Easter Baskets

The last two days our family has been helping fill Easter baskets.  We began last night with our 4H group (more on that on my 4H blog).  It was a good experience and only took an hour to complete 15 baskets for dialysis patients.

Then we got together today with our home school group to assist a parish wide effort to serve over 300 families from various shelters (battered, abused, foster care, families of incarcerated, and more).  What I thought would just be simple baskets turned out to be quite elaborate.  However, it also provided clothing, household supplies, blankets, and toys.

We started out slow...filling eggs with candy.  Everyone was sorting and following the directions of a well organized woman.  We broke for lunch (potluck foods from all the volunteers).

Then I was asked to help in the kitchen.  I thought I was just going to help with clean up.  I was quite surprised to hear we would be dipping large pretzel sticks with chocolate as well as making rice crispy treats.  I have never been good at completing either task.  Thankfully, another mom cmae to my rescue and guided the activities.  I continued the clean up tasks and helped package the finished products.

The children worked on various projects as well.  Sean helped move items into baskets and later helped make the rice crispy treats.  Henry took pictures and helped make candy baskets.  The younger ones enjoyed packaging items and playing tag in between.

I over heard that they were low on soap and cleaners...we happen to have several boxes given to us after we installed a water softener.  I think we will go back tomorrow to drop these items off and see if more work needs to be done.

The best part of the day?  Seeing the multi-generational effort for a common cause...I just love being a part of a big group when it comes to community service.

Palm Sunday

I just love this time of year!  There is so much meaning and symbolism that helps us to delve deeper into our faith.  I always feel like this is the closest we come to touching Jesus...like time traveling back to the time when Jesus waked the earth..."when the ink was wet" as my theology teacher told us.

Today is Palm Sunday and it begins the Holy Week that culminates on Easter Sunday.  The Easter Season does not end but continues for an additional 50 days which ends with Pentecost.

Today we began Mass outside of the parish hall where we gathered to hear God's Word.  Palm branches were distributed and we processed into the church singing Hosanna.  I always love it when the boys altar serve but especially on these special feast days.  Today Henry and Sean were both serving.

I will say that the full effect of the celebration was not present for me today.  Michael was at his military training and Little Miss was not being cooperative.  I have learned that the best thing to do in this situation is find one small part of the Mass to find focus and not let the moment be lost completely.

I felt comfort in seeing the large crucifix behind the altar covered.  It helps to build the anticipatory nature of the season.  I always try to imagine back to how the disciples felt so long ago.  I am sure it must have been a time of confusion and concern for all that they knew.  Waiting for the Messiah would have been a terrible burden.  I can hardly be patient for every day events...much less an event that would change the world forever!

A Very Full Day

March 28

It seems that around this time of year we are always busy.  AND...it never fails...the various groups that we belong to seem to have their functions on the same day.  We have to pick and choose from various events and hope that it all works out.

Last Saturday was one of those kind of days...

My mother have used the same hair dresser for over 20 years....preferably my mom and I get together and make the drive to College Station every six weeks.  We had our appointment scheduled and then the fun began...thankfully all in the same place!

Sean had an Entomology Workshop to help him with an upcoming 4H contest.

About the time we found out about Sean's event, we also learned that the Physics Dept. was having its annual open house.  What perfect timing....we could drop off Sean...take Michael to the other side of campus in time to let him give the otehr children a brief tour before heading to the Physics event.  Then my mom and I could head off to run errands and enjoy our morning as well as have our hair cut.

It was a great plan....and it actually worked out.  The only really issue was our local teen group changed the date for their monthly get together!  We would need to be back to San Antonio by 6pm.  We had our day planned to the fullest!

Actually, we had no idea how full until the plan came together!

Friday Michael and the older boys went to the Nimitz museum with another group of home schoolers.  He rushed home to drop them off before heading to work.  We went on to my mom's house that night ( Michael joined us after work) and were up and out her door by 6am.

We arrived in time to have Sean at his workshop by 8am...with a quick stop at a Czech bakery for kolaches (We used to live in this town and knew where to go...but can you believe the owners sold out and a Middle Eastern family purchased the bakery?!  What a surprise!).

Then we realized how much A&M campus has changed since our glory days there...I was thinking we needed to take a tour of campus again there were so man changes!  Michael enjoyed taking the children around as they headed to the Physics event.  I came to realize that we are not very good Aggies as we have not indoctrinated our children with all the traditions.  I just hope we are doing a better job with the important Traditions....the ones related to our faith.  AND...I hope it sticks so they carry on the faith as adults....I guess going back to campus gave me realization that we have such a short amount of time to do things right.

Mom and I decided running errands included a good car wash for the van...AND a pedicure for our sore and tired feet.  Then we made it to our hair appointment....I just love being able to go in and have her know what needs to be done.  Then we had just enough time to head to a grocery store where I always stock up on items that I cannot find any where else.

We finished just in time to pick up Sean.   He spent the morning at the Entomology Dept. at Texas A&M University studying insects.  He also learned little tricks for identification and meeting with various members of the college.  He had a great time.  He was in a lecture hall for a question and answer session with the college students in the department.  I think the questions could have gone on forever but the professor in charge reined them in and sent us out the door.

We met Michael with the rest of the children and got to hear about their adventures, which included a building evacuation because a fire alarm was pulled.  They also enjoyed catapults, segways and many experiments galore.

We arrived back in San Antonio as planned and the older boys enjoyed their evening so much they did not want it to end!  The party that was supposed to end at 9pm was going strong at 11am when Michael finally pulled them away as they begged for a little longer!  They had zip lines, trampolines, board games, ping pong, and photo booths and more.  It sounded like a lot of fun.  I barely made my eyes stay open long enough to ensure they were home.  I am so glad for this amazing group of moms and youth who help set up these events.

Eighteen hours from the time we started out the day...I am surprised the boys could keep going strong!  It was definitely a very FULL day!

Pretzel Party

March 26

Today was the day we had been waiting for over the last month!  The children were so excited that they even helped me clean house!  Woo hoo!

Today was the day we would see all of our little saint dolls that the other families had created.

To help bring families together to pick up their sets of dolls, I asked to have a get together.  We would make pretzels!

Our family loves making pretzels but it is also fun to share the skill with others.  So, it seemed like a perfect fit for the day.  

I woke up early and made a LARGE batch of dough.  We were expecting about 20 children and their moms to come.  We even had door prizes (We ended up drawing names later in the event to be fair to every one.) to go with the theme.

Jenny arrived with our doll sets and I wanted to stop everything and hold them all.  They are all so special!  The moms and their families did such a great job portraying all the saints.  It is hard to believe we now have over 50 dolls (We did extras and hope to do more!) to help us grasp the joy of the saints and their virtuous lives!

However, we had pretzels to make!  We started with a brief history of how the traditional pretzels came about...then we started our rolling and twisting of dough to form our own pretzels.  Even the littlest helper was able to make a pretzel.

I was also so impressed with the creative little bakers we had in the group.  We had pretzels shaped like hearts and crosses.  We also had double crossed pretzels and twisted sticks.  One reason I love to have little helpers in the kitchen!

I was so thankful for Michael being there with us.  He made sure we stayed on track and continued through the process.  He also kept the pretzels baking.  We were so busy making pretzels that we had to stop taking pictures but he was definitely working hard in the kitchen!

This gave the children time to play and the moms time to chat.  Fun was had by all and it was hard to pack everyone back into vehicles to send them on their way.  It has been a long time since we had such a gathering at our home.  It was so nice...I hope to have more events like these soon.

Of course the best part is dipping the baked pretzels in butter and the toppings.  We had two options (salt or cinnamon sugar).  AND THEN...we got to EAT the pretzels!




And then...after everyone left...later in the evening after the children had all gone to bed...I got a chance to sit done with the dolls and enjoy the details.  I even had the opportunity to look up information about their lives (I hope to make a few books to match the saints and their lives for the children later.).  I was able to take a picture with the dolls lined up in order by time period.  I have so many ways I could have divided them and I will likely have games with the children to help me sort them in different ways...such as:

• Feast Days
• Countries
• Partner Saints
• Virtues
• and so many other ways.

Jenny told us that she hopes to do this again in the summer.  I look forward to participating again.

Quince

March 16

I thought it was interesting that I should see a young lady dressed in her beautiful quinceneria dress yesterday.  It was hard not to think about my own 15 year old and how much he has grown up.

When I asked him what he wanted for his birthday (We always serve special meals and enjoy activities that are important to the birthday person.), he told me he wanted to keep things simple.  He wanted a simple omelet with hash browns with a cup of coffee.  He wanted pizza for lunch and bratwurst for dinner.

For his birthday presents, he had an interesting idea...he wanted to go to a flea market and hunt for hidden treasures!  He had seen a show (Flea Market Flip) that took flea market picks and turned them into different functional items to sell.  He wanted to try his luck at this endeavor.  I figured it would be fun so we are planning a trip soon.

The boys had also saved up their own money and made a special order of LEGOs to celebrate the big day!  The order would not come for another week but the smiles on their faces was worth the fun of helping them place their order.

Henry was so surprised to find a special birthday card in the mail from his GREAT aunt Peggie.  She sent him a dollar for every year!  Definitely something to put a smile on his face!



To end the day, I asked Henry what dessert he wanted for his celebration.  His answer...let's go pick up milkshakes at Sonic!  He makes it so easy to please!

So thankful for him in my life!  Having my children reminds me how thankful I need to be for the individual creations that God has placed in my life.  Praise God!

Pi Day

How in the world am I going to tie in Pi Day to my Lenten journey.  I really did not think it was possible.  However, I love numbers and Pi has always fascinated me.  I had to find a way!  This day is special to me, so it has become special to my children.  After all, who can resist a "holiday" that includes eating pies to celebrate!

We have been on a trip to Corpus Christi this weekend thanks to a National Guard Youth Symposium.  The boys (Sean Henry, and Edward) enjoyed a day of learning leadership skills and meeting other National Guard youth from around the state with the purpose of representing the needs of youth in Texas.  They had a great time.  I love that they wanted to be here and that they want to make a difference for other youth.

We also started the morning taking pictures along the way.  Corpus Christi seems to be an artsy kind of town.  There was artwork everywhere we went.  It was fun "interacting" with the art as you can see in some of our pictures.

The rest of us were looking for something to do for the day.  We found a science museum directly across from the convention center.  YAY!  They had a Pi Day celebration!  We had a great time going through the regular exhibits and then Pi activities.


We returned to the hotel to rest and I found my link to my Lenten posts...I could not have said it better myself, so I quote from another blog...

3/14/15 9:26:53

Which is pi.

This will happen only once in the history of time.

The world ends. Prepare yourself.

(unless you are not on military time, in which case it happens twice, am and pm)
Or, wait, maybe this happens once a century. Or perhaps the world ended in 1415? or in 1592 at 6:53? 

You see, the reason why no man knows the hour or day of the end of the world, is that the math is too complex. Also, it is based on the square root of two, not on the ratio of circumference to radius, so relax.

The world actually will end … hmmm…. 1.41421356237 works out to 1/41/4213at 56:237 or in other words,  the world will end on January the 41st, in the year AD 4213, at 237 minutes past 56 0’clock, so we are safe.

From John C Wright's blog

In other words, we should not focus our time on false prophets and faddish hoaxes that cause us to worry about our fate.  Instead our focus should be on our own end and its outcome.  Focus on the need for Jesus in our lives.  Place our worries at his feet and trust that He will be our strength. 


So, even though Pi and other concepts of math and science are interesting, I still find that I turn to God when I am nervous or worried.  I now that He has my back. 

And, He even gave us wonderful things to enjoy...like Pi and PIE!!!!

SIDE NOTE:  While we were roaming the streets of Corpus Christi today we also discovered a Bagpipe Band celebrating St. Patrick's Day a little early...a lot of fun to see and hear!  I know that there are a lot of St. Patrick's Day events that we need to look into when we return to San Antonio, but this was a good start to the celebration.

Prayer and Fasting

I love the idea of prayer and fasting.  I am not sure I am very "good" at doing it.  Well, I pray daily and often, but do I make a stronger effort to deep prayer...not so much.  And when it comes to fasting...from food...I just get cranky and I am not sure that is the result expected of us when we are trying to grow closer to God.

So...what I do is take baby steps...I make a stronger commitment to pray with my children.  I try to teach them to pray without me.  The kind of prayer that helps them reflect on God and not self.  It does not always go well with fidgety siblings or crying pre-schooler.

As I reflected on this today, I realized what cannot be done with five children can be accomplished with individual children.  SO...for the remainder of Lent and hopefully beyond, I am going to set aside a day for each child to come with me to a quiet spot and work on prayer.  I will let you know how that goes later in the season.

As far as fasting...we decided long ago that fasting from food is difficult but not impossible.  We have always followed the days of abstaining from red blooded meat (in honor of Jesus sacrifice) on all Fridays (representing the Friday Jesus was sacrificed) throughout the year.  We do not eat a lot of sugary sweets and candy, so not hard to give that up either.  So, the real task at hand is to think about the purpose of fasting...to grow closer to God.

So our family has decided to fast from material items instead of food.  I think I spoke of these in an earlier post.  I think we are doing well but I think we will kick it up a bit as we come closer to Easter.  Again, going back to replacing what was given up with prayer a

nd reading the Bible.  We could definitely improve this aspect of our commitment.

I continue to work on my patience as well.  We have some changes coming in our world (more on that later)...I think I am being tested again...PLEASE LORD...help me not to fail this test again!  I came across this prayer this last week and I think I am going to keep it close to my heart...

May nothing disturb me,

Noting frighten me,

All things pass;

God does not leave.

Patient endurance attains all things.

Whoever has God lacks nothing.

God alone is enough!

Amen.

Spiritual Works of Mercy

I attended a funeral today for Walter Heffner.  To be quite honest, I did not know Walter personally.  I had only met him once and he was already very sick.  We attended the same church, but we attended different Masses.

However, I have heard about Walter and his wife (Helen) through his daughter and her husband (Margaret and David) for many years.  Margaret and David are friends of ours from our college days.  We also belonged to a young married couples  group we belonged to  way back then.  We often shared our experiences in those years and this often included those who influenced us.  For Margaret and David, this would often bring out stories of Walter and Helen.  They truly were an inspiration to all of the young couples who attended these meetings.

All these years later and we now have ended up living in the same community as this wonderful couple.  However, illness had taken over and we did not have a chance to meet Walter before he passed away over the weekend.

picture shared by David from
last fall 40 Days for Life campaign

I do know that Walter played an important role in the lives of Pro-lifers throughout the world.  He was a big part behind the scenes for 40 Days for Life which started out as a local effort to end abortion in the community to end abortion.  This effort has now grown into an international endeavor to show a peaceful presence in front of abortion clinics.

However, the biggest accomplishment for Walter was the love he showed to family, friends and his local community where ever God willed him to be located.

Today we heard from our priest about the peaceful end of his life on earth...this man who was so alive and full of joy for life, was surrounded by family as they prayed one last Rosary together.  Walter had rallied in the last few days and was enjoying his family on Friday.  By Saturday, the priest was called to administer last rites as there was nothing more the doctors could do for him.  Walter's biggest concern was to confess his sins even though he could barely talk.  He showed the kind of man he was...to the end wanting to make sure he was right with God.  Then he peacefully left this world.

We heard today how Walter lived life bravely...only wanting to live for God in all he did.  Father quoted the Russian Orthodox Archbishop Anthony Bloom:

“To meet God means to enter into the ‘cave of a tiger’—it is not a pussy cat you meet – it’s a tiger. The realm of God is dangerous. You must enter into it and not seek information about it.”

This was the life of Walter Heffner....seeking to enter into a life of Christ and not just gather information.  He LIVED his faith.

Then I listened to his older sister speak of him at the end of Mass.  She told us several stories of his youth but summed up his life by telling us Walter was a feisty, fighter who loved to take risks.  He was also headstrong, especially in his love for God and the Church.  After his love for God and family, he also loved this country.  He was willing to fight for the freedoms we love so much.

He was loved by all he met and will be missed.  However, as his sister stated today...he will be with loved ones in heaven.  I was especially touched that his sister shared that his funeral service took place on their mother's birthday.  She said they would be celebrating together in heaven.

As I was heading home, I thought about all that I had heard and thought about the other side of the works mentioned in my last post.  These are the spiritual works of mercy:

• To instruct the ignorant;
• To counsel the doubtful;
• To admonish sinners;
• To bear wrongs patiently;
• To forgive offences willingly;
• To comfort the afflicted;
• To pray for the living and the dead.

Walter lived these acts in his life.  He was even a catechist for 40 years in the various parishes he attended.  And today, he gave us the opportunity to participate together as a Church family and follow his example.  He gave us witness through his life shared today by family and friends.  

I am sure he was looking down on us today and smiling.