Lenten Reflection and Prayer Request

A friend of our's mother died in her sleep last night, apparently of a massive heart attack. She was not much older than my parents and it has really rocked our tiny world. We all know that we could leave this earth at any minute, but who really contemplates this thought? She leaves behind a loving husband, son, daughter-in-law, and three precious grandchildren, not to mention all her dear friends and the people that she touched daily, through her smile and infectious laugh.

Please pray for the Springfield family.

FAMILY: Appreciate your parents. Call and tell them that you love them.

FRIENDS: Do the same for your friends. You never know how long you will have them on this earth.

FAITH: God, why do you take people away when we so want them to stay here on earth? Why do children have to grow up without parents or husbands grow old without their wives? We don't understand why you let these things happen to us, or why we have to go through such hurting times. Please be with us. Teach us to trust and find hope, peace and comfort in you.

T-ball

I am not sure if I have posted on this topic or not, but Ward has started t-ball . . . and he LOVES it. For that I am so thankful. We have tried a couple of other organized sports, including soccer, which he has . . . ummm, how can I put it . . . hated. I would have to bribe him to go to practice and forget about a game. No way. Not interested. But t-ball is another story. He can't wait. He begs for practice. He can't wait for the game (he had his first practice game today and had 3 hits and no "strikes", i.e. complete misses of the ball on the T). He is on the Pirates, which is absolutely perfect for him since he is obsessed with all things pirate. He got his jersey tonight and is #3, a number that Ted was in soccer. He is so excited. I will take a picture of him all decked out soon.

Costumes

Mom went to Mexico last week with a group of girls and came back with the most amazing costumes for the kids. Ward's is a very elaborate Darth Vadar (not sure if that is how you spell it) and Ann Park's is Aurora, otherwise known as Sleeping Beauty. Sam didn't get a costume, but Ann Park shared her crown with him!

I told her before I took the picture below to give me a "pretty face" but it kinda came out making her look constipated! We will have to work on that!

Ward would not let me take a picture of him until he went upstairs and got his light sabor. No DV costume would be complete without it!

My two cuties . . . such a pair!

Lenten Reflection

So it is yet to be seen whether Ted will be among the living today. He didn't make it out of the bed yesterday (although he did manage to get some work done - priorities, right), but after two nights of sleeping with Ann Park I really want to get back in my bed tonight (and maybe even this afternoon for a nap!).

FAMILY: Play. Laugh. Play some more.
FRIENDS: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Live by that today (you should be doing it anyway, but really think about it today).
FAITH: Celebrate and rejoice. The Saturdays of Lent have a wonderful spirit. The daily Church reading today is the parable of the two sons:
- one who is ungrateful and leaves, but returns, and
- one who will not accept the forgiveness
the father lavishes on the other.

The Lord is loving and merciful,
slow to anger, and full of love;
the Lord is kind to all, and compassionate
to all his creatures.

Lenten Reflection

FAMILY: Take care of my sick husband . . . that is all I can think today. Don't be bitter if I can't go to the farm. He can't help it.
FRIENDS: Do a random act of kindness today. Make someone's day.
FAITH: Loving God, Caring parent,
I am a child who so often turns my back
on your love.
Please accept my small acts of sorrow today
and help to release me from the self-absorption
that closes my heart to you.
As I journey through Lent,
let me remember the feast you have prepared for me
in the resurrection
and let me be filled with thanks to you.

Guess who?

So guess who threw up all night and announced to me this morning that he thinks he lost 5-7 pounds? Ted. Let the real infirmary begin. Still praying that Sam and I don't get it. Sam has an awful cold, but I would take that any day over the throw ups. I slept with Ann Park, which means that I didn't get a full night's sleep but I wasn't thinking about staying in our room and I did the couch a couple of months ago, when Ted had the throw ups the last time. I am not sure what is up with his immune system, but I have never heard of a grown man getting the throw up bug two times in 6 months, have you? I know it is really contagious, but he didn't really even take care of Ward when he was sick since he was at work. Oh well. Ann Park says that we need to "pray to God for daddy" and so we will.

Lenten Reflection

FAMILY: Appreciate your family for who they are at this moment. They will continue to change each year, month, week, day, even minute, and you can't go back to how they are today.
FRIENDS: Pray for a friend who has a sick child. As you know, I have been dealing with that this week and it is exhausting! Maybe even think about doing a little something special to help her out!
FAITH: Today the daily reading at Mass was the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus. The daily prayer relates the story to our life: Loving God,
I hear your invitation, "Come back to me"
and I am filled with such a longing to return to you.
Show me the way to return.
Lead me this day in good works I do in your name
and send your Spirit to guide me and strengthen my faith.
I ask only to feel your love in my life today.

Throw ups

Well, we have had our dose of the throw-up bug. Last Friday night, Ann Park threw up all over her bed in the middle of the night and then had awful diarrhea for the next day. I thought that we were in the clear when we got through the rest of the weekend and Monday/Tuesday without another incident. I was wrong. Ward threw up during dinner last night and continued to throw up all night, on and off. After two changes of the sheets and a lot of cloroxing of the bathroom, he seems to be through the worst of it. He has been running a fever on and off all day, but I just took it again and it is gone, without medication. He even ate some toast and is asking for a grilled cheese.

So PLEASE everyone pray that Sam doesn't get it. Of course Ward was all over Sam yesterday afternoon and early evening before he got sick. I am just praying for a miracle. I can handle it when the older two get it, gross as it may be, but I think that it will completely break my heart if he gets it. I don't know what I will do!

Lenten Reflection

FAMILY: Do something in appreciation of your parents. If you are a parent now, you can really understand what they went through to make you the person you are today. At the very least, call them and tell them thanks for all the hard work!
FRIENDS: Apologize to someone today when you hurt them or do something that you should not have (or apologize for something you did a while back and never had the guts to say you were sorry for). Even if it is something small.
FAITH: God in heaven and in my life,
guide me and protect me.
I so often believe I can save myself
and I always end in failure.
Lead me with your love away from harm
and guide me on the right path.
May your Spirit inspire the Church
and make us an instrument of your love and guidance.
Thank you for your care for me.

Lenten Reflection

FAMILY: Do something unexpected for your family - whether it be making a special treat or a fun dinner. Make them smile.
FRIENDS: Send a short note to a friend who needs encouragement.
FAITH:Lord,
your commandment of love is so simple
and so challenging.
Help me to let go of my pride,
to be humble in my penance.
I want only to live the way you ask me to love,
to love the way you ask me to live.
I ask this through your son, Jesus,
who stands at my side
today and always.