Trust

How much do I trust Him?

It's a simple thing, but also so complex.

For me, I just look in the past and see how He's provided again and again.  And again.
And, always over and above what I asked for.

I ask and He responds.

Jesus is my one and only Constant.

As I welcome this new year, 2012, I reflect on all that has happened to me in 2011.  All of the blessings, and yes, even the trials that have all led me closer to Him.  Closer and stronger in my relationship with my Beloved.

And, I sigh.  I ponder.  I reflect.  I keep all these things in my heart.
Mary's obedience to fulfilling God's will in her life is a characteristic I desire.

I pray that my will is united to God's.
That the people and things I pray for are united in God's will.

May God continue to bless us and keep us.

Set-backs

I had to adjust my grapevine thermometer a bit b/c of setbacks that include dental work and car repairs.  So, that's that.
But, I'm happy to say, we're $9000 in.  yay

Weight loss and muscle gain.

Still doing great, even with the holidays.

I am on my way to a new me.  It's crazy to think that by the time I enter (God-willing), I'll look a lot like I did when I was in college.  That kind of throws me for a loop thinking about it.

But healthy I will be.

With God all Things Are Possible!

King Cake recipe

Here is my King Cake recipe

1 cup milk, room temperature

1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/3 cup white sugar

1 Tablespoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 eggs

4-5 cups flour

O Antiphons and Santas

When will I learn to stay away from people dressed up as Santa???

Tonight was our annual Life Teen Christmas party.  This year I put the mini's in charge of planning.  They turned it into a real Life Night, not just a dance.

I was a little concerned that they got rid of all the table and chairs.  But, it worked.  

In the past 3 years, we've had about 70% of the teens just sit at the tables and not really participate.  But, this year, they all pretty much participated except maybe a handful.

The teens planned a Battle of the Santas with a cookie eating contest, obstacle course and wrapping presents relay.

 

Then, our annual Snowball Fight inside.

Followed by Christmas Stations - Pictures with Santa (See photo above), Making Ornaments, Face Painting, and Dancing.

To close up the night, they brought the Santas back out and were about to award a Santa 'winner' when Jesus appeared and told them about the true meaning of Christmas, and we had birthday cake(s). 

O Antiphons and the Eucharist and the Holy Spirit uniting me with the Trinity are what I'm excited about.

That, and sewing numbers on my clothing and handkerchiefs and socks. 

Shellac and Skittles

I don't think I ever have anything profound to say, and that's what keeps me from posting most of the time.

But, I'm real.

What's been going on with me?

Well....

In late October, I decided to make a life change.  Today, I'm living better.  I eat better.  A LOT better.  Before it would take me, max, 20 minutes in the grocery store.  Now, it takes about 2 hours.  Why?  B/c I read labels on EVERYTHING.

Just yesterday, I had a conversation about pre-packaged spinach.  I was asking a friend about how much loose spinach cost.  She asked me what kind I eat.  I told her the bagged kind, and that it doesn't wilt at all.  I finish off a bag in about 6-7 days.  She was like, "Deepa, why doesn't it wilt even a little bit?"  I thought for a moment, and then responded, "Chemicals?"

Then, that got us talking again about shellac and skittles. 

Anything with hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated anything, I will NOT eat. Yeck!

Since late October, I exercise 5-6 times a week.  Daily, its breakfast smoothies made with peanut butter, spinach, frozen berries, almond milk, and oatmeal; sometimes a little greek yogurt.  SOOOOOOOOOO GOOD!

Vitamin supplement regimen everyday includes: Vitamin C, D3 & B12, Spirulina, Garlic, Calcium, Magnesium, Flaxseed, Selenium, and Pro-biotics.

This gets me off to a running a marathon start.

And, so far, about 15 pounds lost! :)  I bought new jeans on Black Friday b/c mine were about thread-bare, and now they're on the verge of being too loose to wear.  Guess, I'll have to break out the belts.

My friends and my teens help me stay on track.  Sending me txt messages to not eat cookies, which are one of my four food weaknesses.  The other three - fried chicken, which I have eaten in over a month and half; ice cream, and chips.

Pray for me please.  I need endurance to make this a lasting lifestyle change.

Thrones and Adoration

In Confirmation class every year, we take two field trips to the church.  The 1st class is on the Liturgy of the Word and the 2nd, yes, Liturgy of the Eucharist.

In the weeks between the two classes, my curiosity is piqued.  And, I become even more observant of my teens, and the way that they pray.

And, sometimes, well, regularly.  Okay, sometimes, during communion, during my thanksgiving time, I'll pray for those around me, or those in the congregation.  And, today was one of those days.

It all started with the Eucharistic Prayer.  I was listening to the beautiful words, and they simply are so poetic, the way it flows.  In a similar way, when supper was ended, he took the chalice...

And, I began to meditate...And then the Great Amen.  And, that's when things really began to happen.

I noticed in a more specific way about how teens (and other adults) were lifting their hands in adoration of the Eucharist.  

Why would they only raise their hands in adoration during this one particular place in Mass?  Why not surrender themselves throughout the Mass?  Why only then?  

And, then I started pondering about what the teens deemed the most important 'part' of Mass?  And, that made think about receiving the Eucharist.

On Saturday, myself and four of the teens were trained to Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.  And the Eucharist kept being referred to as the bread and wine.  Oh, that was really getting my goat!  And, of course I said something, how could I not?

So, back to tonight's Mass.

Before I received Jesus, I was watching how people received Him.  And, I've seen this a thousand times; and I've spoken about it at least as many.  

I kept praying for Truth and Light and for conversion of heart.

People in the congregation, my teens included, were receiving Jesus as if He were a cracker or a sample you get at Costco.  And, He was not received on a throne, but 'just' in their hand.

And, it wasn't just that.  Because receiving on a throne can be taught.  It was after.  Picking Him up like picking up a potato chip.  Looking around at others or what was happening around them instead of focusing on Him.  I cried because I love Him so much, and I know I do the same thing.

Going through motions.  Walking into the sanctuary as if I own the place.  All eyes on me.  Thinking about the Life Night, and what still needs to be done rather than focusing all of my being on Him and participating fully at Mass.  Thinking more about remembering to say "And with your spirit" instead of praying "And with your spirit".

I made a resolution then and there to not just point out at Liturgy part two that if we receive in our hands, we need to make a throne, but also speak about when we place Him in our mouth, how we need to adore Him from our hands into our very beings. And, to continue to pray for the conversion of each of our hearts.

My life is completely in His hands.  I pray for Light and Truth for myself.  I pray that I am in His will.  And, that my idiosyncracies will only lead me closer to Him.