tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66109539730281588262024-03-24T16:31:45.655-07:00Family At The Foot Of The CrossWith all of our imperfections, we begin and end each day at the foot of the cross. It is here where our story begins and we pray it is where it will end. "Jesus said: Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light." ~Matthew 11:28-30~Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679337171422593785noreply@blogger.comBlogger436125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6610953973028158826.post-17436105277101093062017-06-18T21:24:00.000-07:002017-08-14T08:38:04.414-07:00It Is Finished.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It is finished. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">I will be taking a little blog break to heal. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A marriage has ended and a family is broken. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">My heart feels like a gaping wound.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Yet it is surreal.</span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I <span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span>pinch myself here in this little blog window. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Is it really true?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Sadly, it is.<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I never dreamed such sorrow could consume me once again. I remember similar feelings after my late husband was tragically killed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Here I am losing a beloved spouse in a different way. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The price of love is almost too great to bear.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It's been almost 3 years working through this tragedy and my heart still hurts all the time. My brain hurts too. Both my heart and my head still struggle to process all that has happened. Especially because things were good and happy in my house until the lies rolled out. It's still so hard to believe that such an incredible charade took place right before my eyes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Like a bomb going off, I discovered that betrayal and pathological lies staggered through the 17 years of our marriage and suddenly came to light in shocking ways, including sexual addiction. In fact, I've heard stories like mine on television talk shows and now one of them showed up in my house. Uninvited. I am <i>that person</i> who had no clue. It was honestly like the father of lies suddenly appeared and shattered our family in one fell swoop. It has truly been Unbelievable.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Love still held out hope that maybe a miracle could occur with humility and true reconciliation. I hoped and prayed, for my children's sake, that a miracle recovery and conversion would take place. It was my biggest prayer to have my husband and family back, the way it was 'before.' </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">No miracle came. This was another tragedy for all of us. With every bone in my body, I feel the broken bonds of our marriage in the hearts of my children. Marriage is clearly not just about the husband and wife. Our bond created more life and love through our children and they are crushed a long with us. We should never underestimate the damage that an earthquake causes to a house... Everyone who lives there is affected. I suppose that's why the word <i>divorce</i> sounds bad. It sounds like walls <i>div</i>iding and crumbling down.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">So the question is how do you put your house and heart back together after such an earthquake of the heart rumbles through your life? How does someone rebuild a house of love? Now there's a happy word! <i>Rebuild</i>. It's possible, as we all know. We've seen it happen all around us. Even the horrific 9/11 brought rebuilding and restoration. This is where I am now. I'm struggling with rebuilding and restoration in the midst of human damage. I'm learning that it takes a real and honest look at the carnage</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">...resentment and other broken pieces of my heart... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">to see how it's affecting spiritual and physical progress. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Maybe by putting myself out there in all of my weakness, others might find hope and healing a long with me. At times, I have never felt so alone. What breaks people out of this is loneliness is getting it out, talking, writing, etc. If you have ever experienced betrayal trauma, (or any other trauma) you know this. You cannot remain silent. You must be able to talk about it. Even if it reaches one person who needs to know that someone else walks with them, I am here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><i>Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and God of all encouragement, who encourages us in our every affliction, so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God. For as Christ's sufferings overflow to us, so through Christ does our encouragement also overflow.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><i>~2 Corinthians 1:3-5~</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;"><i>It is finished</i>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">These were also the last word's of Christ on the Cross.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">I'm sitting with this for now.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">As Christians, we know the death of Jesus, those last words he spoke, brought <b>hope.</b></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">This is what I cling to.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">I carry this cross in the name of <b>hope</b>.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Please pray for my family's healing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;"><i>"I will restore you to health; of your wounds I will heal you, says the Lord." ~Jer. 30:17</i></span></div>
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<br />Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679337171422593785noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6610953973028158826.post-82939575920129808232017-04-11T20:48:00.001-07:002017-04-11T22:30:25.461-07:00Finding Easter In The Bloody Mess...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">As Christians enter this week reflecting on the brutal murder of our Savior, we often wince at the thought of it. Yet, we know what happens at the end of the story...<i>The bloody mess is what saves us.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Only during Lent do Catholics have the opportunity to attend Friday Stations of the Cross. During each of the 7 Lenten Fridays, we can choose to listen to the agony as we enter the scene that Jesus suffered. We bow our heads and drop to our knees in prayer as we mediate upon the different stages of the death march. Inevitably, I find myself weeping at some point during the 30 minutes as we reflect on what occurred that Good Friday long ago. Not only does it help us remember what happened but it reminds us of the direction we should be heading.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">This Lent, I made a commitment to our parish Stations of the Cross. I only missed one week. We have typically made an effort each year but this year was different. This year, I felt drawn, almost invited, to truly live Good Friday each week. It was difficult to keep our calendar clear on Friday nights at 6:00 but it was worth it. Entering the Passion of Christ is truly one of the most amazing spiritual exercises. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">I have learned the hard way that it is there, in the bloody mess of Calvary, that we are not alone. No matter the size of my cross, your cross, our family's cross, we are not alone. In fact, we are never closer to Christ than when we climb that road to Golgotha by His side. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">As I continue to suffer the after shock of trauma in my own life, it really helps me to visualize the blood on Christ's face, and the wounds on his human body. He knew that we would suffer too and we'd need a lot of help to get through it! This year, having my family broken by impending divorce, feels like trauma on the inside. My cross is heavy but I find consolation knowing that <span style="font-size: x-large;">He knows</span>. After all, Calvary was the ultimate trauma. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">I take one day at a time right now. The memories of countless lies and betrayal threaten my sanity. Mixed with the confusion of happy memories, I still find it troubling how all of this has transpired in my marriage without me knowing. How in the world did this happen? Why did this happen? This Lent, I have felt particularly tortured as my brain randomly rolls from memory to memory in an inescapable attempt to process what has occurred. "Letting go" is simply not possible and I have been certain that my head might explode. Yet for 30 minutes each Friday I thought about the crown of thorns that pierced God's precious head and saw my reflection in the blood dripping down his face. Those are my wounds, your wounds, the world's wounds, that he bleeds. <span style="font-size: x-large;">He knows</span> our heads are suffering from many wounds. He takes them on so that we might heal, one step at a time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Even then, healing is a process and we still need to keep moving forward with our crosses. Things don't get better overnight. Lest we forget, He shows us how to do this too. Last week, I was having a "bad day" carrying my cross. I was cleaning out the garage and having a pity party about all the burden of the work and junk that was left for me to bear <span style="font-size: x-large;">alone</span>. Suddenly my neighbor appeared to say hello. She just felt that she was supposed to tell me that <i>I won't be buried by the burdens I was carrying. </i>Suddenly,<i> </i>I recalled Good Friday. Jesus' friends left him and even betrayed him during his suffering. He found himself unexpectedly accepting help from strangers like Simon of Cyrene who helped Jesus pick up the Cross...And Veronica who wiped His face. Once again, I was not alone. Little did my neighbor know that she just wiped my bloody face. She was my Veronica. <span style="font-size: x-large;">He knows</span> what we need and when we need it. His trail of blood leads us home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">As Good Friday arrives, I know it's time for me to accept the challenge of my own Good Fridays...again. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Sometimes we get <a href="http://familyatthefootofthecross.blogspot.com/p/clinging-to-crossmy-story.html">multiple Good Fridays</a> to help us stay with Him. Sometimes we're carrying a cross and sometimes we are called to be Simon or Veronica. Either way, if we stay the course, we are never alone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">He took on our bloody mess.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">He walked the walk.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">He stumbled and fell and got back up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">He never quit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">He suffered a piercing death.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">He sacrificed that we might live.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">He saves us from ourselves.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">He is unconditional love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">His resurrection is Easter~the dawn of eternal life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">We find Easter in our bloody mess...Our mess is His mess. <i>The bloody mess saves us. </i></span></div>
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<br />Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679337171422593785noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6610953973028158826.post-9279442735417050402016-11-25T15:38:00.005-08:002016-11-26T16:06:22.964-08:00Advent In A Broken Family<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The holidays are upon us and I </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">recognize this <span style="font-size: x-large;">heavy</span> weight on my soul...It's grief calling again. I smile on the outside but the grief over my broken family is a deep ache, down to my core, that doesn't let up. This is the first holiday that my husband lives apart from us...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Just when I've been sitting well with the suffering these past few weeks, I stumble and fall <i>now</i>. Grief is like that. Things like holidays can trigger loneliness or sadness and the pattern continues with two steps forward, one step back. The pain ebbs and flows. As the waves wash over, I blink and hang on. The memories haunt me as I wonder about love. I mourn the wedding vows. I crumple to my knees by the side of the bed where we held hands every night.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">The very honest thing is that it's devastating to have a broken family during a season that once held unity and togetherness. It hurts, terribly. Wait, I recognize this pain. I've been here before, aching over <a href="http://familyatthefootofthecross.blogspot.com/p/clinging-to-crossmy-story.html">another husband's tragic death</a>, clinging to our baby boy during the holidays. Never would I have dreamed I'd be here again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">This time I'm alone in our family home with 4 more children. Their Dad still sees them but emotions are strained and our home is empty of him. I know it, they know it. It feels like a punch to the gut as I watch them hurt from the severed bond of <i>sacred family</i>. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">This is the exhausting reality of our daily life and magnified now, during a season that should be filled with our family in tact. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">I've learned that it's not a pity party to talk about loss because the <i>acknowledgement</i> of the hurt enables us to work through it, heal, and keep moving. Otherwise, we get stuck. Right now we need to keep our souls moving towards the light...Namely towards the star of hope.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;"><i>Lord, help us focus on this family, the Holy Family...This is the real family that our Holey family should cling to.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">The hard reality is that separation (or divorce) are different kinds of death. All people in the family are suffering and grieving. We didn't ask for this and we have no control. Highlighting the death is the fact that it's even more awkward for those who encounter us. The dear souls who acknowledge the "death" and offer their hearts to us are treasures. I am grateful for those who check in, knowing the treacherous journey we are on. Unfortunately, many people avoid us which compounds the sadness. This stirs a calling in my soul to write about it. I encourage others to reach out and not shrink away from the victims of broken families.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">It's exactly this that brings me to Advent in a broken family. No one feels quite as broken if they have hands to hold on to. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">I catch a glimpse of four long faces fixed upon me for guidance...How are we going to do this?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Yes, let's think about how we're going to do this...What I know for sure is that we are <span style="font-size: x-large;">not</span> alone. There are countless people suffering this time of year except now it includes us. A plan comes to my heart...I hope this plan also helps others who might be suffering during this time of year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">In the spirit of keeping things simple, I propose four pledges or goals for our Broken Family Advent. They represent the 4 weeks that we should consider an opportunity to carry the weight of grief to the manger on the road to Bethlehem. As the Holy Family surely encountered...The road is <span style="font-size: x-large;">not</span> easy. We know this by now...The best rewards are never easy. Yet, we <span style="font-size: x-large;">will</span> walk it, we'll keep moving, and we'll get there! We will arrive with hearts ready to peer over the manger, gazing into the face of a baby Savior.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;"><u>The Broken Road To Bethlehem</u>:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">We will read these on the first Sunday of Advent and each week, holding tight to the hands around us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;"><u>Week 1</u>. I vow to reach out to those who might be suffering. We are the body of Christ and when we give, we receive. This is the best gift of the season. Let us look for little ways that we can reach out <b>and</b> pray for others, even if we cannot afford to give with money. We will keep a list of prayer intentions by our wreath. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;"><i>Getting out of ourselves, gets us into the manger.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;"><u>Week 2</u>. I vow to think of all those "others" when I'm worn out from the toils of the day, the season, alone with the weight of my grief. In these moments, I will light the candles on our Advent wreath in the honor of all the others who suffer. The silence of my soul will echo prayer and unite my broken heart with theirs. Let me remember that light casts out darkness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;"><i>Let us close our eyes and remember the Star of Bethlehem... A beacon of hope that beckons</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;"><u>Week 3</u>. I vow to be thankful. Here lies the best glimpse of the season and it begins in the manger. If I truly love the Christ baby who came to relieve us of this earthly suffering through His birth, death, and resurrection, I will pause each day in thanksgiving. Let us share the thankful things in our lives each week with one another.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;"><i>A Savior's birth is the dawn of gratitude...The bridge from death to life.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;"><u>Week 4.</u> I vow to hold baby Jesus. Let us practice holding Him this last week of Advent. If I look into His eyes, I will see the whole world...He came for everyone. Let us see ourselves, along with all those we struggle with, in the eyes of this Godly baby. Let us see that he loves <span style="font-size: x-large;">all</span> of us. May this help us grow in love and reconcile our sorrows.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;"><i>From the crib to the cross, He shows us how to live and love.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;"><b>Advent in a broken family will be an arduous walk to Bethlehem but the joy at the destination will be worth it. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">May we all be reminded that the peace of that baby King is the best beginning and the happiest ending.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>+Please keep our family in your prayers. </i><i>If you are all together as a family, please treasure that...I would have never dreamed this would happen to us. If you are experiencing brokenness, please let</i><i> me know how we can pray for you. Leave your requests in the comments or email me. It would be a great gift to offer up my suffering/our suffering to pray for you+</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I vow to remain here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Family At The Foot of the Cross</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;"><u>Catholic Resources on Facebook</u>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/A-Million-Unheard-Souls-Lisa-Duffy-450867645105362/?hc_ref=SEARCH&fref=nf">A Million Unheard Souls</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/divorcedcatholicmoms/?hc_ref=SEARCH&fref=nf">Divorced Catholic Moms</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/lisaduffy/2016/11/dreading-the-holidays-pope-francis-has-some-words-of-wisdom-for-you/">Dreading the Holidays? Pope Francis has some words for you.</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.lisaduffy.com/parish-program">Journey of Hope Parish Program</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.journeyofhopeconference.com/">Journey of Hope Conference 2017</a></span></div>
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<br />Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679337171422593785noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6610953973028158826.post-28825251062522619992016-09-29T13:22:00.002-07:002016-09-29T13:29:13.599-07:00Turning 50 With The Dream Team<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I'm not a perfect person but I am a <span style="font-size: x-large;">real</span> one...Fabulous at 50? Definitely not. I have to be honest and say that I've been dreading turning 50 in the middle of my family tragedy. It's next week for goodness sakes...Couldn't this come at a <i>different </i>time? A happy time? It doesn't seem fair, as I pound my fist on the table! At this landmark time that others celebrate with joy, I'm filled with sorrow and endings...I'm seriously tempted to believe the lie that life is completely awful when we suffer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Suffering is awful, yes it certainly is. But </span><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">completely</span></i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> awful...No. Being real, I have to admit that suffering is beautiful at the same time. Many lovely people emerge to help, God shows his face, just when we need it most...I may not have seen God's face otherwise. Clinging to what is good in my life, I see light in the darkness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">During Adoration one day, I felt that I saw joy and pain sitting together arguing about who would make the soul better, stronger, wiser. Suddenly, they realized that they were not opposing forces after all. Instead, they both offered strength and wisdom in different ways that all humans need for their salvation. It became apparent that we cannot have one without the other. Joy and pain are synonymous. Separated from one of these, we are broken. Having both together, we are strong. Encompassed in this is the Cross that Christ suffered and bore for us. He loved us so much that he suffered. There on the Cross we see the ultimate dream team.. joy and pain unite for the good of humanity. Knowing we cannot have one without the other helped me see clearly how I should journey ahead...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><u>Turning 50 with The Dream Team</u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">I am turning 50 with sorrow and grief...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Yet, I turn 50 with gratitude and grace.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">I am turning 50 with wounds and scars...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Yet, I turn 50 with growth and wisdom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">I am turning 50 with disappointments and mystery...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Yet, I turn 50 with triumphs and faith.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">I am turning 50 with tears that never end...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Yet, I turn 50 with laughter that is stronger.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">I am turning 50 with the reality of aging...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Yet, I turn 50 as a child of God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">I am turning 50 with heavy burdens...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Yet, I turn 50 with song in my heart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">I am turning 50 with the down-swing of life...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Yet, I turn 50 with a life well-lived.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">I am turning 50 with the end in mind...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Yet, I turn 50 with the hope of life that <i>never</i> ends.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">I am turning 50 marking time in my mind...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Yet, I turn 50 with a warrior spirit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">I am turning 50 with trial and trepidation...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Yet, I turn 50 with trust in God's plan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">I am turning 50 being stripped of my dreams...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Yet, I turn 50 with strength in my soul.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">I turn 50 with time gone too fast...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Yet, I turn 50 with blessings, too many to count.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">I turn 50 with the setting of the sun...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Yet, I turn 50 when the new dawn comes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">I turn 50 with lost love in my life...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Yet, I turn 50 with a lot of love left to give.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">I turn 50 with joy and pain...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Yet, I turn 50 sitting with the Dream Team.</span></div>
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<br />Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679337171422593785noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6610953973028158826.post-12554264660259799512016-08-15T14:09:00.000-07:002016-08-15T16:01:29.959-07:00Dreaming of Heaven<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I love the feast days of the church...The days to really hone in on what anchors us. These days give us the opportunity to celebrate the real warriors of faith, gone before us to teach us how to survive this life. Today is one of those days. Go figure, it comes at a time when I needed it most. God is good!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Being crushed by the mystery of what has happened to our family, I woke up crying this morning. I sobbed in bewilderment about why we weren't worth fighting for. Feeling a deep punch to my gut as I wondered about the ripple effects of decisions beyond my control, I spun with confusion. Knowing I will<i> never</i> truly understand what has transpired, I questioned how on earth I will do this life <b>now</b>? Momentarily, I felt abandoned and terribly alone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">Photo taken back in March-St. Mary's Our Lady of Fatima</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Suddenly, a glimpse of heaven shined through a holy mother...The Mother Christ gave us Himself. She's our Mother, your Mother, my Mother...She did this life, just like us. She walked a road of suffering and agony, continuing to say <span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Yes</b></span> to God from the 1st day He asked her to bear His son, to the last day He took her to heaven. How glorious that day must have been for her...To finally be at peace forever, with the Holy Trinity. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This feast day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a perfect reminder.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I'm dreaming of that. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I'm dreaming of heaven...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Not in a morbid way but with great excitement for the ultimate goal. It actually fuels me to keep moving forward, to keep going on this sojourn. No matter how painful it is, I know I am not alone and there's much splendor and happiness to look forward to.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Dreaming of heaven gives me the strength to keep teaching the faith in our home, even as a single mother. A prayer life and rhythm of the church year are still alive here. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I vow to keep the light on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We are still a family, bound together by love that can never be discarded. Humans can discard humans but you can't ditch God's love. Hope may dim on our dark and sorrowful days but it can always be rekindled. Days such as this are a beautiful reminder that good things always come with our eyes fixed on heaven. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">What a day to celebrate! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">I huddled with my children around the kitchen sink this morning, before they left for school, and we prayed for our Mother to give us strength like hers. Like birds taking shelter in a storm, it may have been a desperate plea but prayer just the same. May she always keep us close to her Son, Jesus Christ...The heavenly host and <i>true love of our lives</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;"><i>Our Lady's love is like a limpid stream that has its source in the Eternal Fountains, quenches the thirst of all, can never be drained, and ever flows back to its Source.</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">~Blessed Margaret Bourgeoys~</span></i></div>
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Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679337171422593785noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6610953973028158826.post-86558420379452508912016-06-19T16:29:00.000-07:002016-06-19T16:30:09.829-07:00Blog Update And Changes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Hello dear readers of this blog~</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">The events of my marriage and family life have grown more complicated than originally thought, written, and expressed here in the last year. More has transpired in such a way that I feel it best to honor the privacy of our family by not sharing any more details via this public domain. However, I do have a plan to keep writing!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">For those of you who have been praying for us, I <span style="font-size: x-large;">thank you</span> from the bottom of my heart. I would appreciate any <i>continued prayers</i> for my husband, my sanity, our whole family's healing and God's will be done. Regardless of the outcome, it is my deepest prayer that this tragedy be turned to triumph in some miraculous way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;"> This blog has been a haven for sharing my spiritual journey, alongside of raising a family. I have met so many wonderful friends and families that I hate to leave behind. I hope my friends here will keep in touch via email and continue to stop by this blog once in a while. Those of you who check in on me once in awhile have been such a blessing!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Ultimately, I feel called to keep writing, as God sees fit, because it is my belief that we are not alone on this journey of life and faith. Most importantly in times of trouble, we need each other to be the hands and feet of Jesus...Who better to share (than you and I) that there's always hope, despite the worst struggle?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">I'll continue to share my personal sojourn as I strive to stay anchored to<i> the cross, my battle post.</i></span><br />
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<br />Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679337171422593785noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6610953973028158826.post-34719178236790096882016-06-11T11:57:00.001-07:002021-05-28T15:42:32.368-07:00He Teaches Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The darkened church embraced me as I sat in silence gazing up at the throne of God. Like a mother's womb, protecting a vulnerable child, I longed to curl up and stay there forever. Before the dimly lit candles, I gazed up at the Lord of Hosts and wondered how I could keep facing my world of pain, broken promises, betrayal, and rejection. Much like a little baby who enters the world wailing, I felt the bemoaning in my soul. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In sorrow, I am weakened to my knees. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The weight of deceit is crushing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">I am not a good sufferer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">I am paralyzed, not knowing how to proceed from here.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Suddenly, a whisper comes from behind...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">He shuffles down the aisle, swishing the tile like sandpaper.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">His aged body dangles from the weight of his shoulders and nothing moves but his feet.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">I glance up to see who has kept me company in silence.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Recognizing this man from daily Mass and Veteran's Day events, I know that he's a soldier. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">His focus is the altar, Christ present, and Christ on the Cross. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Those eyes...He teaches me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">As he passes by, I wonder what his story is.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Was he a husband and father?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">What about his military service?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Who has he fought for?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Was he courageous?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">I know he's alone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">How does he do it at his age?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">He maintains a natural smile that upholds his unwavering eyes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Still focused...He teaches me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Finally making it to the altar,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">he begins a slow descent, lowering his broken body to kneel. He could have just stood up. It would have been easier. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">He doesn't take the easy way out. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">There's no one around but me and God. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Eyes still focused, holding that smile...He teaches me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">I watch as this man suffers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">His body winces in pain but he perseveres with kneeling. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">His heart is steadfast in reaching his goal, offering himself completely, there at the foot of the Cross.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Not an ounce of his suffering body is seen in his eyes, still fixed on the Lord of heavenly hosts...He teaches me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Suddenly, I'm no longer paralyzed,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">I'm inspired for the journey ahead.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Together with my soldier-friend, I gaze up at the <b>same</b> Lord and the <b>same</b> Cross that resurrects us <span style="font-size: x-large;">all</span> from our suffering. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">This time, there are two of us smiling through pain.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Faith marches on, there in the silent womb of the church.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">From the light of an altar in front of us both,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Hearts open wide, eyes of the soul in focus...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">He taught us well.</span>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">+Written by Tiffany at the Foot of the Cross +</span></div>
<br />Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679337171422593785noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6610953973028158826.post-50522466655411663232016-04-09T19:58:00.001-07:002016-06-13T08:24:44.864-07:00Groping for God<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLgG0erGcipSNgtlAlKl7qPJaqurxatEaLAsMbgku3QGQZW-xs6wr-3-L0ft2aWzJMF1EttAXr-AbBz_fC0fdwP3DSpcdkIurWqEN1ocjISYji4zo0mWC2EqRjQy3k8pLohJ3pEbzE35V/s400/IMG_6952.JPG" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Hello God, it's me, Tiffany.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Where are you?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">My family has fallen apart and I don't understand.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">One day I was a homeschooling Mom who made liturgical food and crafts with my kids and the next day, my whole world crashed down around me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I thought I had it all. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Where has that life gone? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Oh, how I'd give anything to have it back.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Things haven't been the same since that fateful day...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Our family, our children, our marriage...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Crumpled under the cross.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Holy week came this year and my husband was getting his own apartment. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif; font-size: large;">I don't know who this man is?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">No more Husband, no more Dad in our home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I saw you carrying your Cross, Lord. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Every Friday, I watched and listened to your suffering.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I wanted to be just like you but I couldn't.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I just knelt there and poured out my grief upon you because I was too weak to bear it...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Consumed by the cross.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Somehow I got through it...Another Holy Week. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">You were there, Lord. I know you were. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Suddenly I see that clearly because</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">that's where you love us best...on Calvary.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Our Calvary is your Calvary.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Time and time again, you meet us there to show us </span><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">we can do it</span></b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What </span><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">holy irony</span></i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> it is that we are closest to you there.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">My pain and sorrow is also your pain and sorrow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">You show us that suffering is not the end.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I choose hope. I choose you, Lord.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Help me to model this for our children...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Huddled near the cross.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Please forgive me for wondering what this is all about </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">and for missing the old life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Like it or not, I'm t</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">raveling a</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> new road.<br />No more homeschooling but still a home built on faith.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Help me to keep you alive in our family, Lord.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Help me to remember that when we are weak, you are made perfect in us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">When we are empty, you have more room to fill us up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Always and forever...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Family At the Foot of the Cross.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>"What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." ~John 1:1-18</i></span></div>
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Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679337171422593785noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6610953973028158826.post-64918984163071192742015-09-08T15:52:00.000-07:002016-06-19T16:08:43.167-07:00I'm Turning My Husband Over To Another Woman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzQSmSNoPLORCVDGVrj5sAie8MzXfequ0q6T5n9qeJo7e9Bj4a-MoDEBZM2MK0RlB7ediTiR5G8WTHwXS9KsryAzLxPRHszkLirGRIi8i1p24yX2QIT7oXdMQ8bJzyjB2AVmWUL8yGqpw/s1600/IMG_3805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzQSmSNoPLORCVDGVrj5sAie8MzXfequ0q6T5n9qeJo7e9Bj4a-MoDEBZM2MK0RlB7ediTiR5G8WTHwXS9KsryAzLxPRHszkLirGRIi8i1p24yX2QIT7oXdMQ8bJzyjB2AVmWUL8yGqpw/s400/IMG_3805.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The torment has been unbelievable, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">the anger unbearable,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">as I have attempted to navigate the road of hurt that has occurred in my marriage. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">The lies that the prince of darkness whispers in our ears had penetrated my husband's heart and now I was buying in too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">As my screams echoed in the kitchen, it was a miracle that I could still hear a small, soft, voice cry out inside of me...What are you doing? <span style="font-size: x-large;">Who</span> is it that you are battling here?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">It was a good question that begged emergency attention and prayer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Who</span> was it that I was really battling?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">How could I have missed the real enemy?</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Maybe because he doesn't actually have horns or wear a little red suit...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Maybe because Satan disguises himself as a helpful voice to fill ourselves with more of our<span style="font-size: x-large;">selves</span>...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Yes. It was he, the epitome of prIde, vice, and death that continued to relentlessly seek our marriage, just like he does with many others.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Now, more than ever, it </span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">wasn't time to throw in the towel...It was time to call for backup.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">It was time to turn my husband over to another woman.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTRXJG6ocMuKuSuhBLJlxz1hObYINswQR5i71pbVXTQtyS96grj7oxq3_g32CIGECUp8kUf1KwJigBO9bxg0plbQqwu2ShjXNJScxWUch-mBKOUccZlNZL2Q4tNImhFtmoUJXb4FvDjHL/s1600/IMG_3800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTRXJG6ocMuKuSuhBLJlxz1hObYINswQR5i71pbVXTQtyS96grj7oxq3_g32CIGECUp8kUf1KwJigBO9bxg0plbQqwu2ShjXNJScxWUch-mBKOUccZlNZL2Q4tNImhFtmoUJXb4FvDjHL/s400/IMG_3800.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Who better to oppose the real enemy in our marriage but the woman who is at enmity with the devil (Gen. 3:15) by bearing the Savior, Jesus Christ, God Himself, in her womb? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">She crushes the serpent through Christ's birth and by opposing the devil with her humility, virtue, and life. What better woman to call on than the Mother of God, Mary, most holy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">It became clear that I needed to battle the true enemy with my prayers and not with my pride. This mess is way too much for me to even consider trying to figure out or control. I desperately needed help.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">This woman...She's got this.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">She's our mother. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">At the foot of the Cross, Christ entrusted Mary to all of us. (John 19:27)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Her soul magnifies the Lord. (Luke 1:46)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">I place my husband into Mary's arms with perfect confidence.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnixhPuopNuW-aMmauh_s0Gy4uZSlcnYIc2TQQbeqy6gB1VDf1Yvqlj5EMhBgSxTB8c77j52m37LUOJLgi_H7CPtKmU3JE7Yjf0eN4VMnY0aWSRTeKHCjvVi1zhwfNFinRZWay8zBChrq2/s1600/IMG_3552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnixhPuopNuW-aMmauh_s0Gy4uZSlcnYIc2TQQbeqy6gB1VDf1Yvqlj5EMhBgSxTB8c77j52m37LUOJLgi_H7CPtKmU3JE7Yjf0eN4VMnY0aWSRTeKHCjvVi1zhwfNFinRZWay8zBChrq2/s400/IMG_3552.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I pray</span>...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Every day, I <span style="font-size: x-large;">must</span> pray for my husband:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">That he sees Mary's beauty as the perfect model for womanhood and not desire to view false images that come up empty.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">That he feels the warm embrace of a woman who carried God in her arms and never feel lonely again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">That he may know the mercy of the woman who suffered her Son's murder and followed him to the cross, hence know freedom from shame.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">That he accept this woman as his queen and sureness to heaven and be home.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">That he breathe in her Immaculate heart full of love that gives freely and return real love to others.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">That he never look away from her gorgeous gaze that reflects purity and grace and see what a real woman should be.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">And most importantly...I pray that he chase after her to know her Son, Jesus, more perfectly. Jesus, who came to give us life and hope that is beyond the Cross.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">She knows that He knows.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">She leads us to Him, the way, the truth, the life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">I'm turning my husband over to another woman because in doing this I am also turning over my<span style="font-size: x-large;">self</span>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">I'm done fighting the wrong enemy and strengthening my resolve to battle the real one.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">We have help in this battle and we are never alone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Regardless of what happens in my marriage or in this life, I want to be on the right team...lest I forget who wins!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSS7Y-gN6SNBbUfAJ2Fan2UeGd5mxzbXZJoLY7QfZPrgV6xUrQCXMFGYlVM3JVNtPMj_vwsWDI0XVZbV4JmxMRj8eB5HglM6sQQv6SyTXN_XB4Q7WHOaLYNivOB7MJRG1U3rE_dhnkf3vT/s1600/IMG_2867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSS7Y-gN6SNBbUfAJ2Fan2UeGd5mxzbXZJoLY7QfZPrgV6xUrQCXMFGYlVM3JVNtPMj_vwsWDI0XVZbV4JmxMRj8eB5HglM6sQQv6SyTXN_XB4Q7WHOaLYNivOB7MJRG1U3rE_dhnkf3vT/s320/IMG_2867.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">+++If you can spare a prayer, please continue to keep Rod and I (and our family) in your prayers+++</span><br />
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<br />Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679337171422593785noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6610953973028158826.post-57447538413324016202015-04-15T18:52:00.000-07:002015-07-31T09:47:39.881-07:00Gimping By Grace Through the Gauntlet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">St. Mary's Parish Shrine~ One of my favorite places on earth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Greetings of Easter peace to anyone who might pass this way!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It's been a long and arduous Lenten trek over in my corner of the world so I thought I'd share some reflections. I also want to thank any of you kind souls who have been praying for my marriage and family. We have felt the impact and know they have helped in far more ways than we can imagine!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">As I move forward from here in the season of Easter, I truly believe that we are <em>not meant</em> to keep hardships to ourselves. As I read and think about the apostles after the shock and awe of Calvary, I see that they first wanted to hide. It reminds me that we can all relate to this as we inevitably go through our own difficult things in life. Sometimes we feel like curling up in a ball, hoping all of our sorrow will go away... but it never works like that. God calls us to come out. Just like Christ drew out his disciples from their darkness to tell people what happened, He also calls us to share how He works in our own lives and give reason for hope. I would like to do that...Share hope. I hope in doing so, it might help someone else find light in their struggle and know we are never alone.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54_FfQsvm6hJXAsQUz6fFSdEkn8iJYiQYRSexCIce7Kz5GbkvVm_TFad4871vEBNHvxueiG4VizrevAsC7giNicVey8xGLAC2U_8tQcDJHCiI0nn6g14fAvybnGocVyujidNLT09aVMwD/s1600/IMG_0422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54_FfQsvm6hJXAsQUz6fFSdEkn8iJYiQYRSexCIce7Kz5GbkvVm_TFad4871vEBNHvxueiG4VizrevAsC7giNicVey8xGLAC2U_8tQcDJHCiI0nn6g14fAvybnGocVyujidNLT09aVMwD/s1600/IMG_0422.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"> The Pacific Ocean~ My favorite places to find peace</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Before arriving at "hope", it seems we have to think about what choices we have to live out our free will in difficult circumstances. Suddenly, we find there aren't a whole lot of choices in times of crisis.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I recently read this anonymous quote: <em>"When something bad happens you have 3 choices:</em></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>One, you can let it define you.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>Two, you can let it destroy you.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>Three, you can let it strengthen you."</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Ultimately as Christians, we know that we are called to pick up our crosses and follow Him. For in this real person of Jesus, we find exactly what we need to make that third choice of allowing our trials to strengthen us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The only problem is actually <em>doing it</em>!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Not an easy thing, <strong>I know</strong>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">When we are actually call to <em>live what we believe</em>, we look at that bloody face on the Cross with a new lens...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">This Holy Week, I found myself in this very position. There I was, gimping by His grace...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">That <em>free gift</em> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">of Himself </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">was all I had to hold on to...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Sacrificial love saves us from ourselves,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">it saves us from destruction,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">giving strength through the pain,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">flowing freely from His wounds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">Our Parish Altar~ The comfort of home</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">There He was, there He <span style="font-size: x-large;">is</span>, being the example for <span style="font-size: x-large;">all</span> to see, believers or not. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">He was not a victim but a hero.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Which one will we be?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">He lives the Resurrection so that we might believe, we might hope, we might have light outside ourselves, we might (someday) be with Him forever.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">And then comes the inevitable question... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">How can we possibly follow this example of absolute love and forgiveness when betrayal and other human sufferings hurt so much?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It seems all fine and dandy for Jesus because He was God, the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, and God is supposed to do that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The real question, is what does this look like in <span style="font-size: x-large;">real</span> life for <span style="font-size: x-large;">real</span> humans? </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglm6jugl_qb_69i9lN25NCu1Ww1P0YqFz_2oLDoircvlFitFR-L5ghV451Yee2NeDGkF7KxuVyikKzp5eATzrs9_9fXE_qtubLiBDXfPgWrEbGRCJOxt4TM5qcHdOgPUrzaH9oCM5pPap7/s1600/IMG_0763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglm6jugl_qb_69i9lN25NCu1Ww1P0YqFz_2oLDoircvlFitFR-L5ghV451Yee2NeDGkF7KxuVyikKzp5eATzrs9_9fXE_qtubLiBDXfPgWrEbGRCJOxt4TM5qcHdOgPUrzaH9oCM5pPap7/s1600/IMG_0763.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">Easter Vigil at St. Mary's~ Hope is alive</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I've had plenty of time to ponder these <span style="font-size: x-large;">real</span> questions (and more) as they have wracked my brain and heart these last 5 months...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">When my world came crashing down.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> Never would I have believed this would happen to us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">How does one actually survive betrayal in a marriage, anyway?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">How should I respond to my spouse who has been dishonest?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">What on earth am I supposed to do when my spouse isn't sure he wants to stay in our marriage after 16 years and 5 children?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">How can I gimp through the gauntlet?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">T</span><span style="font-size: large;">he honest answer is that there is no <em>easy</em> answer.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The answer is <em>hard</em> but it's worth seeking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It's not about me but it's about the surrender of me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">When there are very few choices, the real path to survival is an honest face plant at the foot of the Cross, literally and figuratively.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The will of God is the only answer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">When we do this in <span style="font-size: x-large;">real</span> life, let Jesus take the helm, <span style="font-size: x-large;">real</span> God happens. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Submersing myself in the word of God every day, gave me exact answers I needed for that very moment. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Gimping by grace began,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Gimping through the gauntlet continues...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMc_7qpEnIx2iKzf_bTKtVXRyjMs5rNyFIH5gk0qSvTC3rjLSyjE4rnsOOVvpT0U6U1VWvM6aJqkviLv2amT9VwFBTgEvw_O1Fo1OvV_PHBr7AQ8gArko202O6EV-tlQobqtyep5-vd21-/s1600/IMG_0988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMc_7qpEnIx2iKzf_bTKtVXRyjMs5rNyFIH5gk0qSvTC3rjLSyjE4rnsOOVvpT0U6U1VWvM6aJqkviLv2amT9VwFBTgEvw_O1Fo1OvV_PHBr7AQ8gArko202O6EV-tlQobqtyep5-vd21-/s1600/IMG_0988.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">My lifelines and favorite prayer resources</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">My favorite resources, coupled with the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist gave me strength, along with the prayers and a lifeline of beautiful friends and family who truly kept me (and my family) afloat. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">In real life, the body of Christ embraced me in their loving arms.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">In real life, the crosshairs of mercy stared back at me...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Miracles happened.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Mercy does that...It leads to miracles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">The Blessed Sacrament~ Heaven on Earth</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">As I write this, our marriage is being reconciled. I do believe it's a miracle and I'm rejoicing in the midst of our gimping, even though I'm terrible at gimping.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> It's not easy to gimp, even by His grace.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> Prayers are still needed because I'm having a hard time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I know my husband is having a hard time, too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It's tremendously painful for both of us to pick up the pieces and move in a new direction.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Real life isn't so easy but there is plenty of hope to hold on to, this I know.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">In the meantime, I've learned a few <span style="font-size: x-large;">good</span> things to share:)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8aKRiBrLWgR5k7AbFqXLcEJbHSsoEMZlzLrPDd7s7SxT95TAlEtBuRwKJQ3-Galv8v0wRj70QgtlYUdptXIQ59Tc8GPKNVCO7d2_TSNYL1SpR1sXSF6fAkYVjGZ7MB4sh1eekWcfH8uB/s1600/IMG_0446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8aKRiBrLWgR5k7AbFqXLcEJbHSsoEMZlzLrPDd7s7SxT95TAlEtBuRwKJQ3-Galv8v0wRj70QgtlYUdptXIQ59Tc8GPKNVCO7d2_TSNYL1SpR1sXSF6fAkYVjGZ7MB4sh1eekWcfH8uB/s1600/IMG_0446.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">Me learning a new sport~ A new passion!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">It's good</span> to stare at mercy through the crosshairs...It's a mirror to your soul. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">It's good</span> to take a hard look at what you believe in because then you have to live what you really believe. "Sweet" Divine Mercy had new meaning this year:)</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcoUP-pVxQOKxQnWes0CP4qPGg_jIiJxsbpSMEyex-1u7-TnMLqAXDe9Nd-J2Gbh4CShrw8j2HNZb4poYxWZtmjEHS_b0sTM89ImTfhZN66uv25bpBwhNy3Qy1czLnsUtLqG4uM5zyfCs/s1600/IMG_0905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcoUP-pVxQOKxQnWes0CP4qPGg_jIiJxsbpSMEyex-1u7-TnMLqAXDe9Nd-J2Gbh4CShrw8j2HNZb4poYxWZtmjEHS_b0sTM89ImTfhZN66uv25bpBwhNy3Qy1czLnsUtLqG4uM5zyfCs/s1600/IMG_0905.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Krispy Treat~ 2015Our Divine Mercy Rice</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">It's good</span> to have family and friends who've got your back when you're down. They are the <span style="font-size: x-large;">real </span>hands of God, whether they know it or not. We should never hesitate to reach out.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">It's good</span> to give to others in the midst of your own pain so that you discover it's balm for your wounds.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9pq4_7g3ilnwcggh4TV0wMrqVvFx0TrNpKBOllOCuWrOHIXrQZoB1jhisa6zPGrX2ERqTaOzShX3yB5Zf5LazvwBWphwLGHMc59mzJeIolETFLNvd12aBwVvEpWgc7fut9kk9Scok4K_S/s1600/IMG_0738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9pq4_7g3ilnwcggh4TV0wMrqVvFx0TrNpKBOllOCuWrOHIXrQZoB1jhisa6zPGrX2ERqTaOzShX3yB5Zf5LazvwBWphwLGHMc59mzJeIolETFLNvd12aBwVvEpWgc7fut9kk9Scok4K_S/s1600/IMG_0738.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">American Heritage Girls </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Holy Week Service Project</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Food Bags for the Homeless</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPUZvxmjaY_eR8I0aFfLbgZOCsJt0pxgse2K5fDNrZQHVX7pWT0bysC-Qli-cYVg2lnabf7AX2B6YlBQiVGBKMuTYIwWoVJ5gLxMDojjvociLq2Mte9mjbVXbpDNbYzEPsudJXD-w1SKn/s1600/IMG_0748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPUZvxmjaY_eR8I0aFfLbgZOCsJt0pxgse2K5fDNrZQHVX7pWT0bysC-Qli-cYVg2lnabf7AX2B6YlBQiVGBKMuTYIwWoVJ5gLxMDojjvociLq2Mte9mjbVXbpDNbYzEPsudJXD-w1SKn/s1600/IMG_0748.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">It's good</span> to turn to the great Mother of God who knows our suffering and is the best company at the foot of the Cross. She is the sun that shines for her Son.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">St. Mary's Parish Fatima Shrine~ Early morning sunrise</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">It's good</span> to give thanks for the beauty in the natural world that is heightened in time of trial to remind us that we are part of something bigger than ourselves.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_Zt55z3c4A5THc1FhOnVZM7NL5T7uqOGMz6Q5PbUzKUGVO7-dDOXJ-FNSNq625A-pj9rcwOPI8ymBj5-vK7BM-B-qSwwEgz2lxRP0WeTGIctx51UyZZ-aZGiSGX-2so-bAQH-HSnGLzc/s1600/IMG_4694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_Zt55z3c4A5THc1FhOnVZM7NL5T7uqOGMz6Q5PbUzKUGVO7-dDOXJ-FNSNq625A-pj9rcwOPI8ymBj5-vK7BM-B-qSwwEgz2lxRP0WeTGIctx51UyZZ-aZGiSGX-2so-bAQH-HSnGLzc/s1600/IMG_4694.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">The beautiful tree on my parent's deck!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">It's good</span> to have faith that God has it all under control because His grace is what keeps us gimping up, up, up, the mountain, instead of giving up. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWzx2j8FEZPTl-Yy7Udag9474uPnTl80yLeDtl514EcREmWHU0KPE10bfIWTnkI0hmDrkegs2XTNM3rUDkSTkciLK7lC-JXH-WbyAnOFFVybLZFln1J0YWWheYSvGlHbPkqCaiy7f-fAN/s1600/IMG_0625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWzx2j8FEZPTl-Yy7Udag9474uPnTl80yLeDtl514EcREmWHU0KPE10bfIWTnkI0hmDrkegs2XTNM3rUDkSTkciLK7lC-JXH-WbyAnOFFVybLZFln1J0YWWheYSvGlHbPkqCaiy7f-fAN/s1600/IMG_0625.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">Arduous hike at Pinnacles National Park~Perfect kick-off to Holy Week! (Photo Credit to my friend, Kim)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Through all of this, I also pray that you might receive the grace you need to gimp through your own gauntlet, knowing that God's plan is always better than our own! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Through my gimping, I trust that He knows what He's doing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Thank you for continued love and prayers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"> Family Photo~Easter Vigil~2015</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"> {Broken but not destroyed}</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"Let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before him he endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God. Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of losing blood." ~Hebrews 12:1b-4</span></em></div>
<br />Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679337171422593785noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6610953973028158826.post-22584537961071292692015-02-13T13:01:00.001-08:002015-02-13T13:01:57.829-08:00Lenten Meditation~ 2015<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">My friend Julia recently sent me this meditation. It fit me perfectly and I will be reflecting upon it quite often this Lent...It's so good that I had to share! I pray it might be just what you need as well:)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9-Es7SnvLSlfftO6cbKgSrsLef1l6DrEIbbi-kOUr5b8NGF2ig9KkbOWg8ephUATJv_gQ_tWkZ1UftHIa324O9zmxteEeYTBLPjYF5gYJqN7nKq8QDsmihODpQNBMtC5B0xgJHEONod0/s1600/IMG_8658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9-Es7SnvLSlfftO6cbKgSrsLef1l6DrEIbbi-kOUr5b8NGF2ig9KkbOWg8ephUATJv_gQ_tWkZ1UftHIa324O9zmxteEeYTBLPjYF5gYJqN7nKq8QDsmihODpQNBMtC5B0xgJHEONod0/s1600/IMG_8658.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><u>In His Hands</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">We must offer ourselves to God like a clean, smooth canvas and not to worry ourselves about what God may choose to paint on it, for we have perfect trust in him, have abandoned ourselves to him, and are so busy doing our duty that we forget ourselves and all our needs. The more closely we devote ourselves to our little task, which is so simple, so secret and so hidden and apparently so paltry, the more does God enrich and adorn it: "God works wonders for those he loves." (Psalm 4:3)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">It is true that a canvas simply and blindly offered to the brush feels at each moment only the stroke of the brush. It is the same with a lump of stone. Each blow from the hammering of the sculptor's chisel makes it feel--if it could-- as if it were being destroyed. After blow after blow descends, the stone knows nothing of how the sculptor is shaping it. All it feels is a chisel chopping away at it, cutting it and mutilating it. For example, let's take a piece of stone destined to be carved into a crucifix or statue. We might ask it: "What do you think is happening to you?" And it might answer: "Don't ask me. All I know is that I must stay immovable in the hands of the sculptor, and I must love him and endure all he inflicts on me to produce the figure he has in mind. He knows how to do it. As for me, I have no idea what he is doing, nor do I know what he will make of me. But what I do know is that his work is the best possible. It is perfect. I welcome each blow of his chisel as the best thing that could happen to me, although, if I'm to be truthful, I feel that every one of these blows is ruining me, destroying me and disfiguring me. But I remain unconcerned. I concentrate on the present moment, think only of my duty, and suffer all that this master sculptor inflicts on me without knowing his purpose or fretting about it."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">~Father Jean-Pierre De Caussade, S.J.</span></div>
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Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679337171422593785noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6610953973028158826.post-28594883704377828082015-01-15T13:35:00.001-08:002015-01-22T22:08:17.509-08:00Lord, Hear My Cry!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoU3sZzONvhqySa_QHMz9AZ9_cat0UpNRUXolAF4eJzcmaJiPezfxCctWTAF0Yq-47LepY6mHAOS3vKu8P-j2oW67i80z2GYt5RgeSj0eq9KQHbuJiTEmc-92gG7JYGMmDMcfkveyL9lYu/s1600/IMG_4006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoU3sZzONvhqySa_QHMz9AZ9_cat0UpNRUXolAF4eJzcmaJiPezfxCctWTAF0Yq-47LepY6mHAOS3vKu8P-j2oW67i80z2GYt5RgeSj0eq9KQHbuJiTEmc-92gG7JYGMmDMcfkveyL9lYu/s1600/IMG_4006.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I went up to a high mountain and cried out...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I cried out at the top of my voice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I know he hears me and will answer in time...Unfortunately <em>not my time</em> but <span style="font-size: x-large;">His</span>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Family At The Foot of The Cross continues to live it's name. I see more clearly that God helped choose the name for this blog, this path, my journey here on earth, for a good reason. I trust that I may also share that goodness, eventually.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">In the meantime, I wake up every morning with a pit in my stomach...It's still here, the terrible nightmare (another nightmare in my life) that's real. Sometimes there are no words to express wounds to a soul so I daresay it's best to just <em>ask for prayers</em>. I know that this situation has now become part of my story, a story unfolding as I groan through the motions. In the midst of Advent and Christmas joy, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I am delivered a cross...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Passed like a torch, these crosses bind our wounds and heal our pain through each suffering step and stumble.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">As I stumble through each day, I recall the stumbles of a Savior who carried His cross for me and for the whole world. He fell three times and I fall <em>many more times</em> in sorrow. I question with agony: "Who will wipe my face of these tears? Who will save me from this darkness?" Thank God for answers...It is He, the light of the world. </span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">"Your light shall break forth like the dawn,/ and your wound shall quickly be healed;/ Your vindication shall go before you,/ and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard./ Then you shall call and the Lord will answer,/ you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am!" ~Isaiah 58:8-9</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I speak out here in writing instead of sinking in. I hope that if there are others who are suffering, we might band together to comfort and pray for one another. The depths of a dark hole will never swallow up the light if we refuse to allow it. <span style="font-size: x-large;">We are never alone</span>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">The Lord hears our cries and saves us through the Cross. He is mercy and He is love.</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The Cross is a game-changer and victory is ours!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>The eyes of the Lord are upon those who love him;/he is their mighty shield and strong support,/A shelter from the heat, a shade from the noonday sun,/ a guard against the stumbling, a help against falling." ~Sirach 34:16</em></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6y3u1Jb2l6UGmcNGHPLFWwVFhvGZkc6YH4u3poiLDX1ioCyqF2rb92B13zzxOYB0rX8QWvUHFvgp4hDufj8tDF_F7cLtJoNyhLkP8RhcOttCOGie4-J12Vr6E5D2GH4NU6dSSrlhrYVqB/s1600/IMG_3932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6y3u1Jb2l6UGmcNGHPLFWwVFhvGZkc6YH4u3poiLDX1ioCyqF2rb92B13zzxOYB0rX8QWvUHFvgp4hDufj8tDF_F7cLtJoNyhLkP8RhcOttCOGie4-J12Vr6E5D2GH4NU6dSSrlhrYVqB/s1600/IMG_3932.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I would love to pray for you as I offer up my own time of great trial. Please leave a comment and I will add you to my list! If you would find it in your heart to pray for my marriage and family, I would be so grateful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">And earth repeats a loud Amen.</span></div>
Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679337171422593785noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6610953973028158826.post-46926594073494452032014-10-29T20:10:00.000-07:002017-08-06T18:28:43.656-07:00Hold My Hand<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJcJnsi3MElaH6HTHLFf2obPEh0VaH3D0cd0dNmRJHseUIgztRZo29jkq5-Wjh1-wufbGswgenZ9ZY-tAkFF9tYbD-H2DeCvtHKJBzej06pHIHL-e7WyrgEdb5wMFpVQyi7Ku4H6R39r6u/s1600/IMG_1878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJcJnsi3MElaH6HTHLFf2obPEh0VaH3D0cd0dNmRJHseUIgztRZo29jkq5-Wjh1-wufbGswgenZ9ZY-tAkFF9tYbD-H2DeCvtHKJBzej06pHIHL-e7WyrgEdb5wMFpVQyi7Ku4H6R39r6u/s1600/IMG_1878.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Don't we all just want a hand to hold sometimes?</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I've been thinking a lot about this during a recent challenge around our house...Dear husband has been gone on a month-long business trip to teach tactical medicine in another country. We discussed the opportunity quite a bit before making a mutual decision that he should go. That being said, the challenges of him being gone were yet to be seen... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The first thing I did was call upon many prayer warriors to pray for his safety and our sanity at home. I've been told that I'm a strong person but I really don't feel like I am. One thing I know for certain is that I <span style="font-size: x-large;">do</span> have a strong God who sustains me. I knew that our family was going to need those prayers, especially for me to do my part alone with 4 kids at home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The days and weeks passed by...some slow, some fast, some crazy, some sane. Needless to say there were many lessons learned and strength was gained a long the way, no doubt from the prayers that were prayed from generous and loving hearts. I am so grateful for all of them and he's finally coming home this weekend!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What surprised me the most was the differing reactions that I received. People I hardly know were checking in on us yet some of my closest friends and relatives never even asked how we were doing. I sat and listened to one particular "friend" ramble on about herself while never even casting a word or question about our survival. Seemingly insensitive and uncaring actions are puzzling thoughts about a "friend." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">All of this reminded me of my widowhood when some people I thought were close friends seemed farthest away. On the other hand, the people who seem to care the most during this difficult situation were the <em>least expected</em>. It's like God plants them there to open our eyes to beautiful people all around us that we failed to pay attention to before. He makes up for our human failings and His hands reach out to us through these special people that reach out to us, taking our eyes off the disappointment. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">When all is said and done, the fact is that we need each other. We need hands to hold when we are struggling. Big struggles, small struggles, it doesn't really matter. What counts is a caring gesture. I remember one particular homily when our pastor emphasized the need for Christ but also the human need for people with "skin" here on earth. God made us in His image and likeness to be His representatives on earth...The arms and legs of Jesus for one another. I was reminded of this need in my own need. We aren't meant to walk alone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;"></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrIAtWIgJFzUa5BjCNawPBbOy5oocurwdloV2bUUMCWE7XTp9KwiW5U7U4mvvg2FCNN1-00nRhb29PhSwB6kZ93QJWwg941Qn0u3fkoXdQPIDWr3HVfG6AG7t0qRz1ewFIqU_Wf2T-LXs/s1600/IMG_2644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrIAtWIgJFzUa5BjCNawPBbOy5oocurwdloV2bUUMCWE7XTp9KwiW5U7U4mvvg2FCNN1-00nRhb29PhSwB6kZ93QJWwg941Qn0u3fkoXdQPIDWr3HVfG6AG7t0qRz1ewFIqU_Wf2T-LXs/s1600/IMG_2644.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Receiving a kind text message asking how we were doing, how my husband was doing, was such a life-line this past month. Some sweet church friends brought pizza and dropped it off, without even asking; a friend that I only see once a year sent chocolate; another thoughtful friend dropped off stress relief soap and lotion...I <em>never expected</em> any of this but I can't tell you how each of these hands that reached out brought light to a dark moment or ease to a struggle. I am beyond humbled. Words cannot express enough gratitude.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">The reason I share this is to bring light to the kindness, to the importance of hands to reach out. It reminds me how critical it is to be that same light for others. We can all make a difference, even in the small things...Sometimes we will never know when the small things are really big things so we just need to act! We should not hesitate or wait to be asked...Just reach out. Since we are all human, it's inevitable that people will disappoint us but right behind them are new smiles to discover and new friends to behold.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">I saw this picture of Pope Francis on Facebook via Catholic Catalogue and it brings home this loving sentiment. The way he reached out to that Swiss Guard was so endearing...Look at that smile! Isn't that how we all feel when someone touches our hearts?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">I pray that I will not be that "friend" who is too self-absorbed or too busy to reach out...After all, the Pope's not too busy to grab a hand!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7drtdmG9WLXoDqbkBstz6fM_2J3eQGzEb_xmQyKzXRVSqoGOxdHOusQyOxDedJbI0tix8HW6VWykibe7C3mrKIz27k_N3uvWChyphenhyphenxu5-NcxagCzAyYJBPKt5pyRB166iE3Et7U4Sx6RdML/s1600/Swiss+Guard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7drtdmG9WLXoDqbkBstz6fM_2J3eQGzEb_xmQyKzXRVSqoGOxdHOusQyOxDedJbI0tix8HW6VWykibe7C3mrKIz27k_N3uvWChyphenhyphenxu5-NcxagCzAyYJBPKt5pyRB166iE3Et7U4Sx6RdML/s1600/Swiss+Guard.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Moving forward from here, I want to reach out a little more. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">I hope you will join me...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Share love, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Share compassion, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Hold hearts, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia"; font-size: large;">Hold hands!</span></div>
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Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679337171422593785noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6610953973028158826.post-16471341858270705752014-08-26T21:49:00.003-07:002014-08-27T10:23:07.316-07:00St. Monica's "Sweet" Tears<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuy5CKWadQ5xUNJuRCmdTVKPySpfX3umSA5b17o3Rn2eE2e4JkOUncdPVodjIrzmIHTTXTPwUzt6CUjpeWYCr1z3XXQckvUQEUQiVAXCDbThyphenhyphenKmY6Qu6KqNCBRR465O8sjd1kE4Q-6Vguo/s1600/St.+Monica+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuy5CKWadQ5xUNJuRCmdTVKPySpfX3umSA5b17o3Rn2eE2e4JkOUncdPVodjIrzmIHTTXTPwUzt6CUjpeWYCr1z3XXQckvUQEUQiVAXCDbThyphenhyphenKmY6Qu6KqNCBRR465O8sjd1kE4Q-6Vguo/s1600/St.+Monica+2.jpg" height="369" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Here I am, back to blog about what I really <em>love</em> to do...celebrate the feast days of the saints! With our older kids not so keen about doing crafts or coloring much any more, I can still sneak in a saintly lesson (with food:) Even the high school son was interested!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LPTs7ztHKwkLK5Wd2T6mVkcXcASB10orSjlJU-iy-7TeMsaRqNBTi3XBGElo7GlHlKpVMJ_NmSsGyeFWYXTIAdRWQe4r-W1jbUT6jyG2pN306RC41D65JL9aSg4whC2rUGjfLIiI-C5C/s1600/SAM_1628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LPTs7ztHKwkLK5Wd2T6mVkcXcASB10orSjlJU-iy-7TeMsaRqNBTi3XBGElo7GlHlKpVMJ_NmSsGyeFWYXTIAdRWQe4r-W1jbUT6jyG2pN306RC41D65JL9aSg4whC2rUGjfLIiI-C5C/s1600/SAM_1628.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">What's not to celebrate about a woman who persevered in prayer, through <em>many tears</em>, for her husband AND wayward son? Not to mention that her prayers were answered in a BIG way. Both Monica's husband and son (St. Augustine) eventually converted. Augustine's conversion is rather famous and he has been declared one of the greatest saints, prolific writers, and doctors of the Catholic Church...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">Happy Feast of St. Monica!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I made these sweet "Tears of St. Monica" treats for our evening dessert and discussion about the back to back feasts of mother and son. (August 27 & 28) It was nice to sit around the dinner table and talk about these 2 interesting heroes of the faith. In our busy lives, it was worth the extra planning moments to make it happen!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Two easy ingredients...How can you beat that?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Crescent rolls and Nutella! The treats represent the sweetness of God's grace, resulting from the sweat of Monica's prayers and tears.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3DKhmCNdY51P8TudiszDWz74eAXJyA1sR8NBrkPuO8_bzr94OEyxcDeh4OrkLE0pmekRu04c1LjwtU0FqjEXuQsCGYPIq1nzvtObillXf3sdQn2-GiIYsTY8wkNvOXPgFicWY15YwEKJ/s1600/SAM_1621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3DKhmCNdY51P8TudiszDWz74eAXJyA1sR8NBrkPuO8_bzr94OEyxcDeh4OrkLE0pmekRu04c1LjwtU0FqjEXuQsCGYPIq1nzvtObillXf3sdQn2-GiIYsTY8wkNvOXPgFicWY15YwEKJ/s1600/SAM_1621.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I posted more details over at </span><a href="http://catholiccuisine.blogspot.com/2014/08/st-monicas-tearsa-feast-day-treat.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Catholic Cuisine</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATvEeC1cZViXWRiZ90tfjmSS9Rkhszy5uPYhoAd-3rwTFOGPZ0vmSEpcew8dVWQBj3fiyLM9tsQDqANDFV1kmRewMDcDXpUnjNWcWDz6PCWuVz4pBQL-yBvC8wz7o4fRZG8a9giSCtiq0/s1600/SAM_1625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATvEeC1cZViXWRiZ90tfjmSS9Rkhszy5uPYhoAd-3rwTFOGPZ0vmSEpcew8dVWQBj3fiyLM9tsQDqANDFV1kmRewMDcDXpUnjNWcWDz6PCWuVz4pBQL-yBvC8wz7o4fRZG8a9giSCtiq0/s1600/SAM_1625.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">These were super easy...Just spread and roll into the shape of teardrops! </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8GxOC1kSIDa5YxIhFx9I5C3UVPvnPCBVvuccniuv6V9q2Fun2TckutBX8UDwMPlpyjdIgFVN05tM41ZZypaKYpzKTpXaO2kmVPu_MSpqw5lorTlHh9yRuMkF0u-hAgO3c2zBoBqKqF5E/s1600/SAM_1629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8GxOC1kSIDa5YxIhFx9I5C3UVPvnPCBVvuccniuv6V9q2Fun2TckutBX8UDwMPlpyjdIgFVN05tM41ZZypaKYpzKTpXaO2kmVPu_MSpqw5lorTlHh9yRuMkF0u-hAgO3c2zBoBqKqF5E/s1600/SAM_1629.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">For a family of 6, we needed 2 rolls of Crescent dough...Big hit!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Prayer to conclude our dessert:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Exemplary Mother of the Great Augustine,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">You perseveringly pursued your wayward son</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Not with threats but with prayerful cries to heaven.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Intercede for all mothers in our day</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">So that they may learn to draw their children to God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Teach them how to remain close to their children,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Even the prodigal sons and daughters who have sadly gone astray.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Dear St. Monica, troubled wife and mother,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">many sorrows pierced your heart during your lifetime.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Yet, you never despaired or lost faith.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">With confidence, persistence, and profound faith,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">you prayed daily for the conversion</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">of your beloved husband, Patricius,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">and your beloved son, Augustine;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">your prayers were answered.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Grant me that same fortitude, patience, and trust in the Lord.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Intercede for me, dear St. Monica,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">that God may favorably hear my plea.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">(Mention your intentions here)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Grant me the grace to accept His Will in all things, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">through Jesus Christ, our Lord,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">in unity of the Holy Spirit,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">one God, forever and ever.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Amen</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><em>May the <span style="font-size: x-large;">hope</span> of St. Monica be with us all!</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">On a side note, St. Monica's tomb and her relics are currently venerated at the church of <a href="http://www.thecatholictravelguide.com/BasilicaofSaintAugustineRome.html">San Agostino in Rome</a>! It was on my bucket list for my recent trip there, but I just couldn't swing it. Darn, guess I need to go back;-) </span></div>
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Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679337171422593785noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6610953973028158826.post-3177314708010512452014-07-30T15:29:00.002-07:002014-08-01T15:04:47.492-07:00Hello Little Blog!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAfEcweNbYo2-2X2rbhiw4EVWN-Ow0w2uRWH3a7fgOaA7FJZC_cSZ2LBRyej7wztSv6RXZfPyJ3AEepv9rxh3jy9KhzlpZiFV2uShDzaIUYfEULX-sFPYrjMlioUR2JZ_oFDpAaZopnRJ6/s1600/IMG_0320+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAfEcweNbYo2-2X2rbhiw4EVWN-Ow0w2uRWH3a7fgOaA7FJZC_cSZ2LBRyej7wztSv6RXZfPyJ3AEepv9rxh3jy9KhzlpZiFV2uShDzaIUYfEULX-sFPYrjMlioUR2JZ_oFDpAaZopnRJ6/s1600/IMG_0320+(2).JPG" height="337" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I'm not the best at being regular around here. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Why? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Well, I suppose it's partly because I'm in a bit of an upheaval as we suddenly have a house full of (mostly) big kids! Where did all of the littles go?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It all happened overnight, <em>really, </em> it did. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Plus, I'm slowing down. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It's hard to keep up. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj73ZuyQLR9bs4AsCam7OwIArQaVXpRTLL5JoH6aFdi9hDX9AxgFCUL04bcjNMkq6F6yl7KAXweiZRmPZuQ6p3rzEc7-UCbz7ZoMXipqJaDbe8BSV5fOR9q7XI-OqYKdiIpikie0y-kkMu/s1600/IMG_9558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj73ZuyQLR9bs4AsCam7OwIArQaVXpRTLL5JoH6aFdi9hDX9AxgFCUL04bcjNMkq6F6yl7KAXweiZRmPZuQ6p3rzEc7-UCbz7ZoMXipqJaDbe8BSV5fOR9q7XI-OqYKdiIpikie0y-kkMu/s1600/IMG_9558.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Going into this school year we will soon have a 21 year old who will be a Jr. in college (cough, cough) ...Not to mention a high school Sophomore and a 7th grade tween! With only 2 left in the elementary grades, I'm feeling the difference. For me, it's a <span style="font-size: x-large;">big </span>difference.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">I feel ill-equipped after having little kids for so long!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Transition is hard...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivD22b_79YNq0dRrCgLGMwANLU2bZMdws2bF9J-XOaOGsGigue3czz1isJnhEkUK3chVFhPZqbSO6C_Hc-HQRU4Wgh0zbUr3erjpva3X4ScVgfAQwozm7iT2-91yaeZ6DI1c6sgpmUjgKV/s1600/IMG_9575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivD22b_79YNq0dRrCgLGMwANLU2bZMdws2bF9J-XOaOGsGigue3czz1isJnhEkUK3chVFhPZqbSO6C_Hc-HQRU4Wgh0zbUr3erjpva3X4ScVgfAQwozm7iT2-91yaeZ6DI1c6sgpmUjgKV/s1600/IMG_9575.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">OK, it's not what you think with the Red Solo Cup...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">;-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">This is more my style!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsy1oOMHPijFTDgwIW4nLSJIpOJuMZ9fTObyffJIqFQCufW3kmYfFJsWeNEoV1kmcJIp232WjCTuhLiVsIblEhG46ycOBfttzCK4QyBMAoULfmB7ZwAhuvn0mrbf9kjbJ1c1jAnYUk2G-y/s1600/IMG_9893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsy1oOMHPijFTDgwIW4nLSJIpOJuMZ9fTObyffJIqFQCufW3kmYfFJsWeNEoV1kmcJIp232WjCTuhLiVsIblEhG46ycOBfttzCK4QyBMAoULfmB7ZwAhuvn0mrbf9kjbJ1c1jAnYUk2G-y/s1600/IMG_9893.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I'm wondering what's in store for me, for us, this space... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Big question mark?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I've always felt inspired to write and share but not so much, lately. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Though I feel like I have <em>nothing</em> to offer, I'm not worried. I trust God has a hand in this transition...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The same transition that's been ongoing since our oldest left for college. I have yet to put into words the paradox of being happy to watch children leave home to start their own lives, while the heart grieves their absence. Someday, maybe I will.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9uMrUCawFT1eCnT7_qHHwUsIjfjtahnKNWguysMYqI3dSSCTTXw4SjSTvEBc-lRBZW8NCzKyOOHeEI4dGhsS2HKycHxd69DsL-O7Ih4nVYV0_25yOjydF6e-dUrCXGiThQfEgzvOQDpYS/s1600/IMG_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9uMrUCawFT1eCnT7_qHHwUsIjfjtahnKNWguysMYqI3dSSCTTXw4SjSTvEBc-lRBZW8NCzKyOOHeEI4dGhsS2HKycHxd69DsL-O7Ih4nVYV0_25yOjydF6e-dUrCXGiThQfEgzvOQDpYS/s1600/IMG_0002.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Then again, some things are just meant to be <em>lived</em>, words unspoken. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5-EKS_-zh8UEIBEqPWE12CtVxspWG4TT7WozCEvHZULyhXctHE6d-rKG5PNPvn0GYq4tgBycF7fYo5B2Ht5npGiYNUwSsufc39pz3xa7sTyhb7RrogUplVMroboqFDa1PQbbjVSxqGFJ/s1600/IMG_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5-EKS_-zh8UEIBEqPWE12CtVxspWG4TT7WozCEvHZULyhXctHE6d-rKG5PNPvn0GYq4tgBycF7fYo5B2Ht5npGiYNUwSsufc39pz3xa7sTyhb7RrogUplVMroboqFDa1PQbbjVSxqGFJ/s1600/IMG_0016.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Maybe a time will come when I'm on the other side of the experience.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">I will (attempt) to wait patiently, even though I am constantly at odds with this virtue of <span style="font-size: x-large;">patience</span>. (Argh)!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">I'm not good with change... but I <em>know</em> from past experience, that change is good for <span style="font-size: x-large;">me</span>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">One of my favorite Psalms (25) brings peace.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><em>Lord, make me know your ways.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><em>Lord, teach me your paths.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><em>Make me walk in your truth, and teach me:</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><em>for you are God my Savior.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><em>In you, I hope all day long </em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><em>because of your goodness, O Lord.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><em>Remember your mercy, Lord,</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><em>and the love you have shown from of old.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><em>Do not remember the sins of my youth.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><em>In your love remember me.</em></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmdbJyJYl2_4KCpqRswVthUq1H80oJK9Am1NcVeYAiuqimvCmy_HEthFDV69JGeIZzTXlluK6nivwwj_y7aizWMEDZkMQ7wVtLa3wMR2wgf0coS67iXz9QH2FLU9LSBT4yiv3pUkYIw84/s1600/IMG_0072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmdbJyJYl2_4KCpqRswVthUq1H80oJK9Am1NcVeYAiuqimvCmy_HEthFDV69JGeIZzTXlluK6nivwwj_y7aizWMEDZkMQ7wVtLa3wMR2wgf0coS67iXz9QH2FLU9LSBT4yiv3pUkYIw84/s1600/IMG_0072.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">In the midst of it all, there are so many moments that make me feel like </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">I could just die of a<em> grateful heart attack</em>!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-LPO1-WGX2QmvFb7YMcUGaUwGp55jN2xC8nMMHPt1AcstWqJUEIHF1OHiNyPTSnzxeNE_9kftxq1_kFVwzDVpMyV1gn3SpuXOCyXqtIcH2C8KQqpPcEWKTTcZBG0Nu835WnaSmUF54jZi/s1600/IMG_9555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-LPO1-WGX2QmvFb7YMcUGaUwGp55jN2xC8nMMHPt1AcstWqJUEIHF1OHiNyPTSnzxeNE_9kftxq1_kFVwzDVpMyV1gn3SpuXOCyXqtIcH2C8KQqpPcEWKTTcZBG0Nu835WnaSmUF54jZi/s1600/IMG_9555.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Since losing a precious spouse, I've never taken life for granted but I've recently come to better appreciate the simple things, the <em>little</em> things. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG7eFc5BsBBT3PjPZGFzXzSjWrFLbo4jMFQG8-kg70aWT32ZliYWxYUOb33lZhmYb1iCoYzG9iDHjWVPecXSjbAhEVVAMaXxD1q7ebWNFUlN1JXKamGPgUuMo6_VWDFxJuz4bP2fq2gLXc/s1600/IMG_9675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG7eFc5BsBBT3PjPZGFzXzSjWrFLbo4jMFQG8-kg70aWT32ZliYWxYUOb33lZhmYb1iCoYzG9iDHjWVPecXSjbAhEVVAMaXxD1q7ebWNFUlN1JXKamGPgUuMo6_VWDFxJuz4bP2fq2gLXc/s1600/IMG_9675.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Another day is done but a new day is dawning.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAuOZxrHtzLia77Gw1PFowCG7yxghx-ziybUFomrtr3edsTboSVe_BgdnmbZc2IRCtxS-sf0klFhh2ibgvZNMxLhBQPADvqX8-TQKw5ZP3SEtU69amujccBPpCohWC6GtojvAU46U4n79z/s1600/IMG_9784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAuOZxrHtzLia77Gw1PFowCG7yxghx-ziybUFomrtr3edsTboSVe_BgdnmbZc2IRCtxS-sf0klFhh2ibgvZNMxLhBQPADvqX8-TQKw5ZP3SEtU69amujccBPpCohWC6GtojvAU46U4n79z/s1600/IMG_9784.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">See you soon, little blog.</span></div>
Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679337171422593785noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6610953973028158826.post-69139659082194418372014-06-26T22:42:00.001-07:002014-06-28T11:07:53.245-07:00Sacred and Immaculate Heart (Healthy) Snack Platters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkJ8c33dvqGn6N5n6u9fCAgicJx86dLuCGfvwCVvPPMkk5flTrCnI5PiCaw8WqyvVMuzo0JBD6K3y4nijSdlRof63xtH1Thcf5ckkQlkEZr9lHeHqf1iNV4PFEafQhqq8CaFKliVIOss3/s1600/IMG_0490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkJ8c33dvqGn6N5n6u9fCAgicJx86dLuCGfvwCVvPPMkk5flTrCnI5PiCaw8WqyvVMuzo0JBD6K3y4nijSdlRof63xtH1Thcf5ckkQlkEZr9lHeHqf1iNV4PFEafQhqq8CaFKliVIOss3/s1600/IMG_0490.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Happy Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I'm popping in to share these very easy and healthy snack platters for today's feast day and tomorrow's feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> As a contributor to <a href="http://catholiccuisine.blogspot.com/2014/06/sacred-and-immaculate-heart-fruit-and.html">Catholic Cuisine</a>, I have posted the details <a href="http://catholiccuisine.blogspot.com/2014/06/sacred-and-immaculate-heart-fruit-and.html">over there</a> but here are a few more photos:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Immaculate Heart Fruit Platter</strong></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWm5Nlccla6a998oQei9FH4YDbdyDAdFGlevvpzX1xZJM1ktipsppRP8hMQukbnAy3Lf_Op94YSWrtR5AyKzuNnK6_bDPNqZlMZT4W7AxYFkBSemgYhJ36Vy5DZKSNyJlzanXWAwO7Rxa/s1600/IMG_0497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWm5Nlccla6a998oQei9FH4YDbdyDAdFGlevvpzX1xZJM1ktipsppRP8hMQukbnAy3Lf_Op94YSWrtR5AyKzuNnK6_bDPNqZlMZT4W7AxYFkBSemgYhJ36Vy5DZKSNyJlzanXWAwO7Rxa/s1600/IMG_0497.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> I found a helpful post on <a href="http://womenlivingwell.org/2010/05/tasty-tuesday-how-to-cut-watermelon/">Pinterest</a> about how to cut a watermelon. I couldn't wait to give it a try for this fruit platter...Wow, amazingly easy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><strong>Frugal tip!</strong> Are you wondering what kind of platter might hold something like this? I bought two 18" clear Sturdiware platters from our local party store a few years ago. They were only a few dollars a piece and I've used the heck out of them, ever since. They have come in SO handy for graduations, sacramental celebrations, and many parties! I just wash them by hand after using them and store them for the next occasion:)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <strong>Sacred Heart of Jesus Veggie Platter and Immaculate Heart Fruit Platter</strong></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9jUE2q1_oCxtSCddJc1UBwdWzazmUmscgHKpmxBJjspPNceTPqLTFV-6NSEDRxYB-njbUVAyY6pbgbO9oz1D0uJccfsHChg3cMy5Rzj4TmXdMpZb55ruGBbZIBpS0yyF1pCJIED0LZur/s1600/IMG_0499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9jUE2q1_oCxtSCddJc1UBwdWzazmUmscgHKpmxBJjspPNceTPqLTFV-6NSEDRxYB-njbUVAyY6pbgbO9oz1D0uJccfsHChg3cMy5Rzj4TmXdMpZb55ruGBbZIBpS0yyF1pCJIED0LZur/s1600/IMG_0499.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Hope you are enjoying a blessed summer!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUwGSJFeU2Iq2dlVqBXNElML27VvEYv5E1_zocjyS4o0xnT_Bc_W1T_Pa0dCS8dZ8QsP_2z12UhKoKaicea_TYt0h8P0StafSdNbFL_ZmXWsfC15xsLMIDUKb5fs16llfWJsflvnYWeyvP/s1600/IMG_9861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUwGSJFeU2Iq2dlVqBXNElML27VvEYv5E1_zocjyS4o0xnT_Bc_W1T_Pa0dCS8dZ8QsP_2z12UhKoKaicea_TYt0h8P0StafSdNbFL_ZmXWsfC15xsLMIDUKb5fs16llfWJsflvnYWeyvP/s1600/IMG_9861.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679337171422593785noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6610953973028158826.post-60295988099877714552014-05-24T17:01:00.000-07:002014-05-24T19:49:56.289-07:0010 Surprises to Celebrate 10 Years of Homeschooling!<div align="center">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6j046DdmuTY1rEmMx3J-Kl-2TOBqxldBH_Ku3uxs-JSjxAcksiAXnllcnBWHAxzZ1QLRB4zM9dPIUZs0Di1jZj7y6TMY3YJrSLeII_RpYxsukmqQcHcXO6dLmudrXG0nPDcRt7wf0wEWG/s1600/IMG_9321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGw3j-yikd-lw1rqkGWs-QrPtQBe63aWAcGNFlqc0_PSTQbkVByv8j3xC2ocAP4H7tAKlhnaqooQy8HvjaoQkaNbrMEh_auY6H2-XJZ454ZN2IPNOkoLa9WCyF0d_LPGBTjy5dMuBGDpb/s1600/IMG_9386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGw3j-yikd-lw1rqkGWs-QrPtQBe63aWAcGNFlqc0_PSTQbkVByv8j3xC2ocAP4H7tAKlhnaqooQy8HvjaoQkaNbrMEh_auY6H2-XJZ454ZN2IPNOkoLa9WCyF0d_LPGBTjy5dMuBGDpb/s1600/IMG_9386.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">~10 years is reason to celebrate!~</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> It's been a decade since we started our homeschooling journey and my goodness,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">how we've changed over these past 10 years! (In more ways than one:)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It was really<span style="font-size: x-large;"> fun</span> to dig up a few old photos...Especially one that was taken the 1st year of our homeschooling journey, and compare it to a fairly recent one.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6j046DdmuTY1rEmMx3J-Kl-2TOBqxldBH_Ku3uxs-JSjxAcksiAXnllcnBWHAxzZ1QLRB4zM9dPIUZs0Di1jZj7y6TMY3YJrSLeII_RpYxsukmqQcHcXO6dLmudrXG0nPDcRt7wf0wEWG/s1600/IMG_9321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6j046DdmuTY1rEmMx3J-Kl-2TOBqxldBH_Ku3uxs-JSjxAcksiAXnllcnBWHAxzZ1QLRB4zM9dPIUZs0Di1jZj7y6TMY3YJrSLeII_RpYxsukmqQcHcXO6dLmudrXG0nPDcRt7wf0wEWG/s1600/IMG_9321.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Though none of our children have been strictly homeschooled K-12 thus far, we are still a family who has devoted the past 10 years to this secondary vocation in one way, shape, form or another. It's a full-time dedication to something we feel called to do but we certainly <span style="font-size: x-large;">don't</span> fit into any particular mold or label. I can <em>finally</em> be ok with that. No, we are far from fitting into any kind of perfect box. In fact, being perfectly imperfect always gives us something to work on as we forge ahead. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It seems cliché to say that <em>I can hardly believe 1o years has gone by!</em> But it's simply true in so many ways. Like anything else, there have been terrific days and tough days but we <span style="font-size: x-large;">have</span> come <span style="font-size: x-large;">this far</span>...Woo hoo! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">(And I wouldn't change a thing, by the way!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">2006</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqM5VvGSZrZGDHmwZhflBLbxZVJbOF3eagSD8ewbAQsA037NImHb3mNGboDNiWw0HOPfmUFwH0mPoL7X2TUzn3_VmfmZi9tw3EGHQKFH26TC5HydajIToNL5nYvq8dP-7V7goPNUs37Gbd/s1600/Halloween+2006+027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqM5VvGSZrZGDHmwZhflBLbxZVJbOF3eagSD8ewbAQsA037NImHb3mNGboDNiWw0HOPfmUFwH0mPoL7X2TUzn3_VmfmZi9tw3EGHQKFH26TC5HydajIToNL5nYvq8dP-7V7goPNUs37Gbd/s1600/Halloween+2006+027.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8XdloLHKzyxKn0kTN9s-e6TQWgiy_kbrW6hQzEYo9Zeexm8T2Pu0zpA0ClIRJ9OQ48muUwu3Hlarznm6uaxsk_cyXw_gvNX4Rj_sDC73ixZOh7WYOjcpJkzqVJLk3C7w5nahnhIvP-fOs/s1600/Halloween+Rod+and+Tiff+2006+035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8XdloLHKzyxKn0kTN9s-e6TQWgiy_kbrW6hQzEYo9Zeexm8T2Pu0zpA0ClIRJ9OQ48muUwu3Hlarznm6uaxsk_cyXw_gvNX4Rj_sDC73ixZOh7WYOjcpJkzqVJLk3C7w5nahnhIvP-fOs/s1600/Halloween+Rod+and+Tiff+2006+035.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxL9WJmZ1lRLI8cH14_5VRB53KiD88w8qIsTmB18gNFtTYAscYclZlV6KqnR5bgDS_if-dPrtCUrSoNCJHXoXhu21d-3Z6zPWoWQ0e2Ooq_ueafuCPN3fK7bV1nnlbWLlwe7vUo5Kx5xTa/s1600/All+Saints+2006+081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxL9WJmZ1lRLI8cH14_5VRB53KiD88w8qIsTmB18gNFtTYAscYclZlV6KqnR5bgDS_if-dPrtCUrSoNCJHXoXhu21d-3Z6zPWoWQ0e2Ooq_ueafuCPN3fK7bV1nnlbWLlwe7vUo5Kx5xTa/s1600/All+Saints+2006+081.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">2007</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgleZ8wMPvpls07XF9s-KT1aLlnvYPOWAuYTfMiw5pNboiR1m-MCwYpUBkpi-286C777sbNG_nIXqenCwUK-gjrETOF4zBdf9TolkYUC1qNz2felIUzrOYtIwzr3NHt3DvYPcBMq1yg3MUh/s1600/Field+Trips-2007+and+2008+038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgleZ8wMPvpls07XF9s-KT1aLlnvYPOWAuYTfMiw5pNboiR1m-MCwYpUBkpi-286C777sbNG_nIXqenCwUK-gjrETOF4zBdf9TolkYUC1qNz2felIUzrOYtIwzr3NHt3DvYPcBMq1yg3MUh/s1600/Field+Trips-2007+and+2008+038.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">(Aquarium Field Trip 2007~ I'm 42 and 6 months prego here...Best pregnancy of all:)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">How fast has it flown? Well, it really is true...Time does fly by<span style="font-size: x-large;"> so incredibly</span> fast...Homeschooling or not! This is not to say that there haven't been some <em>very slow</em> moments. There certainly have been many days when I thought I'd never make it through another<span style="font-size: x-large;"> minute</span> of homeshooling, let alone 10 years. This is all just to say that each day is precious and the<em> tough ones make it all worth it.</em> My husband and I have always said "One year at a time, God willing..." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">From this day forward, we march on with the same sentiments.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now, let's get to the celebrating</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">!</span> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">(After a short walk down memory lane;)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">2008</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwiUbzpCByghKu_U1AmxMCpnlaUuhFFrxQd-8rfcrf3WIwsNjPA2kFg7i1cjHAlxurQDpEMkk9d-K_YExER98mLOhOgDE_Vr5fJ21UjNM9AxZfEOuIfMseoC3IrM1zoA1OtaS6xQTmLXl/s1600/Mary+Garden+5-11-08+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwiUbzpCByghKu_U1AmxMCpnlaUuhFFrxQd-8rfcrf3WIwsNjPA2kFg7i1cjHAlxurQDpEMkk9d-K_YExER98mLOhOgDE_Vr5fJ21UjNM9AxZfEOuIfMseoC3IrM1zoA1OtaS6xQTmLXl/s1600/Mary+Garden+5-11-08+018.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">2009</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">(Our oldest went to public high school this year)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvLuTf93JgIQvVFDq95t6MJ6STegeCICg-Wg1Se61mF2AwWFmwXW_TWG9OzJUuHye-s_-w8roA_3VWKJGPWOL6nyrK4fjMkvPaoY7TrHvZbJtctqKNogPniYaF3DQQJz9-_co3EzoccYr/s1600/2009+Kids+Fire+Station.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvLuTf93JgIQvVFDq95t6MJ6STegeCICg-Wg1Se61mF2AwWFmwXW_TWG9OzJUuHye-s_-w8roA_3VWKJGPWOL6nyrK4fjMkvPaoY7TrHvZbJtctqKNogPniYaF3DQQJz9-_co3EzoccYr/s1600/2009+Kids+Fire+Station.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">2010</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioWTVDJUGiDdmnisohdGA63yF7q1EjN3Tc10DrS4SicdDMoNFjq6CxTXK-ApczUVkOGS67pnaX8Sb6Xmwd05uA0jIj2hVYzlamcqG7dfplmLCU_SN8xXMlAoi6ua3Cv8J1T4xOJprwXGFH/s1600/Mother's+Day+2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioWTVDJUGiDdmnisohdGA63yF7q1EjN3Tc10DrS4SicdDMoNFjq6CxTXK-ApczUVkOGS67pnaX8Sb6Xmwd05uA0jIj2hVYzlamcqG7dfplmLCU_SN8xXMlAoi6ua3Cv8J1T4xOJprwXGFH/s1600/Mother's+Day+2010.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;">2011</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh176tWcg9zzrBAai_XKptbtGsrMRJCtGn8ch4zd19duPrPlniZwlk5jyL5Pz_AmKzf1kyGBTebK0u28Z0BjstccO9EM-KW6IwKVebpllDcD0z4HAvtE_qDtv6eukBLnK-1-7jj3OgGA3M/s1600/Easter+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh176tWcg9zzrBAai_XKptbtGsrMRJCtGn8ch4zd19duPrPlniZwlk5jyL5Pz_AmKzf1kyGBTebK0u28Z0BjstccO9EM-KW6IwKVebpllDcD0z4HAvtE_qDtv6eukBLnK-1-7jj3OgGA3M/s1600/Easter+2011.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">2012</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Qz1lslDctKPYXyykcaKlyr8_emtsheG2lfO6NO-oTV3vMKh56VAkeeyjssiE5nuwUnoVBpIcFBJ8MvCsYsZS1LvssAmrd3hxv7R_bTPdlxwU8tWO405dtFNkgg0sYFq5sPXadz2mfjH2/s1600/Mother's+Day+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Qz1lslDctKPYXyykcaKlyr8_emtsheG2lfO6NO-oTV3vMKh56VAkeeyjssiE5nuwUnoVBpIcFBJ8MvCsYsZS1LvssAmrd3hxv7R_bTPdlxwU8tWO405dtFNkgg0sYFq5sPXadz2mfjH2/s1600/Mother's+Day+2012.jpg" height="308" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It's so important for home educating families to celebrate success...Seriously. No one else is going to do it <em>for us</em>, that's for sure! Especially when many of us don't even have family and friends to encourage us. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">That being said, if I could single out one thing I've learned in the past 10 years, it's that </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">joy is contagious...<span style="font-size: large;">and in the home, it begins with </span>me. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I have to constantly remind myself of this when I get discouraged or get caught up in the daily tasks at hand and the <em>work to be done. </em>I set the tone.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I have found that it's absolutely necessary to bring joy into the picture and there are so many ways to do this...Prayer, Sacraments, thankfulness, and stopping to share the simple things...Even simple celebrations!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It's truly up to us to be<span style="font-size: x-large;"> surprised by joy</span>...And it's waiting to be discovered every day, right along with our children, even amidst the math books and spelling words!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Wracking my brain for ways to celebrate a whole decade without being too expensive, I came up with a celebration with these 10 things!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>10 surprises</em> for each of our last </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>10 days of school</em> to celebrate our </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>10 years of homeschooling</em>!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">(I made a list and <em>didn't tell the kids</em> what the surprise was until the morning of each day;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">We counted down our last 10 days of school with 10 surprises...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">1. Breakfast and Board Games!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWtktSW4QoUxFXhyrJRVuPbeFjj9FrgGhEgZ2EE2cLzOCljQCGavoUHaNrkGUjIEiW057tSqkh_1IUiWgLvci_uybUSU7TZxFcuThctbaC-VkrxS4NRU_0iXbNCySiSD2bskiWfyiiUgx/s1600/IMG_9317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWtktSW4QoUxFXhyrJRVuPbeFjj9FrgGhEgZ2EE2cLzOCljQCGavoUHaNrkGUjIEiW057tSqkh_1IUiWgLvci_uybUSU7TZxFcuThctbaC-VkrxS4NRU_0iXbNCySiSD2bskiWfyiiUgx/s1600/IMG_9317.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What better way to hone math and reading skills!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We love this game (Catholic version of Monopoly...There are interesting tidbits on each card that we read aloud. Our 6th grade "banker" practiced the lost art of counting change! It was a fun way to start the day:)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <em><span style="font-size: large;">"The parents exist to teach the child, but they must also learn what the child has to teach them; and the child has a very great deal to teach them."~Arnold Bennett~</span></em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">2. Library and Slurpees!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">3. Morning Break at The Yogurt Station!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX52QtJyGb4-pq1uhxetoqKI4qvQWrMcBnan7OXVMOINiYYzGOpvOE4Y_pOn6cYbSb3muqn-cVw8Hsw9J-tyJKO7mfPCgccOKMXLfNEdRbmRNS9X-_LTM4J_CWRmrwoZSEx1sqF1gpMGsE/s1600/IMG_9350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX52QtJyGb4-pq1uhxetoqKI4qvQWrMcBnan7OXVMOINiYYzGOpvOE4Y_pOn6cYbSb3muqn-cVw8Hsw9J-tyJKO7mfPCgccOKMXLfNEdRbmRNS9X-_LTM4J_CWRmrwoZSEx1sqF1gpMGsE/s1600/IMG_9350.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">4. Recess At An <span style="font-size: large;">(air conditioned)</span> Indoor Play Place!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">(It was a HOT 100 degrees outside that day)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">5. Breakfast Picnic In The Park!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09RZ6NjJLLrivOf_ksZjbMujJW1-S-60Jr-dBeGbcVbohFf1lOPH3pFrOaT9z9PivCLNRUeKKHR2tIcimT97N0KiS7F5uxqjqaATo9ssaX5jQh8IcJ28_Yl3f7iz5QjmLTRKP4Vo4bNzb/s1600/IMG_9361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09RZ6NjJLLrivOf_ksZjbMujJW1-S-60Jr-dBeGbcVbohFf1lOPH3pFrOaT9z9PivCLNRUeKKHR2tIcimT97N0KiS7F5uxqjqaATo9ssaX5jQh8IcJ28_Yl3f7iz5QjmLTRKP4Vo4bNzb/s1600/IMG_9361.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">6. Bookstore Visit!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfo2Sk1X7lIBpcD2j09nanSbG9Ij-1ZxOlfIcli46DdShMSLsjRZVXzXAvDJABULA0Vw1WXZ_Tzw3F4jEwDf4zQH8HgvlDSgWDtxckHSIjNi6jS76QD-stF7IyiYghOfyer5b8Dww_d6QB/s1600/IMG_9376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfo2Sk1X7lIBpcD2j09nanSbG9Ij-1ZxOlfIcli46DdShMSLsjRZVXzXAvDJABULA0Vw1WXZ_Tzw3F4jEwDf4zQH8HgvlDSgWDtxckHSIjNi6jS76QD-stF7IyiYghOfyer5b8Dww_d6QB/s1600/IMG_9376.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">7. Strawberry & Blueberry Picking!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">8. Everyone got to go to the airport to pick up college brother! (Surprise at 6 AM:)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUwNDL0vynpcBmu-YOcL_MWbSQEjKyQQV9UCTPmUPgszKG6tUCmhMONLR41EsLk5otbwC_jJSBP7xawDAxZYP5Unw4DJVIoKlSLKoM9I9pnABdYKD6omJ1V48A5pTGn1T08Era8kW2V-x/s1600/IMG_9439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUwNDL0vynpcBmu-YOcL_MWbSQEjKyQQV9UCTPmUPgszKG6tUCmhMONLR41EsLk5otbwC_jJSBP7xawDAxZYP5Unw4DJVIoKlSLKoM9I9pnABdYKD6omJ1V48A5pTGn1T08Era8kW2V-x/s1600/IMG_9439.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">With spontaneous trip to the ocean for an hour!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wAoKKccSeg4IGL4jnf6FVBxJIGkGtrnrWuumCtmyg0hR9dZLzrgVAWpCzk6FteTA1qmWHDpHOq2KD-KpyiREcu2BC_jA51brWMolfQGNI-FPRNHJcHYN_iseMLB6JUvChWJ7TkO7PNhX/s1600/IMG_9462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wAoKKccSeg4IGL4jnf6FVBxJIGkGtrnrWuumCtmyg0hR9dZLzrgVAWpCzk6FteTA1qmWHDpHOq2KD-KpyiREcu2BC_jA51brWMolfQGNI-FPRNHJcHYN_iseMLB6JUvChWJ7TkO7PNhX/s1600/IMG_9462.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">9. Lunchtime movie!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcey-rGgi75CmBZGGc8PuV-M7dRcxnu34AQggP_FMgzdiKzfGnP4wVa338CbG0iXgSP8yG95_xqaTQMjKb9iP0bfMBqdU5q7O8iZ18pgPnI9NeLKv5s77G3MtJYb_nbKoq9-Q5lKMZusaI/s1600/IMG_9475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcey-rGgi75CmBZGGc8PuV-M7dRcxnu34AQggP_FMgzdiKzfGnP4wVa338CbG0iXgSP8yG95_xqaTQMjKb9iP0bfMBqdU5q7O8iZ18pgPnI9NeLKv5s77G3MtJYb_nbKoq9-Q5lKMZusaI/s1600/IMG_9475.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">10. Breakfast with the Principal!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1yMRcjhgtuTo6YHhi4YsUvCMCJlnMPncblpOGyZFA0q2cXaDIeA1NLP1UeB2lapFI5RJ12qtb2sBUk_2KPocfNKfV7SxBiEFefdyDPZKEBSCGBAmt2rOp0djURrACPXC-NEPbm8X9pwK/s1600/IMG_9486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1yMRcjhgtuTo6YHhi4YsUvCMCJlnMPncblpOGyZFA0q2cXaDIeA1NLP1UeB2lapFI5RJ12qtb2sBUk_2KPocfNKfV7SxBiEFefdyDPZKEBSCGBAmt2rOp0djURrACPXC-NEPbm8X9pwK/s1600/IMG_9486.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">*10 surprises for 10 years was a fun success*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Happy Summer from our house to</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">yours!</span></span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZzyHKB1qUOAdifpPn7QI8R-magD6UmzWp9xMeUEzrSlj6HWj4jOk5B3488TQTE8_TyPxL6hrIE-71Dci2yVMuT9Wl7hEZN-IYDBrv3yKnEEkxaAl0gkYR-nx_K4ihyeo8lM5TioeH7bWE/s1600/IMG_9488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZzyHKB1qUOAdifpPn7QI8R-magD6UmzWp9xMeUEzrSlj6HWj4jOk5B3488TQTE8_TyPxL6hrIE-71Dci2yVMuT9Wl7hEZN-IYDBrv3yKnEEkxaAl0gkYR-nx_K4ihyeo8lM5TioeH7bWE/s1600/IMG_9488.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">~May Crowning 2014~</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Perfect "last day of school!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">More: </span><a href="http://familyatthefootofthecross.blogspot.com/2014/05/homeschool-is-momschool-10-least.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">10 Least Expected Lessons</span></a><a href="http://familyatthefootofthecross.blogspot.com/2014/05/homeschool-is-momschool-10-least.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> to Celebrate 10 Years</span></a></div>
Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679337171422593785noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6610953973028158826.post-91043623826243249712014-05-18T21:41:00.003-07:002014-05-18T21:41:53.432-07:00Homeschool is Momschool~ 10 Least Expected Lessons to Celebrate 10 Years!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOEVCR6ONulnQxTrgLzkKX6Rnrr1ClxaRpINhEDEW1Sc04QmF0WPTk2eCYhpji_qhNHE37s35pnIPpGpE9tjWC-9tRKG-JgMaL8Qfq6VYQXWiqUraR5y5nz41DyfSvaLjRw6jDuHb7btA/s1600/Visit+to+Bend+2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOEVCR6ONulnQxTrgLzkKX6Rnrr1ClxaRpINhEDEW1Sc04QmF0WPTk2eCYhpji_qhNHE37s35pnIPpGpE9tjWC-9tRKG-JgMaL8Qfq6VYQXWiqUraR5y5nz41DyfSvaLjRw6jDuHb7btA/s1600/Visit+to+Bend+2010.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">This year we are <em>celebrating</em> 10 years of homeschooling...And we have literally been<em> celebrating</em>! (More on that coming soon). Needless to say, I've been doing a lot of reflecting on the last decade spent doing something I <span style="font-size: x-large;">never</span> dreamed I'd be doing...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">These are the 10 </span><em>least expected</em> lessons from the place I found myself <em>least likely</em> to be...And celebrating 10 years doing it! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">(P.S.) I think these might be applicable to being a Mom in general;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">1. Homeschool is Momschool. Without a doubt, I'm the one who has learned the <span style="font-size: x-large;">most</span> around here...About myself, my faith and spiritual life, even in history and science! I'm still a math-fail.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">2. Homeschooling is misunderstood by many people, including myself. It's not what I thought it would be and a beautiful discovery continues to unfold.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">3. Educating at home does not make me a saint but it sure makes me talk to them a lot. Ok, I'll admit, <em>begging</em> them for help a lot...I've gotten to know a whole lot of dead guys and gals!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">4. Each year of homeschooling changes just like the students and the teacher. It looks different from year to year and my flexibility muscles are stronger for it, both in mind and soul. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">5. My homeschool will never look like anyone else's because it never was mine, it's His. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"Comparison is the thief of Joy".~Theodore Roosevelt</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">6. God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">7. Things hardly ever go <span style="font-size: x-large;">my</span> way and I think that's the point.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">8. Obstacles always lead to opportunity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">9. There are no guarantees from the things I do...Surrender can mean success. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">10. We are most likely to learn in the most <span style="font-size: x-large;">un</span>likely places.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">More coming soon on our 10 year celebration!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span><br />Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679337171422593785noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6610953973028158826.post-39085507684023201242014-05-12T17:25:00.001-07:002014-05-13T06:27:24.123-07:00Miracle Morning Feast for Our Lady of Fatima<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdN-2lQAhbTT-S-aAM8aieflHo8TakTP_1EPN1fl2E0qAQheeFdKJnc6RcXHWPdgFThvsuG8LI00LNirpNCMAMt4l0JUtK8hBlf4QkcAZ_5VGNlN7M6A89F8vdM1BOiGdCIWBr476lub4/s1600/IMG_9306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdN-2lQAhbTT-S-aAM8aieflHo8TakTP_1EPN1fl2E0qAQheeFdKJnc6RcXHWPdgFThvsuG8LI00LNirpNCMAMt4l0JUtK8hBlf4QkcAZ_5VGNlN7M6A89F8vdM1BOiGdCIWBr476lub4/s1600/IMG_9306.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">+Happy Feast of Our Lady of Fatima+</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">May 13th</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">How about a Miracle (of the Sun) Morning Breakfast and Rosary prayers to celebrate a beautiful feast day?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">This colorful fruit and egg plate is supposed to look like the vibrant, miraculous, solar phenomena...Or at least that was the idea in mind:)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> Even though the <a href="http://www.fatima.org/essentials/facts/miracle.asp">Miracle of the Sun</a> didn't occur until October 13th, 6 apparitions later, we can still commemorate this amazing gift...OR you can always save it for October, of course;-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I posted more about this over at </span><a href="http://catholiccuisine.blogspot.com/2014/05/our-lady-of-fatima-miracle-morning.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Catholic Cuisine</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">...Be sure to pop over there for a visit:) I continue to feel <em>honored</em> to be a contributor there!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNv-LbHFP1uRRhzMHVCP2wnx1iZTNZcDJhVEkqonOnNBsKjA3pQj5pMAUkSMnVAo7gd1gnh5j16HSmiv-Ixojq_0oz0Q6vliFSjwVSAZogR4ocVSMUZd3DQoNG24Y_0XFXFvlMyIJypFej/s1600/IMG_9299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNv-LbHFP1uRRhzMHVCP2wnx1iZTNZcDJhVEkqonOnNBsKjA3pQj5pMAUkSMnVAo7gd1gnh5j16HSmiv-Ixojq_0oz0Q6vliFSjwVSAZogR4ocVSMUZd3DQoNG24Y_0XFXFvlMyIJypFej/s1600/IMG_9299.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Read more about Our Lady of Fatima on</span><a href="http://www.ewtn.com/fatima/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> EWTN</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> and </span><a href="http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1912"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">American Catholic</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Another post from a previous year:</span><br />
<a href="http://familyatthefootofthecross.blogspot.com/2010/10/miracle-of-sun-edible-feast.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Miracle of the Sun Edible Feast 2010</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
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Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679337171422593785noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6610953973028158826.post-29946186610856975262014-05-10T12:41:00.000-07:002014-05-11T20:53:15.206-07:00Lent and Easter Photo Journal~(2nd Half) +2014+<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXQylw9FMyhGdNxgNI9pGDSW6KgCT43E5up3P4bYCadmJyVXszvIL3HqHgzGluoQULhjZwng8PggrmMKMV68WifA7dPSAGTJ7cNtGmIcWYL2oeUJKiCqijMp3oYWn5JYHyRj61kb1Mre6/s1600/IMG_8591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXQylw9FMyhGdNxgNI9pGDSW6KgCT43E5up3P4bYCadmJyVXszvIL3HqHgzGluoQULhjZwng8PggrmMKMV68WifA7dPSAGTJ7cNtGmIcWYL2oeUJKiCqijMp3oYWn5JYHyRj61kb1Mre6/s1600/IMG_8591.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Palm Sunday...Holy Week begins here!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Found these cute (and free) little guys on </span><a href="http://relialfonso.blogspot.com/2011/03/manualidades-para-semana-santa.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Pinterest</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> and printed them on cardstock. <span style="font-size: small;">(The site is in Spanish but it's not difficult to figure out;)</span> They were a good "hands on" for the little one, helping her move Jesus on His journey through Jerusalem to Calvary.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Here is a link to my</span><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/tifflynene/holy-week-crafts/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Holy Week Pinterest Board</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Palms make a beautiful centerpiece:)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1WTMez_82ImbzVvFQ9TocJ7WNd4xfvPi8DFJiyOdN7eAh-kZu_4r459hl_a7vSWtI8HcRH1c7I9wZhH9U47VtANkYuCO5wzNu3zDYrgAM404eQmr0BZ1KS6obZcJ42TuzntDtQpJB40B/s1600/IMG_8706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1WTMez_82ImbzVvFQ9TocJ7WNd4xfvPi8DFJiyOdN7eAh-kZu_4r459hl_a7vSWtI8HcRH1c7I9wZhH9U47VtANkYuCO5wzNu3zDYrgAM404eQmr0BZ1KS6obZcJ42TuzntDtQpJB40B/s1600/IMG_8706.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> Older kids were blessed to serve Palm Sunday Mass with our new Deacon, soon-to-be Priest</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_LvWmCEXlhb-y5rcVEfFdAt8mj11bS-VB49CYuNslW_11YIoyCTVYdV5O6Hd4OPuKxPSR-WEiNsthK7x_04nLIohvOls0ij6i2PBtSd6yYhalNad9L9FmzNsj6tGyUALQyZyXp_nXkqI/s1600/IMG_8641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_LvWmCEXlhb-y5rcVEfFdAt8mj11bS-VB49CYuNslW_11YIoyCTVYdV5O6Hd4OPuKxPSR-WEiNsthK7x_04nLIohvOls0ij6i2PBtSd6yYhalNad9L9FmzNsj6tGyUALQyZyXp_nXkqI/s1600/IMG_8641.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Rod and I made it to the Chrism Mass this year at the Cathedral...Put on our Lenten purple for the occasion:)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA0PGIhn48ul7-swuV-kZhCHa6AQMpVikSWUD_KfiZLttd2biAebe9D6duPkhksMWVClBvi9cVzSJV4hud_llVyhQJsTc1T7g0VSrG_2Qv9j3XjF8DPVhOodxxCqfsnWM8zB_oCPKxgdr2/s1600/IMG_8556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA0PGIhn48ul7-swuV-kZhCHa6AQMpVikSWUD_KfiZLttd2biAebe9D6duPkhksMWVClBvi9cVzSJV4hud_llVyhQJsTc1T7g0VSrG_2Qv9j3XjF8DPVhOodxxCqfsnWM8zB_oCPKxgdr2/s1600/IMG_8556.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">All of the Holy Oils were blessed and the priests of our diocese renewed their vows...Soul stirring!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWb0Uy2utkytkiSKpejYimEj2mEW7OF_BmQd_UikedOFbRx6UM0ypJyLLsVEzlhzdTyA5IJJGDGl7r2jEnjFNdHDzZS6uSEAVQbwa8VtVymgwb4Xy8rlpOL4HgaqOhRpI1jRK6ZDOimGV/s1600/IMG_8574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWb0Uy2utkytkiSKpejYimEj2mEW7OF_BmQd_UikedOFbRx6UM0ypJyLLsVEzlhzdTyA5IJJGDGl7r2jEnjFNdHDzZS6uSEAVQbwa8VtVymgwb4Xy8rlpOL4HgaqOhRpI1jRK6ZDOimGV/s1600/IMG_8574.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> One of my favorite Holy Week projects this year was this...Super easy and printable crucifix to watercolor. I framed them and still have them up! Be sure to visit </span><a href="http://www.dosmallthingswithlove.com/2014/03/easy-holy-week-watercolor-art.html#_a5y_p=1432647"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Do Small Things With Love</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">:)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"> Our church got a new altar, just in time for Easter! It's hand carved and gorgeous!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> One of our favorite Lenten traditions is pretzel making to remind us of the importance of prayer during Lent. The pretzel forms <em>arms crossed in prayer</em>. We usually save it for Holy Week. Read more about this </span><a href="http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=204"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">ancient tradition here</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Look who else is ready for Easter...Our very own Easter "Benny"!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Holy Thursday...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Loved this </span><a href="http://info.sadlier.com/we-believe-religion-blog/bid/100667/Printable-Triduum-Activity"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Triduum printable</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">(I printed on cardstock so it would stand up)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Also used it for or CCD class...Perfect.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XWLWKmLmw4E3Im_UNS424ul7vjeSEaXN1qshrqTEyJzyuFAwP3po-ijSVQSz6ko8lAPweMTvGvGzK2pGoN4BJvAN-QX54jDSL_qoGWfohN_e4K8wVeUCD82qU1LXlFQ_au-8zW77I1yo/s1600/IMG_8766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XWLWKmLmw4E3Im_UNS424ul7vjeSEaXN1qshrqTEyJzyuFAwP3po-ijSVQSz6ko8lAPweMTvGvGzK2pGoN4BJvAN-QX54jDSL_qoGWfohN_e4K8wVeUCD82qU1LXlFQ_au-8zW77I1yo/s1600/IMG_8766.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This year we tried our hand at making unleavened bread for a Holy Thursday lunch. Thanks to Lacy at </span><a href="http://www.catholicicing.com/baked-unleavened-bread-with-kids/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Catholic Icing</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">, it was a breeze! The kids really enjoyed making it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I'm cherishing the moments that my children still like to color...It's not very often that anyone but the 6 yo still likes to do it. Yikes, the "younger" children are now getting "older!" Three of them seemed to enjoy coloring <a href="http://www.hellokids.com/c_19937/coloring-pages/holidays-coloring-pages/easter-coloring-pages/religious-easter-coloring-pages/the-last-supper">The Last Supper</a> this year. I framed these too for keepsake purposes, knowing these days are fading fast!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">Good Friday</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmVV22FY6dN-p50L4GtSzaSc_w-AdLFmyXD8bZ8BINws_RMmXQoXYkSErZ3NikAhqoDqUSPvbn1sY5Ejn4P_G8NioBuDuhaI-ipxdtoSENJksE6N4-6elux4hu5eKXJ67ggaDkJ36yNC3A/s1600/IMG_8780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmVV22FY6dN-p50L4GtSzaSc_w-AdLFmyXD8bZ8BINws_RMmXQoXYkSErZ3NikAhqoDqUSPvbn1sY5Ejn4P_G8NioBuDuhaI-ipxdtoSENJksE6N4-6elux4hu5eKXJ67ggaDkJ36yNC3A/s1600/IMG_8780.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">(This cardstock printable is from the same site I first linked to for Palm Sunday at the beginning of this post)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We do our best to participate in our local Walk for Life on Good Friday each year...It always seems to set the right tone for the day</span>...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1bZu5L2Qs3PU5w6_ZMM_hyphenhyphenpbHIQsBkdU-z8Y4ZrIRbDSNaduq6y1QJjIw0-53bJScbFnX9cdaZHQGKzW3n5LEQn-uMFeKQN2jJuHtyHH-3nijvmctopKbDWLjYCYUzsIPgSUM6pFIeSP/s1600/IMG_8799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1bZu5L2Qs3PU5w6_ZMM_hyphenhyphenpbHIQsBkdU-z8Y4ZrIRbDSNaduq6y1QJjIw0-53bJScbFnX9cdaZHQGKzW3n5LEQn-uMFeKQN2jJuHtyHH-3nijvmctopKbDWLjYCYUzsIPgSUM6pFIeSP/s1600/IMG_8799.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">AHG Girls represented at the Walk for Life!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Kids served Mass again on Good Friday...It was an honor that our family was able to serve so many times during Holy Week:) The older boy is one of our dear family friends.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4k8p8-72XBLIxwO77BDpMCtILMhymrF8AFp5C8tElVGoKU9yiYun7GgOb5t5OYeNJ29CgwUceRpWBOMeVwPuBAb_HYtPWUK1vBcxmx4tGy2MUgzif8Redkz5jwn40GpvOHhw-tVBuzWni/s1600/IMG_8815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4k8p8-72XBLIxwO77BDpMCtILMhymrF8AFp5C8tElVGoKU9yiYun7GgOb5t5OYeNJ29CgwUceRpWBOMeVwPuBAb_HYtPWUK1vBcxmx4tGy2MUgzif8Redkz5jwn40GpvOHhw-tVBuzWni/s1600/IMG_8815.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Our oldest son at home (far left) served Easter Vigil with his friends...They are here with Father <em>getting ready</em>. (Not expecting my candid camera!) I enjoyed watching these older boys serve with such reverence! What a good example they are up there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The Easter altar always looks so fresh and clean with the Paschal Candle waiting to illuminate the lives of the newly baptized! It was a beautiful Mass ringing in the JOY of Easter Sunday...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">Alleluia, He is Risen and we are Easter people!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Sacrifice beans became jelly beans and the colors of new life burst forth! Easter celebrations were in order:)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_q98JUgJOVZ24oGW_f35opZjr2pM7sfMZkeDpPn21zRN7ZclTFvL7xdAS-1MrjuC6TI5z7xJhSxrsx9mWyhSKB-Ox20N7juzB0IpdmX4CzQcguSmdRBMOl_d2clGawwDCn38LNXRS_IjE/s1600/IMG_8949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_q98JUgJOVZ24oGW_f35opZjr2pM7sfMZkeDpPn21zRN7ZclTFvL7xdAS-1MrjuC6TI5z7xJhSxrsx9mWyhSKB-Ox20N7juzB0IpdmX4CzQcguSmdRBMOl_d2clGawwDCn38LNXRS_IjE/s1600/IMG_8949.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hhDjbow0zoat3HICdfi51Xm-w4wpsBB9pKzUBr-FGbyB0J0867Fh1KhoFi_P9iTJGaAj6d73rLDQb6a2LS2I92AKuJ46L7K7lgtbFRXTTHM3kqH9ov_Ym-XW9hCmRTmz1Zq3cbjs7LEU/s1600/IMG_8929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hhDjbow0zoat3HICdfi51Xm-w4wpsBB9pKzUBr-FGbyB0J0867Fh1KhoFi_P9iTJGaAj6d73rLDQb6a2LS2I92AKuJ46L7K7lgtbFRXTTHM3kqH9ov_Ym-XW9hCmRTmz1Zq3cbjs7LEU/s1600/IMG_8929.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4GktH9CJ-rrAqrCG3ZHmUy8xqwmC6bHbIwTCJKAI46tKNZnseWDv1wzHFfY_6LrreHEFQS6RRDI4TPCytC5ZO9mlJr8SQz9Cm1vdPeXxyIEEVxM12-dmAPkUQg-TO92jhEirwT2XIDEd4/s1600/IMG_8901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4GktH9CJ-rrAqrCG3ZHmUy8xqwmC6bHbIwTCJKAI46tKNZnseWDv1wzHFfY_6LrreHEFQS6RRDI4TPCytC5ZO9mlJr8SQz9Cm1vdPeXxyIEEVxM12-dmAPkUQg-TO92jhEirwT2XIDEd4/s1600/IMG_8901.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I had fun with Easter food this year, thanks to fun ideas being shared on Pinterest. This was my </span><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/tifflynene/easter-food/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Easter Food Board</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">+Wishing everyone who might pass this way a beautiful and blessed Easter season...It's not over yet!+</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Thank goodness I've posted many photos to my blog over the years...With our recent computer problems, finding old photos has been a heart ache! Photo journals on the blog are good for my soul:)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Hence, for my personal records, </span><a href="http://familyatthefootofthecross.blogspot.com/2014/04/lenten-photo-journal-1st-half-2014.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">First Half of Lenten Photo Journal 2014 linked here</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">:)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSTV71Xr04RFJeRgIfU2goYPdAvuAG1x81Lj2WC040KWj_-hA1c6tbVBKibf3ko0aqDvzAqr5t2lYw0vo0ENUx1Im3tEfX-3ZrBESMw6kOVArATt5xH-SqRXoipMspcmhHCpF7qtcTSTI/s1600/Agony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSTV71Xr04RFJeRgIfU2goYPdAvuAG1x81Lj2WC040KWj_-hA1c6tbVBKibf3ko0aqDvzAqr5t2lYw0vo0ENUx1Im3tEfX-3ZrBESMw6kOVArATt5xH-SqRXoipMspcmhHCpF7qtcTSTI/s1600/Agony.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Good Friday</strong>~ 2014</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Dear Souls~ ( All 3 of you)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">This year is the 20th Anniversary of the evening you killed my husband, Chris Walter, while robbing him on Good Friday, April 2, 1994. My heart still races in terror as I remember witnessing the mortal gunshot wound to his head while you attempted to escape in a getaway car...All while our precious 6 month old baby lay sleeping nearby. Rushing to my husband's side, I only found innocent blood gushing from his lifeless body.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">For years, I struggled with anger and hate for you 3 strangers who wrecked <strong>Good Friday</strong>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Not this <strong>Good Friday</strong>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It's 20 years later and I don't hate you anymore. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I still hate what you did but I don't hate <em>you </em>in the slightest bit. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You, just like me, were created by God and He loves us more than we could ever imagine. Even though we betray Him or turn our backs on him, He still hopes that we will all come back to Him, to know His love for us and be with Him in heaven someday. I hope this for you, just as much as I hope this for myself and the rest of my family. We are never happy in this life until we find the living God, who still dwells among us, and run to Him. He is waiting with open arms and His mercy is endless. <em>"Though the mountains leave their place and the hills be shaken, My love shall never leave you nor my covenant of peace be shaken, says the Lord, who has mercy on you."~Isaiah 54:10, 14-15</em></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">In fact, God loves all of us so much, that He sent his only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us. He even died a most horrible and murderous death on a cross for all human beings, <em>not just a select few</em>. It was <strong>Good Friday</strong> that day too. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Good Friday</strong> is about love and not hate. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">In fact, there was a robber who was crucified right next to Jesus who was forgiven during his dying moments because he had faith in God's son, the Redeemer of the world. When the robber cried out "Jesus, remember me, when you come into my kingdom, " Jesus cried: "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43) The robber's faith set him free. Even though you have 20 more years in prison, your soul can still find freedom...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">While He hung dying on the Cross that <strong>Good Friday</strong>, Jesus also forgave <em>his own</em> murderers before he died, exclaiming: "Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34) He knew they could not possibly know what they were doing...If only they believed!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It is here at the foot of the Cross where I find truth and meaning. God speaks to us there as we all bear our own crosses in this life. His loving gaze sustains us as He suffered just like we do in all things but sin. He wants us all to be happy with Him forever. There is no other love greater than His.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Believing this with all of my heart, I forgive you. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Believing this with all of my soul, I love you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Life did not end on that<strong> Good Friday</strong> 2000 years ago or on that <strong>Good Friday</strong> 20 years ago.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Life begins on <strong>Good Friday</strong> because it ends with Easter Sunday.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Christ rose from the dead to prove life...An Eternal life that is free for the choosing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">On this <strong>Good Friday</strong>, I am praying you will seek and find Him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">On this <strong>Good Friday</strong>, I am trying to begin again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">On this <strong>Good Friday</strong>, I hope you will too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Life, not death, has the last word.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Love wins.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Peace be with you,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Tiffany</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">"Christ himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds, you have been healed." 1 Peter 2:24</span></em></div>
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<br />Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679337171422593785noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6610953973028158826.post-58559655378208621362014-04-01T15:48:00.000-07:002014-04-12T14:16:36.711-07:00Lenten Photo Journal (1st Half) +2014+<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Happy Lenten Half Time!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Popping in to share a little Lenten Photo Journaling. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> Our St. Patrick's Day baby is 15!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Little Miss sprained her ankle on the trampoline!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Friday Night +Stations of the Cross+ and Soup Supper with friends:)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">My Rockin' 6th grade CCD class...Love these crazy kids!</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">+++</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Our Goddaughter made her 1st Reconciliation</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">~Feast of the Annunciation~</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Mary said YES and so can we:)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Craft via <a href="http://www.catholicinspired.com/2014/03/annunciation-prayer-craft-easy-color.html">Catholic Inspired</a>!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">40 Days for Life </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">~Prayer Vigil~</span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"The greatest honor God can do a soul is not to give it much, but to ask much of it." ~St. Therese of Lisieux~</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Lenten Service Project~</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Baby Blankets for our local Pregnancy Center...They turned out SOOOOO Cute!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It's been 20 years since my late husband's death on Good Friday, 4-2-94...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Lenten pilgrimage of love and peace.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Our fearless Rome Pilgrimage leader is becoming a priest! This was his final step...Ordination to the Deaconate. His Ordination to the Priesthood is coming in June...Please keep him in your prayers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> Such a beautiful ceremony...Kim and I were honored to bring up the gifts! So happy for Deacon Dave!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">"Either we learn to find Our Lord in ordinary, everyday life, or else we shall never find him."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">St. Josemaria Escriva</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> Half way to Easter...Hope is on the way!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Here we are for Part 4...The final post about our pilgrimage to the Eternal City!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">(These are links to </span><a href="http://familyatthefootofthecross.blogspot.com/2014/02/i-left-my-old-heart-in-rome-part-1.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Part 1</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">, <a href="http://familyatthefootofthecross.blogspot.com/2014/02/i-left-my-old-heart-in-rome-part-2.html">Part 2</a>, and <a href="http://familyatthefootofthecross.blogspot.com/2014/02/i-left-my-old-heart-in-rome-part-3.html">Part 3</a>).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Whew, it's been extremely tough selecting <em>just a few</em> photos and a<em> few words</em> to highlight <em><span style="font-size: x-large;">many</span> </em>things that are plainly difficult to highlight and express. I'm not sure about the other pilgrims but I'm <span style="font-size: x-large;">still</span> trying to process and wrap my brain around the magnitude of our experience...Walking the seat of Christendom changes one's view of life forever. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">There's really no eloquent way to sum it up so it's best to keep it simple, just by being thankful. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Truly, my heart swells with gratitude for having the opportunity to make this journey. It was a miracle that everything fell into place, including a very unexpected financial gift. Not to mention an <em>amazing</em> husband who took time off from his busy work schedule to be with our children. He is beyond capable of tackling our busy life, including the homeschooling duties, while leaping tall buildings in a single bound! Seriously, he is Super Dad and for that, I am blessed beyond measure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It was certainly a thankful-thing to travel with a sister-friend in Christ, Kim, together with our fellow parishioners (plus a couple of new friends, too:). We will <em>all share</em> precious memories that will last a lifetime. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Last but not least, I am grateful for the knowledge and wisdom that was shared by our pilgrimage leaders, to include our spiritual leaders, hosts, and guides. Time and time again, each one of them </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">offered themselves in unique ways that illuminated the gift of our Catholic faith. They helped make things tangible with both words and actions, tying in the past, present, and future of the church. It would not have been the same experience without <em>any </em>of them! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Ultimately, for me, this journey sparked a burning desire to <em>learn <span style="font-size: x-large;">more</span></em> and live a life better devoted to loving our fellow man, while trusting </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">God's plan to shine through. Already, a surprise endeavor has emerged from the graces of this trip! (I'll reveal what that is towards the end of this post!:)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> On to the final tour...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> I forgot to mention earlier that in one of our several visits to the Vatican, we were able to tour the Vatican Museums...The views from here were spectacular!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It was a tremendous privilege to be here, let alone receive a fascinating art history lesson from this brilliant and energetic young man! It sure helped take the <em>mystery</em> out of what we were looking at, especially since you aren't allowed to speak or take photos in the Sistine Chapel. Having minimal education in art history, I would have been just shy of <em>clueless</em> without his help!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It was a beautiful day to soak in the great genius of Michelangelo, his counterparts, and students! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Below is <em>St. Mary Major Basilica...</em>A true gem.<em> </em></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Aside from being one of the 4 major Basilicas in Rome (the other 3 include St. Peter's, St. Paul Outside the Walls, and St. John Lateran), it was the first church built in honor of Mary, <em>Mother of God</em>. Pope Sixtus III had it built in the 6th/7th centuries and it was the 1st church actually built by a Pope. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">St. Mary Major was the expression of agreement with the Council of Ephesus doctrine of Mary as <em>Theotokas</em> or <em>Mother of God...A </em>spectacular expression, at that!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Beneath this beautiful Baldachino (word that I learned means canopy over the altar, designed to call our attention there), lies a true relic of Christ's Crib!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I especially loved the meaning behind the Apse mosaic (that looks like it's sitting on my head;-). It depicts the Coronation of Mary over heaven and earth. Her hands are held in such a way that direct us to back to Christ...Like a good mother, even centuries later, it's what <em>she does best</em>!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Beneath the Basilica is an original Nativity scene carved as a sculpture!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It was a beautiful stop just prior to viewing the ancient treasure of the baby Jesus... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Being able to venerate and pray before the relic of Christ's crib was truly a Divine moment. All prayer requests were certainly honored here!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Pope Francis has already been here 7 times since he became Pope. He likes to come to this side chapel (Madonna Pauline Chapel) of the Basilica and pray. One of Michelangelo's last works is on the altar.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">There are also relics of St. Matthew in this Basilica and the famous artist, Bernini, is buried here since his father worked on the chapel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Just down the street is this cute <em>little</em> cathedral...Funny how our perspective has changed to a cathedral being <em>little, </em>in comparison to the 4 great Basilicas!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Both Kim and I had this on "our list" of places we wanted to visit since it wasn't on the original pilgrim itinerary. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Can you believe it? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The "original" image of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is right here!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDF13CsQQUPu4supdiLbCkqoNHN01tp-0UfwxWwP2H7Xekxdmnlw1d-Ot54tRmJ-YMChcnh2YNxGz66J-NT62Wb_8kEwnOONoVl4s4h_B-gUOUk4Qg59p4PIPv5CeEAmYQHglbhh1H_mv/s1600/SAM_0992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDF13CsQQUPu4supdiLbCkqoNHN01tp-0UfwxWwP2H7Xekxdmnlw1d-Ot54tRmJ-YMChcnh2YNxGz66J-NT62Wb_8kEwnOONoVl4s4h_B-gUOUk4Qg59p4PIPv5CeEAmYQHglbhh1H_mv/s1600/SAM_0992.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Needless to say, many prayer offerings were made once again!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9fftwBmNNRiULMLqJfKRlpTcDBkFcn3RFpXYufhMTgCl78iH_ZspEZ5LgOKNsyATfsflOvKrOpFQJ_2RVtEqsoCNvBkL1phwacINZSiwKCNc5NJdROCAre7vJBhyphenhyphenerTuIu9xFRPCMtUsM/s1600/SAM_1003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9fftwBmNNRiULMLqJfKRlpTcDBkFcn3RFpXYufhMTgCl78iH_ZspEZ5LgOKNsyATfsflOvKrOpFQJ_2RVtEqsoCNvBkL1phwacINZSiwKCNc5NJdROCAre7vJBhyphenhyphenerTuIu9xFRPCMtUsM/s1600/SAM_1003.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Sometimes a picture really is worth a thousand words.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Moving on to another <em>not-so-little</em> Basilica...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls sits near the site where St. Paul was executed for the faith, outside the walls of Rome in the year 67. The church is built over St. Paul's tomb. Although it has been reconstructed over the years, the impact of the hallowed ground remains nothing short of powerful!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Once again, we had the highest honor of celebrating</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Mass and receiving the Eucharist in a place where apostles and martyrs made it possible for us to do so. Over a thousand years later, the sacrifices of St. Peter, St. Paul, and all of the early Christians are still sacred. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The impact of this spiritual thanksgiving is beyond the power of words to convey. Fr. Sal reminded us to let this take root in our hearts (especially as the word <em>Eucharist</em> means <em>thanksgiving</em>). This is who we are called to be as Christians, <em>people of thanksgiving</em>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> St. Augustine also reminds us that <em>"If you are willing to receive the Eucharist, you must be ready to give yourself in return." </em>This giving back to God is an unshakeable stamp on pilgrim hearts.<em>..</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">This leads to a common thread of every Catholic church in Rome that might have someone asking: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>Why are the altars of churches and these great Basilicas built over tombs?</em> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTI2cacuX6T1pDPCEXOGQ_YONH2u3M9ehTnfppo3h5fnLZTcw3RHZIhUuNxbjVtYvr959cjQPPee88uNCtuo9KPo-9pVGY4CtvEgZHHzM_obDnjP7XyFLaOFJuJTgdMjzYJxUu8st9e3FP/s1600/SAM_1257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTI2cacuX6T1pDPCEXOGQ_YONH2u3M9ehTnfppo3h5fnLZTcw3RHZIhUuNxbjVtYvr959cjQPPee88uNCtuo9KPo-9pVGY4CtvEgZHHzM_obDnjP7XyFLaOFJuJTgdMjzYJxUu8st9e3FP/s1600/SAM_1257.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It's that ultimate gift that the martyrs gave... Their lives were laid down and their bodies and blood poured out of love for Christ Jesus, fully imitating Him...They were perfectly Christian and self-emptying. Therefore the tradition continues that they are united with the altar of God, enthroned there in every church. Tradition continues to this day and even newer Catholic churches all over the world hold relics of a saint on their alta</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">rs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Being able to pray before the tomb of St. Paul was breathtaking! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The chains that imprisoned St. Paul are displayed over his tomb...Here our Deacon and his wife take it all in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The spirit of contemplation is strong here in a place that holds the bones of the man who had gone to Damascus as the fiercest prosecutor of the Christians, only to end up as the most zealous propagator of the faith...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">As we move into Lent, I am reflecting on this and the many unlikely places that God calls each one of us... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">This also leads me to ponder the countless</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> unsuspecting doors and doorways of Rome. What you see on the outside is often <span style="font-size: x-large;">nothing</span> like what's on the inside. You could easily walk around the city streets of Rome and not have the slightest hint that magnificence lies just beyond an <em>ordinary</em> looking door or building. Try giving that door a nudge, on the other hand, and prepare to be flooded with <em>extraordinary</em> grace!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It's certainly a reminder that there's so much to discover beyond ourselves. Sometimes we don't even realize how closed the doors to our hearts really are until we work on pushing them open a little wider...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> Here's a prime example of some very unassuming doors that held a treasure...Little did we know the treasure was almost <em>too much</em> to behold the heart...I surely thought mine would explode! Behind them lies 28 marble steps that brought Jesus before Pontius Pilate...They are the <em>Scala Santa</em>, or <em>Holy Stairs</em>. Need I say more?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopsVC3ap3jFtVUPnyGIkSufMZjXLQ5rSXUC0h-KMeOALFEa817M0T8_do-k4137QOyCX96siubzxZs0KdwJjMH7rJ3G2NyWTJv4-YQWnytTegUJNB8z5VVptVKN-s8giGecAH9mD7mPE3/s1600/SAM_0625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopsVC3ap3jFtVUPnyGIkSufMZjXLQ5rSXUC0h-KMeOALFEa817M0T8_do-k4137QOyCX96siubzxZs0KdwJjMH7rJ3G2NyWTJv4-YQWnytTegUJNB8z5VVptVKN-s8giGecAH9mD7mPE3/s1600/SAM_0625.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> The stairs are known to have Christ's blood stains...Pilgrims are required to make the arduous climb on their knees. It was an amazing devotion as we mediated on the sufferings of Jesus for our many prayer intentions. It was an honor, once again, beyond words.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">What better place to surrender it all?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">On to Assisi!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">This was an absolutely phenomenal day trip...Rain and all. Guide books label this charming mystical hill town as the <br /><em>"City of Peace."</em> It's the perfect description!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Here lies the story, relics, and remains of St. Francis and St. Clare, famous Christians and now saints, who lived the model of simple humility, giving all they had for Christ. Both coming from families of wealth, they literally <span style="font-size: x-large;">did </span>give up all of their worldly possessions to serve the poor and preach the Gospel. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Francis and his band of brothers became the Franciscan order and inspired Clare to start an order of nuns to follow their example. More on their stories can be <a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=50">found here</a> and <a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=215">here</a>. St. Francis is buried below this Basilica in a chapel under the high altar. As can be imagined, it was yet another soul-stirring experience to pray here!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">We were able to celebrate Mass in this Gothic part of the Basilica that was built just a few short years after Francis's death in 1230.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">After reading about St. Francis and his story for many years, it really felt like a <span style="font-size: x-large;">dream</span> to be here!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Certainly a highlight was viewing his tunic...In true St. Francis fashion, what a radical relic it was!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">We learned that he chose brown and grey, the colors of beasts of burden, to remind them of their duty to serve.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Among many earthly treasures, this chapel of relics also contains the rags that wrapped St. Francis's stigmata and the chalice and paten that he used.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Can you imagine our delight when Father Brian (our Grey Franciscan tour guide) gave us permission to take a few photos? They are typically not permitted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">St. Francis preached a lot about how we are created to be in relationship with one another. <em>Our brothers and sisters bring us to salvation...We should see one another as a subject, not an object.</em></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">He called for us to <em>remember that we are loved and we have the right to be loved...</em></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">So much to hear in the whisper of our hearts as we took this all in!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The Basilica of St. Clare (St. Chiara) commemorates the life of service of Clare Favarone. Leaving a life of wealth, she also vowed to live a life of poverty, obedience, and chastity. Eventually her mother, 2 sisters, and aunt followed her to the convent! How's that for example?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">This gorgeous church holds the tomb of St. Clare, where her incorrupt body is encased in a ceramic mold...It is absolutely beautiful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">This profound quote is displayed near her tomb under a statue of Mary:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>"May you cling to this most sweet Mother who bore such a son as the heavens could not contain."</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">1193-1253</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">In St. Clare's Basilica hangs the original <em>Crucifix of San Damiano.</em> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It's my favorite! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Many of you may know that it's here beneath this Crucifix that God spoke to St. Francis about renewing the church. The Franciscan order was later nicknamed "new grace" because of its renewal theme. This original Crucifix was moved here from the Damiano church for better protection.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">I just love it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">To top off the day, we were in for a BIG surprise! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Once again, we headed into an unassuming dark entry...Up several sets of stairs in the rain...</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">To find ourselves in the Formation House of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here we could literally inhale <em>peace</em>!</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">We had NO idea this was waiting for us! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The hospitality nearly knocked our wet socks off. (That says a lot after we were all pretty soggy from a day of wading through rain puddles:)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">We proceeded to be treated to several courses of home cooked Italian food. Together with amazing wine, Deacon Tom summed it perfectly as "warming the cockles of our souls!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It was all, <em>truly</em>, just out of this world!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It was hard to leave here and go back out into the <em>real world</em>! But there was more to see and share in the footsteps of St. Francis...Schlepping a long in the rain felt like the right thing to do after such an indulgent lunch!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">He was born in this stable/cave for goodness sakes...Legend has it that his mother was told by an angel that she would give birth in a stable/ cave. Who else does that remind you of?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">This is Father Brian, our infamous tour guide and most generous host! The last stop in the quaint little town of Assisi was the childhood home of Francis...Another blessing for all of us!</span></div>
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<span id="goog_298271824"></span><span id="goog_298271825"></span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels is actually a drive down the hill and another very holy place. (By now I must admit that I was overwhelmed by everything I had experienced so far.) My cup runneth over! Yet, the awe continued as we walked the path where the walls of this Basilica enthrone the place where St. Francis actually died. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzUSXI3QGqDeOpwjEkCqM_4LILRHMzlSW17xEqHdmlNa9FhN1O1YMPjndnJ0ZTQpf7u3_NoC_UbaOTeTxHDrsqBA2OWjlmsmhV6GAen0zk5-n16uf3jxUxXXWEgy04Vj1glt48Ip1C8mL/s1600/SAM_1190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzUSXI3QGqDeOpwjEkCqM_4LILRHMzlSW17xEqHdmlNa9FhN1O1YMPjndnJ0ZTQpf7u3_NoC_UbaOTeTxHDrsqBA2OWjlmsmhV6GAen0zk5-n16uf3jxUxXXWEgy04Vj1glt48Ip1C8mL/s1600/SAM_1190.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Just around the corner, it's a bit of a miracle that these beautiful doves are always here in this alcove and it remains a mystery how they get in and out of the indoor area...It is certainly perfectly fitting for this great saint who was the epitome of peace (doves represent peace), always proclaiming that we <em>"can't look at creation without looking at the creator."</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">At the end of St. Francis's life, it is said that he no longer prayed because he became prayer itself...A living prayer. He is famous for calling us to <em>preach the gospel with our actions, using words only if we have to.</em> I've heard this before but this time it sunk deep inside me, resonating in the recesses of my spirit. I think all of us took a little piece of Assisi with us that day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Back on the ranch in Rome, we have another one of those "doors" I mentioned earlier...Each day, we gathered at the this seemingly ugly, iron, graffiti gate to enter for an afternoon or evening meal. I'll never forget the first time we arrived here and wondered where in the heck we were? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The beginning of our journey left me no less in awe than in the end...On our last day I still reveled in this heavenly refuge, just on the other side of that ugly door.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It really was hard to believe these beautiful grounds lay hidden, like a secret garden, amidst the hustle and bustle of the big city.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Treated to another surprise for our "last supper"...The kindness and generosity of the people at the <a href="http://laycentre.org/">Lay Centre at Foyer Unitas </a>cannot be outdone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">As we headed for home, I think we all felt like we had already been "home", never ceasing to be amazed at where we will find God's face and grace.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The very last day in Rome ended with one final visit with Pope Francis and the Sunday Angelus prayer...Rain did <span style="font-size: x-large;">not</span> discourage us from attending, one little bit! The kindness of strangers even helped us get a taxi back to our Inn when the rainy torrents almost got the best of us:) Vowing to pay it forward, I was presented with the perfect opportunity just a few weeks back in the U.S.! It was a perfectly, perfect, scenario to culminate the <em>journey that <span style="font-size: x-large;">never ends</span>!</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Farewell, Papa Francis...We will be praying for you, as you wish!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I hope you've enjoyed following a long here, <em>walking in the footsteps of the saints...</em>Thank you for joining me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">And for those of you who sent me prayer requests, I <span style="font-size: x-large;">thank </span>you, again, for giving me the honor of carrying your prayers next to my heart. I thoroughly enjoyed offering up your prayers in the countless sacred spaces of Rome and Assisi. May you find comfort and peace with the will of God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">And now to reveal a <a href="http://www.franciscan.edu/DistanceLearning/GeneralRequirements/">new endeavor</a> that has fallen perfectly in place since this trip! (Note the University <em>name</em>:) I wonder if St. Francis and St. Clare had a hand in this? Please pray for me and the strength to endure the amount of years this might take;-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>"Our labor here is brief, but the reward is eternal. Do not be disturbed by the clamor of the world which passes like a shadow. Do not let the false delights of a deceptive world deceive you."</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><em>"Love Him totally who gave Himself totally for your love."</em></span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">~St. Clare of Assisi~</span></em></div>
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<br />Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679337171422593785noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6610953973028158826.post-15250898079944014132014-02-26T23:06:00.000-08:002014-03-06T22:11:40.729-08:00I Left My (old) Heart In Rome! (Part 3)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDejcl8Wq4mQrXU0YdU9QKWDXDj-UY8sqspOH7aTMzyS6fDSRbFXkLzX7EkvH3Y_SS27lJ42vJ8gYFczQse1z_uIN47OPqL2PfZD0QjInQ61Fgb8oqknOcSIvXp2gWi-sE-xAmCRGnZcPY/s1600/colisseum.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDejcl8Wq4mQrXU0YdU9QKWDXDj-UY8sqspOH7aTMzyS6fDSRbFXkLzX7EkvH3Y_SS27lJ42vJ8gYFczQse1z_uIN47OPqL2PfZD0QjInQ61Fgb8oqknOcSIvXp2gWi-sE-xAmCRGnZcPY/s1600/colisseum.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Part 3 begins...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">(Here are the links if you missed </span><a href="http://familyatthefootofthecross.blogspot.com/2014/02/i-left-my-old-heart-in-rome-part-1.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Part 1</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> or </span><a href="http://familyatthefootofthecross.blogspot.com/2014/02/i-left-my-old-heart-in-rome-part-2.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Part 2</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Were you starting to wonder if we ever saw daylight, outside of a church?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Well, yes we did! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Being the joyful Catholics that we are, there are many things we enjoyed in Rome after our bodies, brains, and souls were exhausted from the day's spiritual workout:)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCiKROVYbKdHO68w0q0PFGY62T6O6CgwxyCd5p4cxqgjlF8Yc2Y5XYeRRJfaf4p-ngmBi7nEM1UsVyrhoA-z-Kv68rQVA2pm1jVBKGHjcDiWc4jOj-8nfEM34wape8R0f9ngJZJWBO86n/s1600/SAM_0908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCiKROVYbKdHO68w0q0PFGY62T6O6CgwxyCd5p4cxqgjlF8Yc2Y5XYeRRJfaf4p-ngmBi7nEM1UsVyrhoA-z-Kv68rQVA2pm1jVBKGHjcDiWc4jOj-8nfEM34wape8R0f9ngJZJWBO86n/s1600/SAM_0908.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Cappuccino and an Italian pastry anyone?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmkfZY9IN00OZdlbC-lsr903Wh7E66Z2aejSMuY2cdNng3QujYXIEfCArR1M3Ao_XHgtBTVIM1GxJsfy-lnQCrW5D2ao85A_ZEL0ZkdwIWJGZ5TNC4o9IgbJJZ_8Du3IdS0B9AJ5QFALyA/s1600/SAM_0909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmkfZY9IN00OZdlbC-lsr903Wh7E66Z2aejSMuY2cdNng3QujYXIEfCArR1M3Ao_XHgtBTVIM1GxJsfy-lnQCrW5D2ao85A_ZEL0ZkdwIWJGZ5TNC4o9IgbJJZ_8Du3IdS0B9AJ5QFALyA/s1600/SAM_0909.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Many, many, stops like these made for <em>very</em> happy pilgrims:)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Since I wasn't feeling well enough to drink much wine, this was my favorite drink!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwHJagNcDl1RQqpumh-rw-zdMI2Yb3IraxgHGGPNWbxcuTem_N63kpzgjb7cfeZbdqIO-NrMHJ2W2eBJZn8-bVIWAA-7GrCD7GIVb587jF5ferI8YmnA43U6cGcctt0yKFUJEtEfVgdzDV/s1600/coffee.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwHJagNcDl1RQqpumh-rw-zdMI2Yb3IraxgHGGPNWbxcuTem_N63kpzgjb7cfeZbdqIO-NrMHJ2W2eBJZn8-bVIWAA-7GrCD7GIVb587jF5ferI8YmnA43U6cGcctt0yKFUJEtEfVgdzDV/s1600/coffee.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Oh, how I miss these!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Gelato in the rain, anyone?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSJ0vS_i_yj8g1-jfIkxNSYydSksXpKaXqx8nTWdUVk6TOxqeNSUakctpva4orRDtFBOjqXeGBaG0zlPqrMkk6oP9jvYmGPRpl-gZXdjkG54Fa803Vdi4R6UzUQFV3nqzTN_zyoymdKMF/s1600/hanks+fav+gelataria+in+the+rain.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSJ0vS_i_yj8g1-jfIkxNSYydSksXpKaXqx8nTWdUVk6TOxqeNSUakctpva4orRDtFBOjqXeGBaG0zlPqrMkk6oP9jvYmGPRpl-gZXdjkG54Fa803Vdi4R6UzUQFV3nqzTN_zyoymdKMF/s1600/hanks+fav+gelataria+in+the+rain.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">This was my son's favorite Gelateria while he was on his University of Dallas Rome Semester. Of course I tried his recommended Biscotti, Nutella, and Banana Gelato! Yuuuuuummmm!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was really neat for me to walk in the footsteps of my college boy since he had just been there just 1 month prior! He gave me some great tips, like the one above:) AND...</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Some free time led us to one of<em> <span style="font-size: x-large;">his</span> favorite views</em> of Rome on top of Hotel Minerva. Thankfully, it was one of the clearest, sunniest, days we had!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcuiNsB-tnFEBGCV-42SbOqXK8nEzv6IpfMKOouWI7JehpPSlIj7nLvUNwUWdNOy918GdRhNpmvOkHFVufnZ0Hvku5qgW2UB3xRoBARNrydrR2Hej_fu_EC4AIu1YRELRDWgvk992g5Q0C/s1600/SAM_0738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcuiNsB-tnFEBGCV-42SbOqXK8nEzv6IpfMKOouWI7JehpPSlIj7nLvUNwUWdNOy918GdRhNpmvOkHFVufnZ0Hvku5qgW2UB3xRoBARNrydrR2Hej_fu_EC4AIu1YRELRDWgvk992g5Q0C/s1600/SAM_0738.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">We couldn't miss Trevi Fountain... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It is said that if you toss a coin over your left shoulder, you are sure to return to Rome again! Of course we tossed...And we threw one in for our husbands too:)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPjU7soLIr51HhiI3I8nI4TQHV1Titj99g5Y8qNO2xnA4kkWrgN11F5JSX6hAZcG4eZzAXpAdxgmZLB9Cg7AzdAeP_ejxmyddwmmccVfndKgveGbnNGSbggGHKT2by6bhsPolh5HqtQM2/s1600/SAM_0712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPjU7soLIr51HhiI3I8nI4TQHV1Titj99g5Y8qNO2xnA4kkWrgN11F5JSX6hAZcG4eZzAXpAdxgmZLB9Cg7AzdAeP_ejxmyddwmmccVfndKgveGbnNGSbggGHKT2by6bhsPolh5HqtQM2/s1600/SAM_0712.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I think my favorite free time "pit stop" was the Peroni Brewery (Italian Beer) and Restaurant. I'm more of a beer drinker than a wine-o so I was looking forward to this place! We weren't disappointed, it was<em> awesome</em>...And might I say that great minds think alike?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">(hee hee;-)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTuBxcFpMgW-eYEKRPv916RXxBmuMFstw34RcuB-6_Nc29vONg9JJgtdch3AoEVsDk8P1gSYpbFIthDxCYUBAeLVPpnFCGfelyYI89Yrxm38t2cGuPBryuHtH8sLN4DqW0k-8U_G79O3S/s1600/Tiff+and+Kim+at+Peroni.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Speaking of Popes...Our second close encounter with Pope Francis was another amazing experience, to say the least! Once again, we had the most spectacular seats, next to the aisle, at the Basilica of St. Paul. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">We were really hoping for that Pope Francis <em>selfie</em> but we were just too swept up in the moment to pull it off!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWh6g9xjXVVkOb7ZaJ-_xHWZXzBwigBJhUxHNUNv0Hr_nhNdMzCns0mf-jAhsS5csPFXPUvRI47NlQhrlK6LpIAvn4sL3lttcfwPICgJF1cZwVSBfqSu-zyoTQ6xq6eOq3m1BtM1mQ_FvC/s1600/poperazzi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWh6g9xjXVVkOb7ZaJ-_xHWZXzBwigBJhUxHNUNv0Hr_nhNdMzCns0mf-jAhsS5csPFXPUvRI47NlQhrlK6LpIAvn4sL3lttcfwPICgJF1cZwVSBfqSu-zyoTQ6xq6eOq3m1BtM1mQ_FvC/s1600/poperazzi.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4GykP-8CUrWNxLkpS-zIUvmAr7DL-n2use9bMfafss_yDZhsXxZPB_3Uk1VgqFNxpLCM9wLQv5y3qaNCIpdFHUsqvOC0CjqiA0GxstUirigvjHYJcwQCtaMGDzoSmWO2xdjlunb3dGSoO/s1600/so+excited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4GykP-8CUrWNxLkpS-zIUvmAr7DL-n2use9bMfafss_yDZhsXxZPB_3Uk1VgqFNxpLCM9wLQv5y3qaNCIpdFHUsqvOC0CjqiA0GxstUirigvjHYJcwQCtaMGDzoSmWO2xdjlunb3dGSoO/s1600/so+excited.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Can you say Rock Concert, Catholic-style?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">We were just a <em><span style="font-size: x-large;">little</span></em> excited...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The official Poperazzi Trio!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxdEb-3NB6oEi8aZp4dMs2iV9LOqEL1th05rp6fZ3CRm5DR5d5_piS99dArr0negWcqPlMVJo0XSaWubJfNJWnv1_0umhXc-ideLlcO0Vy9XVU0OXKB7qFPJ1hupKQiis2fWZQU_8UtpI/s1600/Poprazzi+Trio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxdEb-3NB6oEi8aZp4dMs2iV9LOqEL1th05rp6fZ3CRm5DR5d5_piS99dArr0negWcqPlMVJo0XSaWubJfNJWnv1_0umhXc-ideLlcO0Vy9XVU0OXKB7qFPJ1hupKQiis2fWZQU_8UtpI/s1600/Poprazzi+Trio.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWqFN7b_1HcNXwJezJSw0WCDqZnHnPuNv9P3C_ZqHXz78Zg3VbKnYecyNThw7nJKQ2J-4znYZaHtIwV70d0Me8cyYX3uKK3r8si1K8K9QeVT3JUx0pOwz9engMgsj5wVV7_LVtkCEY7jQ/s1600/SAM_0679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWqFN7b_1HcNXwJezJSw0WCDqZnHnPuNv9P3C_ZqHXz78Zg3VbKnYecyNThw7nJKQ2J-4znYZaHtIwV70d0Me8cyYX3uKK3r8si1K8K9QeVT3JUx0pOwz9engMgsj5wVV7_LVtkCEY7jQ/s1600/SAM_0679.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc8E1zo_1Szb2b8Hl49kncpstBvqoOFgXDsyQd-mWIhequH1Rc0ulD2Z1QqQ8YTjoGOUk6oLVdSilbAjFZJOW5Loi8eehY5Wb1CtWvBbKjW4iPFriY2B9sYqBB-iAMsC_dZHNxGG1pHdZX/s1600/SAM_0681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc8E1zo_1Szb2b8Hl49kncpstBvqoOFgXDsyQd-mWIhequH1Rc0ulD2Z1QqQ8YTjoGOUk6oLVdSilbAjFZJOW5Loi8eehY5Wb1CtWvBbKjW4iPFriY2B9sYqBB-iAMsC_dZHNxGG1pHdZX/s1600/SAM_0681.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Waiting has never been so <span style="font-size: x-large;">wonderful</span>!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkXUcAygfZv2atyUNDNuQh5zqvvpmH58SD8HAWE9V3ZxTNrv6ztS0wy8zDbeSES6TZ88s4_8pQDIIa-2xTnO6NhGLdtVal96HZFza85mr6XgniE8VgQe__W06zOoiwZugeTvUbEPqYKSn3/s1600/SAM_0688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkXUcAygfZv2atyUNDNuQh5zqvvpmH58SD8HAWE9V3ZxTNrv6ztS0wy8zDbeSES6TZ88s4_8pQDIIa-2xTnO6NhGLdtVal96HZFza85mr6XgniE8VgQe__W06zOoiwZugeTvUbEPqYKSn3/s1600/SAM_0688.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">What a beautiful procession!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Christian leaders, including representatives from the Orthodox Church and Anglican communion, as well as many faithful from all around the word were in attendance.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMkxZliRLE7HvJ5cFWTMOQcgYV4jCFcoaZ-JUadVl_W4JPcY3ENDkiRUUEmzcRXS1_YWZozRd1irQbRVbYVtQXMRCDaHpYGKslG6xq2plywtVNp5E828BIVumZYyUY0haltDtyAFqTde7B/s1600/SAM_0689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMkxZliRLE7HvJ5cFWTMOQcgYV4jCFcoaZ-JUadVl_W4JPcY3ENDkiRUUEmzcRXS1_YWZozRd1irQbRVbYVtQXMRCDaHpYGKslG6xq2plywtVNp5E828BIVumZYyUY0haltDtyAFqTde7B/s1600/SAM_0689.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">Here he comes!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXp2N8tUqV48FBVuxIjimn5Z7OXGlXCtZTPjEOx_HLSAObqiPcOc7Eu-1xsGY0xkbdnqrOFd4y0cIq2pDytFJZV-1dC9fQLWGBhSw-xAij36dB9GT4C-nU-2O-RnQukNSlV9qhZK8LCtN6/s1600/SAM_0692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXp2N8tUqV48FBVuxIjimn5Z7OXGlXCtZTPjEOx_HLSAObqiPcOc7Eu-1xsGY0xkbdnqrOFd4y0cIq2pDytFJZV-1dC9fQLWGBhSw-xAij36dB9GT4C-nU-2O-RnQukNSlV9qhZK8LCtN6/s1600/SAM_0692.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">There he goes!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">On his way out, Kim got a little better shot:)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNV_FgdHWyk22lqmee9rzld-fM7WSUp7SR0kgxg105jWtCN8QN29D_eUjAnj9w8ejaxA03fcZPyoBVZACBZgEi9WEKHb_nPGi_-fSx3eamCPKX0YG82U4Ju48mxZs8VgigoMf5vGMoAUY0/s1600/Pope+Francis+by+Kim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNV_FgdHWyk22lqmee9rzld-fM7WSUp7SR0kgxg105jWtCN8QN29D_eUjAnj9w8ejaxA03fcZPyoBVZACBZgEi9WEKHb_nPGi_-fSx3eamCPKX0YG82U4Ju48mxZs8VgigoMf5vGMoAUY0/s1600/Pope+Francis+by+Kim.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">Sooooo Close!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The premise of this evening prayer service with Pope Francis was to close the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. A great article was written about it by </span><a href="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-we-must-persevere-in-working-for-christian-unity/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Catholic News Agency.</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I paticularly loved this quote by the Holy Father from his homily:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>"Christ, dear friends, cannot be divided! This conviction must sustain and encourage us to persevere with humility and trust on the way to the restoration of full visible unity among all believers in Christ."</em> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Gathering around the table for dinner was a beautiful way to end the evening as we reflected upon being one family in the body of Christ.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaE93JCn5a3tDg9sZiZAvIN0JdtRSGfcgosoIn0lO0fSTGRA1ImDLrQpSOtr2GUISYnmInbGS-Lpt5F4xDzjqPn3dnXCE1M6nsppXKQm4KCFdfN3I2iaBWriIu6pBHtUnNK-FZrZR9wXj8/s1600/Family+Dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaE93JCn5a3tDg9sZiZAvIN0JdtRSGfcgosoIn0lO0fSTGRA1ImDLrQpSOtr2GUISYnmInbGS-Lpt5F4xDzjqPn3dnXCE1M6nsppXKQm4KCFdfN3I2iaBWriIu6pBHtUnNK-FZrZR9wXj8/s1600/Family+Dinner.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>St. Catherine of Siena</em> was one courageous woman who worked for unity. In fact, she spent the last 2 years of her life in Rome, working tirelessly on the unification of the Church. She died in 1380 and her remains are buried under the main altar of this beautiful <u>Basilica </u></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><u>di Santa Maria Sopra Minerva.</u></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6Pg5VmEL146mLC0v6gg0KTzCkgwpWeZGMeIR0nmO5nmWghBF0_zQ8o9H_lrxn0qtepd_o8hCHdn8hoyK8cAId77SgASxs9gKarz6qTtqT7fdt8SxCeJD8nNOGNpf3XkgaUHJIJPbOWdY/s1600/SAM_0765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6Pg5VmEL146mLC0v6gg0KTzCkgwpWeZGMeIR0nmO5nmWghBF0_zQ8o9H_lrxn0qtepd_o8hCHdn8hoyK8cAId77SgASxs9gKarz6qTtqT7fdt8SxCeJD8nNOGNpf3XkgaUHJIJPbOWdY/s1600/SAM_0765.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It is said to be the <span style="font-size: x-large;">only</span> Gothic church in Rome. I loved the flying buttresses and royal blue ceilings!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlgw0Cb2wXMi7qpFCkF_vQbQuxH6FL0W0Pq7D5DgQ1FqHGZhxsg42cv2JhyphenhyphenF7gQ5gqoe1Oc7rk7m_0DFCvOugeXMnXoFRYcYCwm9vG1PkBxdSavlWd0Fe7PONih4DIHolvupq2kClqBsB/s1600/SAM_0762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlgw0Cb2wXMi7qpFCkF_vQbQuxH6FL0W0Pq7D5DgQ1FqHGZhxsg42cv2JhyphenhyphenF7gQ5gqoe1Oc7rk7m_0DFCvOugeXMnXoFRYcYCwm9vG1PkBxdSavlWd0Fe7PONih4DIHolvupq2kClqBsB/s1600/SAM_0762.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">This was an utterly peaceful place to pray...Especially for the prayer intentions:)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Unity was a continual theme for our pilgrimage. It was especially hopeful in our world that can appear so divided. It was good to be reminded that Christ is not mine, yours, ours...We are His. We do not own Him, He owns us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">This was the final prayer from Pope Francis:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><em>"Dear brothers and sisters, let us ask the Lord Jesus, who has made us living members of his body, </em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><em>to keep us deeply united to him, </em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><em>to help us overcome our conflicts, </em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><em>our divisions and our self-seeking, </em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><em>and to be united to one another by one force, </em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><em>by the power of love which the Holy Spirit pours into our hearts. Amen."</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://familyatthefootofthecross.blogspot.com/2014/03/i-left-my-old-heart-in-rome-final-part-4.html">Part 4</a></span> is the final chapter of our journey, to include our day in Assisi. Thank you for coming a long!</span></div>
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Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679337171422593785noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6610953973028158826.post-17722613635269434012014-02-18T17:38:00.000-08:002014-03-06T22:15:24.877-08:00I Left My (old) Heart In Rome! (Part 2)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Mother Church</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Basilica of St. John Lateran</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Part 2: Walking in the footsteps of the Saints</em>...This was the highlight of the pilgrimage for me. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(<a href="http://familyatthefootofthecross.blogspot.com/2014/02/i-left-my-old-heart-in-rome-part-1.html">Click here if you missed Part 1</a>)</span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'm sorry to digress for a moment but I'd like to preface this post by mentioning how much I was eagerly anticipating this part of the journey with the saints. Since my reversion to the Catholic Church about 12 years ago, I have been <strike>obsessed with</strike> immersed in reading the lives of the saints. Their stories, especially the early Christians, really spoke to me loud and clear at a critical time in my life. Not only were they real and imperfect people like you and me, they also endured suffering and trials, just like we do. Yet they emerged triumphant, stronger than before, due to their Christian faith. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I needed someone, a "real person" to relate to after witnessing my precious husband Chris'<a href="http://familyatthefootofthecross.blogspot.com/p/clinging-to-crossmy-story.html"> tragic murder</a>. I would continually ask myself<em>..."Who in the world lives through these kinds of nightmares and actually survives?"</em> I really didn't think I would make it without Chris, single parenting, etc. Not to mention that as I began to "survive," I had a close brush with cancer...On the heels of my remarriage, I was told I may never have any more children. Just as I thought I could feel joy again, it slowly started being zapped out of me as I went on to endure a horrific child birth and miscarriage in those first years. I'm not sure what was worse, the physical pain or the emotional pain. "What else, Lord?", I would cry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Slowly, I discovered the answer as I read the lives of the saints...God's goodness and glory always prevailed with trust in Him. When reading about their trials and tribulations, my troubles suddenly seemed pale in comparison. These early Christians gave me hope and strength...They were beacons of light pointing me to the Lord of love who I was convinced had abandoned me. Their stories inspired me and strengthened me to survive, leading me to know the true Cross and the Savior who died there so I may live. Through the suffering of the saints, united with my own suffering, came a tremendous opportunity to know the risen Lord. The gift was LOVE, true love, that is only possible through His embrace and my surrender. By the end of this post, you will see why I couldn't keep this to myself!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So there you have it...The story behind my love affair for the liturgical calendar and the saint's feast days that I celebrate with my family and share here on this blog. I will forever be indebted to the men and women who are the heroes of our church, modeling courage as we carry our crosses in this world to glorify God and lead us to heavenly triumph. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">+Mother Ship+</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Much to my <span style="font-size: x-large;">surprise</span>, here is where I begin to leave my (old) heart behind...Right smack on the floor of a church that jump-starts a new heart beat within me. Rolling along, we had no clue what an impact this, <em>among many</em>, of our stops would stir up. For me the journey begins with this Basilica...St. John Lateran. It's rather indiscreet from the outside. Yes, it is very large in size but not much jumps out at you until you hear the history...WOW, then she leaps tall mountains!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">This is <span style="font-size: x-large;">Mother Church</span>...It's the Mother Ship of all Christian churches since it was the first Christian church ever built in the world! Up until this point, Christians met secretly underground (often in homes) to celebrate the Mass and other Sacraments.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Kim and I...Pilgrim sisters and roomies... with Mother Church:)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Did I mention what a blessing it was to travel with a dear friend?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Our husbands are both firefighters and we have shared <span style="font-size: large;">so</span> much in our dozen years (or so) of friendship!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">This first St. John Lateran church was built on this same site by Emperor Constantine in the 300's, mostly ending the Christian persecution of the time. Though it was rebuilt a few times, much of it has been preserved within the confines of the current baroque style that was restored in the 1700's. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">These 2 amazing theologian/historians were our guides...My brain was joyfully aching from the beautiful knowledge shared!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The Basilica of John Lateran is named after both St. John the Evangelist and St. John the Baptist. St. John the Baptist was included in the name because the original Christian Baptistry is attached to the Basilica, the baptismal home of many early Christians! (The Lateran name comes from the Lateran family who were the original Roman donors of the property). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The most amazing thing about the Baptistry building is that ALL people were baptized there in the same font...slaves, free, rich, and poor, under one Body of Christ. It's the same today as yesterday...Love it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">In summary, <em>this church</em> marks the beginning of the practice of Christianity in public, inside the walls of Rome...Hence the title "Mother Church!" Isn't that awesome?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">St. John Lateran was also the Papal church in the early years. Not until later did the Pope move to St. Peter's. To this day, John Lateran is still the Cathedral of Rome and diocesan headquarters. It's the only church that holds it's own feast day in honor of it's dedication on November 9th.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> St. John Lateran is amazingly beautiful on the inside too, of course! A few of us pilgrims (Katie, Jean, Kim and Tiffany) celebrated Mass here the first Sunday in Rome:) What a blessing! I remembered your prayers here at Mother Church;-)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The large size, we learned, was to hold <span style="font-size: x-large;">large</span> amounts of people...There were no seats in the early days! Makes sense:) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It is said that the heads of St. Peter and St. Paul are held in the large reliquary behind us. There is also a piece of the Last Supper table on one of the side walls.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;">It's hard to pick a favorite church but this one is tops on my list with soooo much meaning!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong><u>Saint Agnes</u></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Here we were on the feast day of this beautiful saint who gave her life rather than denounce her faith during Diocletian persecution of Christians...At AGE 12!~</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Her name, Agnes, means 'lamb' in Latin and also denotes 'the pure one' in Greek.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The St. Agnes' blessing of the lambs takes place on her feast day in the church that holds her bodily remains. We were beyond excited to be HERE for this amazing <span style="font-size: x-large;">500</span> year-old tradition:)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;">These cute little lambs are blessed and further cared for by an order of nuns. (Sisters of St. Cecilia in Trastevere) Their wool is later used to weave the palliums worn by the newly appointed archbishops! There was an article written about it this year by <a href="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/blessing-of-lambs-a-500-year-old-tradition-priest-reveals/">Catholic News Agency</a>...We were there!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Just love this photo I captured of Kim and the 2 precious lambs :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfupD4Xz220lKGhALb50NRyYfZ5POlmCPIDvNTz9L-vPwLy_xC6xtwxPZix_4WcN1gEHIfLVWQV9Fblybz0ZcyXBWyewAGgcogfmhoYIVEqMiXC3OO8EgMrSnPwkqEsaD79yjkxhW17Z0z/s1600/SAM_0237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfupD4Xz220lKGhALb50NRyYfZ5POlmCPIDvNTz9L-vPwLy_xC6xtwxPZix_4WcN1gEHIfLVWQV9Fblybz0ZcyXBWyewAGgcogfmhoYIVEqMiXC3OO8EgMrSnPwkqEsaD79yjkxhW17Z0z/s1600/SAM_0237.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYKy7bnJQO-iIwF6F1LTGAMuVBfJLN5KAA_uDT_mQw3ZAXMMwMCvizCorQCYJqdPSqYowflVEn5m250NcPpOApdMrAI07_R3Wn3mbjUEPA6UjtciffgfTGnUg7kEzX28AZk4MV_qusRgY/s1600/SAM_0251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYKy7bnJQO-iIwF6F1LTGAMuVBfJLN5KAA_uDT_mQw3ZAXMMwMCvizCorQCYJqdPSqYowflVEn5m250NcPpOApdMrAI07_R3Wn3mbjUEPA6UjtciffgfTGnUg7kEzX28AZk4MV_qusRgY/s1600/SAM_0251.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">These young women carry the lambs to honor St. Agnes. They wear white to represent the young purity of St. Agnes, along with red sashes marking the blood of her martyrdom. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguqX9SXdFYbRJ3XjxG9R8Q9EZEeovgV7sqMcvcST_xGWEDmLmMX9AgEDYNYxN3FBaKhKDJ0GJJmKYfhteIA7UxUIUmFFRzx4-2g8eJFOE4OPXWhdyvCohXELOooxD-qzW535V7ksDpp52_/s1600/SAM_0266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguqX9SXdFYbRJ3XjxG9R8Q9EZEeovgV7sqMcvcST_xGWEDmLmMX9AgEDYNYxN3FBaKhKDJ0GJJmKYfhteIA7UxUIUmFFRzx4-2g8eJFOE4OPXWhdyvCohXELOooxD-qzW535V7ksDpp52_/s1600/SAM_0266.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_90cEs1xHcT6QH9W7BPebw2jcpg0DVB3AWyH5lWCR0GqkiNr4ygfV_GP-VNEJzeqYyunvyQKKXLdafdDd_tbs04Wz7nB7eYxG5b2rbfduZADxaE07ss7HiglAY3rJatSvKiqydT0NLq2e/s1600/SAM_0261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_90cEs1xHcT6QH9W7BPebw2jcpg0DVB3AWyH5lWCR0GqkiNr4ygfV_GP-VNEJzeqYyunvyQKKXLdafdDd_tbs04Wz7nB7eYxG5b2rbfduZADxaE07ss7HiglAY3rJatSvKiqydT0NLq2e/s1600/SAM_0261.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;">St. Agnes Outside the Wall is a minor Basilica...The altar sits over the catacombs and the remains of St. Agnes. The mosaic apse above the altar is an original beauty! It was packed but I happily and thankfully sat on the floor:)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We weren't 100% sure but it was speculated that these were the order of nuns, from St. Cecelia's, who care for the lambs:)</span> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHTgNLBpzoL-Hq2Ov17cWvERw5EM884J4bPTCPKKIAYHzCPOxbvDm2jfK5MfPEN4jR6HpBChUfbNpihsx5n-DmBhfcwVpvNtj_8l3BY4TkfePZyOjLC5yJrBax8RaRYgoDyPBu_LcXexgv/s1600/SAM_0281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHTgNLBpzoL-Hq2Ov17cWvERw5EM884J4bPTCPKKIAYHzCPOxbvDm2jfK5MfPEN4jR6HpBChUfbNpihsx5n-DmBhfcwVpvNtj_8l3BY4TkfePZyOjLC5yJrBax8RaRYgoDyPBu_LcXexgv/s1600/SAM_0281.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZcIE4YYSpxWXleV8A2qyOIW57I8YoMXJq6nV61LP-st0_RmR4rNQCAfDkGnMJlGPt-yqXpRV80DGgr6kSyisZqpQiLywGjMHa4ur00YXtBETU3SiK_kNxOUnt_U3leQiOUsDmj9fib8w/s1600/SAM_0295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZcIE4YYSpxWXleV8A2qyOIW57I8YoMXJq6nV61LP-st0_RmR4rNQCAfDkGnMJlGPt-yqXpRV80DGgr6kSyisZqpQiLywGjMHa4ur00YXtBETU3SiK_kNxOUnt_U3leQiOUsDmj9fib8w/s1600/SAM_0295.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;">After Mass, we paid a visit downstairs to the tomb of St. Agnes. No words can describe the impact of this visit after such an incredible celebration of her sacrificial life.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"Christ made my soul beautiful with the jewels of grace and virtue. I belong to Him whom the angels serve." ~St. Agnes </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here I laid your prayer requests and prayed for the intercession of St. Agnes on your behalf...Again, such an honor to be entrusted with your desires of the heart. </span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yOcgt8hMkDOHfElqIUiDzA3QtYalO-MB3J6Xke-xQmuyT_1uNUbWVMuCNQXzXNMO7RrzxWnuzDPz03OBIx4OopDP3OQVu4ANCs8Q1yZXMHMGdoFj66TAuYePWvmtyPO3av6cWZ28oAzY/s1600/SAM_0296.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><u><strong>St. Sebastian</strong></u></span></div>
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<span id="goog_446330006"></span><span id="goog_446330007"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> A visit to the Catacombs outside the walls of Rome was another soul-stirring experience. The early Christians referred to this particular burial place as the <em>catacombs </em>because the word meant <em>"near the cave". </em>This was the key word to describe the location where they placed the bodies of St. Peter and St. Paul after their executions<em>..."near the cave." </em>The cave was an ancient pagan burial place that was used as a landmark to lead Christians to their beloved leaders to venerate and pray.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> *St. Peter and St. Paul's remains were later moved to their own Basilicas for protection, under the rule of Emporer Constantine.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6uWJe1i_9c2lQMZLrsq9e5lrt_0YlujiynDKQSuB5Z358dOEYCPAsFBSNS0ePcGb659geJ49a9NhpGprsoxMqKnQU9ylxnZfaFT7Uw_BZnNV-ItdtzwYtJ3vR1uWYwageNuksS6eY9Ad/s1600/catacomb+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6uWJe1i_9c2lQMZLrsq9e5lrt_0YlujiynDKQSuB5Z358dOEYCPAsFBSNS0ePcGb659geJ49a9NhpGprsoxMqKnQU9ylxnZfaFT7Uw_BZnNV-ItdtzwYtJ3vR1uWYwageNuksS6eY9Ad/s1600/catacomb+sign.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> This building is now the Basilica of St. Sebastian...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE66zcRBXEb8QTng8Ip5vIhSEwD_LlgkMNbCy988-bEDq9x5Hv8MMLAyWOHvToHaYyl1wQGIa3sz_nhNulZ9vcuJSabHDrKqvpz51I-aDnWBepYjk6oUEG7IvdV50qT8Ea_5pywuLnrbl7/s1600/tiff+in+front+of+catacombs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE66zcRBXEb8QTng8Ip5vIhSEwD_LlgkMNbCy988-bEDq9x5Hv8MMLAyWOHvToHaYyl1wQGIa3sz_nhNulZ9vcuJSabHDrKqvpz51I-aDnWBepYjk6oUEG7IvdV50qT8Ea_5pywuLnrbl7/s1600/tiff+in+front+of+catacombs.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> No photos were allowed down in the catacombs but you can imagine the impact of walking in the footsteps of the ancients here...Many Christian martyrs were originally buried here and we were actually able to view the stone walls where both St. Peter and St. Paul's names had been etched in Greek. <span style="font-size: x-large;">Hallowed ground</span>, to say the least! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u><strong></strong></u></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWHdDFTLiY6kAaTAW9TKVHVDwg-L7gpDDWYuQwUZmVABpxMhjWKr1IzA3ZLaN3h_dRVAy3AQP37ufCjV6hNkgBPjaaESrkXA5L6Lc_gkrwHycxL-vVXx4bZkKpcI4r2_e9HA4xwPnI20Xw/s1600/catacombs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWHdDFTLiY6kAaTAW9TKVHVDwg-L7gpDDWYuQwUZmVABpxMhjWKr1IzA3ZLaN3h_dRVAy3AQP37ufCjV6hNkgBPjaaESrkXA5L6Lc_gkrwHycxL-vVXx4bZkKpcI4r2_e9HA4xwPnI20Xw/s1600/catacombs.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">St. Sebastian's Basilica was erected on top of the Catacombs to honor his valiant efforts. An elite Roman soldier, under the ruthless Emporer Diocletian, Sebastian was also a secret Christian. You can imagine that this didn't go over so well once the Emporer found out!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVCDaBUGdSHIkFYqJERKd1lqrcMTW9kvaklJMvTzjtHol1TFqMA5EhTP95MmbcAIDzwchHIColfeOvqEJTLEx5S9mpTcUF91KuJekpuZ5HTHrkfYNCzdOX8UOqyAcoVXXEDPUU2U0CuP0/s1600/st.+sebastian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVCDaBUGdSHIkFYqJERKd1lqrcMTW9kvaklJMvTzjtHol1TFqMA5EhTP95MmbcAIDzwchHIColfeOvqEJTLEx5S9mpTcUF91KuJekpuZ5HTHrkfYNCzdOX8UOqyAcoVXXEDPUU2U0CuP0/s1600/st.+sebastian.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> Sebastian courageously helped many Christians as they faced their innocent and sacrificial deaths.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtK1TTwuxc6RYQMsFrFzKR6PGSgNZ_5xs4qIi9jjHRLaaoJbqP1RrQdPxKMaqmHg0QP0Y3jLiWjBUO3kIRq9axq0x4Ar3ONK59L7CkRwptF-LM9PUIWZ2f_dmVpoRk7wp1sS-_w4ckWWsM/s1600/altar+of+st.+sebastian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtK1TTwuxc6RYQMsFrFzKR6PGSgNZ_5xs4qIi9jjHRLaaoJbqP1RrQdPxKMaqmHg0QP0Y3jLiWjBUO3kIRq9axq0x4Ar3ONK59L7CkRwptF-LM9PUIWZ2f_dmVpoRk7wp1sS-_w4ckWWsM/s1600/altar+of+st.+sebastian.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Here over the altar, he is depicted in Diocletian's first attempt to kill him...Death by arrows. Miraculously, he lived through that and eventually was beaten to death after he tried to convince Diocletian to stop the senseless killing.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEiImePsFfQYtu8nvxzSzGhWNjv0Kb3MQKzaQV3Nlnw9JqgqvRSPwpvfh6dTIi46t9zLqFvOZk6Tam4prRB8Os4-qs7ibfEWexwd1ikq1WJv2sMI5OMaTxZdobz7HVxa4YliBLRgUMvYTD/s1600/tomb+of+st.+sebastian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEiImePsFfQYtu8nvxzSzGhWNjv0Kb3MQKzaQV3Nlnw9JqgqvRSPwpvfh6dTIi46t9zLqFvOZk6Tam4prRB8Os4-qs7ibfEWexwd1ikq1WJv2sMI5OMaTxZdobz7HVxa4YliBLRgUMvYTD/s1600/tomb+of+st.+sebastian.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;">St. Sebastian's relics and remains are held here for veneration and prayer...Another awesome place to bring my pilgrimage prayer intentions:) He is the patron saint of soldiers and athletes...My sons have long admired this Catholic super hero!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;">We didn't visit on St. Sebastian's feast day but the neat thing is that we were actually traveling to Rome on his feast day, just a few days earlier. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The emotions continued to run high in contemplation of the magnitude of sacrifice that went on in the shadows of our footsteps. I found it difficult to escape the haunting question...Would I, Could I, do the same?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><u><strong>St. Peter</strong></u></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8dtM00NpYv9QiT5Uui-k-4AdSsOJ1l70JoSqorwN2kW3XcWUjLqHr-KPtfQJtJXfhG1JIbZOeHH9Emdwr0hRAI9lIVJgEdyAS060oYLgXRr5zKSRRiJLtAok3x-YgMbqtjVqeLvXZx0Pr/s1600/SAM_0574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8dtM00NpYv9QiT5Uui-k-4AdSsOJ1l70JoSqorwN2kW3XcWUjLqHr-KPtfQJtJXfhG1JIbZOeHH9Emdwr0hRAI9lIVJgEdyAS060oYLgXRr5zKSRRiJLtAok3x-YgMbqtjVqeLvXZx0Pr/s1600/SAM_0574.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The journey continued and the magnitude of grace errupted...My cup overflowed here in this place...Home of the tomb of St. Peter himself. The word Scavi means escavation and here is where the bones of St. Peter were excavated fairly recently to prove that he was actually there. Several layers below the earth lies an ancient city of the dead that will knock your socks off! Still in tact after thousands of years, all signs pointed to the treasure that they knew was there...The first leader, the first Pope, the keeper of the keys, St. Peter, himself.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I wept at the tomb...How could I not?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">No photos were allowed but a door from the ancient burial place leads down into the Vatican crypt where our tour ended. Here lies the tombs of many Popes and side chapels dedicated to the saints and martyrs. Remember, this is all <span style="font-size: x-large;">under</span> the grounds of St. Peter's Basilica. (St. Peter's tomb lies directly below the main altar in the Basilica). </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <span style="font-size: small;">This is what the hallways look like that hold the side chapels.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyHusJiN3ffx8zVMY4oqFh8bE5_tl6Du-vaTGy9ycn37AaX2OPtnEMYzAh9-3bxshJ9BB1RAO2LdiF6Swrp9a-wpCEow06byAP6_zqZ_yeJPVaNrOmIkGOQLPkoVLDptZ8_gU7-HBcwad/s1600/SAM_0812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyHusJiN3ffx8zVMY4oqFh8bE5_tl6Du-vaTGy9ycn37AaX2OPtnEMYzAh9-3bxshJ9BB1RAO2LdiF6Swrp9a-wpCEow06byAP6_zqZ_yeJPVaNrOmIkGOQLPkoVLDptZ8_gU7-HBcwad/s1600/SAM_0812.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">We were able to come back another morning to celebrate a private Mass in one of the side chapels. We arrived that particular day to witness the peace and quiet of a new day dawning on St. Peter's square...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaafw22okeTOMChELvqEryZFUsFEtK443USa7WUXe5hHbgNeYQSOKCxsgm2t71V_I4cE7n-7mqBtPnLUbtNcjs1raWI0mQgCzKqK7-GkROzZtYn1MZX8SMFixAr146T8dX3f4WUHQIsLhh/s1600/John+Lateran+group.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaafw22okeTOMChELvqEryZFUsFEtK443USa7WUXe5hHbgNeYQSOKCxsgm2t71V_I4cE7n-7mqBtPnLUbtNcjs1raWI0mQgCzKqK7-GkROzZtYn1MZX8SMFixAr146T8dX3f4WUHQIsLhh/s1600/John+Lateran+group.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It was one of the most spectacular sites to be seen. We nearly had the place to ourselves...The lights just glowed with magnificence. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNyBVVy5Z-SzQy6Es6it9Y25xSjXgOy23GmHai4vyizoP9j5AZGZ1xN0msKoD-aGKNovxz09hSRQ-5-7fYwQ17Dcs03XLA_kAy-ktFBOBftzNRRrzb8axg42v1ikB-JqcnPypiP-A2fd5/s1600/Instagram+st+peters+in+the+morn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNyBVVy5Z-SzQy6Es6it9Y25xSjXgOy23GmHai4vyizoP9j5AZGZ1xN0msKoD-aGKNovxz09hSRQ-5-7fYwQ17Dcs03XLA_kAy-ktFBOBftzNRRrzb8axg42v1ikB-JqcnPypiP-A2fd5/s1600/Instagram+st+peters+in+the+morn.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Only our group stood before the Vatican Creche, only to look over our shoulders at the most Divine sunrise...Simply glorious!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">+I think this is one of my favorite photos from the trip+</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hEVD9j9pd-I1i54INocV0P4xNxyuK-YEMCxFxfeaVwkxKgujHDCg3WYp-v1aGI7lqyXUJDKBwp6d978ZKZ5_e_-T_WG6mt5Xexf0oCa5zmQ78cj0pXT1cCgEHkkMFG1tAxDpxJlADfY3/s1600/SAM_0775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hEVD9j9pd-I1i54INocV0P4xNxyuK-YEMCxFxfeaVwkxKgujHDCg3WYp-v1aGI7lqyXUJDKBwp6d978ZKZ5_e_-T_WG6mt5Xexf0oCa5zmQ78cj0pXT1cCgEHkkMFG1tAxDpxJlADfY3/s1600/SAM_0775.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> Once inside St. Peter's Basilica, only a handful of people silently moved about. This huge 6 acre place-of-grandeur was quiet as a church mouse!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSc9AF9sJ4RPvuQX8IsemdJrOvKhobSDCq6kkc5nakokVrL7Zt9KO5wnosMty-zN04QlpEUJn52W2MB4V5zPIp8rBfgtFYSdIFlURXPM7lvx-8W8smgMj9GD2RqMvMQeFAdbjt3wFbhVj/s1600/SAM_0779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSc9AF9sJ4RPvuQX8IsemdJrOvKhobSDCq6kkc5nakokVrL7Zt9KO5wnosMty-zN04QlpEUJn52W2MB4V5zPIp8rBfgtFYSdIFlURXPM7lvx-8W8smgMj9GD2RqMvMQeFAdbjt3wFbhVj/s1600/SAM_0779.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> I was most surprised that the size of Michelangelo's Pieta looked small compared to the surroundings of the basilica...Still breathtaking in its beauty of course!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiROsMH8_FgujOt-lU-h3e0msESCtzXMKU3OKpIBgQU9mHbQINnYWsHR83WMEJC2qQqyyjRlWtb1oZezdTCJgGbTYSxkhHwatfGHz3gFE8pYGHc42J1wkr7fhpq0kO-hDLBZwqOZo9QGTKJ/s1600/SAM_0823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiROsMH8_FgujOt-lU-h3e0msESCtzXMKU3OKpIBgQU9mHbQINnYWsHR83WMEJC2qQqyyjRlWtb1oZezdTCJgGbTYSxkhHwatfGHz3gFE8pYGHc42J1wkr7fhpq0kO-hDLBZwqOZo9QGTKJ/s1600/SAM_0823.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Lo and behold, the tomb of (Blessed) Pope John Paul II lay before our eyes...There it was, no crowds flocking, pews nearly vacant, beckoning our knees to land.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLiCk14fjd91NMbRWt1CcI6HGBI6A5-9gQ3koxJmzZKUyQehnYB7nl8vvjy6UG6xXvS3k4H48fAUmziET4kA6iIgcp2F52vppiWBKYFpoKw_p_8Y5RygA2kMcvlCHOedWIrDEmegoEzuVj/s1600/SAM_0832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLiCk14fjd91NMbRWt1CcI6HGBI6A5-9gQ3koxJmzZKUyQehnYB7nl8vvjy6UG6xXvS3k4H48fAUmziET4kA6iIgcp2F52vppiWBKYFpoKw_p_8Y5RygA2kMcvlCHOedWIrDEmegoEzuVj/s1600/SAM_0832.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The amount of breathtaking experiences had just about done me in by now!</span> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">My prayers here were flooded with thanksgiving...And pilgrimage prayer intentions too:)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOyY7sCX35vZ2o-tOgmxirohakeumuwsSGgHAuBr4jIu8ZHWET9CaJKPAZ6sAaC_lvU16dALa26x1E-392PSzBGLUezkxW10P3bJlVbRTrbO4M3wCD81GxMVhP0q6tzCh68kyR7skK6Zvt/s1600/SAM_0827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOyY7sCX35vZ2o-tOgmxirohakeumuwsSGgHAuBr4jIu8ZHWET9CaJKPAZ6sAaC_lvU16dALa26x1E-392PSzBGLUezkxW10P3bJlVbRTrbO4M3wCD81GxMVhP0q6tzCh68kyR7skK6Zvt/s1600/SAM_0827.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Here the beloved JPII awaits canonization this coming April on Divine Mercy Sunday. What a blessing to be here in the calm before the storm of people arrive!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">This statue of St. Peter is one one of the original ancients and it has been <em>touched</em> for over 1000 years...Poor guy, his foot is definitely a little worn down after all that!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjuvIBatAaAZpPnVAIrm4WHPICjz5S1elxjP-zm8xOqXy12fkmLqHmf_TgUpLkRj_IxJRZExLJKBm6k_SNUCAdP_MOX61pT8jObqyQzfqzYWGxR3N7DGyqb-VB5yRyGA-FKCzN_872h9d/s1600/SAM_0791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjuvIBatAaAZpPnVAIrm4WHPICjz5S1elxjP-zm8xOqXy12fkmLqHmf_TgUpLkRj_IxJRZExLJKBm6k_SNUCAdP_MOX61pT8jObqyQzfqzYWGxR3N7DGyqb-VB5yRyGA-FKCzN_872h9d/s1600/SAM_0791.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9H6IriVGPTIaW5J7913ywUuOc9_5KZQLYbNeCcdBbvwswrASXgXO4vAE8IgpRaJSpyEg2IyAgXsIwxXWy2ltQNVw8OWmO13r7eiH-HjvTlrF9WIW0NfQA0ax_x6EVJU6Zw8x4ZtQ7XXaB/s1600/SAM_0792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9H6IriVGPTIaW5J7913ywUuOc9_5KZQLYbNeCcdBbvwswrASXgXO4vAE8IgpRaJSpyEg2IyAgXsIwxXWy2ltQNVw8OWmO13r7eiH-HjvTlrF9WIW0NfQA0ax_x6EVJU6Zw8x4ZtQ7XXaB/s1600/SAM_0792.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">As we moved downstairs to the crypt once again, the halls echoed with prayers being chanted in song...The melodious beauty captured my spirit and for a few enchanting moments, I thought I had died and gone to heaven!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYM6QBHp0HYpwqrGI-vqfBNFP2sfmxi98GcSFHmschHkeh4qfZhSFaHaXMB3wr0_VQlRV_jf2W7RaLpZ8lmhIwC8xIKleJSW75RWmd-14p41fx3-bkMjmY-GPAoJpodis_5hPgez9PUxL/s1600/SAM_0807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYM6QBHp0HYpwqrGI-vqfBNFP2sfmxi98GcSFHmschHkeh4qfZhSFaHaXMB3wr0_VQlRV_jf2W7RaLpZ8lmhIwC8xIKleJSW75RWmd-14p41fx3-bkMjmY-GPAoJpodis_5hPgez9PUxL/s1600/SAM_0807.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What a blessing we had in Father Sal and Deacon Tom. Their spiritual leadership </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">was a gift that kept on giving the entire 2 weeks!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7EcxJTfIRgK_9B1gpThgp9JrUdBkTV2AiIrILcI6YhfhswWrfof8Fxt40YvAxg5JPgnBgWWPt9eZs22OHAmvP6shmKk7_vLNSF50YdPAGiw1AdDDjUWpU9K9Wv-kgF2AlQX9sndEtUS2/s1600/SAM_0811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7EcxJTfIRgK_9B1gpThgp9JrUdBkTV2AiIrILcI6YhfhswWrfof8Fxt40YvAxg5JPgnBgWWPt9eZs22OHAmvP6shmKk7_vLNSF50YdPAGiw1AdDDjUWpU9K9Wv-kgF2AlQX9sndEtUS2/s1600/SAM_0811.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As I wrap up Part 2 of the journey, I am reflecting on one of my favorite homilies from Fr. Sal. He talked about all of the beautiful outward signs of our faith that had inspired us all on the pilgrimage, up to this point. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCmpEACI-hVJBO63si4Id-WAV09dmUg0tN_d6bf8HqZqnFImiy94QkHKomrAeoPzpqMZksXcbxhhsXAnt3bWj2RC8ex1pjpHS4z9V8X5rsiOqELuz-o_4n-QmJQUO9VHJAPOP9a1mGBjK/s1600/SAM_0810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCmpEACI-hVJBO63si4Id-WAV09dmUg0tN_d6bf8HqZqnFImiy94QkHKomrAeoPzpqMZksXcbxhhsXAnt3bWj2RC8ex1pjpHS4z9V8X5rsiOqELuz-o_4n-QmJQUO9VHJAPOP9a1mGBjK/s1600/SAM_0810.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Even more so for the early Christians, not having books to read and poor communication, visual/outward signs of our faith pointed the way for them. Churches and relics called them together and unified them under one body of Christ.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> Fr. Sal reminded us that while we appreciate the outward signs of our faith on <em>this journey</em> that unite us to our past, present, and future, it is important to remember that they should always lead us back to Christ and our personal relationship with Him. The relics and remnants of the saints are certainly not idols to worship but signs that direct us back to God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">This really became my ultimate prayer for the pilgrimage...To return home strengthened by all of the outward signs of our faith in order to be a better follower of Christ. In turn, we can become a beacon of light for others...Pointing the way by who we are.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9A_MMgaMO9guURZWSUCZ3WmxzwsPYFrsJGAtzLj8s4C7Fhyphenhyphen1-1bq1Z9AOn5IT7t1q_Iozje_TU-0h1mpAltehpNB7P-ofXfiWQVT4G3lCfgfyfva9KoyLA37FNQm-2y0uS7QKgGzNLni/s1600/SAM_0395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9A_MMgaMO9guURZWSUCZ3WmxzwsPYFrsJGAtzLj8s4C7Fhyphenhyphen1-1bq1Z9AOn5IT7t1q_Iozje_TU-0h1mpAltehpNB7P-ofXfiWQVT4G3lCfgfyfva9KoyLA37FNQm-2y0uS7QKgGzNLni/s1600/SAM_0395.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Ultimately this is the call for all Christians, not just those who <em>go on pilgrimage</em>. Each one of us should be inspired to live our lives as outwards signs of love, remembering that Christ did not come for a few but He came for us all. Hence the sharing of this journey. It's not just mine to keep for myself...We travel together through the greatest love story of all time!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2R43RRzzHJAfXZc3N0VFyAg9MWDbyd8SlFpsErq2wAw1PJty8IlJEZS8Bbb4eefdM_XA4hoN1_w8eT0rddAABhNlgFq0oD098rfP3a2f-I94yRmwXSyVvLU9QdO2GCjf7FjJr2yppLtD1/s1600/madonna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2R43RRzzHJAfXZc3N0VFyAg9MWDbyd8SlFpsErq2wAw1PJty8IlJEZS8Bbb4eefdM_XA4hoN1_w8eT0rddAABhNlgFq0oD098rfP3a2f-I94yRmwXSyVvLU9QdO2GCjf7FjJr2yppLtD1/s1600/madonna.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Thank you, Lord, for giving us such firm roots to keep us sturdy and firmly planted. Many years of weathering the storm of humanity has kept the foundation of our church strong. Help us to continue to blossom, year after year, bearing the fruits of your labor. Amen</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://familyatthefootofthecross.blogspot.com/2014/02/i-left-my-old-heart-in-rome-part-3.html">Part 3</a> and <a href="http://familyatthefootofthecross.blogspot.com/2014/03/i-left-my-old-heart-in-rome-final-part-4.html">Part 4</a> <strike>coming soon</strike> are complete!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">{They include another encounter with Pope Francis and our day trip to Assisi:}</span></div>
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Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679337171422593785noreply@blogger.com5