JMJ

 

This is St. Therese, a young Carmelite nun, who died at the age of 24 yet was named a Saint and later a Doctor of the church. What did she do to be granted these two titles?  She was known for her "little ways", often called the little flower.  She offered everything to God for the salvation of souls.  Every annoyance, every pain, every action she gave to God in love.  Hers was a remarkable life yet to those around her she seemed to live a simple life with much suffering.  I first read her book, The Story of a Soul, in my 20s and I'm ashamed to say that I wasn't ready to relate.  I tried again in my 50s and God allowed me to realize what a jewel this book is to the soul.  Not that I could ever imitate her life and her ways but now I could better understand the beauty of her little ways. I've  said before that I went to school with the sister of Mt. Carmel and my mother was a third order Carmelite so I've read and truly love the Carmelite ways.  I have been lead more to St. Theresa of Jesus and John of the Cross, both of the Carmelite Order.  Although a Doctor of the church herself, St. Theresa of Avila was strong willed, reformed the Convents and rules of life for the sisters and I loved her lively relationship with her "Master" as she often called Jesus.  She once said to Him, "If you treat your friends like this, it's no wonder you have so many enemies". She suffered hardships and pain all of her life.  I could relate to that!!!!   She wrote many books on the interior life.  I love her writings....that's another story. So back to Therese

St. Therese of Lisieux is so often pictured with a red rose or bouquet of red roses.  If the Lord permitted, she would say, that she would spend her time in heaven helping all those who called on her.  She would send a rose as a token of her love for that soul.  Her feast day is October 1st and I was sent by email, a Novena to pray for 9 days in preparation for her feast and you may  make a request if we wish for a special favor.  I certainly believe in Novenas and I often read and am told that it doesn't hurt to be direct with what you want.  I love the Lord so much and believe and trust that He would do whatever is best for my life as long as I stay faithful to Him, even the pain and suffering and broken heartaches.  This time I was feeling overwhelmed.  I just kept seeing family members fall away from their Catholic faith which is so deep rooted in our heritage.  I couldn't help but feel I had neglected them in some way.  I had been praying for so long and nothing seemed to be happening.... in fact all was getting worse.  I prayed harder.  I begged, I pleaded, I cried but I just wasn't feeling like I was being heard.  I doubted that my  prayers were even being considered.  So when I read the notice for the Novena to St. Therese I thought to do it faithfully and with so much love and this time, yes, this time I ASKED FOR A ROSE.  Somehow I needed a sign to help me understand what the "hold up" was.  I've never asked for a sign before and since I was a new petitioner to the Little Flower I wasn't sure I had the right.  As I was pleading my case, I assured her and my Jesus that after all I wasn't asking for worldly things or an end to my pain....God knows I could use that. Hahaha 

So on October the first I was walking to the chapel to place flowers because Father Bani was coming the next day to bless the chapel, the feast day of the Guardian Angels.  Now, next to the chapel we made a little flower bed.  We planted a rose bush that we had dug up from the front of the house when we built the arbor over the porch. I kept watching for any sign of life on those sticks.  It was a very old plant and it did make beautiful roses.   I had been to the chapel a couple of times that week and certainly nothing caught my eye to let me know it was alive. But on that day October 1st, I walked in "Mary's Garden" and this is what greeted me.
                                                                                 



.  I started to cry because the joy in my heart was a joy I couldn't explain.  I seem to hear these words, "I'm working on it".  That's all I needed to hear!!!! One green sprout and one red rose.  Nothing since. Thank you St. Therese for pleading my case. Thank you all you saints of heaven, I will try to be patient.



PRAY PRAY PRAY

                                                                     JMJ


As I've said before, Richard and I start each morning with a rosary to our Blessed Mother asking that she bring our prayer requests along with thanksgiving to God the Father in the name of her Son Jesus along with the power of the Holy Spirit for all the help and blessings we receive. 

Look how much Jesus loves His Mother; how could we not?

 Each morning the list of requests have grown. Richard looks my way each time a new prayer thought comes to mind.  I assume all of you are the same.  Pray, Pray, Pray!!!  It's coming from all directions.  We are all asked to pray for our families, our friends, our country, our world. Each one under attack from the evil one.  Please don't be fooled that he doesn't exist because then you'll really be the fool.  In my circle of believers, we feel his time is growing short and he's getting more aggressive in stealing souls.  So we continue in prayer, knowing that the small pebble we add to the victory over sin is so little but together we believe we can make a difference and so we pray.  As Catholics we believe that in reciting the rosary we are meditating on the life of Jesus and His Mother Mary which brings strength and hope to all Christians. As we meditate on the  Mysteries of the Rosary, (Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, and Glorious) we acknowledge and give praise and glory to Our God as we pray to imitate what the words contain and obtain what they promise.  

Recently I was made aware of 2 icons and a heartbreaking painting of Mary, Mother of God, which I find to be so important at this time. 
                                          
                                 Our Lady of Soufanieh

This Icon resides in Damascus.  It's veneration began in a small house of a young married girl of 19 who has a small framed picture of Our Lady of Soufanieh.  On November 28th 1989 it began to produce 100% olive oil.  Daily the crowds grew of people wanting to see this miracle.  The doors of the home never closed as the crowds grew larger.  Many people were instantly healed from the oil. Our Lady expressed the importance and need for the churches to unite.  I think the most interesting thing about finding this icon is the timing.   Our Lady told Myrna, the young girl, to Pray, Pray, Pray and Pray some more.  How important now and right in the middle of the wars going on in the Middle East. She gave this short prayer.
          God saves me, Jesus enlightens me, Holy Spirit is my life, thus I fear nothing
                                                  PRAY     FORGIVE      LOVE


A few days after finding and praying to Our Lady of Soufanieh, a friend sent this picture. I call her Our Lady of Tears 

How sad and alone she looks.  People have forgotten about her son and what He did for our salvation.  The price He paid and is paying is unbearable.  And she weeps for us, her lost children.  As we meditate on the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrow, let us pray, pray, pray and pray again for the salvation of souls which causes her and Our Lord, Jesus, such pain and sorrow. 

 

 

 This icon of the Mother of God, is kept at St. Mary Major in Rome and was used by Pope Frances at the Prayer Vigil on Sept. 7th, praying for peace in Syria and the world.  Tradition maintains that it is a copy, painted by the evangelist Luke, of an image of Mary with Child that miraculously appeared in Lydda in a church built by the apostles Peter and John.  It was brought to St. Mary Major at an end to a procession to invoke the end of one of the worst plagues in the city's history.  On that occasion the archangel Michael was seen above putting his sword back into its sheath.  The plague ended.  Another plague ended in the 18th century thanks to the intercession of the Madonna when St. Pius V carried it in procession to St. Peter's.  Pius XII paid homage to it when he proclaimed the dogma of the Assumption in 1950 and again he crowned it in St. Peter's in 1954, at the centenary of the proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.

John Paul II invoked it in World Youth Day in 2000. Benedict XVI did so in 2005 and Pope Francis also in Rio de Janeiro last July.  After he was elected Pope, his first outing was to the Basilica of St. Mary Major to kneel in prayer in front of this icon. 

What is striking about this icon is the intense gaze of Mary, which invites the viewer to travel the road indicated by the Son.  She is looking into the distance, in the direction in which he is pointing.  Her right hand, which is holding the Child, repeats the gesture of Jesus and amplifies it. Jesus is pointing to the journey of the cross where Mary will be and all those who follow Him will have to go there also.  Pope Francis placed the icon, not a copy but the original, at the center of the Vigil to pray for grace and peace from heaven, knowing " that which is impossible for men is possible for God". Now days after the world wide prayer vigil our leaders are talking peace for the time being....praise be to God. (Cardinal Cesare Baronio and Father Gargano, a Camaldolese monk, shared the history of this icon.) 
 

This is a picture of the 4th Station, Jesus meets His sorrowful Mother, that I have on one of the trees in "Cottage Point".  I was on the porch the other day and out of nowhere this loud bolt of lightening seemed to strike so close to me that it created a sun like ball of intense light right before my eyes. Neighbors called if we were ok because the boom was so loud it shook the ground but none of us could find any damage...... until the next day when Becky and I found this.

The lightening bolt just knocked the plaque off the tree and blasted it and the wood exploded like a clay pigeon.  Look at the hole it blew at the bottom right side.  It didn't damage the tree just this one plaque of the Sorrowful Mother. Ok I'm just saying, it's near the Feast day of Our Lady of Sorrow which is September 15. Father Bani is coming on October 2, feast of the Guardian Angels, to bless Trinity Acres.  I've been putting it off for a couple of years because I wanted everything built so it could all be blessed.  I'm thinking my God agrees.  And you know I've shared with you about Mark Mallet.  Well he sent me his blog a few days later and if you can believe this he said in prayer he received strongly the sound of an explosion. OK  I hear you!  As Mark always says, nothing of this is supposed to scare people but to call people to prayer.

  Pray like your life depends on it!

Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

                                                                       July 16, 2013
                                                           Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

I've always had a devotion to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.  I've loved her since I was a little girl in elementary school with the Sisters of Mt. Carmel at the Academy in Thibodaux.  Everyone 's heard stories of nuns in Catholic Schools and the knuckle slapping or the ear pulling, but I've certainly never known anything like that happening with the dear Carmelite nuns.  Now I would of course know best of all because I'm not proud to say that I was one to do the most testing.  I pretty much did anything for a laugh.  So of course I received what I deserved.  Yes I wrote lines, (many lines), had to make humbling apologies for ridiculous statements, put my head down, missed recesses, etc.  It was an all girls school so at least I didn't get totally humiliated.  We sometimes would hang on to the fence and yell that we were imprisoned or shout at passer -byers to get us out but I for one know I was blessed for being there.

 Our Lady of Mt. Carmel is the patroness of the Carmelite Order.  Christian hermits lived on Mt. Carmel in the Holy Land beginning in the 12th and 13th Century.  She is also associated with the Brown Scapular which she presented to St. Simon Stock and said that whoever dies wearing it will be saved.  Now this wasn't or isn't a magic cloth but special to one who wears it with reverence and devotion to a life of prayer.  The brown cloth is a part of the garment of the Carmelite Order.  My mother made Scapulars for the Order.  I can remember sitting on the floor near the peddle of her sewing machine and moving the peddle up and down as she sewed on these brown cloths after which Father would bless them and the 3rd Order Carmelites would speak to people and groups and children at school about the Scapular to enroll them.  My mother must have made hundreds or thousands of Scapulars.   We were taught to kiss the small brown cloths held together with white or brown small banded rope and put it over our head and let it fell over our shoulders and lay close to our hearts. We went through many in the summer time with all the sweat.   My mother, who was a 3rd Order Carmelite (a lay person who followed and lived the rules of the Order but did not take the vow of chastity or live in the community)  spent her free time helping out the church and those in need.  My parents really couldn't afford the tuition to send us to Catholic School.  One day the Monsignor asked if her children were in Catholic School and when he found out she couldn't afford the tuition, allowed her to use her time spent with helping others through works of the church  count for part tuition and so she put all four of us in Catholic School.  There was a small lovely chapel on the school grounds and we were encouraged to visit and makes acts of love to Jesus for strength and guidance.   We were introduced to retreats, lives of the saints, Missionary work, modesty and chastity.  It seemed sometimes that we were being scared into thinking how to act.  Over the years I've thank God over and over for all my years with the dear Sister of Mt. Carmel.  Wow, I'm thinking now, who's teaching this generation.  Their idols seem to be movie stars, rock stars, athletes.  So few  sisters in Catholic schools if any and no more prayers in any school.  These so called idols are telling this generation how to dress, act, and think.   Many parents are so busy having a life of their own and allowing the children to parent themselves. Their lives are all about cell phones and social media.  In our day we were allowed to be children with such innocence and then gain more leeway as we were able to make better decisions for ourselves.  Oh yes, time came when we fought the establishment also but I know our parents were praying for us and working those rosary beads?  I mean, I know my mother wore them out and I certainly did the same, still do.  I call on all the help I can get from the Saints, the wonderful Christ filled people who died so in love with God and their fellowman, the souls in Purgatory who now know the truth, and my fellow Christian prayer warriors.  We are all in this together: The Saints in heaven are rejoicing with the Trinity and blessing us;  the church suffering are the souls in Purgatory who must pay for un-repented or un-forgiven sins but they know they will see God one day and they need our prayers to help them get there.... they cannot help themselves; and we, the church Militant who are working and struggling for peace and justice and truth must never give up.  We must keep the faith while realizing that we are never alone in this battle.  Mary is a good mother who wants only to help save all her children and bring them to Jesus, her Son.  She doesn't want even one lost.  Please parents, work those rosary beads.

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, pray for us!

ARE YOU BORED?

                                                                 JMJ

Do you feel like the days are flying by and before you know it the weeks turn into months.  I do hear many people thinking and feeling the same thing.  Well believe it or not it is another sign of the times.  Of course we do feel it somewhat because we are so busy and find ourselves going in so many places with so much to do.  That's of course the way i felt before moving here on the farm.  The days still seem to fly by.  I had to laugh the other day when i was filling my pill case.  I say case which makes it sound like i take a whole bunch but i take a blood pressure pill, which i felt i was "pressured" into taking.  I also take a multi vitamin and an extra vitamin C.  Anyway I was saying to Richard, "it seems like I'm always filling this case".  I mean really i can't believe how the weeks go.  I recently spent some time with an elderly relative (90yrs old) who is very forgetful.  It is difficult to see her this way but she has had a good life with a lot of fun.  When i was first introduced to Richard's family, she was one of the most striking....very attractive and full of life.  She and I were probably the loudest and we respected and enjoyed one another.  She always liked to visit us in all the places we lived...just wanted to know what we were up to.  She always approved of the way Richard and i worked together in getting our house made into a home for the family.  Well anyway i recently sat with her for about 30 minutes trying to share with her a little bit of our new life on the farm.  Bless her heart, she must have asked me 30 times if i was bored on the farm.  And 30 times i told her absolutely not.  With 40 acres, one can always find something to keep occupied.  And I myself began to wonder, what exactly is boredom. I never liked to hear my children or the grandchildren say that word, especially around me.  I would always say, "Look at the Crucifix", would you like to trade places?" 

Boy that would quiet them down immediately.  The definition of boredom is an emotional state experienced when there is nothing to do or lack of interest in one's surroundings.  How in the world could i be bored with 40 acres of creation? There are hundreds of trees around me and each one is different.  The animals from largest to smallest to the tiniest nat that flits around my face.  The beauty, the colors, the sky, the water in the pond that changes everyday from ripple to stillness.  I could go on and on.  If i get a little antsy I jump in the golf cart and ride through the back pasture and the wild irises go on and on in the back of the pond.  I search out the blackberry bushes and am in awe of each one.  I've spoken about the sunrises and sunsets here and how I've never seen them before or even made an effort to watch for.  Bored, Aunt Ta, no I truly never get bored here on Trinity Acres where I'm brought face to face with the glory of creation.  Everyday brings me closer to God and His everlasting joy.  My celebration of Holy Mass is clearer. 

My times of adoration bring joy. My Confessions are more tearful. My meditations are longer. My love is greater. My need is always.  Oh my God, may I never stop gaining and growing closer to Your Kingdom.  Help me with patience and humility....2 virtues I'll be fighting for the rest of my life.  Perhaps on my death bed you'll grant them to me. Amen.

I feel that's what God is asking of us and that is to make room for quiet time to talk to Him to be with Him and to share with Him.  He is so very interested in our lives even to the smallest details.  The more we share with Him the more he shares with us.  Isn't that the way with friends.  We just arent' friends by sight.  We make friends with talking, sharing, being, loving.  So it is with God..... Be not afraid......He is waiting for You.  I am afraid our new technology and social medias were designed to steal us from our God and make us each smaller gods.  Maybe I'm wrong, but then again maybe I'm right.  Can you leave your iPhone at home and spend an hour with God on Sundays at least? What will you lose? What will you gain?  We should all think seriously about it.

WE HAVE A POPE!!!

So on March 13th, my little Leila's 1st birthday, the Cardinals elected a Pope who chose the name Francis.  He was a surprise to all of us, this Cardinal from Argentina.  My sister, Sybil, and I spent time on the phone between the announcement that a pope was elected and the time he came out on the balcony. I had remembered how i felt when i first saw Pope Benedict and how the tears began to flow as i saw his smiling face.  I felt my heart fill with love.  He just reminded me of a dear grandfather. I was so anxious to see our new Pope's face.  We waited and waited what seemed forever.  Since the media knew in minutes how long it took from the time the smoke left the chimney until the time the pope came to the balcony, we anticipated any moment but then the time lapsed and no pope.  We kept calling each other back and forth until we saw the curtain move and then we hung up.  Bless his heart, when he finally came out I didn't know what to think.  He looked like a deer caught in the headlights.  I waited for a smile but it took time in coming, but then it did and he waved and began to speak and then he asked for prayers for himself and my heart melted.  Viva il PaPa!!!!!!

What a job!  What a man! What a humble, peaceful man! Pope Francis from Argentina

They say he didn't want the job.......that's a sign that he's the right man for the job.

I thank the workings of the Holy Spirit for giving us Pope Francis.  There is so much to fix in the church brought on for so many years and so many problems and scandals and factions. Human beings are never perfect and certainly there have been imperfection in the Church because of their failings, but never will the Catholic Church be crushed by Satan. Jesus promised that and I believe it!  

I'm sure we are all praying for this new Pope to clean house, just as Jesus did in the temple with the whip. 

In 1969, Pope Benedict XVI, then Cardinal Ratzinger, spoke about the future of the Church.  He prophesied," It will become small and will have to start pretty much all over again. It will no longer have use of the structures it built in its years of prosperity.  The reduction in the number of faithful will lead to it losing an important part of its social privileges.  It will be a more spiritual Church, and will not claim a political mandate flirting with the Right one minute and the Left the next. It will be poor and will become the Church of the destitute.  He prophesied that "when all the suffering is past, a great power will emerge from a more spiritual and simple Church and that this renewed Church will be a sign of hope for those who have not come to know the love of God. "
Did he believe in the "end times" leading to the "era of peace"? Wow 44 years ago.

Pope Paul VI spoke of "the smoke of Satan entering the Vatican". This was in the '60s. They said Pope John Paul I was interested in doing something with the "bank" of the Vatican, but, bless his heart, he didn't live very long as Pope. I think maybe 85 days.  There was John Paul II who worked tirelessly in service to the Church and so did Benedict.  I believe that what needs to be done will take two mighty powerful and spiritually filled men to accomplish the task at hand.  One in constant prayer and one in a constant battle. 

So Francis has his work cut out for him and it seems he's the man to do it and he needs all prayer warriors.  I believe he needs to change the attitudes of certain religious...Cardinals, Bishops, Priests, Nuns and also the laity who seem to have forgotten why Jesus came to earth.  From Mark Mallet's  blog....."Jesus did not say "blessed are the politically correct" but "blessed are the peacemakers".  And yet, perhaps no other age has confused the two as much as ours.  Christians all around the world have been duped by the spirit of this age into believing that compromise, accommodation, tolerance and "keeping the peace" is our role in the modern world.  This, of course, is false.  Our role, our mission, is to assist Christ in saving souls; Jesus did not enter the world to make people feel nice, but to save them from the fires of Hell, which is a real and everlasting state of eternal separation from God."

When Jesus came to earth curing the sick and healing the lame and sinners, people ran to seek him out but soon there came a time when he began to set things right and promote truth and offered the Eucharist and as it got what seemed difficult to accept He was abandoned, and finally put to death and so it is with the Church today.  What she speaks is difficult to hear, but it is TRUTH.  It goes against the modern world's thinking and many in the Church say they are Catholic but walk and talk a different "truth".  So I believe, as many, that it is time to clean out what is not of God so that a new evangelization may come upon the Church, the world, and the people and we will be a smaller Church but a church filled with true believers.

I believe this is the role of Francis.  Now i can understand his look on the balcony. How long will this take? I don't know, but look around for the signs.  They are there if you want to see. 

God bless Pope Francis

                                                

Holy cow!!! Just saw the Pope resigned...Feb. 11, 2013. 7:00am

                                                                       JMJ

Holy cow!!! Just saw the Pope resigned..... Feb 11, 2013. 7:00am

A text from my son Jason....that's how i found out about this most "shocking" news.  I won't get into a discussion on this topic just yet.  There is so much to consider and pray over.  I've loved this Pope from the moment he stepped out on the balcony at the Vatican in 2005.  I remember being away from the TV when i heard they had elected a new Pope and i ran to the living room to see.  As soon as i saw him i was filled with such joy and overwhelmed with emotion that the tears just flowed.  Again when i heard the "shocking" news, like so many that loved him, my heart was stirred to tears once again.  God bless you, dear Benedict

Looking over the writings of my spiritual journey I'm reminded that God is indeed in control of my life and that it goes so much smoother if i remember that. So often i forget. It was Pope Benedict's request that we share our journey of faith when he proclaimed this Year of Faith in hopes that it may draw many back to the church and remind us of our Baptismal promise to reject Satan and all his empty promises. It's not easy to put yourself out there but i believe we will need strength and courage in the days ahead.   I have fought the other side more than once but i prefer not to give notice or spotlight to the "evil one".  Just know that the precious name of JESUS was what released me in that moment.  I say this because in today's society evil is made to look good but let me tell you, it's scary as HELL.  Only Jesus can pull you away and He can only pull you away if you ask or if you're lucky enough to have someone who loves you and prays for you everyday. 

We will all need the strength to make it through these turbulent time ahead not just in personal faith but the ultimate collapse of our country and a true passion walk for our beloved Catholic Church.  Remember Jesus promised that the gates of Hell will not destroy it.  It will seem like all is lost but the "remnant" church will survive.  Jesus said it, so I believe.  Always remember that with prayer and preparation there is no need to fear and by sharing we will be OK emotionally as well.  Please feel free to share your journey with me or others.  It's always an inspiration to hear how God is working in people's lives.  He doesn't just work in exceptional people like the Saints we read about but in ordinary people like you and me.  It's not big things but the "little" things that stirs us and makes us realize something just happened and it was "bigger" than me.  I know everyone of you has had that experience, you just have to claim it.  Believe that God works in each one of us and loves each one of us like we are His only child. 

How  AWESOME is that? I know, that word is so overused but doesn't it just say it all.

Definition of awesome-   So impressive or overwhelming as to inspire a strong feeling of admiration or fear..... breathtaking, splendid, humbling

Let it Shine, Let it Shine, Let it Shine

                                                              JMJ
Faith Journeys are for us to share.  The song I learned as a child and sang with my children and grandchildren says it all. 

                                 This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
                                  Hide it under a bushel, NO, I'm gonna let it shine.
                                  Don't let Satan blow it out, NO, I'm gonna let it shine.
                                  Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

 I do believe we can give each other strength and confirmation that feelings, thoughts, actions, words, whatever seems like coincidence, just might not be.  I believe that in sharing we become aware that God is and wants to be personally involved in our lives and that He reaches us in our personalities.  He may not play "little tricks" on you like He does me but that's how He knows He can get my attention.  I always seem to put my foot in my mouth and so He lets it happen only to quickly show me the errors of my ways.  He's given me the gift of tears( that's what I'm told) so I cry a lot when I'm shown those errors.  For so long I considered myself the missionary, the worker..... lets get it done..... change the world.  I can't believe I'm going to actually say this out loud, but I use to think prayer groups, charismatics, praying in tongues, were the weaker link.     I mean just sitting there praying, while i was busting my butt, running around like a chicken with it's neck cut off trying to save the world.  I thought of myself as a doer, not a receiver. And i guess i was good at it because the women would say "I don't know how you do it but you get us to do things we don't even want to do". I so wish i had that effect on my kids!!!  In one of our moves i became President of the Women's Club at our church. I became so involved with Social Justice ....nursing home, orphanage, religious ed for children, daily Mass in the church, the poor.   I wanted to make everything right.  I had really bad allergies at the time. I walked around with a man's white handkerchief hanging from each nostril so i couldn't breathe in the pollen. My eyes cried and I sneezed constantly.  I looked a sight, but refused to stop. 

One day someone from the "prayer group" came up to me and asked if they could pray over me for a healing..... i guess i looked really silly and miserable.  I had never been prayed over before so i became speechless, which as you can imagine was very unusual for me.  I finally said yes, i mean, what did i have to lose.  I was so nervous as these holy men and women gathered around me and layed hands on my head and on my shoulders..... and began to pray and eventually prayed in tongues.  At first i felt very uncomfortable but after a while i became calm and felt so much peace and as tears flowed down my cheeks i could feel the burning power of love.  I thanked and hugged them, fed them cake and coffee and they left.  I went back to my business of changing the world.  I never again suffered with allergies but just moved on and thought nothing of it.....at the time.  Again years later, I began to  realize that i wasn't having miserable days during Spring and Fall.  No more white handkerchiefs hanging from my nose.  I claimed my healing out loud and blessed God with praise and thanksgiving.

It was then that God began to reveal to me that He was satisfied with my missionary work but now it was time for me to come and take a place at His feet and listen to the teachings of His amazing Heart...... in prayer. You know it's not like i never prayed.  Not long after that i went on a Life in the Spirit retreat then later a 30 day home retreat with Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola(remember that's when i was asked if I love Him). I had developed a relationship with Jesus early in childhood with teachings from my mother and then the Sisters of Mt. Carmel.  Now i had met the Most Holy Blessed Trinity.       

                                                       AWESOME

Hello
Sorry the Posts came up bottom to top, meaning the last one should be read first and then move up.  So much i'm learning. 
Thanks
O

By the fruits you will know them

                                                            JMJ

Now these are places where messages from our Lady are given. There are so many more. It does take so long to approve and i can understand why.  Medugorji is waiting now on the decision from the Vatican.  No one has to believe these messages but many have said the the Popes who have lived through these times believed.We are told thta St. Padro Pio believed and he spoke with the seers from Garanbandal and affirmed the truth to them.  Each individual may believe or not. 

Our Lady of Fatima appeared in Portugal to three children: Lucia, Jacinta, and Francisco In 1917 in a very turbulent time.  Communism had raised its ugly head and Mary had come to help her "children".  She asked them to come for 6 consecutive months on the 13th.  She told them her Immaculate Heart would a place of "refuge" for all her children.  Lucia lived to be 97 yrs. old, dying in 2005.  The two little ones died from Influenza 2 years after the apparitions at ages 7 and 9.  Pope John Paul canonized them Saints.  Lucia was there to witness with joy.  Mary's message was that her Son, Jesus was so offended by the actions of humanity and that if we didn't change a great punishment would come upon the earth.  She asked them to pray the rosary daily and do penance. They were to spread the message of prayer and repentance to appease God.  So much more was said but the main theme was 1. warn of the threat of Communism, 2. God was angry with man's actions, 3. Her heart was mankind's "refuge of hope".  3.  Repentance and prayer was necessary.
 
From 1961-1965 in Garanbandal, Spain, Our Lady appeared to 4 young girls ages 11 and 12.  Again the message..... many sacrifices must be made, more penance must be done, visits to the Blessed Sacrament, and people must be good.  If not, punishment awaits......the cup is full......God can not let His children fall into the fire.  The girls would go into ecstasy when Mary appeared and spoke to them.  Mary told them that those who carry on and hold true to their faith will suffer their Purgatory on earth.  But the real message here was of a WARNING, A MIRACLE, and CHASTISEMENT.  The warning would be an illumination of conscience.  Everyone would see their soul as Jesus sees it and would have a mini judgement.  Each soul will see how they will spend eternity.....heaven, hell, or purgatory.  This would be a great merciful gift from God because we would have time after to change and fix our life.  Never before has this been granted or will be ever again.  This "illumination" would prepare souls for the great  miracle a year later, and if people didn't change, a chastisement worse then the flood would follow. All evil will be wiped off the earth then finally in the end will come the "Era of Peace", where all of mankind will be devout followers of Christ and His church.  After a long time had passed of course once again man would choose evil.  More to the story here but again just touching the surface.  Pay attention, it's the 60s and a lot of rebellion.  And we know each decade continues to degrade more and more.  She's begging God on our behalf for mercy.  If you wish to know more about these events you can check on Internet for details.

St Faustina brought us Divine Mercy and to trust in Jesus.  Jesus told her before He comes as the Just Judge He will come as All Merciful.  We have the chaplet of Divine Mercy to offer to the dying as well as reparation for sins and Jesus' passion.  I'm afraid His Mercy is about to end or has already.  We will be left to meet Him as judge.  (in the WARNING) 
                                                  Jesus I Trust In You
We also have the apparitions in Medjugorji.  Most of you or perhaps all know about this one so i won't get into this but you know the seers are getting 10 secrets and some include chastisements and Mary asks for prayer, especially the rosary, penance, and fasting.  Again the rosary as an important tool for peace.  Monthly confessions, Mass and Holy Communion, and Adoration are expectations for all Catholics and for non Catholics the doors are always opened.  Recently for Christmas one of the seers told that Mary appeared as usual with baby Jesus on her lap like always.  Mary gives a short message.  This time Mary did not speak, only the baby Jesus spoke for the first time.  All interested are tying to figure out what this means.  Some think the messages may end soon.  It left the seer a bit shook up.  It was a newborn but He spoke with such authority.  He said" I am your peace, live My Commandments". Someone who follows and studies all the messages from Our Lady had this to offer.  "Jesus speaking in this way echoes His farewell discourse in John's Gospel when he says: "Peace i bequeath to you, My own peace i give you, a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you.  Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid". (John 14-27) Elsewhere in the discourse He says;"If you love Me, you will keep my Commandments"(John 14-15) They're thinking that the messages will soon stop and will start the beginning of the secrets.  The Vatican is studying the whole of all the messages and a ruling is expected we thought soon but recently came out that it may be longer. 

Sr. Agnes of Japan is another who received the messages of coming tribulations if the world does not change and go back to Jesus.  You can look all these up on the Internet and will get the complete story. 

Our Blessed Mother, with permission from God, has been coming to earth to lead us back to her Son.  Just as parents guide their children and often times disciplines, so too our heavenly parents. And these are the same words coming to individuals.

By the fruits you will know them...... so many good graces have come out of  these places.  Thanks be to God!

Everything fell into place

                                                                 JMJ

Trinity Acres....Refuge of Hope. That's what we're offering to the Lord.  We are making the preparations and He can do with it what He wills.  It's a decision we've made together.  Again, years ago (now i wish i had written all this down as it happened.... once a priest told me to but each time i assumed it would be a one time experience....my mom would have said hard head,but in cajun french) in prayer i could see my house with doors opened wide welcoming people as they just kept coming. The tears were flowing and i could feel such love and joy.  I didn't know what to think.  It was only for a second but it was so clear.  I knew something was going to happen in the future and it would involve me giving my all.  Then it was gone.  Years later we had a Constant family reunion at our house on Menard.  It was just thrown together with Pris, my cousin, making phone calls. We didn't know who would come but that day as i opened my front door and saw people coming from the left and from the right and way down the street i cried.  Tears flowed as i hugged them all.  I felt like i had died and gone to heaven.  The joy was so intense.  100 relatives shoulder to shoulder in the house.....it was raining outside, but we didn't notice.  Was this what i had seen?  Was something more in the future to happen?  I wasn't certain. 

I started speaking to Richard about all i was receiving and kept asking him if he believed me or thought i was crazy.  He really wanted to believe but i could tell he didn't. All he could offer was, "I believe that you believe".  I kept talking about the "end times" in the family and to few friends, but they all found it difficult to accept.  I talked about moving out to the country and building a small community that we'd need when times got really bad.  Of course Richard was for that because he always wanted to live out in the country with lots of land and a tractor.  This part was easy as long as the tractor stayed in the deal.  I tease but really it took some time to get him on the same page, but finally he did. Now to keep him there.  One morning i was walking through my house with a cup of coffee.  We had worked so hard in the house on Menard and i just loved it.  It was finally, after so many years, almost perfect to me.

 Out loud I said, "Thank you Lord, I love my house". He quickly replied, "You won't be here long". Then i said, " i love you more". But i knew it didn't matter what i said, He would have His way.   I know it was a big thing when it all happened.  Everything fell into place with the selling of the house and finding this one.  I know people wondered why we would leave our children and grandchildren. It was difficult to explain that we were going off to prepare a place for them.  We felt like Moses, Noah and Abraham each leading his people out to God knows where.  They just believed.  I think it was the first Sunday Mass at our new church and Father Cary spoke of Moses leading the people out with no knowledge of where he was going but left with faith in God's message.  We looked at each other and smiled.   And so here we are planning, preparing and praying.

If God wishes to use the farm as a place to care for part of his remnant church then we say "yes".  We don't know how this will all play out but we've given our yes and we await His direction. 

                                          ?        ?       ?        ? 
We certainly don't know when all this will come about but we must be prepared.  First is spiritually.  You must get your spiritual house in order.  That is if you're Catholic you must go to confession often and get right with God and neighbor. Attend Mass, at least, on Sunday.  If you're not Catholic there is still time(just saying), but get down on your knees and beg God's forgiveness. Just be ready, be in God's peace and joy and live life joyfully.  Gather your holy objects like rosaries, prayer books, medals, holy water, etc.  Be prepared! For those who aren't Catholic these are not superstitious items, they are testament to our faith that God in his love and with our belief will save  and protect us.  Perhaps not from physical harm but indeed spiritual.  We must place ourselves into the hearts of Jesus and Mary and allow them to guide us.  We, I, believe that a time is coming when the Catholic churches will be made to close and Priests will not be allowed to say Mass or hear Confessions. The church will split in two. The remnant church will have to hide and keep the faith in secret.  So much will change and so much suffering.  This is where i would offer you Mark Mallet's blog: markmallet.com.  Mark's writings are great.  He says it all but with such inspiration and truth.  He quotes Popes, Church Fathers, Saints, who spoke of these times hundreds of years ago.  Mark has words of knowledge himself with a spiritual director and many holy priests friends.  He also has a Music Ministry and travels giving Holy Hours.  I went to one in New Orleans a few years ago.  He moved his family out to a sustainable farm.  He lives in Canada and is married with 6 children.

Mother of the Cross

He Will Reign

His wife and one of his daughters are artist and i purchased 4 beautiful paintings to be framed for the chapel.  His wife Lea wants pictures of the chapel when they're hung.  She says she wants to know what God is up to down south in Ethel.  It seems every time I'm discerning something, Mark sends his blog and answers my thoughts.  An example: After being here for awhile i was beginning to have doubts because here we were with one Mass on Sundays, none during the week.  So used to having such a choice daily in Thibodaux and with my Thursday morning Adoration.... i was really missing them.  Shortly, Mark sent his blog out and he was experiencing the same thing.  In prayer he was given words such as; there is coming a time when you will not have me in your churches. There will be no sacrifice of the Mass or Confessions heard.  You will only have me to rely on and our relationship.  I will give you what you need. You must seek and trust in me above all.  You must stay true to the Gospel until the end.
(As a Christian in love with my Catholic Faith and the Sacraments Jesus gave through His church like Eucharist and Confession this will be a very sad time)
In Mark's blog, you will also read about Antichrist, days of darkness, shadow communities, illumination of conscience, chastisements, and finally the era of peace. 

And so there you are.....there is no time to waste.  As i said before, no one is obliged to believe.  Everyday of our lives we make choices for ourselves .....we can choose good, we can choose evil.  God says i hope you choose good.  There is certainly another side to the story.......conspiracy theory....  The choice is in your hands. I pray you choose wisely. 

This New Year's Eve the words received were "Sadness and Silence".  My heart was shattered and i truly felt absolute rejection surrounding me.  I felt the "Agony in the Garden" and the "Piercing of His Most Precious Heart".  January 2nd I read a friend's blog and there it was.  Jesus telling her that "sadness and silence" was coming to His Church. 
            Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.  Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us. 

Simplify, Simplify, Simplify

                                                            JMJ

You remember I mentioned all those moves we made, well I always got this question when people heard the long list, "are you military?".  No, "banking", i would reply and then a blank look, "Oh".  My mother-in-law and my dad asked a few times over the years how i managed each move with 5 children.  "Wasn't it difficult?"  Well, personally it was hard but i was raised to follow my husband and besides who would pay for all the needs of these kids(just kidding).  But it did begin to make me squirm and so I asked him. Richard, "why all the moves, why can't you find a place and stay, why keep following some rainbow that doesn't look like it's ever gonna show up?".  OK I got that out.  Let me tell you that later in prayer God let me know that i should stop blaming Richard for all the moves and He reminded me about a retreat in High School when I offered Him my life.  He said, that I said, that i would go where He needed me.  I would be His instrument of love.  He could count on me.  Hey, I was 17.  Fr. Barnes, I now remember was very inspiring and also he was tall and very nice looking.  Sometimes i honestly believe that God created me to give him a good laugh from time to time, and for that i know I never let Him down. 

The years were filled with highs and lows and I can now look back and see all the times He used us to accomplish His plan.  He allowed me to walk in others shoes.  I think those were His greatest gifts.  Glenn and Fancie, our foster children, Huang Van Thom family(Vietnamese boat family), total strangers He sent to my doorstep, wonderful friends to share so much of life.  Friends who helped me grow in faith and as a person.  So much work for His church.  So much laughter, so many tears. In the end always a lesson learned and a mission accomplished. Never think your life is not worth as much as another, especially when you feel limited by money, illness, time or talent.  If you offer He will use.

Each New Year's Eve I would think about which diet i was going to start and how many pounds i wanted to lose.  Maybe i would add exercise, be nicer, etc. I think it was New Year's Eve 1996 when i decided to be different.  I went into my room to pray.  I decided to ask God what it was He wanted me to do.  It wasn't long before i heard the words, "simplify, simplify, simplify".  They were felt so deeply.  It wasn't a human voice speaking to me but none the less so clear that there was no doubt what i had just heard.  I said nothing.  I was stunned. Didn't think to ask exactly what that meant.   Days later I'm thinking I'm not a pack rat....  Richard is and I've already thrown out a lot of his stuff, I'm not materialistic.....at least i didn't think i was.  Really i would consider myself rather simple. I was always active in church and community and so i wondered should i slow that down. I didn't know, so I went into my room and prayed and told God, that's who I'm assuming put those words in my heart,  that i would not do anything unless He guided me.  It would have to be as clear as a bell, hit me on the head, an invitation.  I should have prepared myself.  One day i was walking out of Mass and an elderly lady with white hair introduced herself and as we talked she said she knew my mother and would i like to be a Catholic Daughter.  Well to start with I'm a softy for the elderly(OK stop laughing, I know I'm one, this was 15 yrs ago) and she knew my mother(tears of joy) so i went to the meeting as an act of kindness to her and before i could become an inducted member i was made Regent.  So for 8 years i gave time, energy, and talent to the group. So many graces received throughout those eight years of service.  One stands out in my mind that could only have come from the Holy Spirit.

It was early 2000 and there was much celebration, even in the church.  Pope John Paul II had asked that we celebrate in various ways and a note was sent throughout the Catholic Daughters to celebrate women.  I thought it would be a nice thing to do.   One morning after returning from daily Mass i felt a nudge to plan for a Jubilee Day for Women. I grabbed a yellow legal pad within my reach and began to write.  To my amazement and with no hesitation I wrote out the whole program.  After i was done, my hands were shaking and I called my friend Jeanette who worked so closely with me as Regent.  I wanted her to talk me out of it but she didn't.  I told her it would be a big deal and that i didn't know if i wanted to start and not be able to get it done.  I mentioned how i thought it was inspired and she convinced me to move forward.  I agreed and soon everything fell into place.  I called the church and spoke to the Family Ministry director and she gave me a go ahead and whatever i needed. I called Father and he was on board. I called Sally Ann Roberts, a TV anchor in New Orleans, to speak and her PR girl said she was so busy that she had stopped going around giving talks. I hung up the phone and before i could compose myself the phone rang.  Sally Ann had agreed to come and with no charge.  Father helped with writings on important women in the Bible. Four ladies in our church signed in to tell their amazing stories of Faith. We had beautiful music.  Flyers were made and sent to various churches in our area. The ladies were told to bring bag lunches and the church provided drinks and dessert in the garden behind the church.  The weather was perfect.  500 ladies from various religions, race, and age attended and for years later i was stopped by ladies who had attended wanting to know when we could have a day like that again.  It was a gift of the Holy Spirit.  I literally felt in my hands and heart what God can do and how He can use us. 

I love you    I love you    I love you

 One night i was awaken from sleep and sat up in bed and deep in side i felt or heard, it's hard to know, God the Father ask me if i loved Him.  Three times i was asked and three times i said, yes.  This was totally mind blowing.....that the God of the Universe needed to hear me, a nobody, say I love Him.....three times! Had I hurt Him 3 times? Certainly not, at least 300 times 300 more than that. All I know is that I was never the same, meaning nothing on earth could grab my heart like that. It took my breath away....about the same as when my heart was stopped! I'm guessing that was the big test.  So much to tell and no one to believe me.  Try to share, eyes roll, and I'm told shush, people will think you're crazy.  Can't say i blame them. I was(haha still am) the class clown, the big talker, the loud one.  Believe me i have asked God over and and over to make me mute, to take friends away so that i can be just His.  Well He did have a hand in me moving away from friends but I'm not mute.  Maybe when I'm done saying my piece i will be!!!???!!!

Remember Y2K?  Yes, i know, a false scare....or was it?  It did get me thinking about living without all those gadgets we use to make life simple.  Simple, is that what He meant.  I bought the family tents for Christmas that year and began to buy extra food each time i went to the store.  I was looking on line one day to find products with long shelf life when i ran across a blog (i can't to this day tell you exactly how i got there, but I'm thinking angels can type) but it was writings from a young mother of 3 who claims to get messages and words from Jesus.  As i begin to read a certain line the hairs on the back of my neck stood up.  "Simplify, simplify, simplify" yes 3 times.  Jesus was telling her to tell others that a time was coming when we will have to live a simple life.  That America will be forced into a more rustic form of living without electronics and the conveniences of today.  That we should get our spiritual life as well as physical needs ready.  Prepare and pray!  I wanted to know more; like what, when, where, how?  As the words of knowledge came, words of confirmation followed, from people, sermons, and books almost word for word.  I was lead to John Leary(New York) who spoke of places of refuge where the remnant could hide and how to prepare them.  I'll go into that later.  I then met Mark Mallet(Canada), Sadie Jamarillo(California), and Michael Brown(Florida) each with the intentions of sharing about what is to come and how to prepare.  All of these people have spiritual directors and are Catholics in good standing.  I've visited each one in person over the years and believe them to be good people of faith.

Words of suffering, sacrifice and penance filled the years following.  There was no explanation needed. Years ago my daughter Erin and i discussed how we felt God had His angels going around sealing the forehead of believers.  That we were being asked to choose...... life or death.....good or evil.  With this seal we'd promised to fight for truth until the end. I feel the time of the sealing is ending.  Mine came with realization of my life and sins and true repentance with a lot of tears and contrition and a commitment to the truth of the Gospel.  Our Lady told one of the visionaries that those who live the truth of the Gospel until the end will do their Purgatory on earth.  I totally believe that!

So much formed the culture of death and we were warned by Pope John Paul the Great that we were "facing the final confrontation between the Church and the anti-church, of the Gospel versus the anti-Gospel"  this was in 1976 while he was still Cardinal.  Another time as Pope he said" Death battles against life: a culture of death seeks to impose itself on our desire to live, and live to the full....Vast sectors of society are confused about what is right and what is wrong, and we are at the mercy of those with the power to "create" opinion and impose it on others." He spoke this to the youth in Denver, Colorado, 1993. 

Again John Paul said to the youth in Denver....."There is no need to be afraid to call the first agent of evil by his name: the Evil One.  The strategy which he used and continues to use is that of not revealing himself, so that the evil implanted by him from the beginning may receive its development from man himself, from systems and from relationships between individuals, from classes and nations-----so as also to become ever more a "structural" sin, ever less unidentifiable as "personal" sin.  In other words, so that man may feel in a certain sense "freed" from sin but at the same time be ever more deeply immersed in it."

It is the ultimate trap: to become slaves without fully realizing it. In such a state of deception, souls will be willing to embrace, as an apparent good, a new master. 


March on Christian soldiers always toward the TRUTH

A refuge of Hope for the End Times

                                                        JMJ

             Trinity Acres Farm.... "refuge of hope ".
                 Refuge.... a place of protection; Hope...... Confident expectation. 

Do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God.(2 Tm 1:8)

Evangelization is not an easy task.  Expect to experience rejection and discouragement but also joy in proclaiming the triumph of Christ dead and risen, and in building up the Church in His name.(Magnificat)

My reason for beginning this link is twofold.  First, with this being the "Year of Faith" I feel as Christians we are asked to share our belief in God and how that belief has affected our lives.  And secondly to express deep feelings in my heart that we may be entering very difficult times and it would be wise to prepare spiritually and physically and probably emotionally as well.  It is so much fun writing about the move and preparations here at the farm but now I feel compelled to share the real reason we are here in Ethel, preparing Trinity Acres.  Not that i am not filled with joy and peace and anticipation but I sit here wondering if everyone else feels or knows what's going on.  I can't listen to the news because all i hear are lies and deception.  The joy and peace comes from the fact that i know I'm preparing for what's ahead.  My pain is wondering if all of you are doing the same.  I want us to be able to share as we make preparations.  I also know that so many people do not even realize or don't want to know what's happening to our country.   Certainly the government and the people in the news do not want us to know the truth.  As Pilot asked Jesus, "what is truth"?  Did he really want to know?  And we know that Jesus tells us that "I am the way, the truth, and the light". All those who follow me will have eternal life".  On TV  there is just talk, talk, talk yet no one asks the right questions or gives truthful answers so we are left to pray and share.  I believe the purpose is to catch us off guard. There are people that I've come to know, perhaps not personally, but i read what they have to say because I share the same beliefs. Not everyone can or needs to go out and buy a farm out in the country, but there are definite things we can all do to get ready.  I am confident, that relying on God's almighty power and mercy, He will be near to us as we approach a very turbulent time and yet in the end a time of great joy.  Richard and I are eagerly preparing a small community for Christians who will be ready and willing to serve others during the end times.

Yes, end times, not the end of the world as is proclaimed by the secular society.  These times have been spoken of through the Church Fathers, Saints, Popes, and Visionaries from the past and now in more recent times Fatima, St. Faustina, Sr. Agnes of Japan, Garanbadal, Medjugorje to name a few.   These in particular are all Catholic but many protestants have had and are having similar experiences of knowledge as well.  Today more and more everyday people in prayer are receiving "words" in preparation.  We must believe that God loves each of us so very much, even those who don't love Him.  As the world moves farther and farther "off the cliff", He must call us back.  His absolute love could do nothing less.  The noise of the outside world has grown so loud that few hear His voice or even care to.  Those who are willing or who's attention He's captured are responding to His call and there are many and we must stand together.  I believe that 46 years ago when He took me from my "comfort zone" in Thibodaux,  He began to tease, prod, play, challenge and call me into His most loving heart.  It started with the death of my mother when I was 20.  He took me so low only to build me up and each time He left me with an insight into His heart.  Every move (Thibodaux, Houma, Shreveport, Texas, Gretna, Lafayette, Denham Springs, then back to Thibodaux) brought new challenges and every challenge greater insight.  It was all His doing, even the grace to respond was His gift.  I should say right now that it wasn't always pretty.  Many times i kicked and screamed and said "no".  There were times when Richard would wake in the middle of the night and ask who i was talking to in and i'd respond, "Jesus".

He'd just turn over and go back to sleep. It wasn't anything out of the ordinary.  God asks so much of me and i never feel able to accomplish anything, yet He always gives me the courage and strength through friends and family.  I tell you these things only to let you know how much i believe what I'm hoping to share in these writings.  I didn't just wake up one morning and think oh I'll believe all this "end times" stuff. I feel certain that many of you have the same feelings but may be lost as what to do and yet there are so many more who know nothing or worse yet refuse to believe.  I am not here to judge but rather feel called to listen more closely to what is being asked of me and to share.  Certainly most of you must know that our country is headed for a fall, perhaps total collapse. Are you prepared? What will you do?

As I indicated before, in 1987 I was taken full circle.  I must mention here that the move was very difficult, not only in the fact that my dad died 3 weeks before we moved back but that we had left a life we all thought was perfect.  We had a beautiful house, children were happy in school and had friends, Richard had a great job and money was excellent,and i was happy and active with community and church activities with many good friends. Then what seemed like out of nowhere, like Job in the Bible, it was all stripped away.  It was all gone like a flash in the night.  Something similar had happened in Texas.  I knew we had handled it before and i began to realize that when God takes away, He often replaces with greater gifts, gifts of His choosing. I was so sad after my Dad died.  I cried a lot. I didn't question God as much as when my mother died.   I was older and He had sent such consolations and understanding after her death.  I must remember our time is not God's time.  I was lead to weekly Adoration for comfort during this time of grieving for my father and it would become my strength and joy for 20 years.  My Thursday mornings belonged to Him and He absolutely made it worth my time.  I want you to know that i know so many people receive words and experiences in their life time.  God seeks out everyone at their time of "visitation".  It's up to us to respond and we can only respond in prayer. I want to stop and thank God and all of you who have shared part of my life no matter how short a time. I know with all my heart that you were hand picked by God to enter my life at the proper time and i love you all so very much.  I experience such happiness during the 2nd joyful mystery of the rosary, the Visitation.  That's where i always thank God for you. 

I don't believe in coincidences.  Too often God has revealed the truth and so i know that He has me in His mind at all times and checks on me from time to time. Here is an example of how God plays with me.  The sorrowful mysteries and the Way of the Cross are both dear to me in that i feel so close to Jesus at these times of prayer.  During one Holy Hour i asked Jesus, while meditating on the Passion, that He give on my body the marks He received from my sins and that of my family during the scourging. I know, who did i think i was?  I just felt compelled.  That night i woke up with my skin itchy and burning.  I jumped out of bed and found my body covered with red whelps. I ran to the medicine cabinet and grabbed Benedryl, swallowed 2 and tried to go back to sleep.  The next morning i woke up and the whelps were still there.  I called Dr. Doug and asked for a shot.  I had forgotten all about my prayer request.  Dr. Doug asked if i had eaten anything different or worked in the flower beds.  I started to smile.  How could i tell him that possibly it came from Jesus and that i had actually asked for it. 

Another time the sorrowful mysteries and the Passion and again I asked, this time for a new heart, one with more love and acceptance of others..... a compassionate heart like His.  A few days later i was having a normal day when my heart began to beat really fast. It had happened before and Dr. Doug had given me Verapamil and usually that took care of the episode.  That day it wouldn't stop.  It was at about 225 beats a minute and had been 6 hours and i had taken a handful of Verapamil with no slowing down.  My whole body ached.  I finally asked Richard to take me to the emergency room. They couldn't get it to go down so they told us of a shot they could give that would stop my heart and then start it up again.  We said OK. I watched Richard's surprised face as my heart flat lined and then started up again.  It felt like someone had pushed me off the Empire State building and as i gasp for a breath of air all was normal.  They kept me over night for test but 2 Cardiologist found my heart fine.  Never had an episode after that.

 OK I began to really pay attention!!!! I do believe He was setting me up for future events!