Sometimes life is tough

But when you think about it, it beats the alternative.

Sorry to have abandoned my blog, but I have been very distracted. I am still raising the best beef I can, and still hoping to someday get paid for the extra effort. Why haven't the anti-trust laws applied to the giant international agriculture companies? I will never know the consumers as long as the 4 big packers continue to keep the retail business.

I'm back!

It is amazing to me that it has been so long since I have been to my own blog. Time flies faster every year. The MS makes it such that if a thing isn't in front of me, it never existed. I do remember things, I think, but my brain has lost the "table of contents" to where those memories are stored. Please try to relate.

The good Lord has continued to pour blessings on me, his undeserving child. I am so very thankful. I do hope he blesses you, dear reader, through some of the words in this blog. Joe

Still praying St. Theresa's Prayer

Isn't it amazing how God works through words?

St. Theresa's Prayer

Saint Theresa's Prayer

May today there be peace within.

May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be confident knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.

It is there for each and every one of us.

A Super Mom on the Supernatural Mom

This is something my brother found. Apparently Mom still had time to write articles for Catholic magazines back then (around 1958). Born on the Feast of the Visitation, died on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

A simple yet beautiful article.
 
A Mother Speaks of True Devotion to Mary
by Madelaine Bush

St. Louis tells us that as we have a natural mother and father, so we have our spiritual father in God, and our spiritual mother in Mary. But some of us, especially we busy parents, have a tendency to keep our spiritual life and thoughts separate from our natural, occupied and distracted lives. Today I will bring to you a few suggestions as to 1) The necessity for bringing Mary, our mother, into our natural, busy everyday lives -- and 2) How to achieve this.

Since I am keeping the sphere of Mary in family life I would like to begin with the child.
1) Why is it necessary to bring Mary into the natural life our children?
I am presupposing that we all teach our children about the spiritual part of the Mother of God. That she is the Mother of God. And that as such, she deserves our love and devotion. But let's take her from her heavenly home and put her into our home.
Doctors, as well as our own common sense, tell us that to make a child happy and healthy, we should give that child love and security. Mary can do this better than we. And remember, should we be separated from our children because of wars, ill-health, or even death, if we teach them that Mary is their true mother, and to love her as such, then they continue to have security in their mother, whom they are familiar with and love, and who can never be taken from them. As as illustration: a young mother when holding her small child can caress it tenderly and say "Mother loves you very much, and with all her heart - almost as much as Mary does - Mary's heart is bigger than mother's and holds more love!" So often when one of my boys fails to mind me, I ask -"Please then, do it for Mary - offer it to her," and he will. Little ones are very wise for their years. One day I was bathing a young son who was then about three or four years old. I had donned a pretty, long blue robe. My child complimented me, saying how pretty I looked, just like Mary. Here is another example of how a mother can share her responsibility with Mary. I have often told the children that Mary is their mother as well as I. One day not long ago, a little one said, "Mother, you know you are our stepmother!" I was shocked for the moment and hurried to assure him. "Oh, no, I'm your real mother." "No," he said. "Mary is our real mother - you are just our stepmother who takes care of us until we get up to heaven." I'm sure all of us would be very happy to take a back seat like that for Mary.

I have tried, and am still trying, to make Mary a part of their life, a vital part as the air they breathe. Not just a devotion to be put on with their Sunday clothes -- and taken off when they go out to play. I don't want them to associate Mary with just the rosary, or with Fatima or Lourdes - as wonderful as these are, not with just any one form of devotion or apparition. No -- first to know and trust her as their mother, love her with their heart -- then they can discover the other wonderful facts of Mary.
I have attempted to show you the necessity of giving the child to Mary -- to increase the love and security in his life, and to make the job easier for the parent.
2) Another reason for the necessity of bringing Mary so completely into the child's life is that, in this pagan age with the devil and all evil, demoralizing forces at work, we need to give to the girls an ideal to follow, and the boys, the perfect picture of womanhood to uphold. Where else can we find this in the world today -- only in Mary, and in the mothers and daughters who through Mary strive with the grace which comes through her hands, to become more Mary-like in all they do.
How can this be done? Let's look at this in a positive way. There are too many points on the negative side that I am sure we are all aware of. But what can we do? First, mothers, look to ourselves -- do we set a Mary-like example in dress? We can dress "smart" and be modest. The best dressed women chosen each year are usually those conspicuous because they are dressed not under-dressed or undressed. In teaching our daughters to choose their own clothes they must be made aware that their choice is important not only in good taste and good fashion, but most of all in the effect upon young men. Will the dress be an occasion of sin? or an occasion of true admiration?
3) What are our actions around the home? Do we set good example for our children by consistently trying to do all things in a Mary-like way? Not just the sweeping, cooking, etc., but by our control? Do we at all times keep control of the situation -- with self-control? Or are we too often screaming at our children in anger and impatience? Don't get discouraged and some day Mary will help us achieve our goal. Here is a small example of this point. One birthday my husband gave me a lovely bracelet that had a heavy gold medal of Mary attached to it. I was so fond of this bracelet that I often wore it even while doing housework. One day, I lost my patience with one of my little ones, and as I raise my hand to strike him the medal hit the back of my hand. Mary was slapping my hand as if to say "No, no, keep your patience." I have found, too, that complete honesty helps with the children. Sometimes after a particularly hard day, I gather the boys around me and ask, "This hasn't been a very good day, has it?"
They will be quick to agree it has not! Then I will confess,"Children, I am sorry that I was so impatient and did not act as Mary would have me act. But you must always help me, and had you all minded, and acted as Jesus and Mary wanted you to, then it would have been a much better day. Let us all try tomorrow to do and be as They would have us to do and be, and then we will have a very nice day." Then we kneel before our altar, and say our night prayers. Even the very young children seem to understand this, and think more of their natural mother, even when she fails them (in her weakness) and much more of their supernatural mother, who never fails them when they sincerely seek out her help.
4) Around home, do we show the same respect for our husband-father that Mary did for Joseph? This is so important today -- for in the home respect for authority is the great beginning for your children. Let me try to make myself clear. Children should respect you, not only because you are their parents and have authority over them but because that authority comes from God. In respecting and loving their parents, they are respecting and loving God. Every time we allow ourselves to be talked back to, we are allowing the child to lay the seeds of juvenile delinquency. Delinquency of what? Delinquency of all respect -- respect for authority -- respect for law -- respect for the rights of others. So look to your husband, as Mary did to Joseph, thereby setting good example for your children, and demand and gain the respect of your children for yourself, because God did give you the authority over them -- and the home is where they must learn this lesson of respect --or we fail them and God! One word here to fathers: by example is the way to teach your son the, I'm sorry to say, old-fashioned respect for women. Opening the car doors -- allowing her to walk before you -- pulling out the chair at dinner -- listening to her when she speaks (to mention just a few). Boys do what they will see and hear their fathers do. But remember mothers you have to expect it --- to get it. Let's, as women, find our true Christian place in the world -- the place that God intended for us. Mary, never for one minute, considered herself the head of the family. She, the Mother of God, looked to Joseph for protection, while she quietly attended to the Child and their home. Let us, women of today, follow her example.
5) Another thing that would come under activity in the home yet deserves a separate grouping of its own, is that activity of the tongue. When I asked my husband, one day, to give me his opinion on an important example that a mother could give her children in Mary-like living -- he said, "Charity of the tongue. Don't set the children a bad example by gossiping." How true. This could be developed but let us just stop and think about it. If parents make a rule never to say an unkind thing about anyone in front of the children -- what a wonderful example they would be giving them! Charity truly begins at home -- and there are far too many points to try and bring all of them to your attention at this time. The suggestions that have been made are only a few positive ways of bringing Mary into the home, and to your family, with Mary-like thoughts and actions.
6)On the spiritual side, there are a few suggestions that might be helpful in bringing Mary from her heavenly home to our home.
a)Teach the children great confidence in Mary, that she never fails them. My earliest recollection of my mother was her great faith in Mary. When I would go to her with a childish problem she would say "ask our Blessed Mother, and she will help you, she has never failed me in anything that I have asked her!" Nothing is too small or unimportant.
b)Have the prettiest picture or statue of Mary that you can afford in your home. Put it in a place where the baby can see it. It would be nice to have a Mary's corner. So few of us have a room for prayer and peace, but it is possible for all of us to give a corner of some room to her -- where the family can gather to pray -- or to go to for inspiration and guidance -- or just to talk to God -- through Mary. We made an altar from an outgrown breakfast table. Mary's statue came first. Now we have added Joseph and in the Infant Jesus. The Holy Family!
7) Now to summarize this briefly: Make your spiritual life one and the same. Whether you are a) nursing the baby b) cleaning the house c) driving the car d) buying the groceries e) selecting your clothes f) planning a party g) saying your prayers -- there is a right way to do it. Mary's Way -- in Mary with Mary and for Mary. It's hard -- you bet! Yet remember -- and teach your children -- although you may fail Mary -- she will never fail you~
When it gets too much for you -- as it often will -- speak of her -- "It's all yours, Mary" (thinking of the noisy or sick children - or the muddy floors -- or the unexpected company coming for dinner, etc.)
"Yes it's all yours, Mary, so now you take over" -- and she will!

Rest In Peace, Mama

Born on the Feast day for the Visitation, died on the Feast day of the Immaculate Conception, Mama was close to the Holy Mother in spirit throughout her life. She has now passed on, but leaves behind a legacy of faith in her children, grandchildren, great-grandchild, and many friends whose lives she touched. A daughter of the pioneers, an inspiration to her husband and children, a true believer in Christ and his salvation, she inspired many to attain much.

There will be a funeral mass at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Ft. Collins on Saturday, December 22, 2007. We thank God for having touched us through her. Joe

Chattin' with the Almighty (A.K.A. morning prayer)

Where is your zealous care and your might?
your surge of pity and your mercy?
Don't hold back, you are our father.
Our redeemer, you are named forever. Isaiah 63:15-16

I will not leave or forsake you. Jos 1:5

You are our father; we are the clay and you are the potter. Is 64:7

Dear God,

You inspired those words above a long time ago, but you talk to us today through the same Spirit that inspired them. We still need your care, might, pity and mercy. Please don't hold back. Be who you are: our caring father, and make the clay that we are into an image of yourself today. We need your help, we need your concern. Its enough for you to be who you are. Help us today to be who you made us to be and are making us to be.