine 

And soon we will see

That love is all we ever really need.

Faithful Mama 2-12-12

*I woke up with this poem in my head at 6am this morning and couldn't do anything till I wrote it down! Thank You Heavenly Father for giving this poem to me to share with others!!*