Wasabi Snack

During my shopping trip to Trader Joe's I came across "Wasabi Tempura Seaweed Snacks" and since I love every ingredient in the name I just had to try them, and I'm so glad I did. They're wonderful.

What is your favorite snack?

Movie Screening

I was discussing the movie Slumdog Millionaire with a friend a while back and since then I have been thinking about seeing it, but I had some concerns. I know the movie won or was nominated for all kinds of awards, which sad to say, made me sceptical of it's content. So today I asked Paul to do a search on the content of the film. Paul ended up finding a website he's never used before and I thought I would share it with all of you.

It's called Kids In Mind.

I often wonder how many ADULTS actually screen a movie's content for themselves & not just for the kids. I admit that sometimes I let the theme of the movie get me so interested I almost don't bother to look into it, but that is extremely rare nowadays.

Now I'm not saying it's always easy to make the choice of skipping a movie simply because it may show more than you'd want your child to see, especially in situations where you're around friends who couldn't care less about the inappropriateness of the film. I did not grow up in a "you can't watch that" household, but now as a grown woman I realize what damage is truly done to our minds and our souls from constant exposure to sexual content (even implied), extreme violence, etc...

If we are to remain pure of heart and childlike we must make a conscious effort to screen what we watch, listen to, and read at all times.

Please share your opinions/stories on this topic.

Added Later:

After making this post I starting thinking how over the last few years I have eliminated movies, books, and music that I thought were unsuitable. But now that I think about it, I realize there was one thing I hadn't given up: Grey's Anatomy. But from now on NO MORE Grey's. While I've grown attached to the characters, I have to admit that the storylines are a bit much.

Prayer of St. Ephraim

O Lord and Master of my life,

give me not the spirit of laziness,

despair, lust of power, and idle talk.

But give rather the spirit of sobriety,

humility, patience and love to Thy servant.

Yea, O Lord and King,

grant me to see my own transgressions

and not to judge my brother,

for blessed art Thou unto ages of ages.

Amen

Photoshop is Amazing!

Paul took a picture of me that did not come out well at all, but he liked it. So I did the best I could to fix it for him.

I can't believe I'm showing you both pictures, but here you go.

Before

& After

It's not perfect, but still an amazing difference, & even though I have no nose & half a mouth in the second photo, I like it.

The Fifteen Promises of the Rosary

1. Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall receive signal graces.

2. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary.


3. The Rosary shall be a powerful armor against hell, it will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies.


4. It will cause virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of people from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.


5. The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall not perish.


6. Whoever shall recite the Rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its Sacred Mysteries shall never be conquered by misfortune. God will not chastise him in His justice, he shall not perish by an unprovided death; if he be just, he shall remain in the grace of God, and become worthy of eternal life.


7. Whoever shall have a true devotion for the Rosary shall not die without the Sacraments of the Church.


8. Those who are faithful to recite the Rosary shall have during their life and at their death the light of God and the plentitude of His graces; at the moment of death they shall participate in the merits of the Saints in Paradise.


9. I shall deliver from purgatory those who have been devoted to the Rosary.


10. The faithful children of the Rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in Heaven.


11. You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the Rosary.


12. All those who propagate the Holy Rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.


13. I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the Rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of death.


14. All who recite the Rosary are my children, and brothers and sisters of my only Son, Jesus Christ.


15. Devotion of my Rosary is a great sign of predestination.

Church the Way it Used to Be

I just read a post from Baby Catholic & I wanted to share it with you. I'm am only going to post the beginning, hoping that you will view the whole post on her blog.

I’ve been dying to write a post on this ever since I saw the sign outside of a large protestant church which sits to the right on my way to Mary, Queen. The message sign out front said, “Church the Way it Used to Be.” This cracked me up!...

Are You Kidding Me???

Autistic Basketball Player

Do you want to smile?? Watch this.

Ode to Autumn

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,

Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;

Conspiring with him how to load and bless

With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eaves run;

To bend with apples the mossed cottage-trees,

And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;

To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells

With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,

And still more, later flowers for the bees,

Until they think warm days will never cease,

For Summer has o'er-brimmed their clammy cell.

Who hath not seen thee oft amid thy store?

Sometimes whoever seeks abroad may find

Thee sitting careless on a granary floor,

Thy hair soft-lifted by the winnowing wind;

Or on a half-reaped furrow sound asleep,

Drowsed with the fume of poppies, while thy hook

Spares the next swath and all its twined flowers;

And sometimes like a gleaner thou dost keep

Steady thy laden head across a brook;

Or by a cider-press, with patient look,

Thou watchest the last oozings, hours by hours.

Where are the songs of Spring? Ay, where are they?

Think not of them, thou hast thy music too,--

While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day,

And touch the stubble-plains with rosy hue;

Then in a wailful choir, the small gnats mourn

Among the river sallows, borne aloft

Or sinking as the light wind lives or dies;

And full-grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourn;

Hedge-crickets sing; and now with treble soft

The redbreast whistles from a garden-croft,

And gathering swallows twitter in the skies.

~John Keats

Road Trip!!

I'm sorry that I've been away from my blog (and from some of yours as well) for sooooo long. I will try not to let my postings be so far apart. I have missed my blog & all of you too.

At the begining of last month I went on a little road trip with my mom and brother. We went up to Northern California to visit family & on our way home went to the Big Basin Redwoods and headed home on Highway 1. We had a blast!

Here are some pictures.

Wow!! I can't believe I'm 28 already

As I celebrate my birthday today, permit me, God, to celebrate it with you in this private way, opening my heart to you. If I reached this year it is because of you, who were never absent from my life. Your presence has given me the will to fight against what is selfish and evil You have accompanied me, Lord, with the power of your kindness all along the journey of my life; you have preserved me with a strong and happy disposition to do your will.Keep lit for many years, O God, the spark of my life, so that I may thank you daily for the light of your blessing.
Amen.

Hello

I'm back!!

I just haven't had time to write about my trip or post any pictures yet. Hopefully I'll get to it this weekend.

Blessings!!

M.I.A.

Hello to all!

I know I haven't been on in a while, but life has been busy, and I've had to put blogging on the back burner for a bit.

In 3 hours I am driving to Northern California to visit my cousins as well as taking a trip to see the Redwoods.

Hopefully by next weekend I'll have some pictures posted from our trip.

Thank you for being patient. =)

Yay!! It's The Weekend!

I am taking my sisters & my niece (wish my nephew could come, but he has plans) to the Wild Animal Park today and I'm really excited. I've been wanting to do something fun with them all summer, but once I was back at work full time the weeks just flew by & their summer is almost over. I've never been to the WAP before so I feel like a little kid, the way I used to feel the night before going to Disney Land.

I'll be sure to post some pictures & tell you all about my day with the girls.

7 Things I Love Meme

Gratiae ut Deus has generously tagged me for this meme. Thank you so much, and I will do my best.

1. I love Sundays, everything about Sunday is wonderful.

2. Weekend getaways.

3. Miguel's Jr. bean, rice, and cheese burritos. Yum!

4. Going to the Library with Paul.

5. The Traditional Latin Mass.

6. Mangos

7. Date night. Hey, what happened to date night??

Now it's my turn. I tag...

Jen @ GlowingwithGodslove

Gina @ Life Matters

Lee @ Confessions Of A Catholic Mom

Mary @ Passionate Perseverance

Michelle @ A Catholic Housewife

Jamie @ Lord, Make Me A Saint

Heidi @ Finding My Way

My Work Ethic at Home

We arrived early to Mass yesterday morning and after saying my prayers I decided to open up the Missalette. I started in the back to see what prayers were inside and I immediately focused on the prayer to St. Joseph.

In my previous post I talked about needing help to get through my work week. Some of the things I need help with at work are: not getting frustrated or loosing my patience so easily with those I work with & some I don't, but in the world of workers comp it's sometimes hard to avoid. I also tend to be too particular about clutter, I can't handle working in even a semi-unorganized environment, it makes me crazy. Everything must be in its place!! Not everyone I work with feels the same way, so I find myself in a crazy state most of the time. Even so, I still have lots of fun at work. However, my work ethic (at work) is not lacking & never has.

Now as for my work ethic at home, that isn't always so great. When it comes to house work, I am a major procrastinator. Anything else that comes up is always more important than dishes, laundry, etc. Which is why this particular prayer stood out so much.

This prayer to St. Joseph is a powerful one, and I plan on posting it somewhere I will see it everyday.

Prayer for the Spirit of Work Glorious St. Joseph, model of all who pass their life in labor, obtain for me the grace to work in a spirit of penance to atone for my many sins; to work conscientiously, putting the call of duty above my own inclinations; to work with gratitude and joy, considering it an honor to use and develop by my labor the gifts I have received from God; to work with order, peace, moderation, and patience, without ever recoiling before weariness or difficulties. Help me to work, above all, with purity of intention and with detachment from self, having always before my eyes the hour of death and the accounting which I must render of time lost, talents wasted, good omitted,and vain complacency in success, which is so fatal to the work of God. All for Jesus, all for Mary, all after your example, O Patriarch Joseph! This shall be my watchword in life and in death.

A Prayer For The Work Day

I've been back to work full time for about 4 weeks now, and after the week I just had I felt the need to find a specific prayer to help me through the week to come. Of all the prayers I found I liked this one best.

Lord Jesus, as I enter this work place, I bring Your presence with me. I speak Your peace, Your grace, and Your perfect order into the atmosphere of this office. I acknowledge Your Lordship over all that will be spoken, thought, decided and accomplished within these walls. Lord Jesus, I thank You for the gifts You have deposited in me.I do not take them lightly, but commit to using them responsibly and well. Give me a fresh supply of truth and beauty; on which to draw as I do my job.Anoint my creativity, my ideas, my energy so that even my smallest task may bring You honor. Lord when I am confused, guide me. When I am weary, energize me. Lord, when I am burned out, infuse me with the light of Your Holy Spirit. May the work that I do and the way I do it, bring hope, life, and courage to all that I come in contact with today. And Oh Lord, even in this day's most stressful moment, may I rest in You. In the Name of my Lord Jesus I Pray, Amen.

Where Did This Come From??

Click Here.

Overpopulation!

Vatican News

Top Vatican official confirms: no Communion for abortion proponents

Cardinal Antonio Canizares Llovera, the prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, has reiterated that politicians who support legal abortion should be barred from receiving Communion. Because these individuals are engaged in gravely sinful behavior, the Spanish prelate told LifeSite News, it would be an act of charity for a priest to withhold Communion, preventing them from blasphemous reception of the Eucharist.

I Love My Husband!

Thank you Sweetie for my flowers.

Giveaway!!

The apron goddesses have a contest going on! not an apron but a dress! here's your chance to look feminine and special !! go for it here!

Today's Gospel (Matthew 7:15-21)

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in the clothing of sheep, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. By their fruits you shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, and the evil tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can an evil tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, shall be cut down, and shall be cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them.
Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Credo

Do We Really Believe?

A great post from Lex Orandi Lex Credendi, who's only 15 years old.

_____________________________

Do we really believe that what we consume and what some handle at Mass is truly the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ? If so, then why do we approach it with such an informal manner and even touch the species and consecrated vessels that contain God without any sort of reverence or knowledge of what we are doing?
The Sacred Species or Sacred Vessels are not to be touched by anything that isn't consecrated, including the lay people. We are not priests!!

That is the whole purpose of having a priest in the first place! We put forth a trained and ordained man, to go before God and act in persona christi consecrating the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

The priest's hands were consecrated at his ordination Mass, allowing him to touch and hold the Sacred Species and Vessels. We, as lay people, are not consecrated to do such tasks. So then comes the question, "Why do we receive Jesus in our hands?" The answer is, we shouldn't.

Some are thinking, "well, our tongue isn't consecrated either, so it doesn't matter what we receive from." But this has an explanation! (I love being Catholic) In the old rite, at a child's' baptism, the priest would exorcise salt, and put it on the infant's tongue, thus consecrating the communicant's tongue so that it could receive Holy Communion. Sadly, we've done away with this tradition.

Not only are we not consecrated to hold the Sacred Species and Vessels, but it is also impractical (clunky) and disruptive to receive in the hands. People don't take reverence in what they are receiving, when they see the physical actions of walking up the aisle, and putting their hands out like they are entitled to receive something (Do we really believe?). Some communicants even go to an extent of putting out only one hand, or don't pay attention, and fumble around with the Host, and almost (and in some cases) dropping it.

There has also been an increase in the Host being stolen, to be sold, or desecrated, since receiving in the hands was allowed. I'm not blaming the desecration entirely on receiving in the hands, but it is a major contributor to that act. Instead of people being physically oriented (educated or not--- which is the faithful's responsibility, whether it be privately, or contacting your priest) to receive our Lord and having the priest put Him where He needs to be, and not have the chance of something sacrilegious occurring, we put ourselves in a position for spiritual failure.

One point from my own observation as a altar server is that in using the Paten, it is hard to catch or prevent dropping the Host, when people are fiddling around with it in their hands. Part of this is due to the faithful's orientation when receiving. If one were kneeling, and receiving on the tongue, then there would be NO question as to where the Host was going, and prevent the Host from being dropped as often. There should be no question or worry about where the Host is to be or how it is to be handled at all times. But I digress...

Another issue is lay men and women touching the Sacred Vessels, whether it be in the role of Eucharistic Ministers, or in removing the Vessels, uncleaned, from the altar. In both cases of Eucharistic ministers distributing and cleaning the vessels it becomes a more serious issue.

The lay take it upon themselves to touch (with their unconsecrated hands) Jesus, and distribute Him to the faithful, as if they were ordained. This is where one would see how priests lose focus in the meaning of their role. If any Joe-schmo can walk up on the altar and handle Jesus, then what is the purpose of a priest? It becomes confusing for the priest to know where his role is in the Mass...-- This is one reason why I feel that deacons (permanent) are very important to the Mass. They can help distribute Communion in place of lay men and women if done correctly and appropriately.

(And if you really think about it, it wouldn't take that long for a priest and deacon to distribute communion-- if it did take a longer period of time, isn't it worth it to take that time in distributing our Lord in a worthy and exact manner?)

Not only is touching the Host an issue, but also touching the Sacred Vessels before, during and after cleaning is an issue. Every fragment of the Host and Precious Blood is 100% God in all of His divinity. This not only gives a reason as to why receiving in the hands is discouraged--because, if you do, you will have thousands of tiny particles on your hands, going wherever your hands touch-- but also touching the sacred vessels, which contain our Lord. Who are we as lay men and women to touch the very consecrated objects which carry God?

It just isn't our place.

Rather it is the place of the clergy. The priest and deacon (if serving at Mass) should be the ones who handle the Sacred Vessels and clean them properly and accordingly. The priest is the one ordained to clean those vessels, and to remove the fragments from them. He is the one ordained to do such, and no one will question whether they have been taken care of properly.

The priest will then wash his hands afterwards to remove all fragments of the Host. That is why we see priests keeping their index fingers and thumbs together after the consecration. This way no pieces of fragments fall. Each of these tiny microscopic fragments are 100% of Jesus's soul and divinity. If we really believe that, then we won't let it fall or be handled improperly.

This is MY opinion. It is what is most respectful to our Lord, Jesus Christ.

To Jesus hidden in the Most Blessed Sacrament;Saint Faustina Kowalska

"I adore You, Lord and Creator, hidden in the Most Blessed Sacrament. I adore You for all the works of Your hands, that reveal to me so much wisdom, goodness and mercy, O Lord.

You have spread so much beauty over the earth and it tells me about Your beauty, even though these beautiful things are but a faint reflection of You, incomprehensible Beauty.

And although You have hidden Yourself and concealed your beauty, my eye, enlightened by faith, reaches You and my souls recognizes its Creator, its Highest Good, and my heart is completely immersed in prayer of adoration."

Today's Gospel (Mark 8:1-9)

In those days again, when there was a great multitude, and had nothing to eat; calling his disciples together, he saith to them: I have compassion on the multitude, for behold they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat. And if I shall send them away fasting to their home, they will faint in the way; for some of them came from afar off. And his disciples answered him: From whence can any one fill them here with bread in the wilderness? And he asked them: How many loaves have ye? Who said: Seven.

And taking the seven loaves, giving thanks, he broke, and gave to his disciples for to set before them; and they set them before the people. And they had a few little fishes; and he blessed them, and commanded them to be set before them. And they did eat and were filled; and they took up that which was left of the fragments, seven baskets. And they that had eaten were about four thousand; and he sent them away.

A Cousin's Promise

I have never been a great reader, no matter how much I wish I was. I am constantly started new books without completing them. Lately I've been trying to choose reading material that is more education than entertaining, but they don't always seem to hold my attention for very long. Truth is, I love stories!! Especially romantic stories, but it is very difficult to find a romantic book (maybe I don't look hard enough) that isn't full of vulgar acts & language.

Until Now.

I just finished A Cousin's Promise and I loved it!! I can't wait to read the next book. If I had a 12 or 13 year old daughter I would let her read it.

Have you read any good books lately? Can you make any recommendations??

It's Not Iran

This Made Me Cry!

A Missing Child

Non-Family Abduction

DAISJA WEAVER
DOB: Sep 10, 2008

Missing: Jun 10, 2009

Height: 2'0" (61 cm)

Eyes: Brown Race: Black
Age Now: 9 Month(s)

Sex: Female

Weight: 22 lbs (10 kg)

Hair: Brown
Missing From:DALLAS, TX United States
Daisja was last seen on June 10, 2009. She may be in the company of an adult male.