This morning at prayer group one of the older women told me about the most beautiful prayer. As she recited the words she teared up. She told me of many miracles she has witnessed in her life from this novena.
When I came home I looked it up and discovered it is associated with St Andrew. The Saint Andrew prayer starts on his feast day, November 30th and is recited 15 times a day until Christmas.
What a beautiful and perfect way for our family to enter in to the season of Advent!
A few years ago I was inspired to celebrate Advent and withhold Christmas celebrations for closer to the liturgical season. It is so tough! Especially now as Rosie asks me daily to get our tree, hang up a wreath, hang lights, etc. My husband is surrounded by Christmas music at work and has to "turn that off" when he comes home. I found this cute picture on Facebook:
I need to find ways to help our family CELEBRATE Advent. So, we will start with the novena. Hopefully add some family prayer time to our evenings and carve out a little more time for family fun.
(JBTC, I just read your blog with info on the devotion!)
After posting every day of October, I have logged all of 3 posts for November. Sorry! :)
Short story...
Miracles are still happening in my life and the anger, though present, has been manageable. I had my first session with a therapist and he was amazing. If I can figure out how to finance him...I hope to continue to work with him (more on therapy in a future post).
Long Story...
One of the issues that came up in our discussion was dealing with infertility. It occurred to me that I have dealt with many of the bigger issues from my past, but I have never dealt with infertility. I am convinced it left a big deep wound in me...and especially in my relationship with the Lord.
With the blessing of children, that wound received a massive sized band aid. But it was never treated. It has certainly not healed.
Perhaps that is the reason why this timeis hurting again. We have been married 10 years. In all those years we have never tried to avoid pregnancy. Nine beautiful months I had the joy of experiencing life in my womb (and a few months of natural infertility). So, essentially, I have had 9 years of unnatural infertility.
My last 5 years have been filled with the joy of children and the blessings of adoption. My life has been filled and I did not notice the infertility. At some points I was afraid of ever being open again. "With all this stress, how on earth could I ever do this again??" As the kids grow, so does my openness. But infertile openness & infertile trying are different.
As a Fertility Care Practitioner I understand that often behavior changes before expressed intention. For example, a fertile couple may start to use fertile days, or become more lax, before they officially declare they want to try to conceive.
I have been targeting fertility for longer than I have expressed my openness. But I fear/dread/loathe the idea of infertile trying. And I can't do foster care now. That requires it's own openness. I am not there yet.
As happy events occur around me, I realize I am still and again..infertile. And that this...is something that I need to deal with.
What a week. I spent the morning yesterday among tearful women at prayer group. For all those who have prayed so faithfully, He has not abandoned you.
One woman discussed the sin cycles that can be found in the Old Testament. When people get lax they slip into a state of sin, then desperation, than they cry "help me!" and then God comes and rescues them, they are redeemed, then start to become lax again.
I don't understand why so many people accept everything that is contrary to the Gospel. We are in the depths of sin and desperation. Let's keep calling for help! God IS hearing our prayers.
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From Leila, I found the website for The Recovered Catholic. I loved several of her quotes. This one is on my heart this morning:
"If you are a Catholic American citizen and voted for Obama yesterday, do know that you were not morally permitted to do so."
The fact that the "Catholic" vote went in favor of Obama, sickens me. I wish those people who were Catholic in name only would stop identifying themselves as Catholic. For those that are Church goers or identify themselves as "faithful catholics". God help you. I am amazed at how many people can sit in the pews and still reject the Gospel outright. Jesus and his Catholic church stands against abortion. Against homosexual marriage. Against attacks on embryonic life and elderly. If you stand for those, you should not be receiving communion. Your Amen does not mean "I believe." We are in need of such a deep purging and deep conversion. This is my prayer.
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This morning Chris Tomlin's song "I will rise" is on my heart. The lyrics spoke to me.
Jesus has overcome.
And the grave is overwhelmed.
The victory is won.
He is risen from the dead.
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The year of faith.
Somewhere in this these two things will play together. We are asked by our bishops to invite an inactive Catholic back to church. Please read 10 Ways Catholics Can Live the Year of Faith and prayerfully consider adding a few ideas into your week.
I have witnessed several miracles/victories this week through my work as a Fertility Care Practitioner. I adore the work that I do. There is nothing more rewarding than to see conversion happen in front of you and to be used by God. I am honored to sit at the desk that is sometimes on the "front lines" and speak truth, challenge hearts and encourage healing.
If you have ever considered becoming an FCP, please think about taking the next step and starting the education process. God will provide the finances. I can not think of a better more beautiful way to fight against the war on women.
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While I am grateful I had the opportunity to vote, my election day was spent with medical professions. Namely, rushing my daughter to a children's hospital ER.
I don't know how much I can write because this is where the tears come.
Moments in parenting that bring you to your knees.
On Sunday my daughter was under the couch looking for a dumb $3 ring that I told her I would not replace. My husband was sitting on the recliner. He got up and did not realize she was under him. On Tuesday she woke up and could not move her neck. We scheduled an appointment with the chiropractor. She then referred us to the Children's hospital. X-Rays and the Cat Scan revealed that she suffered a C2 Cervical Subluxation.
She is to wear an immobilization collar for 1-8 weeks, or longer. Surgery may be needed to fuse C1 and C2 together.
She wears the collar 24 hours a day. It is not to be removed. It can not get wet. She misses out on recess, her favorite part of the day. The hardest thing for Rosie is having question after question of "what happened?" I told her we should think of a silly story. She came up with "a tiger jumped on me!" My father suggested her collar should be gussied up with fake jewels. I think we shall do that this weekend.
The hardest thing for me is seeing my husband shattered because he felt like he broke his daughter. On election night we turned off the tv and prayed together with tears. Not for our country, but for our family. For healing. For no guilt.
My Beautiful Girl
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I would be grateful for your prayers for Rosie's healing. Healing that her ligaments pull her C2 back into proper position quickly. Prayers that no surgery is required and she will be quickly able to get back to normalcy. Prayers that there is no permanent damage or future difficulty as a result of this accident.
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection,
implored your help or sought your intercession,
was left unaided.
Inspired with this confidence,
I fly to you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother;
to you do I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
