Thursday, March 29, 2012

7 Quick Takes

--- 1 ---

This week has been amazing. Monday we had "Malcolm Monday" and saw his grant grow from $7,159 to $14,310!!! Our goal of $15k before Easter doesn't seem that lofty, now does it?! We also got to see him move to the "My Family Found Me" page, and I am thrilled to know the family who is committed to adopting the sweet boy. I cannot wait to hug him, he will be living here in Arizona!! Please consider donating more to Malcolm's fund or directly to the Smiths on their blog!

--- 2 ---

The other day I remembered that Patricia Heaton liked Reece's Rainbow, so I tweeted asking her to retweet for Malcolm! And she DID...TWICE! I could've died. You could SEE the increase in donations right after that, too. It was amazing watching his fund grow.

Thank you, Patricia, for being such an amazing advocate!


--- 3 ---

I bought Kyle his baptism present the other day. I am SO excited about Easter. I can't believe it's Holy week next week!

--- 4 ---

4 is for Lily, who is turning 4 this weekend, on April Fool's Day. She is such an amazing little girl, and I am so proud of her! I will be writing up a birthday post for her on my family blog, soon. I can't wait for this weekend, when we get to celebrate!


--- 5 ---

I had parent/teacher conference today with Amelia's teacher. She is doing so wonderfully in school this year. I am proud of her progress, and I am so grateful to her teachers for working so hard with her last year and this year!! I did have to tell her we weren't returning next year, though, and I think it made her sad. :(

--- 6 ---

I got to visit my friend's new baby tonight! Nothing like newborns. *love*

--- 7 ---

My computer is super hot and I swear it's like 80ยบ in here. I'm going to bed to lie under my fan. Phew!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

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Monday, March 26, 2012

The Consecration

This lent, I did The Consecration.

I struggled with it, because there is so much negativity out there directed at venerating Mary. My pre-conversion self screams at me when I start getting close to our Blessed Mother. But, I fought it, and I pushed through, and I made it.

Today I asked JoAnna for a quote on spiritual warfare and she sent me a link.

And there it was... the most perfect quote that melted away any doubt in my mind:

“The Devil fears the Virgin Mary more, not only than men and angels but, in a certain sense, than God himself. It is not that the wrath, the power and the hatred of God are not infinitely greater than those of the Blessed Virgin, since Mary’s perfections are limited: it is because, in the first place, Satan, being proud, suffers infinitely more from being overcome and punished by the little, humble servant of God, her humility humiliating him more than the divine power; and secondly, because God has given Mary such great power over devils that, as they have often been obliged to admit, in spite of themselves, through the mouths of possessed persons, they are more afraid of one of her sighs of grief over some poor soul, than of the prayers of the saints, and more daunted by a single threat from her than by all their other torments”

-Evidence of Satan in the Modern World by Monsignor Leon Cristiani, Roman Catholic Priest

I totally had an "Ah-ha!" moment from this! The Blessed Mother is more feared because she willfully accepted Christ when she could have rejected him. I just have goosebumps. A HUMAN trampled Satan by allowing Jesus to come through her. The dark one had no power over her. Talk about awesome. Only good can come out of knowing Mary. Only good can come out of humbly submitting to God's will as she did. She is our role model. A perfect example of how to truly know Jesus.

I love you Mother Mary, for bringing me closer to your son. Thank you for submitting to God's will. We are yours. We are His.


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Tuesday, March 20, 2012

My Husband - Part 2

I wanted to update on my husband's journey. He doesn't read my blog (I think), but one day I will probably show him. I want him to know how proud I am of him!

When we met, he called himself Catholic. He played cello in the base parish when he was in the Marines. Once we were together, I quickly found out he was not actually Catholic, and I didn't actually know he wasn't baptized until this year, when we called his grandparents' parish he may have been baptized as an infant and they said they had no record of him.  But nowwwwww:

  1. The other day at mass I was explaining how it was acceptable for women to wear hats and head coverings at mass. He asked me why I didn't cover my head at mass. Good question! This was the last nudge I needed to really get me to find a good head covering.
  2. When we first met I mentioned how I had always wanted to adopt. He looked at me like I was crazy and said he couldn't imagine adopting and being able to love a child like his own. NOW, we are talking about adoption seriously on a regular basis and I keep "catching" him reading adoption blogs. 
  3. He said he wanted 2 kids maximum. HAHAHAHAAAAA... 
  4. He said he was a Democrat. I told him to take a test to see where he stood. He's most definitely NOT a Democrat.
  5. Any conversation of God, conversion, church, etc was pretty much ignored. Now we talk about it regularly. 
My husband will be baptized in a little over 2 weeks. We will be able to take communion together. I know that the Holy Spirit has worked hard on us, and I am so grateful. I was never taught to stick around. I was never taught that people were capable of change and growth. But they are. Through prayer, through Jesus, anything is possible. 



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Friday, March 16, 2012

Demons or an active imagination?

Amelia told me this story this morning:

"Mommy, the other night I was coming into your room in the middle of the night and I looked into the playroom and one hundred dogs were in there fighting!!"

I said:

"Well, maybe you were dreaming. "

She said:

"No! They were really there! They were fighting and barking and were big and black!"

I said:

"Well, if that's true, and you ever see them again, you need to say a prayer for them to go away. They are not supposed to be there."

She said:

"And then the shadows will come and take them home?"

I said:

"Yes, I guess so."

And then I recited the St. Michael prayer with her...

Now, I know that children have active imaginations, and that she could have been half asleep when she "saw" these creatures, but with the history of this house, and with the ever increasing faithfulness in our family with an upcoming baptism, it caused me pause.

When I think of demons, I think of those dogs. I'm not sure why, but I do. And although the various sightings of ghosts in this house throughout the years have never been destructive, it makes me think that there is a bigger possibility that there may have been something there.

So, anyone want to call in a priest?

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Confession

After 4 attempts at finding confession, I finally got to go! I went to St. Joan of Arc in Phoenix. Father Kline is awesome, and I am happy to have found a place I can go that has lots of confession times.

I had to sit face to face with him, which I don't like, but I had Charlotte with me in the Ergo, so it was necessary. Since I hadn't been to confession in a few years (sigh), I couldn't remember the Act of Contrition and he had to help me... I frustrated him a few times because I couldn't hear him, haha... Oh well, it's done!! Yay!!!! I can't wait for Sunday!

Their church is so beautiful. They are definitely on my list of parishes we may join when we move.


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I can't handle it...

I check Reece's Rainbow every time I sit down to nurse the baby, which is a lot...

Today, 2 sweeties were listed today (or yesterday, not sure) that are from the Pleven orphanage. Any of you following that story know it's a horrible place. I have faith that the Lord will bring their families to them quickly, but I am, again, in love with...


I know that the Lord works in his own timing, but I wish that we had the job and the home necessary to bring this little one home. To be a part of getting even one of those babies out of that terrible orphanage would be amazing. To hold this little sweetie and let her feel the love of having a mommy, daddy and 4 sisters, would be even better. Please, someone, adopt her fast.

This little girl weighs on my heart, too. It actually makes me angry that she has a huge grant, is in a bad institution and no one has adopted her. WHY?! I would take her in a second. I love her too. She is in a bad institution and needs a family quickly.


One of my friends is discerning adoption of Nicholas. He has over $5k, and she is putting together a fundraiser. Please pray for all involved, and for Nicholas to know that someone loves him. He's already in an institution. :(


One more...

Nicky has a large grant and has someone matching up to $3,000 until the end of March. Help this sweetie find a home!!



Thanks for bearing with me through my new obsession. I'm loving it. And I hope I can help, even in small ways. 




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Sunday, March 11, 2012

I am...

MARRIED!!!!!! (Validly) 

Pictures:

I have horrible, horrible hair. :(
JoAnna and her husband Collin and Kyle and I.
Oooooh, handsome!



Thank you all for listening to my whining while going through this process. Thank you to JoAnna and her hubby for being our witnesses.

I'm here, I'm here! Jesus, I'm here! 


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Friday, March 9, 2012

7 Quick Takes



--- 1 ---

I had a bunch to blog about this week but I forgot to start and eventually forgot what about. I'm currently way too obsessed with Reece's Rainbow and adoption stories like Katie's, that I get nothing done. Leila reminded me that we needed moderation, and I'll be working on that one.

It's really just a dream come true for me. I've always felt like I was called to adopt and/or help orphans in some way. When I was in my early 20's, I wanted nothing more than to be a missionary and help in orphanages, but it never panned out. So, with Reece's Rainbow, and the wonderful ppl on the internet, I've actually been able to have a taste of that. To help out, even in small way, makes my heart happy and content.

--- 2 ---

This whole adoption thing has been brought up now in so many marriages of ppl I know, including my own. Last night Kyle said he'd be fine with adoption, but he didn't think we could handle down syndrome. I told him he may be right, but that we'd figure out who our child was when the time comes. (SQUEEE!) Please keep everyone in your prayers who is discerning.

--- 3 ---

Okay, squee number 3 is for Kyle and I's convalidation!!! It's THIS weekend! It's Sunday! We're here... We're here! I have my outfit planned, and we are almost ready. I can't WAIT to go to confession on Saturday, mass on Sunday, and then the convalidation right after that. I can't believe it's finally here.

--- 4 ---

Monday I am starting what I like to call "Potty Training Boot Camp." Now, normally, I wouldn't force a kid to be potty trained, but Tessa has been regularly taking off her diaper and painting with the contents. I can't deal with it anymore. In fact, she just did it while I was typing this up, and got it all over her baby sister. It's disgusting. I just can't handle it anymore.

--- 5 ---

Lent is going well. I love it. My consecration is beautiful. I'm having a little bit of an issue keeping my protein levels up on Fridays, but I'll be making some boiled eggs to help combat that for next week.

--- 6 ---

Please keep us in your prayers as we have our convalidation, and then in trying to figure out Kyle's job situation so that we can move asap if these houses sell. Something needs to change, and fast, but I have seen the work of the Lord in my family already, and I have no doubt that once we are in a valid marriage, and Kyle is baptized in a couple of weeks, that the Holy Spirit will help us even more. I am slowly learning how to handle stress with grace and give it to Him. I am so thankful to everyone who keeps me grounded.

--- 7 ---

Off to make Zucchini Quiche for dinner! Happy happy happy weekend!!!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

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Sunday, March 4, 2012

Confession Appointment Please

When speaking to the lady at my parish about scheduling my convalidation, I asked her if she could also schedule a confession appointment for me.

She told me I could come in during the normal confession time (Wednesday night from 6:30-7). I told her that time didn't work for me because Kyle works and that's why I was asking.

She acted confused.

I told her to forget it and that I'd go to St. Thomas for confession since they have more confession times.

Hello?

Dispensations, convalidations, and CONFESSIONS are kind of a big part of what the church does, right? Why is everything so difficult with this parish?

Oh well. At least it's almost over. I'm almost there. Finally. Then perhaps it's time to find us a new parish.

Friday, March 2, 2012

7 Quick Takes








--- 1 ---

This has been a pretty amazing Lent so far. First, we got news that our IRS problem was finally resolved after dealing with it for 3 years and that we would get the money back they took out of this year's tax return in 3 weeks. (I was expecting something closer to 3 years, seeing as it's the government and all...)

--- 2 ---

Then Leila posted this, and I watched this sweet little guy's adoption fund hit over $3,000 so he could make the "sizable grants" page in just one day. Now we're just praying hard a family finds him.




--- 3 ---

Then I got a call from my parish saying our convalidation could be THIS MONTH and it is now scheduled for March 11th! Jesus, here I come!!

My sweet friend ordered me a pretty dress and my sweet sister ordered me earrings to match! Now to find shoes and something for Kyle to wear! SO excited.

--- 4 ---

Then Lily and I were reading through Reece's Rainbow and talking about adoption and she told me that I needed to be this little guy's mommy, and I fell in love. I've always wanted to adopt, but we are obviously not in a place to do so right now. So, I've promised myself that I will help get the word out and hopefully this sweetie will have a family before he is transferred to an institution in July. ANYONE?! Please?

Arnold
UPDATE!!! Arnold has been moved to the "My Family Found Me" page, so he's being adopted!! I AM SO HAPPY!! Sweet baby boy! YAY!!!

--- 5 ---

Then, Leila posted today about another little guy, Oliver, whose fund was only at $13 this morning. She and her husband offered to match any donations to try to get him over that $2,500 mark. As of right now, his fund is sitting at $1,839.50 and that's before Leila's contribution!!! My soul is *so* happy for sweet Oliver. Now, to pray for him, too. He desperately need a family.

Oliver


--- 6 ---

Kyle also had his review this week at work and he was told that he is doing a great job and that he will be trained in a lot of other areas and other routes and have hours added very, very soon. Praise God! Is this almost over for us?! Are we finally going to be able to move on with our lives?? Please keep praying!! It's working!!

--- 7 ---

So, as you can see, I'm a week into Lent and it's already proving completely awesome. I am doing the Consecration still and I'm loving it. I missed it so much. I went from a crying mess to... well, a JOYFUL crying mess.

Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name. -Psalm 103

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

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