This most excellent article was brought to my attention today:
Harvard Validictorian chooses the religious life
I read this aloud to my girls. This young woman has wise advice. Looks like she is a good thinker. :) DO read this article if you have kids......it will give you food for thought, as you and your children pray for their vocation.
Also, earlier this year, there was another story, of a young man "giving up" a potentially successful baseball career to answer God's call to him to become a priest. His story is here.
I am proud of these young Catholics........one should always seek the higher calling from God first...and then see what he has in store if the religious life is not for him. I appreciate these two excellent examples to hold up for our children.
Blessings to you and yours, and especially on our children's vocations!
Chari
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
Thankfulness Times Ten
I awoke this morning......no, actually, after I was awakened this morning, after a 2:15am bedtime, by my darling, sweet 8 year old fellow who was bored because no one else was yet awake in the house.....I lay thinking about thankfulness. Mentally, I began a list of ten things I was thankful for.......of course, I struggle to remember what my thoughts were at that time. :)
Here is my original blog post about this topic in January 2008. I thought that I had written about this topic since, but I cannot find any such posts.
Here are the rules I gave myself at that time:
Recently, I read about research showing that folks who use journaling to write what they are thankful for...instead of just a place to vent, find their lives are more happy, more satisfying. It got me thinking......yeah, I know, scary thought.......well, it got me thinking, it might be kind of nice to just find ten things I am thankful for, in the moment. I have no rules...I may go over ten, if I cannot help myself......I may repeat myself.....and, I will write in no particular order of importance. If you feel inspired to do the same....do link yourself here in the comment section.
I am thankful for........
1. That we got our once-in-a-lifetime chance to see those amazing works at the art museum in San Francisco.....actual paintings of The Impressionists from THE Louvre! A dream come true! And, that there is one more exhibit coming to San Fran, to double the delight......and that we have the G Family to live with whenever we are in San Fran. Two families couldn't be more compatible.
2. That we get to go to the beautiful ocean at least twice. We loooove the ocean.
3. The fun of staying up too late chatting weddings with a future bride....and following it up with more fun and chatty conversation with my three girls. Lots of giggling, of course.
4. Arriving in time to San Diego to attend the first annual Twain Fest in Old Town San Diego. It was delightful to spend the day in a literary-based fashion! I love that my kids loved this day, too!
5. Eight-year olds who love to climb in bed with their mama for serious cuddling, kissing her, and saying "I love you"
6. A too-short, but charming visit with my Great-Uncle Howard and my second cousin Lynn. Lynn's breakfast was yummy and quite a treat. I am grateful that Unc could have enough imagination to let my crowd come to stay with him. I found it amusing to see Garrett following Unc around helping him with his electrical problem. I also am thankful for Unc sending a candy treat along for our ride.....Aunt Jo would have been proud. :) Looking forward to future visits.
7. Matthew's opportunity to attend Thomas Aquinas College. I am incredibly jealous.......I will need to read along with his reading list......well, maybe one book a semester.....or perhaps a year? Did I already mention I was jealous?
8. Friends who are understanding when we cannot come visit when we thought we would. :(((
9. A chance to spend quality time with our San Diego relatives, including the displaced one living in Las Vegas. I think it has been three years since we have been down here.
10. The Internet which provides an incredibly easy and efficient way of communicating with the family and friends......it makes it easy to keep up with relationships like those uncles, aunts and cousins that you grew up with , but hardly ever see........and with little sisters, too! And, of course, those friends that live across town that we do not bump into enough......and nieces and nephews....
Have a beautiful day, counting your blessings!!
With love and prayers,
Chari
Here is my original blog post about this topic in January 2008. I thought that I had written about this topic since, but I cannot find any such posts.
Here are the rules I gave myself at that time:
Recently, I read about research showing that folks who use journaling to write what they are thankful for...instead of just a place to vent, find their lives are more happy, more satisfying. It got me thinking......yeah, I know, scary thought.......well, it got me thinking, it might be kind of nice to just find ten things I am thankful for, in the moment. I have no rules...I may go over ten, if I cannot help myself......I may repeat myself.....and, I will write in no particular order of importance. If you feel inspired to do the same....do link yourself here in the comment section.
I am thankful for........
1. That we got our once-in-a-lifetime chance to see those amazing works at the art museum in San Francisco.....actual paintings of The Impressionists from THE Louvre! A dream come true! And, that there is one more exhibit coming to San Fran, to double the delight......and that we have the G Family to live with whenever we are in San Fran. Two families couldn't be more compatible.
2. That we get to go to the beautiful ocean at least twice. We loooove the ocean.
3. The fun of staying up too late chatting weddings with a future bride....and following it up with more fun and chatty conversation with my three girls. Lots of giggling, of course.
4. Arriving in time to San Diego to attend the first annual Twain Fest in Old Town San Diego. It was delightful to spend the day in a literary-based fashion! I love that my kids loved this day, too!
5. Eight-year olds who love to climb in bed with their mama for serious cuddling, kissing her, and saying "I love you"
6. A too-short, but charming visit with my Great-Uncle Howard and my second cousin Lynn. Lynn's breakfast was yummy and quite a treat. I am grateful that Unc could have enough imagination to let my crowd come to stay with him. I found it amusing to see Garrett following Unc around helping him with his electrical problem. I also am thankful for Unc sending a candy treat along for our ride.....Aunt Jo would have been proud. :) Looking forward to future visits.
7. Matthew's opportunity to attend Thomas Aquinas College. I am incredibly jealous.......I will need to read along with his reading list......well, maybe one book a semester.....or perhaps a year? Did I already mention I was jealous?
8. Friends who are understanding when we cannot come visit when we thought we would. :(((
9. A chance to spend quality time with our San Diego relatives, including the displaced one living in Las Vegas. I think it has been three years since we have been down here.
10. The Internet which provides an incredibly easy and efficient way of communicating with the family and friends......it makes it easy to keep up with relationships like those uncles, aunts and cousins that you grew up with , but hardly ever see........and with little sisters, too! And, of course, those friends that live across town that we do not bump into enough......and nieces and nephews....
Have a beautiful day, counting your blessings!!
With love and prayers,
Chari
Monday, August 16, 2010
Heading South, Summer 2010 DAY ONE
DAY ONE:
We got a very late start today and did not leave Our Hearts' Haven until 4pm. With only one big stop, we got to San Francisco at 10pm. The last hour was hard. I was feeling quite sleepy, but with Kristin Chenowith singing old-fashioned jazzy love songs and the bickering between the younger boys, I was able to stay awake for my usual bout of "road rage" when it was time to pass the toll on the Bay Bridge. Drivers at that bridge are the most disrespectful drivers I have ever experienced! My goodness! And so consistent. Grrrrr.
It was wonderful to have Gloria answer the door and appear so healthy. Last time she opened the door for us, she was quite pale and without energy.
Of course the little girls could not fall asleep and were quite thrilled to have us here. Lots of giddiness ensued. The teens gathered to see a slide show of Matthew's Switzerland pictures.
It looks to be a late night......but that is okay......we are with cherished friends and there is never enough time to chat.
Blessings,
Chari
We got a very late start today and did not leave Our Hearts' Haven until 4pm. With only one big stop, we got to San Francisco at 10pm. The last hour was hard. I was feeling quite sleepy, but with Kristin Chenowith singing old-fashioned jazzy love songs and the bickering between the younger boys, I was able to stay awake for my usual bout of "road rage" when it was time to pass the toll on the Bay Bridge. Drivers at that bridge are the most disrespectful drivers I have ever experienced! My goodness! And so consistent. Grrrrr.
It was wonderful to have Gloria answer the door and appear so healthy. Last time she opened the door for us, she was quite pale and without energy.
Of course the little girls could not fall asleep and were quite thrilled to have us here. Lots of giddiness ensued. The teens gathered to see a slide show of Matthew's Switzerland pictures.
It looks to be a late night......but that is okay......we are with cherished friends and there is never enough time to chat.
Blessings,
Chari
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