Our little "Soup Kitchen"

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!  I hope you all are beaming with the love of Christ in your hearts.  My first thought Christmas Morning was "Awe, He is finally here!".  All of the anticipation, expectation of the season can get the best of us but to know on Christmas morning that none of the shopping and craziness of the season matters anymore....the only thing that matters now is that baby Jesus was born to a poor family in Bethlehem.....and because of His Mother's "Yes" and His birth, we will live forever more.  

I have missed writing on this blog, but have enjoyed a quiet journey of growing our fourth child in my womb.  I am now seven months pregnant and my last trimester is always the hardest.  I am digging deep within and praying for strength to get through the next two months.  With each pain in my legs and stab in my back, I lift up prayers.  In the middle of the night when all I want to do is sleep because my body hurts so much, I rise with strength from the Lord to tend to the child crying out for me.  Each day has been a challenge of caring for three small children and another in my womb.  But with each day, I feel I have grown closer to the Lord.  I have cried out in pure exhaustion and have wondered why in the world we decided to be open to another baby.....all of the normal feelings a mother has through the suffering of caring for her flock.  In prayer this morning, I feel the Holy Spirit placed on my heart that this home and family is my "soup kitchen".  I pictured faithful people scooping up bowls of soup for the hungry and poor and then pictured me in constant (and I mean constant) service to my husband and children.  There is no need for we mothers to think we have to be out in the community serving others, our perfect service for the Lord is within our homes.  

The more I become closer to Jesus and desire nothing else but His holy will for my life, I realize that the road of His holy will is not easy.  We are reminded this Christmas Season of the hard road that Mary and Joseph had in following His will.  Aslo in the Passion, we see the hardest of roads taken by Christ Himself to follow God's holy will.  We live in a society where everyone is looking for a life of luxury and the easy way out, but I can almost guarantee you this life is not what Christ desires for us.  Sure, He wants us to be happy and live a good life but we are told in scripture that through suffering and hard times is where we grow the most in our Faith and where Jesus is closest to us. So no matter where you are in your life's journey, in the desert or in the rolling wheat fields, know that you are exactly where you are suppose to be at this very moment.  Also, the persecution we receive in following God's will can be hard to take.  I am so tired of the comments that come my way almost daily. "You are crazy! , Another, one? Seriously?" , "I have known you pregnant more than not pregant!", "Have  you lost your mind?", "Are these all yours?", "Don't you know how to prevent this from happening?"....and the jabs keep on a comin'!  My thought is that I only have four! These poor women who have 4+ children, I can't imagine what people have the nerve to say to them.  It is so sad we live in such a anti-life society.  Serving God and His kingdom can be hard to say the least, but know the reward is abundant after this short life on earth. It is through our service here on earth that merits our rewards in Heaven.

Off to take care of my flock!  Blessings to you all this Christmas Season and New Year! 

Feast Day Celebration and Blessing of Our Family Business

Clint's homemade pies were delicious.  We also had ham, roast beef, mashed potatoes, green beans and rolls.  Why do people have everything catered these days?  Because it is easy....everyone is always looking for the easy way out.  Preparing food for others is one of the key ingredients to a blissful servants heart....a natural high from Heaven.  These simple ways of happiness are slowly being deminshed.  God is a simple God....the key to happiness is simple!

Deacon Pat with his helper, Ben. Maybe he'll be a priest someday! :) Ben loved holding the Holy Water!

Blessing of the bakers hands.  The work they do with their hands providing such sacred food, such as bread, is holy. Clint, my husband, is the third one from the left.

Mine and my sister's kids in front of the "alter".

Deacon Pat blessing the offices.

Blessing of the ovens.

The kids feasting on cokes and pie! :)

St. Elizabeth of Hungary- Patron Saint of Bread Bakers.  A daughter of a King who devoted her life to giving bread to the poor.

Blessing of the baker began outside. When then proceeded throughout the bakery where he blessed each room as well as the baking equipment.

Yesterday at our bakery we celebrated the Feast Day of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, the patron saint of bread bakers. We also had our Parish Deacon come and bless the bakery. What a wonderful day it was! Clint and I had so much fun preparing all of the food and sharing in this celebration with our employees, family and friends. The graces we received from this were astonishing. Things Clint had been worried about for the past three weeks happened to work themselves out and we got leads on two large accounts all after the blessing of the bakery! This is proof that all we have to do is ask for help and graces and Heaven will provide.

Our employees are mainly Hispanic. These people are Christ for me.  Their faith and devotion is so inspiring.They put together the most beautiful alter with flowers, candles and pictures of Jesus, the Blessed Mother and St. Elizabeth of Hungary. I cried when I saw it.....it was so beautiful and humbling. Employees who were off work yesterday, came and brought flowers for the alter and also eager to receive a blessing. We live in a world where speaking of religion in the workplace is considered a lawsuit threat. My theory is, if we can't share our faith values in the business God has provided for us, then what is it worth? We are to work for the Kingdom of God and sharing our faith and showing our dependence on prayers and intercession from Heaven is working for the Kingdom. You will see in one of the pictures where Deacon Pat blessed the hands of the bakers. I realized after seeing this picture that this might have been the only blessing some of the employees have ever received. It was also neat to see our children along with our nieces and nephews be able to participate in this ancient old tradition.  To see us sharing our faith with others is important for our children.  I can only imagine in the past how many families celebrated feast days and had their businesses blessed...mainly because faith was all they had. Why do people not do this anymore?  Are they too good?  Do they think they really don't "need" any special blessing and graces upon their work environment and employees?  Are they afraid of offending someone? All Clint and I have had the past seven years of being self-employed is our faith....nothing else.  There were many times that only God's hand saved our business.  Every morning I pray for our business and ask St. Elizabeth to pray for us and intercede for us and also special blessings over our employees.  Because of our dependence on faith, we feel it is necessary for a blessing over our business and employees.  This is not our business, but God's bakery. 

I feel it is time we start sharing our beliefs....whether it is politically correct or not.  Satan has slowly silenced us in this type of thinking....not wanting to "offend" anyone or push our beliefs on anyone.  NONSENSE!  If we can't share our faith in the workplace, then what are we working for? You might be surprised how well received and appreciated people might be once you start sharing your faith more.  And someday when you get to Heaven, you will meet that one person (or several) whose direction of  life was changed all because you stepped out in faith and spoke out.  It might have been that one blessing of hands that was an unseen ticket to heaven.

Hope you all are well! Blessings to you on this Thursday!

Our Short Life on Earth.....could end tomorrow. What would you change about your life?

ALL SOULS DAY
First Reading today Wisdom 3:1-9
"In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died, and their departure was thought to be an affliction, and their going from us to be their destruction; but they are at peace." Wisdom 3:2-3

Today we are reminded in the book of wisdom that the greatest day of our life is the day we die.  We look at death as scary or unfortunate when in all actuality it is the beginning of our life. A friend of mine yesterday was delivering a meal to a young family who lost her husband/father at the age of 37 last week.  He died in his sleep of an anurism.  She said it was such reality of death when she pulled up to see his car parked in the driveway, his keys on the table and his shoes by the door.  She was reminded that when you leave this world you take nothing.....absolutely nothing.  Even though we all know this, it is a good reminder from time to time of what this life is truly for.  We run around day after day chasing our tails....worried about silly things and putting our thoughts towards things that truly DON"T matter in life.  Lately I have been consumed with the children's bedrooms.....where this new baby will sleep, what frilly bedding I am going to get my girls, ya-da,ya-da, ya-da.  Even though it is fun to think of these things and decorate our homes, etc., it is crucial that we continue to not dwell on these silly mind-blowing things of the world and keep a clear perspective.  This morning as I said my prayers, I thought to myself....."what truly matters in life?  If I knew I was to die tomorrow, what are the things I would change about my life as of right now?"  This is a brilliant question to ask yourself periodically to keep things in perspective and to discern God's Will for you and your family.  Lately, I have been really focused on praying for God's Will for our lives.  His Will is so much more than we can even ask for or dream of, yet, we tend to not let go of fear and choose our will instead. 

I just returned from a wonderful weekend at my family's ranch.  I am convinced that all that matters in life is being with family and perserving faith and heritage.  However, as much as I want to pack up tomorrow and move back to the land my family has been living on for the past 100 years, I am reminded that we are at the perfect place at the perfect time right now in God's design.  I am reminded that we think we are strictly here for our business and to make a living, but in Heaven's eyes it is a much different design.  We might be at the place we are right now in our lives for the 10 year old little girl across the street who is living with her Grandma because her mom was thrown into jail.  She knows nothing about Jesus or family life and we might be her only glimpse of hope at this moment in her life. Or we might be at the place we are right now because one employee gets a glimpse of the cross and picture of the Blessed Mother hanging in our bakery and yearns to come to know Jesus.  We don't know.....but all we do know is that life is short and if we are living for the things of the world, we might as well just pack up and go "home" now.  This is worthless living.  But if we are living for the Kingdom and seeing each and every day as value for Heaven's sake, then we are doing our job we came here to do on earth.  To live for Jesus and Jesus alone. 

So whereever you are in your life right now, take an evaluation.  What are you and your husband truly living for?  The next big break, raise, promotion, million dollar ticket?  Or are you living how and where God has truly called you to live?  If you knew you had two months to live, how would you change the direction of your life?  I am going to ponder on that one today.......
On another note, what beautiful intercessors we have in Heaven.....all of our loved ones who have gone before us.  Let us remember our dear loved ones today and all they did for us and taught us. Learn from them!  Also, GO VOTE!  This election is crucial in the state of our  nation.  It is our duty as a christian to vote today for the sake of our nation and our families.  Repulicans are in the light and Democrats are clearly taking a path of darkness.  VOTE FOR THE LIGHT.....the only hope we have for our Nation.

Medjugorje:
The Blessed Mother gives messages for the World on the 2nd and 25th of each month.  These messages are to bring our world back to her son.....this is the reason for her appartions.  These messages are for all faiths and religions.

Today's message, November 2, 2010:
“Dear children! With Motherly perseverance and love I am bringing you the light of life to destroy the darkness of death in you. Do not reject me, my children. Stop and look within yourselves and see how sinful you are. Be aware of your sins and pray for forgiveness. My children, you do not desire to accept that you are weak and little, but you can be strong and great by doing God’s will. Give me your cleansed hearts that I may illuminate them with the light of life, my Son. Thank You.”

The Less Glamorous, the more Holy!

Gospel Reading today Luke 13:22-30
"Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last."

If you were in line to meet God with hundreds of others, where do you believe you would fall in place.  Towards the front or the back?  Say you were next to a woman from NYC who was outfitted straight from Barney's with a very high paying job, a high rise in Manhattan and a vacation home in Paris.  She had children but had her beloved "Nanny" who took care of them most of the time.  Then you were next to a mother who lived a very simple humble life.  She worked day in and day out to care for her family, exhausted by the end of the day.  She worked tirelessly for the sake of others and didn't yearn to feed her soul with the things of the world but with the things from above.  She focused her days on changing diapers, sweeping floors, doing dishes, putting up laundry, taking kids to school or schooling them herself, taking a loaf of bread to the neighbors and preparing meals to feed her flock.  She would sit for a few moments throughout the day to recharge her batteries through prayer, simple prayers...such as "Lord, give me strength to do my best this day to serve my family." Then on the otherside, you have a single mother who works two jobs to provide her children with food, shelter and clothing.  She doesn't have an ounce of energy left at the end of the day after providing and caring for her family and home.  She falls to her knees at night and begs the Lord to somehow provide with her little income.  All through the day, she is lifting up "cries of the poor and hopeless" while trying to raise good children in this corrupt world.   


No matter where you fall in line, the most important thing to remember is that we have ONE audience that we should be working for.  Some choose to work for the audience of society while others work for the audience of Heaven.  And the women who provide the basic needs for their family, they can't even think about what audience they are working for...they are just trying to survive.  However, their works are being lifted to the highest calling...taking care of the family.  The ones who choose to work for society, family is put on the back burner.  This is a very dangerous choice, for family is the vital cell of society.  If the family is put on the back burner, so is Heaven and the souls that are to be prepared for eternal life.  Lately, I have been thinking alot about hard work.  Hard work is from God.  Doesn't feel so good when you fall into bed at night after putting in a day of honest, hard work?  This is being lost in today's society.  The goal of most people is how much less can I work for more pay?  This is one of the MANY downfalls of our society in the current times.  No body want to work hard!  Women are leaving the home and their children in the care of others because it is just too hard!  College graduates refuse to take minimum wage jobs to slowly work their way up because they "de-serve" a high paying career, bi golly!  No body wants to do the nitty-gritty, "no-frills" work when in all actuality that is where the keys are to the Kingdom of God.  It is in the tough, hard work, no praise, exhausting duties that our salvation depends on.  So, therefore moms, roll up your sleeves, get tough and embrace the "hard as hell" work that we do day in and day out.  Don't look for thumbs up and pats on the back because the only audience that matters clearly see every move you make.  And when you are standing in that line someday, are you going to be rewarded for the frilly days of life or the dog days of life? Look to the women of the past and how hard they worked and find encouragement through their lives.  Most days they worked hard to put food on the table.....from gathering eggs, to catching a chicken to kill and prepare for supper that night (my grandmother did this!), to washing clothes by hand, to cleaning their homes THEMSELVES, to raising kids.  They were tough and you didn't hear any whines and cries from them.  They did what they had to do.


So today, take a look around at what you do daily and see where you fall into line.  Are you searching for the easy way out or are you rolling up your sleeves and doing as society sees as the "dirty work"of homemaking/child rearing.  It is not glamorous by no means but rejoice that it is not glamorous....that means you are climbing the "Corporate Ladder" of Heaven.  The less glamorous, the more Holy!


Blessings to you this Wednesday!

THE KEY TO HAPPINESS.....

Today's First Reading Ephesians 4:7-16
"So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful wiles. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ." Ephesians 4:14-15

I loved this reading this morning and had to write a quick meditation.  I have a quiet home for the moment but on my way to a soccer game! My question for you this morning is do you feel "tossed to and fro"? I am witnessing it more and more .....mothers that are tossed to and fro from what Christ calls us to do and what the world coveys we "need" to do.  Speaking the truth and acting on truth is getting harder and harder in today's society.  With each day through prayer and conversation with God, I see it clearer and clearer.  We mothers/women have to be strong, get tough and answer the call.  We have to step down from this "ME" mentality and give ourselves as Christ calls us to do.  The key to happiness is quite simple.  While people are lost, being tossed to and fro, searching for the meaning of true happiness, the answer is so simple.  SERVING OTHERS is truly the key to happiness.  While so many are out serving themselves and saying "what is in it for me", going to counselors, seeking materialism, this little secret is in their midst and they don't even know it.  When a person digs deep, rolls up her sleeves, does the "dirty work" as we mothers do daily, and serves others gently and lovingly, all of the sudden the weight of the world is lifted. You start to have a skip in your step and you start to smile a little more.  What is this feeling I have inside of me that feels so good?  It is Heaven's JOY, love and grace descending upon you for all the good works you are providing for others.  God is a simple God and desires for us a simple and humble life.  It is our world that has made trying to find the key to happiness so complicated.  It is the mother tucked inside the walls of her home constantly serving her family, picking up things around the house, cleaning the messes and creating a loving and cheerful environment for her family ....it is this very place where the Angels want to dwell.  Where Heaven descends and transforms the ordinary into extraordinary.  It is this very place where the souls are developed for Eternity and a mothers heart grow in her conversion.  Miracles take place in these simple places where a heart serves endlessly for the Kingdom of God.

So my advice to all mothers this morning who are weary and tired of carrying the heavy loads of toddlers, the home and the same old, same old......you are in the very place where Angels dwell!  You are not missing out on the ones who are searching for happiness while being "tossed to and fro" in the crowds of Nordstroms or the group of women who think they "de-serve" (can't stand that word) a girls day at the Spa sipping on champagne and being served.  Yes that is all fun and great but it is NOT the key to happiness as the world tells us.  Rest in knowing you are exactly where you are suppose to be in God's plan.  Why would a person want anything else then Heaven's design?  True happiness is right in your midst so get a new attitude (I  have to tell myself this weekly) and embrace the servant's heart that dwells inside of you.....when you do this you will feel the giant hug of Jesus and feel a feeling you have never felt before......a dose of "happy medicine" from Heaven!

Feast Day of the Archangels!

FEAST DAY OF THE ARCHANGELS!
First Reading today in Mass: Revelation 12:7-12
"Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they were defeated and there was no longer any place for them in heaven."

Goodness, it has been way too long since I have written.  I miss reflecting and writing on the daily gospel dearly; however, I still don't have my own computer!  Life has been just trying to keep our heads above water....with our own growing business, three little ones and another on the way.  I know you ALL understand what I am talking about. :)

Today is the Feast of Day of the Archangels!  What wonderful intercessors we have in these powerful, strong armed Angels of Heaven.  I ask for St. Michael's help daily to defend my family and our home against the evil one.  My son, Benjamin, loves to talk about St. Michael's sword and how tough he is.  I have already been teaching my children about the difference between light and dark and how they should always strive to walk in the light. It is important for we mothers in today's society to become educated and aware of the Spiritual Warfare that goes on.  The constant battle, not between flesh and blood, but between good and evil.  Souls are at stake....our children's souls and we have to do everything we can to defend them in this battle.  Thanks to our Archangels, we have the most powerful intercessors fighting for our families! A wonderful resource to become educated on Spiritual Warefare is Father John Corapi. 

Off to take care of my little ones.  Hope you all have a blessed day!

Cuddles and Kisses from God....we are children too!

Gospel Reading today Luke 15:1-32
"I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you;  I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants. And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him." Luke 15:18-20

Lately I feel like I have been in a spiritual wilderness.  This verse brings such refreshment to me.  As I am so tired and grouchy, pregnant with my fourth and chasing three little ones, I admit that I haven't been on top of my game of motherhood/wifehood.  Last week I was maybe the worst mother on the planet and I fell to my knees in tears before the dishwasher.  I asked God, "and you think I am cut out for this?  Well, let me just tell you....you have chosen the wrong person!" ( I love that we sometimes think we know best! :) I think sometimes during our spiritual pilgrimage on earth, there are times we might feel distant from God.  One of the fruits from this, I believe, is that it makes us yearn for God's presence even more and it is a good thing when we realize that we are wondering lost in the dark.  We realize that all we need is God and nothing else.  He brings us the peace, joy and self-fullment that the world can not give to us.  I am so excited to receive spiritual nourishment from Heaven this morning in Mass.  What a gift we have in the Eucharist.  Not knowing what is going to happen in our crazy world in this lifetime, I am so comforted to know that if all I have is the Eucharist, than I have everything I need.

I am so happy to know that even though we are all sinners and fall from time to time, we have a loving God who will run to us with compassion and a kiss the moment we repent of our sins.  This sounds familiar in motherhood as well.  These little souls are so forgiving.  The moment I ask for forgiveness or put myself in the naughty corner for acting up, they embrace me with a kiss and say, "it's okay mama!"  And we do the same as mothers, the moment our child says they are sorry, we kiss them and forgive them and move on with the day.  Forgiveness is also such a gift.  What would our hearts and this world be like without it.  Forgiveness brings such freedom of the heart.

Through quiet prayer time this morning and reading the gospel today, I already feel embraced by Our Loving Shepherd.  He cuddles us and kisses us, just as we do to our little ones.  We are not alone on our walk of motherhood.  He gently picks us back up and leads us back to Him. Rejoice today in our loving and merciful God!  We can learn a great lesson from the gospel reading today....being forgiving of ourselves and of others.  None of us are perfect and we are all going to stray and fall to our knees but lift your eyes to Heaven and be thankful, for when we repent, all of Heaven rejoices! 
Have a blessed Sabbath.