Dusting off the cobwebs

I've missed you. I've missed this. More soon.

It's been a hot second.

Been debating getting back into writing ... er ... blogging. Will I? Good question. Time will tell, eh?

Attn: Everyone - Recall Notice!

Recall Notice

The Maker of all human beings is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart. This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units, code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units. This defect has been technically termed "Sub-sequential Internal Non-Morality," or more commonly known as S.I.N., as it is primarily expressed.

Some other symptoms include:

1. Loss of direction

   
2. Foul vocal emissions
   
3. Amnesia of origin
   
4. Lack of peace and joy
   
5. Selfish or violent behavior
   
6. Depression or confusion in the mental component
   
7. Fearfulness
   
8. Idolatry
   
9. Rebellion

The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this SIN defect. The Repair Technician, Jesus, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. There is no additional fee required.

The number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R.

Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure. Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus, into the heart component. No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with:

1. Love
   
2. Joy
   
3. Peace
   
4. Patience
   
5. Kindness
   
6. Goodness
   
7. Faithfulness
   
8. Gentleness
   
9. Self control
   

Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B..L.E (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth) for further details on the use of these fixes.

WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded.

DANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall action will have to be scrapped in the furnace.  The SIN defect will not be permitted to enter Heaven so as to prevent contamination of that facility.



Thank you for your attention!


-GOD
 
P.S.  Please assist where possible by notifying others of this important recall notice, and you may contact the Father any time by "knee-mail."

40 Day Giveaway

Wow. It's been a while since I've written here. Didn't realize it had been this long!! Sorry!!

I wanted to tell y'all today about something I should have mentioned a really long time ago!! This guy Flip (member of phatmass, point5covenant, SMU alum, Catholic center worker, friend of dUSt, etc.) has been video-blogging his lenten journey. Here's the premise:

For Lent 2009, I have selected 40 items in my closet/apartment and will give each item away daily until Easter.

It really is that simple. Each item has some meaning to him and he gives a little history about everything he gives away. His videos are fun and fresh. And hey! If you live in Dallas and don't get out much, you'll probably discover some fun new dives. I've been to most of the places he's been blogging from (and love them just as much) but I did "discover" a coffee shop I hadn't been to before. Sweet!

Click the picture to see his project!! You won't want to miss this!

Runnin' the Race

I was talking to my friend Katie this morning and she though this would be "blog appropriate." Here ya go:

I’ve been keeping a journal for the past couple of weeks. When I started it, it was just a journal, just a place to write down what was happening and how I felt about it. It was alright for a while but I wasn’t sure how long I would actually keep it up. As can be seen here, I have a hard time writing when expectations creep up.

I was talking to a friend one morning about it and told her I decided to make my journal letters to God. We had talked about needing to develop a more personal relationship with God and this was my way. I do best when I write. I can write to God like I would talk to her. I started that same day.

It’s been about a week now and it’s been wonderful. I love it. And I love this personal connection I’m beginning to develop. I’ve never had a connection like I have now. I’ve had a connection, but not an intimate one. It was always very formal, rigid, uncomfortable.

This morning while I was driving to get coffee I was reflecting on this development in my life. And then it came to me:

God is like a good race spectator: forever cheering you on - even when and ESPECIALLY when you are slowing down, feel like you might die, and really just want to throw in the towel. He’s the one waiting for you at the Finish Line cheering like you’re the first person ever to cross it even though a thousand more have crossed before you.

His graces are to the soul what water is to the body. They’re available to everyone but only you can choose to receive them and to be nourished by them.

Pretty cool, huh?

Strange Happenings in the Land of Laura

The Land of Laura is an interesting place. (I just decided that the Land of Laura is the name of the place that sits behind my eyes and between my two ears.) Here are some things I've laughed about today:

When commenting on a friend's facebook status, I wanted to reference the egg that fell off the wall in the childhood nursery rhyme. Do you follow? It took a while for me to figure out what his name was. Then I had to google it. I was saying things like "humpity dumpty? humpidty dumpity? humpy dumpity?" to myself for what was probably close to a solid minute. Then when I finally figured it out and posted the comment, I laughed. Moments like that - the ones that are so silly and random and seemingly dumb - just make me who I am. I have them constantly - waaaay more than most people know.

Can I share that I make a lot of ear wax? Is that gross? I'm just trying to be real. Telling you that I have an issue with the buildup of soft ear wax and that my feet sweat (a lot) helps me to take myself a lot less seriously. It's amazing how light and fun and free I feel when I share things like that. You should try it.

Another funny thing that happened to me today that happens to me way more than people know: ... Well actually before I get into that I should say that only one person knows this happens to me and she only heard about it today. Good times. Okay, so I was intending to go to wordpress (where I have another blog - yes I have 3!!) and instead went to Wikipedia. I had started to type Wordpress when I thought of something else and watched myself type Wikipedia. The funny part? I wasn't thinking Wikipedia. My brain just kinda went its own direction on that one. And yes, similar things happen to me daily.

I bought a new journal (soft cover moleskine, my love) and with the exception of a couple days, I've been really great about writing a couple pages each night. When I'm journaling, I'll sometimes write words that I do not mean to write because I start thinking about something else. And the worst part is that the words I write not only are not the words I intended, they also have nothing to do with the thought that came blazing through my little brain. They are just random words that start with the same letter... if I'm lucky! Sometimes I don't even get that. (Hello, Ghostwriter!) And then, so I don't have to look stupid (in my own journal, the journal that only I see and is carried with me everywhere to ensure it), I work it into whatever I was saying. Because, well, you know, some day someone is probably going to read that journal. And I can't distract them from the brilliance of my life story by crossing through something. (Hahahaha!)

Well that felt good. I hope you enjoyed these fun stories from the Land of Laura. If you didn't, that totally sucks. You have now lost two minutes of your life to something you did not enjoy. If you did, stick around. There's lots more crazy where that came from!

Quick Note

I'm hoping to get back to my old writing soon. I know it's been a lot of "other stuff" around here for a while and I'm ready to change that! Can't wait to see all my old faces again!!

Lent: A Time of Fasting and Feasting

a repost from lent '06...

Yes, it's true. We can fast and feast this Lent. I have seen this on a few journals and I really like it. I liked it enough to pass it along in fact.

+Fast from judging others ... feast on the Christ indwelling in them.
It is easy to judge others and not ourselves. Let us purify ourselves of this today and share in the piece of Christ that is in each person we meet.

+Fast from emphasis on differences ... feast on the unity of life.
We are called to unite our sufferings especially during this Lenten season. Let us gather together and bear our crosses as one people in the name of Christ.

+Fast from apparent darkness ... feast on the reality of light.
It is easy to be burdened by troubles of this world but let us not forget the ever radiant light which is God's love for us.

+Fast from thoughts of illness ... feast on the healing power of God.
Let us shift our focus from our physical pains and realize more deeply the spiritual healing God makes available to us, especially in the sacrament of reconciliation.

+Fast from words that pollute ... feast on phrases that purify.
Especially during this season let us question ourselves on everything we think, do, or say: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?

+Fast from discontent ... feast on gratitude.
Praise God and give thanks for His abundant blessings. Let us rejoice in our dry periods and hold fast to the grace and mercy of God.

+Fast from anger ... feast on patience.
It is easy to be angry and more challenging to be patient. During this season, let us work more than ever on the virtue of patience (and charity).

+Fast from pessimism ... feast on optimism.
When things aren't going our way we hiss and pout. Let us instead find the lessons in each thing we do, whether they happen according to our preference or not.

+Fast from worry ... feast on divine order.
When things get us down it is difficult to remember the bright side of this. Let us pray for confidence in Him and ask for our hearts to be molded to His Divine Will.

+Fast from complaining ... feast on appreciation.
God has blessed each of us abundantly. Let us be appreciative of each hidden blessing and not allow our sour attitudes ruin a chance for grace and growth.

+Fast from negatives ... feast on affirmatives.
This Lent, instead of criticizing or fingering each wrong decision, let us provide those whom we love with affirmations of their purposeful strides to overcome sin and attain sainthood.

+Fast from unrelenting pressures ... feast on unceasing prayer.
If we live each moment as a prayer we should more appropriately and successfully accomplish those things which are in line with His Divine Will.

+Fast from hostility ... feast on resistance.
Let us this Lent resist the temptation to foster hostility. Let us shine forth at all times the light of Christ's love.

+Fast from bitterness ... feast on forgiveness.
Let go of trivial emotions which hinder forgiveness. God who is all loving and all good forgives each of those who seek reconciliation. Let us not deny our brothers and sisters in Christ.

+Fast from self-concern ... feast on compassion for others.
So many times we are self-centered and self-loving. Let us this Lent turn from our own needs and offer our attention to the needs of the lowliest of these.

+Fast from personal anxiety ... feast on eternal truth.
It is easy to be consumed in this world by the trials of daily life. Let us seek out His promises and hold fast to them always.

+Fast from discouragement ... feast on hope.
Do not dispair. God has a plan and in it there is much hope. Believe that He knows better than even ourselves what is best. Trust Him and He will see you through.

+Fast from facts that depress ... feast on truths that uplift.
Instead of dwelling on the negatives of our surroundings, we should seek out the truths that inspire and uplift us. Let us not seek our own depression but do everything in our power to remain hopeful.

+Fast from lethargy ... feast on enthusiasm.
Productiveness in faith is the most important in all of our lives. Let us enthusiastically learn about our faith and grow closer to our God.

+Fast from suspicion ... feast on truth.
Speculation and assumption should be left to the lawyers of the world. Instead of harboring ill thoughts due to suspicion, rejoice in what you know.

+Fast from thoughts that weaken ... feast on promises that inspire.
The devil will tempt us and lead us to feel and think we are alone and abandoned. Turn from the evil one and remember what God has promised us.

+Fast from shadows of sorrow ... feast on sunlight of renity.
Sorrowful distractions are from the evil one and prevent us from focusing on the healing power and the overwhelming mercy of our God. Let us turn from these and focus on Christ in the Eucharist. He who saves us will comfort us.

+Fast from idle gossip ... feast on purposeful silence.
Let us refrain from anything that is not kind, true, and necessary. Let us spend this time quietly in the everlasting presence of God.

If we can do these things I believe our Lenten season will be truly blessed. Think about it. Use it. ENJOY IT. [All of the italicized text are my own words. I despair at their inadequacy but recognize a chance to grow in humility. I pray my efforts are not in vain but rather prove to be a grace from God.]

St. Thomas Aquinas, the dumb ox, pray for us! St. Maria Goretti, pray for us! St. John of the Cross, pray for us! Sts. Francis and Clare, pray for us! All the angels and saints, pray for us!

(By the way, my Stations of the Cross recording will hopefully be up again sometime soon!! I hosted it in a temporary spot the last time I posted it.)

Parents' Worst Nightmare

Your baby is born premature because mom needs a new liver and the only way to save mom and baby is to deliver early and hope for a transplant. You deliver early, get your transplant within days, and you both go home (after ICU for weeks on end). It's a miracle. Life is good.

Then tragedy hits and instead of consoling you, you're charged with murder. It happened to a family in California. Read about it here and please, if you will, say a prayer.

Prayers, if you please

My mother (yes, "mommy") is the strongest (read: toughest/most stubborn) woman I know. For reals. (Yes, I said for reals.) She had to have surgery today and unfortunately came out sporting about three times as many incisions as are normal for the operation she underwent. She's in a lot of pain tonight. It was really hard for me not to cry in her room. I tried to be strong for her and the kids. It crushed my heart though. I hated listening to her moans of pain, watching her cry and say, "I can't do this."

Anyway, please pray for her comfort and peace. The morphine drip is helping to take the edge off (that should tell you something) but it's still really difficult. I pray she gets some sleep... and some REST!

Please keep her in your prayers. We hope to have her home again tomorrow.