Lent Day 27

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Fast: Refrain from self promotion. “The only way to makerapid progress along the path of divine love is to remain very little and to put all our trust in Almighty God. That is what I have done.” — St. Therese

Pray: Is there someone who inspires feelings of inferiority in you? Offer a Memorare for her intentions.

Give: Page through your wedding album with your children today. Remember how loved you felt that day. Love your family well.

Small Successes-10

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1

I cleaned out under the couch cushions in the family room. I'm fairly certain there was a meal and an entire load of laundry there.

   
2
I've stuck with my own version of the "reckless experiment with prayer." I've been nearly perfect with this and pretty darn good with this. This was fair, except for the part where I forgot Nicky's first baseball practice ever (I can't imagine how people who don't plan get where they're supposed to be). I've been very faithful to the bedtime routine this week and I'm good with the conscious part of this, but I do admit to falling asleep pretty much the minute my head hits the pillow.

3
I am still working out, despite the fact that progress is excruciatingly slow. I've made peace with the fact that, try as I might, I don't look like my 26-year-old postpartum self. I tell myself that I'm a much stronger middle-aged postpartum mother of nine than I was three months ago. And I am. I know this because I carried Karoline up a very steep hill at soccer last weekend. I did it at a speed only the mother of a newly potty-trained two-year-old can understand. I felt a bit like Rocky on steps. But when we got to the porta potty that was the goal, I was not rewarded. Instead, I was met with the hysterical, high pitched screams of one curly-haired cherub who could not be persuaded that it was just fine to pee in blue water that didn't flush.
 
 

What are your successes this week? This is a great exercise in holding ourselves accountable and patting ourselves on the back. Mothering and homemaking don't have built in performance reviews and bonuses. The  internet can be a source of support and encouragement. Let's encourage one another in our small successes. Share them at Faith and Family Live!

She said "Yes!"

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And so we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation

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Angel Food Cake
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the First Fresh Blueberries of the Season
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Pure, White Whipped Cream
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Chilled Sparkling Red Zinger Tea

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In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said, "Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you."
But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."
But Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?" 
And the angel said to her in reply, "The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived  a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God."
Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.