02.08.2025

22°F NE10mph SR0711 SS1724

Morning Offering given

Village sleepy

Coffee waaaaaay strong, spoon standing

Today
-RIAY Day 39
Day 7 Our Lady of Lourdes Novena
Catch-up Day for Memory verses, Prayer-Home-Personal journals, and Bible readings

WOW! Quite the beginning of the new administration and the month of February. Seems like the world is spinning on its axis, moving faster and faster. I ask you to continue to pray for this Administration’s direction. That the Lord lead them and that they hear and follow. I realize one must move quickly in a clean-up operation or it becomes too overwhelming and bogs down. May the decisions made all work out for God’s glory and the American people’s good. May it trickle over to other countries as the needs of this one are met.

Our Lady Patroness of America—Rome City, Indiana—is on my list of must-sees. It is a seven-hour drive from my house. I remember when Cardinal Burke (then Archbishop of St Louis) wrote a letter (2007) to the USCCB regarding her. It is worth another look and a place on my must-see list.

The snow has not yet begun. The forecast has changed again, from 6-8″ to maybe 1″. Whichever it turns out to be I am ready.

The shelving for the long wall upstairs is here. I’m so very excited about this. As I close my eyes I can visualize the look of it all once it has been finished. I’m sure the man will be enjoying his new think place.

The Echo report is in. I’m waiting to hear from my cardiologist on it.

Know you are prayed for.

02.07.2025

8°F W5mph SR0712 SS1723

Morning Offering given

Village silent

Coffee good

Today
-Read Psalms 46-48
-RIAY Day 38 Food for the Journey
Day 6 – Our Lady of Lourdes Novena
-MV – Mark 9:24 – Then the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief!”

Good Morning! Looks like snow is headed our way arriving tomorrow sometime. I’m happy about that. It’s been quite the week. A steady one foot in front of the other week. At least things are progressing. Some shelving has been added upstairs about the library table for those reference books that could be needed while studying/writing/etc. More shelving is in the works for those books I cannot part with. Soon freestanding bookcases will be a thing of the past. My day will be easy today. One morning, one evening teachers run, and the bank deposit route. The rest of my time will be here at the house. Looks like the man will be having a full day. I’m still reading the Genghis Khan series, amazingly I am enjoying it.

Have you thought about your Lenten Read? You might want to think about that as March 5 is Ash Wednesday and Lent begins. Who knows maybe the man and I will do a couple one.

How’s 2025 going for you? Is your restart refreshing you or are you feeling bogged down? Let me know, I really do want to know.

Time is once again getting away from me.

Know you are prayed for.

02.06.2025

23°F W22mph SR0713 SS1721

Morning Offering given

Village waking

Coffee strong

Today
Read Psalms 43-45
RIAY Day 37 To be Transfigured
Day 5– Our Lady of Lourdes Novena

Goodness, things are happening so quickly in Washington, D.C., it makes my head spin. But curiously, it does not make me nervous. I trust those in charge, whereas the last four years, I did not trust them. I also understand the rapid push. One cannot change something that has needed to be changed for decades at a slow pace, or the change will be sabotaged before it is completed. The following is a prayer given by Bishop John Carroll, 1st Bishop (later Archbishop) of the United States in 1791.

We pray, O almighty and eternal God, who through Jesus Christ
has revealed thy glory to all nations, to preserve the works of your mercy,
that your Church, being spread through the whole world, may continue
with unchanging faith in the confession of your name.
We pray Thee, who alone are good and holy, to endow with heavenly knowledge,
sincere zeal and sanctity of life, our chief bishop, the pope,
the vicar of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the government of his Church;
our own bishop, all other bishops, prelates and pastors of the Church;
and especially those who are appointed to exercise among us
the functions of the holy ministry, and conduct your people
into the ways of salvation.
We pray O God of might, wisdom and justice,
through whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted,
and judgment decreed, assist with your Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude
the president of these United States,
that his administration may be conducted in righteousness
and be eminently useful to your people over whom he presides;
by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion;
by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy;
and by restraining vice and immorality.
Let the light of your divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress,
and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government,
so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion of national happiness,
the increase of industry, sobriety and useful knowledge; and may perpetuate to us the blessing of equal liberty. We pray for his excellency, the governor of this state,
for the members of the assembly, for all judges, magistrates, and other officers
who are appointed to guard our political welfare, that they may be enabled,
by your powerful protection, to discharge the duties of their respective stations
with honesty and ability. We recommend likewise, to your unbounded mercy,
all our brethren and fellow citizens throughout the United States,
that they may be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance
of your most holy law; that they may be preserved in union,
and in that peace which the world cannot give;
and after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal.
Finally, we pray to you, O Lord of mercy, to remember the souls of your servants departed,
who are gone before us with the sign of faith and repose in the sleep of peace;
the souls of our parents, relatives and friends; of those who, when living,
were members of this congregation, and particularly of such as are lately deceased;
of all benefactors who, by their donations or legacies to this Church,
witnessed their zeal for the decency of divine worship and proved their claim
to our grateful and charitable remembrance. To these, O Lord, and to all that rest in Christ,
grant, we beseech you, a place of refreshment, light and everlasting peace,
through the same Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen

Know you are prayed for.

02.05.2025

5°F ESE12mph SR0714 SS1720

Morning Offering given

Village peaceful

Coffee good

Today
-Read Psalm 40-42
Day 4 – Our Lady of Lourdes Novena
-RIAY Day 36 – The Kingdom and the Gospel
-Memory Verse – none today, however, I would like you to open your bible and highlight the verses on the list. As you do this say them out loud. I use a special highlight color for memory verses so I do this routinely when I see them as I read the bible.

We successfully finished reading the Book of Job yesterday. We will continue to read Psalms. I don’t know about you but the Rosary podcast has really touched me and the way I look at the Rosary. We are now in the monthly theme of the Holy Family. My hope is that you are finding your family in the process. We get so wrapped up in living that we let our spiritual life die. In allowing this to happen we are watching eternal life slip away. Oh, I know baptism, believing, confirmation, good soul, etc… but how can those be “true and vibrant” without a relationship with Jesus. I can sit here all day and tell you my thoughts but, I fail daily in my relationship with Christ. I still fully rely on ME first, when I should fully rely on Christ FIRST. There is so much work left to do with my soul. Much more work left to do with my humanness.

Yesterday I found a bible in a wooden box that had been given to the family of a deceased military man back in 1999. The Catholic Bible inside the box had never been opened. For 25 years the words of wisdom given us by God had not been read. The Bible is a tool to [be used in] helping you in your relationship with Christ. Inside can be found his family history, his hope and dreams for you, his willingness to give up his life for you, and a blueprint on how you can give your life to/for him.

Know you are prayed for.

YOU CANNOT BE MARRIED YET REFUSE TO BE ACCOUNTABILE.

Marriage isn’t just a romantic commitment; it’s a covenant of accountability. If you choose to marry, you’re choosing to be accountable, completely accountable. You cannot claim to love and respect your spouse while refusing to be transparent in your actions, decisions, and whereabouts. Love demands accountability. Respect requires it.

✅️ Be accountable with your finances. Every dollar spent affects your household. Discuss, plan, and be transparent about your spending and saving. Financial secrecy breeds mistrust, and mistrust erodes the foundation of marriage.

✅️ Be accountable with your actions. Your choices impact your spouse and children. Are you acting in their best interest? Are you considering the long-term effects of your actions on your family?

✅️ Be accountable with your decisions. Major decisions should never be made unilaterally. Marriage is a partnership, and every decision should reflect mutual respect and consideration.

✅️ Be accountable about where you are. Your spouse deserves to know where you are, not because of control, but because of care and connection.

If you can’t commit to being fully accountable, then perhaps marriage isn’t the right path for you. Accountability is the backbone of a healthy, thriving marriage. It’s the ultimate expression of love and respect for your partner and the life you build together.

Don’t know who wrote this

02.04.2025

7°F N14mph SR0716 SS1718

Morning Offering given

Village chilly

No Coffee today

Today
-Read Job 42 and Psalms 37-39
-RIAY Day 35 – Divine Bridegroom
-Day 3- Our Lady of Lourdes Novena

Buuuurrrrr, I’m cold this morning. The temperatures are back to normal February ones, and I am whining because we have been so very spoiled these past few weeks with Spring temperatures. Time to face reality. The knees are screaming as are the shoulders, what they don’t tell you is when you injure and repair somethings it aches when the temperature changes. Nuff said there, I live with it. At least I live. Today the Echo the Dr. asked for in August will finally happen. 6 months it took to get that scheduled at a Mayo hospital. I could have been dead already, so apparently although ordered, they don’t think it really needs to be done.
I am truly enjoying the Rosary in a Year podcasts. They take 10 minutes each morning to listen to, and I can ponder them all day. They put a different perspective on the rosary, and I like that.

Mexico has now agreed to cover the border as Canada did yesterday. Tariffs have been put on hold. Personally, I believe this is an answer to prayers that have gone up since the Tariffs were announced. What’s your thoughts?

Time to get a move on.

Know you are prayed for.

02.03.2025

33°F NE11mph SR0717 SS1717

Morning Offering given

Village waking

Coffee strong (the man must have realized it was going to be a busy day)

Today
-Read Job 41 & Psalm 34-36
-RIAY Day 34 The Anointed One

WOW! back to normal winter temps today. Snuggly sweatshirts, leggings, and leg warmers with a sturdy pair of sneakers. Gonna need those as I listen to the bible readings and vacuum the floors & clean the mirrors & screens. Gotta love Mondays. Large copy job this morning as well. Erma CH has asked me to make copies of her family newsletter. So thankful for that copy machine, it does all the work after I push the right buttons.

BOOK *The Words We Cannot Say* by Kimmer. This is a MUST READ! It’s a story about Hitler’s invasion of Poland and one person’s story of survival. If your child is on the Autism spectrum you will be happy for this read. The library wait time was months but it was worth it. I did audio.

YOUR WILL… got it written? Just do it.

Tariffs begin today. By US towards Canada, Mexico, & China. By Canada towards US. Tighten your belts this is going to be a hard one. Necessary to get things back on track but hard for all of us in the finance areas of our lives. Remember to ask for intercession from our saints who are in charge of finance. St Matthew, Blessed Salvador Huerta Gutierrez, St Anthony, St Bernadette, and St Lawrence. This is also a good time to look at our spending/saving habits, corral our overspending and credit card debit by simply cutting them out and paring them down. (Proverbs 21:20) My go-to guy is Dave Ramsey. There is a Catholic Finance Guru: John Knowles but I know nothing about him. With God all things are possible.

Time for me to get moving.

Know you are prayed for.

02.02.2025

29°F SW6mph SR0718 SS1716

Morning Offering given

Village peaceful

Coffee strong

Today
-Read Job 40
-RIAY Day 33
-MV- again review your list

Good Morning! It feels a bit chillier than the past couple of days. Hey, it is February, and the temperatures are supposed to be cold. So far, we’ve all been spoiled with the warmer temperatures. Never fear—it is coming, and we won’t get out of it.

I’m spending time today relaxing, looking at the week ahead, and noting what I need to do to make it a good one. Checking the past week’s list of to-do’s and adding the unfinished one to my squeeze-it-in-wherever list for next week.

Know you are prayed for.

02.01.2025 – Holy Family month

20°F SE17mph SR0719 SS1714

Morning Offering given

Village peaceful and sleepy

Coffee strong

Dear Lord,
Bless our family. Be so kind as to give us the unity, peace, and mutual love that You found in Your own family in the little town of Nazareth.
Saint Joseph, pray for the head of our family. Obtain for him the strength, the wisdom, and the prudence he needs to support and direct those under his care.
Mother Mary, pray for the mother of our family. Help her to be pure and kind, gentle and self-sacrificing. For the more she resembles you, the better will our family be.
Lord Jesus, bless the children of our family. Help them to be obedient and devoted to their parents. Make them more and more like You. Let them grow, as You did, in wisdom and strength and grace before God and man.
Holy Family of Nazareth, by your intercession, love, and holy example, make our family and home more and more like Yours, until we are all one family, happy and at peace
in our true home with You.
Amen.

Today
Read Job 39
RIAY Day 32 A Total Offering
Memory Verse – review your list

Good Morning!
New month- The Church’s theme for this month is, “The Holy Family”. Above is a photo of my home altar for this month. I’d like to encourage each of you to have a home altar and if possible make it the focus point of your prayer time. Ours is located in the dining room of our home and honestly may be a little over the top but it inspires me to be more aware of Jesus, which is the purpose for it. Take a few moments to run through your memory verses and see how they are coming for you. I can tell you from experience if you don’t commit them to memory they won’t be there when you need them.

Know you are prayed for.

01.31.2025

30°F NNE12mph SR0720 SS1713

Morning Offering given

Village waking

Coffee good

Today
-Read Job 38 and Psalms 31-33
-RIAY Day 31
-Memory Verse – Deuteronomy 4:8 – Or what great nation has statutes and ordinances that are as just as this whole law which I am setting before you today?

Late return from IA this morning 0130. Very foggy from Hopkinton to Guttenburg. Clear sailing from there North. Could have scored 2 nicely racked bucks and 3 does had I not been attentive and of course we mustn’t forget to mention the skunk that could have been my undoing for a good week. St Francis did his job and kept them safely from me.

May we speak about who YOUR companions are when you journey? I call upon St Francis to take care of the animals, Sts Jude and Anthony to handle the impossible situations that arise for the good of God, St Christopher to handle the navigation and all guardian angels of my human passengers, and JMJ to keep us safe. It is not foreign for me to also call upon the saint of the day to add their 2 cents. I have never been disappointed.

It is important for us to recognize and use what God makes available to us for our safety and well-being.

Know you are prayed for.