Reading

We're halfway through Lent. I fail daily at keeping my resolutions, but I pick myself up and try harder again. Developing good habits takes time and I although I feel like this cat some days, most days, I am happy to spend greater time with our Blessed Lord. Today I am giving in to temptation so that I can share all the great books I've been reading.

I loved Home is with Our Family by Joyce Hansen because it so vividly portrays family life at a time that I don't know much about. My kids soaked up all the details of how school was conducted. And I thoroughly enjoyed reading a book about black Americans who were relatively well-off and who did not have a dysfunctional family. The illustrations by E.B. Lewis are gorgeous. It's a beautiful book to read.

Long after I closed this book, I wondered how Maria and her family fared in the Midwest, and whether Anna and Maria were able to keep in touch. Their homes, gone, replaced by Central Park. Hansen is unsentimental, letting us into the hearts of her characters.

I thoroughly enjoyed Moon Over Manifest by Claire Vanderpool, taking me into two times and places, and again, what it means to be a family. I loved the way Vanderpool peeled the layers of this onion to reveal the hearts of the characters, the mystery I never suspected.

Book of the Maidservant by Rebecca Barnhouse was sheer delight. It's based upon the pilgrimage of Margery Kempe from England to Rome, but from the viewpoint of her maidservant, who Margery described in her autobiography as disobedient. Again, the details of their lives on the road with their fellow-travelers created a picture for me that I will not forget soon.

As you can see, I enjoy historical fiction very much and I must admit that I've learned more history by reading historical fiction than dry history books. Oh, there are some exceptional authors I've read, like Steven Ambrose or David Halberstam, but I'm afraid the vast majority of history books do not appeal to me.

Other books I've enjoyed are the Latin-English Missal, since we try to go to High Mass at least once a month. There is so much Beauty and Sacred Tradition that I didn't know I was even missing. We will probably invest in the 1962 Daily Missal eventually.

In The Seven Capital Sins, Fulton Sheen reflects upon the seven Words of Christ and correlates them to the reparation of the seven sins. In our culture, the idea of sin has practically vanished in the name of tolerance, so this slim book is a must.

I've also been enjoying Word Work: Surviving and Thriving as a Writer by Bruce Holland Rogers. It is not a book about the craft of writing, but about becoming and staying a writer. I highly recommend it.

My reading pile is ever growing ... I can't wait to get my copy Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys and The End of the Line by Angela Cerritos. My own writing is going well too -- I'm now revising the second half of my book.

I hope you have all found something in here that piques your interest, and I hope you will continue to have a blessed Lent.

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The Universal Prayer

This is too beautiful not to share. I came across this on the ADW blog.
I shall be praying this with my family daily and ask that you join me.

God bless you this Lenten season.

Your sister in Christ, Vijaya.

THE UNIVERSAL PRAYER (attributed to Pope Clement XI)

Lord, I believe in you: increase my faith.

I trust in you: strengthen my trust.

I love you: let me love you more and more.

I am sorry for my sins: deepen my sorrow.

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I worship you as my first beginning,

I long for you as my last end,

I praise you as my constant helper,

And call on you as my loving protector.

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Guide me by your wisdom,

Correct me with your justice,

Comfort me with your mercy,

Protect me with your power.

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I offer you, Lord, my thoughts:

to be fixed on you;

My words: to have you for their theme;

My actions: to reflect my love for you;

My sufferings: to be endured for your greater glory.

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I want to do what you ask of me:

In the way you ask,

For as long as you ask,

Because you ask it.

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Lord, enlighten my understanding,

Strengthen my will,

Purify my heart,

and make me holy.

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Help me to repent of my past sins

And to resist temptation in the future.

Help me to rise above my human weaknesses

And to grow stronger as a Christian.

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Let me love you, my Lord and my God,

And see myself as I really am:

A pilgrim in this world,

A Christian called to respect and love

All whose lives I touch,

Those under my authority,

My friends and my enemies.

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Help me to conquer anger with gentleness,

Greed by generosity,Apathy by fervor.

Help me to forget myself

And reach out toward others.

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Make me prudent in planning,

Courageous in taking risks.

Make me patient in suffering,

unassuming in prosperity.

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Keep me, Lord, attentive at prayer,

Temperate in food and drink,

Diligent in my work,

Firm in my good intentions.

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Let my conscience be clear,

My conduct without fault,

My speech blameless,

My life well-ordered.

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Put me on guard against my human weaknesses.

Let me cherish your love for me,

Keep your law,

And come at last to your salvation.

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Teach me to realize that this world is passing,

That my true future is the happiness of heaven,

That life on earth is short,

And the life to come eternal.

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Help me to prepare for death

With a proper fear of judgment,

But a greater trust in your goodness.

Lead me safely through death

To the endless joy of heaven.

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Grant this through Christ our Lord.

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Amen.

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Death

I have not wanted to write about this. In the past three months four people we know have died. Two were older, two younger. We have been praying for them, and we pray for them still, and their families who grieve. It is a sad time to say goodbye to loved ones.

But it's also a wake up call. Am I living as I should? Am I looking to the eternal consequences of my actions? Or am I concerned with things that will not last? Because in the end, the only thing we can take to the next life is our character.

The Lenten season is approaching and we've been reading the Sermon on the Mount these past few weeks in Church. What Jesus talks about is difficult, but it is the path to holiness, to being a light.

Here's a link to the best version of This Little Light of Mine:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlqlZ1Y8ONQ&feature=player_embedded#at=11

Enjoy.
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Carpe Diem

This month is coming to an end, and so are the mid-winter breaks for the children. Baseball season is starting up, which means lots of running about not only for the kids, but for us. But we've had snow and presents in the mail. I won Marcia Hoehne's book giveaway (Moon over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool) and wouldn't you know it, my son nabbed it right away ... I let him because I had lessons to correct, but it's all mine now!

Enjoy these snippets of winter fun from this weekend at the grandparents' home. They hardly ever get snow like this, so this was a treat for the whole family, including the dog.

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Here's a video clip. I love my wee little camera that can do all this and still fit in my pocket.

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I hope you are all enjoying yourselves, whatever the weather is. As for me, it's time to buckle down and work until Spring Break.

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Snow Days!

These pictures are a couple of years old, but it's looking a lot like this right now (though not as cold). It couldn't be better timing since the kids have midwinter break. The snow is melting fast, but another wave is beginning as I write this post. I love this time of the year because the tree frogs begin to sing and the hyacinths poke their heads out of the ground, and I always remember how it was twelve years ago, waiting for my first baby to be born. Time flies ...

Don't you love my crooked filbert? It always fascinates me how the branches curl -- this plant really comes into its full glory once the leaves fall off.

The kids are busy playing outside, I'm deep in revisionland, the progress slow and steady. A lamb stew is simmering in my crock pot. My health is incredibly good, just in time for baseball season to begin. I'm full of thanks and praise to God.

Have a beautiful day today.
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ETA -- My husband just came back from work and says our hill is the only one with snow. Strange how localized the weather can be.

On Children

Below is my favorite poem about children from "The Prophet" by Khalil Gibran. I didn't understand it until my children were baptized ... there they are with their father (also newly baptized), their sponsors, the priest, the choir in the back, and all the faithful gathered at Easter vigil 2009.



And a woman who held a babe against her bosom said,

Speak to us of Children.

And he said:

Your children are not your children.

They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.

They come through you, but not from you,

And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,

For they have their own thoughts.

You may house their bodies, but not souls,

For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,

Which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.

You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.

For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

The Archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,

and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.

Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;

for even as He loves the arrow that flies,

so He loves also the bow that is stable.

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Gifts

Two unexpected gifts arrived from two different friends. The Christmas blessings overflow. Of course, my kids get first dibs!

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I did get to peek inside Home is with our Family by Joyce Hansen and it is beautifully illustrated by E. B. Lewis. My knowledge of American history is very poor and what better way to learn than by reading gripping historical fiction? It's one of my favorite genres because it brings dry facts to life. This book is inspired by the history of Seneca Village.

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The other book that arrived in my mailbox was The Land Between: Finding God in Difficult Transitions by Jeff Manion. Last year was a tough year for us, the future uncertain. Fear can grip me at times. I'm learning to replace it with faith. This is a welcome book.

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My friend also recommended the book: If You Want to Walk on Water, You've to Get Out of the Boat by John Ortberg. Don't you just love the title? I'll be picking that up too.

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I am so blessed to have my faith journey supported by friends who pray for me and find just the right books to sustain me. Thank you!

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A Wacky Week

I love working from home because it is so wonderful to be flexible. I can be home with my family. I can get the housework done when I take breaks. But it has its drawbacks as well. Too many interruptions. People often think you are not working, that you are free to take on other responsibilities. And as my health as been improving, I am taking on more and more. It feels good to have the old energy back, not be in constant pain, be able to do more ... but I was unprepared this week for sick children and strange school schedules. I wish we could simply have the week off.

Thankfully, this week is almost over and my son, who could barely speak is now talking back. It's not Strep, just some viral thing which will take its own course. He's catching up on homework, as I write this. My student lessons are corrected. My family is fed, watered, walked and brushed. I've been staying up very late to write and I'm feeling the strain but I get so much pleasure from working on my book.

The end of January also brings on the cyclic grief over the death of my mother. It's been 25 years and surely she's in heaven by now, but when I look back to those dark, dark days, I know I felt sorry only for myself and for not having loved her enough. The saddest part is that I don't remember praying for her soul, even at her funeral. Watching someone you love die makes your heart ache, yet it is oddly beautiful. Peace radiated from her face as she let go of earthly attachments and started looking toward the Kingdom of God. She spoke of her own father and my older brother, who had died many years prior, and I wondered if they were waiting to receive her and lead her up to stand before God. I could imagine Him saying, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Best of all, my husband found this wonderful link for Archbishop Fulton Sheen's transcripts for Life is Worth Living. He is a charismatic speaker. We let the kids pick a topic (you have to scroll down to see the list), snuggle with our pets by the fireplace after supper and listen. Of course, nothing can replace a book, but what wealth on the Internet.
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On Breaks, Revisions and a Cracked Pot

I had a lovely break with my husband's folks this weekend -- got some much needed TLC, a change of scenery, and pace. So relaxing. I brought the kids, the dog, a book I'm reading by Archbishop Fulton Sheen (Your Life is Worth Living: The Christian Philosophy of Life), my notebook, and my first draft of my novel. I forgot all my toiletries, because I was so intent on packing all my medicines. But I did not need them, despite the long drive and rain. I am truly on the mend thanks to all the loving support and prayers and should've had faith!

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We left the kitties at home in care of a neighbor. My husband was supposed to come along as well but he had to go to Japan. So he's working long hours, sleeping in a fancy high rise hotel and eating lunch out of bento boxes. He says we'd love it here. And all I can think of is the song from the Chipmunks: Japanese Banana.

So after nearly a two month hiatus, I have begun my revisions on my novel. If I suddenly drop off the blogosphere or the Blueboards, that's why. Although I have 15K revised already, I had to start at the beginning and as always, there are things to fix. Always.

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I had much time to think and reflect and write in my notebook. One thing I am certain of, although I am a very cracked and crooked pot, God can still use me to do His work. I may never hold oil or wine or perfume, but I can hold water and pour it out to a thirsty fellow being. So I pray that the Lord fill me.

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Sunday's Mass and readings all felt directed toward this (I always feel this way, but especially so this weekend -- it really did feel like a retreat). I sang Psalm 40 with my entire heart: Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

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I highly recommend this book ... for Christians and non-Christians alike. Very readable. It's actually a transcript of Fulton Sheen's radio broadcasts.

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Feast of the Epiphany

Today is the Feast of the Three Kings. I know for many Mexican children, this is a little Christmas, but in the tradition of my mother, we shall have a reading, perhaps a cake with a hidden bean. I daren't bake a cake with a doll for fear the doll will melt. I've been known to do very silly things like that.

I have been thinking of all the gifts we've been bestowed with, and the gift of writing is one. Our dreams and deepest desires and what makes us happy and lost in that activity should surely make us realize what we are meant to do. It makes me happy when young people develop their gifts. Recently we were having supper with friends of ours, both their young boys who are applying for medical school. They are called to do this and have already established mobile clinics in poor areas in India. I too, was once passionate like this.

But fear stopped me. When I was a young woman of 21, even though I got into medical school, I rejected that call because the thought of borrowing $100,000 with no buffer just for my education was frightening. I was taught to never borrow money. There was no option to teach part-time. And I hadn't even figured living expenses. I did the more secure thing -- I got a job in research, got my PhD and paid my way by teaching and research assistantships. But I never felt that same calling. And I never did reapply to medical school. And it is one decision that I have regretted because it goes to my very core. I was called to heal. I believe that when you are given a gift, you are obligated to nurture and develop those gifts. I did not, and that is where this regret comes from. I think if I were a Christian back then, and had put all my faith and trust in God, I would've been just fine and God would've provided (maybe I would've learned that it is okay to borrow money and pay it back later).

God is good. He has given me other gifts. The gift to write. And every time I think of letting it pass by, my conscience tells me to not to give up. Now my conscience has been developed by the teachings of the Church, the Bible. I accomplished a tremendous feat last year. I read the entire Bible. Not that I understood it. Hah! I am showing my ignorance here. It is a very difficult set of books to read. Thank goodness we have priests who can interpret many of these stories. Many of the stories I already know well and their meaning is clear. But there are so many I did not even know and there are so many that are downright confusing. God did that? That's not very nice. But throughout my readings, one phrase leapt at me. "Do not fear" or "Fear not" and it is what I needed to hear.

We are all so fond of making New Year's resolutions. I have one writing related goal and that is to finish my novel revision and send it out to my top agent picks. I am not going to let fear stop me. I am going to say "Yes" to God when He calls me to do something in all areas of my life.

On the Blueboards, Anastasia asked what would be our word for the year. There are so many great words I could think of: faith, believe, trust, balance -- oh, there is much to juggle -- mothering, teaching, writing. But after much thinking, I chose the word SURRENDER because I want to surrender to God's will. I want to live my life with no regrets. Be more holy.

How about you? What gifts do you have? What regrets? What is the one thing you would like to change this year? What is your word for this year? Please share.

Here's a page from the January Highlights featuring my talking animal story Teeter-Totter. I hope you get a chance to read it and enjoy it with your own critters. The illustrations by Debbie Palen are darling.

Happy New Year, all. Persevere. And keep your balance!

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