Category: life in general

12.23.2024

32°F W6mph SR0735 SS1629

Morning Offering given

Village quiet

Coffee good

Memory Verse–Psalm 25:4-5

Make known to me your ways, LORD;
teach me your paths.
Guide me by your fidelity and teach me,
for you are God my savior,
for you I wait all the day long.

The Monday before Christmas, we are
-reading Luke chapter 23
-Bacci’s Christmas Novena day 8 “What Jesus Wants From Us” He wants us to weep for our sins, promise to never fall again, stay in His grace, give Him our heart, be humble, simple and innocent. Plus one more thing YOU know in your heart. Something you have never properly fulfilled because it cost you too much.
-St Andrew’s Christmas Novena 360 times

Take a few moments today, focus on your heart. Where is it? What’s in it? Is it well, hurt, or broken? What was your part in it all? What choices did you, are you going to make that will determine its condition? Are you thinking only of yourself? Is the plan around what you want, how you feel, or what’s in it for you. Have you made promises that you are not going to keep? Be honest with yourself.

Know you are prayed for.

12.22.2024

16°F SSE13mph SR0734 SS1629

Morning Offering given

Village peaceful

Coffee good–made it myself

Memory Verse – Hebrews 10:12

But this one
offered one sacrifice for sins,
and took his seat forever
at the right hand of God;

Today the 4th candle of the Advent Wreath is lit–Angel Candle representing love.  Reading Luke chapter 22.  Bacci’s Christmas Novena Day 7-Prayer & Dedication- lesson in humility, prayer, and total dedication to God.

Yesterday the grandchildren decorated the Christmas tree, played board games, and ate. It was a wonderful day for me to see them doing that. I am grateful for each of my grandchildren. May God bless them in their lives and keep them close. Was great to see extended family as well. We are so wrapped up in our busy lives most days we don’t make time to just sit and visit. I am so guilty of this. I also have a Christmas issue which has been an issue for as long as I can remember. I am not good with gift giving and receiving. Actually, I don’t receive well period. Perhaps that is something to put on the “figure it out” list I’ve begun for the new year.

Know you are prayed for.

12.21.2024

-8°F ESE4mph SR0734 SS1628

Morning Offering given

Memory Verse Philippians 4:4

Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!

Village is silent

Coffee is good.

The Saturday before Christmas, how did it get here so fast? I suspect it is because we were so wrapped up in the secular world that Christmas is all about buying and receiving presents and attending parties that we neglected to keep our eyes on Jesus.

Today, we are reading Luke chapter 21. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/21

Take a moment to start your day with Jesus.
Day 6 of Bacci’s Christmas Novena “The Silence of the Divine Infant” page 510 of his book. The Infant we adore in the stable at Bethlehem is mute and silent. This silence is chosen to teach us humility & self-denial, to recollect ourselves in the presence of God, the silence of prayer which brings forth divine consolations and inspirations to holiness. It is essential to place ourselves quietly in the presence of God from time to time. He does not make himself heard through the noise and confusion of the world. He speaks clearly to the soul.

Know that you are prayed for.

12.20.2024

20°F NNW10mph SR0733 SS1628 snow coming

Morning Offering given

Memory Verse Isaiah 53:2-5

He grew up like a sapling before him,
like a shoot from the parched earth;
He had no majestic bearing to catch our eye,
no beauty to draw us to him.
3 He was spurned and avoided by men,
a man of suffering, knowing pain,
Like one from whom you turn your face,
spurned, and we held him in no esteem.
4 Yet it was our pain that he bore,
our sufferings he endured.
We thought of him as stricken,
struck down by God and afflicted,
5 But he was pierced for our sins,
crushed for our iniquity.
He bore the punishment that makes us whole,
by his wounds, we were healed.

Village wearing a fresh coat of snow- bout 6 inches. The street crew did fabulous snow removal job… as per usual.

Coffee good

I’ve been TV series binging on the CW “61st Street” caught my eye. The series is raw, bold, shocking, enlightening, informative, and although totally made up, it is true. This is what happens and is what no one wants to talk about and does create issues because of it. The main character is an attorney, dying of cancer, who has the ability to reach deep into everyone’s mind and bring them to a consensus. However tragic or uplifting that may be. It allows everyone (regardless of race or creed) to see the other side. My hope ?- enough funding is found to make season 3. Actually, my hope is everyone sits down and watches the entire series (16 episodes), talks about it with family/others, making whatever changes are necessary in their lives/attitudes/demeanors to move forward differently. Make no mistake, it will change you.

Today is Advent Embertide Friday which is devoted to penance. We are reading chapter 20 in the book of Luke, praying the sorrowful mysteries of the Rosary, praying St Andrew’s Christmas Novena, and contemplating Bacci’s Christmas Novena day 5 “The Swaddling Clothes of the Divine Infant“. Bacci likens the swaddling clothes to the ropes Jesus was bound in the garden with, the ropes Jesus is tied to the pillar with, the ropes he was led to Golgatha with, and the ropes that bound him to the cross. Each of which, Jesus submitted willingly to save us–you–me.

Know you are prayed for.

12.19.2024

21°F Snowing SE14mph SR0733 SS1627

Morning Offering given… prayers for Rachel M who passed yesterday may she RIP

Memory Verse Psalm 84:12

For a sun and shield is the LORD God,
bestowing all grace and glory.
The LORD withholds no good thing
from those who walk without reproach.

Village waking

Book suggestion, “Sister, Soldier, Surgeon,” by Dr. Leisa Marie Carzon, discusses the life and work of staunch pro-life advocate Sister Deirdre Byrne.

Coffee good

Bat has left the house escorted by the man, hoping it will not return. Bookshelf brackets found and purchased; to be picked up today. 2 copy jobs completed; delivery this morning. The area rug is in need of cleaning… must be accomplished today. Dr. appt at 1 in La Crosse.

Today:
-St Andrew’s Christmas novena, 300 prayers uttered in anticipation of the Christ.
-Luke Chapter 19,
-Day 4 of a Christmas Novena (Bacci pg 508)-“The Cradle of the Infant Jesus”… enter once more into the stable of Bethlehem, Mary delivers her son without damage to her virginity. Joseph kneels, kissing the forehead of Jesus; they have nothing else to give the Christ child but their love and devotion. Remember the man who looks only for worldly success cannot find Heaven. He will wind up bitter and disillusioned.
-Prepare for confession

Know you are prayed for.

Let’s end DST…

Rumor has it the President elect wants to end DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME…

I’m in

If everyone would send a bright yellow 4×6 post card to their government reps it would let them know who is in favor of doing this.

Put the words. “BACK TO STANDARD TIME” OR ” DOWN WITH DAYLIGHT TIME”  They would know how many want this.

12.18.2024

25°F NW11mph SR0732 SS1627

Morning Offering given
Prayers for a friend’s mom who is undergoing surgery today.

Memory Verse Matthew 18:21-22

Then Peter approaching asked him,
“Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him?
As many as seven times?”
22 Jesus answered,
“I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.

Village waking

Coffee strong

Now is a good time to discuss “forgive”. Gosh it is so very hard to do isn’t it?
The dictionary defines it as https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forgive
How easy it is to think you have done it and then that little bit of resentment pops up its ugly head and you remember and the bitterness resumes and unless you beat it down and move on comes back full force and once again consumes you. Leaving no peace, no solitude, no joy, no happiness, etc. The holidays seem to bring back many feelings which can destroy the happiness of the moment. Take a few moments to think about what you need to forgive and place it in the hands of Jesus.

Know you are prayed for