Getting along...

I think I'm getting old. That or death is moving in quickly. I seem to, as of late, have some of that focused vision that people gain through experience and at the end of life. I put this out as a disclaimer first and foremost...I have, much of the time, failed to master much of this in real life on a consistent basis. There are still moments when loving my neighbor (have you met my neighbors?) is a Herculean task. Still, it's what we're called to and I do believe I'm softening with time (see above).

Someone had posted an article on FB recently. I was something like,"That's really beautiful, but it's not for me" about getting along. There were members of two religious orders sitting on a panel, discussing charisms, when one of them said that exact phrase. The author made the point that if all of us, especially moms, could get to that point...imagine how the competition/depression/comparisons would diminish to almost nothing.

I've had the opportunity to see this in action over the past two days. I've attended daily Mass at a church some distance from my own. I used to call this a "happy-clappy" church but have moved to "waving" as a gentler way to describe it. I can't say Charismatic, per se, because I don't see talking in tongues, jumping, or other things that are sometimes associated with that movement (which I have witnessed at other Masses), just a lot of arm gestures.

I'm grateful for that article because, as much as I felt like a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs, I leaned heavy on that phrase. It's true...waving is not my way to grow closer to God. I prefer Latin, incense, and quiet. I was not in the majority and God was there to sacrifice Himself for all of us. Amazing, huh?

I find myself at that Mass because our kids are attending Maranatha, a Vocation bible school, in which each grade learns about a different Religious Order. God is good to connect the dots because I'm kind of sleep-deprived as of late.

If there are so many different Orders, each with a different Charism, in religious life, why would He have created those of us non-consecrated folk to be any different? Let's look at the Benedictines...there are 100 Benedictine houses across America and most of those are further divided among four major congregations: American=Cassinese, Swiss-American, St. Scholastica, and St. Benedict.

This is why it's difficult to even call someone a "Traditional" or a "Charismatic" because among those are a miriad of ways in which the person may express their devotion to and gifts from God.

So, let's agree to disagree or, better yet, just agree to get along. Perhaps a waving church isn't to your taste. That's really ok. I would challenge you, however, to see the goodness that the people at those Masses bring to the worship. If it's destracting (like it is for me) just find a church that isn't so much or is more to your call from Him. He created so many types of people and expressions to give Him glory...surely you can find one for you.

If not, there's always the opportunity to begin your own. I'm thinking I may know a few people who would like to begin a cloistered family order with my friend and me. If so, contact me through email...there are still a lot of bugs to work out. ;0)

Ultimately, I pray that through your search for God, you will find the way in which He is calling you to praise and follow Him. It doesn't have to be like me. That's not the only way. Your way is beautiful but it may not be for me and vv. Let's just follow Him and His call and see if it doesn't help everyone in the end.

Oh, one last note. If you find yourself in the library trying to work and there is a girl behind you talking non-stop, or in the subway with a bunch of kids running wild while their mom plays on her phone, or even at traditional Mass when you are definitely the waving type...offer up your discomfort and upset. I know for a fact that God can use every ounce of that for good and many of us could use some of those graces. You may even walk away feeling pretty pleased that you could go through it and keep your peace intact.

We are blessed.

We Three Kings

Happy Feast of the Epiphany! Today we celebrate the arrival of the three Magi to the baby Jesus...they recognize and acknowledge Him as the NEW KING (epiphany...right?) Upon recognizing the King, they present Him with gifts brought from afar.

It is so cold that we stayed inside, enjoyed watching the snow and read about Epiphany traditions. Being homeschoolers, we're always looking for new things to learn and today is an excellent day for Geography (a good way to celebrate the last day of vacation!).

For instance, Bulgarians have the "blessing of the waters" to commemorate Jesus's Baptism where the priest tosses a cross into the river (sometimes they have to cut a hole in the ice...brr) and a bunch of guys jump in to retrieve it. Says child #2, "if you find the cross you're lucky that day!" (thinks me, "if you don't die of hypothermia, you're lucky that day!") They also do this in Greece, which is more temperate for diving into rivers.

In Italy and Russia (and likely lots of Easter European countries), La Befana or Babushka are major figures in tales about Epiphany. The women were annoyed that the Wise Men interrupted their cleaning in their search for the Christ child. In response, they gave the Magi incorrect directions! Afterward, with a troubled conscience, the women set out with gifts and goodies to catch up with the Magi in their journey. Alas, they were unsuccessful but did leave their loot with all the sleeping children along the way. I love this story...don't spend so much time cleaning that you miss the important things!

In Hispanic countries, there are HUGE parades and festivals. For most, this day is bigger than Christmas itself. I was thinking about that...this is the day that the Magi, the Wise Men, realized that Christ is the King we should all worship; Our Savior. Compared to a quiet (except for the Heavenly Hosts) birth in the manger, it does seem like this would be a day to rejoice!

Then I looked at my mantle that has the candle covers of the stable, the shepherds, and the magi. Funny that God would tell simple shepherds the news first and it would take the smart guys almost two more weeks to catch on. I'm thinking He is trying to tell us something there.

We had a sick little person around here this morning so most of our festivities had to be curtailed. We found things to do, like reading a book about the Epiphany traditions in Puerto Rico. It seems like we're picking more and more books that "happen" to have recipes in the back. Ahem. Fine with me...now dessert is done ;0)

First, a fun game of The Three Kings' Journey

Mise en place

mmmm coconut milk

 

coconut, cinnamon, yum rice pudding

Whew. The last of the Christmas presents. We made it!

Whatever your tradition and whether you celebrate Epiphany today, on the 12th day of Christmas, or on Sunday with the Church crowd (or both!), let's be sure to relive the Epiphany that the Wise Men had...Christ is our King and Savior. Oh come let us Adore Him!

We are blessed.

Our Christmas in pictures

Joy to the World, the Lord has come! Merry Christmas, everyone!

The meatballs are cooking in the crockpot and the bread is rising for another hour. I can sit here and blog or take a nap. Sorry, dear readers, but I really need a nap. Here's a quick recap.

Brotherly love ;0)

Eight years ago, we brought home our best-ever Christmas present. Yes, it's Advent but you can't really move your birthday, can you? So, feast it was. We are so thankful that God gave us this wonderful reminder of His love.

There are a lot of other feast days during Advent but, for one reason or another, they didn't get as much attention this year (sigh...no play for Our Lady of Guadalupe's feast). We were traveling over St. Nicholas day but he did make a visit to the hotel, and we spent other days making cards for loved ones and others we don't know but whom should know the love that God has for them (our homeless friends that we are blessed to make sandwiches for once a month). Throw in a little bit of really, really good music, and it's a excellent way to be God(other)-centered and have fun.

Christmas Eve and Christmas day around here usually mean Adoration, Mass, food and family. I subbed for midnight going into Christmas Eve, got there 20 min early, the guy after me didn't show, and the guy after him came 10 min late...2 1/2 hours of God time....alone. Wow, thanks for that early Christmas Gift! I was reading Interior Castle and laughing about how we are to make a conscious effort to dedicate prayer time to God. Every time I thought I was finished, He decided to let me dedicate a little more. Our Loving Father :0)

Lots of baking and making (I have officially melted the wires on my mixer...it was smoking while I was making bread this morning). Special meals that mean tradition. Passing these on to our children is such a gift to me. Joining with my mom and aunt, who will one day be absent from our table, means even more. God is so good to give us the gift of both time alone and family time.

Prune for my mom and #1. Sweets for the sweet ;0)

I'm glad the mixer didn't die before the pagach was done!

mmm...crisp and delicious

dough balls with sauerkraut = bobalki...not my fav.

Finally we arrive at today, the joyous day of our Savior's birth! Since we were doing the Vilija last night, we continued our tradition of 7 AM Mass today. We were rewarded with our beloved priest and a church full of people who seemed to realize why we were there (this is why we get up so early ;0)). Even the babies were singing...it was lovely. After Communion, I heard G whisper, "look Dad, the light is coming". Sunrise during Mass...perfect.

Home to open some gifts. I tried to push the idea of trying out the new sleeping bags but everyone ignored me. I am SO excited to see the Fr. Leopold Lego setup...meet them where they are...they want Legos, give them Fr. Leopold ;0). Many, many things for which to be thankful. God is so very good.

In case I need proof of how much God loves me...it's all right there :0)

I've been enjoying other blogs, recounting others' Christmas weeks. It's lovely to see how many different ways people celebrate Our Lord's Birth and the days preceding. What a good and loving God we have to make us so different but all with the same desire to draw nearer to Him. How good that He saw fit to send His Son among us. We are so blessed.

Busy, Blessed Day

In pictures because I'm too tired at the moment...

First Elsa and Batman made breakfast (sorry it's blurry, I literally just woke up)

Then I had some coffee and made breakfast...lots of protein, fluid and fruit

That's right!

It was Slovak day at Kennywood!!!

This year's display was all about Svaty Mikulas

St. Nicholas! (Ignore the Santa paper...different guy ;0))

The kids hung out and talked to the people coming by to ask about all the beautiful things

#1 got to try out her Slovak on the Consul who happened to stop by...she said, "I got as far as introducing him to everyone  and then it kind of fell apart." LOL

They were busy watching the jackrabbit out the back of the pavilion

which was too bad because Rick Sebak also stopped by

Time to get ready

Cheese boys

Not sure but it's definitely cute

Pretty sure he tried to touch the violin...never, ever, touch the violin ;p

Finally...

time to dance

Twirl

and toot

Strut

and swing your partner

I should mention that, despite being one of the cutest little kids around, Mr. G would not, under any circumstances, dance. Nope. Not at all. Even the promise of a cheregi would bring no positive result. Such is life with a 4-year-old.

One last picture with the special visitors then change back to ordinary kids and off to ride...

He was ornery all day...God bless his dad

I'm not sure he approved of her driving

The twins ;0)

Whew. The 98+ temps were brutal...time to head home...at 5...across town. Just because we had the day off doesn't mean the rest of the city did! God, being so good, allowed us, in just a little over an hour, to pull into the parking lot of a local church for Day #4 of the St. Anne Novena. More on this later, suffice it to say that they will drag themselves after a full day to attend. Jesus's grandma is a pretty special lady.

After a lovely homily on mercy, I couldn't possibly withhold the cherished cheregi...sounds like breakfast to me!

All thanks to God for a wonderful, full, family-centered day. We are very, very blessed.