At long last she returns!

Hi all my buddies out there. I have been very lengthily distracted by finding old friends on Facebook. It has been SOOOOO COOL getting back in touch with all the people I have come across. It has been really interesting how re-connecting with certain people can give one a new perspective on how things really were all those years ago, or even how we were all thinking similar or vastly different things. 

The other big thing I noticed was how my memories of the past came sliding in to focus like an avalanche. All of a sudden people from other times and places came charging into my head and I felt I just HAD to track them down too. It made me realize how the different paths in our lives take us in such divergent directions, but all the while we never intended to lose touch, yet somehow did. 

Oops, I gotta go pick up Ben. But I wanted to encourage any of my friends out here in blogland or yahoogroups to get on Facebook. It is sooo fun putting a name to a face. 

Gotta run!

Peace

Me and Sara

Here is a Photobooth (a Mac app) pic of Sara and me. Sara's blog is Those That Wonder. She has recently updated the look and has some cool new pictures as well. This was taken when she just 'dropped by' a couple of days before Thanksgiving. I LOVE IT WHEN PEOPLE DROP BY!!! I really do. I am totally into following things on a whim. I am the perpetual 'drop by-er' it was fun that it happened to me.  Anyway, I love Sara. She is a great friend and we share our conversion to Catholicism together.  She is also a homeschooler of 3 kids too. I am hoping to just drop by on her today as I will be in her section of Roswell, in a bit. I am bummed that she is moving farther away. It's just an extra 10-15 minutes north...but it was nice knowing she was just across town. However, I have seen this new house and it is just what she needs, more space. If there is a person in life who needs just a little spoiling it is Sara. I think she deserves this wonderful new place.

Peace,

Prayers

I just want to thank everyone out there, who I know and who I don't, who has prayed for our family over the last few days. It is amazing. The prayers of others can be seen and felt. Ben had a miraculous day, at school, yesterday. He was telling me in the car, ON THE WAY TO SCHOOL, that he felt really happy inside. I told him I was thrilled to hear it and that it was because so many people are praying for him. When Ben got home, however, things weren't so great. But hey, at least it DID NOT have anything to do with school. We were back to being "the most unfair, mean parents ever" over something else entirely.

I, however, am still in the weirdest darn place. I can't even describe it. It is a like a slow emotional descent. Part of the reason *I* am dealing with stuff fairly well right now is that I literally DON'T CARE about much. It's like everything has been stripped away and so little really matters. I don't necessarily feel depressed or sad and I can still laugh and smile. I just feel kinda numb....just resigned. It's kind of like my vulnerability has a forcefield around it. I think I am unconsciously cocooning my emotions. Kinda like it is safer if they just stay shut up and away. My angry outbursts are starting to dissipate, which I think is directly related to not caring. If you don't care, you don't get angry. This clearly must be my mode of self-preservation, which I posted about earlier. I think I am just going to have to ride this out...there is no use fighting it.

I DO want to let everyone know that yesterday I prayed for the intentions of all those who have been praying for me. I hope you are all doubly blessed.

Peace,

Happy Birthday to Sara S.

I just want to wish my friend, Sara, a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Sara has been and amazing friend and help to me. I love her alot and I think everyone shoule know what a gift she is. Give her a 'shout out' at her blog,
"Those That Wonder".

I love you Sara! Thanks for being such a wonderful friend.

Peace,

P.S. Today is also my friends' Lydia and Rebecca's birthdays too.

Sara's got a blog!

This is a woman I have known IRL for a long time and have always admired.  I am sure she will have lots of things to write about. Check her out here.

Andrew & Canada on Bear Fighting

I am aware that Andrew and his friends are complete idiots. He and Canada decided to film themselves in the style of Andy Samberg's SNL Digital Shorts. They just started talking and filming with no idea where this was going. Also, just FYI, Andrew doesn't do drugs, but loves to make fun of those who do. My favorite line is when Andrew says, "It impresses the ladies". (Andy is the one not wearing a hat)

Andy and Canada (whose real name is Kyle) being the goofballs they are.

Look what I found

This is a picture of the Florida Brat pack.  From Left to Right: Elena, Trevor, Andrew, Francesca, & Myles.

At the time they were 3, 6.5, 6, 6, & 2. They are now 16, 19, 18.5, 18.5, & 15.  Francesca and Elena's mom, Mig and Myles and Trevor's mom, Rachel, are my oldest friends. These are Andrew's oldest friends too.  Mig lives in Indiana now and Rach is still in Florida. This July we are all going to descend on Mig's house and get this posse together after a long time. I can't wait for the picture. I am going to put them in this exact pose. It should be interesting. Man, I miss those days.

~Peace,

A Gesthemane Moment

I don't know how many of you Catholics out there have ever participated in the Parish Renewal program called Christ Renews His Parish or CRHP (pronounced Chirp for short), but it is an amazing and singular retreat experience.  It is quite unlike anything out there.  If your parish has it...RUN...don't walk...and sign up for the next one.

Well, CRHP is self perpetuating.  It is not stagnant.  Folks attend a CRHP weekend then many from that group go on to present a CRHP weekend and then the presenters kind of move off into various parish ministries and the attendees go on to be presenters and it keeps going from there.  Our parish started CRHP a couple of years ago.  Every 6 months there is a CRHP Weekend for Men and a week or so later their is the Women's weekend.  Each group of people to attend are a team.  I went to Team 1's presentation of a CRHP Weekend, and those in my group who continued to form the next Weekend became Team 2.  Once you have gone to CRHP you may or may not be Called by God to come back to another CRHP team to help them out.  This just happened to me.  I was Called to go and help form Team 6 to put on a CRHP Weekend whose attendees will become CRHP 7.  

There are many roles to be filled for a CRHP weekend.  And only God, in a special discernment prayer meeting will Call those He chooses to certain roles.  No person says to another, "You are meant to do this or that."  Well, at the most recent discernment I was Called to be the Lay Director.  Let me tell you what a hilarious joke on me that is.  And I have been really freaking out over the last few days asking God if he could take this cup from me...after I decided maybe I don't want it.  It is going to stretch me in places I have never stretched and I'm feeling quite inflexible, KWIM?

Lay Directors direct the proceeding of a CRHP meeting. I have to watch time, make  sure folks don't stray off topic, keep to a prescribe schedule, help insure the retreat goes smoothly giving oversight to all other ministry heads.  It's not my show.  I am just helping to direct it.  Okay, stop laughing all of you who know me. I know what you are thinking.  "How could God let Rachel do that?...Her CRHP meetings are going to end up being a train wreck!"  Well, the first one was a bit disorganized, but my Spiritual and Co-Spiritual Directors Ann and Jacki thought it went alot better than I did.  I even got an email from a member of the group, Julie, telling me she was glad I was the Lay Director. WOW! COOL!  I gotta say, I won't be doing ANY of it without God's help.  I think that is why I am where I am.  He knows I need Him for this position. I also adore the women in this team and know that they will help and best of all LOVE me through it.  They won't be judging, just encouraging. So, Fear Be Damned!  Get behind me Satan!  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!

Oh, and for any of you Catholics out there reading this who have a Christ Renews His Parish in your church, DO NOT HESITATE!  Sign up NOW!  It will be, quite possibly, the BEST thing you have EVER done for your relationship with CHRIST,  your FELLOW PARISHIONERS, and YOURSELF!!!!

~Peace,

Something Good

So, today has been a good day for Ben. He woke up happy, didn't need Robert or me for anything, played happily with his sister so that Robert and I could sleep in. Then we woke up at 10 (it was awesome) we had snuggle time with Ben in our bed. He loves being cuddled and after the last few days of screaming, yelling and unhappiness it was nice (really nice) to reconnect with the boy that I love (but don't often get to 'feel' like I love). Then I went to Kath's house, got to hang out with her a bit, which I always love, and after I took Ryan and Daniel to my house where everyone is playing quite happily (dare I even say it?).

Who knows what will happen later...or tommorrow when it is back to school time for Ben? I sure don't. But for this moment. I am going to savor the peace, quiet and happiness that is pervading my house.

THANK YOU GOD! For helping me to relish and enjoy the little things. Amen

~Peace,