St. Joseph, the Carpenter

Our nephew joined the army

and his first day of bootcamp was Monday.

As I sat in daily mass this morning, 

a most wonderful

(and deeply comforting)

thought came.

St. Joseph was a carpenter,

pretty close to a present day

"Horizontal Construction Engineer,"

yes?

I sure think so.

Grace.

Trustin' that St. Joseph 

is watching over our boy

as we continue to hold him

in our thoughts and prayers.

St. Michael, the Archangel,

protect our troops.

Amen.

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Whispering Prayers and Sending Love

🙏🏻

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Moment of Silence

St. Joseph, pray for us and watch over us. 

❤️

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Breathe September :: Nature

Soft Saturday Salutations 

#breatheseptember2016

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August Break :: Mid-morning

(Yesterday's prompt 😉)

#augustbreak2016

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Everyday Beauty :: Evidence of Where I Came

. Growing up with peacocks on our farm was always such fun. I love that Daddy still keeps 

  them on his homestead and I'm so grateful he thought to send me home with a handful of 

  feathers one year.

. My First Communion book says the special day was April 13, 1969 and my faith remains 

  an integral part of who I am.

. The gold "D" on the same chain as my cross was Moma's last (tangible) gift to me. Before 

  she died she had the diamonds from the wedding ring Daddy gave her mounted on each one 

  of our initials and gave them to us on Christmas Eve 1996.

. Angels have long had a very special meaning for me and I chose this one because we prayed 

  before every meal as a family and still do.

. I love the blessed peace of candlelight which always speaks to me of hope (whether I realize 

  it in the moment or not).

. My black lantern has Stars on it, reminding me of the vast Texas Prairie sky that I grew up 

  under.

. The piece of cement "stone" anchoring my tableau is from the old farmhouse where I did 

  most of my growing up and still have such fond memories of.

❤️

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Being Seen :: Tears

I took this photo this morning before I got up to get in the shower. I had just written a note to

myself of all of my fears and then, as invited in our Being Seen e-course, I folded it up so that

all of my fears were tucked inside.  As Brene Brown has taught me to do, I then wrote a 

permission slip on a blue post-it note, taped it to the top of my fears and held it to my heart 

along with a sweet little red heart that was close by.

When I was in daily mass a short while later, a ritual that comforts, blesses, and soothes me, 

and on my way to communion, I accidentally tripped and fell back onto the chair behind me. 

I am permanently on crutches and pretty solid on them so it was startling for me, and three 

women from three different directions rushed to me to see if I was ok.

While grateful for their concern to be sure, I felt embarrassed and also annoyed and frustrated 

with myself. One kind-hearted woman sensed my discomfort and warmly shrugged it off with 

a "it just happens sometimes" which was such a gift.

Returning from communion and sitting in my seat, I was surprised to have tears well. I reminded myself that this was a safe space and there was at least 10 minutes before mass was over so 

it was ok to let them fall. (hmmm.... tears well as I type). I think if I had been alone, I might've 

sobbed (we are headed to Texas for a short visit with my family later this week and work has 

been so tough for four months now with a new supervisor.  The transition simply isn't going
well for me). 

I had planned some errands after mass but was still pretty shaken up so I came on home and 

laid down. Afterwards, I looked at this picture and was surprised to see that in reality? 

The tears were already right there . . .

. . . here.

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