Wordless Wednesday

And We're Off!

I've got a bag full of prescriptions, antibiotics, steroids, cough syrup, etc...but I'm not going to let this illness stop me! Even if all I can do is rest, at least I'll be resting in Germany.

So get ready for it. Europe...Part II!

Saints and Scripture Sunday

This is the third week in a row that I have missed Mass due to my illness. It's been pretty sobering, but I have been following along with my Bible at home. I decided to join in this link up to give me a spiritual boost!

1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13

Brothers and sisters:
No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit;
there are different forms of service but the same Lord;
there are different workings but the same God
who produces all of them in everyone.
To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit
is given for some benefit.

As a body is one though it has many parts,
and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body,
so also Christ.
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body,
whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons,
and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.

Sometimes I get dejected, knowing that the world is so big and God is so great, but I am so small. What hope could I possibly be to Him? This passage from today's reading really spoke to me. Yes, the Holy Spirit gave the Apostles many gifts, but those were their gifts. God has given me my own gifts as well, and just because they are different doesn't make them any less important. The Spirit is in all of us.

Almighty and ever-living God, you fulfilled the Easter promise by sending us your Holy Spirit. May that Spirit unite the races and nations on earth to proclaim your glory. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Simple Woman's Daybook

Please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman for more Daybook entries!

Outside my window... the sun has just set for the night. Not much else to report!

I am thinking... about what my biopsy results will be, if these new steroids will get rid of the flare up infection, and if I'll be able to sleep through the night again.

I am thankful for... my gastroenterologist Dr. Hahn, who has been so accommodating with me, squeezing me in twice on his lunch hour, and getting me in to have a colonoscopy at the speed of light! He truly wants me to go on my vacation and is doing everything he can to get me well.

From the kitchen... a complete and total mess of water with lemon, medication, cereal bowls, and other leftovers.

I am hoping... for a RELAXING day tomorrow. More like praying.

I am hearing... Our sweet little neighbor boy and his friend playing next door. Between bouts of laughter there are some little spats, but they are mostly cute.

Around the house... I'm not going to lie...our apartment is a complete mess. But what's important is that Brian is here, taking care of me with the patience of a saint, the cats have been good snugglers, and my mental faculties are mostly intact.

I am reading... I finally finished my Little House book series, and am going to try and finish Anne of Green Gables (two more books in that series). I've also started Mother Angelica's Little Book of Life Lessons and Everyday Spirituality. Lots to think about!

A few plans for the rest of the week... Brian takes the kitties home to his Mom for our trip to Europe on Thursday night, then has plans with friends over the weekend. I feel like I need to rest, so my mom is coming to stay with me Thurs-Monday, then we will drive home together after I call the doctor on Monday for another follow up. Gearing up for the big trip!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

Absolute torture. I thought I wasn't going to survive.

Catholic Review: Good Words

I recently joined the Catholic Company as a product reviewer, and I received my first book about a week ago! It's amazing how God knew exactly what I needed before I did.


Good Words: Inspiration for Catholic Women

This is the kind of book you want to have on your dresser or nightstand, where you can read it whenever you need to. Of course, you could read it all the way through if you wanted to, but I prefer a little more randomness in my life. The book is separated into different categories such as "For Every Matter Under Heaven," "A Time to Break Down, A Time to Build Up," and "A Time to Seek, and a Time to Lose." In each category are a selection of quotes from a multitude of women writers. The Contents are based off of Ecclesiastes 3 : 1-8.

Given that this has been one of the hardest times in my life, having just been diagnosed with an illness that I will have forever, I've been opening this little book almost every night to find support, inspiration, and hope. I only read a little at a time, and then reflect and pray on that passage. The book includes Questions for Reflection after most quotes, but I choose to skip over those. However, I could definitely see someone starting a devotional journal to go along with this book, selecting a passage, and answering the reflection questions. To each their own.

So far I've really enjoyed it. It's a nice little pick me up, a reminder that I'm not alone and others have walked this path before me. I'm sure as I enter new trials and times in my life that there will be more quotes for me to identify with, and that is very reassuring. You can be sure that these are the best of the best, the cream of the crop quotes, plucked from the best Catholic women authors. The book is small, doesn't take up much space, and is travel friendly. I think I will take it with me to Germany for our vacation - some might even want to carry it with them in their purse.

My favorite quote so far:

Sometimes in the dream of making a difference in the world, our number one enemy is ourselves. We sabotage our dreams, thinking we are too young, too old, too skilled, too unskilled, too poor or too out of it. The truth is that change in the world is effected by people with strengths and weaknesses. Change is effected by ordinary people, and most of us are simply that--ordinary.
- Joan Mueller, Living a Spirituality of Action: A Woman's Perspective

For a casual, occasional, and inspirational read that you will keep coming back to, I highly recommend Good Words: Inspiration for Catholic Women - it has definitely helped me!

This review was written as part of the Catholic book reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Good Words - Inspiration for Catholic Women. They are also a great source for a Catechism of the Catholic Church or a Catholic Bible. I did not receive any monetary compensation for this review.