Gathering my Thoughts

I find myself:

::noticing God's glory

 The light in the morning comes earlier every day. I don't think I've ever appreciated it so much as this year. Sunshine is a beautiful thing.

::listening to 

Fox News. I need a visual on the Pope's announcement.  

::clothing myself in 

A UVa sweatshirt. Just reminding myself to redouble the prayer effort for my student. 

::talking with my children about these books

Well...I guess it's time to pull out some of our favorite books by and about the Pope.

Lolek, The Boy Who Became Pope. (my favorite)

Joseph and Chico 

Max and Benedict

Be Saints

Friendship with Jesus

::thinking and thinking

 About the Pope.

::pondering prayerfully

 On the days of Lent, from morning until the end of the third hour let them apply themselves to their reading, and from then until the end of the tenth hour let them do the work assigned them.  And in these days of Lent they shall each receive a book from the library, which they shall read straight through from the beginning. These books are to be given out at the beginning of Lent. ~from The Rule of St. Benedict

I plan to use Consoling the Heart of Jesus again this year. I cannot say enough good things about this book. It's life-changing. I read it last year, on an unexpected and unusual "retreat," and I shared these thoughts:

I spent Holy Week reading Consoling the Heart of Jesus. There are a small handful of books in my life where I remember exactly where and when I read them because those times and places are turning points. This book is one of those. It is easily at the top of that list. This incredibly readable volume makes some of the most beautiful truths and devotions of the Catholic faith understandable (at last)  and accessible (even to busy mothers of large families).  Fr. Gaitley brings together fine threads of several spiritual traditions and weaves them into a beautiful and exceedingly useful tapestry of a do-it-yourself retreat. It is Ignatian spirituality made accessible. It is the Little Way of St. Therese for all of us. It is consecration to Mary and devotion to Divine Mercy explained in plain language and made clear to little souls. Mostly, it is a rich volume of Merciful Words that brings Merciful Love to its readers. You don't have to have a weekend to make the retreat. You can just read a little each day until you are finished. If it's your heart's desire to get to know and understand Jesus better, tell Him.

I'm so looking forward to re-reading this book this year.

::carefully cultivating rhythm

I'm moving my gym time to the early morning, setting a rhythm that will sustain me through soccer season. Not sure where I'm moving my blogging time. I do hope, though, tht since I won't be out of the house during the school day, I'll be able to find the sewing time again.

::creating by hand

More prayer journal covers.

::learning lessons in

The papacy. It's time to study anew the conclaves prior to the one coming in March, to look at the lives of the popes past and the lives of current cardinals, to share how the pope becomes the pope. The last time a new pope was announced, my current eighth grader wasn't even reading yet. Let's begin to gather resources together. Please leave your ideas in today's comments. I'll start to pull things together for a post later this week. 

::encouraging learning 

I'm feeling a bit of midyear pressure. I really, really want to finish the year's math for everyone. We might need to double-time math for the next few months.

::a little link for you to click ASAP

Ginny's blog has been nomiated for Apartment Therapy's Homies Award for The Best Family and Home blog. It's a big deal and it is so nice to a blog with faith nominated for something like this award. So, people of faith, go vote! you have to register. it only takes a moment. Voting ends Wednesday, so hurry on over.

::begging prayers

for all the intentions of our prayer community.  

::keeping house

I have discovered that Stephen is not only the most diligent of all my students but the most reliable of all my chore-doers. Maybe I should promote him and have him train the little ones?

::crafting in the kitchen 

I'm so excited to begin Heather's workshop today. The virtual classroom space is beautiful. Of course it is; everything Heather touches is beautiful. We had a chance to meet other workshop attendees over the weekend and I'm just so tickled to get going. It's time to learn some new things and to sweep away some bad habits. I love that it will coincide with Lent. I intend to fully immerse Mary Beth in the workshop and to fill in here with some very intentional, hands-on grocery shopping lessons. I hope she'll have her driver's license by the end of those two months, as well. And she'll be all set to become the family's primary grocery shopper. And I have a hunch Kristin will join some of our cooking endeavors, too. She and some friends have been blogging food lately...

::loving the moments

When a Monday morning begins in a clean house, with all-caught-up laundry. Stephen, Katie, and I managed to make it so. Go us!

::giving thanks 

for the Church.

living the liturgy

This week is all about preparing for Lent. More thoughts here. I'm in a little bit of liturgical chaos this week. Valentine's Day falls on the day after Ash Wednesday. Mary Beth and I have decided that it's not going to work. Our plan is to celebrate Valentine's Day on Tuesday and somehow integrate it with Fat Tuesday. We always have waffles and sausage for dinner on Fat Tuesday. I think they'll look a little more valentine-y this year. And I've promised Katie she can make a cake like the one Jennifer shared during last week's needle & thREAD.

::planning for the week ahead

Lent begins. There will be a palpable shift in the demeanor of the household.

::about the photo

Lori found this picture last night and shared it with me on Facebook. It was in the background of a shot from the reception. It captures so perfectly for me the spirit of that day. I feel like I was just peaceful, happy and very much grateful to be celebrating with my family...

Lord, Our Prayer

The internet is a formidable force for bringing the comfort and consolation and hope of the Lord to all of us. It can be an incredibily powerful medium for community. There is an unfathomable resource for prayer here. We have on the 'net the privilege of praying for people and of being witness to the miracles brought forth when fervent, faith-filled people pray for one another.

Let's be that community of hope and faith for one another.

How about this idea? What if I pop in here every weekend, share Sunday's gospel and talk a wee bit about how we can live it and pray it in our homes? And then you tell me how we can pray for you that week? Deal?

{And please, do return and let us know how prayer is bearing fruit.} 

Gospel

 Luke 5:1-11

While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening
to the word of God,
he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret.
He saw two boats there alongside the lake;
the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets.
Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon,
he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore.
Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon,
“Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”
Simon said in reply,
“Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing,
but at your command I will lower the nets.”
When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish
and their nets were tearing.
They signaled to their partners in the other boat
to come to help them. 
They came and filled both boats
so that the boats were in danger of sinking.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said,
“Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”
For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him
and all those with him,
and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee,
who were partners of Simon.
Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid;
from now on you will be catching men.”
When they brought their boats to the shore,
they left everything and followed him.

Think 

Who except God can give you peace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart?
-Saint Gerard Majella

Pray

Lord, help me to see those things that are my "everything" so that I can leave them on the shore and folow you.

Act

Read the gospel again. Then sit down, put pen to paper and ask God to help you to write down those things He's asking you to leave. Dig deep and see if you are seeking peace and happiness somewhere that isn't of God. We all have attachments that keep us from God. List them. Let the pencil have its way. Is it an unhealthy friendship? Too much time spent in idle chatter? Too much time online? Mindless eating? Sluggishness and sloth? 

Give it up for Lent. Leave it on the shore and follow Him wherever He leads between now and Easter.

Meet the Folks behind Simplicities of Life {and a Giveaway}

I had a little chat with Kessie, the artist who brings beautiful sacramentals to us from Simplicities of Life. Sit a spell and get to know her. You'll be blessed.

How long have you been in business and how did you find yourself making sacramentals and jewelry? 

We officially opened around August 2009. It all started when we wanted to give a unique gift to our in-home marriage prep couples. A friend in the community got us started with the gifts, then everyone wanted to start to purchase a family rosary or single rosary from us. With the help of the Holy Spirit---things have been busy ever since!

Is it a family endeavor?Do your kids help? 

When we first started it was just myself with an extra hand from Coby, my husband. As time went by, our oldest son helped very often. Then, most nights, Coby and I would work together in the studio. In the past year, Coby started the Diaconate program in our diocese. Needless to say, I "lost" his help:). I have currently hired 2 homeschool teenagers to come in, when needed and help string beads. On another day, I follow behind them, check the item and finish it with the crimps and medals.

This past Christmas season, was so much fun. I remember many days while our youngest was taking his nap and "everyone" was helping--from our hired help, our 12-, 9-, 6-, and 4-year-old, and my sweet godchild who was on break from school. Although it was crazy busy, it was a very blessed time. 

What inspires you?

 All of the credit goes to the Holy Spirit! People sometimes laugh when I say that and reply, "Well it's your hands putting it together and your eyes seeing the finished item--so give yourself credit." I do not and will not take the credit. The Holy Spirit is what guides my thoughts and creations while I am in my studio. Occasionally, when I am "stuck" on an item or trying to hard to create it, I will ask Our Lady to show me what kind of rosary or necklace she desires and it usually pops in my head. If I am able to be in my studio undisturbed and in prayer, as soon as one pattern is complete,  another one is there in my head waiting to be created.

Early on in the business, I remember sitting in my Holy Hour (not thinking of the business at all) and bead patterns started to appear in my head. I tried to ignore them, but they wouldn't go away. So I turned to the back of my journal, jotted them down and went back to my personal prayer time. This was the start of my confirmation that the Holy Spirit had a plan for our business.

Can you share a customer story? Someone who was particularly blessed by the work of your hands? 

One day we were at a conference and while the speaker was talking, my oldest son and I went sit on the side to rest. The manager of the building came up to us and asked us if we could remind him how to pray the rosary. After spending about a half hour together, we went our separate ways. As we were walking back to our booth, I felt the Holy Spirit prompting me to give a chaplet to the manager. When I found him just moments later, he was standing in the corner (his back was facing me, so he could not see me), using his fingers and whispering the prayers to  the rosary. He needed the chaplet! I tapped him on his shoulder and gave it to him. He was shocked, but so very thankful. He kept offering to pay me for it, but I tried to explain to him that wasn't the point and that it was clear to me that the Holy Spirit and Our Lady wanted him to have this tool for his journey.

 

  

This is just one story of very many. Our family is very blessed to have a business that is also a ministry. We are grateful that Our Lord and Our Lady allow us to meet so many children of God. We are extremely grateful that He allows us to help so many people on their journey. We look forward to what God has in store for us in the upcoming years:).

~ ~ ~

Giveaway: Kessie is offering a Sacred Heart chaplet for In the Heart of My Home readers. Just leave a comment below to be entered to win. If you have a story about a sacramental, share it and your name will be entered twice.

Do take some time to browse Simplicities of Life. These works of art make extraordinary additions to Easter baskets.

The winner is 

Mary Beth,  who said...

These rosaries are exquisite! I would love to have one to help me in my journey! I entered The Church last Easter, and it was a wonderful beginning to what was to be come the most difficult & heart-wrenching year of my life so far. My faith never wavered, but I feel like a baby bird who tentatively spread her wings, stepped out of the nest, and plummeted toward the ground without learning how to fly on the way down! I would very much like to develop the discipline and love of praying with a rosary, and one of these would certainly entice me to spend more time in prayer.

Mary Beth, please email me with you snail mail address and I'll forward all the details to Kessie!

For the Lenten Book Basket

Here are some favorites of ours. Be sure to share your suggestions in the comments.

.

The Little Rose of Sharon by Nan Gurley This is the story of a rose whose outward appearance is so beautiful that it pleases the Creator Himself. The little rose learns that her life isn't all about what she holds here on earth and she sacrifices her lovely rose petals (her most prized possesion) to save a baby dove.

Petook by Caryll Houselander This story begins with Petook the Rooster and his wife Martha hatching 12 fluffy new chicks. They live a happy life in the garden until they a frightened when a young boy walks toward Petook and his family. No need to worry; it is a kind boy who years later hangs on a cross Petook can see in the distance.This is a classic Houselander story of Easter and new life. 

The Jesus Garden: An Easter Legend The passion of Christ can be a very frightening subject for young children. The grim reality of death is a difficult one for tender hearts.  This story takes on the task and follows Christ's passion from the perspective of the plants and flowers in the garden. Parent and child can follow the Passion from the agony in the garden all the way to the resurrection in a much more soothing way. 

.

The Easter Swallows Also in the garden a pair of swallows are building a nest. Lovely text and illustrations. (Worth hunting down.)

.

Twice Yours by Nan Gurley This one is new to us this year. It's breathtakingly beautiful. A little boy invests his whole heart in buliding a small sailboat. He loses it and someone else finds it and then he sacrifices to regain it.    
.
The Story of the Cross by Mary Joslin  This lovely volume can be read again and again throughout Lent to bring the Stations of the Cross alive to children in an appropriate and reverent manner.

.

The Easter Story I'm so sad this one is unavailable. 

.
Benjamin's Box: The Story of the Resurrection Eggs by Melody Carlson Benjamin is a little boy who travels along with jesus and discovers who he really is. Fun story and can be even more fun when used with Resurrection Eggs.

.

Tale of the Three Trees by Angela Hunt  This story follows three trees who dream of being big, marvelous things when they grow old enough. Their dreams appear to be crushed, but then they recognize that they were made for bigger things than they could imagine.
.

The Proud Tree by Luane Roche This storyline is similar to the one of the three trees. Rex thinks he's a tree worthy for a king. But is humbled when he gets cut down to become a cross for a crucifixion and learns who Jesus, the real king, is.

. 

A Tale for Easter Tasha Tudor is always so wonderful. *Not overtly religious.

The Thornbush An ugly thornbush growing in Jerusalem becomes a crown for the King of Kings.
.

The Very First Easter by Paul Maier  this is a lengthy book with lots of biblical quotes and beautiful illustrations. Lots of details in this one. 

.

The Easter Story by Brian Wildsmith    This story of Easter is told through the eyes of the little donkey who carried Jesus through the streets on Palm Sunday. Beautifully illustrated and sure to please all ages.
.
Through the Eyes of John This is Mary Beth's favorite.
.
The Story of Easter by Mary Joslin this story follows the whole timeline of Jesus from the Annunciation to the Resurrection and helps your child to understand Jesus' whole life.
.

Little Colt's Palm Sunday  Palm Sunday is recounted through the eyes of the colt who carried the King of Kings--Jesus himself--through the streets of Jerusalem.  

.

Legend of the Easter Egg by Lori Walburg  Learn what Easter is really about as you follow the beloved characters you may already know from The Legend of the Candy Cane from the same author. When Thomas' sister, Lucy, falls sick, he goes to stay at the Sonneman's candy store and there he learns the story of Easter. 

 .

Legend of the Sand Dollar When Kerry's family takes a trip to the beach she learns all about the story of Easter through a small beach treasure, the sand dollar.   

.
The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes by DuBose Heyward this story is about a momma bunny who wants to be one of the official Easter Bunnies but first must prove herself to the wise Grandfather bunny. Mike's sister gifted this to us years ago and it is a perennial favorite.

.

The Easter Egg. Another that isn't religious, but sure is a sweet read. I do love Jan Brett.

.

My Path to Heaven this "retreat-in-a-book" is geared toward kids 9-12. As they learn the truths of their faith and are called to live lives of holiness with these newfound truths. 

.

Rechenka's Eggs by Patricia Polacco My children love to listen along in this delightful tale as Babushka she prepares her eggs for the Easter Festival. During this story, Babushka takes in an injured goose who teaches her that miracles can happen. 

.
The Egg Tree by Katherine Milhous Katy and Carl go on an egghunt while visiting their Grandmother's house and Katy has no luck finding any eggs. She ends up searching the attic where she finds very special eggs her Grandmother  painted when she was a little girl. 
.

Easter Eggs for Anya Decorating beautiful Easter eggs was something Anya loved to do and was very sepcial to her family. But with Papa away at war, Anya's family is very poor and will not be able to purchase eggs to decorate this year! When Anya stumbles upon a nest of goose eggs she thinks she will be able to decorate eggs after all, but God always has a bigger and better plan. 

needle & thREAD

.

.

.

.

One nice advantage to hosting needle & thREAD every week is that I can't get away with not stitching something for very long. I mean, there's only so much sewing room cleaning, project list making, and fabulous guest posting I can slip in here before I actually have to start sewing something. I decided to do a quick little project to prime the pump. 

As I set up all the components of our new language arts program, I noted that we'd need a family journal. This need reminded me that I wanted to make prayer journal in January, but never did. However, Lent is right around the corner, so that's a perfect time, too, right? And, I've long been promising myself that I would keep a food and execerise log. Need a pretty journal for that, too. Since I'd never made even one journal, it seemed like a good idea to dig in and figure some things out. 

So I did. I had some Anna Maria Horner fabric that I bought over a year ago, thinking that I would crosstitch rather a lot of it to make drapes for my bedroom. I thought they'd go with the pretty pillow around which I was going to design a quilt. Mike --ahem-- was not fond of the pillow. So, a quilt wasn't going to happen. And if no quilt, then no drapes. I put my one crosstitched flower on the shelf, still attached to yards and yards of fabric. 

And forgot about it.

Until I went digging for journal cover possibilities. Aha! I could fussy cut it and make something pretty, just for me. And I just happened to have some ribbon with which to embellish it. A couple hours later and I had worked out the math and stuff and come up with something super pretty.

My girls are begging to do one for themselves. And I just happen to have a stack of new composition books. Katie is eyeing a particularly pretty stack of fabric a dear friend sent last week. She's right; that would make some lovely patchwork covers...

I've been ever so slowly reading Folks, This Ain't Normal. Actually, I'm listening to it. I've changed up my gym routine so that I'm spending as little time as possible on those cardio machines and much more time in fitness classes and such. This is a very happy place for me, with one exception. My listening time for books has dwindled to about ten minutes in the steam room. Now, If I would focus a little on some sewing, I could easily listen while I stitched, couldn't I? I'm enjoying the book. We have been longtime supporters of Polyface Farm and very much enjoyed the fruit of the hands of Joel Salatin. He reads the audio version and it's just like hanging out with him and having a good chat. I admit to squirming a bit as he analyzes childhood in suburbia, but I don't really disagree too much. Highly recommended.

What are you sewing and reading this week? I really do want to hear all about it!

Make sure the link you submit is to the URL of your blog post or your specific Flickr photo and not your main blog URL or Flickr Photostream. Please be sure and link to your current needle and thREAD post below in the comments, and not a needle and thREAD post from a previous week. If you don't have a blog, please post a photo to the needle & thREAD group at Flickr. 

       Include a link back to this post in your blog post or on your flickr photo page so that others who may want to join the needle and thREAD fun can find us! Feel free to grab a button here (in one of several colors) so that you can use the button to link.