The Genius of Woman retreat went very well! One has to plant seeds everywhere they go, and then God waters it. Only He knows what fruits will come from our "Texas Tour" from last week.
We were able to meet a bunch of neat people, talk to youth groups, students at colleges, and much more!
Thank you all for your prayers! Keep praying -- we have a 3rd Order Franciscan Group here this weekend for a retreat.
God bless you all!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
The Genius of Womanhood
We are about to give a retreat on one of the most interesting topics: The Genius of Woman.
John Paul II called it this.
Wow. Contemplating the different aspects of each woman . . . way too much to mention here. I will mention one. Receptivity.
The woman receives love from her spouse. This is an imagery used in how the Church is the Bride and Jesus is the Bridegroom. God the Father gives us love and grace, we simply receive it. It's not a passive receiving, it's an active receiving. So, stamped in our very bodies, we have a symbol of how God works in our lives. All of us are to be "brides" of Christ (even men). We can all actively receive God's grace and love.
Pray for our retreat on Saturday! Thank you and God bless you all with his infinite and awesome love!
John Paul II called it this.
Wow. Contemplating the different aspects of each woman . . . way too much to mention here. I will mention one. Receptivity.
The woman receives love from her spouse. This is an imagery used in how the Church is the Bride and Jesus is the Bridegroom. God the Father gives us love and grace, we simply receive it. It's not a passive receiving, it's an active receiving. So, stamped in our very bodies, we have a symbol of how God works in our lives. All of us are to be "brides" of Christ (even men). We can all actively receive God's grace and love.
Pray for our retreat on Saturday! Thank you and God bless you all with his infinite and awesome love!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Love is a Choice
Dear Friends,
Love is definitely a choice.
So many people today seem to be struggling in their lives, either in their marriage or loving other people in their lives. We must remember that Love is a Choice! Yes, there are some fuzzy warm feelings sometimes with love, but this cannot be the end-all and be-all of our relationship. After the new wears off, we choose to love those around us. Love is unconditional. It is self-sacrificial. It is willing to be crucified (Jesus gave us the example). It's amazing how God's grace kicks in and helps us to love.
Help us pray for marriages! A good example of this is Greg and Julie Alexander. They couldn't stand each other at one point. They say that they were only in it for themselves. When the new wore off, they were ready to hit the road. Then they began learning about the scriptures and what it says about marriage. Greg says that he began being the head of the family and leading the family in prayer. They eventually turned their whole lives around . . . and now you'd think they were newlyweds. They love each other so much!
Nothing is impossible with God. Nothing. Whatever you may be struggling with in your life -- hand it over to God. Ask for His Grace. Watch the miracle. That doesn't mean that pain will not be involved. We can embrace the cross and anticipate the resurrection!
Greg and Julie are now marriage coaches: thealexanderhouse.org
Love is definitely a choice.
So many people today seem to be struggling in their lives, either in their marriage or loving other people in their lives. We must remember that Love is a Choice! Yes, there are some fuzzy warm feelings sometimes with love, but this cannot be the end-all and be-all of our relationship. After the new wears off, we choose to love those around us. Love is unconditional. It is self-sacrificial. It is willing to be crucified (Jesus gave us the example). It's amazing how God's grace kicks in and helps us to love.
Help us pray for marriages! A good example of this is Greg and Julie Alexander. They couldn't stand each other at one point. They say that they were only in it for themselves. When the new wore off, they were ready to hit the road. Then they began learning about the scriptures and what it says about marriage. Greg says that he began being the head of the family and leading the family in prayer. They eventually turned their whole lives around . . . and now you'd think they were newlyweds. They love each other so much!
Nothing is impossible with God. Nothing. Whatever you may be struggling with in your life -- hand it over to God. Ask for His Grace. Watch the miracle. That doesn't mean that pain will not be involved. We can embrace the cross and anticipate the resurrection!
Greg and Julie are now marriage coaches: thealexanderhouse.org
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Our Lady of the Rosary Feast Today!
Today is the Feast of the Holy Rosary! (we didn't post on the Feast of St. Francis -- too busy celebrating) Happy Belated Feast of St. Francis to you!Yesterday's Gospel was awesome: Luke 10:38-42, where Jesus is visiting at Martha and Mary's house. You know the story. Martha is running around preparing the meal or something. Mary is sitting at Jesus' feet listening to Him. Martha goes to Jesus asking Him to tell Mary to help her. Then Jesus said, "...you are anxious and upset about many things; one thing only is required. Mary has chosen the better portion and she shall not be deprived of it."
Wow! God is constantly calling us to "waste time" with Him! After the normal prayers that we say every day . . . He wants more! We want more too, we just don't always know it. We so many times try to fill that desire for love by working more, looking for entertainment, etc. As St. Augustine said, "Our hearts our restless until they rest in You, O Lord."
Let's take time in our lives to "waste time" with the One Who loves us unconditionally -- Who is waiting for us to come to Him for love, graces, peace, and joy! God bless you all!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Friends and Relatives
It's amazing how the relatives of the Sisters become relatives of ALL the Sisters. My mom told me one time, "When you entered the convent, I didn't lose my daughter, I gained 20 more daughters!"
The above pictures are from recent relative visits. The top one is Sr. Mary Michael's niece in Baltimore. She took us to the airport after our visit there a few weeks ago.
The bottom picture is Sr. Josita's sister from Canada who came to visit recently.
Our prayers and love is with all of you! God bless you all!
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