Mercy and Grace: April 2015

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Wordless Wednesday ~ A Quiet Reminder

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Thankful Tuesday

Today I am thankful for:

1. This little lovely, a delightful surprise just waiting for me to come get the mail.

2. Conversation with a wise, dear friend this morning, big-sister heart to big-sister heart.

3. Room, permission, and kind support affirming me exactly where I am.

4. Mild, beautifully sunny spring day.

5. Reaching out to ask for something I wanted and happily receiving a yes.

6. Enjoyed watching "Dancing With the Stars" 10th anniversary show.

7. Remembering how deeply inspired I've been by some of the contestants. (Amy Purdy)

8. Resting and relaxing in a picked up house.

9. Being able to support and love a dear sister in a time of a health concern.

10. Quiet day at work to piddle and putter when it was hard to concentrate.

11. Reaching out for help again and leaving it be while I sleep tonight.

12. While uncomfy, tears so close to the surface ....

....there was a time when tears didn't come at all.

13. Simple supper made with leftovers and pantry ingredients.

14. Soreness in neck and shoulders from new crutches has greatly subsided.

15. Feeling sleepy before heading for bed.

16. Rediscovering a cd on mothering at just the right time.

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Monday, April 27, 2015

Easter Week 4 ~ Praying in Color

Here's the close up

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Monday, April 20, 2015

Easter Week 3 ~ Praying in Color

I got a bit of a late start on my

Easter Praying in Color calendar.

But I'm all caught up now.

Yay!!

This time, instead of a flock of butterflies,

I'm using the daily word from

Abbey of the Arts'

"Pilgrimage of the Resurrection"

as inspiration to guide

how I fill in each little space.

Such a wonderful little daily practice.

. * .

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Thankful Tuesday

Today I am thankful for:

1. A few more quiet days at work before the busy billing season kicks in.

2. Relief from strained relationships continuing to ease.

3. Learning about the idea of notebooking in the poetry course I'm taking.

4. New Easter Praying in Color Template - yay!

5. And it's a spiral, meant to go out (the opposite of what I did for Lent) - yay!

6. Easy, tasty supper of toasted cheese sandwiches and sweet potato fries.

7. Quiet evening with no tv.

8. Loving circle of fond memories forming around my Grandma's photo on FB.

9. Learning that it touched my dear Daddy's heart.

10. Our mechanic fixed my flat tire for free! (we do love him)

11. Being surrounded by guardian angels.

12. Valentine's Day roses dried and still beautiful.

13. Hubby's Love Language is Gifts

14. Knowing my intuition is working, even when I plow right thru.

15. Mercy-ful remembering that I am perfectly human and can always, always try 'er again.

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Evening Ritual - April Love 2015

Each night I smooth soothing Mentholatum on my lips, write down 5 most gratefuls and 1 least grateful (if hubby is still awake, I write his to the left of mine), and sometimes after saying our nightly prayer, we read a little bit.

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Sunday, April 12, 2015

An Inspiring Person - April Love 2015

My beloved Grandma

She inspired my creativity

by teaching me how to bake, sew, and crochet

and I have such fond memories of her

and our time together.

The thing I cherish most that she passed down to me

is the love of writing (and receiving!) letters.

I will always remember her apron drawer,

that the first thing we baked together was banana bread,

and how much I enjoyed spending the night at her house.

I feel very blessed because of her 32 grandchildren,

I got to spend the most time with her.

I love you, Grandma!

(Miss you, too)

. * .

Saturday, April 11, 2015

Touch - April Love 2015

Feeding my sweet baby nephew.

(What a lovely surprise to find this

photo taken by hubby)

. * .

Friday, April 10, 2015

My Superpower - April Love 2015

My superpower is using my Love Languages,

Words of Affirmation and Touch,

to write from my heart.

(one of my most very favorite things to do)

. * .

Thursday, April 9, 2015

5 Years Ago - April Love 2015

5 years ago, almost to the day.

At my dear hubby's suggestion, we gathered as an extended family for one more shared meal around Grandma and Granddaddy's table on Easter Sunday. Sadly, with Granddaddy's (then) recent passing, they were both gone and we wanted to spend the day honoring them, *our* lineage, in a way that would have made both of them very happy.

As part of the day's festivities, we took turns taking Granddaddy's tractor out for a spin (hmmmm.... or did it take us for one? :) ).

Good, good times.

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Saturday, April 4, 2015

Holy Week - Praying in Color

So as I committed to walking this week's readings and praying with them, I found that the words that were shimmering for me were the ones that pointed to first Jesus' love and patience for those around him and then the love shown to him. About mid-week, the phrases "where is the love?" and Mister Rogers "Look for the helpers" (when there is so much tragedy around that it can be overwhelming) became welcomed companions as I read these difficult readings.

Once we finished our "Praying in Color" circles, we were invited to come up with a story using the words that we were drawn to from this week's readings. Here is my "story":

When troubled and wondering "where is the love?," remain near, tethered to the one who cares deeply for you. Like a shepherd who tends her beloved sheep, she will wash your weary body, and raise and soothe your tired spirit. Follow her . . . She can be trusted.

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